JP2013011677A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that quickly returns a function program having experienced an error back to an executable state.SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus, a main control unit 110 monitors, during the operation on the basis of a function program, whether or not a plurality of types of processes, which are necessary for the execution of the function program, have experienced an error on the basis of a monitoring program. When the main control unit 110 detects that any of the plurality of types of processes have experienced an error, performs restoration processing to the processes that have experienced an error, whereas does not perform restoration processing to the processes that have not experienced an error.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus, an apparatus having at least one of a print function, a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and the like is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus having a print function. In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, a host computer is connected to the apparatus main body. Printing is performed based on the image data transmitted from the host computer (print function).

  In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, a print program (function program) for realizing a print function is stored in the storage unit. The control unit operates based on the print program and controls driving of each unit (for example, a printer engine) necessary for the print function.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, if an error occurs during execution of the print program, the error occurred by automatically restarting the entire apparatus after a certain period of time has elapsed since the occurrence of the error. The error is solved. Thereby, it is suppressed that a long time passes in the state where the error has occurred.

JP-A-8-183228

  However, restarting the entire apparatus means that return processing is performed for all of a plurality of types of processes necessary for execution of the print program, so that it takes time until the print program can be executed. In other words, it is difficult to quickly return the function program in which an error has occurred to an executable state.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of quickly returning a function program in which an error has occurred to an executable state.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus of the present invention stores a function program for realizing a function of the image forming apparatus and a monitoring program for monitoring an error occurrence state of the function program. A storage unit and a control unit that operates based on the function program and the monitoring program are provided. Then, during the operation based on the function program, the control unit monitors whether or not an error has occurred in a plurality of types of processes necessary for executing the function program based on the monitoring program. When it is detected that an error has occurred in any of the processes, the return process is performed for a process in which an error has occurred, while the return process is not performed for a process in which no error has occurred. Examples of functions that the image forming apparatus has include a print function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a fax function.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, the control unit monitors whether or not an error has occurred in a plurality of types of processes necessary for executing the function program based on the monitoring program while operating based on the function program. However, when it is detected that an error has occurred in any of the multiple types of processes, the process in which the error has occurred is restored, while the process in which no error has occurred (there is no need to perform the restoration process) No return processing is performed for normal processes. If this is the case, when an error occurs in the function program that is being executed, the process that performs the return process compared to the case where the return process is performed for all of the multiple types of processes that are required to execute the function program Therefore, the time required for the return process can be shortened. As a result, it is possible to return the function program in which the error has occurred to a state where it can be executed quickly.

  In the above configuration, more preferably, the image forming apparatus has a plurality of functions, and the storage unit stores a plurality of function programs for realizing the plurality of functions, and the control unit includes a plurality of functions. When it is detected that an error has occurred in any one of the function programs, function programs other than the function program in which the error has occurred are retained so as to be executable. In this way, the function corresponding to the function program in which the error has occurred cannot be used by the user during the period during which the function program in which the error has occurred is being restored, but it is compatible with other function programs. The function can be used by the user. For this reason, it is convenient for the user.

  In the configuration described above, preferably, a display unit for displaying the device status is further provided, and when the control unit detects that an error has occurred in the function program, it displays error information indicating that the error has occurred in the function program. Display on the screen. In this way, when an error occurs in the function program being executed, the user can easily recognize that the function corresponding to the function program in which the error has occurred is disabled. it can.

  In the configuration described above, preferably, when a plurality of function programs are executed in parallel and an error of one function program spreads to another function program, the control unit restarts all of the plurality of function programs. Do it automatically. In this way, an error does not occur and a long time does not elapse.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily obtain an image forming apparatus capable of quickly returning a function program in which an error has occurred to a state where it can be executed.

Schematic of the image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) of the present invention The top view which showed the operation panel (display part) of the image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) of this invention Schematic showing an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) of the present invention 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) according to the present invention. The figure for demonstrating the kind of function program stored in the memory | storage part of the image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) of this invention 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) according to the present invention (operation when an error occurs during execution of any one of a plurality of function programs).

