JP2004240747A - Host device, communication terminal and maintenance system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the cost of maintenance work by reducing work of a maintenance person of a communication terminal, and rapidly solve an abnormality occurring in the communication terminal. <P>SOLUTION: In a maintenance system 100, copiers 1a to 1n, if an abnormality occurs therein, transmit anomaly information to a host computer 2. The host computer 2 that receives the abnormality information analyzes the anomaly information to identify the contents of the abnormality, and automatically or according to a command input by a maintenance administrator, transmits a countermeasure program for solving the anomaly to the transmission source of the abnormality information. If the host computer 2 does not have a countermeasure program necessary to solve the abnormality, it acquires a countermeasure program from a host side server 3 or an external server 4. The copier 1a to 1n that receives the countermeasure program from the host computer 2 updates an existing program in the device by using the received countermeasure program. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a host device, a communication terminal, and a maintenance system for performing maintenance management of a communication terminal installed in a remote place, for example.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an invention for maintaining a remote device connected via a communication network is known. As an example, for example, in a remote maintenance device in which a computer to be maintained and a maintenance terminal are connected, the computer collects and records an abnormality log, and the maintenance terminal checks the recorded abnormality information. Is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). According to the present invention, in a system composed of a plurality of computers, it is possible to efficiently collect the behavior of the system that leads to the occurrence of a failure, and to use the collected log during failure analysis.
[0003]
In addition, a facsimile apparatus that appropriately transmits information on an operation status to a service center before a problem occurs is known (for example, see Patent Document 2). According to the present invention, when a problem occurs in a facsimile machine, it is possible for the service center to take prompt action.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-110248
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-6-133105
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described conventional invention only notifies the maintenance target device having the communication function, that is, the information on the abnormality and operation status of the communication terminal to the maintenance device, and the service center acquires the information from the communication terminal. The maintenance staff needed to analyze the information and identify the nature of the error. Further, if the cause of the abnormality that occurred in the communication terminal to be maintained is caused by a program in the communication terminal, a maintenance person goes to a remote location and updates the program in the communication terminal according to the content of the abnormality. Had to do.
[0006]
The manual updating of the program by the maintenance staff as described above not only requires a great deal of labor and time, but also has a problem that the cost of moving and labor of the maintenance staff is increased. . In addition, since the maintenance person has moved to the place where the communication terminal to be maintained is installed, it takes time until the action for the abnormality of the communication terminal is started, and there is a problem in terms of speed.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a host device and a communication terminal capable of reducing the work of a person in charge of maintenance of a communication terminal, reducing the cost required for maintenance work, and quickly solving an abnormality occurring in the communication terminal. As well as providing a maintenance system.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has the following features to solve the above problems.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 1 is
In a host device connected to a communication terminal via a communication network,
A network communication unit for connecting to the communication network;
A program storage unit that stores a countermeasure program executable by the communication terminal,
An abnormality information acquisition unit that acquires abnormality information from the communication terminal when an abnormality occurs in the communication terminal,
An abnormality information analysis unit that analyzes the abnormality information,
A program providing unit that reads a countermeasure program according to an analysis result by the abnormality information analysis unit from the program storage unit and provides the communication terminal with the countermeasure program;
It is characterized by having.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 6 is
In a communication terminal connected to the host device via a communication network,
A network communication unit for connecting to the communication network;
A program storage unit for storing a program,
An abnormality information providing unit that provides abnormality information to the host device when an abnormality occurs,
A program acquisition unit that acquires a countermeasure program according to the abnormality information from the host device,
A program update unit that updates a program stored in the program storage unit in advance by the countermeasure program,
It is characterized by having.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 7 is
In a maintenance system in which a communication terminal and a host device are connected via a communication network,
The communication terminal,
A network communication unit for connecting to the communication network;
A program storage unit for storing a program,
An abnormality information providing unit that provides abnormality information to the host device when an abnormality occurs,
A program acquisition unit that acquires a countermeasure program according to the abnormality information from the host device,
A program update unit that updates a program stored in the program storage unit in advance by the countermeasure program,
The host device includes:
A network communication unit for connecting to the communication network;
A program storage unit that stores a countermeasure program executable by the communication terminal,
An abnormality information acquisition unit that acquires abnormality information from the communication terminal when an abnormality occurs in the communication terminal,
An abnormality information analysis unit that analyzes the abnormality information,
A program providing unit that reads a countermeasure program according to an analysis result by the abnormality information analysis unit from the program storage unit and provides the communication terminal with the countermeasure program;
It is characterized by having.
