JP2001103225A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily analyze a cause to occurrence of errors on the basis of input information by storing the input information so as to reproduce a processing instruction with respect to an input device mounted on a facsimile terminal or the like. SOLUTION: The facsimile terminal that is provided with an operation display section 13, a plotter 19, and a parameter memory 22 backed up by a battery 22a, automatically stores input information such as key information from the operation display section 13 to the parameter memory 22 without missing the information on operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an input device,
For example, the present invention relates to an apparatus mounted on a facsimile apparatus or the like so as to easily analyze an error occurrence factor based on input information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an apparatus operates a function provided based on information input from the outside. For example, a facsimile apparatus will be described below as an example. The operation is started based on instruction information from the operation means, call information received from the communication line, and the like.

Some facsimile apparatuses of this type have a function of recording and outputting a list of communication results, and errors generated during communication can be confirmed from the list.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional facsimile apparatus, occurrence of an error can be recognized by outputting a list, but the list is actually stored in accordance with a control program based on input information. It simply outputs the destination of the transmission processing and the cause of the error, etc., cannot check the input information itself,
If the error is not an error assumed in advance, the content of the error cannot be output.

For this reason, during an operation or an input operation, an operation that cannot be realized, for example, a signal is transmitted to a certain destination but is transmitted to another destination, or the power is suddenly turned off / on during reception. When a failure such as turning on occurs, it is difficult to analyze the cause later, and a similar failure may occur repeatedly.

[0006] The causes of such errors are mainly
(A) error in control program, (b) operation error, etc.
However, in any case, analysis is often facilitated by reproducing the operation method (input information) at the time of occurrence of the failure.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to reproduce a processing instruction by storing input information, and to easily analyze a cause of an error based on the input information. .

[0008]

The invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is an input device provided with interface means for inputting information for operating the apparatus main body to the apparatus main body,
Storage means for holding stored information even when the power is turned off;
Output means for reading the stored information in the storage means and sending it to the display means or recording means for display output or recording output, for example, operated by a user to input information for operating the apparatus main body. Input information via the interface means, which is constituted by an operation means, and a connection means connected to a communication line, etc., is automatically stored and held in the storage means.

According to the present invention, the input information itself received for the operation of the apparatus main body can be retained without being lost, and can be displayed or recorded and output when an error occurs. Therefore, the input information for operating the apparatus main body can be confirmed, and for example, the operation procedure can be reproduced and confirmed.

Further, the present invention stores the input information, which satisfies a preset condition, in the storage means, thereby separating the input information from only information necessary for error analysis. Can be stored, and the consumption of the storage area due to unimportant input information can be reduced.

Further, the present invention provides a method for transmitting a part or all of the input information stored in the storage means to the recording means at a preset timing to record and output the information, or storing or outputting the input information separately from the storage means. By sending the input information to the external storage means for storing and holding the information, and erasing the input information from the storage means, the input information can be deleted from the oldest storage medium before the input information becomes unstorable. And the latest input information can be stored and held.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the input device according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a facsimile apparatus equipped with an embodiment.

In FIG. 1, a facsimile apparatus includes a CPU (Central Processing) for executing various processing programs.
Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 storing various processing programs, and an LCD for storing various information.
(Operation means, display means, interface means) 13 for displaying on a display such as a (Liquid Crystal Display) and inputting settings and instructions by an operator, and modulating and demodulating image information to be transmitted and various procedural signals. A communication control unit (interface means) 16 for transmitting and receiving (transmitting) image information via a network control unit 15 for controlling a modem 14 to perform predetermined line control at the time of outgoing / incoming and connecting / disconnecting with a telephone line. An encoding / decoding unit 17 for compressing and encoding image information to be transmitted while expanding and decoding received image information, a scanner 18 for reading image information from a document, and recording the image information on a recording sheet. A plotter (recording means) 19 for outputting the image information, an image memory 20 for storing the read image information and the received image information, and an operation for storing the image information to be processed for each line. A buffer memory 21 composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory) for storing data necessary for data communication, information such as a telephone number of a destination of facsimile communication and information set in advance can be recorded and output by a plotter 19, and The parameter memory (storage means) 22 is stored so as to be able to be output and displayed on the operation display unit 13 and backed up by the battery 22a, and font data of each character such as English / number / kana / symbol and kanji is stored. A character generator 23 and a clock circuit 24 used for transmitting image information and the like are connected via a bus 25, and the CPU 11 controls various parts of the apparatus so that various functions are performed in accordance with a transmission control procedure of facsimile communication. For example, memory transfer, confidential transmission / reception, or polling transmission / reception can be performed. As well as being able to function as the communication control unit 16
A PC (personal computer) or the like can be connected to an I / F (interface) function provided in the PC to function as a printer. In addition,
Reference numeral 18a denotes a document sensor group provided with the scanner 18 for detecting document set / feed, jam occurrence, and the like.
Similarly, a paper sensor group provided in the plotter 19 detects paper set / feed and jam occurrence.

