JPH11234457A - Fault diagnosis system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a system to analyze a fault through the use of a required minimum memory area by connecting a diagnostic object terminal to a LAN to down-load fault analysis software from a user system management server to the diagnostic object terminal thereby down-loading control system analysis software. SOLUTION: A PC 15 connects to a facsimile equipment 0 and it connects to a LAN by using a line 16 connecting to the PC 15 to access a user system management server 17. Then it is possible to down-load fault analysis software on the occurrence of a fault/defect of the operation. For example, on the occurrence of a communication error, it is possible to down-load communication system analysis software and on the occurrence of a multiple operation error, it is possible to down-load control system analysis software. Thus, a fault is analyzed by using required minimum memory areas. Furthermore, the fault analysis software is sequentially revised depending on the fault occurrence state in market to efficiently analyze the fault by using updated countermeasure software.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a failure diagnosis system, and in particular, downloads failure analysis software and countermeasure software to a terminal to be diagnosed via a connected personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a "PC"). The present invention relates to a failure diagnosis system capable of uploading information necessary for analysis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional techniques of this kind include, for example,
2. Description of the Related Art A remote failure diagnosis technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-30152 is known. In this technology, software for performing a preliminary failure diagnosis is installed in advance on a terminal to be diagnosed such as a copying machine, and the result of execution of the failure diagnosis software is transmitted as failure information to a failure diagnosis device connected to a host computer, and The failure diagnosis device performs a failure diagnosis based on the failure information and the operator's proficiency level, paper / document level, and installation environment level, and SE based on the diagnosis result.
(Service engineer) is notified of the response method.

[0003]

The above-mentioned JP-A-8-30
Conventionally, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 152, software for performing a fault diagnosis is installed in a terminal to be diagnosed in advance, and the fault pre-diagnosis software performs the fault pre-diagnosis. It was necessary to create diagnostic software as possible. However, it is necessary to secure a large memory area in order to install the diagnostic software so that all expected failures can be diagnosed, and it is not possible to diagnose failures that were not taken into account when creating the diagnostic software. There was a disadvantage.

Conventionally, the result of execution of the failure preliminary diagnosis software installed in each terminal to be diagnosed is transmitted as failure information to a failure diagnostic device connected to a host computer, and the failure diagnostic device transmits the failure information and operation information. The fault diagnosis is performed based on the level of proficiency of the user, the paper / document level, the installation environment level, etc., so that there is a drawback that it is not possible to diagnose control system errors such as communication errors and multiple operation problems. Was. Further, conventionally, the host computer receives the failure diagnosis result of the failure diagnosis device connected thereto, and transmits information to the SE.
There is a drawback that the SE must ultimately perform the repair regardless of the repair content. Further, conventionally, only the terminal to be diagnosed in which an operation abnormality or a failure has actually occurred is repaired. Therefore, in the case of a failure due to a software failure such as a communication system and a control system, another device having the same configuration is used. There is a drawback that similar troubles occur in the apparatus.

An object of the present invention is to provide a failure diagnosis system which has solved the various problems described above in the prior art. More specifically, an object of the present invention is, for example, a communication error analysis software for a communication error,
If a multiple operation error occurs, a failure analysis is performed using a minimum necessary memory area, such as downloading control system analysis software. It is another object of the present invention to revise the failure analysis software according to the failure occurrence situation in the market, and to efficiently perform the failure analysis with the updated countermeasure software.

Another object of the present invention is to analyze an abnormal operation / failure of a communication system and a control system. Then, depending on the diagnosis result, the object is to modify the main body software or to improve the failure analysis software itself. Still another object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency of repair without visiting a service person. Still another object of the present invention is to prevent an abnormal operation or a failure of the apparatus in advance.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the PC 15 is connected to the terminal 0 to be diagnosed, and the LA 16 is connected to the terminal 15 using the line 16 connected to the PC 15.
N connection, accesses the user system management server 17, and downloads the minimum necessary failure analysis software to the diagnosis memory 1a of the diagnosis target terminal 0 when an operation abnormality or failure occurs. Also, in the present invention, a PC is connected to the terminal to be diagnosed, a LAN connection is made using a line connected to the PC, the downloaded failure analysis software is executed, and information such as the analysis result and communication history is executed. And a parameter list describing information such as function settings, etc., to the user system management server.

