Abstract:
A communication system including a communication device and information display devices connected with the communication device. The communication device includes a status storage unit storing status information representing a status of the communication device, a status transmitter that in response to a status request from each information display device, transmits the stored status information to the information display devices, and an error settlement starting information receiver receiving, from one of the information display devices, error settlement stating information representing that error settlement is being started to fix an error of the communication device. Each information display device includes a display unit displaying an operable image when received status information includes an error status representing the error of the communication device, and an error settlement starting information transmitter that in response to the operable image being operated, transmit the error settlement starting information to the communication device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-097873 filed on Apr. 14, 2009. The entire subject matter of the application is incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The following description relates to one or more techniques for establishing a communication system configured with a plurality of information display devices employing in common a communication device. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    A system has been known, in which a multi-function peripheral (MFP) having multiple functions (e.g., a printer function and a facsimile function) is connected with a plurality of user terminal devices via a LAN, so as to be utilized in common among the user terminal devices. Further, in the system, when an error is caused in the MFP, information on the caused error is transmitted to each of the user terminal devices. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    When an error is caused in the MFP, the error can be settled by any one of users who use in common the MFP. However, since each of the user terminal devices receives information on the caused error, two or more users may come to the MFP in order to fix the error. 
         [0007]    Aspects of the present invention are advantageous to provide one or more improved techniques that make it possible to avoid the aforementioned undesirable situation and settle an error in an efficient fashion. 
         [0008]    According to aspects of the present invention, a communication system is provided, which includes a communication device, and a plurality of information display devices connected communicably with the communication device. The communication device includes a status storage unit configured to store status information representing a status of the communication device, a status transmitter configured to, in response to receipt of a status request from each of the information display devices, transmit the status information stored on the status storage unit to the information display devices, and an error settlement starting information receiver configured to receive, from one of the information display devices, error settlement stating information representing that error settlement is being started to fix an error caused in the communication device. Each of the information display devices includes a status requestor configured to issue, to the communication device, the status request for transmission of the status information stored on the communication device, a status receiver configured to receive the status information that is transmitted by the communication device in response to the status request issued by the status requestor, a display unit configured to display an operable image when the received status information includes an error status representing the error caused in the communication device, and an error settlement starting information transmitter configured to, in response to the operable image displayed on the display unit being operated, transmit the error settlement starting information to the communication device. In response to the error settlement starting information receiver receiving the error settlement stating information from one of the information display devices, the status storage unit of the communication device stores an in-error-settlement status representing that error settlement is being performed to fix the error represented by the error status. The status transmitter of the communication device transmits the in-error-settlement status stored on the status storage unit to the information display devices. In response to the status receiver receiving the in-error-settlement status from the communication device, the display unit of each information display device displays in-error-settlement information representing that error settlement is being performed to fix the error. 
         [0009]    According to aspects of the present invention, further provided is a communication device configured to be connected communicably with a plurality of information display devices. The communication device includes a status storage unit configured to store status information representing a status of the communication device, a status transmitter configured to, in response to receipt of a status request from each of the information display devices, transmit the status information stored on the status storage unit to the information display devices, and an error settlement starting information receiver configured to receive, from one of the information display devices, error settlement stating information representing that error settlement is being started to fix an error caused in the communication device. 
         [0010]    According to aspects of the present invention, further provided is a computer readable medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon. When executed by a processor connected communicably with a communication device, the instructions cause the processor to perform a status requesting step of issuing, to the communication device, a status request for transmission of status information stored on the communication device, a status receiving step of receiving the status information that is transmitted by the communication device in response to the status request issued in the status requesting step, a display step of displaying an operable image when the received status information includes an error status representing an error caused in the communication device, and an error settlement starting information transmitting step of, in response to the operable image displayed in the display step being operated, transmitting to the communication device error settlement starting information representing that error settlement is being started to fix the error represented by the error status. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  schematically shows a configuration of a multi-function peripheral (MFP) system in an embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart showing operations of an MFP in the embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are flowcharts showing operations of a PC in the embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5A to 5C  exemplify data stored on an MFP status table in the embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 6A to 6E  exemplify data stored on a PC status table in the embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 7A to 7C  exemplify information displayed in dialog boxes in the embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements in the following description. It is noted that these connections in general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. Aspects of the invention may be implemented in computer software as programs storable on computer-readable media including but not limited to RAMs, ROMs, flash memories, EEPROMs, CD-media, DVD-media, temporary storage, hard disk drives, floppy drives, permanent storage, and the like. 
