JP2003216513A - Server device, electronic equipment, and communication control method therein - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly respond to malfunction found after shipping or selling products with neither heavy labor nor high cost. <P>SOLUTION: This server device is provided with communication means communicating with electronic equipment connected thereto via a communication circuit, and first and second storage means. This server device stores information peculiar to each model of the electronic equipment in the first storage means, uploads the information peculiar to each electronic equipment connected thereto by communication means (S501), stores the uploaded information peculiar to each electronic equipment in the second storage means (S503), analyzes the information peculiar to each electronic equipment (S504), determines whether or not the information peculiar to each model corresponding to each electronic equipment is downloaded (S505), and downloads the information peculiar to each model to the electronic equipment by the communication means according to the determination result (S508). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a server device and an electronic device, and a communication control method in these devices, and more particularly to updating maintenance information in the server device and the electronic device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional electronic device or device used in an office or home, maintenance information includes information for restoring the device to a normal state when the device body malfunctions, and malfunctions. Information for preventing this is stored.

For example, in a facsimile apparatus which employs an ink jet recording system which is one of electronic devices, when ink is exhausted, a normal recording operation cannot be performed and a malfunction occurs. For this reason, for example, an ink counter that integrates the number of ejections each time ink is ejected is provided in the apparatus main body, and when the ink counter reaches a certain value, a display on a display device such as an LCD or a sound from a speaker It is configured to notify the user that the amount of remaining ink is low due to a call or the like.

According to the notification from the apparatus, the user can prevent the malfunction that the normal recording operation cannot be performed by exchanging the new ink, or the malfunction can occur by preparing the replacement ink. It is possible to take measures such as promptly restoring the device to a normal state when doing so.

As described above, generally used electronic equipments and devices predict malfunctions and their causes that can occur when the user uses them, and restore the malfunctioned devices to the normal state. It is configured to notify the user of the method of preventing the operation or the method of preventing the occurrence of the malfunction, and to provide the recovery means and the prevention means in the apparatus main body.

That is, it is necessary to fully understand the malfunctions that can occur when the user uses it at the product design stage so that each malfunction can be dealt with easily.

[0007]

However, in practice, there may be a case where a malfunction is found due to a cause that could not be grasped at the design stage after the product was released. It is difficult to take prompt measures for such malfunctions, and if it is necessary to notify the user or collect / repair the product, a great deal of labor and cost will be required.

With respect to the malfunction found after the sale, in order to recover the device to a normal state or prevent the malfunction from occurring, a means for notifying the user, recovery, and prevention is newly added to the device under production. Although it is possible to take measures to add them, it is necessary to temporarily stop production because the production process needs to be changed, and this is not an easy measure from the viewpoint of production schedule management. Even if such an addition is made, there remains a problem that no measures are taken for products already shipped to the market.

Therefore, there is a need to promptly deal with malfunctions found after the product has been shipped or after the product has been released, without labor and cost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and it is possible to promptly deal with a malfunction found after shipment or sale of a product without labor or cost. , A server device and an electronic device, and a communication control method in these devices.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a server device of the present invention stores communication means for communicating with an electronic device connected via a communication line and information specific to each model of the electronic device. First storage means, upload control means for uploading information unique to each electronic device connected by the communication means, and second storage for storing information unique to each electronic device uploaded by the upload control means Means for determining whether to download the model-specific information corresponding to each electronic device based on a comparison between the model-specific information and the electronic device-specific information; Download control means for downloading the information unique to each model to the electronic device by the communication means according to the determination result of Information Yu has become a software program information that is not stored in each of the electronic devices.

Further, the electronic equipment of the present invention which achieves the above object, comprises a communication means for communicating with a server connected via a communication line, a first storage means for storing information peculiar to itself, and the self-device. Upload control means for uploading machine-specific information to the server device by the communication means,
Based on the model-specific information, a download control unit that downloads model-specific information from the server device in response to the upload of the upload control unit, a second storage unit that stores the downloaded model-specific information, Control means for controlling the operation, and the model-specific information is software program information not stored in the storage means of the own device.

