JP2020038275A - Job reproduction method and job reproduction program - Google Patents

Abstract

To easily create, when an error occurs in processing on a job, a reproduction job with which reproduction of the error can be checked and the effect of measures can be checked.SOLUTION: A job reproduction method includes, when reproducing a first job processed in an image forming apparatus, first log acquisition processing of acquiring a first log output by processing the first job; second log acquisition processing of creating a second job and acquiring a second log output by processing the second job; job reproduction processing of comparing the first log with the second log, and when the first log and the second log do not substantially match each other, changing at least one of parameters of the second job; and repeating the second log acquisition processing and the job reproduction processing until the first log and the second log substantially match each other, and when the first log and the second log substantially match each other, outputs the second job as a reproduction job of the first job.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a job reproduction method and a job reproduction program, and more particularly, to a job reproduction method and a job reproduction program for reproducing a job based on a log.

  In an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripherals), an error may occur or an expected operation may not be performed depending on the content of a job to be executed due to a problem in control system software. In this case, the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus needs to identify the cause of the error and take measures such as correcting the firmware.

  In such a case, the job contains the original data of the customer, and since many customers do not want to provide their original data to the manufacturer for analyzing the cause of the error or solving the problem, the job It is difficult for manufacturers to obtain the data itself. For this reason, the manufacturer can only obtain information of about a log level, and cannot sufficiently confirm the reproduction of the error and the effect of the countermeasure.

  As a technique related to the above-described log, for example, Patent Literature 1 below discloses an image processing apparatus that has a storage device for storing print data and can print print data at an arbitrary timing. Means for storing print data holding drawing information required for printing and reading the print data in accordance with a print request from a user; means for selecting print data to be used by the print request; Means for appropriately determining the configuration of the common portion, the page description language-dependent portion, the print setting-dependent portion, and the variable character string portion in the print data, and setting of the image processing apparatus for each of the determined portions of the print data Means for appropriately editing the print request, interpreting the edited print data, converting the data into image data, and then Means for outputting print data, the means for reading the print data is provided by a device connected to the large-capacity storage unit in advance for printing the print data in the device. It is described that the system includes means for holding data, means for a user to specify the type of page description language and print settings, and means for reading out common drawing log data in accordance with the specified settings. .

JP 2010-145889 A

  As described above, since it is difficult for the manufacturer to obtain the job data itself, the manufacturer estimates the cause of the problem from the error phenomenon and the information in the log, and implements countermeasures. If the guess is wrong, even if the firmware is modified and the customer's image forming apparatus is updated, the problem may not be solved.

  In order to solve the problem without fail, it is necessary to confirm the error reproduction and the effect of the countermeasure after matching the job parameters and the configuration of the image forming apparatus. It takes a lot of trouble and time to create a job whose effect can be confirmed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object of the present invention is to easily create a reproduction job capable of confirming the reproduction of an error and the effect of a countermeasure when an error occurs during job processing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a job reproduction method and a job reproduction program which can perform the job reproduction.

  One aspect of the present invention is a job reproduction method in a job reproduction server that reproduces a first job processed by an image forming apparatus, wherein a first log is obtained by processing the first job and acquiring a first log output. An acquisition process, a second log acquisition process of generating a second job, and acquiring a second log output by processing the second job, comparing the first log with the second log, When the first log and the second log do not substantially match, the job reproduction process for changing at least one of the parameters of the second job substantially matches the first log and the second log. Until the second log acquisition process and the job reproduction process are repeated, and when the first log and the second log substantially match, the second job is output as a reproduction job of the first job. Feedback processing , Characterized in that the run.

  One aspect of the present invention is a job reproduction program that operates on a job reproduction server that reproduces a first job processed by an image forming apparatus, wherein the job reproduction server processes and outputs the first job to the job reproduction server. A first log acquisition process for acquiring one log, a second log acquisition process for generating a second job, and acquiring a second log output by processing the second job, the first log and the second log And if the first log and the second log do not substantially match, a job reproduction process of changing at least one of the parameters of the second job; The second log acquisition process and the job reproduction process are repeated until the first log and the second log substantially match, and if the first log and the second log substantially match, the second job is replaced with the first job. As a reproduction job of Feedback processing of force, characterized in that to the execution.

  According to the job reproduction method and the job reproduction program of the present invention, when an error occurs during the processing of a job, a reproduction job can be easily created in which the reproduction of the error can be confirmed and the effect of the countermeasure can be confirmed.

  The reason is that when the first job processed by the image forming apparatus is reproduced, the first job is processed by processing the first job to obtain the first log, and the second job is generated. A second log acquisition process for acquiring the second log output by processing the two jobs is compared with the first log and the second log, and when the first log and the second log do not substantially match, The job reproduction process for changing at least one of the parameters of the second job and the second log acquisition process and the job reproduction process are repeated until the first log and the second log substantially match. This is because, when the second log substantially matches, the second job is output as a reproduction job of the first job.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a job reproduction system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a job reproduction server according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a job reproduction method according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a description example of a log according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the job reproduction server according to the embodiment of the present invention (when a job is generated in the basic job generation mode). FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the job reproduction server according to the embodiment of the present invention (when a job is generated in the base job generation mode). FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the job reproduction server according to the embodiment of the present invention (in a case where a job is generated in the base job generation mode and parameters to be changed are restricted). 6 is an example of parameter data used by the job reproduction server according to one embodiment of the present invention. 9 is an example of a control log used by a job reproduction server according to an embodiment of the present invention. 7 is an example of parameter data (after parameter change) used by the job reproduction server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As described in the background art, in an image forming apparatus such as an MFP, an error may occur or an expected operation may not be performed due to a problem in control system software. Manufacturers need to identify the cause of the error and take countermeasures such as correcting the firmware. At that time, it is difficult for the manufacturer to obtain the job data itself, so the manufacturer must guess the cause of the problem from the error phenomenon and the information in the log, and implement countermeasures. If not, the problem may not be solved even if the firmware is modified and the customer's image forming apparatus is updated.