  First, with reference to FIG. 1, an overall configuration of a multifunction peripheral 100 as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  A multifunction peripheral 100 as an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment is, for example, a tandem color multifunction peripheral, and has a plurality of functions such as a print function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a fax function. In order to execute these multiple functions, the multifunction peripheral 100 includes an operation panel 101, an image reading unit 102, and an engine unit (a paper feeding unit 103, a conveyance path 104, an image forming unit 105, an intermediate transfer unit 106, and a fixing unit 107). And a double-sided conveyance path 108).

  The operation panel 101 is disposed, for example, at a location indicated by a broken line in FIG. In addition, the operation panel 101 includes a liquid crystal display unit 11 as shown in FIG. The liquid crystal display unit 11 displays menus and keys for performing various settings, and also displays messages indicating the device status and the like. The user can make various settings by pressing a key displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. The liquid crystal display unit 11 is provided with a touch panel for detecting the coordinates of the pressed position when a key displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11 is pressed by the user.

  The operation panel 101 is provided with hard keys such as a numeric keypad 12 and a start key 13. The numeric keypad 12 is a hard key for the user to input numbers. The start key 13 is a hard key for receiving instructions for executing various functions from the user.

  Further, the operation panel 101 is provided with hard keys such as a copy key 14, a transmission key 15, and a box key 16. When the copy key 14 is pressed by the user, keys and messages necessary for using the copy function are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. When the transmission key 15 is pressed by the user, keys and messages necessary for using the scanner function and the fax function are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. When the user presses the box key 16, keys and messages necessary for using the box function are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. The box function is a function for storing image data or the like in a predetermined storage area called a box (for example, a folder provided in the storage unit 113 described later).

  Returning to FIG. 1, the image reading unit 102 reads a document and forms image data of the document. Although not shown, the image reading unit 102 is provided with optical system members such as an exposure lamp, a mirror, a lens, and an image sensor. The image reading unit 102 irradiates a document placed on the placement reading contact glass 21 with a beam, and A / D converts the output value of each pixel of the image sensor that receives the reflected beam of the document. , Generate image data. Accordingly, the multifunction peripheral 100 can perform printing based on the image data obtained by the original reading operation by the image reading unit 102 (copy function). Note that when the original is read by the image reading unit 102, the original placed on the placement contact glass 21 is pressed by the original cover 22.

  The paper feed unit 103 stores paper P as a recording medium and supplies the paper P to the conveyance path 104. The paper feed unit 103 is provided with a pickup roller 31 for pulling out the stored paper P, a separation roller 32 for suppressing double feeding of the paper P, and the like.

  The conveyance path 104 conveys the paper P inside the multifunction peripheral 100. More specifically, the paper P supplied from the paper supply unit 103 passes through the intermediate transfer unit 106 and the fixing unit 107 in this order by the conveyance path 104 and is guided to the discharge tray 109. The conveyance path 104 is provided with a registration roller 41 that waits for the paper P in front of the intermediate transfer unit 106 and feeds the paper P to the intermediate transfer unit 106 in time.

  The image forming unit 105 forms a toner image based on image data. The image forming unit 50 for four colors (an image forming unit 50Bk that forms a black toner image, an image that forms a yellow toner image) The image forming unit 50Y includes an image forming unit 50C that forms a cyan toner image, an image forming unit 50M that forms a magenta toner image, and the exposure device 5. The image forming units 50Bk, 50Y, 50C, and 50M form toner images of different colors, but all have basically the same configuration. Therefore, in the following description, symbols (Bk, Y, C, and M) representing each color are omitted.

  Each of the image forming units 50 includes a photosensitive drum 1, a charging device 2, a developing device 3, and a cleaning device 4, as shown in FIG.

  Each photosensitive drum 1 carries a toner image on its outer peripheral surface, has a photosensitive layer on its outer peripheral surface, and is supported so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. Each charging device 2 charges the corresponding photosensitive drum 1 with a constant potential. Each developing device 3 stores a developer of a corresponding color and supplies toner to the corresponding photosensitive drum 1. Each cleaning device 4 cleans the corresponding photosensitive drum 1. Then, the outer peripheral surface of each photosensitive drum 1 is exposed by the exposure device 5. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of each photosensitive drum 1.

