Image processing apparatus, control method, program product, and storage medium

Abstract

The invention provides an image processing apparatus, a control method, a program product, and a storage medium. The image processing device can screen out a solution capable of solving an appearing error symptom from possible solutions and present the solution to a user. The image processing apparatus performs various functions related to image processing according to a user operation. The first display unit displays a menu indicating error symptoms of various functions occurring in the image processing apparatus in a method selectable by a user. When a user selects one of the menus, the diagnosis unit performs diagnosis of the image processing apparatus according to an error symptom indicated in the menu selected by the user. And the second display displays a solution based on a diagnosis result of the diagnosis unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method, a program product, and a storage medium, and particularly to an image processing apparatus, a control method, a program product, and a recording medium that propose solutions for error symptoms that occur. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an image processing apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as an MFP) that can execute multiple functions related to image processing (printing, image transmission, fax, etc.) may cause an error termination during the execution of these functions, and may cause the following error symptoms: even when the termination is normal, an output product is not expected.

[0003] In this case, the user can try to solve the problem by referring to the product manual. However, if the user cannot solve the problem by themselves, the user can solve the error symptoms by asking the call center, or if the error symptoms are not solved by asking the call center, by requesting the dispatch of a service person.

[0004] In order to reduce such inquiries to the call center and the dispatch of service persons, it is necessary to provide a function that enables the user to solve the error symptoms by themselves.

[0005] As a conventional technique, a method has been proposed in which error symptoms that have occurred in the MFP and adjustment items that can solve the error symptoms are presented in association with each other on the UI (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-39425).

[0006] However, when there are multiple adjustment items presented on the UI, the method proposed in the above disclosure requires the user to solve the problem by trial and error by trying to change the setting (adjustment) values of the multiple adjustment items one by one. In addition, if the error symptoms that occur in the MFP cannot be solved by changing the setting (adjustment) values, the user cannot find a solution. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention provides a mechanism by which a solution that can solve the error symptoms that occur can be screened out from possible solutions and presented to the user.

[0008] Therefore, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus that performs various functions related to image processing according to user operations, the image processing apparatus including: a first display unit configured to display a menu indicating error symptoms of various functions that occur in the image processing apparatus in a manner that can be selected by the user; a diagnosis unit configured to perform a diagnosis of the image processing apparatus based on the error symptoms indicated in the menu selected by the user when the user selects one of the menus; and a second display unit configured to display a solution based on the diagnosis result of the diagnosis unit.

[0009] According to the present invention, a solution capable of solving the occurring error symptom can be screened out from possible solutions and presented to the user.

[0010] Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an MFP as an image processing apparatus of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 is a diagram showing Figure 1 an example of a top screen displayed on a display device in the for the user to indicate a diagnosis corresponding to an error symptom.

[0013] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the currently selected line type in the MFP.

[0014] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a boot display screen displayed on the display device in case of a board failure.

[0015] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a boot display screen displayed on the display device when a cable is disconnected.

[0016] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a boot display screen displayed on the display device when the line type does not match.

[0017] Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of a FAX normal display screen displayed on the display device.

[0018] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a diagnostic process executed when the user presses a menu indicating an error symptom of "FAX transmission is completely impossible" on the top screen.

[0019] Figure 9 is a diagram showing Figure 8 a flowchart of the board failure diagnostic process in step S800 in

[0020] Figure 10 is a diagram showing Figure 8 a flowchart of the cable connection diagnostic process in step S803 in

[0021] Figure 11 is a diagram showing Figure 8 a flowchart of the line type diagnostic process in step S806 in

[0022] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing diagnostic processing executed when a user presses a menu indicating an error symptom "FAX reception is completely impossible" on the top screen.

[0023] Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of network configuration in the HDD stored in Figure 1

[0024] Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of a network connection normal display screen displayed on a display device.

[0025] Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of a boot display screen displayed on a display device when there is a network connection abnormality.

[0026] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the following network connection diagnostic processing, which is diagnostic processing executed when a user presses a menu indicating an error symptom "SEND transmission is impossible" on the top screen.

[0027] Figure 17 is a diagram showing the correlation between a diagnostic ID defining the content of the diagnosis to be performed through the menu shown in Figure 2 and the functions and error symptoms indicated in each menu.

