Image forming apparatus, log information output method, and program

Abstract

To provide a method for appropriately outputting log information when an image forming apparatus enters a freeze state.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a log recording unit 31 for recording a change in an operation state in log information 9, a detecting unit 32 for detecting a reset operation for resetting the operation state and restarting, and a log output unit 34 for outputting the log information 9 to the outside when the reset operation is detected. For example, the log output unit 34 transmits the log information 9 to an external device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a log information output method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices such as MFPs (Multifunction Peripherals) record changes in the operating state of the device in log information. For example, when an error occurs in an image forming device, a device that records and saves the details of the error in log information is known (for example, Patent Document 1). Since the log information in which the details of the error are recorded is saved when the error occurs, for example, a service person can analyze the log information to quickly identify the cause of the error.

[0003] However, image forming devices may freeze during operation. One of the main causes of image forming device freezing is a firmware bug. Therefore, even if the image forming device freezes, the firmware cannot detect the freeze state as a malfunction.

[0004] On the other hand, when an image forming device falls into a frozen state, it cannot be restored to its original normal operating state unless the image forming device is reset and restarted, so the user resets the image forming device and restarts it.

[0005] In order to prevent the image forming apparatus from freezing, it is necessary to remove the bug in the firmware. To do this, it is necessary to analyze how the image forming apparatus froze up, and the log information described above is useful.

[0006] However, as described above, the image forming apparatus does not detect the frozen state as a malfunction, and therefore there is a problem in that the image forming apparatus cannot appropriately output log information regarding the timing when the image forming apparatus entered the frozen state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-254309 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention aims to provide an image forming apparatus, a log information output method, and a program that are capable of appropriately outputting log information to the outside at the time when a frozen state occurs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 1 is an image forming apparatus characterized in that it comprises a log recording unit that records changes in the operating state in log information, a detection unit that detects a reset operation that resets and restarts the operating state, and a log output unit that outputs the log information to the outside when the reset operation is detected.

[0010] The invention according to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the log output unit transmits the log information to an external server device.

[0011] The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the image forming apparatus of claim 1, the log recording unit records the command in the log information each time a command that changes the operating state is issued.

[0012] The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the image forming device of claim 1, it further comprises a reset button provided as a hardware button, and the detection unit detects the pressing operation of the reset button as the reset operation.

[0013] The invention of claim 5 is an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a power button for switching the power on and off, wherein the detection unit is configured to detect a power on operation as the reset operation when a power on operation is performed on the power button within a predetermined time after a power off operation is performed on the power button.

[0014] The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the image forming apparatus of claim 5, the log recording unit records the power-off operation in the log information when the power-off operation is performed, and the detection unit refers to the log information when the power-on operation is performed, and determines whether the power-on operation was performed within a predetermined time after the power-off operation.

[0015] The invention according to claim 7 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, when a reset request is received from the outside, the detection unit detects the reset request as the reset operation.

[0016] The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that in the image forming apparatus of claim 1, the log output unit outputs the log information after a restart based on the reset operation is initiated.

[0017] The invention of claim 9 is characterized in that, in the image forming apparatus of claim 8, the log output unit accepts input of defect information indicating the occurrence status of the defect when outputting the log information, and adds the defect information to the log information and outputs it.

[0018] The invention of claim 10 is an image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a display unit that displays a screen that can be operated by the user, and an operation unit that accepts operations by the user, wherein the log output unit displays an operation screen on the display unit into which the user can input the occurrence status of a malfunction, and acquires the malfunction information based on the user's operation on the operation unit.

[0019] The invention of claim 11 is characterized in that, in the image forming apparatus of claim 10, the log output unit displays an operation screen on the display unit that allows the user to select the occurrence status of a malfunction, and acquires the malfunction information based on the user's selection operation on the operation unit.

[0020] The invention of claim 12 is characterized in that, in the image forming apparatus of claim 9, it further comprises a voice input unit for inputting a user's voice, and the log output unit acquires the user's voice input to the voice input unit as the defect information.

