Abstract:
An image processing device detects errors within its functions, and reports these errors to a client device. The client device then instructs the image processing device to disable problem functions, while allowing functions that are properly working to still be used.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an image processing device, such as a LAN-connected facsimile server, whose functions and operations can be monitored by LAN clients, and relates particularly to an image processing device that allows the LAN clients to selectively disable functions of the device after malfunctioning of the device is detected. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Recently, image processing devices have been developed for use with Local Area Networks (“LANs”). One such image processing device is a fax server that acts as “gateway” device, allowing facsimile messages to be transmitted between LAN-connected client computers (“clients”) and remote facsimile machines connected over the PSTN (the “Publicly Switched Telephone Networks”). 
   Such a facsimile server may monitor scanning, transmission, or other functions that it performs. If and when an error is detected in one of the functions, an error message is either displayed on a display unit at the fax server or at a network client. 
   When an error is detected in such a prior art fax server, however, the entire fax server is disabled, thereby preventing a user from utilizing other functions of the device that may be functioning properly. For example, if the device is a multi-function copier/fax server, an error in the transmission function of the device prohibits users from utilizing the copy function. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an image processing device that monitors its own functions, reports detected errors to an external device such as LAN client, and allows the external device to selectively disable individual functions of the image processing device without disabling other functions that are working properly. 
   In order to accomplish this object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, an image processing device includes a detecting mechanism that detects errors in the functions performed by the device, a transmission unit that transmits the detection results of the detecting mechanism to a second device, and a disabling mechanism that selectively disables one or more of the functions of the image processing device based on instructions given by the second device. Errors detected by the image processing device are sent to the second device (a network client, for example), and the malfunctioning portion(s) of the image processing device can be selectively disabled by instructions sent from the second device. Thus, not only are network clients notified of problems with the image processing device, but only those functions that behave improperly are disabled. Functions that work properly can still be utilized, and the usefulness of the device is greatly improved. In other words, “function reduction” is realized. It should be noted, of course, that although the image processing device of the present invention disclosed in the detailed description section of the present specification is described as embodied as a facsimile server, other embodiments are possible, including other facsimile-type devices, and network scanners having communication capability. 
   The image processing device may further include a reception unit that receives data from a remote device, a printing unit that prints the data received by the reception unit, and a forwarding unit that forwards the data received by the reception unit to the second device. If an error is detected in the printing unit, the data received by the reception unit is forwarded to the second device along with a message indicating to the second device that there is an error in the printing unit. 
   The image processing device may further include a connection unit that connects to a plurality of communication lines or networks, and the disabling mechanism may disable connection to a communication line/network on which the irregularity detection mechanism has detected an irregularity. Since use of one of the plurality of communication lines/networks is only prohibited when the detection unit detects an error in that communication line/network, the error in only one of the communication lines to which the image processing device is connected would not shut off the entire functions of the device. The plurality of communication lines/networks may be PSTN and LAN, and the image processing device may be a fax server. Alternatively, the plurality of communication lines/networks may be two or more PSTNs. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing an image processing machine of the present invention practiced in a facsimile server; 
       FIG. 2  is a flow chart showing an example of the processing performed by fax server CPU when local errors are detected, and the processing performed by client machine PC that manages the fax server; and 
       FIG. 3  is an alternate example of the processing performed by the fax server CPU when errors are detected in a printer, and the processing performed by the client machine PC. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , illustrated is a block diagram of an image processing device  1  of the present invention embodied as a fax server. The facsimile server  1  includes a CPU  10 , ROM  11 , NCU  12 , modem  13 , hard disk drive (HDD)  14 , RAM  15 , LAN interface unit (LAN I/F)  16 , printer  17 , and scanner  18 . 
   CPU  10  controls the various hardware elements of the fax server  1  based on programs stored in ROM  11 . For example, the CPU  10  controls the modem  13 , codes and decodes document image data to and from MH, MR, and MMR encoding schemes, and executes facsimile communication programs. 
   Additionally, the CPU  10  detects irregularities in the hardware elements, and in the event that an irregularity is detected, transmits this fact to one of clients  2  that is provided for management of the fax server  1  (referred to as “management client”; will be described). Instructions from this management client  2  disable affected function(s) of the fax server  1  and/or cause the fax server  1  to perform alternative operations. 
   ROM  11  stores various pre-loaded programs required to operate the fax server  1 . 
   The modem  13  is a fax and data modem connected over the BUS, and is capable of performing both facsimile and Internet communication. The modem  13  is directly connected to NCU (Network Control Unit)  12 . The NCU  12  is controlled by the pre-loaded programs to establish and terminate connections over the analog publicly switched telephone network (PSTN), and serves to connect the modem  13  with the PSTN when necessary. Although only one modem  13  and NCU  12  are shown in  FIG. 1 , it should be understood that a plurality of modems and NCU&#39;s  13 ,  12  can be provided for connection to a plurality of lines. 