Further, in the present invention, if there is a bug in the main software, the countermeasure software is installed in the terminal to be diagnosed by remote control from the user system management department. Also, in the present invention, abnormal operation
Even if no failure has occurred, search based on the registration database of the option installation status in the user system management server, etc., and if there is a corresponding device, update the device to the countermeasure software by remote control from the user system management department Features.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a failure diagnosis system including a facsimile apparatus as a terminal to be diagnosed, a PC, and a user system management server according to an embodiment of the present invention. The facsimile apparatus in the failure diagnosis system according to the present embodiment includes a system control unit 1, an image memory 2, an image processing unit 3, an encoding / decoding unit 4,
Communication control unit 5, Modem 6, Display unit 8, Operation unit 9, IO
It comprises an I / F 10, a reading unit 11, a recorded image processing unit 12, a recording unit 13, and a PC I / F 14. The modem 6 and the PC 15 are connected to the PC 7 via the PC I / F 14, respectively. A user system management server 17 is connected to the line 16. The system control unit 1 includes a diagnostic memory 1a used for a diagnostic operation described later.

The operation of the fault diagnostic system according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, in the failure diagnosis system according to the present embodiment, when an operation abnormality or failure occurs in the facsimile machine 0 (YES in step 2, hereinafter, this is abbreviated as "YES in S2"). First, the model number and the machine number are transferred to the PC 15 connected to the facsimile machine 0 (S3). Then, using the line 16 connected to the PC 15, L
It connects to the AN (S4), accesses the user system management server 17 using a groupware application or the like, and accesses a database (not shown) established on the server 17 (S5). Then, a failure analysis software registration database preset for each model is accessed based on the model number / model number of the facsimile machine 0 (S6).

When downloading the failure analysis software corresponding to the facsimile machine 0 to be diagnosed (YE in S7)
In S), the minimum necessary failure analysis software for each operation abnormality / failure factor is downloaded to minimize the required memory area of the facsimile machine. For example,
If there is a communication error such as communication disconnection, shift down, page missing, etc. (YES in S9), the communication analysis software
The communication system analysis software is automatically installed in the facsimile apparatus 0 from the PC 15 (S13). If a control system error such as a reset operation at the time of multiplex operation is performed (YES in S10), the control system analysis software is downloaded to the PC 15 (S14), and then the control system analysis software is automatically installed from the PC 15 to the facsimile apparatus 0. (S15). If it is another error (YES in S11), the analysis software is set to PC1.
5 is downloaded to the facsimile machine 0 from the PC 15 (S17).

When the failure analysis is completed (S
(YES in S18), the above-described failure analysis software is deleted from the diagnostic memory 1a of the facsimile machine 0 (S1).
9). Thereby, the diagnostic memory 1a can be used effectively. In the above embodiment, the PC 15 is connected to the facsimile machine 0, the LAN is connected using the line 16 connected to the PC 15, the user system management server 17 is accessed, and the failure analysis is performed when an operation abnormality or failure occurs. Since the software can be downloaded, for example, if a communication error occurs, communication analysis software can be downloaded.If a multiple operation error occurs, control analysis software can be downloaded. Use can perform failure analysis. Further, by sequentially revising the failure analysis software according to the failure occurrence situation in the market, it is possible to efficiently perform the failure analysis using the updated countermeasure software.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of another operation example of the failure diagnosis system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, when an abnormal operation / failure occurs in the apparatus (YES in S21), the failure analysis software downloaded according to the procedure shown in the previous embodiment is executed. (S22) When the analysis is completed, the analysis result is transferred from the facsimile machine 0 to the PC 15 (S23), and is further uploaded from the PC 15 to the user system management server 17 (S24). Also, when a dump list describing information such as communication history is required for failure analysis (S
If YES at 25, the dump list is transferred from the facsimile machine 0 to the PC 15 (S27), and uploaded from the PC 15 to the user system management server 17 (S2).
8).