[0021] The invention of claim 13 is characterized in that, in the image forming apparatus of claim 1, it further comprises an attachment unit to which a recording medium can be attached and detached, and when the log output unit outputs the log information, if the recording medium is attached to the attachment unit, it outputs and saves the log information on the recording medium.

[0022] The invention according to claim 14 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the log recording section sequentially records trigger information that changes the operating state in the log information.

[0023] The invention of claim 15 is a log information output method for outputting log information in which changes in the operating state of an image forming device are recorded, characterized in having a detection step for detecting a reset operation that resets and restarts the operating state, and a log output step for outputting the log information to the outside when the reset operation is detected.

[0024] The invention of claim 16 is a program executed in an image forming device, characterized in that it causes the image forming device to execute a log recording step of recording changes in operating status in log information, a detection step of detecting a reset operation that resets the operating status and restarts the device, and a log output step of outputting the log information to the outside when the reset operation is detected. Effect of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, the image forming apparatus can appropriately output log information regarding the timing at which the image forming apparatus entered a frozen state to the outside. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 3] 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control unit; FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for executing a restart process when the image forming apparatus is frozen. [Diagram 5] 5 is a flowchart showing a process performed at the time of start-up of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a process performed at the time of start-up of an image forming apparatus in a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of another operation screen displayed on the display unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of another operation screen displayed on the display unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen on which a user can input a character string. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen for a user to input voice. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, elements common to each other are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

[0028] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus called an MFP. The image forming apparatus 1 is installed in an office or the like and used by a user. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a printer unit 25 and a scanner unit 26, and is capable of executing various jobs such as print jobs, scan jobs, and copy jobs. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation panel 14. The image forming apparatus 1 executes a job designated by a user via the operation panel 14. The image forming apparatus 1 may also include a FAX function.

[0029] The image forming apparatus 1 is also connected to a network 2 including a LAN (Local Area Network) and the Internet. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 is also capable of executing a job received via the network 2. For example, when the image forming apparatus 1 receives a print job via the network 2, the image forming apparatus 1 executes the print job and prints it out.

[0030] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 has a mounting section 21 on the side of the apparatus body to which a portable recording medium 5 such as a USB memory can be attached and detached. When the recording medium 5 is attached to the mounting section 21, the image forming apparatus 1 can read information recorded on the recording medium 5. Furthermore, when the recording medium 5 is attached to the mounting section 21, the image forming apparatus 1 can output various information to the recording medium 5 and store it.

[0031] The image forming apparatus 1 can also communicate with external devices via the network 2. The external devices with which the image forming apparatus 1 communicates include an information processing apparatus 3 and a server apparatus 4.

[0032] The information processing device 3 is used by an operator who remotely supports a user of the image forming device 1. The operator can reset the image forming device 1 remotely by operating the information processing device 3.

[0033] The server device 4 has a function of collecting log information output from the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the server device 4 is capable of communicating with each of the multiple image forming apparatuses 1 installed at multiple locations, and acquires log information transmitted from each image forming apparatus 1. The log information collected by the server device 4 is analyzed, for example, by a firmware development department of the image forming apparatus 1, and is used to improve the firmware.

[0034] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 has a control unit 10, an operation panel 14, a storage unit 19, a communication interface 20, an attachment unit 21, a power control unit 22, a printer unit 25, and a scanner unit 26.

[0035] The control unit 10 comprehensively controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 10 includes a hardware processor 11 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory 12. The memory 12 stores a program 13 equivalent to firmware, which is basic software for the image forming apparatus 1. When the image forming apparatus 1 is started up, the hardware processor 11 reads out and executes the program 13 from the memory 12. The hardware processor 11 executes the program 13, causing the control unit 10 to function as various processing units, which will be described later.

[0036] The operation panel 14 is a user interface used when a user operates the image forming apparatus 1. The operation panel 14 includes a display unit 15, an operation unit 16, a reset button 17, and a voice input unit 18.

[0037] The display unit 15 is configured with, for example, a color liquid crystal display. The display unit 15 displays various information to the user. The display unit 15 also displays an operation screen that the user can operate.

[0038] The operation unit 16 accepts user operations on the operation panel 14. The operation unit 16 is configured, for example, with touch panel keys arranged on the display screen of the display unit 15. The operation unit 16 may also be equipped with operation keys other than the touch panel keys.

