Communication system, document reading system, image forming system, and program

Abstract

To provide a communication system that can send information to a communication target even when the communication system that sends information to a communication target by using a first communication method has trouble in communication using the first communication method.SOLUTION: A CPU 72A of an image forming apparatus, when trouble occurs in communication using a facsimile line, communicates with an image forming apparatus 10B that can perform communication by using communication via an internal network 68, and causes the image forming apparatus 10B to transmit image data 90B to an image forming apparatus 11 by using the communication using the facsimile line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication system, a document reading system, an image forming system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing device having a first startup means for starting a first software module in response to the startup of a boot program, a first verification means for verifying whether a second software module has been tampered with when the first software module is started, an update means for updating the second software module by overwriting backup data of the second software module instead of the second software module if it is determined that the second software module has been tampered with, a second verification means for verifying whether the updated second software module has been tampered with, and a second startup means for starting the updated second software module if it is determined that the updated second software module has not been tampered with. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-114173 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure aims to provide a communication system that is capable of sending information to a communication target even when a malfunction occurs in communication using a first communication method in the communication system that sends information to a communication target using a first communication method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The communication system of the first aspect includes a processor, and when a malfunction occurs in communication using a first communication method, the processor communicates with a first communication system that is capable of communication using communication using a second communication method, and causes the first communication system to transmit information to a communication target using communication using the first communication method.

[0006] A communication system of a second aspect is the communication system according to the first aspect, wherein the processor prohibits the communication target from transmitting other information to the system.

[0007] A third aspect of the communication system is the communication system described in the second aspect, wherein the processor allows the communication target to transmit other information to the system when a communication malfunction using the first communication method of the system is resolved.

[0008] A fourth aspect of the communication system is a communication system described in any one of the first to third aspects, in which the processor causes the first communication system to transmit a result of transmitting the information to the communication target to the first communication system.

[0009] A fifth aspect of the communication system is the communication system described in the fourth aspect, wherein when the first communication system is able to transmit the information to the communication target, the processor causes the first communication system to transmit a success result, which is the transmission result, to the first communication system.

[0010] A sixth aspect of the communication system is a communication system according to the fourth or fifth aspect, in which, when the first communication system is unable to transmit the information to the communication target, the processor causes the first communication system to transmit a failure result, which is the transmission result, to the first communication system.

[0011] A seventh aspect of the communication system is the communication system described in the sixth aspect, wherein when the processor receives the failure result from the first communication system, it communicates with a second communication system capable of communication using the second communication method, and causes the second communication system to transmit the information to the communication target using communication via the first communication method.

[0012] A communication system of an eighth aspect is a communication system described in any one of the first to seventh aspects, further comprising an indication unit, and when the malfunction occurs, the processor indicates on the indication unit that the malfunction has occurred.

[0013] A document reading system of a ninth aspect includes a communication system described in any one of the first to eighth aspects and a reading device that reads an image recorded on a recording medium, and the information includes image data read by the reading device.

[0014] An image forming system according to a tenth aspect includes the document reading system according to the ninth aspect, and an image forming section that forms an image on a recording medium.

[0015] The program of an eleventh aspect causes a computer to execute a process of communicating with a first communication system capable of communication using communication using a second communication method when a malfunction occurs in communication using a first communication method, and causing the first communication system to transmit information to a communication target using communication using the first communication method. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the communication system of the first aspect, even if a malfunction occurs in communication using the first communication method in a communication system that sends information to a communication target using a first communication method, the information can be transmitted to the communication target using the first communication method.

[0017] According to the communication system of the second aspect, it is possible to prohibit a user of a communication target from making unnecessary attempts to communicate with the system.

[0018] According to the communication system of the third aspect, it is possible to resume communication from the communication target to the own system.

[0019] According to the communication system of the fourth aspect, it is possible to notify a user of the system of the result of transmitting information to a communication target.

[0020] According to the communication system of the fifth aspect, it is possible to notify a user of the system that information has been transmitted to a communication target.

[0021] According to the communication system of the sixth aspect, it is possible to notify a user of the system that information could not be transmitted to a communication target.

[0022] According to the communication system of the seventh aspect, even if a malfunction occurs in the communication by the first communication method of the first communication system, it is possible to leave the possibility of transmitting information to the communication target.

[0023] According to the communication system of the eighth aspect, it is possible to notify a user of the system of a malfunction of the first communication method.

[0024] According to the document reading system of the ninth aspect, even if a malfunction occurs in the first communication method of the document reading system, which uses the first communication method to send image data of an image recorded on a recording medium to a communication target, the image recorded on a recording medium can be transmitted to the communication target.

[0025] According to the image forming system of the tenth aspect, even if a malfunction occurs in the first communication method of the image forming system, which uses the first communication method to send image data of an image recorded on a recording medium to a communication target, the image recorded on a recording medium can be transmitted to the communication target.

[0026] According to the program of the eleventh aspect, a communication system that sends information to a communication target using a first communication method can obtain a program that can transmit information to a communication target using a first communication method even if a malfunction occurs in communication using the first communication method. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is connected to a network. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing data contained in transmission request data according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing data contained in proxy transmission data according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing a procedure executed by an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 11 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure in which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure causes another image forming apparatus to transmit image data to a communication target image forming apparatus. [Figure 8] 13 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure in which an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure causes another image forming apparatus and another other image forming apparatus to attempt to transmit image data to the image forming apparatus with which the image forming apparatus is to communicate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent components and parts are given the same reference numerals. In addition, the dimensional ratios of the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0029] In the following description, a user refers to a person who uses the image forming apparatus 10 or the image forming apparatus 11, and there is no limit to the number of users. In the following description, the user may be described without distinguishing between multiple users.

