JP2018001458A - Image formation apparatus and failure notification system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide means for notifying a proper notification destination of failure at the occurrence of failure of a compound machine 1.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus includes: a failure detection unit which detects the occurrence of failure; a notification information generation unit which generates the notification contents as notification information that can be notified in accordance with the failure type when the failure detection unit detects the occurrence of the failure; and a failure-time destination storage unit which stores the destination of notification of the notification information in accordance with the failure type. The image formation apparatus transmits the notification information generated by the notification information generation unit to the destination stored in the failure-time destination storage unit in accordance with the occurring failure type when the failure detection unit detects the occurrence of the failure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral having a function of detecting the occurrence of a failure, and a failure notification system.

  A conventional image forming apparatus is connected to a manufacturer server via a network, and when a failure occurs, a notification of the failure that has occurred is transmitted to the manufacturer server by e-mail (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-191545 A (paragraphs 0030, 0057-0061, paragraph 0070, FIG. 5)

However, the above-described conventional technique has a problem that the notification destination may be different depending on the failure type of the failure that has occurred, and it may take time to deal with the failure.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide means for notifying an appropriate notification destination of a failure when a failure of the multifunction device 1 occurs.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a failure detection unit that detects the occurrence of a failure, and the notification content according to the failure type when the failure detection unit detects the occurrence of the failure. A notification information generation unit that generates notification information that can be notified; and a failure destination storage unit that stores a destination to which the notification information is notified in correspondence with a failure type, and the failure detection unit detects the occurrence of a failure. When detected, the notification information generated by the notification information generation unit is transmitted to a destination stored in the failure destination storage unit according to the type of failure that has occurred.

  As a result, the present invention provides an effect of notifying the occurrence of a failure or the like to an appropriate notification destination corresponding to the failure type.

Explanatory drawing which shows the failure notification system of an Example The block diagram which shows the structure of the failure notification system of an Example Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a structure of the failure classification table of an Example, and a communication form list | wrist Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the address registration screen at the time of a failure of an Example The flowchart which shows the failure notification processing of execution example The flowchart which shows the failure notification processing of execution example The flowchart which shows the failure notification processing of execution example The flowchart which shows the failure notification processing of execution example The flowchart which shows the mail transmission processing by the portable terminal of execution example Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the paper error alerting | reporting screen of an Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the setting value error alerting | reporting screen of an Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the unrecoverable error alert | report screen of an Example Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the log collection completion screen of an Example Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the consumables error alerting | reporting screen of an Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the communication error alerting | reporting screen of an Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the communication error alerting | reporting screen of an Example.

  Embodiments of an image forming apparatus and a failure notification system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus and the failure notification system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the failure notification system according to the present embodiment includes an MFP (Multi Function Printer, hereinafter referred to as a multi function device) 1 as an image forming apparatus, a portable terminal 2, and a plurality of support devices.
The support device according to the present embodiment includes a failure information management server 3, a technical support terminal 4, a parts support terminal 5, a sales company terminal 6, and a management unit terminal 7. These support devices may be the Internet or a telephone line. The multi-function device 1 is connected via a communication network 8.

The multi-function device 1 is installed in a user's company and connected to the communication network 8 by wire, and has the configuration shown in FIG.
The control unit 11 of the multifunction device 1 has a function of controlling each unit in the multifunction device 1 to execute a printing process, a fax / email transmission / reception process, a failure notification process of the present embodiment, and the like.

The communication unit 12 has a function of connecting the multifunction device 1 and each support device on the communication network 8 so that they can communicate with each other.
The storage unit 13 stores a program executed by the control unit 11, various data used for the program, a processing result by the control unit 11, and the like.

  Further, in the storage unit 13, a failure type such as a setting value error that occurs during operation of the multifunction device 1 or a communication error as a communication failure is set according to the severity in FIG. 3A. A failure type table 13a shown in FIG. 3B and a communication mode list 13b shown in FIG. 3B in which a communication mode for connecting to each support device on the communication network 8 by communication when a failure occurs is stored in advance.

  Further, the storage unit 13 stores a failure destination table (see FIG. 4) in which a notification destination e-mail address or URL (referred to as a destination) to be notified when a failure occurs is registered for each failure rank. 13c, a log storage unit 13d that continuously stores log information that is operation history information (status information, setting information of each unit, etc.) is provided.

