Image formation device and image formation system

Abstract

To enable log storage even upon an abnormality of a hardware configuration of an image formation device.SOLUTION: An image formation device 1 includes an engine control unit 2 that performs operation control for the image formation device 1. The engine control unit 2 has a log temporary storage unit 12 that temporarily stores a log of the engine control unit 2. The log temporary storage unit 12 is not permanently secured as a dedicated area in a memory of the engine control unit 2, but is temporarily generated by releasing a part of a memory area used for a printing operation or the like in a normal time, when an abnormality occurs in a hardware configuration of the image formation device 1, and temporarily stores a log at the time of the occurrence of abnormality. After the log at the time of the occurrence of abnormality, which is temporarily stored in the log temporary storage unit 12, is transferred to an image processing control unit 3 or a network control unit 4, the log temporary storage unit 12 is released.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in electronic devices such as image forming apparatuses, it is already known that log information from an engine control unit is acquired and stored in a non-volatile memory or the like, thereby enabling analysis of the situation before and after the occurrence of an error or malfunction.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a hardware configuration and control for realizing constant log storage, with the aim of minimizing increases in the cost of boards and realizing constant log storage of an engine control unit. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional log saving technologies have not been able to resolve the problem of being unable to save logs when an abnormality occurs in at least a part of the image forming device's hardware configuration (image processing control unit (board), constant log storage unit (memory), communication line for transferring image data).

[0005] An object of the present invention is to enable log storage even when an abnormality occurs in the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an engine control unit that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus, an image processing control unit having a constant log storage unit that temporarily stores logs of the engine control unit, a network control unit that, in response to a command from the engine control unit, transmits the logs stored in the constant log storage unit to another device via a network or stores them in a storage unit of the image forming apparatus, communication lines that communicably connect between the engine control unit and the image processing control unit, and between the image processing control unit and the network control unit, and a communication line that communicably connects the engine control unit and the network control unit, and a dedicated communication line for notifying commands from the engine control unit to the network control unit, the engine control unit having a log temporary storage unit for temporarily storing logs of the engine control unit, the log temporary storage unit is not secured as a dedicated area in the memory of the engine control unit, but is temporarily generated by freeing up a part of the memory area normally used for printing operations, etc., when an abnormality occurs in the hardware configuration of the image forming device, and temporarily stores the log at the time of the abnormality, and after the log at the time of the abnormality temporarily stored in the log temporary storage unit is transferred to the image processing control unit or the network control unit, the log temporary storage unit is released. Effect of the Invention

[0007] A log can also be saved when an abnormality occurs in the hardware configuration of the image forming device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] Schematic diagram of the control for creating the temporary log storage area [Diagram 3] Hardware configuration diagram of engine control unit, image processing control unit, and network control unit [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram of a log storage process executed by an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; [Diagram 5] Sequence diagram of log saving process when an abnormality occurs in the engine control unit [Figure 6] Sequence diagram of log saving process when an error occurs in the image processing control unit [Figure 7] Sequence diagram of log saving process when an abnormality occurs on a communication line [Figure 8] Sequence diagram of log saving process when an error occurs in the log saving destination [Figure 9] Sequence diagram of the log saving process when the image forming device is turned on or when it returns from the power saving mode [Figure 10] Figure 9 is a sequence diagram of the log saving process when a hardware error occurs during the startup process. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In order to facilitate understanding of the description, the same components in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and duplicated description will be omitted.

[0010] The configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an engine control unit 2, an image processing control unit 3, a network control unit 4, a communication line 5, and a dedicated communication line 6.

[0012] The engine control unit 2 controls paper transport, image creation, printing, fixing, etc., and prints image data transferred from the image processing control unit 3 onto paper. In this embodiment, the engine control unit 2 creates a log of the various operations described above and outputs it to the image processing control unit 3 via the communication line 5. Here, the log of the engine control unit 2 includes information such as recorded information on the number of prints, etc., and is a log used for failure prediction and defect analysis. The engine control unit 2 also notifies the network control unit 4 of the output of the log information via the dedicated communication line 6.

[0013] The image processing control unit 3 performs various image processing such as converting image data sent from the network control unit 4 (print data from a personal computer (PC) or the like, image data read by a scanner, etc.) into an image format that can be printed. The image processing control unit 3 transfers the processed image data to the engine control unit 2. In this embodiment, the image processing control unit 3 has a constant log storage unit 7 that temporarily stores log information of the engine control unit 2, and stores log information received from the image processing control unit 3 in the constant log storage unit 7.

[0014] The network control unit 4 receives print data from another device such as a PC via the network N, and transfers it to the image processing control unit 3. In this embodiment, in response to a command from the engine control unit 2, the network control unit 4 transfers the log information of the engine control unit 2 stored in the constant log storage unit 7 of the image processing control unit 3 to another device 10 such as a server on the network N, thereby saving the log information of the engine control unit 2.

[0015] The communication line 5 communicatively connects the engine control unit 2 and the image processing control unit 3, and also communicatively connects the image processing control unit 3 and the network control unit 4. The communication line 5 is a communication line for transferring image data and print data, and since the data size of the transferred data is large, a communication line with high communication speed and high reliability, such as a communication line conforming to the PCIe (PCI Express) standard, is used. The communication line 5 is used for transferring transfer data such as image data of tens to hundreds of Mbytes per image. The surplus bandwidth of this communication line 5 is allocated to log transfer (about 100 Bytes). For example, a relatively high-speed line with a data transmission speed of about 5 Gbps is used for the communication line 5.

