JP2012044573A - Diagnosis support device, image processing device, diagnosis system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the possibility that an image processing device can diagnose a trouble difficult to be detected.SOLUTION: In a main control unit 40 of an image formation device, an abnormality information reception unit 41 receives the input of abnormality information from a user, a diagnosis data extraction unit 43 holds an abnormality information ID for identifying the abnormality information and extracts transmission target diagnosis data according to the abnormality information from among diagnosis data stored in a diagnosis data storage unit 42, and a transmission control unit 45 controls transmission of the abnormality information ID and the transmission target diagnosis data to a center device. Thereafter, when the center device acquires instruction information for instructing an action to be executed by the image formation device based on the abnormality information ID and the transmission target diagnosis data and transmits the instruction information to the image formation device, a reception control unit 46 controls reception of the instruction information from the center device, and an instruction execution unit 47 executes the action instructed with the instruction information.

Description

  The present invention relates to a diagnosis support apparatus, an image processing apparatus, a diagnosis system, and a program.

  A diagnostic system for an image recording apparatus is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this Patent Document 1, when a failure occurs in a copying machine, various failure diagnosis rules set in advance are applied to all data necessary for failure diagnosis. The level of the diagnostic rule is detected, and if the data has not been sent to the host yet, the data of the detected fault diagnostic rule is sent, but if it has already been sent to the host, Only when the level is higher than the level of the fault diagnosis rule transmitted last time, the data of the fault diagnosis rule is transmitted to the host.

  There is also known a technique for determining a color causing a failure sign such as a malfunction in an image forming apparatus capable of image formation of a plurality of colors (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In Patent Document 2, when the occurrence of color streaks is predicted, a mode in which a transfer bias is applied to the transfer body for each latent image carrier and the surface state of the transfer body is detected by the failure detection means. Execute.

JP-A-6-205127 JP 2008-292773 A

  An object of the present invention is to increase the possibility that an image processing apparatus can diagnose a problem that is difficult to detect.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in response to an input by a user of the image processing apparatus, storage means for storing state information indicating the state of the image processing apparatus, and defect information indicating a defect of the image processing apparatus, Diagnosis that is information associated with the defect information received by the reception unit from the reception unit that receives the defect information and the status information stored in the storage unit, and is information that is used for diagnosis of the defect A diagnostic support apparatus comprising: extraction means for extracting use status information; and transmission means for transmitting the diagnosis status information extracted by the extraction means to a diagnosis device for diagnosing the malfunction .
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation specified by the diagnostic device based on the diagnostic status information transmitted by the transmission unit, the operation defined as an operation for solving the problem. The diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising execution means that is executed by the image processing apparatus.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the receiving means receives the defect information in response to an input by the user of the defect information by selecting an option representing the defect from a plurality of options displayed on the screen. The diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diagnosis support apparatus is received.
The invention according to claim 4 is the diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising update means for updating the screen based on information received from the diagnosis apparatus.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing means for performing image processing based on input image data, and a record for recording state information indicating a state of the own apparatus when image processing is performed by the image processing means. In response to an input by the user of the device and the failure information indicating the failure of the device, the reception device accepts the failure information from the status information recorded by the recording device. Extraction means for extracting diagnostic status information, which is information associated with the fault information and used for diagnosis of the fault, and the diagnostic status information extracted by the extraction means, An image processing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit that transmits to a diagnostic apparatus that diagnoses
The invention described in claim 6 includes an image processing device that performs image processing based on input image data, and a diagnostic device that diagnoses a malfunction of the image processing device, and the image processing device includes the image processing device. Recording means for recording state information indicating the state of the own device when receiving is performed, receiving means for receiving the defect information in response to an input by the user of the own device of defect information indicating the failure of the own device, Extraction means for extracting from the status information recorded by the recording means, information associated with the defect information received by the receiving means and information used for diagnosis of the defect; A transmission means for transmitting the defect information received by the reception means and the diagnostic status information extracted by the extraction means to the diagnostic device, The apparatus receives the defect information and the diagnostic status information transmitted by the transmission unit, and the reception unit receives the defect indicated by the defect information received by the reception unit. A diagnostic system comprising diagnostic means for diagnosing based on the diagnostic status information.
The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the diagnosis means specifies an operation defined as an action for solving the malfunction based on the diagnosis status information, and the specifying means specifies the operation. The diagnostic system according to claim 6, further comprising instruction means for instructing the image processing apparatus to execute the operation.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer having a function of receiving defect information in response to an input by a user of the image processing apparatus of defect information indicating a defect of the image processing apparatus, and the storage unit storing the defect information. A function for extracting diagnostic status information, which is information associated with the defect information and used for diagnosis of the defect, from the state information indicating the state of the image processing apparatus, and the extracted diagnostic state It is a program for realizing a function of transmitting information to a diagnostic device for diagnosing the malfunction.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the possibility that the image processing apparatus can diagnose a problem that is difficult to detect is increased as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the possibility that the image processing apparatus can solve a problem that is difficult to detect is increased as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is easier to input information indicating a problem that is difficult for the image processing apparatus to detect than when the present configuration is not provided.
According to invention of Claim 4, the screen for inputting the information which shows a malfunction can be controlled from a diagnostic apparatus.
According to the invention of claim 5, the possibility that the image processing apparatus can diagnose a problem that is difficult to detect is increased as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the possibility that the image processing apparatus can diagnose a problem that is difficult to detect is increased as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the possibility that the image processing apparatus can solve a problem that is difficult to detect is increased as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.
According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the possibility that the image processing apparatus can diagnose a problem that is difficult to detect is increased as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