[0012]
According to the first, sixth, and seventh aspects of the present invention, the work of the person in charge of maintaining the communication terminal is reduced, the cost required for the maintenance work is reduced, and the abnormality occurring in the communication terminal is quickly resolved. It becomes possible.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1,
Connected to an external device that stores a countermeasure program executable by the communication terminal by the network communication unit,
An external program acquisition unit that acquires a countermeasure program from the external device,
A control unit that stores the countermeasure program acquired from the external device by the external program acquisition unit in the program storage unit,
Is further provided.
[0014]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to cope with an abnormality occurring in the communication terminal by using a countermeasure program stored not only in the host device but also in an external device.
[0015]
The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2,
The external program acquisition section is characterized in that when the countermeasure program is not stored in the program storage section, the external program acquisition section acquires the countermeasure program from the external device.
[0016]
According to the third aspect of the invention, when a countermeasure program for resolving an abnormality in the communication terminal is not stored in the host device, the countermeasure program can be obtained from an external device and used for resolving the abnormality.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 2 or 3,
Equipped with a display unit,
When the program acquisition unit cannot acquire the countermeasure program from the external device, the control unit displays information requesting the countermeasure program on the display unit.
[0018]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the countermeasure program for solving the abnormality in the communication terminal is not stored in the host device or the external device, it is possible to notify the maintenance person of the fact. As a result, the maintenance person can take appropriate measures for the abnormality of the communication terminal.
[0019]
The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4,
With an input unit,
The control unit displays information asking whether the countermeasure program can be provided to the communication terminal on the display unit, and when an instruction input for permitting the provision of the countermeasure program to the communication terminal is performed by the input unit. Preferably, the program providing unit is controlled to provide the countermeasure program to the communication terminal.
[0020]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the program in the communication terminal is updated with the permission of the maintenance staff or the user of the communication terminal, the occurrence of abnormalities that can occur at the time of automatic program update is prevented. be able to.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 shows an entire configuration of a maintenance system 100 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, a maintenance system 100 includes copying machines 1a to 1n as communication terminals, a host computer 2 as a host device connected via a LAN (Local Area Network), and a host server 3 as an external device. Each device of the external server 4 as an external device is configured to be connected via a communication network N.
[0022]
FIG. 1 illustrates a case where n copying machines 1a to 1n, one host computer 2, one host-side server 3, and one external server 4 are connected. The number of each device is not limited to this.
[0023]
The copier 1a, which is a communication terminal, is a copier having a communication function. The operation of the copying machine 1a is controlled according to a built-in program. When an abnormality occurs due to a failure of a built-in program, the copying machine 1a transmits information relating to the abnormality such as an error code (hereinafter, referred to as “abnormality information”) to the host computer 2. Then, the countermeasure program is received from the host computer 2, and the existing program in the copying machine 1a is updated by the countermeasure program.
The copiers 1b to 1n shown in FIG. 1 have the same configuration as the above-described copier 1a, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0024]
The host computer 2, which is a host device, is installed in a maintenance management company or the like that manages the copying machines 1a to 1n, and is connected to the host server 3 via a LAN. When the host computer 2 receives the abnormality information from the copying machines 1a to 1n, the host computer 2 analyzes the abnormality information, specifies the content of the abnormality, and transmits a countermeasure program for solving the abnormality to the transmission source of the abnormality information. , And store the transmission history. When there is no internal countermeasure program for solving the abnormality, the host computer 2 acquires the countermeasure program from the host-side server 3 or the external server 4. Further, when neither the host server 3 nor the external server 4 has a necessary countermeasure program, a message requesting that the countermeasure program be installed is displayed.
[0025]
The host-side server 3, which is an external device, is installed in a maintenance company or the like that manages the copying machines 1a to 1n, and is connected to the host computer 2 via a LAN. The host-side server 3 stores a countermeasure program for resolving an abnormality occurring in the copying machines 1a to 1n, and transmits the countermeasure program requested by the host computer 2 to the host computer 2 via the LAN.
[0026]
The external server 4, which is an external device, stores a countermeasure program for solving an abnormality that has occurred in the copying machines 1a to 1n. The external server 4 transmits the countermeasure program requested from the host computer 2 to the host computer 2 via the communication network N.
