JPH08115237A - Printer diagnostic system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To reduce the burdens of a computer on a center side connected to respective printers by lines. CONSTITUTION: The printer 13A can be connected to a center unit for diagnoses not shown in the figure through a communication cable 12. The printer 13A is provided with a printer operation part 29 and communication contents with a system control circuit 43 are stored in a trace area arranged in a first magnetic disk 25. When a fault is generated, an operator on the side of the printer operation part 29 copes with it, and when it can not be recovered, trace data are transmitted to the center unit. The diagnosed result of the center unit is displayed on a CRT 29A and the operator can perform operations for recovery as needed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer diagnostic system for diagnosing a printer, and more particularly to a printer intended for simple diagnostics of individual printers to complex diagnostics that rarely exist. Regarding diagnostic system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the prices of electronic components such as CPUs (Central Processing Units) and memories have fallen with the progress of research and development and mass production. Further, the functions of the data creation device side such as a computer and a workstation have been improved, and many printers having relatively low cost and high function have been commercialized. As the functions of printers become more sophisticated and complex, failures and faults also occur on a daily basis. From those that can be easily identified, to difficult ones that cannot easily reproduce a fault that has occurred once and cannot identify the fault location. Various things will occur. Therefore, in order to provide easier-to-use products to the market, not only the functions and prices of the products but also the enhancement of after-sales service is a major deciding factor.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-5626 discloses a technique in which a printer (slave computer) is connected to a main computer, and the main computer side reprograms and debugs the printer. In this printer diagnostic system, if a test device is installed on the printer side and can control it, the main computer side can instruct the printer side to operate the test device, and the measured value obtained by the test device. Can be sent to the main computer for display.

In recent years, various communication facilities have been enhanced, and in this way, the printer on the center side is connected to the computer on the center side by using the dedicated line or the public line, and the diagnostic link is established. A method of making a diagnosis has been proposed.

[0005]

In a printer diagnostic system in which a computer on the center side and individual printers are connected via a line to perform a diagnosis, an operator on the printer side requires special knowledge about the diagnosis. The diagnostic result can be obtained without being performed. In addition, if the diagnostic program for the computer on the center side is enhanced, it is possible to sufficiently deal with the very difficult diagnostic contents.

However, in such a conventional printer diagnostic system, the computer on the center side needs to establish diagnostic links with a large number of printers. Therefore, the equipment became large-scale. Further, since the scale is correlated with the number of printers, there is a problem that a relatively simple printer may be excluded from the diagnostic system when the scale is limited. Also,
There is also a problem that the original work cannot be executed on the printer side while the diagnostic link is established. That is, since the computer on the center side takes the initiative in determining the time when the diagnosis is performed, some trouble may occur during an emergency printing operation, for example.
If the center computer decides to deal with this, even if the failure is minor,
It was difficult to ignore this and continue printing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printer diagnostic system capable of reducing the load on a center computer connected to individual printers by a line.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, (a) a printer for printing, and (b) data input means for inputting data for directly operating or diagnosing the printer, (C) Trace data storage means for sequentially storing the data input from the data input means and the data displayed by the printer as trace data, and (d) the input operation by the data input means connected to the printer by a line. The printer diagnosis system is provided with a center side device that receives the trace data stored in the trace data storage means and diagnoses the printer when the failure is not recovered.

That is, according to the first aspect of the invention, the data for directly operating or diagnosing the printer and the data displayed on the external CRT or the like by the printer are sequentially stored as trace data. Then, in the case where the failure cannot be recovered by the operation of the operator on the printer side, it is possible to send these trace data to the center side device for the first time to make a diagnosis. That is, for a relatively simple failure, the failure is recovered by inputting by the data input means, etc., and when this is impossible, the center side device is informed of the details of the exchange so far, and the detailed diagnosis is performed. The burden on the center side is reduced.