Further, the above object can also be achieved by a communication control method, a computer program, and a storage medium corresponding to the above server device and electronic equipment.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
In a server device having communication means for communicating with an electronic device connected via a communication line and first and second storage means, software program information unique to each model, which is not stored in each electronic device, is stored in the server device. Information stored in one storage unit, information unique to each electronic device connected by the communication unit is uploaded, and the uploaded information unique to each electronic device is stored in the second storage unit. Based on the comparison with the information unique to the electronic device, it is determined whether to download the information unique to each model corresponding to each electronic device, and according to the determination result, the information unique to each model is downloaded to the electronic device by the communication means. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, communication means for communicating with a server connected via a communication line,
In an electronic device having first and second storage means,
The information peculiar to itself is stored in the first storage means, the information peculiar to itself is uploaded to the server device by the communication means,
In response to the upload, the model-specific software program information that is not stored in the machine itself is downloaded from the server device, and the downloaded model-specific information is used as the second item.
Stored in the storage means and controls the operation based on the information peculiar to the model.

In this way, the information peculiar to each model stored in the server is updated every time new information on maintenance such as malfunction is newly found, and the information peculiar to each electronic device and By comparing the information specific to each model, the information about maintenance such as malfunction found for the model after the shipment or sale of the electronic device is downloaded from the server device to the electronic device as necessary. It becomes possible to do.

Therefore, it becomes possible to take effective measures against malfunctions found after shipment or sale of electronic equipment that has already been used by the user, quickly and without labor and cost. This has the effects of improving the maintainability of the electronic equipment being used and reducing the service load.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an information processing system including a facsimile apparatus and a server apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention, and also shows a control configuration of the facsimile apparatus 1. As shown in the figure, the information processing system according to the present embodiment includes a facsimile device 1 and a server device 1.
4 and are connected to each other through a telephone line 13. It should be noted that although only one facsimile device is shown in FIG.
4 can communicate with a plurality of facsimile machines connected by a telephone line 13 according to a predetermined protocol.

The control configuration of the facsimile apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 2 denotes an operation unit for the user to input an operation instruction to the facsimile apparatus, 3 a display unit for displaying to the user, and 4 detection for measuring and detecting physical quantities inside and around the apparatus as information related to the installation environment of the facsimile apparatus. 5 is an image reading unit that reads a set original and performs image processing, 6 is an image recording unit that performs a recording operation on a set recording sheet, 7 is a RAM used as various data and work areas, and 8 is program data Is a ROM that stores Reference numeral 9 is an NCU that communicates with an external device via a telephone line, and 10 and 11 are a modem and a data modem that convert a signal sent from the NCU 9.
Further, 12 is an operation unit 2, a display unit 3, a detection unit 4, an image reading unit 5, an image recording unit 6, a RAM 7, a ROM 8, a modem 10,
It is a CPU that controls each part of the data modem 11, and has a built-in timer that counts time.

Note that the facsimile machine 1 transmits the signal from the NCU 9 to the modem 1 in the ordinary telephone and FAX communication.
Although it is converted by 0, a signal from the NCU 9 is converted by the data modem 11 for electronic data described later.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the mechanical structure of the facsimile apparatus 1 shown in FIG. Using FIG. 2, FIG.
The document reading operation and the recording operation of the facsimile device 1 shown in FIG.

First, the outline of the reading operation of the original will be described. In FIG. 2, a document bundle 22 inserted into the document insertion port 21 of the facsimile apparatus 1 is composed of a document separating roller 23 and a document separating piece 25 arranged at a position facing the document separating roller 23 with respect to the document conveying path 24. 1 by the document separation unit 26
Image data on the original reading surface is read by the reading device 30 while the separated originals 27 are conveyed by the original feeding roller 28 and the original discharging roller 29,
The document 27 that has completed the reading operation is conveyed by the document discharge rollers 29 and discharged outside the apparatus. The image information read by the reading device 30 is transferred to the image reading unit 5 in FIG. 1 and image processing is performed.

