JP2006027022A - Method and system for providing help and solution information for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a system for providing help and solution information which is updated in a printer. <P>SOLUTION: The printer provided with a user interface and a communication interface comprises: a detection means for detecting a trouble; a download means for downloading solution data from a remote server for one or more solution data, in response to the detection of the trouble; and a display means for displaying one or more recommended actions, which are used for solving the trouble, via the interfaces in accordance with the solution data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, and more particularly, to a method and system for providing updated help and solution information in a printing apparatus.

  Printing devices such as printers, copiers, and multifunction peripherals (MFPs) such as the Ricoh Afio Color 6513 system are becoming more sophisticated. Despite efforts to facilitate operation of a printing device, many users of unfamiliar printing devices are confused when trying to use the printing device. To assist users, printing device manufacturers typically provide paper-based user manuals with operating instructions for printing devices. As long as the user manual is in the known vicinity of the printing device, the user can find help on the pages of the manual.

  However, user manuals are often missing or located elsewhere. Often, user manuals containing operating instructions are kept in a separate location from the printing device. Even if the user knows where the user manual for the printing device that the user wants to use is located, there is a hassle of moving to the location where the user manual is held. There must be. This is a waste of time.

  Even a printing apparatus that can be easily operated may cause a problem that requires an operation by a user. A paper jam may occur in the paper supplied to the printing device, and the user may need to eject the pages stacked inside the printing device. Also, there may be a shortage of toner in the printing device, and the user may need to replenish the printing device with toner. In addition, all the paper in the paper tray of the printing device may be used, and the user may need to replenish paper to the appropriate paper tray.

  More advanced printing apparatuses are provided with a display for displaying solution information for solving problems that may occur in the printing apparatus. For example, some printing devices may display actions for removing paper stacked in the printing device on a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel disposed on the surface of the printing device. In some examples, this recommended action indicates a component of the printing device that the user must operate to resolve the problem. For example, a printing device may display an image of the printing device having an open door or cover on the LCD panel, and the user must open the door or cover so that the troubled area can be accessed. To the user. Such solution information is usually stored in the firmware of the printing apparatus.

  Although solutions presented on the display of the printing device and operation instructions printed in a manual assist the user, the solution and instructions may be difficult for the user to understand. Such instructions may be ambiguous, inaccurate, incomplete, obsolete, or erroneous. If the user is unable to understand the help or solution information, the printing device and the manufacturer that produced it may become frustrated. However, the manufacturer may leave the state of the user who cannot operate the printing apparatus due to insufficient explanation. For printer manufacturers, problems that the manufacturer does not notice will probably not be resolved.

  Even when the printer manufacturer is aware of the user's trouble, the distribution of newly printed manuals and / or the dispatch of service staff to update the solution information stored in the firmware can be quite costly. More typically, when the printing device is in trouble, the user does not want to wait for a new manual or service staff.

  Accordingly, there is a need for a method and system that provides updated help and solution information in a printing device in order to provide better guidance to users who encounter printing device troubles.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a method and a system for providing updated help and solution information in a printing apparatus.

  Accordingly, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a printing apparatus having a user interface and a communication interface, and has a detection unit that detects a trouble, and holds one or more solution data in response to the detection of the trouble Download means for downloading solution data from the remote server, and display means for displaying one or more recommended actions for solving the trouble based on the solution data via the user interface.

  The present invention is also a printing apparatus having a user interface and a communication interface, wherein the printing apparatus receives a user input via the user interface, and responds to the reception of the user input by the receiving means. Printing means for printing one or more operation instructions.

  In addition, the present invention is a printing apparatus having a user interface and a communication interface, and receiving means for receiving user input via the user interface, and a plurality of methods for specifying an operation method of the printing apparatus based on the user input Selecting means for selecting one or more help instructions corresponding to the user input, display means for displaying the selected one or more help instructions via the user interface, and the one or more help instructions And a statistics updating means for updating statistics indicating the number of times of selection.

  The present invention is also a method of updating printing device solution data, wherein solution data having one or more recommended actions for solving one or more troubles that may affect the remote printing device is stored in the remote printing device. The method has a step of updating for.

  The present invention is also a computer readable medium that provides one or more instruction sequences for updating printing device solution data, wherein the instructions may affect one or more processors on a remote printing device. The step of updating solution data having one or more recommended actions for solving one or more troubles to the remote printing apparatus is executed.

  According to the present invention, a method and system for providing updated help and solution information in a printing apparatus can be provided.

  In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.

[An example system for providing updated help and solution information in a printing device]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system 100 for providing updated help and solution information in a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 includes printing apparatuses 102 </ b> A to 102 </ b> N, a help solution data server 104, an administrator computer 106, and a network 108. In one embodiment of the present invention, printing devices 102A-102N are connected to network 108 to be communicable and help solution data server 104 is connected to network 108 to be communicable, while In the embodiment, the printing apparatuses 102A to 102N are directly connected to the help solution data server 104 without using an intermediary network.

  The printing devices 102A-102N may be printers, MFPs, copiers, facsimiles, or other devices that can print on print media such as paper or OHP sheets. According to one embodiment of the present invention, printing devices 102A-102N include various types of printing devices. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the printing device 102A may be a printer, the printing device 102B may be an MFP, the printing device 102C may be a copier, and the printing device 102D may be a facsimile.

  Each of the printing devices 102A-102N may include multiple components or may be connected to multiple components. In one embodiment of the present invention, for example, the printing device 102A may include an operation panel 110A, a printing module 112A, a persistent storage device 114A, and a network interface 120A.

