Image forming apparatus, log information relay device, and log information amount response device

Abstract

To provide an image formation device, a log information relay device, and a log information amount answering device, capable of controlling a log information amount accumulated in a log information storage device that stores log information required for analyzing a trouble in the image formation device, without adding a function to the log information storage device.SOLUTION: If the memory number of log information that a trouble code of a trouble generated in an image formation device and a detailed code are the same, stored in a log information storage device, is less than a predetermined threshold value (S604:NO), the log information containing log data is transmitted to the log information storage device (S610) to be useful for a trouble analysis and a countermeasure. If the memory number of log information is the predetermined threshold value or larger (S604:YES), a storage capacity of the log information storage device is saved by transmitting a blank file excluding the log data to the log information storage device as log information (S615).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, a log information relay apparatus, and a log information amount response apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for controlling log information of an image forming apparatus accumulated in a log information storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, multi-function peripherals (MFPs) that combine functions such as printing, scanning, copying, faxing, and boxing have become widespread, and a huge number of them are in use around the world. MFPs, also known as digital multifunction peripherals, use a built-in computer to execute various firmware processes.

[0003] When a problem occurs with a multifunction device, log information is sent from the device to a log information management server using a remote maintenance service such as CSRA (Customer Service Remote Analysis). Log information is, for example, a compressed set of files required to investigate the cause of the problem.

[0004] This compressed file may be given a file name that identifies the type of trouble, a code that indicates the details of the trouble, the time when the trouble occurred, and the identification information of the multifunction device where the trouble occurred.

[0005] By analyzing the log information stored in the log information management server, it is possible to investigate the number of occurrences of each type of trouble in the multifunction devices under control and the causes of the trouble. Furthermore, by updating the firmware of the multifunction devices based on the results of this analysis, it is possible to prevent trouble from occurring and improve user convenience.

[0006] It is not uncommon for log information to be sent to the log information management server from, for example, several thousand multifunction peripherals. Furthermore, log information is sent from the multifunction peripherals to the log information management server every time a problem occurs.

[0007] For this reason, if the same problem with the same cause occurs frequently, a large amount of log information with similar content may accumulate on the log information management server.

[0008] When a large amount of log information is accumulated, there is a limit to the number of log information items that can be analyzed manually, making it difficult to analyze all of the large amount of accumulated log information.

[0009] For the purpose of eliminating the cause of a problem, analyzing only a few to several dozen pieces of log information is sufficient, so accumulating more log information than that will only put a strain on the storage capacity of the log information management server and will not achieve any benefit.

[0010] To address this problem, it is conceivable to delete the accumulated log information one by one, starting with the oldest log information, for example.

[0011] In addition, a server has been proposed that refers to a database that stores log information, and if the log information is stored according to a predetermined pattern, deletes the log information that has been stored according to the predetermined pattern (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0012] By deleting the log information in this way, it is possible to prevent problems that may arise from an excessive amount of accumulated log information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0013] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-49715 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0014] In recent years, cloud computing services such as Amazon Web Services (registered trademark), Google Cloud Platform (registered trademark), and Microsoft Azure (registered trademark) have become popular as they provide computing resources such as virtual machines and storage in a form whereby charges are made on an hourly basis according to the performance and capacity used.

[0015] These services allow users to flexibly build information processing systems such as web systems at low cost without having to prepare physical facilities themselves. The same applies to log information management servers.

[0016] When a log information management server is implemented using cloud storage, if the number of incidents increases, a large amount of log information must be stored. Therefore, if a large amount of cloud storage capacity is used, the billing fee will increase.

[0017] One way to avoid such an increase in charges is to delete the log information. However, when using the cloud computing services described above, system customization may be limited.

[0018] For example, when log information is stored using cloud storage, old log information can only be deleted in bulk, and it is difficult to freely select and delete log information according to desired conditions, as in the above-mentioned conventional technology.

[0019] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an image forming device, a log information relay device, and a log information amount response device that can control the amount of log information accumulated in a log information storage device without adding functions to the log information storage device that stores log information necessary for analyzing problems in the image forming device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0020] In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is one of a plurality of image forming apparatuses that transmit log information to a log information storage device for storage, the image forming apparatus comprising: The number of log entries stored for each type of trouble and a storage status acquisition means for acquiring the data size of the log information to be transmitted to the log information storage device with respect to a trouble occurring in the device itself, the data size being acquired by the storage status acquisition means. The aforementioned memory number and a control means for changing the value based on the value.

[0021] In this case ,before The control means may reduce the data size of the log information to be sent to the log information storage device when the number of stored log information items related to a common trouble with the trouble related to the log information to be sent to the log information storage device is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, compared to when the number of stored log information items is less than the predetermined number.

[0022] An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present disclosure is one of a plurality of image forming apparatuses that transmits and stores log information to a log information storage device, and is characterized by comprising: a storage status acquisition means for acquiring the storage status of the log information in the log information storage device; a version information acquisition means for acquiring version information of firmware installed in the image forming apparatus; and a control means for changing the data size of log information to be transmitted to the log information storage device regarding a problem that has occurred in the image forming apparatus, based on the storage status acquired by the storage status acquisition means and the version information acquired by the version information acquisition means. Ma Before A countermeasure status storage means for storing the countermeasure status for each combination of the type of trouble and firmware version. Steps In addition, the control means may reduce the data size of the log information to be sent to the log information storage device when a problem that has occurred in the device has been addressed with a version of firmware newer than the version installed in the device, compared to when the problem has not been addressed with a version of firmware newer than the version installed in the device, or when the problem has been addressed with a version of firmware earlier than the version installed in the device.

[0023] Also, The number of log information items acquired for each type of trouble is: The number of new log information items stored in the log information storage device within a specified period and beforeThe control means may reduce the data size of the log information to be sent to the log information storage device when the number of stored log information items related to a common trouble with the trouble related to the log information to be sent to the log information storage device is less than a predetermined number, compared to when the number of stored log information items is equal to or greater than the predetermined number.

[0025] Ma Ta, Ro The system may also be provided with a prohibition means for prohibiting the transmission of log information to the log information storage device when the number of stored log information items related to a problem that is common to the log information related to the log information to be sent to the log information storage device is equal to or exceeds a predetermined number.

[0026] Ma Before The device may also be provided with a countermeasure status storage means for storing the countermeasure status for each combination of the type of trouble and the firmware version, and a prohibition means for prohibiting the transmission of log information related to the trouble to the log information storage device if the trouble that occurred in the device has already been counteracted with a firmware version newer than the version installed in the device.

[0027] Ma In addition, the number of log information items acquired for each type of trouble is The number of new log information items stored in the log information storage device within a specified period And The system may also be provided with a prohibition means for prohibiting the transmission of log information to the log information storage device if the number of stored log information items related to a problem that is common to the log information related to the log information to be sent to the log information storage device is less than a predetermined number. [Effects of the Invention]

[0034] In this way, the data size of the log information sent from the image forming device to the log information storage device is changed depending on the storage status in the log information storage device, so that the storage status in the log information storage device can be controlled from the image forming device.

[0035] In particular, by controlling the data size of the log information according to the amount of log information stored in the log information storage device, when the same problem occurs in multiple image forming devices, it is possible to save storage capacity in the log information storage device without hindering analysis and countermeasures for the problem.