  The display unit 14 is arranged on the front surface of the multi-function device 1 and includes a display screen such as an LCD and a position signal detection unit such as a touch panel. The display unit 14 displays a device status and a screen for prompting a user operation. It has a function of displaying various input screens and Web screens.

  The operation unit 15 includes a plurality of character keys and cross keys having a toggle input function, a “confirm” key provided in the center of the cross key, a power switch for power supplied to the multifunction device 1, a “setting” key, and “monochrome”. Various operation keys including a selection key such as a key and a “color” key are provided, and a function of receiving an operation input by a user is provided.

  The input means of this embodiment is constituted by position signal detection means provided on the display unit 14 and operation keys provided on the operation unit 15.

The failure detection unit 16 has a function of detecting a failure that has occurred during the operation of the multifunction device 1 and sending the detection information to the control unit 11.
The notification information generation unit 17 has a function of generating notification contents to be notified to the notification destination as notification information that can be notified by e-mail or the like according to the failure type when a failure occurs.

  For example, when a communication error occurs, error information (error code and detailed error code, etc.) of the failure that has occurred, status information, device identification information, notification information consisting of the failure occurrence time, etc. are generated and a consumable error If this occurs, notification information including the type and quantity of consumables to be ordered is generated.

  The two-dimensional code generation unit 18 encrypts the notification destination registered in the failure destination table and the notification information generated by the notification information generation unit 17 (registered trademark of DENSO Corporation, JIS X 0510). -2004) etc., and a function for generating a two-dimensional code as an information recording medium.

The portable terminal 2 is a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or a cellular phone possessed by the user, and has a function of connecting to the communication network 8 wirelessly, and has the configuration shown in FIG.
The portable control unit 21 of the portable terminal 2 has a function of controlling each unit in the portable terminal 2 and performing transmission / reception processing of an email transmitted via the communication network 8.

The communication unit 22 has a function of connecting the mobile terminal 2 and each support device on the communication network 8 so that they can communicate with each other wirelessly.
The portable storage unit 23 stores a program executed by the portable control unit 21, various data used for the program, a processing result by the portable control unit 21, and the like.

  The operation display unit 24 includes a display screen such as an LCD and position signal detection means such as a touch panel. The operation display unit 24 has a function of displaying various information screens, input screens, selection screens, and the like on the display screen, and also detects position signals. It has a function of accepting a selection input by a customer by means.

  The image acquisition unit 25 includes imaging means such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera, and has a function of imaging and acquiring an image of a two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit 14 of the multifunction device 1. Yes.

  The two-dimensional code decoding unit 26 has a function of decoding an image of the two-dimensional code acquired by the image acquisition unit 25 and reading mail information including a notification destination and notification information recorded therein. .

  The notification mail generation unit 27 is based on the mail information including the destination and notification information acquired from the two-dimensional code decoding unit 26 or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory as an information recording medium, and so on. Has a function of generating a notification mail describing the.

The failure information management server 3 is installed at the manufacturer of the multifunction machine 1 and is connected to the communication network 8 by wire and has the configuration shown in FIG.
The server control unit 31 of the failure information management server 3 has a function of controlling each unit in the failure information management server 3 and accepting a WWW access or the like via the communication network 8.

  The communication unit 32 has a function of connecting the failure information management server 3 and the multifunction machine 1 via the communication network 8 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

The server storage unit 33 stores a program executed by the server control unit 31, various data used for the program, a processing result by the server control unit 31, and the like.
In the server storage unit 33, an FAQ (Frequently Asked Question) site created based on the failure information of the plurality of multifunction devices 1 is constructed.

  This FAQ site stores the solution method of the failure in an HTML format that can be displayed by WWW access in association with the error code of each failure.

  The technical support terminal 4 is a terminal device such as a personal computer installed in the technical support department of the manufacturer of the multifunction device 1 and is connected to the multifunction device 1 via a communication network 8 by wire. Has a function of receiving e-mails and the like transmitted from.

  The component support terminal 5 is a terminal device such as a personal computer installed in a component support department of a manufacturer that manages replacement parts of the multifunction device 1 and is connected to the multifunction device 1 via a communication network 8 by wire. And has a function of receiving e-mails and the like transmitted from the multifunction machine 1.