  Network interface 120A enables printing device 102A to communicate with other devices, such as help solution data server 104, over network 108. For example, the network interface 120A transmits and receives data packets according to a data link layer protocol such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Internet protocol (IP), and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), a network layer protocol, and a transport layer protocol. Can do. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the network interface 120A may be an Ethernet adapter. In another embodiment of the present invention, the printing apparatus 102A includes a communication interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, a parallel port or a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) port, through which the help solution data server 104 is provided. May be directly connected to other devices such as

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, permanent storage device 114A is a hard disk drive. In other embodiments of the present invention, permanent storage device 114A may be a rewritable magnetic, optical, or electronic storage medium. Permanent storage 114A stores help solution data 116A and statistical data 118A. In one embodiment of the invention, help solution data 116A and statistical data 118A are stored in a database maintained on permanent storage 114A.

  The help solution data 116A includes both help data and solution data. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the help data is composed of information taken from a user manual such as an operation instruction for the printing apparatus 102A. Help data may be stored in database records indexed by one or more keywords that allow fast searching and extraction. For example, a record indexed by the keyword “manual tray” may include information regarding the purpose, function, and use of the manual tray of the printing apparatus 102A. A given record may contain text and images.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the solution data is composed of one or more individual solutions. Each solution addresses or is associated with one or more problems. A solution may consist of one or more different recommended actions that are performed by the user on the printing device 102A to solve the problems associated therewith. For example, a paper jam solution in the vicinity of a roller consists of recommended actions such as opening the top panel of the printing device and operating the lever that exposes the roller so that the user can remove the jammed paper. It may be. A series of recommended actions to solve a problem is sometimes called a “trouble recovery wizard”.

  The statistical data 118A includes statistical data related to access to the help solution data 116A. For example, statistical data 118A may comprise information regarding the number of times a user of printing device 102A has accessed a particular help data record or solution. This information identifies the portion of the help and solution data 116A that will be affected by the revision and can be used to further improve the printing device. According to one embodiment of the present invention, when a user accesses help and solution data 116A, printing device 102A updates statistical data 118A to reflect the number of times that specific data has been accessed. For example, when the user accesses the “manual tray” record in the help and solution data 116A, the printing apparatus 102A updates the statistical data 118A to reflect the access.

  The print module 112A includes mechanical and electronic elements that function to print information such as text and images on a print medium such as paper or an OHP sheet. The print module 112A further includes elements for supplying print media from one or more selected paper feed trays to the print module and outputting the print media to the selected paper discharge tray.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, an operation panel 110A for receiving input from a user and displaying information to the user is installed on the surface of the printing apparatus 102A so as to function as a user interface. The operation panel 110A includes an input device such as a touch panel and a keypad, and a display device such as an LCD, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or a plasma display. The input device and the display device may be integrated. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the operation panel 110A includes an interactive touch screen capable of showing a user separate area of a graphical user interface displayed on the screen. When touched by the user, this area causes the printing device 102A to perform different functions. This area is called a “user interface element” or “user interface object”.

  The printing apparatus 102A may have other elements in addition to the above elements. For example, the printing device 102A may have a scanning module that reads an image placed on a scanning plane and generates data based on the image. The printing apparatus 102A may include one or more sensors that detect occurrence of trouble. Other printing devices 102B-102N also have the elements described above with reference to printing device 102A. Where the printing device 102A is described below, this description may also apply to the printing devices 102B-102N.

  The network 108 may be implemented by any medium or mechanism that provides for the exchange of data between the printing devices 102A-102N and the help solution data server 104. Specific examples of the network 108 include, but are not limited to, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a network such as the Ethernet or the Internet, or one or more terrestrial waves. Satellite or wireless link. The network 108 may include a combination of the above networks. The network 108 may transmit data according to TCP / IP.

  The help solution data server 104 can be realized on a computer. The help solution data server 104 includes a permanent storage device 122 and a network interface 130. Permanent storage device 122 and network interface 130 are similar to permanent storage device 114A and network interface 120A, respectively, described above. Permanent storage 122 stores help and solution master data 124, statistics master data 124, and email application 128. According to one embodiment of the present invention, help and solution master data 124 and statistics master data 126 are stored in a database maintained on permanent storage 122.

  The help and solution master data 126 is similar in content to the help and solution data 116 described above. The help and solution master data 126 includes help and solution data for each of the printing apparatuses 102A to 102N. Help and solution data for one printing device may be different from help and solution data for another printing device. For example, an operation instruction for a facsimile is typically different from an operation instruction for a copier. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the help and solution master data is the most recently updated help and solution information for each of the printing devices 102A-102N.

  The statistical master data 126 includes statistical information related to the use of help and solution data in each of the printing apparatuses 102A to 102N. For this reason, the statistical master data 126 is composed of a collection of statistical data 118A to 118N. For example, the statistics master data 126 may include information regarding the number of times a “manual tray” record has been accessed in any of the help and solution data 116A-116N.

  The email application 128 is an email client application. The email application 128 is configured to send email messages to one or more email accounts over the network 108. The administrator computer 106 is configured to access an email account via the network 108 to obtain such email, for example. The email message may be temporarily stored in one or more email servers.

[Printer that downloads solution data from a remote server]
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the printing device 102A detects a trouble related thereto. For example, the printing apparatus 102A automatically detects a paper jam in the printing module 112A through a sensor. In response to the detection of the trouble, the printing apparatus 102A downloads the solution data from the remote server that holds the solution data. For example, the printing apparatus 102 </ b> A downloads solution data from the help solution data server 104 that holds solution data of help and solution master data 124. The printing apparatus 102A displays one or more recommended actions for solving the detected trouble based on the solution data via the user interface on the printing apparatus 102A. For example, the printing apparatus 102A displays one or more recommended actions via the operation panel 110A. The printing apparatus 102A may be able to select one or more recommended actions from a plurality of recommended actions based on the detected trouble. In this way, the printing apparatus 102A may display one or more recommended actions for solving the trouble.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the printing device 102A downloads all solution data related to the printing device 102A in response to detecting the trouble, while in another embodiment of the present invention, the printing device 102A detects the trouble. In response to, only the solution data corresponding to the trouble is downloaded.