[0027]
The communication network N is a communication network constructed using a dedicated line or an existing general public line, and various line forms such as a LAN and a WAN can be applied. The communication network N includes, for example, various communication networks such as a telephone network, an ISDN network, and a CATV network, and an Internet service provider that connects them. In FIG. 1, the connection form between the communication network N and each device may be wired or wireless. However, from the viewpoint of the reliability of the information management, it is desirable that the network has security that only a specific user can access.
[0028]
Next, the internal configurations of the copying machine 1a and the host computer 2 shown in FIG. 1 will be sequentially described. Since the configurations of the copying machines 1a to 1n are the same, the configuration of the copying machine 1a will be described as a representative.
[0029]
FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of the copying machine 1a. As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine 1a includes a control unit 11, an input unit 12, a display unit 13, a memory 14, a network communication unit 15, an image reading unit 16, an image forming unit 17, an output unit 18, an abnormality information providing unit. 19, a program acquisition unit 20 and a program update unit 21 are connected to each other by a bus 22 so that data can be mutually transmitted and received.
[0030]
The control unit 11 controls each unit of the copying machine 1a in cooperation with a program for controlling the copying machine 1a stored in the memory 14.
[0031]
The input unit 12 is superimposed on the display unit 13 and provided integrally with the display unit 13. The input unit 12 is constituted by a pressure-sensitive (resistive film pressure) touch panel or the like in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a lattice shape, but it is desirable to use a material having a high light transmittance from the viewpoint of visibility. The input unit 12 detects, as a voltage value, the position coordinates of a force point pressed by a finger or a dedicated touch pen, and outputs the detected position signal to the control unit 11 as a scanning signal. The input unit 12 includes numeric buttons, function buttons for switching various settings, and the like.
[0032]
The display unit 13 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an EL (Electro Luminescence), and the like, and displays data on a screen according to a display instruction input from the control unit 11.
[0033]
The memory 14 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14a and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 14b.
The RAM 14a forms a temporary storage area for programs, input / output data, parameters, and the like read from the ROM in various processes executed and controlled by the control unit 11.
[0034]
The ROM 14b, which is a program storage unit, has a storage medium (not shown) in which programs, data, and the like are stored in advance, and this storage medium is configured by an electrically rewritable memory such as a flash memory. This storage medium is fixedly provided in the ROM 14b or is detachably mounted. The storage medium stores a system program corresponding to the copying machine 1a, various programs for implementing various processes executable on the system program, and the like.
[0035]
The various programs include a program acquisition processing program for implementing a program acquisition process described later. Further, a program for realizing the operation of each unit of the abnormality information providing unit 19, the program obtaining unit 20, and the program updating unit 21 is included. These various programs are stored in the ROM 14b in a computer-readable form, and the control unit 11 sequentially executes operations according to the programs.
[0036]
The network communication unit 15 is an interface for connecting to the communication network N, and includes a network card, a modem, a terminal adapter, and the like, and transmits and receives various data to and from other devices on the communication network N.
[0037]
The image reading unit 16 is provided with a scanner below a contact glass on which a document is placed, and reads image data of the document. The scanner is configured by a light source, a lens, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and the like. The scanner reads an original image by forming a reflected light of the light scanned and illuminated from the light source onto the original, photoelectrically converts the image, and reads the read image data. Output to the image forming unit 17.
[0038]
The image forming unit 17 performs image processing such as scaling, rotation, and position change, gradation processing, frequency processing, and the like on image data input from the image reading unit 16 in accordance with an instruction input from the control unit 11. The image data after the image processing is output to the output unit 18.
[0039]
The output unit 18 includes a photosensitive drum (not shown), toner, a paper feed unit, a paper discharge unit, and the like. The output unit 18 conveys paper from the paper feed unit, and forms an electrostatic latent image of image data formed by the image forming unit 17. Is exposed to paper by a photosensitive drum. Then, the toner is transferred and fixed on the exposed paper, and printed out from the paper output unit.
[0040]
The abnormality information providing unit 19 transmits the abnormality information to the host computer 2 via the network communication unit 15 when an abnormality occurs in the operation of the copying machine 1a due to a program defect.
