Image processing device, method for controlling the image processing device, and program

Abstract

To improve the usability of the method for presenting diagnostic results in image processing equipment. [Solution] An image processing device having a display means for displaying various information includes an acquisition means for acquiring an available method from among a plurality of different methods for confirming the diagnostic result of an error that occurred during the operation of the image processing device, based on predetermined conditions, in a manner other than displaying it on the display means, and a display control means for displaying a screen on the display means that displays the available method acquired by the acquisition means in a manner that allows the user to select an unavailable method from among the plurality of different methods on the screen.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to display control of an image processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] When performing printing, image transmission, or fax transmission using an image processing apparatus, there may be cases where an error occurs and the process ends, or even when the process ends normally, the output may not obtain the desired output result. In such cases, a function is provided to enable the user to solve the problem by themselves. As an example of such a function, there is a function in which the image processing apparatus performs internal diagnosis on a job in which a problem has occurred and presents the result.

[0003] As a method of presenting the diagnosis result, there is a method of presenting information on an operation screen (local user interface, hereinafter referred to as "local UI") on the image processing apparatus. Alternatively, there is also a method of presenting information using a two-dimensional code that can be confirmed by printing, email transmission, on a web browser, or a remote user interface (hereinafter referred to as "remote UI") function that can display or operate the information of the image processing apparatus on a browser. Therefore, there are multiple functions for presenting the diagnosis result. As an example of a method of presenting multiple functions to a user, a technique is disclosed in Patent Document 1 in which only the available functions are displayed according to the authority of the logged-in user, and a message indicating that there is no authority to use the unavailable functions is displayed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the display control of available functions is performed by referring only to the user's permissions of the image processing device. As a result, in the case of a problem such as "cannot print," inappropriate methods for presenting diagnostic results, such as "print," may be presented. Since unusable functions are also presented as selectable, there is a risk that the user may mistakenly select an unusable function. This disclosure has been made in view of the above points and aims to improve the usability of the method of presenting diagnostic results of an image processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image processing apparatus according to this disclosure is an image processing apparatus having display means for displaying various information, and is characterized in that it has acquisition means for acquiring an available method from among a plurality of different methods for confirming the diagnostic result of an error that occurred during the operation of the image processing apparatus by a method other than displaying it on the display means, based on predetermined conditions, and display control means for displaying a screen on the display means that displays the available method acquired by the acquisition means in a manner that allows selection of the available method, and the display control means for displaying on the display means in a manner that prevents selection of an unavailable method from among the plurality of different methods on the screen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The technology disclosed herein improves the usability of the method for presenting diagnostic results in an image processing device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] System configuration diagram related to this disclosure. [Figure 2] Internal configuration diagram of the controller section of an image processing device. [Figure 3] Block diagram of the software executed in the controller section of the image processing device. [Figure 4] A sequence chart illustrating an example of an email sending failure. [Figure 5]A diagram showing an example of an operation screen of an image forming apparatus when an email transmission fails. [Figure 6] A sequence chart showing a process of diagnosing a job selected from a job history. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of a job history screen displayed on an image forming apparatus. [Figure 8] A diagram showing an example of a device operation status screen displayed on an image forming apparatus. [Figure 9] A diagram showing an example of a diagnosis result screen displayed on an image forming apparatus. [Figure 10] A diagram showing an example of diagnosis results and countermeasures. [Figure 11] A diagram showing an example of a diagnosis result screen. [Figure 12] A flowchart showing a process of controlling the display of an alternative method confirmation screen. [Figure 13] A diagram showing an example of a list of internal diagnosis contents. [Figure 14] A diagram showing an example of an alternative method confirmation screen. [Figure 15] A diagram showing an example of a setting screen of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 16] A flowchart showing a process of controlling the display of an alternative method confirmation screen. [Figure 17] A diagram showing an example of an alternative method confirmation screen. [Figure 18] A diagram showing an example of a diagnosis result screen. [Figure 19] A sequence chart showing a display process of a guidance screen for confirming a job diagnosis result on a remote UI. [Figure 20] A diagram showing an example of a job history screen displayed on an image forming apparatus. [Figure 21] A diagram showing an example of a remote UI guidance screen displayed on an image forming apparatus. [Figure 22] A diagram showing an example of an email for requesting an administrator to take action based on a diagnosis result. [Figure 23] A diagram showing an example of an email for confirming a diagnosis result on a remote UI. [Figure 24]A diagram showing an example of an operation screen of an image forming apparatus when an email transmission fails. [Figure 25] A flowchart showing a process for controlling the display of email notifications. [Figure 26] A diagram showing an example of a list of end codes related to the display of email notifications. [Figure 27] A diagram showing an example of a remote UI guidance screen displayed on an image forming apparatus. [Figure 28] A diagram showing an example of a diagnosis result screen.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present disclosure, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution of the present disclosure. The same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and described. Also, each step (step) in the sequence chart and flowchart is indicated by a symbol starting with "S".

[0010] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows an example of the system configuration of this embodiment. The system in this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 100, a mail server 110, and an information terminal 130. The image forming apparatus 100, the mail server 110, and the information terminal 130 are connected via a network 120. In this embodiment, the network 120 may be a wireless connection or a wired connection.

[0011] The image processing device 100 reads images using the scanner unit, prints images using the printer unit, and sends and receives emails via the mail server 110. The image processing device 100 has an operation unit 102 for input and output with the user. The operation unit 102 may be a touch panel (display device) that displays a user interface screen (UI screen). By selecting a button displayed on the UI screen, the functions of the image processing device 100 are executed. The selection of functions displayed on the UI screen is not limited to the soft buttons described above, but may also be hard buttons (not shown). The image processing device 100 has a printer unit 103 that outputs electronic data to a print medium. The image processing device 100 has a scanner unit 104 that reads the print medium and converts it into electronic data. The operation unit 102, printer unit 103, and scanner unit 104 are connected to a controller unit 101 and perform functions as a multifunction device according to the control of the controller unit 101.

[0012] The mail server 110 includes an email service 111 and a mailbox 112. The email service 111, upon receiving instructions from the image processing device 100, provides the function to send email in accordance with SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) as defined in RFC 5321. It also provides the function to receive email stored in the mailbox 112 in accordance with POP as defined in RFC 5034 and IMAP as defined in RFC 3501, upon receiving instructions from the image processing device 100. Here, POP is an abbreviation for Post Office Protocol, and IMAP is an abbreviation for Internet Message Access Protocol.

[0013] The information terminal 130 includes a remote UI 131 displayed on a web browser. In Figure 1, there is one information terminal 130, but there may be multiple. Examples of client terminals include smartphones, tablet devices, or personal computers (PCs). Note that Figure 1 only describes the configuration that illustrates this embodiment. Other configurations may be included as long as they satisfy the requirements of this disclosure, and the connection configurations between each component are not limited to these.