  By downloading the solution data from the remote server having the solution data, the printing apparatus 102A can obtain the updated solution data. For this reason, the manufacturer of the printing apparatus 102A can update the solution data displayed to the user of the printing apparatus by updating the master solution data stored in the help solution data server 104. By downloading the solution data in response to the detection of the trouble, the printing apparatus 102A can display the updated solution data at the time of occurrence of the trouble. The other printing apparatuses 102B to 102N can be configured similarly to the printing apparatus 102A. Accordingly, by updating the help and solution master data 124, the solution data displayed by each printing apparatus is updated, thereby making it unnecessary to individually update the printing apparatus.

  Communication between the printing device and the remote server may be interrupted. For example, an error may occur in a portion of the network, which may prevent the printing device 102A from communicating with the help solution data server 104 over the network 108 at least temporarily. Thus, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a printing device 102A, in response to detecting a trouble, currently accesses the designated remote server that holds the solution data via its communication interface. Decide what you can do. For example, the printing apparatus 102A determines whether the help solution data server 104 can be accessed via the network interface 120A and the network 108. Printing device 102A may determine whether there is an active network connection and whether help solution data server 104 can respond to queries made over this network connection. For example, the help solution data server 104 is assigned an IP address, and the printing device 102A pings this IP address to determine whether the help solution data server is currently accessible.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that the remote server holding the solution data is not currently accessible, the printing device 102A may select one or more recommendations based on the solution data previously downloaded from the remote server. Display actions. For example, if it is determined that the printing device 102A is currently unable to access the help solution data server 104, the printing device 102A displays the recommended action based on the help and solution data 116A stored in the permanent storage device 114A. . According to one embodiment, help and solution data 116A includes solution data that printing device 102A has most recently downloaded from help solution data server 104. Therefore, even if the printing device 102A cannot connect to the help solution data server 104, the printing device 102A can still display a recommended action to solve the detected trouble.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the printing device 102A also periodically downloads solution data from a designated remote server that holds the solution data, thereby converting the help and solution data 116A into help and solution master data 124. It becomes possible to synchronize. For example, the printing device 102A downloads solution data from the help solution data server 104A at one or more specified intervals, such as daily. According to one embodiment of the present invention, printing device 102A stores the downloaded solution data on permanent storage device 114A. Thus, the help and solution data 116A may include recently updated solution data before detecting a trouble. Therefore, even if the printing device 102A cannot access the help solution data server 104A when a trouble is detected, the solution data stored in the permanent storage device 114A may be relatively new.

[Printing apparatus that prints operation instructions in response to reception of user input via user interface of printing apparatus]
As mentioned above, the printed paper-based user manual may be lost or placed elsewhere. Even if the user manual is stored as a document on the computer's permanent storage device, finding the location of the document in the hierarchical file structure is a time consuming task, and the document is already outdated. It may have become. Typically, the user does not like having to leave the printing device to find a user manual or other help information.

  Thus, according to one embodiment of the present invention, printing device 102A receives user input via its user interface. For example, the printing apparatus 102A receives user input via the operation panel 110A. This user input indicates to the printing apparatus 102A that an operation instruction such as a user manual of the printing apparatus 102A should be printed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the user input consists of a touch of one user interface element displayed on the operation panel 110A, for example, an interface element showing a label “Print Latest Manual”.

  In response to receiving user input via the user interface, the printing device 102A prints one or more instructions for operating the printing device. For example, the printing device 102A prints the help data stored in the permanent storage device 114A as part of the help and solution data 116 via the print module 112A. As a result, it is not necessary for the user to leave the printing apparatus 102A in order to obtain an operation instruction for the printing apparatus. The user does not need to contact the website of the organization that supports the printing device and does not need to talk to the technical support staff of the organization to assist in the operation of the printing device 102A.

  In one embodiment of the invention, printing device 102A prints the entire user manual in response to receiving user input, while in another embodiment, printing device 102A prints only a designated portion of help data. . The user may select such a part from a plurality of parts via the operation panel 110A. This selection may be made from a partial list or as a result of a search for one or more keywords.

  The printing device user manual may be revised to simplify, complete, or correct the operating instructions contained therein. Even if the user can find the user manual, the user manual may contain outdated information. Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the printing apparatus 102A determines whether the printing apparatus 102A is currently accessible to the remote server that stores the operation instruction. Printing device 102A may make a determination in response to receiving the user input. For example, the printing apparatus 102A determines whether the current help solution data server 104 is accessible via the network interface 120A and the network 108. The printing device 102A may ping the IP address of the help solution data server 104 to determine whether access to the help solution data server is possible.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, when it is determined that the printing device 102A is currently accessible to the remote server, the printing device 102A downloads one or more operation instructions from the remote server. For example, the printing apparatus 102A downloads help data, which is a user manual or a part thereof, from the help solution data server 104, and stores the downloaded help data in the permanent storage device 114A.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, printing device 102A downloads the entire user manual in response to receiving user input, while in other embodiments, printing device 102A downloads only a designated portion of help data. The user may select such a part from a plurality of parts via the operation panel 110A.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, if the printing device 102A determines that it cannot currently access the help solution data server 104, the printing device 102A prints one or more instructions previously downloaded from the remote server. For example, if the printing device 102A is unable to access the help solution data server 104 upon receiving user input, the printing device 102A may print the help data stored in the permanent storage device 114A. Thus, even if the printing apparatus 102A is not currently connected to the network 108, the user can obtain help information such as a user manual.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, printing device 102A also periodically downloads help data from a designated remote server that holds the help data, similar to that described above with reference to downloading solution data. . Accordingly, relatively new help data can be provided to the user even when the printing apparatus 102A cannot access the help solution data server 104A upon receiving user input requesting help data.