         [0018]    Hereinafter, an embodiment according to aspects of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompany drawings. 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a multi-function peripheral (MFP) system  2  of an embodiment includes an MFP  10  and PCs  70   a  to  70   e , which are connected via a LAN  4  communicably with each other. 
         [0020]    The MFP  10  includes a controller  12 , a touch panel  50 , a keypad  52 , a printing unit  54 , a facsimile unit  58 , a network interface ( 11 F)  60 , a PSTN interface  62 , and a scanning unit  64 . The network I/F  60  is linked with the LAN  4 . The controller  12  includes a CPU  14 , a ROM  16 , a RAM  30 , and an NVRAM  40 . 
         [0021]    The CPU  14  performs various processes in accordance with various programs that are stored on the ROM  16  and run on the RAM  30 . Basic-function programs  18 , stored on the ROM  16 , are programs for controlling basic operations of the MFP  10 . For example, the basic-function programs  18  contain various control programs for controlling the printing unit  54  and the facsimile unit  58 . 
         [0022]    Further, the CPU  14  monitors the status of the MFP  10  in real time. As potential statuses of the MFP  10 , various statuses are cited such as an error status representing an error state of the MFP  10  and a process status representing progress of a process. In addition, potential error statuses include print-related error statuses of the printing unit  54  and scan-related error statuses of the scanner unit  64 . The print-related error statuses represent errors caused in connection with a printing function (e.g., an ink empty error, an out-of-paper error, and a paper jam error). 
         [0023]    The RAM  30  is provided with a basic-function work area  32  and a MFP status table T 11 . The basic-function work area  32  is a storage area to store various kinds of data generated in a process executed in accordance with one of the basic-function programs  18 . 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIGS. 5A to 5C , the MFP status table T 11  stores status information  101  and error settlement information  102 . The status information  101  represents a status of the MFP  10 . In an example shown in  FIG. 5B , the MFP status table T 11  stores status information  101  representing a print-related error status “Ink Empty.”  FIGS. 5A to 5C  show examples in each of which the MFP status table T 11  stores a single piece of status information  101 . However, it is noted that the MFP status table T 11  may store a plurality of pieces of status information  101 . In addition, the error settlement information  102  represents whether the MFP  10  receives error settling information from any of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c . The error settling information denotes that an error of the MFP  10  is currently being settled. For instance, the error settling information is transmitted by a user who is willing to fix the error when beginning to settle the error. Namely, the error settling information shows that any user is settling the error of the MFP  10 . Further, a value “0” for the error settlement information  102  indicates that the MFP  10  has not received the error settling information from any PC, i.e, that error settlement for the MFP  10  is not currently in execution. 
         [0025]    Subsequently, a configuration of the PC  70   a  will be described. It is noted that a detailed explanation will be omitted about configurations of the PCs  70   b  and  70   c , which are the same as the configuration of the PC  70   a . The PC  70   a  includes a CPU  72 , a hard disk drive (HDD)  74 , a display unit  82 , an operation unit  84 , and a RAM  90 . The display unit  82  is configured to display various kinds of information. The operation unit  84  is configured with a keyboard and a mouse. A user can input various kinds of instructions or information by operating the operation unit  84 . The HDD  74  has basic programs  76  stored thereon. The basic programs  76  are programs for controlling basic operations of the PC  70   a . As an example of the basic programs  76 , a status monitor for the MFP  10  is cited. The status monitor is a program adapted to monitor the status of the MFP  10  by regularly inquiring about the status of the MFP  10 . 