[0028] Figure 18 is a diagram showing the job history DB stored in the HDD.

[0029] Figure 19 is a diagram showing an example of a job history display screen displayed on a display device.

[0030] Figure 20 is a diagram showing an example of a boot display screen displayed on a display device when there is a FAX communication error.

[0031] Figure 21 is a flowchart showing the following end code diagnostic processing, which is diagnostic processing executed when a user presses a menu indicating an error symptom "FAX transmission ended with an error" on the top screen.

[0032] Figure 22 is a diagram showing an end code list in the HDD stored in Figure 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Figure 1 ​​FIG. is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP 100 which is an image processing apparatus of the present invention.

[0035] As Figure 1 shown, the MFP 100 includes devices such as a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a network I / F 107, an operation controller 108, a disk controller 112, a printer 114, a scanner 115, and a modem 116. These devices are interconnected via a system bus 121.

[0036] The CPU 101 executes software stored in the ROM 102 or a HDD (hard disk drive) 113 (to be described later) connected to the disk controller 112. The CPU 101 fully controls a plurality of devices connected to the system bus 121. In some cases, the HDD 113 can be used as a temporary storage area for images.

[0037] The RAM 103 serves as the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 101. The operation controller 108 controls various buttons, an operation panel 109, a display device 111, etc. disposed in the MFP 100. The disk controller 112 controls the HDD 113.

[0038] The network I / F 107 exchanges data bidirectionally with another network device, a file server ( Figure 1 not shown in both) etc. via the network 120.

[0039] The printer 114 is a printing unit for printing on paper by an electrophotographic method. The printing method may not be particularly limited to the electrophotographic method.

[0040] The scanner 115 is an image reading unit for reading an image printed on paper. Optionally, an ADF (automatic document feeder, not shown) can be attached to the scanner 115 to enable automatic reading of multiple documents.

[0041] The modem 116 is a device that demodulates the modulated signal received from an external FAX (not shown) via the telephone network 118, and conversely modulates the signal generated in the MFP 100 and transmits the signal via the telephone network 118. The NCU 117 is an interface for controlling the lines among the modem 116, the telephone network 118, and the telephone 119. Specifically, the NCU 117 detects the signal from the telephone network 118 and sends the signal to the modem 116 or the telephone 119, or sends the signal from the modem 116 to an external FAX (not shown) via the telephone network 118. The NCU 117 also transmits the signal from the telephone 119 to the telephone network 118 to send the signal to an external telephone (not shown). The public network (telephone network 118) may not be directly connected to the NCU 117, but may be connected to the NCU 117 via a TA (terminal adapter), a branch exchange, etc.

[0042] Figure 2 FIG. is an example of a top screen displayed by the CPU 101 (first display unit) on the display device 111 for a user to indicate a diagnosis corresponding to an error symptom.

[0043] As Figure 2 shown, the top screen includes an error symptom list 200, which includes menus 201 to 207 indicating error symptoms related to various functions associated with the image processing performed in response to a user operation, and these error symptoms may occur in the MFP 100. The user can select one of the menus 201 to 207 by pressing the menu to be selected.

[0044] Menus 201 to 207 are merely examples and are not restrictive. For example, Figure 2 PRINT, SEND, and FAX are shown as functions related to the image processing in the MFP 100, but may include other functions such as COPY. In this embodiment, when the user uses any of the various functions and an error symptom occurs in the used function, the CPU 101 displays on the display device 111 Figure 2 the top screen in Figure 2 However, the display timing of the top screen in Figure 2 is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 101 may immediately display on the display device 111

[0045] Figure 17 FIG. shows the definition of pressing Figure 2A diagram showing the correlation between the diagnostic ID of the content to be diagnosed for menus 201 to 207 shown and the functions and error symptoms indicated in each of menus 201 to 307. In this way, the content to be diagnosed is predetermined for each menu, and optimal diagnosis can be performed for each error symptom.

[0046] Figures 4 to 7 , Figure 19 and Figure 20 show an example of a screen displaying the result of FAX diagnosis. On each of the screens in Figures 4 to 7 and Figure 20 , a diagnosis result display area 400 and a return button 401 for returning to the screen display are commonly shown. In Figure 19 , a job history 1901 and a diagnosis button 1902 for selecting one from the job history and indicating diagnosis are shown. The screens shown in Figures 4 to 7 , Figure 19 and Figure 20 will be described in detail below.

