JP4561270B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a log storage unit that detects a job executed based on a key operation on an operation panel and an operation state of each part of the apparatus and stores the detected operation state as log information. Relates to improvement in work efficiency when analyzing a failure from log information stored in log storage means, and improvement of a log information writing processing method suitable for effective use of a limited recording capacity of the log storage means.

  As a maintenance operation method for an electronic device such as an image forming apparatus, a history of key operations and job logs is held in a memory (log storage unit) as log information in the electronic device. A technique for reading out information and analyzing the cause of a failure is widespread.

  As a conventional example related to the maintenance and operation of this type of electronic equipment, Patent Document 1 below records a series of procedures (key press information) input from the operation panel of the image output apparatus in an external control system or holds an internal log. There is disclosed a method of maintaining the function and improving the efficiency of failure analysis for software.

Patent Document 2 discloses operation information of a copying machine, display contents during operation, status information of each operation unit, and stores the information while sequentially updating it. When it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, storage information is stored. The method of disabling the record update, grasping the state when an abnormal state occurs, grasping the cause of the abnormality, and dealing with it are disclosed.
JP 2002-207399 A JP 2001-290396 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the key press information recorded in the external control system or held in the internal log holding function is not clearly associated with the job, and the failure analysis is performed based on the key press information. However, it takes time and effort to separate which key operation of the job, and it takes a lot of time to identify the cause of the failure.

  Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, it is possible to protect the recording at the time of abnormality by prohibiting the record update when it is determined to be abnormal after the occurrence of the failure. Depends on the storage capacity of the log storage means.

  As is well known, in equipment such as an image forming apparatus, log storage means cannot be mounted with a large storage capacity. Therefore, a method of repeatedly holding records with a limited storage capacity using a ring buffer or the like is used.

  As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228867, in a device in which log holding means having only a limited storage capacity is provided, simply prohibiting record update when it is determined to be abnormal after a failure occurs. Even if it is possible to protect the record at the time of abnormality, there is no confirmation that it can protect the record of the state that is absolutely necessary for maintenance although it does not lead to the previous abnormal state, and the analysis of the state necessary for maintenance is insufficient Therefore, there was a problem that the maintenance operation was hindered.

  The present invention solves the above problems, reduces the time and effort to separate the key operation information of each job from the log information stored in the log storage means, and allows the failure analysis to proceed efficiently. Log information in a state necessary for maintenance can be reliably held under the restriction that the recording capacity is limited, and efficient maintenance operation can be performed by analyzing the log information and identifying the state necessary for maintenance. It is an object to provide a feasible image forming apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 detects an operation state of an operation panel having a plurality of keys and each part of the apparatus after execution of a job executed based on a key operation on the operation panel. In an image forming apparatus having a detection unit and a log storage unit that stores the operation state as log information, a job type to be executed based on a key operation on the operation panel is specified and a unique corresponding to the job type As a result of detecting the operation state of each part of the apparatus by the tag generation means for generating the job identification tag and the detection means , the job executed based on the key operation on the operation panel is completed without causing a failure . If it is recognized, the type of the key operated on the operation panel and the job identification tag generated by the tag generating means are Characterized by comprising the key press information writing means for writing and overwrite in said log storage log information stored in the unit as a corresponding key press information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the key press information writing means converts the log information of the job that has been completed without a failure into log information of the job preceding the job. Overwrite on the other hand.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, during the execution of the job executed based on the key operation on the operation panel as a result of detecting the operation state of each part of the apparatus by the detection means. When it is recognized that a failure has occurred, the apparatus further comprises a transmission unit that stops writing of the log information by the key press information writing unit and then transmits the log information written so far to an external device. To do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a reading unit that reads a document, a processing unit that processes image information read from the document by the reading unit, and a recording start time of the log information a recording start condition setting means for setting the log information record start condition includes but is at the set of the document relative to said reading means, said set by the recording start condition setting means, when recording starts in the log information said When the recording start condition including the time of setting the original on the reading unit is satisfied, a job is started based on a key operation on the operation panel, and each unit of the apparatus is detected by the detecting unit after the job is normally completed. detects the operating state, further comprising a log information writing means for recording on said log storage means operation state of said detected as the log information.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein the recording start condition setting means sets a period for storing log information or a period for excluding storage as the recording start condition. The writing means executes or stops the recording of the log information during the log information storage period or the log information storage exclusion period .

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the storage capacity of the storage unit that stores log information by overwriting only the log of a job that has been completed without a failure, and the storage capacity of the log storage unit is limited. Among them, failure analysis can be efficiently advanced from the key press information held in the log storage means.

