JP2010102433A - Information processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the time for diagnosis. <P>SOLUTION: A diagnostic item table in a diagnostic program is reconstructed according to a diagnosis setting file read from a USB memory (106). If the diagnostic item table includes a diagnostic item whose field of diagnostic status is "on" (108), a diagnostic function is called from the diagnostic program to diagnose a function module corresponding to the diagnostic item for any faults (110) and the diagnostic result is stored in the diagnostic item table (112). If a fault is detected (114), the diagnosis setting file is updated to a diagnosis setting file storing a diagnostic item name corresponding to the fault-detected function module and a diagnosis execution flag, "true" (116). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program.

  Conventionally, various techniques have been proposed for diagnostic methods for image processing apparatuses. For example, as a technique for performing diagnosis at a site where the apparatus is used, there has been proposed an image forming apparatus that can continuously detect abnormalities in the operation of a series of functional components that require inspection (Patent Document 1). ).

In addition, as a technique for performing failure detection for each function, a technique has been proposed in which a facsimile apparatus is divided into functional units, and one of them is connected to a failure detection unit to perform failure detection (Patent Document 2). In a test of an image data correction processing circuit of a scanner, a technique has been proposed in which an arbitrary image data pattern is input and normality is determined for each arbitrary image data correction processing circuit (Patent Document 3).
JP-A-9-297504 JP-A-62-92569 JP-A-1-216281

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus and a program that can shorten the diagnosis time as compared with a case where failure diagnosis is performed on all functional units every time failure diagnosis is performed.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the invention described in claim 1 is information indicating at least one functional unit among a plurality of functional units for realizing a plurality of functions of the own device, or By executing a diagnostic program for diagnosing whether or not each of the plurality of functional units is faulty according to diagnostic information storing information indicating diagnosis for the functional unit, the diagnostic information The diagnostic unit for diagnosing whether or not the functional unit is faulty, the information indicating the functional unit diagnosed as faulty by the diagnostic unit, or the information indicating the diagnosis for the functional unit is stored And updating means for updating to diagnostic information.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the update unit indicates information indicating a functional unit diagnosed as having failed by the diagnostic unit, or indicates diagnosis for the functional unit. The information is updated to the diagnostic information storing information indicating a functional unit related to the functional unit, or information indicating diagnosis for the functional unit related to the functional unit.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the diagnostic unit diagnoses whether or not the functional unit of the diagnostic information is faulty, and functions of the diagnostic information A diagnosis is made as to whether or not a function unit related to the unit is malfunctioning.

  An information processing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the invention corresponds to a failure detection unit that detects that a failure has occurred in a process executed by the own device, and a process in which the occurrence of the failure is detected by the failure detection unit. Storage means for storing diagnostic information storing information indicating a functional unit or information indicating diagnosis for the functional unit, and when performing diagnosis of the own device, the storage unit stores the diagnostic information stored in the storage unit according to the diagnostic information stored in the storage unit. By executing a diagnostic program for diagnosing whether or not each of a plurality of function units for realizing a plurality of functions of the device is faulty, the function unit of the diagnosis information is faulty. And diagnostic means for diagnosing whether or not it is present.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the storage unit is information indicating a functional unit corresponding to a process in which occurrence of a fault is detected by the fault detecting unit, or the functional unit The diagnostic information in which information indicating diagnosis for the function unit, information indicating a function unit related to the function unit, or information indicating diagnosis for the function unit related to the function unit is stored.

  In the invention according to claim 6, in the information processing apparatus according to claim 4, the diagnosis unit diagnoses whether a failure has occurred in the function part of the diagnosis information, and It is diagnosed whether or not a failure has occurred with respect to the functional unit related to the functional unit.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, information indicating a functional unit diagnosed as having failed by the diagnostic means or information indicating a diagnosis for the functional unit Update means for updating the diagnostic information stored therein.

  In the invention according to claim 8, in the information processing apparatus according to claims 1 to 7, the diagnosis information corresponds to information indicating the function unit or information indicating diagnosis for the function unit, The number of types of diagnosis for the function unit is further stored, and the diagnosis unit performs a type of diagnosis corresponding to the number of types of diagnosis corresponding to the function unit of the diagnosis information.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the type of diagnosis is a type of diagnostic information used for the diagnosis.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the type of diagnosis is a type of combination of functional units including the functional units to be diagnosed.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention. In response to the diagnostic information stored, the diagnostic function for diagnosing whether or not each of the plurality of functional units is malfunctioning causes a malfunction to the functional unit of the diagnostic information. As diagnostic means for diagnosing whether or not there is an update means for updating to the diagnostic information storing information indicating a functional unit diagnosed as having failed by the diagnostic means, or information indicating diagnosis for the functional unit It is a program to make it function.