[0014] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the details of the controller unit 101 of the image processing device 100. The CPU 201 performs the main arithmetic processing within the controller. The CPU 201 is connected to the DRAM 202 via a bus. The DRAM 202 is used by the CPU 201 as working memory to temporarily store program data representing arithmetic instructions and data to be processed during the calculation process. The CPU 201 is connected to the I / O controller 203 via a bus. The I / O controller 203 performs input and output to various devices according to the instructions of the CPU 201. A SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) I / F 205 is connected to the I / O controller 203. Furthermore, the SATA I / F 205 is connected to the Flash ROM 210. The CPU 201 uses the Flash ROM 210 to permanently store programs and document files for realizing the functions of the image processing device. Instead of Flash ROM, a mass storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) may be connected. The I / O controller 203 is connected to the network interface 204. A wired LAN device or a wireless LAN device is connected to the network interface 204. The CPU 201 controls the wired LAN device or wireless LAN device via the network interface 204 to enable communication on the network 120. The I / O controller 203 is connected to the panel interface 206, and the CPU 201 enables user input / output to the operation unit 102 via the panel interface 206. The I / O controller 203 is connected to the printer interface 207, and the CPU 201 enables output processing to a printing medium using the printer unit 103 via the printer interface 207.

[0015] The image processing device 100 has various applications for utilizing the functions of the image processing device. Examples include copy function, transmission function, fax function, and box function. For example, when executing the copy function, the CPU 201 reads program data from the Flash ROM 210 to the DRAM 202 via the SATA I / F 205. The CPU 201 detects a copy instruction from the user to the operation unit 102 via the panel I / F 206, according to the program read into the DRAM 202. When the CPU 201 detects a copy instruction, it receives the original document as electronic data from the scanner unit 104 via the scanner I / F 208 and stores it in the DRAM 202. The CPU 201 performs color conversion processing suitable for output on the image data stored in the DRAM 202. The CPU 201 transfers the image data stored in the DRAM 202 to the printer unit 103 via the printer I / F 207 and performs output processing to the printing medium.

[0016] The transmission function works the same way as the copy function described above, with the CPU 201 detecting a transmission instruction from the user. The transmission instruction includes the user's transmission protocol, destination specification, and image format. Transmission protocols include SMB (Server Message Block), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), or email (SMTP). Destination specification is, for example, UNC (Universal Naming Convention). Image formats include JPEG or PDF. When the CPU 201 detects a transmission instruction, it receives the original document as electronic data from the scanner unit 104 via the scanner I / F 208 and stores it in the DRAM 202. The CPU 201 then performs format conversion on the image data stored in the DRAM 202 to the image format specified by the user. The CPU 201 then transfers the image data stored in the DRAM 202 to the destination via the network I / F 204 using the protocol specified by the user.

[0017] The fax function works the same way as the copy function described above, with the CPU 201 detecting a fax instruction from the user. When the CPU 201 detects a fax instruction, it receives the original document as electronic data from the scanner unit 104 via the scanner I / F 208 and stores it in the DRAM 202. The CPU 201 then performs image format conversion for fax on the image data stored in the DRAM 202. The CPU 201 then forwards the image data stored in the DRAM 202 to the fax telephone number specified in the fax instruction via a telephone network (not shown) to which the fax I / F 209 is connected. Faxing via a telephone line is just one example; it could also be done via Internet fax.

[0018] The box function saves scanned images to the internal storage area of ​​the image processing device 100 or to memory media connected to the image processing device 100. Furthermore, the box function also includes the ability for the image processing device 100 to act as a file server, making the images saved in the image processing device 100 available to an external PC (not shown) or other image processing device. The process by which the CPU 201 detects a box save instruction from the user is the same as that of the copy function described above. The box save instruction includes the user's specification of the save location and image format. The save location is the path to the internal storage of the image processing device 100 or to memory media connected to the image processing device 100. The image format is JPEG or PDF, etc. When the CPU 201 detects a box save instruction, it receives the original document as electronic data from the scanner unit 104 via the scanner I / F 208 and stores it in the DRAM 202. The CPU 201 then performs image format conversion and other operations on the image data stored in the DRAM 202 as specified by the user. The CPU 201 transfers the image data stored in the DRAM 202 to a user-specified storage location, such as the Flash ROM 210 or memory media (not shown) inside the image processing device 100, via the SATA I / F 205, and stores the data there.

[0019] In the fax function, instead of printing received images, the image data may be converted to a format viewable on a PC or other device and saved to the box. Alternatively, the image processing device 100 may function as a file server, such as an SMB server, and make the contents of the Flash ROM 211 publicly available. The box function works by the CPU 201 detecting external box access requests via the network interface 204. These box access requests include the path to the target image file. The CPU 201 then transfers the image data stored in the Flash ROM 210 corresponding to the specified image file path to the source of the box access request via the network interface 204. Note that the above functions are just examples of the image processing device 100's capabilities, and other functions may also be included.

[0020] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the software configuration executed by the CPU 201 of the image processing device 100 according to this embodiment. All software executed by the controller unit 101 is executed after the CPU 201 reads the program stored in the Flash ROM 210 into the DRAM 202. The operation control unit 301 displays a user-facing UI screen on the operation unit 102, detects user operations, and executes processes associated with screen components such as buttons displayed on the UI screen. The data storage unit 302 stores requests from other control units into the Flash ROM 210 and reads them from the Flash ROM 210. The job control unit 303 controls the execution of jobs according to instructions from other control units. The image processing unit 304 processes image data into a format suitable for each application according to instructions from the job control unit 303. The printing processing unit 305 prints images onto a printing medium via the printer I / F 207 according to instructions from the job control unit 303. The reading processing unit 306 reads the specified document via the scanner I / F 208 according to instructions from the job control unit 303. The network control unit 307 inputs and outputs data from wired LAN, wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or public network via the network I / F 204 according to instructions from each control unit. The data storage unit 302 also makes the data stored in the Flash ROM 210 accessible from external devices via the network control unit 307. An example of data stored in the Flash ROM 210 is image data such as JPEG or PDF. The fax control unit 308 processes the fax data received from the network control unit 307 according to instructions from the job control unit 303. Furthermore, the fax control unit 308 instructs the print processing unit 305 to print the received fax data. The fax control unit 308 also converts the received fax data into image data such as JPEG or PDF and stores it in the data storage unit 302. The fax control unit 308 transmits the image data read by the reading processing unit 306 as a fax via the network control unit 307.