[0047] Next, the FAX diagnosis process will be described. First, with reference to Figures 3 to 11 , the diagnosis process executed when the user presses menu 204 (the diagnosis ID shown in Figure 2 ) indicating the error symptom "FAX transmission is completely impossible" on the top screen ( Figure 17 ) will be described.

[0048] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the diagnosis process executed when the user presses menu 204 indicating the error symptom "FAX transmission is completely impossible" on the top screen. The CPU 101 (diagnosis unit) reads a program that will describe the following process and can be executed by the MFP 100 from the ROM 102 to the RAM 103 and executes the program to perform a series of processes.

[0049] First, in step S800, a board failure diagnosis process for diagnosing whether there is a failure in the FAX board (hereinafter simply referred to as board failure) described using the flowchart in Figure 9 is performed. In step S801, the diagnosis result (return value) obtained through this process is determined.

[0050] In the determination in step S801, when the return value of the process in step S800 is NG, it is determined that there is a board failure (step S801 is "Yes"), and the process proceeds to step S802. In step S802, as shown in Figure 4 , the CPU 101 (second display unit) displays a message notifying the user of the board failure in the boot display screen displayed on the display device 111 in the case of a board failure.

[0051] On the other hand, in the determination in step S801, when the return value of the process in step S800 is OK, it is determined that there is no board failure ( "No" in step S801), and then the cable connection diagnosis process in step S803 is performed. The details of this process will be described later using Figure 10 The flowchart in

[0052] In the determination in step S804, when the return value of the process in step S803 is NG, it is determined that the cable is disconnected ( "Yes" in step S804), and the process proceeds to step S805. Then, as Figure 5 shown, when the cable is disconnected, the CPU 101 displays a message notifying the user of the cable disconnection in the boot display screen displayed on the display device 111.

[0053] On the other hand, in the determination in step S804, when the return value of the process in step S803 is OK, it is determined that the cable is not disconnected ( "No" in step S804), and then the line type diagnosis process in step S806 is performed. The details of this process will be described later using Figure 11 The flowchart in

[0054] In the determination in step S807, when the return value of the process in step S806 is not OK, it is determined that the line type does not match ( "No" in step S807), and the process proceeds to step S809.

[0055] In step S809, in the case of a line type mismatch, the CPU 101 displays a message (guidance) prompting the user to change the line type in the boot display screen ( Figure 6 ) displayed on the display device 111. Here, Figure 6This shows the following situation: the return value of the process in step S806 is "NG (pulse 10PPS)", and in step S809, a message prompting the user to change the line type to pulse 10PPS is displayed on the guidance display screen for line type mismatch. When the return value of the process in step S806 is "NG (pulse 20PPS)", in step S809, a message (not shown) prompting the user to change the line type to pulse 20PPS is displayed on the guidance display screen for line type mismatch on the display device 111. When the return value of the process in step S806 is "NG (tone)", in step S809, a message (not shown) prompting the user to change the line type to tone is displayed on the guidance display screen for line type mismatch on the display device 111. When the return value of the process in step S806 is "diagnosis NG", in step S809, an error message (not shown) indicating that the line type cannot be diagnosed normally is displayed on the guidance display screen for line type mismatch on the display device 111.

[0056] On the other hand, in the determination in step S807, when the return value of the process in step S806 is "OK", it is determined that there is no fax abnormality ("yes" in step S807), and the process proceeds to step S808.

[0057] In step S808, the CPU 101 displays a guidance message indicating that no abnormality has been detected in the fax function on the fax no-abnormality display screen as Figure 7 shown.

[0058] Next, the board failure diagnosis process in step S800 will be described using the Figure 9 flowchart in.

[0059] First, in step S901, the CPU 101 reads the hardware port indicating whether the modem 116 is connected and performs a connection check. When the connection of the modem 116 cannot be detected due to a board failure or poor connection of the connector for connecting the fax board ("no" in step S901), the CPU 101 determines that the connection is NG, sets the return value to NG, and ends the process. In this case, when there is a board failure in step S802, an error code indicating a NG connection can be displayed on the guidance display screen ( Figure 4 ).