[0030] (Image forming apparatus 10) The image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of an "image forming system" according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 is a so-called MFP (Multifunction Printer), and has a function of receiving a print job and forming an image on a document G, and a function of reading an image from the document G as image data. The image forming apparatus 10 also has an e-mail function of attaching image data to an e-mail and sending it to another image forming apparatus 10, and a facsimile function of sending it using a facsimile line. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes, from bottom to top, an image forming section 20 that forms an image on the document G, and a document reading section 60 that reads the image formed on the document G. The image forming apparatus 10 also includes a control section 70 that controls the image forming section 20 and the document reading section 60, and a touch panel 92 that displays the state of the image forming apparatus 10. The document G is an example of a "recording medium" in this embodiment.

[0031] (Image forming unit 20) The image forming section 20 has an image forming unit 18, a storage section 14, and a transport section 16. The image forming unit 18, the storage section 14, and the transport section 16 are housed in a housing 10H of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0032] The image forming section 20 is provided with four image forming units 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K, which are yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between Y, M, C, and K, Y, M, C, and K may be omitted.

[0033] The image forming units 18 of each color are detachably attached to the housing 10H. Each image forming unit 18 of each color is provided with an image carrier 36, a charging roll 38 that charges the surface of the image carrier 36, and an exposure device 42 that irradiates the charged image carrier 36 with exposure light. Each image forming unit 18 of each color is further provided with a developing device 40 that develops an electrostatic latent image formed by exposing the charged image carrier 36 to light by the exposure device 42 described above, and visualizes the electrostatic latent image as a toner image.

[0034] 1, and a primary transfer roll 44 that transfers the toner images formed by the image forming units 18 of each color onto the transfer belt 22. The image forming unit 20 further includes a secondary transfer roll 46 that transfers the toner images transferred onto the transfer belt 22 onto an original G, and a fixing device 50 that applies heat and pressure to the original G onto which the toner image has been transferred to fix the toner image onto the original G.

[0035] The toner images formed on the surfaces of the image carriers 36 of the respective colors are transferred to the transfer belt 22 by the primary transfer roll 44. The toner images on the surface of the transfer belt 22 are transferred to the document G at a transfer position T.

[0036] The storage unit 14 is provided with a storage member 26 that can be pulled out from the housing 10H of the image forming apparatus 10 toward the front side in the device depth direction, and documents G are stacked on this storage member 26. Furthermore, the storage unit 14 is provided with a delivery roll 30 that delivers the topmost document G stacked on the storage member 26 to a transport path 28 that constitutes the transport unit 16.

[0037] The transport section 16 is provided with a plurality of transport rolls 32 that transport the document G along the transport path 28. The document G that has been sent from the storage member 26 to the transport path 28 by the delivery roll 30 is sent to a transfer position T where the transfer belt 22 and the secondary transfer roll 46 come into contact with each other. As the document G is transported between the transfer belt 22 and the secondary transfer roll 46, a toner image is transferred onto the document G.

[0038] The toner image transferred to the document G is fixed to the document G by the fixing device 50. Then, the document G with the fixed toner image is discharged by the transport rolls 32 to the outside of the housing 10H.

[0039] (Touch Panel 92) The touch panel 92 is a device that displays the state of the image forming apparatus 10 based on the control of the control unit 70, and is an example of the "indication unit" according to the present embodiment. The touch panel 92 is capable of displaying the state of the image forming apparatus 10 and receiving operations by the user, and has a function as a user interface of the image forming apparatus 10. That is, the touch panel 92 in the present embodiment has both the function of the "display unit 82" and the function of the "reception unit 84" according to the present embodiment. In other words, the touch panel 92 is also an example of a part of the "information processing system" in the present embodiment. The touch panel 92 may be disposed in any position, but as an example, it is disposed on the front surface of the housing 10H of the image forming apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0040] The configuration and specific functions of the control unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described later.

[0041] (Document reading unit 60) The document reading unit 60 is an example of a reading device according to the present embodiment, and includes a transparent plate 62 (so-called platen glass) on which a document G is placed when an image of the document G is to be read. The transparent plate 62 is fitted into an upper portion of a housing 60A of the document reading unit 60.

[0042] An opening / closing cover that opens and closes the transparent plate 62 is disposed above the transparent plate 62. Inside the opening / closing cover, a transport device 64 (so-called ADF device) that transports multiple sheets of document G along a transport path 28 inside the opening / closing cover is provided.

[0043] Also provided inside the housing 60A is an image reading device 52 that reads an image of the original G placed on the transparent plate 62 and an image of the original G transported to the original reading position R by the transport device 64. The original reading unit 60 reads the image of the original G and creates image data based on the control of the control unit 70. The read image of the original G is stored as image data in a RAM 72C, which will be described later. In other words, the combination of the control unit 70 and the original reading unit 60 is an example of an "original reading system" according to this embodiment.

