JP2009049619A - Hybrid machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem, wherein the operation of the hybrid machine comprising a printer and a scanner becomes inefficient, because the scanner should be reset and initialized by sending a reset signal to a microprocessor for controlling the scanner, for example, when runaway in the operation of the scanner is detected, and the same processing must be repeated from the beginning, if this happens when the hybrid machine is in a scanning processing, for example, since the scanner as a whole would be initialized. <P>SOLUTION: The hybrid machine includes a detection portion 118 for detecting faults in a scanner 101; a restoration information generation portion 120 for generating a restoration information, corresponding to the fault; an operation panel 123, having a display unit for displaying the restoration information and an input unit for inputting a restoration instruction, based on the restoration information; and a restoration processing portion 121 for performing restoration processing for the scanner 101, according to the inputted restoration instruction. Processing at the hybrid machine is continued by resetting a part of the scanner 101. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a composite apparatus including a plurality of functional units.

  Conventionally, in this type of composite device, for example, a device in which a computer main body and a keyboard are combined, the keyboard is monitored by predetermined keyboard monitoring means, and when a keyboard runaway is detected, it is reset to the microprocessor that controls the keyboard Some have sent a signal to reset it and initialize it (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-1-205225 (Pages 2, 3 and 2)

  When the concept of the above-described conventional apparatus is adopted in a composite apparatus having a printer and a scanner, for example, the scanner is monitored by a predetermined scanner monitoring means, and when the runaway of the scanner is detected, the scanner is reset to the microprocessor that controls the scanner. In this case, the entire scanner is initialized by reset, so if the scan process is in progress, for example, the same process is started from the beginning. There is a problem that it is cumbersome to repeat, and the processing process up to that point is wasted and becomes inefficient.

  An object of the present invention is to solve these problems, and to provide a composite apparatus capable of efficiently processing the apparatus without any repetition of the same process after recovery even when an abnormality occurs in the apparatus. .

A composite apparatus according to the present invention is a composite apparatus having a plurality of functional units,
A detection unit that detects each abnormality of the plurality of functional units, a recovery information generation unit that generates recovery information for each abnormality, a display unit that displays the recovery information, and a recovery instruction based on the recovery information And a recovery processing unit that performs recovery processing of any one of the plurality of functional units in accordance with the input recovery instruction.

Another composite device according to the present invention is a composite device comprising a plurality of functional units,
A detection unit that detects an abnormality of each of the plurality of functional units, a determination unit that determines whether or not the current process can be continued when an abnormality is detected by the detection unit, and a process that can be continued by the determination unit A recovery processing unit that performs recovery processing of the functional unit in which an abnormality is detected.

  According to the present invention, even when an abnormality occurs in a functional unit, it is possible to prevent inefficiency by performing processing by the functional unit after restoration from the beginning.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a principal block diagram showing a principal part configuration of the composite apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the multifunction apparatus 100 is an apparatus called MFP (Multifunction Peripherals), and has a configuration in which a scanner 101 and a printer 102 are connected by a USB 103.

  First, the configuration of the scanner 101 will be described. The scanner 101 includes a reading processing unit 104, a memory unit 105, a command analysis unit 106, a power save processing unit 107, an ADF document discharge processing unit 108, a status management unit 109, and a USB interface unit (hereinafter referred to as a USB I / F unit) 110. A control unit 111 and a common bus 112.

  Upon receiving a control instruction from the command analysis unit 106, the reading processing unit 104 follows an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) described later, a flat bed (not illustrated), or the like in accordance with a predetermined reading sequence (see FIG. 12) described later. The document reading unit has a function of reading a document. Data obtained by photoelectrically reading image information such as photographs, characters, and pictures from a manuscript is converted into digital data, and various known image processing is performed using the memory unit 105 to temporarily store scan data. After being applied, the image is sent to the printer 102 and used for image printing and data transmission.

  FIG. 2 is a main part configuration diagram showing a main part configuration of the ADF 150 belonging to the reading processing unit 104. The ADF 150 includes a pickup roller 151, a scan roller 152, a document discharge roller 153, a document sensor 154, and a scan sensor 155. When the reading processing unit 104 receives a command for starting scanning, which will be described later, the following reading operation is performed. Execute.

  When a document to be read (not shown) is set and the document sensor 154 for detecting that the document is inserted into the ADF 150 is turned on, the pickup roller 151 rotates in the direction of the arrow in the drawing to feed the document to be read. The scanning sensor 155 for monitoring the read original conveyed by the control unit stops its rotation when it enters an off state informing that the read original has passed the monitoring position.

  The scan roller 152 rotates in the direction of the arrow in the drawing in order to read a document when the document sensor 154 is turned on, and stops after rotating the specified number of pulses after the document sensor 154 is turned off. It is configured. The document discharge roller 153 rotates in the direction of the arrow in the drawing in order to discharge the original when the scan sensor 155 is turned on, and stops after rotating the specified number of pulses after the scan sensor 155 is turned off. It is configured as follows. The read document conveyed as described above is configured such that image information is read on the scan line 156 by a scanning unit (not shown) that starts scanning when the scan sensor 155 is turned on.

  The memory unit 105 includes a RAM that temporarily stores scan data read by the reading processing unit 104 and a ROM that stores a control program for the scanner 101 in advance. The command analysis unit 106 refers to the current processing content managed by the state management unit 109 and analyzes the control command for the scanner 101 received by the USB I / F unit 110. Then, it has a function of notifying the reading processing unit 104, the ADF document discharge processing unit 108, or the power save processing unit 107 of a control instruction according to the current processing content and the analysis result. When receiving a control instruction from the command analysis unit 106, the power save processing unit 107 has a function of shifting the scanner 101 to the power save mode and restoring from the word save mode.