[Printing device that maintains statistical data on access to help and solution data]
Typically, if help or solution data is ambiguous or incorrect, users will access this help or solution data many times in an attempt to understand what this help or solution data means . If it is difficult to understand or operate a function of the printing device, or if an element of the printing device frequently fails, the user will likely access help or solution data for that element or function many times. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an organization that manufactures or supports printing device 102A can determine which parts of the help and solution data are to be revised, and which points of the printing device are redesigned or improved. Information used for determining whether to do so can be acquired from the printing apparatus 102A.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, printing device 102A receives input via its user interface. For example, the printing apparatus 102A receives user input via the operation panel 110A. User input may include selection of one or more keywords or one or more user interface elements. Based on the user input, the printing apparatus 102A selects one or more help instructions corresponding to the user input from among a plurality of help instructions that specify the operation method of the printing apparatus 102A. For example, if the help and solution data 116 is stored in a database, the printing device 102A selects one or more database records based on user input.

  The printing apparatus 102A displays one or more help instructions via the user interface. For example, the printing apparatus 102A displays one or more help instructions via the operation panel 110A. These help instructions may be displayed simultaneously or sequentially.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, printing device 102A updates statistics that indicate how many times these one or more help instructions have been selected. For example, the printing apparatus 102A updates the statistical data 118A. Printing device 102A may increment a counter associated with each of these help instructions. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the printing device 102A notifies the help solution data server 104 of the update of the statistical data 118A so that the help solution data server 104 reflects the update of the statistical data 118A. You may make it update.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, printing device 102A determines whether the number of times one or more help instructions have been selected exceeds a specified threshold. For example, the printing apparatus 102A determines from the statistical data 118A whether these help instructions have been accessed more than the specified number of times. If it is determined that the number of times one or more help instructions have been selected exceeds the specified threshold, the printing apparatus 102A generates a notification indicating that this number has exceeded the specified threshold.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, printing device 102A updates statistics regarding recommended actions that are displayed in response to trouble detected thereby. The printing apparatus 102A updates the statistics indicating the number of times that one or more recommended actions are displayed. The printing apparatus 102A determines whether the number of times the recommended actions are displayed exceeds a specified threshold value. If it is determined that the specified threshold has been exceeded, the printing apparatus 102A generates a notification indicating that the number of times one or more recommended actions have been displayed exceeds the specified threshold.

  This notification may be included in an email message sent to a designated email address. Additionally or alternatively, the notification may be written to a log stored in permanent storage 114A. According to one embodiment of the present invention, printing device 102A sends a notification as described above to a designated email address. For example, printer 102A may send an email message over network 108 to one or more designated email accounts. Administrator computer 106 may access an email account via network 108 to obtain such email messages. In one embodiment of the present invention, each of printers 102A-102N is configured to generate and send such notifications based on statistical data 118A-118N, while in other embodiments, help solution data server 104 is Such notifications are generated and transmitted based on statistical master data 126.

[An example process for providing help information to a printing device]
2A and 2B are flow diagrams illustrating a process 200 for providing help information to a printing device according to one embodiment of the invention. For example, none of the printing devices 102A-102N may execute the process 200.

  At block 202, an initial help screen is displayed. For example, the printing apparatus 102A may display an initial help screen via the operation panel 110A. This initial help screen may consist of selectable user interface elements with labels such as “print latest manual” and “online help”.

  At block 204, it is determined whether a user interface element representing an online help request has been selected. For example, the printing apparatus 102A may determine whether a user interface element labeled “online help” has been selected via the operation panel 110A. If it is determined that no such user interface element has been selected, the process returns to block 204. On the other hand, if it is determined that such a user interface element has been selected, the process moves to block 206.

  At block 206, one or more help keywords are received. For example, the printing device 102A may receive a help keyword via a keypad displayed through the operation panel 110A. According to one embodiment of the present invention, these one or more help keywords are received in response to the selection of a user interface object labeled “Go”.

  At block 208, it is determined whether the remote server is accessible. For example, the printing device 102A may determine whether the help solution data server 104 is currently accessible via the network interface 120A and the network 108. If the remote server is accessible, the process moves to block 210. On the other hand, if the remote server is not accessible, the process moves to block 212.

  At block 210, help information is obtained from a database maintained on the remote server based on the one or more help keywords. For example, the printing apparatus 102 </ b> A may acquire help information by downloading help data stored in the help solution master data 124. According to one embodiment of the invention, printing device 102A searches a database for help information that matches or includes a keyword.

  At block 212, help information is obtained from a database maintained on the printing device based on the one or more help keywords. For example, the printing device 102 </ b> A may obtain help information stored in the help and solution data 116.

  At block 214, a help information screen is displayed. For example, the printing apparatus 102A may display help information via the operation panel 110A. Along with this help information, the help information screen may comprise selectable user interface objects labeled “Print”, “Exit”, and the like.

  At block 216, it is determined whether a user interface element representing a print request has been selected. For example, the printing apparatus 102A may determine whether a user interface element labeled “Print” has been selected via the operation panel 110A. If no such user interface element has been selected, the process returns to block 216. On the other hand, if such a user interface element is selected, the process moves to block 218.

  At block 218, help information is printed on the print medium. For example, printing device 102A may print help information on one or more print media via print module 112A. Before printing, help information may be formatted according to a specified format.

[An Example Process for Providing a User Manual to a Printing Apparatus in Response to a User Input Received at the Printing Apparatus]
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 300 for printing an updated user manual at a printing device in response to user input received at the printing device according to one embodiment of the invention. For example, any of the printing devices 102A-102N may perform the process 300.

  At block 302, an initial help screen is displayed. For example, the printing apparatus 102A may display an initial help screen via the operation panel 110A. The initial help screen may include selectable user interface elements labeled “Print Latest Manual”, “Online Help”, and the like.

