Information processing apparatus and method of detecting malfunction in data communication

An information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, and a non-transitory recording medium. The information processing apparatus in response to completion of a specific software activation process in the controller, transmits an activation completion notification to the operation device and the operation device in response to receiving the activation completion notification, updates a timeout period of a timer started after activation of software of the operation device to a shorter period of time and restart the timer, and in a case data communication is not established on the communication path within the updated timeout period, detects a malfunction and notifies the controller of the malfunction, and the controller performs a recovery process.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is based on and claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-089768, filed on Jun. 1, 2022, and No. 2023-047807, filed on Mar. 24, 2023, in the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, and a non-transitory recording medium.

Related Art

An information processing apparatus including a controller for controlling the entire apparatus and an operation device that is an external device of the controller connected to the controller starts a malfunction detection timer after the power is turned on, and determines whether data communication (Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication) is available by connecting to the operation device through a USB cable.

Then, when the data communication is not available and a count value of the malfunction detection timer reaches or exceeds a fixed count value, the controller determines that there is a malfunction in the operation device. The fixed count value (time) of the malfunction detection timer is defined as a timeout period.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, and a non-transitory recording medium. The information processing apparatus in response to completion of a specific software activation process in the controller, transmits an activation completion notification to the operation device and the operation device in response to receiving the activation completion notification, updates a timeout period of a timer started after activation of software of the operation device to a shorter period of time and restart the timer, and in a case data communication is not established on the communication path within the updated timeout period, detects a malfunction and notifies the controller of the malfunction, and the controller performs a recovery process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a description is given of several embodiments of an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, and a non-transitory recording medium.

FIG.1is a block diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an MFP according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The MFP according to the present embodiment includes a controller1, an operation device2, an engine controller3, a scanner controller4, a printer controller5, a fuser6, a power supply unit (PSU)8, an image processor, and the like. In the present embodiment, the MFP is an example of an image forming apparatus or an information processing apparatus.

The controller1receives instruction of an image forming operation by the MFP and controls the image forming operation. Further, the controller1controls image forming, user interface and mode setting, application control such as copying and printing, and the like.

Specifically, the controller1includes a central processing unit (CPU)101, image processor102, image memory103, Read Only Memory (ROM)104, Random Access Memory (RAM)105which is a nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM), and the like.

The CPU101performs various processing operations. The controller1may include a system on a chip (SoC) instead of the CPU101.

The image processor102is mainly implemented by an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or the like that performs image formation. The image memory103is a memory used for processing image data. The ROM104is a memory that permanently stores a control program. The RAM105is a memory that temporarily stores various information.

The controller1may be provided with the NVRAM or the like for storing setting information of all operating conditions of the MFP. The NVRAM is connected to a local area network (LAN) interface for transmitting and receiving information from an external communication device through a LAN and the like, an operation device controller that serves as a user interface, and a hard disk drive (HDD)10that stores predetermined (processed) data.

The MFP also includes an interface for communicating with a facsimile control unit (FCU)9, which is a facsimile, an engine controller and the like which are connected to the controller1through a PCI bus. The controller1receives an instruction of an image forming operation from the operation device2or the external device through a LAN interface, executes the image forming operation, and transmits a created image to the engine controller3through a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus.

The engine controller3is an engine control system for controlling driving of a printer engine provided in the MFP. The engine controller3and the printer engine implement an image forming device that forms an image. The engine controller3includes a CPU301, an electric component controller302, a fuser controller303, a ROM304and a RAM305. The CPU301mainly performs various processing operations. The electric component controller302is an ASIC or the like that controls various electrical components. The fuser controller303monitors fuser temperature and controls a heater. The RAM305temporarily stores various information. The ROM304permanently stores a control program.

The fuser controller303includes an image area determiner303aand a heater driver303b. The image area determiner303adetermines an image area from image information received from the controller1. The heater driver303bdetermines whether to drive each of a plurality of heaters of the fuser6for the image area determined by the image area determiner303a, and turns on the heaters. The fuser controller303also includes a heater temperature monitoring function as a sensor for monitoring the temperature of the heater.

In the scanner controller4, a scanner board unit (SBU), which performs scanner input and output control or image transfer, controls electric components such as motors, so that the image on the paper set by the user is read by a charge coupled device (CCD) or the like. The read image is transmitted through the engine controller3to the image processor102of the controller1through the PCI bus. The printer controller5transmits the image data sent from the controller1or the scanner controller4through the PCI bus to a laser diode (LD) unit or a light emitting diode (LED) unit that performs image formation, thereby writing a pattern on the paper to perform printing or copying.