  Preferably, in the present invention, the log storage means has log holding areas respectively corresponding to a plurality of job types, and the key operation information writing means stores key press information including a key type, a time count, and a job identification tag. In this configuration, when the log storage unit is searched from the external processing apparatus using the job identification tag of the desired job as a search key, the log storage area corresponding to the job type may be written. Since the key operation information can be directly extracted from the holding area corresponding to the job, it is not necessary to sort the key operation information after reading for each job type, and the log storage unit is accessed from the external processing device and the key is stored in the log storage unit. When extracting the operation information and identifying the cause of the problem on a job basis, the amount of access to the log storage means can be reduced, and the cause of the problem Furthermore it is possible to proceed efficiently the task of identifying.

  According to the present invention, the log information recording start condition is set by the recording start condition setting means, and the log information writing means starts recording the log information to the log storage means according to the set recording start condition. Therefore, it is necessary for maintenance under the constraint that the recording capacity of the log storage means is limited by setting the storage start condition that matches the maintenance depending on what kind of maintenance is necessary. The log information of the state can be reliably held, and efficient maintenance operation can be realized by analyzing the log information and surely specifying the state necessary for maintenance.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 10 includes a communication interface (I / F) unit 11 having an interface function with a communication line connected to an external system, an operation panel having a plurality of keys, a liquid crystal display unit, and the like. Operation to input various functions (copy, printer, scanner, FAX) to be described later by pressing keys on the operation panel, and display various information such as operation guidance and operation status of the execution function on the liquid crystal display unit Image forming that prints on a recording medium a display unit 12, a reading unit (scanner) 13 that reads an image on a document, image data read by the reading unit 13, image data input from a PC or the like, and image data received by FAX An image forming unit 14 that performs processing, a storage unit 15 that stores various information such as image data before printing, and a reading unit 13 read the original. Copy function for printing image data with the image forming unit 14, Print (printer) function for printing with the image forming unit 14 image data input from an external PC or the like via the communication I / F unit 11, reading The image data read from the original by the unit 13 is transmitted to the partner facsimile machine via the communication I / F unit 11, and the image data received from the partner facsimile machine via the communication I / F unit 11 is transmitted to the image forming unit. In addition to performing control related to various functions such as a facsimile (FAX) transmission function function to be printed at 14, a control unit 16 is also provided for controlling the entire apparatus.

  The control unit 16 includes a state detection unit 161 and a state analysis unit 162.

  The state detection unit 161 indicates the operation state of the communication I / F unit 11, the operation display unit 12, the reading unit 13, the image forming unit 14, and the like during the operation of each function such as the above-described copy, printer, scanner, and FAX. Perform processing to detect.

  The detection processing of the state detection unit 161 includes detection of an operation state of a software job for controlling the above-described functions (copy, printer, scanner, FAX), for example, sensors installed in each unit in the image forming unit 14 The process of detecting the state of various consumables such as a toner cartridge, a photoconductor, a fixing device, an intermediate transfer belt, etc. is also included.

  The state analysis unit 162 determines what abnormality occurred during the execution of which job in the device based on the operation state of each part of the device detected by the state detection unit 161 and the operation state of the software job for each function. Analyze.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 is realized by a multi-function machine that integrates functions such as a copy, a printer, a scanner, and a FAX into one unit, and among the plurality of keys arranged on the operation panel of the operation display unit 12. When the key corresponding to each function is pressed, the control unit 16 activates the software job of the function corresponding to the pressed key and performs drive control of the corresponding hardware, thereby achieving the composite function. The

  During operation of the image forming apparatus 10 having the above composite function, the control unit 16 detects a pressed key on the operation panel, a software job activated in response to the depressed key, and a software job activated after the activation. A log information storage process is performed in which the drive state and the like of each hardware part that is driven and controlled by the software job is acquired, and the acquired information is stored in a log storage unit, which will be described later, as log information for failure analysis.

  Hereinafter, the log information storage processing in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to each embodiment.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control unit 16 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 16 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes an operation panel 121 (operations) including a plurality of keys including function keys corresponding to the above-described copy, printer, scanner, and FAX functions. Software that corresponds to each function while monitoring the operation of the entire system including the panel controller 21 that controls the input of key operations at the display unit 16) and the detection result of the state detection unit 161, etc. A system monitor / manager 22 that performs integrated management of jobs or hardware, and a copy target, a printer function, a scanner function, and a FAX function that are monitored by the system monitor / manager 22 (monitored through the status detection unit 161). Software jobs (copy job 231, printer job 232, scanner job 23 , FAX job 234) group application job 23, log storage unit 24 as a log information holding medium comprising a ring buffer, etc., and a communication interface function for transmitting log information held in log storage unit 24 to external system 30 And an I / F unit 25 that manages the above.