  A program according to a twelfth aspect of the invention corresponds to a failure detection means for detecting that a failure has occurred in a process executed by the apparatus of the computer, and a process in which the failure detection is detected by the failure detection means. A storage unit that stores information indicating a functional unit or diagnostic information that stores information indicating a diagnosis for the functional unit, and a self-diagnosis of the own device according to the diagnostic information stored in the storage unit. By executing a diagnostic program for diagnosing whether or not each of a plurality of function units for realizing a plurality of functions of the device is faulty, the function unit of the diagnosis information is faulty. It is a program for making it function as a diagnostic means for diagnosing whether or not it is.

  As described above, according to the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, the diagnosis time can be shortened as compared with the case where the failure diagnosis is performed on all the functional units every time the failure diagnosis is performed. The effect is obtained.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the second aspect, it is possible to obtain an effect that the accuracy of diagnosis can be improved as compared with the case of diagnosing only the functional unit that has failed.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the third aspect, it is possible to obtain an effect that the accuracy of diagnosis can be improved as compared with the case of diagnosing only a function unit that has failed.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, it is possible to obtain an effect that the diagnosis time can be shortened as compared with the case where the failure diagnosis is performed on all the function units each time the failure diagnosis is performed.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the fifth aspect, it is possible to improve the accuracy of diagnosis as compared with the case of diagnosing only a function unit that is malfunctioning.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the sixth aspect, it is possible to obtain an effect that the accuracy of diagnosis can be improved as compared with the case of diagnosing only a function unit that is malfunctioning.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the seventh aspect, it is possible to obtain an effect that the diagnosis time can be shortened as compared with the case where the failure diagnosis is performed on all the functional units every time the failure diagnosis is performed.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the eighth aspect, it is possible to obtain an effect that a plurality of types of diagnosis can be performed on the functional unit.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the ninth aspect, it is possible to obtain an effect that diagnosis can be performed on the functional unit using a plurality of types of diagnosis information.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the tenth aspect, it is possible to obtain an effect that diagnosis can be performed on a combination of a plurality of types of functional units.

  According to the program of the eleventh aspect, it is possible to shorten the diagnosis time as compared with the case where the failure diagnosis is performed on all the function units every time the failure diagnosis is performed.

  According to the program of the twelfth aspect, it is possible to shorten the diagnosis time as compared with the case where the failure diagnosis is performed on all the function units every time the failure diagnosis is performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment of the present invention, a case where the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 10 includes an image forming apparatus 12 according to the first embodiment of the present invention that prints print data on a recording sheet, and a client PC 14 that creates print data. The image forming apparatus 12 and the client PC 14 are connected via a network 16 such as a LAN.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 12 includes a plurality of function modules provided for each function of the apparatus itself, and the image forming apparatus 12 reads a document and generates print data. The electrostatic latent image is recorded on the photoconductor based on the reading module 20 and the print data, the electrostatic latent image is developed using monochrome toner or color toner, and the developed image is transferred to a recording sheet and output. A printing module 22, an operation panel module 24 having an operation panel for instructing various processes of the image forming apparatus 12 and an operation panel for displaying various setting screens, a control module 26 for controlling each part of the image forming apparatus 12, An interface 28 for performing input / output with the USB memory 50 connected as an external memory and communicating via the network 16; The power supply unit 30 supplies power to each unit, is provided.

  The control module 26 includes a ROM 32 in which various programs including parameters such as a diagnostic processing routine described later, parameters, and the like are stored, a CPU 34 that executes various programs, a RAM 36 that is used as a work area when the CPU 34 executes various programs, a print HDD 38 for storing data, module control unit 40 for controlling the reading module 20, printing module 22, and operation panel module 24, interface control unit 42 for controlling input / output and communication by the interface 28, and these are connected to each other A bus 44 is provided.