After the image read by the scanner controller4is sent to the controller1, the controller1transfers the image to a personal computer or the like through a LAN interface, thereby performing a scanner operation.

The fuser6is a fusing unit including a plurality of heaters, and includes a plurality of heating elements such as thermal heads provided in a main scanning direction.

The operation device2receives operations from the user. The operation device2includes a CPU201, a ROM203, a RAM211, a touch panel209, a liquid crystal display (LCD)210, and the like.

FIG.2is a diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of the controller and the operation device included in the MFP according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the MFP according to the present embodiment includes the controller1and the operation device2, which is an external device, connected to the controller. The connection between the controller1and the operation device2may be a wired connection using a signal line for serial communication, or a wireless connection such as a wireless LAN.

The interface for connection is not limited. For example, in addition to the signal line for serial communication, wired or wireless LAN, BLUETOOTH (registered trademark), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) and the like may be used.

Any communication method may be used, for example, Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) communication may be used.

The controller1controls an overall processing operation of the MFP. Specifically, the controller1receives a print request from an external personal computer (PC) or the operation device2, and controls the entire machine accordingly. In an example of the image forming apparatus, the controller1is connected to the engine.

The controller1includes an SoC106, an HDD107, a ROM104, a RAM105, a microcomputer108, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC)111, and an LED112.

The SoC106is an arithmetic unit including the CPU101(an example of a first arithmetic unit) and various bus functions, and is connected to each component of the controller1to perform overall control of the controller1. The SoC106executes a basic input output system (BIOS) and programs (for example, single console support (SCS)) stored in the ROM104based on data stored in the HDD107(for example, backup of print data), user settings stored in the RAM105, and the like. The CPU101of the SoC106serves as an example of a first notification unit for notifying the microcomputer108of startup completion (for example, BIOS startup completion) when specific software processing (for example, BIOS startup processing) is completed during startup of the MFP. The HDD107, the ROM104, and the RAM105are storage devices, and may be a nonvolatile memory or the like. The SoC106communicates with the engine of the image forming apparatus which is the information processing apparatus.

The microcomputer108(an example of a first control unit) controls power supply and restoration of the controller1. The microcomputer108is connected to the SoC106and communicates with each other. The microcomputer108receives a notification of completion of software activation (for example, completion of BIOS activation) from the SoC106, and functions as an example of a second notification unit that notifies the SoC202(the CPU201that is an example of a second arithmetic unit) of the operation device2that the software has been activated. In the present embodiment, a notification signal indicating the completion of software activation (for example, BIOS activation completion) is notified to the operation device2through the microcomputer108, but the SoC106may directly transmit the notification signal. Further, when the operation device2detects a malfunction in data communication between the controller1and the operation device2(for example, a malfunction of the controller1), the microcomputer108receives notification of the malfunction from the operation device2. The microcomputer108receives the malfunction notification and performs a recovery process such as restarting of the entire apparatus or indication of an error.

The PMIC111controls power supply of the controller1. The PMIC111includes a first PMIC111aconnected to the SoC106and a second PMIC111bconnected to the microcomputer108.

The LED112functions as a notification unit for giving notification in the controller1.

The operation device2is configured as a device for operating the controller1, for example, for receiving an input according to a user's operation. That is, the operation device2receives operation from the user and displays a state of the MFP. The operation device2is connected to the controller1through a USB cable208, which is an example of a communication path. Specifically, the USB cable208is a communication path for data communication between the SoC106(CPU101) and the SoC202(CPU201). Furthermore, the operation device2is connected to the controller1through a signal line (communication path) independent of the USB cable208.

The operation device2includes the SoC202, a ROM203, a microcomputer204, a PMIC205, an LED206and a control panel207.

The SoC202is an arithmetic unit including the CPU201(an example of the second arithmetic unit) and various bus functions, and is connected to each component of the operation device2to control the operation device2as a whole. The SoC202executes programs (for example, local user interface (LUI)) stored in the ROM203. The ROM203is a nonvolatile memory or the like. The SoC202is connected to the SoC106of the controller1and the microcomputer108. The SoC202is capable of mutual communication with the microcomputer108and the SoC106. In the present embodiment, the connection between the SoC202and the SoC106of the controller1includes a USB connection using the USB cable208.

