Image processing system, program product, and image processing method

Abstract

An image processing system, a program product, and an image processing method, the image processing system including: an image processing unit including at least one of a reading device that reads an image and a printing device that prints the image on a medium; a display unit that displays a screen; a main processor; a sub-processor that controls the image processing unit independently of the main processor; and a shared memory commonly accessible from the main processor and the sub-processors, the main processor recording a history in the shared memory for each of boot processes of the own system, the history being stored in the shared memory in the boot processes based on the main processor, and the sub-processors being stored in the shared memory in the boot processes based on the main processor. When the start-up process is stopped before the display unit becomes usable, the sub-processor refers to information including at least a history recorded in the shared memory, and notifies error content using the image processing unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing system, a program product, and an image processing method. The present invention can also be applied to a program and a program product. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that stores fault information and fault repair information in the image forming apparatus main body to improve user convenience in fault management.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses an air conditioner that displays the number of digits of a faulty part and fault information on a limited number of display elements provided in an indoor unit for displaying the operating status in order to enable quick and accurate repair.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-092463

[0005] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-247119 Summary of the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system, a program product, and an image processing method capable of notifying the details of an error when the image processing system stops due to an error before a display unit becomes usable at startup.

[0007] An image processing system according to a first aspect includes:

[0008] an image processing unit including at least one of a reading device for reading an image and a printing device for printing the image on a medium;

[0009] Display unit, display screen;

[0010] Main processor;

[0011] a sub-processor that controls the image processing unit independently of the main processor; and

[0012] A shared memory accessible from both the main processor and the sub-processor,

[0013] The main processor records the history of each process in the startup process of its own system in the shared memory.

[0014] In the startup process by the main processor, if the startup process is stopped before the display unit becomes available, the sub-processor refers to information including at least the history recorded in the shared memory and uses the image processing unit to notify the details of the error.

[0015] The image processing system of the second aspect is the image processing system of the first aspect,

[0016] The image processing unit includes the reading device.

[0017] When the startup process by the main processor is stopped before the display unit becomes usable, the sub-processor notifies the reader of the error details by lighting a carriage included in the reader.

[0018] The image processing system of the third aspect is the image processing system of the second aspect,

[0019] The sub-processor notifies the details of the error by moving the carriage and lighting the carriage at a plurality of positions.

[0020] The image processing system of the fourth aspect is the image processing system of the first aspect,

[0021] The image processing unit includes the printing device.

[0022] When the startup process by the main processor is stopped before the display unit becomes usable, the sub-processor notifies the user of the error by printing the error content on a medium using the printing device.

[0023] The image processing system of the fifth aspect is the image processing system of the fourth aspect,

[0024] The sub-processor prints address information together with the error content on a medium, the address information being used to access a website on which information related to the error content is recorded.

[0025] The image processing system according to the sixth aspect is the image processing system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects,

[0026] The image processing unit includes the reading device and the printing device.

[0027] When the startup process by the main processor is stopped before the display unit becomes usable, the sub-processor notifies the user of the error using the reading device.

[0028] The image processing system of the seventh aspect is the image processing system of the sixth aspect,

[0029] The reading device includes a document table on which a document is placed and a document table cover capable of covering the document table.

[0030] When notifying the error content, the sub-processor uses the printing device to notify the error content if the document table cover has not been opened for a set period of time or longer.

[0031] An image processing system according to an eighth aspect is the image processing system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects,

[0032] The image processing unit includes the reading device and the printing device.

[0033] When the startup process by the main processor is stopped before the display unit becomes usable, the sub-processor notifies the user of the error using the printing device.

[0034] A program product according to a ninth aspect records a program for controlling an image processing system, the image processing system comprising:

[0035] an image processing unit including at least one of a reading device for reading an image and a printing device for printing the image on a medium;

[0036] Display unit, display screen;

[0037] Main processor;

[0038] a sub-processor that controls the image processing unit independently of the main processor; and

[0039] A shared memory accessible from both the main processor and the sub-processor,

[0040] The program product records a program for causing a computer to execute the following steps:

[0041] The main processor records a history of each process in the startup process of its own system in the shared memory; and

[0042] In the startup process by the main processor, if the startup process is stopped before the display unit becomes available, the sub-processor refers to information including at least the history recorded in the shared memory and uses the image processing unit to notify the details of the error.

