JP2012003506A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus capable of acquiring state information indicating a state of each part of the apparatus, the state information which has been stored in the apparatus during operation of the apparatus under CPU control even when the CPU is not operating.SOLUTION: A Multi-function apparatus includes main CPU 11 and sub-CPU 12. The main CPU 11 controls the operation of each part of the multi-function apparatus, sequentially generates data such as operation log data indicating an operation history of each part and stores the data in non-volatile memory 15 when the multi-function apparatus 10 is operating. When the multi-function apparatus 10 receives a log acquisition request packet from an administrator terminal 40, the sub CPU 12 reads and acquires log data from the non-volatile memory 15, and transmits it to the administrator terminal 40. If the multi-function apparatus 10 stops abnormally due to hang-up of the main CPU 11, log data stored in the compound machine 10 can be acquired by the administrator terminal 40 by transmission of a log acquisition request packet from the administrator terminal 40 to the multi-function apparatus 10.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that stores information used for analyzing the cause of a system failure in the apparatus.

  In general, in image processing devices such as copiers and multifunction devices, when a failure or abnormality occurs, it is necessary to identify the kind of operation during which the failure occurred or from which point the abnormality occurred. , Continuously record the operation log. Furthermore, by recording more log data such as operation logs and job logs, it is also possible to easily analyze the cause of a system failure due to a failure or abnormality. This log data is usually stored in a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk device or a nonvolatile memory. Further, for analyzing the cause of a system failure, a memory dump that stores data on a volatile memory at the time of the failure as a file (dump file) in a nonvolatile storage device is also used. In general, a central processing unit (CPU) executes a control program (such as an OS program or a firmware program) to control each unit of the apparatus, and records log data or performs memory dump.

  On the other hand, with regard to log data, a technique has been devised so that log data stored in the apparatus can be easily acquired by a maintenance person of the apparatus. For example, in an information processing apparatus including a CPU and an SVP (service processor), when the OS is down while the OS (operating system) is being executed by the CPU, the OS on the CPU is logged in an error log (OS down information and peripheral devices). Error information) is stored in the communication area with the SVP, and the occurrence of a failure is notified to the SVP. When the SVP receives a failure notification from the OS on the CPU, the SVP reads the error log stored in the communication area, stores it in the disk, connects the line to the maintenance center that is the report destination, and the error log from the disk. Is automatically transmitted to the maintenance center. Thereby, the maintenance person of the information processing apparatus in the maintenance center can easily acquire the error log (see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-5-173849

  When the OS is down while the OS is running, the OS on the CPU stores the error log or reports the failure to the SVP. When the CPU hangs up, the error log is stored or stored in the SVP. There is a problem that it is impossible to report the failure and the error log cannot be acquired. Further, since the OS itself stores the error log and reports the occurrence of a failure, it is necessary to customize the function to be added to the OS.

  Also, in the conventional configuration in which the CPU records log data and performs memory dump, if the CPU hangs up due to a control program failure or the like, the log data stored in the nonvolatile storage device or the data on the volatile memory is also stored. May not be able to get. In other words, the CPU accesses the hard disk device or the non-volatile memory in which the log data is stored via the control program. However, if the control program fails, the CPU does not operate even if the device is restarted. When the control program is executed, it may hang up again and the nonvolatile storage device cannot be accessed. In addition, when the CPU hangs up, the power of the apparatus must be turned off once, so the data on the volatile memory is erased and cannot be acquired.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above problem, and obtains status information indicating the status of each part of the device stored in the device during the operation of the device under the control of the CPU even when the operation of the CPU is stopped. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that can perform the above processing.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] An input unit for inputting image data;
A processing unit for processing image data input from the input unit;
A storage unit;
A first CPU that controls operation of each unit of the image processing apparatus including the processing unit and stores state information indicating a state of each unit of the image processing apparatus in the storage unit during operation of the image processing apparatus; ,
A communication unit that communicates with an external device;
A second CPU that reads the state information from the storage unit and outputs the state information to an external device through the communication unit;
An image processing apparatus.

