Image forming apparatus, management system, management method for image forming apparatus, and program

Abstract

To prevent unnecessary image information from being left in a storage unit and prevent a reduction in storable capacity of the storage unit.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 9 comprises: a storage unit 9f; an image log generation unit 9c that, based on a print job, generates log information including formed image information and stores the log information in the storage unit 9f; an image log transfer unit 9d that transfers the log information stored in the storage unit 9f to an externally provided server 11; and an image log deletion unit 9e that deletes the log information stored in the storage unit 9f, and the image forming apparatus 9 comprises an image log management unit 9b that, when a predetermined condition is satisfied and when determining that transfer of the log information is necessary based on the log information stored in the storage unit 9f, causes the image log transfer unit 9d to transfer the log information to the server 11, and causes the image log deletion unit 9e to delete the log information stored in the storage unit 9f.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a system, a method for managing an image forming apparatus, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an image forming apparatus that transfers log information, including image information recorded when a print job is executed, to a server. For example, when a copy function is used, image information is stored in a temporary area. Furthermore, when log information including image information is generated, the image information is stored in local storage such as a hard disk. Furthermore, when a copy accumulation function is used, the log information is also stored in local storage. Incidentally, when the image forming device is restarted after a power outage occurs, such as when the power cord of the image forming device is accidentally pulled out, or when a power outage occurs, necessary untransferred log information is transferred and unnecessary log information is deleted. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration for transferring image information by determining whether or not to transfer the image information based on the free space required for image processing and the free space in the server's memory unit, and then transferring the image information. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] However, in the conventional technology, if the power is cut off while creating log information including image information, incomplete image information remains and unnecessary image information remains on the hard disk, reducing the storage capacity of the hard disk. In Patent Document 1, a decision as to whether to transfer image information is made before the image information is transferred. However, in Patent Document 1, the need for transfer is determined depending on the free space in the memory unit, and therefore it is not possible to determine whether the image information needs to be deleted, and therefore the problem of the reduction in the storage capacity of the memory unit cannot be solved. One embodiment of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and its purpose is to prevent unnecessary image information from remaining in the memory unit and to prevent a reduction in the memory unit's available storage capacity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, eye The invention described in claim 1 is an image forming apparatus including a storage unit, an image log generating unit which generates log information including formed image information based on a print job and stores the log information in the storage unit, an image log transferring unit which transfers the log information stored in the storage unit to an external server, and an image log deleting unit which deletes the log information stored in the storage unit, wherein when a predetermined condition is satisfied and it is determined based on the log information stored in the storage unit that the transfer of the log information is necessary, the image log management unit causes the image log transferring unit to transfer the log information to the server and causes the image log deleting unit to delete the log information stored in the storage unit. a memory management unit that, when a predetermined condition is satisfied and it is determined based on the log information stored in the storage unit that the transfer of the log information is not necessary, causes the image log deletion unit to delete the log information stored in the storage unit; The present invention is characterized by comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0005] According to the present invention, unnecessary image information does not remain in the storage unit, and the available storage capacity of the storage unit is prevented from decreasing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of a management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration and timing of an image log used in a management system according to one embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows a case where a power outage occurs after an image log is generated, and (b) shows a case where a power outage occurs while an image log is being generated. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an operation in a case where a power cut has not occurred in the management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the operation when a power cut occurs and an image log is transferred in the management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the operation when a power cut occurs and image logs are not transferred in the management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. The present invention has the following configuration in order to prevent unnecessary image information from remaining in a storage section and to prevent a reduction in the available storage capacity of the storage section. In other words, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus equipped with a memory unit, an image log generation unit that generates log information including formed image information based on a print job and stores it in the memory unit, an image log transfer unit that transfers the log information stored in the memory unit to an external server, and an image log deletion unit that deletes the log information stored in the memory unit, and is characterized in that it further comprises an image log management unit that, when a predetermined condition is satisfied and it is determined based on the log information stored in the memory unit that the log information needs to be transferred, causes the image log transfer unit to transfer the log information to the server and causes the image log deletion unit to delete the log information stored in the memory unit. With the above configuration, unnecessary image information does not remain in the storage unit, and it is possible to prevent a reduction in the available storage capacity of the storage unit. The features of the present invention described above will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. described in the embodiments are merely illustrative examples and do not intend to limit the scope of the present invention. The above-mentioned features of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0008] <System configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The management system 1 includes an information processing device 7, an image forming device 9, and a server 11, and these devices are connected via a network N. The information processing device 7 is, for example, a personal computer, which generates a print job and sends the print job to the image forming device 9. The image forming device 9 is connected to the information processing device 7 via a network N, and prints a print job received from the information processing device 7. The server 11 stores an image log sent from the image forming device 9 via the network N.