[0060] On the other hand, when a connection to the modem 116 is detected, the CPU 101 determines that the connection is OK (Yes in step S901) and proceeds to step S902. In step S902, the CPU 101 controls the reset port of the modem 116 to reset the modem 116 and release the reset. Thereafter, in step S903, the CPU 101 sends a command to the modem 116 and receives a response to the command to check communication with the modem 116 (communication check). When the response cannot be received normally, the CPU 101 determines that the communication is NG (No in step S903), sets the return value to NG, and ends the process. In this case, when there is a board failure in step S802, an error code indicating communication NG can be displayed on the boot display screen ( Figure 4 ).

[0061] On the other hand, when the response is received normally, the CPU 101 determines that the communication is OK (Yes in step S903) and proceeds to step S904. In step S904, the CPU 101 checks the reading and writing of the values of the port IC register of the fax board and determines whether the register R / W is OK or NG. As a result of the determination, when the register R / W is OK (Yes in step S904), the CPU 101 proceeds to step S905. When the register R / W is NG (No in step S904), the CPU 101 sets the return value to NG and ends the process.

[0062] Here, the following method is used to check the reading and writing of the values of the port IC register of the fax board (hereinafter simply referred to as the register) in step S904. First, the CPU 101 writes "1" to the port IC register, reads the register value, and determines whether the value "1" can be obtained. When the value "1" cannot be obtained, the CPU 101 determines that the register R / W is NG. On the other hand, when the value "1" is obtained. The CPU 101 writes "0" to the register, reads the register value again, and determines whether the value "0" can be obtained. When the value "0" cannot be obtained, the CPU 101 determines that the register R / W is NG. On the other hand, when the value "0" is obtained, the CPU 101 determines that the register R / W is OK. When the CPU 101 determines that the register R / W is NG in step S904, when there is a board failure in step S802, an error code indicating that the register R / W is NG can be displayed on the boot display screen ( Figure 4 ).

[0063] In step S905, the CPU 101 sends a command to the modem 116 to obtain the chip revision. When the CPU 101 receives a response from the modem 116, it checks the value of the version (version check) and determines whether the value of the version matches a predetermined value. If the two values match, the CPU 101 determines that the version check is OK ("Yes" in step S905), sets the return value to OK, and ends the process. On the other hand, when the two values do not match, the CPU 101 determines that the version check is NG ("No" in step S905), sets the return value to NG, and ends the process. In this case, in the case of a board failure in step S802, an error code indicating that the version check is NG can be displayed on the boot display screen ( Figure 4 ).

[0064] The user can easily perform a connection check and a failure check of the fax board through the board failure diagnosis process in step S800.

[0065] Now, the cable connection diagnosis process in step S803 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 10 . Generally, when the cable is correctly connected to the MFP 100 and the telephone network 118, a constant voltage is applied to the NCU 117. Since the CPU 101 can obtain the voltage value applied to the NCU 117 side via the modem 116, the CPU 101 checks the voltage value. When the NCU 117 receives an incoming call signal from the telephone network 118, the voltage applied to the NCU 117 draws a sine wave centered on the voltage applied during standby. Therefore, even when the cable is correctly connected, when the CPU 101 checks the voltage value only once at a specific moment when receiving an incoming call signal, the voltage value as a result of the check may become 0V. Therefore, in the cable connection diagnosis process of the present embodiment, as shown in the flowchart in Figure 10 , the CPU 101 checks (confirms) the voltage value applied to the NCU 117 side five times at constant intervals, and determines that the cable is correctly connected when the checked voltage value is equal to or greater than the threshold at least once. The number of times of checking the voltage value can be two or more times, and is not limited to five times illustrated in the present embodiment.

[0066] In Figure 10In this case, first, in step S1001, the CPU 101 executes a loop process up to five times. As the process executed in the loop, in step S1002, the CPU 101 sends a command to the modem 116 to obtain the line-side voltage value of the NCU 117 and obtains the voltage value. Next, in step S1003, the CPU 101 determines whether the voltage value obtained in step S1002 is equal to or greater than a threshold value. As a result of the determination, when the obtained voltage value is less than the threshold value ("No" in step S1003), the CPU 101 proceeds with the process to step S1004. After waiting for 10 ms in step S1004, the CPU 101 returns the process to the start of the loop process. On the other hand, as a result of the determination, when the obtained voltage value is equal to or greater than the threshold value ("Yes" in step S1003), the CPU 101 exits the loop process, sets the return value to OK, and ends the process.