It is the figure which showed the example of a structure of the computer system with which embodiment of this invention is applied. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is the block diagram which showed the function structural example of the main control part in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the menu table which the main control part in embodiment of this invention hold | maintains. It is the figure which showed an example of the diagnostic data table which the main-control part in embodiment of this invention hold | maintains. It is the figure which showed an example of the detailed information of the diagnostic data table which the main-control part in embodiment of this invention hold | maintains. It is the figure which showed an example of the detailed information of the diagnostic data table which the main-control part in embodiment of this invention hold | maintains. It is the block diagram which showed the function structural example of the center apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the instruction | indication information table which the center apparatus in embodiment of this invention hold | maintains. It is the flowchart which showed the operation example of the main control part in embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation example of the center apparatus in embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a computer system according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, this computer system is configured by connecting image forming apparatuses 1 a, 1 b, 1 c and a center apparatus 6 to a network 8. Although the image forming apparatuses 1a, 1b, and 1c are shown in the drawing, they may be referred to as the image forming apparatus 1 when it is not necessary to distinguish them. Although only three image forming apparatuses 1 are shown in the figure, four or more image forming apparatuses 1 may be provided.

The image forming apparatus 1 is an example of an image processing apparatus, and is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium such as paper and outputs it as a print document. The image forming apparatus 1 may have only a printer function, or may have a scanner or facsimile function. Details of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described later.
The center device 6 is an example of a diagnostic device, and is a computer device installed in a maintenance center that performs maintenance when a failure occurs in the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, information on a failure that has occurred in each image forming apparatus 1 is stored, and when a failure occurs in any one of the image forming apparatuses 1, a troubleshooting method using the stored failure information is described. Identify. Here, for example, a PC (Personal Computer) may be used as the center device 6.
The network 8 is a communication means used for exchanging various information. Examples of the network 8 include the Internet and a LAN (Local Area Network).

Next, the image forming apparatus 1 in the computer system of FIG. 1 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 is a so-called tandem color printer, and controls the operation of the image forming unit 10 as an example of an image processing unit that forms an image based on image data, and the entire image forming apparatus 1. A main control unit 40. Furthermore, for example, a communication unit 51 that communicates with the terminal device 3 to receive image data, an image reading unit 52 as an example of an image processing unit that reads an image from a document and generates read image data, and a communication unit An image processing unit 53 that performs predetermined image processing on the image data received at 51, the read image data generated by the image reading unit 52, and the like, and receives the operation input from the user And a user interface (UI) unit 54 that displays various types of information to the user.