[0009] <Hardware configuration of image forming device> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an MFP, which is an example of an image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP (Multifunction Peripheral / Product / Printer) includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network I / F 950. Of these, the controller 910 has a CPU 901 which is the main part of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 902, a north bridge (NB) 903, a south bridge (SB) 904, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, a local memory (MEM-C) 907 which is a storage unit, an HDD controller 908, and an HD 909 which is also a storage unit, and is configured such that the north bridge (NB) 903 and the ASIC 906 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

[0010] Of these, the CPU 901 is a control unit that performs overall control of the MFP. The north bridge (NB) 903 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 901 with the MEM-P 902, the south bridge (SB) 904, and the AGP bus 921, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target. The MEM-P 902 is composed of a ROM 902a which is a memory for storing programs and data for implementing the various functions of the controller 910, and a RAM 902b which is used for developing the programs and data, and as a drawing memory during memory printing, etc. The programs stored in the RAM 902b may be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD in the form of an installable or executable file.

[0011] The south bridge (SB) 904 is a bridge for connecting the north bridge (NB) 903 with PCI devices and peripheral devices. The ASIC 906 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing purposes having hardware elements for image processing, and plays the role of a bridge connecting the AGP bus 921, the PCI bus 922, the HDD controller 908, and the MEM-C 907. The ASIC 906 is composed of a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that is the core of the ASIC 906, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 907, a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that rotate image data using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that transfers data between the scanner unit 931 and the printer unit 932 via the PCI bus 922. The ASIC 906 may be connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface.

[0012] The MEM-C907 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer. The HD909 is a storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, and forms. The HD909 controls the reading and writing of data from and to the HD909 under the control of the CPU901. The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphic processing, and by directly accessing the MEM-P902 at high throughput, the graphics accelerator card can be made faster. Further, the short-distance communication circuit 920 includes a short-distance communication circuit 920a. The short-distance communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0013] Furthermore, the engine control unit 930 is composed of a scanner unit 931 and a printer unit 932. The operation panel 940 includes a panel display unit 940a such as a touch panel that displays current setting values ​​and a selection screen, etc., and receives input from an operator, and an operation panel 940b including a numeric keypad that receives setting values ​​for image formation conditions such as density setting conditions, and a start key that receives a copy start instruction. The controller 910 controls the entire MFP, and controls, for example, drawing, communication, and input from the operation panel 940. The scanner unit 931 or the printer unit 932 includes an image processing unit such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

[0014] The MFP can successively switch and select among the document box function, copy function, printer function, and facsimile function using an application switching key on the operation panel 940. When the document box function is selected, the MFP enters document box mode, when the copy function is selected, the MFP enters copy mode, when the printer function is selected, the MFP enters printer mode, and when the facsimile mode is selected, the MFP enters facsimile mode. The network I / F 950 is an interface for performing data communication using the communication network 100. The short-range communication circuit 920 and the network I / F 950 are electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via a PCI bus 922.

[0015] <Management system functional configuration> FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of a management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing device 7 uses application software 7a to generate a print job for image generation and transmits the print job to the image forming device 9 via the network N. The application software 7a is application software that executes printing for the printer driver 7b, and is, for example, Word (registered trademark) or Excel (registered trademark). The printer driver 7b is software necessary for connecting the information processing device 7 (computer) to the image forming device 9 and operating it, and executes drawing processing, data storage processing, and instruction processing. The printer driver 7 b generates a print job based on the print data and print setting information created by the application software 7 a, and transmits the print job to the image forming device 9 .

[0016] The image forming device 9 includes a memory unit 9f, an image log generation unit 9c that generates log information including formed image information based on a print job and stores it in the memory unit 9f, an image log transfer unit 9d that transfers the log information stored in the memory unit 9f to an external server 11, and an image log deletion unit 9e that deletes the log information stored in the memory unit 9f. When the image log management unit 9b determines that specified conditions are met and that it is necessary to transfer the log information based on the log information stored in the memory unit 9f, it causes the image log transfer unit 9d to transfer the log information to the server 11 and causes the image log deletion unit 9e to delete the log information stored in the memory unit 9f. When the log information stored in the storage unit 9f contains at least one print page, the image log management unit 9b determines that the log information needs to be transferred.