[0041]
The program acquisition unit 20 acquires a countermeasure program for resolving an abnormality occurring in the copying machine 1a from the host computer 2 via the network communication unit 15.
[0042]
The program update unit 21 overwrites and updates the program causing the abnormality stored in the ROM 14b serving as the program storage unit in advance with the countermeasure program acquired from the host computer 2 by the program acquisition unit 20.
[0043]
The operations of the abnormality information providing unit 19, the program acquiring unit 20, and the program updating unit 21 described above are realized by the cooperation of the control unit 11 with a program for controlling these components stored in the ROM 14b. The function of this program may be realized by dedicated hardware that operates under the control of the control unit 11.
[0044]
Next, a functional configuration of the host computer 2 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the host computer 2 includes a control unit 31, an input unit 32, a display unit 33, a memory 34, a network communication unit 35, an abnormality information acquisition unit 36, an abnormality information analysis unit 37, an external program acquisition unit 38, It is composed of a program providing unit 39, and each unit is connected by a bus 40 so that data can be transmitted and received between each other.
[0045]
The control unit 31 controls each unit of the host computer 2 in cooperation with a program for controlling the host computer 2 stored in the memory 34. Further, in accordance with an input instruction from the input unit 32, the control unit 31 stores in the memory 34 which of a program providing process 1 and a program providing process 2 to be described later is to be executed, and executes any of the processes instructed by the input. I do.
[0046]
The input unit 32 includes a cursor key, numeric keys, various function keys, and the like, and outputs a press signal corresponding to the pressed key to the control unit 31. In addition, the input unit 32 may include a pointing device such as a mouse and a touch panel as needed.
[0047]
The display unit 33 is configured by a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or the like, and according to an instruction of a display signal input from the control unit 31, data being processed in each process performed by the control unit 31. And data of the processing result are displayed on the screen.
[0048]
The memory 34 includes a RAM 34a and a ROM 34b.
The RAM 34a forms a temporary storage area for programs, input / output data, parameters, and the like read from the ROM 34b in various processes executed and controlled by the control unit 31.
[0049]
The ROM 34b, which is a program storage unit, has a storage medium (not shown) in which programs, data, and the like are stored in advance, and this storage medium is configured by an electrically rewritable memory such as a flash memory. This storage medium is fixedly provided in the ROM 34b or is detachably mounted. The storage medium includes a system program corresponding to the host computer 2, various programs for realizing various processes executable on the system program, and a plurality of countermeasures for solving abnormalities occurring in the copying machines 1a to 1b. The program is stored.
[0050]
The various programs include a program for program provision processing 1 and a program for program provision processing 2 for implementing program provision processing 1 and 2 described below. Further, the various programs include programs for realizing the operation of each unit of the abnormality information acquisition unit 36, the abnormality information analysis unit 37, the external program acquisition unit 38, and the program providing unit 39. These various programs are stored in the ROM 34b in a computer-readable form, and the control unit 11 sequentially executes operations according to the programs.
[0051]
The network communication unit 35 is an interface for connecting to the communication network N or LAN, and includes a network card, a modem, a terminal adapter, and the like, and transmits and receives various data to and from other devices on the communication network N.
[0052]
The abnormality information acquisition unit 36 acquires abnormality information from any of the copying machines 1a to 1n via the network communication unit 35.
[0053]
The abnormality information analysis unit 37 analyzes the abnormality information acquired by the abnormality information acquisition unit 36 and specifies the content of the abnormality.
[0054]
The external program acquisition unit 38 acquires the countermeasure program necessary for solving the abnormality identified by the abnormality information analysis unit 37 from the host-side server 3 via the LAN when the ROM 34b does not store the program. If the necessary countermeasure program is not stored in the host-side server 3, it is obtained from the external server 4 via the communication network N.
[0055]
The countermeasure program acquired from the host-side server 3 or the external server 4 by the external program acquisition unit 38 is stored in the ROM 34b by the control unit 31. If the necessary countermeasure program is not stored in any of the host-side server 3 and the external server 4, the control unit 31 displays a message instructing the installation of the countermeasure program on the display unit 33. .
[0056]
The program providing unit 39 reads a countermeasure program for solving the abnormality from the ROM 34b according to the content of the abnormality identified by the abnormality information analyzing unit 37. Then, via the network communication unit 35, the read countermeasure program is transmitted to one of the copying machines 1a to 1n that is the transmission source of the abnormality information.
