JP2008259087A - Image processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve user friendliness by notifying a predetermined notification destination about an performance status of maintenance, when remote maintenance is to be executed. <P>SOLUTION: As an example of an image processing apparatus, a multifunction peripheral 10 is connected to an FSS server 20, which performs remote maintenance thereon, via a network 30. When performing remote maintenance on the multifunction peripheral 10 by the FSS server 20, a maintenance notification destination deciding section 113 that a control unit 107 of the multifunction peripheral 10 includes, refers to a notification destination table 105b registered in a storage unit 105 and automatically transmits a maintenance notification for notifying the destination of information relating to the implementation of the remote maintenance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a program, and more specifically, an image processing apparatus capable of performing various remote maintenance by remote management using a network, and a program for realizing the functions of the image processing apparatus And about.

  Conventionally, in companies and the like, so-called FSS (Field Support System) is used to accumulate knowledge such as information on technology and product specifications, customer information, trouble information, etc. in a database system, and to support users by using the knowledge. It is used. By using such a system, business efficiency, customer response speed, and cost reduction have been achieved.

In such FSS (Field Support System), a user support service is provided for a multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a complex image processing function such as a network function and a facsimile function.
In FSS in a multifunction machine, information on the state of the multifunction machine can be transmitted to a customer center equipped with a database system for customer management and service management, or the multifunction machine can be operated remotely from the customer center. The system is configured so that settings can be changed. In such a configuration, a trouble can be avoided without a service person visiting by accessing the multifunction device from a server device at a customer center and changing the setting of the multifunction device.

For example, in Patent Literature 1, an image forming apparatus self-diagnose its state and is provided in an image forming apparatus according to a diagnosis result. An image forming apparatus is disclosed that uses the information display function of the display device to display and control its own maintenance status.
JP 2002-330247 A

  The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 displays the maintenance schedule of the apparatus, and does not indicate that maintenance is in progress. Here, it is assumed that the maintenance of the apparatus is directly performed by an operator. Therefore, since the user of the apparatus can recognize that the maintenance is being performed only by confirming that the worker is working on the apparatus, there is no need to perform a display during the maintenance.

On the other hand, in the FSS system as described above, a function of performing remote maintenance of the image processing apparatus from a remote management server is provided. In the remote maintenance function, based on the request from the user or the consent of the user, the internal setting of the image processing apparatus can be changed or the remote operation can be executed from the management server.
When performing remote maintenance of such an image processing apparatus, if the user is not notified that the maintenance is in progress, the user operates the image processing apparatus without knowing that the maintenance is in progress, and the image processing apparatus There arises a problem that it cannot operate normally.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in an image processing apparatus capable of remote maintenance from a remote management server, when the remote maintenance is executed, the execution status of the maintenance is set as a predetermined notification destination. By notifying, the user who has received the notification can grasp the status of the image processing apparatus and improve the convenience of the user, and the function of the image processing apparatus. The purpose is to provide a program to be realized.

  In order to solve the above problem, the first technical means of the present invention is connectable to a management server that performs remote maintenance of an image processing apparatus. When remote maintenance is performed by the management server, a first registered notification destination is used. On the other hand, a maintenance notification for notifying information related to the execution of remote maintenance is automatically transmitted.

  The second technical means includes a maintenance start notification indicating that remote maintenance is started for a notification destination registered in advance before remote maintenance is performed as a maintenance notification in the first technical means, After the end, a maintenance end notification indicating that the remote maintenance is ended is transmitted to a previously registered notification destination, or either one of them is transmitted.

  The third technical means, in the first technical means, determines the image processing function related to the contents of the remote maintenance when remote maintenance is performed, and uses the related image processing function among the notification destinations registered in advance. A maintenance notification is transmitted to the notification destination.

  A fourth technical means is characterized in that, in the third technical means, execution of an image processing function related to remote maintenance is restricted when remote maintenance is performed.

  According to a fifth technical means, in the third technical means, an apparatus having a driver for executing an image processing function related to the contents of remote maintenance, as a notification destination of a maintenance start notification among notification destinations registered in advance. It is characterized by selection.

  According to a sixth technical means, in the second technical means, a maintenance end notification is automatically sent to the pre-registered notification destination after a predetermined time has elapsed since the maintenance start notification was transmitted to the pre-registered notification destination. It is characterized by transmitting.