  The sales company terminal 6 is a terminal device such as a personal computer installed in a sales company that sells, rents, leases, etc. the multifunction machine 1 and also sells replacement consumables such as toner, and is a wired communication network 8. And has a function of receiving e-mail and the like transmitted from the multifunction device 1.

  The management unit terminal 7 is a terminal device such as a personal computer installed in the equipment management unit for managing printing paper and the like provided in the user's company, and is a multifunction device via a communication network 8 by wire. 1 and has a function of receiving an electronic mail or the like transmitted from the multifunction device 1.

  The processing operation when a failure occurs by the multifunction device 1 of this embodiment will be described below.

Before starting the operation of the apparatus, the administrator of the multifunction device 1 presses the “setting” key of the operation unit 15 to display the failure destination registration screen on the display screen of the display unit 14.
On the failure destination registration screen, as shown in FIG. 4, an input for inputting a communication form and a destination for each notification destination when a failure occurs corresponding to a failure type for each failure rank set in advance is input. A failure destination input table with a column is displayed.

  When the administrator moves the cursor with the cross key on the displayed destination registration screen at the time of failure and selects the input field of the communication form, the control unit 11 of the multifunction device 1 has the communication shown in FIG. The form list is displayed so that it can be selected.

  When the communication form list is displayed, the administrator selects an appropriate communication form corresponding to the usage environment of the multifunction machine 1 from the list and presses the communication form using the touch panel. Recognizing this, the control unit 11 displays the selected communication form in the input field and displays the cursor in the destination input field of the failure rank.

  When the cursor is displayed in the destination input field, the administrator inputs a destination according to the communication mode using a character key toggle input function or the like.

  In this embodiment, when the failure rank is “1” (setting value error), the website connection is selected, and the URL of the website is entered in the destination input field.

  Similarly, in the case of failure rank “2” (paper error), telephone contact is selected, and a telephone number including the extension number of the equipment management unit is input in the destination input field.

When the failure rank is “3” (communication error), transmission via the information recording medium is selected, and the mail address of the component support terminal 5 is input in the destination input field.
When the failure rank is “4” (consumables error), the e-mail transmission is selected, and the e-mail address of the sales company terminal 6 is input in the destination input field.

When the failure rank is “5” (unrecoverable error), the e-mail transmission is selected, and the e-mail address of the technical support terminal 4 is input in the destination input field.
In this way, when the input to each input column of the failure destination table is completed, the control unit 11 sets the input failure destination input table as a failure destination table in the failure destination storage unit 13c of the storage unit 13. Store and register the destination and communication mode for each failure type when a failure occurs.

  In the following, according to the steps shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 8, the processing operation of the fault notification process when a fault occurs by the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

  S1 (FIG. 5): When the operation of the multifunction device 1 is started, the control unit 11 monitors the occurrence of a failure by the failure detection unit 16 and detects the occurrence of the failure from the failure detection unit 16 by parallel processing. When the detected information is received, the process proceeds to step S2 by an interrupt process.

  S2: The control unit 11 that has received the detection information of the occurrence of the fault recognizes the fault type of the fault that has occurred, and refers to the fault type table shown in FIG. The failure rank is read out and the process proceeds to step S3.

  S3: If the read failure rank is “5”, the control unit proceeds to step SA1 in FIG. If the failure rank is other than “5”, the process proceeds to step S4.

  S4: If the read failure rank is “4”, the control unit proceeds to step SB1 in FIG. If the failure rank is other than “4”, the process proceeds to step S5.

  S5: If the read failure rank is “3”, the control unit proceeds to step SC1 in FIG. In cases other than "3", the process proceeds to step S6.

  S6: If the read failure rank is “2”, the control unit proceeds to step S7. If the read failure rank is other than “2”, that is, if the failure rank is “1”, the process proceeds to step S9.

  S7: Recognizing the occurrence of the paper error of the failure rank “2”, the control unit 11 determines the communication type and destination of the failure type from the failure destination table of the failure destination storage unit 13a of the storage unit 13 based on the failure rank. The paper error notification screen displaying the communication mode and the destination is displayed on the display screen of the reading and display unit 14, and the process proceeds to step S8.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the paper error notification screen displays the error code of the paper error, the content of the trouble that has occurred, the method for dealing with the trouble, and the like, and the equipment management section replenishes the equipment accompanying the trouble that has occurred. A telephone number for requesting the user, a “close” button for instructing the end of the screen display, and the like are displayed.