         [0026]    The RAM  90  is provided with a PC status table T 21 . As exemplified in  FIGS. 6A to 6E , the PC status table T 21  stores received status information  201 , in-error-settlement information  202 , a print instruction flag  203 , and time information  204 . The status information  101  received from the MFP  10  is stored onto the PC status table T 21  as the received status information  201 . The in-error-settlement information  202  represents whether error settlement for the MFP  10  is being implemented by any user. A value “1” for the in-error-settlement information  202  represents that error settlement for the MFP  10  is being implemented by any user. Meanwhile, a value “0” for the in-error-settlement information  202  represents that error settlement for the MFP  10  is not being implemented by any user. 
         [0027]    The print instruction flag  203  is adapted to be set to “1” in response to transmission of a print instruction. The print instruction is a command for instructing the printing unit  54  of the MFP  10  to perform a printing operation. The print instruction is input by the user through the operation unit  84 . The MFP  10  performs a printing operation based on the print instruction. The time information  204  denotes a time at which the received status information  201  is updated. 
         [0028]    A main loop process of the MFP  10  will be set forth with reference to  FIG. 2 . The main loop process is launched when the MFP  10  is powered on, and repeatedly performed until the MFP  10  is powered off. In the main loop process shown in  FIG. 2 , the MFP  10  stores a change in the status of the MFP  10 . Further, when receiving an inquiry about the status of the MFP  10  from a PC, the MFP  10  transmits the status stored therein to the PC. Additionally, the MFP  10  receives the error settlement information  102  from one of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c  and stores the error settlement information  102  in the MFP  10 . Then, when receiving an inquiry about the status of the MFP  10  from a different one of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c , the MFP  10  transmits the error settlement information  102  stored therein to the PC which has issued the inquiry. 
         [0029]    In S 11 , the CPU  14  determines whether an inquiry about the status information  101  and the error settlement information  102  has been received from any of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c  (S 11 ). When determining that any inquiry has not been received (S 11 : No), the CPU  14  goes to S 15 . 
         [0030]    In S 15 , the CPU  14  determines whether the error settling information has been received from any of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c  (S 15 ). When determining that the error settling information has been received from one of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c  (S 15 : Yes), the CPU  14  goes to S 17 . In S 17 , the CPU  14  sets the error settlement information on the MFP status table T 11  to “1” (which represents that the error settling information has already been received). 
         [0031]    Meanwhile, when determining that the error settling information has not been received from any of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c  (S 15 : No), the CPU  14  goes to S 19 . In S 19 , the CPU  14  determines whether the status of the MFP  10  has changed (S 19 ). When determining that the status of the MFP  10  has not changed (S 19 : No), the CPU  14  goes back to S 11 . Meanwhile, when determining that the status of the MFP  10  has changed (S 19 : Yes), the CPU  14  advances to S 21 . 
         [0032]    In S 21 , the CPU  14  updates the status information  101  on the MFP status table T 11  in response to the change in the status of the MFP  10  (S 21 ). For instance, when an error status representing an ink empty state is newly detected, the CPU  14  stores the status information  101  “Ink Empty” onto the MFP status table T 11 , as shown in  FIG. 5B . Then, the CPU  14  goes back to S 11 . 
         [0033]    When determining that an inquiry about the status information  101  and the error settlement information  102  has been received from any of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c  (S 11 : Yes), the CPU  14  goes to S 13 . In S 13 , the CPU  14  transmits, to the inquirer PC, the status information  101  and the error settlement information  102  that are stored on the MFP status table T 11  (S 13 ). 
         [0034]    Operations of the PC  70   a  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . It is noted that a detailed explanation will be omitted about operations of the PCs  70   b  and  70   c , which are the same as the operations of the PC  70   a.    
         [0035]    In S 31 , the status monitor executed by the PC  70   a  determines whether an inquiry interval time period has elapsed (S 31 ). The inquiry interval time period may previously be determined by the user. When determining that the inquiry interval time period has elapsed (S 31 : Yes), the status monitor goes to S 37 . When determining that the inquiry interval time period has not elapsed (S 31 : No), the status monitor goes to S 33 . 