The SoC202includes the CPU201that controls the operation device2. After starting the LUI, the SoC202(CPU201) attempts to connect to the controller1, and in the case the connection is not established for a certain period of time, determines that a malfunction has occurred. Specifically, after starting the LUI, the CPU201starts the malfunction detection timer (an example of a timer) and in the case a timeout indicating that the communication is not established through the USB cable208within the timeout period of the malfunction detection timer, functions as an example of detection unit for detecting a malfunction in data communication through the USB cable208(for example, a problem in the controller1). Then, the CPU201functions as an example of a third notification unit for notifying the microcomputer108of the controller1of the result (malfunction notification) in the case the malfunction occurs in a communication path different from the USB cable208.

At that time, the CPU201controls to dynamically switch the time-out period for determining the malfunction in the USB cable208. Specifically, the CPU201functions as an example of restart unit for updating the timeout period and restarting the malfunction detection timer in response to receiving the notification of completion of BIOS activation from the microcomputer108. According to a system in which the operation device2determines whether data communication with the controller1is available, by detecting a malfunction when the completion of connection with the controller1is not confirmed within a certain period of time after starting the LUI, since the timeout period is dynamically switched when detecting the malfunction in the USB cable208, even when there is variation in the start-up time of the controller1, especially the time until BIOS activation, the time until malfunction detection in the operation device2is minimized.

In the present embodiment, the CPU201sets a specific timeout period as an initial value in response to the activation of the LUI. In response to receiving the notification of the completion of the BIOS activation, the CPU201resets the timeout period to a time shorter than the initial value, and restarts the malfunction detection timer.

The ROM203stores a program for operating the operation device2. The ROM203is connected to the SoC106of the controller1, and initializes software (writes program) under the control of the SoC106.

The microcomputer204controls the power supply and restoration of the operation device2. The microcomputer204is connected to the SoC202and communicates with each other. The microcomputer204is connected to the SoC106and the microcomputer108of the controller1and is capable of mutual communication with the microcomputer108and the SoC106.

The PMIC205controls the power supply of the operation device2. The PMIC205is connected to the SoC202and the microcomputer204. The PMIC205of the present embodiment is a direct current to direct current (DC/DC) converter. The PMIC205is connected to the microcomputer108of the controller1and is capable of mutual communication with the microcomputer108. According to the present embodiment, the microcomputer108confirms the operating state of the PMIC205. The PMIC205receive a restart request signal from the microcomputer108.

The LED206functions as a notification unit that notifies the operation device2. The LED206is connected to the microcomputer108of the controller1and receives a notification signal from the microcomputer108.

The control panel207includes an input unit (touch panel209) for receiving operations, and a display unit (LCD)210for displaying information. The input unit includes a touch screen, hardware keys, and the like. The touch screen is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electro luminescence (EL) display equipped with a touch panel function. Accordingly, the touch screen functions as an input unit and a display unit. In the case the input unit includes hardware keys, the display unit is provided separately from the hardware keys. The input unit may include a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone that supports voice input, and a camera that supports gesture input. The control panel207may be provided with a speaker for notifying the user of the device status and the like. In other words, the control panel207functions as a notification unit for making notification in the operation device2. Further, the LED206described above may be included as a function of the control panel207. The control panel207is connected to the microcomputer108of the controller1and receives notification signals from the microcomputer108.

FIG.3is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation of a conventional MFP.

The SoC202of the operation device2starts a malfunction detection timer in step S1, confirm whether data communication is available in the connection with the controller1through the USB cable208in step S2, and determines whether the data communication is available in step S3, based on the confirmation result of data communication in step S2. In response to determination that the data communication is available in step S3(step S3: Yes), the SoC202resets the malfunction detection timer and repeats steps S1, S2, and S3. On the other hand, in response to determination that the data communication is not available in step S3(step S3: No) and the malfunction detection timer started in step S1is less than the timeout period (for example, 100 ms) (step S4: No), the SoC202continues the malfunction detection timer, and returns the process to steps S2and S3to confirm the data communication.

In the case the data communication is not available (step S3: No) and the malfunction detection timer started in step S1reaches or exceeds the timeout period (for example, 100 ms) (step S4: Yes), the SoC202determines that a malfunction occurred, and malfunction information indicating the malfunction is acquired in step S5. Note that the malfunction may be, for example, hardware oriented, software oriented, cable disconnection, and the like, but not specified at this stage. Also, the timeout period in step S4can be set at any period.