  In order to solve the problem without fail, it is necessary to confirm the error reproduction and the effect of the countermeasure after matching the job parameters and the configuration of the image forming apparatus. It takes a lot of trouble and time to create a job whose effect can be confirmed.

Hereinafter, the conventional method and its problems will be specifically described.
In the first conventional method, since the job data itself cannot be obtained, a reproduction job of a plurality of assumed patterns is created and processed from job setting parameters such as logs, paper types, and print settings. Then, based on whether the log is output in the same sequence as the trouble occurrence job or has passed the logic of the trouble part, the reproduction of the error and the effect of the countermeasure are confirmed.

  However, in the first conventional method, it takes a lot of man-hours to create a reproduction job, and it takes time. In addition, the number of persons who can decode the log is limited, and in some cases, the number of persons who can decode the log changes when the module is changed. Therefore, it is difficult to confirm the reproduction of the error and the effect of the countermeasure.

  Further, in the second conventional method, a job is constantly captured, and the captured data is deleted if the job is completed normally without any error, and the captured data is left without erasing if an error occurs. Then, capture data of the remaining job is acquired and used for verification.

  However, in the second conventional method, when the capture data is actually executed by the image forming apparatus, the original document of the customer is printed. If the customer refuses to provide the capture data, the capture data cannot be obtained. Although the capture data includes print image data created from document data and setting data of a printer driver, it does not include configuration information and setting information of the image forming apparatus, and thus cannot be completely reproduced. As a result, it is necessary to confirm the reproduction of the error and the effect of the countermeasure using the first conventional method, and it is not possible to solve the problem that the man-hour and the time are required.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the log does not include the original data of the customer, and information related to job setting (called a job setting parameter) and information related to the configuration of the apparatus (MFP configuration information and ) And a log (referred to as a control log) indicating the result of processing the job based on the settings, and repeatedly changing parameters (such as job setting parameters and MFP configuration information). By executing the job, the reproduction job is brought closer to the market job in which the problem has occurred.

  Specifically, when reproducing a first job (market job) processed by the image forming apparatus, a first log obtaining process of obtaining a first log (market log) output by processing the first job; A second log acquisition process for generating a second job, acquiring a second log output by processing the second job, comparing the first log with the second log, and comparing the first log with the second log. Does not substantially match, the job reproduction process for changing at least one of the parameters of the second job, the second log acquisition process and the job reproduction until the first log and the second log substantially match. The process is repeated, and when the first log and the second log substantially match, the second job is output as a reproduction job of the first job.

  For example, job setting parameters and MFP configuration information are extracted from a first log (market log) obtained from a market MFP, a second job is generated based on the job setting parameters, and the generated second job is stored in the MFP configuration information. And a second log (reproduction log) is acquired by using an actual MFP or an MFP simulator constructed based on the above. Next, the first log (market log) is compared with the second log (reproduced log). If there is a difference in the logs, the parameters related to the difference of the second job are changed and the process is executed again. Obtain logs (reproduction logs) and compare the logs. Then, this process is repeatedly executed, and when the logs substantially match, or when the processes for the predetermined number of trials are completed, the job is output as a reproduction job for verification.

  As described above, by automatically generating the reproduction job, it is possible to reduce the number of processes and the period as compared with the case of manually generating the reproduction job. Also, in order to generate a reproduction job, the parameters are changed until the logs substantially match, so that the reproduction job can be made closer to a market job.

  To describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, a job reproducing method and a job reproducing program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a job reproduction system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a job reproduction server according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a job reproduction method according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a description example of a log according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 7 to 9 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the job reproduction server of the present embodiment. FIGS. 10 and 12 show examples of parameter data used by the job reproduction server of the present embodiment. Is an example of a control log used by the job reproduction server of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the job reproduction system 10 of the present embodiment includes a job reproduction server 20 and one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses 30. These are connected via a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) defined by standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI (Fiber-Distributed Data Interface). Hereinafter, each device will be described in detail.

[Job reproduction server]
The job reproduction server 20 is a computer device installed at a manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 30 and reproduces a job executed by the image forming apparatus 30. As shown in FIG. 2A, the job reproduction server 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 25, a network I / F unit 26, a display unit 27, an operation unit 28, and the like.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 22 and memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 24. The CPU 22 executes a control program stored in the ROM 23 and the storage unit 25. The operation of the entire job reproduction server 20 is controlled by expanding and executing the job on the RAM 24. Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the control unit 21 functions as a log acquisition unit 21a, a job reproduction unit 21b, a feedback control unit 21c, and the like.

