JP2008015602A - Image forming system, image processing apparatus and method, and image forming apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system which, in the event of a failure, can verify the failure, apply failure recovery information (anti-failure patch or the like), and resume printout in a consistent way; an image processing apparatus and method; and an image forming apparatus and method. <P>SOLUTION: Information about the feature part of printed matter (content) correctly printed for output is stored as attribute information, and the content data of the content printed for output is compared with the attribute information to detect any unmatched parts as a failure. If the failure is detected, printing is suspended and failure recovery information for recovering the failure is obtained to recover the failure. The printing of the printed matter (content) for output is resumed from the parts where the printout has been suspended. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method, and in particular, an image forming system, an information processing apparatus, and information capable of avoiding / repairing a failure during printing. The present invention relates to a processing method, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method.

  As a method for printing out printed matter with different contents such as address, amount, information, etc. for each point such as bills and DM (Direct mail), the base template and individually variable data (variable data) There is a variable print that combines contents based on a database to generate contents (contents of printed matter) and prints them out.

  In such a variable print, a content (contents of a printed matter) is generated by combining a template and variable data. Therefore, a failure such as a positional shift in which the variable data is arranged at a position shifted from a predetermined position of the template occurs. Sometimes.

Since many of these failures are caused by software, as a method of correcting the failure, for example, information related to the failure (failure information) is sent to a service center that can diagnose and repair the failure. A method of repairing a failure from a service center (see, for example, Patent Document 1) and a method of providing restoration information such as a repair manual from a service center to an on-site engineer (see, for example, Patent Document 2) have been proposed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-342125 JP 2001-325092 A

  However, the methods proposed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 focus on maintenance services after the occurrence of a failure, and dynamically troubleshoot such as verifying the failure and applying a failure countermeasure when the failure occurs. It was not something to be repaired.

  Further, it has not been considered to restart the print output from the time when the failure occurs after the failure is repaired.

  Accordingly, in the present invention, an image forming system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and the like that can be carried out consistently from the application of fault verification and fault repair information (such as a fault countermeasure patch) to the restart of print output when a fault occurs. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method.

  The present invention relates to a fault repair that stores fault repair information for repairing a fault that occurs in content data in an image forming system in which content data is transmitted from an information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus and the content is printed out by the image forming apparatus. A failure analysis server comprising: an information storage unit; and a failure repair information providing unit configured to acquire the failure repair information corresponding to the failure using the failure information related to the failure and transmit the failure repair information to the information processing apparatus, The information processing apparatus determines whether a failure has occurred using the attribute information storage unit that stores the attribute information of the specific content, the content data generation unit that generates the content data, and the content data and the attribute information. When the occurrence of a failure is detected, failure information related to the failure is transmitted to the failure analysis server. When the failure repair information is received from the failure analysis server, the failure detection unit repairs the failure using the failure repair information and transmits the content data in which the failure is repaired to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that prints out content based on the content data.

  The present invention also stores failure repair information for repairing a failure that occurs in content data in an image forming system that transmits content data from the information processing device to the image forming device and prints out the content on the image forming device. A failure analysis server comprising failure repair information storage means and fault repair information providing means for acquiring the fault repair information corresponding to the fault using the fault information related to the fault and transmitting the fault repair information to the information processing apparatus; The information processing apparatus includes content data generation means for generating the content data and transmitting the content data to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus prints out the content based on the content data. Image forming means, attribute information storage means for storing attribute information of specific contents, A failure occurrence detecting means for detecting whether or not a failure has occurred using the data and the attribute information, and detecting the occurrence of a failure, and transmitting the failure information relating to the failure to the failure analysis server, and the failure When receiving the fault repair information from the analysis server, the fault repair means repairs the fault using the fault repair information and transmits the content data in which the fault is repaired to an image forming unit. To do.

