Patent ID: 6876819
Filing Date: 2005-04-05
Classification: G03G,H04N

Abstract:
1. An image forming device, comprising: a communication unit connecting the image forming device to an external support center via a communication line and receiving and transmitting information by a communication with the support center; an error detecting unit detecting an error of the image forming device; a first warning unit controlling, when the error is detected by the error detecting unit, an operation/display unit to display a repair call activation menu thereon that indicates a defective condition of the image forming device and enables a user to decide whether activation of a repair call transmitting function is allowed or not; a second warning unit controlling a warning device to produce at least a warning sound indicating the defective condition of the image forming device; and a warning executing unit executing selectively one or both of the warning control of the first warning unit and the warning control of the second warning unit, wherein, when the defective condition of the image forming device continues for a time, exceeding a predetermined period, without taking any repairing action, the warning executing unit executing either one of the warning controls of the first and second warning units or both.