An information processing method, a computer system and a computer readable storage medium

Abstract

The application provides an information processing method, a computer system and a computer readable storage medium, and relates to the technical field of information processing, and aims at solving the problems of lack of completeness and low processing efficiency of log information in the prior art.The method comprises the following steps: receiving image forming job data; determining at least one keyword information based on the image forming job data and / or the state of the image forming device; and recording the at least one keyword information into a log file of the computer system.The method is executed in an image forming job processing module in the computer system, and the computer system is in communication connection with the image forming device.An application of the application is log information processing.The application can obtain more accurate log information and improve the processing efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of information processing, and more specifically to an information processing method. Background Technology

[0002] One type of existing electronic device can record its own operating status and generate a log file. This log file can be used by maintenance personnel to troubleshoot malfunctions, or by users or device administrators to determine the usage status of the electronic device.

[0003] Electronic devices can be connected to computer systems as peripherals. For example, a peripheral device such as an image forming apparatus, once connected to a computer, can be controlled by the computer to complete the image forming task specified by the computer. Because the peripheral device and the computer use different systems (or instruction sets), in order for the peripheral device to understand the instructions and data issued by the computer, a driver is usually installed within the computer system to convert the data and instructions issued by the computer system into data and instructions that the peripheral device can directly process. In other words, both the driver and the image forming apparatus are involved in the process of completing the image forming task.

[0004] However, if the current logging method is used, the image forming apparatus may only record its own operating parameters in an internal log, resulting in incomplete log files. These factors hinder the computer system's control over image forming operations. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides an information processing method, a computer system, and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an information processing method is provided, executed in a computer system, the computer system being communicatively connected to an image forming apparatus; the method includes: receiving image forming job data; determining at least one keyword information based on the image forming job data and / or the state of the image forming apparatus; and recording the at least one keyword information in a log file of the computer system.

[0007] Optionally, the computer system includes an image forming processing module and a monitoring module; the step of recording the at least one keyword information to the log file of the computer system includes: the image forming job processing module sending the at least one keyword information to the data bus of the computer system; the monitoring module reading the at least one keyword information from the data bus and recording the at least one keyword information to the log file of the computer system.

[0008] Optionally, recording the at least one keyword information to the log file of the computer system includes: recording the at least one keyword information to the log file of the computer system in a structured form.

[0009] Optionally, the monitoring module records the at least one keyword information to the log file of the computer system by: creating a log file and adding the at least one keyword information to the log file; or accessing the created log file and adding the at least one keyword information to the log file; creating a database file associated with the log file; wherein the database file is capable of querying the keyword information in the log file in response to a single API command.

[0010] Optionally, determining at least one type of keyword information based on the image forming job data and / or the status of the image forming apparatus includes: obtaining job attributes from a file associated with the image forming job data via program instructions, and determining a first type of keyword information based on the job attributes; or obtaining job attributes from a file associated with the image forming job data via program instructions; sending a status query command to the image forming apparatus; and receiving status information returned by the image forming apparatus in response to the status query command; sending a status query command to the image forming apparatus and receiving status information returned by the image forming apparatus in response to the status query command; determining a second type of keyword information based on the status information; or obtaining job attributes from a file associated with the image forming job data via program instructions; sending a status query command to the image forming apparatus; and receiving status information returned by the image forming apparatus in response to the status query command; and determining a third type of keyword information based on the job attributes and the status information.

[0011] Optionally, recording the at least one keyword information to the log file of the computer system includes: when information indicating the end of a job is detected, recording the determined at least one keyword information to the log file of the computer system.

[0012] Optionally, the image forming job data is generated by the general-purpose Unix printing system CUPS, and the image forming job processing module is a filter module.

[0013] Optionally, the monitoring module can respond to log operation instructions and perform operations on the log file; the log operation instructions are associated with the user permissions of the monitoring module.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an information processing method is provided, executed in a monitoring module of a computer system; the computer system further includes an image forming job processing module, and the computer system is communicatively connected to an image forming apparatus; the method includes: reading at least one keyword information on a data bus of the computer system and recording the at least one keyword information in a log file of the computer system; the at least one keyword information is pre-sent to the data bus by the image forming processing module; creating a database file associated with the log file; wherein the database file is capable of querying the keyword information in the log file in response to a single API instruction.

[0015] Optionally, recording the at least one keyword information to the log file of the computer system includes: recording the at least one keyword information to the log file of the computer system in a structured form.