[0039] The reset button 17 is an operation button for resetting and restarting the operating state of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the reset button 17 is a hardware button disposed around the display unit 15.

[0040] The voice input unit 18 inputs voice uttered by the user. For example, the voice input unit 18 is configured with a microphone arranged at a predetermined position on the operation panel 14.

[0041] The storage unit 19 is a non-volatile storage device configured by an HDD (hard disk drive) or an SSD (solid state drive). The storage unit 19 stores log information 9 in which changes in the operating state of the image forming apparatus 1 are recorded.

[0042] The communication interface 20 is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus 1 to the network 2 for communication. The control unit 10 can communicate with external devices such as the information processing device 3 and the server device 4 via the communication interface 20.

[0043] As described above, the recording medium 5 is mounted in the mounting unit 21. When the recording medium 5 is mounted in the mounting unit 21, the control unit 10 becomes able to access the recording medium 5, and is able to read information from the recording medium 5 and write information to the recording medium 5.

[0044] The power supply control unit 22 controls the power supplied to each unit of the image forming apparatus 1. A commercial power supply 23 is connected to the power supply control unit 22. The power supply control unit 22 generates power to be supplied to each unit from the commercial power supply 23. The power supply control unit 22 is also provided with a power button 24. The power button 24 is an operation button for switching the power on and off.

[0045] For example, when the power is on and the power button 24 is operated to turn the power off, the power control unit 22 notifies the control unit 10 that the power has been turned off. After notifying the control unit 10, the power control unit 22 cuts off the power supply to each unit. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off.

[0046] Furthermore, when the power button 24 is operated to turn on the power while the power is off, the power control unit 22 starts supplying power to each unit. This starts a startup process in the control unit 10. When the startup process in the control unit 10 is completed, the image forming apparatus 1 enters a power-on state in which a job can be executed.

[0047] The printer unit 25 forms and outputs an image on a sheet such as printing paper, etc. The printer unit 25 operates when, for example, a print job or a copy job is executed in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0048] The scanner unit 26 optically reads an image of a document set by a user and generates image data. The scanner unit 26 operates when a scan job or a copy job is executed in the image forming apparatus 1, for example.

[0049] 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 10. When the hardware processor 11 executes the program 13, the control unit 10 functions as an operation control unit 30, a log recording unit 31, a detection unit 32, a restart unit 33, and a log output unit 34.

[0050] The operation control unit 30 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1, such as the execution of jobs. For example, the operation control unit 30 displays a job setting screen on the display unit 15 of the operation panel 14, updates the setting screen based on the user's operation received by the operation unit 16, and reflects the settings specified by the user. Furthermore, when the user instructs the operation control unit 30 to start executing a job, the operation control unit 30 drives the printer unit 25 and the scanner unit 26, and controls the execution operation of the job specified by the user.

[0051] For example, operation control unit 30 controls the screen displayed on display unit 15 by sending commands to display a job setting screen and commands to update the setting screen to display unit 15. Operation control unit 30 also controls job execution by outputting various commands to printer unit 25 and scanner unit 26. Therefore, when operation control unit 30 is operating normally, image forming apparatus 1 can execute a job specified by a user.

[0052] The log recording unit 31 records changes in the operating state of the image forming device 1 in the log information 9. The operating state of the image forming device 1 changes according to commands output from the operation control unit 30 to each of the display unit 15, the printer unit 25, and the scanner unit 26. In other words, the commands output from the operation control unit 30 to each unit are trigger information that changes the operating state of the image forming device 1. Therefore, the log recording unit 31 monitors the commands output from the operation control unit 30 and the responses from the output destination of the commands. Then, every time the log recording unit 31 detects a command or a response, it records the command or the response in the log information 9 one by one. In this way, changes in the operating state of the image forming device 1 are recorded in the log information 9 one by one.

[0053] There is a limit to the storable area of ​​the log information 9 in the storage unit 19. Therefore, when the capacity of the log information 9 reaches the capacity of the storable area, the log recording unit 31 deletes old information from the log information 9 to secure the storable area, and records new information in the secured storable area. As a result, the storage unit 19 holds the log information 9 from the present time back a predetermined period of time.