  The seventh technical means is a program that realizes the function of any one of the first to sixth technical means.

  According to the present invention, in an image processing apparatus that enables remote maintenance from a remote management server, notification is received by notifying a predetermined notification destination of a maintenance execution status when remote maintenance is executed. It is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that allows the user to grasp the status of the image processing apparatus and improve the convenience of the user, and a program that realizes the function of the image processing apparatus. it can.

  In particular, according to the present invention, the remote maintenance can be notified to the user of the image processing apparatus before the start of the remote maintenance, and the user can recognize that the remote maintenance is executed. it can. Further, by notifying the user of the image processing apparatus that the remote maintenance has ended, the user can recognize that the image processing apparatus is available.

  Also, by determining the image processing function related to the contents of the remote maintenance and sending the maintenance notification to the notification destination that uses the image processing function, the maintenance notification is sent only to users who are affected by the remote maintenance. can do. In addition, by sending a maintenance notification to a device having a driver for executing an image processing function related to the contents of remote maintenance, the maintenance notification is reliably sent to users who are affected by remote maintenance. be able to.

  Also, when performing remote maintenance, by restricting the execution of image processing functions related to remote maintenance, it is possible to prevent related functions from being executed during remote maintenance, and image processing that does not affect remote maintenance It can be executed as usual.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, by transmitting a maintenance end notification after a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting a maintenance start notification, the user does not need to make a maintenance end determination and can use the image processing apparatus. .

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a system configuration example of an FSS (Field Support System) to which an image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied. The FSS is operated by an FSS server that targets an image processing apparatus and is connected to the image processing apparatus via a network. In this example, an example in which a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 10 having a scanner function, a printer function, etc. is used as an image processing apparatus will be described. However, in the present invention, various image processing functions such as a printer, a network scanner, and a facsimile apparatus are provided. An image processing apparatus can be applied. The FSS server corresponds to the management server of the present invention.

The MFP 10 to be serviced by the FSS is installed in a user's (service customer) office or store, and the FSS service is provided by a system (FSS server) in the customer center 40 installed by the service provider. Shall.
In a system that operates an FSS, the MFP 10 owned by the user is connected to the system of the customer center 40 via a communication means, and the user support service from the remote by the FSS is provided by the system.

  In the user support service by FSS, the remote meter reading and remote diagnosis function 11 for meter reading of the counter value (recording paper usage) of the multifunction machine 10 by the customer center 40 system, the remote from the customer center 40 system to the multifunction machine 10 A remote maintenance function 12 for executing maintenance, an alert transmission function 13 for the system of the customer center 40 from the multifunction machine 10 and the like are provided.

For example, the setting contents of the multifunction machine 10 are periodically transmitted to the customer center 40 by the remote diagnosis function. Further, the alert transmission function 13 transmits information regarding the content of trouble occurring in the multifunction machine 10 to the customer center 40.
The customer center 40 performs a primary trouble handling process 15 and an automatic toner delivery process 16 based on the alert information and meter reading / diagnosis information transmitted from the user's multifunction machine 10. In the primary troubleshooting, maintenance is performed remotely from the customer center 40 using the remote maintenance function 12. If an alert indicating that the remaining amount of toner is low is transmitted from the multifunction device 10, an automatic toner delivery process 16 for the user is executed.

Further, when a service person needs to visit due to the content of the trouble, the customer center 40 sends the trouble contents (diagnosis information) 17 to the service base (authorized store) 50, and the service person at the service base 17 is in the state of the multifunction machine 10. And visits the user (18).
In addition, the customer center 40 can appropriately notify the movable status report 14 such as the current month's usage fee of the multi-function device 10, for example.

Further, the customer center 40 can remotely change the settings of the multifunction device 10 in response to the trouble of the multifunction device 10. The change of the setting is executed by, for example, updating the firmware that operates the multifunction machine 10.
When the setting is changed, the multifunction device 10 displays the changed setting content information on the display unit included in the multifunction device 10 or prints out the setting content information and notifies the information. Alternatively, the contents of the setting change are notified to a user having administrator authority. As a result, the trouble of the multifunction device 10 is solved, and the user is notified of the setting contents of the multifunction device 10, so that the user can grasp the state of the multifunction device 10, and the anxiety can be solved.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and shows the multifunction machine 10 applied to the FSS shown in FIG. 1 as an example of the image processing apparatus. In FIG. 2, the multifunction machine 10 is connected to the FSS server 20 of the customer center 40 via the network 30. As the network 30, a public line network such as a telephone line or a network such as a LAN can be appropriately applied. Usually, a plurality of MFPs 10 to be provided by the FSS server 20 are connected on the network 30, and the state of these MFPs 10 is managed by the FSS server 20.

