Printing system, control method of the same and program

Abstract

To provide a printing system and the others that can surely store a log of firmware during jamming and enables a user to grasp the storage of the log.SOLUTION: The printing system, which comprises a jamming detecting part that detects occurrence of jamming that is a state where a paper gets jammed, a guide display part that guides and displays steps of removing the paper corresponding to the detected occurrence of jamming and a plurality of units corresponding to a plurality of kinds of functions, is further provided with: a log storage part that automatically stores an operation log of firmware that controls one unit; a log storage preferentially setting part that effectively sets a step in which the log storage part is preferentially operated when jamming occurs; and a control part that when the jamming detecting part detects occurrence of jamming and when the log storage preferentially setting part effectively sets the step, makes the log storage part execute a process for automatically storing the operation log of firmware and makes a display part display a screen for urging a user to wait until the process for automatically storing is completed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Paper jams (hereinafter referred to as "jams") can occur in printing devices that print and output images on storage media such as paper. When a jam occurs, the user must manually remove the jammed paper or other material (jammed paper) and take steps to restore the printing operation to a state where it can be resumed. For this reason, when a jam occurs, the user is notified of the jam by a display screen on the operation unit of the printing device, an error lamp, or the like. Some devices are also provided that notify the user of the location of the jammed paper, the procedure for opening the device cover to access the jammed paper, the procedure for removing and installing units, etc., on the display screen of the operation unit, and guide the user through the jam removal process.

[0003] Furthermore, in a printing device, the paper transport, image formation, and other operations are controlled by the firmware of each unit that makes up the device, and jams can occur due to firmware malfunctions. For this reason, a technology has been disclosed in which a firmware operation log is automatically saved in non-volatile memory when an error occurs in a printing device so that device vendors can investigate firmware malfunctions (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-118056 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, because it can take time to save the firmware's operation log, if the user turns the printer's power off and on while the log is being saved, the log acquisition may be incomplete. Also, the parallel execution of the operation log saving process, jam release process, and subsequent job operations after restart places a heavy load on the printer's control, which may cause further malfunctions.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a printing system, a control method, and a program that reliably stores a firmware log when a jam occurs and allows the user to understand this. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is a printing system having a jam detection unit that detects the occurrence of a jam in which paper is stuck, a guidance display unit that displays guidance on paper removal procedures in response to the detected jam, and multiple units corresponding to multiple types of functions, characterized in that it comprises: a log storage unit that automatically saves an operation log of firmware that controls one of the units; a log storage priority setting unit that enables a setting to prioritize the operation of the log storage unit when a jam occurs; and a control unit that, when a jam is detected by the jam detection unit and the log storage priority setting unit is enabled, causes the log storage unit to execute an automatic saving process of the firmware's operation log and displays a screen on a display unit that prompts the user to wait until the automatic saving process is completed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the firmware log is reliably saved when a jam occurs, and the user can be made aware of this. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the main internal configuration of a printing system 1000. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the configuration of a printing system 1000. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operation unit 240 provided in the printing system 1000. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a jam processing screen when a jam occurs. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a setting screen for a log storage priority mode. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a screen display in a log storage priority mode. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of a saved log. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a process including a log saving process when a jam occurs. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a log automatic saving process. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a table that defines jam codes and log storage targets. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a screen display in a log storage priority mode according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the embodiments. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0011] (Figure 1: System configuration of an embodiment of the present invention) 1, this system includes a printing system 1000 and a client computer 102 (hereinafter referred to as "PC 102"), which are interconnected via a network 101 so that required information can be communicated. In addition, the PC 102 is capable of transmitting PDL (page description language) code data, which is a print job, to the printing system 1000 via the network 101.

[0012] (Figure 2: Main internal configuration of the printing system 1000) As shown in FIG. 3 (described later), the printing system 1000 includes a printing apparatus 100, a static eliminator 200-3a, and a saddle stitcher 200-3b. In this embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 is a main unit that forms images, and the printing system 1000 also includes a post-processing device that performs post-processing on sheets ejected from the printing apparatus 100. FIG. 2 shows the main internal components of the printing system 1000, such as a scanner unit 210, a printer unit 220, and a control unit 200. The printing system 1000 can also be connected to any number of sheet processing devices 230. In this embodiment, the printing system 1000 will be described using an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) that has multiple functions, such as a copy function and a printer function. However, the printing system 1000 may also be a single-function printing apparatus that has only a copy function or only a printer function. In this embodiment, the printing system 1000 is assumed to have the following components, as an example.

[0013] (Scanner unit 210: CPU 211: ROM 212: RAM 213: External I / F 250) The printing system 1000 is configured so that the sheet processing apparatus 230 can process sheets printed by the printer unit 220. However, the printing system 1000 can also be configured without the sheet processing apparatus 230. The sheet processing apparatus 230 is communicatively connected to the printer unit 220 and can process sheets upon receiving instructions from the printer unit 220. The scanner unit 210 reads images on originals, converts them into image data, and transfers them to other units. The scanner unit 210 has a ROM 212 that stores a firmware program for executing and controlling the scanning operation, a CPU 211 that reads and executes the firmware from the ROM 212, and a RAM 213. The RAM 213 temporarily stores, for example, data while the firmware is running. The external I / F 250 is an interface for sending and receiving data to and from other devices (external devices) connected to the network 101.