According to the second aspect of the invention, (a) a printer for printing, (b) data input means for inputting data for directly operating or diagnosing this printer, and (c) this data input. Trace data storage means for sequentially storing, as trace data, data input from the means and data displayed externally by the printer; and (d) newly stored when the storage capacity of the trace data storage means exceeds a predetermined value. Data deletion means for sequentially deleting the oldest data corresponding to the data to be stored, and (e) the trace data stored in the trace data storage means when the fault cannot be recovered by the input operation by the data input means connected to the printer by the line. The printer diagnosis system is provided with a center side device for diagnosing the receiving printer.

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the data for directly operating or diagnosing the printer and the data to be displayed by the printer on the external CRT or the like are sequentially stored as trace data. By doing so, it is possible to perform a detailed examination of the failure, but even if the trace data is stored indefinitely, it is not required to recover from the failure, and the capacity of the memory that stores the trace data is limited. When the storage amount of trace data exceeds a predetermined value, these trace data are deleted from the oldest one.

According to the third aspect of the invention, (a) a printer for printing, (b) data input means for inputting data for directly operating or diagnosing this printer, and (c) this data input. Trace data storage means for sequentially storing, as trace data, data input from the means and data displayed externally by the printer, and (d) tracing when a failure is not recovered by the input operation by the data input means connected to the printer by a line. A center side device for receiving the trace data stored in the data storage means and diagnosing the printer, and (e) a printer side display device for receiving the diagnosis result of the center side device through a line and displaying the result on the corresponding printer side. Are provided in the printer diagnostic system.

That is, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the data for directly operating or diagnosing the printer and the data displayed on the external CRT or the like by the printer are sequentially stored as trace data, and a predetermined data is stored. In this case, this is sent to the center side to achieve detailed or advanced diagnosis, and this diagnosis result is displayed on the display device on the printer side so that the printer side can perform further necessary operations or diagnosis. There is. Of course, when it is necessary to correct the program or fixed data on the printer side according to the diagnosis result, the center side can send such data to the printer side and correct these contents.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a main part of a printer diagnostic system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system is a center device 11 capable of performing advanced diagnosis.
And the first to Nth printers 13 _{1 to} 13 _N connected to the center device 11 via the communication cable 12. Here, for example, the first printer 13 ₁ is channel-connected to the host computer 14, and is supplied with print data from this to print.
Further, the second printer 13 ₂ is adapted to receive print data from the workstation 15 connected to the communication cable 12 and perform printing. The other printers 13 _{3 to} 13 _N are also adapted to perform print work by receiving print data supplied from any of the devices.

In the printer diagnosis system of this embodiment, when a failure occurs in any of the _first to Nth printers 13 _{1 to} 13 _N , the center apparatus 11 does not immediately diagnose this, but a failure occurs. Diagnosis is first performed on the printer 13 side. At this time, the details of the diagnosis are stored in a predetermined area of the printer. When the failure is not recovered by the diagnosis, the corresponding printer 13 and the center device 11 are connected. From this point, the diagnosis of the printer 13 by the center device 11 is started. At this time, the record of the diagnosis contents previously performed on the printer 13 side is read out to the center device 11 and used as a reference at the time of diagnosis.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the printer. The printer 13 _A includes a printer controller 21.
A channel interface circuit 22, a network interface circuit 23, two interface circuits connected thereto, a print mechanism section 24 such as a laser printer, a first and a second magnetic disk 25,
26, streamer tape device 27, magneto-optical disk 28
And an external storage device and a printer operation unit 29. Channel interface circuit 22
Is connected to a host computer 14 which supplies print data via a communication cable 31. The network interface circuit 23 is connected to the communication cable 12
1 is connected to the diagnostic center device 11 shown in FIG. In addition, the printer 13 _A has its first SCSI (Small Computer System Interfac
e) An open reel type magnetic tape device 34 is also connected via the bus 33.