  Next, according to the present invention, in an information processing apparatus that transmits content data to an image forming apparatus that prints out the content, an attribute information storage unit that stores attribute information of the specific content, and a content data generation unit that generates the content data A failure occurrence detecting means for detecting occurrence of a failure using the content data and the attribute information, and transmitting failure information related to the failure to a failure analysis server having failure repair information for repairing the failure; When the failure repair information is received from the failure analysis server, it comprises failure repair means for transmitting content data obtained by repairing the failure using the failure repair information to the image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, in an information processing apparatus that transmits content data to an image forming apparatus that prints out content, an attribute information storage unit that stores attribute information of specific content, and a content data generation unit that generates the content data A failure occurrence detection means for detecting the occurrence of a failure using the content data and the attribute information, a failure repair information storage means for storing failure repair information for repairing the failure, and the failure repair information corresponding to the failure. And a fault repair unit that acquires the content data obtained by repairing the fault using the fault repair information and transmitting the content data to the image forming apparatus.

  The present invention provides an information processing method for transmitting content data to an image forming apparatus that prints out content, storing attribute information of specific content in an attribute information storage unit, generating the content data in a content data generation unit, Using the content data and the attribute information, the occurrence of a failure is detected by a failure detection means, and failure information relating to the failure is transmitted to a failure analysis server having failure repair information for repairing the failure, and the failure analysis is performed. The failure repair information is received from the server by the failure repair means, and content data in which the failure is repaired using the failure repair information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, in an information processing method for transmitting content data to an image forming apparatus that prints out content, the attribute information of the specific content is stored in the attribute information storage unit, and the content data is generated by the content data generation unit. Then, the failure occurrence detecting means detects the occurrence of a failure using the content data and the attribute information and stores the failure repair information corresponding to the failure from the failure repair information storing means for storing the failure repair information for repairing the failure. Content data acquired by a failure repair unit and repaired using the failure repair information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus that receives content data from an information processing apparatus and prints out the content, an attribute information storage unit that stores attribute information of a specific content, a failure using the content data and the attribute information A fault occurrence detecting means for detecting fault occurrence and transmitting fault information relating to the fault to a fault analysis server having fault repair information for repairing the fault; and receiving the fault repair information from the fault analysis server, the fault The image processing apparatus includes a failure repair unit that repairs the failure using repair information, and an image forming unit that prints out an image based on the content data.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus that receives content data from an information processing apparatus and prints out the content, an attribute information storage unit that stores attribute information of a specific content, the content data, and the attribute information are used. Fault occurrence detection means for detecting the occurrence of a fault, fault repair information storage means for storing fault repair information for repairing a fault, acquiring the fault repair information corresponding to the fault, and using the fault repair information The image processing apparatus includes a failure repair unit that repairs the failure and an image forming unit that prints out an image based on the content data.

  According to the present invention, in an image forming method for receiving content data from an information processing apparatus and printing out the content, the attribute information of the specific content is stored in the attribute information storage means, and the failure is detected using the content data and the attribute information. The occurrence detection unit detects the occurrence of a failure, transmits failure information about the failure to a failure analysis server having failure repair information for repairing the failure, and the failure repair unit receives the failure repair information from the failure analysis server. The fault is received, the fault is repaired using the fault repair information, and an image is printed out by an image forming unit based on the content data.

  According to the present invention, in an image forming method for receiving content data from an information processing apparatus and printing out the content, attribute information of the specific content is stored in an attribute information storage unit, and the content data and the attribute information are used. The failure detection means detects the occurrence of a failure and stores the failure repair information corresponding to the failure from the failure repair information storage means for storing the failure repair information for repairing the failure. The failure is repaired using information, and an image is printed out by an image forming unit based on the content data.

  In the present invention, it is possible to consistently and automatically perform from detection and repair of a fault to resumption of print output.

  Hereinafter, an image forming system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method according to the present invention will be described in detail using embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming system according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system according to the present embodiment includes an information processing apparatus 10 such as a PC (Personal Computer) that generates content data, and a printer that prints out printed matter (content) based on the content data. The image forming apparatus 20 includes a failure analysis server 30 that provides failure repair information for repairing a failure occurring in content data, and includes a LAN (Local Area Network), an IP (Internet Protocol) network, and a PSTN (Public Connected via a network 40 such as Switched Telephone Networks.