  In the above invention, the first CPU controls the operation of each unit of the image processing apparatus including the processing unit, and causes the processing unit to process the image data input from the input unit. Further, status information indicating the status of each part of the apparatus is stored in the storage unit during the operation of the apparatus. The second CPU reads the state information from the storage unit and outputs it to the external device through the communication unit.

  Thus, since the second CPU operates independently of the first CPU and outputs the state information stored in the device to the external device, even if the operation of the first CPU is stopped, Can be acquired by an external device.

[2] The second CPU monitors the operation of the first CPU, and performs the output when detecting that the operation of the first CPU has stopped abnormally. [1] An image processing apparatus according to 1.

  In the above invention, the second CPU monitors the operation of the first CPU, and when detecting that the operation of the first CPU has stopped abnormally, reads the status information from the storage unit and outputs it to the external device. Thereby, when the operation of the first CPU is abnormally stopped, the state information stored in the device can be quickly output to the external device.

[3] The image processing apparatus according to [2] or [3], wherein the second CPU performs the output when receiving a status information acquisition request from the external device through the communication unit.

  In the above invention, when the second CPU receives the status information acquisition request from the external device, the second CPU outputs the status information stored in the device to the external device. Thus, by transmitting a status information acquisition request from the external device to the image processing device, the status information stored in the image processing device is externally transmitted regardless of whether or not the first CPU is in the operation stop state. It can be acquired by the device.

[4] The image processing device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the storage unit includes a volatile memory.

  In the above-described invention, it is also possible to acquire the state information stored in the volatile memory in which the stored contents are erased when the power of the image processing apparatus is turned off.

[5] The image according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the first CPU instructs the second CPU to store the state information in the storage unit. Processing equipment.

  In the above invention, the first CPU instructs the second CPU to store the state information in the storage unit. Thereby, compared with the case where 1st CPU memorize | stores status information directly in a memory | storage part, the processing load concerning 1st CPU can be reduced.

[6] The image according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the first CPU stores the state information in the storage unit without going through the second CPU. Processing equipment.

  In the said invention, 1st CPU memorize | stores state information in a memory | storage part directly not via 2nd CPU. As a result, the processing load on the second CPU can be reduced.

[7] The state information includes at least one of log data and control data that is temporarily stored and sequentially updated to control each unit of the image processing apparatus. 6]. The image processing apparatus according to any one of [6].

  In the above invention, when the operation of the first CPU is abnormally stopped, log data and control data stored in the apparatus (control data that is temporarily stored and sequentially updated to control each unit of the image processing apparatus) ) Can be acquired by an external device. For example, by analyzing log data, it is possible to grasp the operating status of each part of the image processing apparatus immediately before the operation of the first CPU abnormally stops. By analyzing the control data, it is possible to grasp the control situation immediately before the operation of the first CPU stops abnormally. This facilitates analysis of the cause of the failure (operational abnormal stop) that has occurred in the first CPU.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, state information indicating the state of each part of the apparatus stored in the apparatus during the operation of the apparatus under the control of the CPU (first CPU) is acquired even when the operation of the CPU is stopped. be able to. Therefore, when a failure occurs that causes the CPU operation to stop abnormally, it is possible to easily analyze the cause of the failure based on the state information acquired from within the apparatus.

It is a system configuration figure showing the composition of the system concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure of a log acquisition request packet. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exchange (at normal time) related to acquisition of status information (log data and the like) between the main CPU and sub CPU of the multifunction peripheral and an administrator terminal. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exchange (at the time of abnormality) related to acquisition of status information (log data and the like) between the main CPU and sub CPU of the multifunction peripheral and an administrator terminal. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a data flow when outputting status information (such as log data) stored in the MFP to an administrator terminal. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sub CPU according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary (at the time of abnormality) regarding the exchange which concerns on the log acquisition of the main CPU and sub CPU of an MFP concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and an administrator terminal. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the sub CPU which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This system is configured by connecting a multifunction machine 10 as an image processing apparatus, a user terminal 30, and an administrator terminal 40 to a network 2 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) provided in an office or the like.