         [0036]    In S 33 , the status monitor determines whether a print instruction has been transmitted by the PC  70   a  to the MFP  10  (S 33 ). When determining that a print instruction has not been transmitted by the PC  70   a  to the MFP  10  (S 33 : No), the status monitor goes back to S 31 . Meanwhile, when determining that a print instruction has been transmitted by the PC  70   a  to the MFP  10  (S 33 : Yes), the status monitor advances to S 35 . In S 35 , the status monitor sets the print instruction flag  203  on the PC status table T 21  to “1” (S 35 ). Thereafter, the status monitor advances to S 37 . 
         [0037]    In S 37 , the status monitor issues, to the MFP  10 , an inquiry about the status information  101  and the error settlement information  102  (S 37 ). Then, the status monitor receives the status information  101  and the error settlement information  102  that the MFP  10  returns in response to receipt of the inquiry. 
         [0038]    In S 39 , the status monitor determines whether the status information  101  received from the MFP  10  is an error status (S 39 ). When determining that the status information  101  received from the MFP  10  is an error status (S 39 : Yes), the status monitor goes to S 47 . In S 47 , the status monitor determines whether the PC status table T 21  stores received status information  201  representing an error status (S 47 ). When determining that the PC status table T 21  does not store received status information  201  representing an error status (S 47 : No), the status monitor goes to S 51 . Meanwhile, when determining that the PC status table T 21  stores received status information  201  representing an error status (S 47 : Yes), the status monitor goes to S 49 . 
         [0039]    In S 49 , the status monitor determines whether the status information  101  received this time is identical to the received status information  201  stored on the PC status table T 21  (S 49 ). When determining that the status information  101  received this time is identical to the received status information  201  stored on the PC status table T 21  (S 49 : Yes), the status monitor goes to S 61  (see  FIG. 4 ). Meanwhile, when determining that the status information  101  received this time is not identical to the received status information  201  stored on the PC status table T 21  (S 49 : No), the status monitor goes to S 51 . 
         [0040]    In S 51 , the status monitor stores the status information  101  received this time, as the received status information on the PC status table T 21  (S 51 ). In addition, in this step, the status monitor stores a time at which the received status information  201  is stored, as the time information  204  on the PC status table T 21 . Then, the status monitor goes to S 61  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0041]    In S 61 , the status monitor determines whether the MFP  10  is in the process of error settlement (S 61 ). Specifically, when the error settlement information  102  transmitted by the MFP  10  is equal to “1,” the status monitor determines that the MFP  10  is in the process of error settlement. When determining that the MFP  10  is in the process of error settlement (S 61 : Yes), the status monitor goes to S 63 , in which the status monitor resets the in-error-settlement information  202  on the PC status table T 21  to “0” (S 63 ). Thereafter, the status monitor goes to S 65 . 
         [0042]    In S 65 , the status monitor determines whether the print instruction flag  203  on the PC status table T 21  is equal to “1” (S 65 ). When determining that the print instruction flag  203  on the PC status table T 21  is equal to “1” (S 65 : Yes), the status monitor goes to S 69 . This is the case where the status information  101  received this time in S 37  is first status information received at or after the time when the print instruction is transmitted to the MFP  10 . 
         [0043]    In S 69 , the status monitor determines whether the status information  101  received this time is a print-related error status (S 69 ). As an example of techniques for determining whether the status information  101  received this time is a print-related error status, cited is a technique to examine whether a status, which is identical to the received status information  101 , is registered on a list of print-related error statuses which list is stored on the HDD  74 . 
         [0044]    When determining that the status information  101  received this time is a print-related error status (S 69 : Yes), the status monitor goes to S 71 . In S 71 , the status monitor displays on the display unit  82  a dialog box for informing the user of the print-related error status (S 71 ). Further, the dialog box includes an error settlement button for transmitting the error settling information to the MFP  10 . An example of the dialog box displayed in S 71  is illustrated in  FIG. 7B  (see a dialog box  300   b ). In a dialog box  300   b , an error settlement button  301  is displayed along with the error status of the ink empty error. It is noted that the error settlement button  301  may be displayed, e.g., with information “I will fix the error.” 
