JP2000287016A - Image forming device maintenance and system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve workability of a user by quickly and properly troubleshooting a fault on the occurrence of the fault. SOLUTION: This system is provided with a communication controller 201 that receives logging data being information of an operating history of image forming devices 202, temporarily the data, and transmits the stored logging data via public line network 104, when a capacity of unused storage areas is not sufficient to store new logging data and with a service center 102 that receives the logging data sent from the communication controller 201 via the public line network 104 and stores the received logging data by each image forming device. The service center 102 distributes the stored logging data to any of the image forming devices 202 or the like, on the basis of an automatic distribution table or a distribution command.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus maintenance support system for supporting the maintenance of an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus maintenance support for transmitting and receiving information of an image forming apparatus via a network. About the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of a public line network and other networks, remote maintenance of OA equipment has been realized. Also in the image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus maintenance support system that supports maintenance of the image forming apparatus using a network is provided.

[0003] As a conventional image forming apparatus maintenance support system, for example, there is a "remote management apparatus" disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 3-162057. This remote management device is connected to a plurality of terminal devices via a communication line,
Information including abnormality information indicating abnormality from each terminal device is received.

In this remote management device, a dedicated time zone is provided according to the mode of transmission from the terminal device, so that a low-priority mode is prohibited from transmitting and a high-priority mode is always available. And a transmission unit when a highly urgent abnormality occurs can be preferentially transmitted to the center device. However, since the information received by the remote management device from the terminal device does not include detailed operation history data of the image forming apparatus, when a failure occurs, it may not be possible to accurately determine the cause of the failure. However, there was a problem that a failure could not be quickly and properly resolved.

As a conventional image forming apparatus maintenance support system, for example, there is an "image forming apparatus and terminal management system" disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-93754. The terminal management system includes an input control signal and a time stamp that are input to a CPU that controls the operation of components of a field service terminal that is a target of a field service, and an output control signal and a time stamp that are output from the CPU. When the unused area in the nonvolatile memory runs out, the oldest used area is overwritten. In this terminal management system, information useful for investigating the cause of an abnormality when an abnormality occurs can be stored in a service terminal such as an image forming apparatus.

[0006]

However, according to the conventional terminal management system, when an unused area is lost in a memory for storing information useful for investigating the cause of an abnormality when an abnormality occurs, the oldest used area is used. When the failure occurs, it may not be possible to determine the exact cause of the failure, and the failure cannot be resolved quickly and appropriately. However, there was a problem that the workability of the method was reduced.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to promptly and appropriately solve a failure at the time of occurrence of a failure and to improve user's workability.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to a first aspect of the present invention provides a method for temporarily inputting logging data which is information on the operation history of an image forming apparatus. Storage means for storing, and transmission means for inputting the logging data stored in the storage means and transmitting via a network if the unused storage area of the storage means is not enough to store new logging data And the logging data transmitted by the transmitting means,
A receiving unit that receives the data via the network; and a storage unit that receives the logging data received by the receiving unit and stores the logging data for each image forming apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the first aspect, logging data generated during operation of the image forming apparatus is temporarily stored, and an unused storage area stores new logging data. If not, send the stored logging data over the network,
The transmitted logging data is received by the service center via the network and stored for each image forming apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the first aspect, a condition for distributing the logging data stored in the storage unit is further defined. A table storage unit that stores an automatic distribution table; and an automatic distribution unit that distributes the logging data stored in the storage unit to a predetermined distribution destination based on the automatic distribution table stored in the table storage unit. Is what you do.

In the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the second aspect, by referring to the automatic distribution table and distributing the accumulated logging data to a predetermined distribution destination when a condition for distributing the logging data is satisfied. I do.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the second aspect, further comprising: registering, changing, adding or deleting the logging data distribution condition. A condition command input means for inputting a condition command to be instructed, and a condition of distribution of logging data of the automatic distribution table stored in the table storage means based on the condition command input via the condition command input means. And a table registering means for registering, changing, adding or deleting the same.

In the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the third aspect, based on the input distribution command,
Register, change, add, or delete the distribution condition of the logging data in the stored automatic distribution table.

In the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to a fourth aspect, in the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the third aspect, the condition command inputting means is provided to the table registration means via the network. A condition command is transmitted.

In the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the fourth aspect, a condition command is transmitted via a network, and a condition for distribution of logging data in an automatic distribution table stored based on the transmitted condition command is provided. Register, change, add, or delete.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the fourth aspect, wherein the condition command input unit is the image forming apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the fifth aspect, the image forming apparatus transmits a condition command via a network, and the service center stores the automatic command stored based on the transmitted condition command. Register, change, add, or delete the log data distribution conditions in the distribution table.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a delivery instruction for instructing delivery of the logging data. Distribution command input means for inputting a command, and a distribution means for distributing logging data stored in the storage means to a predetermined distribution destination based on a distribution command input via the distribution command input means, It is provided with.

In the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the sixth aspect, based on the input distribution command,
The accumulated logging data is distributed to a predetermined distribution destination.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the sixth aspect, the distribution command input unit transmits the distribution command to the distribution unit via the network. It sends commands.

In the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the present invention, a distribution command is transmitted via a network, and the accumulated logging data is distributed to a predetermined distribution destination based on the transmitted distribution command. I do.

An image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to claim 8 is the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to claim 7, wherein the distribution command input unit is the image forming apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the present invention, the image forming apparatus transmits a distribution command via a network, and the service center stores the distribution command based on the transmitted distribution command. The logging data is distributed to a predetermined distribution destination.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to any one of the second to eighth aspects, the distribution destination of the logging data is the image forming apparatus. It is a device.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to any one of the second to eighth aspects, the distribution destination of the logging data is a personal computer. There is something.

An image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to claim 11 is the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the distribution destination of the logging data is a facsimile apparatus. There is something.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the present embodiment includes a customer system 101 including a plurality of customer image forming apparatuses to be subjected to maintenance service, and maintenance of a plurality of image forming apparatuses of the customer system 101. Service center 102 and service station 10 for supporting
3 and a public line network 104 for communicatively connecting them.
And The service station 103 includes a terminal device 105, a facsimile device 106, and a telephone 1 for transmitting and receiving information to and from the service center 102.
07.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the customer system 101 of this embodiment shown in FIG. The customer system 101 includes a communication control device 20 for communicating with the service center 102 via the public line network 104.
1 and a plurality of image forming apparatuses (PPC) 202 and telephones 203 or facsimile apparatuses 204 connected to the communication control apparatus 201.

Although a plurality of image forming apparatuses 202 are connected to the communication control apparatus 201 in this example, only one image forming apparatus 202 may be connected. Also, the plurality of image forming apparatuses 202 connected to the communication control apparatus 201 need not all be the same model, and different models may be mixed. Further, a device other than the image forming device 202 may be connected to the communication control device 201.