[0017] The image forming device 9 is equipped with a memory management unit 9a that, when a predetermined condition is satisfied and it is determined based on the log information stored in the memory unit 9f that transfer of the log information is not necessary, causes the image log deletion unit 9e to delete the log information stored in the memory unit 9f. The memory management unit 9a determines that the log information stored in the storage unit 9f does not need to be transferred if the log information does not include at least one print page.

[0018] In the image forming apparatus 9, a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied is a case where the apparatus is restarted after a power cut has occurred. Image log management section 9b includes power cut-off determination section 9b1 that determines whether or not a power cut has occurred. The memory management unit 9a includes a power cutoff determination unit 9a1 that determines whether or not a power cutoff has occurred.

[0019] When the generation of the log information is completed, the image log generating unit 9c adds completion information indicating that the generation of the log information is completed to the log information and stores the log information in the storage unit 9f. The power supply cut-off determination unit 9a1 or the power supply cut-off determination unit 9b1 may be configured to determine that a power cut-off has occurred if completion information is not added to the log information stored in the memory unit 9f. Also, the power cutoff determination unit 9a1 or 9b1 may be configured to obtain a one-word numerical value from a power cutoff detection area of ​​the RAM 902b, which is a volatile memory, and if the numerical value is not a preset unique numerical value, determine that a power cut has occurred and turn on a power cutoff determination flag. If the power cutoff determination flag is on, it can be confirmed that a power cut has occurred. The management system 1 includes the image forming apparatus 9 according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, and a server 11 that stores log information transferred from the image forming apparatus 9.

[0020] The memory management unit 9a manages the storage area in the storage unit 9f. The memory management unit 9a notifies the transfer of log information. The memory management unit 9a determines whether the created image needs to be transferred or not. The image log management unit 9b notifies each unit of print jobs for generating, transferring, and deleting image logs. The image log management unit 9b determines whether a created image needs to be transferred. The image log generating unit 9c generates an image log on the storage unit 9f. The image log transfer unit 9d transfers the image log from the storage unit 9f to the server 11. The image log deletion unit 9e deletes the image log from the storage unit 9f. The storage unit 9f is configured by the storage unit 9f, and exists inside the image forming apparatus 9, and is a storage area of ​​a non-volatile memory. The server 11 stores an image log, which is used, for example, to calculate the amount of printing and the billing amount.

[0021] Each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and a device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (digital signal processor), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or a conventional circuit module designed to execute each function described above.

[0022] <Image log structure and timing> Figure 4 is a diagram showing the configuration and timing of an image log used in a management system according to one embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows a case where a power outage occurs after an image log is generated, and (b) shows a case where a power outage occurs while the image log is being generated. The image log 20 is made up of image information, log information, and completion information. The image information is generated by the engine control unit 930 . The log information includes information indicating the date and time, IP address, document number, operation information, time stamp, etc., related to the print job, and is generated by the image log generating unit 9c and stored in the storage unit 9f. Completion information is generated by the image log generating unit 9c, and when the generation of the log information is completed, completion information indicating that the generation of the log information is completed is added to the log information and stored in the storage unit 9f. Note that the image log 20 will be described assuming that image information is formed between times t0 and t1, log information is generated between times t1 and t2, and finally completion information is generated between times t2 and t3. Here, in the case shown in FIG. 4(a), when a power cut occurs at time t#1 after time t3, the image log 20 has already been generated and stored in the storage unit 9f. In contrast, in the case shown in Figure 4(b), if a power outage occurs at time t#2 after time t0, image information is in the process of being formed and the image information in the process of being formed is stored in memory unit 9f, but after time t#2, no information is stored in memory unit 9f.

[0023] <Operation when no power interruption occurs> FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation in the case where no power cut has occurred in the management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. With reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 5, an operation in the case where the power supply to the image forming apparatus 9 is not cut off will be described. In step S10, the application software 7a transmits a log generation reservation notification, which includes a print job and indicates a notification for reserving the generation of a log, to the image log management unit 9b via the printer driver 7b. In step S12, the image log management unit 9b receives a log generation reservation notification (including a print job) from the application software 7a via the printer driver 7b, and transmits the reservation information (including the print job) to the memory unit 9f, causing the reservation information (including the print job) to be stored in the memory unit 9f.