  The system monitor / manager 22 also includes a key pressed on the operation panel 121 and a software job (231, 232, 233, 234) activated in response to the pressed key, which is monitored through the state detection unit 161. And a log information writing processing unit 221 for writing the operation state of hardware driven by the software job (231, 232, 233, 234) after the activation into the log storage unit 24 as log information, and the time counting device in the device A TS adding unit 222 is provided that acquires the time measured from the common time measuring circuit (timer) 17 and adds a time stamp (TS) indicating the time measured to the log information held in the log storage unit 24.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the key operation information write processing operation by the log information write processing unit 221 of the system monitor / manager 22.

  In FIG. 3, when the user operates a key on the operation panel 121 (step S101), the panel controller 21 passes a key code corresponding to the operation key to the system monitor / manager 22, and the system monitor / manager 22 22 sends a key code to an application job 23 (any one of a copy job 231, a printer job 232, a scanner job 233, and a FAX job 234) corresponding to the key code received from the client 22 so that the application job 23 becomes the key code. Run the corresponding job.

  Simultaneously with this processing, the log information writing processing unit 221 acquires a key code passed from the panel controller 21 in response to the key operation (step S102), and then the operation of the application job 23 corresponding to the key code The status is acquired from the application job 23 (step S103), the job type of the application job 23 is specified, and a unique job identification tag corresponding to the job type is generated (step S104).

  The job identification tag is generated by, for example, a method in which a job identification tag registered in the apparatus in advance according to the job type is read out according to the job type recognized from the key code in step S102. be able to.

  Further, the log information writing processing unit 221 acquires the time measured at the time of occurrence of the key operation from the timer 17 that measures time (step S105), and the TS adding unit 222 generates a time stamp (TS).

  Subsequently, the log information writing processing unit 221 performs the key code (key information) acquired in step S102, the operation state of the job acquired in step S103, the job identification tag generated in step S104, and the time stamp generated in step S105. Are collectively written in the log storage unit 24 as key operation information (step S106).

  Each time the key is pressed on the operation panel 121, the log information writing processing unit 221 performs the above-described series of writing processing, and the key operation information (key information, A process of writing a log recording unit 24 (which includes a job identification tag, a time stamp, status information, and the like) is repeatedly performed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a storage form of the key operation information 240 written in the log storage unit 24 by the log information write processing unit 221 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the log storage unit 24 has a job-specific job identification tag (JOB), a time stamp (TS), a key type, and an operation state corresponding to one key operation. The key operation information is stored for each line and in the order of pressing each key (key operation occurrence order).

  Here, regarding the job identification tag, “CP” corresponds to a copy job, “PR” corresponds to a printer job, “SC” corresponds to a scanner job, and “FX” corresponds to a FAX job.

  Therefore, in the log information storage unit 24 of this example, as the log information on the first line, the processing regarding the copy (= CP) was performed at 15:00:10 on February 3, 2004. Similarly, the log information of each of the lines 2, 3, 4 and 5 is copied (= CP), FAX (= FX), printer (= PR), and scanner (= SC). It is remembered what kind of state it was done at daytime.

  Now, during the log information writing process in the log information writing processing unit 221 (see FIG. 3), when the state analysis unit 162 recognizes that a system failure has occurred based on the detection result of the state detection unit 161, the system The monitor / manager 22 stops writing log information by the log information writing processing unit 221.

  When a system failure occurs, the external system 30 can obtain log information held in the log storage unit 24 by the time the failure occurs by accessing the log storage unit 24 through the I / F unit 25. it can.

  At this time, the external system 30 inputs the job identification tag (CP, PR, SC, FX) indicating the job type as a search key for the log information held in the log storage unit 24, thereby performing the search. By extracting log information (key operation information) in units of jobs corresponding to keys and sorting them in time series, it is possible to trace (follow) which job has failed and what kind of key operation has caused the system.

  For example, when the tag information 241 illustrated in FIG. 4 is held in the log storage unit 24, when “CP” is input as a search key, the logs in the first and second lines having the identification tag “CP” are input. Only the information (key operation information) is displayed in the extracted time series, and the key operation information of each row having other identification tags “PR”, “SC” and “FX” is not displayed.

  As a result, the maintenance person in the external system 30 can concentrate on identifying the problem in this example by limiting the job to the search key “CP” (= copy).

  Similarly, for other jobs, the key operation information of the corresponding job can be extracted and analyzed using the job identification tags (“PR”, “SC”, and “FX”) of each job as search keys.