[0044] (Control unit 70) The control unit 70 is an example of an "information processing system" in this embodiment, and includes a CPU 72A (Central Processing Unit) and a RAM 72C (Random Access Memory) used as a temporary work area for the CPU 72A, as shown in FIG. 2. The CPU 72A is an example of a "processor" in this embodiment. The control unit 70 also includes a ROM 72B (Read Only Memory), a flash memory 72D, a non-volatile memory 74 that stores a control program for causing the control unit 70 to function, and an input / output unit 78. The control unit 70 according to this embodiment further includes a CPU 76A for facsimile, a ROM 76B for facsimile, and a RAM 76C for facsimile. The various components are connected to the input / output unit 78 and a network interface (hereinafter, "network I / F 80") via a bus 72E.

[0045] The RAM 72C can store the transmission request data 90 and the proxy transmission data 94 in a program replacement procedure described later (see also FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0046] Furthermore, the CPU 72A of the control unit 70 reads a control program, which is an example of a "program" in this embodiment, from the ROM 72B, and executes the overall control of the image forming apparatus 10 under the control unit 70. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the touch panel 92, the document reading unit 60, and the image forming unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 10 are connected to an input / output unit 78 of the control unit 70. As a result, the CPU 72A of the control unit 70 controls each of the components of the touch panel 92, the document reading unit 60, and the image forming unit 20.

[0047] The non-volatile memory 74 is an example of a storage device that maintains stored information even if the power supplied to each of the non-volatile memory 74 is cut off, and is, for example, a semiconductor memory or a hard disk. A restoration program 86, which will be described later, is also recorded in the non-volatile memory 74.

[0048] The facsimile CPU 76A, the facsimile ROM 76B, and the facsimile RAM 76C have the same specific configurations as the CPU 72A, the ROM 72B, and the RAM 72C, respectively. The facsimile CPU 76A plays a role in transmitting image data stored in the RAM 72C by the CPU 72A to another device as a facsimile, as image information, through a facsimile line (e.g., a facsimile line, etc.). In this embodiment, the communication method through the facsimile line is an example of the "first communication method" in this embodiment.

[0049] More specifically, when the facsimile CPU 76A receives an instruction from the CPU 72A, it reads from the facsimile ROM 76B a program for transmitting image data through a facsimile line, and transmits the image data to another device using the facsimile line.

[0050] If the program executed by the CPU 76A for facsimile is defective (for example, if it has been tampered with), the CPU 72A transfers the restoration program 86 stored in the non-volatile memory 74 to the ROM 76B for facsimile. As a result, the CPU 72A replaces the program recorded in the ROM 76B for facsimile with the restoration program 86, and restores the facsimile function.

[0051] (Network connection) As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 according to the present embodiment are arranged in a base. More specifically, the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 arranged in the base are connected to each other via an internal network 68 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and each image forming apparatus 10 is connected to a network 66. In the following description, any specific image forming apparatus 10 may be referred to as a "self-machine", and other image forming apparatuses 10 different from the self-machine may be referred to as a "other machine". That is, the "self-machine" and the "other machine" are examples of the "self-system" and "other system" according to the present embodiment. In the following description, when the image forming apparatuses 10 arranged in the base are to be distinguished from each other, A, B, or C are added to the end of the reference numeral. In the following description, the image forming apparatus 10A will be referred to as a "self-machine", and the image forming apparatuses 10B and 10C will be referred to as "other machines".

[0052] 3, image forming apparatus 10A, image forming apparatus 10B, and image forming apparatus 10C arranged within the base can communicate with each other through internal network 68. In the present embodiment, the communication method using internal network 68 is an example of a "second communication method" in the present embodiment.

[0053] 3, the image forming apparatus 11 of the communication target is an example of a "communication target" in this embodiment, which is located on a network different from the base where the image forming apparatus itself is located. More specifically, the image forming apparatus 11 of the communication target is an image forming apparatus similar to the image forming apparatus itself, but is located on a small-scale network different from the image forming apparatus itself and other apparatuses located at the base. The image forming apparatus 11 of the communication target is connected to the network 66 using a facsimile line, for example.

[0054] Then, image forming apparatus 10A, image forming apparatus 10B, and image forming apparatus 10C can each communicate with image forming apparatus 11 using a facsimile line. More specifically, image forming apparatus 10A, image forming apparatus 10B, and image forming apparatus 10C communicate with image forming apparatus 11, which is the communication target, using a facsimile function.

[0055] Further, the image forming apparatus 10A in this embodiment is capable of transmitting the transmission request data 90 shown in FIG. 4 as an example to another apparatus through the internal network 68. Here, the transmission request data 90 includes transmission instruction data 90A, image data 90B, and prohibition / permission setting data 90C as shown in FIG. 4. The transmission instruction data 90A is data including an instruction to transmit the image data 90B and the prohibition / permission setting data 90C included in the transmission request data 90 received from any other apparatus to the image forming apparatus 10 or image forming apparatus 11 of the transmission destination using a facsimile line. The image data 90B is data that the apparatus itself attempts to transmit to the transmission destination, and is an image of the document G read by the document reading unit 60 to be transmitted from the apparatus itself to the transmission destination. The prohibition / permission setting data 90C is data including an instruction to prohibit communication to the image forming apparatus 10 that transmitted the transmission request data 90, i.e., the apparatus itself, or to permit communication to the apparatus itself. The image data 90B is an example of "information" in this embodiment.