  The USB memory 50 stores a diagnostic program for diagnosing whether or not each of the plurality of functional modules included in the image forming apparatus 12 is malfunctioning. Here, a USB memory is used as an example of a removable external storage medium. However, as an external storage medium, a storage medium such as an SD memory card, smart media, or memory stick, or an external hard disk drive may be used. The diagnostic program includes the diagnostic item table shown in FIG. 3, and when the diagnostic program is executed, the functional module is selectively diagnosed according to the information stored in the diagnostic item table. A functional module is an example of a functional unit of the present invention.

  The diagnosis item table stores various data corresponding to each of a plurality of diagnosis items for a plurality of functional modules, and the data stored corresponding to each diagnosis item includes a diagnosis ID and a diagnosis execution status. Diagnosis display character indicating a character string used for display on the operation panel, diagnosis function FUNCPTR indicating a function pointer in the diagnosis program, diagnosis level as the number of types of diagnosis, presence / absence of diagnosis indicating whether or not to execute diagnosis Each item includes a diagnosis result for storing a diagnosis result after execution of diagnosis and an association item indicating a diagnosis ID of a diagnosis item corresponding to a function module related to the function module corresponding to the diagnosis item.

  The diagnostic level is used as an argument to be given to the function pointer, and the diagnostic level represents, for example, the number of types of test data for diagnosis. In other words, the higher the diagnostic level, the more types of diagnostic test data are used for diagnosis.

  The USB memory 50 stores a diagnostic setting file as shown in FIG. The diagnostic setting file stores data for each diagnostic item. The data for each diagnostic item has a plurality of fields separated by colons, and each field has a diagnostic item name and whether or not to execute the diagnosis. The diagnosis execution flag (true / false) and the arguments 1 and 2 to be passed to the diagnosis function for expansion are shown. For example, in FIG. 4 described above, the diagnosis execution flag is set so that four diagnosis items are diagnosed from twelve diagnosis items in the diagnosis item table. The diagnosis setting file is an example of the diagnosis information of the present invention.

  Next, a method for diagnosing a failure by the diagnostic program will be described.

  First, the diagnostic item table in the diagnostic program is updated based on the diagnostic setting file. Referring to the data of each diagnosis item stored in the diagnosis setting file, in the diagnosis item table, “Yes” is set in the diagnosis presence / absence item corresponding to the diagnosis item for which “true” is set in the diagnosis execution flag. In addition, when an argument to be passed to the diagnostic function for expansion is set in the diagnostic setting file, the argument is set in the corresponding diagnostic level item in the diagnostic item table. In addition, for a diagnosis item for which “false” is set in the diagnosis execution flag in the diagnosis setting file, “none” is set in the corresponding diagnosis presence / absence item in the diagnosis item table.

  Next, the diagnostic program is executed with reference to the diagnostic item table. For each diagnosis item, if “exist” is set in the corresponding diagnosis presence / absence item in the diagnosis item table, the function pointer set in the diagnosis function FUNCPTR is referred to, and the diagnosis function is By calling and executing, the function module corresponding to the diagnosis item is diagnosed as to whether or not it has failed, and the diagnosis result is stored in the corresponding diagnosis result item of the diagnosis item table.

  At this time, if 2 or more is set in the item of the diagnosis level, by applying a value of 2 or more to the argument of the function pointer, the diagnosis function uses each of a plurality of types of test data for diagnosis, Diagnosis is performed.

  Further, in the diagnosis item table, for the diagnosis item for which “None” is set in the diagnosis presence / absence item, the next diagnosis item is targeted without performing failure diagnosis.

  The operation panel module 24 is operated by the user to instruct the start of failure diagnosis. While the failure diagnosis is being performed, the diagnosis execution status is displayed on the operation panel. The result is displayed on the operation panel.

  The client PC 14 only needs to have a general configuration of a conventionally known personal computer, and the description of the general processing of the client PC 14 is omitted in the present embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the image forming system 10 according to the first embodiment will be described. In the following description, a case where the service person diagnoses the image forming apparatus 12 at the site where the image forming apparatus 12 is used will be described as an example.

  First, when the service person connects the USB memory 50 storing the diagnostic program and the diagnostic setting file to the image forming apparatus 12 and operates the operation panel module 24 to instruct the start of diagnosis, the CPU 34 of the image forming apparatus 12 A diagnostic processing routine shown in FIG. 5 is executed.