Next, the outline of the recording operation on the recording paper will be described. In FIG. 2, the recording paper insertion port 3 of the facsimile device 1
The recording paper stack 32 inserted in
The recording sheets 34 are separated one by one, and the separated recording sheets 34 are recorded on the recording surface by the recording device 37 while being conveyed by the recording sheet feed roller 35 and the recording sheet discharge roller 36. The recording paper 34, which has completed the recording operation, is conveyed by the recording paper discharge rollers 36 and discharged outside the apparatus.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 38 denotes an operation panel on which various buttons for a user to operate the facsimile machine and a display device such as an LCD are arranged.
It corresponds to the operation unit 2 and the display unit 3. Reference numeral 39 designates the image reading unit 5, the image recording unit 6, the RAM 7, the ROM 8 shown in FIG.
NCU 9, modem 10, data modem 11, CPU 12
It is a main board that is mounted on a wiring board. Reference numeral 40 denotes a sensor that detects a physical quantity of the environment in which the apparatus body is installed, such as temperature and humidity around the apparatus, and the detection unit 4 in FIG.
Corresponding to.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the server 14 shown in FIG. 1. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 3, the server 14 includes a host computer 41, a large-capacity storage device 42 such as a hard disk, an output device such as a display, and a terminal 43 including an input device such as a keyboard. , And is communicably connected to a plurality of facsimile devices. The host computer 41 is C
It has a PU, a RAM, and a ROM, and a CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage device 42 to centrally control the host computer and the entire server.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the server 14
Has a function of uploading data from each facsimile device and downloading data to each facsimile device by communicating with a plurality of facsimile devices configured as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. There is. In addition to the control program for the server 14 to communicate with the facsimile machine 1, the storage device 42 also ships or sells user data of a plurality of facsimile machines and each model, as will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The troubleshooting data including the countermeasures against the malfunction found after the operation is stored.

The host computer 41 is a CD-R.
The above troubleshooting data is stored in the storage device 42 from a storage medium such as an OM, or communicated with another computer connected via a communication medium (LAN, Internet, etc.) not shown and uploaded from another computer and stored. It is also possible to store troubleshooting data in the device 42.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the structure of the user database of a plurality of facsimile machines stored in the storage device 42 of the server 14. As shown in FIG. 4, a user data box 52 is provided in the user data 51 for each of a plurality of facsimile devices connected to the server 14 via a telephone line, and an initial data box 53 is further provided in each user box. An operation history data box 54 and an installation environment data box 55 are provided. The initial data box 53 stores initial data such as the model used, the start time of use, ..., And the operation history data box 54 stores the number of read sheets, the number of recorded sheets, the amount of ink used,
The operation history data such as the reading operation interval, the recording operation interval, ... Is stored, and the installation environment data such as the temperature and humidity around the device is stored in the installation environment data box 55. It is configured to be stored in the box. The user data is stored as data uploaded from each facsimile device via a telephone line.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the structure of a troubleshooting database of various facsimile machines stored in the storage device 42 of the server 14. Figure 5
As shown in FIG. 7, a troubleshooting data 61 is provided with a FAX box 62 for each model, and further, a troubleshooting data box (hereinafter, simply referred to as a trouble box) 63 for each trouble item is provided in the FAX box 62. Regarding the troubles discovered after the product is shipped or released, the normal condition recovery data that is the information for recovering the device to the normal condition for each trouble item, and the trouble occurrence prevention data that is the information for preventing the trouble occurrence, It is configured to store the countermeasure signal control data as a countermeasure for directly controlling the device to recover to the normal state and prevent the occurrence of trouble.

In the trouble box, the parameters of the software program already stored in the facsimile machine at the time of shipping are used to recover or prevent the trouble. Stores new software program data for recovery and prevention of troubles by a new software program which is not stored.

Hereinafter, each operation in the present embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration will be described in detail with reference to a flowchart.

First, the processing on the side of the facsimile device when the initial user data is uploaded to the server when the facsimile device is purchased will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

After installation, the user who purchased the facsimile machine turns on the power of the facsimile machine in step S101.
N When the power is turned on, the facsimile machine determines in step S102 whether the line can be recognized.
If the line cannot be recognized, the user is notified that the line is not connected by displaying "Connect the telephone line" on the LCD or by announcing by voice guidance in step S103. If the line can be recognized in step S102, the line type (10 ppm) is determined in step S104.
Set up pulse line, 20ppm pulse line, or tone line). Next, in step S105, the facsimile device uploads initial data such as its model code, individual identification code and date / time data to the server via the telephone line.

Of the initial data, the machine type code and the individual identification code of the machine itself are stored in the ROM 8 or the like of FIG. 1 at the time of shipment, and the date and time data is generated based on the timing of the timer built in the CPU 12. .

Next, the processing on the server side when uploading the initial user data will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, in step S201, initial data such as a model code, an individual identification code, and date / time data of the facsimile machine is uploaded from the facsimile machine via a telephone line. Next, in step S202,
A new user data box of the facsimile machine is set in the user database shown in FIG. Next, in step S203, initial data such as the model code, individual identification code, and use start time data uploaded in step S201 is stored in the new user data box set in step S202, and the process ends.