  In order to realize the above-described search processing of the log storage unit 24 using the job identification tag in the external system 30 as a search key, the job identification tag from the external system (external processing device) 30 to the image forming apparatus 10 side. Receiving means for receiving a search request including: extraction means for extracting from the log storage unit 24 key operation information having an identification tag that matches a job identification tag included in the search request based on the search request; and the extraction means It is necessary to provide search result transmitting means for transmitting the key operation information extracted by the above to the external system 30 as a search result for the search request.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the log storage unit 24 includes log information (key operation) including the operated key information, the job identification tag of the job executed at the time of the key operation, and the time stamp indicating the operation time. Information) is held, the key for each job is very easily extracted from the external system 30 by extracting and sorting only the key operation information related to the job using the job identification tag of the desired job as a search key. The operation history can be separated and analyzed, and trouble analysis can be efficiently advanced by reducing the effort of separating the key operation information of each job from the key operation information held in the log storage unit 24.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control unit 16A of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, substantially the same functional units as those of the control unit 16 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The control unit 16A of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment has a configuration that is not included in the control unit 16 in the first embodiment, and the log storage unit 24A corresponds to each job type (copy, printer, scanner, FAX). The log storage area is divided into a CP storage area 241, a PR storage area 242, an SC storage area 243, and an FX storage area 244.

  In the present embodiment, the log information writing processing unit 221A provides log information (key press information) including the configuration conditions described in the first embodiment according to the type of job for the log storage unit 24A configured as described above. And a functional configuration for processing to write in the log holding area (241, 242, 243, 244) for each corresponding job.

  The other configuration of the control unit 16A is the same as that of the control unit 16 in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the key operation information writing processing operation by the log information writing processing unit 221A of the control unit 16A according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, the processing operations from step S101 to S104 are the same as the log information writing processing operation (see FIG. 3) by the log information writing processing unit 221 in the first embodiment.

  That is, also in this embodiment, whenever the key is operated on the operation panel 121 (YES in step S101), the log information writing processing unit 221A acquires the key code (key information) of the operated key in step S102. In step S103, the operation state of the job corresponding to the operation key is acquired. In step S104, a job identification tag of the job in operation is generated. In step S105, a time stamp at the time when the key operation occurs is generated. To do.

  Next, the log information writing processing unit 221A corresponds to the job executed by the current key operation of the log storage unit 24A using the key information, job operation status, job identification tag, and time stamp acquired or generated so far. Are sent to the log storage area (241, 242, 243, 244) to be written into the log storage area as key operation information corresponding to the current key operation (step S106a).

  For example, if the operation key on the operation panel 121 corresponds to the copy job 231, the key operation information at this time is stored in the CP storage area 241, and if the operation key corresponds to the printer job 232, the key operation at this time is performed. If the information corresponds to the PR storage area 242, the key operation information at this time is stored in the SC storage area 243 if it corresponds to the scanner job 233, and the key operation information at this time corresponds to the FAX job 234. The process of writing data in the FX storage area 244 in the order in which the key operations are generated is repeatedly performed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a holding form of the log information 240A written in the log storage unit 24A by the log information write processing unit 221A according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, also in the present embodiment, a job-specific identification tag (JOB), a time stamp (TS), a key type, and an operation state are one key operation for the log storage unit 24A. Basically, the corresponding key operation information is written for each row and in the pressing order of each key (key operation occurrence order). In particular, the key related to the copy job 231 having the job identification tag = “CP”. The operation information is written only in the CP storage area 241. Similarly, the key operation information related to the printer job 232 having the job identification tag = “PR” is written only in the PR storage area 242. = Key operation information related to the scanner job 233 having “SC” is written only in the SC storage area 243, and the FAX ID having the job identification tag = “FX”. Key operation information related to blanking 234 is written only in the FX storage area 244.

  Now, during the log information write processing in the log information write processing unit 221A (see FIG. 6), when the state analysis unit 162 recognizes that a system failure has occurred based on the detection result of the state detection unit 161, the system The monitor / manager 22A stops the writing of log information by the log information writing processing unit 221A.

  When a system failure occurs, the external system 30 can obtain log information held in the log storage unit 24A by the time the failure occurs by accessing the log storage unit 24A through the I / F unit 25. it can.

  At this time, the external system 30 stores the log information by inputting a job identification tag (CP, PR, SC, FX) representing the type of job as a search key for the log information held in the log storage unit 24A. The log information (key operation information) is extracted for each job from the storage area corresponding to the search key in the storage areas 241, 242, 243, and 244 for each job in the section 24A, and the system is operated at what key operation of which job. It is possible to trace (follow) whether or not a bug occurred.