[0014] (Printer unit 220: CPU 221: ROM 222: RAM 223) The printer unit 220 prints an image on paper as a print medium based on input image data. The printer unit 220 includes a ROM 222 that stores a firmware program, a CPU 221 that reads and executes the firmware from the ROM 222, and a RAM 223. The RAM 223 temporarily stores, for example, data while the firmware is running. The scanner unit 210 and the printer unit 220 configure a portion of their corresponding RAM area as a ring buffer in accordance with their respective operations, and are configured to store new operation logs while outputting old operation logs.

[0015] (FIG. 4: Operation unit 240: Touch panel unit 401: Hard key input unit 402) The operation unit 240 has a configuration as shown in Fig. 4, for example. As an example, the operation unit 240 has a touch panel unit 401 and a hard key input unit (key input unit) 402, and accepts instructions from the user by operating these. The operation unit 240 also displays various information on the touch panel unit 401. For example, when the user inputs information using the numeric keys and various keys on the hard key input unit 402, the operation unit 240 recognizes the input key, etc. The operation unit 240 also recognizes characters, commands, etc. input by the user through touch operation on the touch panel unit 401 by displaying the information.

[0016] (control unit 200) The control unit 200, which is connected to the operation unit 240, has a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a HDD 204, and a compression / decompression unit 205. The CPU 201 of the control unit 200 comprehensively controls the processing and operations of the various units included in the printing system 1000. That is, the control unit 200 controls the scanner unit 210, the printer unit 220, the operation unit 240, the external I / F 250, etc., and also functions as a main controller that realizes various functions of the printing system. The CPU 201 of the control unit 200 loads a program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executes it, thereby realizing various processes according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] (ROM202:RAM203) The ROM 202 stores various computer programs executed by the control unit 200. The ROM 202 stores programs for causing the control unit 200 to execute each process in the flowcharts described below, and display control programs required to display various setting screens described below. The ROM 202 also stores programs for the control unit 200 to interpret PDL code data received from the PC 102 and convert it into raster image data. The ROM 202 also stores a boot sequence, font information, a charge amount threshold for determining the neutralization effect described below, and the like. The RAM 203 temporarily stores image data and PDL code data transmitted from the scanner unit 210 and the external I / F 250, various programs loaded from the ROM 202, and setting information. The RAM 203 also stores information related to the sheet processing apparatus 230 (information related to the type and functions of the sheet processing apparatus 230).

[0018] (HDD 204: Compression / Expansion Unit 205) The control unit 200 uses information about the sheet processing apparatus 230 stored in RAM 203 for control. The HDD (hard disk drive) 204 is composed of a drive unit and the like that reads and writes data from and to the hard disk. The HDD 204 is a large-capacity non-volatile storage device for storing, for example, image data input from the scanner unit 210 and compressed by the compression / decompression unit 205. The control unit 200 can execute printing processing by passing the image data stored in the HDD 204 to the printer unit 220 based on instructions from a user. The HDD 204 is also used as a spooler, and the control unit 200 can manage PDL code data received from the PC 102 as a print job and store the print job in the HDD 204.

[0019] That is, the control unit 200 can manage print jobs stored in the HDD 204 and can also acquire the number of print jobs stored and various setting information set for the print jobs. The compression / decompression unit 205 compresses and decompresses image data and the like stored in the RAM 203 and HDD 204 using various compression methods such as JBIG and JPEG. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the HDD 204 is also used to store an operation log of firmware recovered in the event of a jam. The details of storing the operation log will be described later.

[0020] (Figure 3: Schematic configuration of a printing system) Next, the configuration of the printing system 1000 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the printing system 1000 and the sheet processing device 230 connected thereto. Fig. 3 includes a static eliminator 200-3a and a saddle stitcher 200-3b as sheet processing devices.

[0021] (ADF 301: Scanner 302: Rotating polygon mirror 303: Photosensitive drum 304) First, we will explain the printing system 1000. An automatic document feeder (ADF) 301 separates a stack of documents set on the loading surface of a document tray in page order, starting with the first page, and transports them onto a platen glass to be scanned by a scanner 302. The scanner 302 reads the image of the document transported onto the platen glass and converts it into image data using a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD. A rotating polygon mirror (e.g., a polygon mirror) 303 receives a beam of light, such as a laser beam, modulated according to the image data, and irradiates it onto a photosensitive drum 304 via a reflecting mirror as reflected scanning light.