  Although not shown, the exposure apparatus 5 includes a semiconductor laser element, a polygon mirror, a polygon motor, an Fθ lens, a reflection mirror, and the like. Then, one set of the constituent members of the exposure apparatus 5 may be provided for each color image forming unit 50. Alternatively, only one set of the semiconductor laser element, the Fθ lens, and the reflection mirror is provided for each color image forming unit 50, and the polygon mirror and the polygon motor are provided in the image forming unit 50 for two colors (or four colors). May be shared.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer unit 106 performs the secondary transfer onto the paper P after receiving the primary transfer of the toner image from the image forming unit 105. The intermediate transfer unit 106 includes at least an intermediate transfer belt 61 and primary transfer rollers 62Bk, 62Y, 62C, and 62M assigned to the image forming units 50, respectively. The primary transfer rollers 62Bk, 62Y, 62C, and 62M sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 61 with the corresponding image forming unit 50 (specifically, the photosensitive drum 1) and also transfer voltage (transfer bias). ) Is applied.

  The intermediate transfer unit 106 also includes a driving roller 63 and a driven roller 64. The driving roller 63 and the driven roller 64 stretch the intermediate transfer belt 61 together with the primary transfer rollers 62Bk, 62Y, 62C, and 62M. For this reason, when the driving roller 63 is driven to rotate, the intermediate transfer belt 61 circulates and moves.

  Further, the intermediate transfer unit 106 includes a secondary transfer roller 65. The secondary transfer roller 65 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 61 between the drive roller 63 and a transfer voltage (transfer bias) is applied.

  The toner images formed by the image forming units 50 are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 61 by the primary transfer rollers 62Bk, 62Y, 62C, and 62M to which a transfer voltage is applied. Is done. That is, the full color toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 61. Thereafter, the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 61 is secondarily transferred to the paper P by the secondary transfer roller 65 to which a transfer voltage is applied.

  The intermediate transfer unit 106 also includes a belt cleaning device 66. The belt cleaning device 66 cleans the intermediate transfer belt 61 after the secondary transfer of the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 61 to the paper P.

  The fixing unit 107 heats and presses the toner image secondarily transferred onto the paper P to fix it. The fixing unit 107 includes a fixing roller 71 having a built-in heat source, and a pressure roller 72 that is pressed against the fixing roller 71. Then, the sheet P on which the toner image is secondarily transferred passes between the fixing roller 71 and the pressure roller 72 and is heated and pressed. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the paper P.

  The paper P passes through the fixing unit 107 and is then discharged to the discharge tray 109. Thereby, the image forming process is completed.

  The duplex conveyance path 108 enables duplex printing. The double-sided conveyance path 108 branches off from the conveyance path 104 on the downstream side of the fixing unit 107 and merges with the conveyance path 104 on the upstream side of the registration roller 41. In the double-sided conveyance path 108, a switching claw 81 disposed at a branch point with the conveyance path 104, a discharge roller 82 disposed in a discharge port 109a connected to the discharge tray 109 and capable of switching between forward and reverse rotation, In addition, a transport roller 83 that transports the paper P is provided.

  When performing duplex printing, the switching claw 81 is in a position to close the duplex conveyance path 108 and guides the paper P sent from the fixing unit 107 to the discharge tray 109. Further, the discharge roller 82 first rotates forward to discharge the paper P to the discharge tray 109. Thereafter, the discharge roller 82 rotates in the reverse direction before the paper P passes through the discharge roller 82. At this time, the switching claw 81 rotates in a direction to open the double-sided conveyance path 108. As a result, the sheet P printed on one side is guided to the duplex conveyance path 108.

  The paper P guided to the double-sided conveyance path 108 is conveyed by the conveyance roller 83 and reaches the upstream side of the registration roller 41. Then, it is sent again from the intermediate transfer unit 106 to the fixing unit 107. At this time, since the front and back of the paper P are reversed, the secondary transfer process and the fixing process are performed on the back surface (unprinted surface) of the paper P. Then, the paper P on which double-sided printing is completed is discharged to the discharge tray 109.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a main control unit 110. The main control unit 110 includes a CPU 111 and an image processing unit 112 which are central processing units. The main control unit 110 is connected to the operation panel 101, the image reading unit 102, the paper feeding unit 103, the conveyance path 104, the image forming unit 105, the intermediate transfer unit 106, the fixing unit 107, the double-side conveyance path 108, and the like. Then, control and calculation of each unit are performed based on programs and data stored in the storage unit 113 described later. The main control unit 110 may be divided into a main control unit that performs overall control and image processing, and an engine control unit that controls on / off of a motor that rotates the image forming and various rotating bodies.