  When the user requests the equipment management department to replenish equipment such as paper, the user requests the equipment management department to replenish equipment by telephone with reference to the displayed telephone number, etc. Press the "Close" button, and press the "Close" button when not contacting the telephone.

  S8: The control unit 11 waits until the “close” button displayed on the display unit 14 is pressed, and continues the standby when the “close” button is not pressed.

  When the “Close” button is pressed, it is determined that the display of the paper error notification screen has been completed, the current failure notification process is ended, and the user waits for a failure recovery procedure such as jam paper removal.

  S9: The control unit 11 that has recognized the occurrence of the setting value error of the failure rank “1” reads out the communication type and the destination of the failure type from the failure destination table based on the failure rank, and displays on the display screen of the display unit 14. A setting value error notification screen displaying the communication form and the destination is displayed, and the process proceeds to step S10.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the setting value error notification screen displays the error code of the setting value error, the content of the failure that has occurred, the method for dealing with the failure, and the like, and confirms the FAQ site regarding the failure that has occurred. A message for prompting selection of whether or not, a “Open Web Site” button for instructing confirmation of the FAQ site, a “Close” button for instructing not to confirm the FAQ site, and the like are displayed.

  The user presses the “Open Web Site” button when confirming the FAQ site. When not checking the FAQ site, press the “Close” button.

S10: The control unit 11 waits for the instruction button displayed on the display unit 14 to be pressed. When the “Open Web Site” button is pressed, the control unit 11 determines that connection to the FAQ site is necessary, and step S11. Migrate to
When the “Close” button is pressed, it is determined that connection to the FAQ site is not necessary, the current failure notification process is terminated, and the user waits for a failure recovery process such as a paper setting change by the user.

  S11: The control unit 11 that has determined that the connection to the FAQ site is necessary, in accordance with the read communication form (Web connection in this step), the FAQ of the failure information management server 3 via the communication network 8 based on the read destination. Connect to the site and display the FAQ site transmitted from the failure information management server 3 on the display screen of the display unit 14.

  After displaying the FAQ site, the control unit 11 waiting for the FAQ site to close closes the current failure notification process when the FAQ site is closed, and refers to the FAQ site by the user. Wait for failure recovery action. If the FAQ site cannot be closed, the FAQ site display is continued.

  SA1 (FIG. 6): Recognizing the occurrence of an unrecoverable error of the failure rank “5”, the control unit 11 that has shifted from the above step S3 (FIG. 5) via the connector A can obtain log information that is currently available. Is acquired and temporarily stored in the storage unit 13, and then the unrecoverable error notification screen is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 14, and the process proceeds to step SA2.

On the unrecoverable error notification screen, as shown in FIG. 12, the error code of the unrecoverable error, the detailed error code, the wording prompting the device to restart, and the like are displayed.
The user turns the power switch of the operation unit 15 off and then on again to restart the multifunction device 1.

  SA2: The control unit 11 that has recognized the restart acquires the log information after the restart, stores this and the log information temporarily stored in Step SA1 in the log storage unit 13d as log information at the time of failure occurrence, Based on the failure rank, the communication form and destination of the failure type are read from the failure destination table, a log collection completion screen displaying the communication form and destination is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 14, and the process proceeds to step SA3. .

  On the unrecoverable error notification screen, as shown in FIG. 13, the error code of the unrecoverable error, the detailed error code, the wording that the collection of the log information at the time of the failure is displayed, and the like occurred. A message prompting the user to select whether or not to send the failure notification information to the technical support terminal 4 of the manufacturer, a “contact” button for instructing transmission, and “not contact” for instructing not to transmit "Button etc. are displayed.

  The user presses the “Contact” button when transmitting the notification information to the technical support terminal 4, and presses the “Do not contact” button when not transmitting.

SA3: The control unit 11 waits for the instruction button displayed on the display unit 14 to be pressed. When the “contact” button is pressed, the control unit 11 determines that the notification is permitted and proceeds to step SA4.
If the “not contact” button is pressed, it is determined that the notification is not permitted, the current failure notification process is terminated, and the user waits for a failure recovery process by the user.