   DSU (Digital Service Unit) may optionally be provided in order to connect a digital ISDN line. It should again be noted that the machine may connect to both ISDN and PSTN lines. 
   The hard disk drive  14  is used to store data (such as sub-addresses, user IDs, passwords, and the like) about the network clients  2 , and may also be used instead of ROM  11  to store programs that run the fax server  1 . 
   RAM  15  may be S-RAM or D-RAM, and temporarily stores data generated during execution of the control programs, as well as image data and messages that have been received or are to be transmitted by the fax server  1 . It should be further noted that the data stored in the hard disk  14  may alternatively be stored in the RAM  15 . 
   The LAN I/F  16  is used to connect the fax server  1  to a node of the LAN  3 . 
   The printer  17  may be an electro-photographic or similar printing device. It may print document image data and the like stored in RAM  15 , as well as data stored in the hard disk  14 . The printer  17  is also provided with an internal error detection sensor (a low-toner detection or paper-jam detection sensor, for example). When the internal error detection sensor detects an error, data indicating an irregularity is output to CPU  10 . 
   The scanner  18  scans a document/image using a CCD or similar scanning device, and outputs the resulting document image data. As with the printer  17 , the scanner  18  is provided with an internal detection sensor (a paper-jam detection sensor, for example), and when an error is detected, data indicating the irregularity is output to CPU  10 . 
   It should be noted that input devices (a keyboard, mouse, etc.), display units (LCD, CRT, etc.), or touch screen input devices may also be arranged in the fax server  1 . 
   Each of the clients  2  includes a personal computer or the like, that is basically comprised of a CPU  20 , a ROM  21 , a hard disk  24 , a RAM  25 , a LAN I/F  26 , a display  27 , a keyboard,  28 , etc. One of the clients  2  is designed as a manager of the fax server  1 . 
   The client CPU  20  controls the various hardware elements of its respective client  2 , and executes programs stored in its ROM  21  for, among other things, displaying messages and error data received from the fax server  1 , and disabling functions or specifying alternative processing to be performed by the fax server  1 . 
   The client ROM  21  stores various pre-loaded programs needed to operate the client  2 . 
   The client hard disk  24  may be used instead of ROM  21  to store operating programs or the like. 
   The client RAM  25  may be S-RAM or D-RAM, and is used to temporarily store data generated during execution of the stored programs. It may also store messages, image data, and the like either forwarded from or to be forwarded to the fax server  1 . 
   The client LAN I/F  26  is used to connect the client  2  to a node of the LAN  3 . 
   The client display  27  may include an LCD, CRT, or other display device, and is used to display data and the like sent from the fax server  1 . 
   A keyboard is provided to the client  2  to serve as an input device for operating the machine. Naturally, a mouse or other instrument may be provided, as well. It should be noted that provision of a keyboard  28  can be obviated by provision of a touch-screen display unit or the like in the display unit  27 . 
   The fax server  1  is self-monitoring; if any of its functions generate an error or malfunction, the managing client  2  is informed of the error, and the client&#39;s user is allowed to take corrective measures from the client side, either selectively disabling the problem function, or instructing that an alternative function be performed. 
   Referring to the flow chart shown in  FIG. 2 , an example of processing performed by the fax server  1  when it finds irregularity in itself and associated processing performed by the managing client  2  will be described. 
   First, at step S 11 , the server  1  determines whether or not an error has been generated in any of the hardware elements of the machine. If an error is detected (Step S 11 , YES), then the managing PC  2  is notified of the error at step S 14 . The user (or a repair man) then examines and repairs, if possible, the area or function that generated the error (not shown in the flow chart). After that the fax server CPU  20  determines whether or not the error status of the machine has been cleared (Step S 12 ). If the problem is not solved and the error persists, then the program returns to step S 11 . 
   Examples of problems that may be monitored (and detected) at steps S 11  and S 12  are no recording sheets, paper jams, low/no toner, a faulty photosensitive drum, overheating of the fuser, and problems with indicators (lamps) in the printing unit  17  and scanner  18 . Of course, this list is non-exhaustive; the machine can be set to detect many different kinds of errors. These errors can be corrected between steps S 11  and S 12  by, for example, feeding new recording sheets, removing torn pages, clearing paper jams, replacing toner cartridges, drum units, fusers, indicators, lamps, or other faulty parts, etc. 
   If the error status is cleared by the user or serviceman, i.e., if that function is recovered, then the program proceeds to step S 13 , where the machine  1  is brought into a stand-by condition to perform jobs requested by the user. In other words, when the irregularity in a certain function of the fax server  1  is eliminated, the shut off condition of that function will automatically be cleared off. It should be noted that alternatively, the present invention may be comprised such that the error is cleared based on instructions from the managing client PC  2 . 
   After step S 13 , the network client  2  (the managing PC) is notified of the recovery (Step S 14 ). This fax server  1  may send this notification to the managing PC  2  in an interrupting manner, depending upon seriousness of the irregularity. 
