JP2006120066A - Image forming apparatus, method for displaying abnormality release detail information, and method for printing abnormality release detail information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To recover an apparatus by releasing an abnormality without damaging mode information etc. set by a user. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 having a display part 6 includes a first control means 1 for controlling the display part 6 at a normal condition; and a second control means 2 for controlling the display part at an abnormal condition. In abnormality where the first control means 1 cannot display information in the display part 6 and cannot display the information in the display part of another device via first communication means 8 or 9 to be used at the normal condition, the second control means 5 displays abnormality release detail information being the detail information concerning a method for releasing the abnormality in the display part 6 or the display part of another device 24, while holding information, which is set or selected by the user, in the image forming apparatus 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an abnormality cancellation detailed information display method, and an abnormality cancellation detailed information printing method.

  Some copiers or printers have a function of displaying information for canceling abnormalities on a display unit when a jam or machine abnormality occurs. However, since the display portion of the display unit is small like a low-cost copying machine or printer, it is difficult to display detailed information for canceling the abnormality.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to print out detailed information in the printing unit, but the important printing unit may not be used due to a jam or machine abnormality. Further, even if the display section has a display portion sufficient to display detailed information, the display may not be possible depending on the abnormal state.

In such a case, the detailed information may be printed on a copying machine or printer other than the copying machine or printer in an abnormal state, or displayed on the operation unit or display unit of an apparatus other than the abnormal state. (For example, refer to Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3.)
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-200909 JP 2002-259105 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-252298

  However, the cause of the machine abnormality is not only due to a paper feed system trouble such as a jam, but also due to a leak entangled with a high-voltage power supply. In the case of a trouble in the high-voltage power supply system, a large current flows through an unexpected path through the copying machine or printer, and an induced voltage noise due to the large current may cause an abnormality in the electric control system of the copying machine or printer.

  In particular, the induced voltage noise tends to affect the signal harness connecting the boards. For a general input signal, even if noise is included in the signal, it is a momentary effect. However, a serial signal such as a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) that performs communication between boards may malfunction due to noise and be unable to communicate due to high speed.

  When communication becomes impossible, printing cannot be performed by a copying machine other than the copying machine or printer or a printing unit of the printer, or displayed on an operation unit or display unit of an apparatus other than the copying machine or printer.

  Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in the high-voltage power supply system, there is no means other than turning off the power supply SW (switch) and restarting the copier or printer normally again. However, when the power switch is turned OFF / ON, the mode information of the copier or printer set by the user is lost, and the user sets (selects) the mode information again after the copier or printer is restarted. There was a problem that had to be done. Here, the mode information is information such as the number of prints set by the user when using a printer or the like, and an enlargement rate or reduction rate.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to cancel an abnormality and restore the apparatus without losing mode information set by a user.

  Accordingly, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus having a display unit, and a first control unit that controls the display unit in a normal state and a second control unit that controls the display unit in an abnormal state. And the first control unit cannot display information on the display unit, and can display information on the display unit of another device via the first communication unit used during normal operation. Details relating to a method in which the second control means cancels the abnormality while the image forming apparatus holds information set or selected by the user on the display unit or the display unit of the other apparatus when the abnormality is not possible It is characterized by displaying the abnormal cancellation detailed information which is information.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having a display unit, comprising: a first control unit that controls the display unit when normal; and a second control unit that controls the display unit when abnormal, The first control unit cannot display information on the display unit, and cannot display information on the display unit of another device via the first communication unit used during normal operation. Abnormality cancellation detailed information, which is detailed information relating to a method in which the second control unit cancels the abnormality while the image forming apparatus holds information set or selected by the user on the display unit or the display unit of the other device By displaying, the abnormality can be canceled and the apparatus can be restored without damaging the mode information set by the user.

