Log acquisition device, system and log acquisition program

Abstract

To provide a log acquisition device, a system and a log acquisition program that can facilitate reproduction of a fault caused owing to an operation on the side of an information processing device with respect to a job that an image processing device and the information processing device cooperate to execute.SOLUTION: A log acquisition device comprises a log acquisition part which acquires log data, and the log acquisition part acquires log data on the operation of an image processing device and log data on the operation of an information processing device (S121 to S124) with respect to a job that the image processing device and the information processing device cooperate to execute.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a log acquisition device, a system, and a log acquisition program for acquiring log data.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a log acquisition device for acquiring log data of the operation of an image processing device has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, there is a problem that it is difficult to reproduce a failure caused by an operation on the information processing device side regarding a job jointly executed by the image processing device and the information processing device.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a log acquisition device, a system, and a log acquisition program that can facilitate the reproduction of a failure caused by an operation on the information processing device side regarding a job jointly executed by the image processing device and the information processing device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The log acquisition device of the present invention includes a log acquisition unit that acquires log data, and the log acquisition unit acquires the log data of the operation of the image processing device and the log data of the operation of the information processing device regarding a job jointly executed by the image processing device and the information processing device.

[0007] With this configuration, the log acquisition device of the present invention acquires the log data of the operations of the image processing device and the log data of the operations of the information processing device regarding the job jointly executed by the image processing device and the information processing device. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the reproduction of a failure caused by an operation on the information processing device side regarding the job jointly executed by the image processing device and the information processing device.

[0008] In the log acquisition device of the present invention, the job is jointly executed by the image processing device, the information processing device, and a server. The log acquisition unit may acquire the log data of the operation of the image processing device, the log data of the operation of the information processing device, and the log data of the operation of the server regarding the job.

[0009] With this configuration, the log acquisition device of the present invention acquires the log data of the operations of the image processing device, the log data of the operations of the information processing device, and the log data of the operation of the server regarding the job jointly executed by the image processing device, the information processing device, and the server. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the reproduction of a failure regarding the job jointly executed by the image processing device, the information processing device, and the server.

[0010] The system of the present invention includes an image processing device, an information processing device, and a log acquisition device including a log acquisition unit that acquires log data. The log acquisition unit acquires the log data of the operation of the image processing device and the log data of the operation of the information processing device regarding the job jointly executed by the image processing device and the information processing device.

[0011] With this configuration, in the system of the present invention, the log acquisition device acquires the log data of the operation of the image processing device and the log data of the operation of the information processing device regarding the job jointly executed by the image processing device and the information processing device. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the reproduction of a failure caused by an operation on the information processing device side regarding the job jointly executed by the image processing device and the information processing device.

[0012] In the system of the present invention, the image processing apparatus includes a display unit and an operation unit for operating the screen displayed on the display unit. When the screen is operated by the operation unit, the image processing apparatus may generate log data including identification information of the screen displayed on the display unit at that time, coordinates of the location on the screen that was operated by the operation unit, and the date and time when the screen was operated by the operation unit.

[0013] With this configuration, in the system of the present invention, when the screen displayed on the display unit of the image processing apparatus is operated by the operation unit of the image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus generates log data including identification information of the screen displayed on the display unit at that time, coordinates of the location on the screen that was operated by the operation unit, and the date and time when the screen was operated by the operation unit. Then, the log acquisition apparatus acquires the log data generated by the image processing apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the reproduction of a failure caused by the location on the screen of the image processing apparatus that was operated by the operation unit of the image processing apparatus and the timing of that operation.

[0014] In the system of the present invention, the information processing apparatus includes a display unit and an operation unit for operating the screen displayed on the display unit. When the screen is operated by the operation unit, the information processing apparatus may generate log data including identification information of the screen displayed on the display unit at that time, coordinates of the location on the screen that was operated by the operation unit, and the date and time when the screen was operated by the operation unit.

[0015] With this configuration, in the system of the present invention, when the screen displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus is operated by the operation unit of the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus generates log data including identification information of the screen displayed on the display unit at that time, coordinates of the location on the screen that was operated by the operation unit, and the date and time when the screen was operated by the operation unit. Then, the log acquisition apparatus acquires the log data generated by the information processing apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the reproduction of a failure caused by the location on the screen of the information processing apparatus that was operated by the operation unit of the information processing apparatus and the timing of that operation.