  The multi-function device 10 includes a device control unit 4 including a CPU that performs calculations and a RAM that stores temporary information associated with the calculations. The device control unit 4 includes a ROM that stores a control program for controlling the multifunction machine 10. The device control unit 4 is connected to a management unit 7 that is a memory for storing management information (various control information) for managing processing performed by the multifunction machine 10. Further, the device control unit 4 is connected to an image reading unit 1 that reads an image recorded on a recording sheet and generates image data. The image reading unit 1 is provided with a CCD 1a for taking a document image as image data. Further, the device control unit 4 includes an input unit 2a such as a touch panel or a numeric keypad for inputting information such as a command from a user, a display panel for displaying information necessary for operation, setting change contents, and the like. The operation unit 2 including the display unit 2b is connected.

  The device control unit 4 is connected to an image forming unit 3 that forms an image of image data on a recording sheet. The image forming unit 3 includes a memory 3a that temporarily stores image data, a printing unit (LSU) 3b that forms an image from image data stored in the memory 3a and records the image on recording paper, and a printing unit 3b. A paper feed tray 3c for storing recording paper for image formation is provided. The multi-function device 10 can temporarily store the image data generated by the image reading unit 1 in the memory 3a and then form an image with the printing unit 3b. The image data once stored in the memory 3a may be stored in the hard disk (HD) 6.

Further, the multifunction machine 10 can receive image data transmitted from an external PC (personal computer) or the like (not shown) by the communication unit 5, and can form an image from the received image data by the image forming unit 3. Thus, the multifunction device 10 can function as a network printer.
The multifunction machine 10 as described above is provided with an FSS function for executing FSS. When the FSS function of the multifunction device is enabled with the above configuration, information can be transmitted from the multifunction device 10 to the FSS server 20 via the network 30.

For example, information such as [counter value] for printing and [occurrence of trouble] is transmitted from the multifunction device 10 to the FSS server 20 at the customer center. [Counter value] is periodically transmitted from the multifunction device 10 to the FSS server 20, and [Trouble occurrence] is information that is urgently transmitted whenever a trouble occurs. These pieces of transmission information are accumulated in a database (DB) 21 in the FSS server 20.
In response to a trouble alert indicating [occurrence of trouble] transmitted from the multifunction machine 10, the FSS server 20 notifies information to a necessary portion by an alert monitoring function. For example, if the trouble alert is a toner near-end notification indicating that the remaining amount of toner in the multifunction peripheral 10 has become low, processing is performed so that toner that needs to be replenished is automatically shipped.

  Here, when the remaining amount of toner used by the multifunction device 10 is low, the multifunction device 10 detects this and transmits a near-end notification of toner to the FSS server 20. In the customer center 40, in accordance with the near-end notification received by the FSS server 20, arrangement processing for automatically sending toner to the customer who uses the multifunction machine 10 is performed. As a result, the user can use the multifunction peripheral without worrying about the remaining amount of toner.

  If the trouble alert is a serviceman call notification for calling a serviceman, arrange for serviceman dispatch (repair support). Here, the MFP 10 detects its own trouble, and transmits the trouble code to the FSS server 20 of the customer center 40 according to the detection result. The customer center 40 estimates the troubled part of the multifunction device 10 according to the trouble code transmitted from the multifunction device 10 to the FSS server 20, and has a replacement part that is likely to be replaced if a service person visit is necessary. To do on-site repairs.

  Regarding the [counter value], the multifunction machine 10 integrates the print counter every time the recording paper is used after image formation (printing) is performed on the recording paper. Counter numerical value information of the print counter is periodically transmitted to the FSS server 20. If a contract to be charged for the copy volume of the multifunction machine 10 is made, the customer center 40 checks the counter value of the database 21 on the FSS server 20 and records the usage fee of the target customer. Also, here, by using the counter value to print the usage status of the multifunction machine 10 by remote control, it is possible to notify the user (customer) of the usage fee for this month, for example.