[0043] An image processing method according to a tenth aspect is used for controlling an image processing system, the image processing system comprising:

[0044] an image processing unit including at least one of a reading device for reading an image and a printing device for printing the image on a medium;

[0045] Display unit, display screen;

[0046] Main processor;

[0047] a sub-processor that controls the image processing unit independently of the main processor; and

[0048] A shared memory accessible from both the main processor and the sub-processor,

[0049] The image processing method comprises the following steps:

[0050] The main processor records a history of each process in the startup process of its own system in the shared memory; and

[0051] In the startup process by the main processor, if the startup process is stopped before the display unit becomes available, the sub-processor refers to information including at least the history recorded in the shared memory and uses the image processing unit to notify the details of the error.

[0052] Effects of the Invention

[0053] According to the image processing system of the first aspect, when the display unit stops due to an error before becoming usable at startup, the details of the error can be notified.

[0054] According to the image processing system of the second aspect, it is possible to notify the details of the error using the reading device.

[0055] According to the image processing system of the third aspect, it is possible to notify the error content in detail compared to the case where the carriage is fixed and lit.

[0056] According to the image processing system of the fourth aspect, it is possible to notify the details of an error using the printing device.

[0057] According to the image processing system of the fifth aspect, it is possible to let the user know the content of the error using a website.

[0058] According to the image processing system of the sixth aspect, it is possible to notify the details of the error using the reading device.

[0059] According to the image processing system of the seventh aspect, when the error content cannot be notified by the reading device, the error content can be notified using the printing device.

[0060] According to the image processing system of the eighth aspect, it is possible to notify the details of an error using the printing device.

[0061] According to the program product of the ninth aspect, when the program stops due to an error before the display unit becomes usable at startup, the details of the error can be notified.

[0062] According to the image processing method of the tenth aspect, when the display unit stops due to an error before becoming usable at the time of startup, it is possible to notify the details of the error. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0064] Figure 1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0065] Figure 2 This is a side view showing the schematic structure of the transparent document table and the surrounding area of ​​the document table cover of the above-mentioned image forming apparatus. Figure 2 (A) is a diagram showing the fully opened state of the document table cover. Figure 2 (B) is a diagram showing a semi-closed state of the document table cover. Figure 2 (C) is a diagram showing a fully closed state of the document table cover;

[0066] Figure 3 is a plan view showing a schematic structure of the transparent original table and the surrounding area of ​​the image forming apparatus;

[0067] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus;

[0068] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of a management table for managing detailed information of each process in the startup process;

[0069] Figure 6 This is a diagram for explaining the process at the time of startup processing;

[0070] Figure 7 A diagram for explaining a lighting pattern of a carriage;

[0071] Figure 8 This figure shows an example of media printing when an error occurs;

[0072] Figure 9 This is a flowchart showing the processing flow during the startup processing in the main CPU;

[0073] Figure 10 This is a flowchart showing the processing flow during the startup processing in the sub-CPU for the reading device;

[0074] Figure 11 This is a flowchart showing the process flow during startup processing in the sub-CPU for the printing apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 11 is an external view of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 1 is a side view showing a schematic structure of the transparent document table 21 and the document table cover 22 and their surroundings of the image forming apparatus 10. Figure 2 (A) is a diagram showing the fully opened state of the document table cover 22. Figure 2 (B) is a diagram showing a semi-closed state of the document table cover 22. Figure 2 (C) is a diagram showing a fully closed state of the document table cover 22 . Figure 3 It is a plan view schematically showing the structure of the transparent document table 21 and its surroundings of the image forming apparatus 10 .