  When the image forming apparatus 30 processes a first job (called a market job), the log obtaining unit 21a obtains a first log (called a market log) output from the image forming apparatus 30 and performs the processing. From the market log, information relating to job settings (job setting parameters), information relating to the configuration of the apparatus (MFP configuration information), and a log body (control log) indicating the result of processing the job according to the settings are extracted. Further, the log obtaining unit 21a generates a second job by combining default settings, and obtains a second log (referred to as a reproduction log) output by processing the second job. Alternatively, the log acquisition unit 21a generates a second job based on the job setting parameter and, based on the MFP configuration information, generates an actual MFP or MFP simulator having the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 30 that has executed the market job. The reproduction log is acquired by executing the constructed and generated second job on the constructed actual MFP or MFP simulator. The first log (market log) is a log when a problem occurs in the market.

  The job setting parameters include a color mode (color / 2 color / gray etc.), a tray type (tray 1 / tray 2 / tray 3 etc.), a paper type (plain paper / special paper / thick paper / thin paper / colored paper etc.), There are single-sided / double-sided, number of pages, number of copies, basis weight, post-processing conditions, and the like. The MFP configuration information includes an optional configuration (paper feed unit / finisher, etc.), consumable life (drum life / fixing unit life, etc.), temperature / humidity, ROM version, and the like. The predetermined factors required for matching the control logs include a slip rate, a paper sensor arrival time, a log output interval, and a memory state.

  The job reproduction unit 21b compares the first log (market log) and the second log (reproduction log), and when the market log and the reproduction log do not substantially match, the parameters of the second job (job setting parameters, MFP configuration information, at least one of the above-mentioned predetermined elements) is changed. At this time, the job reproducing unit 21b excludes parameters (for example, a user ID and a password) that are not related to the machine control of the image forming apparatus 30 from the parameters to be changed, or changes the predetermined parameters, thereby changing the market log. When the matched part of the reproduction log has a different value, the predetermined parameter can be returned to the original value and excluded from the parameters to be changed. Further, when an error code is included in the market log, the job reproducing unit 21b can prioritize parameters to be changed according to the error code. The fact that the logs substantially match means that the job results indicated by the logs (the processing status of each module, the processing results, and the like) are equivalent, and it is not necessary that all the descriptions of the logs completely match. Absent.

  The feedback control unit 21c repeats the acquisition of the second log (reproduction log) by the log acquisition unit 21a and the parameter change of the second job by the job reproduction unit 21b until the market log and the reproduction log substantially match, When the market log and the reproduction log substantially match, the second job is output as a reproduction job of the market job. At this time, the feedback control unit 21c repeats the acquisition of the second log (reproduction log) by the log acquisition unit 21a and the change of the parameter of the second job by the job reproduction unit 21b by a predetermined number of times. The second job having a high matching rate can be output as a reproduction job, or the second job can be output as a reproduction job when logs relating to a module in which a problem has occurred in processing a market job match. .

  Note that the log acquisition unit 21a, the job reproduction unit 21b, and the feedback control unit 21c may be configured as hardware, or a job that causes the control unit 21 to function as the log acquisition unit 21a, the job reproduction unit 21b, and the feedback control unit 21c. The job reproduction program may be configured as a reproduction program, and the CPU 22 may execute the job reproduction program.

  The storage unit 25 includes a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), and the like, a program for the CPU 22 to control each unit, a log acquired by the log acquisition unit 21a, a parameter extracted from the log, and a job reproduction. The job generated by the unit 21b is stored.

  The network I / F unit 26 includes a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, and the like, connects the job reproduction server 20 to a communication network, and establishes a connection with the image forming apparatus 30.

  The display unit 27 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, and the like, and displays various screens. The operation unit 28 includes a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, and enables various operations.

[Image forming apparatus]
The image forming apparatus 30 is a printing apparatus such as an MFP used by a customer, and performs processing such as copy / print / scan / FAX based on a job. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, the image forming apparatus 30 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 35, a network I / F unit 36, a facsimile transmission / reception unit 37, a display operation unit 40, an image reading unit 50, It is composed of an image processing section 60, a transport section 70, an image forming section 80, a post-processing section 90 and the like. A temperature / humidity detecting unit (temperature sensor or humidity sensor) (not shown) is arranged inside the housing of the image forming apparatus 30.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU 32 and memories such as a ROM 33 and a RAM 34. The CPU 32 reads out a program corresponding to the processing content from the ROM 33 or the storage unit 35, expands the program in the RAM 34, and executes the read out program, whereby each block (the FAX transmitting / receiving unit 37, the display operation unit 40, the image reading unit 50, , The image processing section 60, the transport section 70, the image forming section 80, the post-processing section 90, the temperature and humidity detecting section, and the like. The control unit 31 functions as an information acquisition unit 31a, a log generation unit 31b, and the like, as shown in FIG.

  The information acquisition unit 31a analyzes a job and acquires job setting parameters. Also, each block of the image forming apparatus 30 (FAX transmitting / receiving section 37, display operation section 40, image reading section 50, image processing section 60, transport section 70, image forming section 80, post-processing section 90, temperature / humidity detecting section, etc.) MFP control information and a control log are obtained from the server. For example, an optional configuration (paper feed unit, finisher, or the like) is acquired from the transport unit 70 or the post-processing unit 90, a consumable life (drum life, fixing unit life, or the like) is acquired from the image forming unit 80, or a transport unit is acquired. 70 to obtain the slip rate and paper arrival time from the sensor, obtain the ROM version and memory status from the ROM 33 and the RAM 34, obtain the temperature and humidity and the fixing temperature from the temperature and humidity detector, and output the control log output interval. Or to get.

  The log generation unit 31b generates and outputs a log (market log) according to a predetermined rule based on the job setting parameters, MFP configuration information, and control log acquired by the information acquisition unit 31a.