  First, in step 100, a diagnostic program is read from the USB memory 50 and expanded in the RAM 36. In step 102, it is determined whether or not a diagnostic setting file is stored in the USB memory 50. If the diagnosis setting file is not stored in the USB memory 50, the process proceeds to step 108. In this case, a diagnostic item table prepared in advance in the diagnostic program is used in the subsequent steps.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 102 that the diagnostic setting file is stored in the USB memory 50, the diagnostic setting file is read from the USB memory 50 in step 104. In step 106, the diagnostic item table in the diagnostic program is reconstructed based on the diagnostic setting file read in step 104, and the process proceeds to step 108. In step 106, the diagnosis item name in the first field shown in FIG. 4 is searched. If the diagnosis item name is searched, a flag indicating whether or not the diagnosis in the second field is to be executed is searched. . Then, the corresponding diagnosis presence / absence item in the diagnosis item table is updated based on the searched diagnosis item name and flag.

  In step 108, data in the diagnostic item table is sequentially searched to determine whether there is a diagnostic item for which “presence” is set in the diagnosis presence / absence item. If there is a diagnostic item in which “exist” is set in the item of diagnosis presence / absence, in step 110, a diagnostic function is called from the diagnostic program to determine whether the functional module corresponding to the diagnostic item has failed. In step 112, the diagnosis result is stored in the corresponding diagnosis result item in the diagnosis item table, and the process returns to step 108.

  In the above steps 108 to 112, the diagnosis item table is sequentially searched, and is repeatedly executed until there is no diagnosis item in which “present” is set in the diagnosis presence / absence item. If there is no diagnostic item for which “present” is set in the item, the process proceeds to step 114.

  In step 114, it is determined whether or not a failure is detected based on the diagnosis result item in the diagnosis item table. If there is no failure, the diagnostic processing routine is terminated without doing anything. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 114 that a failure has been detected, in step 116, the diagnosis setting file obtained in step 104 is replaced with the diagnosis item name corresponding to the functional module in which the failure is detected, The diagnosis execution file “true” is updated to the stored diagnostic setting file. At this time, if the diagnosis ID of the related diagnosis item is registered in the diagnosis item association item corresponding to the functional module in which the failure is detected based on the association item of the diagnosis item table, The diagnosis item name of the diagnosis item and the diagnosis execution flag “true” are further stored in the diagnosis setting file.

  For example, when it is detected that the HDD as a functional module is broken, as shown in FIG. 6, the diagnosis setting file “HDD” and the diagnosis execution flag “true” are stored in association with each other in the diagnosis setting file. . Further, the diagnosis ID stored in the association item of the diagnosis item table in FIG. 3 is read, and the diagnosis items “MEMORY1” and “MEMORY2” related to the HDD are diagnosed, and the diagnosis setting file stores the diagnosis ID. Each of the item names “MEMORY1” and “MEMORY2” and the diagnosis execution flag “true” are further stored in association with each other.

  In step 118, the diagnostic setting file updated in step 116 is newly stored in the USB memory 50, and the diagnostic processing routine is terminated. Note that a device-specific identification number may be added to the diagnosis setting file and stored in the USB memory 50.

  For example, when a failure of the HDD is detected by the above-described diagnosis processing routine, the service person performs restoration or replacement work of the image forming apparatus 12 based on the result of the failure diagnosis. Thereafter, the service person instructs the image forming apparatus 12 to start diagnosis again, and executes the diagnosis processing routine. At this time, in the diagnosis setting file stored in the USB memory 50, the diagnosis execution flag “true” is set for the diagnosis item corresponding to the functional module in which the failure is detected and the related diagnosis item. Therefore, the diagnosis for the function module in which the failure is detected and the diagnosis for the related function module are performed.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, by recording a diagnosis setting file so as to perform diagnosis of a diagnosis item corresponding to a functional module in which a failure is detected when failure diagnosis is performed. The diagnosis time can be shortened as compared with the case where failure diagnosis is performed on all functional modules each time failure diagnosis is performed.

  In addition, a diagnosis setting file can be recorded so that diagnosis can be performed on diagnostic items for related functional modules other than the functional module at the fault location in the diagnosis after recovery or replacement of the fault location.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. Since the configuration of the image forming system according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, when the diagnostic item table is reconstructed based on the diagnostic setting file, the associated diagnostic item is set by referring to the associated item in the diagnostic item table. The point is different from the first embodiment.

  In the diagnostic processing routine according to the second embodiment, when the diagnostic item table in the diagnostic program is reconstructed based on the read diagnostic setting file, the diagnostic item table is updated as follows.