Here, one communication control device 2
It is assumed that up to five image forming apparatuses 202 can be connected to 01. The connection between the communication control device 201 and the plurality of image forming devices 202 is performed by a multi-drop connection according to the RS-485 standard. Communication control between the communication control device 201 and each image forming device 202 is performed according to a basic data transmission control procedure (BSC).

That is, by establishing a data link by a polling / selecting method of centralized control using the communication control device 201 as a control station, communication with an arbitrary image forming device 202 is possible. Each image forming apparatus 202 can set a unique value by an address setting switch 505 described later, and each image forming apparatus 202 can be set according to the set value.
The address (device code) for polling and selecting is determined.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the communication control device 201 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. The communication control device 201 includes a ROM 301 storing programs for performing various processes and controlling the device itself.
A CPU 302 that performs various processes and controls the device in accordance with a program stored in a ROM 301, a switching unit 303 that performs switching, a modem 304,
A communication interface 305 having a transceiver for S-485, a battery 306, a RAM 307 whose power is backed up by the battery 306, and a clock 30
8 and a self-calling permission switch 309 for permitting self-calling.
And

The signal transmitted from the public line network 104 is first input to the switching unit 303. CPU 30
2 determines whether or not the input signal is from the service center 102, and if the signal is from a source other than the service center 102, controls the switching unit 303 to control the public network 104 and the telephone 203 (or Facsimile machine 204). On the other hand, if the input signal is from the service center 102, the switching unit 3
03 is connected to the public line network 104 and the modem 304, and a signal is input via the modem 304.

The CPU 302 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 202 via the communication interface 305. Here, the RAM 307 is used for storing intermediate results of processing and the like, and for temporarily storing communication text. In addition, the communication control apparatus 201 determines the telephone number of the service center 102, the number of recalls when the line is not connected, the recall interval, and the transmission date and time of the total number of copies (total counter value) counted by the total counter 611 described later. Various parameters required for the operation are also stored.

Normally, the communication control device 201
Power is continuously supplied for four hours, and communication with the service center 102 is always maintained. However, due to accidental power-off or power-off for safety, etc., the RAM 3
The power of the RAM 307 is backed up by a battery 306 so that various parameters or communication texts stored in 07 are not lost.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a list of various parameters stored in the RAM 307 of this embodiment. R
Various parameters stored in the AM 307 include an address 1
5, a model number 401, a serial number (machine number) 402 for each of the image forming apparatuses 202, and their checksums 4
03 and the communication destination telephone numbers 404-4 for each reason for remote reporting
08, the number of redials 409 to 412, the redial interval 413 to 416, the type of data to be transmitted to the service center 102 (the number of occurrences of jam, the number of self-diagnosis abnormalities, the number of copies, the state of the copying machine, etc.) 417 to 419, Report dates and times 420 and 421, and checksums 422 to 427 thereof
And

Model number 401 for each image forming apparatus 202
The serial number (device number) 402 is added to transmission data when transmitting a report from the customer system 101 to the service center 102, or transmitted when the image forming apparatus 202 is selected from the service center 102. Used to determine the address of the device. In addition, the checksum 403 can detect when a parameter value changes or is lost due to malfunction of the communication control device 201, consumption of the backup battery 306, communication error, or the like. .

These parameters are stored in the service center 1
02 is written via the public network 104,
A portable device for setting parameters (not shown) is connected to the communication control device 201 for writing, or a communication device for writing parameters is provided on the communication control device 201, and writing is performed via this writing device. Is also good.

Here, since various parameters stored in the RAM 307 are important, confidentiality is enhanced by adding an ID (password) to communication data for writing the parameters. This ID is set at the time of writing the first parameter, and after being set, it cannot be changed by communication. Resetting is possible only by initializing the communication control device 201 in a predetermined procedure.

This ID is confirmed each time communication data for writing a parameter is received. When communication data to which an incorrect ID is added is received a predetermined number of times or more, the communication control device 201 records this fact and automatically notifies the service center 102 to notify the system manager of the service center 102. In this way, hackers are prevented from interfering with the system.

In this example, the communication control device 2
Although the ID cannot be changed without initializing 01, a second ID (password) for changing the ID is provided, and when communication data to which the second ID is added is received, the ID is changed. May be made.

FIG. 5 shows an image forming apparatus 20 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a second control unit. Image forming apparatus 2
The control unit 500 that performs the control of the control unit 02 includes a ROM 5 that stores a program and data for controlling the own device.
01, a CPU 502 that controls its own device based on programs and data stored in a ROM 501, a RAM 503 that stores intermediate results of processing, a communication interface unit 504 that performs communication with the communication control device 201, An address setting switch 505 connected to the interface unit 504 for setting the address of the own device in the range of 1 to 5;
The communication control device 201 includes a communication permission switch 506 for setting permission and prohibition of communication with the communication control device 201, and an operation unit 507 having buttons and the like and capable of performing an external input operation.

Also, an optical system control unit 508 for controlling the driving of the exposure lamp, a charging charger, a separation charger, a transfer charger, and a pre-transfer charger (PTC)
A high-voltage power supply unit 509 for supplying power to the developing bias, a motor control unit 510 for controlling a main motor, a heater control unit 511 for controlling driving of a fixing heater, a light receiving gain of a P sensor, and light emission of a P sensor LED. A sensor sensitivity control unit 512 for controlling the voltage, the light receiving gain of the ADS sensor, the light receiving gain of the lamp light amount sensor, and the like; the lamp voltage, the P sensor light emitting voltage, the P sensor light receiving voltage, the potential sensor output, and the ADS
An A / D converter 513 for inputting a sensor output, a lamp light sensor output, a drum current sensor output, and a fixing thermistor voltage.

FIG. 6 shows an image forming apparatus 20 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a second image forming unit. The image forming unit of the image forming apparatus 202 includes an image density sensor 601, a drum rotation counter 602, a temperature sensor 603, a humidity sensor 604, an exposure time counter 605, an exposure unit 606, a drum 607, and a surface potential. A total counter 608, a developing bias application power source 609, a toner density meter 610, a total counter 611 for counting the number of copies, and the like.
It has.

FIG. 7 shows an image forming apparatus 20 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a second operation unit 507. An operation unit 507 of the image forming apparatus 202 includes a numeric keypad 701, a clear / stop key 702, and a copy start key 70.
3, enter key 704, interrupt key 705, preheat key 706, mode confirmation key 707, screen switching key 70
8, a call key 709, a registration key 710, a guidance key 711, a display contrast volume 712, a character display 713, and the like.