[0021] The diagnostic unit 309, when instructed to diagnose a job that has failed to execute while the image processing device 100 is operating, diagnoses the cause of the failure from the job execution information and estimates the error that occurred. The acquisition unit 310 acquires an available method from among several different methods, which is a method other than displaying the diagnosis result of the error diagnosed by the diagnostic unit 309 on the operation unit 102. The display control unit 311 controls the display of various information and UI screens displayed on the operation unit 102. The selection unit 312 detects the selected process, etc., when a button displayed on the UI screen, etc., is pressed. The information provision unit 313 provides the error diagnosis result using the method selected via the selection unit 312 from among the available methods acquired by the acquisition unit 310. The method setting unit 314 sets whether each of the several different methods, which is a method other than displaying on the operation unit 102, is available or unavailable.

[0022] The operation of the internal diagnostics of the image processing device 100 in this embodiment will be explained in detail using Figures 4 to 11. Figure 4 is a sequence chart showing an example in which the image processing device 100 fails to send an email. In this embodiment, the image processing device 100 performs an email transmission and then performs a diagnosis on the job that failed to send. In the following sequence, operations that are not essential to this embodiment will not be explained. Furthermore, each process in the sequence chart of Figure 4 is realized by the CPU 201 loading the program stored in the Flash ROM 210 into the DRAM 202 and executing it.

[0023] First, when the image processing device 100 is started up, the home screen 500, shown in Figure 5(a), is displayed on the operation unit 102. The home screen 500 has buttons for calling up various functions such as copy and print. User authentication is also possible, but since it is not directly relevant to this embodiment, it will not be explained here.

[0024] In S400, the Scan to mail function is invoked when the user presses the Scan to mail button 501. In S401, the CPU 201 of the image processing device 100 displays the Scan to mail settings screen 504 shown in Figure 5(b) on the operation unit 102. When the user presses the start button 510, the CPU 201 sends the scanned electronic data via email to the recipient set by pressing the recipient selection button 506, based on the scan settings set in scan settings 505. Scan settings 505 are used to set the color settings and size during scanning. Scan settings other than those shown in Figure 5(b) may be set using scan settings 505. If the user has not selected a recipient, the start button 510 is grayed out and the Scan to mail function cannot be started. Also, if the user presses the cancel button 509, the CPU 201 closes the Scan to mail settings screen 504 and displays the home screen 500 on the operation unit 102.

[0025] In S402, when the user presses the destination selection button 506 and then the address book button 507, the address book is called up. In S403, the CPU 201 displays the destination list screen 511, shown in Figure 5(c), on the operation unit 102. If the user presses the new input button 508, the CPU 201 displays the destination registration screen on the operation unit 102, but the operation of destination registration will not be explained here. The destination list screen 511 displays the destination list 512 for which the communication protocol type registered in the image processing device 100 is "mail". If the user presses the cancel button 518, the CPU 201 closes the destination list screen 511 without selecting a destination and displays the Scan to mail settings screen 504 on the operation unit 102. If the user selects destination 513, for example, with the name "A Branch" and the destination "A-store@kaisha.com", the CPU 201 checks the first column of the table in the destination list 512. Here, the user can select multiple destinations.

[0026] In S404, when the user selects recipient 513 and presses the OK button 517, the recipient is selected. In S405, the CPU 201 sets the selected recipient 513 as the email recipient. In S406, once the recipient is set in S405, the CPU 201 updates the Scan to mail settings screen 504 as shown in Figure 5(d). The updated Scan to mail settings screen 504 displays the information of recipient 513 selected in S404 in the recipient list 519.

[0027] In S407, when the user presses the start button 510, the Scan to mail function is started. In S408, the CPU 201 performs a scan according to the scan settings 505. In S409, the CPU 201 sends an email to the mail server 110 with the scanned data attached, according to the SMTP protocol. In S410, the email transmission fails due to a setting error or other reason, and the mail server 110 notifies the image processing device 100 of the error. In S411, the CPU 201 of the image processing device 100 analyzes the error information from the content of the error notification and saves the error information to the Flash ROM 210. In S412, the CPU 201 displays the completion screen 520 shown in Figure 5(e) on the operation unit 102. When the completion screen 520 is displayed on the operation unit 102, the processing of the sequence chart shown in Figure 4 is terminated.

[0028] The completion screen 520 displays the transmission result and the completion code 521. Error number 521 is assigned according to the cause of the transmission failure, and in this case, "#841" is displayed. Information about the executed job can be checked by referring to the job history. By pressing the job history button 523, the user can transition to the job history screen 700 shown in Figure 7(a). If the user then presses the close button 522, the CPU 201 closes the completion screen 520 and displays the Scan to mail settings screen 504 on the operation unit 102.

[0029] Figure 6 is a sequence chart showing how the image processing device 100 selects a job to diagnose from the job history and performs the diagnosis via the diagnosis unit 309. Each process in the sequence chart of Figure 6 is realized by the CPU 201 loading a program stored in the Flash ROM 210 into the DRAM 202 and executing it. In S600, the sequence for displaying the job history is started when the user presses the job history button 523 on the completion screen 520 displayed in S412, or presses the job history button 502 on the home screen 500.

[0030] In S601, the CPU 201 displays the job history screen 700 shown in Figure 7(a). The job history screen 700 can be switched for each job, and when the mail button 701 is selected, the image processing device 100 displays the job history list 702 for mail transmission. This job history list 702 includes the date and time, recipient, result, and exit code. In Figure 7(a), the jobs are displayed in order from the most recent date and time, but this is not limited to this. They may also be displayed in order from the oldest date and time. For example, suppose the user selects job history 703 with date and time "2024 / 02 / 28 10:30", recipient "honsha@kaisha.com", result "OK", and exit code "-". Since job history 703 is not a job with an NG result, the NG diagnosis button 704 is grayed out and cannot be selected. The NG diagnosis button 704 can only be pressed when a job with an "NG" result is selected. Furthermore, if the user presses the close button 705, the CPU 201 closes the job history screen 700 and displays the home screen 500 on the control panel 102.

[0031] In S602, the user selects the job history 706 shown in Figure 7(b) with the date and time "2024 / 02 / 27 13:10", destination "A-store@kaisha.com", result "NG", and exit code "#841", and presses the NG diagnosis button 704. When the NG diagnosis button 704 is pressed, a diagnostic execution command is issued to the CPU 201 of the image processing device 100.

[0032] A diagnostic execution command can be issued from a screen other than the job history screen 700. When a user presses the device operation status button 503 on the home screen 500 shown in Figure 5(a), the CPU 201 displays the device operation status screen 800 shown in Figure 8(a). The device operation status screen 800 is a screen that displays the status of the image processing device 100. The device operation status screen 800 has a trouble response area 801 that corresponds to the diagnosis of jobs related to this embodiment. When a user presses the button 802 indicating a problem they want to diagnose, for example, the button 802 indicating that they cannot send an email, the CPU 201 displays the email sending trouble response screen 804 shown in Figure 8(b). If the user presses the close button 803 on the device operation status screen 800, the CPU 201 closes the device operation status screen 800 and displays the home screen 500 on the operation unit 102.