  The operation panel 101 connected to the main control unit 110 has a display control unit 17. The display control unit 17 includes a CPU, an IC, and the like, and controls display on the liquid crystal display unit 11. Further, when a key displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11 (touch panel) is pressed by the user, the display control unit 17 receives the output of the touch panel and specifies the coordinates of the pressed position. Thereby, the position (selected key) pressed by the user with respect to the liquid crystal display unit 11 is specified. Note that data such as a table indicating correspondence between the output of the touch panel and the coordinates of the pressed position is stored in the memory 18, for example. Further, even if data for displaying keys, messages, and the like necessary for using each function such as a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a box function on the liquid crystal display unit 11 is stored in the memory 18. Good.

  The main control unit 110 is connected to the communication unit 114. The communication unit 114 is a communication interface for communicating with the external computer 200 via a network (or a cable), for example. Accordingly, the multifunction peripheral 100 can perform printing based on the image data transmitted from the computer 200 (print function). The multi-function device 100 can also transmit image data obtained by the original reading operation by the image reading unit 102 to the computer 200 (scanner function). Furthermore, for example, a modem or the like may be built in the communication unit 114. In this case, the multi-function device 100 can perform fax communication with an external fax machine 300 via a network such as a telephone line (fax function). ).

  The main control unit 110 is connected to the storage unit 113. The storage unit 113 includes a volatile storage device such as a ROM 113a, a RAM 113b, and an HDD 113c, and a nonvolatile storage device. The storage unit 113 stores various programs and data. For example, various programs and data are stored in the ROM 113a and expanded in the RAM 113b.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the storage unit 113 stores function programs for realizing a plurality of functions of the multifunction peripheral 100. Examples of the function programs include a network program P1, a print program P2, a scanner program P3, and a box program P4.

  For example, the network program P1 is a program for causing the main control unit 110 to control the communication unit 114 and realizing communication with an external device. That is, when realizing a function involving communication with an external device, the main control unit 110 and the communication unit 114 execute a plurality of types of processes necessary for executing the network program P1 based on the network program P1. Note that the multiple types of processes necessary for executing the network program P1 include, for example, initialization processing, process startup processing, and communication establishment processing.

  The print program P2 is a program for causing the main control unit 110 to control the engine unit including the image forming unit 105 and realizing a function involving printing. That is, when realizing a function involving printing, the main control unit 110 and the engine unit execute a plurality of types of processes necessary for executing the print program P2 based on the print program P2.

  The scanner program P3 is a program for causing the main control unit 110 to control the image reading unit 102 and realizing a function accompanying reading of a document. That is, when realizing a function that involves reading a document, the main control unit 110 and the image reading unit 102 execute a plurality of types of processes necessary for executing the scanner program P3 based on the scanner program P3.

  The box program P4 is a program for storing image data obtained by a reception operation by the communication unit 114, a document reading operation by the image reading unit 102, or the like in a predetermined storage area (box) of the storage unit 113.

  In order to realize the various functions described above, image processing on the image data is necessary. Therefore, an image processing program P5 for causing the image processing unit 112 to perform image processing is stored in the storage unit 113 as a function program. May be.

  For example, the copy function is realized by a combination of the scanner program P3 and the print program P2. The print function is realized by a combination of the network program P1 and the print program P2. The scanner function is realized by a combination of the scanner program P3 and the network program P1 when transmitting image data obtained by scanning to an external device. When the image data obtained by scanning is stored, the scanner function is This is realized in combination with the program P3 and the box program P4. The fax function is realized by combining the network program P1 with the scanner program P3 and the box program P4 as necessary.