  First, the diagnosis setting file shown in FIG. 4 is searched for the diagnosis item name in the first field, and when the diagnosis item name is searched, the diagnosis execution flag in the second field is searched. Based on the searched diagnosis item name and diagnosis execution flag, the corresponding diagnosis presence / absence item in the diagnosis item table is updated. In addition, the diagnosis ID of the related diagnosis item is registered in the association item corresponding to the diagnosis item in which the diagnosis presence / absence item is updated to “Yes” so that the diagnosis is performed based on the association item of the diagnosis item table. If so, the item is updated so that “present” is set in the item of diagnosis presence / absence corresponding to the related diagnosis item.

  Further, when the diagnosis setting file is updated according to the failure detection result, the diagnosis setting file stores the diagnosis item name corresponding to the functional module in which the failure is detected and the diagnosis execution flag “true”. The setting file is updated and stored in the USB memory 50, and the items associated with the diagnosis item table are not referred to.

  As described above, in the diagnosis when the failure part is restored or replaced, the diagnosis can be performed on the diagnosis items for the function modules related to the function module other than the function module at the failure part.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the case where the diagnosis level represents the number of types of test data used for diagnosis has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, as in the third embodiment to be described later, the diagnosis level is configured to represent the number of types of combination of function modules including the function module to be combined with the target function module to be diagnosed. May be.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described. Note that the configuration of the image forming system according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  In the third embodiment, a fault that occurs during use is detected and a diagnostic setting file is generated, and the diagnostic level indicates the number of types of combinations of functional modules to be diagnosed And are different from the first embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, in the ROM 32, as shown in FIG. 7, the type of fault that occurred in the process being executed, the diagnostic item name and diagnostic ID of the diagnostic function for the function of interest corresponding to the faulty process And a failure function correspondence table storing diagnosis levels.

  In the failure function correspondence table, the diagnosis item name and diagnosis ID of the diagnosis item for the functional unit considered to be the cause of occurrence of the corresponding failure are stored as the attention function.

  The diagnostic level represents the number of types of combinations of the functional unit of the function of interest and the related functional unit. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, as the diagnosis level is higher, the diagnosis is performed for each of many combinations of function units coupled to the function unit of the target function.

  In the control module 26, when a failure occurs in the processing executed when the image forming apparatus 12 is used, the diagnostic item name of the diagnostic item for the functional part of the function of interest corresponding to the processing in which the failure has occurred based on the failure function correspondence table Then, a diagnosis setting file in which the diagnosis execution flag “true” and the diagnosis level are set in correspondence with each other is generated and stored in the RAM 36. For example, when a failure occurs in the FAX reception process, as shown in FIG. 9, the diagnosis item name “FAX” of the diagnosis item for the function unit corresponding to the FAX reception process, the diagnosis execution flag “true”, and the diagnosis Level “2” is set in the diagnosis setting file correspondingly.

  Further, when a failure occurs, the diagnosis setting file stored in the RAM 36 stores the diagnosis item name of the diagnosis item for the functional part of the function of interest corresponding to the processing in which the failure has occurred, the diagnosis execution flag “true”, and the diagnosis. Levels are added and set.

  Next, the operation of the image forming system 10 according to the third embodiment will be described.

  First, when the image forming apparatus 12 is used, the CPU 34 executes a failure detection processing routine shown in FIG.

  In step 300, it is determined whether or not a failure has been detected in the process being executed by the image forming apparatus 12. If the occurrence of a failure is not detected, the process returns to step 300, but if the occurrence of a failure is detected in the process being executed, the process proceeds to step 302.

  In step 302, based on the failure function correspondence table, the diagnosis item name corresponding to the failure type detected in step 300, the diagnosis execution flag “true”, and the diagnosis level are recorded in the diagnosis setting file. Return to.

  By repeatedly executing the failure detection processing routine as described above, the diagnosis item name, the diagnosis execution flag “true”, and the diagnosis level are displayed in the diagnosis setting file in accordance with the failure that has occurred when the image forming apparatus 12 is used. To be recorded.

  When the service person diagnoses the image forming apparatus 12 at the site where the image forming apparatus 12 is used, the service person connects the USB memory 50 storing the diagnostic program to the image forming apparatus 12. The operation panel module 24 is operated to instruct the start of diagnosis. As a result, a diagnostic processing routine is executed in the CPU 34 of the image forming apparatus 12 as follows.

