JP2004159049A - Communication control method for image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for executing efficient re-dialing processing in a facsimile device having a function to automatically transmit log information and error information of a device to an external processor via a public line when specific conditions are satisfied. <P>SOLUTION: The facsimile device has a means for automatically transmitting data required by the external processor such as its own log information to the external processor when specific factors are satisfied, a means for executing the re-dialing processing after standing by for a specific period of time when the transmission is not normally finished, a means for preparing a new transmission file from a changed matter by deleting a stand-by transmission file when the log information is changed during the stand-by, a means for changing only the items of the changed log information, a means for stopping the transmission by deleting the transmission file if the specific factors cause an error and when the error is solved during the stand-by, and a means for preparing only one transmission file including information indicating occurrence of a plurality of factors when another factor occurs during the stand-by. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing device and a control method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when a serious trouble such as a failure has occurred in an image processing device including a facsimile machine, after a request arrived from the user to the manufacturer, a serviceman was arranged, dispatched to the site, and repaired. It took time to complete the repair and it was difficult to respond quickly. In order to solve this, an external processing device such as a server or a PC managed by a maker is connected to the image processing device by a dedicated line, and a system is constructed in which the external processing device constantly monitors the state of the image processing device. As a result, a serviceman can be dispatched as soon as the external processing apparatus detects a trouble in the image processing apparatus without a request from the user, and as a result, a quicker response than before can be performed. .
[0003]
At the same time, the external processing unit monitors not only the presence / absence of troubles but also information on the usage status of consumables such as toner and ink levels, so that manufacturers can build services to efficiently provide consumables to users. Now you can do it.
[0004]
Among the above image processing apparatuses, an apparatus having a facsimile function uses a telephone line as a line, and the image processing apparatus reports necessary information to an external processing apparatus periodically or when a set report factor is satisfied. In addition, by automatically notifying the external processing device of the occurrence of the trouble and its contents when a trouble occurs, a system for easily realizing the same service without using a dedicated line and at no cost is constructed. be able to.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As shown in the related art, in a system using a public line such as a telephone line for connection to an external processing device, one external processing device monitors the status of a plurality of image processing devices. In many cases, the line load is increasing. At that time, the image processing apparatus may not be able to notify the external processing apparatus of log information and occurrence of a trouble because the connection cannot be established.
[0006]
In order to avoid this, the image processing device automatically shifts to redial operation, but it is not possible to connect to the external processing device with one redial operation, and the same work is repeated several times, and it takes a long time to complete the process. This may be the case. In the meantime, the state of the image processing apparatus changes, and if the previous log information could not be notified and the log information had to be notified again because the new notification factor was satisfied, the trouble that occurred was solved. In some cases, there is no need to notify a trouble occurrence. As a result, extra communication cost is required to execute the repetitive notification operation, and a disadvantage that a serviceman is required even though repair is not required is caused. .
[0007]
The log information includes information required by the external processing device, such as the communication history, the state of consumables such as the amount of toner and ink, the number of printed pages, and the number of errors that have occurred. (The same applies to the following)
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention,
The image processing device
Has a means for performing facsimile functions,
A data processing unit for processing image data,
A notification information item storage unit for storing log information items to be notified to an external processing device such as a PC or a server;
Having a cause storage means for indicating which cause, when the log information to be notified is transmitted to the external processing device when satisfied,
Has information storage means for storing information of the external processing device including the telephone number,
Has data storage means for storing data including image data,
Having data analysis means for analyzing data stored in the data storage means,
Have clock means to monitor time,
Notification information obtaining means for obtaining information corresponding to the item stored in the notification information item storage means,
The image processing apparatus includes an error recognition unit that recognizes that a problem has occurred, including the data processing unit.
[0009]
In the image processing apparatus having the above configuration,
If the image processing apparatus has not been able to be connected even after executing the notification operation for notifying the connected external processing apparatus of the state information of the apparatus, the image processing apparatus shifts to the redial operation. During the redial operation, information corresponding to the log information item is monitored. If any processing is executed and the content of the information changes, delete the transmission file that was supposed to be transmitted last time, create a new transmission file, and create a new file instead of the previous transmission file Send the sent transmission file.
[0010]
At this time, there is no problem in rewriting only the changed information of the transmission file using the data analysis means without deleting the transmission file. In addition, despite the start of the notification operation due to the operation of notifying the external processing device that an error has occurred in the image processing device, if the connection cannot be made and the operation shifts to the redial operation, the notification process is completed before the completion of the notification process. When the error is resolved, the transmission file to be transmitted to the external processing device is deleted, and the transmission is stopped.