  In addition, the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a printing unit, and includes a third control unit that controls the printing unit when normal, and a fourth control unit that controls the printing unit when abnormal, The third control unit cannot print information on the printing unit, and cannot print information on the printing unit of another device via the third communication unit used at normal time. The abnormality canceling detailed information, which is detailed information relating to a method in which the control unit cancels the abnormality while the image forming apparatus holds information set or selected by the user in the printing unit or the printing unit of the other device Is printed.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having a printing unit, comprising: a third control unit that controls the printing unit when it is normal; and a fourth control unit that controls the printing unit when there is an abnormality. The third control unit cannot print information on the printing unit, and cannot print information on the printing unit of another device via the third communication unit used at normal time. The abnormality canceling detailed information, which is detailed information relating to a method in which the control unit cancels the abnormality while the image forming apparatus holds information set or selected by the user in the printing unit or the printing unit of the other device By printing, the abnormality can be canceled and the apparatus can be restored without damaging the mode information set by the user.

  Further, as means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a method for displaying detailed information for canceling abnormalities and a method for printing detailed information for canceling abnormalities may be used.

  The first control means described in the claims corresponds to, for example, the control circuit 11 in Example 1 described later. The second control means described in the claims corresponds to, for example, the control circuit 25 in the first embodiment to be described later. The third control means described in the claims corresponds to, for example, the control circuit 11 in Example 2 described later. The fourth control means described in the claims corresponds to, for example, the control circuit 25 in Example 2 described later.

  The first communication means described in the claims corresponds to, for example, a telephone line 119 and / or a network 120 in Example 1 described later. The second communication means described in the claims corresponds to, for example, a telephone line 217 and / or a network 2 18 in the first embodiment described later. The third communication means described in the claims corresponds to, for example, a telephone line 119 and / or a network 120 in Example 2 described later. The fourth communication means described in the claims corresponds to, for example, a telephone line 217 and / or a network 2 18 in a second embodiment to be described later.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to cancel the abnormality and restore the device without damaging the mode information set by the user.

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

  An example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 is shown in FIG. FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram (part 1) of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 100 is an apparatus that integrates functions such as printing, copying, scanning, and faxing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control circuit 11, an IPU (Image Processing Unit) 2, a BCU (Bus Control Unit) 3, a BUS (Bus) 4, and a control circuit 25. The display unit 6 and the keyboard 7 included in the operation unit 26, an FCU (FAX Control Unit) 8, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 9, a switching circuit 10, a switching circuit 11, a switching circuit 12, and a switching circuit 13, decal 1 14, decal 2 15, decal 3 16, telephone line 2 17, network 2 18, telephone line 1 19, and network 1 20. The / FAULT signal 25 is an error occurrence signal used to transfer control to the control circuit 25.

  The control circuit 11 is a controller (or a control circuit for normal use). The IPU 2 is an image processing unit that processes an image. BCU3 is a bus control unit. BUS4 is an image data bus and / or a control signal bus. The control circuit 25 is an abnormal control circuit. The display unit 6 is a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) in the operation unit 26. The keyboard 7 is an input unit such as a numeric keypad in the operation unit 26.

  The FCU 8 is a FAX control unit. The NIC 9 is a network interface card that connects the image forming apparatus 100 to a network. The switching circuit 10 is a telephone line switching circuit. The switching circuit 11 is a network switching circuit. The switching circuit 12 is a switching circuit for a display unit. The switching circuit 13 is a keyboard switching circuit.

  The decal 1 14, decal 2 15, and decal 3 16 are decals with an input SW (switch) function. A decal is an input means made of a sheet-like member. A telephone line 119 is a first telephone line. The telephone line 217 is a second telephone line. Network 120 is the first network. Network 218 is a second network.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 is connected to the detailed information server 21 via a network and / or a telephone line. The detailed information server 21 stores release detailed information when the image forming apparatus 100 is abnormal in the hard disk or the like of the detailed information server 21.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 is connected to the mobile phone 24 or the like via a wireless connection. For example, the release detailed information when the image forming apparatus 100 is abnormal is transmitted to the mobile phone 24 and displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 24. Display.