  That is, in this embodiment, the log storage unit 24A is divided into storage areas for each job, and key operation information for only the jobs corresponding to the areas is written in time series. By inputting a job identification tag corresponding to the job to be analyzed as a search key, a job unit key written in time series from the job storage area corresponding to the search key (job identification tag) to the area The operation information can be extracted directly, and the process of sorting the key operation information extracted by the search key in time series as in the first embodiment is not necessary.

  In other words, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, when the log storage unit 24 is accessed from the external system 30 and key operation information is extracted from the log storage unit 24 and the cause of the failure is specified for each job, the log information storage is performed. The amount of access to the unit 24 can be reduced, and the work for identifying the cause of the failure can be performed more efficiently.

  In this embodiment, in order to realize the search processing of the log storage unit 24A using the job identification tag in the external system 30 as a search key, the job from the external system 30 (external processing device) is sent to the image forming apparatus 10 side. Accepting means for accepting a search request including an identification tag, and specifying a log holding area (241, 242, 243, 244) corresponding to the job type identified by the job identification tag included in the search request based on the search request Further, it is necessary to provide reading means for reading the key operation information from the log holding area and search result transmission means for transmitting the key operation information read by the reading means to the external system 30 as a search result for the search request. is there.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control unit 16B of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same functional units as the respective units of the control unit 16 according to the first embodiment.

  The control unit 16B of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment and the control unit 16 according to the first embodiment have different system monitor / manager configurations.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the control unit 16B of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment, the system monitor / manager 22B includes a log information writing processing unit 221B, a TS adding unit 222, and a log storage unit 24. A start trigger setting unit 225 is provided for arbitrarily setting a start trigger that is a condition for starting writing (storing) log information.

  The setting of the start trigger in the start trigger setting unit 225 is realized, for example, by inputting a log information writing start condition from the operation table unit 12 by a key operation or the like, and storing the condition as a start trigger in a predetermined memory area. it can.

  The log information writing processing unit 221B has a processing function for starting log information writing processing to the log storage unit 24 in accordance with the start trigger set by the start trigger setting unit 225.

  In the third embodiment, the start trigger setting unit 225 sets a start trigger (= when a document is set) that starts recording log information from the time when the document is set at the document reading position of the reading unit 13.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the log information writing processing operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, for example, after the power is turned on, the system monitor / manager 22B in the control unit 16B (see FIG. 8) initializes each part of the apparatus (step S131). ), A transition is made to an execution waiting state (idle state) of a predetermined functional operation (step S132).

  In the idle state, the system monitor / manager 22B recognizes the start trigger (= when the document is set) set by the start trigger setting unit 225, and confirms whether the apparatus state matches the start trigger. Therefore, it is checked whether or not a document is set in the reading unit 13 by monitoring the detection signal of the document detection sensor arranged at a predetermined position of the reading unit 13 through the state detection unit 161 (step S133).

  If it is detected that a document is set on the reading unit 13 (YES in step S133), the system monitor / manager 22B sends an instruction to start writing log information to the log information writing processing unit 221B.

  Upon receiving the log information write start instruction from the system monitor / manager 22B, the log information write processing unit 221B starts writing log information to the log storage unit 24 from the time of document setting (step S134).

  On the other hand, the system monitor / manager 22 receives a job (scanner job 232, copy job 231) in response to a copy key, FAX transmission key, etc. being operated on the operation panel 121 after a document is set on the reading unit 13. , FAX job 234, etc.) is activated to execute job operations such as copy operation and FAX transmission operation (step S135).

  As a result, the log information writing processing unit 221B performs the operation state of each unit (reading unit 13, image forming unit 14 and the like) related to the job operation executed in step S135 after the log information writing start in step S134. The operation state of each corresponding job or a message from each job is received, and the received information is written in the log storage unit 24 as log information (in order of generation of log information in time series).

  While the job is being executed, the system monitor / manager 22B checks whether a failure has occurred based on the notification information from the state analysis unit 162 (step S136).

  If no failure has occurred (NO in step S136), the system monitor / manager 22 then checks whether the job has been completed based on the operating state of each job being executed (step S137). Here, if the job has not ended (NO in step S137), the processing from step S135 is continued.

  During this time, if a failure occurs (YES in step S136) or the job ends (YES in step S137), the system monitor / manager 22B instructs the log information writing processing unit 221B to stop writing log information, The log information writing processing unit 221B receives the log information writing stop instruction from the system monitor / manager 22B, and stops the process of writing log information to the log storage unit 24 (step S138).