A numeric keypad 701 is a key for inputting numerical values such as the number of copies and a magnification. A clear / stop key 702 is a key for clearing the number of copies or stopping a copy operation. Enter key 7
Reference numeral 04 denotes a key for confirming numerical values and designations such as a zoom magnification and a binding margin size. The interrupt key 705 is a key used when another document is copied by interruption during copying. A preheating key 706 is a key for canceling the set contents and for putting the image forming apparatus 202 in a power saving state.

The mode confirmation key 707 is operated by the character display 71
3 is a key for displaying a list of each mode. The screen switching key 708 is a key for switching the display mode of the character display 713 in accordance with the skill level. A call key 709 is a key for calling a user program. The registration key 710 is a key for registering a user program. The guidance key 711 is a key for displaying guidance on the character display 713.

The display contrast volume 712 is
This is for adjusting the contrast of the character display 713. The character display 713 uses a full-dot display element such as a liquid crystal display or a fluorescent display tube, and has a transparent sheet-like matrix touch panel with a large number of built-in touch sensors stacked thereon. Display the setting screen. For example, a double-sided mode for copying an image of a document on the front and back surfaces of the transfer paper is displayed on the character display 713. When the user wants to select the double-sided mode, the user touches a predetermined position to open the double-sided mode Display is performed.

Further, the image forming apparatus 202 of the present embodiment
Is provided with a serviceman mode used by a serviceman for repair or maintenance work, in addition to the operation use mode normally used by the customer as described above. This serviceman mode is set by a special key operation that does not accidentally make a setting by a customer during normal use.

For example, first, the preheat key 706 is pressed, and then the ten keys 701 are set to "1 key", "0 key",
By pressing the “7 key” in this order, and finally pressing the clear / stop key 702 for 3 seconds or more, the mode shifts to the serviceman mode. The service person is the image forming apparatus 202
After shifting to the serviceman mode, the state of various sensors, the motor and clutch loads, etc. are checked, and repair or maintenance work is performed.

Next, the general control of the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the present embodiment includes (1) control by text from the service center 102, (2) control by text from the image forming apparatus 202, 3) Controls unique to the communication control device 201 will be described in this order.

(1) Control by text from service center 102 Control by text from service center 102 includes:
For example, there are setting and reading of adjustment values such as control voltage, current, resistance, and timing of a specific image forming apparatus 202, and reading and initialization of counter values such as the number of copies and the number of misfeeds. In these controls, the communication control device 201 receives a text from the service center 102, selects one of the plurality of connected image forming devices 202 by selecting, and selects the selected image forming device 202.
This is done by communicating with.

Each of the image forming apparatuses 202 has its own device code (address), and the communication control apparatus 201 transmits the specific code indicating the selecting and the device code of the image forming apparatus 202 to be selected to the serial communication interface RS. -485. Each of the image forming apparatuses 202 compares the device code following the specific code indicating the selection with the device code of its own apparatus, and when both codes match, recognizes that its own apparatus has been selected.

(2) Control by Text from Image Forming Apparatus 202 Control by text from image forming apparatus 202 includes a self-diagnosis abnormality report (serviceman call (SC)).
, An advance warning message (alarm) requiring preventive maintenance such as the sensor reaching a standard level, etc., and the operator of the image forming apparatus 202 is operated by the operating unit 507 of the image forming apparatus 202 in a specific manner. There are a remote notification key call for calling the service center 102 by executing an operation, and storage of logging data, which is information of the operation history of the image forming apparatus 202, in the communication control apparatus 201.

The communication control device 201 immediately makes a self-call when an SC occurs. When an alarm occurs, a self-call is made at a specified time on the day of occurrence. If a remote call key call is made, the service center 10
From 2 there is a response by general telephone.

In these controls, polling from the communication control device 201 is performed. In the polling, the communication control device 201 specifies a plurality of connected image forming devices 202 in order, and confirms whether there is a connection request from the specified image forming device 202. The communication control device 201 sends a specific code indicating a predetermined polling and a device code (address) of the image forming apparatus 202 to be selected to the serial communication interface RS-425.

The image forming apparatus 202 compares the device code following the specific code indicating polling with its own device code, and recognizes that the own device has been polled when both codes match. The communication control device 201 controls the image forming apparatus 20 for polling.
In response to the response from the user 2, the user selects whether to proceed to the selecting process or to proceed to the next polling of the image forming apparatus 202.

(3) Control unique to the communication control device 201 Control unique to the communication control device 201 includes reading of a total counter value. The total counter value is read from the communication control device 201 once a day.
Times, by selecting at a preset time. The communication control device 201 has two areas A and B (not shown) for the total counter value in the RAM 307, and writes the read total counter value to the area A.

Accordingly, in the area A, the value is rewritten every day except when the power of the image forming apparatus 202 is not turned on due to a holiday or the like. Also, once a month, the total counter value stored in the area A is copied to the area B at the date and time set in the report date and time 421 which is a parameter stored in the RAM 307 of the communication control device 201. The service center 102 inputs the total counter value stored in the area B via the public line network 104.
Note that a plurality of areas A and B are provided in the RAM 307 for various total counter values for monochrome copying, application copying, color copying, and the like.

The control unique to the communication control device 201 includes a logging data transmission process which is a main part of the present invention. In the logging data transmission process, when the unused area of the area for temporarily storing the logging data generated during the operation of the image forming apparatus 202 is not sufficient, the logging data stored in this area is transmitted to the service center 1.
02 is transmitted. This control is performed by the RAM 307
If the unused area of the area for temporarily storing the logging data is not enough to store the new logging data, it is stored in the communication destination telephone number 408 which is a parameter stored in the communication control device 201. A call is made by using the telephone number set as described above, and the logging data is transmitted.

The logging data which is the main part of the present invention is as follows:
(1) The operator operates the operation unit 507 of the image forming apparatus 202
(2) Image forming apparatus 202
When an operation instruction command is transmitted to each drive unit of
(3) When the operation of each drive unit of the image forming apparatus 202 ends, (4) When the operation of the image forming apparatus 202 ends, (5) When a failure occurs during the operation of the image forming apparatus 202, and the like. Occurs at

The logging data includes the contents set by the operator, such as the number of copies, magnification, density, and mode, the date and time when the logging data occurred, the original size, the paper feed tray number, the transfer paper size, the number of copies per paper, and the total counter value. , Output values of various sensors, and information such as the operation time of each drive unit.