  In the present embodiment, the control circuit 11, the control circuit 25, the switching circuits 11 to 13, and the like are mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 as hardware. The circuit 25, the switching circuits 11 to 13 and the like may be mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 as a program executed by the CPU. When the control circuit 11, the control circuit 25, the switching circuits 11 to 13, and the like are mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 as programs executed by the CPU, the programs are, for example, RAM, ROM, etc. from the beginning. The image forming apparatus 100 may store the image data in a storage medium, or store the image data in a storage medium and provide the image forming apparatus 100 via an I / F such as a driver.

  Hereinafter, functions of the switching circuits 11 to 14 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the function of the switching circuit.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the / FAULT signal is 1, the A signal and the C signal are connected by the switching circuits 11 to 14, and when the / FAULT signal is 0, the switching circuits 11 to 14 are connected. Thus, the B signal and the C signal are connected. The signals A, B, and C are composed of a plurality of signals. Hereinafter, an example of the / FAULT signal when the control circuit 11, the control circuit 2 5, and the display unit 6 are connected by UART is shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the / FAULT signal.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the signal shown in FIG. 2 includes a plurality of signals.

  Hereinafter, an example of the abnormality cancellation detailed information display process is shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the abnormality cancellation detailed information display process.

  When an abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus 100, the process is started, and the process proceeds to step S1. Causes of occurrence of an abnormality in the image forming apparatus 100 include a reading system, a writing system, an image forming system, a paper conveyance / fixing system, a charging / system system, and a controller system. Among them, typical ones in which the user cancels the abnormality without turning the power OFF / ON include a jam of a reading system and a paper transport / fixing system. When a jam occurs, the position of the jam is displayed on the display unit 6 with an illustration or the like. However, it is difficult to understand only by the illustration, and detailed release information is required. However, although detailed release information is rarely used, it uses a large amount of the memory of the device, leading to an increase in the cost of the device.

  In addition, these reading system and paper conveyance / fixing system abnormalities do not originally require the power SW to be turned off / on, but if the display unit 6 or the keyboard 7 does not operate, the user is forced to turn the power SW off / on. You won't get. When the power switch is turned off / on, the mode information set by the user is lost.

  Further, abnormalities caused by noise from the CPU of the image forming apparatus 100 and a high-voltage power source that causes malfunction of communication include an image forming system and a controller system. These image forming system and controller system abnormalities often occur in combination.

  In step S1, the control circuit 11 determines whether display on the display unit 6 is possible. When control circuit 11 determines that display on display unit 6 is possible (YES in step S1), control circuit 11 proceeds to step S2 and determines that display on display unit 6 is impossible (NO in step S1). Proceed to step S4. For example, the control circuit 11 determines whether or not display on the display unit 6 is possible based on whether or not communication with the display unit 6 is possible.

  In step S2, the control circuit 11 determines whether or not the keyboard 7 can be used. If the control circuit 11 determines that the keyboard 7 can be used (YES in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3. If the control circuit 11 determines that the keyboard 7 cannot be used (NO in step S2), the process proceeds to step S4. For example, the control circuit 11 determines whether or not the keyboard 7 can be used depending on whether or not it can communicate with the keyboard 7.

  In step S3, the control circuit 11 causes the display unit 6 of the own device to display the detailed information for canceling the abnormality. The control circuit 11 uses the telephone line 1 19 or the network 1 20 shown in FIG. It should be noted that the detailed information for canceling abnormalities describes a detailed method for canceling abnormalities while retaining information (mode information or the like) set or selected by the user.

  On the other hand, in step S 4, the control circuit 11 sets the / FAULT signal 25 to 0, and passes control to the control circuit 25. When the control circuit 11 is not operating normally, the / FAULT signal 25 may be automatically generated using a watchdog signal or the like. The watchdog signal is generated by a watchdog timer or the like independent of the control circuit that monitors whether the control circuit is operating normally. However, when the control circuit 11 is reset by a watchdog signal or the like, the mode information set by the user is lost.

  When the / FAULT signal 25 becomes 0, the connection of the C signal is changed from the A signal to the B signal and is connected to the control circuit 25 as shown in FIG.