[0016] The dedicated communication line 6 communicatively connects the engine control unit 2 and the network control unit 4. The dedicated communication line is a dedicated line for the engine control unit 2 to transmit to the network control unit 4 a notification that the log information of the engine control unit 2 stored in the constant log storage unit 7 of the image processing control unit 3 is to be transferred to an external device such as a server on the network N and stored therein.

[0017] The dedicated communication line 6 is used by the engine control unit 2 to instruct the network control unit 4 to take over the logs stored in the constant log storage unit 7 immediately before the engine control unit 2 goes into an abnormal state and the CPU is reset. In this embodiment, the dedicated communication line 6 is used as a communication line for transferring logs of the engine control unit 2 instead of the communication line 5 when the communication line 5 for transferring image data is unavailable. The dedicated communication line 6 may be an existing communication line (e.g., an IO port) or may be a newly added dedicated line. For the dedicated communication line 6, a line with a data transmission speed of, for example, about 9.6 kbps, such as a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter), which is relatively slower than the communication line 5, is used.

[0018] In the example of Figure 1, the dedicated communication line 6 directly connects the engine control unit 2 and the network control unit 4, but depending on the configuration of the board or other reasons, the engine control unit 2 and the network control unit 4 may be connected via the image processing control unit 3.

[0019] The constant log storage unit 7 is a storage device that stores logs from the engine control unit 2. The logs stored in the constant log storage unit 7 are transferred to the network control unit 4 in response to an instruction from the engine control unit 2.

[0020] A part of an existing image memory may be used for the constant log storage unit 7. The image processing control unit 3 has a memory sufficient (for example, 1 GB or more) to store multiple images of image data, each of which has several tens to hundreds of MBytes. A part of the memory of this image processing control unit 3 (for example, about several MB) can be allocated to the constant log storage unit 7.

[0021] In this case, the area allocated to the constant log storage unit 7 is used for overwriting (ring buffer). For example, the constant log storage unit 7 holds two 1MB areas, and when logs accumulate in the first half of the first half (1MB), the logs are transferred to the network control unit 4. During this transfer, logs sent from the engine control unit 2 to be saved are overwritten and saved in the second half of the first half. Similarly, when logs accumulate in the second half of the first half, the logs are transferred to the network control unit 4, but during this transfer, logs sent from the engine control unit 2 to be saved are overwritten and saved in the first half of the first half.

[0022] The log transfer between the image processing control unit 3 and the network control unit 4 may be performed by DMA (Direct Memory Access). In this case, the log data stored in the log storage unit 7 is transferred by DMA to the temporary memory 9 in the network control unit 4 by a specified size.

[0023] For DMA transfer, the image processing control unit 3 has a DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller) 8. When transferring a log from the image processing control unit 3 to the network control unit 4, the DMAC 8 sets the "address of the temporary memory 9 in the network control unit 4" which is the transfer destination, and the "log size to be transferred", and executes the DMA transfer.

[0024] Similar to a general DMAC, it may be possible to specify the destination "address in temporary memory 9 in network control unit 4," the source "address in constant log storage unit 7," and the "log size to be transferred."

[0025] When the image forming apparatus 1 is an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) and has a scanner function, it may receive read image data from a scanner control unit in the apparatus and transfer it to the image processing control unit 3.

[0026] In addition, the log information of the engine control unit 2 may be stored in another device 10 such as a server on the network N, or in a memory unit 11 such as a non-volatile memory (HDD, SSD, etc.) built into the image forming apparatus 1 or an external storage device.

[0027] In this embodiment, the engine control unit 2 includes a log temporary storage unit 12 .

[0028] Here, as a prerequisite for the log temporary storage unit 12, the memory size of the engine control unit 2 is extremely small (for example, 512 KB or 1 MB) smaller than that of the constant log storage unit 7. Also, no dedicated area for log storage is reserved in the memory of the engine control unit 2, and the entire memory area is used for engine operations such as printing operations.

[0029] In this embodiment, when some abnormality occurs in the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, such as the image processing control unit 3, the network control unit 4, the communication line 5, and the storage unit 11, or in another external device 10 that is the log storage destination, and a situation occurs in which the log cannot be transferred, the engine control unit 2 releases a part of the memory area used for the above-mentioned printing operation, etc., and temporarily stores the operation log at the time of the abnormality in the released area. In other words, the log temporary storage unit 12 is not always secured as a dedicated area in the memory of the engine control unit 2, but is provided in the engine control unit 2 for a limited period of time when an abnormality occurs. Then, after the abnormality in the hardware configuration, etc. is resolved and the log temporarily stored in the log temporary storage unit 12 is transferred, the log temporary storage unit 12 is released and returned to the memory area originally used for the printing operation, etc. When an abnormality occurs, normal operations (such as printing operations) cannot be performed, so the memory area is released and temporarily used for storing logs.

[0030] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the control for creating the temporary log storage unit 12. As shown in Fig. 2, the storage area 13 of the memory in the engine control unit 2 has an area 13A for resident use by the engine control and an area 13B for printing. The area 13B for printing is an area used for setting values ​​for each paper, status management, and the like during the printing operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0031] In the example of Figure 2, areas in the memory area 13 that are in use are shown in grey, and unused free areas are shown in white. Figure 3(A) shows the standby state when no printing operation is taking place. The resident use area 13A is used regardless of whether a printing operation is taking place, so it is in use even in the standby state. On the other hand, the printing area 13B is unused in the standby state, so it is a free area.