[0067] When, even if the loop process starting from step S1001 is executed up to five times, the CPU 101 does not determine in step S1003 that the obtained voltage value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the CPU 101 finally sets the return value to NG and ends the process.

[0068] Through the above-described cable connection diagnosis process in step S803, the connection of the telephone line can be diagnosed, that is, it can be diagnosed whether the cable is correctly connected to the MFP 100 and the telephone network 118.

[0069] Next, reference will be made to Figure 3 and Figure 11 describe Figure 8 the line type diagnosis process in step S806 in

[0070] Figure 3The line type 300 shown is the line type currently selected by the user and is used as the line type to be used when sending a fax from the MFP 100. The line type 300 is data stored in the HDD 113 and is one type selected from tone, pulse 20PPS, and pulse 10PPS. Unless a fax is sent to the telephone network 118 using a line type applicable to the network, the dialing number selected by the user as the fax transmission destination will not be normally recognized by the network side. Therefore, if the line type 300 is not set correctly, the MFP 100 cannot send a fax normally. When the modem 116 captures the line of the telephone network 118, the telephone network 118 sends a tone signal with a predetermined tone and rhythm to the MFP 100 side, which is called a dial tone signal. The dial tone signal is sent for a predetermined period of time until a dialing operation (setting the destination telephone number) is performed in the MFP 100 using the method of the correct line type. However, if the line type of this method is incorrect, the telephone network 118 will not stop sending the dial tone signal even if a dialing operation is performed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by checking whether the dial tone signal stops in the line type diagnosis process in step S806 of Figure 8 it is determined whether the line type used for dialing is correct.

[0071] Hereinafter, the details of the line type diagnosis process in step S806 of Figure 11 will be described using the flowchart in Figure 8 Herein.

[0072] First, in step S1101, the CPU 101 sends a command to the modem 116 to capture the line of the telephone network 118. When the modem 116 detects this command and captures the line of the telephone network 118 via the NCU 117, the telephone network 118 sends a dial tone signal to the MFP 100 side.

[0073] Next, the process proceeds to step S1102, and the CPU 101 determines whether the modem 116 detects the dial tone signal sent from the telephone network 118 and returns a response indicating detection (detection response) to the telephone network 118. When the detection response is not returned, since the line type diagnosis cannot be performed correctly, the CPU 101 determines that the dial tone is not detected (\"No\" in step S1102) and returns NG. Here, for example, when the NCU 117 is not directly connected to the public network (telephone network 118) but is connected to a TA, a branch exchange, etc., and an unexpected dial tone is generated, the detection response is not returned. On the other hand, when the detection response is returned, the CPU 101 determines that the dial tone is detected (\"Yes\" in step S1102) and proceeds with the process to step S1103.

[0074] In step S1103, the CPU 101 first obtains the pulse 20PPS which is the value of the currently selected line type 300 from the HDD 113. If the value of the currently selected line type 300 is pulse 10PPS, the CPU 101 obtains the pulse 10PPS in step S1103. If the value of the currently selected line type 300 is tone, the CPU 101 obtains the tone in step S1103. When the pulse 20PPS is obtained, the CPU 101 designates the mode of the line type as pulse 20PPS, sends a command to dial using a one-digit telephone number (in this embodiment, "4") to the modem 116, and proceeds to step S1104. When this command is detected, the modem 116 dials "4" at pulse 20PPS.

[0075] In step S1104, the CPU 101 determines whether a dial tone is detected. The determination method here is the same as that in step S1102, so its description will be omitted. When it is determined that no dial tone is detected (i.e., the dial tone stops) after dialing in step S1103 ( "No" in step S1104), the CPU 101 sets the return value to OK and ends the process. That is, the CPU 101 determines that the value of the line type 300 that has been set is suitable for the connected telephone network 118. On the other hand, when the CPU 101 determines that a dial tone is still detected after dialing in step S1103 ( "Yes" in step S1104), the process proceeds to step S1105.