  The user terminal 30 has a function of sending a job such as a scan job or a print job to the multifunction device 10 and requesting the execution thereof. The user terminal 30 includes an OS program, a driver program for the multifunction machine 10, a PC (personal computer) in which an application program for creating and editing documents and images is installed. Various requests to the multifunction device 10 such as transmission and execution requests for scan jobs and print jobs are made by a driver program for the multifunction device 10.

  The administrator terminal 40 is composed of a PC or the like, and has a function of acquiring log data, control data, and the like from the multifunction machine 10. These pieces of data acquired from the multifunction device 10 are “status information” indicating the state of each part of the multifunction device 10 and are used for cause analysis when a failure or abnormality occurs in the multifunction device 10. The administrator terminal 40 transmits a status information acquisition request (log acquisition request packet) to the multi-function peripheral 10 and receives status information from the multi-function peripheral 10 as a response to the status information acquisition request (log acquisition request packet).

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the multifunction machine 10. The multifunction device 10 optically reads an image of a document, prints a duplicate image on a recording sheet, and outputs it. The multifunction device 10 stores the image data of the read document as a file or transmits it to the user terminal 30. A scanning function, a printer function for printing an image based on print data received from the user terminal 30 and an image based on image data stored in the multifunction machine 10 on a recording sheet, and a facsimile function are provided.

  The multifunction machine 10 is a dual processor system (multiprocessor system) having two CPUs that operate independently. The multifunction machine 10 controls the operation of each part of the multifunction machine 10 and also displays status information indicating the state of each part. A main CPU that stores data in the storage unit during operation of the multifunction machine 10 and a sub CPU that reads status information from the storage unit and outputs the status information to the administrator terminal 40 are provided. The main CPU is based on an OS program, on which middleware, application programs, firmware programs, and the like are executed. The sub CPU is a CPU that has a smaller processing capacity and lower power consumption than the main CPU.

  The multifunction machine 10 includes a main CPU 11, a sub CPU 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14, a nonvolatile memory 15, a hard disk device 16, a display unit 17, and an operation unit 18. The facsimile communication unit 19, the network communication unit 20, the image processing unit 21, the scanner unit 22, and the printer unit 23 are connected to a bus 24.

  The main CPU 11 controls the operation of the multifunction machine 10 according to a program (firmware program) stored in the ROM 13. The sub CPU 12 outputs status information such as log data and control data to the administrator terminal 40 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 13.

  The ROM 13 stores a program (firmware program) executed by the main CPU 11, a program executed by the sub CPU 12, various fixed data, and the like. The RAM 14 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the main CPU 11 and the sub CPU 12 execute programs, and is also used for an image memory for temporarily storing image data.

  The nonvolatile memory 15 is a rewritable memory that retains memory even when the power is turned off. The nonvolatile memory 15 stores device-specific information and various setting information. The hard disk device 16 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device that stores an OS program, application programs, various types of saved data, as well as print data and image data.

  The display unit 17 is configured by a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various screens such as a standby screen, an operation screen, and a setting screen. The operation unit 18 includes various buttons such as a start button, a stop button, and a numeric keypad, and a touch panel that is provided on the surface of the liquid crystal display and detects a pressed coordinate position. Accepts various operations to be performed.

  The facsimile communication unit 19 transmits / receives image data to / from an external apparatus having a facsimile function through a public line. The network communication unit 20 communicates with the user terminal 30 and the administrator terminal 40 through the network 2.

  The image processing unit 21 performs various kinds of image processing such as image correction, rotation, enlargement / reduction, compression / expansion on the image data.

  The scanner unit 22 optically reads an image of a document and acquires image data. The scanner unit 22 sequentially moves, for example, a light source that irradiates light on a document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light for one line in the width direction, and a line-by-line reading position in the length direction of the document. An optical system composed of a lens, a mirror, and the like for guiding the reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, a conversion unit for converting the analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data, etc. It is configured with.