The printer 13 _A is equipped with a main CPU (central processing unit) 41 which is the center of various controls. Main CPU41 is adapted to being connected to various circuit devices via a CPU bus 42, and performs various controls required for the printer 13 _A. Of these, the system control circuit 43 is connected to the printer operation unit 29,
In addition to controlling the entire printer 13 _A , the trace area is set and managed. Here, the printer operation unit 29 is composed of a CRT 29A, a keyboard 29B, and a mouse 29C as a pointing device. The keyboard 29B and mouse 29C are
The operator of this printer 13 _A is designed to be operated. Data for operation and diagnosis input by the operator will be referred to as data.

The SCSI control circuit 44 uses the first SCSI
The bus 33 and the second SCSI bus 45 are connected to each other, and input / output control of data with an external storage device is performed through these. Among them, the above-mentioned open reel type magnetic tape device 34, the streamer tape device 27 and the magneto-optical disk 28 are connected to the first SCSI bus 33. Here, the open reel type magnetic tape device 34 and the streamer tape device 27 are devices for offline input. The magneto-optical disk 28 is a storage device for data backup.

First and second magnetic disks 25 and 26 are connected to the second SCSI bus 45. These are the temporary storage of data and the printer control unit 2.
It is used for storing programs necessary for the control of No. 1, various electronic formats required for printing forms, and various character fonts. In particular, a trace area is set on the first magnetic disk 25,
Trace data input from the printer operation unit 29 and trace data such as diagnostic results are stored.

The channel interface circuit 22 is
This is a circuit for inputting / outputting print data and the like between the host computer 14 and the printer control unit 21. The network interface circuit 23 is a circuit for inputting / outputting required data to / from the diagnostic center device 11 and the workstation 15 for supplying print data shown in FIG. The image control circuit 47 is a circuit for forming an image for printing in the image memory 48 based on the data obtained via the second SCSI bus 45. The image memory 48 is connected to the print mechanism unit 24, and prints out based on the formed image data. The printer 1
The power supply circuit 49 that supplies power to each part of 3 _A interrupts the system control circuit 43 via a control line (not shown) when an abnormality occurs, and the abnormality is detected. There is. In this embodiment, the system control circuit 43, the SCSI control circuit 44, and the image control circuit 47 are each formed as an independent printed circuit board.

FIG. 3 shows control of data communication and recording between the printer control unit and the printer operation unit shown in FIG. The system control circuit 43 has a sub-CPU arranged therein, and whether a communication request has been issued to the printer operation unit 29 outside the apparatus (step S101), or the printer operation unit 29 sends an instruction to the system control circuit 43. Whether or not a communication request has occurred (step S102) is checked at predetermined time intervals. Regarding the former communication request to the printer operation unit 29 outside the apparatus, for example, some trouble occurs in the printer control unit 21 or some abnormality occurs in the print mechanism unit 24, and it is necessary to display the result on the CRT 29A. Sometimes done.

When a communication request is generated (Y),
The sub CPU refers to the memory management area provided in the system control circuit 43 to check the free space in the trace area of the first magnetic disk 25 (step S103). Then, this communication content (trace data) stored in a predetermined buffer memory of the system control circuit 43 is compared with the confirmed free space to determine whether or not it can be completely stored in the trace area (step S104). . If it cannot be stored (N), the oldest communication content stored in the memory management area is designated and erased from the first magnetic disk 25 (step S105). Thereafter, the process returns to step S104, the free space in the trace area is checked again, and the old communication contents are similarly erased until the communication contents can be stored. If the contents of communication outside the device can be stored in the trace area (step S10)
4; Y), the content of this communication is transferred to the first magnetic disk 25 (step S106), and the same one is sent to the printer operation unit 29 (step S107). The printer operation unit 29 displays this content on the CRT 29A and requests the operator's coping.

On the other hand, when there is no communication request to the outside of the apparatus (step S101; N), it is judged whether or not there is a communication request to the inside of the apparatus, that is, whether data is input from the printer operation unit 29 to the system control circuit 43. Is performed (step S102). If there is no such request, it means that no communication request has been made between the printer control unit 21 and the printer operation unit 29, so the processing ends (END). In this case, again, step S10
The process will be waited until the time from 1 starts.