[0033] The email sending trouble response screen 804 includes an email NG job history list 805 of emails that failed to send, a diagnostic button 807, and a close button 808. The email NG job history list 805 includes the date and time, recipient, result, and exit code. The email NG job history is displayed in order from the most recent date and time, but is not limited to this. It may also be displayed in order from the oldest date and time. If the user presses the close button 808 on the email sending trouble response screen 804, the CPU 201 closes the email sending trouble response screen 804 and displays the device operation status screen 800 on the operation unit 102. For example, the user selects a job history 806 with date and time "2024 / 02 / 27 13:10", recipient "A-store@kaisha.com", result "NG", and exit code "#841", and presses the diagnostic button 807. When the diagnostic button 807 is received by the user, the same diagnostic execution instruction as S602 is issued to the CPU 201.

[0034] In S603, when a diagnostic execution command is received, the CPU201 checks the error information saved in S411. In S604, the CPU201 performs a diagnostic on the job for which the error information has been confirmed. In S605, once the diagnostic is complete, the CPU201 generates a diagnostic results screen. In S606, the CPU201 displays a diagnostic results screen 900, as shown in Figure 9(a), on the operation unit 102. Once the diagnostic results screen 900 is displayed on the operation unit 102, the processing of the sequence chart shown in Figure 6 is terminated.

[0035] Figure 9(a) shows the diagnostic results screen for a job selected by the user in S602. The diagnostic results screen 900 includes a list of possible causes 901, a countermeasure 904, and an area 909 that displays an arbitrary number for the diagnostic result, "Diagnostic No. 013". Figure 9(a) shows the screen when a countermeasure candidate 902 for "TLS version mismatch" is selected from the list of possible causes 901. In this case, the countermeasure 904 displays a countermeasure instruction 905 corresponding to the selected countermeasure candidate, settings 906 for the related image processing device 100, and the exit code 907 for the selected job.

[0036] If the user selects countermeasure candidate 903 for "No common encryption algorithm," the CPU 201 displays a screen with modified content for countermeasure details 904, as shown in Figure 9(b). Countermeasure details 904 displays countermeasure instructions 910, settings related to the countermeasure 911, and the exit code 907 for the selected job. In addition to the above, countermeasure details 904 may also display a two-dimensional code, such as a QR code (registered trademark), which links to the manual.

[0037] If the user presses the close button 908 on the diagnostic results screen 900, the CPU 201 closes the diagnostic results screen 900 and displays the home screen 500 on the control panel 102. This allows the user to check the contents displayed in the countermeasures section 904 and resolve the problem by taking countermeasures such as changing settings.

[0038] Furthermore, if the user presses the alternative method confirmation button 912, the CPU 201 displays the alternative method confirmation screen 913 shown in Figure 9(c). Methods for confirming the diagnostic results other than the operation screen of the image processing device 100 include printing the diagnostic results, sending them by email, checking them on a mobile device, and checking them on the remote UI 131, but other methods may also be included.

[0039] When the user presses the print button 914, the image processing device 100 prints the diagnostic result data 1020 shown in Figure 10. The user can access the troubleshooting manual screen 1121 shown in Figure 11(a) from the terminal that reads the manual QR code or other manual 2D code 1018 with a mobile device or other terminal, and then check the manual. The troubleshooting manual screen 1121 contains the countermeasures for each exit code and includes the exit code number to be checked 1122, the exit code heading 1123, and the countermeasures for the exit code 1124. When the troubleshooting manual screen 1121 is opened from the diagnostic result data 1020 shown in Figure 10, the exit code number to be checked 1122 will be "#841", the same as the exit code 907 shown in Figure 9(a). Based on "#841", the user selects the exit code heading 1123 "#801~#899", and then performs the operation to display the countermeasures 1124 corresponding to "#841". Countermeasure 1124 may contain the same information as Countermeasure 1104, or it may contain additional countermeasures that were not included in 1104.

[0040] In addition, the user can also access the status confirmation screen 1125 of the remote UI 131 shown in Fig. 11(b) from the URL described in the remote UI access URL 1019 shown in Fig. 10 to check the diagnosis result. Here, URL is the abbreviation of Uniform Resource Locator. The status confirmation screen 1125 includes a status confirmation menu screen 1126 and a diagnosis result screen 1128. In Fig. 11(b), it shows the diagnosis result screen 1128 of the trouble shooting transmission 1127 in the status confirmation menu screen 1126, which is the same as the diagnosis results shown in Figs. 9(a) and 9(b). The diagnosis result screen 1128 includes a diagnosis No 1129, an end code 1130, countermeasure contents 1131, and a manual guidance 1134.

[0041] Also, when the user wants to change, for example, the <TLS setting> of the image processing apparatus 100 for countermeasure candidate No. 1 described in the countermeasure contents 1131, the user presses the setting change button 1132. When the user's operation to press the setting change button 1132 is accepted, the remote UI 131 transitions to a remote UI setting screen (not shown) where the corresponding setting change operation is possible. Similarly, when the user wants to make the setting change described in countermeasure candidate No. 2, when the user presses the setting change button 1133, the remote UI 131 transitions to a remote UI setting screen (not shown) where the corresponding setting change operation is possible. When the user wants to check the online manual, the user presses the manual button 1135. When the manual button 1135 is pressed, the remote UI 131 newly opens the trouble shooting manual screen 1121 shown in Fig. 11(a) on the browser.

[0042] In Fig. 9(c), when the user presses the mail transmission button 915, the image processing apparatus 100 transmits the diagnosis result data 1020 shown in Fig. 10 as mail data. The destination at this time is the mail address of the pre-registered login user. In the case of mail transmission, the manual two-dimensional code 1018 such as a manual QR code may include a link. The remote UI access URL 1019 may also be in a link format.

[0043] In Figure 9(c), the diagnostic result 2D code 916 has an embedded link that allows the user to view the diagnostic result data 1020 shown in Figure 10, which was generated by the image processing device 100. The user can view the diagnostic result by reading the diagnostic result 2D code 916 with a mobile device or other terminal. In this case, the manual 2D code 1018 may also contain a link. The diagnostic result 2D code 916 may be a 2D code displayed on a screen or a printed 2D code. The remote UI access URL 1019 may also be in link format. Furthermore, the web page presented from this 2D code may be provided by a web server within the image processing device 100 or by a separately managed web server.

[0044] Figures 12 to 14 illustrate in detail the operation of controlling the display of an alternative method based on the selected internal diagnosis and user privileges when the internal diagnosis results of this embodiment are confirmed by an alternative method. Figure 12 is a flowchart of the display control of an alternative method, which can be selected based on predetermined conditions such as the internal diagnosis and user privileges, from the alternative method confirmation screen 913 displayed in Figure 9(c) by the CPU 201 of the image processing device 100. Each process in the flowchart of Figure 12 is realized by the CPU 201 loading a program stored in the Flash ROM 210 into the DRAM 202 and executing it. At the start of the flowchart in Figure 12, "Print," "Send Email," "Mobile Confirmation," and "Confirmation via Remote UI" are assumed to be available methods.