  First, a diagnostic program is read from the USB memory 50 and expanded in the RAM 36, and a diagnostic setting file is read from the RAM 36. Based on the read diagnostic setting file, the diagnostic item table in the diagnostic program is reconstructed.

  Next, data in the diagnostic item table is sequentially searched to determine whether there is a diagnostic item for which “present” is set in the item of diagnosis presence / absence. If there is a diagnosis item for which “Yes” is set in the item of diagnosis presence / absence, a diagnostic function is called from the diagnostic program to diagnose whether the functional module corresponding to the diagnosis item is faulty. The result is stored in the corresponding diagnosis result item in the diagnosis item table.

  At this time, if the diagnosis level is set to be higher than 1, first, at the diagnosis level 1, it is diagnosed whether or not the functional module of interest has a failure. Here, if a failure is detected, this may be notified to the operation panel. If no failure is detected in the diagnosis at diagnosis level 1, diagnosis is performed on the combination of the function module of interest and the function module coupled to the function module of interest at diagnosis level 2. That is, the diagnosis is sequentially performed until the diagnosis level set in the diagnosis item table is reached.

  Further, the diagnosis item table is sequentially searched, and the diagnosis is repeatedly performed until there is no diagnosis item in which “present” is set in the item of diagnosis presence / absence.

  Then, based on the diagnosis result item in the diagnosis item table, it is determined whether or not a failure has been detected. If there is no failure, the diagnostic processing routine is terminated without doing anything. On the other hand, if it is determined that a failure has been detected, the diagnosis setting file obtained is stored as a diagnosis item name corresponding to the functional module in which the failure has been detected, and a diagnosis execution flag “true”. Update to At this time, if the diagnosis ID of the related diagnosis item is registered in the diagnosis item association item corresponding to the functional module in which the failure is detected based on the diagnosis item table, the diagnosis of the related diagnosis item is performed. The item name and the diagnosis execution flag “true” are further stored in the diagnosis setting file.

  Then, the updated diagnostic setting file is newly stored in the USB memory 50, and the diagnostic processing routine is terminated.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, failure diagnosis is performed by recording a diagnosis setting file so as to perform diagnosis of a diagnosis item for a functional module corresponding to a process in which a failure is detected. Compared with the case where failure diagnosis is performed on all functional modules every time, the diagnosis time can be shortened.

  In addition, a diagnosis setting file can be recorded so that diagnosis is performed for a diagnosis item for a function module related to a function module other than the function module corresponding to the process in which the failure is detected.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the data of the failure function correspondence table is stored for each type of failure that occurred in the process being executed has been described as an example. May be stored. For example, “MEMORY1” or “MEMORY2” is stored as the diagnostic item name corresponding to the function of interest, and “2” is stored as the diagnostic level in response to the occurrence of an exception due to the CPU accessing an unexpected address. A failure function correspondence table may be used.

  Also in the third embodiment described above, when the second embodiment is applied and the diagnostic item table is reconstructed based on the diagnostic setting file, the item associated with the diagnostic item table is referred to. Then, the diagnostic item table may be set so as to execute the related diagnostic items.

  In the first to third embodiments, the case where the failure diagnosis is started by the operation of the operation panel module has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A diagnosis start condition may be set in advance, and the failure diagnosis may be started automatically, or the failure diagnosis may be started when a specific signal is received via the interface. . Further, the start of failure diagnosis may be instructed by operating an operation part other than the operation panel module.

  Further, the case where the diagnostic program is obtained by reading from the USB memory has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the diagnostic program may be stored in advance in an HDD or other storage device. Alternatively, a diagnostic program may be received from an external device such as a client PC via an interface.

  Further, the diagnosis setting file may be automatically deleted according to the date and time when the diagnosis setting file is updated. For example, when a diagnostic setting file that has passed 10 days or more from the update date and time is read, the diagnostic setting file is automatically deleted by the diagnostic program, and a fault diagnosis is performed using a diagnostic item table prepared in advance. It may be.

  In addition, the diagnosis setting file has been described with an example in which the diagnosis item name, the diagnosis execution flag, and the argument are stored in association with each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may make it store an execution flag and an argument correspondingly.

  In addition, the diagnosis setting file may store information on a device to be diagnosed (manufacturing number for each device) and the like, and only the diagnosis setting file with the matching device information may be fetched.