[0076] like Figure 1 As shown, the image forming apparatus 10 is a so-called multifunction peripheral having multiple functions such as a reading function, a printing function, a copying function, and a facsimile function. The image forming apparatus 10 is an example of an image processing system in the technology of the present invention.

[0077] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a housing 20 , a transparent document table 21 disposed on the upper surface of the housing 20 and on which a document P is placed, a document table cover 22 covering the transparent document table 21 , and an opening / closing detection sensor 23 detecting the opening / closing state of the document table cover 22 .

[0078] The opening / closing detection sensor 23 includes a push switch 23a that contacts the document table cover 22 when the document table cover 22 is closed. The opening / closing detection sensor 23 is a sensor capable of detecting two positions: a first detection position where the push switch 23a is pressed a predetermined distance, and a second detection position where the push switch 23a is fully pressed.

[0079] The document table cover 22 is in a semi-closed position when the push switch 23a is pressed to the first detection position. In the present invention, the semi-closed position of the document table cover 22 is a position between the fully open position and the fully closed position of the document table cover 22, and is not limited to a position in the middle between the fully open position and the fully closed position.

[0080] By using this opening and closing detection sensor 23, the image forming apparatus 10 can detect three open and closed states of the document table cover 22: a state in which the document table cover 22 is more open than the semi-closed position, a state in which the document table cover 22 is more closed than the semi-closed position, and a state in which the document table cover 22 is completely closed.

[0081] And, as Figure 3 As shown, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a reading device 14 and a document detection sensor 45 .

[0082] The reading device 14 includes a carriage 40 that is movable in the sub-scanning direction. The carriage 40 includes a light source 41 extending in the main scanning direction and a reading unit 42 extending in the main scanning direction. The light source 41 is composed of a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The reading unit 42 is composed of a light-receiving element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device).

[0083] The document detection sensor 45 is constituted by a sensor such as a reflective photointerrupter (also known as a photoreflector) including a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects the presence or absence of a document at the facing position.

[0084] Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 4 It is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 .

[0085] like Figure 4 As shown, the image forming device 10 has a control substrate 11, a storage device 12 such as a hard disk drive, a user interface (abbreviated as UI) device 13 including a touch panel or a liquid crystal display and a keyboard, a reading device 14, a printing device 15, a communication interface (abbreviated as IF) 16, an opening and closing detection sensor 23 and a manuscript detection sensor 45.

[0086] The image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment includes a reading device 14 and a printing device 15 as an image processing unit according to the present invention.

[0087] The control board 11 is an electronic board that controls the entire image forming apparatus 10 and includes a main CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 a , a reader sub-CPU 11 b , a printer sub-CPU 11 c , a shared memory 11 d , and a control bus 11 e .

[0088] The main CPU 11a controls the entire image forming apparatus 10 and starts up the image forming apparatus 10. The reader sub-CPU 11b is a processor independent of the main CPU 11a and controls the reader 14. The printer sub-CPU 11c is a processor independent of the main CPU 11a and controls the printer 15.

[0089] The shared memory 11 d is a memory commonly accessible from the main CPU 11 a , the reading device sub-CPU 11 b , and the printing device sub-CPU 11 c , and is composed of, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0090] The main CPU 11 a , the reader sub-CPU 11 b , and the printer sub-CPU 11 c are processors that execute predetermined processing according to a control program stored in the shared memory 11 d or the storage device 12 to control the entire or partial operation of the image forming apparatus 10 .

[0091] In addition, in this embodiment, the main CPU 11a, the reading device sub-CPU 11b, and the printing device sub-CPU 11c are described as reading and executing the control program stored in the shared memory 11d or the storage device 12, but this is not limiting. The control program can also be provided in the form of being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the program can also be provided in the form of being recorded on an optical disk such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM (Read Only Memory) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or in the form of being recorded on a semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a memory card. Furthermore, the control program can also be obtained from an external device via a communication line connected to the communication IF 16.