Next, the processing on the facsimile machine side when uploading the installation environment data from the facsimile machine to the server will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S301, the facsimile machine
Whether or not the time elapsed from the previous surrounding environment detection time has reached the preset surrounding environment detection interval time is determined using the timekeeping means of the apparatus body. If the elapsed time has reached the surrounding environment detection interval time, step S30
In 2, the detection means 40 shown in FIG. 2 detects the surrounding environment such as the temperature and humidity in the vicinity where the device is installed. Next, in step S303, the surrounding environment data detected in step S302 is stored in the installation environment data buffer provided in the RAM 7 shown in FIG.

Next, in step S304, it is determined whether or not the time elapsed since the previous installation environment data upload has reached the preset installation environment data upload period by using the timekeeping means of the apparatus main body. If the elapsed time has reached the installation environment data upload period, the installation environment data stored in the installation environment data buffer in the RAM 7 is uploaded to the server via the telephone line in step S305. Next, in step S306, the data contents of the installation environment data buffer area in the RAM 7 are erased.

Next, in step S307, step S30
It is determined whether or not a download signal of troubleshooting data corresponding to the installation environment data uploaded in 5 is received from the server. When the download signal is received, the troubleshooting data is downloaded in step S308, and the process ends.

In step S301, if the time elapsed from the previous ambient environment detection time has not reached the ambient environment detection interval time, or the time elapsed from the previous installation environment data upload in step S304, the installation environment If the data upload period has not been reached, or if the troubleshooting data download signal has not been received in step S307, the processing ends.

Next, the processing on the facsimile machine side when uploading the operation history data from the facsimile machine to the server will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S401, the user starts some command operation with respect to the facsimile apparatus in the standby state. The operations here are telephone operation, copy operation, and fax.
This includes all operations related to the device such as operations or some registration / setting operations. Next, in step S402, it is determined whether or not the series of operations started in step S401 have ended and the facsimile apparatus is in a standby state. If the facsimile apparatus is in the standby state, step S4
In 03, the series of operations started in step S401 is stored in the operation history data buffer area provided in the RAM 7 shown in FIG.

Next, in step S404, the facsimile machine calculates the elapsed time from the previous operation history data upload to the operation start in step S401, and determines whether or not the preset operation history data upload period has elapsed. To do. If the operation history data upload period has elapsed in step S404, the operation history data stored in the operation history data buffer area in the RAM 7 is stored in step S405.
Upload to the server via telephone line. And
In step S406, the data content of the operation history data buffer area in the RAM 7 is erased.

Next, in step S407, step S40
It is determined whether the download signal of the troubleshooting data corresponding to the operation history data uploaded in 5 is received from the server. When the download signal is received, the troubleshooting data is downloaded in step S408, and the process ends.

It should be noted that, if the operation history data upload period has not elapsed in step S404, or if the troubleshooting data download signal has not been received in step S407, the processing is terminated.

Next, the processing on the server side when the uploaded installation environment data and operation history data are analyzed and the corresponding troubleshooting data is downloaded to the facsimile apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S501, the server uploads installation environment data and operation history data from the facsimile machine. The installation environment data and the operation history data also include the user code of the facsimile machine for searching the user data box of the facsimile machine from the user database in the server. Next, in step S502, the user data box is searched from the user database shown in FIG. 4 based on the user code included in the uploaded installation environment data and operation history data.

Next, in step S503, the installation environment data and operation history data uploaded in step S501 are stored (stored) in the user data box in the user database shown in FIG. Next, in step S504, as will be described later, the installation environment data and the operation history data that have been uploaded and stored are analyzed. Then, in step S505, it is determined whether to download the corresponding troubleshooting data to the facsimile apparatus based on the analysis result.

If it is determined that the troubleshooting data is downloaded in step S505, the troubleshooting data of the model is extracted from the troubleshooting database shown in FIG. 5 in step S506.

Next, it is determined whether or not the troubleshooting data extracted in step S507 has already been downloaded to the facsimile.

When it is determined in step S507 that the troubleshooting data has not been downloaded to the facsimile, a download signal indicating that the troubleshooting data is downloaded is transmitted to the facsimile in step S508. Next, in step S509, step S506
The troubleshooting data extracted in step 1 is downloaded to the facsimile machine, and the process is terminated.