The image forming unit 10 is a component that forms an image by, for example, electrophotography, and includes four image forming units 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K (hereinafter referred to as “image forming unit 11”) arranged in parallel. It has. Each of the image forming units 11 has, as a functional member, for example, a photosensitive drum 12 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed while rotating in the direction of arrow A and then a toner image is formed, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 in advance. A charger 13 that is charged at a predetermined potential, an exposure device 14 that exposes the photosensitive drum 12 charged by the charger 13 based on image data, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 12. A developing device 15 for developing with each color toner and a drum cleaner 16 for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 after transfer are provided.
Each of the image forming units 11 is configured in substantially the same manner except for the toner accommodated in the developing device 15, and each forms a toner image of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). To do.

  Further, the image forming unit 10 includes an intermediate transfer belt 20 onto which the color toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 12 of the image forming units 11 are transferred, and the color toner images formed on the image forming units 11. And a primary transfer roll 21 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) to the intermediate transfer belt 20. Furthermore, a secondary transfer roll 22 that batch-transfers (secondary transfer) each color toner image superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 onto a sheet P that is a recording medium (recording paper), and each color that has been secondarily transferred. And a fixing device 25 for fixing the toner image on the paper P.

  Each of the image forming units 11 of the image forming unit 10 forms toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) by an electrophotographic process using the above functional members. Each color toner image formed by each image forming unit 11 is electrostatically transferred in sequence onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 by the primary transfer roll 21 to form a composite toner image in which the respective color toners are superimposed. The synthetic toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is conveyed to the secondary transfer region Tr where the secondary transfer roll 22 is disposed as the intermediate transfer belt 20 moves (in the direction of arrow B), and is supplied from the paper storage container 30. Electrostatically transferred onto a sheet of paper P. Thereafter, the synthetic toner image electrostatically transferred onto the paper P is fixed on the paper P by being subjected to a fixing process by the fixing device 25. Then, the paper P on which the fixed image is formed is conveyed and accumulated on a paper stacking unit 35 provided in the discharge unit of the image forming apparatus 1.

On the other hand, the toner (primary transfer residual toner) attached to the photosensitive drum 12 after the primary transfer and the toner (secondary transfer residual toner) attached to the intermediate transfer belt 20 after the secondary transfer are respectively drum cleaner 16. , And the belt cleaner 23.
In this way, the image forming process in the image forming apparatus 1 is repeatedly executed for the number of printed sheets.

By the way, when an abnormality occurs in such an image forming apparatus 1, it is conceivable that the image forming apparatus 1 itself detects the abnormality and transmits diagnostic data for diagnosing the detected abnormality to the center device 6. However, the abnormality that occurs in the image forming apparatus 1 includes an abnormality that cannot be detected by the image forming apparatus 1 itself, and an abnormality that requires additional sensors to detect the image forming apparatus 1 itself, resulting in an increase in cost. . For example, image quality abnormality, alignment abnormality, paper wrinkle, abnormal noise, and the like. In the method in which the image forming apparatus 1 itself detects an abnormality, the abnormality that is difficult for the image forming apparatus 1 itself to detect cannot be transmitted to the center device 6 because the diagnosis data for diagnosing the abnormality cannot be transmitted. It cannot be resolved quickly.
Thus, in the present embodiment, diagnostic data for diagnosing an abnormality that is difficult for the image forming apparatus 1 itself to detect can be transmitted to the center apparatus 6 by the user inputting information.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the main control unit 40 that performs such an operation.
As shown in the figure, the main control unit 40 includes an abnormality information receiving unit 41, a diagnostic data storage unit 42, a diagnostic data extraction unit 43, a table storage unit 44, a transmission control unit 45, and a reception control unit 46. And an instruction execution unit 47.

  The abnormality information receiving unit 41 receives information (hereinafter referred to as “abnormal information”) indicating an abnormality of the image forming apparatus 1 input by the user. In the present embodiment, abnormality information is used as an example of defect information indicating a defect in the image processing apparatus, and an abnormality information receiving unit 41 is provided as an example of a receiving unit that receives defect information.