  Progressing to step S5 following step S4, the control circuit 25 determines whether or not the keyboard 7 can be used. If control circuit 25 determines that keyboard 7 can be used (YES in step S5), it proceeds to step S8, and if it determines that keyboard 7 cannot be used (NO in step S5), it proceeds to step S6. For example, the control circuit 25 determines whether or not the keyboard 7 can be used depending on whether or not it can communicate with the keyboard 7.

  In step S6, the control circuit 25 determines whether the decal 1 14, the decal 2 15, and the decal 3 16 can be used as a substitute for the keyboard 7 or the like. If the control circuit 25 determines that the decal 1 14, decal 2 15, and decal 3 16 can be used as an alternative to the keyboard 7 or the like (YES in step S6), the control circuit 25 proceeds to step S8, where the decal 1 14, decal 2 15, If it is determined that decal 316 cannot be used as a substitute for keyboard 7 or the like (NO in step S6), the process proceeds to step S7.

  For example, even when the keyboard 7 or the like cannot be used, if the decal can be used, for example, when the user touches the decal related to the cause of the abnormality, the control circuit 25 cancels the abnormality as described later. Detailed information can be displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 24 and presented to the user.

  In step S7, the control circuit 25 assigns 1 to the variable FLG (flag), and proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, the control circuit 25 determines whether or not the network 120 operates normally. If the control circuit 25 determines that the network 1 20 operates normally (YES in step S8), the control circuit 25 uses the network 1 20 to download the error cancellation detailed information from the detailed information server 21, and proceeds to step S12. If it is determined that 20 does not operate normally (NO in step S8), the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, the control circuit 25 determines whether or not the telephone line 1 19 operates normally. If the control circuit 25 determines that the telephone line 1 19 operates normally (YES in step S9), the control circuit 25 uses the telephone line 1 19 to download the abnormality canceling detailed information from the detailed information server 21, and proceeds to step S12. If it is determined that telephone line 119 does not operate normally (NO in step S9), the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, the control circuit 25 determines whether or not the network 2 18 operates normally. If the control circuit 25 determines that the network 2 18 operates normally (YES in step S10), the control circuit 25 uses the network 2 18 to download the error cancellation detailed information from the detailed information server 21 and proceeds to step S12. If it is determined that 18 does not operate normally (NO in step S10), the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, the control circuit 25 determines whether or not the telephone line 2 17 operates normally. If the control circuit 25 determines that the telephone line 2 17 operates normally (YES in step S11), the control circuit 25 uses the telephone line 2 17 to download the abnormality cancellation detailed information from the detailed information server 21, and proceeds to step S12. If it is determined that telephone line 217 does not operate normally (NO in step S11), the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S12, the control circuit 25 refers to the value of the variable FLG (flag) and determines whether FLG is 1. If control circuit 25 determines that FLG is 1 (YES in step S12), it proceeds to step S15, and if it is determined that FLG is not 1 (NO in step S12), it proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, the control circuit 25 determines whether display on the display unit 6 of the own device is possible. If the control circuit 25 determines that display on the display unit 6 of the own device is possible (YES in step S13), the control circuit 25 proceeds to step S14 and determines that display on the display unit 6 of the own device is impossible ( In step S13, NO), the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S14, the control circuit 25 causes the display unit 6 of the own device to display the abnormality cancellation detailed information downloaded from the detailed information server 21 using any of the communication means from step S8 to step S11.

  Further, in step S15, the control circuit 25 provides the abnormality canceling detailed information downloaded from the detailed information server 21 using any of the communication means from step S8 to step S11 to the mobile phone 24, for example, wirelessly. And displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 24.

  On the other hand, in step S16, the control circuit 25 executes abnormal termination. In this case, the user only has to turn the power OFF / ON to cancel the abnormality, and the mode information set by the user is lost.

  As described above, when an abnormality occurs in communication between the operation unit 26 and the control circuit 1, conventionally, the power supply must be turned off / on. Abnormality cancellation detailed information describing a method for canceling the abnormality and the like can be displayed on the screen of the unit 26 (or the display unit 6) or the mobile phone 24 while retaining the information set or selected by the user. .