  The storage unit 35 includes an HDD, an SSD, and the like. The program for the CPU 32 to control each unit, information on processing functions of the own device, image data read by the image reading unit 50, input from a client device (not shown), and the like. It stores image data, logs (market logs) generated by the log generation unit 31b, and the like.

  The network I / F unit 36 includes an NIC, a modem, and the like, connects the image forming apparatus 30 to a communication network such as a LAN or a WAN, and communicates with an external information device (for example, the job reproduction server 20 or a client device). Sends and receives various data.

  The FAX transmission / reception unit 37 is based on the International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication (ITU-T) Recommendation T. In accordance with the FAX communication control sequence of five phases A to E specified by 30, FAX communication is performed with the other party's FAX communication device via a public switched telephone network (PSNT).

  The display operation unit 40 is an operation unit (touch sensor, such as a pressure-sensitive type or a capacitance type) in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid on a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. ), And functions as a display unit and an operation unit. The display unit displays various operation screens, image status display, operation status of each function, and the like according to a display control signal input from the control unit 31. The operation unit receives various input operations by the user and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 31.

  The image reading unit 50 includes an automatic document feeder 51 called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), a document image scanning device (scanner) 52, and the like. The automatic document feeder 51 transports a document placed on a document tray by a transport mechanism and sends it out to a document image scanning device 52. The document image scanning device 52 optically scans a document conveyed onto the contact glass from the automatic document feeder 51 or a document placed on the contact glass, and reflects light reflected from the document on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). 2.) Form an image on the light receiving surface of the sensor and read the original image. The image (analog image signal) read by the image reading unit 50 is subjected to predetermined image processing in the image processing unit 60.

  The image processing unit 60 includes a circuit for performing analog-to-digital (A / D) conversion processing, a circuit for performing digital image processing, and the like. The image processing section 60 generates digital image data by performing A / D conversion processing on the analog image signal from the image reading section 50. Further, the image processing unit 60 analyzes a print job acquired from an external information device (for example, a client device) and rasterizes each page of the document to generate digital image data. Then, the image processing unit 60 performs image processing such as color conversion processing, correction processing (such as shading correction) according to initial settings or user settings, and compression processing on the image data as necessary. The processed image data is output to the image forming unit 80.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the transport unit 70 includes a paper feed device 71, a transport mechanism 72, a paper discharge device 73, and the like. In the present embodiment, the paper feeding device 71 includes three paper feeding tray units. In these paper feed tray units, standard paper and special paper identified based on the basis weight, size, and the like of the paper are stored for each type set in advance. In addition, when a paper feeding unit is added as an option, the control unit 31 is notified of the addition and is described in the log as option information of MFP configuration information (“option 1” of parameter data in FIG. 10 described later). The sheets stored in the sheet feed tray unit are sent out one by one from the top, and are conveyed to the image forming unit 80 by the conveyance mechanism 72 including a plurality of conveyance rollers such as registration rollers. At this time, when the rollers slip, the inclination of the fed sheet is corrected and the transport timing is adjusted. The slip rates of these rollers are described in the log as “slip rate roller A” and “slip rate roller B” in the parameter data of FIG. Further, a sensor is attached to a predetermined position of the transport mechanism 72, and the sensor arrival time of the sheet can be acquired based on the output of each sensor, and the sensor arrival time is described in a log. Then, the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 80 is discharged to a discharge tray outside the apparatus by a discharge device 73 having a discharge roller.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4C, the image forming unit 80 includes exposure devices 81 (81Y, 81M, 81C, 81K) provided corresponding to different color components Y, M, C, and K. Developing device 82 (82Y, 82M, 82C, 82K), photoreceptor drum 83 (83Y, 83M, 83C, 83K), charging device 84 (84Y, 84M, 84C, 84K), cleaning device 85 (85Y, 85M, 85C, 85K), a primary transfer roller 86 (86Y, 86M, 86C, 86K), an intermediate transfer unit 87, a fixing device 88, etc., and a consumable life of each component (for example, the photosensitive drum 83 or the fixing device 88). Is notified to the control unit 31, and MFP configuration information (“drum life (K)”, “drum life (M)”, and “fixing unit life” in the parameter data of FIG. It is written to the log as. In the following description, symbols excluding Y, M, C, and K will be used as necessary.

  The photosensitive drum 83 of each color component Y, M, C, K has an organic photosensitive layer (OPC) provided with an overcoat layer as a protective layer on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical metal base made of aluminum material. Image carrier. The photoconductor drum 83 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3 by being driven by an intermediate transfer belt described later in a grounded state.

  The charging device 84 for each of the color components Y, M, C, and K is of a scorotron type, and is disposed close to the corresponding photosensitive drum 83 with its longitudinal direction along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 83. The surface of the photosensitive drum 83 is given a uniform potential by corona discharge having the same polarity as the toner.

  The exposure device 81 for each of the color components Y, M, C, and K scans in parallel with the rotation axis of the photoconductor drum 83 using, for example, a polygon mirror or the like, and scans the surface of the corresponding photoconductor drum 83 charged uniformly. An electrostatic latent image is formed by performing image exposure based on the image data.

  The developing device 82 for each of the color components Y, M, C, and K contains a two-component developer composed of a toner having a small particle diameter of the corresponding color component and a magnetic material. The photosensitive drum 83 is conveyed, and the electrostatic latent image carried on the photosensitive drum 83 is visualized with toner.