  SA4: The control unit 11 that has determined that the notification is permitted generates notification information of the failure that has occurred by the notification information generation unit 17 in accordance with the read communication form (in this step, email transmission), and the generated notification information and the like Is sent to the read destination (technical support terminal 4 in this step) via the communication network 8.

  After completing the transmission of the e-mail, the control unit 11 ends the current failure notification process, and waits for a failure recovery process by a user who has received advice from the technical support department or a dispatcher from the technical support department. To do.

  SB1 (FIG. 7): Recognizing the occurrence of the consumable error of the failure rank “4”, the control unit 11 that has moved from the above step S4 (FIG. 5) via the connector B is in the event of a failure based on the failure rank. The communication type and destination of the failure type are read from the destination table, a consumable error notification screen displaying the communication type and destination is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 14, and the process proceeds to step SB2.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the consumable error notification screen displays the error code of the consumable error, the content of the trouble that has occurred, the method for dealing with the trouble, the quantity of consumables to be replenished, etc. Displays a message prompting the user to select whether or not to send a consumables order notification to 6, a “contact” button for instructing transmission, a “not contact” button for instructing not to transmit, etc. Is done.

  The user presses the “Contact” button when transmitting the order notification to the sales company terminal 6, and presses the “Do not contact” button when not transmitting it.

SB2: The control unit 11 waits for the selection button displayed on the display unit 14 to be pressed. When the “contact” button is pressed, the control unit 11 determines that notification is permitted and proceeds to step SB3.
If the “Do not contact” button is pressed, it is determined that the notification is not permitted, the current failure notification process is terminated, and the user waits for a failure recovery process such as replacement with spare toner.

  SB3: The control unit 11 that has determined that the notification is permitted generates notification information of the consumable item to be ordered by the notification information generation unit 17 in accordance with the read communication form (in this step, email transmission), and the generated notification information And the like are transmitted to the read destination (sales company terminal 6 in this step) via the communication network 8.

  After completing the transmission of the e-mail, the control unit 11 ends the current failure notification process, and waits for a failure recovery process by the user such as replacement with spare toner or replacement after receiving the ordered consumables. To do.

  SC1 (FIG. 8): Recognizing the occurrence of a communication error due to a failure in the multi-function device 1 such as a failure of the communication unit 12 at the failure rank “3”, the above-described step S5 (FIG. 5) is passed through the connector C. The control unit 11 that has been transferred reads out the communication type and destination of the failure type from the failure destination table based on the failure rank, and in accordance with the read communication type (in this step, transmission via the information recording medium), the notification information generation unit The notification information of the failure that has occurred in Step 17 is generated, and the process proceeds to Step SC2.

  SC2: The control unit 11 that generated the notification information determines whether or not the generated information amount such as the notification information and the destination can be contained in the two-dimensional code, and the information amount is excessive and is contained in the two-dimensional code. If not, the process proceeds to step SC3. If it can be accommodated, the process proceeds to step SC6.

  SC3: The control unit 11 that has determined that the amount of information such as the generated notification information cannot be stored in the two-dimensional code displays a communication error notification screen displaying the communication form and the destination on the display screen of the display unit 14. To step SC4.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the communication error notification screen displays the error code of the communication error, the content of the failure that has occurred, the method of dealing with the failure, and the like. A message for prompting the user to attach the USB memory used when transmitting to the terminal 5, a “Close” button for instructing the end of the screen display, and the like are displayed.

  The user presses the “Close” button to confirm the specified transmission destination and resolve the communication error. When sending notification information to the component support terminal 5, a USB memory is attached to the multifunction device 1.

  SC4: The control unit 11 waits for the “Close” button displayed on the display unit 14 to be pressed. When the “Close” button is pressed, the control unit 11 determines the end of display of the communication error notification screen and determines the current failure. The notification process is terminated, and the user waits for a failure recovery action by the user. When the installation of the USB memory is detected, the process proceeds to step SC5.

  SC5: The control unit 11 that has detected the installation of the USB memory outputs the generated notification information and the mail information including the read destination to the USB memory, and ends the current fault notification process when the output is finished. The system waits for a failure recovery process by a user who receives advice from the parts support department or a dispatcher from the parts support department.