  At block 304, it is determined whether a user interface element representing a user manual print request has been selected. For example, printing device 102A may determine whether a user interface element labeled “Print Latest Manual” has been selected via operation panel 110A. If no such user interface element has been selected, the process returns to block 304. On the other hand, if such a user interface element is selected, the process moves to block 306.

  At block 306, user manual data is obtained from the database. User manual data is a type of help data. For example, the printing apparatus 102 </ b> A may obtain user manual data by downloading user manual data stored in the help solution master data 124. As another example, printing device 102A may obtain user manual data stored in help and solution data 116.

  At block 308, the user manual is printed on a print medium. For example, the printing apparatus 102A may print the user manual on one or more print media via the print module 112A based on the user manual data. Prior to printing, the user manual data may be formatted according to a specified format.

[An example process for providing updated solution data to a printing device]
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 400 for providing updated solution information to a printing device according to one embodiment of the invention. For example, any of the printing devices 102A-102N may execute the process 400.

  At block 402, a trouble is detected with respect to the printing device. For example, the printing device 102A may detect a paper jam in the printing module 112A. According to one embodiment of the present invention, each trouble is associated with a different trouble code.

  At block 404, it is determined whether access to the remote server is possible. For example, the printing apparatus 102A may determine whether access to the help solution data server 104 is currently possible via the network interface 120A and the network 108. If access to the remote server is possible, the process moves to block 406. On the other hand, if access to the remote server is not possible, the process moves to block 408.

  At block 406, solution data is obtained from a database maintained at the remote server. For example, the printing apparatus 102 </ b> A may acquire the solution data by downloading the solution data stored in the help and solution master data 124. According to one embodiment of the present invention, printing device 102A searches a database for solution data that matches a trouble code.

  At block 408, solution data is obtained from a database maintained on the printing device. For example, the printing apparatus 102 </ b> A may acquire solution data stored in the help and solution data 116.

  At block 410, a trouble recovery wizard is displayed based on the solution data. For example, the printing apparatus 102A may display one or more recommended actions having a trouble recovery wizard based on the solution data via the operation panel 110A.

  In block 412, it is determined whether one or more of these recommended actions have been performed. For example, the printing device 102A determines whether its hardware status has changed, for example, whether a cover on the printing device has been opened as recommended. As another example, the printing apparatus 102A may determine whether a user input indicating that these recommended actions have been performed is received via the operation panel 110A. If these recommended actions have not been performed, the process returns to block 412. On the other hand, if these recommended actions are performed, the process moves to block 414.

  At block 414, it is determined whether the trouble has been resolved. For example, the printing apparatus 102A may determine whether the trouble is still detected, such as whether the printing module 112A is still jammed. As another example, the printing apparatus may determine whether a user input indicating that the trouble has been solved is received via the operation panel 110A. If the trouble has not been resolved, the process may return to block 404 and then additional solution data may be obtained from the database at block 406 or block 408. On the other hand, if the trouble is resolved, the process moves to block 416 and normal processing resumes.

[An example process for sending notifications based on help and solution data access statistics]
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 500 for sending notifications based on help and solution data access statistics according to one embodiment of the invention. For example, help solution data server 104 may perform process 500.

  At block 502, an identifier is received from the printing device. For example, the help solution data server 104 may receive keywords and trouble codes from the printing apparatus 102A.

  At block 504, a database is searched for data associated with this identifier. For example, the help solution data server 104 may search the help and solution master data 124 for help data related to or including certain keywords. As another example, help solution data server 104 may search help and solution master data 124 for solution data associated with a trouble code.

  At block 506, data associated with the identifier is transmitted to the printing device. For example, the help solution data server 104 may update help data related to a certain keyword or solution data related to a certain trouble code to the printing apparatus 102A.

  At block 508, statistical data is updated based on the data sent to the printing device. For example, help solution data server 104 may increment a counter in statistics master data 126 that is associated with data transmitted to the printing device.

  At block 510, it is determined whether a specified threshold has been exceeded. For example, the help solution data server 104 may determine from the statistical data 126 whether the number of times help or solution data has been sent to the printing device has exceeded a specified threshold. If the specified threshold is not exceeded, the process moves to block 512 and normal processing resumes. On the other hand, if the specified threshold is exceeded, the process moves to block 514.

  At block 514, a notification is generated. For example, the help solution data server 104 may generate a notification indicating that the data sent to the printing device has been sent a number of times that exceeds a specified threshold.

  At block 516, this notification is sent to the specified email address. For example, the notification may be sent to an email address corresponding to the email address from which administrator computer 106 obtains an email message. Based on this notification, the recipient of the notification may choose to update the help or solution data in order to reduce the frequency of subsequent user access to the help or solution data.

[An example process that regularly synchronizes with the help and solution database]
FIG. 6A is a flow diagram illustrating a process 600 for periodically synchronizing to a help and solution database according to one embodiment of the present invention. For example, any of the printing devices 102A-102N may perform the process 600.

  At block 602, it is determined whether a specified time has elapsed since the help and solution data was downloaded from the remote server. For example, printing device 102A may determine whether a specified time has elapsed since the printing device downloaded all relevant data included in the help and solution master data 124. Since the help and solution master data 124 may have data of a different type of printing device than the printing device 102A, the printing device downloads data designated as relevant only to other types of printing devices. It may not be necessary. If the specified time has not yet elapsed, the process returns to block 602. On the other hand, if the specified time has elapsed, the process moves to block 604.

  At block 604, help and solution data is downloaded from the remote server. For example, printer 102A may download all relevant data contained in help and solution master data 124. Such data includes help data such as user manual information and operation instructions for the printing apparatus 102A, and solution data such as recommended actions for solving problems with the printing apparatus 102A.