  On the other hand, when a user makes a direct telephone call to the customer center 40, the user is connected to a technical operator in the customer center 40. The technical operator performs an appropriate response while checking the database 21 of the FSS server 20. For example, if the location can be confirmed and changed by remote operation from the FSS server 20, diagnosis and remote maintenance are performed by the remote diagnosis and remote maintenance function of the FSS server 20. If the toner is ordered, it can be notified that the toner has already been automatically shipped, and a repair instruction can be given to the maintenance department if a visit by a service person is necessary.

If the problem occurs only when a specific setting is made in the multifunction device 10, the setting of the multifunction device 10 is corrected by remote maintenance from the FSS server 20, and once the trouble is not generated, the service is performed. Arrange visits for man.
The remote maintenance function allows the FSS server 20 to change the settings in the multifunction machine 10 and perform remote operation after obtaining a request from the user or consent from the user. Here, setting items and setting values of various setting values for operating the multifunction machine 10 can be read and written, and setting contents of simulation settings used by a service person can be read and written. In addition, in the remote maintenance function, for example, restart instruction of the multifunction machine 10, operation prohibition / release of the multifunction machine 10, multi-copy setting prohibition / release, machine status information of the multifunction machine 10 (for example, door open, in energy saving mode, During recovery, warm-up, ready, etc.) and reading of the version information of the application of the multifunction machine 10 is possible.

  In the embodiment according to the present invention, when remote maintenance by the FSS server 20 is performed by the remote maintenance function described above, a notification indicating that remote maintenance is started, A process for transmitting a notification indicating that the maintenance has been completed is performed. Further, the use of the image processing function related to the remote maintenance is restricted, or the above-mentioned maintenance start / end notification is transmitted to the apparatus using the image processing function.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining a configuration example of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and shows the multifunction machine 10 applied to the FSS shown in FIG. 1 as an example of the image processing apparatus.
The multifunction machine 10 includes an image forming unit 101 that prints an image of image data on a recording sheet (image formation), a display unit 102 such as a display or a touch panel, and an image reading unit that performs scanning processing of a document image and reads the image data. 103, an image transmission / reception unit 104 that transmits and receives FAX data via a telephone line, a storage unit 105 that stores various data and programs, a control unit 107 that controls each unit of the apparatus, and a network for connecting to the network 30 It is comprised from I / F106.
The image forming unit 101 corresponds to the printing unit (LSU) 3b in the configuration of FIG. 2, the display unit 102 corresponds to the display unit 2b of FIG. 2, and the image reading unit 103 corresponds to the image reading unit 1 of FIG. To do. Similarly, the image transmission / reception unit 104 connected to the telephone line corresponds to the communication unit 5, the storage unit 105 corresponds to the storage area of the HD 6 or the management unit 7, and the control unit 107 corresponds to the device control unit 4.

In FIG. 3, the storage unit 105 holds setting contents 105 a of the MFP 10 that is a target of remote maintenance and a notification destination table 105 b for determining a notification destination of maintenance notification.
The control unit 107 includes a setting change permission unit 110, a setting change processing unit 111, a trouble alert transmission unit 112, a maintenance notification destination determination unit 113, a maintenance notification processing unit 114, and a use restriction processing unit 115. The functions of these units of the control unit 107 can be executed by a program stored in the storage unit 105 or other storage means (not shown). The control unit 107 reads a necessary program into a memory such as a RAM and loads it into a CPU or the like. By executing the processing by the processing device, the function of the control unit 107 can be realized.

  In the control unit 107, the setting change permission unit 110 determines whether or not to permit the setting change when the FSS server 20 instructs to change the setting of the multifunction machine 10. For setting permission, for example, the authentication information transmitted from the FSS server 20 is authenticated by the setting change permission unit 110, and it is determined whether or not to permit setting change based on an instruction from the FSS server 20 according to the authentication result.

When the setting change permission unit 110 permits the setting change from the FSS server 20, the setting change processing unit 111 changes the setting data stored in the storage unit 105 according to the setting change instruction from the FSS server 20. Do.
The trouble alert transmission unit 112 transmits a predetermined trouble code corresponding to the trouble to the FSS server 20 when a predetermined trouble such as a continuous paper jam occurs in the multifunction machine 10. Also, when maintenance such as toner cartridge replacement becomes necessary, a predetermined trouble code corresponding to the necessary maintenance is transmitted.