[0016] The log acquisition program of the present invention causes a computer to implement a log acquisition unit that acquires log data. The log acquisition unit acquires the log data of the operation of the image processing apparatus and the log data of the operation of the information processing apparatus regarding a job jointly executed by the image processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus.

[0017] With this configuration, since the computer that executes the log acquisition program of the present invention acquires the log data of the operation of the image processing apparatus and the log data of the operation of the information processing apparatus regarding a job jointly executed by the image processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus, it is possible to facilitate the reproduction of a failure caused by an operation on the information processing apparatus side regarding a job jointly executed by the image processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus.

Effect of the Invention

[0018] The log acquisition apparatus, system, and log acquisition program of the present invention can facilitate the reproduction of a failure caused by an operation on the information processing apparatus side regarding a job jointly executed by the image processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] First, the configuration of the system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of the system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 includes an image processing apparatus 20 as an electronic device. The system 10 may include at least one image processing apparatus having the same configuration as the image processing apparatus 20 in addition to the image processing apparatus 20. The image processing apparatus 20 is constituted by, for example, an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) or a dedicated printer, or a dedicated scanner.

[0024] The system 10 includes an information processing apparatus 30 that can execute a job in cooperation with the image processing apparatus. The system 10 includes at least one information processing apparatus having the same configuration as the information processing apparatus 30 in addition to the information processing apparatus 30. The information processing apparatus is constituted by, for example, a PC (Personal Computer).

[0025] The system 10 includes a server 40 as a computer that can execute a job in cooperation with the image processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus.

[0026] The system 10 includes a log acquisition apparatus 50 as a computer that can acquire log data from the image processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus, and the server 40. The user of the log acquisition apparatus 50 is, for example, an analyst of a failure related to a job using the image processing apparatus, such as a developer belonging to the manufacturer of the image processing apparatus.

[0027] The image processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus, the server 40, and the log acquisition apparatus 50 can communicate with each other via a network 11 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image processing apparatus 20 in the case of an MFP.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 20 includes an operation unit 21 which is an operation device such as a button for inputting various operations, a display unit 22 which is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying various information, a printer 23 which is a printing device for printing an image on a recording medium such as paper, a scanner 24 which is a reading device for reading an image from a document, a communication unit 25 which is a communication device for communicating directly with an external device by wire or wirelessly via a network such as a LAN or the Internet or without passing through the network, a facsimile communication unit 26 which is a facsimile device for performing facsimile communication via a communication line such as an external facsimile device (not shown) and a public telephone line, a storage unit 27 which is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) for storing various information, and a control unit 28 for controlling the entire image processing apparatus 20, and is a computer.

[0030] At least a part of the operation unit 21 constitutes a touch panel together with the display unit 22.

[0031] The storage unit 27 can store a log generation program 27a for generating log data of the operation of the image processing apparatus 20. The log generation program 27a may be installed in the image processing apparatus 20 at the manufacturing stage of the image processing apparatus 20, or may be additionally installed in the image processing apparatus 20 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or may be additionally installed in the image processing apparatus 20 from the network.

[0032] The storage unit 27 can store the log data 27b generated by the execution of the log generation program 27a. The storage unit 27 may store at least one log data generated by the execution of the log generation program 27a in addition to the log data 27b.

[0033] The control unit 28 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 28. The CPU of the control unit 28 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 27 or the ROM of the control unit 28.

[0034] The control unit 28 realizes a log generation unit 28a that generates log data by executing the log generation program 27a.

[0035] Figure 3 is a block diagram of the information processing apparatus 30.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the information processing apparatus 30 includes an operation unit 31 which is an operation device such as a keyboard or a mouse for inputting various operations, a display unit 32 which is a display device such as an LCD for displaying various information, a communication unit 33 which is a communication device for communicating with an external device directly by wire or wirelessly via a network such as a LAN or the Internet or without passing through a network, a storage unit 34 which is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD for storing various information, and a control unit 35 for controlling the entire information processing apparatus 30.

[0037] The storage unit 34 can store a log generation program 34a for generating log data of the operation of the information processing apparatus 30. The log generation program 34a may be installed in the information processing apparatus 30 at the manufacturing stage of the information processing apparatus 30, for example, or may be additionally installed in the information processing apparatus 30 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the information processing apparatus 30 from the network.