[0057]
The operations of the abnormality information acquiring unit 36, the abnormality information analyzing unit 37, the external program acquiring unit 38, and the program providing unit 39 described above are performed in cooperation with a program for controlling these components stored in the ROM 34b and the control unit 11. It is realized by working. The function of this program may be realized by dedicated hardware that operates under the control of the control unit 11.
[0058]
Next, the operation of the copying machine 1a and the host computer 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the operations of the copying machines 1b to 1n are the same as those of the copying machine 1a, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0059]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a program acquisition process executed by the copying machine 1a. In the program acquisition process shown in FIG. 5, first, when an abnormality occurs due to a program in the copying machine 1a (step S1; YES), abnormality information is transmitted to the host computer 2 (step S2). Next, a countermeasure program is received from the host computer 2 (step S3; YES), and the countermeasure program updates the existing program in the ROM 34b that caused the abnormality (step S4).
[0060]
Next, a program providing process 1 and a program providing process 2 executed by the host computer 2 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a program providing process 1 executed by the host computer 2. In the program providing process 1 shown in FIG. 5, when abnormal information is received from any of the copying machines 1a to 1n (step S11; YES), the abnormal information is analyzed and the content of the abnormality is specified (step S12). .
[0061]
Next, it is determined whether or not a program necessary to solve the specified abnormality, that is, a countermeasure program corresponding to the content of the abnormality exists in the ROM 34b serving as a program storage unit (step S13). If the necessary countermeasure program exists in the ROM 34b (step S13; YES), the process proceeds to step S19. On the other hand, if the necessary countermeasure program does not exist in the ROM 34b (step S13; NO), it is determined whether the countermeasure program exists in the host server 3 (step S14). If the countermeasure program exists in the host-side server 3 (step S14; YES), the countermeasure program is acquired from the host-side server 3, stored in the ROM 34b (step S15), and proceeds to step S19.
[0062]
On the other hand, if the necessary countermeasure program does not exist in the host-side server 3 (step S14; NO), it is further determined whether or not it exists in the external server 4 (step S16). When it is determined that the countermeasure program exists in the external server 4 (step S16; YES), the countermeasure program is obtained from the external server 4, stored in the ROM 34b (step S17), and proceeds to step S19. If the necessary countermeasure program does not exist in the external server 4 (step S16; NO), an installation request screen (see FIG. 7) is displayed on the display unit 33 (step S18), and the program providing process 1 ends.
[0063]
FIG. 7 shows a display example of the installation request screen. As shown in the figure, on the installation request screen, an abnormality occurs in any one of the copying machines 1a to 1n, and a countermeasure program necessary for solving the abnormality is provided by the host computer 2, the host-side server 3, and the external server. If the countermeasure program is not stored in any of them, a message requesting installation of this countermeasure program is displayed.
[0064]
Next, the countermeasure program is transmitted to one of the copying machines 1a to 1n that is the transmission source of the abnormality information, and the transmitted countermeasure program and information on the transmission destination copying machine are stored in the ROM 34b as a transmission history (step S19). The program providing process 1 ends.
[0065]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the program providing process 2 executed by the host computer 2. In the program providing process 2 shown in the figure, when abnormal information is received from any of the copying machines 1a to 1n (Step S31; YES), the abnormal information is analyzed and the contents of the abnormality are specified (Step S32). .
[0066]
Next, it is determined whether or not a program for solving the specified abnormality, that is, a countermeasure program according to the content of the abnormality exists in the ROM 34b serving as a program storage unit (step S33). If the countermeasure program exists in the ROM 34b (step S33; YES), the process proceeds to step S39. On the other hand, if the countermeasure program does not exist in the ROM 34b (step S33; NO), it is determined whether the countermeasure program exists in the host server 3 (step S34). If a countermeasure program exists in the host-side server 3 (step S34; YES), the countermeasure program is acquired from the host-side server 3, stored in the ROM 34b (step S35), and proceeds to step S39.
[0067]
On the other hand, when the necessary countermeasure program does not exist in the host-side server 3 (step S34; NO), it is further determined whether or not the external server 4 exists (step S36). If it is determined that the countermeasure program exists in the external server 4 (step S36; YES), the countermeasure program is obtained from the external server 4, stored in the ROM 34b (step S37), and proceeds to step S39. If the necessary countermeasure program does not exist in the external server 4 (step S36; NO), an installation request screen (see FIG. 7) is displayed on the display unit 33 (step S38), and the program providing process 2 ends.