The maintenance notification destination determination unit 113 determines a notification destination to be notified at a maintenance start / end timing when performing maintenance such as a process for changing the setting contents of the MFP 10 from the FSS server 20. The notification destination is determined using the notification destination table 105 b stored in the storage unit 105. Here, the notification destination may be determined both at the start and end of maintenance, or the notification destination may be determined at any one of these times.
The maintenance notification processing unit 114 performs processing for transmitting a maintenance notification to the notification destination determined by the maintenance notification destination determination unit 113.
The use restriction processing unit 115 restricts the use of a specific function of the multifunction machine 10 when maintenance from the FSS server 20 is performed. For example, when the maintenance executed from the FSS server 20 is a setting change process related to the FAX function of the multifunction machine 10, use of the FAX process in the multifunction machine 10 is restricted.

  The FSS server 20 is connected to the multifunction device 10 via the network 30. The FSS server includes a setting change unit 21 for executing a setting change by remote maintenance of the multifunction device 10 and a start / end notification unit 22 for notifying the multifunction device 10 of the start and end of remote maintenance. .

The network 30 is connected to an administrator PC 41 having administrator authority for the multifunction machine 10 and a plurality of other user PCs 42 and 43. Each of the PCs 41, 42, 43 has maintenance notification receiving units 411, 421, 431 that receive the maintenance notification transmitted from the multifunction machine 10.
The administrator PC 41 can determine that the administrator PC 41 is a PC used by an administrator who has management authority in the multifunction device 10 according to the identification information of the device used when the multifunction device 10 is connected to the network. Alternatively, a mail address having administrator authority may be registered in the multifunction machine 10 and a notification addressed to the administrator may be transmitted to the mail address. Similarly, for the user PCs 42 and 43 other than the administrator PC 41, connection identification information and e-mail addresses are registered in advance in the multifunction machine 10. The multifunction machine 10 transmits a notification regarding remote maintenance to these PCs under a predetermined condition. Here, the PC is taken as an example, but the maintenance notification may be transmitted to a specific destination according to the registered identification information without being limited to the PC.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a processing example of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and shows a maintenance notification transmission processing example when remote maintenance is performed in the multifunction machine 10 described above. In the following flow, the processing flow will be described with reference to the configuration of FIG.
The multi-function device 10 monitors whether or not a trouble to be notified to the FSS server 20 has occurred in itself or whether or not it is necessary to perform predetermined maintenance (step S1). When trouble occurs or maintenance is required, a trouble code corresponding to the content is transmitted to the FSS server 20 (step S2). Transmission of the trouble code is executed by the trouble alert transmission unit 112 of the control unit 107.

  When a setting change start request by remote maintenance is transmitted from the FSS server 20 to the multifunction device 10 (step S3-YES), the maintenance notification destination determination unit 113 of the multifunction device 10 determines the notification destination of the maintenance notification. The maintenance notification processing unit 114 transmits a maintenance start notification indicating the start of maintenance (step S4). If the multifunction device 10 does not receive a setting change start request from the FSS server 20, the process returns to step S1 to monitor the occurrence of trouble or the necessity of maintenance.

  Next, the use restriction processing unit 115 of the multifunction machine 10 performs processing for restricting use by the user for image processing related to remote maintenance executed by the FSS server 20 (step S5). The instructed setting change is performed (step S6).

  Then, the maintenance notification destination determination unit 113 of the MFP 10 determines the notification destination of the setting change end notification by the remote maintenance (step S7), and if the setting change end notification is necessary (step S8-Yes), the determination is made. The maintenance notification processing unit 114 transmits a maintenance end notification to the notified destination. If it is not necessary to notify the end of the setting change in step S8, the process returns to step S1 to monitor the occurrence of trouble or the necessity of maintenance.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining more detailed processing of the maintenance notification processing shown in FIG. The maintenance notification is transmitted in step S4 and step S9 in FIG. 4, and the flow of this example shows the processing for transmitting these maintenance notifications.
Here, first, the maintenance notification destination determination unit 113 of the multifunction machine 10 determines whether or not to notify the maintenance notification only to a preset administrator (step S11). Then, when notifying only the administrator, the maintenance notification destination determination unit 113 sets the administrator as the notification destination (step S12), and the maintenance notification processing unit 114 notifies the administrator PC 41 designated as the notification destination of the maintenance notification. Is transmitted (step S13).