[0076] In step S1105, the CPU 101 changes the line type to tone, sends a command to dial using a one-digit telephone number (in this embodiment, "4") to the modem 116, and proceeds to step S1106. When this command is detected, the modem 116 dials "4" in tone.

[0077] Next, the CPU 101 determines again in step S1106 whether a dial tone is detected. The determination method here is the same as that in step S1102, so its description will be omitted. When it is determined that no dial tone is detected after changing the line type to tone in step S1105 ( "No" in step S1106), the CPU 101 sets the return value to NG (tone) and ends the process. On the other hand, when it is determined that a dial tone is still detected after changing the line type to tone in step S1105 ( "Yes" in step S1106), the CPU 101 proceeds to step S1107.

[0078] In step S1107, the CPU 101 changes the line type to Pulse 20PPS, sends a command to the modem 116 to dial using a one-digit telephone number (in this embodiment, "4"), and then proceeds to step S1108. When the command is detected, the modem 116 dials "4" in Pulse 20PPS.

[0079] In step S1108, the CPU 101 determines again whether a dial tone is detected. The determination method here is the same as that in step S1102, and thus its description will be omitted. When it is determined that no dial tone is detected after changing the line type to Pulse 20PPS in step S1107 ( "No" in step S1108), the CPU 101 sets the return value to NG (Pulse 20PPS) and ends the process. On the other hand, when it is determined that a dial tone is still detected after changing the line type to Pulse 20PPS in step S1107 ( "Yes" in step S1108), the CPU 101 proceeds to step S1109.

[0080] In step S1109, the CPU 101 changes the line type to Pulse 10PPS, sends a command to the modem 116 to dial using a one-digit telephone number (in this embodiment, "4"), and then proceeds to step S1110. When the command is detected, the modem 116 dials "4" in Pulse 10PPS.

[0081] In step S1110, the CPU 101 determines again whether a dial tone is detected. The determination method here is the same as that in step S1102, and thus its description will be omitted. When it is determined that no dial tone is detected after changing the line type to Pulse 10PPS in step S1109 ( "No" in step S1110), the CPU 101 sets the return value to NG (Pulse 10PPS) and ends the process. On the other hand, when it is determined that a dial tone is still detected after changing the line type in step S1109 ( "Yes" in step S1110), since the line type diagnosis cannot be performed correctly, the CPU 101 sets the return value to Diagnosis NG and ends the process.

[0082] Next, the end code diagnosis process will be described with reference to Figures 18 to 21 This is a diagnosis process executed when the user presses the menu 205 on the top screen ( Figure 2 ) indicating the error symptom "Fax transmission ended with an error" (diagnosis ID is D3002).

[0083] Figure 21It is a flowchart showing the end code diagnosis process. A program that describes the following process and can be executed by the MFP 100 is read from the ROM 102 to the RAM 103 by the CPU 101 and the program is executed to perform a series of processes.

[0084] First, in step S2101, the CPU 101 obtains a list of jobs that ended in error due to a fax error from the job history DB 1800 ( Figure 18 ) stored in the HDD 113. Next, in step S2102, the CPU 101 displays a job history display screen ( Figure 19 ) including the list obtained in step S2101 on the display device 111.

[0085] Next, when the diagnosis button 1902 is pressed in the state where a job record is selected in the job history 1901 on the job history display screen ( Figure 19 ) in step S2103, the CPU 101 determines that the user has given a job diagnosis request and proceeds with the process to step S2104.

[0086] In step S2104, the CPU 101 performs an end code diagnosis to determine the value of the end code of the job record selected in step S2103 according to the end code list ( Figure 22 ) stored in the HDD 113. As a result of the determination, when the value of the end code is not "018" indicating "automatic call send error" ( "No" in step S2104), the CPU 101 proceeds with the process to step S2105. On the other hand, when the value of the end code is "018" ( "Yes" in step S2104), the diagnostic process shown in Figure 8 is executed.

[0087] In step S2105, the CPU 101 displays a guidance display screen for a fax communication error as shown in Figure 20 on the display device 111, notifies the user of the guidance indicating the solution corresponding to the end code, and ends the process. Figure 20 The guidance in the guidance display screen in Figure 18 illustrates the guidance in the case where the value of the end code of the job record selected in step S2103 is 033.