[0054] Incidentally, when the operation control unit 30 is controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 1 may enter a frozen state. One of the main causes of the image forming apparatus 1 freezing is a bug in the program 13. However, the cause of the freeze is not necessarily limited to a bug in the program 13.

[0055] For example, when the operation control unit 30 outputs a command and does not receive an appropriate response from the command output destination, the operation control unit 30 may enter a response waiting state. If the response waiting state continues, the control process by the operation control unit 30 does not proceed. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 appears to be in a frozen state.

[0056] Even if the image forming apparatus 1 falls into a frozen state, the operation control unit 30 is operating normally. Therefore, the operation control unit 30 does not detect the frozen state of the image forming apparatus 1 as a malfunction such as an error. Furthermore, the log recording unit 31 cannot detect that the image forming apparatus 1 has frozen, and therefore the log information 9 does not record information indicating that the image forming apparatus 1 has fallen into a frozen state. However, the log information 9 records the operation history immediately before the image forming apparatus 1 fell into the frozen state.

[0057] Once the image forming apparatus 1 is frozen, it cannot be restored to its original normal operating state unless it is reset and restarted. For this reason, the user resets the image forming apparatus 1 and restarts it. For example, the user resets the image forming apparatus 1 by operating the reset button 17 or the power button 24 on the operation panel 14.

[0058] Also, a user may think that the frozen state is a malfunction and contact a remote operator to request that the malfunction be resolved. In this case, the operator may operate the information processing device 3 to connect to the image forming device 1 and perform a reset operation remotely. When the operator performs the reset operation, a reset request is sent from the information processing device 3 to the image forming device 1, and the image forming device 1 is reset.

[0059] The detection unit 32 detects the above-mentioned reset operation. For example, the detection unit 32 detects a user's pressing of the reset button 17 as a reset operation. Furthermore, when a power-off operation is performed on the power button 24 and then a power-on operation is performed on the power button 24 within a predetermined time, the detection unit 32 detects the power-off operation and the power-on operation as a reset operation. Furthermore, when the detection unit 32 receives a reset request from an external device such as the information processing device 3, the detection unit 32 detects the reset request as a reset operation. When the detection unit 32 detects a reset operation, it causes the restart unit 33 to function.

[0060] The restart unit 33 executes a restart process that resets the operating state of the image forming apparatus 1. The restart process by the restart unit 33 is executed as an interrupt process that has priority over the control process executed by the operation control unit 30. When the restart process is started by the restart unit 33, the control process by the operation control unit 30 is forcibly terminated. Therefore, the frozen state of the image forming apparatus 1 is resolved. After that, the restart unit 33 restarts the image forming apparatus 1. At this time, the restart unit 33 may output a restart command to the power control unit 22. When the power control unit 22 receives the restart command, it stops the power supply to each unit and resumes the power supply after a predetermined time has elapsed. As a result, the hardware processor 11 of the control unit 10 reloads the program 13 from the memory 12 and restarts it. The restart by the restart unit 33 may be a restart of only the program 13.

[0061] Furthermore, before starting execution of the restart process, the restart unit 33 notifies the log recording unit 31 that a reset operation has been performed. This enables the log recording unit 31 to record information indicating that a reset operation has been performed in the log information 9 before the restart process is started.

[0062] When the hardware processor 11 starts the program 13, the log output unit 34 functions in the control unit 10. The log output unit 34 judges whether the start of the program 13 is a restart based on a reset operation. If it is a pre-start based on a reset operation, the log output unit 34 reads out the log information 9 stored in the storage unit 19 and outputs the log information 9 to the outside. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus 1 recovers from a frozen state by being restarted by a reset operation, it can output the log information 9 to the outside.

[0063] The log information 9 records the operation history immediately before the image forming apparatus 1 entered a frozen state. Therefore, the developer of the program 13 can improve the program 13 so that the image forming apparatus 1 does not freeze by analyzing the log information 9 output from the image forming apparatus 1.