When the logging data is generated, the image forming apparatus 202 transmits the generated logging data to the communication control device 201. Communication control device 201
Receives the logging data and determines whether or not the unused area of the logging data storage area of the RAM 307 is sufficient to store the received logging data. If the unused area is sufficient, the received logging data is stored in the unused area. On the other hand, if the unused area is not sufficient, the logging data stored in the logging data storage area is transmitted to the service center 102, and then the received logging data is stored in the logging data storage area.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a text exchanged between the communication control device 201 and the image forming device 202 according to the present embodiment. Texts exchanged between the communication control device 201 and the image forming device 202 are SYN801, SDH802, serial number 803,
STX804, text data 805, ETB or E
TX806 and LRC807. The text data 805 further includes a device code 808,
It is composed of a processing code 809 and information records 810 to 811, which are separated by a semicolon. The information records 810 to 811 are further composed of an information code 812, a data part digit number 813, and a data part 814.

The serial number 803 is the communication block number in one polling or selecting sequence. The serial number of the first block is 01, and the serial numbers of the subsequent blocks are sequentially increased by one. Next to 00
Becomes The device code 808 is stored in each image forming apparatus 20.
In step 2, the device code is compared with the device code set by the address setting switch 505 for each image forming apparatus 202, and is used to determine whether polling or selecting is for the own apparatus.
The processing code 809 is a code indicating a communication purpose.

Each of the information records 810 to 811 includes an information code 812, a number of digits 813 in a data part, and a data part 814. The information code 812 is a specific type code of report information, for example, the total number of times of transfer paper jam or the type SC. Indicates the number of times. The data part digit number 813 is the data length of the data part 814 and is represented by an ASCII code, and becomes 00 when the data part 814 does not exist. Data section 8
14 is data representing the detailed contents of the information code 812,
For example, when the information code 812 is the total number of times of transfer paper jam, the information code 812 indicates the counter value, and when the information code 812 is the number of types SC, it indicates the location where an accident diagnosis abnormality (SC) has occurred and the part name.

FIG. 9 shows a processing code 809 according to this embodiment.
6 is a table showing an example of the above. In processing code 809,
Reference numeral 30 denotes an SC call process for performing an automatic notification at the time of SC, 31 denotes a manual call process for performing an automatic notification when a manual switch is pressed, 32 denotes an alarm transmission process for performing an automatic notification when an alarm occurs, and 22 denotes an alarm transmission process. And a block billing process for automatically notifying that the number of block billings has been reached.

Numeral 02 indicates data reading for reading internal data of the PPC 202, and 04 indicates data reading for the PPC 20.
2 shows a data write process for writing internal data,
03 indicates a test execution process for performing a test by remote operation, 08 indicates a device code confirmation process which is a process for checking a communication function, and 33 indicates a case where there is no unused area in the logging data storage area. A logging data transmission process for performing an automatic notification is shown. Reference numeral 34 denotes a logging data request process for requesting distribution of logging data stored in the service center 102.

FIG. 10 shows an image forming apparatus 2 according to this embodiment.
02 communication interface unit 504 and CPU 50
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a text exchanged with the second text; The text exchanged between the communication interface unit 504 of the image forming apparatus 202 and the CPU 502 has substantially the same configuration as the text exchanged between the communication control apparatus 201 and the image forming apparatus 202 shown in FIG. SYN801, SD which is the header part
There is no H802, serial number 803 and STX804, device code 808, and LRC807 which is a parity part.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a text exchanged between the service center 102 and the communication control device 201 according to the present embodiment. Service center 1
The text exchanged between the communication control device 201 and the communication control device 201 is the communication control device 20 shown in FIG.
1 is substantially the same as the text exchanged between the image forming apparatus 202 and the image forming apparatus 202. However, instead of the device code 808, an ID code 1101 including a model number 401 and a serial number 402 is used instead of the processing code 809. , An identification code 1102 which is obtained by adding information of a text transmission destination and a transmission source to the processing code 809 is provided.

Device code 808 and ID code 110
Conversion to 1 is performed by the communication control device 201.
This is performed based on the parameters stored in the RAM 307 and the communication destination. Further, the conversion between the processing code 809 and the identification code 1102, that is, the addition and deletion of the information of the destination and the source are also performed in the communication control device 201 based on the destination.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the service center 102 of the present embodiment shown in FIG.
The service center 102 receives the logging data transmitted from the customer system 101 via the public line network 104 and receives and stores the logging data received by the transmitting / receiving unit 1201 for each image forming apparatus. And a table storage unit 1203 that stores an automatic distribution table that defines conditions for distributing the logging data stored in the storage unit 1202.

The service center 102 has a condition command input unit 1204 for inputting a condition command for instructing registration, change, addition or deletion of a condition for distribution of logging data, and a table storage unit based on the condition command. A storage unit 1202 based on the table registration unit 1205 for registering, changing, adding, or deleting the distribution condition of the logging data in the automatic distribution table stored in the automatic distribution table 1203 and the automatic distribution table stored in the table storage unit 1203
Of the logging data stored in the server to a predetermined distribution destination, that is, an automatic distribution unit 1206 that performs automatic distribution
And

Further, the service center 102 has a distribution command input unit 1207 for inputting a distribution command for instructing the distribution of the logging data, and the logging data stored in the storage unit 1202 based on the distribution command. And a printer 120 that distributes the
9 is provided.

The condition command input to the table registration unit 1205 and the distribution command input to the distribution unit 1208 are transmitted via the public line network 104 to, for example, a personal computer (not shown) or a service station 10 (not shown).
3 or from the image forming apparatus 202 of the customer system 101. Also, the automatic distribution unit 1206
Alternatively, the distribution unit 1208 can distribute the data to the printer 1209, or via the public line network 104 to, for example, the personal computer, the service station 103, the image forming apparatus 202 or the facsimile apparatus 204 of the customer system 101, etc. Can also be distributed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of the service center 102 of the present embodiment. The service center 102 includes a plurality of clients 1301, a modem 1302 provided between each client 1301 and the public line network 104, and an external storage device 13 for storing data received by each client 1301 and various tables.
03, a file server 1304 for controlling the external storage device 1303, and a printer 1209 for printing.
And a facsimile server 1305 for controlling information to be transmitted to the service station 103, and a LAN 1306 for communicatively connecting them.

Here, the modem 1302 and the client 1301 correspond to the transmission / reception unit 1201, and the file server 1305 and the external storage device 1303 store the storage unit 12
02 and the table storage unit 1203, the file server 1304, the client 1301, and the facsimile server 1305
A table registration unit 1205, an automatic distribution unit 1206, a distribution unit 1208, and a distribution command input unit 1207 are embodied.

The client 1301 has a modem 130
2 is connected to one device, and some devices are connected to a plurality of devices. When one modem 1302 is connected, the modem 1302 is directly connected to a serial port (COM1) (not shown) of the client 1301. On the other hand, when a plurality of modems 1302 are connected, an MCA (Mic
modem 1302 via an RIC board inserted in a slot (ro Channel Architecture).
Is connected.