  Further, as described above, the abnormality cancellation detailed information is stored in the detailed information server 21, and for example, the control circuit 25 downloads the abnormality cancellation detailed information from the detailed information server 21 and presents it to the user. The circuit 25 does not need to have an extra memory for the error clearing detailed information, and the memory and cost can be reduced.

  Further, as described above, when the control circuit 2 has the telephone line 2 17 and / or the network 2 18, even when the telephone line 1 19 and the network 1 20 cannot be used, the detailed information server 21 gives details of abnormality cancellation. Information can be downloaded and presented to the user.

  In the first embodiment, the example in which the abnormality cancellation detailed information is displayed on the display unit 6 or the like has been described. However, an example in which the abnormality cancellation detailed information is printed on the printing unit or the like is illustrated in the second embodiment. In the following, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  Hereinafter, another example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 is shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram (part 2) of the image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control circuit 11, an IPU 2, a BCU 3, a BUS 4, a control circuit 25, a keyboard 7 included in the operation unit 26, an FCU 8, and a NIC 9. , Switching circuit 10, switching circuit 11, switching circuit 12, switching circuit 13, decal 1 14, decal 2 15, decal 3 16, telephone line 2 17, network 2 18, and telephone line 1 19, a network 120, and a printing unit 26.

  The printing unit 26 is a printing unit such as a printer or a plotter. Note that the switching circuit 12 in the second embodiment is a switching circuit for a printing unit.

  The image forming apparatus 100 shown in the second embodiment is connected to another image forming apparatus 100 via a network and / or a telephone line.

  In the present embodiment, the control circuit 11, the control circuit 25, the switching circuits 11 to 13, and the like are mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 as hardware. The circuit 25, the switching circuits 11 to 13 and the like may be mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 as a program executed by the CPU. When the control circuit 11, the control circuit 25, the switching circuits 11 to 13, and the like are mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 as programs executed by the CPU, the programs are, for example, RAM, ROM, etc. from the beginning. The image forming apparatus 100 may store the image data in a storage medium, or store the image data in a storage medium and provide the image forming apparatus 100 via an I / F such as a driver.

  Hereinafter, an example of the abnormality cancellation detailed information printing process is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the abnormality cancellation detailed information printing process.

  If an abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus 100, the process is started, and the process proceeds to step S21. Causes of occurrence of an abnormality in the image forming apparatus 100 include a reading system, a writing system, an image forming system, a paper conveyance / fixing system, a charging / system system, and a controller system. Among them, typical ones in which the user cancels the abnormality without turning the power OFF / ON include a jam of a reading system and a paper transport / fixing system. When a jam occurs, the printing unit 26 is caused to print the jammed position with an illustration or the like. However, it is difficult to understand only by the illustration, and detailed release information is required. However, although detailed release information is rarely used, it uses a large amount of the memory of the device, leading to an increase in the cost of the device.

  These reading system and paper conveyance / fixing system abnormalities do not necessarily require the power supply SW to be turned off / on. However, if the printing unit 26 or the keyboard 7 does not operate, the user has to turn the power supply SW off / on. You won't get. When the power switch is turned off / on, the mode information set by the user is lost.

  Further, abnormalities caused by noise from the CPU of the image forming apparatus 100 and a high-voltage power source that causes malfunction of communication include an image forming system and a controller system. These image forming system and controller system abnormalities often occur in combination.

  In step S21, the control circuit 11 determines whether printing in the printing unit 26 is possible. If the control circuit 11 determines that printing in the printing unit 26 is possible (YES in step S21), the control circuit 11 proceeds to step S22, and determines that printing in the printing unit 26 is impossible (NO in step S21). Proceed to step S24. For example, the control circuit 11 determines whether or not printing in the printing unit 26 is possible based on whether or not communication with the printing unit 26 is possible.

  In step S22, the control circuit 11 determines whether or not the keyboard 7 can be used. If the control circuit 11 determines that the keyboard 7 can be used (YES in step S22), the process proceeds to step S23. If the control circuit 11 determines that the keyboard 7 cannot be used (NO in step S22), the process proceeds to step S24. For example, the control circuit 11 determines whether or not the keyboard 7 can be used depending on whether or not it can communicate with the keyboard 7.