[0056] In addition, when the image forming device 10 in this embodiment receives the transmission request data 90, it creates the proxy transmission data 94 shown in Figure 5 for the image forming device 10 as the transmission destination, which is included in the transmission instruction data 90A held by the transmission request data 90.

[0057] 5, the proxy transmission data 94 includes image data 90B, prohibition / permission setting data 90C, and sender data 94D. The sender data 94D is data including the destination of the image forming device 10 that sent the transmission request data 90. Then, the image forming device 10 transmits the created proxy transmission data 94 using a facsimile line.

[0058] Furthermore, when the image forming apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 11 in this embodiment receive the proxy transmission data 94, they set the prohibition or permission to the image forming apparatus 10 that transmitted the transmission request data 90 based on the prohibition / permission setting data 90C. More specifically, when the CPU 72A receives the proxy transmission data 94, it prohibits or permits communication using a facsimile line. For example, if the prohibition / permission setting data 90C contains information that prohibits communication using a facsimile line to the image forming apparatus 10 that transmitted the transmission request data 90, the CPU 72A prohibits communication using a facsimile line to the image forming apparatus 10. Also, for example, if the prohibition / permission setting data 90C contains information that permits communication using a facsimile line to the image forming apparatus 10 that transmitted the transmission request data 90, the CPU 72A permits communication using a facsimile line to the image forming apparatus 10.

[0059] Any method may be used to prohibit communication to the image forming apparatus 10 using a facsimile line. For example, the touch panel 92 may display a message indicating that communication to the image forming apparatus 10 is prohibited, or a transmission error may be displayed when a user attempts to communicate with the image forming apparatus 10. When the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10 receives the prohibition / permission setting data 90C, the CPU 72A may print information included in the prohibition / permission setting data 90C to notify the user of the image forming apparatus 10. That is, in this embodiment, prohibiting communication and permitting communication include both the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10 prohibiting communication and permitting communication, and prohibiting a user from communicating and permitting communication.

[0060] Note that, when communication to the image forming apparatus 10 using a facsimile line is prohibited, if the document further contains information permitting communication to the image forming apparatus 10 that transmitted the transmission request data 90 using a facsimile line, the prohibition is not cancelled. Also, when communication to the image forming apparatus 10 using a facsimile line is permitted, if the document further contains information permitting communication to the image forming apparatus 10 that transmitted the transmission request data 90 using a facsimile line, the permission is not cancelled.

[0061] In the above description, the destination includes a network address in the internal network 68 as well as a facsimile number (a so-called telephone number) in a facsimile line.

[0062] (Fax sending program malfunction) However, when a defect occurs in the program executed by the CPU 76A for facsimile of the image forming apparatus 10A itself due to unauthorized access or the like, the control unit 70 cannot transmit the image data 90B using the facsimile line. The case where a defect occurs in the program executed by the CPU 76A for facsimile is an example of "the case where a defect occurs in the communication by the first communication method" in this embodiment.

[0063] Here, when a malfunction occurs in the program executed by the CPU 76A for facsimile, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A according to this embodiment transmits image data 90B based on the procedure shown in Fig. 6. In other words, when a malfunction occurs in communication by the first communication method, the CPU 72A executes the procedure shown in Fig. 6. Also, Figs. 7 and 8 show how the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A executes the procedure shown in Fig. 6 to communicate with the image forming apparatus 10B, the image forming apparatus 10C, and the image forming apparatus 11.

[0064] In addition, in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, the steps denoted with the same reference numerals are assumed to be executed in the same procedure in FIG. 6 to FIG.

[0065] (Procedure for making another device transmit image data 90B to image forming device 11) First, in step S102, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A displays on the touch panel 92 that the program executed by the CPU 76A for facsimile is defective. In this description, it is assumed that in step S102, the CPU 72A has not been able to complete recovery of the program executed by the CPU 76A for facsimile.

[0066] Next, in step S103, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A determines whether the image data 90B has been transmitted to the image forming apparatus 11 using the facsimile line. If the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A determines in step S103 that the image data 90B has been transmitted to the image forming apparatus 11 using the facsimile line, the process proceeds to step S112. If the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A determines in step S103 that the image data 90B has been transmitted to the image forming apparatus 11 using the facsimile line, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0067] Next, in step S104, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A transmits a request to the image forming apparatus 10B to transmit image data to the image forming apparatus 11 using a facsimile line to the image forming apparatus 10B via the internal network 68. More specifically, in sequence F104, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A transmits image data 90B to the image forming apparatus 11 and transmission request data 90 for the image data 90B to the image forming apparatus 10B using a facsimile line, as shown in Fig. 7. Note that the prohibition / permission setting data 90C of the transmission request data 90 includes information for prohibiting communication with the image forming apparatus 10A.

[0068] Next, in step S108, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A waits until a transmission result is returned from the image forming apparatus 10B. More specifically, the CPU 72A waits until a notification of sequence F108, which will be described later, is received from the image forming apparatus 10B.

[0069] Next, in sequence F106, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10B transmits the image data 90B to the image forming apparatus 11 using the facsimile line based on the request of the transmission request data 90 received from the image forming apparatus 10A. More specifically, in sequence F106, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10B transmits the proxy transmission data 94 to the image forming apparatus 11.