  In the above series of processing, after detecting a failure (YES in step S136) and stopping writing log information, the log information written so far is transmitted to the external system 30 via the I / F unit 25. As a result, the external system 30 performs an analysis process for identifying the cause of the failure based on the log information sent from the log storage unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 10.

  Further, when a copy or fax job is normally completed through reading of a document, the log information is written in the log storage unit 24 with the next document set as a trigger. At this time, the log information is overwritten with the log information written at the time of setting the previous document.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the “document setting time” set by the start trigger setting unit 225 is used as a log information storage start trigger by the log information writing processing unit 221B. Device status logs can be stored accurately from the start of a series of job operations such as FAX, and the cause analysis when a failure occurs can be quickly performed.

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to the fourth embodiment includes a control unit 16B (see FIG. 8) equivalent to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment.

  However, in the fourth embodiment, the start trigger setting unit 225 sets a start trigger (= when the job is normally completed) that starts recording log information from the time when the job is normally completed.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the log information writing process operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, for example, after the power is turned on, the system monitor / manager 22B in the control unit 16B (see FIG. 8) initializes each part of the apparatus (step S151). ), A transition is made to an execution waiting state (idle state) of a predetermined functional operation (step S152).

  In the idle state, the system monitor / manager 22B recognizes the start trigger (= when the job is normally completed) set by the start trigger setting unit 225, and then performs “normal termination of the first job” as the start trigger. Prepare to detect.

  During this time, if there is a key operation on the operation panel 121, the system monitor / manager 22B executes a job (for example, a printer job 232) corresponding to the operation key (step S153), and the job (first job) The progress of execution is monitored (step S154).

  When the first job ends (YES in step S154), it is recognized that a condition that matches the start trigger (= when the job is normally ended) is satisfied, and log information writing to the log information writing processing unit 221B is started. Is sent.

  Upon receiving the log information write start instruction from the system monitor / manager 22B, the log information write processing unit 221B starts writing log information to the log storage unit 24 from the normal end time of the first job (step S155).

  During this time, the system monitor / manager 22B executes a job (for example, copy job 231) corresponding to the operation key in response to the operation of any key on the operation panel 121 (step S156).

  As a result, the log information writing processing unit 221B performs each unit (reading unit 13) related to the job (next job: copy job 231 here) executed in step S156 after the log information writing starts in step S155. , The operation state of the image forming unit 14 or the like, the operation state of each corresponding job or a message from each job, etc., and writing the received information as log information in the log storage unit 24 (in the order in which log information occurs) Continue in time series).

  During execution of this job (next job), the system monitor / manager 22B checks whether a failure has occurred based on the notification information from the state analysis unit 162 (step S157).

  If no failure has occurred (NO in step S157), the system monitor / manager 22B then checks whether the job has ended based on the operating state of the job being executed (step S158). Here, if the job has not ended (NO in step S158), the processing from step S156 is continued.

  During this time, the failure does not occur (NO in step S157), and when the next job ends normally (YES in step S158), the system monitor / manager 22B has a condition that matches the start trigger (= when the job ends normally). And the log information writing processing unit 221B sends an instruction to start writing the log information.

  Upon receiving the log information write start instruction from the system monitor / manager 22B, the log information write processing unit 221B receives the log information (and the next job of the next job) from the normal end time of the job (next job). Log information) writing (overwriting the previous job log information) is started (step S159).

  Thereafter, the log information writing processing unit 221B returns to step S156, and the next job is further executed by the system monitor / manager 22B. When the job ends normally, the log information writing processing unit 221B starts recording the log information in the log storage unit 24. The process of “overwriting the previous job log information” (steps S156 to S159) is repeatedly performed.

  On the other hand, if a failure occurs during execution of any job after the first job (YES in step S157), the system monitor / manager 22B stops writing log information to the log information writing processing unit 221B. The log information write processing unit 221B receives the log information write stop instruction from the system monitor / manager 22B and stops the process of writing log information to the log storage unit 24 (step S160).

  After stopping the writing of log information in step S160, the system monitor / manager 22B transmits the log information that has been written in the log storage unit 24 so far to the external system 30 via the I / F unit 25. As a result, the external system 30 performs an analysis process for identifying the cause of the failure based on the log information sent from the log storage unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 10.

  According to the process shown in FIG. 10, log information cannot be recorded for the first job. To avoid this, for example, log information is recorded before initialization (step S151). It is also possible to modify the start operation.

  In this way, in this embodiment, the “job normal end” set by the start trigger setting unit 225 is used as the log information storage start trigger by the log information writing processing unit 221B. The failure information of the job to be executed can be stored in the log storage unit 24 without omission, and the limited storage capacity of the log storage unit 24 can be used to reliably perform the failure analysis on the job that has been interrupted due to the failure. .