The diagnosis data storage unit 42 stores data (hereinafter referred to as “diagnosis data”) necessary for diagnosing an abnormality of the image forming apparatus 1 by the center device 6. The diagnostic data may be acquired and stored at the time of image processing such as image output and image reading. In the present embodiment, diagnostic data is used as an example of status information indicating the status of the image processing apparatus, and a diagnostic data storage unit 42 is provided as an example of storage means for storing status information and recording means for recording status information. Is provided.
The diagnostic data extraction unit 43 transmits diagnostic data to be transmitted to the center device 6 from the diagnostic data stored in the diagnostic data storage unit 42 according to the abnormality information received by the abnormality information receiving unit 41 (hereinafter referred to as “transmission target”). "Diagnostic data"). In the present embodiment, transmission target diagnostic data is used as an example of diagnostic status information, and a diagnostic data extraction unit 43 is provided as an example of an extraction unit that extracts diagnostic status information.

  The table storage unit 44 stores various tables referred to by the abnormality information reception unit 41 and the diagnostic data extraction unit 43. One is a menu table that is referred to when the abnormality information receiving unit 41 displays a menu screen for inputting abnormality information (hereinafter referred to as “abnormal information menu”). The other is a diagnostic data table that is referred to when the diagnostic data extraction unit 43 extracts transmission target diagnostic data according to abnormality information.

The transmission control unit 45 outputs the abnormality information ID corresponding to the abnormality information received by the abnormality information reception unit 41 and the transmission target diagnosis data extracted by the diagnosis data extraction unit 43 to the communication unit 51, and the center via the communication unit 51 Control transmission of information to the device 6. In the present embodiment, a transmission control unit 45 is provided as an example of a transmission unit that transmits diagnostic status information.
The reception control unit 46 controls the reception of the instruction information acquired by the center device 6 in response to the abnormality information ID and the transmission target diagnosis data via the communication unit 51, and acquires the instruction information from the communication unit 51.
The instruction execution unit 47 executes an action indicated by the instruction information acquired by the reception control unit 46. In this embodiment, an instruction execution unit 47 is provided as an example of an execution unit that executes an operation defined as an operation for solving a problem.

Here, various tables stored in the table storage unit 44 will be specifically described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the menu table.
As shown in the figure, the menu table has a first selection screen, a second selection screen, a third selection screen, a fourth selection screen, and an abnormality information ID as items.

The first selection screen is an item that defines a first selection screen that is first displayed on the UI unit 54 when the user presses a button when the user feels an abnormality in the image forming apparatus 1, for example. By referring to this item, a first selection screen including “image quality abnormality” and “sound abnormality” as options is displayed.
The second selection screen is an item that defines the second selection screen displayed on the UI unit 54 when any option on the first selection screen is selected. For example, if “abnormal image quality” is selected on the first selection screen, by referring to this item, a second selection screen including “tone”, “blur”, “streak”, and “dirt” as options is displayed. Is displayed.
The third selection screen is an item that defines the third selection screen displayed on the UI unit 54 when any option on the second selection screen is selected. For example, if “streak” is selected on the second selection screen, a third selection screen including “vertical direction” and “lateral direction” as options is displayed by referring to this item.
The fourth selection screen is an item that defines a fourth selection screen displayed on the UI unit 54 when any option on the third selection screen is selected. For example, if “vertical direction” is selected on the third selection screen, a fourth selection screen including “sharp streaks” and “blurred streaks” as options is displayed by referring to this item.
The abnormality information ID is identification information for identifying a combination of options on the first selection screen, the second selection screen, the third selection screen, and the fourth selection screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a diagnostic data table.
As shown in the figure, the diagnostic data table has an abnormality information ID and transmission target diagnostic data as items.