[0068]
In step S39, an update permission request screen (see FIG. 8) is displayed on the display unit 33.
FIG. 8 shows a display example of the update permission request screen. As shown in the drawing, on the update permission request screen, a message is displayed asking whether the program in the copying machine has been updated due to an abnormality occurring in any of the copying machines 1a to 1n. Also, on the update permission request screen, a “permit” button 401 for executing the program update and a “cancel” button 402 for not executing the program update are displayed.
[0069]
The update permission request screen is provided to avoid an error that may occur when updating the program. When updating a program incorporated in any of the copying machines 1a to 1n, if the automatic updating is performed by an erroneous countermeasure program, an error that the copying machine does not operate normally may occur. Therefore, in the program providing process 2, the maintenance person checks the name of the countermeasure program, or the maintenance person updates the program with the consent of the user of the copying machine to be updated. Reduce the error rate at the time of updating.
[0070]
Next, when the press of the "permission" button 401 on the update permission request screen is detected, and it is determined that there is permission to update the program of the copying machine in which the abnormality has occurred (step S40; YES), the transmission source of the abnormality information The countermeasure program is transmitted to any one of the copying machines 1a to 1n, and the transmitted countermeasure program and the information of the transmission destination copying machine are stored in the ROM 34b as a transmission history (step S41), and the program providing process 2 ends. .
[0071]
On the other hand, if it is detected that the "cancel" button 402 on the update permission request screen is pressed and it is determined that the update of the program of the copying machine in which the abnormality has occurred is not permitted (step S40; NO), the program providing process 2 is continued. Ends.
[0072]
As described above, in the maintenance system 100, the copiers 1a to 1n transmit abnormality information to the host computer 2 when an abnormality occurs. When the host computer 2 receives the abnormality information, the host computer 2 analyzes the abnormality information to identify the content of the abnormality, and automatically or according to a maintenance manager's instruction input, issues a countermeasure program for resolving the abnormality. To the sender. Further, when the host computer 2 does not have a countermeasure program necessary for solving the abnormality, the host computer 2 acquires the countermeasure program from the host-side server 3 or the external server 4. The copying machines 1a to 1n that have received the countermeasure program from the host computer 2 update the existing program in each device with the countermeasure program that has received the program.
[0073]
Therefore, the maintenance manager does not need to move to the installation location of the copying machine 1a to 1n where the abnormality has occurred, so that the operation of the maintenance manager can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since it is possible to respond promptly when an abnormality occurs, it is possible to improve customer satisfaction.
[0074]
If the countermeasure program required for solving the abnormality of the copying machines 1a to 1n does not exist in the host computer 2, the program can be obtained from an external device such as the host server 3 or the external server 4. Further, when the countermeasure program does not exist in the external device, the maintenance manager is instructed to obtain the countermeasure program, and the abnormality of the copying machines 1a to 1n can be surely solved.
[0075]
Further, when the host computer 2 transmits a countermeasure program for solving the abnormality to the copying machines 1a to 1n, the host computer 2 stores the transmission history, so that this history can be used for maintenance management of the copying machines 1a to 1n.
[0076]
The description in the present embodiment is a preferred example of the maintenance system 100 according to the present invention, and is not limited to this. For example, the screen configuration shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 in the above embodiment can be changed as appropriate.
[0077]
Further, in the above embodiment, a copying machine is exemplified as the communication terminal, but the communication terminal according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a printer, a scanner, a facsimile, a multifunction peripheral, or the like having a communication function can be applied.
[0078]
In addition, the host-side server 3 or the external server 4 notifies the host computer 2 of the countermeasure program name stored in the apparatus periodically or according to an instruction, or when a new countermeasure program is installed, the program is executed. You may comprise so that a name may be notified to a host computer.
[0079]
In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each device or constituent part of the maintenance system 100 can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first, sixth, and seventh aspects of the present invention, the work of the person in charge of maintaining the communication terminal is reduced, the cost required for the maintenance work is reduced, and the abnormality occurring in the communication terminal is quickly resolved. It becomes possible.
[0081]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to cope with an abnormality occurring in the communication terminal by using a countermeasure program stored not only in the host device but also in an external device.