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to the fifth embodiment includes a control unit 16B (see FIG. 8) equivalent to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment.

  However, in the fifth embodiment, the start trigger setting unit 225 sets, as a start trigger, a date and time (period) when log information is stored or a date and time (period) when not storing (excluding storage) as a condition for starting recording of log information. To do.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the log information writing processing operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the fifth embodiment. In particular, as a start trigger, a log information storage period [e.g., February 3, 2004, 15:00 (starting point). (Date and time) to 18:00 (end date and time)] is set.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, for example, after the power is turned on, each part of the apparatus is initialized (step S171), and transitions to an execution waiting state (idle state) for a predetermined functional operation (step S171). After S172), the system monitor / manager 22B recognizes the start trigger (= log information storage period) set by the start trigger setting unit 225, and then proceeds to check the log information storage period that is the start trigger. .

  Here, the system monitor / manager 22B constantly compares and collates the time stamp generated by the TS adding unit 222 based on the time measured from the timer 17 and the starting date and time of the log information storage period set as the start trigger. If the time stamp matches the starting date and time (YES in step S173), an instruction to start writing log information is sent to the log information writing processing unit 221B.

  Upon receiving a log information write start instruction from the system monitor / manager 22B, the log information write processing unit 221B starts writing log information to the log storage unit 24 after the start date and time of the log information storage period (step S174). ).

  Subsequently, the system monitor / manager 22B constantly compares the time stamp with the end date / time of the log information storage period set as the start trigger (step S175), and when the time stamp matches the end date / time (step S175). In S175 YES), an instruction to stop writing log information is sent to the log information writing processing unit 221B.

  Upon receiving a log information write stop instruction from the system monitor / manager 22B, the log information write processing unit 221B stops writing log information to the log storage unit 24 after the end date / time of the log information storage period (step S174). ).

  Through the above-described series of processing, the log information writing processing unit 221B causes the operation status and corresponding of each unit related to the job to be executed by the system monitor / manager 22B only during the period from the start date / time to the end date / time of the log information recording start date / time. The operation state of each job to be performed or a message from each job is received and written into the log storage unit 24 as log information.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the log information writing process operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the fifth embodiment. In particular, as a start trigger, a log information storage exclusion period [for example, February 3, 2004 15 The log information writing process operation in the case of setting “00 hour (starting date and time) to 18:00 (ending date and time)” is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, for example, after the power is turned on, each part of the apparatus is initialized (step S191), and the state shifts to an execution waiting state (idle state) for a predetermined functional operation (step S191). After S192), the system monitor / manager 22B sends an instruction to start writing log information to the log information write processing unit 221B, and the log information write processing unit 221B writes the log information from the system monitor / manager 22B. Upon receipt of the start instruction, writing of log information to the log storage unit 24 is started (step S193).

  Subsequently, the system monitor / manager 22B recognizes the start trigger (= log information storage exclusion period) set by the start trigger setting unit 225, and then proceeds to check the log information storage exclusion period that is the start trigger.

  Here, the system monitor / manager 22B constantly compares the time stamp generated by the TS adding unit 222 based on the time measured from the timer 17 and the starting date and time of the log information storage exclusion period set as the start trigger. If the time stamp matches the starting date and time (YES in step S194), an instruction to stop log information writing is sent to the log information writing processing unit 221B.

  Upon receiving a log information write stop instruction from the system monitor / manager 22B, the log information write processing unit 221B stops writing log information to the log storage unit 24 after the start date and time of the log information storage exclusion period (step S195).

  Subsequently, the system monitor / manager 22B constantly compares and collates the time stamp with the end date / time of the log information storage exclusion period set as the start trigger (step S196), and when the time stamp matches the end date / time (step S196). In step S196, a log information write start instruction is sent to the log information write processing unit 221B.

  Upon receiving the log information write start instruction from the system monitor / manager 22B, the log information write processing unit 221B starts writing log information to the log storage unit 24 after the end point date and time of the log information storage exclusion period (step Thereafter, the process returns to the normal operation in which the log information is continuously stored.

  Through the series of processes described above, the log information writing processing unit 221B allows the operation state of each unit related to the job executed by the system monitor / manager 22B or the operation state of each corresponding job only during the log information recording exclusion period. The process of writing the message from each job as log information to the log storage unit 24 is stopped.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the start trigger setting unit 225 has a function of setting a specific date and time period as a log information storage period or a storage exclusion period. By setting the storage period or the storage exclusion period based on the above, it is possible to effectively use the limited storage capacity of the log storage unit 24 so that the log information is not stored in a period when the log information is unnecessary.