[0038] The storage unit 34 can store the log data 34b generated by the execution of the log generation program 34a. The storage unit 34 may store at least one log data generated by the execution of the log generation program 34a in addition to the log data 34b.

[0039] The storage unit 34 can store a printer driver 34c for controlling an image processing apparatus. The printer driver 34c may be installed in the information processing apparatus 30 at the manufacturing stage of the information processing apparatus 30, for example, or may be additionally installed in the information processing apparatus 30 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the information processing apparatus 30 from the network.

[0040] The control unit 35 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM as a memory used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 35. The CPU of the control unit 35 executes a program stored in the storage unit 34 or the ROM of the control unit 35.

[0041] The control unit 35 realizes a log generation unit 35a that generates log data by executing the log generation program 34a.

[0042] The control unit 35 realizes a device control unit 35b that controls an image processing apparatus by executing the printer driver 34c.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the server 40.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, the server 40 includes an operation unit 41 which is an operation device such as a keyboard or a mouse for inputting various operations, a display unit 42 which is a display device such as an LCD for displaying various information, a communication unit 43 which is a communication device for communicating directly with an external device by wire or wirelessly via a network such as a LAN or the Internet or without going through a network, a storage unit 44 which is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD for storing various information, and a control unit 45 for controlling the entire server 40.

[0045] The storage unit 44 can store a log generation program 44a for generating log data of the operation of the server 40. The log generation program 44a may be installed in the server 40 at the manufacturing stage of the server 40, may be additionally installed in the server 40 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the server 40 from the network.

[0046] The storage unit 44 can store the log data 44b generated by the execution of the log generation program 44a. The storage unit 44 may store at least one log data generated by the execution of the log generation program 44a other than the log data 44b.

[0047] The control unit 45 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM storing programs and various data, and a RAM as a memory used as a working area of the CPU of the control unit 45. The CPU of the control unit 45 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 44 or the ROM of the control unit 45.

[0048] The control unit 45 realizes a log generation unit 45a for generating log data by executing the log generation program 44a.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the log acquisition device 50.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, the log acquisition device 50 includes an operation unit 51 which is an operation device such as a keyboard or a mouse for inputting various operations, a display unit 52 which is a display device such as an LCD for displaying various information, a communication unit 53 which is a communication device for communicating directly with an external device by wire or wirelessly via a network such as a LAN or the Internet or without going through a network, a storage unit 54 which is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD for storing various information, and a control unit 55 for controlling the entire log acquisition device 50.

[0051] The storage unit 54 can store a log acquisition program 54a for acquiring log data from an image processing device, an information processing device, and a server 40. The log acquisition program 54a may be installed in the log acquisition device 50 at the manufacturing stage of the log acquisition device 50, may be additionally installed in the log acquisition device 50 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the log acquisition device 50 from the network.

[0052] The storage unit 54 can store the log data 54b acquired by the execution of the log acquisition program 54a. The storage unit 54 may store at least one log data acquired by the execution of the log acquisition program 54a other than the log data 54b.

[0053] The control unit 55 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM for storing programs and various data, and a RAM as a memory used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 55. The CPU of the control unit 55 executes a program stored in the storage unit 54 or the ROM of the control unit 55.

[0054] The control unit 55 realizes a log acquisition unit 55a for acquiring log data from an image processing device, an information processing device, and a server 40 by executing the log acquisition program 54a.

[0055] Next, the operation of the system 10 will be described.

[0056] First, the operation of the image processing apparatus 20 when generating log data will be described.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the image processing apparatus 20 when generating log data.

[0058] When the image processing apparatus 20 is activated, the control unit 28 of the image processing apparatus 20 executes the operations shown in FIG. 6 by executing the log generation program 27a.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 6, the log generation unit 28a of the image processing apparatus 20 determines whether the image processing apparatus 20 has executed any operation until it determines that the image processing apparatus 20 has executed some operation (S101).

[0060] When the log generation unit 28a determines in S101 that the image processing apparatus 20 has executed some operation, the log generation unit 28a generates log data of the operation determined in S101 as having been executed by the image processing apparatus 20 (S102). For example, when the log generation unit 28a determines in S101 that the image processing apparatus 20 has detected that the touch panel of the image processing apparatus 20 has been pressed, the log generation unit 28a generates log data including the identification information of the screen displayed on the touch panel at the time when the touch panel of the image processing apparatus 20 was pressed, the coordinates of the pressed location on the touch panel of the image processing apparatus 20, and the date and time when the touch panel of the image processing apparatus 20 was pressed.