[0064] In particular, the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment outputs log information 9 to the outside when it recovers from a frozen state by restarting it through a reset operation. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 outputs log information 9 in which the operation history immediately before it entered a frozen state is recorded before the log information 9 is overwritten. Therefore, the developer of the program 13 can identify the cause of the image forming apparatus 1 freezing by analyzing the log information 9 output from the image forming apparatus 1.

[0065] The destination of the log information 9 output by the log output unit 34 is, for example, an external device such as the information processing device 3 or the server device 4. That is, the log output unit 34 transmits the log information 9 to the external information processing device 3 or the server device 4 via the network 2. In addition, when a recording medium 5 is mounted in the mounting unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 1, the log output unit 34 may output the log information 9 to the recording medium 5 mounted in the mounting unit 21.

[0066] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for executing a restart process when the image forming apparatus 1 is frozen. This process is repeatedly performed in the background of a control process executed by the operation control unit 30. When the control unit 10 starts this process, it waits until it detects a reset operation (step S10). When the control unit 10 detects a reset operation (YES in step S10), it records information indicating that a reset operation has been performed in the log information 9 (step S11). At this time, the control unit 10 records the time when the reset operation was performed in the log information 9. For example, when a power-off operation is performed by a user, the time when the power-off operation was performed is recorded in the log information 9. When the control unit 10 records the reset operation in the log information 9, it executes a restart process of the image forming apparatus 1 (step S12). This forcibly ends the control process being executed in the control unit 10, and the image forming apparatus 1 is restarted.

[0067] 5 is a flowchart showing a process performed when the image forming apparatus 1 is started up. This process is mainly performed by the log output unit 34 of the control unit 10. When the image forming apparatus 1 is started up, the log output unit 34 reads out the log information 9 from the storage unit 19 (step S20). The log output unit 34 analyzes the read out log information 9 and determines whether the current start-up is a restart based on a reset operation (step S21).

[0068] In the case of a restart based on a reset operation, information indicating that a reset operation has been performed is recorded in the log information 9. The log output unit 34 judges whether or not information indicating that a reset operation has been performed is recorded in the log information 9. If the result of this judgment is that information indicating that a reset operation has been performed is recorded in the log information 9, the log output unit 34 judges that the current startup is a restart based on a reset operation. Note that even if information indicating that a reset operation has been performed is recorded in the log information 9, if a predetermined time or more has passed since the recording, the log output unit 34 does not judge that the current startup is a restart based on a reset operation, but rather judges that it is a normal startup.

[0069] If it is determined that the current startup is a normal startup (NO in step S21), the process by the log output unit 34 ends. In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 proceeds with the startup process without outputting the log information 9, and enters a normal operating state.

[0070] On the other hand, if it is determined that the current restart is a restart based on a reset operation (YES in step S21), the log output unit 34 packages the log information 9 read in step S20 as output data (step S22).

[0071] Next, the log output unit 34 judges whether or not the recording medium 5 is attached to the attachment unit 21 (step S23). If the recording medium 5 is attached (YES in step S23), the log output unit 34 outputs the packaged log information 9 to the recording medium 5 (step S24). As a result, the log information 9 is stored in the recording medium 5. Note that if the recording medium 5 is not attached to the attachment unit 21 (NO in step S23), the process of step S24 is skipped.

[0072] Next, the log output unit 34 judges whether or not an external device is registered as a destination of the log information 9 (step S25). If an external device is registered (YES in step S25), the log output unit 34 transmits the packaged log information 9 to the external device via the network 2 (step S26). For example, if the information processing device 3 or the server device 4 is registered as an external device, the log output unit 34 transmits the log information 9 to the information processing device 3 or the server device 4. Therefore, when the frozen image forming device 1 is restored by rebooting, the external device acquires the log information 9 from the image forming device 1, in which the operation history immediately before the image forming device 1 fell into the frozen state is recorded. Thereafter, the start-up process in the image forming device 1 proceeds, and the image forming device 1 enters a normal operating state.