  The printer unit 23 forms and outputs an image based on the image data on a recording sheet by an electrophotographic process. The printer unit 23 includes, for example, a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an LD (Laser Diode) that is controlled to be turned on according to input image data, and laser light emitted from the LD. It is configured as a so-called laser printer having a scanning unit that scans on a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a transfer separating device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device. Instead of an LED printer that irradiates a photosensitive drum with an LED (Light Emitting Diode) instead of a laser beam, other types of printers may be used.

  The main CPU 11 sequentially generates operation log data indicating the operation history (operation status) of each unit of the multifunction device 10 during the operation of the multifunction device 10. When an operation on the operation unit 18 is received, operation log data indicating the operation history is generated. When a job is executed, job log data indicating the job history is generated. When the multifunction machine 10 has a user authentication function, user management log data (user management information) indicating a log-in / log-out history of the user is generated. Then, the main CPU 11 sequentially stores the generated log data in the nonvolatile memory 15. The log data is sequentially added to and accumulated (saved) in the nonvolatile memory 15. The log data may be stored / saved in the hard disk device 16.

  Further, the main CPU 11 may directly store the log data in the nonvolatile memory 15 (not via the sub CPU 12), or instruct the sub CPU 12 to store the log data in the nonvolatile memory 15. Also good. For example, the former configuration may be used when storing in a storage area accessible by itself, and the latter configuration may be used when storing in a storage area accessible only by the sub CPU 12.

  The status information output from the multifunction machine 10 to the administrator terminal 40 includes control data in addition to the log data stored in the nonvolatile memory 15 described above. When the main CPU 11 executes the firmware program to control the operation of the multifunction device 10, the control data is temporarily stored in the RAM 14 and sequentially updated (memory data), and temporarily stored in the register of the main CPU 11 and sequentially updated. Data (register data). When image data is temporarily stored in the RAM 14, the image data on the RAM 14 may be included in the status information output to the administrator terminal 40.

  The sub CPU 12 operates independently of the main CPU 11 without depending on the OS program or the firmware program executed by the main CPU 11, and the sub CPU 12 is operating even in the power state where the operation of the main CPU 11 or the power supply is stopped. . Here, the sub CPU 12 has a function of accessing the register of the main CPU 11, the RAM 14, the nonvolatile memory 15, and the hard disk device 16 in an operating state, and a function of communicating with an external device from the network communication unit 20 through the network 2 by a specific protocol. It has. That is, the network communication unit 20 is routed by the sub CPU 12 and can communicate with an external device such as the administrator terminal 40 through the network 2 without depending on the OS program or the firmware program.

  For example, even when the MFP 10 shifts to a power saving state or the like, the main CPU 11 stops operating, or the firmware program is dropped, the sub CPU 12 is energized in the power-on state, and the sub CPU 12 Are accessed from the network communication unit 20 through the network 2 using a specific protocol.

  In this embodiment, when the MFP 10 receives a log acquisition request packet from the administrator terminal 40, the sub CPU 12 reads status information (log data, control data) from the registers of the nonvolatile memory 15, the RAM 14, and the main CPU 11 to manage the administrator. Output to the terminal 40.

  FIG. 3 shows the data structure of the log acquisition request packet 50 transmitted from the administrator terminal 40 to the multifunction machine 10.

  The log acquisition request packet 50 includes an IP (Internet Protocol) address of the transmission source (administrator terminal 40), an IP address of the transmission destination (multifunction device 10), an administrator account and password of the multifunction device 10, and log data. An acquisition request command is written. The log data acquisition request command is a unique command name such as “GetStorageData” as shown in the figure.

  Next, the operation of the multifunction machine 10 will be described.