[0061] When the process of S102 ends, the log generation unit 28a stores the log data generated in S102 in the storage unit 27 (S103) and ends the operation shown in FIG. 6.

[0062] Next, the operation of the information processing apparatus 30 when generating log data will be described.

[0063] The operation of the log generation unit 35a of the information processing apparatus 30 when generating log data is the same as the operation of the log generation unit 28a of the image processing apparatus 20 when generating log data. For example, when the information processing apparatus 30 detects that the screen of the information processing apparatus 30 has been operated, the log generation unit 35a of the information processing apparatus 30 generates log data including the identification information of the screen displayed on the display unit 32 at the time when the screen was operated, the coordinates of the location where the screen was operated, and the date and time when the screen was operated. Here, as the screen, for example, there are a print screen for causing the image processing apparatus to execute printing and a print setting screen displayed by the apparatus control unit 35b.

[0064] Next, the operation of the server 40 when generating log data will be described.

[0065] The operation of the log generation unit 45a of the server 40 when generating log data is the same as the operation of the log generation unit 28a of the image processing apparatus 20 when generating log data.

[0066] Next, the operation of the log acquisition apparatus 50 when acquiring log data from the image processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus, and the server 40 will be described.

[0067] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the operation of the log acquisition apparatus 50 when acquiring log data from the image processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus, and the server 40.

[0068] For example, when a failure occurs in any of the image processing apparatuses, the user of the log acquisition apparatus 50 can identify the image processing apparatus in which the failure has occurred and instruct the log acquisition apparatus 50 to acquire the log data of the identified image processing apparatus via the operation unit 51 or the communication unit 53. When the acquisition of the log data of the image processing apparatus is instructed, the log acquisition apparatus 50 executes the operation shown in FIG. 7.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 7, the log acquisition unit 55a of the control unit 55 acquires all the log data from the image processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as the "target image processing apparatus") for which the acquisition of log data has been instructed (S121).

[0070] When the process of S121 ends, the log acquisition unit 55a identifies all the information processing apparatuses that the target image processing apparatus has transmitted or received any data based on the log data acquired in S121 (S122).

[0071] The log acquisition unit 55a determines whether any information processing apparatus has been identified in S122 (S123).

[0072] When it is determined in S123 that any information processing apparatus has been identified in S122, the log acquisition unit 55a acquires all the log data from all the information processing apparatuses identified in S122 (S124).

[0073] When it is determined in S123 that no information processing apparatus has been identified in S122, or when the process of S124 ends, the log acquisition unit 55a determines whether the target image processing apparatus has transmitted any data to the server 40 or received any data from the server 40 based on the log data acquired in S121 (S125).

[0074] When it is determined in S125 that the target image processing apparatus has transmitted any data to the server 40 or received any data from the server 40, the log acquisition unit 55a acquires all the log data from the server 40 (S126).

[0075] When it is determined in S125 that the target image processing apparatus has not transmitted any data to the server 40 and has not received any data from the server 40, or when the process of S126 ends, the log acquisition unit 55a ends the operation shown in FIG. 7.

[0076] As described above, since the log acquisition device 50 acquires the log data of the operations of the image processing device and the information processing device regarding the job jointly executed by the image processing device and the information processing device (S121 to S124), it is possible to facilitate the reproduction of a failure caused by an operation on the information processing device side regarding the job jointly executed by the image processing device and the information processing device. For example, in the case where a failure occurs in a job in which printing is executed by the printer of the image processing device in response to an operation of a print request on the print screen displayed on the display unit of the information processing device, an analyst of the failure can reproduce the failure by using information such as at what timing and what data was transmitted from the information processing device to the image processing device. Also, in the case where a failure occurs in a job in which scan data generated by the scanner of the image processing device is transmitted from the image processing device to the information processing device and the information processing device stores this scan data, an analyst of the failure can reproduce the failure by using information such as at what timing and what scan data was transmitted from the image processing device to the information processing device. Then, the analyst of the failure can identify the cause of the failure by reproducing the failure.