In step S6, the SoC202determines whether the device (the image forming apparatus in the present embodiment) to which the operation device2is connected is in operation. Based on determination that the device is in operation (step S6: Yes) and that the operation is a related operation of the operation device2(step S7: Yes), the SoC202stops the operation of the device and saves the operation contents in the HDD107in step S8. Based on determination that the device is in operation (step S6: Yes) and that the operation is not related to the operation device2(step S7: No), the SoC202continues the operation of the device and completes the operation in step S9. For example, a network print operation in the image forming apparatus is not related to the operation of the operation device2, and in such a case, the printing operation is performed without using the operation device2. For example, printing data from a Secure Digital (SD) memory card or USB memory connected to the operation device2is a related operation of the operation device2, and in such a case, printing is disabled unless the operation device2operates normally. In step S6, based on determination that the device is not in operation (step S6: No), the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S10, the SoC202notifies the microcomputer108of the malfunction of the operation device2. In step S11, the microcomputer108recognizes the malfunction of the operation device2and starts diagnosing cause of the malfunction (health check). In diagnosing the cause of malfunction, the microcomputer108requests and receives a Power Good signal from the PMIC205of the operation device2, and determines whether the Power Good signal is high (above a predetermined range of the output voltage setting value). In step S12, based on determination that the Power Good signal is not high (step S12: No), the microcomputer108of the controller1determines that there is a malfunction.

In step S12, based on determination that the Power Good signal is high (step S12: Yes), the microcomputer108outputs a state control signal low to high as a state confirmation signal to the microcomputer204of the operation device2through General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) in step S13, starts a state confirmation timer in step S14, and the microcomputer204of the operation device2confirms whether the state response signal is changed from low to high as the state control signal in step S15. In step S15, based on determination that the state response signal did not change from low to high (step S15: No), and the state confirmation timer started in step S14reaches or exceeds 100 ms (step S16: Yes), the microcomputer108determines that a malfunction occurred in the microcomputer204of the operation device2. Further, in step S15, based on determination that the state response signal did not change from low to high (step S15: No), and the state confirmation timer started in step S14is not reaching 100 ms (step S16: No), the state confirmation timer continues to count and the process returns to step S15. In step S15, based on determination that the state response signal is changed from low to high (step S15: Yes), the state confirmation signal is output to the SoC202of the operation device2.

As described above, in the MFP according to the present embodiment, the operation device2, which is an external device, is connected to the controller1through the USB cable208or the like. In the present embodiment, the controller1and the operation device2are connected through the USB cable208, but data communication error such as interruption of the data communication for some reason, or no response to a command output from one of the controller1or the operation device2may occur. Since the MFP does not operate normally with the data communication malfunction, an action to solve malfunction such as restart or notifying a user or a technician of the malfunction is performed. The malfunction of data communication often occurs at a time when a processing load is high, such as when the MFP is started. In such case, implementing the restart process as soon as possible is preferred for convenience of the user. In the present embodiment, focus is on accelerating the detection of a communication malfunction in response to an activation of the MFP.

FIG.4is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process executed by the MFP according to the embodiments of the present disclosure from power-on until establishment of the data communication without implementing minimization of malfunction detection time.FIG.5is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process executed by the MFP according to the embodiments of the present disclosure from power-on until performing a recovery process without implementing the minimization of malfunction detection time. According to the MFP of the present embodiment, after power is turned on, the microcomputer108of the controller1outputs an activation trigger to the SoC106in step S401, and further turns on the power of the microcomputer204of the operation device2in step S402.

In step S403, the SoC106of the controller1activates the BIOS in response to input of the activation trigger from the microcomputer108. The microcomputer108waits for the BIOS to activate. In response to the activation of the BIOS, the SoC106notifies the microcomputer108of the BIOS activation in step S404, and activates an application (for example, SCS) in the controller1in step S405. In response to the activation of the application in the controller1, the SoC106connects the USB socket in step S406. In other words, the SoC106performs data communication with the operation device2through the USB cable208in step S406.

After the power is turned on, the microcomputer204of the operation device2outputs an activation trigger to the SoC202in step S407. In response to input of the activation trigger from the microcomputer204, the SoC202activates an application (for example, LUI) in the operation device2in step S408and waits for the USB socket to be connected to the controller1. In other words, the SoC202waits until communication with the controller1through the USB cable208is available.