  The primary transfer rollers 86 of the respective color components Y, M, C, and K press the intermediate transfer belt against the photosensitive drum 83, and superimpose the respective color toner images formed on the corresponding photosensitive drum 83 sequentially to form a primary transfer on the intermediate transfer belt. Transcribe. The primary transfer roller 86 (or a portion where the primary transfer is performed by the primary transfer roller 86) is referred to as a primary transfer unit.

  The cleaning device 85 for each of the color components Y, M, C, and K collects the residual toner remaining on the corresponding photosensitive drum 83 after the primary transfer. A lubricant applying mechanism (not shown) is provided adjacent to the cleaning device 85 on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 83, and applies a lubricant to the photosensitive surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum 83. I have.

  The intermediate transfer unit 87 includes an endless intermediate transfer belt 87a serving as a transfer object, a support roller 87b, a secondary transfer roller 87c, an intermediate transfer cleaning unit 87d, and the like. The intermediate transfer belt 87a is stretched over a plurality of support rollers 87b. It is constructed by being bridged. When the intermediate transfer belt 87a to which the respective color toner images are primarily transferred by the primary transfer rollers 86Y, 86M, 86C, and 86K is pressed against the sheet by the secondary transfer roller 87c, the toner image is secondarily transferred to the sheet, and the fixing device 88. The intermediate transfer cleaning section 87d has a belt cleaning blade (BCL blade) that slides on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 87a. The transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 87a after the secondary transfer is scraped off by the BCL blade and removed.

  The fixing device 88 includes a heating roller 88a serving as a heat source, a fixing roller 88b, a fixing belt 88c, a pressure roller 88d, a fixing lamp 88e, and the like. The fixing roller 88b presses the fixing roller 88b via the fixing belt 88c. The roller 88d is in pressure contact, and the pressure contact portion constitutes a nip portion. Then, the sheet passing through the nip is heated and pressed by the fixing belt 88c and the rollers heated by the heating roller 88a, and the unfixed toner image formed on the sheet is fixed. The fixing device 88 is provided with a temperature detection unit (temperature sensor) (not shown), and the control unit 31 controls the fixing operation by acquiring the fixing temperature.

  Then, the sheet on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 88 is discharged to a discharge tray outside the apparatus by a discharge device 73 provided with a discharge roller.

  The post-processing unit 90 allows the user to perform punching, stapling, folding, cutting, bookbinding, pasting with glue, or the like, as needed, on the sheet conveyed from the image forming unit 80, according to an instruction from the control unit 31. Output after finishing processing. If the post-processing unit 90 is added as an option, it is notified to the control unit 31 and described in the log as option information of MFP configuration information (“option 2” of parameter data in FIG. 10 described later).

  FIGS. 1 to 4 show an example of the job reproduction system 10 of the present embodiment, and the configuration and control contents of each apparatus can be changed as appropriate. For example, in the present embodiment, a multifunction peripheral having copy / print / scan / FAX functions has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus 30, but it is sufficient that the multifunction peripheral has at least one function. In the above-described embodiment, the job reproduction server 20 is configured to acquire a log from the image forming apparatus 30 via a communication network. However, the image reproducing apparatus 20 may be configured to acquire a log via a recording medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Alternatively, the log may be obtained from

  Hereinafter, the schematic operation of the job reproduction system 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG.

  (1) The job reproduction server 20 acquires a market log (here, log A) when a market job (here, job A) is executed from a customer MFP installed in a customer office.

  (2) The job reproduction server 20 analyzes the acquired market log, and, based on the market log, job setting parameters (color mode, tray, paper type, single / double side, number of pages, number of copies, basis weight, etc.) and MFP configuration information (Option configuration, consumable life, temperature and humidity, ROM version, etc.) and control log are extracted. FIG. 6 shows a description example of a log. For example, by decoding information (a combination of hexadecimal numbers) described in the log, it is possible to determine the contents of job setting parameters and MFP configuration information. .

  (3) The job reproduction server 20 generates a base job (job B in this case) as a reproduction job. For example, a base job in which only setting items that can be determined are set from the job setting parameters is generated.

  (4) The job reproduction server 20 constructs a job execution environment (MFP). For example, based on the MFP configuration information extracted from the market log, an MFP having the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 30 that has executed the market job (called an actual MFP) is prepared. Alternatively, an MFP simulator having the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 30 that has executed the market job is constructed.

  (5) The job reproduction server 20 causes the real machine MFP or the MFP simulator to execute the base job (job B) and acquires a reproduction log (here, log B).

  (6) The job reproduction server 20 compares the reproduction log (log B) of the base job (job B) with the market log (log A) of the market job (job A), and extracts the difference.

  (7) Regenerate a base job (job B ') with changed parameters from the log difference. For example, the base job in which the job setting parameter related to the extracted log difference has been changed is regenerated, and (4) to (6) are performed again. This process is repeatedly performed until a job B 'having no log difference can be generated.

  (8) The effect is confirmed using the job B 'in which the log difference has disappeared. For example, a firmware in which a problem phenomenon has been corrected is created, and a job B 'is executed using an actual MFP or an MFP simulator updated to the corrected firmware, and it is confirmed that no problem occurs in the job B'.

  (9) Update the customer MFP using the corrected firmware.

  In the base job generation (2), a “basic job generation mode” for generating a job using default settings and a “base job generation” for generating a job using job setting parameters extracted from a market log. "Mode" may be selectable.