         [0045]    A print-related error status, such as the ink empty error and the paper jam error, is caused when the MFP  10  performs a printing operation. Therefore, when a print-related error status has been caused immediately after the print instruction is transmitted, it is deemed that the user who issued the print instruction has caused an error represented by the error status. In the MFP system  2  of the embodiment, the status information  101 , which is first received from the MFP  10  at or after the time when the print instruction is transmitted by the PC  70   a , is detected using the print instruction flag  203  in S 65 . Further, when the detected status information  101  is a print-related error status, the MFP system  2  deems the user of the PC  70   a  as a person who has caused an error represented by the error status, and displays the dialog box having the error settlement button  301  only on (the display unit  82  of) the PC  70   a . Thus, it is possible to increase a possibility to cause the user who has caused the error to fix the error. 
         [0046]    Meanwhile, when determining that the status information  101  received this time is not a print-related error status (S 69 : No), the status monitor goes to S 73 . In S 73 , the status monitor displays on the display unit  82  a dialog box for informing the user of an error status other than the print-related error statuses. In this case, the dialog box does not have an error settlement button. An example of the dialog box displayed in S 69  is shown in  FIG. 7A  (see a dialog box  300   a ). As depicted in  FIG. 7A , an error status representing that a cover of a flatbed of the scanning unit  64  remains opened is displayed in the dialog box  300   a . In S 74 , the status monitor resets the print instruction flag  203  to “0” (S 74 ). Thereafter, the status monitor goes to S 75 . 
         [0047]    In S 75 , the status monitor determines whether the error settlement button  301  has been pressed by the user (S 75 ). For instance, the error settlement button  301  displayed on the display unit  82  may be operated when selected by the mouse. When determining that the error settlement button  301  has not been pressed (S 75 : No), the status monitor goes back to S 31  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0048]    Meanwhile, when determining that the error settlement button  301  has been pressed (S 75 : Yes), the status monitor goes to S 77 . In S 77 , the status monitor transmits the error settling information to the MFP  10  (S 77 ). 
         [0049]    In S 79 , the status monitor resets the print instruction flag  203  on the PC status table T 21  to “0” (S 79 ). Further, the status monitor goes to S 81 , in which the status monitor registers the in-error-settlement information  202  of “1” onto the PC status table T 21  (S 81 ). 
         [0050]    In S 83 , as exemplified in  FIG. 7C , the status monitor displays on the display unit  82  a dialog box for informing the user of the in-error-settlement information (i.e., information that the MFP  10  is in the process of error settlement) (S 83 ). 
         [0051]    Meanwhile, when determining that the print instruction flag  203  on the PC status table T 21  is not equal to “1” (S 65 : No), the status monitor goes to S 67 . In S 67 , the status monitor determines whether a predetermined time period has elapsed after receiving the status information  101  representing the error status (S 67 ). Specifically, by comparing the time stored as the time information  204  with the current time, the status monitor determines whether an elapsed time period after the time represented by the time information  204  reaches a predetermined time period. It is noted that the predetermined time period may previously be determined by the user. When determining that the predetermined time period has not elapsed after receiving the status information  101  representing the error status (S 67 : No), the status monitor goes to S 85 . In S 85 , the status monitor displays on the display unit  82  a dialog box for informing the user of the error status (S 85 ). Then, the status monitor goes back to S 31  (see  FIG. 3 ). Meanwhile, when determining that the predetermined time period has elapsed after receiving the status information  101  representing the error status (S 67 : Yes), the status monitor goes to S 71 , in which the status monitor displays on the display unit  82  the dialog box having the error settlement button. 