[0036] When reducing the data size of the log information, by omitting the log data from the log information and sending the type of trouble, the time of occurrence, and the identification information of the image forming device to the log information storage device, it is possible to suppress the sending of log data that is not necessary for trouble analysis and record the circumstances under which the trouble occurred. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a log information management system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of an image forming apparatus 100. FIG. [Figure 3] (a) is a table illustrating an example of a trouble code, (b) is a table illustrating the contents of trouble occurrence information, (c) is a table illustrating a list of trouble codes that have been addressed, and (d) is a table illustrating a memory status table. [Figure 4] (a) shows an example of a file name of log information, (b) shows an example of log data included in the log information, and (c) shows an example of a log information list. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the image forming apparatus 100 creates a storage status table. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the image forming apparatus 100 transmits log information, the data size of which has been changed in accordance with the storage status of the log information storage device 110, to the log information storage device 110. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a log information management system 7 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the main components of a log information relay device 700. [Figure 9]10 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the log information relay device 700 creates a storage status table. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the log information relay device 700 transmits log information, the data size of which has been changed in accordance with the storage status of the log information storage device 110, to the log information storage device 110. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of transmitting log information from the image forming apparatus 100 to the log information relay device 700. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a log information amount response device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the main configuration of a log information management system 15 according to a modified example of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming apparatus, a log information relay apparatus, and a log information amount response apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [1] First embodiment In this embodiment, when an image forming apparatus generates log information when a problem occurs, transmits the log information to a log information storage device, and stores the log information, the data size of the log information is changed depending on the storage status of the log information storage device, thereby suppressing an increase in the storage capacity of the entire log information stored in the log information storage device. (1-1) Log information management system configuration As shown in FIG. 1, the log information management system 1 according to this embodiment is configured by connecting a plurality of image forming devices 100 and a log information storage device 110 so that they can communicate with each other via a communication network 120.

[0039] Here, the multiple image forming devices 100 do not all need to be the same model, and may be different models from one another. The image forming device 100 may be a single-function device such as a printer device, a copy device with a scanning function, or a facsimile device with a facsimile function.

[0040] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 may be a multi-function peripheral (MFP) that has a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile function, a box function, and the like.

[0041] The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image using image data stored in advance, image data generated by reading an original document using a scanning function, image data received from another apparatus using a facsimile function or a network communication function, and the like.

[0042] For example, an information processing device such as a personal computer (PC) generates drawing commands written in a page description language (PDL) that can be processed by the image forming device 100 using a printer driver from drawing commands issued by an operating system (OS) or an application program, and transmits the drawing commands to the image forming device 100 as print data including image data.

[0043] The print data may also be document data written in a file format such as PDF (Portable Document Format), TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), or XPS (XML Paper Specification, XML: Extensible Markup Language).

[0044] When reading an original document using the scanning function, the original document may be read while placed on a platen glass (platen set method), or the original document may be read while being conveyed one sheet at a time by an automatic document feeder (ADF) (sheet-through method). Image forming apparatus 100 can form an image using image data generated by reading an original document using either reading method.

[0045] The image forming apparatus 100 can transmit log information relating to its own status and operation to the log information storage device 110 via the communication network 120. The log information may be transmitted as an attachment to an e-mail or using FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

[0046] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 can also use WebDAV (Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning) to transmit log information to the log information storage device 110 by using the log information storage device 110 as a Web server and the image forming apparatus 100 as a client. It goes without saying that the image forming apparatus 100 may transmit log information to the log information storage device 110 using a combination of multiple transmission methods.

[0047] The log information storage device 110 is a general computer device connected to a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), a fixed storage device such as a hard disk drive, a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The log information storage device also has a function of receiving log information from multiple image forming apparatuses 100 and storing it in the fixed storage device.

[0048] As the log information storage device 110, a cloud storage service provided by AWS (Amazon Web Services, registered trademark) or the like may be used.

[0049] The communication network 120 may be a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, or a combination of these. It may also be a communication network that performs wired communication using a dedicated line or a public line, or a communication network that uses wireless communication. Different types of communication networks may also be interconnected. (1-2) Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 100 As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 200, an image reading unit 211, an operation panel 212, an image forming unit 213, a printer controller 214, and the like.

[0050] The control unit 200 includes a CPU 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, an S-RAM (Static RAM) 203, an NV-RAM (Non-Volatile RAM) 204, a clock IC (Integrated Circuit) 205, a fixed storage device 206, and a network interface 207, which are connected to each other via an internal bus 208 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0051] When the image forming apparatus 100 is reset, for example, by powering on, the CPU 201 reads and starts up a boot program from the ROM 202, and executes the OS, control program, log processing program 220, etc. read from the fixed storage device 206, using the S-RAM 203 as a working memory area.

[0052] In this embodiment, the case where Linux (registered trademark) is used as the OS will be described as an example, but it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to this, and an OS other than Linux (registered trademark) may also be used. Also, programs such as the control program and the log processing program 220 executed by the CPU 201 are referred to as firmware modules.

[0053] The ROM 202 stores the above-mentioned boot program as well as information such as version information of the ROM 202 itself and the model of the image forming apparatus 100 .

[0054] The NV-RAM 204 is a battery-backed nonvolatile memory that stores various settings for the image forming apparatus 100. The clock IC 205 is an IC for measuring time, and the date and time to be recorded in the log information is obtained using the clock IC 205. The network interface 207 executes processing for communicating with other devices such as the log information storage device 110 via the communication network 120.

[0055] The image reading unit 211 reads an original document and generates image data. As described above, the original document may be read using the platen set method or the sheet-through method. The image reading unit 211 may also be compatible with both of these reading methods.

[0056] The operation panel 212 is a user interface for presenting information to a user of the image forming apparatus 100 and for receiving instructions input from the user. The operation panel 212 includes a numeric keypad, a PRINT key, a logout key, a display unit, and the like.

[0057] The numeric keypad is used to accept numeric input from the user, the PRINT key is used to accept input of a command to start printing, and the logout key is used to accept input of a command to log out if the user is logged in.

[0058] The display unit is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, and displays information to be presented to the user. The display unit may be combined with a touchpad to form a touch panel. The operation panel 212 may also include a speaker that outputs sounds such as beeps.

[0059] The image forming unit 213 includes a paper feed unit, an image creation unit, a fixing unit, etc. The paper feed unit supplies recording media for recording an image. The recording media may be, for example, recording sheets such as paper or fabric. The image creation unit forms an image on the media supplied by the paper feed unit.

[0060] The image forming method used by the imaging unit may be an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. Other image forming methods may also be used. The fixing unit fixes the image onto the recording medium. The fixing method varies depending on the image forming method. For example, if the image forming method is an electrophotographic method, a thermal fixing method is used, and if the image forming method is an inkjet method, an ultraviolet curing method is used.

[0061] The printer controller 214 generates image data for printing from image data contained in print data received by the control unit 200 from other devices or image data generated by the image reading unit 211, and controls the image forming unit 213 to form an image using the generated image data.

[0062] The short-distance wireless interface 215 is an interface that executes communication processing for short-distance wireless communication, which is used, for example, for authentication processing using an IC card.

[0063] The wireless interface 216 is an interface that executes communication processing for wireless communication with other wireless devices. (1-3) Log processing When image forming apparatus 100 detects a problem (abnormality), it displays a problem code indicating the type of problem on the display unit of operation panel 212, and also records log information for analyzing the problem.