[0024] In step S20, the application software 7a transmits an image log creation information recording request, which indicates a request to create an image log and record information, to the memory management unit 9a via the printer driver 7b. In step S22, the memory management unit 9a receives an image log creation information recording request from the application software 7a via the printer driver 7b and issues an image generation request representing a request to generate an image to the storage unit 9f. In step S24, the memory management unit 9a causes the storage unit 9f that has received the image generation request to generate an image based on the print job. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4(a), during the period from t0 to t1, the image information formed by the memory management unit 9a is stored in the storage unit 9f.

[0025] In step S30, the application software 7a sends an image log generation request, which indicates a request to generate an image log, to the image log management unit 9b via the printer driver 7b. In step S32, the image log management unit 9b receives the image log generation request from the application software 7a via the printer driver 7b and issues the image log generation request to the image log generation unit 9c. In step S34, the image log generating unit 9c, which has received the image log generation request from the image log management unit 9b, issues the image log generation request to the storage unit 9f. In step S36, the storage unit 9f receives the image log generation request from the image log generating unit 9c and generates and stores log information. At this time, as shown in Fig. 4(a), the log information generated by the image log generating unit 9c is stored in the storage unit 9f from t1 to t2. Furthermore, the completion information generated by the image log generating unit 9c is stored in the storage unit 9f from t2 to t3.

[0026] In step S40, the memory management unit 9a issues a file generation notification, which indicates a notification that a file will be generated, to the image log management unit 9b. In step S42, the image log management section 9b, which has received the file generation notification from the memory management section 9a, issues a log transfer request, which represents a request to transfer the log, to the image log transfer section 9d. In step S44, the image log transfer unit 9d, which has received the log transfer request from the image log management unit 9b, issues the log transfer request to the storage unit 9f. In step S46, the storage unit 9f receives the log transfer request from the image log transfer unit 9d, reads out the log information generated in step S36, and transmits it to the server 11.

[0027] In step S50, the image log management unit 9b issues a log deletion request representing a request to delete a log to the image log deletion unit 9e. In step S52, the image log deleting unit 9e, which has received the log deletion request from the image log management unit 9b, issues the log deletion request to the storage unit 9f. In step S54, the storage unit 9f receives the log deletion request from the image log deletion unit 9e and deletes the log information, which is a file stored in the storage unit 9f, in response to the log deletion request.

[0028] As described above, in step S50, the image log management unit 9b issues a log deletion request to the image log deletion unit 9e, and then deletes the log information stored in the storage unit 9f. Next, the power cutoff determination unit 9a1 or the power cutoff determination unit 9b1 stores a unique one-word numerical value set in advance in a power cutoff detection area of ​​the RAM 902b, which is a volatile memory.

[0029] <When a power outage occurs and image logs need to be transferred> FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the operation when a power cut occurs and an image log is transferred in a management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Steps S10 to S24 shown in FIG. 6 are similar to the steps S10 to S24 shown in FIG. 5, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 4(a), in the period from t0 to t1, the image information formed by the memory management unit 9a is stored in the storage unit 9f. The following describes a case in which log information relating to images is transferred after a sudden power cut occurs in accident #1. The power cutoff determination unit 9a1 or 9b1 obtains a one-word numerical value from the power cutoff detection area of ​​the volatile memory RAM 902b, and determines that a power cut has occurred because the numerical value is not a preset unique numerical value. At this time, the power cutoff determination unit 9a1 or 9b1 turns on a power cutoff determination flag.

[0030] In step S130, the memory management unit 9a issues a log information acquisition request representing a request to acquire log information to the storage unit 9f. In step S132, the storage unit 9f receives the log information acquisition request from the memory management unit 9a, reads out the log information in response to the log information acquisition request, and returns it to the memory management unit 9a.

[0031] In step S140, the memory management unit 9a determines whether or not the log information read from the storage unit 9f in step S132 has one or more pages, thereby determining whether or not the log information needs to be transferred. That is, when the memory management unit 9a determines that the log information read from the storage unit 9f contains one or more pages, it determines that the log information needs to be transferred. On the other hand, when the memory management unit 9a determines that the log information read from the storage unit 9f does not contain one or more pages, it determines that the log information does not need to be transferred.

[0032] In step S150, the image log management unit 9b issues a log information acquisition request to the storage unit 9f. In step S152, the storage unit 9f receives the log information acquisition request from the image log management unit 9b, reads out the log information in response to the log information acquisition request, and returns it to the image log management unit 9b.