  When receiving a control instruction from the command analysis unit 106, the ADF document discharge processing unit 108 has a function of discharging a document inserted in the ADF 150 (FIG. 2) by a discharge unit (not shown). If the document sensor 154 (FIG. 2) is off and no document is inserted into the ADF 150, nothing is done. The state management unit 109 determines whether the scanner 101 is operating or is not operating based on the notification of the processing status of the control unit 111, and manages the Busy / Ready status and current processing content to be described later. To do. Note that “Busy” is a state corresponding to an operation, and “Ready” is a state corresponding to an idle state.

  The USB I / F unit 110 is a USB 2.0 compliant interface. The control unit 111 is a microprocessor that controls the entire scanner 101 by executing a control program stored in the ROM of the memory unit 105. Further, it has a function of notifying the state management unit 109 of the current processing content, whether it is operating or idle, and a function of setting the state to idle when receiving a reset instruction from the state management unit 109. The common bus 112 is a signal line that connects the above-described portions of the scanner 101.

  Next, the configuration of the printer 102 will be described. The printer 102 includes a communication unit 113, a USB I / F unit 114, a memory unit 115, an external unit control unit 116, a command generation unit 117, a detection unit 118, a timer setting unit 119, a recovery information generation unit 120, a recovery processing unit 121, and printing. Unit 122, operation panel 123, control unit 124, and common bus 125.

  The communication unit 113 transmits / receives data using an e-mail or the like between a function of transmitting / receiving facsimile data via a communication network (not shown) and an external device connected to the network via a network (not shown). Has the function to perform. The USB I / F unit 114 is a USB 2.0 compliant interface. Here, the scan data received from the scanner 101 is temporarily stored in the memory unit 115 under the control of the control unit 124. The memory unit 115 includes a RAM that temporarily stores scan data received from the scanner 101 and a ROM that stores a control program for the printer 102 in advance.

  The external unit control unit 116 has a function for instructing the command generation unit 117 to generate a command for controlling the scanner 101, and a function for instructing the timer setting unit 119 to set or reset the timer in synchronization with the timing. And a function of notifying the recovery information generation unit 120 of control information instructed to the scanner 101. The command generation unit 117 has a function of generating a command for controlling the scanner 101 based on an instruction from the external unit control unit 116.

  The detection unit 118 has a function of detecting that the timer set by the timer setting unit 119 has timed out, and a function of notifying the recovery information generation unit 120 that a time-out has been detected. The timer setting unit 119 includes an external unit In response to an instruction from the control unit 116, the recovery information generating unit 120 has a function of setting and resetting a timer. It has a function to generate recovery information based on.

When receiving a recovery instruction from the operation panel 123, the recovery processing unit 121 has a function of performing a recovery process according to the recovery instruction. As the recovery process, the external unit control unit 116 is temporarily stopped, and an initializing command described later is generated by the command generation unit 117. As a parameter of the command,
-If the range of the recovery instruction is a part, set the parameter value that initializes a part of the device,
-If the range of the recovery instruction is the whole, set a parameter value that initializes the entire device.
The recovery processing unit 121 transmits the generated Initializing command to the scanner 101 and then starts the external unit control unit 116 again. The printing unit 122 converts the scan data stored in the RAM of the memory unit 115 into printing data. And has a function of printing.

  The external appearance of the operation panel 123 is configured as shown in FIG. 3, for example, a start button 161 for instructing the external unit control unit 116 to start reading, a stop button 162 for instructing reading cancellation, a menu button 163 of the apparatus, an operation operation And a cross button 164 for moving the cursor, and an LCD 165 for displaying errors, processing contents, menu contents, etc. of the scanner 101 and the printer 102. The control unit 124 is a microprocessor that controls the entire printer 102 by executing a control program stored in the ROM of the memory unit 115, and the common bus 125 is a signal line that connects the above-described portions of the printer 102. is there.

  FIG. 4 shows three sequence patterns determined by the type of command generated by the command generation unit 117.

  In FIG. 9A, the printer 102 transmits a command container structure to the scanner 101 (Seq 101), then transmits a data container structure (Seq 102), and a response container structure 103 is returned from the scanner 101. In FIG. 5B, when the printer 102 transmits a command container structure to the scanner 101 (Seq 104), a response container structure is first returned from the scanner 101 (Seq 105). When the data container is ready, the Data Container Structure The pattern 102 (Seq 106) is shown, and in FIG. 10C, when the printer 102 transmits a Command Container Structure to the scanner 101 (Seq 107), a Response Container Structure is returned from the scanner 101 (Seq 108). The pattern is shown.

  FIG. 5 shows the configuration of each Container Structure shown in FIG. 4, where FIG. 5A shows the configuration of the Command Container Structure, FIG. 5B shows the configuration of the Response Container Structure, and FIG. (C) shows the configuration of Data Container Structure, and FIG. 6 shows a list of scanner control commands, as will be described later. 5 and 6 will be further described later.

  7 to 11 are flowcharts showing a flow of operations executed by the composite apparatus 100 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, and FIG. 12 is a Container Structure exchanged between the scanner 101 and the printer 102. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example. With reference to the block diagram of FIG. 1 and the sequence diagram of FIG. 12, an operation example of the composite apparatus 100 will be described below based on the flowcharts of FIGS.

  The multifunction apparatus 100 is set to start copying when the start button 161 (FIG. 3) on the operation panel 123 is pressed, and the copy setting at this time is set to a default value. Here, an example of operation in the case where one document conveyed by the ADF 150 runs away while reading and the recovery processing is performed on the reading processing unit 104 is shown.