[0064] The trouble code indicates whether the problem is related to hardware or firmware, and what symptoms occurred when the problem occurred. (1-3-1) Hardware-related problems Hardware-related problems include, for example, temperature problems when thermally fixing an image (toner image) onto a recording medium in the electrophotographic image forming unit 213. Also, a lift-up problem when lifting up and feeding out a recording medium (paper) from a paper tray that contains the recording medium (paper) is also a hardware-related problem.

[0065] Trouble codes can be defined, for example, as shown in Fig. 3(a). For example, trouble code "C-0101" is "paper feed motor abnormality." In other words, if "C-0101" is displayed on the display unit or stored in the log information as the trouble code, it means that an abnormality has been detected in the paper feed motor that supplies recording media in the paper feed unit of the image forming unit 213.

[0066] Also, the trouble code "C-0351" is "paper cooling fan rotation failure." Therefore, when the trouble code is "C-0351," it can be seen that a rotation failure of the paper cooling fan for cooling the recording medium on which an image has been thermally fixed in the fixing unit of the image forming unit 213 has been detected.

[0067] In the present embodiment, trouble codes are used that are commonly defined for multiple models of image forming apparatus 100. It goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to this, and different models of image forming apparatus 100 may have different definitions of trouble codes. (1-3-2) Firmware-related problems Problems related to firmware (FW) include, for example, software logic failure, processing stoppage when CPU occupancy exceeds a certain level, and segmentation fault.

[0068] For firmware-related problems, the OS and firmware generate log data regarding the internal state and processing history of the OS and firmware, so the trouble code can be identified by referring to this log data.

[0069] For example, as shown in Fig. 3(a), the trouble code "C-E016" is "Authentication-linked browser unavailable." This trouble code indicates that the browser for performing user authentication of the image forming apparatus 100 has become unavailable.

[0070] The trouble code "C-F001" is "BIOS abnormality detected." This trouble code indicates that an abnormality has been detected in the BIOS (Basic Input / Output System).

[0071] In addition, a trouble detail code (hereinafter simply referred to as "detail code") may be recorded along with the trouble code to provide more detailed information about the event that occurred. The trouble occurrence information illustrated in Figure 3(b) shows an example in which two types of detail codes, detail code #1 and detail code #2, can be recorded for each trouble code.

[0072] For example, if the trouble code is "C-E016," "ABAB" is recorded as detail code #1 and "1F321F4500000000" is recorded as detail code #2. On the other hand, if the trouble code is "C-FB8A," "0001" is recorded as detail code #1, but detail code #2 is not recorded.

[0073] Similarly, for hardware-related problems, a detailed code can be listed alongside the trouble code.

[0074] In addition, log data such as " / var / log / dmesg" and " / var / log / messages" can be obtained as log information for firmware-related problems.

[0075] " / var / log / dmesg" is a file that stores logs from immediately after the Linux OS (registered trademark) starts booting until the file system is mounted, and contains messages output by the kernel during boot.

[0076] Depending on the syslog configuration, " / var / log / messages" stores general system messages, such as user authentication information and messages about various firmware including control programs.

[0077] In addition to the above, the firmware records log data necessary for troubleshooting at various times.

[0078] Since the log data required for the trouble analysis cannot be identified until the trouble analysis is completed, the log information is collected from as much firmware as possible to collect log data that can be used for the trouble analysis, resulting in a huge amount of data.

[0079] In addition to the above, other log data may include, for example, Thread_Log output by each thread of the firmware, Network_Module_log related to communication, and ROM_Verion_Log indicating the version of the ROM 202. (1-3-3) Log information The log information is a compressed file obtained by compressing an archive file that combines the log data collected as described above. In this embodiment, the archive file of the log data is created using tar (Tape Archives) and the archive file of the log data is compressed using gzip (GNU zip, GNU: GNU's Not Unix!), but it goes without saying that archive files may be created or data compressed using other methods.

[0080] For example, you can store log data in one folder and then compress the data for that folder as a whole.

[0081] In this embodiment, in order to indicate which trouble the log information stored in the log information storage device 110 relates to, the file name of the log information includes a trouble code, a detailed code, the date and time the trouble occurred, and identification information of the image forming device 100 in which the trouble occurred.

[0082] 4(a), the file name of the log information is written in snake case notation, with the trouble code, detailed code, occurrence date and time, and identification information of the image forming apparatus 100 separated by underscores. It goes without saying that the separator is not limited to the underscore, and characters other than the underscore may also be used as the separator.

[0083] In this example, the trouble code is "AAAA" and the detail code is "BBBB."

[0084] The date and time the problem occurred is "20210827_1500," with the date and time separated by an underscore. This tells us that the problem occurred at 15:00 on August 27, 2021.

[0085] The identification information of the image forming apparatus 100 is "MACHINE_ID", but this is merely an example, and it may be, for example, a model code for identifying the model of the image forming apparatus 100 and a serial number for that model. The model code and serial number may also be separated by a delimiter such as an underscore.

[0086] The character string "tar" separated by a period from the identification information of the image forming apparatus 100 indicates that the archive file is created using tar.

[0087] Additionally, the character string "tar" and the character string "gz" separated by a period indicate that the file is a compressed file whose data has been compressed using gzip.

[0088] The log information file "AAAA_BBBB_20210827_1500_MACHINE_ID.tar.gz" includes, as log data, for example, the Linux OS (registered trademark) kernel log "dmesg.log," the Linux OS (registered trademark) system log "messages.log," individual thread logs "Thread_Log," a communication log "Network_Module_Log," and ROM 202 version information "ROM_Version_Log," as shown in Figure 4(b). Furthermore, log data may also be obtained from the BSP (Board Support Package), print modules, etc. (1-3-4) Log information stored in the log information storage device 110 Every time a problem occurs, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits log information about the problem to the log information storage device 110. The log information storage device 110 stores the log information received from the image forming apparatus 100. As a result, the log information is accumulated in the log information storage device 110.

[0089] The image forming apparatus 100 can log in to the log information storage device 110 using, for example, FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and acquire a list of log information stored in the log information storage device 110 using an ls command.

[0090] In this case, a script containing FTP commands may be used. For example, ftp -s ftpcmd.txt > ftplog.txt This will execute the FTP commands written in the script file "ftpcmd.txt" sequentially, and redirect the execution results to the file "ftplog.txt".

[0091] The contents of the script file "ftpcmd.txt" are, for example, open [host name of log information storage device 110] [Account Name] [password] cd [directory name] ls bye Here, "open" is an FTP command for connecting to the log information storage device 110 via FTP, and the host name of the log information storage device 110 is used.

[0092] [Account name] is the account name for logging in to the log information storage device 110, and [Password] is the password for logging in to the log information storage device 110, both of which are registered in the log information storage device 110.

[0093] "cd" is a TP command that changes the current directory in the log information storage device 110. By specifying the name of the directory that stores the log information in [directory name], it is possible to move to that directory.

[0094] "ls" is an FTP command that lists the file names of files stored in the current directory. As mentioned above, since you have moved to the directory that stores the log information, you can list the log information stored in that directory by executing the "ls" command.

[0095] The list of log information acquired using the "ls" command will be referred to as a "log information list" below.