         [0052]    Further, in S 39  (see  FIG. 3 ), when determining that the status information  101  received from the MFP  10  is not an error status (S 39 : Yes), the status monitor goes to S 41 . This is the case where there is no error caused in the MFP  10 . In S 41 , the status monitor deletes the received status information  201  from the PC status table T 21  (S 41 ). Further, in S 43 , the status monitor resets the print instruction flag  203  to “0” (S 43 ). Then, in S 45 , the status monitor displays various statuses in dialog boxes on the display unit  82  (S 45 ). As an example of the various statuses, cited is a status representing a progress of a printing operation by the MFP  10 . Thereby, in the steps S 39  to S 45 , an operation of displaying in-error-settlement information (i.e., information that error settlement for the MFP  10  is in execution) is terminated in response to the error of the MFP  10  being settled. 
         [0053]    Operations of the MFP  10  and the PCs  70   a  to  70   c  will be specifically exemplified below. In the following description, it is assumed that the PCs  70   a  to  70   c  are connected communicably with the MFP  10 , and a print instruction is issued by the PC  70   a  to the MFP  10 . Further, it is assumed that during a printing operation by the MFP  10 , an ink empty error is caused in the MFP  10 . 
         [0054]    When an print instruction is transmitted by the PC  70   a  to the MFP  10  through a user operation, the status monitor of the PC  70   a  detects the print instruction transmitted by the PC  70   a  (S 33 ). The status monitor of the PC  70   a  sets the print instruction flag  203  on the PC status table T 21  to “1” (S 35 ). Thereby, the PC status table T 21  of the PC  70   a  is changed from the state shown in  FIG. 6A  to the state shown in  FIG. 6B . 
         [0055]    The MFP  10  performs a printing operation in accordance with the print instruction. Then, when an ink empty error is caused, the CPU  14  detects a change in the status of the MFP  10  (S 19 ). After that, the CPU  14  updates the status information  101  on the MFP status table T 11  from “Normal” to “Ink Empty” (S 21 ). Thereby, the MFP status table T 11  is changed from the state shown in  FIG. 5A  to the state shown in  FIG. 5B . 
         [0056]    Each status monitor of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c  transmits to the MFP  10  an inquiry about the status information  101  and the in-error-settlement information  202  (S 37 ), and determines that the status information  100  received from the MFP  10  is the error status “Ink Empty” (S 39 : Yes). Then, since received status information  201  representing an error status is not stored on the PC status table T 21  (S 47 : No), each status monitor of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c  stores the status information  201  received this time as the received status information  201  on the PC status table T 21  (S 51 ). Further, each status monitor of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c  stores a time (12:01) when the received status information  201  is updated as the time information  204  on the PC status table T 21 . Thereby, the status table T 21  of the PC  70   a  is changed from the state shown in  FIG. 6B  to the state shown in  FIG. 6C . Additionally, each status table T 21  of the PCs  70   b  and  70   c  is set with the print instruction flag  203  equal to “0” in the state shown in  FIG. 6C . 
         [0057]    Further, since the error settlement information  102  received is equal to “0,” each status monitor of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c  determines that the MFP  10  is not in the process of error settlement (S 61 : No). Then, each status monitor of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c  resets the in-error-settlement information  202  on the PC status table T 21  to “0” (S 63 ). 
         [0058]    The status monitor of the PC  70   a  determines that the print instruction flag  203  on the PC status table T 21  is “1” (see  FIG. 6C , S 65 : Yes). Then, the status monitor of the PC  70   a  determines that the status information  101  (“Ink Empty”) received this time is a print-related error status (S 69 : Yes). The status monitor of the PC  70   a  displays on the display unit  82  the dialog box  300   b  (see  FIG. 7B ) with the error settlement button  301  provided therein to inform of the ink empty error (S 71 ). Meanwhile, each status monitor of the PCs  70   b  and  70   c  determines that the print instruction flag  203  on the PC status table T 21  is “0” (S 65 : No). Then, since the predetermined time period has not elapsed (S 67 : No), the status monitor of each of the PCs  70   b  and  70   c  displays on the display unit  82  of the corresponding PC ( 70   b  or  70   c ) a dialog box having no error settlement button to inform of the ink empty error (S 85 ). Thereby, the dialog box  300   b  with the error settlement button  301  provided therein is displayed only on (the display unit  82  of) the PC  70   a  which has transmitted the print instruction, but not on the PC  70   b  or  70   c  which has not transmitted the print instruction. 