[0045] In S1200, CPU201 determines whether the diagnostic item selected by the user is "cannot print". If the diagnostic item is "cannot print", the process proceeds to S1201. If the diagnostic item is not "cannot print", the process proceeds to S1202. Figure 13 shows the list of internal diagnostic items 1300 that the user can select. The list of internal diagnostic items 1300 includes function 1301 and diagnostic item 1302. CPU201 presents the user with a list of items to be diagnosed in the troubleshooting area 801 shown in Figure 8(a), and the user selects the item to be diagnosed from the presented list. In S1200, CPU201 determines whether the user has selected function 1301 "Print" and diagnostic item 1302 "cannot print" (area 1304). The list of internal diagnostic items 1300 may include other functions and other diagnostic items. If the diagnostic item is "cannot print", the process proceeds to S1201. If the diagnosis is not "unable to print," the process proceeds to S1202.

[0046] In S1201, the CPU 201 hides or grays out the print button 914 displayed on the alternative method confirmation screen 913 shown in Figure 9(c), and the process proceeds to S1205. In S1202, the CPU 201 determines whether the diagnostic content selected by the user is "Unable to send email". If the diagnostic content is "Unable to send email", the process proceeds to S1203. If the diagnostic content is not "Unable to send email", the process proceeds to S1204.

[0047] In S1203, CPU201 hides or grays out the email send button 915 displayed on the alternative confirmation screen 913 shown in Figure 9(c), and the process proceeds to S1205. In S1204, CPU201 determines whether the logged-in user's email address is registered. If the logged-in user's email address is not registered, the process proceeds to S1203. If the logged-in user's email address is registered, the process proceeds to S1205.

[0048] In S1205, CPU201 determines whether the logged-in user can change settings via the remote UI131. If the logged-in user can change settings via the remote UI131, the process proceeds to S1207. If the logged-in user can change settings via the remote UI131, the process proceeds to S1206.

[0049] In S1206, CPU201 hides or grays out the remote UI access URL919 displayed on the alternative confirmation screen913 shown in Figure 9(c). Access to the remote UI131 or the ability to change its settings is generally controlled by user privileges; for example, only users with administrator privileges may be allowed to access the remote UI131 and change its settings. When checking the diagnostic results on the remote UI131, it is assumed that countermeasures such as changing settings will be taken immediately. For users whose access to the remote UI131 is restricted or who cannot change settings via the remote UI131, the remote UI is not an appropriate method to display on the alternative confirmation screen913. Other variations of the determination method in S1205 may exist.

[0050] In S1207, the CPU 201 generates the alternative method confirmation screen 913 shown in Figure 9(c) and terminates the processing of the flowchart shown in Figure 12. When generating the alternative method confirmation screen 913, the acquisition unit 310 acquires available methods from "Print," "Send Email," "Mobile Confirmation," and "Confirmation via Remote UI" based on the processing of the flowchart shown in Figure 12. On the alternative method confirmation screen 913, methods determined to be unavailable in the processing of the flowchart in Figure 12 are hidden or grayed out, while methods acquired as available methods via the acquisition unit 310 are displayed in a selectable manner. On the alternative method confirmation screen 913, the information provision unit 313 provides an error diagnosis result based on the method selected via the selection unit 312 by user operation.

[0051] For example, Figure 14 shows an alternative confirmation screen 913 in S1203 when the "Send Email" option is hidden in the confirmation method. In Figure 14, the "Send Email" button 1400 is grayed out so that the user cannot select it.

[0052] As described above, it is possible to control the screen display when users check the diagnostic results of the image processing device 100 in an alternative way, depending on the diagnostic content selected by the user and the user's permissions. Specifically, in response to the problem of "unable to send email," the "Send email" option is hidden or grayed out in the diagnostic result presentation method, and "Send email" cannot be selected as a diagnostic result presentation method. This improves the usability of the diagnostic result presentation method of the image processing device.

[0053] [Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, when the internal diagnostic results are confirmed by a different method, an example will be described in which the display using the different method is controlled by a value set in the image processing device 100.

[0054] In the first embodiment, an example of display control using an alternative method was described, depending on the internal diagnosis selected and the user's authority when checking the internal diagnosis results by an alternative method. In this embodiment, a setting is provided in the image processing device 100 to individually control whether or not to display the alternative method, and an example of display control using an alternative method will be described with reference to this setting.

[0055] Figure 15 shows the setting screen 1500 for the method of checking the internal diagnostic results of the image processing device 100. The user selects a method that they do not want to display on the alternative method confirmation screen 913 shown in Figure 9(c), and presses the OK button 1505. The CPU 201 of the image processing device 100 prevents the user from selecting the method selected above via the method setting unit 314 on the alternative method confirmation screen 913, regardless of the content of the internal diagnostic results or the user's permissions. In Figure 15, Print 1501, Email 1502, Mobile 1503, and Remote UI 1504 are selectable on the alternative method confirmation screen 913. If the user presses the Cancel button 1506 on the confirmation method setting screen 1500, the CPU 201 closes the confirmation method setting screen 1500 without reflecting the settings.

[0056] Figure 16 is a flowchart that controls the display of the alternative method confirmation screen 913 shown in Figure 9(c), taking into account the settings of the confirmation method setting screen 1500. Furthermore, each process in the flowchart of Figure 16 is realized by the CPU 201 loading the program stored in the Flash ROM 210 into the DRAM 202 and executing it. At the start of the flowchart in Figure 16, "Print," "Send Email," "Mobile Confirmation," and "Confirmation via Remote UI" are assumed to be available methods.

[0057] In S1600, CPU201 determines whether printing is set to OFF on the confirmation method setting screen 1500. If printing is set to OFF on the confirmation method setting screen 1500, the process proceeds to S1601. If printing is not set to OFF on the confirmation method setting screen 1500, the process proceeds to S1602.

[0058] In S1601, CPU201 hides or grays out "Print" in the alternative confirmation screen 913. In S1602, CPU201 determines whether the diagnostic item selected by the user is "Cannot print". If the diagnostic item is "Cannot print", the process proceeds to S1601. If the diagnostic item is not "Cannot print", the process proceeds to S1603.

[0059] In S1603, CPU201 determines whether email is set to OFF on the confirmation method setting screen 1500. If email is set to OFF on the confirmation method setting screen 1500, the process proceeds to S1604. If email is not set to OFF on the confirmation method setting screen 1500, the process proceeds to S1605.

[0060] In S1604, CPU201 hides or grays out "Send Email" in the alternative confirmation screen 913. In S1605, CPU201 determines whether the diagnostic content selected by the user is "Unable to send email". If the diagnostic content is "Unable to send email", the process proceeds to S1604. If the diagnostic content is not "Unable to send email", the process proceeds to S1606.