[0022] (Transfer drum 305: Separation claw 306: Pre-fixing conveyor 307: Fixing unit 308) A latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 304 by laser light is developed with toner, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet of paper attached to the transfer drum 305. A full-color image is formed by sequentially performing this series of image formation processes for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners. After four image formation processes, the sheet of paper on the transfer drum 305 with the full-color image formed thereon is separated by a separation claw 306 and transported to a fuser 308 by a pre-fixing transporter 307.

[0023] (Paper ejection flapper 309: Paper ejection roller 310) The fuser 308 is composed of a combination of rollers and belts, and incorporates a heat source such as a halogen heater, which melts and fixes the toner on the paper onto which the toner image has been transferred using heat and pressure. The paper discharge flapper 309 is configured to be able to swing around a swing axis, and determines the paper transport direction. When the paper discharge flapper 309 swings clockwise in the figure, the paper is transported straight and is discharged outside the machine by paper discharge rollers 310. The control unit 200 controls the printing system 1000 to perform single-sided printing using the above series of sequences.

[0024] (reversal flapper 311, reversal roller 312, reversal guide 313, refeed roller 315, registration roller 316) On the other hand, when forming images on both sides of the paper, the paper is sent again to the registration rollers 316 by the reversing flapper 311, reversing rollers 312, reversing guide 313, and paper re-feed rollers 315. Details of paper transport for double-sided printing will not be explained in this embodiment. The control unit 200 controls the printing system 1000 to perform double-sided printing through the above-mentioned series of sequences.

[0025] (Paper cassettes 317 and 318: Paper deck 319: Manual paper tray 320) The printing system 1000 also has a paper feed unit that stores paper required for printing processing. The paper feed unit includes paper feed cassettes 317 and 318 (each capable of holding, for example, 500 sheets of paper), a paper feed deck 319 (capable of holding, for example, 5,000 sheets of paper), and a manual paper feed tray 320. Paper feed cassettes 317 and 318 and paper feed deck 319 can be used to set various types of paper of different sizes and materials separately for each paper feed unit.

[0026] In addition, various types of paper, including special paper such as overhead projector paper, can be set in the manual paper tray 320. Information on the paper type of the various types of paper set in each paper feed unit of the printing system 1000 can be registered for each paper feed unit from the operation unit 240 and stored in the control unit 200. Therefore, while the printing system 1000 is outputting printouts, the control unit 200 is configured to be able to determine the registered paper type information and the type of paper currently being printed on.

[0027] (static elimination device 200-3a: saddle stitching machine 200-3b: charge application unit 321: static elimination roller 322: humidification unit 323: conveyance roller 324) The static eliminator 200-3a is a device that prevents sheets of paper from sticking together and improves the quality of the paper finishing process by removing the electric charge that has been applied to the sheets of paper on which an image has been formed by the printing system 1000. The discharged sheet is transported to the static eliminator 203-3a, passes through a static elimination processing unit consisting of a static elimination roller 322 and a charge application unit 321, and is transported by a transport roller 324 of the static eliminator. After that, to further verify the static elimination effect, the sheet is subjected to a humidification processing by a humidification processing unit 323, and then transported to the saddle stitch binding machine 200-b.

[0028] Next, the saddle stitching machine 200-3b will be described. Paper processing by the saddle stitching machine 200-3b includes, for example, saddle stitching, punching, trimming, shift discharge, folding, and stapling. Here, these jobs are referred to as "saddle stitching jobs." When processing a saddle stitching job, the control unit 200 first causes the paper for this job printed by the printing system 1000 to be transported to the saddle stitching machine 200-3b, and then the control unit 200 causes the saddle stitching machine 200-3b to execute paper processing for this job. The control unit 200 then causes the printed matter for the saddle stitching job, which has undergone paper processing by the saddle stitching machine 200-3b, to be stored in the paper output destination "Z" of the saddle stitching machine 200-3b. Note that there are multiple paper output destination candidates for the paper output destination "Z." This allows the saddle stitching machine 200-3b to perform multiple types of paper processing, and is used to separate the paper discharge destinations for each paper processing. In this embodiment, a detailed description of the transport procedure for a saddle stitching job will be omitted.

[0029] (Fig. 5: Explanation of the jam removal screen when a jam occurs) 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a screen displayed on the touch panel unit 401 when a jam occurs in the printing system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In response to the occurrence of a jam, the control unit 200 receives notification of the jam from the printer unit 220 or the scanner unit 210, displays a jam clearance screen 500, and prompts the user to take steps to remove the jammed paper. Note that the jam clearance screen 500 is displayed on the touch panel unit 401 shown in FIG. 4, for example, but a separate display unit may also be provided. The example of the jam clearance screen 500 shown in FIG. 5 displays a notice (guidance display) to the user that a jam has occurred in the printer unit 220, that the location of the jam is the location of the sensor "PS24," and information about the cover that must be opened to access that location.