[0073] As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 successively records changes in the operating state in the log information 9. Then, when the image forming apparatus 1 detects a reset operation for resetting and restarting the operating state, it outputs to the outside the log information 9 that has been recorded up to that point. Therefore, even if the image forming apparatus 1 does not detect that it has entered a frozen state, it is possible for it to output to the outside the log information 9 that records the operating history immediately before it entered a frozen state.

[0074] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 outputs the log information 9 to the outside when it is restarted based on a reset operation. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 can output to the outside the log information 9 in which the operation history immediately before entering a frozen state is recorded, before the log information 9 is overwritten by the operation after the restart. Therefore, the developer of the program 13 can identify the cause of the freeze by analyzing the log information 9 output from the image forming apparatus 1. If the cause of the freeze is a bug in the program 13, the developer can identify the bug by analyzing the log information 9 and remove the bug in the program 13.

[0075] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 does not detect a frozen state as a malfunction such as an error. However, when the image forming apparatus 1 freezes, the user recognizes that some malfunction has occurred in the image forming apparatus 1. In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus 1 capable of receiving input of malfunction information recognized by the user, adding it to log information 9, and outputting it to the outside will be described. The hardware configuration and functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment are the same as those described in the first embodiment. Also, the processing procedure for executing a restart process when the image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment is frozen is the same as those described in the first embodiment.

[0076] 6 is a flowchart showing a process performed when the image forming apparatus 1 is started up in the second embodiment. When the image forming apparatus 1 is started up, the log output unit 34 reads the log information 9 from the storage unit 19 (step S30). The log output unit 34 analyzes the read log information 9 and determines whether the current start-up is a restart based on a reset operation (step S31).

[0077] If the current restart is a restart based on a reset operation (step S31), the log output unit 34 displays an operation screen G1 that is operable by the user on the display unit 15 of the operation panel 14 (step S32).

[0078] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen G1 displayed on the display unit 15. This operation screen G1 includes a plurality of operation buttons 40, 41, and 42 that can be operated by the user. The operation button 40 is a button for instructing the output of the log information 9. The operation button 41 is a button for instructing not to output the log information 9. The operation button 42 is a button for inputting detailed information when the image forming apparatus 1 freezes. When the operation screen G1 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 15, the user can input the situation when the image forming apparatus 1 freezes by operating the operation button 42.

[0079] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen G2 displayed on the display unit 15 when the user operates the operation button 42. This operation screen G2 is a screen for inputting an operation that the user performed on the image forming apparatus 1 before performing a reset operation. This operation screen G2 includes a plurality of operation buttons 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49 that the user can operate. These plurality of operation buttons 43 to 49 are buttons for selecting what the user performed on the image forming apparatus 1 before performing a reset operation. For example, if an operation related to a print job was performed before performing a reset operation, the user selects and operates the operation button 43. Also, for example, if an operation related to a scan job was performed before performing a reset operation, the user selects and operates the operation button 44. In this way, the user can input an operation that was performed before the reset operation on the operation screen G2. After selecting and inputting the operation that was performed before the reset operation, the user then operates the operation button 49.

[0080] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen G3 displayed on the display unit 15 when the user operates the operation button 49. This operation screen G3 is a screen for inputting the state of the image forming apparatus 1 before the user performs a reset operation. This operation screen G3 includes a plurality of operation buttons 50, 51, 52, 53, and 54 that can be operated by the user. These plurality of operation buttons 50 to 54 are buttons for selecting the state of the image forming apparatus 1 before the user performs a reset operation. For example, if the operation panel 14 of the image forming apparatus 1 is in a non-responsive state before the reset operation, the user selects and operates the operation button 50. Also, for example, if the image forming apparatus 1 is in a state in which it does not perform print output before the reset operation, the user selects and operates the operation button 51. In this way, the user can input the state of the image forming apparatus 1 before the reset operation to the operation screen G3. After inputting the state of the image forming apparatus 1 before the reset operation, the user then operates the operation button 54.

[0081] When the user operates the operation button 54, the operation screen of the display unit 15 returns to the operation screen G1 shown in Fig. 7. When the user operates the operation button 40 on the operation screen G1, the log output unit 34 generates defect information indicating the defect occurrence status based on the operation button selected by the user on the operation screens G2 and G3. The log output unit 34 then adds the defect information to the log information 9, and outputs the log information 9 with the defect information added.