[0061] In S1606, CPU201 determines whether the logged-in user's email address is registered. If the logged-in user's email address is not registered, the process proceeds to S1604. If the logged-in user's email address is registered, the process proceeds to S1607.

[0062] In S1607, CPU201 determines whether Mobile is set to OFF on the confirmation method setting screen 1500. If Mobile is set to OFF on the confirmation method setting screen 1500, the process proceeds to S1608. If Mobile is not set to OFF on the confirmation method setting screen 1500, the process proceeds to S1609.

[0063] In S1608, CPU201 hides the "2D code" (to be checked on the mobile device (user terminal)) in the alternative method confirmation screen 913, and hides or grays out the text indicating that confirmation should be done using the 2D code. In S1609, CPU201 determines whether the remote UI is set to OFF in the confirmation method setting screen 1500. If the remote UI is set to OFF in the confirmation method setting screen 1500, the process proceeds to S1610. If the remote UI is not set to OFF in the confirmation method setting screen 1500, the process proceeds to S1611.

[0064] In S1610, CPU201 hides or grays out the remote UI access URL919 in the alternative confirmation screen913. In S1611, CPU201 determines whether the logged-in user can change settings via the remote UI131. If the logged-in user can change settings via the remote UI131, the process proceeds to S1612. If the logged-in user cannot change settings via the remote UI131, the process proceeds to S1610.

[0065] In S1612, the CPU 201 generates the alternative method confirmation screen 913 shown in Figure 9(c) and terminates the processing of the flowchart shown in Figure 16. When generating the alternative method confirmation screen 913, the acquisition unit 310 acquires available methods from "Print," "Send Email," "Mobile Confirmation," and "Confirmation via Remote UI" based on the processing of the flowchart shown in Figure 16. On the alternative method confirmation screen 913, methods determined to be unavailable in the processing of the flowchart in Figure 16 are hidden or grayed out, while methods acquired as available methods via the acquisition unit 310 are displayed in a selectable manner. On the alternative method confirmation screen 913, the information provision unit 313 provides an error diagnosis result based on the method selected via the selection unit 312 by user operation.

[0066] For example, if the "2D code" (to be checked on a mobile device) is hidden in S1608, the alternative method confirmation screen 913 shown in Figure 17 will be displayed on the operation unit 102. The diagnostic result 2D code 1700 is hidden so that the user cannot see it, and the text indicating that confirmation should be done using the 2D code is grayed out. Furthermore, if all methods are hidden as a result of executing the flowchart process, the CPU 201 sets the alternative method confirmation button 1800 on the diagnostic result screen 900 shown in Figure 18 to be grayed out so that it cannot be selected.

[0067] As described above, it is possible to control the display of the diagnostic results on the image processing device's screen in an alternative way, by referring not only to the diagnostic content selected by the user and the user's permissions, but also to the setting of whether or not to check the diagnostic results in an alternative way. This improves the usability of the method of presenting the diagnostic results of the image processing device.

[0068] [Third Embodiment] A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, not all of the features described in this embodiment are essential to the solution of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the internal diagnostic results are checked on the remote UI 131 instead of the local UI. In the first embodiment, an example of display control by an alternative method was described based on the selected internal diagnostic results and the user's permissions. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the checking of internal diagnostic results on the remote UI 131, which is one of the alternative methods, is performed without using the diagnostic result display on the local UI.

[0069] Figure 19 is a sequence chart that controls the display of a 2D code and email transmission for the image processing device 100 to select a job from the list of email NG job history to check the diagnostic results on the remote UI 131. In S1900, the "Cannot Send Email" button 802 on the device operation status screen 800 shown in Figure 8(a) is pressed by the user. When the "Cannot Send Email" button 802 is pressed, the CPU 201 receives a request to display the job history of the job in which an error occurred during email transmission. In the example described below, the exit code of the selected job history is "#099", and it is assumed that this is an email transmission error that occurred when the job was canceled midway (see Figure 26). Therefore, the image processing device 100 is in a state where it is possible to send emails from the image processing device 100.

[0070] In S1901, the CPU 201 displays the email sending trouble response screen 804, which includes the job history screen (error history screen) of the job in which an error occurred during email sending, as shown in Figure 20. The job history screen (error history screen) may be displayed separately for each type of error that occurred. In S1902, after the user selects, for example, job history 2001 on the email sending trouble response screen 804, the remote UI diagnosis button 2000 is pressed. When the remote UI diagnosis button 2000 is pressed, the CPU 201 displays the remote UI confirmation guidance screen 2100 shown in Figure 21. When displaying the remote UI confirmation guidance screen 2100, the CPU 201 determines whether the selected job history 806 has already been diagnosed. If the selected job history 2001 has not been diagnosed, the processes in S1903 and S1904 are executed. If the selected job history 2001 has already been diagnosed, the diagnosis results for the selected job have already been obtained, so the processes in S1903 and S1904 are not performed.

[0071] In S1903, CPU201 checks the error information saved in S411. In S1904, CPU201 performs a diagnosis of the job for which the error information was checked. In S1905, CPU201 generates a 2D code 2101 for checking the diagnosis results on the remote UI 131 based on the diagnosis results of the job. In S1906, CPU201 generates a remote UI confirmation guidance screen 2100. In S1907, CPU201 displays the remote UI confirmation guidance screen 2100. By scanning the 2D code 2101 with a user terminal (mobile terminal) such as a smartphone or tablet, the user can access the status confirmation screen 1125 of the remote UI 131 shown in Figure 11(b) and check the diagnosis results.

[0072] The user can also send an email containing a URL to check the diagnostic results on the remote UI 131. In S1908, as shown in Figure 21, the user selects administrator 2102 as the recipient from the radio buttons on the remote UI confirmation guidance screen 2100, and then presses the email notification button 2104. When the email notification button 2104 is pressed, the CPU 201 receives the email notification request.

[0073] In S1909, the CPU 201 generates the administrator response request email data 2200 shown in Figure 22. In S1910, the CPU 201 sends an email with the above content to the recipient registered in the image processing device 100 as an administrator. In S1911, once the email has been sent, the CPU 201 displays a transmission completion screen (not shown).

[0074] In the remote UI confirmation guidance screen 2100 shown in Figure 21, after the user selects "myself" 2103 as the recipient using the radio buttons, the user can also press the email notification button 2104. When the email notification button 2104 is pressed after selecting "myself" 2103 as the recipient, the CPU 201 receives an email notification request. The CPU 201 generates the diagnostic result confirmation email data 2300 shown in Figure 23 and sends the email to the user's address registered in the image processing device 100. By sending the administrator action request email data 2200 to the administrator, it becomes possible to request action from the administrator via the URL to the remote UI 131 described therein. Furthermore, the user can also check the diagnostic results themselves via the URL described in the diagnostic result confirmation email data 2300.