[0030] More specifically, in FIG. 5, a horizontally elongated rectangle surrounded by a dotted line indicates that a jam has occurred near the position of sensor "PS24" to make it easier for the user to understand. Furthermore, to address the jam, the user is notified by text message prompting them to "(1) Open the right door of the paper feed unit, (2) Remove the paper from the PS24 unit, and (3) Close the right door of the paper feed unit." These guidance patterns are merely examples. The present invention is characterized in that the control unit 200 executes the following process when a jam is detected and the log save priority setting units 601 and 602 (described later) are enabled. In other words, the control unit 200 executes the automatic save process of the operation log of the firmware (software stored in the ROM 212, etc.) in step S904 (log automatic save process) in FIG. 9 (described later) without displaying the guidance shown in FIG. 5. In addition, the control unit 200 does not accept any user operations during the automatic saving process, and displays a guide after the automatic saving process is completed, allowing the control unit 200 to accept user operations.

[0031] (Fig. 6: Explanation of the log saving priority mode setting screen) FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a setting screen 600 and its setting items for determining whether or not to automatically save a firmware operation log when a jam occurs. Reference numeral 601 indicates whether or not to prioritize automatic log saving when a jam occurs, and reference numeral 602 indicates a setting item for switching whether or not to save the log according to the jam code when automatic log saving is performed. Specifically, when the "ON button" displayed below reference numeral 601 is pressed, the setting for prioritizing automatic logging when a jam occurs is set to "enabled." On the other hand, when the "OFF button" displayed below reference numeral 601 is pressed, the setting for prioritizing automatic logging when a jam occurs is set to "disabled."

[0032] Furthermore, pressing the "ON button" displayed below the reference numeral 602 sets the automatic saving of logs only in the event of a soft sequence jam to "enabled." On the other hand, pressing the "OFF button" displayed below the reference numeral 602 sets the automatic saving of logs only in the event of a soft sequence jam to "disabled." Note that in this embodiment, there are two types of jams that can occur, which are distinguished by jam codes:

[0033] (1) First, there is a "hard jam" in which a paper media physically jams, the jam is detected by a sensor inside the system, and the firmware of the printer unit 220 is notified.

[0034] (2) Second, there is a "soft sequence jam" which is a detection of a deviation from the expected sequence of the firmware for paper transport and image formation by the software in the print operation control of the printer unit 220.

[0035] Of the two types of jams mentioned above, there is (2) "In the case of a soft sequence jam, there is a possibility that the control firmware of the printer unit 220 is malfunctioning," and this is a case in which an operation log of the printer unit 220 is required. Also, deviation from the expected sequence of the firmware in (2) can be, for example, when the firmware does not operate according to the basic processing procedure. This is recognized, for example, by the CPU 201 of the control unit 200. As a result, for example, the next occurrence of a jam triggers the execution of an automatic saving process of the operation log. An example of a definition of a jam code in this embodiment is shown in FIG. 12.

[0036] (Figure 12: Table for defining jam codes and log storage targets: 601: Settings screen) FIG. 12 is used to understand the settings on the setting screen 602 shown in FIG. 6, and shows an auto-save definition table 1201 in which a generation unit 1202, a jam code 1203, and an automatic log save target 1204 are associated and registered. The jam code registered as a "save target" in the automatic log save target 1204 is the jam code for the "soft sequence jam" described in (2) above. The jam code defined as a "not to be saved" in the "automatic log save target 1204" is the jam code for the "hard jam" described in (1) above. In this embodiment, the auto-save definition table 1201 is fixedly defined at the time of shipment and stored in the HDD 204 or the like. When the setting on the setting screen 601 is enabled (when the ON button is set), the table is referenced and used for automatic log save control. Note that if automatic saving of a log when a jam occurs is not a priority, the "OFF button" is selected by the user or the like. Also, in FIG. 12, an example of two units (scanner unit, printer unit) corresponding to two types of functions has been described, but other functional units may be added in addition to those shown in FIG.

[0037] (602: Settings screen) 6 shows an example of a setting screen 602 for specifying whether to target only jams caused by firmware problems as the type of jam code, that is, (2) soft sequence jams among the jam types described above. In the printing system 1000 of this embodiment, the settings for 601 and 602 are both set to off (disabled) at the time of shipment, and automatic log saving when a jam occurs is configured to start only when the user or the like enables 601 and 602 when necessary.

[0038] (Fig. 7: Screen display in log saving priority mode) In FIG. 6, both 601 and 602 indicate a state in which the setting is enabled (ON). FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit 240 when a jam occurs that corresponds to the setting screen 601 and the setting screen 602. If automatic log saving when a jam occurs is set to "enabled" on the setting screen 601 and the jam code also corresponds to the setting screen 602, the control unit 200 displays screen 700 of FIG. 7 on the touch panel unit 401 instead of the jam handling screen shown in FIG. 5. This notifies the user that the firmware is performing log saving processing and that they should wait without turning the power off and on until the log saving is complete. In this way, FIG. 7 shows an example in which the estimated time until the log saving is complete is also displayed and the user is notified of the waiting time, thereby realizing a user-friendly display.