The RIC board has an OS mounted thereon, and the RI
The protocol driver 1504 that can operate multitasking asynchronously is downloaded to the memory on the C board. Usually, a program for implementing a communication protocol is downloaded to the memory on the RIC board in order to reduce the addition of the client 1301 when using a plurality of ports.

FIG. 14 shows the external storage device 1 of this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an automatic distribution table stored in a storage unit; The automatic distribution table stored in the external storage device 1303 includes a customer-specific image forming apparatus table 1401 and an automatic distribution condition table 1411.

The image forming apparatus table 1401 for each customer is
Model number 401 and serial number 4 of image forming apparatus 202
02, a customer number item storing a customer name, and a service station 10 in charge of maintenance.
3, a terminal type item storing the type name of the terminal device 105, a terminal device telephone number item storing the calling telephone number of the terminal device 105, and a calling telephone number of the communication control device 201 of the customer system 101. Customer's telephone number item and automatic delivery condition table 141
And a pointer item storing one pointer.

Automatic delivery condition table 14
If the pointer 11 is not stored, the automatic distribution is not performed. The customer-specific image forming apparatus table 1401 is set by the operator of the service center 102 via the client 1301 when installing the image forming apparatus 202 at the customer.

The customer-specific image forming apparatus table 1401 is
Referenced when a distribution command is input. When the distribution command is transmitted via the public line network 104, the ID code 1101 of the transmitted text is compared with the model number item of the customer-specific image forming apparatus table 1401 to search for the corresponding model number item. Then, the customer and the image forming apparatus 202 are confirmed.

If the distribution is set to the distribution instruction source, a call is made using the telephone number stored in the customer telephone number item, and the stored logging data is transmitted. On the other hand, the service station 10
In the case where distribution to the terminal device 105 is set, a call is made using the telephone number stored in the terminal device telephone number item, and the stored logging data is transmitted.

The automatic distribution condition table 1411 stores a distribution destination terminal type item storing the type name of a distribution destination terminal device, a telephone number item storing a distribution destination telephone number, and an automatic distribution condition. And condition items. For the condition items, for example, set the date on which you want to automatically deliver the logging data, specify that the automatic delivery is performed on the set date, or specify the type of failure, and automatically specify the type of failure each time the failure occurs. There is a method in which distribution is performed, a method in which the type of alarm is designated, and automatic distribution is performed every time a designated alarm is reported.

The customer-specific image forming apparatus table 1401 and the automatic distribution condition table 1411 are stored in the service center 1
02 can be registered, changed, added and deleted through the client 1301. Similarly, the image forming apparatus 202, a personal computer (not shown), and the service station 10 are connected via the public network 104.
Registration, change, addition, and deletion can be performed from 3 etc. That is, the present invention is not limited to the above-described example, and the number of condition items in the automatic distribution condition table 1411 can be further increased, conversely reduced to one, or the content can be changed.

FIG. 15 shows transmission / reception section 120 of the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a hierarchy of one communication function. Transmitting and receiving unit 12
01 is the presentation layer 150
1, session layer 1502 and protocol layer 1503
And three layers. The protocol layer 1503
A communication protocol between the communication control device 201 and the client 1301 is realized, is positioned above the serial driver, and is implemented for each communication hardware. Further, the protocol layer 1503 absorbs a difference in communication hardware as viewed from the session layer 1502.

The protocol layer 1503 includes a protocol driver 1504 and a protocol stack 1505. The protocol drivers 1504 are loaded by the number of ports (modems 1302). In the case of an RIC, the protocol driver 1504 is downloaded to a memory inside the RIC. The protocol driver 1504
Upon receiving the call request, a series of protocol sequences with the communication control device 201 via the modem 1302 are started.

The modem 1302 is constantly monitored, and when information is transmitted from the communication control device 201, the information is promptly received in accordance with the protocol sequence. Upon completion of the reception, the protocol stack 1505
Is notified to the session layer 1502 via the. A protocol stack 1505 provided between the protocol driver 1504 and the called control 1506 of the session layer 1502 exchanges transmission data, reception data, and control data.

The session layer 1502 is a protocol layer 1
Plural PPs (physical ports) 1 realized by 503
507, and in response to a communication request from the presentation layer 1501, such as a calling process or a called process, to the PP15.
07 is managed and searched, and communication is started. Also,
The reception from the communication control device 201 is monitored, and when the reception is completed, the completion of the reception is notified to the presentation layer 1501 and the received data is output. The presentation layer 1501 does not directly refer to PP1507,
The VP (virtual port) 1508 linked in the session layer 1502 is accessed.

The presentation layer 1501 is located above the session layer 1502, and handles a VP 1508 for handling the VP 1508 and the client 13
Transmission request 1510 for processing the transmission request from 01
And a reception monitor 1511 that polls the VP 1508 and passes received data to a higher-level function, and implements transmission and reception of information between the communication control device 201 and the client 1301.

The transmission request 1510 is transmitted to the VP 1508. The upper function does not need to be aware of the protocol driver 1504 actually installed, and the session layer 1502 manages the usable PP 1507, so there is no need to be aware of the physical port. Further, the reception monitor 1511 determines that the VP 150
Since polling is performed on port 8, there is no need to be aware of the receiving port.

The operation of the present embodiment in the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a polling process and a selecting process of the communication control device 201 according to the present embodiment. The communication control device 201 is connected to the public network 10
When there is no incoming call from the service center 102 via the service center 4, the polling is sequentially performed on a plurality of connected image forming apparatuses 202, and a polling process for confirming the presence or absence of a connection request from the image forming apparatuses 202 is performed.

First, the communication control device 201 substitutes 1 for a count variable n (S1601), and polls the n-th image forming device 202 (S1602). When the device code of the image forming apparatus 202 is designated by polling, each image forming apparatus 202 responds to the polling.

Here, the polled image forming apparatus 2
If there is no transmission request or the like to the service center 102 in 02, a negative response is made with a predetermined specific code or combination of codes. On the other hand, when there is a call request to the service center 102, an acknowledgment is made by a predetermined specific code or a combination of codes different from a negative acknowledgment.

The communication control apparatus 201 determines whether an acknowledgment has been received from the designated image forming apparatus 202 (S1603). If no acknowledgment has been received, the communication control apparatus 201 determines whether a negative acknowledgment has been received. Determination (S160
9). If neither a positive response nor a negative response is received, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (S
1610). If it is determined in step S1610 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S1603. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the image forming apparatus 202 is turned off or not connected. It is determined that the forming apparatus 202 cannot respond, and the process proceeds to step S1607.