  In step S23, the control circuit 11 causes the printing unit 26 of its own machine to print the abnormality cancellation detailed information. The control circuit 11 downloads the abnormality cancellation detailed information from the detailed information server 21 using the telephone line 1 19 or the network 1 20 of FIG. It should be noted that the detailed information for canceling abnormalities describes a detailed method for canceling abnormalities while retaining information (mode information or the like) set or selected by the user.

  On the other hand, in step S24, the control circuit 11 sets the / FAULT signal 25 to 0, and passes control to the control circuit 25. When the control circuit 11 is not operating normally, the / FAULT signal 25 may be automatically generated using a watchdog signal or the like. The watchdog signal is generated by a watchdog timer or the like independent of the control circuit that monitors whether the control circuit is operating normally. However, when the control circuit 11 is reset by a watchdog signal or the like, the mode information set by the user is lost.

  When the / FAULT signal 25 becomes 0, the connection of the C signal is changed from the A signal to the B signal and is connected to the control circuit 25 as shown in FIG.

  Proceeding to step S25 following step S24, the control circuit 25 determines whether or not the keyboard 7 can be used. If control circuit 25 determines that keyboard 7 can be used (YES in step S25), it proceeds to step S28, and if it determines that keyboard 7 cannot be used (NO in step S25), it proceeds to step S26. For example, the control circuit 25 determines whether or not the keyboard 7 can be used depending on whether or not it can communicate with the keyboard 7.

  In step S26, the control circuit 25 determines whether the decal 1 14, the decal 2 15, and the decal 3 16 can be used as a substitute for the keyboard 7 or the like. If control circuit 25 determines that decal 1 14, decal 2 15, decal 3 16 can be used as an alternative to keyboard 7 or the like (YES in step S26), control circuit 25 proceeds to step S28, where decal 1 14, decal 2 15, If it is determined that decal 316 cannot be used as a substitute for keyboard 7 or the like (NO in step S26), the process proceeds to step S27.

  For example, even when the keyboard 7 or the like cannot be used, if the decal can be used, for example, when the user touches the decal related to the cause of the abnormality, the control circuit 25 cancels the abnormality as described later. The detailed information can be printed on the printing unit 26 of another image forming apparatus 100 and presented to the user.

  In step S27, the control circuit 25 assigns 1 to the variable FLG (flag), and proceeds to step S28.

  In step S28, the control circuit 25 determines whether or not the network 120 is operating normally. If the control circuit 25 determines that the network 1 20 is operating normally (YES in step S28), it downloads the error cancellation detailed information from the detailed information server 21 using the network 120, and proceeds to step S32. If it is determined that 20 does not operate normally (NO in step S28), the process proceeds to step S29.

  In step S29, the control circuit 25 determines whether or not the telephone line 1 19 operates normally. If the control circuit 25 determines that the telephone line 1 19 operates normally (YES in step S29), the control circuit 25 uses the telephone line 1 19 to download the abnormality cancellation detailed information from the detailed information server 21, and proceeds to step S32. If it is determined that telephone line 119 does not operate normally (NO in step S29), the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S30, the control circuit 25 determines whether or not the network 2 18 operates normally. If the control circuit 25 determines that the network 2 18 operates normally (YES in step S30), the control circuit 25 uses the network 2 18 to download the error cancellation detailed information from the detailed information server 21, and proceeds to step S32. If it is determined that 18 does not operate normally (NO in step S30), the process proceeds to step S31.

  In step S31, the control circuit 25 determines whether or not the telephone line 2 17 operates normally. If the control circuit 25 determines that the telephone line 2 17 is operating normally (YES in step S31), the control circuit 25 uses the telephone line 2 17 to download the abnormality canceling detailed information from the detailed information server 21, and proceeds to step S32. If it is determined that telephone line 217 does not operate normally (NO in step S31), the process proceeds to step S36.