When performing data communication through the USB cable208, the SoC202starts a malfunction detection timer and determines whether data communication is available with the controller1through the USB cable208. Then, as illustrated inFIG.5, the SoC202determines that the controller1is malfunctioning when the data communication is not available and the malfunction detection timer reaches or exceeds a preset value. In the following description, the time counted by the malfunction detection timer, which serves as a criterion for the determination of malfunction, is defined as timeout period. Here, the timing for starting the malfunction detection timer is when the application in the operation device2has completed activation.

Regarding the activation of the controller1, variation exists in the time taken to complete the activation of the BIOS. This is because complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) is to be cleared for recovery after the first start-up or after an error occurs, and the entire BIOS is to be read again when the BIOS inside the SoC106is started from the cleared state.

As illustrated inFIG.4, the timeout period is set to a longer fixed value, for example, 45 seconds, assuming startup after clearing the CMOS (for example, 25 seconds) where the BIOS startup time is the longest. As illustrated inFIG.3, although a malfunction occurred in the controller1within a fixed time (timeout period), in step S4, determination may be made that there is no malfunction in the controller1because the fixed time period is not exceeded, the process returns to steps S2and S3and extra time is taken to confirm the data communication and to determine that the malfunction has occurred. As illustrated inFIG.5, the SoC202of the operation device2detects a malfunction of the controller1after the fixed timeout period (for example, 45 seconds) has passed, and a notification of the malfunction is sent to the microcomputer108of the controller1in step S409.

FIG.6is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process executed by the MFP according to the embodiments of the present disclosure from power-on until performing the recovery process with the minimization of malfunction detection time implemented. As described above, in the MFP according to the present embodiment inFIG.5, after the BIOS is activated without problem (for example, in two seconds), despite a malfunction that the application in the controller1stopped activation, the SoC202of the operation device2is not able to detect the malfunction occurred in the controller1until the fixed timeout period (for example, 45 seconds) elapses while waiting for the USB socket to be connected.

On the other hand, in the MFP according to the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.6, in response to the notification of the completion of BIOS startup from SoC106, the microcomputer108of the controller1notifies the SoC202(an application in the operation device2) of the operation device2of the completion of BIOS activation in step S601. The SoC202of the operation device2(an application in the operation device2) starts the malfunction detection timer with the fixed timeout period (initial value, for example 45 seconds) at activation in the same way as when the minimization of malfunction detection time is implemented, but when the controller1notifies the completion of BIOS activation, the timeout period is updated to a shorter period of time (for example, 20 seconds) than the initial value (for example, 45 seconds), and the malfunction detection timer is restarted in step S602. Here, 20 seconds is preferably the maximum time from BIOS activation to connection of the USB socket. As a result, in the case the USB socket is not connected within 20 seconds, the SoC202determines that there is a malfunction (failure of the controller1) at that time.

In the case the minimization of malfunction detection time is not achieved in the MFP according to the present embodiment, until the malfunction of the controller1is detected, a total of 46 seconds from power-on to activation of the application in the operation device2(for example, 1 second) and timeout period (for example, 45 seconds) is to be waited. On the other hand, according to the MFP of the present embodiment with the minimization of malfunction detection time implemented, the time to determine the malfunction of the operation device2is shortened by 24 seconds which is a reduction of total 22 seconds including normal activation time of BIOS from power-on (for example, 2 seconds) and the timeout period (for example, 20 seconds).

As described above, the MFP according to the present embodiment minimizes the time to detect the malfunction in the operation device2.

The program executed by the MFP of the present embodiment is preinstalled and provided in the ROMs104,203, and the like. The program executed by the MFP according to the present embodiment may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a flexible disk (FD), a compact disc recordable (CD-R), and a digital versatile disc (DVD), in an installable or executable file format for distribution.

Furthermore, the program executed by the MFP according to each embodiment can be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the internet and downloaded through the network. Further, the program executed by the MFP according to each embodiment can be provided or distributed through a network such as the internet.

The program executed by the MFP of the present embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described units (detection unit, restart unit, and the like). As actual hardware, processors such as the CPUs101and201of the SoCs106and202read and execute programs stored in the ROMs104and203, thereby loading the above units onto the main storage device and forming the detection unit, restart unit, and the like are generated on the main storage device.

In the above described embodiments, examples in which the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure is applied to the MFP including at least two functions out of a copy function, a print function, a scan function and a facsimile function are described, but the present disclosure can be applied to any image forming apparatus such as copiers, printers, scanners, facsimiles, and the like.