The “basic job generation mode” is a mode for generating a base job (job B) with basic settings without extracting parameters from the market log (log A) of the market job (job A). In this mode, the job setting parameters and the MFP configuration information can be, for example, as follows.
-Job setting parameters: A4, single-sided, full color, plain paper-MFP configuration information: main unit + finisher A

The “base job generation mode” is a mode in which parameters are extracted from a market log (log A) of a market job (job A), and a base job (job B) is generated based on the extracted parameters. In this mode, the job setting parameters and the MFP configuration information can be, for example, as follows.
-Job setting parameters: A3, single-sided, full color, high quality paper-MFP configuration information: main body + paper feed unit A + finisher A + finisher B

  Hereinafter, a specific operation of the job reproduction server 20 of the present embodiment will be described. The CPU 22 executes the processing of each step shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 9 by expanding the job reproduction program stored in the ROM 23 or the storage unit 25 in the RAM 24 and executing the program.

[When generating job A in basic job generation mode]
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the control unit 21 (log acquisition unit 21a) acquires a market log (log A) (S101). Next, the control unit 21 (the log acquisition unit 21a) creates a base job (job B) with basic settings (for example, A3, single-sided, full-color, high-quality paper, etc.) (S102). The job B is processed using the actual MFP or MFP simulator constructed with the basic settings (for example, the main body + the finisher A) (S103).

  Next, the control unit 21 (log acquisition unit 21a) acquires the log of the job B (log B) (S104), and the control unit 21 (job reproduction unit 21b) determines that the log A and the log B are substantially different. It is determined whether they match (S105). When the log A and the log B do not substantially match (No in S105), the control unit 21 (the job reproduction unit 21b) changes the job (job B) in which at least one of the parameters (for example, the job setting parameter) is changed. ') Is generated (S106). Then, in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 21 (feedback control unit 21c), the control unit 21 processes the job B ′ using the actual MFP or MFP simulator constructed with the basic settings (S107), and the control unit 21 ( The log acquisition unit 21a) acquires the log of the job B '(log B') (S108), and returns to S105. The control unit 21 (job reproduction unit 21b) determines that the log A and the log B 'are substantially different. Is determined to match.

  On the other hand, if the log A matches the log B (or log B ′) (Yes in S105), the control unit 21 (feedback control unit 21c) outputs the job B (or job B ′) (S109). ), And a series of processing ends.

  In the above description, when the logs substantially match, the job B (or job B ′) is output as a reproduction job. However, even when the logs do not substantially match, the log B (or log B ′) is output. ) And the parameter change of job B (or job B ′) are repeated a predetermined number of times, the job B (or job B ′) having the highest log matching rate is output as a reproduction job, Job B (or job B ′) may be output as a reproduction job when the logs related to the module in which the problem has occurred during the processing of job A match.

[When generating job A in the base job generation mode]
As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 21 (log acquisition unit 21a) acquires a market log (log A) (S201), and extracts a job setting parameter from the log A (S202). For example, as shown in FIG. 10, parameters of items such as a color mode, a tray, a paper type, one-sided / two-sided, the number of pages, the number of copies, and the basis weight are extracted. Then, the control unit 21 (the log acquisition unit 21a) generates a base job (job B) based on the extracted job setting parameters (S203).

  Next, the control unit 21 (the log acquisition unit 21a) extracts MFP configuration information from the log A (S204). For example, as shown in FIG. 10, parameters of items such as option 1, option 2, slip rate roller A, slip rate roller B, drum life (K), drum life (M), and fixing unit life are extracted. Then, when using the actual MFP (Yes in S205), the control unit 21 (the log acquisition unit 21a) constructs the actual MFP based on the extracted MFP configuration information (S206), and when not using the actual MFP, (No in S205), an MFP simulator is constructed based on the extracted MFP configuration information (S207). After that, the control unit 21 processes the job B with the constructed actual MFP or MFP simulator (S208).

  Next, the control unit 21 (the log acquisition unit 21a) acquires the log of the job B (log B) (S209), and the control unit 21 (the job reproduction unit 21b) determines that the log A and the log B are substantially different. It is determined whether they match (S210). When the log A and the log B do not substantially match (No in S210), the control unit 21 (the job reproduction unit 21b) transmits the job B ′ in which at least one of the parameters (for example, the job setting parameter) is changed. It is generated (S211). Then, in accordance with the instruction of the control unit 21 (feedback control unit 21c), the control unit 21 processes the job B ′ using the constructed real machine MFP or MFP simulator (S212), and the control unit 21 (the log acquisition unit 21a). Acquires the log of the job B '(log B') (S213), returns to S210, and the control unit 21 (job reproduction unit 21b) determines whether the log A and the log B 'substantially match. to decide.

  For example, regarding the events in the frame of FIG. 11, the control log (log A) on the left side detects the event B 94 msec after the event A, but the control log on the right side (log B) detects the event B after 114 msec from the event A. Since event B has been detected, it is determined that log A and log B do not substantially match. The event enclosed by this frame is the timing at which the sensors disposed before and after the roller A on the transport mechanism 72 of the transport unit 70 detect the sheet, and the slip rate increases due to the deterioration of the roller A and the adhesion of the paper powder, and Since the speed may be reduced, as shown in FIG. 12, a job B ′ in which the parameter of the “slip ratio roller A” of the MFP configuration information is changed from 1% to 5% is generated.

