Image processing apparatus, control method, and computer program for detecting a failure and showing a handling procedure for eliminating the failure

An image processing apparatus detects a failure that has occurred, and determines whether or not the location at which the failure has been detected is in an accessory device attached to the body of an image processing apparatus. When the location at which the failure has been detected is in an accessory device, the image processing apparatus receives video data that shows a handling procedure for eliminating the failure that has occurred in the accessory device from a video distribution server and stores the data in a storage unit, and reproduces and displays the video data on a screen. Then, when the image processing apparatus detects that the above described failure has been eliminated, it erases the video data displayed on the above described screen from the storage unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method, and a computer program.

2. Description of the Related Art

There has been conventionally proposed an image processing apparatus that displays information for prompting a user to do maintenance work for eliminating a failure that precludes printing on a screen when the failure has occurred. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-78372 discloses an image processing apparatus that displays an operation procedure in the form of an illustration or message for clearing jams such as a paper jam, toner supply, or the like when the processing for clearing the jams become necessary. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-69223 discloses an image processing apparatus that reproduces and displays video data that shows a procedure for clearing a jam caused at a paper passage part, on an operation unit. Note that in the following description, a video that shows maintenance work for eliminating a failure is referred to as a “maintenance video”.

In the image processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-69223, which reproduces and displays a maintenance video, the following situations may occur. Since video data has a large amount of data compared to a still image and character information, if an image processing apparatus has video data, a very large storage area is required. For example, in the case of uncompressed video data, when the image size is 720 dots wide×480 dots long, and 1 dot is 3 bytes (full color), then the data amount per a frame is about 1 MB. Moreover, when an image of 30 frames per second is displayed for 10 seconds, the data amount becomes 300 MB. The data amount can be reduced by compressing the video data or changing the frame rate, but the data amount is still large compared to a still image and character information.

In addition, an image processing apparatus can be equipped with various peripheral devices (accessory devices) such as a postprocessing device having a function such as bookbinding or cutting, and a paper feeding device for feeding papers. In the case of an image processing apparatus to/from which an accessory device(s) can be attached and detached, a failure can occur both in the body of the image processing apparatus and the accessory device(s). Therefore, an image processing apparatus to/from which an accessory device(s) can be attached and detached needs to hold in advance all maintenance videos corresponding to all peripheral devices that can be attached to the body of the image processing apparatus in order to reproduce and display a maintenance video that shows a procedure for eliminating a failure that has occurred. Accordingly, the image processing apparatus needs to have very large storage area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an image processing apparatus to/from which an accessory device can be attached and detached and which reproduces and displays a video that shows a maintenance procedure for eliminating a failure that has occurred without requiring a very large storage area.

One embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus that can communicate with a video distribution apparatus via a network. The image processing apparatus comprises: a detection unit configured to detect a failure that has occurred in the image processing apparatus; a first determination unit configured to determine whether or not the location at which the failure has been detected is in a peripheral device attached to the body of the image processing apparatus; a receiving unit configured to receive video data that shows a procedure of processing for eliminating the failure that has occurred in the peripheral device from the video distribution apparatus and to store the data in a storage unit when it is determined that the location at which the failure has been detected is in the peripheral device attached to the body of the image processing apparatus; and a display unit configured to reproduce and display the video data stored in the storage unit on a screen.

When a failure has occurred in a peripheral device, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention externally receives a maintenance video at the time when the failure has occurred and reproduces and displays the video. Therefore, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can reproduce and display a video that shows a maintenance procedure for eliminating a failure that has occurred while a peripheral device is attached to the body of the image processing apparatus without requiring a very large storage area.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. It is to be understood that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the claims of the present invention, and that not all of the combinations of the aspects that are described according to the following embodiments are necessarily required with respect to the means to solve the problems according to the present invention.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a system according to a first embodiment. The system shown inFIG. 1includes an image processing apparatus100and a video distribution server120. The image processing apparatus100and the video distribution server120can communicate with each other via a network i.e., LAN (Local Area Network)103, Internet110, and LAN121.