[0096] "bye" is an FTP command to terminate an FTP connection.

[0097] In the example shown in Figure 4(c), the log information list obtained in this manner shows that the log information for image forming device 100 with identification information of "Machine_2020073001682," "Machine_2020073001687," and "Machine_2020073001674" all have trouble code "E016" and detail code "ABAB," indicating that the same trouble has occurred three times.

[0098] On the other hand, the log information for the image forming apparatus 100 with the identification information "Machine_2019020300012" has a trouble code of "FB8A" and a detail code of "0001", which indicates a single trouble. (1-3-5) Troubleshooting using log information When analyzing a problem in image forming apparatus 100 using log information, multiple pieces of log information with common trouble codes and detail codes are referenced, but the number of pieces of log information required for the problem analysis is often limited. Log information exceeding the number required for the problem analysis has no use other than to reference the date and time the problem occurred, and is not used for the problem analysis.

[0099] Storing log information that is not used for troubleshooting in the log information storage device 110 unnecessarily occupies the storage capacity of the log information storage device 110. Furthermore, if the log information storage device 110 is a commercial cloud storage, there is a risk that the amount charged will be unnecessarily high.

[0100] For example, consider a case where 100 pieces of log information with the trouble code "F001" are stored in the log information storage device 110. First, one piece of log information with the trouble code "F001" is decompressed to proceed with the trouble analysis.

[0101] Next, refer to other log information with trouble code "F001" to check whether the problem occurred due to the same cause as the log information you analyzed earlier. This checking process is sufficient for about 10 to 20 pieces of log information; even if there are 100 pieces of log information with trouble code "F001," there is no need to check all of them.

[0102] Typically, there are only a few patterns for the cause of a problem for each trouble code, so by checking around 10 to 20 pieces of log information, it is possible to identify which pattern of cause caused the problem with that trouble code.

[0103] Therefore, of the 100 pieces of log information, 80 pieces of log information are discarded without being subjected to trouble analysis. In other words, 80 pieces of unnecessary log information are stored in the log information storage device 110.

[0104] Therefore, if the log information storage device 110 is a so-called on-premise device operated in-house, and if there is insufficient storage capacity, unnecessary log information may be accumulated, which may result in the inability to store necessary log information or the need to unnecessarily increase storage capacity.

[0105] Furthermore, when a commercial log information storage device 110 is used, the storage capacity of the log information storage device 110 can be flexibly expanded, so there is little risk of not being able to store the necessary log information.

[0106] However, when pay-per-use charges are based on the storage capacity used, continuing to store unnecessary log information will only increase the charges beyond the purpose of troubleshooting, resulting in a decrease in cost performance.

[0107] In order to save on charges, it may be possible to delete unnecessary log information, but if a commercial cloud storage is used as the log information storage device 110, it may be possible to only delete the log information in bulk.

[0108] In such cases, in order to maintain log information that may be needed in the future for troubleshooting, it becomes impossible to delete even log information that is clearly unnecessary, and it becomes impossible to save on cloud storage charges.

[0109] To address this problem, image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment executes the following process. (1-4) Log Processing Operation of Image Forming Apparatus 100 In order to reduce the number of pieces of log information accumulated in the log information storage device 110 by executing the log processing program 220, the image forming device 100 according to this embodiment checks the storage status of the log information in the log information storage device 110 and omits the log data for log information that is determined to be unlikely to be used for troubleshooting. (1-4-1) Checking the storage status of log information in the log information storage device 110 When the image forming apparatus 100 checks the storage status of the log information in the log information storage device 110, as shown in FIG. 5, it first checks using the clock IC 205 whether it is time to obtain the log information list from the log information storage device 110.

[0110] The log information list is acquired, for example, when the main power of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on. For the image forming apparatus 100 that is always powered on for facsimile reception, the log information list may be acquired when the date changes.

[0111] Furthermore, when there are a large number of image forming devices 100 accessing a common log information storage device 110, the concentration of communication load on the log information storage device 110 and the communication network 120 can be suppressed by varying the timing at which the log information list is acquired among the image forming devices 100.

[0112] When it is time to acquire the log information list (S501: YES), the image forming apparatus 100 connects to the log information storage device 110 via FTP (S502) and acquires the log information list (S503). The procedure for acquiring the log information list using FTP is as described above.

[0113] The image forming apparatus 100 further checks whether a list of trouble codes for which measures have been taken is stored in the log information storage device 110. If the list of trouble codes for which measures have been taken is stored in the same directory as the log information, the presence or absence of the list of trouble codes for which measures have been taken can be confirmed by referring to the log information list.

[0114] Furthermore, if the directory in which the log information is accumulated in the log information storage device 110 is different from the directory in which the list of trouble codes for which measures have been taken is stored, you can move to the directory in which the list of trouble codes for which measures have been taken is stored and then use the "ls" command described above to check whether the list of trouble codes for which measures have been taken is stored in that directory.

[0115] In this case, add the following to the script file "ftpcmd.txt": cd [directory name] ls Here, [directory name] is the directory where the list of trouble codes that have been fixed may be stored. By doing this, the list of files stored in that directory will be added to the above-mentioned "ftplog.txt", so you can check whether or not there is a list of trouble codes that have been fixed.

[0116] If the check result shows that there is a list of trouble codes for which measures have been taken (S504: YES), the list of trouble codes for which measures have been taken is acquired from the log information storage device 110 (S505). In this case, for example, if the list of trouble codes for which measures have been taken is a text file, ascii get [filename] You can get a list of fixed trouble codes by using the following command. "ascii" is an FTP command that sets the transfer mode to ASCII mode. [File name] is the file name of the list of fixed trouble codes. If the list of fixed trouble codes is a binary file, use the "binary" command instead of the "ascii" command to set the transfer mode to binary mode.

[0117] 3(c) is an example of a list of trouble codes for which countermeasures have been completed. In FIG. 3(c), for the image forming device 100 with model "Machine_Code1", the trouble code "E016" and the detail code "ABAB" have been countermeasures completed in version "G00-10".

[0118] Therefore, even if a problem with trouble code "C-E016" and detail code "ABAB" occurs in an image forming device 100 with a version earlier than "G00-10," it is clear that there is no need to analyze the problem again because analysis and countermeasures have already been completed for the problem.

[0119] Similarly, for the image forming device 100 with the model "Machine_Code2", the problem with the trouble code "C-FFEE" and the detail code "0001" has been addressed in the version "G00-20", so even if the problem occurs in an image forming device 100 with a version earlier than "G00-10", there is no need to perform a new trouble analysis.

[0120] In the example of Figure 3(c), the naming convention for ROM202 versions is specified such that G00-00 is the oldest, followed by 01, 02, ... 09, 10, ... 98, 99. If necessary, a subnumber (the ".01" part) may be added, such as G00-55.01.

[0121] This naming convention makes it possible to compare the version of the ROM 202 of your machine with the version of the ROM 202 that has been fixed. That is, by checking the size of the xx part of G00-xx, you can compare the newness of the versions.

[0122] In this way, when there is no need to perform trouble analysis, there is no need to store log information related to the trouble in the log information storage device 110, and therefore the image forming device 100 does not need to send the log information to the log information storage device 110.

[0123] If there is no list of trouble codes for which measures have been taken (S504: NO) and after the processing of step S505, the FTP connection with the log information storage device 110 is disconnected (S506).