[0070] Furthermore, in sequence F108, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10B notifies the image forming apparatus 10A of the result of communication using the facsimile line with the image forming apparatus 11. More specifically, in FIG. 7, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10B notifies the image forming apparatus 10A that communication with the image forming apparatus 11 has been successful.

[0071] Then, when the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A receives a notification of sequence F108 from the image forming apparatus 10B in step S108, the process proceeds to step S109.

[0072] In this manner, the image forming apparatus 11 in this embodiment receives the proxy transmission data 94 from the image forming apparatus 10B, and thereby receives the image data 90B from the image forming apparatus 10A that transmitted the proxy transmission data 94.

[0073] Furthermore, in step S110, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 11 prohibits communication with the image forming apparatus 10A based on the prohibition / permission setting data 90C included in the proxy transmission data 94 received in sequence F106. As a result, after step S110, the user is prohibited from communicating with the image forming apparatus 10A from the image forming apparatus 11.

[0074] In step S109, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A proceeds to step S111 if the communication result received in sequence F108 is a success result. In addition, in step S109, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A proceeds to step S211 if the communication result received in sequence F108 is a failure result.

[0075] Next, in step S111, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A displays on the touch panel 92 that the image data 90B has been successfully transmitted to the image forming apparatus 11. Then, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A proceeds to step S112.

[0076] In step S112, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A attempts to recover the program executed by the CPU 76A for facsimile, and then determines whether the recovery is complete. If the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A makes an affirmative determination in step S112, the process proceeds to step S113. If the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A makes a negative determination in step S103, the process proceeds to step S102.

[0077] Next, in step S113, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A displays on the touch panel 92 a message indicating that the program executed by the CPU 76A for facsimile has been restored, and the process proceeds to step S114.

[0078] Next, in step S114, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A allows the image forming apparatus 11 to communicate with the image forming apparatus 10A. More specifically, in sequence F114, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A transmits the prohibition / permission setting data 90C including information for allowing communication with the image forming apparatus 10A to the image forming apparatus 11 as shown in FIG.

[0079] Furthermore, in step S116, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 11 permits communication with the image forming apparatus 10A based on the prohibition / permission setting data 90C received in sequence F114. As a result, after step S116, the user is allowed to communicate with the image forming apparatus 10A from the image forming apparatus 11.

[0080] In the embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10A communicates with the image forming apparatus 10B that can communicate with the image forming apparatus 10B by using the internal network 68 when a problem occurs in the communication by the facsimile line by the above-mentioned procedure. Then, the image forming apparatus 10A causes the image forming apparatus 11 to transmit the image data 90B by using the facsimile line. That is, the image forming apparatus 10B is an example of the "first communication system" in the embodiment. Also, the image forming apparatus 11 is an example of the "communication target" in the embodiment. Also, a program executed by the CPU 76A for facsimile of the image forming apparatus 10A is defective is an example of "a case where a problem occurs in the communication by the first communication method" in the embodiment. Also, the image forming apparatus 10B transmits the proxy transmission data 94 to the image forming apparatus 11 is an example of "causing the first communication system to transmit information to the communication target by using the communication by the first communication method" in the embodiment. In other words, image forming device 10A sending transmission request data 90 to image forming device 10B is an example of "communicating with a first communication system with which communication is possible using communication according to the second communication method, and having the first communication system transmit information to the communication target using communication according to the first communication method" in this embodiment.

[0081] Also, the procedure when the transmission of the image data 90B shown in Fig. 7 fails, more specifically, the procedure when a negative determination is made in sequence S109 in Fig. 6, will be described with reference to Fig. 8. In other words, the CPU 72A executes the procedure shown in Fig. 8 when a problem occurs in the communication by the first communication method and the procedure shown in Fig. 7 fails.

[0082] (Procedure for making another device transmit image data 90B to image forming device 11) First, in sequence F104, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10B attempts to transmit image data 90B to the image forming apparatus 11 using a facsimile line based on a request received from the image forming apparatus 10A, but fails to transmit the image data 90B to the image forming apparatus 11. In this case, in sequence F108, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10B notifies the image forming apparatus 10A of the result of communication with the image forming apparatus 11 using the facsimile line. More specifically, in sequence F104, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10B notifies the image forming apparatus 10A that communication with the image forming apparatus 11 has failed. As a result, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A makes a negative determination in step S109 in FIG. 6, and proceeds to sequence S211.

[0083] Then, in step S211, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A displays on the touch panel 92 a message indicating that the transmission of the image data 90B to the image forming apparatus 11 has failed. The CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A then proceeds to step S214.

[0084] Next, in step S214, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A transmits a request to another image forming apparatus 10 to transmit image data to the image forming apparatus 11 via the internal network 68. More specifically, in sequence F214 shown in Fig. 8, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A transmits a request to the image forming apparatus 10C to transmit image data to the image forming apparatus 11 using a facsimile line to the image forming apparatus 10C via the internal network 68. In other words, in sequence F214, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A transmits image data 90B and transmission request data 90 as information to be transmitted about the image data 90B to the image forming apparatus 11 using the facsimile line to the image forming apparatus 10C.

[0085] After executing sequence F214 in step S214, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A proceeds to step S108.

