JP5383350B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of an information processing apparatus having a function of detecting a defect occurring in its own device, and particularly relates to processing of defect information indicating a detected defect.

  Conventionally, some information processing apparatuses such as printers, copiers, and multifunction machines are equipped with debugging means for detecting bugs occurring in their own machines, and an operator is connected to the information processing apparatus so as to be communicable. Collecting bug information (bug information) detected by debugging by giving a transmission instruction to the information processing apparatus from an external device such as a personal computer or inputting a predetermined command in the information processing apparatus Can do.

JP-A-11-110254

  When collecting information on bugs detected by the debugging means (bug information) using the external device, the information processing apparatus is connected to an external device such as a personal computer via a communication cable, and the information is transmitted via the communication cable. It is necessary to take out from the information processing apparatus. However, in a general information processing apparatus, such a communication cable is rarely connected to the information processing apparatus in advance. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a separate communication cable when collecting bug information.

  Even if the information processing apparatus is connected to an external device such as a personal computer with a communication cable, the information processing apparatus needs to be turned off once in order to acquire bug information from the information processing apparatus. . Here, bug information is generally stored in a volatile memory such as a RAM. In this case, when the power is turned off, the bug information stored in the volatile memory is deleted, and the generated bug information is not used for failure analysis. Therefore, in order to collect bug information, it is necessary to connect the information processing apparatus and the external device with a communication cable before turning on the power of the information processing apparatus.

  Thus, if the information processing apparatus and the external device are not connected with a communication cable before the information processing apparatus is turned on, it is necessary to perform an operation for reproducing the problem. there were. However, many problems that occur in the information processing apparatus are poorly reproducible. For this reason, there is a problem that the trouble is not easily reproduced, and it takes a lot of labor and time to analyze the trouble.

  The present invention is an invention made in view of such circumstances, and prevents trouble information generated in the information processing apparatus from being unavailable, thereby reducing trouble and time required for trouble analysis. The purpose is to provide technology that can be used.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a diagnostic unit that diagnoses the presence / absence and type of a defect in its own device, generates diagnostic information indicating the diagnosis result, and a non-volatile memory for storing the diagnostic information A connection unit for communicably connecting a predetermined external device to the information processing device, and the predetermined external device is communicably connected to the information processing device via the connection unit. A connection detection unit that detects whether or not the communication device performs communication of information with the external device when the predetermined external device is connected to the information processing apparatus in a communicable manner; The diagnostic unit stores diagnostic information indicating the diagnostic result in the nonvolatile memory when the diagnostic is performed, and the predetermined external device is connected to the information processing apparatus so as to be communicable Before If the failure is not detected when detected by the connection detection unit, an instruction to transmit the diagnostic information to the predetermined external device without storing the current diagnostic information in the nonvolatile memory is provided. When the connection detection unit does not detect that the malfunction is detected when the predetermined external device is output to the communication unit and is connected to the information processing apparatus so as to be communicable, An instruction to transmit the current diagnosis information to the predetermined external device is not output to the communication unit, the diagnosis information is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and the communication unit is based on an instruction from the diagnosis unit. The information processing apparatus transmits the current diagnostic information to the predetermined external device .

  According to the present invention, when the diagnosis unit diagnoses itself, the diagnosis unit generates diagnosis information indicating the diagnosis result, and stores the diagnosis information in the nonvolatile memory that can retain the stored contents even when the supply of power is interrupted. Therefore, even when the information processing apparatus is turned off, the diagnostic information can be stored. Therefore, even if the information processing device and the external device are not connected in advance by the communication cable before the information processing device and the external device are turned on by the communication cable, the diagnosis information Can be prevented from being used for failure analysis.

In addition, the diagnosis unit detects a malfunction even when the connection detection unit detects that the predetermined external device is communicably connected to the information processing apparatus. From the standpoint of reliably holding diagnostic information, when the malfunction is detected, the diagnostic unit stores the diagnostic information in a nonvolatile memory, and only when the malfunction is not detected, the current diagnostic information is stored in the nonvolatile memory. not stored in the nonvolatile memory, can you to send the diagnostic information to the predetermined external device.

The invention of claim 2 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, the pre-Symbol diagnosis unit, when the communication unit receives a transmission request diagnostic information from the external device, is stored in the nonvolatile memory The communication unit outputs an instruction to transmit the diagnostic information to the predetermined external device to the communication unit, and the communication unit transmits the diagnosis information to the predetermined external device based on the instruction from the diagnosis unit. To send to.

  According to this invention, the diagnostic unit transmits diagnostic information stored in the non-volatile memory to the predetermined external device when the communication unit receives a diagnostic information transmission request from the external device. Since the instruction is output to the communication unit, it is possible to acquire diagnostic information from the information processing apparatus using the external device.