[0092] The storage device 12 is composed of a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), and / or a ROM. The UI device 13 is composed of a touch panel 13a and physical buttons, and receives user input. The touch panel 13a, which constitutes part of the UI device 13, is an example of a display unit in the image processing system of the present invention.

[0093] The reading device 14 includes a carriage 40 and reads the document loaded into the image forming device 10 as image data. The printing device 15 prints the image on a recording medium such as printing paper through processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing. The communication interface 16 transmits and receives data to and from external devices.

[0094] The above-mentioned components are connected to each other via a control bus 11 e provided on the control substrate 11 .

[0095] In the case where the image forming apparatus 10 stops due to an error before the touch panel 13 a constituting a part of the UI device 13 becomes usable during startup, the details of the error cannot be notified on the touch panel 13 a .

[0096] Therefore, in the image forming device 10 of this embodiment, the main CPU 11a records the history of each process in the startup process of the image forming device 10 in the shared memory 11d. In the startup process based on the main CPU 11a, when the startup process is stopped before the touch panel 13a becomes usable, the reading device sub-CPU 11b or the printing device sub-CPU 11c refers to the information including at least the history recorded in the shared memory 11d, and uses the reading device 14 or the printing device 15 as the image processing unit to notify the error content.

[0097] Hereinafter, the processing in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. First, the startup processing will be described. Figure 5 This table shows an example of a management table that manages detailed information of each process in the startup process of the image forming apparatus 10 .

[0098] like Figure 5 As shown, the management table manages "installation location," "status / condition," "fault location / content," "URL (Uniform Resource Locator)," "lighting mode," and "remarks" information for each "processing number." The management table is recorded in the shared memory 11d.

[0099] "Process Number" is a unique number assigned to each process and corresponds to the footprint value used in history recording, as described later. Regardless of the number of processes, the final process number (i.e., the process number upon completion of startup) is 255. "Installation Location" indicates the location where the process is installed. "Status / Status" indicates the startup status of the process or the details of the process. "Fault Location / Details" indicates the location and details of the fault if an error occurs during the process.

[0100] "URL" indicates the URL printed on the medium by the printer 15 if an error occurs during this process. The URL is address information for accessing a website containing information related to the error. "Lighting Mode" indicates the lighting mode used to illuminate the carriage 40 of the reader 14 if an error occurs during this process. The lighting mode will be explained in detail later. "Remarks" indicates the details of the response to an error that occurs during this process, outside of the reader 14 and printer 15.

[0101] like Figure 6 As shown, during the startup process of the image forming apparatus 10 , the main CPU 11 a records the completed process number in the shared memory 11 d as a history each time a process is completed.

[0102] In the startup process based on the main CPU 11a, if the startup process is stopped before the touch panel 13a becomes usable, the reading device sub-CPU 11b or the printing device sub-CPU 11c refers to the history and management table recorded in the shared memory 11d, and uses the reading device 14 or the printing device 15 to notify the error content.

[0103] For example, when there are completion records up to processing number 16 remaining as a resume, an error occurs in processing number 17 as the next processing, so the reading device sub-CPU 11b or the printing device sub-CPU 11c uses the reading device 14 or the printing device 15 to notify the error content based on the item of processing number 17 in the management table.

[0104] And, in Figure 6 In the example shown, during startup processing, if process number 19, which initializes the UI, is completed, the touch panel 13a can be used to notify the user of an error. Therefore, if a completion record remains for processes up to and including process number 19, the reader sub-CPU 11b or printer sub-CPU 11c does not notify the user of an error, and the main CPU 11a uses the touch panel 13a to notify the user of the error.

[0105] The notification of error details by the reader 14 or the printer 15 will be described.

[0106] In the startup process based on the main CPU 11a, if the startup process is stopped before the touch panel 13a becomes usable, the reading device 14 can be used to notify the error content. In this case, the reading device sub-CPU 11b can notify the error content by lighting up the slide 40 provided in the reading device 14.

[0107] In this case, the reading device sub-CPU 11b may move the carriage 40 and light up the carriage at a plurality of positions to thereby notify the details of the error.