[0033] In step S160, the image log management unit 9b determines whether or not the log information read from the storage unit 9f in step S152 has one or more pages, thereby determining whether or not the log information needs to be transferred. That is, when the image log management unit 9b determines that the log information read from the storage unit 9f contains one or more pages, it determines that the log information needs to be transferred. On the other hand, when the image log management unit 9b determines that the log information read from the storage unit 9f does not contain one or more pages, it determines that the log information does not need to be transferred.

[0034] In the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 6, the image log management unit 9b determines that the log information read from the storage unit 9f contains one or more pages, and therefore determines that the log information needs to be transferred. In step S170, the image log management unit 9b issues an image log generation request to the image log generation unit 9c. In step S172, the image log generating unit 9c, which has received the image log generation request from the image log management unit 9b, issues the image log generation request to the storage unit 9f. In step S174, the storage unit 9f receives the image log generation request from the image log generating unit 9c and generates and stores a log.

[0035] In step S180, the image log management unit 9b issues a log transfer request representing a request to transfer the log to the image log transfer unit 9d. In step S182, the image log transfer unit 9d, which has received the log transfer request from the image log management unit 9b, issues the log transfer request to the storage unit 9f. In step S46, the storage unit 9f receives the log transfer request from the image log transfer unit 9d, reads out the log information generated in step S174, and transmits it to the server 11.

[0036] In step S190, the image log management unit 9b issues a log deletion request representing a request to delete a log to the image log deletion unit 9e. In step S192, the image log deletion unit 9e, which has received the log deletion request from the image log management unit 9b, issues the log deletion request to the storage unit 9f. In step S194, the storage unit 9f receives the log deletion request from the image log deletion unit 9e and deletes the log information, which is a file stored in the storage unit 9f, in response to the log deletion request.

[0037] <When a power outage occurs and image logs are not transferred> FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the operation when a power cut occurs and image logs are not transferred in the management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Steps S10 to S24 shown in FIG. 7 are similar to the steps S10 to S24 shown in FIG. 5, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted. 4(b), during t0 to t1, the image information being formed is sequentially stored in the storage unit 9f by the memory management unit 9a, but a power cut occurs during the storage. Therefore, the image information formed up to the middle of a certain page is stored in the storage unit 9f, but no log information or completion information is stored.

[0038] The following describes a case where, in accident #1, the power is suddenly cut off and then the log information relating to the image is deleted. The power cutoff determination unit 9a1 or 9b1 obtains a one-word numerical value from the power cutoff detection area of ​​the volatile memory RAM 902b, and determines that a power cut has occurred because the numerical value is not a preset unique numerical value. At this time, the power cutoff determination unit 9a1 or 9b1 turns on a power cutoff determination flag.

[0039] In step S230, the memory management unit 9a issues a log information acquisition request representing a request to acquire log information to the storage unit 9f. In step S232, the storage unit 9f receives the log information acquisition request from the memory management unit 9a, reads out the log information in response to the log information acquisition request, and returns it to the memory management unit 9a.

[0040] In step S240, the memory management unit 9a determines whether or not the log information read from the storage unit 9f in step S232 has one or more pages, thereby determining whether or not the log information needs to be transferred. That is, when the memory management unit 9a determines that the log information read from the storage unit 9f contains one or more pages, it determines that the log information needs to be transferred. On the other hand, when the memory management unit 9a determines that the log information read from the storage unit 9f does not contain one or more pages, it determines that the log information does not need to be transferred.

[0041] In step S250, the image log management unit 9b issues a log information acquisition request, which represents a request to acquire log information, to the storage unit 9f. In step S252, the storage unit 9f receives the log information acquisition request from the image log management unit 9b, reads out the log information in response to the log information acquisition request, and returns it to the image log management unit 9b.

[0042] In step S260, the image log management unit 9b determines whether or not the log information read from the storage unit 9f in step S252 has one or more pages, thereby determining whether or not the log information needs to be transferred. That is, when the image log management unit 9b determines that the log information read from the storage unit 9f contains one or more pages, it determines that the log information needs to be transferred. On the other hand, when the image log management unit 9b determines that the log information read from the storage unit 9f does not contain one or more pages, it determines that the log information does not need to be transferred.