The invention according to claim 3 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising an input operation unit for inputting an instruction to provide diagnostic information stored in the nonvolatile memory, The diagnostic unit provides diagnostic information stored in the nonvolatile memory when an instruction to provide diagnostic information is input by the input operation unit.

  According to this invention, it is possible to receive provision of diagnostic information stored in the nonvolatile memory by inputting the instruction to the input operation unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the nonvolatile memory is a flash memory, and a storage area of the nonvolatile memory is predetermined. Divided into a plurality of divided areas (sectors), and each divided area is associated with a defect type, and the diagnosis unit stores the detected defect in a divided area corresponding to the type. To do.

  According to this invention, since the diagnosis unit stores the detected defect in the divided area corresponding to the type, the diagnosis information can be deleted for each type of defect.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can prevent that the diagnostic information which shows the malfunction which generate | occur | produced within the information processing apparatus cannot be used, As a result, the effort and time which are required for the analysis of a malfunction can be aimed at.

1 is a side view showing an internal configuration of a multifunction machine that is an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine. It is a figure which shows the structure of a control part. It is a flowchart which shows the process of a debug part.

  Embodiments of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing an internal configuration of a multifunction machine as an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 1 has functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, and a main body 2 and a stack disposed on the left side of the main body 2. A tray 3, a document reading unit 4 disposed on the upper portion of the main body unit 2, and a document feeding unit 5 disposed above the document reading unit 4 are provided.

  The document reading unit 4 includes a scanner unit 6 including a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor and an exposure lamp, a document table 7 made of a transparent member such as glass, and a document reading slit 8. The scanner unit 6 is configured to be movable by a drive unit (not shown). When reading a document placed on the document table 7, the scanner unit 6 is moved along the document surface at a position facing the document table 7, and reads the document image. Image data acquired while scanning is output to an unillustrated image processing unit. When reading the document fed by the document feeding unit 5, the document is moved to a position facing the document reading slit 8, and is synchronized with the document feeding operation by the document feeding unit 5 via the document reading slit 8. The image of the original is acquired and the image data is output to the image processing unit.

  The document feeder 5 includes a document placement unit 9 for placing a document, a document discharge unit 10 for discharging a document whose image has been read, and a document placed on the document placement unit 9. A document transport mechanism 11 including a feed roller (not shown), a transport roller (not shown), and the like for feeding the paper one by one to a position facing the document reading slit 8 and discharging it to the document discharge section 10 is provided. The document transport mechanism 11 is further provided with a sheet reversing mechanism (not shown) that reverses the front and back of the document and transports it again to a position facing the document reading slit 8, and scans the images on both sides of the document via the document reading slit 8. It is possible to read from the unit 6.

  The document feeding unit 5 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body unit 2 so that the front side thereof can move upward. By moving the front side of the document feeder 5 upward to open the upper surface of the document table 7, the operator can place a read document, for example, a book in a spread state, on the upper surface of the document table 7. It is like that.

  The main body 2 has been fed from a plurality of paper feed cassettes 12, a paper feed roller 13 for feeding recording sheets from the paper feed cassette 12 one by one to a later-described image forming unit 14, and a paper feed cassette 12. And an image forming unit 14 that forms an image on recording paper.

  The image forming unit 14 outputs a laser or the like based on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 6 or the like to expose the photoconductive drum 15, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductive drum 15. A developing unit 17 that visualizes an image to form an image, a transfer unit 18 that transfers an image formed on the photosensitive drum 15 to a recording paper, and a heating unit that heats the recording paper on which the image is transferred. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit 19 that fixes the recording paper, and conveyance rollers 20 and 21 that are provided in a paper conveyance path in the image forming unit 14 and convey the recording paper to the stack tray 3 or the discharge tray 22.

  When forming images on both sides of the recording paper, the image forming unit 14 forms an image on one side of the recording paper, and then the recording paper is nipped by the conveyance roller 20 on the discharge tray 22 side. In this state, the conveyance roller 20 is reversed to switch back the recording paper, the recording paper is sent to the paper conveyance path L, and is conveyed again to the upstream area of the image forming unit 14, and an image is formed on the other surface by the image forming unit 14. After the formation, the recording paper is discharged to the stack tray 3 or the discharge tray 22.