[0016] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a computer system is provided, communicatively connected to an image forming apparatus. The computer system includes an image forming job processing module, the image forming job processing module comprising: a receiving unit for receiving image forming job data; a keyword information determining unit for determining at least one keyword information based on the image forming job data and / or the state of the image forming apparatus; and a recording unit for recording the at least one keyword information into a log file of the computer system.

[0017] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, the storage medium including a stored program, wherein, when the program is executed, it controls the device on which the storage medium is located to perform the information processing method as described in the first or second aspect of the present invention.

[0018] One beneficial effect of the present invention is that by having the image forming job processing module determine the keyword information based on the image forming job data and / or the status of the image forming apparatus, and storing the keyword information in the log file, relatively complete log information can be obtained. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection relationship between an image forming apparatus and a computer system in the prior art;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of an information processing method according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the communication relationship according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] It should be understood that the described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 1This diagram illustrates the connection between peripheral devices and a computer system. The image forming apparatus 100 can be a printer, copier, scanner, fax machine, or a multifunction printer with at least one of these functions. The computer system 150 can be an electronic device with computing capabilities, such as a personal computer, mobile terminal, or wearable electronic device. The job distribution module 151 can be a printing system pre-installed in the operating system of the computer system 150, such as a Common UNIX Printing System (CUPS), or a text / image processing application (such as word processing software, image editing software, or a web browser) that can be installed or uninstalled on the operating system. The job distribution module 151 sends the image forming job that the user wants to perform to the image forming job processing module 152. The image forming job processing module 152 can be a driver application, such as a print driver or scan driver, or a data processing module such as a filter in a UNIX system. The image forming job processing module 152 is used to send the processed job to the image forming apparatus 100. After receiving a job, the image forming apparatus 100 uses a processor 120 (such as a printer system-on-a-chip) to control the imaging module 110 (such as a laser imaging assembly) to complete the job. In the prior art, information generated by the image forming apparatus 100 during operation is typically recorded in a log format in a first memory 130, generally for troubleshooting. Information generated by the operating system of the computer system 150 during operation can be recorded in a log format in a second memory 153, generally including only operating system-level information, and may not include or only include log information from a small portion of the applications. Therefore, in the prior art, job-related information may exist in both the image forming apparatus 100 and the computer system 150, but is actually stored separately. Furthermore, the lack of data generated by the image forming job processing module 152 during job data processing and communication with the image forming apparatus 100 leads to inaccurate log information and low processing efficiency.

[0028] Therefore, this invention provides an information processing method that can be executed by an image forming job processing module in a computer system. This image forming job processing module can be a driver program such as a print driver or a scan driver, or a data processing module such as a filter module in a Common UNIX Printing System (CUPS). The computer system and the image forming apparatus have a communication connection, which can specifically be a wireless communication connection, a wired communication connection, an electrical signal transmission connection, or an optical signal transmission connection.

[0029] A flowchart of one embodiment of the present invention is shown below. Figure 2As shown, it includes:

[0030] S210: Receive image forming operation data.

[0031] Taking a print driver as an example, the print driver can receive job data from applications such as word processing software. Job data can include data content and control instructions. Data content may include the page data to be printed, and control instructions may include duplex printing, black and white printing, etc. Taking the CUPS system as an example, some operating systems such as Unix uniformly use the CUPS system to handle print jobs. Data processed by CUPS can be further processed or format-converted by modules such as filters before being sent to the image forming apparatus. The developer of the image forming apparatus can develop a filter module to ensure that the data sent to the image forming apparatus can be correctly processed by the image forming apparatus. Therefore, S210 considers that the image forming job processing module can receive relatively complete information related to the image forming job data. Therefore, it chooses to start subsequent data processing operations after receiving the image forming job data. This allows for recognition and processing when the image forming job data is generated, improving the accuracy and timeliness of the processing.

[0032] S220: Determine at least one keyword information based on image forming operation data and / or the status of the image forming apparatus.

[0033] Keyword information can be strings in the log file that conform to preset rules. Keyword information can include keywords and their corresponding values. For example, the types of keywords for a log can be preset to include "task ID, image forming device name, total number of pages, number of copies printed," etc. Assuming that the log records "printer name = AABBCC," then "printer name = AABBCC" can be regarded as a keyword, where "printer name" is the keyword and "AABBCC" is the value of the keyword.