  In this embodiment, it is possible to specify only the time (no year, month, or day is specified) as the log information storage period or the storage exclusion period, and the number of periods is not limited to one. It is also possible to set a period.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented by being appropriately modified within a range not changing the gist thereof.

  For example, in the present invention, the processing method for writing the key operation information including the job identification tag of the job executed by the key operation on the operation panel 121 illustrated in the first and second embodiments to the log storage unit 24 according to the third to third embodiments. Alternatively, the processing method of setting the storage start flag exemplified in the third to fifth embodiments and writing the log information in the log storage unit 24 according to the storage start flag may be applied to the first and second embodiments. Is possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example of an image forming apparatus (multi-function peripheral) in which the copying function, the printer function, the scanner function, and the FAX function are integrated into one unit is given. The present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus (a copying machine, a printer device, a facsimile device, etc.) provided.

  The present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus having a log storage unit. When a key is operated on the operation panel, the key type, time stamp, and job identification tag are stored in the log storage unit as key press information, thereby analyzing a failure. At this time, it is possible to reduce the trouble of separating the key operation information for each job from the key operation information. Also, the log information recording start condition is set, and the log information is recorded in the log storage means according to the set recording start condition. As a result, the minimum necessary log information can be stored and the failure can be analyzed reliably, and the limited recording capacity of the log storage means can be effectively utilized.

1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control unit of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing key operation information writing processing operation according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a key operation information storage form of a log storage unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control unit of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart showing key operation information writing processing operation according to the second embodiment. The figure which shows the key operation information storage form of the log memory | storage part concerning Example 2. FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control unit of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a log information write processing operation according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a log information write processing operation according to the fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a log information write processing operation when a storage period is set according to the fifth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a log information write processing operation when a memory exclusion period is set according to the fifth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus, 11 ... Communication interface (I / F) part, 12 ... Operation display part, 121 ... Operation panel, 13 ... Reading part (scanner), 14 ... Image forming part, 15 ... Memory | storage part, 16, 16A , 16B ... control unit, 161 ... state detection unit, 162 ... state analysis unit, 17 ... timing circuit (timer), 21 ... panel controller, 22, 22A, 22B ... system monitor / manager, 221, 221A, 221B ... log information Write processing unit 222 ... Time stamp (TS) giving unit, 225 ... Start trigger setting unit, 23 ... Application job, 231 ... Copy job, 232 ... Printer job, 233 ... Scanner job, 234 ... FAX (facsimile) job, 24, 24A ... log storage unit, 240, 240A ... key operation information, 241 ... storage area for CP, 242 ... R storage area, 243 ... SC storage area, 244 ... FX storage area, 25 ... interface (I / F) unit, 30 ... external system

Claims (5)

An operation panel having a plurality of keys, a detection unit that detects an operation state of each part of the apparatus after execution of a job executed based on a key operation on the operation panel, and a log storage unit that stores the operation state as log information In an image forming apparatus having
Tag generation means for specifying a type of job to be executed based on a key operation on the operation panel and generating a unique job identification tag corresponding to the job type;
As a result of detecting the operation state of each part of the apparatus by the detection means, when it is recognized that the job executed based on the key operation on the operation panel has ended without causing a failure, the operation panel The key pressed by overwriting the log information stored in the log storage unit as the key pressing information corresponding to the key operation with the type of the key operated in step 1 and the job identification tag generated by the tag generation unit An image forming apparatus comprising: an information writing unit. The key press information writing means includes:
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the log information of the job that has ended without causing a failure is overwritten on the log information of the job preceding the job. When it is recognized that a failure has occurred during the execution of the job executed based on the key operation on the operation panel as a result of detecting the operation state of each part of the apparatus by the detection means, the key press information The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the log information written so far to an external device after the writing unit stops writing the log information. Reading means for reading a document;
Processing means for processing image information read from the document by the reading means;
Recording start condition setting means for setting a log information recording start condition including that the recording start time of the log information is when the original is set on the reading means;
The set by a recording start condition setting means, when the recording start condition recording start of the log information includes a time of setting of the document relative to said reading means is equipped, key operation on the operation panel Log information writing means for starting a job based on the above, detecting the operation state of each part of the apparatus by the detection means after the job has been normally completed, and recording the detected operation state in the log storage means as the log information; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The recording start condition setting means includes
As the recording start condition, set a period for storing log information or a period for excluding storage ,
The log information writing means
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein recording of the log information is executed or stopped during the log information storage period or the log information storage exclusion period .

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