  SC6: The control unit 11 that has determined that the information amount of the generated notification information can be stored in the two-dimensional code sends mail information including the generated notification information and the read destination to the two-dimensional code generation unit 18. The two-dimensional code in which the destination and the notification information are recorded is generated by the dimension code generator 18 and the process proceeds to step SC7.

  SC7: The control unit 11 that has generated the two-dimensional code displays a communication error notification screen displaying the communication form and the destination on the display screen of the display unit 14, and proceeds to step SC8.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the communication error notification screen displays the error code of the communication error, the content of the failure that has occurred, the method for dealing with the failure, and the like. A two-dimensional code used for transmission to the terminal 5 and a “close” button for instructing the end of the screen display are displayed.

  The user presses the “Close” button to confirm the specified transmission destination and resolve the communication error. When the notification information is transmitted to the component support terminal 5, the “close” button is pressed after reading the two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit 14 by the portable terminal 2.

SC8: The control unit 11 waits for the press of the “close” button displayed on the display unit 14, and continues the standby when the “close” button is not pressed.
When the “Close” button is clicked, the end of the display of the communication error notification screen displaying the two-dimensional code is determined to terminate the current fault notification process, or a user who has received advice from the parts support department, or It waits for a recovery measure such as a failure recovery process by a dispatcher from the parts support department or a change of the destination specified by the user.
In this way, the failure notification process by the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment is executed.

  Hereinafter, the processing operation of the mail transmission process by the portable terminal 2 of the present embodiment will be described according to the steps indicated by SD shown in FIG.

  SD1: The mobile control unit 21 of the mobile terminal 2 waits for the user to select an information recording medium, and the user installs the USB memory according to the display content of the communication error notification screen displayed in step SC3. When the portable terminal 2 is attached, the processing mode is switched to the input mode from the USB memory, and the process proceeds to step SD2.

  When the user switches the processing mode of the portable terminal 2 to the photographing mode in accordance with the display content of the communication error notification screen displayed in step SC7, the process proceeds to step SD3.

  SD2: The portable control unit 21 whose processing mode has been switched to the input mode reads mail information including a destination and notification information from the attached USB memory, temporarily stores it in the portable storage unit 23, and proceeds to step SD5. Transition.

  SD3: Recognizing that the processing mode has been switched to the shooting mode, the portable control unit 21 acquires the image of the two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit 14 of the multifunction device 1 by the image acquisition unit 25, and proceeds to step SD4. To do.

  SD4: The mobile control unit 21 that has acquired the two-dimensional code decodes the acquired two-dimensional code image by the two-dimensional code decoding unit 26, and receives e-mail information including a destination and notification information recorded in the two-dimensional code. The data is read and temporarily stored in the portable storage unit 23, and the process proceeds to step SD5.

  SD5: The mobile control unit 21 that has shifted from step SD2 or SD5 reads out the mail information temporarily stored in the mobile storage unit 23 and sends it to the notification mail generation unit 27. Upon receiving this, the notification mail generation unit 27 receives the mail information. The notification address and the notification information are cut from the notification address, and a notification mail, which is an electronic mail in which the notification information for the cut destination is described, is generated.

SD6: The mobile control unit 21 that has generated the notification mail displays a notification mail confirmation screen displaying a destination and notification information of the notification mail, and a “send” button for instructing transmission after confirming the display contents, and the step Move to SD7.
The user confirms the display content of the notification mail displayed on the notification mail confirmation screen and presses the “Send” button.

  SD7: The mobile control unit 21 displaying the notification mail confirmation screen waits for the user to press the “Send” button, and determines that mail transmission is permitted when the “Send” button is pressed. Control goes to step SD8. When the “Send” button is not pressed, the standby is continued while displaying the notification mail confirmation screen.

  SD8: The control unit 11 that determines that the mail transmission is permitted transmits the notification mail in which the notification information and the like are written to the extracted destination (part support terminal 5 in this step) via the communication network 8 wirelessly. This mail transmission process is terminated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the failure destination table in which the notification destination and the communication mode are set for each failure type of the failure that has occurred is stored in the storage unit 13 of the MFP 1. When a failure occurs, the failure destination can be notified to the appropriate notification destination according to the failure type by referring to the failure destination table, and the time required for the action when the failure occurs can be reduced. .