On the other hand, in step S102, the keyboard 29 is transferred from the printer operation unit 29 to the printer control unit 21.
If some communication request is generated using B or the mouse 29C (Y), the data input from the printer operation unit 29 is received (step S108). Then, after temporarily storing this in a buffer memory (not shown) in the system control circuit 43, the free space in the trace area of the first magnetic disk 25 is confirmed (step S10).
9). Then, the received communication content is compared with the confirmed free space to determine whether or not the data can be completely stored in the trace area (step S110). If it cannot be stored (N), the oldest communication content stored in the memory management area is designated and erased from the first magnetic disk 25 (step S111). After this, step S10
Returning to step 9, the empty capacity of the trace area is confirmed again, and the old communication contents are similarly erased until the communication contents can be stored. If the communication content received in the device can be stored in the trace area (step S11)
0; Y), the communication content is transcribed to the first magnetic disk 25 (step S112), and the work is ended (end).

As described above, when an abnormality occurs inside the printer control section 21 or some abnormality occurs in the connected input / output device such as the print mechanism section 24, the printer control section 21 stores the data related to the trace area and the printer. This is sent to the operation unit 29, the contents are displayed on the CRT 29, and the operator is requested to take measures. The operator
Based on this, by operating the keyboard 29B or the like, an attempt will be made to investigate the failure and to recover it. At this time, the communication content input to the printer control unit 21 is also stored in the trace area. As a result of this, the failure is recovered,
Alternatively, if the abnormal state is completely eliminated, the operator's recovery work ends, although a record relating to this remains in the trace area. In this case, no contact is made to the host computer 14 side unless otherwise necessary.

FIG. 4 shows the flow of work for transmitting the contents of communication to the center device. System control circuit 4
3 receives the transmission request from the printer operation unit 29 to the center device 11 (step S201; Y), the main C
The PU 41 is notified of this and the network interface circuit 23 is caused to establish connection with the center apparatus 11 (step S202). Then, the first magnetic disk 2
All the communication contents stored in the trace area 5 are read out in time series and sent to the center device 11 (step S203).

As a result, the center device 11 activates the diagnostic program stored in the built-in magnetic disk or the like, and what kind of trouble or abnormality has occurred in the printer 13 _A , and how the operator is doing. It is possible to know whether it has been dealt with by the contents of communication. Further, the center device 11 can take appropriate countermeasures against a failure or abnormality that a skilled operator or engineer rarely occurs. Center device 1
With No. 1, as a countermeasure, appropriate information (display data) for restoration of a failure or the like is transmitted to the operator, or if there is a defect in the control program or fixed data,
The corrected data will be transmitted and its contents will be replaced.

FIG. 5 shows the contents of control on the printer controller side when data for restoration is sent from the center device. Network from the center device 11
When such data arrives via the interface circuit 23 (step S301; Y), the main CPU 4
1 determines whether the received data for each unit amount is display data to be displayed on the CRT 29A or other data (step S30).
2). If it is the display data (Y), it is passed to the system control circuit 43 and transmitted to the printer operation unit 29 (step S303). Printer operation unit 29
Then, this is displayed on the CRT 29A. Based on this display content, the operator can take appropriate measures such as replacing a predetermined printed circuit board of the print mechanism unit 24 with a spare one.

If the data is other than the data for display in step S302 (N), the main CPU
The reference numeral 41 refers to the storage address of the transmitted data and updates the corresponding program to a new one or replaces the corresponding data with a new one such as rewriting the contents of the table (step S30).
4). Such work is performed for each unit amount described above and is continued until the reception of all data is completed (step S305). Therefore, the center device 11 or an operator dedicated to the center device 11 can store predetermined data in the printer control unit 21 while giving instructions to the operator on the printer 13 _A side. And can be executed efficiently.

[0031] In the above described embodiment but the operator has to connecting the apparatus 11 to the printer 13 _A by operating the keyboard 29B or the mouse 29C, connected to the system control circuit 43 and the printer control unit 29 by the system By changing the connection of the transmission path to the communication cable 12 or the network interface circuit 23, the center device 11 and the printer operation unit 29
It is also possible to perform the communication performed between the center device 11 and the printer 13 _A.