[0086] Further, the procedure executed by the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10C thereafter is the same as that executed after sequence F104 in Fig. 7. In other words, when the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A determines in step S109 that the image forming apparatus 10B has failed in communication with the image forming apparatus 11, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A causes the other image forming apparatus 10 to transmit the image data 90B to the image forming apparatus 11 again. In other words, sequence F214 in Fig. 8 corresponds to sequence F104 in Fig. 7.

[0087] In the present embodiment, the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A transmits a failure result, which is a transmission result, to the image forming apparatus 10A when the image forming apparatus 10B fails to transmit the image data 90B to the image forming apparatus 11, according to the above-mentioned procedure. Also, when the CPU 72A of the image forming apparatus 10A receives a failure result from the image forming apparatus 10B, it causes the image forming apparatus 10C to transmit the image data 90B to the image forming apparatus 11. That is, the image forming apparatus 10C is an example of a "second communication system" in the present embodiment. Also, the image forming apparatus 10B transmitting the proxy transmission data 94 to the image forming apparatus 11 is an example of "causing the first communication system to transmit information to the communication target using communication by the first communication method" in the present embodiment. That is, the image forming apparatus 10A transmitting the transmission request data 90 to the image forming apparatus 10C is an example of "communicating with the second communication system capable of communication using the second communication method, and causing the second communication system to transmit information to the communication target using communication by the first communication method" in the present embodiment.

[0088] Next, the operation and effects of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0089] (Action and Effects) When a problem occurs in communication via the facsimile line, the control unit 70 in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment communicates with the image forming apparatus 10B that is capable of communication using communication via the internal network 68. Then, the control unit 70 causes the image forming apparatus 10B to transmit information to the image forming apparatus 11 using communication via the facsimile line. This allows the image forming apparatus 10 to transmit image data 90B to the image forming apparatus 11 using the facsimile line even when a problem occurs in the communication system facsimile transmission program.

[0090] Furthermore, the control unit 70 of the present embodiment prohibits the transmission of other information from the image forming apparatus 11 to the image forming apparatus 10A. This allows the control unit 70 to prohibit the user of the image forming apparatus 11 from making unnecessary attempts to communicate with the image forming apparatus 10A.

[0091] Furthermore, when the communication failure via the facsimile line of image forming apparatus 10A is resolved, control unit 70 of this embodiment allows transmission of other information from image forming apparatus 11 to image forming apparatus 10A. This allows control unit 70 to allow the user of image forming apparatus 11 to resume communication from image forming apparatus 11 to image forming apparatus 10A.

[0092] Furthermore, the control unit 70 of this embodiment causes the image forming apparatus 10B to transmit to the image forming apparatus 10A a result of transmission of the image data 90B to the image forming apparatus 11. This allows the control unit 70 to notify the user of the image forming apparatus 10A of the result of transmission of the image data 90B to the image forming apparatus 11.

[0093] Furthermore, the control unit 70 of this embodiment causes the image forming apparatus 10A to transmit a success result, which is a transmission result, when the image forming apparatus 10B has been able to transmit the image data 90B to the image forming apparatus 11. This allows the control unit 70 to notify the user of the image forming apparatus 10A that the image data 90B has been transmitted to the image forming apparatus 11.

[0094] Furthermore, the control unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 10A of this embodiment causes the image forming apparatus 10A to transmit a failure result, which is a transmission result, when the image forming apparatus 10B fails to transmit the image data 90B to the image forming apparatus 11. This allows the control unit 70 to notify the user of the image forming apparatus 10A that information could not be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 11.

[0095] Furthermore, when the control unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 10A of this embodiment receives a failure result from the image forming apparatus 10B, it communicates with the image forming apparatus 10C with which it can communicate using communication via the internal network 68. Then, the CPU 72A of the control unit 70 causes the image forming apparatus 10C to transmit image data 90B to the image forming apparatus 11 using communication via a facsimile line. This allows the control unit 70 to leave open the possibility of transmitting information to the image forming apparatus 11 even if a problem occurs in communication via the facsimile line of the image forming apparatus 10B.

[0096] Moreover, the control unit 70 of this embodiment further includes a touch panel 92, and when a malfunction occurs, the control unit 70 displays a message indicating that a malfunction has occurred on the touch panel 92. This allows the control unit 70 to notify the user of the image forming device 10A of the malfunction of the facsimile line of the image forming device 10A.

[0097] Moreover, the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes a control unit 70 and an original reading unit 60 that reads an image recorded on an original G, and the image data 90B includes the image data 90B read by the original reading unit 60. As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 can transmit the image recorded on an original G to the image forming apparatus 11 even if a problem occurs in the facsimile line of the image forming apparatus 10A.

[0098] Moreover, the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes a control unit 70, an original reading unit 60, and an image forming unit 20 that forms an image on an original G. As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 can transmit the image recorded on the original G to the image forming apparatus 11 even if a problem occurs in the facsimile line of the image forming apparatus 10 that sends image data 90B of the image recorded on the original G to the image forming apparatus 11 using the facsimile line.

[0099] Furthermore, the control program executed by the CPU 72A of this embodiment communicates with image forming apparatus 10B, which is capable of communicating, using communication via internal network 68, when a problem occurs in communication via the facsimile line. Then, control unit 70 causes image forming apparatus 10B to transmit information to image forming apparatus 11 using communication via the facsimile line. This allows image forming apparatus 10 to obtain a program that enables it to transmit image data 90B to image forming apparatus 11 using the facsimile line, even when a problem occurs in the communication system facsimile transmission program.