[0034] Keyword information may be related to image forming job data, the status of the image forming apparatus, or a combination of both. For example, information such as job ID, printer name, total number of pages, and number of copies printed is recorded in the data received by the image forming job processing module, and this keyword information can be identified within the image forming job data. Information such as print completion time and number of pages successfully printed relates to the actual time and number of pages printed, and therefore needs to be obtained from the printer. Information such as error messages and print results may require consideration of both the image forming job data and the printer's status. For instance, anomalies during printing could be due to network issues, the printer failing to return a status update, or ink shortages or paper jams preventing timely information updates. These situations require joint determination by the image forming job data processing module and the printer, necessitating a comprehensive consideration of both the image forming job data and the status of the image forming apparatus for accurate identification.

[0035] In one implementation, the image forming job processing module can retrieve job attributes from a file associated with the image forming job data via program instructions, and determine first-type keyword information based on the job attributes. The file associated with the image forming job data can be a page description file generated during the printing process, a text file recording print control commands, or a PPD (PostScript Printer Definition) file, etc. Job attributes can be retrieved by executing a query statement using the job attributes as search fields, or by directly retrieving them through predefined parameter commands. For example, a filter or driver can use query commands in a programming language to search the computer for first-type keyword information, including one or more of the following: job ID, printer name, total number of pages, and number of copies printed.

[0036] In another implementation, the image forming job processing module can send a status query command to the image forming apparatus, and determine the second type of keyword information based on the status information returned by the image forming apparatus in response to the status query command. For example, a filter or driver can send a query command to the printer via wired or wireless means. After receiving the query command, the printer will return corresponding printer-related information, including the actual completion time or the number of pages successfully printed. Based on this, the filter or driver can determine the second type of keyword information. The wired method can be USB (Universal Serial Bus) or Ethernet. The wireless method can be SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity).

[0037] In another implementation, the third type of keyword information can be determined based on the aforementioned job attributes and status information. For example, the filter or driver can query first information related to the image forming job within the computer system, and query second information associated with the status of the image forming apparatus through a query statement, and determine the third type of keyword information according to a preset mapping relationship between the first and second information. The preset mapping relationship can be as follows: when the third type of keyword information is "error message", if the first information indicates that the filter or driver has sent a query command, and the second information indicates that the image forming apparatus has not received the query command, then "error message = network error" is determined; if the first information indicates that the filter or driver has sent a query command, and the second information indicates that the image forming apparatus has received the query command, and the image forming apparatus is in a paper jam state, then "error message = query timeout due to printer malfunction" is determined.

[0038] Therefore, compared to existing technologies where image forming apparatuses and computer systems only record their own logs, the image forming job processing module of S220 can collect first keyword information after image forming job data is generated; it can also query and integrate second-type keyword information from the image forming apparatus; and it can compare the information and status information of the image forming job data to determine third-type keyword information. This allows the log file generated based on keyword information to contain more comprehensive information than existing log files, improving the accuracy and completeness of the log file.

[0039] S230: Record at least one keyword information to the computer system's log file.

[0040] After determining the keyword information, it is also necessary to store it in a log file. This can be done by first determining whether information indicating the end of the job has been detected. If so, at least one identified keyword is recorded in the computer system's log file. For example, it can be determined whether the "jobend" flag is detected in the image forming job data. If detected, the image forming job is considered complete, and the keyword information identified at this stage can be stored in the log file.

[0041] In one alternative implementation, if a log file does not exist in the computer system, it can be created, and at least one keyword can be added to it; if a log file already exists, the created log file can be accessed, and at least one keyword can be added to it. A database file is then created and linked to the log file. The database file is configured to perform queries on the keyword information in the log file in response to a single API (Application Programming Interface) command.

[0042] For example, the database file can be an SQLite program. SQLite is a known database technology that allows users to search for or add keyword information to other files using database queries. Using a database file facilitates the structured storage of keyword information, ensuring that keyword information from different device manufacturers can be stored using the same data structure, thus facilitating unified management of keyword information. The database file can also be configured to use a specific API command for querying, enabling fast queries when auditing keyword information in log files, thereby improving the efficiency of audit information retrieval. This is because existing log information is primarily used by device manufacturers when troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, and due to its low usage frequency, existing technologies typically do not improve query efficiency. However, this embodiment of the invention considers that other entities besides device manufacturers may also have potential auditing needs for the content of log information. Therefore, this embodiment of the invention configures the query method to a single command when configuring the data file, enabling entities with auditing needs to complete audit queries with high efficiency.