[0032] The size of the print area 13B used varies depending on various printing conditions such as monochrome or full color, single-sided or double-sided printing, and the number of sheets to be printed. Fig. 2(B) shows an example of the usage of the print area 13B when one sheet is to be printed, and (C) shows an example of the usage of the print area 13B when multiple sheets are to be printed. As shown in Figs. 2(B) and (C), the amount of information such as printing settings increases when printing multiple sheets compared to when printing one sheet, so the size of the print area 13B used becomes relatively larger.

[0033] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2(A) to (C), a portion of the printing area 13B of the storage area 13 of the memory in the engine control unit 2 is released to temporarily generate and secure a log temporary storage unit 12 and use it as the log temporary storage unit 12.

[0034] Note that the ratio of the resident use area 13A and the printing area 13B to the entire memory area 13 shown in Figures 2(A) to (C), and the usage size and purpose of the printing area 13B when printing one sheet and when printing multiple sheets shown in Figures 2(B) and (C) are merely examples and are not limited to the example in Figure 2.

[0035] Fig. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the engine control unit 2, the image processing control unit 3, and the network control unit 4. As shown in Fig. 3, the engine control unit 2, the image processing control unit 3, and the network control unit 4 can be physically configured as a computer device or a circuit board including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103 which are main storage devices, an input device 104 such as a keyboard and a mouse which are input devices, an output device 105 such as a display, a communication module 106 which is a data transmission / reception device such as a network card, an auxiliary storage device 107, and the like.

[0036] The functions of the engine control unit 2, the image processing control unit 3, and the network control unit 4 described with reference to FIG. 1 are realized by loading predetermined computer software onto hardware such as the CPU 101 and the RAM 102, operating the communication module 106, the input device 104, the output device 105, and the like under the control of the CPU 101, and reading and writing data from and to the RAM 102 and the auxiliary storage device 107. The continuous log storage unit 7 of the image processing control unit 3 according to this embodiment can be realized by, for example, using a part of an existing image processing memory of the image processing control unit 3, or a non-volatile memory for continuous logs may be added to the board of the image processing control unit 3. The continuous log storage unit 7 may be realized by connecting an external storage device to the image processing control unit 3. The temporary log storage unit 12 of the engine control unit 2 according to this embodiment can be realized by using a part of an existing memory for print control such as the RAM 102 of the engine control unit 2, as described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0037] The log storage process by the image forming apparatus 1 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram of the log storage process executed by the image forming apparatus 1 of the embodiment.

[0038] In step S1, the engine control unit 2 transfers the log to the image processing control unit 3 using the communication line 5. For example, the log is transferred each time it is generated. There is no restriction on the data length of each log, and the length varies depending on the log. The data length of each log is, for example, about 4 to 10 bytes.

[0039] Furthermore, if the image processing control unit 3 can only transfer logs in fixed-length size increments (e.g., 16 bytes) due to the characteristics of the hardware, the process in step S1 may secure a memory area in the memory of the engine control unit 2 for storing logs of that fixed-length size, cache the generated logs in the engine control unit 2, and transfer the logs in units of the fixed-length size. In this case, however, it is desirable to make the fixed-length size small in order to prevent logs from being missed.

[0040] In step S2, the image processing control unit 3 constantly stores the log transferred from the engine control unit 2 in the log storage unit 7.

[0041] The above steps S1 and S2 are repeated until the capacity of the log stored in the continuous log storage unit 7 reaches a size (for example, 1 MB) defined for the system.

[0042] In step S3, when the capacity of the log stored in the constant log storage unit 7 reaches a specified size, the image processing control unit 3 transfers the log to the network control unit 4. DMA transfer can be applied to the log transfer between the image processing control unit 3 and the network control unit 4 in step S3.

[0043] In step S4, the network control unit 4 stores the log transferred from the image processing control unit 3 in the temporary memory 9 (see FIG. 8).

[0044] The above steps S3 and S4 are repeated until the log stored in the continuous log storage unit 7 is completely transferred to the network control unit 4.

[0045] In step S5, the engine control unit 2 instructs the network control unit 4 to save the log using the dedicated communication line 6.

[0046] In step S6, the network control unit 4 transfers the log to another device 10 such as a server on the network N, or stores the log in the storage unit 11 such as a non-volatile memory (HDD, SSD, etc.) in the network control unit 4.

[0047] The above steps S1 to S6 are repeated while the engine control unit 2 is running. Note that the above steps are not executed when the engine control unit 2 is down, for example, when the image forming apparatus 1 is in an energy saving mode.

[0048] 5 is a sequence diagram of a log storage process when an abnormality occurs in the engine control unit 2. The processes in steps S1 to S4 are the same as those in FIG.

[0049] After steps S1 to S4 are performed, in step S11, the engine control unit 2 transfers the log to the image processing control unit 3, and in step S12, the image processing control unit 3 stores the log transferred from the engine control unit 2 in the constant log storage unit 7. At this stage, the capacity of the logs stored in the constant log storage unit 7 has not yet reached the specified size.

[0050] In step S13, an abnormality (e.g., a CPU reset) occurs at a certain timing in the engine control unit 2. At this time, the log that has not been transferred to the network control unit 4 remains in the continuous log storage unit 7 in the image processing control unit 3.

[0051] In step S14, the engine control unit 2 stops operations such as printing in response to the occurrence of the abnormality in step S13.