[0088] Next, the diagnostic process executed when the user presses the menu 206 indicating the error symptom "FAX reception is completely impossible" (diagnosis ID is D3003) will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 12 . In this diagnostic process, the fax reception is independent of the dialing process. Therefore, in Figure 12The flowchart for the diagnostic process for "impossible to send FAX" is omitted from the flowchart in Figure 8 ), the line type diagnostic process (step S806) and related processes (steps 807 and S809) in Figure 12 . The other steps in Figure 8 are the same as the corresponding steps in

[0089] and their descriptions will be omitted. As described above, since FAX diagnosis is performed while changing the diagnostic content according to the symptoms and the results are displayed, it is possible to present the user with information on highly likely fault solutions. The FAX diagnosis is not limited to the content described here, and another diagnostic example can be performed.

[0090] Figure 14 and Figure 15 are examples of screens that display the results of the SEND diagnosis. SEND is a general term for image sending functions such as email, SMB, FTP, I-FAX, and WebDav. The diagnostic result display area 4000 and the return button 4001 for returning to the screen display are commonly displayed on each screen. The details of each screen will be described later.

[0091] Next, the network connection diagnostic process will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 16 . This is the diagnostic process executed when the user presses the menu 203 indicating the error symptom "impossible to send SEND" on the top screen ( Figure 2 ), and the diagnostic ID shown in Figure 17 is D201. Here, the SEND function refers to data sending by any one of the sending methods of email, SMB, FTP, I-FAX, and WebDav.

[0092] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the network connection diagnostic process. A series of processes are performed by the CPU 101 reading a program from the ROM 102 to the RAM 103 and executing the program, which will be described below and can be executed by the MFP 100.

[0093] First, in step S1601, the CPU 101 reads the Figure 13 IP address setting method 1301 stored in the HDD 113 and determines whether the IP address setting method is automatic or manual. When the automatic setting method is set (yes in step S1601), the process proceeds to step S1602. When the manual setting method is set (no in step S1601), the process proceeds to step S1603.

[0094] In step S1602, the CPU 101 determines whether an IP address has been obtained via the network I / F 107. When the IP address has been obtained (Yes in step S1602), the CPU 101 proceeds to step S1606, where a message indicating normal network connection is displayed in the network connection normal display screen ( Figure 14 ) on the display device 111, and the process ends. On the other hand, when the IP address has not been obtained (No in step S1602), the process proceeds to step S1605. In step S1605, when there is a network connection abnormality, the CPU 101 displays a message indicating a problem with the network connection in the boot display screen ( Figure 15 ) on the display device 111, and the process ends.

[0095] In step S1603, the CPU 101 reads the network configuration stored in the HDD 113 in Figure 13 , and determines whether the setting of the network configuration has been completed. Here, the network configuration includes the configuration of the IP address 1302, the subnet mask 1303, and the default gateway 1304. When it is determined that the setting of the network configuration has been completed (Yes in step S1603), the process proceeds to step S1604. On the other hand, when it is determined that the setting of the network configuration has not been completed (No in step S1603), the process proceeds to the above step S1605.

[0096] In step S1604, the CPU 101 determines whether a link-up state has been established via the network I / F 107. As a result of the determination, when the link state has been established (Yes in step S1604), the process proceeds to the above step S1606. When the link state has not been established, that is, when in the link-down state (No in step S1604), the process proceeds to the above step S1605.

[0097] By performing the above diagnosis, when the SEND function is disabled, the diagnostic result regarding the network connection can be notified to the user. In this embodiment, although the screens shown in Figure 14 and Figure 15 are described as examples of the SEND diagnostic results, these are not restrictive, and other diagnostic results can be displayed.

[0098] Although in this embodiment the CPU 101 in the MFP 100 diagnoses various error symptoms occurring in the MFP 100, an external server or AI communicatively connected to the MFP 100 can diagnose various error symptoms.

[0099] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various variations and modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0100] Other embodiments

[0101] Embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by a computer of a system or device that reads and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more fully referred to as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium") to perform the functions of one or more of the above embodiments, and / or includes one or more wires (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above embodiments. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by a method in which the computer of the system or device, such as by reading and executing the computer-executable instructions from the storage medium, performs the functions of one or more of the above embodiments, and / or controls the one or more wires to perform the functions of one or more of the above embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU)), and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read and execute the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a memory of a distributed computing system, an optical disc (such as a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), or a Blu-ray disc (BD) TM ), a flash device, and a memory card, etc.