  Here, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a content data generation unit 11, an attribute information storage unit 12, a failure occurrence detection unit 13, a failure repair unit 14, and a control unit 15.

  The content data generation unit 11 generates content data for printing out printed materials such as forms and DMs. Specifically, for example, it accepts input of new variable data, and generates content data by combining variable data with a template stored in a storage unit (not shown) based on a database indicating a combination of the template and variable data. To do.

  The attribute information storage unit 12 includes a storage unit (not shown) such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores the characteristics of the content (specific content) designated by the user as attribute information in the storage unit. Specifically, for example, a printed matter in which a content (printed matter) in which a template and variable data are appropriately combined is printed out correctly is scanned, and the read image is analyzed to extract characteristics of a predetermined portion. And stored as attribute information. Further, input of attribute information may be received directly from the user and stored.

As the attribute information, characteristics of content data before rasterization, such as arrangement positions and orientations (directions) of characters, ruled lines, images, and the like are used in order to support variable printing. Specifically, for example, the following features can be used as attribute information.
Overall content:
-Number of printed pages (in case of fixed value or used as threshold), number of lines, number of copies, etc.
Each page:
-Simplex / duplex printing (front or back), number of lines, number of copies, etc.
-Character layout, orientation (direction), type (kanji, alphanumeric characters, etc.), number of characters, font name, color information, etc.
-Ruled line placement position, orientation (direction), type (dotted line / broken line / solid line, etc.), length, color information, etc.
-Name of image (form, image, photo, etc.), location, orientation (direction), color information, etc.

  The failure occurrence detection unit 13 detects a failure such as a positional shift that has occurred in the content data. Specifically, for example, the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage unit 22 is compared with the characteristics of the content data, and a portion that does not match is determined to be a failure.

If a failure is detected, the following processing is performed.
Print is interrupted, and the occurrence of a failure is displayed on a UI (User Interface) (not shown) to notify the user.
Sends information about failure (failure information) to the failure analysis server 30.
In order to use it for verification of fault repair and continuous printing of interrupted printing, content data and printing interruption point information indicating a printing interruption point are stored in a storage unit (not shown).

  When the content data failure is repaired, printing is resumed from the print data after the print suspension point based on the print suspension point information stored when the failure occurs, and the repair of the failure is confirmed.

  The failure repair unit 14 repairs the failure of the content data. Specifically, for example, fault repair information such as a countermeasure patch for repairing a fault in content data is received from the fault analysis server, and the fault repair information is applied.

  The control unit 15 is connected to the network 40 to transmit and receive information, and performs processing for controlling the information processing apparatus 10 as a whole.

  The content data generation unit 11, the attribute information storage unit 12, the failure occurrence detection unit 13, and the failure repair unit 14 are parts realized by software or the like.

  Then, the information processing apparatus 10 uses the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage unit 12 to detect whether the content data generated by the content data generation unit 11 has a fault or not using the fault occurrence detection unit 13. When a failure is detected, the failure detection unit 13 stops printing and transmits failure information to the failure analysis server 30. In addition, when receiving the fault repair information from the fault analysis server 30, the fault repair unit 14 applies the fault repair information to repair the fault, confirms that the fault has been repaired, and then restarts printing from the location where it was stopped. Then, the content data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20.

  The image forming apparatus 20 includes an image forming unit 21 that prints out an image (content), and the image forming unit 21 prints out the content based on the content data received from the information processing apparatus 10.

  The failure analysis server 30 includes a failure repair information storage unit 31 and a failure repair information provision unit 32.

  The failure repair information storage unit 31 includes a storage unit such as an HDD (not shown), and stores failure repair information for repairing a failure occurring in the content data in the storage unit. Specifically, for example, fault information of a fault that has occurred in the past and fault repair information such as a countermeasure patch related to the fault are stored in association with each other. Note that failure information and failure repair information can be obtained by the method directly entered by the administrator of the failure analysis server, or automatically downloaded / uploaded from the server that stores the failure repair information periodically or irregularly. Any method such as a method of updating to a state can be used.