The image processing apparatus100is an information processing apparatus that performs image processing (generation or output of image data, or the like). The image processing apparatus100is, for example, a printer or fax machine. The body of the image processing apparatus100is equipped with peripheral devices (accessory devices). In this example, the image processing apparatus100is equipped with a paper feeding deck101that is a paper feeding device for feeding sheets of paper and a finisher102that performs postprocessing such as stapling or sorting, as the accessory devices. The video distribution server120is a video distribution apparatus that distributes video data to the image processing apparatus100.

FIG. 2is an example of a hardware block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus100includes a control unit200, an operation unit209, a printer unit210, and a scanner unit211. The control unit200controls the image processing apparatus100overall. The operation unit209inputs and displays various types of information according to user's operations.

The control unit200includes CPU201, ROM202, RAM203, and HDD204. “CPU” is the abbreviation for “Central Processing Unit”. “ROM” is the abbreviation for “Read Only Memory”. “RAM” is the abbreviation for “Random Access Memory”. “HDD” is the abbreviation for “Hard Disk Drive”. The control unit200also includes an operation unit I/F (Interface)205, a printer I/F206, a scanner I/F207, and a network I/F208.

The CPU201reads out a control program stored in the ROM202and executes various control processes such as read control and transmission control processing. The RAM203is used as a temporary storage area, such as the main memory of the CPU201or a work area. The HDD204stores image data and various programs or various information tables. The HDD204also stores video data that shows a maintenance procedure for a failure (for example, a jam) that occurs in the image processing apparatus100. A video corresponding to such video data is referred to as a “maintenance video”.

The operation unit I/F205connects the operation unit209to the control unit200. The operation unit209includes a liquid crystal display section having a touch panel function, and a keyboard. When a user operates a keyboard, the operation unit I/F205acquires the operation content. In addition, the operation unit I/F205transfers the acquired operation content to the CPU201. The CPU201generates display screen data based on the transferred operation content and the above described control program.

The printer I/F206connects the printer unit210to the control unit200. The control unit200transfers image data that is to be printed by the printer unit210via the printer I/F206to the printer unit210. Then, the printer unit210prints out the image data on a recording medium.

The scanner I/F207connects the scanner unit211to the control unit200. The scanner unit211reads an image of an original to generate the image data, and inputs the data via the scanner I/F207to the control unit200. The network I/F208connects the control unit200(image processing apparatus100) to the LAN103. The network I/F208sends and receives various information to/from the other apparatus on the LAN103.

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a video distribution server. The video distribution server120includes a control unit300. The control unit300controls the video distribution server120overall. The control unit300includes CPU301, ROM302, RAM303, HDD304, and a network I/F305.

The CPU301reads a control program stored in the ROM302and executes various control processes. The RAM303is used as a temporary storage area for the main memory of the CPU301or a work area or the like. The HDD304stores image data and various programs. The HDD304also stores video data that shows a maintenance procedure for a jam that occurs in an accessory device. The network I/F305connects the control unit300to the LAN121. The network I/F305sends and receives various information to/from the other apparatus on the LAN121.

FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating an example of the software configuration of an entire system including an image processing apparatus. Each function unit of the image processing apparatus100shown inFIG. 4is implemented by causing the CPU201to load a computer program stored in the ROM202or the HDD204into the RAM203and to execute the program in the image processing apparatus100. In addition, a control method of the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment is implemented by each function unit shown inFIG. 4.

The image processing apparatus100includes an external communication unit401, a data management unit402, a device management unit403, a screen drawing unit404, and a jam detection unit405. The external communication unit401communicates with the video distribution server120via the Internet110in order to download video data from the video distribution server120.