In this facsimile apparatus, the key information and the like input from the operation display unit 13 constituting the man-machine interface means are powered by a battery 22a.
Parameter memory 22 that retains stored information even if it is flipped
The CPU 11 automatically stores the data in a time-series manner. Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
Key information such as one-touch key and start key,
N, document OFF, plotter / scanner cover open,
External state change information that changes state by user operation detected by sensors such as plotter / scanner cover close, timeout after a certain period of time, transition to energy saving mode due to energy saving transition time,
When input information such as internal state change information that changes state without a user operation such as toner end occurs (step P11), the input information is converted into a code associated with the parameter memory in advance and stored in the parameter memory. 22 and the time measured by the clock circuit 24 (step P2).
1). It is preferable that the code corresponding to the input information is determined in advance so as to be distinguishable for each type by a code of a fixed width, and the information stored in the parameter memory 22 is a hexadecimal number in a general facsimile machine. Since these codes are employed, these codes are also hexadecimal numbers, and are preferably associated with each other as follows, for example. ○ Key information: 01h to 4fh ・ Numeric keypad 1: 01h ・ One touch key 1: 11h ○ External status change information: 50h to 90h ・ Original ON: 50h ・ Scanner cover close: 61h ○ Internal status change information: 91h to cfh ・Energy saving mode transition: a3h ・ Toner end: c0h etc.

Therefore, the input information received by the apparatus main body can be stored in the parameter memory 22 in time series without being lost even after the operation is completed, and the stored information in the parameter memory 22 can be stored in another registered memory. Like information,
The data can be displayed on the operation display unit 13 or recorded and output by the plotter 19.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the input information collected by the apparatus main body can be reliably stored and held in the parameter memory 22. When any error occurs, a series of input information is displayed. By outputting or recording and outputting, the input information itself can be confirmed. For example, the operation procedure can be reproduced and confirmed. Therefore, the cause of the error can be analyzed from the input information, and it is possible to easily determine whether the problem is a control program problem or an erroneous operation by the user. , And its cause can be easily analyzed.

In this embodiment, as input information,
A case will be described in which only input information such as key information, external state change information, and internal state change information that is generated on the own device side is handled. However, information received from a communication partner may be similarly stored and held as input information. Needless to say (the same applies to other embodiments described below).

FIG. 3 shows a second example of the input device according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a facsimile apparatus equipped with an embodiment. Note that, since the present embodiment is configured in the same manner as the above-described embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations using FIG. 1 (the other embodiments described below are also described). Similar).

In FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus selects key information input from the operation display unit 13 that satisfies predetermined conditions and stores the key information in the parameter memory 22. Specifically, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 3, when the input information is generated (step P11), when the input information is the internal state change information, the CPU 11 does not store and hold the information as not being important. On the other hand, when the process is terminated, if the received information is key information or external state change information,
It is determined that the input information is useful for analyzing the error (step P12), and the input information to be stored is code-converted and stored in the parameter memory 22 with time (step P21). The input information to be stored and held may be determined in advance in accordance with the storage capacity of the parameter memory 22. For example, when there is not enough storage capacity and no complicated control function is provided, only key information is stored and held. However, if there is a considerably large storage capacity and a complicated control function, the setting may be made to store and hold the normal key and the external state change information.

Therefore, only input information useful for error analysis can be selected and stored in the parameter memory 22, so that the storage capacity of the parameter memory 22 is not wasted due to less important input information. be able to.

As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the operation and effect of the above-described embodiment, the storage capacity of the parameter memory 22 is consumed by input information that is not useful for error analysis, and the input information is stored in the parameter memory 22. Can be prevented from being stored in the parameter memory 22 and the storage capacity of the parameter memory 22 being compressed into insignificant input information and being unable to be effectively used. Therefore, the parameter memory 22
The present invention can be effectively used even in a device that cannot take a large storage capacity of the device.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the input device according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a facsimile apparatus equipped with an embodiment.

In FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus sends the input information stored and held in the parameter memory 22 to the plotter 19 at a preset timing for recording and output, and the recorded input information is stored in the parameter memory 2.
2 and, specifically, the CPU
When input information is generated (step P11) as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 (step P11), the input information is code-converted and stored in the parameter memory 22 with time (step P21). It is determined whether or not the storage capacity of the input information stored in the storage area 22 has exceeded a preset upper limit (step P3).
1) If it exceeds, the parameter memory 22
Is converted into appropriate information such as expanded into a memory dump list so as to be recorded and output by the plotter 19 in the form of a report, recorded on a recording sheet and output as visible information, and the input information is stored in the parameter memory 22.
Erase from within (step P41). It should be noted that the erasing of the input information from the parameter memory 22 can be performed without actually erasing the input information.
It is sufficient to return the address to the beginning so that it can be overwritten.

Therefore, the old input information can be recorded and output on the recording paper (storage medium), and the latest input information can be stored and held in the parameter memory 22, and the old input information is not useful for error analysis. It is possible to prevent the storage capacity of the parameter memory 22 from being wasted due to the input information.

Here, the upper limit of the storage capacity of the input information stored in the parameter memory 22 is variably set to BitS.
It is convenient to set by W or the like. For example, in a device in which an error frequently occurs, the upper limit value is set to a large value so as to be able to hold a certain amount of input information. In an apparatus in which no error occurs, the upper limit value is set to a small value so that the storage capacity of the parameter memory 22 is effectively used.
The upper limit value may be automatically updated after a certain period such as three years has elapsed. The timing of processing the input information stored in the parameter memory 22 is not limited to the upper limit of the storage capacity of the input information, and may be deleted after a certain period has elapsed according to the storage period of the input information. It goes without saying that it may be set.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the functions and effects of the above-described embodiment, the storage capacity of the parameter memory 22 is consumed by the input information, and the input information can be stored in the parameter memory 22. It is possible to effectively and reliably avoid the loss of the input information and the fact that the storage capacity of the parameter memory 22 is compressed into the input information and cannot be used effectively, and the input information deleted from the parameter memory 22 is lost. Without recording, it can be recorded and output on recording paper and used when an error occurs. Therefore, the present invention can be effectively used even for a device that cannot have a large storage capacity of the parameter memory 22.

As another aspect of this embodiment, although not shown, the input information in the parameter memory 22 is not recorded and output by the plotter 19, but the code corresponding to the input information is left as it is, or Is developed into image information, for example, moved to and stored in a SAF (Store And Forward) such as a built-in or external hard disk device, or a code is converted into image information and transferred to another facsimile device and stored. You can also do so. The reason why the input information is stored in the SAF is that the transmission time is set to a considerably long time and the like, and the image is stored in the SAF as image information in the same format as the transmission standby file, thereby eliminating special control. Can be held.
In the case of forwarding to another facsimile machine, SA
After storing the image information in F, it may be set so that the address is automatically added and the memory transmission is performed. As the destination, a service station number for storing and holding the image information is generally considered to be good. However, it is also possible to use a destination where the number of the administrator can be registered. As described above, it is possible to output, move, and transfer input information using existing functions without adding any special functions.

[0028]

According to the present invention, the input information to the apparatus main body can be reliably stored and held, and the input information itself can be displayed, recorded, reproduced, and reproduced when an error occurs. Therefore, for example, the operating procedure can be reproduced to easily determine whether the problem is a program problem or a user's erroneous operation, and if the problem is a program problem, the cause can be further easily determined. Can be analyzed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a facsimile apparatus to which a first embodiment of an input device according to the present invention is applied, and is a block diagram illustrating a schematic overall configuration thereof.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the processing.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a facsimile apparatus to which a second embodiment of the input device according to the present invention is applied, and is a flowchart illustrating a process thereof;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a facsimile apparatus to which a third embodiment of the input device according to the present invention is applied, and is a flowchart illustrating the processing thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 CPU 13 Operation display unit (interface means, operation means,
Display means) 15 network control device 16 communication control section (interface means) 17 encoding / decoding section 18 scanner 19 plotter (recording means) 20 image memory 21 buffer memory 22 parameter memory 22a battery

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An input device comprising an interface means for inputting information for operating an apparatus main body to the apparatus main body, wherein the storage means retains stored information even when the power is turned off;
Output means for reading out the storage information in the storage means and sending it to the display means or recording means for display output or recording output, and automatically stores the input information via the interface means in the storage means An input device characterized by being held. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein operation means operated by a user to input information for operating the apparatus main body constitutes the interface means. 3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein, among the input information, information that satisfies a preset condition is stored in the storage unit. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein part or all of the input information stored in said storage means is transmitted to said recording means at a preset timing for recording and output, and said input information is erased from said storage means. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: 5. A storage means for storing and holding information which is built in or external to the storage means separately from the storage means, and wherein part or all of input information stored in the storage means is stored at a preset timing. 4. The input device according to claim 1, wherein said input information is sent to said means and said input information is deleted from said storage means.