  In step S32, the control circuit 25 refers to the value of the variable FLG (flag) and determines whether FLG is 1. If control circuit 25 determines that FLG is 1 (YES in step S32), it proceeds to step S35, and if it is determined that FLG is not 1 (NO in step S32), it proceeds to step S33.

  In step S33, the control circuit 25 determines whether printing in the printing unit 26 of the own machine is possible. If the control circuit 25 determines that printing in the printing unit 26 of the own device is possible (YES in step S33), the control circuit 25 proceeds to step S34 and determines that printing in the printing unit 26 of the own device is impossible (step S33). In step S33, NO), the process proceeds to step S35.

  In step S34, the control circuit 25 causes the printing unit 26 of its own machine to print the abnormality canceling detailed information downloaded from the detailed information server 21 using any communication means from step S8 to step S11.

  Further, in step S35, the control circuit 25 sends the abnormality cancellation detailed information downloaded from the detailed information server 21 using any communication means from step S28 to step S31, for example, the telephone line 119 or the network 120 or the telephone. The data is provided to another image forming apparatus 100 via the line 217 or the network 218 and is printed by the printing unit 26 of the other image forming apparatus 100.

  On the other hand, in step S36, the control circuit 25 executes abnormal termination. In this case, the user only has to turn the power OFF / ON to cancel the abnormality, and the mode information set by the user is lost.

  As described above, when an abnormality occurs in the communication between the printing unit 26 and the control circuit 1, conventionally, the power supply must be turned off / on. However, by providing the control circuit 2, printing is performed. It is possible to cause the unit 26 or the printing unit 26 of the other image forming apparatus 100 to print the abnormality canceling detailed information describing the method for canceling the abnormality or the like while retaining the information set or selected by the user.

  Further, as described above, the abnormality cancellation detailed information is stored in the detailed information server 21, and for example, the control circuit 25 downloads the abnormality cancellation detailed information from the detailed information server 21 and presents it to the user. The circuit 25 does not need to have an extra memory for the error clearing detailed information, and the memory and cost can be reduced.

  Further, as described above, when the control circuit 2 has the telephone line 2 17 and / or the network 2 18, even when the telephone line 1 19 and the network 1 20 cannot be used, the detailed information server 21 gives details of abnormality cancellation. Information can be downloaded and presented to the user.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.

  For example, in the embodiment, the description is divided into the first embodiment and the second embodiment. However, since the image forming apparatus 100 usually includes the display unit 6 and the printing unit 26, the control circuit 1 includes: When communication with the display unit 6 and the printing unit 26 is not possible, the control is transferred to the control circuit 2, and the control circuit 2 uses the display unit 6 or the printing unit 26 to send the error cancellation detailed information to the user. You may make it show.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the processing in step S8 and step S9 is performed after the processing in step S5, but is performed after step S4, not after the processing in step S5, and the network 119 or the network 1 20 is performed. Is operated normally, the control circuit 1 causes the display unit such as the cellular phone 24 to display the detailed information for canceling the abnormality, and when the network 1 19 and the network 1 20 do not operate normally, the process proceeds to step S4. Good.

  Similarly, in the second embodiment, the processes in step S28 and step S29 are performed after step S25, but are not performed after the process in step S25 but on step S24, and the network 119 or the network 120 is In the case of normal operation, the control circuit 1 causes the printing unit 26 or the like of the other image forming apparatus 100 to print the abnormality canceling detailed information, and if the network 1 19 and the network 1 20 do not operate normally, the process proceeds to step S24. You may make it go.

1 is a hardware configuration diagram (No. 1) of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the function of a switching circuit. It is a figure which shows the example of / FAULT signal. It is a flowchart which shows an example of an abnormality cancellation detailed information display process. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram (part 2) of the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of abnormality cancellation detailed information printing processing.