[0124] Thereafter, the "ftplog.txt" file is referenced, and the number of log information items stored in the log information storage device 110 is counted for each combination of trouble code and detail code from the file names of the log information included in the log information list (S507).

[0125] Specifically, the system looks at the log information list line by line, extracts the trouble code and detail code using the delimiter "_" contained in the file name of the log information, and increments the count value for the extracted combination of trouble code and detail code by one for each log information item.

[0126] In the example of Figure 4(c), the log information with the trouble code "E016" and the detail code "ABAB" has a count value of 3, and the log information with the trouble code "FB8A" and the detail code "0001" has a count value of 1.

[0127] The image forming apparatus 100 stores a count value of the log information for each combination of a trouble code and a detail code as the storage status of the log information in the log information storage device 110. In the example shown in Fig. 3(d), the count value of the log information with the trouble code "E016" and the detail code "ABAB" is 3, and the count value of the log information with the trouble code "FB8A" and the detail code "0001" is 1.

[0128] After the above-described counting process is performed on the entire log information list, the counting results are saved (S508).

[0129] The counting results may be saved in NV-RAM 204 or fixed storage device 206. Unless the log information list is acquired and the number of stored log information items for each combination of trouble code and detail code is counted each time the main power is turned on to image forming apparatus 100, it is desirable to save the counting results in a non-volatile recording medium.

[0130] It goes without saying that the source from which the list of trouble codes for which measures have been taken is not limited to the log information storage device 110, and the list of trouble codes for which measures have been taken may be obtained from another device instead of the log information storage device 110.

[0131] Hereinafter, a table storing the number of log information items for each combination of a trouble code and a detail code, as exemplified in FIG. 3(d), will be referred to as a "storage status table." (1-4-2) Control of log information The image forming apparatus 100 refers to the storage status of the log information in the log information storage device 110 acquired as described above, and changes the data size of the log information to be transmitted to the log information storage device 110.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 6, when a trouble occurs (S601: YES), the image forming apparatus 100 acquires a trouble code and a detail code related to the trouble (S602).

[0133] Specifically, the firmware module that detects the trouble identifies the trouble code and detail code and notifies the log processing program 220 of the trouble code and detail code, and the log processing program 220 obtains the trouble code and detail code.

[0134] Next, the image forming apparatus 100 refers to the storage status table and acquires the number of stored log information items corresponding to the trouble code and detail code related to the trouble (S603). In the example shown in Fig. 3(d), if the trouble code is "E016" and the detail code is "ABAB", the number of stored items is three.

[0135] As described above, if the number of log information required for troubleshooting is approximately 10 to 20, storing more log information will not be useful for troubleshooting and will have no use other than identifying the date and time of the trouble. For this reason, the number required for troubleshooting (for example, 20) is used as a threshold value and is compared with the number of stored log information obtained in step S603.

[0136] It goes without saying that the threshold for the number of stored items is not limited to 20, and it may be any number other than 20. Furthermore, if the number of stored log information items required for troubleshooting varies for each combination of trouble code and detail code, the threshold for the number of stored items may also vary for each combination.

[0137] If the number of log information items stored in the log information storage device 110 for the trouble related to the trouble code and detail code is less than the threshold value (S604: NO), it is determined that a sufficient number of log information items to analyze the trouble have not yet been stored in the log information storage device 110.

[0138] Therefore, the system further refers to the list of trouble codes for which countermeasures have been taken to check whether the trouble related to the trouble code and detailed code has been corrected. If the trouble has been corrected, the system reads the version of ROM 202 and checks whether the version in which the countermeasures for the trouble have been completed is an earlier version than the version of ROM 202.

[0139] If the problem has not been dealt with, it is necessary to store the log information in the log information storage device 110 for the purpose of analyzing the problem. Furthermore, if the problem occurs despite having been dealt with in a version of the device prior to the version of the device, further troubleshooting is required, and therefore the log information is stored in the log information storage device 110.

[0140] In such a case (S605: NO), the latest log data is collected from the OS and each firmware module (S606). The latest log data is, for example, log data output within a predetermined period including the time when the trouble occurred, and may include not only the period up to the time when the trouble occurred but also the period after the trouble occurred.

[0141] The latest log data may simply be the most recently outputted log data among the log data outputted up to the time of collection of the log data. Furthermore, the type of log data to be collected and the time when the log data was output may differ depending on the trouble code and detail code of the trouble.

[0142] In this way, log data that is clearly unnecessary for troubleshooting can be eliminated, thereby reducing the data size of the log information, and therefore reducing the storage capacity of the log information storage device 110 required to store the log information.

[0143] After the log data is collected, it is compiled into one file using, for example, tar, and then the file is compressed using gzip (S607).

[0144] Furthermore, as explained using Figure 4(a), a file name is generated for the compressed file using the trouble code, detailed code, date and time of occurrence, and identification information of the image forming device 100, and is assigned to the compressed file (S608).

[0145] Thereafter, following the same procedure as above, an FTP connection is made to the log information storage device 110 (S609), and the compressed log data is sent to the log information storage device 110 as log information (S610). For example, binary put [filename] Since the log information is binary data, first use the "binary" command to set the transfer mode to binary mode. "put" is an FTP command that sends the file specified by [file name] to the FTP server.

[0146] In this case, the log information storage device 110 is an FTP server, and the log information indicated by [file name] is sent to the log information storage device 110. Thereafter, the FTP connection with the log information storage device 110 is disconnected, and the log information sending process is terminated (S611).

[0147] If the number of log information items stored in the log information storage device 110 for the trouble related to the trouble code and detailed code is equal to or greater than a threshold value (S604: YES), it is determined that a sufficient number of log information items to analyze the trouble are already stored in the log information storage device 110.

[0148] In such a case, first, an empty file is generated (S612). For example, if the Linux OS (registered trademark) is used, an empty file can be created using the "touch" command. Next, a file name is assigned to the empty file according to the same naming convention as in step S608 (S613).

[0149] Thereafter, following the same procedure as steps S609 to S611, the empty file is sent as log information to the log information storage device 110 (S614 to S616). In this way, the empty file does not contain log data that is unlikely to be referenced for troubleshooting, and therefore, an increase in the storage capacity of the log information storage device 110 can be suppressed.

[0150] Furthermore, by referring to the file name of the empty file, it is possible to obtain the trouble code, detailed code, the date and time of occurrence of the trouble, and the identification information of the image forming apparatus 100 in which the trouble occurred. Therefore, it is possible to check the occurrence status of the trouble (number of occurrences, frequency of occurrence, time of occurrence, etc.), which makes it possible to take measures such as analyzing and taking measures starting from the troubles that occur most frequently.

[0151] Furthermore, when the list of trouble codes that have been fixed is referenced, if the version that has completed the fix for the trouble related to the trouble code and detailed code is newer than the version on the own machine (S605: YES), then even if the trouble occurs on the own machine, it is determined that the trouble has already been analyzed and fixed.

[0152] Therefore, not only is no log information sent to the log information storage device 110, but empty files are also not sent. This is because there is no need to analyze a problem that has already been fixed, and sending such log information or empty files would only unnecessarily consume the storage capacity of the log information storage device 110.

[0153] Conversely, in such a case, by not sending log information or empty files to the log information storage device 110, the storage capacity of the log information storage device 110 can be saved.