[0082]
According to the third aspect of the invention, when a countermeasure program for resolving an abnormality in the communication terminal is not stored in the host device, the countermeasure program can be obtained from an external device and used for resolving the abnormality.
[0083]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the countermeasure program for solving the abnormality in the communication terminal is not stored in the host device or the external device, it is possible to notify the maintenance person of the fact. As a result, the maintenance person can take appropriate measures for the abnormality of the communication terminal.
[0084]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the program in the communication terminal is updated with the permission of the maintenance staff or the user of the communication terminal, the occurrence of abnormalities that can occur at the time of automatic program update is prevented. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a maintenance system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the copying machine shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a host computer of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a program acquisition process executed by the copying machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a program providing process 1 executed by the host computer of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a program providing process 2 executed by the host computer of FIG. 1;
7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an installation request screen displayed on the display unit in FIG. 2;
8 is a diagram showing an example of an update permission request screen displayed on the display unit in FIG. 2;
[Explanation of symbols]
1a, 1b. . . 1n copier
2 Host computer
3 Host server
4 external server
11, 31 control unit
12, 32 input section
13, 33 display unit
14,34 memory
14a, 34a RAM
14b ROM (program storage unit)
15 Network Communication Department
16 Image reading unit
17 Image forming unit
18 Output section
19 Abnormality information provision department
20 Program acquisition section
21 Program update section
22, 40 bus
34b ROM (program storage unit)
35 Network Communication Department
36 Error information acquisition unit
37 Error information analysis unit
38 External program acquisition unit
39 Program Provision Department
100 Maintenance system
N communication network

Claims (7)

In a host device connected to a communication terminal via a communication network,
A network communication unit for connecting to the communication network;
A program storage unit that stores a countermeasure program executable by the communication terminal,
An abnormality information acquisition unit that acquires abnormality information from the communication terminal when an abnormality occurs in the communication terminal,
An abnormality information analysis unit that analyzes the abnormality information,
A program providing unit that reads a countermeasure program according to an analysis result by the abnormality information analysis unit from the program storage unit and provides the communication terminal with the countermeasure program;
A host device comprising: Connected to an external device that stores a countermeasure program executable by the communication terminal by the network communication unit,
An external program acquisition unit that acquires a countermeasure program from the external device,
A control unit that stores the countermeasure program acquired from the external device by the external program acquisition unit in the program storage unit,
The host device according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The host device according to claim 2, wherein the external program acquisition unit acquires the countermeasure program from the external device when the countermeasure program is not stored in the program storage unit. Equipped with a display unit,
4. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein the control unit displays information requesting the countermeasure program on the display unit when the countermeasure program cannot be obtained from the external device by the program obtaining unit. Host device. With an input unit,
The control unit displays information asking whether the countermeasure program can be provided to the communication terminal on the display unit, and when an instruction input for permitting the provision of the countermeasure program to the communication terminal is performed by the input unit. 5. The host device according to claim 4, wherein the host device controls the program providing unit to provide the countermeasure program to the communication terminal. 6. In a communication terminal connected to the host device via a communication network,
A network communication unit for connecting to the communication network;
A program storage unit for storing a program,
An abnormality information providing unit that provides abnormality information to the host device when an abnormality occurs,
A program acquisition unit that acquires a countermeasure program according to the abnormality information from the host device,
A program update unit that updates a program stored in the program storage unit in advance by the countermeasure program,
A communication terminal comprising: In a maintenance system in which a communication terminal and a host device are connected via a communication network,
The communication terminal,
A network communication unit for connecting to the communication network;
A program storage unit for storing a program,
An abnormality information providing unit that provides abnormality information to the host device when an abnormality occurs,
A program acquisition unit that acquires a countermeasure program according to the abnormality information from the host device,
A program update unit that updates a program stored in the program storage unit in advance by the countermeasure program,
The host device includes:
A network communication unit for connecting to the communication network;
A program storage unit that stores a countermeasure program executable by the communication terminal,
An abnormality information acquisition unit that acquires abnormality information from the communication terminal when an abnormality occurs in the communication terminal,
An abnormality information analysis unit that analyzes the abnormality information,
A program providing unit that reads a countermeasure program according to an analysis result by the abnormality information analysis unit from the program storage unit and provides the communication terminal with the countermeasure program;
A maintenance system comprising:

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