[0100] [Variations] In the above description, the CPU 72A transmits the transmission request data 90 including the prohibition / permission setting data 90C in sequence F104, but the technology according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the transmission request data 90 does not have to include the prohibition / permission setting data 90C.

[0101] In the above description, the CPU 72A transmits the prohibition / permission setting data 90C to the image forming apparatus 11 in sequence F114 when the malfunction of the facsimile line is resolved, but the technology according to the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the process of permitting communication from the image forming apparatus 11 to the image forming apparatus 10A may be achieved by a user of the image forming apparatus 11 directly operating the image forming apparatus 11.

[0102] In the above description, CPU 72A causes image forming apparatus 10B to notify image forming apparatus 10A of the result of transmission of image data 90B to image forming apparatus 11, but the technology according to the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, CPU 72A of image forming apparatus 10A does not need to cause image forming apparatus 10B to execute sequence F108 and sequence F208.

[0103] In the above description, the CPU 72A displays on the touch panel 92 that the program is defective in step S102, but the technology according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, in step S102, the CPU 72A does not need to display on the touch panel 92 that the program is defective.

[0104] In the above description, the CPU 72A displays on the touch panel 92 whether the transmission of the image data 90B to the image forming apparatus 11 has been successful or unsuccessful in steps S111 and S211, but the technology according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, instead of displaying on the touch panel 92, an image indicating that the transmission of the image data 90B has been successful or unsuccessful may be printed on the document G.

[0105] In the above description, the CPU 72A displays on the touch panel 92 in step S113 a message indicating that the program has been restored from the failure, but the technology according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, in step S113, the CPU 72A does not need to display on the touch panel 92 a message indicating that the program has been restored.

[0106] In the above description, the CPU 72A transmits the transmission request data 90 to the image forming apparatus 10C when a failure result is received in sequence F208, but the technology according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 72 may end the series of procedures without executing sequence F214. In this case, the CPU 72A may display on the touch panel 92 a message indicating that the image data 90B could not be transmitted.

[0107] Furthermore, the failure result notified in sequence F208 in the above description may include the reason (so-called error code) why image forming apparatus 10B was unable to transmit the proxy transmission data 94. In this case, CPU 72A of image forming apparatus 10A may determine whether or not to execute sequence F214 depending on the reason. For example, when image forming apparatus 11 is in the middle of a processing operation including the execution of a print job as viewed from image forming apparatus 10B, CPU 72A may transmit transmission request data 90 to image forming apparatus 10B again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0108] In these modified examples as well, the same functions and effects as those described above can be obtained.

[0109] (Other variations) In the above description, the control unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 10 is described as an example of an information system, but the technology according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. That is, the technology according to the present embodiment can be similarly applied to a combination of the control unit 70 and the document reading unit 60 that does not include the image forming unit 20.

[0110] In addition, in the above description, the touch panel 92 is used as an example of an indication unit, but the technology according to the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, instead of a device having a screen such as the touch panel 92, when a defect in the program is detected, a lighting device such as a rotating light may be used to indicate the defect, or an audio device such as a buzzer may be used to indicate the defect.

[0111] In the above description, the image forming unit 20 forms a toner image on the document G, but the technology according to the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the image forming unit 20 may form an image on the document G by an inkjet method.

[0112] In the above description, the CPU 72 of the image forming apparatus 10A communicates directly with the image forming apparatus 10B or the image forming apparatus 10C, but the technology according to the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 72 of the image forming apparatus 10A may cause the image forming apparatus 10B to communicate with the image forming apparatus 10C. In other words, the CPU 72 of the image forming apparatus 10A may cause the image forming apparatus 10B to transmit the transmission request data 90 to the image forming apparatus 10C when communication with the image forming apparatus 11 using a facsimile line fails. That is, the image forming apparatus 10A may transmit the image data 90B to the image forming apparatus 11 by causing a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 to relay the transmission request data 90.

[0113] The above describes an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the attached drawings. However, it is clear that a person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains can conceive of various modifications or applications within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0114] Furthermore, preferred aspects of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0115] (((1))) A processor is provided. The processor, When a problem occurs in communication by the first communication method, communicating with a first communication system capable of communication by using communication by the second communication method, and causing the first communication system to transmit information to a communication target by using communication by the first communication method. Communication systems.

[0116] (((2))) The processor prohibits the communication target from transmitting other information to the system. 2. The communication system according to claim 1 .

[0117] (((3))) the processor permits transmission of other information from the communication target to the system when a malfunction in communication using the first communication method of the system is resolved; The communication system according to (((2))).

[0118] (((4))) The processor causes the first communication system to transmit a result of transmitting the information to the communication target to the first communication system. A communication system according to any one of ((1))) to (((3))).

[0119] (((5))) When the first communication system is able to transmit the information to the communication target, the processor causes the first communication system to transmit a success result, which is the transmission result, to the first communication system. The communication system according to (((4))).

[0120] (((6))) When the first communication system fails to transmit the information to the communication target, the processor causes the first communication system to transmit a failure result, which is the transmission result, to the first communication system. A communication system according to ((4))) or ((5)).