[0039] (Figure 8: Explanation of the saved log structure) FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing how automatically saved firmware operation logs (soft sequence jams) are stored in the HDD 204 (non-volatile memory). In this embodiment, logs from up to five jam occurrences are compressed, archived, and saved. When a jam log needs to be saved after the sixth jam, a rotation process is performed to delete the oldest log, so that the logs from the most recent five jam occurrences are saved. In this embodiment, a jam occurs in the printer unit 220 or the scanner unit 210, and when a jam occurs, the firmware operation log of the corresponding unit is saved. Therefore, in the case of a jam in the printer unit 220, the log output by the CPU 221 of the printer unit 220 is collected and archived. On the other hand, in the case of a jam in the scanner unit 210, the log output by the CPU 211 of the scanner unit 210 is collected and archived.

[0040] (Figure 9: Flowchart including log saving process when jam occurs; Figure 10: Flowchart showing automatic log saving process) Next, the automatic saving control process of the firmware's operation log when a jam occurs will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. The following description is based on the premise that the setting screen 601 shown in Figure 6, which is a setting related to automatic log saving, is enabled. At the same time, the setting screen 602 is also set to "enabled." In the embodiment described below, the description will be based on the assumption that a jam with jam code "0x0c92" has occurred in the printer unit 220.

[0041] (Figure 9: S901: S902: Flowchart including log saving process when jam occurs) 9, first, in step S901, the control unit 200 determines whether a jam has occurred. If it determines that a jam has occurred (Yes), the process proceeds to step S902, whereas otherwise (No), the process proceeds to step S906. For example, if the control unit 200 determines in step S901 that a jam has occurred after the printing system 1000 starts a copy job, the control unit 200 proceeds to step S902. In step S902, the control unit 200 references the setting value (enabled or disabled) on the setting screen 601 and proceeds to step S903.

[0042] (Step S903: Step S904) In step S903, the control unit 200 determines whether the "log save priority mode" is set. In step S903, if the control unit 200 determines that the "log save priority mode" is off (disabled), in other words, that automatic log save is not set as a priority on the setting screen 601 (No), the control unit 200 proceeds to step S905 and displays the normal jam handling screen 500. In this embodiment, since the setting is set to "enabled" on the setting screen 601 (Yes), in step S904 the control unit 200 executes the "log automatic save process."

[0043] (FIG. 10: Flowchart showing the process of step S904 in FIG. 9: automatic log saving process) (S1001:S1002:S1003:S1004) The process of step S904 in FIG. 9 will now be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 10. First, in step S1001, the control unit 200 acquires the jam code notified from the printer unit 220. Next, in step S1002, the control unit 200 references the auto-save definition table 1201, and in step S1003, determines whether the previously acquired jam code is subject to automatic log saving. As described above, the jam code is "0x0c92," and by referencing the auto-save definition table 1201, the result of the determination as to whether the jam code is subject to automatic log saving is "save target" (Yes). Therefore, the control unit 200 starts automatic log saving, and in step S1004, sends display information to the operation unit 240 to display screen 700 on the operation unit 240. As a result, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 7 described above is displayed on the operation unit 240.

[0044] (S1005, S1006:S1007:S1008) In step S1005, the control unit 200 calculates the processing time required to save the current log and notifies the operation unit 240. In response, the operation unit 240 displays the remaining time until the log saving is complete on the display screen, as shown in screen 700 (see FIG. 7). Next, in step S1006, the control unit 200 requests the printer unit 220 to transmit the operation log stored in RAM 223 of the printer unit 220. In response to the request, the control unit 200 receives the operation log transmitted from the printer unit 220 (firmware log collection). Next, in step S1007, when the control unit 200 has completed receiving the operation log from the printer unit 220, the control unit 200 compresses the received operation log, archives it, and saves it on the HDD 204. Then, in step S1008, when the control unit 200 has completed saving the operation log, it notifies the operation unit 240 of an erase instruction to erase the display screen containing the message "Please wait, etc." that was displayed on the operation unit 240 in step S1004. As a result, the display screen shown in FIG.

[0045] (S905:S906) The above process completes the firmware operation log saving process (S904) when a jam occurs, so we will return to the flowchart in FIG. 9 for further explanation. Since the automatic log saving process (S904) is complete, in step S905, the control unit 200 causes the operation unit 240 to display the jam clearing screen 500 to prompt the user to clear the jam. After the user completes the jam clearing process, the job that was stopped due to the jam resumes. Then, in step S906, the control unit 200 determines whether this is the last sheet to be printed, and continues job processing until the last sheet is printed out. That is, if the control unit 200 determines that the last sheet has not been printed out (No), the process returns to step S901 to continue the series of processes. On the other hand, if the control unit 200 determines that the last sheet has been printed out (Yes), all of the processes shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, including the automatic log saving process, are terminated.