Further, when a parameter list describing information such as the function setting of the facsimile machine 0 is required for failure analysis (YES in S29), the parameter list is transferred from the facsimile machine 0 to the PC 15 (S30). ,
Upload from the PC 15 to the user system management server 17 (S31). In the present embodiment, the PC 15 is connected to the facsimile apparatus 0, a LAN connection is made using the line 16 connected to the PC 15, and the failure analysis software downloaded from the user system management server 17 is executed to execute the analysis. Since the configuration is such that a dump list describing information such as results and communication history, a parameter list describing information such as function settings, and the like can be transferred to the user system management server 17, abnormal operation of the communication system and control system occurs.・ Faults can be analyzed. Further, depending on the diagnosis result, the main body software can be modified or the failure analysis software can be improved.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of still another operation example of the failure diagnosis system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, if the abnormal operation / failure is a failure of the facsimile apparatus main body software (S4
1), it is determined whether or not to change the main body software of the facsimile apparatus by remote control from the user system management department. If so (YES in S42), countermeasure software is downloaded from the user system management server 17 to the PC 15. If so (YES in S43), the user system administrator 17 operates the server, and downloads the countermeasure software from the server 17 to the PC 15 (S45).
After that, the countermeasure software is sent from the PC 15 to the facsimile
If the software is to be installed on the PC 15 (YES in S46), the countermeasure software is automatically installed without operation by the operator.
Is installed in the facsimile machine 0 (S4)
7).

Thereafter, when the countermeasure software is installed from the PC 15 to the facsimile apparatus 0 (YE in S46).
In S), the countermeasure software is automatically installed from the PC 15 to the facsimile machine 0 without any operation by the operator (S47). In this embodiment, abnormal operation
If the content of the failure is a bug of the main body software or the like, the facsimile apparatus 0 is remotely controlled by the user system management section.
Since the configuration is such that the countermeasure software can be installed at the same time, the efficiency of the repair can be improved without visiting a service person.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of still another operation example of the failure diagnosis system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, even if no operation abnormality or failure has occurred in the facsimile apparatus 0, when new countermeasure software is developed (YES in S51), the countermeasure software is applied. Terminal to user system management server 17
If it is determined that it is necessary to search using the registration database of the option installation status in the above (YE in S52)
S), a corresponding model search is executed (S53). As a result of the relevant model search, there is a relevant model (YES in S54),
As a result of determining whether or not the main body software needs to be changed (YES in S55), if the countermeasure software is to be downloaded from the user system management server to the PC (S57).
YES), the user system administrator operates the server, and downloads the countermeasure software from the server 17 to the PC 15 (S58).

Thereafter, when the countermeasure software is installed from the PC 15 to the facsimile apparatus 0 (Y in S59)
ES) The countermeasure software is automatically installed from the PC 15 to the facsimile machine 0 without the operator's operation (S60). In the present embodiment, even if no operation abnormality or failure has occurred, the user system management server 1
7 is searched based on the registration database of the option installation status and the like. If the terminal is applicable, the terminal can be updated to the countermeasure software by remote control from the service department. It is possible to prevent in advance the occurrence of operation abnormalities and failures caused by other devices in other devices.

The above embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example,
The terminal to be diagnosed does not need to be limited to a facsimile machine, but can be various image forming apparatuses and other terminals. Also, the user system management server 1
The format of the failure analysis software registration database set in the database on 7 can be freely set.

[0020]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform a failure analysis using a minimum necessary memory area by, for example, downloading analysis software from a system management server via a PC. This has a remarkable effect that a simple failure diagnosis system can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system including a facsimile apparatus as a terminal to be diagnosed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the system according to the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 0 Facsimile apparatus 1 System control unit 2 Image memory 3 Image processing unit 4 Encoding / decoding unit 5 Communication control unit 6 Modem 7 Line 8 Display unit 9 Operation unit 10 IO I / F 11 Reading unit 12 Recording image processing unit 13 Recording unit 14 PC I / F 15 PC 16 Line 17 User system management server

Claims (4)

[Claims] In a computer system including a computer to which a terminal to be diagnosed is connected and a user system management server, the terminal to be diagnosed is connected to a LAN when a malfunction or failure occurs by using a line connected to the computer. And a failure analysis software downloaded from the user system management server to the terminal to be diagnosed. 2. The downloaded failure analysis software is executed, and a dump list describing information such as analysis results and communication history and a parameter list describing information such as function settings are transferred to the user system management server. The fault diagnosis system according to claim 1, wherein 3. The fault diagnosis system according to claim 1, wherein said diagnosis target terminal is updated to countermeasure software by remote operation of a user system administrator. 4. Even if no operation abnormality or failure has occurred, a search is performed based on the option installation status registration database in the user system management server, and if the terminal is an applicable terminal, the terminal is remotely operated by the user system administrator. The failure diagnosis system according to claim 1, wherein the failure diagnosis system is updated to countermeasure software.