  When the start button 161 on the operation panel 123 is pressed by the operator (step S101), the external unit control unit 116 of the printer 102 instructs the command generation unit 117 to generate a command for checking the presence / absence of the ADF document, and the ADF document. A presence / absence check is performed (step S102).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the ADF document presence / absence check process, and FIG. 12A shows an example of a communication sequence between the scanner 101 and the printer 102 performed by this flow. This corresponds to the sequence pattern shown in b). As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the command generation unit 117 generates a command (checkPaper) for checking the presence / absence of an ADF document (step S102-1), and the generated command (checkPaper) is controlled by the control unit 124. Transmission is performed from the USB I / F unit 114 to the USB I / F unit 110 of the scanner 101 (step S102-2).

  At this time, the checkPaper Command Container Structure transmitted to the scanner 101 is composed of four codes (0 × 04, 0 × 00, 0 × 04, 0 × 00) as shown in FIG. However, the code “0 × 04” in the third byte from the list of FIG. 5A is a command code, and it is a command (checkPaper) for checking the presence / absence of an ADF document from the list of FIG. Is understood.

  The command analysis unit 106 of the scanner 101 analyzes the command received by the USB I / F unit 110 (step S102-3), and returns a response to the command from the USB I / F unit 110 to the USB I / F unit 114 of the printer 102. (Step S102-4). If the response is Successful (successful processing) (step S102-5, Yes), the processing is determined to be successful, and the process proceeds to step S103. If the response fails (step S102-5, No), the process proceeds to step S119 described later. Proceed and finish.

  At this time, the Response Container Structure returned to the printer 102 is composed of four codes (0 × 04, 0 × 02, 0 × 00, 0 × 00) as shown in FIG. However, from the list of FIG. 5B, it is understood that the code “0x00” in the third byte is a response code indicating Successful (successful processing), and the accompanying Data Container Structure is represented by three codes here. (0 × 00000006, 0 × 01, 0 × 01), the last code “0 × 01” is the data from the list of FIG. 5C, and “paper is present” from the list of FIG. 6B. It is understood that you are answering.

  The external unit control unit 116 of the printer 102 checks the response of the command for checking the presence / absence of the ADF document. If “ADF document exists” (step S103, Yes), the process proceeds to step S104 to execute the scan setting process. When “No ADF document” (step S103, No), the process proceeds to flatbed scan control. Here, description of the flatbed scan control is omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the scan setting process performed in step S104, and FIG. 12B is an example of a communication sequence between the scanner 101 and the printer 102 performed according to this flow. This corresponds to the sequence pattern shown in FIG. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, the command generation unit 117 generates a command (setProperties) for scan setting based on an instruction from the external unit control unit 116 (step S104-1), and the control of the control unit 124 Thus, the generated command (setProperties) is transmitted from the USB I / F unit 114 to the USB I / F unit 110 of the scanner 101 (step S104-2).

  At this time, the setProperties Command Container Structure transmitted to the scanner 101 is composed of four codes (0 × 04, 0 × 00, 0 × 03, 0 × 00) as shown in FIG. However, it is understood from the list of FIG. 5A that the code “0 × 03” in the third byte is a command code, and from the list of FIG. 6A is a command for setting a scan (setProperties). Is done. Further, the accompanying Data Container Structure is composed of three codes (0x00000006, 0x01, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x000x00, 0x01). c) the last six codes from the list are data, and from the list of FIG. 6B, “monochrome (color) / 1 in 1 (N-up) / single-sided printing (printing side) / 300 dpi (resolution) / Raw ( It is understood that “compression method) / 1 sheet (number of copies)” is set.

  The command analysis unit 106 of the scanner 101 analyzes the command received by the USB I / F unit 110 (step S104-3), and returns a response to the command from the USB I / F unit 110 to the USB I / F unit 114 of the printer 102. (Step S104-4). If the response is Successful (step S104-5, Yes), it is determined that the process is successful, and the process proceeds to step S105 to instruct the start of scanning. If the response fails (step S104-5, No), the steps described later are performed. It progresses to S119 and is complete | finished.

  Note that the Response Container Structure returned to the printer 102 at this time is composed of four codes (0 × 04, 0 × 02, 0 × 00, 0 × 00) as shown in FIG. As described above, the success byte (successful processing) is indicated by the code “0 × 00” in the third byte.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a scan start instruction performed in step S105, and FIG. 12C is an example of a communication sequence between the scanner 101 and the printer 102 performed by this flow. This corresponds to the sequence pattern shown in (c). As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, the command generation unit 117 generates a command (startScan) for starting scanning based on an instruction from the external unit control unit 116 (step S105-1), and the control of the control unit 124. Thus, the generated command (startScan) is transmitted from the USB I / F unit 114 to the USB I / F unit 110 of the scanner 101 (step S105-2).

  At this time, the startScan Command Container Structure transmitted to the scanner 101 is composed of four codes (0 × 04, 0 × 00, 0 × 01, 0 × 00) as shown in FIG. However, it is understood from the list in FIG. 5A that the code “0 × 01” in the third byte is a command code, and from the list in FIG. 6A is a command for starting scanning (startScan). Is done.

  The command analysis unit 106 of the scanner 101 analyzes the command received by the USB I / F unit 110 (step S105-3), and returns a response to the command from the USB I / F unit 110 to the USB I / F unit 114 of the printer 102. (Step S105-4). If the response is Successful (step S105-5, Yes), it is determined that the process is successful, and the process proceeds to step S106. If the response fails (step S105-5, No), the process proceeds to step S119 described later and ends. . Upon receiving this command (startScan), the reading processing unit 104 of the scanner 101 starts the document reading control by operating the ADF 150 and temporarily stores the read scan data in the RAM of the memory unit 105.

  The Response Container Structure returned to the printer 102 at this time is composed of four codes (0 × 04, 0 × 02, 0 × 00, 0 × 00) as shown in FIG. As described above, the success byte (successful processing) is indicated by the code “0 × 00” in the third byte.