  4 and 5 show the exchange (normal / abnormal) related to the acquisition of the status information performed between the main CPU 11 and sub CPU 12 of the multifunction machine 10 and the administrator terminal 40. FIG. In these figures, the status information is expressed as “log data”. FIG. 6 shows a data flow when outputting status information such as log data and control data stored in the MFP 10 to the administrator terminal 40.

  When the MFP 10 is turned on and started up, the main CPU 11 executes a firmware program to control the operation of the MFP 10. In the control, the main CPU 11 temporarily stores the data related to the control in an internal register or the RAM 14 and updates it sequentially. During the operation of the multifunction machine 10, log data such as operation log data, operation log data, and job log data is sequentially generated and stored in the nonvolatile memory 15 sequentially. The log data is sequentially added to the nonvolatile memory 15 and stored (stored) (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

  For example, upon receiving a predetermined operation, the administrator terminal 40 transmits a log acquisition request packet to the multifunction machine 10.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the multifunction device 10, the sub CPU 12 first analyzes a packet received by the network communication unit 20. If it is determined as a result of the analysis that the packet is based on a specific protocol, the sub CPU 12 executes a command written in the data portion of the packet. When the log acquisition request packet is received (see FIG. 3), the administrator account and password written in the data part are authenticated, and a command such as “GetStorageData” is executed.

  Here, the sub CPU 12 reads and acquires data (register data) from the register of the main CPU 11. Data (memory data) is read and acquired from the RAM 14 (volatile memory). Log data is read from the nonvolatile memory 15 and acquired. Based on the IP address of the transmission source written in the log acquisition request packet, communication is performed with the administrator terminal 40, and the acquired data (status information) is transmitted to the administrator terminal 40.

  As a result, even if the MFP 10 shifts to a power saving state or the like and the main CPU 11 stops operating, or the main CPU 11 hangs up (see FIG. 5), the operation is abnormally stopped due to a firmware program failure. (See FIG. 6), the sub CPU 12 analyzes the packet received by the network communication unit 20, and if it is a log acquisition request packet from the administrator terminal 40, responds to the request, The data (status information) stored in each storage unit can be transmitted to the administrator terminal 40.

  FIG. 7 shows an operation flow of the sub CPU 12.

  When the multifunction device 10 is turned on and started up, the sub CPU 12 starts this operation (Start). The sub CPU 12 monitors whether or not the multifunction machine 10 shifts to the power-off state (step S101; No). When the network communication unit 20 receives the packet, the packet is analyzed to determine whether it is a log acquisition request packet (step S102; No).

  When the log acquisition request packet is received (step S102; Yes), the sub CPU 12 reads and acquires data from the register of the main CPU 11, the RAM 14, and the nonvolatile memory 15 (step S103), and acquires the acquired data as a log. The request packet is transmitted to the administrator terminal 40 that is the transmission source of the request packet (step S104). Thereafter, step S101 and subsequent steps are repeated. Further, as the multifunction device 10 shifts to the power-off state (step S101; Yes), the sub CPU 12 ends this operation (End).

  As described above, in the MFP 10 according to the present embodiment, the sub CPU 12 operates independently of the main CPU 11 and outputs status information such as log data and control data stored in the apparatus to the administrator terminal 40. Therefore, even if the operation of the main CPU 11 is abnormally stopped, the state information stored in the apparatus can be acquired by the administrator terminal 40. In particular, in the present embodiment, by sending a log acquisition request packet from the administrator terminal 40 to the multifunction device 10 before turning off the multifunction device 10, the data in the RAM 14 and the main CPU 11 that are deleted when the power is turned off. The data in the registers can also be obtained.

  Thereby, for example, a serviceman or the like can analyze the log data (operation log data) to grasp the operation status of each unit of the multifunction machine 10 immediately before the operation of the main CPU 11 abnormally stops. Furthermore, by analyzing the data in the RAM 14 and the data in the register of the main CPU 11, it is possible to grasp in detail the control status immediately before the operation of the main CPU 11 is abnormally stopped. This facilitates the cause analysis of a failure (abnormal operation stop) that has occurred in the main CPU 11.