The data management unit402manages document data stored in the RAM203or the HDD204, application data, video data received from the video distribution server120, and the like. In addition, the data management unit402calculates the free space in the RAM203or the HDD204.

The device management unit403manages the configuration of an accessory device of the image processing apparatus100. The device management unit403detects that an accessory device has been attached or detached to/from the image processing apparatus100and stores the information in the RAM203or the HDD204.

The screen drawing unit404generates a screen displayed on the operation unit209and displays the generated screen on the operation unit209. In addition, the screen drawing unit404displays and reproduces video data that is managed by the data management unit402, on the operation unit209. The jam detection unit405detects a jam that has occurred inside the image processing apparatus100. The jam is, for example, a paper jam. In addition, the jam detection unit405specifies the location at which the jam has occurred and stores the information about the location at which the jam has occurred in the RAM203or the HDD204. Further, the jam detection unit405detects whether or not the jam has been cleared. In the present embodiment, a jam is one example of the failures that occur in the image processing apparatus100, and the jam detection unit405can detect the occurrence of any failure such as toner shortage that prevents the image processing apparatus100from printing, or whether or not the failure has been eliminated.

FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation processing of the image processing apparatus in the first embodiment. Each operation shown in the flowchart ofFIG. 5is implemented by causing the CPU201of the image processing apparatus100to load a control program stored in the ROM202or the HDD204into the RAM203and to execute the program. In addition, each operation as described above is implemented by causing the CPU301of the video distribution server120to load a control program stored in the ROM302or the HDD304into the RAM303and to execute the program.

First, the jam detection unit405detects a jam that has occurred inside the image processing apparatus100, and stores the information about the location at which the jam has occurred in the RAM203or the HDD204(step S501).

Next, the jam detection unit405determines whether or not the location at which the jam has been detected in step S501is in an accessory device (step S502). The jam detection unit405is a first determination unit. When the jam detection unit405determines that the location at which the jam has occurred is in an accessory device, the processing proceeds to S503. When the jam detection unit405determines that the location at which the jam has occurred is not in an accessory device, the processing proceeds to step S506.

In step S503, the external communication unit401requests a maintenance procedure for the location at which the jam has occurred, that is, video data (maintenance video) that shows a procedure of processing for clearing the jam, to the video distribution server120. For example, when a jam has occurred in the paper feeding deck101, the external communication unit401requests a maintenance video by sending a message that a jam has occurred in the paper feeding deck101, to the video distribution server120. Then, the external communication unit401receives the maintenance video corresponding to the above request from the video distribution server120. The data management unit402stores the received maintenance video in the RAM203or the HDD204.

When the external communication unit401makes a request for video data to the video distribution server120, the image quality of the requested video data can be changed according to the line condition of the LAN103and/or the LAN121and/or the free space of the RAM203and/or the HDD204. The term “image quality of video data” refers to a parameter or state of video data, such as frame rate, bit rate, codec, or resolution. For example, the external communication unit401calculates in advance the time to be taken for receiving data from the video distribution server120, and changes the image quality of the requested video data according to the calculated time. In addition, the data management unit402calculates in advance the free space in the RAM203and/or the HDD204, and changes the image quality of the requested video data accordingly. Thus, the data amount received by the external communication unit401can be adjusted depending on the situation. Note that the line condition of the LAN103and/or the LAN121and/or the free space of the RAM203and/or the HDD204may be input in advance by a user.

Next, the external communication unit401determines whether or not the reception of video data sent from the video distribution server120in step S503has been completed (step S504). The external communication unit401is a second determination unit. When the external communication unit401determines that the reception of the video data has been completed, the processing proceeds to S506. When the external communication unit401determines that the reception of the video data has not been completed, the processing proceeds to S505.

In step S505, the screen drawing unit404displays supplementary information about maintenance in the form of characters or pictures on the operation unit209(step S505). Then, the processing returns to step S504.