[0043] In the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 7, the image log management unit 9b determines that the log information read from the storage unit 9f does not contain one or more pages, and therefore determines that transfer of the log information is unnecessary. In step S270, the memory management unit 9a issues a log deletion request representing a request to delete the log to the image log deletion unit 9e. In step S272, the image log deleting unit 9e, which has received the log deletion request from the memory management unit 9a, issues the log deletion request to the storage unit 9f. In step S274, the storage unit 9f receives the log deletion request from the image log deletion unit 9e and deletes the log information, which is a file stored in the storage unit 9f, in response to the log deletion request.

[0044] <Summary of the functions and effects of the embodiment> <First aspect> The image forming device 9 of this embodiment is an image forming device 9 equipped with a memory unit 9f, an image log generation unit 9c that generates log information including formed image information based on a print job and stores it in the memory unit 9f, an image log transfer unit 9d that transfers the log information stored in the memory unit 9f to an external server 11, and an image log deletion unit 9e that deletes the log information stored in the memory unit 9f, and is characterized in that it further includes an image log management unit 9b that, when a predetermined condition is satisfied and it is determined based on the log information stored in the memory unit 9f that transfer of the log information is necessary, causes the image log transfer unit 9d to transfer the log information to the server 11 and causes the image log deletion unit 9e to delete the log information stored in the memory unit 9f. According to the present embodiment, when a predetermined condition is met and it is determined based on the log information stored in the memory unit 9f that the transfer of the log information is necessary, the image log transfer unit 9d transfers the log information to the server 11, and the image log deletion unit 9e deletes the log information stored in the memory unit 9f. This prevents unnecessary image information from remaining in the storage section 9f, and prevents a reduction in the storage capacity of the storage section 9f.

[0045] <Second aspect> The image log management unit 9b of this embodiment is characterized in that, when the log information stored in the storage unit 9f contains at least one print page, it determines that the log information needs to be transferred. According to this aspect, when the log information stored in the storage unit 9f contains at least one print page, it is determined that the log information needs to be transferred. This makes it possible to confirm that there are print pages in the storage unit 9f that need to be transferred.

[0046] <Third aspect> The image forming device 9 of this embodiment is characterized in that it includes a memory management unit 9a that, when a predetermined condition is satisfied and it is determined based on the log information stored in the memory unit 9f that transfer of the log information is not necessary, causes the image log deletion unit 9e to delete the log information stored in the memory unit 9f. According to this aspect, when a predetermined condition is satisfied and it is determined based on the log information stored in the memory unit 9f that the transfer of the log information is not necessary, the image log deletion unit 9e deletes the log information stored in the memory unit 9f. This prevents unnecessary image information from remaining in the storage section 9f, and prevents a reduction in the storage capacity of the storage section 9f.

[0047] <Fourth aspect> The memory management unit 9a of this embodiment is characterized in that, when the log information stored in the storage unit 9f does not contain at least one print page, it determines that the log information does not need to be transferred. According to this aspect, when the log information stored in the storage unit 9f does not include at least one print page, it is determined that the log information does not need to be transferred. This makes it possible to confirm that there are no print pages in the storage unit 9f that need to be transferred.

[0048] <Fifth aspect> In the image forming apparatus 9 of this embodiment, the case where the predetermined condition is satisfied is a case where the apparatus is restarted after the power has been cut off. According to this aspect, when the device is restarted after a power cut occurs, it can be confirmed that a predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0049] <Sixth aspect> Image log management unit 9b of this embodiment is characterized by including power cut-off determination unit 9b1 that determines whether or not a power cut has occurred. According to this aspect, it is possible to determine whether or not a power cut has occurred.

[0050] <Seventh aspect> The memory management unit 9a of this embodiment is characterized by including a power cut-off determination unit 9a1 that determines whether or not a power cut has occurred. According to this aspect, it is possible to determine whether or not a power cut has occurred.

[0051] <Eighth aspect> When the generation of the log information is completed, the image log generating unit 9c of this embodiment adds completion information indicating that the generation of the log information is completed to the log information and stores the log information in the storage unit 9f. The power supply cut-off determination unit 9a1 or the power supply cut-off determination unit 9b1 is characterized in that, when completion information is not added to the log information stored in the memory unit 9f, it determines that a power cut-off has occurred. According to this embodiment, when the generation of the log information is completed, completion information indicating that the generation of the log information is completed is added to the log information and stored in the memory unit 9f. If the completion information is not added to the log information based on the log information stored in the memory unit 9f, it is determined that a power outage has occurred. This makes it possible to determine that a power cut has occurred.