  At block 606, help and solution data are stored in permanent storage. For example, printer 102A may store this downloaded information in help and solution data 116A of permanent storage 114A.

  FIG. 6B is a flow diagram illustrating a process 650 for periodically synchronizing to a help and solution database according to one embodiment of the present invention. For example, help solution data server 104 may perform process 650.

  At block 652, it is determined whether the specified time has elapsed since the help and solution data was updated to a remote printing device. For example, the help solution data server 104 may determine whether the server has updated the data included in the help and solution master data 124 for the printing device 102A. If the specified time has not elapsed, the process returns to block 652. On the other hand, if the specified time has elapsed, the process moves to block 654.

  At block 654, the help and solution data is updated for the remote printing device. For example, the help solution data server 104 may update all relevant data contained in the help and solution master data 124 for the printing device 102A.

[Example printer operation panel]
FIG. 7A is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary printing apparatus operation panel 700 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The operation panel 700 includes interface elements 702 to 708, a keypad 710, an online help button 712, and a start button 714. One or more components of the operation panel 700 may be realized using a touch panel LCD. Thereby, one or more elements of the operation panel 700 may be displayed graphically.

  Interface elements 702 to 708 indicate functions provided by the printing apparatus regarding print jobs and copy jobs. Interface element 702 indicates the availability of the magnification function. Interface element 704 indicates the availability of the reduction function. Interface element 706 indicates the availability of the stapling function. Interface element 708 indicates the availability of the punch function. By touching the desired interface element, the user can select one or more of the interface elements 702-708. When an interface element is selected, the selected interface element is changed to a different display to indicate that the operation panel has detected selection of the interface element. For example, when interface element 702 is selected, interface element 702 may be displayed in a darker color.

  The keypad 710 may include real keys or graphically displayed keys. The keypad 710 may have a numeric keypad from “0” to “9”. The keypad 710 may also include keys representing other symbols such as “*” and “#”. The user uses the keys on the keypad 710 to input information required from the printing apparatus, such as the number of prints.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, when the online help button 712 is selected, the operation panel 700 displays an initial online help screen as shown in FIG. 7B. The online help button 712 may be displayed in a darker color when it is selected. In one embodiment of the invention, when the start button 714 is selected, a copy job or print job is processed according to the selected function.

  FIG. 7B is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary printing apparatus operation panel 700 for displaying an initial online help screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. Instead of the interface elements 702 to 708, interface elements 716 to 724 are displayed on the operation panel 700. Interface element 716 is an alphanumeric keyboard. Interface element 718 is a keyword display window. The interface element 720 is a “forward” button. The interface element 722 is a “print latest manual” button. The interface element 724 is an “end” button.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, when a key is selected on the alphanumeric keyboard 716, the alphanumeric character represented by the key appears in the keyword display window 718. As a result, the user touches a character represented on the alphanumeric keyboard 716 to input one or more keywords into the keyboard display window 718. When the “forward” button 720 is selected, the operation panel 700 displays an online help screen as shown in FIG. 7C.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the “print latest manual” button 722 is selected, the printing apparatus including the operation panel 700 prints the latest version of the user manual for the printing apparatus. As described above, updated user manual data can be obtained from a remote server. This eliminates the need for the user to leave the printing device to obtain the current user manual for the printing device.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the “Finish” button 724 is selected, the operation panel 700 terminates the display of the interface elements 716-724 as shown in FIG. 7B, and instead as shown in FIG. 7A. Various interface elements 702 to 708 are displayed.

  FIG. 7C is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary printing apparatus operation panel 700 for displaying an online help screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. Interface elements 726 to 730 are displayed on the operation panel 700 instead of the interface elements 716 to 724. Interface element 726 is a help data display window. The interface element 728 is a “print” button. The interface element 730 is an “end” button.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the help data display window 726 shows help data associated with one or more keywords displayed in the keyword display window 718 when the “forward” button 720 is selected. For example, when the keyword is “manual tray”, the help display window 726 may display help data such as “used when copying to OHP sheet, adhesive label, translucent paper, postcard, and non-standard paper”. unknown. The help display window 726 may further display one or more keywords. As described above, updated help data may be obtained from a remote server. The help data may include text and / or images. The help data display window 726 may include a scroll bar that can scroll the help data from the beginning to the end when the help data is too large to be completely displayed in the help display window.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the “print” button 728 is selected, the printing device prints help data that is displayed at least partially in the help data display window 726. According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the “Exit” button 730 is selected, the operation panel 700 ends the display of the interface elements 726 to 730 shown in FIG. 7C, and instead the interface elements as shown in FIG. 7A. 702 to 708 are displayed.

  FIG. 7D is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary printing apparatus operation panel 700 for displaying a trouble recovery wizard screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. Instead of the interface elements 702 to 708, an interface element 732 is displayed on the operation panel 700. Interface element 732 is a solution data display window.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the solution data display window 732 shows one or more recommended actions for resolving trouble detected by the printing device. As described above, updated solution data on which one or more recommended actions are based may be obtained from a remote server. Solution data display window 732 may show these recommended actions in succession rather than simultaneously. The solution display window may display the next recommended action when the printing device detects that a recommended action has been performed. These one or more recommended actions may be presented in the order required for execution.

  For example, when the detected trouble is a paper jam, the solution display window 732 first displays a recommended action such as “1. Open the front cover”. Later, when the printer detects that the front cover has been opened, the Solution Data Display Window 732 will then display a suggested action such as “2. Grab the green lever and slowly pull out the cartridge”. To do. When the trouble is solved, the operation panel 700 ends the display of the interface element 732 as shown in FIG. 7D, and displays the interface elements 702 to 708 as shown in FIG. 7A instead.