  The external unit control unit 116 notifies the recovery information generation unit 120 that the document reading control (scan start) is instructed to the external unit (step S106), and instructs the timer setting unit 119 to set the timer. The timer setting unit 119 sets a timer according to an instruction from the external unit control unit 116 (step S107), and the control unit 124 starts reading scan data (step S108).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of scan data reading processing performed in step S108, and FIG. 12D is an example of a communication sequence between the scanner 101 and the printer 102 performed by this flow. This corresponds to the sequence pattern shown in FIG. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11, the command generation unit 117 generates a command (readData) for reading scan data based on an instruction from the external unit control unit 116 (step S108-1). Under the control, the generated command (readData) is transmitted from the USB I / F unit 114 to the USB I / F unit 110 of the scanner 101 (step S108-2).

  At this time, the readData Command Container Structure transmitted to the scanner 101 is composed of four codes (0 × 04, 0 × 00, 0 × 05, 0 × 019000) as shown in FIG. However, the code “0 × 05” in the third byte from the list of FIG. 5A is a command code, and it is a command (readData) for reading scan data from the list of FIG. It is understood that the last code “0 × 019000” is a parameter from the list of FIG. 5A and 100 kbytes is specified as the data size at the time of reading from the list of FIG. 6B. The

  The command analysis unit 106 of the scanner 101 analyzes the command received by the USB I / F unit 110 (step S108-3), and returns a response to the command from the USB I / F unit 110 to the USB I / F unit 114 of the printer 102. (Step S108-4). If the response is Successful (step S108-5, Yes), it is determined that the process is successful, the process proceeds to step S108-6, reading of the scan data is started, and the read scan data is temporarily stored in the memory unit 115, and the response If the process fails (step S108-5, No), the process proceeds to step S119 described later and ends.

  At this time, the first response container structure sent back to the printer 102 is five codes (0 × 04, 0 × 02, 0 × 00, 0 × 00, 0) as shown in FIG. × 01), the code “0x00” in the third byte from the list of FIG. 5B is a response code indicating Successful (successful processing), and the last two codes “0x00, It is understood that “0 × 01” is a parameter, and it is understood from the list of FIG. 6B that this parameter answers “Busy state in the middle of the page”. Further, it is understood that image data scanned by the accompanying Data Container Structure is sent from the scanner 101 to the printer 102.

  As will be described later, since step S108 is a step that is repeatedly executed, FIG. 12D shows a sequence when the communication is repeatedly performed according to this step. In the last response example, Response is shown. In the example, Successful (successful processing), “end of page”, and “ready state” data are sent from the scanner 101 to the printer 102 by the Container Structure.

  The external unit control unit 116 checks the response to the command for reading the scan data, and indicates that the scan data sent this time is in the middle of all the data for one page (in the middle of the page) (FIG. 12 ( d)) (step S109, Yes), the timer setting unit 119 instructs the timer to be reset, and the timer setting unit 119 resets the currently set timer (step S110). The process proceeds to S107. That is, the external unit control unit 116 transmits a command (readData) for reading scan data to the scanner 101 while the scan data sent from the scanner 101 is still halfway data, and the scan sent from the scanner 101. Continue reading data.

  On the other hand, the external unit control unit 116 checks the response to the command for reading the scan data, and “end of page” indicating that the scan data sent this time is the last data of all the data (FIG. 12D). In the case of reference (step S109, No), the response is further checked to determine whether the scanner 101 is “Busy” or “Ready” (step S111). “Busy” indicates that the scanner is in a reading operation, and “Ready” indicates a state in which the scanner is not operating, that is, a state in which the next document can be read.

  When the scanner 101 is “Ready” (step S111, No), the process proceeds to step S120, where the same ADF presence / absence check is performed as in step S102, and when “ADF document exists” (step S121, Yes). Advances to step S105 to instruct the start of scanning, and thereafter repeats the scanning data reading operation described above. When “ADF original is not present” (step S121, No), the printing unit 122 stores it in the memory unit 115. Print the scanned data.

  On the other hand, if the scanner 101 is “Busy” in step S111 (step S111, Yes), the detection unit 118 determines whether the timer set in the timer setting unit 119 has timed out (step S112). If not detected (No at Step S112), the process returns to Step S111 to monitor the “Busy” state. That is, in steps S111 and S112, it is monitored whether or not the “Busy” state exceeds a predetermined time (timeout occurs).

  When a timeout is detected in step S112, the detection unit 118 notifies the recovery information generation unit 120 of this timeout detection (step S112, Yes), and the recovery information generation unit 120 receives the external information received from the external unit control unit 116. Recovery information is generated based on the unit instruction information (step S113). The control unit 124 displays the recovery information generated by the recovery information generation unit 120 on the LCD 165 (FIG. 3) of the operation panel 123 (step S114). FIG. 13 shows the display contents displayed at this time.

  FIG. 13A shows a display transition in a case where either a reset of a part of the device or a reset of the entire device can be selected and executed. FIG. 13B shows only a reset of the entire device. The display transitions when possible are shown.

  Here, a case where a partial reset of the apparatus (Continue) and a reset of the entire apparatus (Reset) can be selected, and the operator selects a partial reset of the apparatus will be described. In this case, first, the Scanner busy Timeout Error of FIG. 13A is displayed, and the operator presses the start button 161 (FIG. 3) of the operation panel 123 according to the displayed guide.

  As described above, when the start button 161 is pressed, the recovery processing unit 121 performs recovery based on the recovery information generated by the recovery information generation unit 120 (information indicating that partial reset of the device has been selected). Instructing (step S115), the recovery processing unit 121 performs recovery processing according to the recovery instruction (step S116).

  FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the recovery process performed in step S116. The recovery process will be further described based on this sequence diagram.

  As shown in the figure, first, the recovery processing unit 121 temporarily stops the external unit control unit 116 and causes the command generation unit 117 to generate a command for initial setting (Initializing). When the recovery instruction range is a part of the command parameter, a parameter value for initializing a part of the apparatus is set, and when the recovery instruction range is the whole, the entire apparatus is initialized. The parameter value is set and transmitted from the USB I / F unit 114 to the USB I / F unit 110 of the scanner 101.

  At this time, the Initializing Command Container Structure transmitted to the scanner 101 is composed of four codes (0 × 04, 0 × 00, 0 × 06, 0 × 01) as shown in FIG. From the list of FIG. 5A, it is understood that the code “0 × 06” in the third byte is a command code, and is a command (Initializing) for initialization (reset) from the list of FIG. Further, it is understood that the last code “0 × 01” is a parameter from the list of FIG. 5A and “initialize part of the device” is specified from the list of FIG. 6B. The

  The command analysis unit 106 of the scanner 101 analyzes the received command with reference to the current processing content managed by the state management unit 109 and instructs the reading processing unit 104 to perform recovery processing. The read processing unit 104 instructs the state management unit 109 to set the state to “Ready”, and the state management unit 109 receives this instruction and instructs the control unit 111 to reset. Upon receiving this reset instruction, the control unit 111 puts the scanner 101 into an idle state and notifies the state management unit 109 of “OK” for processing execution.

  This “OK” notification reaches the command analysis unit 106 via the state management unit 109 and the reading processing unit 104, and the command analysis unit 106 returns a response to the command (Initializing). In the response example at this time shown in the figure, the response container structure sends the data of Successful (successful processing) (because the response code of the third byte is “0 × 00”) from the scanner 101 to the printer 102. An example is shown. If the response of this command (Initializing) is Successful (successful processing), the recovery processing unit 121 of the printer 102 restarts the external unit control unit 116 that has been paused.

  When the above recovery processing in step S116 is completed, the recovery processing unit 121 determines whether or not the recovery processing has been successful (step S117), and if it is determined that the processing has been successful by Successful (step S117, Yes), reading is performed. Processing is continued (step S118). In this step S118, the response container structure (see FIG. 12D) sent from the scanner 101 is already in the “Ready state” data indicating the idle state, and the reading process is terminated. To the next step.

  Here, the processes from step S111 to step S117 will be described in summary. For example, when a problem occurs in the scanner 101 even if scanning of the scan data is finished and a part of the runaway occurs, the “Busy state” indicating that the scanner 101 is in operation by the Response Container Structure (see FIG. 12D). Data is sent continuously and times out. Since the scanner 101 is in an operating state due to runaway, the printer 102 transmits a command (Initializing) to the scanner 101 and instructs the scanner 101 to forcibly change the state of the scanner 101 from operating to idle. If the scanner 101 normally accepts this command (Initializing) and changes the status from operating to idle, it returns Successful (successful processing) to the printer 102 as a successful response, and the printer 102 resumes the reading sequence. Proceed to step S118.

  In order to continue the process, the process proceeds to step S107, and the reading process is continued until it is determined that the ADF document read in step S121 is completed. The number of pages displayed in (a) changes, and “Copy OK” is displayed in FIG. 13A in synchronization with the end of the printing process in step S122, and the screen changes to the initial screen two seconds later.

  On the other hand, if the recovery processing unit 121 determines that the recovery processing has failed in step S117 (No in step S117), the control unit 124 displays an appropriate error on the LCD 165 of the operation panel 123 (step S119) and ends.

  Although detailed explanation when the operator presses the stop button 162 (FIG. 3) to reset the entire apparatus according to the display contents of FIG. 13 displayed in step S114 is omitted, FIG. As shown in (b), the copy processing operation is canceled and the entire scanner 101 is reset, and then the screen is changed to the initial screen. Therefore, in this case, in order to resume copying, after selecting “Copy” on the initial screen, the start button is pressed, and the flow of FIG. 7 is executed again from the beginning.

  As described above, according to the composite apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, when the scanner runs away and does not operate, by resetting a part of the apparatus, the copying process is continued without starting again from the beginning. Therefore, it is possible to avoid repeating complicated operations such as resetting the environment, and to avoid wasting time.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 15 is a principal block diagram showing a principal part configuration of the composite apparatus according to the second embodiment based on the present invention. This multifunction device 200 is mainly different from the multifunction device 100 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 described above in that the external unit control unit 216, the determination unit 220, the recovery processing unit 221 and the detection unit 218 of the printer 202 are different. Content. Accordingly, in this composite apparatus 200, parts common to the composite apparatus 100 (FIG. 1) of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, or the description is omitted by omitting the drawings, focusing on the different points. Explained.

  As shown in the figure, the printer 202 includes a communication unit 113, a USB I / F unit 114, a memory unit 115, an external unit control unit 216, a command generation unit 117, a detection unit 218, a timer setting unit 119, a determination unit 220, a recovery unit. A processing unit 221, a printing unit 122, an operation panel 123, a control unit 124, and a common bus 125 are provided.

  The external unit control unit 216 has a function for instructing the command generation unit 217 to generate a command for controlling the scanner 101, and a function for instructing the timer setting unit 219 to set and reset the timer in synchronization with the timing. And a function of notifying the determination unit 220 of control information instructed to the scanner 101 and a function of notifying the determination unit 220 of the progress of the reading process. The detection unit 218 has a function of detecting that the timer set by the timer setting unit 119 has timed out and a function of notifying the determination unit 220 of the detection.

  The determination unit 220 manages the current processing state for each process, and, as shown in a state transition diagram of FIG. It has a function of judging and instructing the recovery processing unit 221 to perform the recovery processing if possible.