Since the abnormality information ID has been described in the menu table of FIG. 4, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.
The transmission target diagnostic data is an item that defines transmission target diagnostic data to be extracted as a target to be transmitted to the center device 6 when corresponding abnormality information is input among the diagnostic data stored in the diagnostic data storage unit 42. is there. For example, select “Image quality abnormality” on the first selection screen, select “Streak” on the second selection screen, select “Vertical direction” on the third selection screen, and “Sharp streaks” on the fourth selection screen. Is selected, the abnormal information ID becomes “ABN1311” by referring to the row of these options in the menu table of FIG. Then, by referring to the row of the abnormality information ID in the diagnosis data table of FIG. 5, it is understood that “LPH energization time” and “LPH lot number” should be extracted as the transmission target diagnosis data. The transmission target diagnosis data corresponding to the abnormality information IDs “ABN1312”, “ABN1321”, and “ABN213x” is “−”. This is the transmission target diagnosis to be extracted as a target to be transmitted to the center device 6. Means no data. In other words, “Image quality abnormality” is selected on the first selection screen, “Streak” is selected on the second selection screen, “Vertical direction” is selected on the third selection screen, and “Blurred” is selected on the fourth selection screen. When “Streak” is selected, “Image quality abnormality” is selected on the first selection screen, “Streak” is selected on the second selection screen, “Horizontal direction” is selected on the third selection screen, and the fourth selection is made When “Sharp streaks” is selected on the screen, or “Sound abnormality” is selected on the first selection screen, “Main body” is selected on the second selection screen, and “Other” is selected on the third selection screen The center device 6 acquires the instruction information according to only the selection input from the abnormality information menu and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 1 even if the transmission target diagnosis data is not transmitted. In the figure, the diagnostic data to be transmitted is indicated by words such as “paper quality” and “process speed”. However, diagnostic data identification information is assigned to each diagnostic data, and this diagnostic data identification information may be stored. Good.

By the way, in FIG. 5, since only the main thing of the transmission target diagnostic data which should be extracted is shown as transmission target diagnostic data, the detailed content of the transmission target diagnostic data is shown about a part of abnormality information next.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing in detail the portions corresponding to the abnormality information IDs “ABN1110”, “ABN1120”, and “ABN1130” in the diagnostic data table. In the figure, the abnormality information IDs “ABN1110”, “ABN1120”, and “ABN1130” are collectively expressed as “ABN11xx”. In FIG. 6, remarks are not items of the diagnostic data table, but are provided as columns for describing the explanation of each transmission target diagnostic data.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing in detail a portion corresponding to the abnormality information ID “ABN1210” in the diagnosis data table. In FIG. 7, the remarks are not items of the diagnostic data table, but are provided as columns for describing the description of each transmission target diagnostic data.

  In the present embodiment, as mentioned above, the center device 6 receives the transmission target diagnostic data from the image forming apparatus 1 having such a configuration, and the instruction information acquired in accordance with the transmission target diagnostic data is obtained. It transmits to the image forming apparatus 1.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the center apparatus 6 that performs such an operation.
As illustrated, the center device 6 includes a receiving unit 61, an instruction information acquiring unit 62, a table storage unit 64, and a transmitting unit 69.

The receiving unit 61 receives the abnormality information ID and transmission target diagnosis data from the image forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, a receiving unit 61 is provided as an example of a receiving unit that receives defect information and diagnostic status information.
The instruction information acquisition unit 62 acquires instruction information for instructing an action to be performed by the image forming apparatus 1 based on the abnormality information ID and the transmission target diagnosis data received by the reception unit 61. In the present embodiment, the instruction information acquisition unit 62 is provided as an example of a specifying unit that specifies an operation defined as an operation for solving a problem.
The table storage unit 64 stores a table referred to by the instruction information acquisition unit 62. Specifically, the instruction information acquisition unit 62 stores an instruction information table that is referred to when the instruction information is acquired based on the abnormality information ID and the transmission target diagnosis data.
The transmission unit 69 transmits the instruction information acquired by the instruction information acquisition unit 62 to the image forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, a transmission unit 69 is provided as an example of instruction means for instructing execution of an operation.
Here, the combined portion of the instruction information acquisition unit 62 and the transmission unit 69 is an example of a diagnostic unit that diagnoses a malfunction.

  Such a function of the center device 6 is realized by cooperation of software and hardware resources. The receiving unit 61, the instruction information acquiring unit 62, and the transmitting unit 69 are realized by the CPU of the center device 6 reading a program that realizes these functions from an external storage device such as a hard disk into the main memory. The table storage unit 64 is realized by an external storage device such as a hard disk.