         [0059]    Hereinafter, an explanation will be provided about the case where the user of the PC  70   a  presses the error settlement button  301 . When determining that the error settlement button  301  has been pressed (S 75 : Yes), the status monitor of the PC  70   a  transmits the error settling information to the MFP  10  (S 77 ). Further, the status monitor of the PC  70   a  resets the print instruction flag  203  to “0” (S 79 ). In addition, the status monitor of the PC  70   a  stores in-error-settlement information  202  of “1” onto the PC status table T 21  (S 81 ). Thereby, the PC status table T 21  of the PC  70   a  is changed from the state shown in  FIG. 6C  to the state shown in  FIG. 6D . The status monitor of the PC  70   a  displays on the display unit  82  the dialog box  300   c  (see  FIG. 7C ) for informing of the in-error-settlement information (S 83 ). 
         [0060]    Subsequently, operations of the PCs  70   b  and  70   c  will be described. The CPU  14  of the MFP  10  receives the error settling information from the PC  70   a  (S 15 : Yes). Then, the CPU  14  sets the error settlement information  102  on the MFP status table T 11  to “1” (S 17 ). Thus, the MFP status table T 11  is changed from the state shown in  FIG. 5B  to the state shown in  FIG. 5C . When receiving the inquiry from each of the PCs  70   b  and  70   c  (S 11 : Yes), the CPU  14  returns error settlement information of “1” to each PC which has issued the inquiry (S 13 ). Thereby, the PCs  70   b  and  70   c  can determine that the MFP  10  is in the process of error settlement (S 61 : Yes). Each status monitor of the PCs  70   b  and  70   c  stores in-error-settlement information of “1” onto the PC status table T 21  (S 81 ). Thereby, each PC status table T 21  of the PCs  70   b  and  70   c  is set to the state shown in  FIG. 6D . Then, the status monitor of each of the PCs  70   b  and  70   c  displays on the display unit  82  of the corresponding PC ( 70   b  or  70   c ) the dialog box  300   c  (see  FIG. 7C ) for informing of the in-error-settlement information (S 83 ). Thereby, it is possible to notify the users of the PCs  70   b  and  70   c  that the user of the PC  70   a  is fixing the error. Thus, it is possible to avoid an undesirable situation where two or more users come together to the MFP  10  for error settlement. 
         [0061]    Then, after the user of the PC  70   a  completely fixes the ink empty error in the MFP  10 , the CPU  14  of the MFP  10  detects release of the error status “Ink Empty” of the MFP  10  (S 19 ). Then, the CPU  14  updates the status information  101  on the MFP status table T 11  to “Normal,” and resets the error settlement information  102  to “0” (S 21 ). Thereby, the MFP status table T 11  is changed from the state shown in  FIG. 5C  to the state shown in  FIG. 5A . 
         [0062]    Each status monitor of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c  issues, to the MFP  10 , an inquiry about the status information  101  and the in-error-settlement information  202  (S 37 ), and determines that the status information  101  received from the MFP  10  is “Normal” (S 39 : No). Therefore, each status monitor of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c  updates the received status information  201  on the PC status table T 21  to “Normal” (S 41 ), and resets the print instruction flag  203  to “0” (S 43 ). Thereby, each PC status table T 21  of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c  is changed to the state shown in  FIG. 6E . A dialog box for informing that the error is settled and the MFP  10  is in a normal state is displayed on each display unit  82  of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c  (S 45 ). 
         [0063]    Further, an explanation will be provided about operations in the case where the dialog box  300   b  with the error settlement button  301  provided therein is displayed only on the PC  70   a , and the error settlement button  301  is not pressed (S 75 : No). When the predetermined time period has elapsed since the time (12:01) represented by the time information  204  without the error settlement button  301  displayed on the display unit  82  of the PC  70   a  being pressed (S 67 : Yes), the dialog box  300   b  (see  FIG. 7B ) having the error settlement button  301  is also displayed on each display unit  82  of the PCs  70   b  and  70   c  (S 71 ). Then, when the error settlement button  301  is pressed at the side of the PC  70   b  or  70   c  (S 75 : Yes), the status monitor of the PC  70   b  or  70   c  transmits the error settling information to the MFP  10  (S 77 ). Since the following operations are the same as those of the PC  70   a , a detailed explanation about them will be omitted. 