  FIG. 16 is a state transition diagram illustrating examples of state transitions based on determinations made according to various cases when the determination unit 220 receives a notification instructed by the external unit control unit 216 about a scan data reading start command. This state transition diagram will be described.

  First, in the initial state, upon receiving a notification from the external unit control unit 216 that a scan data reading start control command has been transmitted as an instruction to the external unit (here, the scanner 101), the state is changed to “Processing”.

  Next, in the “Processing” state, when all the data for one page has been read, the state transitions to “Ready state wait”, and when the external unit enters the Ready state, the state transitions to “Read end wait”. If an error occurs, the state transitions to [error state].

  When transitioning from the “Processing” state to the “Ready state waiting” state, when the external unit enters the Ready state, the state transitions to “end processing”. When a timeout occurs, the external unit notified from the external unit control unit 216 With reference to the control instruction information, since the process can be continued, the process proceeds to “reset process”, and when an error occurs, the state transitions to “error state”.

  When transitioning from the “Processing” state to the “Reading Waiting” state, the state transitions to “End Processing” when the reading is completed, and if timeout occurs, the processing cannot be continued, so the state is changed to “Error State”. If an error occurs, the state changes to “error state”.

  When the state transitions from the “Ready state wait” state to the “reset process”, the state transitions to the “end process” when the reset process ends, and the state transitions to the “error state” when an error occurs.

  When transitioning from each state to “end processing”, the state transition ends when the reading process ends, and when an error occurs, the state transitions to “error state”.

  When transitioning from each state to the “error state”, the state transition ends when the error is recovered.

  Accordingly, for example, the determination unit 220 can transition to the “reset process” state when a timeout occurs in the “ready state waiting” state, but can execute the “reset process” when the timeout occurs in the “reading completion” state. ”Indicates that it cannot transition to the state.

When receiving a recovery instruction from the operation panel 123, the recovery processing unit 221 has a function of performing a recovery process according to the recovery instruction. As the recovery process, the external unit control unit 216 is temporarily stopped, the command generation unit 117 generates an Initializing command, and the command parameter is
-If the range of the recovery instruction is a part, set the parameter value that initializes a part of the device,
-If the range of the recovery instruction is the whole, set a parameter value that initializes the entire device.
Furthermore, in addition to these processes, it has a function of executing a recovery process when receiving a recovery instruction from the determination unit 220.

  The printer 202 includes a communication unit 113, a USB I / F unit 114, a memory unit 115, a command generation unit 117, a timer setting unit 119, a printing unit 122, an operation panel 123, a control unit 124, a common bus 125, and the scanner 101. Since the first embodiment is the same, the description thereof is omitted here.

  FIGS. 17 and 18 are flowcharts showing the flow of operations performed by the composite apparatus 200 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration. An example of the operation of the composite apparatus 200 will be described below based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 17 and 18 with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 15 and the state transition diagram of FIG.

  The multifunction device 200 is set to start copying when the start button 161 on the operation panel 123 is pressed, and the copy setting at this time is set to a default value. Here, an example of operation in the case where one document conveyed by the ADF 150 runs away during reading and the reading processing unit 104 is restored is shown.

  The operations from step S201 when the start button 161 of the operation panel 123 is pressed by the operator to step S205 instructed to start scanning are the same as the operations from step S101 to step S105 described in the first embodiment. The description here is omitted.

  Thereafter, the external unit control unit 216 notifies the determination unit 220 that the reading has started, and the determination unit 220 changes the state to “Processing” (see FIG. 16), and the external unit control instruction Information is notified to the determination unit 220 (step S206). Thereafter, the external unit control unit 216 instructs the timer set by the timer setting unit 119 to reset, the timer setting unit 119 resets the timer currently set (step S207), and the timer setting unit 119 Then, a timer is set according to an instruction from the external unit control unit 116 (step S208), and the control unit 124 starts reading scan data (step S209).

The external unit control unit 216 checks the response to the command for reading the scan data, and indicates that the scan data sent this time is in the middle of all the data “in the middle of the page” (see FIG. 12D). In this case (step S210, Yes), the read scan data size is checked. If the size is not zero (step S211, No), the command response for reading the scan data is further checked, and the scanner 101 is “Busy”. Or “Ready” (step S213). If the scanner 101 is “Busy” (step S213, Yes), the process returns to step S207.
Note that “Busy” indicates that the scanner 101 is performing a reading operation, and “Ready” indicates a state where the scanner 101 is not operating, that is, a state where the next document can be read.

  That is, the external unit control unit 116 is a command (readData) for reading scan data while the scan data sent from the scanner 101 is still halfway data, the data size is not zero, and the scanner 101 is “Busy”. ) To the scanner 101, and continues to read the scan data sent from the scanner 101.

  In step S210 of the scan data reading process, the external unit control unit 216 indicates that the response to the command for reading the scan data indicates that the scan data sent this time is the last data of all the data. "(See step S210, No), the determination unit 220 is notified that the reading has been completed, and the state of the determination unit 220 is changed to" Waiting for Ready state "(step S210). S214). The external unit control unit 216 further checks the response to determine whether the scanner 101 is “Busy” or “Ready” (step S215).

  When the scanner 101 is “Ready” (step S215, No), the external unit control unit 216 instructs the timer set by the timer setting unit 219 to reset, and the timer setting unit 219 sets the current setting. The timer is reset (step S233), the state of the determination unit 220 is changed to “end processing” (step S234), and the control unit 224 ends the current processing.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S235, and the same ADF document presence check as in step S102 (FIG. 7) is performed. If “ADF document exists” (step S236, Yes), the process proceeds to step S205, and the above-described scan starts. After that, the scan data reading operation described above is repeated, and when “no ADF document” (step S236, No), the printing unit 122 prints the scan data stored in the memory unit 115 (step S237).