[0043] Embodiments of the present invention can also be executed in a monitoring module of a computer system. The monitoring module can be a computer program with monitoring permissions, such as a status monitor for monitoring the image forming apparatus and the image forming job. In this case, S230 specifically involves: the image forming job processing module sending at least one keyword information to the data bus of the computer system; the monitoring module reading at least one keyword information from the data bus and recording the at least one keyword information in a structured form to the computer system's log file. That is, the storage of keyword information can be performed by either the image forming job processing module or the monitoring module. For example, if the log file in this embodiment is stored in a system folder, allowing the image forming job processing module to arbitrarily add or query data may not meet security requirements. The monitoring module's permission level may be higher than that of the image forming job processing module. In some implementations, the monitoring module may have system administrator permissions, security personnel permissions, or auditor permissions. In this case, storing keyword information through the monitoring module allows different types of administrators to query or add keywords with different permissions, which is beneficial for permission control. If a monitoring module is used to store keyword information, the image forming job processing module can first send the keyword information to the operating system's data bus. The monitoring module continuously monitors the information on the data bus, and upon detecting keyword information, stores it in the computer system's log file. It should be noted that after receiving keyword information, the monitoring module can also store the monitoring information in the log file. Alternatively, for first-class, second-class, or third-class keyword information that cannot be queried by the image forming job processing module, the monitoring information can also be used for querying and storage.

[0044] Furthermore, the monitoring module can respond to log operation commands and perform operations on the log file, with these commands associated with the user permissions of the monitoring module. For example, ordinary users can view log information in the log file through the monitoring module, but cannot edit the log information. System administrators can view and edit user log information through the monitoring module.

[0045] Therefore, S230 records keyword information to a log file within the computer system, which allows the information about image forming operation data and / or image forming apparatus determined in S220 to be merged and organized, and stored together in the computer. This differs from existing technologies where the image forming apparatus and computer system store their own logs, resulting in incomplete log information and difficulty in querying. S230 reduces the cost of querying the database and improves query and management efficiency through structured storage.

[0046] It should be noted that existing log information standardization technologies achieve standardization by processing each character in existing log files. For example, regular expressions are used to process each character in existing text log files from vendors A and B to identify the required information, which is then standardized and stored. This approach treats the log formation process and the log standardization process as two separate processes, increasing processing costs. Furthermore, since different vendors can store logs in any format, some log information may be difficult to accurately identify due to non-standard formats, leading to a decrease in the accuracy of the standardized log information. In contrast, this invention obtains the information needed for standardizing the log file during communication between the image forming processing module and the image forming apparatus. Because the communication method between the computer system and the image forming apparatus conforms to standardized transmission protocols (such as Bluetooth, WLAN, SNMP, etc.), the possibility of generating non-standardized data can be reduced during this transmission process. Moreover, this invention stores the required keyword information in the log file only after it has been collected, avoiding the reduced processing efficiency caused by standardization after the log file is formed.

[0047] This invention also provides an information processing method executed in a monitoring module of a computer system, the computer system further including an image forming job processing module; wherein the computer system is communicatively connected to an image forming apparatus. The information processing method includes:

[0048] S320: Reads at least one keyword information from the computer system's data bus and records at least one keyword information to the computer system's log file. At least one keyword information is pre-sent to the data bus by the image forming processing module;

[0049] Optionally, at least one keyword can be recorded in a structured form in the computer system's log file.

[0050] S330: Create a log file and add at least one keyword to the log file; or access an existing log file and add at least one keyword to the log file.

[0051] S340: Create a database file associated with a log file; wherein the database file can perform queries on keyword information in the log file in response to a single API command.

[0052] The information processing method in this embodiment is implemented by the monitoring module. The specific implementation methods of S320, S330 and S340 have been described in detail in the previous information processing methods. They will not be repeated here.

[0053] This invention also provides a computer system 400, communicatively connected to an image forming apparatus 450. The computer system 400 includes an image forming job processing module 410, which comprises: a receiving unit 411 for receiving image forming job data; a keyword information determination unit 412 for determining at least one keyword based on the image forming job data and / or the state of the image forming apparatus; and a recording unit 413 for recording the at least one keyword to a log file of the computer system. In this embodiment, the computer system 400 and the image forming apparatus 450 can be physical devices, the image forming job processing module 410 can be a program module running in the computer system 400, and the receiving unit 411, the keyword information determination unit 412, and the recording unit 413 can be subroutine modules within the program module.