  An operation unit 23 is provided at the front part of the multifunction machine 1. The operation unit 23 displays a start key 24 for a user to input a print execution instruction, a numeric keypad 25 for inputting the number of copies to be printed, operation guide information for various copying operations, and the like. A display unit 26 including a liquid crystal display having a touch panel function, a reset key 27 for resetting the setting contents set on the display unit 26, and a stop key 28 for stopping a printing (image forming) operation being executed. And a function switching key 29 for switching between a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 1. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected about the structure same as the structure shown in FIG. 1, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the above-described document reading unit 4, document feeding unit 5, document transport mechanism 11, image forming unit 14, and operation unit 23, the multi-function device 1 stores various data such as a personal computer. A communication unit 30 for communicating with a predetermined external device X (see FIG. 3), a connector unit 31 for connecting the external device X and the multi-function device 1 via a communication cable so that they can communicate with each other, and the document A reading unit 4, a document feeding unit 5, a document conveying mechanism 11, an image forming unit 14, an operation unit 23, and a control unit 32 that controls the operations of the communication unit 30 in association with each other. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 32.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 32 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33 having a function for temporarily storing data and a function as a work area, a flash memory 34 for storing a program in advance, the program, etc. Is read from the flash memory 34 and executed, and the CPU 35, the RAM 33, and the flash memory 34 are configured to exchange data via the data bus 36.

  The CPU 35 executes a program corresponding to the contents of the program by appropriately executing the program stored in the flash memory 34. As one of the processes executed by the CPU 35, there is debugging for detecting a bug (an example of the defect) that has occurred in the multi function device 1.

  The flash memory 34 stores a debugging program (hereinafter referred to as a debugging program 34a) for detecting a bug that has occurred in the multifunction device 1, and the CPU 35 stores the debugging program 34a in the flash memory. By reading from 34 and executing, a bug that has occurred in the multifunction device 1 is detected. That is, the control unit 32 has a function as a debugging unit 37 (see FIG. 2; an example of the diagnostic unit).

  The debug unit 37 generates, as bug information, the presence / absence of a bug and the value of various parameters indicating the type of the bug and the state of the multifunction device 1 when the bug is detected when the bug is detected. In the present embodiment, for the treatment of the generated bug information, in this embodiment, the communication mode for outputting the bug information to the communication unit 30 to cause the communication unit 30 to perform the process of transmitting to the external device X, and the generated bug A storage mode for storing information in the flash memory 34.

  The control unit 32 determines whether or not a communication cable is connected to the mode switching unit 38 that switches between the communication mode and the storage mode, and the connector unit 31 (whether the processing mode of the debug unit 37 can be set to the communication mode). And a function as a connection detection unit 39 for detecting whether or not.

  In this embodiment, the mode switching unit 38 normally sets the processing mode of the debugging unit 37 to the communication mode, and when the external device X is connected to the multifunction device 1 so as to be communicable, the connection detection unit 39. When a bug is detected in the state detected by the above, the communication mode is switched to the save mode until the storage of the bug information in the flash memory 34 is completed.

  Further, when the connection detection unit 39 detects that the external device X is not communicably connected to the multifunction device 1, the mode switching unit 38 is independent of the bug detection by the debugging unit 37. Switch from the communication mode to the storage mode. When the bug information is transmitted to the external device X, a predetermined bug information display screen is displayed on a display unit provided in the external device X by a predetermined application.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing of the control unit 32.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the debug unit 37 diagnoses its own device relating to the presence or absence of bugs (step # 1). If the debugging unit 37 does not detect a bug as a result of its own diagnosis (NO in step # 2), the connection detecting unit 39 connects the multi-function device 1 so that it can communicate with the external device X. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (step # 3). When the connection detection unit 39 detects that the MFP 1 is not communicably connected to the external device X (NO in step # 3), the mode switching unit 38 sets the processing mode of the debugging unit 37 to the communication mode. When the connection detection unit 39 detects that the multi-function device 1 is communicably connected to the external device X (YES in step # 3), the debug unit 37 switches to the storage mode (step # 5). Outputs the bug information to the communication unit 30 so as to cause the communication unit 30 to perform processing for transmitting the generated bug information to the external device X (step # 4). Thereby, the communication unit 30 performs a process of transmitting the bug information to the external device X.

  If the debugging unit 37 detects a bug in step # 2 (YES in step # 2), the mode switching unit 38 switches the processing mode of the debugging unit 37 from the communication mode to the storage mode (step # 5). The debug unit 37 stores the generated bug information in the flash memory 34 (step # 6).

  Then, the debug unit 37 determines whether or not the generated bug information has been stored in the flash memory 34 (step # 7). If not (NO in step # 7), the debug unit 37 performs step # 6. On the other hand, when the process of storing the generated bug information in the flash memory 34 is completed (YES in step # 7), the mode switching unit 38 communicates the processing mode of the debug unit 37 from the save mode. The mode is switched (step # 8).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when a bug is detected, the bug information is stored in the flash memory 34. Therefore, the MFP 1 is turned off without the bug being solved. Even if it exists, the bug information can be stored in the multifunction device 1. Accordingly, by turning on the power of the multifunction device 1 again and connecting the external device X to the multifunction device 1 so that communication is possible, the bug information can be acquired without reproducing the bug. As a result, it is possible to analyze a bug that has occurred in the multifunction device 1 while reducing labor and time as compared with the case of acquiring bug information by reproducing the bug.