Here, the table memorize | stored in the table memory | storage part 64 is demonstrated concretely.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the instruction information table.
As shown in the figure, the instruction information table includes abnormality information ID, reference feature data, and instruction information as items.

Since the abnormality information ID has been described in the menu table of FIG. 4, a detailed description thereof is omitted here. As in FIG. 6, the abnormality information IDs “ABN1110”, “ABN1120”, and “ABN1130” are collectively expressed as “ABN11xx”.
The reference feature data is feature data of diagnostic data that serves as a reference when compared with feature data of transmission target diagnosis data received from the image forming apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as “transmission feature data”). As the reference feature data, conditions regarding any information item in the diagnostic data shown in FIGS. However, with respect to the reference feature data corresponding to the abnormality information IDs “ABN2110” and “ABN2120”, the “usage state” collectively includes “the number of photosensitive member cycles”, “the number of developer operation cycles”, and “the number of sheets passing through the fixing device”. “Job paper quality”, “color”, “paper size”, and “single / double-sided” are collectively referred to as job mode. The reference feature data corresponding to the abnormality information IDs “ABN1312”, “ABN1321”, and “ABN213x” is “−”, but this is because the transmission target diagnosis data is not sent from the image forming apparatus 1. This means that there is no reference feature data to be compared.
The instruction information is information for instructing an action to be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. For example, when attention is focused on the first line of the instruction information table, if the abnormality information ID is “ABN1110” and the photoconductor potential in the transmission target diagnosis data is V1, “change the photoconductor potential” according to the instruction information. An action is directed.
By the way, in this instruction information table, what kind of data the reference feature data should be used to indicate what action the instruction information should indicate is created and stored based on past trouble cases in a plurality of image forming apparatuses. . Therefore, the instruction information table can be regarded as a trouble case database.

Next, the operation of the computer system in this embodiment will be described.
First, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in this computer system will be described.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the main control unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 1.
As shown in the figure, in the main control unit 40, the abnormality information receiving unit 41 first displays the abnormality information menu on the UI unit 54 with reference to the menu table of FIG. 4 (step 401). At this time, a menu updating unit (not shown) as an example of the updating unit updates the abnormality information menu configured with reference to the menu table of FIG. 4 with the information received from the center device 6, and the abnormality information receiving unit 41 The updated abnormality information menu may be displayed on the UI unit 54. Then, the abnormality information receiving unit 41 determines whether abnormality information is input by the user (step 402). Specifically, it is determined whether any option is selected on the selection screen from which the option should be selected among the first selection screen, the second selection screen, the third selection screen, and the fourth selection screen. Here, if abnormality information is not input, the determination in step 402 is repeated, and if abnormality information is input, control is transferred to the diagnostic data extraction unit 43.

  Thereby, the diagnostic data extraction part 43 extracts the transmission object diagnostic data according to the abnormality information input at step 402 from the diagnostic data memorize | stored in the diagnostic data memory | storage part 42 (step 403). Specifically, the abnormality information ID corresponding to the combination of options selected on each selection screen is stored in the memory, the diagnosis data table in FIG. 5 is searched using this abnormality information ID as a search key, and the transmission target diagnosis is performed. Specify the type of information to be extracted as data. Then, among the diagnostic data stored in the diagnostic data storage unit 42, the diagnostic data of the specified information type is extracted as transmission target diagnostic data.

  Thereafter, the abnormality information ID stored in the memory by the diagnostic data extraction unit 43 and the transmission target diagnostic data extracted by the diagnostic data extraction unit 43 are passed to the transmission control unit 45, and the transmission control unit 45 To transmit the information to the center device 6 (step 404). Specifically, the abnormality information ID and transmission target diagnosis data are output to the communication unit 51, and the communication unit 51 is controlled so that these pieces of information are transmitted to the center device 6.

Then, in the center device 6, as will be described later, instruction information for instructing an action to be executed by the image forming apparatus 1 is acquired based on the abnormality information ID and the transmission target diagnosis data. Then, since this instruction information is transmitted from the center device 6 to the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 1 waits for this instruction information.
That is, in the main control unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 1, the reception control unit 46 determines whether or not the instruction information is received by the communication unit 51 (step 405). If the instruction information is not received, the determination in step 405 is repeated. If the instruction information is received, the reception control unit 46 acquires the instruction information and passes it to the instruction execution unit 47.