[0052] In step S15, the engine control unit 2 instructs the image processing control unit 3 to forcibly transfer the log.

[0053] In step S16, the image processing control unit 3 transfers the remaining log to the network control unit 4.

[0054] In step S 17 , the network control unit 4 stores the log transferred from the image processing control unit 3 in the temporary memory 9 .

[0055] In step S18, the engine control unit 2 instructs the network control unit 4 to save the log using the dedicated communication line 6. This is because the existing command communication between the engine control unit 2 and the network control unit 4 has been disabled due to the CPU reset of the engine control unit 2.

[0056] In step S19, the network control unit 4 transfers the log to a server on the network, or stores the log in a non-volatile memory (HDD, SSD, etc.) in the network control unit 4.

[0057] The process shown in FIG. 5 is performed when an abnormality occurs in the engine control unit 2 and the log in question remains in the constant log storage unit 7 in the image processing control unit 3 and has not been transferred to the network control unit 4. However, if the log in question does not remain, the above steps S16, S17, and S19 are not performed.

[0058] 5, if an abnormality occurs in the engine control unit 2 in step S13, the occurrence of the abnormality can be displayed on the operation screen of the image forming apparatus 1. Also, the image forming apparatus 1 (or the engine control unit 2) can be automatically restarted after a period of time has elapsed, or the image forming apparatus 1 (or the engine control unit 2) can be restarted in response to an operation input such as the user manually pressing a button on the image forming apparatus 1.

[0059] Next, a description will be given of the operation flow when an abnormality (hardware abnormality) occurs in the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, which is a feature of this embodiment. The abnormality in the hardware configuration here refers to an abnormality in the image processing control unit 3 itself (such as a board) or an abnormality in the continuous log storage unit 7 (memory) in the image processing control unit 3.

[0060] Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram of a log storage process when an abnormality occurs in the image processing control unit 3. The processes in steps S1 to S4 and the subsequent steps S11 and S12 are similar to those in Fig. 5, and therefore will not be described.

[0061] In step S21, at a certain timing, an abnormality occurs in the image processing control unit 3. The abnormality in the image processing control unit 3 at this time includes, for example, an abnormality in the image processing control unit 3 itself (such as a board) or an abnormality in the constant log storage unit 7 (memory) in the image processing control unit 3. In response to the occurrence of the abnormality, the image processing control unit 3 is reset.

[0062] In step S22A, the engine control unit 2 detects the reset signal of the image processing control unit 3 and detects that the image processing control unit 3 has been reset due to an abnormality.

[0063] In step S23A, the engine control unit 2 stops the operation in response to the reset detection of the image processing control unit 3. Furthermore, since an abnormality has occurred, the engine control unit 2 outputs an abnormality log.

[0064] In step S22B, the network control unit 4 detects the reset signal of the image processing control unit 3 and detects that the image processing control unit 3 has been reset due to an abnormality.

[0065] In step S23B, the network control unit 4 detects that the engine control unit 2 has stopped. At this time, a message indicating that an abnormality has occurred is displayed on the operation screen of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0066] The above steps S22A and S23A and steps S22B and S23B are executed in parallel by the engine control unit 2 and the network control unit 4, respectively, and may be executed in any order.

[0067] In step S24, the engine control unit 2 releases a portion of the memory that is no longer in use due to the operation stop (memory that is normally used for printing operations, etc.), and secures it as the log temporary storage unit 12. This log temporary storage unit 12 stores the fact that the image processing control unit 3 has been reset, as well as an operation log required for analyzing the cause of this reset. The area size of the log temporary storage unit 12 can be set to the minimum required size of about 100 bytes.

[0068] In step S25, the engine control unit 2 transfers the log stored in the log temporary storage unit 12 in step S24 to the network control unit 4 via the dedicated communication line 6.

[0069] In step S26, the network control unit 4 stores the log transferred from the engine control unit 2 in the temporary memory 9 within the network control unit 4.

[0070] The above steps S25 and S26 are repeated until all the logs stored in the temporary log storage unit 12 are transferred to the network control unit 4.

[0071] When the log transfer from the log temporary storage unit 12 to the network control unit 4 is completed, the processes of steps S5 and S6 described in FIG. 4 can be executed, and the network control unit 4 transfers the log to the network.

[0072] In step S27, the engine control unit 2 releases the log temporary storage unit 12.

[0073] Next, with reference to FIG. 7, an operation flow when an abnormality occurs in the communication line 5 for transferring image data as a hardware abnormality will be described.

[0074] Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram of a log storage process when an abnormality occurs in the communication line 5. The processes in steps S1 to S4 and the subsequent steps S11 and S12 are similar to those in Fig. 6, and therefore will not be described.

[0075] In step S28A, the engine control unit 2 detects a communication abnormality with the image processing control unit 3, and detects that an abnormality has occurred in the communication line 5 for transferring image data. The engine control unit 2 can detect the occurrence of an abnormality in the communication line 5 connecting the engine control unit 2 and the image processing control unit 3, for example, when a communication abnormality such as a failure to send or receive image data or a failure to send a log occurs between the engine control unit 2 and the image processing control unit 3.

[0076] In step S28B, the network control unit 4 detects a communication abnormality with the image processing control unit 3, and detects that an abnormality has occurred in the communication line 5 for transferring image data. The network control unit 4 can detect the occurrence of an abnormality in the communication line 5 connecting the image processing control unit 3 and the network control unit 4, for example, when a communication abnormality such as a failure to send or receive image data or a failure to send a log occurs between the image processing control unit 3 and the network control unit 4.