  Further, even when an electronic mail cannot be transmitted due to a communication failure, the mobile terminal 2 is allowed to read the mail information including the notification destination and the notification information via the two-dimensional code or the UBS memory. Can be notified from the portable terminal 2 to an appropriate notification destination, and the time required for treatment when a failure occurs can be shortened.

  Furthermore, since the FAQ site is displayed for troubles that can be solved by the user, the user can quickly take action.

  In the above embodiment, the communication form registered in the failure destination table is described as one for each failure type. However, a combination of a plurality of communication forms, for example, display of FAQ site and e-mail It is good also as a combination.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although the case where the failure classification was classified into five was demonstrated to the example, you may make it classify | categorize into 2-4 or 6 or more.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where a single failure occurs has been described as an example. However, even if a plurality of failures occur simultaneously, the same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention. In this case, it may be notified to a place with a high failure rank first, or may be simultaneously notified to each notification destination.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described as inquiring whether the communication destination can be notified, but the notification destination may be automatically set. In this way, the user's restraint time can be shortened.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, it has been described that the occurrence of a failure is notified to the notification destination via a two-dimensional code when a communication failure occurs. However, log information stored in a simple file format is transmitted by the portable terminal 2. Alternatively, notification may be made using a snapshot of the screen displayed on the display unit 14 when a failure occurs.

  Further, in the case of the failure rank “2”, it has been described that the equipment management unit is requested to replenish the equipment by telephone contact. A statement that prompts the user to select whether or not to send the equipment replenishment request accompanying the failure to the management unit terminal 6, a “contact” button for selecting transmission, and “not to transmit” A paper error notification screen on which a “not contact” button or the like is displayed is displayed, and when the “contact” button is pressed, an e-mail generated by the notification information generation unit 17 is transmitted to the management unit terminal 6 to check the equipment You may make it request replenishment.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus is described as the multifunction device 1, but the image forming apparatus is not limited to the above, and may be a copier, a printer, a fax, or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 MFP 2 Mobile terminal 3 Failure information management server 4 Technical support terminal 5 Parts support terminal 6 Sales company terminal 7 Management unit terminal 8 Communication network 11 Control unit 12, 22, 32 Communication unit 13 Storage unit 13a Failure type table 13b Notification form list 13c Failure destination storage unit 13d Log storage unit 14 Display unit 15 Operation unit 16 Failure detection unit 17 Notification information generation unit 18 Two-dimensional code generation unit 21 Portable control unit 23 Portable storage unit 24 Operation display unit 25 Image acquisition unit 26 Two-dimensional Code decoding unit 27 Notification mail generation unit 31 Server control unit 33 Server storage unit

Claims (6)

A fault detector that detects the occurrence of a fault;
A notification information generation unit that generates notification information as notification information that can be notified according to a failure type when the failure detection unit detects the occurrence of a failure;
A failure destination storage unit that stores a destination for notifying the notification information in correspondence with a failure type, and
When the failure detection unit detects the occurrence of a failure, the notification information generated by the notification information generation unit is transmitted to a destination stored in the failure destination storage unit according to the type of failure that has occurred. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
In the failure destination storage unit, a communication mode when notifying the notification information is stored in association with the failure type,
When notifying the notification information to the destination, the image forming apparatus performs notification according to the communication mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
A display unit;
Providing the notification information and a two-dimensional code generation unit for generating a two-dimensional code including the destination;
An image forming apparatus, wherein a two-dimensional code generated by the two-dimensional code generation unit is displayed on the display unit when a failure occurs. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.
When the notification information cannot be stored in the two-dimensional code, the notification information and its destination are output to a USB memory. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.
The two-dimensional code is displayed when the failure type detected by the failure detection unit is a communication failure. In a failure notification system having the image forming apparatus according to claim 3 and a portable terminal,
The portable terminal is
An image acquisition unit for acquiring an image of a two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus;
A two-dimensional code decoding unit for decoding the image of the two-dimensional code acquired by the image acquisition unit and reading the notification information and its destination;
A notification mail generation unit for generating a notification mail including the notification information for the destination;
A failure notification system comprising: a communication unit that transmits the notification mail to the destination.

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