[Implementation mechanism]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a computer system in which one embodiment of the present invention is implemented. For example, help solution data server 104 may be implemented on computer system 800. Computer system 800 includes a bus 802 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor 804 coupled with bus 802 for processing information. The computer system 800 also includes a main memory 806, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, connected to the bus 802 for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor 804. Main memory 806 may also be utilized to store temporary variables and other intermediate information during execution of instructions executed by processor 804. The computer system 800 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 808 and other static storage devices connected to the bus 802 for storing static information and instructions for the processor 804. A storage device 810 such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk is provided and connected to the bus 802 for storing information and instructions. The management server 104 may be realized on the computer system 800.

  Computer system 800 may be connected via bus 802 to a display 812, such as a CRT, for displaying information to a computer user. An input device 814 that includes alphanumeric keys and other keys is connected to the bus 802 for communicating information and command selections with the processor 804. Other types of user input devices include cursor control 816 that communicates direction information and command selection, such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, or cursor direction keys, with processor 804 and controls cursor movement on display 812. is there. The input device typically has two degrees of freedom: a first coordinate (for example, x) and a second coordinate (for example, y) that can specify a position on a plane.

  The present invention relates to the use of a computer system 800 that confirms wireless transmission of image and audio data from a portable device. According to one embodiment of the invention, the computer system 800 wirelessly transmits image or audio data from a portable device in response to the processor 804 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in the main memory 806. Confirm transmission. Such instructions may be read into main memory 806 from other computer readable media such as storage device 810. By executing the instruction sequence contained in the main memory 806, the processor 804 can execute the above process steps. In other embodiments of the present invention, embedded circuitry may be utilized in place of or in combination with software instructions that implement the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

  The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions to processor 804 during execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical disks such as storage device 810 and magnetic disks. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 806. The transmission medium includes a coaxial cable including a wiring configuring the bus 802, a copper wire, and an optical fiber. Transmission media may also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated in wireless and infrared data communications.

  Common forms of computer readable media include, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, other arbitrary magnetic media, CD-ROMs, other arbitrary optical media, punch cards, and paper tapes. , Physical media having any other hole pattern, RAM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, carrier wave as described below, computer Other arbitrary media that can be read are included.

  Various forms of computer readable media are involved in providing one or more sequences of one or more instructions to processor 804 during execution. For example, these instructions may initially be carried on a remote computer magnetic disk. The remote computer can load these instructions into its dynamic memory and send them over the telephone line using a modem. The modem of computer system 800 receives this data over a telephone line and converts the data to an infrared signal using an infrared transmitter. The infrared detector receives the data carried by the infrared signal and the data is placed on the bus 802 by a suitable circuit. Bus 802 carries this data to main memory 806, and processor 804 extracts and executes instructions from main memory 806. The instructions received by main memory 806 may be optically stored on storage device 810 either before or after execution by processor 804.

  Computer system 800 also includes a communication interface 818 connected to bus 802. Communication interface 818 provides bi-directional data communication connected to a network link 820 connected to a local network 822. For example, the communication interface 818 may be an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) card or modem that provides a data communication connection to a corresponding telephone line type. As another example, communication interface 818 may be a LAN card that provides a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. A wireless link may also be implemented. In any such implementation, communication interface 818 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.

  Network link 820 typically provides data communication to other data devices via one or more networks. For example, the network link 820 provides a connection to a data device provided by a host computer 824 or Internet service provider (ISP) 826 via a local network 822. The ISP 826 provides a data communication service through a world wide packet data communication network that is usually called the Internet 828. Local network 822 and Internet 828 utilize electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams. Signals via various networks that carry digital data and constitute computer system 800, and signals via network domain 820 and communication interface 818 are examples of carrier waves that transmit information.

  Computer system 800 can send messages and receive data, including program code, over a network, network link 820 and communication interface 818. In the Internet example, the server 830 may send the requested code of the application program over the Internet 828, ISP 826, local network 822 and communication interface 818. According to the present invention, such downloaded applications constitute a monitoring system that monitors the selected network element. The processor 804 may execute this received code when stored in the storage device 810 or other non-volatile storage device for subsequent execution. In this way, computer system 800 can obtain application code in the form of a carrier wave.

  The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for providing updated help and solution information to a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a portion of a flow diagram illustrating a process for providing help information to a printing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a portion of a flow diagram illustrating a process for providing help information to a printing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for printing an updated user manual at a printing device in response to receiving user input at the printing device according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for providing updated solution information to a printing device according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for sending a notification based on help and solution data access statistics according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A is a portion of a flow diagram illustrating a process for periodically tuning to a help and solution database according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6B is a portion of a flow diagram illustrating the process of periodically tuning to the help and solution database according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary printing apparatus operation panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary printing apparatus operation panel according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7C is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary printing apparatus operation panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7D is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary printing apparatus operation panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a computer system in which one embodiment of the present invention is implemented.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 System 102 Printing device 104 Help solution data server 106 Administrator computer 108 Network 110 Operation panel 112 Print module 114, 122 Permanent storage device 116 Help and solution data 118 Statistical data 120, 130 Network interface 124 Help and solution master data 126 Statistics master data 128 E-mail application 800 Computer system 802 Bus 804 Processor 806 Main memory 808 ROM
810 Storage device 812 Display 814 Input device 816 Cursor control 818 Communication interface 820 Network link 822 Local network 824 Host 826 ISP
828 Internet 830 server

Claims (29)