   At step S 15 , the managing PC  2  determines whether or not the error status of the machine is included in the transmitted data. If the error status is present (Step S 15 , YES), then the program proceeds to step S 16  and displays an indication (a message on the display unit  27 , for example) to the user that the fax server  1  has an error. If, however, there is no error status in the transmitted data, then the program proceeds to step S 18  and displays an indication to the user that an error at the fax server  1  has not occurred or has been cleared, and returns to step S 11 . 
   When the user of the client  2  sees that there is an error at the fax server  1  after step S 16 , he or she may choose to disable the function for which there is an error, or may instruct that alternate processing be performed instead of the problem function. The client  2  sends the user&#39;s instructions over the LAN  3  to the fax server at step S 17 . 
   Then, the fax server  1  receives the instructions sent from the client  2 , and determines whether or not the instructions order the machine to disable a function (Step S 19 ). If so (Step S 19 , Yes), then the fax server  1  disables the indicated function (Step S 20 ). It should be noted that the function that is disabled here need not be a function that caused the problem, but could be any function of the fax server  1 . 
   If the received instructions do not indicate that a function is to be disabled (Step S 19 , No), or after the function has been disabled (step S 20 ), the program proceeds to step S 21  where fax server  1  determines whether or not the instructions-order the machine to perform alternative processing for the problem function. If it is determined that an alternative function is to be performed (Step S 21 , YES), then the fax server  1  is set to perform the designated function (Step S 22 ); otherwise (Step S 21 , NO) the program returns to step S 11 . 
   It should be noted that although the present embodiment has disclosed that only the managing client  2  is notified of errors at the fax server  1 , it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the other networks clients  2  can also be notified, and such that any fax server  1  functions can be enabled or disabled by any of the network clients  2 . 
   Now, a concrete example will be described. 
   When the fax server  1  detects an error in the printer unit  17 , the managing PC client  2  instructs the fax server  1  to perform alternative processing for the problem function. Specifically, the managing client  2  sets the fax server  1  to send received facsimile image data directly to another client PC  2  instead of printing them out at the local printer  17 . It should be noted that alternatively the facsimile data may be transferred to the managing client  2 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , when the fax server  1  detects a printer error (step S 31 ), it notifies the managing client PC  2  of this fact over the LAN  3  (step S 32 ). 
   The managing client PC  2  displays the error notification on its own display unit  27  (step S 33 ). When the PC user sees this error message, the user inputs commands through the client keyboard  28  or similar input device to disable the fax printer  17 , and cause the fax server  1  to perform the alternative processing if necessary. The user also sets the fax server  1  to forward received fax image data to a network address of another client  2 , which the user inputs through the keyboard  28 . These instructions are then sent to the fax server  1  over the LAN  3  (step S 34 ). 
   When the fax server  1  receives these instructions, it disables the printer  17  (step S 35 ), and then enters a stand-by mode awaiting reception of a facsimile message. This stand-by mode is indicated in the flowchart diagram by the loop at step S 36 ; the fax server  1  determines periodically whether or not a facsimile data has been received. When fax data is received, it is not printed out at the printer  17 , but instead is stored in RAM  15  (step S 37 ), and the stored message is sent to the forwarding address (input by the user at step S 34 ) over LAN  3  (step S 38 ). 
   The client  2  specified by the managing client  2  then receives the forwarded fax data from the fax server  1  (step S 39 ), and displays the image data on its display screen  27  (step S 40 ). The program then returns to step  531 . 
   In addition to the specific arrangement described herein to cope with the printer error, the present invention may compensate for a wide variety of errors. For example, if there is an error in the scanning unit  18  (e.g., when a lamp runs out), the invention may allow the device to be used for communication or printing. Alternatively, if there is an error in the communication function of the machine, a multifunction device could still be used as a network scanner or a printing station. Of course, if there are errors in all functions of the machine, all the functions become disabled as is the case with the prior art machines. 
   If the fax server  1  is connected to a plurality of communication lines, and an error persists in one of the lines, then the fax server  1  can be arranged such that it sends data specifying the problem line (the telephone number of the line, for example) along with data indicating the error. The data is sent to the managing client  2  over the LAN  3 . The managing client  2  then sends data to the fax server  1  instructing it to prohibit use of that line. Then, even if the fax server  1  receives a command from other clients  2  over the LAN  3  requesting use of the line, it can respond by indicating to those clients  2  that the line cannot be used. In order to ensure that the disabled line is not requested by other network clients  2 , it is preferable that the fax server  1  announce to all the network clients  2  except the managing client  2  that the communication line is disabled as soon as the line is disabled. 
   It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that although the present invention is embodied in a facsimile server in the foregoing description, the invention can be employed in any kind of multi-function or hybrid-type device, including, for example, a machine having a digital copying function. 
   The illustrated and described image processing device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 11-171706 filed on Jun. 17, 1999, the instant application claims priority of this Japanese Patent Application, and the entire disclosure thereof is herein incorporated by reference.