[0046] (FIG. 11: Sequence diagram in the first embodiment) Next, to facilitate understanding of the first embodiment of the present invention, the process of controlling automatic saving of firmware operation logs when a jam occurs will be described with reference to Fig. 11, which is a sequence diagram showing the processes of Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. First, when a jam occurs in the printer unit 220 (S901), the CPU 221 of the printer unit 220 notifies the control unit 200 of the jam code (0x0c92) of the jam that has occurred. In S902, the control unit 200 references the setting values ​​on the setting screen 601, and then in S1003 determines whether the jam code previously notified is a target for automatic log saving.

[0047] If the control unit 200 determines that the notified jam code is subject to automatic log storage, in S1004, the control unit 200 causes the operation unit 240 to display screen 700. Next, in S1005, the control unit 200 calculates the processing time required for this log storage, notifies the operation unit 240 of the calculation result, and causes the operation unit 240 to display the calculation result, etc. Next, in S1006, the control unit 200 starts the log storage process. Specifically, the control unit 200 requests the printer unit 220 to transmit the operation log stored in RAM 223 of the printer unit 220. The control unit 200 receives the operation log transmitted from the printer unit 220 in response to the request. Then, in step S1007, when the control unit 200 has completed receiving the operation log from the printer unit 220, the control unit 200 compresses and archives the received operation log and stores it in the HDD 204. Finally, in S1008, when the control unit 200 has completed storing the operation log, the control unit 200 notifies the operation unit 240 of an erase instruction to erase the display screen of FIG. 7 that was previously displayed on the operation unit 240 in step S1004. Thus, the display screen of FIG.

[0048] Here, the firmware operation log stored in the HDD 204 at the time of jam occurrence is ultimately transferred from the printing system 1000 to an external device so that the device vendor can analyze the cause of the jam. In this embodiment, the operation log stored in the HDD 204 of the control unit 200 is collected from an external server (not shown) via the network 101. The manner in which the operation log is automatically collected is not limited to this. For example, the operation log may be collected via the network 100 via an external I / F provided in the printing system 1000.

[0049] Furthermore, if the printing system 1000 is configured with a USB terminal, a USB memory may be attached to collect the operation log. Note that, although the present embodiment has been described taking the case where a jam occurs in the printer unit 220 as an example, the processing flow is the same even if a jam occurs in the scanner unit 210, for example. Therefore, a description of when a jam occurs in the scanner unit 210 will be omitted.

[0050] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the operation unit 240 displays a screen so that no operations of the printing system 1000 are accepted during automatic log saving. However, the second embodiment is characterized in that it allows operations on units that can operate as normal functions.

[0051] (FIG. 13: Example of a screen display in the log saving priority mode of the second embodiment) 13 shows a screen display 1300 for the copy function that is displayed when a jam has occurred in the printer unit 220 and the firmware of the printer unit 220 is collecting and saving an operation log. A start button 1303 and a message 1301 for the copy function are displayed within the touch panel unit 401. A status line 1302 at the bottom of the screen displays a message indicating that the printer unit 220 is currently collecting an operation log and therefore cannot be used by the user. At the same time, the scanner unit 210, which is unrelated to the operation log collection, is shown to be in an operable state. Specifically, the message "Printer is saving log (30 seconds remaining, do not turn off the power until saving is complete)" is displayed to attract the user's attention.

[0052] (FIG. 14: Sequence diagram in the second embodiment) The operation of the scanner unit 210, which is operable in this state, will be described with reference to Figure 14. In the job start state, a jam has occurred in the printer unit 220, and the firmware log of the printer unit 220 is being saved (S1401). Note that the series of log saving processes executed in "S1401" is the same as the sequence shown in Figure 11, but the display request content notified to the operation unit 240 is different. Since the scanner unit 210 is normally operable in this state, the screen of the operation unit 240 displays the information described in Figure 13 to notify the user that scanning is possible.

[0053] In S1402, when the user performs an operation to start a scan job (scan job start), the control unit 200 instructs the scanner unit 210 to perform a scan operation (S1403). In response to this, the scanner unit 210 starts the scan operation (S1405).

[0054] Next, the control unit 200 requests the operation unit 240 to display "Reading" indicating that the scanner is operating, and the display 1301 (see FIG. 13) on the operation unit 240 changes from "Ready to read" to "Reading" (S1404).

[0055] As a result of the processing in step S1404, the printer unit 220 continues the log saving processing, so the status line 1302 (see FIG. 13) displays "Printer is saving log." Next, when the scanning processing ends in S1406, the scanner unit 210 notifies the control unit 200 that the scan has ended (idle notification), and the control unit 200 recognizes that the scan job has ended (S1407).

[0056] Next, in S1407, the control unit 200 notifies the operation unit 240 of a request to return the scanner unit 210 to the idle state and change the display to indicate that the next operation is acceptable, simultaneously with the scan job completion process. As a result, a status display request for "Ready to read" is made, and the main status displayed on the operation unit 240 remains "Ready to read," and the status line continues to read "Printer is saving log" (S1407).