[0075] When the user presses the close button 2105 on the remote UI confirmation guidance screen 2100 shown in Figure 21, the CPU 201 closes the remote UI confirmation guidance screen 2100 and displays the email sending trouble response screen 804.

[0076] The diagnostic results screen 900 and the remote UI confirmation guidance screen 2100 may be displayed from screens other than the email sending trouble response screen 804. In the Scan to mail settings screen 504 shown in Figure 24, the user presses the start button 510. When the start button is pressed, the CPU 201 of the image processing device 100 completes sending the email and displays the sending completion screen 2400. Unlike the completion screen 520, the sending completion screen 2400 includes a diagnostic button 2401 and a remote UI confirmation button 2402 that allow transitioning to the local UI diagnostic results screen 900.

[0077] When the user presses the diagnostic button 2401, the CPU 201 performs the diagnostic execution process shown in S602 to S605 and displays the diagnostic results screen 900. Also, when the user presses the remote UI confirmation button 2402, the CPU 201 performs the diagnostic execution process shown in S1903 to S1906 and displays the remote UI confirmation guidance screen 2100. As described above, the CPU 201 of the image processing device 100 can also display the diagnostic results from the transmission completion screen 2400 and execute the process for confirmation on the remote UI 131.

[0078] [Fourth Embodiment] A fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, not all of the features described in this embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, when the internal diagnostic results are confirmed on the remote UI 131 by email transmission, an example of display control by another method using email transmission by the image processing device 100 based on the internal diagnostic results and the user's authority will be described. In the third embodiment, an example was described in which a link to confirm the internal diagnostic results on the remote UI 131 is sent via email without displaying the internal diagnostic results on the local UI. In this embodiment, an example of display control by another method using email transmission by the image processing device 100 based on the internal diagnostic results and the user's authority will be described.

[0079] Figure 25 is a flowchart showing how the image processing device 100 controls the display of the section related to email notifications on the remote UI confirmation guidance screen 2100. Each process in the flowchart of Figure 25 is realized by the CPU 201 loading the program stored in the Flash ROM 210 into the DRAM 202 and executing it.

[0080] In S2500, when CPU201 receives a user command to display the remote UI confirmation guidance screen 2100, it determines whether the user has permission to send an email. If the user has permission to send an email, the process proceeds to S2501. If the user does not have permission to send an email, the process proceeds to S2505.

[0081] In S2501, the CPU 201 determines whether the image processing device 100 has the necessary settings for sending email. If the necessary settings for sending email are present, the process proceeds to S2502. If the necessary settings for sending email are not present, the process proceeds to S2505. Here, the necessary settings for sending email include the SMTP server address, SMTP port number, and sender email address used for sending email, but other setting items may also be included.

[0082] In S2502, CPU201 determines whether the diagnostic item selected by the user is "Unable to send emails". If the diagnostic item selected by the user is "Unable to send emails", the process proceeds to S2503. If the diagnostic item selected by the user is not "Unable to send emails", the process proceeds to S2504.

[0083] In S2503, CPU201 determines whether the exit code of the job to be diagnosed selected by the user matches the list of email-sendable exit codes 2600 shown in Figure 26. If the exit code of the job to be diagnosed matches the list of email-sendable exit codes 2600 shown in Figure 26, the process proceeds to S2504. If the exit code of the job to be diagnosed does not match the list of email-sendable exit codes 2600 shown in Figure 26, the process proceeds to S2505. The exit codes listed in the email-sendable exit codes 2600 are not exit codes that make email sending impossible; therefore, it is a list of exit codes that allow sending an email for verification on the remote UI 131. The items in the email-sendable exit codes 2600 may include other items as long as email sending itself is possible.

[0084] In S2504, the CPU 201 displays the section related to email notifications on the remote UI confirmation guidance screen 2100, and the processing of the flowchart shown in Figure 25 is completed. In S2505, the CPU 201 grays out or hides the area 2700 related to email notifications on the remote UI confirmation guidance screen 2100, as shown in Figure 27, and the processing of the flowchart shown in Figure 25 is completed.

[0085] As described above, if the image processing device 100 is unable to send an email for confirmation via the remote UI 131, it becomes possible to appropriately control the display using an alternative method.

[0086] [Fifth Embodiment] A fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, not all of the features described in this embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a user accesses the remote UI 131 from a user terminal (mobile terminal) such as a smartphone and sends the diagnostic results by email after checking the internal diagnostic results.

[0087] In the third embodiment, an example was described in which the status confirmation screen 1125 is displayed by scanning a 2D code with a user terminal (mobile terminal). In this embodiment, an example is described in which a means for sending the diagnostic results via email is displayed when the status confirmation screen 1125 is displayed on the user terminal (mobile terminal).

[0088] The user scans the 2D code 2101 of the remote UI confirmation guidance screen 2100 shown in Figure 21 using a user terminal (mobile device). When the user accesses the remote UI 131, the remote UI 131 displays the status confirmation screen 1125 shown in Figure 28. At this time, if the access source is a user terminal (mobile device), the remote UI 131 displays the area 2800 related to sending the diagnostic result email. When the user selects the administrator or themselves as the recipient and presses the email send button 2801, the remote UI 131 instructs the CPU 201 of the image processing device 100 to send the email. The CPU 201 of the image processing device 100 sends the email according to the instructions from the remote UI 131. This email data is the same as the administrator action request email data 2200 or the diagnostic result confirmation email data 2300. It is possible to access the same internal diagnostic results from the link described in the email data.

[0089] As mentioned above, even if the diagnostic results are displayed on the user's terminal (mobile device), the administrator can request action by sending an email. Alternatively, the user can open the email on another device with a larger screen size than the mobile device, such as a tablet or PC, and access the URL provided to view the diagnostic results. This improves the usability of the diagnostic results presentation method of the image processing device.

[0090] [Other embodiments] This disclosure can also be implemented by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the embodiments described above to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0091] The above-described embodiments include the following configurations.

[0092] (Configuration 1) An image processing apparatus having a display means for displaying various information, comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring an available method from a plurality of different methods for confirming the diagnostic result of an error that occurred during the operation of the image processing apparatus by a method other than displaying it on the display means, based on predetermined conditions; and a display control means for displaying a screen on the display means that displays the available method acquired by the acquisition means in a manner that allows selection of the available method, wherein the display control means causes the display means to display the screen in a manner that prevents selection of an unavailable method from the plurality of different methods.

[0093] (Configuration 2) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 1, further comprising: a providing means for providing the error diagnosis result by a method selected by user operation from among the available methods displayed on the display means.

[0094] (Configuration 3) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the configuration that cannot be selected is grayed out on the screen for the unavailable method.

[0095] (Configuration 4) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the configuration in which the selection is not possible does not display the unavailable method on the screen.