[0077] The process of step S28A and the process of step S28B are performed in parallel by the engine control unit 2 and the network control unit 4, respectively, and may be performed in any order.

[0078] After the abnormality is detected in steps S28A and S28B, the processes in and after step S23A in the sequence diagram of FIG. 6 are performed.

[0079] Next, referring to FIG. 8, an operation flow will be described in the case where an abnormality occurs as a hardware abnormality in the log storage destination managed by the network control unit 4 (other devices 10 such as a server at the network N destination, or a storage unit 11 such as a large-capacity non-volatile memory such as an HDD or SSD connected to the network control unit 4).

[0080] 8 is a sequence diagram of a log storage process when an abnormality occurs in the log storage destination. Steps S1 to S4 and the subsequent steps S11 and S12 are similar to those in FIGS. 6 and 7, and therefore will not be described.

[0081] In step S31, at a certain timing, the network control unit 4 detects that an abnormality has occurred in the log storage destination. The network control unit 4 can detect the occurrence of an abnormality by a general abnormality detection method, such as detecting a transfer error via the network N when the log storage destination is another device 10, or detecting a read or write failure when the log storage destination is the memory unit 11. In response to the detection of the occurrence of an abnormality, the network control unit 4 restarts the log storage destination. Operations such as copying and printing are not possible until the restart is complete.

[0082] In step S32, the network control unit 4 notifies the engine control unit 2 that the log cannot be saved. This notification is made by command communication used for issuing a print operation instruction or the like.

[0083] In step S33A, the engine control unit 2 releases a part of the memory. At the time when the log cannot be saved notification is received, the printing operation is continuing and the memory may be in use. However, after the log cannot be saved notification is received, no new print operation request is received from the network control unit 4. This is because the other device 10 or the storage unit 11 that is the log saving destination is restarting and operations such as copying and printing are not possible. These log saving destinations are not devices dedicated to saving logs, but also serve to save image data, user information settings, and the like. For this reason, the memory used for the printing operation, etc. is gradually reduced, so that the storage area for the log temporary storage unit 12 is gradually secured, and finally, the size required for the log temporary storage unit 12 can be secured.

[0084] In step S34A, the engine control unit 2 saves in the log temporary storage unit 12 the logs that have been generated up until the log saving available notification is received from the network control unit 4. Since the size of the log temporary storage unit 12 is limited to approximately 100 bytes, the logs to be saved are limited to important logs. The reason why the logs are not saved in the constant log storage unit 7 in the image processing control unit 3 is that it is assumed that the image processing control unit 3 will also be restarted when the save destination is restarted. The engine control unit 2 repeats the log saving process of step S34A until the engine control unit 2 receives the log saving available notification from the network control unit 4.

[0085] In step S33B, the network control unit 4 restarts the log storage destination.

[0086] In step S34B, the network control unit 4 detects the completion of restarting the log storage destination. The time required for restarting is, for example, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. If the log storage destination cannot be restarted due to a device failure or the like of the log storage destination, the log cannot be saved, so a message indicating the failure is displayed on the operation screen of the image forming apparatus 1, and this flow ends.

[0087] The above steps S33A and S34A and steps S33B and S34B are executed in parallel by the engine control unit 2 and the network control unit 4, respectively, and may be executed in any order.

[0088] In step S35, the network control unit 4 restarts the image processing control unit 3. This clears the log stored in the constant log storage unit 7 in the image processing control unit 3. However, the image processing control unit 3 may be configured not to be restarted, in which case the process of step S35 is not performed.

[0089] In step S36, the network control unit 4 notifies the engine control unit 2 that the log can be saved. This notification is made by command communication used for printing operation instructions and the like.

[0090] In step S37, the engine control unit 2 transfers all the logs stored in the log temporary storage unit 12 to the image processing control unit 3 using the communication line 5 for transferring image data.

[0091] In step S 38 , the image processing control unit 3 stores the log transferred from the engine control unit 2 in the constant log storage unit 7 .

[0092] The above steps S37 and S38 are repeated until all the logs stored in the temporary log storage unit 12 are transferred to the image processing control unit 3.

[0093] In step S39, the engine control unit 2 releases the log temporary storage unit 12.

[0094] After that, the normal state is restored. The log transferred from the temporary log storage unit 12 to the image processing control unit 3 and stored in the constant log storage unit 7 in step S38 is then transferred to the network control unit 4 and stored in the log storage destination as soon as a specified size (for example, 1 MB) is accumulated.

[0095] 8, if it takes a long time (several minutes) to restart the log storage destination and the size limit of the log temporary storage unit 12 is reached, any further logs may not be left in the log temporary storage unit 12 (they may be discarded), or they may be transferred to the image processing control unit 3 and stored in the constant log storage unit 7 within the image processing control unit 3. In the latter case, however, the image processing control unit 3 may be restarted by the network control unit 4, in which case the relevant logs will be erased. Therefore, it is desirable to store important logs in the log temporary storage unit 12 when an abnormality occurs.

[0096] As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes the engine control unit 2 that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The engine control unit 2 has a temporary log storage unit 12 that temporarily stores the logs of the engine control unit 2. The temporary log storage unit 12 is not always secured as a dedicated area in the memory of the engine control unit 2, but is temporarily generated by releasing a part of the memory area normally used for printing operations, etc., when an abnormality occurs in the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, and temporarily stores the log at the time of the abnormality. After the log at the time of the abnormality temporarily stored in the temporary log storage unit 12 is transferred to the image processing control unit 3 or the network control unit 4, the temporary log storage unit 12 is released.