[0108] In this embodiment, if Figure 7 As shown, according to the lighting mode of the management table, in the sub-scanning direction, the slide 40 is moved to three positions: the document end position when B5 is placed horizontally, the document end position when A4 is placed horizontally, and the document end position when A3 is placed horizontally, and the slide 40 is lit a specified number of times at each position.

[0109] For example, when the lighting mode is "1-2-3", first, the slide 40 is moved to the document end position when B5 is horizontally placed and is lit once, then the slide 40 is moved to the document end position when A4 is horizontally placed and is lit twice, and finally, the slide 40 is moved to the document end position when A3 is horizontally placed and is lit three times.

[0110] Furthermore, in the startup process based on the main CPU 11a, if the startup process is stopped before the touch panel 13a becomes usable, the printing device 15 can be used to notify the error content. In this case, the printing device sub-CPU 11c can notify the error content by printing the error content on the medium from the printing device 15.

[0111] In this case, the printing device sub-CPU 11c may print address information for accessing a website containing information related to the error content on the medium together with the error content. The address information may include text information representing a URL and / or a QR code (registered trademark) image representing a URL.

[0112] In this embodiment, if Figure 8 As shown, as an example, the error content, character information indicating the URL, and a QR code image indicating the URL are printed on a medium. In this case, the URL can be printed as a QR code image.

[0113] Furthermore, when the reading device 14 and the printing device 15 are provided as the image processing unit, the reading device sub-CPU 11 b may give priority to using the reading device 14 to notify the error details.

[0114] Furthermore, when notifying the reader 14 of an error, if the document table cover 22 is not opened, the user cannot visually recognize the illumination of the carriage 40. Therefore, the reader sub-CPU 11b can use the printer 15 to notify the error if the document table cover 22 is not opened for a set period of time or longer.

[0115] In this case, the reading device sub-CPU 11 b instructs the printing device sub-CPU 11 c to notify the error details, and the printing device sub-CPU 11 c notifies the error details using the printing device 15 .

[0116] Furthermore, when the reader 14 and the printer 15 are provided as the image processing unit, the printer sub-CPU 11 c may give priority to using the printer 15 to notify the details of the error.

[0117] The following describes the process flow during the startup process of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0118] First, refer to Figure 9 The flow of processing during the startup processing in the main CPU 11a will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0119] First, in step S11, the main CPU 11a sequentially executes processes 1 to 18 in the boot loader. At this time, each time the main CPU 11a completes a process, it records the completed process number in the shared memory 11d as a history.

[0120] Next, the main CPU 11a executes UI initialization in the system in step S12. After completing this process, the main CPU 11a records the end process number 19 as a history in the shared memory 11d.

[0121] Next, the main CPU 11a executes Ethernet (registered trademark) initialization in the system in step S13. After completing this process, the main CPU 11a records the end process number 20 as a history in the shared memory 11d.

[0122] Next, in step S14, the main CPU 11a establishes communication with the reading device 14 and the printing device 15 in the system. After completing this process, the main CPU 11a records the end process number 21 as a history in the shared memory 11d.

[0123] Next, the main CPU 11 a completes the activation in step S15 , records the process number 255 as a history in the shared memory 11 d , and ends the activation process.

[0124] If an error occurs during the startup process, the main CPU 11a stops the startup process at the stage where the error occurs. At this time, when the UI initialization in step S12 is completed, the main CPU 11a notifies the user of the error using the touch panel 13a.

[0125] refer to Figure 10 The flowchart of FIG. 1 will now be used to describe the processing flow during the startup processing in the reading device sub-CPU 11b.

[0126] First, the reading device sub-CPU 11 b performs a start-up process of the reading device 14 in step S21 .

[0127] Next, in step S22 , the reading device sub-CPU 11 b determines whether or not communication with the main CPU 11 a has been established.

[0128] In step S22 , when it is determined that communication with the main CPU 11 a is established, the reading device sub-CPU 11 b ends the activation process.