[0054] <Application Examples>

[0055] like Figure 5 As shown, computer 50 is an example of a computer system, and printer 51 is an example of an image forming apparatus. Computer 50 runs an operating system 53, where the printing system 53a can be a CUPS system, which is part of the operating system 53. The operating system 53 also includes a data bus 53b, through which different processes can exchange data. In a Unix system, the data bus 53b can be dbus. Filter 52 can be a filter module in a Unix system, and a print driver in a Windows system can also play a similar role. In this embodiment, filter 52 and status monitor 54 are applications that run on top of the operating system but are different from the operating system itself.

[0056] S510 indicates that the server 54a of the status monitor 54 continuously listens to the data bus 53b of the operation 53. If the filter 52 is used to directly store keyword information, then S510 does not need to be executed.

[0057] S520 indicates that the user sends a print job to filter 52 through printing system 53a. Taking CUPS system as an example, CUPS system usually converts the document to be printed into PostScript printing language. However, some printers may not have a built-in PostScript interpreter and cannot directly recognize PostScript printing language. To solve this problem, the printer provider can appropriately develop filter 52 so that filter 52 can convert PostScript printing language into a language that the provider's printer can recognize.

[0058] S530 indicates that filter 52 sends the converted document to be printed to printer 51 so that printer 51 can perform the print job. Since computer 50 and printer 51 have a communication relationship, such as a wired connection (USB, wired network, etc.) or a wireless connection (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.), filter 52 can choose an appropriate communication method to send the document to be printed to printer 51.

[0059] S540 indicates that filter 52 continuously identifies and integrates keyword information. This can be done by identifying the first type of keyword information from the print data, the second type of keyword information from the status query results returned by the printer, or the third type of information based on a combination of print data and status query results. It should be noted that the execution order of S530 and S540 can be arbitrarily adjusted. For example, S540 can be executed first to identify keyword information, and then S530 can be executed to send the document to be printed.

[0060] S550 indicates that after filter 52 detects the job end flag, it determines that CUPS has issued all print job data. At this point, filter 52 sends the keyword information collected in stage S540 to data bus 53b. Filter 52 can also directly store the keyword information in a log file. Figure 5 This illustrates the scenario where keyword information is stored in a log file via status monitor 54.

[0061] S560 indicates that after the server of the status monitor 54 listens for keyword information on the data bus, it reads the keyword information from the data bus.

[0062] S570 indicates that server 54a stores keyword information in a log file on computer 50.

[0063] S580 indicates that after server 54a completes the storage of the log file, it sends a notification signal to client 54b of status monitor 54.

[0064] S590 indicates that after receiving the notification signal, the client 54b displays printing result information to the user through the display interface, such as printing completed or printing error.

[0065] This invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which includes a stored program that controls the device where the storage medium is located to execute the aforementioned information processing method when the program is running.

[0066] Embodiments of the present invention may be systems, methods, and / or computer program products. A computer program product may include a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions loaded thereon for causing a processor to implement various aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0067] Computer-readable storage media can be tangible devices capable of holding and storing instructions for use by an instruction execution device. Computer-readable storage media can be, for example—but not limited to—electrical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, electromagnetic storage devices, semiconductor storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of computer-readable storage media include: portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), static random access memory (SRAM), portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital multifunction disc (DVD), memory sticks, floppy disks, mechanical encoding devices, such as punch cards or recessed protrusions storing instructions thereon, and any suitable combination thereof. The computer-readable storage media used herein are not to be construed as transient signals themselves, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through waveguides or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses through fiber optic cables), or electrical signals transmitted through wires.

[0068] The computer-readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded from computer-readable storage media to various computing / processing devices, or downloaded via a network, such as the Internet, local area network, wide area network, and / or wireless network, to an external computer or external storage device. The network may include copper transmission cables, fiber optic transmission, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, and / or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing / processing device receives the computer-readable program instructions from the network and forwards them to the computer-readable storage media in the respective computing / processing device.

[0069] Computer program instructions used to perform the operations of embodiments of this disclosure may be assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk, C++, etc., and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the "C" language or similar programming languages. The computer-readable program instructions may execute entirely on a user's computer, partially on a user's computer, as a standalone software package, partially on a user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In cases involving remote computers, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer via any type of network—including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN)—or may be connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry, such as programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or programmable logic arrays (PLAs), is personalized by utilizing state information from the computer-readable program instructions. This electronic circuitry can execute the computer-readable program instructions to implement various aspects of embodiments of this disclosure.