Thereby, the instruction execution unit 47 determines whether or not the instruction information passed from the reception control unit 46 is instruction information for instructing a change of the parameters set in the image forming apparatus 1 (step 406). In the example of FIG. 9, the instruction information such as “change the photoreceptor potential” and “change the transfer bias” corresponds to the instruction information for instructing the parameter change.
When it is determined that the instruction information is an instruction information for instructing the change of the parameter set in the image forming apparatus 1, the instruction execution unit 47 changes the parameter set in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the instruction information (step 407). .

On the other hand, if it is determined that the instruction information is not instruction information for instructing the change of the parameters set in the image forming apparatus 1, the instruction execution unit 47 uses the instruction information passed from the reception control unit 46 as the UI unit of the image forming apparatus 1. It is determined whether or not the instruction information indicates the display of a message on 54 (step 408). In the example of FIG. 9, “notify the maintenance center of the LPH replacement request and display that fact on the UI unit”, “notify the maintenance center of the foreign substance removal request and display that fact on the UI unit”, etc. The instruction information corresponds to instruction information for instructing display of a message.
When the instruction execution unit 47 determines that the instruction information is to instruct display of a message on the UI unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 1, the instruction execution unit 47 displays a message on the UI unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the instruction information ( Step 409). If it is determined that the instruction information is not instruction information for instructing display of a message on the UI unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 1, the processing is ended as it is.

Next, the operation of the center device 6 when the abnormality information ID and transmission target diagnosis data are transmitted in step 404 will be described.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the center device 6 at this time.
As shown in the figure, in the center device 6, the receiving unit 61 first receives the abnormality information ID and the transmission target diagnosis data from the image forming apparatus 1 (step 601).
Next, the abnormality information ID and the transmission target diagnosis data are passed from the reception unit 61 to the instruction information acquisition unit 62, and the instruction information acquisition unit 62 obtains reference feature data corresponding to the abnormality information ID from the instruction information table of FIG. Obtain (step 602). Specifically, the instruction information table is searched using the abnormality information ID as a search key, and at least one reference feature data associated with the abnormality information ID is acquired.

Next, the instruction information acquisition unit 62 selects reference feature data similar to the transmission feature data that is the feature data of the transmission target diagnosis data passed from the reception unit 61 from the at least one reference feature data acquired in Step 602. Search is performed (step 603). Specifically, the reference feature data is searched such that the value of the transmission feature data falls within a predetermined range with respect to the value of the reference feature data.
Then, the instruction information acquisition unit 62 determines whether the search is successful (step 604).
If the search is successful, the instruction information acquisition unit 62 refers to the instruction information table and acquires instruction information corresponding to the reference feature data obtained by the search (step 605). Then, the instruction information is passed to the transmission unit 69, and the transmission unit 69 transmits the instruction information to the image forming apparatus 1 (step 606).
If the search fails, the instruction information acquisition unit 62 notifies the transmission unit 69 to that effect, and the transmission unit 69 transmits instruction information for instructing display of an error message to the image forming apparatus 1 (step 607). . Here, the case where the search fails is a case where there is no reference feature data similar to the transmission feature data even though at least one reference feature data is registered for the abnormality information ID. That is. If the reference feature data is not registered, such as abnormal information ID “ABN1312”, “ABN1321”, “ABN213x”, the search is not performed in step 603, but the search is considered successful in step 604, and the abnormality is detected in step 605. What is necessary is just to acquire the instruction information corresponding to information ID.

  In the present embodiment, when the user inputs abnormality information from the abnormality information menu, only the diagnosis data is extracted according to the abnormality information, but prior to the extraction of the diagnosis data, Simultaneously with the extraction of the diagnostic data, another predetermined operation may be performed. Here, as another operation, for example, an adjustment operation of the unit according to the abnormality information can be considered. In particular, when the abnormality information indicates “hang-up”, the other operation may be a return operation such as stopping the machine or turning the power off / on.