  On the other hand, if the scanner 101 is “Busy” in step S215 (step S215, Yes), it is determined whether or not the timer set by the timer setting unit 119 has timed out by the detection unit 118 (step S216). If not detected (No in step S216), the process returns to step S215 to monitor the “Busy” state. That is, in steps S215 and S216, it is monitored whether or not the “Busy” state exceeds a predetermined time (timeout occurs).

  When a timeout is detected in step S216, the determination unit 220 is notified that the timeout has been detected (step S216, Yes), and the process proceeds to step S224 (FIG. 18).

  When the checked scan data size is zero in step S211 in the scan data reading process in steps S207 to S213 described above (step S211, Yes), the external unit control unit 216 uses the timer setting unit 119 to detect the scan data size. It is determined whether or not the set timer has timed out (step S212). If no time-out is detected (No in step S212), the process returns to step S209 and reading of scan data is repeated. That is, in steps S211 and S212, it is monitored whether or not the scan data size in the scan data reading process in steps S209 to S213 exceeds a predetermined time (timeout occurs). If a timeout has occurred here, the process proceeds to step S224 (FIG. 18).

  Furthermore, the external unit control unit 216 determines that the scanner 101 is “Ready” in the command response for reading the scanned scan data in step S213 in the scan data reading process in steps S207 to S213 described above (step S213). In step S212, Yes, the determination unit 220 sets the state to “waiting for reading completion”, and resets the timer (step S218), sets the timer (step S219), and starts reading scan data, similar to steps S207 to S209 described above. (Step S219) is executed.

  The external unit control unit 216 checks the response to the command for reading the scan data, and indicates that the scan data sent this time is in the middle of all the data “in the middle of the page” (see FIG. 12D). In this case (step S221, Yes), the read scan data size is checked. If the size is not zero (step S222, No), the process returns to step S218.

  That is, the external unit control unit 116 transmits a command (readData) for reading scan data to the scanner 101 while the scan data sent from the scanner 101 is still halfway data and the data size is not zero. Continue reading scan data sent from the scanner 101.

  In step S221 of the scan data reading process, the external unit control unit 216 indicates that the response to the command for reading the scan data indicates that the scan data sent this time is the last data of all the data. ”(See FIG. 12D) (step S221, No), the determination unit 220 is notified that the reading has been completed, the process proceeds to step S233, and the processes in steps S233 to 237 described above are executed. To do.

  When the checked scan data size is zero in step S223 in the scan data reading process in steps S218 to S223 described above (step S222, Yes), the external unit control unit 216 uses the timer setting unit 119 to detect the scan data size. It is determined whether or not the set timer has timed out (step S223). If no time-out is detected (step S223, No), the process returns to step S220, and reading of scan data is repeated. That is, in steps S222 and S223, it is monitored whether or not the scan data size in the scan data reading process in steps S220 to S223 exceeds the predetermined time (timeout occurs). If a timeout has occurred here, the process proceeds to step S224 (FIG. 18).

  In step S224, the determination unit 220 determines, based on the external unit control instruction information received from the external unit control unit 216, whether the current process can be continued according to the flow of the state transition diagram of FIG. For example, if the determination unit 220 is placed in the “reading completion wait” state in step S217 described above and the zero state of the read data size continues for a predetermined time or more, it is determined that the processing cannot be continued, while the determination unit When the “Ready” state 220 is set to the “Ready” state in step S214 described above and the “Busy” state of the scanner 101 continues for a predetermined time or more, it is determined that the processing can be continued according to the state transition diagram of FIG.

  Here, the case where it is determined in step S224 that processing cannot be continued will be further described. In this example, the printer 202 is reading the scan data stored in the memory unit 105 of the scanner 101 into the memory unit 115 of the printer in a state where the reading operation in which the scanner 101 is in the Ready state is completed. Further, this corresponds to a case where a time-out occurs after a problem has occurred and the size of the data being read is zero (the data is not being read). In this case, since the scanner 101 is already in the Ready state and ends the reading operation and only returns a response to the command (readData), it cannot be partly reset, so that the processing cannot be continued. Judge that it is possible.

  As described above, the determination unit 220 determines whether or not the current process can be continued. If it is possible (step S224, Yes), the state is changed to “reset process” and the current process is continued. Therefore, the recovery processing unit 221 is instructed to perform the recovery process (step S225), and the process proceeds to step S226 to execute the recovery process. Note that the recovery process in step S226 is the same as the recovery process in step S116 described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted here.

  When the recovery process described above in step S226 ends, the recovery processing unit 221 determines whether the recovery process is successful (step S227), and determines that the process is successful by Successful as in the case of step S117 described above. In the case (step S227, Yes), the processing is continued (step S228).

  In order to continue the process, the process proceeds to step S207, and the reading process is continued until it is determined in step S236 that the ADF document to be read is finished. In this period, the reading process is synchronized with the number of read pages. The number of pages displayed in (a) changes, and “Copy OK” is displayed in FIG. 13A in synchronization with the end of the printing process in step S237, and the screen changes to the initial screen two seconds later.

  When the recovery processing unit 221 determines that the recovery processing has failed in step S227 (No in step S227), the control unit 124 displays an appropriate error on the LCD 165 (FIG. 2) of the operation panel 123 (step S232).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S224 that the current process cannot be continued (No in step S224), the determination unit 220 displays a time-out error on the LCD 165 of the operation panel 123 (step S229). When the stop button 162 (FIG. 3) on the panel 223 is pressed (step S230), a recovery process (step S231) is executed. Note that the timeout error display (step S229) here is the same as the operation of step S114 described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In step S231, the following recovery process is executed.
1. The recovery processing unit 221 causes the command generation unit 117 to generate a command (Initializing), and sets a parameter for initializing the entire apparatus as a parameter of the command.
2. The recovery processing unit 221 transmits a command (Initializing) to the scanner 101.
3. The command analysis unit 106 analyzes the command and instructs the control unit 111 to reset.
4). The control unit 111 performs initialization.
5). If the response of the command (Initializing) is Successful (successful processing), the recovery processing unit 221 initializes the control unit 124.