[0082] Returning to the flowchart of Fig. 6, the log output unit 34 judges whether or not to output the log information 9 based on the user's operation on the above-mentioned operation screens G1, G2, G3 (step S33). For example, when the operation button 40 is operated on the operation screen G1 of Fig. 7, the log output unit 34 judges to output the log information 9. In contrast, when the operation button 41 is operated on the operation screen G1 of Fig. 7, the log output unit 34 judges not to output the log information 9. When the log information 9 is not to be output (NO in step S33), the processing by the log output unit 34 ends.

[0083] When outputting the log information 9 (YES in step S33), the log output unit 34 judges whether or not the user has input detailed information (step S34). For example, when the operation screens G2 and G3 are displayed on the display unit 15 and the user inputs detailed information regarding the image forming apparatus 1 before performing the reset operation, the log output unit 34 judges that the user has input detailed information (YES in step S34). In this case, the log output unit 34 generates defect information indicating the defect occurrence status based on the detailed information input by the user (step S35). Then, the log output unit 34 adds the defect information to the log information 9 (step S36). On the other hand, when the user has not input detailed information (NO in step S34), the processes of steps S35 and S36 are skipped. In this case, the defect information is not added to the log information 9.

[0084] Next, the log output unit 34 packages the log information 9 as output data (step S37). At this time, if defect information is added to the log information 9, the defect information is packaged together with the log information 9.

[0085] The log output unit 34 judges whether or not the recording medium 5 is attached to the attachment unit 21 (step S38). If the recording medium 5 is attached (YES in step S38), the log output unit 34 outputs the packaged log information 9 to the recording medium 5 (step S39). As a result, the log information 9 is stored in the recording medium 5. If the recording medium 5 is not attached to the attachment unit 21 (NO in step S38), the process of step S39 is skipped.

[0086] Next, the log output unit 34 judges whether or not an external device is registered as a destination of the log information 9 (step S40). If an external device is registered (YES in step S40), the log output unit 34 transmits the packaged log information 9 to the external device via the network 2 (step S41). Therefore, when the frozen image forming device 1 recovers by rebooting, the external device acquires the log information 9 from the image forming device 1, in which the operation history immediately before the image forming device 1 fell into a frozen state is recorded. At this time, if the malfunction information is added to the log information 9, the malfunction information input by the user can be referred to when analyzing the log information 9. The malfunction information includes information indicating the situation when the image forming device 1 froze. Therefore, the developer of the program 13 can easily identify the cause of the freeze by referring to the situation when the image forming device 1 froze.

[0087] In this way, when outputting log information 9, the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment accepts input of defect information indicating the state of defect occurrence, and outputs the log information 9 by adding the defect information input by the user to the log information 9. This allows a developer to efficiently analyze the log information 9 and identify the cause of the freeze.

[0088] Furthermore, as described above, image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to a device that displays an operation screen on display unit 15 of operation panel 14 on which a user can select a defect occurrence situation and acquires defect information based on the user's selection operation. For example, image forming apparatus 1 may be configured to accept a user's input operation of a character string and acquire the character string as defect information.

[0089] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen G4 on which a user can input a character string. For example, when the log output unit 34 detects an instruction from a user to input detailed information, the log output unit 34 displays the operation screen G4 shown in Fig. 10 on the display unit 15. This operation screen G4 displays a software keyboard 55. In addition, above the software keyboard 55, a character string display field 56 is displayed, which displays a character string input by the user. The user can input a character string into the character string display field 56 by performing an operation on the software keyboard 55. Therefore, the user can describe in detail the situation when the image forming apparatus 1 froze as a character string.