[0154] If the version for which the countermeasure for the trouble has been completed is newer than the version of the own device (S605: YES), and after the processing of steps S611 and S616, the process proceeds to step S601 and the above processing is repeated. [2] Second embodiment In the above-described first embodiment, an example was given in which image forming apparatus 100 controls the data size of log information. However, in the second embodiment, the configuration of image forming apparatus 100 remains the same as before, and a log information relay device is separately provided to relay the transmission of log information from image forming apparatus 100 to log information storage device 110. The log information relay device adjusts the data amount of the log information depending on the storage status of the log information in log information storage device 110, thereby saving the storage capacity of log information storage device 110. (2-1) Log information management system configuration As shown in FIG. 7, the log information management system 7 according to this embodiment is configured by adding a log information relay device 700 to the configuration of the log information management system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0155] The log information relay device 700 can communicate with the image forming device 100 and the log information storage device 110 via the communication network 120. When a problem occurs, each image forming device 100 transmits log information to the log information relay device 700.

[0156] The log information relay device 700 periodically acquires the storage status of the log information from the log information storage device 110. When the log information relay device 700 receives log information from the image forming device 100, the log information relay device 700 adjusts the data size of the log information to be transmitted to the log information storage device 110 according to the storage status of the log information storage device 110. (2-2) Configuration of the Log Information Relay Device 700 As shown in FIG. 8, the log information relay device 700 includes a control unit 800 and an input / output unit 811 .

[0157] The control unit 800 includes a CPU 801, a ROM 802, an S-RAM 803, an NV-RAM 804, a clock IC 805, a fixed storage device 806, and a network interface 807, which are connected to each other via an internal bus 808 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0158] When the log information relay device 700 is reset, for example by powering on, the CPU 801 reads and starts up a boot program from the ROM 802, and executes the OS and log information relay program 810, etc., read from the fixed storage device 806, using the S-RAM 803 as a working memory area.

[0159] The NV-RAM 804 is a battery-backed nonvolatile memory, and the clock IC 805 is an IC for measuring time. The network interface 807 executes processing for communicating with the image forming apparatus 100 and the log information storage device 110 via the communication network 120.

[0160] The input / output unit 809 is made up of a keyboard, a mouse, and a monitor, and functions as an input / output interface for the administrator of the log information relay device 700 to operate the log information relay device 700 . (2-3) Log information relay processing Next, the operation of the log information relay device 700 will be described. (2-3-1) Process for acquiring the storage status of the log information storage device 110 The log information relay device 700 is constantly powered and operational because it must receive and relay log information from the image forming device 100 as needed. The log information relay device 700 uses the clock IC 805 to confirm that a predetermined timing has arrived, and if the predetermined timing has arrived (S901: YES), the log information relay device 700 connects via FTP to the log information storage device 110 (S902) and acquires the log information list (S903). The procedure for acquiring the log information list is the same as that for the image forming device 100.

[0161] The log information relay device 700 further checks whether a list of trouble codes for which measures have been taken is stored in the log information storage device 110. If the result of checking is that a list of trouble codes for which measures have been taken is stored in the log information storage device 110 (S904: YES), the log information relay device 700 obtains the list of trouble codes for which measures have been taken from the log information storage device 110 (S905).

[0162] The procedure for acquiring the list of trouble codes for which measures have been taken from the log information storage device 110 is the same as that for the image forming apparatus 100 .

[0163] If the list of trouble codes for which a fix has been performed is not stored in the log information storage device 110 (S904: NO) and after the processing of step S905, the log information relay device 700 disconnects the FTP connection with the log information storage device 110 (S906).

[0164] Thereafter, the log information relay device 700 refers to the "ftplog.txt" file and counts the number of log information items stored in the log information storage device 110 for each combination of trouble code and detail code from the file names of the log information included in the log information list (S907).

[0165] The log information relay device 700 stores the count value of the log information for each combination of trouble code and detail code as the storage status of the log information in the log information storage device 110, and then saves the count result in the storage status table (S908).

[0166] The storage status table may be stored in the NV-RAM 804 or the fixed storage device 806 . (2-3-2) Control of log information When the log information relay device 700 receives log information from the image forming device 100, it refers to the storage status of the log information in the log information storage device 110 obtained as described above and changes the data size of the log information to be sent to the log information storage device 110.

[0167] In this embodiment, the log information relay device 700 serves as an FTP server and receives log information by being FTP connected from the image locking device 100. It also transmits log information to the log information storage device 110 as an FTP client. However, it goes without saying that log information may be transmitted and received using a procedure other than FTP.

[0168] As shown in FIG. 10, when the log information relay device 700 receives log information and version information of the image forming device 100 from the image forming device 100 (S1001: YES), it refers to the storage status table and obtains the number of stored log information items corresponding to the trouble code and detail code related to the trouble (S1002).

[0169] If the number of acquired stored items is less than the threshold value (S1003: NO), the list of trouble codes for which measures have been taken is referred to, and it is confirmed whether the trouble related to the trouble code and detailed code has been taken in a version later than the version of the image forming device 100.

[0170] If the problem has not been addressed in a version later than the version of the image forming device 100 that sent the log information (S1004: NO), an FTP connection is made to the log information storage device 110 (S1005) according to the same procedure as in the first embodiment, and the log information is sent to the log information storage device 110 (S1006), after which the FTP connection to the log information storage device 110 is disconnected (S1007).

[0171] If the number of log information items stored in the log information storage device 110 for the trouble related to the trouble code and detail code is equal to or greater than a threshold (S1003: YES), an empty file is created (S1008), and the name of the log information received from the image forming device 100 is set as the name of the empty file (S1009).

[0172] Thereafter, an FTP connection is established with the log information storage device 110 (S1010), and an empty file is sent to the log information storage device 110 as log information (S1011), after which the FTP connection with the log information storage device 110 is disconnected (S1012).

[0173] If the problem has not been addressed in a version later than the version of image forming apparatus 100 that sent the log information (S1004: YES), and after steps S1007 and S1012, the process proceeds to step S1001 and the above process is repeated. (2-4) Image forming apparatus 100 The image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0174] As shown in FIG. 11, when a problem occurs (S1101: YES), the image forming apparatus 100 acquires a problem code and a detailed code related to the problem (S1102), and further collects the latest log data from the OS and each firmware module (S1103).

[0175] Once the log data has been collected, it is compressed into a single file (S1104), and a file name is generated using the trouble code, detail code, date and time of occurrence, and identification information of the image forming device 100, and assigned to the compressed file (S1105).

[0176] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 acquires its own version information by reading the version information from the ROM 202 (S1106).

[0177] Thereafter, an FTP connection is made to the log information relay device 700 (S1107), the compressed log data is sent to the log information relay device 700 as log information, and the version information is also sent to the log information relay device 700 (S1108). After that, the FTP connection is disconnected (S1109), and the process proceeds to step S1101 to repeat the above process.

[0178] In this way, the only device that accesses the log information storage device 110 to obtain the storage status of the log information is the log information relay device 700, so there is no need for a large number of image forming devices 100 to access the log information storage device 110 to obtain the storage status of the log information.