  In this case, the following modifications may be employed instead of or in addition to the embodiment.

  (1) In the above-described embodiment, in the case where an external device X such as a personal computer is communicably connected to the multi-function device 1 through a communication cable from the viewpoint of reliably holding diagnostic information when a bug is detected. Depending on the presence or absence of a bug, it was decided whether to switch from the communication mode to the storage mode. However, there is a possibility that the diagnostic information may disappear for some reason during communication with the external device. However, when it is desired to collect diagnostic information as soon as possible by an external device, the external device X such as a personal computer is connected to the multifunction device 1 through a communication cable so that communication can be performed, regardless of whether or not there is a bug. The bug information may be output to the communication unit 30 without being stored in the flash memory 34.

  (2) Regarding the bug information stored in the flash memory 34, when the debug unit 37 receives the bug information transmission instruction (request instruction) from the external device X, the bug information is read from the flash memory 34. May be output to the communication unit 30 so that the communication unit 30 transmits the bug information to the external device X.

  Separately from this, an input operation unit 23a for inputting an instruction to provide bug information stored in the flash memory 34 is provided in the operation unit 23, for example, and when the input operation unit 23a is operated, a debug unit 37 may read bug information from the flash memory 34 and display it on the display unit 26 of the multi-function device 1 or send it to the external device X.

  (3) Generally, the storage area of the flash memory 34 is divided into a plurality of divided areas in units of sectors. Using this point, each divided area is associated with a bug type in advance, and when the debug unit 37 detects a bug, the bug information of the detected bug is stored in the divided area corresponding to that type. If designed, bug information can be erased by bug type.

  (4) In the first embodiment, the flash memory 34 is assumed as a recording medium for storing bug information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In short, any non-volatile semiconductor memory may be used as long as the stored contents are not erased even when power supply is cut off.

  (5) In the first embodiment, the connector unit 31 for connecting the MFP 1 and the external device X so as to be communicable with each other via a communication cable is mounted. However, the connector unit 31 is not mounted. Forming devices are also applicable. In this case, the convenience in collecting bug information from the image forming apparatus is inferior to that of the first embodiment by storing diagnostic information in the flash memory 34 regardless of the presence or absence of bugs. Even if the power of the forming apparatus 1 is turned off, a certain effect that bug information can be held can be obtained.

  (6) The present invention is not limited to the multi-function peripheral as in the first embodiment, and applies to image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and facsimile machines, or general information processing apparatuses other than image forming apparatuses. set to target.

1 MFP 30 Communication Unit 31 Control Unit 32 RAM
33 Flash memory 34 CPU
36 Debugging section 37 Mode switching section 38 Connection detection section

Claims (4)

A diagnosis unit that diagnoses the presence or absence of a defect in the own machine and the type of the defect, and generates diagnosis information indicating the diagnosis result;
A non-volatile memory for storing the diagnostic information ;
A connection unit for connecting a predetermined external device to the information processing apparatus in a communicable manner;
A connection detection unit that detects whether or not the predetermined external device is communicably connected to the information processing apparatus via the connection unit;
A communication unit that communicates information with the external device when the predetermined external device is communicably connected to the information processing apparatus;
With
When the diagnosis is performed, the diagnosis unit stores diagnosis information indicating the diagnosis result in the nonvolatile memory ,
In the case where the connection detection unit detects that the predetermined external device is communicably connected to the information processing apparatus, if the failure is not detected, the current diagnostic information is stored in the nonvolatile memory. Output to the communication unit an instruction to transmit the diagnostic information to the predetermined external device without being stored in the memory.
In the case where the connection detecting unit has not detected that the predetermined external device is communicably connected to the information processing apparatus, if the malfunction is not detected, the current diagnosis information is Without outputting an instruction to transmit to a defined external device to the communication unit, the diagnostic information is stored in the nonvolatile memory,
The communication unit is an information processing apparatus that transmits the current diagnosis information to the predetermined external device based on an instruction from the diagnosis unit . Before Symbol diagnosis unit, said the communication unit receives a transmission request diagnostic information from the external device, the non-volatile the communication unit instructs the diagnostic information memory is stored and transmits to the predetermined external device Output to
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits the diagnosis information to the predetermined external device based on an instruction from the diagnosis unit. An input operation unit for inputting an instruction to provide diagnostic information stored in the nonvolatile memory;
The diagnosis unit, when the instruction to provide diagnostic information by the input operation unit is input, the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 provides diagnostic information stored in the nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory is a flash memory,
The storage area of the non-volatile memory is divided into a plurality of divided areas in a predetermined unit, and each of the divided areas is associated with a defect type,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the diagnosis unit stores the detected defect in a divided region corresponding to the type.

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