  The fault repair information providing unit 32 provides fault repair information for repairing faults in the content data to the information processing apparatus. Specifically, for example, based on the fault information received from the information processing apparatus 10, the fault repair information stored in the fault repair information storage unit 31 is searched, and the fault repair information corresponding to the fault information is obtained as the information processing apparatus. Send to.

  The fault repair information storage unit 31 and the fault information provision unit 32 are parts realized by software or the like.

  When the failure analysis server 30 receives the failure information from the information processing device 10, the failure repair information providing unit 32 searches the failure repair information storage unit 31 for failure repair information corresponding to the failure information, and the information processing device 10. Send to.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in the image forming system according to the present exemplary embodiment.

  First, the attribute information is stored in the information processing apparatus (step 100), the template, the variable data, and the database indicating the combination are received, and the content data is generated (step 101). The attribute information and the content data are compared, The presence / absence of a failure is verified (step 102).

  If it is determined that there is no failure (NO in step 102), the content data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (step 103), and the content is printed out by the image forming apparatus (step 104).

  Further, the information processing apparatus determines whether or not there is content to be printed next (step 105). If it is determined that there is the next content (YES in step 105), the template and variable data are based on the database. To generate content data (step 101). If it is determined that there is no next content (NO in step 105), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 102 that there is a failure (YES in step 102), the content data and the print interruption point information indicating the print interruption point are stored (step 106), and the printing is stopped (step 107) and detected. Fault information related to the fault is generated (step 108) and transmitted to the fault analysis server (step 109).

  The failure analysis server extracts failure repair information corresponding to the failure information received from the information processing device from the failure repair information storage unit (step 110), and transmits the failure repair information to the information processing device (step 111).

  The information processing apparatus repairs the fault using the fault repair information (step 112), and determines whether or not the fault repair is completed (whether there is a fault) based on the attribute information (step 113).

  Here, if it is determined that the repair of the fault is not completed (there is a fault) (NO in step 113), fault information relating to the detected fault is generated (step 108).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the repair of the fault is completed (no fault) (YES in step 113), the printing is resumed from the interruption point where the printing was stopped (step 114), and the content data whose fault is repaired is image forming apparatus. (Step 103) and whether there is content to be printed next is determined (step 105).

  In FIG. 2, the content data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus every time it is generated. However, the content data may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus after all or a certain number of content data are generated.

  In addition, the repair of the failure is not limited to the method of directly repairing the failure of the content data, but any method such as applying a countermeasure patch to software that creates variable data, for example, can be used. When the countermeasure patch is applied to the software itself, the content data in which the failure has occurred in Step 112 is regenerated, and it is determined whether or not the content data regenerated in Step 113 has a failure.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the image forming system consistently and automatically performs the process from the detection / repair of the fault to the resumption of printing, it is possible to provide the user with high productivity and reliability. Also, it is not necessary to re-create print data (job re-execution) that was difficult when printing printed matter (contents) such as invoices, etc. The applied load can be suppressed.

  In addition, since the printed matter (content) is not actually printed out, from the detection / repair of the fault to the resumption of printing, the waste of resources is reduced and the opportunity to discard the printed matter is reduced. Leakage can be prevented in advance.

  Incidentally, in this embodiment, fault repair information is acquired from the fault analysis server. However, fault information can also be acquired and repaired in the information processing apparatus, and will be described below using a second embodiment. .

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming system according to the present invention.

  Note that the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 1 are attached to portions that perform the same functions as those in FIG. 1, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming system according to the present embodiment includes an information processing apparatus 10 that generates content data, and an image forming apparatus 20 that prints out printed matter (content) based on the content data. Connected through.

  The information processing apparatus 10 includes a content data generation unit 11, an attribute information storage unit 12, a failure occurrence detection unit 13, a failure repair unit 14, a control unit 15, and a fault repair information storage unit 16. Configured.

  The failure occurrence detection unit 13 performs the same processing as that in the first embodiment except that the failure-related information (failure information) is not transmitted to the failure analysis server 30.