  In the configuration as described above, when an error occurs in the function program being executed, in order to return the function program in which the error has occurred to normal, it is common to restart the multifunction peripheral 100 itself. As another method, the MFP 100 itself is not restarted, but only the function program in which the error has occurred is restarted (for all of the plural types of processes necessary for executing the function program in which the error has occurred). It is also possible to perform a return process). However, these two methods have the following disadvantages.

  For example, assume that an error occurs during the execution of the network program P1. In this case, a function involving communication with an external device (for example, a fax function) cannot be used, but at least a copy function can be used. However, when the former method, that is, the method of restarting the multifunction device 100 itself is adopted, the copy function is used until the restart of the multifunction device 100 is completed even though the copy function is usable. It can no longer be used. That is, although there is no problem with some of the functions, the entire function is restarted.

  If the latter method described above, that is, the method of restarting only the network program P1, is employed, the multifunction peripheral 100 itself is not restarted, so that at least the copy function is kept usable. However, for a function that involves communication with an external device (for example, a fax function), all of a plurality of types of processes necessary for the execution of the network program P1 must be restored. It takes time.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a monitoring program P5 for monitoring a function program (a plurality of types of processes) being executed is stored in the storage unit 113. The main control unit 110 monitors a plurality of types of processes necessary for executing the predetermined function program based on the monitoring program P5 while operating based on the predetermined function program. Specifically, based on the monitoring program P5, the main control unit 110 monitors whether or not an error has occurred in a plurality of types of processes necessary for execution of a predetermined function program, and determines which of the plurality of types of processes. When it is detected that a crab error has occurred, a return process is performed for a process in which an error has occurred, while a return process is not performed for a process in which no error has occurred.

  That is, in the present embodiment, when an error occurs during execution of a predetermined function program, the MFP 100 itself is not restarted, and an error occurs among a plurality of types of processes necessary for execution of the predetermined function program. Return processing is performed only for the processes that have completed. Therefore, functions other than the functions corresponding to the predetermined function program are kept usable. In addition to this, for the function corresponding to the predetermined function program, it takes less time to use it than when all the multiple types of processes required to execute the predetermined function program are restored. Is done.

  Next, the operation when an error occurs during the execution of any one of the plurality of function programs will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, during execution of any one of the plurality of function programs, when an error occurs in the function program being executed, the function program is stopped, and the occurrence of the error is operated based on the monitoring program P5. When the main control unit 110 detects, the flow of FIG. 6 starts.

  Specifically, the process of printing image data from the computer 200 (print function), the process of printing image data based on the document read by the image reading unit 102 (copy function), and the image reading unit 102 reading Processing for transmitting image data based on the original document to the computer 200 or storing it in the storage unit 113 (scanner function), or processing for transmitting / receiving image data to / from the computer 200 or the fax machine 300 (fax function) When an error occurs in the function program being executed, the function program is stopped during the execution of the function with communication with the external device, etc., and the occurrence of the error is based on the monitoring program P5. When the main control unit 110 operating in this manner detects, the flow of FIG. 6 starts.

  If no error occurs in the function program being executed, the flow of FIG. 6 does not start, and the processing corresponding to the function program being executed is performed without interruption.

  When the main control unit 110 operating based on the monitoring program P5 detects that an error has occurred in the function program being executed (the function program being executed has stopped), in step S1, the main control unit 110 displays the operation panel. 101, error information indicating that an error has occurred in the function program being executed is displayed. For example, the operation panel 101 displays a message such as “An error has occurred in the function program being executed”. That is, here, the user is made aware that an error has occurred in the function used by the user.

  In step S <b> 2, the main control unit 110 performs return processing for the process in which an error has occurred among a plurality of types of processes necessary for executing the stopped function program, based on the monitoring program P <b> 5. At this time, the process for which no error has occurred is not restored. That is, the return process is not performed for all of a plurality of types of processes necessary for executing the stopped function program. Therefore, processes in which no error has occurred are kept executable. When an error occurs in a plurality of processes due to an error that occurs in one process, the main control unit 110 performs a return process for all the processes in which an error has occurred.