[0057] Then, when the log saving process of the printer unit 220 is completed, a log saving process completion notification is sent from the printer unit 220 to the control unit 200 (S1408). In response to this, the control unit 200 notifies the operation unit 240 of a request to clear the "Log saving in progress" display (S1409). In S1409, both the scanner unit 210 and the printer unit 220 are in an idle state and are ready to accept the next job. Therefore, the operation unit 240 displays "Copying ready," indicating that both the scanner unit 210 and the printer unit 220 are available for use, and returns to a state waiting for a user operation.

[0058] In this way, even when the printer unit 220 is executing the log saving process, the scanner unit 210 (unit) that can operate as a normal function can be operated as usual, which is convenient for the user. Also, for example, when the same jam code is repeatedly notified from the printer unit (same unit) 220, the control unit 200 may be configured not to start the automatic saving process of the operation log for jam code notifications after a predetermined number of times (for example, three or more times).

[0059] (Variation) Furthermore, the firmware that collects the operation logs and is the subject of analysis by the device vendor is not limited to that stored in ROM, but also includes, for example, circuit information used in a programmable logic device (PLD). The configuration may also include a transmission unit that transmits the collected operation logs stored in HDD 204 to PC 102 or "other information processing devices" via network 101 at a predetermined timing. Examples of the predetermined timing include, but are not limited to, the completion of each automatic log saving process, every predetermined period (e.g., once a week), or when the number of jams within a predetermined period exceeds a set threshold.

[0060] Furthermore, it is preferable for the above-mentioned "other information processing devices" to be provided to the device vendor for log analysis. As explained above, the control unit 200 may recognize a deviation from the expected sequence in response to the occurrence of a "soft sequence jam" and execute the processing of the present invention. However, other embodiments may be possible, such as those described below. That is, the control unit 200 may execute the operation log automatic saving process at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing may be when the number of jams occurring within a predetermined period is abnormally high (e.g., multiple times the set threshold), or every time a predetermined period has arrived, and the jam occurring in the future closest to the current predetermined period is the subject of automatic log saving. In this case, the jam occurrence does not need to be distinguished as a "hard jam" or a "soft sequence jam." Various other examples are possible, but the present invention is not limited to the predetermined timing.

[0061] <Additional Note> The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. (Configuration 1) A printing system including a jam detection unit that detects the occurrence of a jam, i.e., a paper jam, a guide display unit that displays a guide for paper removal procedures in response to the detected jam, and a plurality of units that correspond to a plurality of types of functions, a log storage unit that automatically stores an operation log of firmware that controls one unit; a log storage priority setting unit for validating a setting to prioritize the operation of the log storage unit when a jam occurs; a control unit that, when the jam detection unit detects the occurrence of a jam and the log saving priority setting unit is set to enabled, causes the log saving unit to execute an automatic saving process of the firmware operation log, and displays a screen on the display unit that prompts the user to wait until the automatic saving process is completed. (Configuration 2) The control unit further The printing system according to configuration 1, characterized in that when the jam detection unit detects the occurrence of a jam and the log saving priority setting unit is set to enabled, the log saving unit executes an automatic saving process of the firmware operation log without displaying the guidance, and does not accept user operations during the automatic saving process, but displays the guidance after the automatic saving process is completed so that user operations can be accepted. (Configuration 3) The unit where the jam occurred is generating a jam code specifying automatic log storage target information 4) indicating whether or not the jam that has occurred is to be stored in a log, and notifying the control unit of the generated jam code; The control unit further 3. The printing system according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein whether or not to execute the automatic saving process is determined based on the type of the notified jam code. (Configuration 4) The control unit further The printing system according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that while the automatic saving process is in operation, user operations on units that are the target of log saving cannot be accepted, but user operations on other units can be accepted. (Configuration 5) The control unit further 3. The printing system according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the processing time required for the current automatic log saving process is calculated and displayed on the display unit. (Configuration 6) The control unit further A printing system according to configuration 3, characterized in that if the same jam code is repeatedly notified from the same unit, the automatic saving process of the operation log is not initiated for notifications of that jam code after a predetermined number of times. (Configuration 7) The control unit further 3. The printing system according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the collected operation logs are stored in a nonvolatile memory by executing an automatic saving process for the operation logs. (Configuration 8) The control unit further The printing system described in configuration 7 is characterized in that an automatic saving process for operation logs is executed, compressing and consolidating the operation logs collected over the most recent multiple times and storing them in non-volatile memory, and deleting operation logs older than the most recent multiple times. (Configuration 9) The printing system according to configuration 7, further comprising a transmission unit that transmits the collected operation log to an information processing device located at an equipment vendor via a network at a predetermined timing. (Configuration 10) The printing system according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of units include a scanner section for scanning and a printer section for printing. (Method) A control method for a printing system that includes a jam detection unit that detects the occurrence of a jam, i.e., a paper jam, a guide display unit that displays a guide for paper removal procedures in response to the detected jam, and a plurality of units that correspond to a plurality of types of functions, the method comprising: a log saving step of automatically saving an operation log of firmware that controls one unit; a log storage priority setting step for validating a setting that prioritizes the operation of the log storage step when a jam occurs; and a control step of causing the log saving step to execute an automatic saving process of the firmware's operation log when the jam detection unit detects the occurrence of a jam and the log saving priority setting step is set to enabled, and displaying on a display unit a screen that prompts the user to wait until the automatic saving process is completed. (Program) A program that causes a computer to execute a control method for a printing system that includes a jam detection unit that detects the occurrence of a jam in which paper is jammed, a guide display unit that displays a guide for paper removal procedures in response to the detected jam, and a plurality of units that correspond to a plurality of types of functions, The control method includes: a log saving step of automatically saving an operation log of firmware that controls one unit; a log storage priority setting step for validating a setting that prioritizes the operation of the log storage step when a jam occurs; and a control step of causing the log saving step to execute an automatic saving process of the firmware's operation log when the jam detection unit detects the occurrence of a jam and the log saving priority setting step is set to enabled, and displaying on a display unit a screen that prompts the user to wait until the automatic saving process is completed.