[0011]
As a result, the state information included in the transmission file at the time of calling is synchronized with the image processing apparatus at that time, and the problem described in the problem to be solved by the invention is solved, and efficient redial processing is performed. It can be provided to users. As a result, it is possible to avoid giving a disadvantage to the user.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
First, an outline of the image processing apparatus 100 constituting an image processing system connected to an external processing apparatus such as a PC or a server using a public line will be described in detail.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus 100 included in an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014]
In the image processing apparatus 100, the CPU 101 is a system control unit, and controls the entire image processing apparatus 100. The ROM 102 stores a control program executed by the CPU 101, an embedded operating system (OS) program, and the like. In the above embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 102 performs software control such as scheduling and a task switch under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 102.
[0015]
The RAM 103 is configured by an SRAM (static RAM) or the like, stores program control variables and the like, stores set values registered by an operator, management data of the image processing apparatus 100, and the like, and is provided with various work buffer areas. ing.
[0016]
The image memory 104 is composed of a DRAM (dynamic RAM) or the like, and stores image data. The data conversion unit 105 performs conversion of image data, such as analysis of a page description language (PDL) and the like, and expansion of character data into CG (computer graphics).
[0017]
The reading control unit 106 reads the image signal obtained by the reading unit 107 optically reading the original with a CIS image sensor (contact image sensor) and converting the image signal into electrical image data via an image processing control unit (not shown). Various image processing such as binarization processing and halftone processing are performed, and high-definition image data is output. In the above-described embodiment, the reading control unit 106 supports both a sheet reading control method for reading while conveying a document and a book reading control method for scanning a document on a document table.
[0018]
The operation display unit 108 includes a numerical input key, a character input key, a one-touch telephone number key, a mode setting key, an enter key, a cancel key, and the like, so that the user can determine image transmission destination data and register setting data. , An operation unit, various keys, an LED (light emitting diode), an LCD (liquid crystal display), and the like, and a display unit for performing various input operations by an operator and displaying an operation status and a status status of the image processing apparatus 100. .
[0019]
The communication control unit 109 includes a MODEM (modulator / demodulator), an NCU (network controller), and the like. In the above embodiment, the communication control unit 109 is connected to the analog communication line (PSTN) 131, and performs communication control according to the T30 protocol, and line control such as calling and receiving a call to the communication line. Further, it is connected to an external processing device via a communication line 131.
[0020]
The resolution conversion processing unit 110 performs resolution conversion control such as millimeter-inch resolution conversion of image data. Note that the resolution conversion unit 110 can also perform image data scaling processing.
[0021]
The encoding / decoding processing unit 111 performs encoding / decoding processing on image data (MH, MR, MMR, JBIG, JPEG, etc.) handled by the image processing apparatus 100, and performs scaling processing. The recording control unit 112 performs various types of image processing such as smoothing processing, recording density correction processing, and color correction on the image data to be printed via an image processing control unit (not shown) to convert the image data into high-definition image data. , And an IEEE 1284 host control unit 114 (described later).
[0022]
The USB function control unit 113 performs communication control of the USB interface, performs protocol control according to the USB communication standard, converts data from a USB control task executed by the CPU 101 into a packet, and converts the data into a packet. Then, a USB packet is transmitted, or conversely, a USB packet from an external information processing terminal is converted into data and transmitted to the CPU 101.
[0023]
The IEEE1284 host control unit 114 is a control unit for performing communication using a protocol defined in the Compatibility mode of the IEEE1284 communication standard. The Compatibility mode of the IEEE1284 communication standard is a standard in which one-way data communication can be performed, and one peripheral (slave) can be connected to one host (master). The IEEE 1284 host control unit 114 has a host function in IEEE 1284 communication, and transmits only print data to the recording unit 115 (described later).
[0024]
The recording unit 115 is a printing device including a laser beam printer, an inkjet printer, or the like, and prints color image data or monochrome image data on a printing member. The communication with the IEEE1284 host control unit 114 is performed according to a protocol defined in the Compatibility mode of the IEEE1284 communication standard. In particular, the recording unit 1115 has a peripheral function. The recording unit 115 receives print data from the IEEE 1284 host control unit 114 in IEEE 1284 communication. On the other hand, an asynchronous serial interface (UART) communication is performed with respect to a serial I / F control unit 116 (described later). The recording unit 115 receives an instruction and transmits print status information with the serial I / F control unit 116 in the asynchronous serial interface communication.