[0179] Therefore, it is possible to reduce the communication load for acquiring the storage status and the processing load on the log information storage device 110. Furthermore, if a charge is made for accessing the log information storage device 110, the charge amount can be reduced. [3] Third embodiment The log information management system of this embodiment has a configuration that is generally common to the log information management system 7 of the second embodiment, but differs in that it has a log information amount response device instead of the log information relay device 700.

[0180] The log information amount response device according to this embodiment creates a storage status table in the same manner as the image forming device 100 according to the first embodiment and the log information relay device 700 according to the second embodiment.

[0181] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, when the log information amount response device receives log information and version information from the image forming device 100 (S1201: YES), it refers to the storage status table and obtains the number of stored log information items corresponding to the trouble code and detail code related to the trouble (S1202).

[0182] If the number of acquired stored items is less than the threshold value (S1203: NO), the list of trouble codes for which measures have been taken is referred to, and it is confirmed whether the trouble related to the trouble code and detailed code has been taken in a version later than the version of the image forming device 100.

[0183] If the problem has not been addressed in a version later than the version of the image forming apparatus 100 that sent the log information (S1204: NO), a response is sent to the image forming apparatus 100 requesting that normal log information be sent (S1205).

[0184] On the other hand, if the number of log information items stored in the log information storage device 110 for the trouble related to the trouble code and detailed code is equal to or greater than a threshold value (S1203: YES), and if the trouble has not been addressed in a version later than the version of the image forming device 100 that sent the log information (S1204: YES), the image forming device 100 is responded to request that an empty file be sent (S1206).

[0185] After the processing in steps S1205 and S1206, the process proceeds to step S1201 and the above processing is repeated.

[0186] In step S1201, the log information amount response device may receive an empty file instead of the log information.

[0187] As shown in FIG. 13, the operations of image forming apparatus 100 from steps S1301 to S1305 are the same as the operations of image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment (steps S1101 to S1105 shown in FIG. 11).

[0188] Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits the log information to the log information amount response device to inquire about the log information amount (S1306). If a response to this inquiry is received from the log information amount response device (S1307: YES), the image forming apparatus 100 connects to the log information storage device 110 via FTP (S1308).

[0189] When a response to send normal log information is received from the log information amount response device (S1309: normal), the log information is sent as is to the log information storage device 110 (S1310).

[0190] When a response to send an empty file is received from the log information amount response device (S1309: normal), the empty file is sent to the log information storage device 110 (S1311). The method for creating the empty file is the same as in the first and second embodiments.

[0191] Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 100 disconnects the FTP connection with the log information storage device 110 (S1312), returns to step S1301, and repeats the above processing.

[0192] When making the inquiry in step S1306, an empty file may be sent to the log information amount response device instead of the log information.

[0193] Even in this way, the number of accesses to the log information storage device 110 required to create the storage status table can be reduced, so if a charge is incurred for accessing the log information storage device 110, the charge can be saved.

[0194] It goes without saying that instead of sending an empty file, nothing may be sent. [4] Fourth embodiment The configuration of the log information management system of this embodiment is generally the same as that of the log information management system 1 of the first embodiment described above, but differs in that the amount of log information stored in the log information storage device 110 is controlled without referring to the storage status in the log information storage device 110.

[0195] That is, as shown in Fig. 14, when a problem occurs (S1401: YES), image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment executes the processes from steps S1402 to S1405. This process is similar to the processes from steps S1102 to S1105 in Fig. 11 executed by image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment.

[0196] Next, the image forming apparatus 100 acquires the frequency of occurrence of the trouble in the apparatus itself (S1406). The frequency of occurrence of the trouble is the number of troubles that occurred within a predetermined period, for example, the number of troubles that occurred within the most recent month.

[0197] Next, the image forming apparatus 100 connects to the log information storage device 110 via FTP (S1407), and if the frequency of occurrence of the trouble is lower than a predetermined frequency (S1408: low), it transmits the log information as is to the log information storage device 110 (S1409).On the other hand, if the frequency of occurrence of the trouble is equal to or higher than a predetermined frequency (S1408: high), it transmits an empty file to the log information storage device 110 (S1410).

[0198] Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 100 disconnects the FTP connection with the log information storage device 110 (S1411), proceeds to step S1401, and repeats the above processing.

[0199] Even in this way, the image forming apparatus 100 can save the storage capacity of the log information storage device 110 while ensuring the number of records required for analyzing and taking measures against a problem.

[0200] Furthermore, since the log information storage device 110 is not inquired about the storage status, access to the log information storage device 110 can be reduced.

[0201] It goes without saying that instead of sending an empty file, nothing may be sent. [5] Variation The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments, but it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the following modified examples can be implemented. (5-1) In the above embodiment, the number of stored log information items is counted for each combination of trouble code and detail code, and the data size of the log information is changed depending on the counting result. However, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the following may be used instead.

[0202] For example, the interval between occurrences of a trouble may be used for each combination of a trouble code and a detail code as the storage status of the log information storage device 110. Specifically, if the number of times that the trouble has occurred in the most recent past month is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits log information to the log information storage device 110.

[0203] On the other hand, if the number of times the trouble has occurred is less than the predetermined number, an empty file with the same file name is sent from the image forming apparatus 100 to the log information storage device 110 instead of the log information.

[0204] This makes it possible to facilitate the analysis and countermeasures for problems that occur frequently in a short period of time, while at the same time reducing the data size of the log information for problems that do not occur often, thereby saving storage capacity in the log information storage device 110.

[0205] Furthermore, the total amount of log information stored in the log information storage device 110 may be referenced as the storage status of the log information storage device 110. In this case, if the total amount of log information is less than a predetermined storage capacity, the image forming device 100 transmits the log information to the log information storage device 110, and if the total amount of log information is equal to or greater than the predetermined storage capacity, the image forming device 100 transmits an empty file to the log information storage device 110.

[0206] The total amount of log information in the log information storage device 110, in other words, the remaining storage capacity in the log information storage device 110, may be obtained by executing a command of the OS installed in the log information storage device 110 using the "SITE" command among FTP commands.

[0207] Alternatively, the "ALLO" command may be used. If the "ALLO" command is used to secure a predetermined amount of storage capacity on the log information storage device 110, the log information is sent because there is sufficient storage capacity in the log information storage device 110. On the other hand, if the predetermined amount of storage capacity cannot be secured, an empty file is sent.

[0208] This also makes it possible to save the storage capacity of the log information storage device 110. (5-2) In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the image forming apparatus 100 changes the data size of the log information to be sent to the log information storage apparatus 110 depending on the storage status in the log information storage apparatus 110. However, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the following may be used instead.

[0209] For example, each image forming apparatus 100 may manage its own trouble occurrence history, and change the data size of the log information in accordance with the trouble occurrence history of the own apparatus, instead of the storage status of the log information storage device 110.

[0210] Specifically, if the number of times that the trouble code and detail code are the same in the trouble occurrence history of the own machine is less than a predetermined number, the log information is sent to the log information storage device 110, whereas if the number is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, an empty file such as that described above may be sent to the log information storage device 110.

[0211] This also makes it possible to save the storage capacity of the log information storage device 110. (5-3) In the above embodiment, the image forming device 100 and the log information storage device 110 are connected to a common communication network 120. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the following may be used instead.