[0129] If it is determined in step S22 that communication with the main CPU 11 a is not established, the reading device sub-CPU 11 b acquires the history and management table information recorded in the shared memory 11 d in step S23 .

[0130] In step S24 , the reading device sub-CPU 11 b determines whether initialization of the UI is completed, that is, whether the process number 19 is recorded in the history.

[0131] In step S24 , when it is determined that initialization of the UI is completed, the reading device sub-CPU 11 b ends the startup process.

[0132] If it is determined in step S24 that the initialization of the UI is not completed, the reading device sub-CPU 11 b determines in step S25 whether an instruction to notify the reading device 14 of the error details when an error occurs has been input.

[0133] If it is determined in step S25 that no instruction has been input, the reading device sub-CPU 11b ends the activation process.

[0134] When it is determined in step S25 that an instruction has been input, the reading device sub-CPU 11 b determines in step S26 whether the document table cover 22 is open.

[0135] If it is determined in step S26 that the document table cover 22 is not opened, the reading device sub-CPU 11 b waits until the document table cover 22 is opened.

[0136] In step S26, when it is determined that the document table cover 22 is open, the reading device sub-CPU 11b refers to the history in step S27 to determine the processing number where the error occurred, refers to the management table to obtain the lighting mode in the processing number, lights up the slide 40 according to the lighting mode, and ends the startup processing.

[0137] refer to Figure 11 The flowchart of FIG. 1 will now be used to describe the process flow during the startup process in the printing apparatus sub-CPU 11c.

[0138] First, the printing apparatus sub-CPU 11 c performs a startup process for the printing apparatus 15 in step S31 .

[0139] Next, in step S32 , the printing apparatus sub-CPU 11 c determines whether communication with the main CPU 11 a has been established.

[0140] If it is determined in step S32 that communication with the main CPU 11 a is established, the printing apparatus sub-CPU 11 c terminates the activation process.

[0141] If it is determined in step S32 that communication with the main CPU 11 a is not established, the printing apparatus sub-CPU 11 c acquires the history and management table information recorded in the shared memory 11 d in step S33 .

[0142] Next, in step S34 , the printing apparatus sub-CPU 11 c determines whether initialization of the UI is complete, that is, whether process number 19 is recorded in the history.

[0143] If it is determined in step S34 that initialization of the UI is complete, the printing apparatus sub-CPU 11 c ends the startup process.

[0144] If it is determined in step S34 that the UI initialization is not complete, the printing apparatus sub-CPU 11 c determines in step S35 whether an instruction has been input to notify the printing apparatus 15 of the error details when an error occurs.

[0145] If it is determined in step S35 that no instruction has been input, the printing apparatus sub-CPU 11 c ends the activation process.

[0146] If it is determined in step S35 that an instruction has been input, the printing apparatus sub-CPU 11 c refers to the history in step S36 to identify the process number where the error occurred, refers to the management table to obtain the URL in the process number, and creates a QR code image according to the URL.

[0147] Next, in step S37 , the printing device sub-CPU 11 c prints the error details, the character information indicating the URL, the QR code image created in step S36 , and the like on the medium, and terminates the startup process.

[0148] [Modification]

[0149] As mentioned above, the image processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate.

[0150] The “system” in this embodiment includes both a system composed of a plurality of devices and a system composed of a single device.

[0151] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, including a general-purpose processor (such as CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) or a dedicated processor (such as GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0152] Furthermore, the operations of the processors in the above embodiments can be performed not only by a single processor but also by a plurality of processors located in physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order in which the operations of the processors are performed is not limited to that described in the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate.

[0153] Furthermore, regarding the sub-processors, there is no need to separately provide a reader sub-CPU 11 b for controlling the reader 14 and a printer sub-CPU 11 c for controlling the printer 15 . A single sub-processor may control the reader 14 and the printer 15 .