[0025]
The serial I / F control unit 116 is a control unit for performing asynchronous serial interface communication. Asynchronous serial interface communication is low-speed data communication capable of full-duplex communication. An instruction is transmitted to the recording unit 115 and print status information is received.
[0026]
The components 101 to 106, 108 to 114, and 116 are interconnected via a CPU bus 121 managed by the CPU 101.
[0027]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a facsimile transmission operation of the image processing apparatus 100 connected via a public line to the external processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0028]
In step 201, it is determined whether a fatal problem has occurred in the operation of the image processing apparatus 100, such as a failure of the recording unit 115. If it has occurred, the process proceeds to step 205; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 202. This is an operation for notifying the external processing apparatus that the image processing apparatus 100 needs repair by a serviceman, and requesting the dispatch of a serviceman.
[0029]
In step 202, it is determined whether the printing process for the set number of sheets has been completed. If the process has been completed, the process proceeds to step 205; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 203. The set number is not specified by the user, but is a value stored in the ROM 102 and the RAM 103 of the image processing apparatus 100 at the time of shipment, or a value set by a service person and stored in the RAM 103. This means that the image processing apparatus 100 prints the set number of sheets, notifies the external processing apparatus that the remaining amount of toner and ink in the recording unit 115 is low or low, and requests new toner and ink or replenishment. This is the operation for
[0030]
In step 203, it is determined whether the set number of days has elapsed. If the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 205; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 204. The set number of days is not specified by the user but is a value stored in the ROM 102 and the RAM 103 of the image processing apparatus 100 at the time of shipment, or a value set by a service person and stored in the RAM 103. This is an operation for the external processing apparatus to periodically acquire the log information of the image processing apparatus 100 to grasp the state.
[0031]
In step 204, it is determined whether facsimile transmission has been instructed by the user. If instructed, the process proceeds to step 206; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 201. At this time, the instruction by the user is performed by the operation display unit 108 of the image processing apparatus 100.
[0032]
In step 205, a transmission file is created. This transmission file is in accordance with ITU-T It is configured in a format according to Binary File Transfer (hereinafter, BFT) indicated in Recommendation 434. The log information of the image processing apparatus 100 to be notified to the external processing apparatus includes the data-file-content of the transmission file in the BFT format. Then, the CPU 101 of the image processing apparatus 100 collects each piece of information corresponding to the item, edits the information into a BFT format, and stores the completed transmission file in the image memory 104.
[0033]
At this time, the items constituting the log information are stored in advance in the ROM 102 and the RAM 103 of the image processing apparatus 100, and the notification conditions under which the transmission file was created (which of steps 201 to 203 was YES) ), The transmission file creation date and time, the current number of prints, the remaining amount of toner and ink, and the like are included in the items to be notified.
[0034]
In step 206, the original to be transmitted set in the reading unit 107 of the image processing apparatus 100 is converted into image data and stored in the image memory 104. The control of the reading unit 115 is performed by the reading control unit 106.
[0035]
In step 207, a dial operation is started. At this time, if the dialed number goes through step 210, a telephone number specified by the user is called, and if not, a telephone number connected to the external processing device is called. At this time, the designation of the telephone number by the user is performed by the operation display unit 108 of the image processing apparatus 100. The telephone number connected to the external processing apparatus is a number stored in the ROM 102 or the RAM 103 of the image processing apparatus 100 at the time of shipment, or a number preset by the user or a service person and stored in the RAM 103.
[0036]
In step 208, it is determined whether or not the terminal having the telephone number called in step 207 can be connected. If the connection can be established, the process proceeds to step 209; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 210.
[0037]
In step 209, the image processing apparatus 100 transmits the transmission file stored in the image memory 104 to the partner terminal. After the transmission, the process proceeds to step 201. At this time, the transmission file in the BFT format is ECM-formatted and transmitted according to the Simple Phase C BFT of the ITU-T recommendation.
[0038]
In step 210, the image processing device 100 performs a redial standby process. Details regarding the redial standby process will be described later. When step 210 ends, the process moves to step 211.
[0039]
In step 211, it is determined whether a transmission file exists in the image memory 104 of the image processing apparatus 100. (See Step 301 and Step 312 in FIG. 3) If it exists, go to Step 201; otherwise, go to Step 207.