  In the case where only the administrator is not notified in step S11, the maintenance notification destination determination unit 113 further determines whether or not the content of the setting change due to maintenance is related to all image processing included in the multifunction machine 10 ( Step S14). If the contents of the setting change are related to all image processing, all users who have used the multifunction machine 10 are set as notification destinations (step S15). On the other hand, if the content of the setting change is not related to all image processing, a user who may execute image processing related to the setting change content is set as a notification destination (step S16). A possible user is a user who has registered a device of a user who has executed the image processing in the past in the notification destination table 105b and may execute the image processing according to the registered information. Person can be discriminated. Then, the maintenance notification processing unit 114 transmits a maintenance notification to the user's PC designated as the notification destination (step S13).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining another process example of the maintenance notification process shown in FIG. Here, the maintenance notification processing unit 114 first determines whether or not the content of the setting change by remote maintenance is related to all image processing included in the multifunction machine 10 (step S21). If the contents of the setting change are related to all image processing, a maintenance notification is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 102 of the multifunction machine 10 (step S22). Next, all PCs having a driver for executing the image processing function of the multifunction machine 10 are detected, and a maintenance notification is transmitted to the PCs (step S23).

  On the other hand, if the contents of the setting change are not related to the entire image processing of the multifunction machine 10 in step S21, a specific image processing driver (for example, a scan driver, PC- All PCs having a FAX driver, printer driver, etc.) are detected, and a maintenance notification is transmitted to the PC (step S24). Here, in the notification destination table 105b as described above, the image processing of the multifunction device 10 and the user device having a driver capable of executing each image processing are registered, and image processing related to remote maintenance is performed. The user's device registered correspondingly is extracted and a maintenance notification is transmitted.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a more detailed process example of the use restriction process shown in FIG. Here, the use restriction processing unit 115 of the multifunction device 10 determines whether or not the content of the setting change by remote maintenance is related to all image processing included in the multifunction device 10 (step S31). This determination process may use the determination result of step S14 in FIG.
If the contents of the setting change are related to all image processing, the use restriction processing unit 115 disables the image processing for all functions of the multifunction machine 10 (step S32). If the content of the setting change is not related to all image processing, the use restriction processing unit 115 prohibits the use of the image processing related to the content of the setting change (step S33).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining another example of further detailed processing of the setting change end notification determination processing shown in FIG. First, the maintenance notification destination determination unit 113 of the MFP 10 determines whether or not there has been a setting change end request from the FSS server 20 (step S41). If there is no setting change end request, the setting change end timing is reached next. Whether or not (step S42). The end timing can be determined based on whether a predetermined time has elapsed. At this time, according to the contents of the remote maintenance, it is possible to set a predetermined time for individually specifying the end timing.

  If the setting change end timing has not been reached, it is further determined whether or not the setting change end time has been notified (step S43). If it has been notified, it is determined that the notification of the end of the setting change has been rejected (step S44). If the end time of the setting change has not been notified in step S43, the process returns to step S41.

  If there is a setting change end request from the FSS server in step S41, it is determined that a setting change end notification is required (step S45). Also, when the end timing of the setting change has been reached in step S42, it is determined that the end notification of the setting change is necessary. In other words, depending on the contents of remote maintenance, the maintenance processing time is fixed, so that the maintenance notification is automatically sent after the time has elapsed, so that the user does not have to make a maintenance end determination. An image processing apparatus can be used.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a notification destination table used for determining the notification destination of the maintenance notification.
As described above, when a setting change start request by remote maintenance is transmitted from the FSS server 20 to the multifunction device 10, the maintenance notification destination determination unit 113 of the multifunction device 10 determines the notification destination of the maintenance notification, The maintenance notification processing unit 114 transmits a maintenance start notification indicating the start of maintenance. Also, the maintenance notification destination determination unit 113 determines the notification destination of the setting change end notification by remote maintenance. If the setting change end notification is necessary, the maintenance notification processing unit 114 ends the maintenance for the determined notification destination. Send a notification.