[0154] [Note]

[0155] Regarding the above-mentioned embodiment, the following additional notes are disclosed. (((1)))

[0157] An image processing system comprising:

[0158] an image processing unit including at least one of a reading device for reading an image and a printing device for printing the image on a medium;

[0159] Display unit, display screen;

[0160] Main processor;

[0161] a sub-processor that controls the image processing unit independently of the main processor; and

[0162] A shared memory accessible from both the main processor and the sub-processor,

[0163] The main processor records the history of each process in the startup process of its own system in the shared memory.

[0164] In the startup process by the main processor, if the startup process is stopped before the display unit becomes available, the sub-processor refers to information including at least the history recorded in the shared memory and uses the image processing unit to notify the details of the error. (((2)))

[0166] The image processing system according to (((1))), wherein

[0167] The image processing unit includes the reading device.

[0168] When the startup process by the main processor is stopped before the display unit becomes usable, the sub-processor notifies the reader of the error details by lighting a carriage included in the reader. (((3)))

[0170] The image processing system according to (((2))), wherein

[0171] The sub-processor notifies the details of the error by moving the carriage and lighting the carriage at a plurality of positions. (((4)))

[0173] The image processing system according to (((1))), wherein

[0174] The image processing unit includes the printing device.

[0175] When the startup process by the main processor is stopped before the display unit becomes usable, the sub-processor notifies the user of the error by printing the error content on a medium using the printing device. (((5)))

[0177] The image processing system according to (((4))), wherein

[0178] The sub-processor prints address information together with the error content on a medium, the address information being used to access a website on which information related to the error content is recorded. (((6)))

[0180] The image processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((5))), wherein

[0181] The image processing unit includes the reading device and the printing device.

[0182] When the startup process by the main processor is stopped before the display unit becomes usable, the sub-processor notifies the user of the error using the reading device. (((7)))

[0184] The image processing system according to (((6))), wherein

[0185] The reading device includes a document table on which a document is placed and a document table cover capable of covering the document table.

[0186] When notifying the error content, the sub-processor uses the printing device to notify the error content if the document table cover has not been opened for a set period of time or longer. (((8)))

[0188] The image processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((5))), wherein

[0189] The image processing unit includes the reading device and the printing device.

[0190] When the startup process by the main processor is stopped before the display unit becomes usable, the sub-processor notifies the user of the error using the printing device. (((9)))

[0192] A program product recording a program for controlling an image processing system, the image processing system comprising:

[0193] an image processing unit including at least one of a reading device for reading an image and a printing device for printing the image on a medium;

[0194] Display unit, display screen;

[0195] Main processor;

[0196] a sub-processor that controls the image processing unit independently of the main processor; and

[0197] A shared memory accessible from both the main processor and the sub-processor,

[0198] The program product records a program for causing a computer to execute the following steps:

[0199] The main processor records a history of each process in the startup process of its own system in the shared memory; and

[0200] In the startup process by the main processor, if the startup process is stopped before the display unit becomes available, the sub-processor refers to information including at least the history recorded in the shared memory and uses the image processing unit to notify the details of the error.

[0201] The effects of the configuration according to the supplementary notes will be described below.

[0202] According to the image processing system of (((1))), when the display unit stops due to an error before becoming usable at startup, the error details can be notified.

[0203] According to the image processing system of (((2))), the error content can be notified using the reading device.

[0204] According to the image processing system of (((3))), the error content can be notified in detail compared to the case where the carriage is fixed and lit.

[0205] According to the image processing system of (((4))), it is possible to notify the error contents using the printing device.

[0206] According to the image processing system of (((5))), it is possible to make the user understand the error content using a website.

[0207] According to the image processing system of (((6))), the error content can be notified using the reading device.

[0208] According to the image processing system of (((7))), when the error content cannot be notified by the reading device, the error content can be notified using the printing device.

[0209] According to the image processing system of (((8))), it is possible to notify the error contents using the printing device.

[0210] According to the program of (((9))), when the display unit stops due to an error before becoming usable at startup, the error details can be notified.