  The failure repair unit 14 repairs the failure of the content data. Specifically, for example, fault repair information such as a countermeasure patch corresponding to the fault detected by the fault occurrence detection unit 13 is acquired from the fault repair information storage unit 16 and applied.

  The fault repair information storage unit 16 corresponds to the fault repair information storage unit 31 of the fault analysis server 30 in FIG. 1 and includes a storage unit (not shown), and fault repair information for repairing a fault that occurs in content data. Is stored in the storage unit.

  The content data generation unit 11, the attribute information storage unit 12, the failure occurrence detection unit 13, the failure repair unit 14, and the fault repair information storage unit 16 are parts realized by software or the like.

  Then, the information processing apparatus 10 uses the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage unit 12 to detect whether the content data generated by the content data generation unit 11 has a fault or not using the fault occurrence detection unit 13. When a failure is detected, the failure occurrence detection unit 13 cancels printing, and the failure repair unit 14 acquires the failure repair information from the failure repair information storage unit 16 to repair the failure. After confirmation, printing is resumed from the location where it was stopped, and the content data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  First, attribute information is stored (step 200), a template, variable data, and a database indicating a combination are received, and content data is generated (step 201). The attribute information and content data are compared to determine whether there is a failure. Verification is performed (step 202).

  If it is determined that there is no failure (NO in step 202), the content data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (step 203), and it is determined whether there is content to be printed next (step 204). .

  If it is determined that there is the next content (YES in step 204), content data is generated by combining the template and the variable data based on the database (step 201), and it is determined that there is no next content (in step 204). NO) and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 202 that there is a failure (YES in step 202), the content data and printing interruption point information indicating the printing interruption point are stored (step 205), and printing is stopped (step 206).

  Also, fault repair information corresponding to the detected fault is acquired from the fault repair information storage unit (step 207), the fault is repaired using the fault repair information (step 208), and the fault is repaired based on the attribute information. (Step 209).

  If it is determined that the repair of the fault is not completed (there is a fault) (NO in step 209), fault repair information corresponding to the detected fault is acquired from the fault repair information storage unit (step 207).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the repair of the fault is completed (no fault) (YES in step 209), the printing is resumed from the interruption point at which the printing was stopped (step 210), and the content data whose fault has been repaired is image forming apparatus. (Step 203) and whether there is content to be printed next is determined (step 204).

  In FIG. 4, the content data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus every time it is generated. However, the content data may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus after all or a certain number of content data are generated.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the information processing apparatus automatically and consistently performs the process from the detection / repair of the fault to the resumption of printing, it is possible to provide the user with high productivity and reliability. Also, it is not necessary to re-create print data (job re-execution) that was difficult when printing printed matter (contents) such as invoices, etc. The applied load can be suppressed.

  In addition, since the printed matter (content) is not actually printed out, from the detection / repair of the fault to the resumption of printing, the waste of resources is reduced and the opportunity to discard the printed matter is reduced. Leakage can be prevented in advance.

  In the first and second embodiments, the content information failure is detected by the information processing apparatus. However, the failure can also be detected by the image forming apparatus, which will be described below using the third embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming system according to the present invention.

  Note that the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 1 are attached to portions that perform the same functions as those in FIG. 1, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in the figure, the image forming system according to this embodiment includes an information processing apparatus 10 that generates content data, an image forming apparatus 20 that prints out printed matter (content) based on the content data, and repairs a failure. And a failure analysis server 30 for providing failure repair information for connection to the network.

  Here, the image forming apparatus 20 includes an image forming unit 21, an attribute information storage unit 22, a failure occurrence detection unit 23, a failure repair unit 24, and a control unit 25.

  The attribute information storage unit 22, the failure occurrence detection unit 23, and the failure repair unit 24 correspond to the attribute information storage unit 12, the failure occurrence detection unit 13, and the failure repair unit 14 of the information processing apparatus 10 in FIG. Detailed descriptions of portions that perform common functions are omitted.