[0040]
Steps 201 to 203 are notification factors for automatically transmitting the log information of the image processing apparatus 100 to the external processing apparatus (hereinafter, automatic notification). However, there is no problem if the processing is started by other factors. There is no problem even if the log information items shown in the transmission file in step 205 include items other than those described above.
[0041]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the redial standby process in the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. In step 301, the transmission file is stored in the image memory 104. At this time, the telephone number of the partner terminal dialed in step 207 in FIG. 2 is also stored. After saving, the process proceeds to step 302.
[0042]
In step 302, a standby time for redialing is set, and counting of a timer for measuring the standby time is started. This waiting time is stored in the ROM 102 and the RAM 103 of the image processing apparatus 100 in advance. There is no problem whether the format is specified by the user or fixed by the manufacturer at the time of shipment. After the setting, the process proceeds to step 303.
[0043]
In step 303, it is determined whether or not the transmission file saved in the image memory 104 in step 301 is a transmission file created by satisfying the notification factors shown in steps 201 to 203 in FIG. I do. If the transmission file is created by satisfying the notification factor, the process proceeds to step 304; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 309.
[0044]
In step 304, it is determined whether or not any print processing of image data has been performed by the recording unit 115 during the standby state of the redial operation. If executed, the process proceeds to step 305; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 308.
[0045]
In step 305, the log information item notified by the automatic notification is searched again and compared with the log information described in the waiting transmission file stored in the image memory 104 in step 301 to determine whether there is any change. to decide. However, even if the log information includes items irrelevant to the information indicating the state of the image processing apparatus 100, such as the date and time of creation of the transmission file and the file name, even if there is a difference between them, it is not determined that there is a change. If there is a change, the process proceeds to step 306; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 308.
[0046]
In step 306, the transmission file stored in the image memory 104 in step 301 is deleted. After the deletion, the process proceeds to step 307. At this time, the telephone number of the transmission destination dialed in step 207 in FIG. 2, the standby time set in step 302, the timer that has started counting, and the like, the data necessary for executing the redial standby processing and the redial processing are not deleted.
[0047]
In step 307, a transmission file is created using the log information reacquired in step 305, and stored in the image memory 104, as in step 205 of FIG. At this time, if there are two or more report causes, the log information indicates that there are a plurality of report causes in one transmission file. Also, the information regarding the telephone number of the partner terminal is not deleted, but is set as the transmission destination of the newly created transmission file. After saving, the process proceeds to step 309.
[0048]
In step 308, it is determined whether an error has occurred in the image processing apparatus 100. If it has occurred, the process proceeds to step 310; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 309.
[0049]
In step 309, it is determined whether or not the standby time set by the timer started counting in step 302 has elapsed. If the time has elapsed, the redial standby process is canceled, and the process proceeds to the dial operation in FIG. 2, and if not, the process proceeds to step 303.
[0050]
In step 310, it is determined whether or not the error generated in step 201 continues. If it has continued, the process proceeds to step 311; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 309. However, if it does not continue, it means that a new error has occurred, and after the redialing process in FIG. 3, the automatic notification process for the new error is executed in step 201.
[0051]
In step 311, it is determined whether the continuing error has been resolved. If it is resolved, the process proceeds to step 312; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 309.
[0052]
In step 312, since the error that caused the notification in step 311 has been resolved, in step 301, the information on the partner terminal such as the transmission file and the telephone number stored in the image memory 104 is deleted. After the deletion, the redial standby process ends.
[0053]
In the redial processing, the transmission file is deleted in steps 306 to 307 and a new transmission file is created. Instead, the transmission file stored in the image memory is analyzed, and the log acquired in step 305 is obtained. There is no problem even if the difference from the information is recognized and the control is performed so that only the difference point is changed.
[0054]
In the present embodiment, since the items of log information to be notified to the external processing device include items related to the recording unit 115 of the image processing device 100, such as the remaining amount of toner and ink, the step 202 in FIG. The processing of the printing operation was used for the determination of each operation such as step 304 of No. 3. Depending on the item of log information to be transmitted to the external processing device, there is no problem even if the reading unit 107, the communication control unit 109, the image memory 104, or the like is used instead of the recording unit 115.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention as described above,
When a certain factor is satisfied by connecting to an external processing device using a public line, information indicating the status of the image processing device (this information includes the status of consumables such as toner and ink amount, error status, The transmission file is created from the information required by the external processing device, such as information indicating whether the transmission file has been created by satisfying the above conditions, and the external processing device is automatically sent to the external processing device to inform the status of the image processing device. In an image processing device that has a function to send a call and send it,
If the call is not completed normally, the transmission file is saved, and after waiting for a certain period of time, the operation shifts to a re-call operation, but when the content of the information indicating the state of the image processing apparatus is changed during the standby. Then, while keeping the information relating to the recall operation, only the stored transmission file is deleted, a transmission file is created again from the newly obtained information indicating the state of the image processing apparatus, and the transmission file is transmitted. Thus, even if there is a time delay due to the re-call process, the external processing device can accurately know the state of the image processing device at the time of transmission.