A printing apparatus having a user interface and a communication interface,
Detection means for detecting troubles;
Download means for downloading solution data from a remote server holding one or more solution data in response to detection of the trouble;
And a display unit configured to display, via the user interface, one or more recommended actions for solving the trouble based on the solution data. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
In response to detection of the trouble, comprising: an access determination means for determining whether access to the remote server holding the solution data via the communication interface is currently possible;
The display means displays one or more recommended actions based on the solution data previously downloaded from the remote server when the determining means determines that access to the remote server holding the solution data is not currently possible. The printing apparatus characterized by performing. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
A printing apparatus comprising: selection means for selecting the one or more recommended actions from a plurality of possible recommended actions based on the trouble.   4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the download unit periodically downloads other solution data from the remote server that holds the solution data at one or more specified intervals. A printing apparatus characterized by that. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
A printing apparatus comprising storage means for storing the solution data in a permanent storage device. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:
A statistic update means for updating a statistic indicating the display count of the one or more recommended actions;
Display number determination means for determining whether the display number of the one or more recommended actions exceeds a specified threshold;
Notification generation means for generating a notification indicating that the display count exceeds the threshold value when the display count determination means determines that the display count of the one or more recommended actions exceeds the specified threshold;
A printing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the notification to a designated e-mail address. A printing apparatus having a user interface and a communication interface,
Receiving means for receiving user input via the user interface;
A printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints one or more operation instructions of the printing apparatus in response to reception of a user input by the receiving unit.   8. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the one or more operation instructions are composed of at least a part of a user manual. The printing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising:
Accessible determination means for determining whether access to a remote server holding the one or more operation instructions via the communication interface is currently possible;
When it is determined by the accessible determination means that access to the remote server holding the one or more operation instructions is currently possible, at least one operation instruction of the one or more operation instructions is downloaded from the remote server. And a download unit.   10. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the user input is received by the receiving unit and the access determining unit determines that access to the remote server holding the one or more operation instructions is not currently possible. The printing unit prints one or more operation instructions previously downloaded from the remote server.   11. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the download unit stores one or more other operation instructions from the remote server that holds the one or more operation instructions at one or more specified intervals. A printing apparatus characterized by periodically downloading a printer. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11, further comprising:
A printing apparatus comprising storage means for storing the one or more operation instructions in a permanent storage device. A printing apparatus having a user interface and a communication interface,
Receiving means for receiving user input via the user interface;
Selection means for selecting one or more help instructions corresponding to the user input from a plurality of help instructions specifying the operation method of the printing apparatus based on the user input;
Display means for displaying the selected one or more help instructions via the user interface;
And a statistics updating unit that updates statistics indicating the number of times of selection of the one or more help instructions. The printing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising:
Selection number determination means for determining whether the number of selections of the one or more help instructions exceeds a specified threshold;
And a notification generation unit configured to generate a notification indicating that the selection count exceeds the threshold value when the selection count determination unit determines that the selection count of the one or more help instructions exceeds a specified threshold value. A printing apparatus characterized by that. The printing apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising:
A printing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the notification to a designated e-mail address. A method for updating printing device solution data, comprising:
A method comprising uploading to the remote printing device solution data having one or more recommended actions that resolve one or more troubles that may affect the remote printing device.   17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the uploading step uploads solution data having one or more recommended actions for solving the trouble in response to the trouble detection by the remote printing apparatus. how to.   18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein the uploading step periodically uploads other solution data to the remote printing device at one or more specified intervals.   17. The method of claim 16, wherein the uploading step includes one or more instructions included in a user manual in response to receiving a user input by the remote printing device via a user interface of the remote printing device. Uploading to the remote printing device.   20. The method of claim 19, wherein one or more instructions included in the user manual are periodically uploaded to the remote printing device at one or more specified intervals. 21. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, further comprising:
Updating statistics indicating the number of selections of one or more help instructions;
Determining whether the number of selections of the one or more help instructions exceeds a specified threshold;
Generating a notification indicating that the number of selections exceeds the threshold when it is determined that the number of selections of the one or more help instructions exceeds a specified threshold;
Sending the notification to a designated email address. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, further comprising:
Updating a statistic indicating a display count of one or more recommended actions on one or more printing devices;
Determining whether the number of displays of one or more recommended actions on the one or more printing devices exceeds a specified threshold;
Generating a notification indicating that the display count has exceeded the threshold when it is determined that the display count of the one or more recommended actions on the one or more printing devices has exceeded a specified threshold;
Sending the notification to a designated email address. A computer readable medium that provides one or more instruction sequences for updating printing device solution data, wherein the instructions cause one or more processors to cause one or more troubles that may affect a remote printing device. A medium for causing the remote printing apparatus to upload solution data having one or more recommended actions to be solved.   24. The computer readable medium of claim 23, wherein the uploading step uploads solution data having one or more recommended actions to solve the trouble in response to detection of the trouble by the remote printing device. A medium characterized by that.   25. The computer readable medium of claim 23 or 24, wherein the uploading step periodically uploads other solution data to the remote printing device at one or more specified intervals. Medium.   24. The computer readable medium of claim 23, wherein the uploading step is included in a user manual in response to receiving user input via a user interface of the remote printing device by the remote printing device. A medium in which the above instruction is uploaded to the remote printing apparatus.   27. The computer readable medium of claim 26, wherein one or more instructions included in the user manual are periodically uploaded to the remote printing device at one or more specified intervals. Medium. 28. A computer readable medium as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 27, wherein the instructions further include:
Updating statistics indicating the number of selections of one or more help instructions;
Determining whether the number of selections of the one or more help instructions exceeds a specified threshold;
Generating a notification indicating that the number of selections exceeds the threshold when it is determined that the number of selections of the one or more help instructions exceeds a specified threshold;
Transmitting the notification to a designated e-mail address. 29. A computer readable medium according to any one of claims 23 to 28, wherein the instructions further include:
Updating a statistic indicating a display count of one or more recommended actions on one or more printing devices;
Determining whether the number of displays of one or more recommended actions on the one or more printing devices exceeds a specified threshold;
Generating a notification indicating that the display count has exceeded the threshold when it is determined that the display count of the one or more recommended actions on the one or more printing devices has exceeded a specified threshold;
Transmitting the notification to a designated e-mail address.

Images