FIGS. 6A and 6Bare diagrams illustrating examples of screens that display supplementary information. A message601and an icon602on the screen shown inFIG. 6Aare supplementary information for instructing a user to wait until the reception of video data has been completed. An icon603shows that jams have occurred in the image processing apparatus100, the paper feeding deck101, and the finisher102.

In addition, the screen shown inFIG. 6Bshows a procedure for clearing a jam by an illustration604and a message605. Note that the procedure for clearing a jam may be shown by an alternative means such as pictures or characters until the reception of the video data has been completed.

Returning toFIG. 5, in step S506, the screen drawing unit404reads and reproduces a maintenance video stored in the HDD204in advance, which shows a maintenance procedure for clearing a jam that has occurred in the image processing apparatus100, and displays the video on a screen of the operation unit209(step S506). In addition, the screen drawing unit404reads and reproduces a maintenance video stored in step S503, which shows a maintenance procedure for clearing a jam that has occurred in an accessory device, from the RAM203or the HDD204, and displays the data on a screen of the operation unit209.

Next, the jam detection unit405determines whether or not all jams detected in step S501have been cleared (step S507). When the jam detection unit405determines that all jams have been cleared, the processing proceeds to S508. When the jam detection unit405determines that not all jams have been cleared, the processing returns to step S506.

In step S508, the data management unit402erases the maintenance video stored in step S503, which shows a maintenance procedure for clearing a jam that has occurred in an accessory device, from the RAM203or the HDD204(step S508), and the processing ends.

Note that, although in this embodiment the screen drawing unit404displays and reproduces video data after the reception of the data has been completed, a similar configuration can be applied to video data for streaming. Specifically, in step S504, before the external communication unit401completes the reception of video data, the screen drawing unit404can sequentially display and reproduce the video data. This can shorten the time to be taken for receiving video data so as to be displayed and reproduced.

In addition, when the jam detection unit405determines that the location at which a jam has been detected is both in the body of the image processing apparatus100and an accessory device, and before the external communication unit401completes the reception of video data, the screen drawing unit404may execute the following processing. The screen drawing unit404preferentially reproduces a maintenance video that shows a maintenance procedure for the body of the image processing apparatus100while the external communication unit401is receiving video data. In this case, the screen drawing unit404may store the priority for displaying and reproducing video data, and raise the priority of the video data the reception of which has been completed. This can eliminate waiting time of a user for receiving the video data so as to be displayed and reproduced.

According to the present embodiment, the occurrence of a jam in an accessory device causes the image processing apparatus to acquire and reproduce a maintenance video from the video distribution server, and the elimination of this jam causes the above described maintenance video to be erased. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus can reproduce and display a video that shows a maintenance procedure for eliminating a failure that has occurred while an accessory device is attached to the body of the image processing apparatus without requiring a very large storage area.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be described. According to the second embodiment, a change of the configuration of an accessory device causes the image processing apparatus to receive and store video data corresponding to the configuration. Here, only the difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation processing of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. Each operation shown in the flowchart ofFIG. 7is implemented by causing the CPU201of the image processing apparatus100to load a control program stored in the ROM202or the HDD204into the RAM203and to execute the program. In addition, each operation process described above is implemented by causing the CPU301of the video distribution server120to load a control program stored in the ROM302or the HDD304to the RAM303and to execute the program.

Firstly, the device management unit403detects a change in the configuration of an accessory device attached to the image processing apparatus100, and stores the information in the RAM203or the HDD204(step S701). Then, the device management unit403determines whether or not the change in the configuration of an accessory device detected in step S701is the addition of an accessory device (step S702). Specifically, the device management unit403detects the addition of an accessory device to the body of the image processing apparatus100.

When the device management unit403determines that a change of the configuration of an accessory device is the addition of an accessory device, the processing proceeds to S703. The device management unit403determines that a change in the configuration of an accessory device is not the addition of an accessory device, the processing proceeds to S704.