In step S1607, the communication control device 201 adds 1 to a variable n for counting, and n = N +
It is determined whether it is 1 (S1608). Where N
Is the number of image forming apparatuses 202 connected to the communication control apparatus 201. If n = N + 1, then
Returning to step S1602, the next image forming apparatus 202
Move to polling for. If n = N + 1, in other words, if polling for the image forming apparatus 202 has completed one cycle, the process returns to step S1601 and returns to step S1601 again.
Polling is sequentially performed from the second image forming apparatus 202.

Also, if a negative acknowledgment is received in step S1609, the flow advances to step S1607. On the other hand, if an affirmative response is received in step S1603, the polling process is temporarily suspended, and the process proceeds to a selecting process, in which the image forming apparatus 202 that has transmitted the affirmative response is selected (S1604). The selected image forming apparatus 202 outputs an affirmative response if it can respond, and outputs a negative response if it cannot respond, like the response to polling.

The communication control device 201 that has performed the selecting determines whether or not an acknowledgment has been received from the designated image forming device 202 (S1605). If an acknowledgment has not been received, a negative acknowledgment has been received. It is determined whether it has been performed (S1611). If neither an affirmative response nor a negative response has been received, it is determined whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed (S1612).

If it is determined in step S1612 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S1605. If the predetermined time has elapsed, a timeout occurs, and step S1607 occurs.
The process proceeds to polling of the next image forming apparatus 202. Similarly, when a negative response is received, step S1
The process proceeds to 607, and the process proceeds to the next polling of the image forming apparatus 202.

On the other hand, if an affirmative response is received in step S1605, the image forming apparatus 202 that has output the affirmative response
Outputs a communication permission signal based on a predetermined specific code or a combination of codes,
The communication with the communication device 2 is started (S1606). When the communication with the image forming apparatus 202 according to the communication procedure is completed, the process advances to step S1607 to shift to polling of the next image forming apparatus 202.

As described above, a self-originated call from the communication control device 201 to the service center 102 is made as described above.
There are items to be immediately called by a failure or the like and items to be called at a specified time on the date of occurrence, which are set in advance.
In addition, the service center 1 is connected via the public telephone network 104.
02, the communication control device 20
1 temporarily suspends the polling process and returns to the service center 1
02 outputs a communication permission signal by a predetermined specific code or a combination of codes to the designated image forming apparatus 202 to start communication, and after the communication with the image forming apparatus 202 according to the communication procedure is completed, the communication is interrupted. Restart the polling process that was being performed.

FIG. 17 shows an image forming apparatus 2 of the present embodiment.
13 is a flowchart showing a response process of the second embodiment. After being turned on, the image forming apparatus 202 periodically performs a response process for responding to polling and selecting from the communication control apparatus 201. In the response process, the image forming apparatus 202 first determines whether or not its own device has been polled (S1701). If polling has not been performed, it is determined whether the own device has been selected (S1702). If the own device has not been polled or selected, the process ends.

If polling has been performed in step S1701, it is determined whether there is data to be transmitted (S1707). It is determined whether or not there is transmission data.
If there is data to send, an affirmative response is output (S17).
08) If there is no data to send, a negative response is output (S1709), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the device has been selected in step S1702, it is determined whether or not the own device can support the selecting (S1703). When the selecting cannot be performed due to a reason such as copying or the like, a negative response is output (S1706). When the selecting can be performed, an affirmative response is output (S1704), and communication with the communication control device 201 is performed (S1705). ), And terminate the process.

Next, the service center 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.
02 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the reception monitor 1511 and the accumulation unit 1202 in the reception processing of the present embodiment, and FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the reception monitor 1511 in the reception processing of the present embodiment. .

In the reception processing in which the service center 102 receives data from the communication control device 201 of the customer system 101, first, the presentation layer 1
The reception monitor 1511 provided in the 501
08 initial processing such as securing the number of ports (S
1901). Next, a read area for reading data from the communication control device 201 is secured (S1).
902), and opens the called VP 1508 (S190).
3) Monitoring of data reception from the image forming apparatus 202 or the like is started (S1904).

The reception monitor 1511 monitors whether or not the reception of data from the communication control device 201 or the like has been normally completed (S1905), and the called VP 1508 enters a reception completed state, and the buffer of the completed called VP 1508 is buffered. If the received data exists in the called VP 1508, the received data is read from the buffer of the called VP 1508 into the read area (S1906). Subsequently, the received data read into the read area is written into the received data file 1801 (S1907), and it is determined whether or not the writing process has been completed normally (S1908).

If the write processing has been normally completed in step S1908, the process returns to step S1904 to continue monitoring data reception. On the other hand, if there is an error in the writing process, the called VP 1508 is closed (S1).
909), an error display is instructed (S1910), and it is determined whether or not there is a retry designation (S1911). If a retry is specified, the process returns to step S1903, and the called VP 1508 is opened again. If no retry is specified, the process ends.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of storage section 1202 in the reception processing according to the present embodiment.
The storage unit 1202 operates asynchronously with the reception monitor 1511. The storage unit 1202 first executes internal data initial processing such as securing a shared memory (S200).
1) It is determined whether or not the initial processing has been completed normally (S2002). If an error has occurred in the initial processing, an error display is instructed (S2013), and the processing ends.

When the initial processing is completed normally,
It is determined whether the received data is written in the received data file 1801 (S2003). If the received data has been written in the received data file 1801, the received data in the received data file 1801 is read (S2004), and it is determined whether an error has occurred during the reading (S2005). If an error has occurred during reading, the process advances to step S2013 to instruct an error display and end the process.

On the other hand, if the reading is completed normally,
The customer and the image forming apparatus 202 are confirmed from the model number 401 and the serial number 402 of the ID code 1101 in the read received data (S2006). continue,
From the identification code 1102 in the received data, types such as a remote report using a report key, a remote report due to a self-diagnosis abnormality, a remote report of a prior warning, a logging data transmission, and a logging data request are checked.

When the identification code 1102 is a remote report, a remote report due to a self-diagnosis abnormality, a remote report of advance warning, or a transmission of logging data, the data file 1802 for each report of the corresponding customer is updated (S200).
7). Subsequently, it is determined whether an error has occurred during the update process (S2008). If an error has occurred, the process proceeds to step S2013, an error display is instructed, and the process ends. If the update process is completed normally, the automatic distribution unit 1
206 performs an automatic distribution process (S2009). After the automatic distribution process, the storage unit 1202 deletes the read received data (S2010), and returns to step S2003.

On the other hand, if the received data is not written in the received data file 1801 in step S2003, it is determined whether or not the end of the receiving process is specified (S2011). If not, the process returns to step S2003. If the end of the receiving process is specified, it is determined whether or not an error display is specified (S2012). If the error display is not specified, the process ends and an error display is instructed. If yes, the process proceeds to step S2013, where an error display is instructed and the process ends.