[0097] With this configuration, even if some abnormality occurs in the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 and the log of the engine control unit 2 cannot be stored in the constant log storage unit 7 in the image processing control unit 3, the log at the time of the abnormality can be temporarily stored in the log temporary storage unit 12 in the engine control unit 2. This makes it possible to store the log of the engine control unit 2 even when an abnormality occurs in the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. Such a log at the time of the abnormality can include information for identifying the location where the abnormality occurred and information for identifying the specific content of the abnormality. If the log at the time of the abnormality can be stored in this way, the log can be used to analyze the cause of the abnormality that has occurred, and therefore it is possible to promote future measures against the abnormality in the hardware configuration. In addition, the log temporary storage unit 12 is temporarily provided by reusing a part of the memory area normally used for printing operations, etc. in the engine control unit 2 only when an abnormality occurs. This eliminates the need to provide a dedicated memory area for the log temporary storage unit 12 in the engine control unit 2, so the function of the log temporary storage unit 12 can be implemented without restrictions on the hardware configuration, such as adding memory.

[0098] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, as described with reference to Figures 6 and 7, if the above-mentioned hardware configuration abnormality is an abnormality that occurs in the image processing control unit 3, the constant log storage unit 7, or the communication line 5, the engine control unit 2 stores a log related to the occurrence of the abnormality in the temporary log storage unit 12, and transfers and stores the log stored in the temporary log storage unit 12 to the network control unit 4 using the dedicated communication line 6.

[0099] If some abnormality occurs in the image processing control unit 3, the constant log storage unit 7, or the communication line 5, it becomes impossible to store logs in the constant log storage unit 7 in the image processing control unit 3, and therefore the basic log storage process in this embodiment described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5 cannot be performed. Therefore, in this embodiment, under such circumstances, the constant log storage unit 7 is not used, and the process is switched to transfer and store the logs stored in the temporary log storage unit 12 to the network control unit 4 using the dedicated communication line 6. This makes it possible to store the log at the time of the abnormality even in a situation in which some abnormality occurs in the image processing control unit 3, the constant log storage unit 7, or the communication line 5 and it becomes impossible to store logs in the constant log storage unit 7 in the image processing control unit 3.

[0100] 8, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the above-mentioned hardware configuration abnormality occurs in the log storage destination of the network control unit 4 (another device 10 such as a server at the network N destination, or a storage unit 11 such as a large-capacity non-volatile memory such as an HDD or SSD connected to the network control unit 4), the network control unit 4 transmits a log storage impossible notification to the engine control unit 2, restarts the log storage destination, and transmits a log storage possible notification to the engine control unit 2 after the restart is completed. The engine control unit 2 stores the log from the reception of the log storage impossible notification to the reception of the log storage possible notification in the log temporary storage unit 12, and after receiving the log storage possible notification from the network control unit 4, transfers the log stored in the log temporary storage unit 12 to the image processing control unit 3.

[0101] If some abnormality occurs in the log storage destination of the network control unit 4, the logs of the engine control unit 2 cannot be stored in the final storage destination, and therefore the basic log storage process in this embodiment described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5 cannot be performed. In this embodiment, under such circumstances, the logs of the engine control unit 2 are stored in the log temporary storage unit 12 until the log storage destination is restarted and becomes ready to store the logs. This makes it possible to store the logs at the time of the abnormality using the log temporary storage unit 12 even if some abnormality occurs in the log storage destination of the network control unit 4. In addition, after the log storage destination is restored from the abnormality, the logs stored in the log temporary storage unit 12 can be automatically stored in the log storage destination.

[0102] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of a log saving process when the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on or when the image forming apparatus 1 returns from the power saving mode.

[0103] In step S41, when the power is turned on or when returning from an energy saving state, start-up processing of the engine control unit 2, the image processing control unit 3, and the network control unit 4 is performed.

[0104] In response to the constant log storage unit 7 becoming available in step S42, the image processing control unit 3 notifies the engine control unit 2 of this fact by a "constant log storage unit availability notification" in step S43. Note that if the state in which the constant log storage unit 7 becomes available is included in the availability state of the existing image processing control unit 3 itself, for example, there is no need to separate it as a "constant log storage unit availability notification" as in step S43, and an existing status notification will suffice.

[0105] After step S43, the engine control unit 2 is able to transfer the log to the image processing control unit 3 and the processes of steps S1 and S2 described with reference to FIG.

[0106] Thereafter, in step S44, command communication between the engine control unit 2 and the network control unit 4 becomes possible, and in step S45, the network control unit 4 becomes able to transfer the log to the network (or the non-volatile memory becomes available), and in step S46, the network control unit 4 sends a log saving possible notification to the engine control unit 2.

[0107] After the engine control unit 2 receives the log saving possible notification by command communication, the processes of steps S5 and S6 described with reference to FIG. 4 can be executed, and the network control unit 4 transfers the log to the network.

[0108] 10, this is an operation flow when the engine control unit 2 detects a hardware abnormality immediately after start-up (power ON or recovery from an energy saving state) and before receiving a continuous log storage unit availability notification from the image processing control unit 3. As a specific example, when the engine control unit 2 has a configuration of a main CPU (engine control) and a sub CPU (motor control is delegated), this is the case when a sub CPU abnormality is detected.