[0090] The image forming device 1 may also acquire a voice uttered by the user as defect information. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen G5 for the user to input a voice. For example, when the log output unit 34 detects an input instruction for detailed information by the user, the log output unit 34 displays the operation screen G5 shown in FIG. 11 on the display unit 15. This operation screen G5 displays an operation button 57 for instructing to start recording and an operation button 58 for instructing to end recording. When the operation button 57 is operated by the user, the log output unit 34 drives the voice input unit 18. Then, the log output unit 34 acquires the voice information uttered by the user from the voice input unit 18 as defect information. The log output unit 34 acquires the voice information acquired during the period from when the operation button 57 is operated until when the operation button 58 is operated as defect information. After acquiring the defect information, when the operation button 59 is operated by the user, the log output unit 34 returns the screen of the display unit 15 to the operation screen G1 shown in FIG. 7. In this way, the image forming device 1 may acquire defect information to be added to the log information 9 as voice information.

[0091] (Modification) The present invention is not limited to the contents described in the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0092] For example, in the above embodiment, the log information 9 when the image forming apparatus 1 freezes is used to improve the program 13. However, the log information 9 when the image forming apparatus 1 freezes is also useful for improving hardware and software other than the program 13. Therefore, the log information 9 output from the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to being used for improving the program 13.

[0093] Also, the program 13 described in the above embodiment is exemplified as being pre-stored in the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1. However, the program 13 is not limited to being pre-stored in the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the program 13 may be a transaction target by itself. In this case, the program 13 may be provided in a downloadable form via a network such as the Internet. Also, the program 13 may be provided in a state recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a USB memory. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1. Image forming device 3. Information processing device (external device) 4 Server device (external device) 5 Recording media 9. Log information 10 Control section 13 Programs 14 Operation Panel 15 Display section 16 Control section 17 Reset button 18 Audio input section 20 Communication Interface 21 Mounting part 24 Power button 30 Motion control section 31 Log Recording Section 32 Detection unit 33 Restart section 34 Log output section

Claims

1. a log recording unit that records a change in an operating state in log information; A detection unit that detects a reset operation that resets an operating state and restarts the device; a log output unit that outputs the log information to an outside when the reset operation is detected; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the log output unit transmits the log information to an external server device.

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the log recording section records a command that changes an operating state in the log information every time the command is issued.

4. A reset button provided as a hardware button; Further comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the detection unit detects a pressing operation of the reset button as the reset operation.

5. Power button to turn the power on and off Further comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the detection unit detects a power-on operation as the reset operation when a power-on operation is performed on the power button within a predetermined time after a power-off operation is performed on the power button.

6. the log recording unit records the power-off operation in the log information when the power-off operation is performed; The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, when the power-on operation is performed, the detection unit refers to the log information and determines whether the power-on operation is performed within a predetermined time after the power-off operation.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the detection unit detects a reset request as the reset operation when the detection unit receives a reset request from an external device.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the log output unit outputs the log information after a restart based on the reset operation is started.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the log output unit, when outputting the log information, accepts input of defect information indicating a defect occurrence state, and adds the defect information to the log information and outputs the log information.

10. A display unit that displays a screen that can be operated by a user; an operation unit that accepts operations by a user; Further comprising:

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the log output unit displays an operation screen on the display unit that allows a user to input a situation in which a defect has occurred, and acquires the defect information based on an operation of the user on the operation unit.

11. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the log output unit displays an operation screen on the display unit that allows a user to select a state in which a defect has occurred, and acquires the defect information based on a selection operation by the user on the operation unit.

12. a voice input unit for inputting a user's voice; Further comprising:

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the log output unit acquires, as the defect information, a voice of the user inputted to the voice input unit.

13. A mounting section for a removable recording medium; Further comprising:

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the log output unit outputs the log information, if the recording medium is mounted in the mounting unit, the log output unit outputs and stores the log information on the recording medium.

14. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the log recording section sequentially records trigger information that changes an operating state in the log information.

15. 1. A log information output method for outputting log information in which a change in an operating state of an image forming apparatus is recorded, comprising: A detection step of detecting a reset operation for resetting an operating state and restarting the device; a log output step of outputting the log information to an outside when the reset operation is detected; 13. A log information output method comprising the steps of:

16. A program executed in an image forming apparatus, the program including: a log recording step of recording the change in the operating state in log information; A detection step of detecting a reset operation for resetting an operating state and restarting the device; a log output step of outputting the log information to an outside when the reset operation is detected; A program characterized by executing the above.

Images