  In the present embodiment, when the user inputs abnormality information from the abnormality information menu, the diagnosis data corresponding to the abnormality information is extracted without displaying an explanation about the abnormality information. An explanation of how to deal with the abnormality information may be displayed. Then, only when the explanation of the coping method cannot be displayed, diagnostic data corresponding to the abnormality information may be extracted and transmitted to the center device 6 so that the center device 6 diagnoses the abnormality.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the main control unit 40 in the image forming apparatus 1 functions as a diagnosis support apparatus that transmits diagnosis data to the center apparatus 6 in response to input of abnormality information by the user. However, this diagnosis support apparatus may be an apparatus that acquires diagnosis data of the image forming apparatus 1 from the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 and inputs it to the center apparatus 6 by inputting user abnormality information.

  The program for realizing the present embodiment can be provided not only by communication means but also by storing it in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 40 ... Main control part 41 ... Abnormal information reception part 42 ... Diagnostic data storage part 43 ... Diagnostic data extraction part 44 ... Table storage part 45 ... Transmission control part 46 ... Reception control part , 47 ... instruction execution unit, 6 ... center device, 61 ... reception unit, 62 ... instruction information acquisition unit, 64 ... table storage unit, 69 ... transmission unit

Claims (8)

Storage means for storing status information indicating the status of the image processing apparatus;
Receiving means for receiving the defect information in response to an input by the user of the image processing apparatus of the defect information indicating the defect of the image processing apparatus;
Extraction means for extracting, from the state information stored in the storage means, diagnostic state information that is information associated with the defect information received by the receiving means and is used for diagnosis of the defect When,
A diagnostic support apparatus comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the diagnostic status information extracted by the extraction unit to a diagnostic device that diagnoses the defect.   Execution in the image processing apparatus, which is an operation specified by the diagnostic apparatus based on the diagnostic status information transmitted by the transmission means and defined as an operation for solving the problem The diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means.   The said reception means receives the said defect information according to the input by the said user of the said defect information by selecting the option showing the said defect from the several choices displayed on the screen. Or the diagnosis support apparatus according to 2;   The diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising update means for updating the screen based on information received from the diagnosis apparatus. Image processing means for performing image processing based on the input image data;
Recording means for recording status information indicating the status of the device itself when image processing is performed by the image processing means;
A receiving means for receiving the defect information in response to an input by the user of the defect information indicating the defect of the own device;
Extraction means for extracting, from the status information recorded by the recording means, information associated with the defect information received by the receiving means and information used for diagnosis of the defect. When,
An image processing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the diagnostic state information extracted by the extraction unit to a diagnostic device that diagnoses the defect. An image processing apparatus that performs image processing based on the input image data;
A diagnostic device for diagnosing a malfunction of the image processing device,
The image processing apparatus includes:
Recording means for recording status information indicating the status of the device when the image processing is performed;
A receiving means for receiving the defect information in response to an input by the user of the defect information indicating the defect of the own device;
Extraction means for extracting, from the status information recorded by the recording means, information associated with the defect information received by the receiving means and information used for diagnosis of the defect. When,
Transmission means for transmitting the defect information received by the reception means and the diagnostic status information extracted by the extraction means to the diagnostic device;
The diagnostic device comprises:
Receiving means for receiving the defect information and the diagnostic status information transmitted by the transmitting means;
A diagnosis system comprising: a diagnosis unit that diagnoses the defect indicated by the defect information received by the reception unit based on the diagnostic status information received by the reception unit. The diagnostic means includes
Identifying means for identifying an action defined as an action for solving the malfunction based on the diagnostic status information;
The diagnostic system according to claim 6, further comprising instruction means for instructing the image processing apparatus to execute the operation specified by the specifying means. On the computer,
A function of receiving the defect information in response to an input by the user of the image processing apparatus of the defect information indicating the defect of the image processing apparatus;
A function for extracting diagnostic status information, which is information associated with the defect information and used for diagnosis of the defect, from state information indicating the state of the image processing apparatus stored in the storage unit;
The program for implement | achieving the function which transmits the extracted said status information for diagnosis to the diagnostic apparatus which diagnoses the said malfunction.

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