  The control unit 25 is connected to the network 40 to transmit / receive information and perform processing for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 20.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 20 detects whether or not the content data received from the information processing apparatus 10 has a failure by the failure occurrence detection unit 23 using the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage unit 22. When a failure is detected, the failure occurrence detection unit 23 stops printing and transmits failure information to the failure analysis server 30. In addition, when receiving the fault repair information from the fault analysis server 30, the fault repair unit 24 applies the fault repair information to repair the fault, confirms that the fault has been repaired, and then restarts printing from the location where it was stopped. The image forming unit 21 prints out the printed matter (content) based on the content data.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in the image forming system according to the present embodiment.

  First, the attribute information is stored in the image forming apparatus (step 300), the information processing apparatus accepts a database indicating templates, variable data, and combinations, and generates content data (step 301). (Step 302).

  The image forming apparatus compares the attribute information with the content data, verifies whether there is a failure (step 303), and determines that there is no failure (NO in step 303), prints the content based on the content data. (Step 304).

  Further, it is determined whether there is content to be printed next (step 305). If it is determined that there is next content (YES in step 305), it is determined whether there is a failure in the content data of the content. If it is verified (step 303) and it is determined that there is no next content (NO in step 305), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 303 that there is a failure (YES in step 303), the content data and printing interruption point information indicating the printing interruption point are stored (step 306), and printing is stopped (step 307) and detected. Fault information relating to the fault is generated (step 308) and transmitted to the fault analysis server (step 309).

  The failure analysis server extracts failure repair information corresponding to the failure information received from the information processing device from the failure repair information storage unit (step 310), and transmits the failure repair information to the image forming device (step 311).

  The image forming apparatus repairs the fault using the fault repair information (step 312), and determines whether the fault repair is completed (whether there is a fault) based on the attribute information (step 313).

  Here, if it is determined that the repair of the fault is not completed (there is a fault) (NO in step 313), fault information relating to the detected fault is generated (step 308).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the repair of the fault is completed (no fault) (YES in step 313), the printing is resumed from the point where the printing was stopped (step 314), and based on the content data whose fault has been repaired The image is printed out (step 304), and it is determined whether there is content to be printed next (step 305).

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the image forming system consistently and automatically performs the process from the detection / repair of the fault to the resumption of printing, it is possible to provide the user with high productivity and reliability. Also, it is not necessary to re-create print data (job re-execution) that was difficult when printing printed matter (contents) such as invoices, etc. The applied load can be suppressed.

  In addition, since the printed matter (content) is not actually printed out, from the detection / repair of the fault to the resumption of printing, the waste of resources is reduced and the opportunity to discard the printed matter is reduced. Leakage can be prevented in advance.

  Incidentally, in this embodiment, failure repair information is acquired from the failure analysis server. However, failure information can also be acquired and repaired in the image forming apparatus, and will be described below using Embodiment 4. .

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming system according to the present invention.

  Note that parts having the same functions as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 5, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming system according to the present embodiment includes an information processing apparatus 10 that generates content data, and an image forming apparatus 20 that prints out printed matter (content) based on the content data. Connected through.

  The image forming apparatus 20 includes an image forming unit 21, an attribute information storage unit 22, a failure occurrence detection unit 23, a failure repair unit 24, a control unit 25, and a failure repair information storage unit 26. It is configured.

  The failure occurrence detection unit 23 performs the same processing as that of the third embodiment except that the failure information (failure information) is not transmitted to the failure analysis server 30.

  The failure repair unit 24 repairs the failure of the content data. Specifically, for example, fault repair information such as a countermeasure patch corresponding to the fault detected by the fault occurrence detection unit 23 is acquired from the fault repair information storage unit 26 and applied.

  The fault repair information storage unit 26 corresponds to the fault repair information storage unit 31 of the fault analysis server 30 in FIG. 5, and includes a storage unit (not shown), and fault repair information for repairing a fault that occurs in the content data. Is stored in the storage unit.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 20 detects whether or not the content data received from the information processing apparatus 10 has a failure by the failure occurrence detection unit 23 using the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage unit 22. When a fault is detected, the fault occurrence detection unit 23 stops printing, and the fault repair unit 24 acquires fault repair information from the fault repair information storage unit 26 to repair the fault. After confirmation, printing is resumed from the point where it was stopped, and the image forming unit 21 prints out a printed matter (content) based on the content data.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  First, the attribute information is stored (step 400), and the content data is received (step 401). The attribute information is compared with the content data to verify whether there is a failure (step 402).