FIG. 21 shows distribution section 1208 of the present embodiment.
6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment. Distribution unit 1208
First, the request of the logging data is checked by the information code (type code) 812 of the information records 810 to 811 following the identification code 1102 of the received data (text) received via the public line network 104, and the request of the logging data is checked. Wait until there is (S2101). If there is a request for logging data, it is determined whether or not the logging data file of the requested image forming apparatus 202 exists in the logging data file for each image forming apparatus storing the logging data in the storage unit 1202. Is confirmed (S2102).

If the requested logging data file of the image forming apparatus 202 does not exist, an error display is instructed (S2111), and the process ends. On the other hand, when the logging data file of the requested image forming apparatus 202 exists, the data section 81 in the information records 810 to 811 is stored.
According to the parameters of the logging data request stored in No. 4, the logging data is read from the logging data file until the condition of the request parameter is met, and transmission data as transmission data is created (S 2103).

When the creation of the data for transmission is completed, the delivery destination stored in the data section 814 of the information records 810 to 811 is confirmed (S2104, S2106, S2106).
S2107). If the distribution destination is the service center 102, the transmission data is output to the printer 1209 or the like (S2105). When the distribution destination is the image forming apparatus 202 of the customer system 101, the image forming apparatus 202 is referred to by referring to the customer-specific image forming apparatus table 1401.
The transmission data is transmitted to the server (S2109).

If the distribution destination is the service station 103, the image forming apparatus table 1401 for each customer is referred to, and according to the setting of the terminal type of the distribution destination, the terminal 105 or the facsimile apparatus 106 of the corresponding service station 103 is transmitted. (S2108, S2110).

Next, the transmission request 1510 of this embodiment is described.
Will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the transmission request 1510 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the transmission request 1510 according to the present embodiment.

In a distribution process for performing distribution to a predetermined distribution destination, a transmission request 1510 provided in the presentation layer 1501 of the transmission / reception unit 1201 firstly receives
Initial processing such as securing the number of ports of the calling VP 1508 is executed (S2301). Next, the call VP 1508 is opened to transmit information from a higher function of the presentation layer 1501, for example, a distribution information creation unit (logging data request unit) for creating distribution information (S2302).

After the call VP 1508 is opened, the transmission to the communication control apparatus 201 or the service station 103 is monitored, and the transmission request from the higher function is verified (S2303). It is determined whether or not there is (S2304). Until there is a transmission from the upper function, the communication control device 201
Alternatively, monitoring of transmission to the service station 103 and verification of a transmission request from a higher-level function are continued.

When there is a transmission request from a higher-level function,
The transmission data to be transmitted is read from the transmission data file 2201 storing the transmission data (S23).
05). Next, it is determined whether an error has occurred during the reading of the transmission data (S2306). If no error has occurred during the reading of the transmission data, it is determined whether or not there is any remaining transmission data. Then, it is determined whether the reading of the transmission data has been completed (S2307).

If there is remaining transmission data, that is,
If the reading of the transmission data has not been completed, the read transmission data is written into the buffer of the outgoing call VP 1508 secured in step S2301 (S2308).
Until there is no remaining transmission data, that is, until reading of the transmission data is completed, steps S2305 to S2305 are performed.
Repeat step 2308. When the reading of the transmission data is completed, the process returns to step S2303, and the transmission request from the higher-level function is verified again.

On the other hand, in step S2306, if an error occurs while reading the transmission data, step 230
The calling VP 1508 secured in step 1 is closed (S230).
9), an error display is instructed (S2310). continue,
It is determined whether a retry has been designated (S231).
1) If retry is specified, step S23
02 and the call VP is opened again. On the other hand, if no retry is specified, the process ends.

When the image forming apparatus 202 requests distribution via the public line network 104, for example, a serviceman who has visited a customer performs a predetermined operation on the image forming apparatus 202 to set the serviceman mode. Set, specify which period of logging data is required, and send a distribution command requesting distribution of logging data. The transmitted distribution command is received by the service center 102 via the communication control device 201 and the public network 104, and the service center 10 receiving the distribution command
2 distributes the accumulated logging data.

The distribution is similarly performed when the distribution is requested from the terminal device 105 of the service station 103 or a personal computer or a facsimile device connected to the public network 104 (not shown).

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of the automatic distribution unit 12 according to this embodiment.
It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of 06. The automatic distribution unit 1206 of the present embodiment performs an automatic distribution process for automatic distribution every time a report (reception data) is received via the transmission / reception unit 1201.

In the automatic distribution processing, the automatic distribution unit 120
6 is the ID code 11 of the report information (received data).
01 based on the customer-specific image forming apparatus table 1401
The content of the corresponding pointer item is obtained (S240
1), it is determined whether or not the pointer of the automatic distribution condition table 1411 has been set (S2402). If the pointer of the automatic distribution condition table 1411 is not set, the process ends without performing the automatic distribution. on the other hand,
If the pointer of the automatic distribution condition table 1411 has been set, the condition items of the automatic distribution condition table 1411 are checked (S2403).

For example, if the report is due to a self-diagnosis abnormality, the type of failure stored in the condition item
It is determined whether or not the type of the failure indicated by the notification matches (S2404). If the type of fault stored in the condition item does not match the type of fault indicated by the report, the process ends; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S2405. Similarly, when the notification is based on the advance warning, it is determined whether or not the type of the advance warning stored in the condition item matches the type of the advance warning indicated by the notification. Ends the process, and if they match, the process proceeds to step S2405.

In step 2405, the logging data file of the image forming apparatus 202 that has transmitted the notification is stored in the storage unit 1.
A determination is made as to whether or not it exists at 202. If the logging data file of the image forming apparatus 202 that has transmitted the notification does not exist in the storage unit 1202, the process ends. If the logging data file of the image forming apparatus 202 that has transmitted the notification exists in the storage unit 1202, the processing ends. The logging data is read from the file, and a transmission data file, which is a data file for transmission, is created (S24).
06).

Next, the telephone number of the distribution destination is obtained from the automatic distribution condition table 1411 (S2407).
The type name of the distribution destination terminal is acquired (S2408), and it is determined whether the type of the distribution destination terminal is a facsimile machine (S2409). If the type of the destination terminal is a facsimile machine, the obtained telephone number and transmission data file are transmitted to the facsimile server 1305 (S2411), and the process ends. On the other hand, when the type of the terminal of the distribution destination is not the facsimile machine, the obtained telephone number and the transmission data file are transmitted to the transmission / reception unit 1201 (S2410), and the process ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the RAM 307 of the communication control device 201 temporarily stores the logging data generated during the operation of the image forming apparatus 202, and the unused storage area of the RAM 307 is newly stored. If the logging data is not enough to store the logging data, the communication control device 201 transmits the logging data stored in the RAM 307 via a network such as the public line network 104 and transmits the transmitted logging data to the service center 10.
Since the data is received via the network on the two sides and stored for each image forming apparatus, it is possible to promptly and appropriately resolve a failure at the time of failure occurrence, thereby improving the workability of the user.