  At this time, the maintenance notification destination determination unit 113 determines an image processing function related to the content of the remote maintenance, and notifies a notification destination that may use the related image processing function among the previously registered notification destinations. To send a maintenance notification. Also, a maintenance notification is transmitted to a device having a driver for executing an image processing function related to the contents of the remote maintenance among notification destinations registered in advance.

  In order to determine the notification destination of such a maintenance notification, a notification destination table as shown in FIG. 9 is prepared and stored in the storage unit 105 of the multifunction machine 10. Here, for example, as the types of image processing that the multifunction machine 10 has, the types of image processing such as scanner, printer, PC-FAX, copy, etc., the PC having the history of use of these image processing, and the driver of each image processing are shown. Register with your PC. When sending a maintenance notification, the maintenance notification destination determination unit 113 refers to the use history of the notification destination table 105b and extracts a PC that may use an image processing function for performing remote maintenance as a notification destination. Further, a PC having the image processing function driver is extracted as a notification destination. For example, in the case of scanner processing, a PC having a scanner driver can be extracted as a notification destination.

It is a figure for demonstrating the system configuration example of FSS (field support system) which can apply the image processing apparatus by this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structural example of the image processing apparatus by this invention. It is a functional block diagram for demonstrating the structural example of the image processing apparatus by this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process example of the image processing apparatus by this invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a more detailed process of the maintenance notification process shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the maintenance notification process shown in FIG. 4. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a more detailed processing example of the use restriction processing shown in FIG. 4. 5 is a flowchart for explaining another example of further detailed processing of the setting change end notification determination processing shown in FIG. 4. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the notification destination table used in order to determine the notification destination of a maintenance notification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image reading part 1a ... CCD, 2 ... Operation part, 2a ... Input part, 2b ... Display part, 3 ... Image formation part, 3a ... Memory, 3b ... Printing part, 3c ... Paper feed tray, 4 ... Equipment Control unit, 5 ... communication unit, 6 ... HD, 7 ... management unit, 10 ... multifunction device, 11 ... remote diagnosis function, 12 ... remote maintenance function, 13 ... alert transmission function, 14 ... moving status report, 15 ... primary trouble Corresponding processing, 16 ... automatic toner delivery processing, 17 ... service base, 20 ... FSS server, 21 ... database, 22 ... end notification unit, 30 ... network, 40 ... customer center, 41 ... administrator PC, 42, 43 ... user PC 101 101 Image forming unit 102 Display unit 103 Image reading unit 104 Image transmission / reception unit 105 Storage unit 105a Setting content 105b Notification destination table 107 Control , 110 ... Setting change permission unit, 111 ... Setting change processing unit, 112 ... Trouble alert transmission unit, 113 ... Maintenance notification destination determination unit, 114 ... Maintenance notification processing unit, 115 ... Usage restriction processing unit, 411, 421, 431 ... Maintenance notification receiver.

Claims (7)

  A maintenance notification that is connectable to a management server that performs remote maintenance of the image processing apparatus, and that notifies the information about the execution of the remote maintenance to a previously registered notification destination when the remote maintenance is performed by the management server Is automatically transmitted.   2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance notification includes a maintenance start notification indicating that the remote maintenance is started with respect to a notification destination registered in advance before performing remote maintenance, and An image processing apparatus characterized in that after completion, an image processing apparatus is configured to transmit a maintenance completion notification indicating that the remote maintenance has been completed to a notification destination registered in advance.   2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when performing the remote maintenance, an image processing function related to the content of the remote maintenance is determined, and the related image processing function is selected from the previously registered notification destinations. An image processing apparatus that transmits the maintenance notification to a notification destination to be used.   4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein execution of an image processing function related to the remote maintenance is restricted when the remote maintenance is performed.   4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a driver for executing an image processing function related to the contents of the remote maintenance as a notification destination of the maintenance start notification among the notification destinations registered in advance. An image processing apparatus characterized by selecting.   3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the maintenance end notification is automatically sent to the pre-registered notification destination after a predetermined time has elapsed since the maintenance start notification was transmitted to the pre-registered notification destination. And an image processing apparatus.   The program which implement | achieves the function of the image processing apparatus of any one of Claim 1 thru | or 6.

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