  The program according to the present invention may be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as a CDROM.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a diagnostic item table. It is a figure which shows the example of a diagnostic setting file. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of a diagnostic processing routine in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the diagnostic setting file updated according to the result of failure diagnosis. It is a figure which shows the example of a failure function corresponding | compatible table. It is an image figure which shows the example of the pattern of the combination of the functional module according to a diagnostic level. It is a figure which shows the example of the diagnostic setting file produced according to the detection of failure generation. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of a failure detection processing routine in an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming system 12 Image forming apparatus 20 Reading module 22 Printing module 24 Operation panel module 26 Control module 28 Interface 30 Power supply part 50 USB memory

Claims (12)

The plurality of function units according to diagnostic information storing information indicating at least one function unit among a plurality of function units for realizing a plurality of functions of the own device or information indicating diagnosis for the function unit Diagnosing means for diagnosing whether or not the functional part of the diagnostic information is faulty by executing a diagnostic program for diagnosing whether or not each of the
Updating means for updating the diagnostic information storing information indicating a functional unit diagnosed as having failed by the diagnostic means, or information indicating diagnosis for the functional unit;
An information processing apparatus including:   The update unit includes information indicating a functional unit diagnosed as having failed by the diagnostic unit, information indicating diagnosis for the functional unit, information indicating a functional unit related to the functional unit, or the functional unit The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information indicating diagnosis for a functional unit related to the information is updated to the stored diagnostic information.   The diagnostic unit diagnoses whether or not the function part of the diagnosis information is malfunctioning and diagnoses whether or not the function part related to the function part of the diagnosis information is malfunctioning. Item 6. The information processing apparatus according to Item 1. Failure detection means for detecting that a failure has occurred in the processing executed by the own device;
Storage means for storing information indicating a functional unit corresponding to a process in which the occurrence of a fault is detected by the fault detecting unit, or diagnostic information storing information indicating diagnosis for the functional unit;
When diagnosing its own device, it is diagnosed whether each of a plurality of functional units for realizing a plurality of functions of the own device has failed according to the diagnostic information stored in the storage means Diagnosing means for diagnosing whether or not the functional part of the diagnostic information is faulty by executing a diagnostic program for
An information processing apparatus including:   The storage means includes information indicating a function unit corresponding to a process in which the occurrence of a failure is detected by the failure detection unit, or information indicating diagnosis for the function unit, and information indicating a function unit related to the function unit, The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: storing the diagnosis information storing information indicating diagnosis for a function unit related to the function unit.   The diagnosis means diagnoses whether or not a failure has occurred in the function part of the diagnosis information, and whether or not a failure has occurred in a function part related to the function part of the diagnosis information 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein   The update means for updating information indicating a functional unit diagnosed as a failure by the diagnostic means or information indicating diagnosis for the functional unit to the diagnostic information is further included. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The diagnosis information further stores the number of types of diagnosis for the function unit corresponding to the information indicating the function unit or the information indicating diagnosis for the function unit,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diagnosis unit performs a type of diagnosis corresponding to the number of types of diagnosis corresponding to the function unit of the diagnosis information.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the type of diagnosis is a type of diagnostic information used for the diagnosis.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the type of diagnosis is a type of combination of functional units including the functional units to be diagnosed. Computer
The plurality of function units according to diagnostic information storing information indicating at least one function unit among a plurality of function units for realizing a plurality of functions of the own device or information indicating diagnosis for the function unit Diagnosing means for diagnosing whether or not the functional portion of the diagnostic information is faulty by executing a diagnostic program for diagnosing whether or not each of the diagnosing devices is faulty, and the diagnosing means A program for functioning as update means for updating information indicating a functional unit diagnosed as having failed by the above, or storing the information indicating diagnosis for the functional unit. Computer
Failure detection means for detecting that a failure has occurred in the processing executed by the own device;
When performing diagnosis of the device itself, storage means for storing information indicating a function unit corresponding to the process in which the failure detection unit detects the occurrence of a failure, or diagnostic information storing information indicating diagnosis for the function unit In addition, a diagnostic program for diagnosing whether or not each of a plurality of functional units for realizing a plurality of functions of the own device has failed is executed according to the diagnostic information stored in the storage unit By doing so, the program for functioning as a diagnostic means for diagnosing whether or not the functional part of the diagnostic information is faulty.

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