[0077] The log acquisition device 50 acquires the log data of the operations of the image processing device, the information processing device, and the server 40 regarding the jobs jointly executed by the image processing device, the information processing device, and the server 40 (S121 to S126). Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the reproduction of a failure regarding the jobs jointly executed by the image processing device, the information processing device, and the server 40. For example, in a so-called pull print job where print data is transmitted from the information processing device to the server, the server stores this print data, and the image processing device receives the print data from the server in response to a request for print data from the image processing device to the server, and printing is executed by the printer of the image processing device based on this print data. When a failure occurs, an analyst of the failure can reproduce the failure using information such as which print data was transmitted from which information processing device to the server 40 at what time, which print data was requested from the image processing device to the server 40 at what time, and which print data was transmitted from the server 40 to the image processing device at what time. Then, the analyst of the failure can identify the cause of the failure by reproducing the failure.

[0078] When the screen displayed on the display unit of the image processing device is operated by the operation unit of the image processing device, the image processing device generates log data including the identification information of the screen displayed on the display unit at that time, the coordinates of the location where the screen was operated by the operation unit, and the date and time when the screen was operated by the operation unit (S102). Since the log acquisition device 50 acquires the log data generated by the image processing device (S121), it is possible to facilitate the reproduction of a failure caused by the location where the screen displayed on the display unit of the image processing device was operated by the operation unit of the image processing device and the timing of that operation.

[0079] When the screen displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus is operated by the operation unit of the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus generates log data including the identification information of the screen displayed on the display unit at that time, the coordinates of the location where the screen was operated by the operation unit, and the date and time when the screen was operated by the operation unit. Since the log acquisition device 50 acquires the log data generated by the information processing apparatus (S124), it is possible to facilitate the reproduction of a failure caused by the location where the screen displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus was operated and the timing of that operation. For example, when a failure occurs in a job in which printing is executed by the printer of the image processing apparatus in response to an operation of a print request on the print screen displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus, the failure analyst can use information such as how the settings were executed in what procedure on the print setting screen in the information processing apparatus and the timing at which the operation of the print request was executed in the information processing apparatus to reproduce the failure.

[0080] In this embodiment, the log acquisition device 50 acquires all the log data from the information processing apparatus specified in S122 in S124. However, the log acquisition device 50 may acquire only the log data related to the target image processing apparatus from the information processing apparatus specified in S122 in S124.

[0081] In this embodiment, the log acquisition device 50 acquires all the log data from the server 40 in S126. However, the log acquisition device 50 may acquire only the log data related to the target image processing apparatus from the server 40 in S126.

Explanation of Signs

[0082] 10 System 20 Image Processing Apparatus 27b Log Data 30 Information Processing Apparatus 34b Log Data 40 Server 44b Log Data 50 Log acquisition device (computer) 54a Log acquisition program 54b Log data 55a Log acquisition unit

Claims

1. A log acquisition unit for acquiring log data, wherein the log acquisition unit acquires the log data of the operation of the image processing apparatus and the log data of the operation of the information processing apparatus with respect to a job jointly executed by the image processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus. A log acquisition device characterized by that.

2. The job is jointly executed by the image processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus, and a server, wherein the log acquisition unit acquires the log data of the operation of the image processing apparatus, the log data of the operation of the information processing apparatus, and the log data of the operation of the server with respect to the job. The log acquisition device according to claim 1, characterized by that.

3. An image processing apparatus, An information processing apparatus, A log acquisition device including a log acquisition unit for acquiring log data, comprising: wherein the log acquisition unit acquires the log data of the operation of the image processing apparatus and the log data of the operation of the information processing apparatus with respect to a job jointly executed by the image processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus. A system characterized by that.

4. The image processing apparatus includes a display unit and an operation unit for operating a screen displayed on the display unit, and when the screen is operated by the operation unit, the identification information of the screen displayed on the display unit at that time, and among the screens, coordinates of the location operated by the operation unit, and the date and time when the screen was operated by the operation unit. The system according to claim 3, characterized by generating the log data including that.

5. The information processing apparatus includes a display unit and an operation unit for operating a screen displayed on the display unit, and when the screen is operated by the operation unit, the identification information of the screen displayed on the display unit at that time, and among the screens, coordinates of the location operated by the operation unit, and the date and time when the screen was operated by the operation unit. The system according to claim 3, characterized by generating the log data including that.

6. A log acquisition unit is realized on a computer, wherein the log acquisition unit acquires the log data of the operation of the image processing apparatus and the log data of the operation of the information processing apparatus with respect to a job jointly executed by the image processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus. A log acquisition program characterized by that.

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