  If it is determined that there is no failure (NO in step 402), the content is printed out based on the content data (step 403), and it is determined whether there is content to be printed next (step 404). ).

  If it is determined that there is a next content (YES in step 404), it is verified whether there is a failure in the content data of the content (step 402), and it is determined that there is no next content (NO in step 404). Then, the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 402 that there is a failure (YES in step 402), the content data and printing interruption point information indicating the printing interruption point are stored (step 404), and printing is stopped (step 405).

  Also, fault repair information corresponding to the detected fault is acquired from the fault repair information storage unit (step 406), the fault is repaired using the fault repair information (step 407), and the fault is repaired based on the attribute information. (Step 408).

  If it is determined that the repair of the fault is not completed (there is a fault) (NO in step 408), fault repair information corresponding to the detected fault is acquired from the fault repair information storage unit (step 406).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the repair of the fault is completed (no fault) (YES in step 408), the printing is resumed from the interruption point where the printing was stopped (step 409), and the content is based on the content data whose fault has been repaired. Is printed out (step 403), and it is determined whether there is content to be printed next (step 404).

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the image forming apparatus consistently and automatically performs processing from the detection / repair of a failure to the resumption of printing, it is possible to provide users with high productivity and reliability. Also, it is not necessary to re-create print data (job re-execution) that was difficult when printing printed matter (contents) such as invoices, etc. The applied load can be suppressed.

  In addition, since the printed matter (content) is not actually printed out, from the detection / repair of the fault to the resumption of printing, the waste of resources is reduced and the opportunity to discard the printed matter is reduced. Leakage can be prevented in advance.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming system according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in the image forming system according to the first exemplary embodiment. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming system according to the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing in the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming system according to the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in an image forming system according to a third embodiment. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming system according to the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in an information processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Information processing apparatus 11 ... Content data generation part 12, 22 ... Attribute information storage part 13, 23 ... Fault occurrence detection part 14, 24 ... Fault repair part 15, 25 ... Control part 16, 26, 31 ... Fault repair information storage Unit 20 ... Image forming apparatus 21 ... Image forming unit 30 ... Failure analysis server 32 ... Failure repair information providing unit 40 ... Network

Claims (10)