[0070] Various aspects of embodiments of this disclosure are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this disclosure. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer-readable program instructions.

[0071] These computer-readable program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine such that, when executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, they create means for implementing the functions / actions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart and / or block diagram. These computer-readable program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that causes a computer, programmable data processing apparatus, and / or other device to operate in a particular manner; thus, the computer-readable medium storing the instructions comprises an article of manufacture that includes instructions for implementing aspects of the functions / actions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0072] Computer-readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby causing the instructions executed on the computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to perform the functions / actions specified in one or more boxes of a flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0073] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of this disclosure. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of an instruction containing one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. In some alternative implementations, the functions marked in the blocks may occur in a different order than those marked in the drawings. For example, two consecutive blocks may actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each block in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, can be implemented using a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified function or action, or using a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions. It is well known to those skilled in the art that implementation in hardware, implementation in software, and implementation using a combination of software and hardware are equivalent.

[0074] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An information processing method, executed in a computer system, wherein the computer system is communicatively connected to an image forming apparatus; characterized in that, The computer system includes an image forming job processing module and a monitoring module; the method includes: Receive image data to generate job data; Based on the image forming operation data and / or the status of the image forming apparatus, at least one keyword information is determined; Record the at least one keyword information into the log file of the computer system; The step of recording the at least one keyword information to the computer system's log file includes: The image forming processing module sends the at least one keyword information to the data bus of the computer system; The monitoring module reads the at least one keyword information from the data bus and records the at least one keyword information to the log file of the computer system.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Recording the at least one keyword information to the computer system's log file includes: The at least one keyword information is recorded in a structured form in the log file of the computer system.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The monitoring module records at least one keyword information into the computer system's log file, including: Create a log file and add the at least one keyword information to the log file; or access the already created log file and add the at least one keyword information to the log file. Create a database file associated with the log file; wherein the database file is capable of performing a query on the keyword information in the log file in response to a single API command.

4. The information processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Based on the image forming operation data and / or the state of the image forming apparatus, at least one keyword information is determined, including: The program retrieves job attributes from a file associated with the image formation job data using program instructions, and determines a first type of keyword information based on the job attributes; or Send a status query command to the image forming apparatus and receive status information returned by the image forming apparatus in response to the status query command; determine second type keyword information based on the status information; or The program retrieves job attributes from a file associated with the image forming job data using program instructions; sends a status query command to the image forming apparatus; and receives status information returned by the image forming apparatus in response to the status query command; and determines third-category keyword information based on the job attributes and the status information.

5. The information processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Recording the at least one keyword information to the computer system's log file includes: When information indicating the end of a job is detected, the at least one keyword information that has been determined is recorded in the log file of the computer system.

6. The information processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The image forming job data is generated by the general Unix printing system CUPS, and the image forming job processing module is a filter module.

7. The information processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The monitoring module can respond to log operation commands and perform operations on the log file; the log operation commands are associated with the user permissions of the monitoring module.

8. An information processing method, executed in a monitoring module of a computer system; the computer system further includes an image forming job processing module, the computer system being communicatively connected to an image forming apparatus; characterized in that, The method includes: Read at least one keyword information from the data bus of the computer system and record the at least one keyword information into the log file of the computer system; the at least one keyword information was pre-sent to the data bus by the image forming job processing module; Create a database file associated with the log file; wherein the database file is capable of performing a query on the keyword information in the log file in response to a single API command.

9. The information processing method according to claim 8, characterized in that, Recording the at least one keyword information to the computer system's log file includes: The at least one keyword information is recorded in a structured form in the log file of the computer system.

10. A computer system communicatively connected to an image forming apparatus, the computer system comprising an image forming job processing module and a monitoring module, the image forming job processing module comprising: The receiving unit is used to receive image forming operation data; The keyword information determination unit is used to determine at least one keyword information based on the image forming operation data and / or the state of the image forming apparatus; A recording unit is used to record the at least one keyword information into the log file of the computer system; The step of recording the at least one keyword information to the log file of the computer system includes: the image forming job processing module sending the at least one keyword information to the data bus of the computer system; The monitoring module reads the at least one keyword information from the data bus and records the at least one keyword information to the log file of the computer system.

11. A computer-readable storage medium comprising a stored program, wherein, When the program is running, it controls the device containing the storage medium to execute the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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