  Further, at this time, the main control unit 110 holds a function program other than the stopped function program so as to be executable. That is, if the main control unit 110 receives an instruction to execute a predetermined function program other than the stopped function program during the restoration process of the stopped function program, the main control unit 110 operates based on the predetermined function program. To do. For example, when an error occurs during the execution of the network program P1 and the restoration process is being performed for the network program P1, the execution control of the function programs (scanner program P3 and print program P2) for realizing the copy function is mainly controlled. Assume that the unit 110 has received the request. In this case, the main control unit 110 causes the image reading unit 102 and the engine unit to perform a copying operation based on the scanner program P3 and the print program P2.

  In step S3, the main control unit 110 determines whether or not the generated error has been resolved based on the monitoring program P5. Then, when the error that has occurred is resolved and the stopped function program returns and returns to an executable state, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the operation panel 101 stops displaying error information.

  On the other hand, for example, when a plurality of function programs are executed in parallel (for example, when the network function P1 and the print program P2 are executed in parallel in realizing the print function), one In some cases, an error in a function program may spread to other function programs (for example, an error during reception of image data may affect image formation). In such a case, an error has occurred in the entire system, and even if a return process is performed for a specific process, the error may not be resolved. Accordingly, at this time, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, the main control unit 110 eliminates the error by automatically restarting the entire system. That is, when a plurality of function programs are executed in parallel and one function program spreads to another function program, the main control unit 110 automatically restarts all of the plurality of function programs. Alternatively, information prompting the user to restart the entire system may be displayed on the operation panel 101, and the entire system may be restarted based on the user's operation.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the main control unit 110 (control unit) performs a plurality of types of processes necessary for executing the function program based on the monitoring program while operating based on the function program. Monitors whether an error has occurred and detects that an error has occurred in any of the multiple types of processes. If an error has occurred, the process is restored, but no error has occurred. Return processing is not performed for processes (normal processes that do not require return processing). If this is the case, when an error occurs in the function program that is being executed, the process that performs the return process compared to the case where the return process is performed for all of the multiple types of processes that are required to execute the function program Therefore, the time required for the return process can be shortened. As a result, it is possible to return the function program in which the error has occurred to a state where it can be executed quickly.

  In the present embodiment, when the main control unit 110 detects that an error has occurred in any of the plurality of function programs, the main control unit 110 holds a function program other than the function program in which the error has occurred in an executable manner. To do. In this way, the function corresponding to the function program in which the error has occurred cannot be used by the user during the period during which the function program in which the error has occurred is being restored, but it is compatible with other function programs. The function can be used by the user. For this reason, it is convenient for the user.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the main control unit 110 detects that an error has occurred in the function program, error information indicating that an error has occurred in the function program is displayed on the operation panel 101 (display unit). To display. In this way, when an error occurs in the function program being executed, the user can easily recognize that the function corresponding to the function program in which the error has occurred is disabled. it can.

  In the present embodiment, when a plurality of function programs are executed in parallel and an error of one function program spreads to another function program, the main control unit 110 restarts all of the plurality of function programs. Is done automatically. In this way, an error does not occur and a long time does not elapse.

  It should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the description of the above-described embodiment but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes meanings equivalent to the scope of claims for patent and all modifications within the scope.

100 MFP (image forming device)
101 Operation panel (display unit)
110 Main control unit (control unit)
113 storage unit

Claims (4)

A storage unit for storing a function program for realizing the functions of the image forming apparatus and a monitoring program for monitoring an error occurrence state of the function program;
A control unit that operates based on the function program and the monitoring program,
The control unit monitors whether or not an error has occurred in a plurality of types of processes necessary for execution of the functional program based on the monitoring program while operating based on the functional program, When it is detected that an error has occurred in any of multiple types of processes, the process that caused the error is restored, while the process that does not have an error is not restored. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus has a plurality of functions, and the storage unit stores a plurality of function programs for realizing the plurality of functions,
The control unit, when detecting that an error has occurred in any of the plurality of function programs, holds a function program other than the function program in which the error has occurred in an executable manner. The image forming apparatus according to 1. A display unit for displaying the device status;
3. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit detects that an error has occurred in the function program, the control unit causes the display unit to display error information indicating that an error has occurred in the function program. The image forming apparatus described.   When a plurality of the function programs are executed in parallel and an error of one function program spreads to another function program, the control unit automatically restarts all of the plurality of function programs. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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