In an image forming system for transmitting content data from an information processing apparatus to an image forming apparatus and printing out the content by the image forming apparatus.
Fault repair information storage means for storing fault repair information for repairing faults occurring in content data;
It further comprises a failure analysis server comprising failure repair information providing means for acquiring the failure repair information corresponding to the failure using the failure information related to the failure and transmitting it to the information processing device,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Attribute information storage means for storing attribute information of specific content;
Content data generating means for generating the content data;
Detecting whether or not a failure has occurred using the content data and the attribute information, and detecting the occurrence of a failure, failure occurrence detection means for transmitting failure information relating to the failure to the failure analysis server;
When receiving the fault repair information from the fault analysis server, the fault repair means repairs the fault using the fault repair information and transmits the content data in which the fault is repaired to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that prints out content based on the content data. In an image forming system in which content data is transmitted from an information processing apparatus to an image forming apparatus and the content is printed out by the image forming apparatus.
Fault repair information storage means for storing fault repair information for repairing faults occurring in content data;
It further comprises a failure analysis server comprising failure repair information providing means for acquiring the failure repair information corresponding to the failure using the failure information related to the failure and transmitting it to the information processing device,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Content data generating means for generating the content data and transmitting the content data to the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus includes:
Image forming means for printing out content based on the content data;
Attribute information storage means for storing attribute information of specific content;
Detecting whether or not a failure has occurred using the content data and the attribute information, and detecting the occurrence of a failure, failure occurrence detecting means for transmitting the failure information relating to the failure to the failure analysis server;
Receiving the fault repair information from the fault analysis server, repairing the fault using the fault repair information, and sending the content data in which the fault has been repaired to an image forming unit. A featured image forming system. In an information processing apparatus that transmits content data to an image forming apparatus that prints out content,
Attribute information storage means for storing attribute information of specific content;
Content data generating means for generating the content data;
Fault occurrence detection means for detecting the occurrence of a fault using the content data and the attribute information, and sending fault information relating to the fault to a fault analysis server having fault repair information for repairing the fault;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a fault repair unit that, upon receiving the fault repair information from the fault analysis server, transmits content data in which the fault is repaired using the fault repair information to the image forming apparatus . In an information processing apparatus that transmits content data to an image forming apparatus that prints out content,
Attribute information storage means for storing attribute information of specific content;
Content data generating means for generating the content data;
A failure occurrence detecting means for detecting occurrence of a failure using the content data and the attribute information;
Fault repair information storage means for storing fault repair information for repairing faults,
An information processing apparatus comprising: a fault repair unit that acquires the fault repair information corresponding to the fault and transmits content data in which the fault is repaired using the fault repair information to the image forming apparatus . In an information processing method for transmitting content data to an image forming apparatus that prints out content,
Store the attribute information of the specific content in the attribute information storage means,
The content data is generated by content data generation means,
Using the content data and the attribute information, the occurrence of a failure is detected by a failure occurrence detection means, and failure information related to the failure is transmitted to a failure analysis server having failure repair information for repairing the failure.
An information processing method comprising: receiving the failure repair information from the failure analysis server by a failure repair means; and transmitting content data in which the failure is repaired using the failure repair information to the image forming apparatus. In an information processing method for transmitting content data to an image forming apparatus that prints out content,
Store the attribute information of the specific content in the attribute information storage means,
The content data is generated by content data generation means,
Using the content data and the attribute information, a failure occurrence detecting means detects the occurrence of a failure,
The fault repair information corresponding to the fault is acquired by the fault repair means from the fault repair information storage means for storing fault repair information for repairing the fault, and the content data obtained by repairing the fault using the fault repair information is the image. An information processing method comprising transmitting to a forming apparatus. In an image forming apparatus that receives content data from an information processing apparatus and prints out the content,
Attribute information storage means for storing attribute information of specific content;
Fault occurrence detection means for detecting the occurrence of a fault using the content data and the attribute information, and sending fault information relating to the fault to a fault analysis server having fault repair information for repairing the fault;
Upon receiving the fault repair information from the fault analysis server, fault repair means for repairing the fault using the fault repair information;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that prints out an image based on the content data. In an image forming apparatus that receives content data from an information processing apparatus and prints out the content,
Attribute information storage means for storing attribute information of specific content;
A failure occurrence detecting means for detecting occurrence of a failure using the content data and the attribute information;
Fault repair information storage means for storing fault repair information for repairing faults,
Fault repair means for acquiring the fault repair information corresponding to the fault and repairing the fault using the fault repair information;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that prints out an image based on the content data. In an image forming method for receiving content data from an information processing apparatus and printing out the content,
Store the attribute information of the specific content in the attribute information storage means,
Using the content data and the attribute information, the occurrence of a failure is detected by a failure occurrence detection means, and failure information related to the failure is transmitted to a failure analysis server having failure repair information for repairing the failure.
The failure repair means receives the failure repair information from the failure analysis server, repairs the failure using the failure repair information,
An image forming method, wherein an image is printed out by an image forming unit based on the content data. In an image forming method for receiving content data from an information processing apparatus and printing out the content,
Store the attribute information of the specific content in the attribute information storage means,
Using the content data and the attribute information, a failure occurrence detecting means detects the occurrence of a failure,
Obtaining the fault repair information corresponding to the fault from the fault repair information storing means for storing fault repair information for repairing the fault by the fault repair means, repairing the fault using the fault repair information,
An image forming method, wherein an image is printed out by an image forming unit based on the content data.

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