[0211] The above-described embodiments of the present invention are provided for the purpose of illustration and explanation. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention do not fully and exhaustively include the present invention, and do not limit the present invention to the disclosed embodiments. It is obvious that various modifications and variations are self-evident to those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. The present embodiment is selected and described in order to most easily explain the principles of the present invention and its application. Thus, other technical personnel in this field can understand the present invention through various modifications optimized for specific uses of the assumed various embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the above claims and their equivalents.

[0212] Explanation of symbols

[0213] 10-Image forming device, 11-Control substrate, 11a-Main CPU, 11b-Sub-CPU for reading device, 11c-Sub-CPU for printing device, 11d-Shared memory, 11e-Control bus, 12-Storage device, 13-User interface device, 13a-Touch panel, 14-Reading device, 15-Printing device, 16-Communication interface, 20-Frame, 21-Transparent original table, 22-Original table cover, 23-Opening and closing detection sensor, 40-Slide, 41-Light source, 42-Reading unit, 45-Original detection sensor.

Claims

1. An image processing system comprising: an image processing unit including at least one of a reading device for reading an image and a printing device for printing the image on a medium; Display unit, display screen; Main processor; a sub-processor for controlling the image processing unit independently of the main processor; and A shared memory accessible from both the main processor and the sub-processor, The main processor records the history of each process in the startup process of its own system in the shared memory. In the startup process by the main processor, if the startup process is stopped before the display unit becomes available, the sub-processor refers to information including at least the history recorded in the shared memory and uses the image processing unit to notify the details of the error.

2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein The image processing unit includes the reading device. When the startup process by the main processor is stopped before the display unit becomes usable, the sub-processor notifies the reader of the error details by lighting a carriage included in the reader.

3. The image processing system according to claim 2, wherein: The sub-processor notifies the details of the error by moving the carriage and lighting the carriage at a plurality of positions.

4. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein: The image processing unit includes the printing device. When the startup process by the main processor is stopped before the display unit becomes usable, the sub-processor notifies the user of the error by printing the error content on a medium using the printing device.

5. The image processing system according to claim 4, wherein: The sub-processor prints address information together with the error content on a medium, the address information being used to access a website on which information related to the error content is recorded.

6. The image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The image processing unit includes the reading device and the printing device. When the startup process by the main processor is stopped before the display unit becomes usable, the sub-processor notifies the user of the error using the reading device.

7. The image processing system according to claim 6, wherein: The reading device includes a document table on which a document is placed and a document table cover capable of covering the document table. When notifying the error content, the sub-processor uses the printing device to notify the error content if the document table cover has not been opened for a set period of time or longer.

8. The image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The image processing unit includes the reading device and the printing device. When the startup process by the main processor is stopped before the display unit becomes usable, the sub-processor notifies the user of the error using the printing device.

9. A program product recording a program for controlling an image processing system, the image processing system comprising: an image processing unit including at least one of a reading device for reading an image and a printing device for printing the image on a medium; Display unit, display screen; Main processor; a sub-processor that controls the image processing unit independently of the main processor; and A shared memory accessible from both the main processor and the sub-processor, The program product records a program for causing a computer to execute the following steps: The main processor records a history of each process in the startup process of its own system in the shared memory; and In the startup process by the main processor, if the startup process is stopped before the display unit becomes available, the sub-processor refers to information including at least the history recorded in the shared memory and uses the image processing unit to notify the details of the error.

10. An image processing method for controlling an image processing system, the image processing system comprising: an image processing unit including at least one of a reading device for reading an image and a printing device for printing the image on a medium; Display unit, display screen; Main processor; a sub-processor that controls the image processing unit independently of the main processor; and A shared memory accessible from both the main processor and the sub-processor, The image processing method comprises the following steps: The main processor records a history of each process in the startup process of its own system in the shared memory; and In the startup process by the main processor, if the startup process is stopped before the display unit becomes available, the sub-processor refers to information including at least the history recorded in the shared memory and uses the image processing unit to notify the details of the error.

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