If it is determined in step S505 that the troubleshooting data is not downloaded, or if it is determined in step S507 that the troubleshooting data has already been downloaded to the facsimile, the processing is performed without doing anything thereafter. It is configured to end.

In the facsimile machine, troubleshooting data for a malfunction that is known at the time of shipment is stored in the ROM 8 of FIG.
The troubleshooting data downloaded from the server in 05 is stored in a predetermined area provided in the RAM 7.

Next, the analysis of the installation environment data and the operation history data in step S504 and the determination process in step S505 will be described with a specific example.

FIG. 11 shows that after a model (FAX1) having a facsimile machine is put on the market, if the recording paper is left in a high humidity environment for a long time, the recording paper absorbs moisture and a malfunction occurs in conveying the recording paper. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing when it is found that it is similar to FIG. 10.
In this case, installation environment data, operation history data, and troubleshooting data relating to this malfunction are stored in the trouble box of FAX 1 in the troubleshooting database in the storage device 42 of the server 14 shown in FIG. However, this troubleshooting data is not stored in the main body of the FAX 1.

In step S601, the server uploads installation environment data and operation history data from the facsimile machine. Next, in step S602, the user data box is searched from the user database shown in FIG. 4 based on the user code included in the uploaded data. Next, in step S603, the uploaded installation environment data and operation history data are stored (stored) in the user data box in the user database shown in FIG.

Next, in step S604, the model to which the installation environment data and the operation history data are uploaded is F
It is determined whether it is AX1. If the model to which the data is uploaded is FAX1, it is determined in step S605 based on the ambient humidity data in the installation environment data whether the ambient humidity of the facsimile machine has reached a preset boundary humidity. If the ambient humidity reaches the boundary humidity, in step S606,
In order to determine whether the recording paper is left in a high-humidity environment for a long time and the recording paper absorbs moisture, it is necessary to check whether the ambient humidity is above the boundary humidity for a preset boundary time or longer. judge.

If the time during which the ambient humidity is equal to or higher than the boundary humidity is equal to or longer than the boundary time, it is assumed that the recording paper is left in a high humidity environment for a long time and the recording paper absorbs moisture. Therefore, in step S607. The troubleshooting data relating to leaving the recording paper in a high humidity environment is extracted from the trouble box of FAX1 in the troubleshooting database shown in FIG. This troubleshooting data includes warning message display on the display device such as LCD of the main body of the fax machine, such as "Please replace the recording paper because the recording paper may be improperly conveyed due to moisture absorption." It is data relating to the operation performed by the facsimile device in order to prevent the occurrence of troubles such as a voice warning from a speaker.

Next, in step S608, it is determined whether the extracted troubleshooting data has already been downloaded to the facsimile.

If it is determined in step S608 that the troubleshooting data has not been downloaded to the facsimile, the download signal indicating that the troubleshooting data is downloaded is transmitted to the facsimile in step S609. Then, in step S610, the extracted troubleshooting data is downloaded to the facsimile device via the telephone line, and the process ends.

If the model uploaded at step S604 is not FAX1, or if the model is not FAX1,
5, the ambient humidity of the facsimile apparatus does not reach the preset boundary humidity, or step S60
If the time when the ambient humidity is equal to or higher than the boundary humidity has not reached the boundary time in 6 or the troubleshooting data has already been downloaded to the facsimile in step S608, the processing is terminated.

In the example of FIG. 11 described above, the processing performed in steps S604 to S606 corresponds to the processing in steps S504 and S505 of FIG.
More specifically, step S6 in FIG.
The determination of the model in 04, the determination based on the ambient temperature in step S605, and the time when the ambient temperature was equal to or higher than the boundary temperature in step S606 are the analysis of the uploaded data in step S504 in FIG. Corresponding to the above, the determination as to whether or not the ambient temperature in step S606 in FIG. 11 is equal to or greater than the boundary temperature is equal to or greater than the boundary time is determined in step S505 in FIG. 10 as to whether to download the troubleshooting data. It corresponds.