[0052] <Ninth aspect> The management system of this embodiment is characterized by comprising an image forming device 9 described in any one of the first to eighth embodiments, and a server 11 that stores log information transferred from the image forming device 9. According to this aspect, a management system including an image forming apparatus 9 and a server 11 that stores log information transferred from the image forming apparatus 9 can be provided.

[0053] <Tenth aspect> The management method of the image forming device 9 of this embodiment executes an image log generation step (S172) of generating log information including formed image information based on a print job and storing it in a memory unit 9f, an image log transfer step (S182) of transferring the log information stored in the memory unit 9f to an external server 11, and an image log deletion step (S192) of deleting the log information stored in the memory unit 9f, characterized in that when a predetermined condition is satisfied and it is determined based on the log information stored in the memory unit 9f that transfer of the log information is necessary, an image log management step (S190) is executed in which the image log transfer step transfers the log information to the server 11 and the image log deletion step deletes the log information stored in the memory unit 9f. The operation and effects of the eighth embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0054] <Eleventh aspect> The program of this aspect is characterized in that it causes a processor to execute each step of the method for managing the image forming apparatus 9 of the tenth aspect. The operation and effects of the eleventh embodiment are similar to those of the tenth embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1...management system, 7...information processing device, 7a...application software, 7b...printer driver, 9...image forming device, 9a...memory management unit, 9a1...power-off determination unit, 9b...image log management unit, 9b1...power-off determination unit, 9c...image log generation unit, 9d...image log transfer unit, 9e...image log deletion unit, 9f...storage unit, 11...server, 20...image log, 100...communication network, 901...CPU, 902a...ROM, 90 2b...RAM, 903...North bridge (NB), 906...ASIC, 907...MEM-C, 908...HDD controller, 909...HD, 910...controller, 920...short-distance communication circuit, 920a...short-distance communication circuit, 921...AGP bus, 921...bus, 922...PCI bus, 930...engine control unit, 931...scanner unit, 932...printer unit, 940...operation panel, 940a...panel display unit, 940b...operation panel [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0056] [Patent Document 1] JP2012-108887A

Claims

1. A storage unit; an image log generating unit that generates log information including formed image information based on a print job and stores the log information in the storage unit; an image log transfer unit that transfers the log information stored in the storage unit to an external server; an image log deletion unit that deletes the log information stored in the storage unit, an image log management unit that, when a predetermined condition is satisfied and it is determined based on the log information stored in the storage unit that the transfer of the log information is necessary, causes the image log transfer unit to transfer the log information to the server and causes the image log deletion unit to delete the log information stored in the storage unit; and a memory management unit that, when a predetermined condition is satisfied and it is determined based on the log information stored in the memory unit that transfer of the log information is not necessary, causes the image log deletion unit to delete the log information stored in the memory unit.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image log management unit determines that the log information needs to be transferred when the log information stored in the memory unit contains at least one print page.

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory management unit determines that transfer of the log information is not necessary when the log information stored in the memory unit does not contain at least one print page.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is satisfied when the image forming apparatus is restarted after a power cut occurs.

5. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image log management unit includes a power cut-off determination unit that determines whether or not a power cut has occurred.

6. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory management unit includes a power cut-off determination unit that determines whether or not a power cut has occurred.

7. when the generation of the log information is completed, the image log generation unit adds completion information indicating that the generation of the log information is completed to the log information and stores the log information in the storage unit; The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the power supply disconnection determination unit determines that a power supply disconnection has occurred if completion information is not added to the log information based on the log information stored in the memory unit.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , a server that stores the log information transferred from the image forming apparatus.

9. an image log generating step of generating log information including formed image information based on the print job and storing the log information in a storage unit; an image log transfer step of transferring the log information stored in the storage unit to an external server; an image log deleting step of deleting the log information stored in the storage unit, an image log management step of causing the image log transfer step to transfer the log information to the server and causing the image log deletion step to delete the log information stored in the storage unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied and it is determined that transfer of the log information is necessary based on the log information stored in the storage unit; a memory management step of causing the image log deletion step to delete the log information stored in the memory unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied and when it is determined based on the log information stored in the memory unit that transfer of the log information is not necessary.

10. 10. A program for causing a processor to execute each step of the method for managing an image forming apparatus according to claim 9.

Images