[0062] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, the present invention can be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and having a computer processor in the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 101 Network 102 client computers 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 HDD 210 Scanner section 211 CPU 212 ROM 213 RAM 220 Printer Section 221 CPU 222 ROM 223 RAM 240 Operation section 1000 Printing System

Claims

1. A printing system including a jam detection unit that detects the occurrence of a jam in which paper is jammed, a guide display unit that displays a guide for paper removal procedures in response to the detected jam, and a plurality of units that correspond to a plurality of types of functions, a log storage unit that automatically stores an operation log of firmware that controls one unit; a log storage priority setting unit for validating a setting to prioritize the operation of the log storage unit when a jam occurs; a control unit that, when the jam detection unit detects the occurrence of a jam and the log saving priority setting unit is set to enabled, causes the log saving unit to execute an automatic saving process of the firmware operation log, and displays a screen on the display unit that prompts the user to wait until the automatic saving process is completed.

2. The control unit further 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein, when the jam detection unit detects the occurrence of a jam and the log save priority setting unit is set to enabled, the log save unit executes an automatic save process of the firmware operation log without displaying the guidance, and the system does not accept user operations during the automatic save process, but displays the guidance after the automatic save process is completed so that user operations can be accepted.

3. The unit in which the jam occurred is generating a jam code that specifies automatic log storage target information indicating whether or not the jam that has occurred is to be stored in a log, and notifying the control unit of the generated jam code; The control unit further 3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein whether or not to execute the automatic saving process is determined based on the type of the notified jam code.

4. The control unit further A printing system as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that while the automatic saving process is in operation, user operations for units that are the target of log saving cannot be accepted, but user operations for other units can be accepted.

5. The control unit further 3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit calculates the processing time required for the current automatic log saving process and displays the calculated processing time.

6. The control unit further 4. The printing system according to claim 3, wherein when the same jam code is repeatedly notified from the same unit, the automatic saving process of the operation log is not started for notifications of the jam code after a predetermined number of times.

7. The control unit further 3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the collected operation logs are stored in a non-volatile memory by executing an automatic saving process for the operation logs.

8. The control unit further The printing system described in claim 7, characterized in that an automatic saving process for operation logs is executed, compressing and consolidating the operation logs collected over the most recent multiple times and storing them in non-volatile memory, and deleting operation logs older than the most recent multiple times.

9. 8. The printing system according to claim 7, further comprising a transmission unit that transmits the collected operation log at a predetermined timing via a network to an information processing device installed at an equipment vendor.

10. 3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of units include a scanner unit that performs scanning and a printer unit that performs printing.

11. A control method for a printing system including a jam detection unit that detects the occurrence of a jam in which paper is jammed, a guide display unit that displays a guide for paper removal procedures in response to the detected jam, and a plurality of units that correspond to a plurality of types of functions, comprising: a log saving step of automatically saving an operation log of firmware that controls one unit; a log storage priority setting step for validating a setting that prioritizes the operation of the log storage step when a jam occurs; and a control step of causing the log saving step to execute an automatic saving process of the firmware's operation log when the jam detection unit detects the occurrence of a jam and the log saving priority setting step is set to enabled, and displaying on a display unit a screen that prompts the user to wait until the automatic saving process is completed.

12. A program that causes a computer to execute a control method for a printing system that includes a jam detection unit that detects the occurrence of a jam in which paper is jammed, a guidance display unit that displays guidance on a paper removal procedure in response to the detected jam, and a plurality of units that correspond to a plurality of types of functions, The control method includes: a log saving step of automatically saving an operation log of firmware that controls one unit; a log storage priority setting step for validating a setting that prioritizes the operation of the log storage step when a jam occurs; and a control step of causing the log saving step to execute an automatic saving process of the firmware's operation log when the jam detection unit detects the occurrence of a jam and the log saving priority setting step is set to enabled, and displaying on a display unit a screen that prompts the user to wait until the automatic saving process is completed.

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