In step S703, the external communication unit401requests a video that shows a maintenance procedure (maintenance video) for the accessory device for which a change in the configuration was determined to be the addition thereof in step S702, to the video distribution server120. Thereby, the external communication unit401receives the maintenance video corresponding to the request from the video distribution server120.

Now, the processing of step S703will be specifically described. For example, when the paper feeding deck101is added to the image processing apparatus, the external communication unit401sends a message that the paper feeding deck101has been added to the image processing apparatus to the video distribution server120. In addition, the external communication unit401receives video data sent from the video distribution server120in response to the request. Then, the data management unit402stores the received video data in the RAM203or the HDD204. Here, when the external communication unit401makes a request for video data to the video distribution server120, the image quality of the requested video data may be changed according to the free space of the RAM203and/or the HDD204.

In step S704, the device management unit403determines whether or not the change in the configuration of an accessory device detected in step S701is the detachment of an accessory device. When the device management unit403determines that the change is the detachment of an accessory device, the processing proceeds to S705. When the device management unit403determines that the change is not the detachment of an accessory device, the processing proceeds to S706.

In step S705, the data management unit402erases the video data that shows a maintenance procedure for the accessory device, a change of the configuration which has been determined to be a detachment thereof in step S704, from the RAM203or the HDD204.

In step S706, the device management unit403determines whether or not all changes in the configuration of the accessory devices in the image processing apparatus100have been checked. When the device management unit403determines that all changes have been checked, the processing ends. When the device management unit403determines that not all changes have been checked, the processing returns to step S702and is repeated until all changes in the configuration of the accessory devices have been checked.

Note that the image processing apparatus100may perform the processing shown in a flowchart ofFIG. 7immediately after a change in the configuration of an accessory device has been detected, or at every fixed period of time, or at any timing instructed by a user. In addition, the image processing apparatus100may perform the processing shown in the flowchart ofFIG. 7at any timing after predetermined processing has been performed, such as when the image processing apparatus100has been activated or a jam has occurred.

FIG. 8is a flowchart illustrating the processing for reproducing video data that shows a maintenance procedure in the second embodiment. Each operation shown in the flowchart ofFIG. 8is implemented by causing the CPU201of the image processing apparatus100to load a control program stored in the ROM202or the HDD204into the RAM203and to execute the program. As step S801is similar to step S501ofFIG. 5, the explanation thereof is omitted.

In step S802, the screen drawing unit404reads video data stored in the HDD204in advance that shows a maintenance procedure for eliminating a failure that has occurred in the image processing apparatus100, and displays and reproduces the data on the operation unit209. In addition, the screen drawing unit404reads the video data received and stored in step S703ofFIG. 7which shows a maintenance procedure for eliminating a failure that has occurred in an accessory device from the RAM203or the HDD204, and displays and reproduces the data on the operation unit209.

Next, the jam detection unit405determines whether or not all the jams detected in step S801have been cleared (step S803). When the jam detection unit405determines that all jams have been cleared, the processing ends. When the jam detection unit405determines that not all jams have been cleared, the processing returns to step S801.

According to the second embodiment, the addition of an accessory device can cause the image processing apparatus to receive and store a maintenance video corresponding to an accessory device from the video distribution server120. This can eliminate waiting time of a user for receiving a maintenance video so as to be displayed and reproduced when maintenance becomes necessary. In addition, according to the second embodiment, the detachment of an accessory device from the image processing apparatus causes a maintenance video corresponding to an accessory device to be erased. Thus, the image processing apparatus can reproduce and display a maintenance video corresponding to an accessory device without requiring a very large storage area.

Other Embodiment

The present invention can also be implemented by executing the following processing. Specifically, a software (program) that implements the functions of the above described embodiments is provided through a network or various storage media to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program. In this case, the program and storage media storing the program are to constitute the present invention.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-262600 filed on Nov. 30, 2012 which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.