  In addition, since this function can be realized without special customization of the OS program, it can be easily installed.

  Further, if the main CPU 11 instructs the sub CPU 12 to store the log data in the nonvolatile memory 15, the processing load on the main CPU 11 is reduced as compared with the case where the main CPU 11 stores the log data directly. be able to. On the contrary, if the main CPU 11 directly stores the log data in the nonvolatile memory 15, the processing load on the sub CPU 12 can be reduced.

  Note that volatile data stored in the RAM 14 or the register of the main CPU 11 may be subjected to a memory dump that is stored as a dump file in the nonvolatile memory 15 (or the hard disk device 16). The memory dump may be performed by the main CPU 11 or the sub CPU 12. In this case, the dump file is also included in the status information.

  Thus, even if the multifunction device 10 is turned off and the volatile data is erased before the log acquisition request packet is transmitted from the administrator terminal 40 to the multifunction device 10, the multifunction device 10 is restarted and the sub CPU 12 is restarted. If the log acquisition request packet is transmitted from the administrator terminal 40 to the multi-function device 10 in a state where is operated, the sub CPU 12 reads out the dump file stored in the nonvolatile memory 15 (or the hard disk device 16), and the administrator terminal The dump file can be acquired by the administrator terminal 40.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, when a failure occurs in the main CPU 11 of the multifunction machine 10 and the operation is abnormally stopped, a log acquisition request packet is transmitted from the administrator terminal 40 and before the status information is obtained from the multifunction machine 10. In addition, when the MFP 10 is turned off, the data in the RAM 14 and the data in the register of the main CPU 11 are erased. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a case where an abnormal stop of the main CPU 11 is detected and volatile data is quickly acquired will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an overview (at the time of abnormality) of exchanges related to log acquisition between the main CPU 11 and the sub CPU 12 and the administrator terminal 40 of the multifunction peripheral 10 according to the second embodiment. Here, when the sub CPU 12 monitors the operation of the main CPU 11 and detects that the operation of the main CPU 11 has stopped abnormally, log data and volatile data are automatically output to the administrator terminal 40. Note that the IP address of the administrator terminal 40 that is the data output destination is set in the multifunction machine 10 in advance.

  In this embodiment, when the MFP 10 is turned on and started, the main CPU 11 executes a firmware program to control the operation of the MFP 10. During the operation of the multifunction machine 10, log data is sequentially generated and stored in the nonvolatile memory 15 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Further, the main CPU 11 activates a predetermined application program and transmits a signal to the sub CPU 12 at regular intervals according to the application program. Further, when the application program is stopped due to the hang-up of the main CPU 11 or the like, signal transmission from the main CPU 11 to the sub CPU 12 is stopped.

  The sub CPU 12 determines that the main CPU 11 is operating normally while receiving signals from the main CPU 11 at regular intervals. When the signal from the main CPU 11 is interrupted, it is determined that the main CPU 11 has stopped abnormally. After this determination, log data and volatile data are immediately acquired and output to the administrator terminal 40.

  FIG. 9 shows a flow of operations of the sub CPU 12 according to the present embodiment.

  When the multifunction device 10 is turned on and started up, the sub CPU 12 starts this operation (Start). The sub CPU 12 monitors whether or not the multifunction machine 10 shifts to the power-off state (step S201). Further, it is monitored whether or not a signal is received from the main CPU 11 (step S202). When the network communication unit 20 receives the packet, the packet is analyzed to determine whether it is a log acquisition request packet (step S203). Steps S201 to S203 are repeated (Step S201; No → Step S202; Yes → Step S202; No → Step S201).

  When the log acquisition request packet is received (step S203; Yes), the sub CPU 12 reads and acquires data from the register of the main CPU 11, the RAM 14, and the nonvolatile memory 15 (step S204), and acquires the acquired data as a log. The request packet is transmitted to the administrator terminal 40 which is the transmission source (step S205). Thereafter, step S201 and subsequent steps are repeated.