[0212] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 15, if the communication network 120 to which the log information storage device 110 is connected and the communication network 1510 to which the image forming device 1500 is connected are separate communication networks and the image forming device 1500 and the log information storage device 110 cannot communicate directly, the log information relay device 700 may be connected to both the communication networks 120 and 1510 to relay the log information.

[0213] In this way, even if only some of the image forming devices 100 under the control of the log information storage device 110, namely, image forming devices 1500, are made to send log information and empty files to the log information storage device 110 via the log information relay device 700, the amount of communication between the image forming devices 1500 and the log information storage device 110 can be reduced. (5-4) In the above embodiment, the example was described in which, by referring to the list of trouble codes for which countermeasures have been taken, if the version in which countermeasures have been completed for the trouble related to the trouble code and detailed code is newer than the version of the own device (S605: YES, Y1104: YES), no log information is sent. However, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the following may be used instead.

[0214] For example, an empty file may be sent in such a case. In this way, even for problems for which a solution has already been provided, it is possible to prevent the recurrence of such problems by, for example, promoting firmware updates. (5-5) Although not described in detail in the above embodiment, when a commercial cloud storage service is used as a log information storage device, the following can also be done.

[0215] For example, if you use Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service, registered trademark), a commercial cloud storage service provided by AWS (Amazon Web Services, registered trademark), you create a bucket in the S3 management console. When creating a bucket, you need to enter a bucket name and specify the AWS region.

[0216] Any name other than an existing bucket name can be specified as the bucket name. As for the AWS region, if an AWS region geographically close to the location where the image forming apparatus 100 is installed is selected, latency can be optimized and costs can be reduced.

[0217] For example, for a bucket that stores log information for an image forming device 100 installed in Ireland, the AWS region can be set to "Europe (Ireland)," and for a bucket that stores log information for an image forming device 100 installed in Germany, the AWS region can be set to "Europe (Frankfurt)," thereby optimizing latency and reducing costs.

[0218] Data stored in a bucket is called an object, and the maximum size of one object is currently 5 terabytes (TB), although this may change. Log information of the image forming apparatus 100 can be stored in a bucket as an object.

[0219] When you create a bucket, an ARN (Amazon Resource Name) is assigned as a property of the created bucket.

[0220] To access the created bucket via FTP, you need to set the IAM policy for the bucket and create an IAM user. When you create an IAM user, you will be given an access key and secret access key to access the bucket.

[0221] When accessing a bucket via FTP, you can connect to Amazon S3 (registered trademark) via FTP by specifying the host name "s3.amazon.com", port number "443", access key, and secret access key.

[0222] The procedure after connection is as described above. (5-6) The present disclosure may be realized as a method by the processing of the image forming device 100, the log information relay device 700, and the log information amount response device described above. Furthermore, the present disclosure may be realized as a computer program that is executed by a processor such as a CPU to realize these methods, or as a digital signal comprising the computer program.

[0223] The present disclosure may also be the computer program or the digital signal recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include flexible disks, hard disks, CD-ROMs, MOs, DVDs, DVD-ROMs, DVD-RAMs, Blu-ray (registered trademark) Discs, and semiconductor memories. The present disclosure may also be the digital signal recorded on these recording media.

[0224] Furthermore, the present disclosure may involve transmitting the computer program or the digital signal via a telecommunications line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network such as the Internet, data broadcasting, or the like.

[0225] The present disclosure may also be directed to a computer system having a microprocessor and a memory, the memory storing the computer program, and the microprocessor operating in accordance with the computer program.

[0226] The program or the digital signal may also be implemented by another independent computer system by recording it on the recording medium and transferring it, or by transferring the program or the digital signal via the network or the like. (5-7) The above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined with each other.

[0227] Furthermore, all the numbers used above are merely examples to specifically explain the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the numbers used as examples.

[0228] The division of functional blocks in the block diagram is an example, and multiple functional blocks may be realized as a single functional block, one functional block may be divided into multiple blocks, or some functions may be moved to another functional block.Furthermore, the functions of multiple functional blocks having similar functions may be processed in parallel or time-shared by a single piece of hardware or software.

[0229] The order in which the steps are performed is merely an example for specifically explaining the present disclosure, and other orders may be used. Some of the steps may be performed simultaneously (in parallel) with other steps.

[0230] Furthermore, various modifications of the present embodiment that are within the scope of what would occur to a person skilled in the art are also included in the present disclosure, as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0231] The image forming apparatus and log information relay apparatus according to the present disclosure are useful as apparatuses that can save the storage capacity of a log information storage device for storing log information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0232] 1. Log information management system 100, 1500...Image forming device 110: Log information storage device 120, 1510...Communication Network 200, 800...Control unit 211………………Image reading unit 212………………Operation panel 213...Image forming unit 214………………Printer controller 809………………Input / output section 700: Log information relay device

Claims

1. One image forming apparatus among a plurality of image forming apparatuses that transmits log information to a log information storage device and stores the log information, a storage status acquisition means for acquiring the number of pieces of log information stored for each type of trouble as the storage status of the log information in the log information storage device; and a control means for changing the data size of the log information to be transmitted to the log information storage device regarding a trouble occurring in the device itself, based on the number of stored items acquired by the storage status acquisition means. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. When the number of stored log information items related to a trouble common to the trouble related to the log information to be transmitted to the log information storage device is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the control means reduces the data size of the log information to be transmitted to the log information storage device compared to when the number of stored log information items is less than the predetermined number.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

3. One image forming apparatus among a plurality of image forming apparatuses that transmits log information to a log information storage device and stores the log information, a storage status acquisition means for acquiring a storage status of the log information in the log information storage device; a version information acquisition means for acquiring version information of firmware installed in the device; and a control means for changing the data size of the log information to be transmitted to the log information storage device with respect to a trouble occurring in the device itself, based on the storage status acquired by the storage status acquisition means and the version information acquired by the version information acquisition means. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

4. A countermeasure status storage means for storing a countermeasure status for each combination of the type of trouble and the firmware version, The control means reduces the data size of the log information to be sent to the log information storage device when a problem that has occurred in the device has been fixed with a firmware version newer than the version installed in the device, compared to when the problem has not been fixed with a firmware version newer than the version installed in the device, or when the problem has been fixed with a version earlier than the version installed in the device.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

5. The number of log information items acquired for each type of trouble is the number of log information items newly stored in the log information storage device within a predetermined period of time, When the number of stored log information items related to a common trouble with the trouble related to the log information to be transmitted to the log information storage device is less than a predetermined number, the control means reduces the data size of the log information to be transmitted to the log information storage device compared to when the number of stored log information items is equal to or greater than the predetermined number.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

6. A prohibition means is provided for prohibiting transmission of log information to the log information storage device when the number of stored log information related to a common problem with the log information related to the problem to be sent to the log information storage device is equal to or exceeds a predetermined number.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

7. A countermeasure status storage means for storing a countermeasure status for each combination of the type of trouble and the firmware version; and a prohibition means for prohibiting transmission of log information relating to a trouble that has occurred in the device itself from the log information storage device when the trouble has been dealt with in a newer version of firmware than the version installed in the device itself.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

8. The number of log information items acquired for each type of trouble is the number of log information items newly stored in the log information storage device within a predetermined period of time, The system is provided with a prohibition means for prohibiting transmission of log information to the log information storage device when the number of stored log information related to a common problem with the log information related to the problem to be transmitted to the log information storage device is less than a predetermined number.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

Images