[0109] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a log saving process when a hardware abnormality occurs in the engine control unit 2 during the start-up process of FIG. 9 when the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on or returns from the energy saving mode.

[0110] In step S51, immediately after the start-up process of each control unit in step S41 and before the continuous log storage unit 7 becomes available in step S42, the engine control unit 2 detects the occurrence of an abnormality. The detection itself is the same as in the prior art.

[0111] In step S52, the engine control unit 2 releases a part of the memory (usually memory used for printing operations, etc.) in response to the abnormality detection in step S51, and stores the cause of the abnormality and an operation log required for analyzing the cause in the released memory area (temporary log storage unit 12). Since the printing operation is not being performed at this point, the memory can be released and secured immediately.

[0112] After step S52, steps S42 and S43 are carried out in the same manner as in FIG.

[0113] In step S53, the engine control unit 2 transfers the log stored in the log temporary storage unit 12 to the image processing control unit 3 using the communication line 5 for transferring image data.

[0114] In step S 54 , the image processing control unit 3 stores the log transferred from the engine control unit 2 in the constant log storage unit 7 .

[0115] The above steps S53 and S54 are repeated until all the logs stored in the temporary log storage unit 12 are transferred to the image processing control unit 3.

[0116] In step S55, the engine control unit 2 releases the log temporary storage unit 12.

[0117] After step S55, each process of steps S15 to S19 in FIG. 5 is performed, and the log transferred from the temporary log storage unit 12 to the image processing control unit 3 in step S54 and stored in the constant log storage unit 7 is transferred to the network control unit 4 and stored in the log storage destination.

[0118] 10, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, if an abnormality occurs in the hardware configuration before the engine control unit 2 receives the availability notification of the constant log storage unit 7 from the image processing control unit 3, the engine control unit 2 stores the logs up until the reception of the availability notification in the log temporary storage unit 12. Then, after receiving the availability notification from the image processing control unit 3, the engine control unit 2 transfers the logs stored in the log temporary storage unit 12 to the image processing control unit 3.

[0119] If an abnormality occurs in the hardware configuration before the engine control unit 2 receives a notification from the image processing control unit 3 that the constant log storage unit 7 is available, the engine control unit 2 is not in a state in which it can store logs in the constant log storage unit 7, and therefore cannot perform the basic log storage process during the startup process in this embodiment described with reference to Fig. 9. Therefore, in this embodiment, under such circumstances, the log of the engine control unit 2 is stored in the temporary log storage unit 12 for the period until the constant log storage unit 7 becomes available. As a result, even if some abnormality occurs in the hardware configuration during the startup process, it is possible to use the temporary log storage unit 12 to store the log at the time of the abnormality.

[0120] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment shown in Fig. 11 is an example of an electronic device equipped with a hardware configuration including the engine control unit 2, the image processing control unit 3, the network control unit 4, the communication line 5, and the dedicated communication line 6 according to this embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

[0121] The image forming apparatus 1 has multiple units including a main body 21, an automatic document feeder 22, a finisher 23 with a stapler and a shift tray, a double-sided reversing unit 24, an extendable paper feed tray 25, a large-capacity paper feed tray LCT 26, and a one-bin paper output tray 27.

[0122] A main body 21 of the image forming apparatus 1 includes various sections responsible for image formation, such as a scanner section, a plotter section, a writing section, a photoconductor, a developing section, and a transfer section.

[0123] Furthermore, the hardware configuration including the engine control unit 2, image processing control unit 3, network control unit 4, communication line 5, and dedicated communication line 6 according to this embodiment can be built into the main body 21 of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0124] At least a part of the above hardware configuration may be provided outside the image forming apparatus 1 to configure an image forming system including the image forming apparatus 1.