FIG. 12 shows a case where the document separating roller and the document separating piece have been in contact with each other at the same place for a long time after the model (FAX2) having a facsimile device was put on the market.
11 is a flowchart similar to FIG. 10, showing a process when it is found that the document separating roller and the document separating piece are attracted to each other to cause a malfunction in document transportation. In this case, an analysis system of operation history data and troubleshooting data are stored in the trouble box of FAX2 in the troubleshooting database in the storage device 42 of the server 14 shown in FIG. 5, but this troubleshooting data is FAX2. It is not stored in the device body.

In step S701, the server uploads installation environment data and operation history data from the facsimile machine. Next, in step S702, the user data box shown in FIG. 4 is searched for the user data box based on the user code included in the uploaded data. Next, in step S703, the user data box in the user database shown in FIG.
Store the uploaded installation environment data and operation history data.

Next, in step S704, the model to which the installation environment data and operation history data are uploaded is F
It is determined whether it is AX2. If the model to which the data is uploaded is FAX2, then in step S705, it is determined from the uploaded operation history data whether or not the facsimile machine has performed the reading operation.
When the reading operation is not performed, in step S706, the operation of the user in the user data shown in FIG. 4 is performed in order to determine whether the document separating roller and the document separating piece have been in contact with each other at the same place for a long time. Based on the history data, it is determined whether or not the time that has elapsed since the previous reading operation is equal to or longer than the preset document separation section leaving boundary time.

In step S706, if the time elapsed since the previous reading operation is equal to or longer than the document separation portion leaving boundary time, it is determined that the document separation roller and the document separation piece have been in contact with each other at the same place for a long time. Since it is assumed, in step S707, troubleshooting data relating to the suction of the document separation portion is extracted from the trouble box of FAX2 in the troubleshooting database shown in FIG. This troubleshooting data is a display device such as LCD of the main body of the facsimile device, such as "The original separation part may be adsorbed, so open the original separation part and clean the original separation roller and the original separation piece". Trouble, such as displaying a warning message on the screen, giving a voice warning with a speaker, or driving the reading / transporting motor of the facsimile machine to rotate the document separation roller to move the contact position with the document separation piece. This is data relating to the operation performed by the facsimile apparatus to prevent the occurrence.

Next, in step S708, it is determined whether the extracted troubleshooting data has already been downloaded to the facsimile.

When it is determined in step S708 that the troubleshooting data has not been downloaded to the facsimile, the download signal indicating that the troubleshooting data is downloaded is transmitted to the facsimile in step S709. Next, in step S710, the extracted troubleshooting data is downloaded to the facsimile device via the telephone line, and the process ends.

If the model uploaded in step S704 is not FAX2, or if the model is not FAX2,
5, the facsimile machine performs a reading operation, or the time elapsed since the previous reading operation in step S706 has not reached the document separation section leaving boundary time, or the troubleshooting data has already been acquired in step S708. If it has already been downloaded, the processing is terminated.

In the example of FIG. 12 described above, the processing performed in steps S704 to S706 corresponds to the processing in steps S504 and S505 of FIG.
More specifically, step S7 in FIG.
The determination of the model in 04, the determination of whether or not the reading operation is performed in step S705, and the determination of the time elapsed since the last reading operation in step S706 are performed using the uploaded data in step S504 of FIG. Corresponding to the analysis, it is determined in step S <b> 706 in FIG. 12 whether or not the time elapsed since the last reading operation is equal to or longer than the document separation portion leaving boundary time in step S <b> 505 in FIG. 10.
It corresponds to the judgment of whether to download the troubleshooting data of.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
When the device is released or shipped to the market, it is not predicted that it will occur, and if there is a malfunction such that the countermeasure information is not stored in the main body of the facsimile device, upload the installation environment data and operation history data from the facsimile device. Then, the server analyzes this data and downloads the corresponding troubleshooting data to the relevant facsimile machine to communicate the information for restoring the machine to the normal state and the information for preventing the malfunction. It becomes possible to transmit the data to the facsimile device via the line, and it becomes possible to effectively take measures against the malfunction found after the device is put on the market.

[Other Embodiments] Note that some users may refuse to upload the operation history data from the viewpoint of privacy protection. In such a case, for example, a user who has accepted uploading operation history data as a membership system is registered as a member, points are added each time operation history data is uploaded, and ink cartridges or ink cartridges are added when the points reach a certain value. It is also possible to provide various services such as sending consumables such as recording paper as a service.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the server device analyzes the uploaded data, and if the condition found after the shipment or after the sale may cause the malfunction, the corresponding troubleshooting data is obtained. Although it is configured to download to the facsimile machine, it compares the date and time when the data in each trouble box was added / updated with the date and time when the troubleshooting data stored in the facsimile machine was last updated. It is also possible to extract and download troubleshooting data that is not stored in the facsimile machine.