  On the other hand, if the log A matches the log B (or log B ′) (Yes in S210), the control unit 21 (feedback control unit 21c) outputs the job B (or job B ′) (S214). ), And a series of processing ends.

[When job A is generated in the base job generation mode and parameters to be changed are restricted]
As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 21 (log acquisition unit 21a) acquires a market log (log A) (S301), and extracts a job setting parameter from the log A (S302). Then, the control unit 21 (the log acquisition unit 21a) generates a base job (job B) based on the extracted job setting parameters (S303).

  Next, the control unit 21 (the log acquisition unit 21a) extracts the MFP configuration information from the log A (S304), and when using the actual MFP (Yes in S305), based on the extracted MFP configuration information, The MFP is constructed (S306), and if the actual MFP is not used (No in S305), an MFP simulator is constructed based on the extracted MFP configuration information (S307). After that, the control unit 21 processes the job B with the constructed actual MFP or MFP simulator (S308).

  Next, the control unit 21 (log acquisition unit 21a) acquires the log of the job B (log B) (S309), and the control unit 21 (job reproduction unit 21b) determines that the log A and the log B are substantially different. It is determined whether or not they match (S310). If log A and log B do not substantially match (No in S310), it is determined whether the degree of matching between log A and log B has increased compared to the previous execution. (S311). If the degree of coincidence between the log A and the log B increases (Yes in S311), the control unit 21 (job reproduction unit 21b) acquires the previously changed location from the changed location record information (S312), and A fixed flag is added to the parameter (S313), and the process proceeds to S314.

  If the degree of coincidence between the log A and the log B does not increase (No in S311), the control unit 21 (the job reproduction unit 21b) determines at least one of the parameters to which the fixed flag is not added (for example, the job setting parameter). Is generated (S314), and the changed portion is recorded in the changed portion recording information (S315). Then, in accordance with the instruction of the control unit 21 (feedback control unit 21c), the control unit 21 processes the job B ′ with the constructed real machine MFP or MFP simulator (S316), and the control unit 21 (log acquisition unit 21a) The log of the job B ′ (log B ′) is obtained (S317), and the process returns to S310, where the control unit 21 (job reproduction unit 21b) determines whether the log A and the log B ′ substantially match. .

  On the other hand, if the log A matches the log B (or log B ′) (Yes in S310), the control unit 21 (feedback control unit 21c) outputs the job B (or job B ′) (S318). ), And a series of processing ends.

  At the time of changing the parameters, parameters that are not related to the machine control of the image forming apparatus 30 may be excluded from the changed parameters (fixed flag is added), or the log A and the log may be changed by changing the predetermined parameters. When the matched part of B (or log B ') has a different value, the predetermined parameter may be returned to the original value and excluded from the parameter to be changed (fixed flag is added).

  Further, in the above flow, in steps S106, S211, and S314, the job B ′ in which the parameter related to the extracted log difference is changed is generated. (Or an MFP simulator) to process a plurality of jobs B 'in succession, compare the log B' of each job B 'with the log A, and select the job with the highest matching degree.

  The order of changing the parameters is arbitrary, but when an error code is included in the log A, the parameter to be changed may be prioritized according to the error code. For example, when a print image failure error (for example, Error: 12345) occurs, there is a high possibility that the sheet setting of the MFP does not match the basis weight of the sheet actually set in the tray. This is because, when thick paper is passed through the plain paper setting, due to differences in the resistance value of the secondary transfer and the elution of the plain paper, transfer cannot be performed correctly, or an unfixed image tends to be formed due to the absorption of a large amount of fixing heat. Therefore, in this case, weighting can be performed so that the basis weight of the job setting parameter is preferentially changed.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and its configuration and control can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the color setting, the tray type, the paper type, the single-sided / double-sided, the number of pages, the number of copies, the grammage, and the post-processing conditions are exemplified as the job setting parameters, but the job setting parameters are not limited to the above. Any information on job settings is acceptable. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the option configuration, the consumable life, the temperature and the humidity, and the ROM version are exemplified as the MFP configuration information.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the job executed by the image forming apparatus 30 is reproduced has been described. However, the job reproducing method of the present invention is similarly applied to the case where the job executed by any information processing apparatus is reproduced. Can be applied.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is applicable to a job reproduction method for reproducing a job based on a log, a job reproduction program, and a recording medium on which the job reproduction program is recorded.

Reference Signs List 10 job reproduction system 20 job reproduction server 21 control unit 21a log acquisition unit 21b job reproduction unit 21c feedback control unit 22 CPU
23 ROM
24 RAM
Reference Signs List 25 storage unit 26 network I / F unit 27 display unit 28 operation unit 30 image forming apparatus 31 control unit 31a information acquisition unit 31b log generation unit 32 CPU
33 ROM
34 RAM
35 storage unit 36 network I / F unit 37 fax transmission / reception unit 40 display / operation unit 50 image reading unit 51 automatic document feeder 52 document image scanning device 60 image processing unit 70 transport unit 71 paper feed device 72 transport mechanism 73 paper discharge device 80 Image forming unit 81, 81Y, 81M, 81C, 81K Exposure device 82, 82Y, 82M, 82C, 82K Developing device 83, 83Y, 83M, 83C, 83K Photoconductor drum 84, 84Y, 84M, 84C, 84K Charging device 85 , 85Y, 85M, 85C, 85K Cleaning device 86, 86Y, 86M, 86C, 86K Primary transfer roller 87 Intermediate transfer unit 87a Intermediate transfer belt 87b Support roller 87c Secondary transfer roller 87d Intermediate transfer cleaning section 88 Fixing device 88a Heating roller 88b Fixing roller 88c Fixing belt 88d Pressure roller 88e Fixing lamp 90 Post-processing unit