[0121] (((7))) when the processor receives the failure result from the first communication system, the processor communicates with a second communication system capable of communication using the second communication method, and causes the second communication system to transmit the information to the communication target using communication according to the first communication method. A communication system according to (((6))).

[0122] (((8))) Further comprising a sign portion, When the malfunction occurs, the processor indicates on the indication unit that the malfunction has occurred. A communication system according to any one of ((1))) to (((7))).

[0123] (((9))) A communication system according to any one of (((1))) to (((8))), A reading device that reads an image recorded on a recording medium; Equipped with The information includes image data read by the reading device. Manuscript reading system.

[0124] (((10))) A document reading system according to (((9))), an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; An image forming system comprising:

[0125] (((11))) When a problem occurs in communication by the first communication method, communicating with a first communication system capable of communication by using communication by the second communication method, and causing the first communication system to transmit information to a communication target by using communication by the first communication method. A program that causes a computer to carry out processing.

[0126] According to the communication system relating to (((1))), even if a malfunction occurs in communication using the first communication method, which is a communication system that sends information to a communication target using a first communication method, it is possible to transmit information to the communication target using the first communication method. According to the communication system of (((2))), it is possible to prohibit a user of a communication target from making unnecessary attempts to communicate with the system. According to the communication system of (((3))), it is possible to resume communication from the communication target to the system itself. According to the communication system of (((4))), it is possible to notify a user of the system of the result of transmitting information to a communication target. According to the communication system of (((5))), it is possible to notify a user of the system that information has been transmitted to a communication target. According to the communication system of (((6))), it is possible to notify a user of the system that information could not be transmitted to a communication target. According to the communication system of (((7))), even if a problem occurs in communication by the first communication method of the first communication system, it is possible to leave the possibility of transmitting information to the communication target. According to the communication system of (((8))), it is possible to notify a user of the system of a malfunction of the first communication method. According to the document reading system of (((9))), even if a malfunction occurs in the first communication method of the document reading system that uses the first communication method to send image data of an image recorded on a recording medium to a communication target, it is possible to transmit the image recorded on a recording medium to the communication target. According to the image forming system relating to (((10))), even if a malfunction occurs in the first communication method of the image forming system that sends image data of an image recorded on a recording medium to a communication target using the first communication method, it is possible to transmit the image recorded on a recording medium to the communication target. According to the program relating to (((11))), even if a problem occurs in communication using a first communication method in a communication system that sends information to a communication target using a first communication method, it is possible to transmit information to the communication target using the first communication method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 10 Image forming apparatus (image forming system 10H case 14 Storage section 16 Conveyor section 18 Image forming unit 20 Image forming section 22 Transfer belt 26 Storage material 28 Transport Route 30 Sending Roll 32 Transport roll 36 Image holder 38 Charging Roll 40 Developing device 42 Exposure equipment 44 Primary transfer roll 46 Secondary transfer roll 50 Fixing device 52 Image reading device 60 Document reading unit (an example of a reading device and part of a document reading system) 62 Transparent plate 64 Transport Equipment 60A housing 66 Internet 70 Control Unit Information System 72A CPU (an example of a processor) 72B ROM 72C RAM 72D Flash Memory 72E Bus 76A CPU (another example of a processor) 76B ROM 76C RAM74 Non-volatile memory 80 Network Interface 82 Display unit (example of a sign unit) 84 Reception 86 Recovery Program 88 Address information list 92 Touch Panel 90 Sending request data 90A Transmission instruction data 90B Image data 90C Prohibition / permission setting data 94 Proxy sending data 94D Sender Data

Claims

1. A processor is provided. The processor, When a problem occurs in communication by the first communication method, communicating with a first communication system capable of communication by using communication by the second communication method, and causing the first communication system to transmit information to a communication target by using communication by the first communication method. Communication systems.

2. The processor prohibits the communication target from transmitting other information to the system. The communication system of claim 1 .

3. the processor permits transmission of other information from the communication target to the system when a malfunction in communication using the first communication method of the system is resolved; The communication system according to claim 2 .

4. The processor causes the first communication system to transmit a result of transmitting the information to the communication target to the first communication system.

2. The communication system of claim 1.

5. When the first communication system is able to transmit the information to the communication target, the processor causes the first communication system to transmit a success result, which is the transmission result, to the first communication system.

5. The communication system according to claim 4.

6. When the first communication system fails to transmit the information to the communication target, the processor causes the first communication system to transmit a failure result, which is the transmission result, to the first communication system. A communication system according to claim 4 or 5.

7. when the processor receives the failure result from the first communication system, the processor communicates with a second communication system capable of communication using the second communication method, and causes the second communication system to transmit the information to the communication target using communication according to the first communication method.

7. The communication system according to claim 6.

8. Further comprising a sign portion, When the malfunction occurs, the processor indicates on the indication unit that the malfunction has occurred.

2. The communication system of claim 1.

9. A communication system according to claim 1; A reading device that reads an image recorded on a recording medium; Equipped with The information includes image data read by the reading device. Manuscript reading system.

10. The document reading system according to claim 9 , an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; An image forming system comprising:

11. When a problem occurs in communication by the first communication method, communicating with a first communication system capable of communication by using communication by the second communication method, and causing the first communication system to transmit information to a communication target by using communication by the first communication method. A program that causes a computer to carry out processing.

Images