Explanation of symbols

1 Control circuit 1
2 IPU
3 BCU
4 BUS
5 Control circuit 2
6 Display 7 Keyboard 8 FCU
9 NIC
10 switching unit 11 switching unit 12 switching unit 13 switching unit 14 decal 1
15 Decal 2
16 Decal 3
17 Telephone line 2
18 Network 2
19 Telephone line 1
20 network 1
21 Detailed Information Server 22 Network 23 Telephone Line 24 Mobile Phone 26 Printing Department

Claims (13)

An image forming apparatus having a display unit,
First control means for controlling the display unit at a normal time;
Second control means for controlling the display unit in the event of an abnormality,
Have
The first control unit cannot display information on the display unit, and cannot display information on the display unit of another device via the first communication unit used at normal time.
Abnormality cancellation, which is detailed information relating to a method in which the second control unit cancels the abnormality while the image forming apparatus holds information set or selected by the user on the display unit or the display unit of the other device An image forming apparatus that displays detailed information.   When the second control unit displays the abnormality cancellation detailed information on the display unit of the other device, the second control unit provides the abnormality cancellation detailed information to the other device via the second communication unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A first route switching means for switching a route between the normal time and the abnormal time;
The first route switching means switches from the route connecting the display unit and the first control unit to the route connecting the display unit and the second control unit when the abnormality occurs. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. Keyboard and
A second route switching means for switching a route between the normal time and the abnormal time;
The second path switching means switches from a path connecting the keyboard and the first control means to a path connecting the keyboard and the second control means when the abnormality occurs. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. Have a decal,
When the second control means determines that the keyboard is not operating normally, the second control means causes the display unit or the display unit of the other device to display the abnormality cancellation detailed information according to input information from a decal. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. An image forming apparatus having a printing unit,
Third control means for controlling the printing unit at a normal time;
Fourth control means for controlling the printing unit in the event of an abnormality,
Have
The third control unit cannot print information on the printing unit, and cannot print information on the printing unit of another device via the third communication unit used at normal time.
Abnormality cancellation that is detailed information relating to a method in which the fourth control unit cancels the abnormality while the image forming apparatus holds information set or selected by the user in the printing unit or the printing unit of the other device An image forming apparatus that prints detailed information.   When the fourth control unit causes the printing unit of the other device to print the abnormality cancellation detailed information, the fourth control unit provides the abnormality cancellation detailed information to the other device via the fourth communication unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6. A third route switching means for switching the route between the normal time and the abnormal time;
The third path switching means switches from the path connecting the printing section and the third control means to the path connecting the printing section and the fourth control means at the time of abnormality. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or 7. Keyboard and
A fourth path switching means for switching the path between the normal time and the abnormal time;
The fourth path switching means switches from a path connecting the keyboard and the third control means to a path connecting the keyboard and the fourth control means when the abnormality occurs. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. Have a decal,
If the fourth control unit determines that the keyboard is not operating normally, the fourth control unit causes the printing unit or the printing unit of the other device to print the abnormality canceling detailed information according to input information from a decal. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality canceling detailed information is stored in an information server connected to the image forming apparatus via a network. A method for displaying abnormality cancellation detailed information in an image forming apparatus having a display unit, comprising:
The first control means for controlling the display section at normal time cannot display information on the display section, and the information is displayed on the display section of another device via the first communication means used at normal time. Cannot be
A method in which the second control means for controlling the display unit during the abnormality cancels the abnormality while the image forming apparatus holds information set or selected by the user on the display unit or the display unit of the other device The abnormality cancellation detailed information display method characterized by having the abnormality cancellation detailed information display stage which displays the abnormality cancellation detailed information which is the detailed information which concerns on this. A method for printing abnormality cancellation detailed information in an image forming apparatus having a printing unit,
Third control means for controlling the printing section at normal time cannot cause the printing section to print information, and causes the printing section of another apparatus to print information via the third communication means used at normal time Cannot be
A fourth control means for controlling the printing unit in the event of an abnormality, and canceling the abnormality while the image forming apparatus holds information set or selected by the user in the printing unit or the printing unit of the other device The abnormality cancellation detailed information printing method characterized by including an abnormality cancellation detailed information printing step for printing the abnormality cancellation detailed information which is detailed information relating to the above.

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