Claims (24)

A job reproduction method in a job reproduction server that reproduces a first job processed by an image forming apparatus,
A first log acquisition process for acquiring a first log output by processing the first job;
A second log acquisition process for generating a second job and acquiring a second log output by processing the second job;
Comparing the first log and the second log, and when the first log and the second log do not substantially match, a job reproduction process of changing at least one of parameters of the second job;
The second log acquisition process and the job reproduction process are repeated until the first log and the second log substantially match, and the first log and the second log substantially match Performing a feedback process of outputting the second job as a reproduction job of the first job.
A job reproduction method characterized in that: In the second log acquisition process, the second job is generated by combining default settings.
2. The job reproducing method according to claim 1, wherein: In the second log acquisition process, a job setting parameter indicating information related to the setting of the first job is extracted from the first log, and the second job is generated based on the job setting parameter.
2. The job reproducing method according to claim 1, wherein: The job setting parameters include any one of a color mode, a tray type, a paper type, one-sided / two-sided, the number of pages, the number of copies, a basis weight, and a post-processing condition.
4. The job reproducing method according to claim 3, wherein: In the second log acquisition process, device configuration information indicating information on the configuration of the image forming device is extracted from the first log, and the first job is executed based on the extracted device configuration information. Constructing a real machine or a simulator having the same configuration as the image forming apparatus, and executing the second job on the constructed real machine or the simulator to acquire the second log;
5. The job reproducing method according to claim 3, wherein The device configuration information includes one of an option configuration, a consumable life, a temperature / humidity, and a ROM version.
6. The job reproducing method according to claim 5, wherein: In the feedback processing, when the second log acquisition processing and the job reproduction processing are repeated a predetermined number of times, the second job having the highest log matching rate is output as the reproduction job.
7. The job reproducing method according to claim 1, wherein: In the feedback processing, when the logs related to the module in which the problem has occurred in processing the first job match, the second job is output as the reproduction job.
7. The job reproducing method according to claim 1, wherein: In the job reproduction process, parameters not related to machine control of the image forming apparatus are excluded from parameters to be changed.
9. The job reproduction method according to claim 1, wherein In the job reproduction process, when the matched part of the first log and the second log has a different value due to the change of the predetermined parameter, the predetermined parameter is returned to the original value. , Exclude from parameters to change,
9. The job reproduction method according to claim 1, wherein In the job reproducing process, when an error code is included in the first log, a priority is given to a parameter to be changed according to the error code.
The job reproducing method according to claim 1, wherein: The first log is a log when a problem occurs in the market.
The job reproducing method according to claim 1, wherein A job reproduction program that operates on a job reproduction server that reproduces a first job processed by the image forming apparatus,
In the job reproduction server,
A first log acquisition process for acquiring a first log output by processing the first job;
A second log acquisition process for generating a second job and acquiring a second log output by processing the second job;
Comparing the first log and the second log, and when the first log and the second log do not substantially match, a job reproduction process of changing at least one of parameters of the second job;
The second log acquisition process and the job reproduction process are repeated until the first log and the second log substantially match, and the first log and the second log substantially match Executing a feedback process of outputting the second job as a reproduction job of the first job.
A job reproduction program characterized in that: In the second log acquisition process, the second job is generated by combining default settings.
14. The job reproduction program according to claim 13, wherein: In the second log acquisition process, a job setting parameter indicating information related to the setting of the first job is extracted from the first log, and the second job is generated based on the job setting parameter.
14. The job reproduction program according to claim 13, wherein: The job setting parameters include any one of a color mode, a tray type, a paper type, one-sided / two-sided, the number of pages, the number of copies, a basis weight, and a post-processing condition.
The job reproduction program according to claim 15, wherein: In the second log acquisition process, device configuration information indicating information related to the configuration of the image forming device is extracted from the first log, and the first job is executed based on the extracted device configuration information. Constructing a real machine or a simulator having the same configuration as the image forming apparatus, and executing the second job on the constructed real machine or the simulator to acquire the second log;
17. The job reproduction program according to claim 15, wherein: The device configuration information includes one of an option configuration, a consumable life, a temperature / humidity, and a ROM version.
The job reproduction program according to claim 17, wherein: In the feedback processing, when the second log acquisition processing and the job reproduction processing are repeated a predetermined number of times, the second job having the highest log matching rate is output as the reproduction job.
19. The job reproduction program according to claim 13, wherein: In the feedback processing, when the logs related to the module in which the problem has occurred in processing the first job match, the second job is output as the reproduction job.
19. The job reproduction program according to claim 13, wherein: In the job reproduction process, parameters not related to machine control of the image forming apparatus are excluded from parameters to be changed.
The job reproduction program according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein: In the job reproduction process, when the matched part of the first log and the second log has a different value due to the change of the predetermined parameter, the predetermined parameter is returned to the original value. , Exclude from parameters to change,
The job reproduction program according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein: In the job reproducing process, when an error code is included in the first log, a priority is given to a parameter to be changed according to the error code.
The job reproduction program according to any one of claims 13 to 22, wherein: The first log is a log when a problem occurs in the market.
The job reproduction program according to any one of claims 13 to 23, wherein:

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