[0096] (Configuration 5) The image processing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the plurality of different methods are printing, sending by email, mobile verification, and verification by a remote user interface (remote UI).

[0097] (Configuration 6) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 5, characterized in that, if the predetermined condition is that the error diagnosis result cannot be printed, the acquisition means does not acquire the print as the available method.

[0098] (Configuration 7) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 5 or 6, characterized in that if the predetermined condition is that the error diagnosis result cannot be sent by email, the acquisition means does not acquire the email transmission as the available method.

[0099] (Configuration 8) The image processing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 5 to 7, characterized in that, if the predetermined conditions restrict the login user's access to the remote UI, the verification by the remote UI is not obtained as the available method.

[0100] (Configuration 9) An image processing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 8, further comprising setting means for setting whether each of the plurality of different methods is available or unavailable, wherein the acquisition means does not acquire the method set as unavailable in the setting means as one of the available methods.

[0101] (Configuration 10) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 9, characterized in that the display control means displays on the display means in such a manner that the method set as unavailable in the setting means cannot be selected on the screen.

[0102] (Configuration 11) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 10, characterized in that the configuration that cannot be selected is grayed out on the screen or not displayed on the screen.

[0103] (Configuration 12) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 5, characterized in that the mobile verification is performed by reading a two-dimensional code displayed on the screen using a user terminal, or by reading a printed two-dimensional code to confirm the error diagnosis result.

[0104] (Configuration 13) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the screen is accessed from a diagnostic results screen that displays the diagnostic results of the error that occurred.

[0105] (Configuration 14) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the screen is accessed from a history screen that displays a history of each type of error that occurred, which is displayed before transitioning to a diagnostic results screen that displays the diagnostic results of the error that occurred.

[0106] (Configuration 15) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 14, further comprising: a providing means for providing the error diagnosis result by a method selected by user operation from among the available methods displayed on the display means.

[0107] (Configuration 16) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 15, characterized in that the multiple different methods are email transmission and mobile confirmation.

[0108] (Configuration 17) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 16, characterized in that when sending the email is selected by user operation in one of the multiple different methods, an email containing a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for checking the error diagnosis result on a remote UI is sent to a specified recipient.

[0109] (Configuration 18) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 16, characterized in that when mobile verification is selected by user operation in one of the multiple different methods, the user terminal reads a two-dimensional code displayed on the screen, thereby allowing the user terminal to check the error diagnosis result on a remote UI.

[0110] (Configuration 19) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 18, wherein the error diagnosis result displayed on the remote UI of the user terminal includes an item to be sent by email to a specified recipient, and when the item to be sent by email to a specified recipient is selected by user operation, an email containing a URL for checking the error diagnosis result displayed on the remote UI of the user terminal is sent to the specified recipient.

[0111] (Configuration 20) A control method for an image processing apparatus having a display means for displaying various information, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring an available method from among a plurality of different methods for confirming the diagnostic result of an error that occurred during the operation of the image processing apparatus by a method other than displaying it on the display means, based on predetermined conditions; a first display step of displaying a screen on the display means that displays the available method acquired in the acquisition step in a manner that allows selection of the method; and a second display step of displaying on the display means in a manner that prevents selection of an unavailable method from among the plurality of different methods on the screen.

[0112] (Configuration 21) A program for causing a computer to function as an image processing device as described in any one of Configurations 1 to 19.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus having display means for displaying various types of information, An acquisition means that, based on predetermined conditions, acquires an available method from among several different methods for confirming the diagnostic result of an error that occurred during the operation of the image processing device in a manner other than displaying it on the display means, A display control means that causes the display means to display a screen showing the available methods acquired by the acquisition means in a selectable manner, It has, The display control means causes the display means to display the information on the screen in such a manner that it is not possible to select an unavailable method from among the multiple different methods. An image processing apparatus characterized by the following:

2. A providing means that provides the error diagnosis result by a method selected by user operation from among the available methods displayed on the display means, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the above.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the mode that cannot be selected is grayed out on the screen for the unavailable method.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the mode in which the selection is not possible does not display the unavailable method on the screen.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned multiple different methods are printing, sending by email, mobile verification, and verification by a remote user interface (remote UI).

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, if the predetermined condition is that the error diagnosis result cannot be printed, the acquisition means does not acquire the print as the available method.

7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, if the predetermined condition is that the error diagnosis result cannot be sent by email, the acquisition means does not acquire the email transmission as the available method.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, if the predetermined conditions restrict the login user's access to the remote UI, the verification via the remote UI is not obtained as the available method.

9. A setting means for setting whether each of the aforementioned multiple different methods is available or unavailable, It further possesses, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the acquisition means does not acquire the method set as unavailable in the setting means as an available method.

10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the display control means causes the display means to display the method that has been set as unavailable in the setting means in such a manner that it cannot be selected on the screen.

11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the configuration that cannot be selected is grayed out on the screen or not displayed on the screen.

12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the mobile verification is performed by the user terminal reading a two-dimensional code displayed on the screen or by reading a printed two-dimensional code to confirm the error diagnosis result.

13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned screen is accessed from a diagnostic results screen that displays the diagnostic results of the error that occurred.

14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned screen is accessed from a history screen that displays a history of each type of error that occurred, which is displayed before transitioning to a diagnostic results screen that displays the diagnostic results of the errors that occurred.

15. A providing means that provides the error diagnosis result by a method selected by user operation from among the available methods displayed on the display means, The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising the above.

16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the aforementioned multiple different methods include sending an email and confirmation via mobile device.

17. The image processing apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that, when the sending of the email is selected by user operation in one of the above-mentioned multiple different methods, an email containing a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for checking the error diagnosis result on a remote UI is sent to a specified recipient.

18. The image processing apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that, if mobile verification is selected by user operation in one of the above-mentioned multiple different methods, the user terminal reads a two-dimensional code displayed on the screen, thereby allowing the user terminal to remotely verify the error diagnosis result via a UI.

19. The error diagnosis result displayed on the remote UI of the user terminal includes an item to send an email to a specified recipient. The image processing apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that, when an item to be sent via email to the specified recipient is selected by user operation, an email containing a URL for checking the error diagnosis result displayed on the remote UI of the user terminal via the remote UI is sent to the specified recipient.

20. A control method for an image processing apparatus having display means for displaying various types of information, An acquisition step of obtaining an available method from among several different methods for confirming the diagnostic result of an error that occurred during the operation of the image processing device, based on predetermined conditions, in a manner other than displaying it on the display means; A first display step involves displaying a screen on the display means that shows the available methods acquired in the acquisition step in a selectable manner, A second display step involves displaying on the display means such that an unavailable method cannot be selected from the multiple different methods on the screen, A control method for an image processing apparatus, characterized by having the following features.

21. A program for causing a computer to function as an image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

Images