The service center 102 stores an automatic distribution table, and performs automatic distribution for distributing accumulated logging data based on the automatic distribution table.
You can grasp the signs of the occurrence of a failure and take preventive measures before the failure occurs. The logging data distribution condition of the automatic distribution table can be registered, changed, added or deleted by a condition command.

In addition to the automatic distribution based on the automatic distribution table, distribution is performed when a distribution command is input, so that logging data can be distributed as needed at any time. The condition command and the distribution command are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 202 via the network.
Or the terminal device 105 of the service station 103,
It can be transmitted from a personal computer or the like connected to the network.

Automatic distribution and distribution by inputting a distribution command are performed to the image forming apparatus 202, the terminal device 105, a personal computer or a facsimile device 204 or 106 connected to a network, or the like.

[0138]

As described above, the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the present invention (claim 1) temporarily stores logging data generated during the operation of the image forming apparatus, and stores unused logging data. If is not enough to store the new logging data, send the stored logging data over the network and send the transmitted logging data to
Since the service center receives the data via the network and accumulates the data for each image forming apparatus, it is possible to promptly and appropriately solve the trouble at the time of the trouble occurrence, and to improve the workability of the user.

Further, the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the present invention refers to the automatic distribution table, and when the logging data distribution condition is satisfied, stores the accumulated logging data in a predetermined distribution destination. Because of the distribution, signs of the occurrence of a failure can be grasped and precautionary measures can be taken before the occurrence of the failure.

Further, the image forming apparatus maintenance support system of the present invention (Claim 3) registers, changes, adds or deletes the logging data distribution condition of the stored automatic distribution table based on the input condition command. Therefore, the distribution conditions can be set freely.

An image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the present invention transmits a condition command via a network and transmits logging data in an automatic distribution table stored based on the transmitted condition command. To register, change, add or delete conditions, distribution conditions can be set from a remote location.

In the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the present invention (claim 5), the image forming apparatus transmits a condition command via a network, and the service center stores the condition command based on the transmitted condition command. In order to register, change, add or delete the logging data distribution condition of the automatic distribution table, the distribution condition can be set from an image forming apparatus such as a customer.

The image forming apparatus maintenance support system of the present invention (claim 6) distributes the accumulated logging data to a predetermined distribution destination based on the input distribution command. To deliver logging data.

An image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the present invention transmits a distribution command via a network, and stores accumulated logging data in a predetermined distribution destination based on the transmitted distribution command. To be delivered to
The distribution of logging data can be instructed as needed from a remote location.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus maintenance support system of the present invention (claim 8), the image forming apparatus transmits a distribution command via a network, and the service center stores the distribution command based on the transmitted distribution command. In order to distribute the logging data to a predetermined distribution destination, a service person or the like can instruct the distribution from the customer image forming apparatus as needed.

Further, in the image forming apparatus maintenance support system of the present invention (claim 9), since the destination of the logging data is the image forming apparatus, the service person or the like receives the distribution from the customer's image forming apparatus. be able to.

In the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the present invention (claim 10), the distribution destination of the logging data is a personal computer.
Distribution can be received from a personal computer such as a service station or a customer.

In the image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to the present invention, the destination of the logging data is a facsimile apparatus. Therefore, a service person or the like distributes the data from a facsimile apparatus such as a service station or a customer. Can receive.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a customer system according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the communication control device of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a RAM of the communication control device according to the embodiment;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a list of various parameters stored in the storage device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a text exchanged between the communication control device and the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a table showing an example of a processing code according to the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a text exchanged between a communication interface unit and a CPU of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a text exchanged between a service center and a communication control device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a service center according to the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of a service center according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an automatic distribution table stored in the external storage device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a hierarchy of communication functions of a transmission unit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a polling process and a selecting process of the communication control device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a response process of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing operations of the reception monitoring and accumulation unit in the reception processing according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of reception monitoring in the reception processing of the present embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the storage unit in the reception processing according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the distribution unit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of a transmission request according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a transmission request according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the automatic distribution unit according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 customer system 102 service center 103 service station 104 public line network 105 terminal device 201 communication control device 202 image forming device 204 facsimile device 301, 501 ROM 302, 502 CPU 305 communication interface 307, 503 RAM 500 control unit 504 communication interface unit 1201 transmission / reception unit 1202 storage unit 1203 table storage unit 1204 condition command input unit 1205 table registration unit 1206 automatic distribution unit 1207 distribution command input unit 1208 distribution unit 1209 printer 1301 client 1302 modem 1303 external storage device 1304 file server 1305 facsimile server

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit for inputting and temporarily storing logging data as information of an operation history of an image forming apparatus, and an unused storage area of the storage unit is sufficient for storing new logging data. If not, transmitting means for inputting the logging data stored in the storage means and transmitting the data via a network, receiving means for receiving the logging data transmitted by the transmitting means via the network, and receiving means Storage means for inputting the logging data received by the image forming apparatus and storing the logging data for each image forming apparatus. 2. A table storage means for storing an automatic distribution table defining conditions for distributing logging data stored in the storage means, and based on the automatic distribution table stored in the table storage means. 2. The image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to claim 1, further comprising: an automatic distribution unit that distributes the logging data stored in the storage unit to a predetermined distribution destination. 3. A condition command inputting means for inputting a condition command for instructing registration, change, addition or deletion of a condition for distribution of the logging data, and a condition input via the condition command inputting means. On the basis of the command, register the log data distribution condition of the automatic distribution table stored in the table storage means,
3. The image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to claim 2, further comprising: a table registration unit configured to change, add, or delete. 4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the condition command input unit transmits the condition command to the table registration unit via the network. 5. An image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to claim 4, wherein said condition command input means is said image forming apparatus. 6. A distribution command input unit for inputting a distribution command for instructing distribution of the logging data, and accumulating in the storage unit based on the distribution command input via the distribution command input unit. And a distribution unit for distributing the logging data to a predetermined distribution destination.
An image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to any one of the first to third aspects. 7. The image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to claim 6, wherein the distribution command input unit transmits the distribution command to the distribution unit via the network. 8. An image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to claim 7, wherein said distribution command input means is said image forming apparatus. 9. The image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to claim 2, wherein the distribution destination of the logging data is the image forming apparatus. 10. The distribution destination of the logging data is a personal computer.
8. The image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to any one of 8. 11. The image forming apparatus maintenance support system according to claim 2, wherein the destination of the logging data is a facsimile machine.