[0102] Embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by the following method, that is, by providing software (a program) that performs the functions of the above embodiments to a system or device through a network or various storage media, and the computer (central processing unit (CPU), microprocessing unit (MPU)) of the system or device reads and executes the computer program / instructions.

[0103] Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the appended claims should be given the broadest interpretation so as to cover all such variations and equivalent structures and functions.

[0104] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-009296, filed on January 25, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus that performs various functions related to image processing according to user operations, the image processing apparatus comprising: a first display unit configured to display, in a manner that can be selected by a user, a menu indicating error symptoms of various functions occurring in the image processing apparatus; a diagnosis unit configured to, when the user selects one of the menus, perform a diagnosis of the image processing apparatus according to the error symptoms indicated in the menu selected by the user; and a second display unit configured to display a solution based on a diagnosis result of the diagnosis unit.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein When the user selects from the menu a menu indicating that fax transmission is completely impossible, the diagnosis unit performs at least one of a board failure diagnosis, a cable connection diagnosis, and a line type diagnosis as the diagnosis.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, When the user selects from the menu a menu indicating that fax transmission ends in error, the diagnosis unit performs an end code diagnosis as the diagnosis.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, An end code of a job record of a job that has ended in error due to a fax error in the image processing apparatus is obtained in the end code diagnosis; wherein, when the obtained end code indicates an automatic call transmission error, the diagnosis unit performs at least one of a board failure diagnosis, a cable connection diagnosis, and a line type diagnosis as the diagnosis, and wherein, when the obtained end code does not indicate an automatic call transmission error, the second display unit displays a solution corresponding to the end code obtained without performing a diagnosis by the diagnosis unit.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, When the user selects from the menu a menu indicating that fax reception is completely impossible, the diagnosis unit performs at least one of a board failure diagnosis and a cable connection diagnosis as the diagnosis.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 5, wherein, The image processing apparatus further comprises: a fax board and a modem, wherein, in the board failure diagnosis, at least one of the following checks is performed: a connection check and a communication check between the fax board and the modem, a check of reading and writing of values of a port IC register, and a version check.

7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, The modem is connected to a telephone network via a cable and an NCU, and wherein a voltage value applied to the NCU side is checked two or more times, and when the checked voltage value is equal to or greater than a threshold at least once, it is determined in the cable connection diagnosis that the cable is correctly connected.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, In the line type diagnosis, at least one of the following detections is performed: a detection of a dial tone transmitted from the telephone network, a detection of a dial tone when using a pre-stored line type for dialing, and a detection of a dial tone when using all line types that can be selected in the image processing apparatus for dialing.

9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, When the user selects from the menu a menu indicating that transmission is impossible by any one of email, SMB, FTP, I-FAX, and WebDav, the diagnosis unit performs a network connection diagnosis as the diagnosis.

10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, When the IP address setting method preset in the image processing apparatus is automatic, when an IP address has been obtained, it is determined in the network connection diagnosis that the network connection is correct, and Among them, when the IP address setting method is manual, when the IP address has been set and the connection state is established, it is determined that the network connection is correct in the network connection diagnosis.

11. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, When the user uses any one of various functions and error symptoms occur in the used function, the first display unit displays the menu.

12. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, When the image processing apparatus is activated, the first display unit displays the menu.

13. A control method for an image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus performing various functions related to image processing according to user operations, the control method comprising: displaying a menu indicating error symptoms of various functions occurring in the image processing apparatus in a manner that can be selected by the user; when the user selects one of the menus, diagnosing the image processing apparatus according to the error symptoms indicated in the menu selected by the user; and displaying a solution based on the diagnosis result of the diagnosis.

14. A computer program product, comprising a program for causing a computer to execute a control method for an image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus performing various functions related to image processing according to user operations, the control method comprising: displaying a menu indicating error symptoms of various functions occurring in the image processing apparatus in a manner that can be selected by the user; when the user selects one of the menus, diagnosing the image processing apparatus according to the error symptoms indicated in the menu selected by the user; and displaying a solution based on the diagnosis result of the diagnosis.

15. A computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program product according to claim 14.

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