Even when the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (eg, host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.), a device composed of one device (eg, copying machine, facsimile device) Etc.) Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium recording a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. It is needless to say that it is achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM, etc. can be used.

Moreover, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code. It is needless to say that this also includes a case where the above) performs a part or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that a case where the CPU or the like included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs some or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is also included.

When the present invention is applied to the above storage medium, the storage medium stores the program code corresponding to the above-described flowcharts (shown in FIGS. 6 to 12).

[0082]

As described above, according to the present invention, the information peculiar to each model stored in the server is updated every time new information on maintenance such as malfunction is newly found. By comparing the information specific to each electronic device with the information specific to each model, information related to maintenance such as malfunctions found for that model since the shipment or sale of the electronic device can be used as necessary. Can be downloaded from the server device to the electronic device.

Therefore, it becomes possible to quickly take effective measures against malfunctions found after shipment or sale for electronic devices that have already been used by the user, without any effort and cost. This has the effects of improving the maintainability of the electronic equipment being used and reducing the service load.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a mechanical configuration of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server device of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a user database stored in the server.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a troubleshooting database stored in the server.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of the facsimile apparatus in uploading initial data.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of a server in uploading initial data.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process when uploading installation environment data from a facsimile device to a server.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing when uploading operation history data from a facsimile device to a server.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing when downloading troubleshooting data from a server to a facsimile device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process of downloading troubleshooting data from a server to a facsimile device based on a specific example.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a process of downloading troubleshooting data from a server to a facsimile device according to another specific example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Facsimile machine 13 telephone lines 14 servers 42 storage device 51 user data 52 User Data Box 53 Initial data box 54 Operation history data box 55 Installation environment data box 61 Troubleshooting data 62 fax box 63 Trouble Box