         [0064]    Thus, the error settlement button  301  is displayed only on (the display unit  82  of) the PC  70   a  which ahs transmitted the print instruction causing the error. However, when the error settlement button  301  is not pressed even after the predetermined time period has elapsed, the error settlement button  301  is displayed on each display unit  82  of the PCs  70   b  and  70   c . Thereby, it is possible to prompt each user of the PCs  70   b  and  70   c  to fix the error. 
         [0065]    As described above, when an error is caused in the MFP  10 , the status information  101  representing an error status is transmitted to each of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c , and information that the error is caused is displayed on each display unit  82  of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c . Then, when the error settlement button is pressed at the side of one of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c , the information that error settlement for the MFP  10  is in execution is conveyed to the other PCs via the MFP  10 . In response to completion of the error settlement for the MFP  10  being detected at the MFP  10  side, an operation of displaying on each display unit  82  of the PCs  70   a  to  70   c  the information that error settlement for the MFP  10  is in execution is terminated, all users are notified of the completion of the error settlement (i.e., that the error is fixed). Thereby, when any user begins to fix the error, it is possible to inform the other users of it. Thus, it is possible to avoid an undesirable situation where two or more users come together to the MFP  10  for error settlement. 
         [0066]    Hereinabove, the embodiment according to aspects of the present invention has been described. The present invention can be practiced by employing conventional materials, methodology and equipment. Accordingly, the details of such materials, equipment and methodology are not set forth herein in detail. In the previous descriptions, numerous specific details are set forth, such as specific materials, structures, chemicals, processes, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it should be recognized that the present invention can be practiced without reapportioning to the details specifically set forth. In other instances, well known processing structures have not been described in detail, in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
         [0067]    Only an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and but a few examples of their versatility are shown and described in the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the present invention is capable of use in various other combinations and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein. For example, the following modifications are possible. 
         [0068]    When it is determined in S 33  that a print instruction has not been transmitted to the MFP  10  (S 33 : No), the status monitor of each PC may go to a step of determining whether a printing operation executed by the MFP  10  in accordance with a print instruction has completely been performed. When determining that the printing operation has completely been performed, the status monitor of each PC may reset the print instruction flag  203  to “0” and go back to S 31 . Meanwhile, when determining that the printing operation has not completely been performed, the status monitor of each PC may directly go back to S 31 . Thereby, it is possible to identify, based on the print instruction flag  203 , a time period until a printing operation is completely performed after a print instruction is issued. 
         [0069]    Further, for instance, the status monitor of each PC may set the print instruction flag  203  to “1” in S 35 , and thereafter go back to S 31  to wait until the inquiry interval time period has elapsed. 
         [0070]    In the aforementioned embodiment, the dialog box with the error settlement button  301  provided therein is displayed only on a PC which has transmitted a print instruction. However, the dialog box having the error settlement button  301  may be displayed on all PCs connected with the MFP  10 . In such a configuration, when any user begins to fix an error caused in the MFP  10 , it is possible to inform the other users of it. Thus, it is possible to avoid an undesirable situation where two or more users come together to the MFP  10  for error settlement. 
         [0071]    In the aforementioned embodiment, aspects of the present invention are applied to the example case of fixing a print-related error. However, aspects of the present invention may be applied to a case of fixing any error concerning the functions of the MFP  10  such as a facsimile-related error and a scanner-related error. 
         [0072]    In the aforementioned embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 7B , the error settlement button  301  is a push button. However, the error settlement button  301  may be a radio button configured to be selected from a plurality of options. Alternatively, the error settlement button  301  may be a check box configured to, when selected, be shown with a check mark.