[0056]
Also, the same effect can be obtained by changing only the information indicating the changed state of the image processing apparatus instead of deleting the saved transmission file.
[0057]
Further, when an error has occurred in the image processing apparatus as a factor for performing the above-described processing, if the error is resolved during a predetermined period of time, the stored transmission file is deleted, and the re-call processing is performed. Also stop. This eliminates the need to notify the external processing device that an error has occurred even though the error has already been resolved.
[0058]
In addition, when there are a plurality of conditions for performing the above-described processing, and another factor occurs when a transmission file that has been stored while waiting for a certain period of time occurs, a new transmission file is created, and a plurality of transmission files are created. Is not transmitted to the external processing apparatus, but one transmission file including information indicating that a plurality of factors have occurred is prepared, and only that file is transmitted. This can reduce the time and effort of transmission.
[0059]
As described above, efficient redial processing can be provided to the user, and as a result, disadvantages to the user can be avoided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a transmission process.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a redial standby process;
[Explanation of symbols]
100 image processing device 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Image memory 105 Data conversion unit 106 Reading control unit 107 Reading unit 108 Operation display unit 109 Communication control unit 110 Resolution conversion processing unit 111 Code decoding processing unit 112 Recording control unit 113 USB function control unit 114 IEEE1284 host control unit 115 Recording unit 116 Serial I / F control unit 121 CPU bus 131 Communication line

Claims (4)

Connection means for connecting to an external processing device using a public line,
In an image processing apparatus having a data transmitting / receiving means for bidirectionally transferring data to and from a connected external processing apparatus,
Transmission file creation means for creating a transmission file using the state information of the image processing apparatus,
Status information monitoring means for monitoring the status information,
Automatic transmission means for automatically transmitting the transmission file to the image processing apparatus when a specified factor is satisfied,
A data storage unit for storing the transmission file when the transmission file cannot be transmitted to the external processing device due to some factor during transmission of the transmission file by the automatic transmission unit;
A re-calling means for automatically transmitting the transmission file stored in the data storage means to the external processing device again after waiting for a predetermined time;
When the status information monitoring unit detects that the status information has been changed while waiting for a predetermined time before the recalling operation shifts to the recalling operation, the transmission destination, the previous transmission time, the next call time An image processing apparatus, wherein a transmission file stored in the data storage unit is deleted and a new transmission file is created, while leaving information on a recall operation. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: a data analysis unit configured to analyze data stored in the data storage unit.
When a change is detected by the state information monitoring means, the content of the transmission file stored in the data storage means is analyzed without deleting the transmission file, and control is performed so that only the changed items are updated. An image processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The automatic transmission and transmission unit according to claim 1, wherein the factors for executing the automatic transmission unit include an error in the image processing apparatus including an error.
The status information has information indicating that an error has occurred in the image processing apparatus, and transmission file creation means including information indicating the content of the error,
If the transmission operation cannot be completed normally despite the transmission file created by the automatic transmission unit due to the occurrence of the error to the external processing device, the transmission file is stored in the data storage unit, After the standby, the operation shifts to the re-call operation by the re-call means. If the error that caused the creation of the transmission file is resolved during the waiting for the predetermined time, the stored transmission file is deleted, and the re-call means is deleted. An image processing apparatus which controls so as to stop the transmission operation by the image processing apparatus. 3. The transmission file creation unit according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a transmission file including information indicating which factor is satisfied in the status information and the automatic transmission unit shifts to an automatic transmission operation.
When a factor for executing the automatic transmission unit newly occurs while waiting for a predetermined time before the transition to the recall operation by the recall unit, a new transmission file is created or information indicating the factor is updated. Rather than creating a transmission file, control is performed such that only one transmission file having information indicating that a new factor has occurred in the previous condition, that is, a plurality of factors has occurred, is created. Image processing device.

Images