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. A communication unit for communicating with an electronic device connected via a communication line, a first storage unit for storing information unique to each model of the electronic device, and each electronic device connected by the communication unit. Upload control means for uploading unique information, second storage means for storing information unique to each electronic device uploaded by the upload control means, information specific to each model, and information unique to each electronic device Based on the comparison of the judgment means for judging whether to download the information peculiar to each model corresponding to each electronic device, according to the judgment result of the judgment part, the information peculiar to each model to the electronic device by the communication means. Download control means for downloading the software program information in which the information unique to each model is not stored in each electronic device. Server and wherein the at. 2. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the information unique to each model includes information regarding malfunction of the model. 3. The information relating to the operation failure includes at least one of information regarding recovery when the operation failure occurs and information for preventing the operation failure with respect to each possible operation failure. The server device according to claim 2. 4. The information specific to each electronic device includes at least one of information about an operation history and information about an installation environment of the device, according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Server device. 5. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes a facsimile device. 6. A communication unit for communicating with a server connected via a communication line, a first storage unit for storing information unique to itself, and a server unit for the information unique to this device by the communication unit. An upload control means for uploading to the computer; a download control means for downloading model-specific information from the server device in response to the upload by the upload control means; and a second storage means for storing the downloaded model-specific information. An electronic device comprising: a control unit that controls an operation based on the model-specific information, wherein the model-specific information is software program information that is not stored in a storage unit of the device itself. . 7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the information specific to each model includes information regarding malfunction of the model. 8. The information about malfunctions includes at least one of information about recovery when malfunctions occur and information for preventing malfunctions for each possible malfunction. The electronic device according to claim 7. 9. The upload control means uploads the information peculiar to the own device to the server device every predetermined period.
The electronic device according to the item. 10. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the information unique to the own device includes at least one of information about an operation history and information about an installation environment of the device. machine. 11. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the electronic device is a facsimile device. 12. A communication control method in a server device having a communication means for communicating with an electronic device connected via a communication line, and a first and second storage means, the method being unique to each model of electronic device. A first storage step of storing information in the first storage means, an upload control step of uploading information unique to each electronic device connected by the communication means, and each electronic device uploaded in the upload control step Based on a second storage step of storing unique information in the second storage means and comparison of the model-specific information with the electronic-device-specific information, the model-specific information corresponding to each electronic device is identified. A determination step of determining whether or not to download information, and, according to the determination result in the determination step, download the information unique to each model to the electronic device by the communication unit. It includes a download control step, the communication control method in a server apparatus which is a software program information each model-specific information is not stored in the electronic device. 13. The information specific to each model includes information regarding malfunction of the model.
2. A communication control method in the server device according to 2. 14. The information relating to the operation failure includes at least one of information regarding recovery upon occurrence of operation failure and information for preventing operation failure for each possible operation failure. The communication control method in the server device according to claim 13. 15. The information unique to each electronic device includes at least one of information about an operation history and information about an installation environment of the device. Communication control method in server device. 16. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the electronic device includes a facsimile device.
A communication control method in the server device according to the item. 17. A communication control method in an electronic device, comprising: a communication means for communicating with a server connected via a communication line; and a first and second storage means, wherein the information unique to itself is first A first storage step of storing the information in the storage means of the device, an upload control step of uploading the information unique to the own device to the server device by the communication means, and an upload control step of uploading in the upload control step.
A download control step of downloading model-specific information from the server device, a second storage step of storing the downloaded model-specific information in a second storage means, and an operation based on the model-specific information. And a control step for controlling, wherein the model-specific information is software program information that is not stored in the storage means of the device itself. 18. The information specific to each model includes information regarding malfunction of the model.
7. The communication control method in the electronic device according to 7. 19. The information relating to the operation failure includes at least one of information regarding recovery upon occurrence of operation failure and information for preventing operation failure for each possible operation failure. The communication control method in the electronic device according to claim 18. 20. The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein in the upload control step, the information unique to the own device is uploaded to the server device every predetermined period. Communication control method. 21. The information unique to the own device includes at least one of information about an operation history and information about an installation environment of the device.
The communication control method in the electronic device according to any one of 1. 22. The communication control method for an electronic device according to claim 17, wherein the electronic device is a facsimile device. 23. A computer program for realizing communication control in a server device having a communication means for communicating with an electronic device connected via a communication line, and a first and second storage means, the computer program comprising: A first storage step of storing information unique to each model in the first storage means, an upload control step of uploading information unique to each electronic device connected by the communication means, and an upload control step of uploading Based on a second storage step of storing the information unique to each electronic device in the second storage means and the comparison between the information unique to each model and the information unique to each electronic device, each electronic device is supported. A determining step of determining whether or not to download the information unique to each model, and the communication means to the electronic device according to the determination result in the determining step. A download control step of downloading specific information includes a code corresponding to a computer program, wherein the device-specific information is a software program information that is not stored in the electronic device. 24. A computer program for realizing communication control in an electronic device having communication means for communicating with a server connected via a communication line, and first and second storage means, the computer program being unique to itself. A first storage step of storing information in a first storage means, an upload control step of uploading the information unique to the device to the server device by the communication means, and an upload control step of uploading in the upload control step.
A download control step of downloading model-specific information from the server device, a second storage step of storing the downloaded model-specific information in a second storage means, and an operation based on the model-specific information. A computer program including a code corresponding to a control step to be controlled, wherein the model-specific information is software program information not stored in the storage means of the own machine. 25. A storage medium for storing a computer program for realizing communication control in a server device having a communication means for communicating with an electronic device connected via a communication line and first and second storage means. A first storage step of storing information unique to each model of electronic equipment in the first storage means; an upload control step of uploading information unique to each electronic equipment connected by the communication means; Based on a second storage step of storing in the second storage means the information unique to each electronic device uploaded in the control step, and the information unique to each model and the information unique to each electronic device, A determination step of determining whether or not to download information unique to each model corresponding to the electronic device, and according to the determination result in the determination step, the communication unit A code corresponding to the download control process for downloading the information unique to each model to the slave device is stored, and the information unique to each model is software program information not stored in each electronic device. Storage medium. 26. A storage medium that stores a computer program that realizes communication control in an electronic device that has a communication unit that communicates with a server connected via a communication line and a first storage unit and a second storage unit. A first storage step of storing information unique to the own apparatus in a first storage unit; an upload control step of uploading the information unique to the own apparatus to the server device by the communication unit; Depending on the upload
A download control step of downloading model-specific information from the server device, a second storage step of storing the downloaded model-specific information in a second storage means, and an operation based on the model-specific information. A storage medium which stores a code corresponding to a control step to be controlled, and the model-specific information is software program information which is not stored in the storage means of the own machine.