  If the operator presses the stop button 162 (FIG. 3) to reset the entire apparatus according to the display contents of FIG. 13 displayed in step S229, the process is shown in FIG. 13 (b). As shown, after the copy processing operation is canceled and the entire scanner 101 is reset, the screen changes to the initial screen. Therefore, in this case, in order to resume copying, after selecting “Copy” on the initial screen, the start button is pressed, and the flow of FIG. 17 is executed again from the beginning.

  As described above, according to the composite apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment described above, when the scanner runs away and does not operate, a part of the apparatus is reset. Since the copying process can be continued without starting again from the beginning, it is possible to avoid repeated complicated operations such as resetting the environment, and to avoid wasting time. Further, when the process can be continued, the resetting is executed by the apparatus itself, so that an operation for continuation by the operator can be made unnecessary.

  In the present embodiment, when it is determined in step S224 that the current process can be continued, the reset process for continuation is automatically executed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As in the case of the first embodiment described above, the time-out display in FIG. 13A may be performed, and the operator may select whether to continue the process or reset the entire apparatus. Of course.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where a printer and a scanner are combined has been described as an example. However, the present invention is a combination of a printer and an option such as a finisher attached thereto, and further includes a computer main body and peripheral devices such as a keyboard. It can also be applied to combinations.

It is a principal part block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the composite apparatus of Embodiment 1 based on this invention. It is a principal part block diagram which shows the principal part structure of ADF which belongs to a reading process part. It is an external view of an operation panel. (A), (b), (c) is a sequence diagram showing three sequence patterns determined by the type of command generated by the command generation unit. (A) shows the configuration of the Command Container Structure, (b) shows the configuration of the Response Container Structure, and (c) shows the configuration of the Data Container Structure. (A) is a list of scanner control commands, and (b) is a diagram for explaining the contents of parameters and data. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations executed by the composite apparatus of the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations executed by the composite apparatus of the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations executed by the composite apparatus of the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations executed by the composite apparatus of the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations executed by the composite apparatus of the first embodiment. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of Container Structure communicated between a scanner and a printer in the composite apparatus of Embodiment 1. FIG. (A) is a figure which shows the transition of the display when it can select and implement either the reset of a part of apparatus and the reset of the whole apparatus, (b) can implement only the reset of the whole apparatus It is a figure which shows the transition of the display in a case. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of recovery processing performed in step S116 of the flowchart of FIG. It is a principal part block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the compound apparatus of Embodiment 2 based on this invention. FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram illustrating an example of state transition based on a determination performed according to various cases when the determination unit of the multifunction apparatus according to the second embodiment receives a notification instructed by a command to start reading scan data from the external unit control unit. . 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations executed by the composite apparatus of the second embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations executed by the composite apparatus of the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100 MFP, 101 Scanner, 102 Printer, 103 USB, 104 Reading Processing Unit, 105 Memory Unit, 106 Command Analysis Unit, 107 Power Save Processing Unit, 108 ADF Document Ejecting Processing Unit, 109 Status Management Unit, 110 USB I / F Unit , 111 control unit, 112 common bus, 113 communication unit, 114 USB I / F unit, 115 memory unit, 116 external unit control unit, 117 command generation unit, 118 detection unit, 119 timer setting unit, 120 recovery information generation unit, 121 Recovery processing unit, 122 printing unit, 123 operation panel, 124 control unit, 125 common bus, 150 ADF, 151 pickup roller, 152 scan roller, 153 document discharge roller, 154 document sensor, 155 scan center 156 scan line, 161 start button, 162 stop button, 163 menu button, 164 cross button, 165 LCD, 200 multifunction device, 202 printer, 216 external unit control unit, 218 detection unit, 220 determination unit, 221 recovery processing unit .

Claims (8)

A multi-function device comprising a plurality of functional units,
A detection unit for detecting an abnormality of each of the plurality of functional units;
A recovery information generator for generating recovery information for each of the abnormalities;
A display unit for displaying the recovery information;
An input unit for inputting a recovery instruction based on the recovery information;
And a recovery processing unit that performs recovery processing of any of the plurality of functional units in accordance with the input recovery instruction.   The composite apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recovery information is recovery information for an abnormality in which processing can be continued by resetting a part of the functional unit.   The composite apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the functional unit is a printing unit and a reading unit configured separately, and the printing unit gives a control instruction to the reading unit.   The detection unit, the recovery information generation unit, the display unit, the input unit, and the recovery processing unit are provided in the printing unit, and perform recovery processing for an abnormality that has occurred in the reading unit. 3. The composite device according to 3. A multi-function device comprising a plurality of functional units,
A detection unit for detecting an abnormality of each of the plurality of functional units;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the current process can be continued if an abnormality is detected by the detection unit;
A composite apparatus, comprising: a recovery processing unit that performs recovery processing of the functional unit in which an abnormality is detected when the determination unit determines that processing can be continued.   The composite apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the functional unit is a printing unit and a reading unit configured separately, and the printing unit gives a control instruction to the reading unit.   The composite apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the detection unit, the determination unit, and the restoration processing unit are provided in the printing unit and perform restoration processing for an abnormality that has occurred in the reading unit.   The composite apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control instruction is performed by command communication.

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