[0125] The present embodiment has been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific examples. Any design modifications made by a person skilled in the art to these specific examples are also included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as they have the features of the present disclosure. The elements of each of the above-mentioned specific examples and their arrangements, conditions, shapes, etc. are not limited to those exemplified and can be changed as appropriate. The combination of each of the elements of each of the above-mentioned specific examples can be changed as appropriate as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0126] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> An image forming apparatus, an engine control unit that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus; an image processing control unit having a constant log storage unit that temporarily stores a log of the engine control unit; a network control unit that, in response to a command from the engine control unit, transmits the log stored in the constant log storage unit to another device via a network or stores the log in a storage unit of the image forming apparatus; a communication line that communicably connects the engine control unit and the image processing control unit, and between the image processing control unit and the network control unit; a dedicated communication line that communicatively connects the engine control unit and the network control unit and that transmits the command from the engine control unit to the network control unit; Equipped with the engine control unit has a log temporary storage unit that temporarily stores a log of the engine control unit, the log temporary storage unit is not a dedicated area in the memory of the engine control unit, but is temporarily generated when an abnormality occurs in the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus by releasing a part of a memory area that is normally used for printing operations, etc., and temporarily stores a log at the time of the abnormality occurrence; the log at the time of the abnormality occurrence temporarily stored in the log temporary storage unit is transferred to the image processing control unit or the network control unit, and then the log temporary storage unit is released. Image forming device. <2> When the hardware configuration abnormality is an abnormality occurring in the image processing control unit, the constant log storage unit, or the communication line, the engine control unit stores a log relating to the occurrence of the abnormality in the log temporary storage unit, and transfers the log stored in the log temporary storage unit to the network control unit by using the dedicated communication line and stores the log therein. The above <1> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . <3> When the abnormality in the hardware configuration occurs in a log storage destination of the network control unit, the network control unit transmits a log storage unavailable notification to the engine control unit, restarts the log storage destination, and after the restart is completed, transmits a log storage available notification to the engine control unit; the engine control unit stores in the log temporary storage unit a log that is generated during a period from when the log cannot be saved until when the log can be saved, and after receiving the log can be saved from the network control unit, transfers the log that is stored in the log temporary storage unit to the image processing control unit. The above <1> or <2> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . <4> When an abnormality in the hardware configuration occurs before the engine control unit receives a notification from the image processing control unit that the log storage unit is available for use, storing a log in the temporary log storage unit until the availability notification is received, and transferring the log stored in the temporary log storage unit to the image processing control unit after the availability notification is received from the image processing control unit. The above <1> ~ <3> 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12 . <5> An image forming system including an image forming apparatus, an engine control unit that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus; an image processing control unit having a constant log storage unit that temporarily stores a log of the engine control unit; a network control unit that, in response to a command from the engine control unit, transmits the log stored in the constant log storage unit to another device via a network or stores the log in a storage unit of the image forming apparatus; a communication line that communicably connects the engine control unit and the image processing control unit, and between the image processing control unit and the network control unit; a dedicated communication line that communicatively connects the engine control unit and the network control unit and that transmits the command from the engine control unit to the network control unit; Equipped with the engine control unit has a log temporary storage unit that temporarily stores a log of the engine control unit, the log temporary storage unit is not a dedicated area in the memory of the engine control unit, but is temporarily generated when an abnormality occurs in the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus by releasing a part of a memory area that is normally used for printing operations, etc., and temporarily stores a log at the time of the abnormality occurrence; the log at the time of the abnormality occurrence temporarily stored in the log temporary storage unit is transferred to the image processing control unit or the network control unit, and then the log temporary storage unit is released. Image forming system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1. Image forming device 2 Engine control unit 3. Image processing control section 4 Network control section 5. Communication lines 6 Dedicated communication lines 7 Continuous log storage 9 Temporary Memory 10 Other equipment 11 Storage section 12 Log Temporary Storage Unit N Network [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0128] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-149248 A

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, an engine control unit that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus; an image processing control unit having a constant log storage unit that temporarily stores a log of the engine control unit; a network control unit that, in response to a command from the engine control unit, transmits the log stored in the constant log storage unit to another device via a network or stores the log in a storage unit of the image forming apparatus; a communication line that communicably connects the engine control unit and the image processing control unit, and between the image processing control unit and the network control unit; a dedicated communication line that communicatively connects the engine control unit and the network control unit and that transmits the command from the engine control unit to the network control unit; Equipped with the engine control unit has a log temporary storage unit that temporarily stores a log of the engine control unit, the log temporary storage unit is not a dedicated area in the memory of the engine control unit, but is temporarily generated when an abnormality occurs in the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus by releasing a part of a memory area that is normally used for printing operations, etc., and temporarily stores a log at the time of the abnormality occurrence; The image forming apparatus, wherein the log temporary storage unit is released after the log at the time of the abnormality occurrence temporarily stored in the log temporary storage unit is transferred to the image processing control unit or the network control unit.

2. When the hardware configuration abnormality is an abnormality occurring in the image processing control unit, the constant log storage unit, or the communication line, the engine control unit stores a log relating to the occurrence of the abnormality in the log temporary storage unit, and transfers the log stored in the log temporary storage unit to the network control unit by using the dedicated communication line and stores the log therein. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. When the abnormality in the hardware configuration occurs in a log storage destination of the network control unit, the network control unit transmits a log storage unavailable notification to the engine control unit, restarts the log storage destination, and after the restart is completed, transmits a log storage available notification to the engine control unit; the engine control unit stores in the log temporary storage unit a log that is generated during a period from when the log cannot be saved until when the log can be saved, and after receiving the log can be saved from the network control unit, transfers the log that is stored in the log temporary storage unit to the image processing control unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

4. When an abnormality in the hardware configuration occurs before the engine control unit receives a notification from the image processing control unit that the log storage unit is available for use, storing a log in the temporary log storage unit until the availability notification is received, and transferring the log stored in the temporary log storage unit to the image processing control unit after the availability notification is received from the image processing control unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

5. An image forming system including an image forming apparatus, an engine control unit that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus; an image processing control unit having a constant log storage unit that temporarily stores a log of the engine control unit; a network control unit that, in response to a command from the engine control unit, transmits the log stored in the constant log storage unit to another device via a network or stores the log in a storage unit of the image forming apparatus; a communication line that communicably connects the engine control unit and the image processing control unit, and between the image processing control unit and the network control unit; a dedicated communication line that communicatively connects the engine control unit and the network control unit and that transmits the command from the engine control unit to the network control unit; Equipped with the engine control unit has a log temporary storage unit that temporarily stores a log of the engine control unit, the log temporary storage unit is not a dedicated area in the memory of the engine control unit, but is temporarily generated when an abnormality occurs in the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus by releasing a part of a memory area that is normally used for printing operations, etc., and temporarily stores a log at the time of the abnormality occurrence; the log at the time of the abnormality occurrence temporarily stored in the log temporary storage unit is transferred to the image processing control unit or the network control unit, and then the log temporary storage unit is released. Image forming system.

Images