  When no signal is received from the main CPU 11 (step S202; No), the sub CPU 12 reads and acquires data from the register of the main CPU 11, the RAM 14, and the nonvolatile memory 15 (step S206). Is transmitted to the administrator terminal 40 (step S207), and this operation is terminated (End). Further, as the multifunction device 10 shifts to the power-off state (step S201; Yes), the sub CPU 12 ends this operation (End).

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the sub CPU 12 monitors the operation of the main CPU 11 and detects that the operation of the main CPU 11 has stopped abnormally, data (log data, volatile data) is immediately read from each storage unit. Acquire and output to the administrator terminal 40. As a result, when a failure occurs in the main CPU 11 of the multifunction device 10 and the operation is abnormally stopped, the volatile data (and log) are deleted before the user or the like turns off the multifunction device 10 and erases the volatile data. Data) can be output to the administrator terminal 40 quickly. Accordingly, as in the first embodiment, the control status immediately before the operation of the main CPU 11 is abnormally stopped can be grasped in detail from the volatile data (control data), and the failure (abnormal operation stop) that has occurred in the main CPU 11 can be grasped. ) Is easy to analyze.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and the present invention can be changed or added without departing from the scope of the present invention. Included in the invention.

  For example, a configuration in which the sub CPU 12 and the network communication unit 20 are energized even when the multifunction device 10 is in a power-off state, and the sub CPU 12 can output state information stored in the multifunction device 10 to an external device even in the power-off state. Also good.

  The external device that is the output destination of the state information is not limited to the administrator terminal 40 described in the embodiment, and may be a terminal device of a service center. In this case, the service person in the remote service center can obtain the status information without having to go to the installation location of the multifunction machine 10 (administrator terminal 40), and can promptly respond (failure cause analysis). Is possible. In addition, for the service person, the status information can be acquired without going to the installation location of the multifunction device 10, and the location of the multifunction device 10 is installed only when repair is necessary as a result of analyzing the cause of the failure. The burden is reduced because it is only necessary to go to.

  The monitoring of the operation of the main CPU 11 by the sub CPU 12 described in the second embodiment is not limited to the configuration in which signals are transmitted from the main CPU 11 to the sub CPU 12 at regular intervals. For example, the sub CPU 12 may transmit a response request signal to the main CPU 11 at regular intervals, and the main CPU 11 may return a response signal to the sub CPU 12 in response thereto.

  In addition, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the multi-function apparatus described in the embodiment, and other image processing apparatuses such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile machine can be targeted.

2 ... Network 10 ... Multifunction machine 11 ... Main CPU
12 ... Sub CPU
13 ... ROM
14 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Nonvolatile memory 16 ... Hard disk drive 17 ... Display part 18 ... Operation part 19 ... Facsimile communication part 20 ... Network communication part 21 ... Image processing part 22 ... Scanner part 23 ... Printer part 24 ... Bus 30 ... User terminal 40 ... Administrator Terminal 50 ... Log acquisition request packet

Claims (7)

An input unit for inputting image data;
A processing unit for processing image data input from the input unit;
A storage unit;
A first CPU that controls operation of each unit of the image processing apparatus including the processing unit and stores state information indicating a state of each unit of the image processing apparatus in the storage unit during operation of the image processing apparatus; ,
A communication unit that communicates with an external device;
A second CPU that reads the state information from the storage unit and outputs the state information to an external device through the communication unit;
An image processing apparatus. The said 2nd CPU monitors the operation | movement of said 1st CPU, and performs the said output when it detects that the operation | movement of the said 1st CPU stopped abnormally. Image processing device. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second CPU performs the output when receiving a status information acquisition request from the external apparatus through the communication unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes a volatile memory. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first CPU instructs the second CPU to store the state information in the storage unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first CPU stores the state information in the storage unit without going through the second CPU. The status information includes at least one of log data and control data that is temporarily stored and sequentially updated to control each unit of the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to item 1.

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