In the embodiment, the operator decides to connect to the center device 11, but the system control circuit 4
3 may perform this automatic switching. For example, in the case where the operator does not recover the fault within a predetermined time after the fault is detected, the center device 11 is restored at a predetermined time such as when the job being executed ends. It is sufficient to automatically switch to. The system control circuit 43 may execute this automatic switching even when the printer operation unit 29 does not take any action due to the absence of an operator or the like, even if a failure is detected. .

Further, in the embodiment, the case where a plurality of CPUs are arranged in the printer control unit 21 has been described as an example, but the printer of the present invention can be applied to an apparatus in which only one CPU controls. Of course, the diagnostic system can be applied. For example, the system control circuit 4 of the embodiment
The CPU arranged in 3 may control all the controls in the printer control section 21, and in this case, the main CPU 41 can be omitted. Further, in the embodiment, the example in which the printer 13 _A is channel-connected to the host computer 14 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the center device 11 may be channel-connected to many printers 13.

In the embodiment, the first magnetic disk 25
It is decided to transmit the communication contents stored in the trace area of the center device 11 to the center device 11 through the communication cable 12. However, in a predetermined case where a failure occurs in such communication means, the open reel is used. Type magnetic tape unit 3
It is also possible to transfer these communication contents to be transmitted to the No. 4 or streamer tape device 27 and supply them to the center device 11 off-line to be useful for diagnosis.

Further, in the embodiment, the contents of communication are once stored in the buffer memory, and then the amount of the contents of communication is compared with the empty area of the trace area to judge whether the old contents of communication are to be deleted or not. Other than this, it is possible to process the communication contents written in the trace area. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, every time the communication content is written, the pointer is set at the head of the writing area (step S401), and when the communication content is transferred to the printer operation unit 29, the same content is set in the area set by the pointer. Store (step S40
2) The pointer is set at the beginning of the next storage area (step S403), and it is determined whether the area designated by the pointer exceeds the trace area at this time (step S404). If it does not exceed (N), communication contents are similarly written (step S40).
2) If it exceeds, it is possible to set the pointer at the beginning of the area and overwrite the communication content, and erase the old communication content while controlling the storage of the communication content in the trace area.

Further, although the trace area is set on the magnetic disk in the embodiment, it goes without saying that another storage device or memory element can be used as the trace area. Further, the trace area does not have to be a single area, but the communication content of the operator and the communication content of the printer may be stored in different areas, for example.

[0037]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when some trouble or abnormality occurs in the printer, the operator of the printer is first entrusted with the action. Therefore, if this is a minor one or something that does not interfere with the immediate printing,
The operator on the printer side can correct this and print for the time being, without imposing a burden on the center side device, and eliminating the inconvenience that printing cannot be suddenly stopped by the instruction from the center side. it can. Moreover,
When the failure cannot be recovered, the center side device can make a diagnosis by using the trace data stored in the trace data storage means. Therefore, a detailed diagnostic program or a diagnostic operator with advanced knowledge can Accurate and detailed diagnosis is possible using the input data.

According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, when the storage amount of the trace data exceeds a predetermined value, the trace data is deleted from the old one. Therefore, the trace data can be continuously written for a long time regardless of the memory capacity, and the trace data can be reliably acquired when a failure occurs. Moreover, when deleting the trace data in relation to the storage capacity, it is decided to process the oldest data in order, so that new trace data having a deep relationship with the failure will not be lost. Further, since the storage capacity of the storage means can be suppressed to some extent, the cost of the printer can be reduced, and the time required for transmitting these trace data to the center side device can be shortened.

Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 3, the same effect as that of the invention of claim 1 can be obtained, and the diagnostic result of the center side is displayed on the display device of the printer. Since the printer can further perform a necessary operation or diagnosis, an appropriate diagnosis can be performed. Further, since various instructions can be given to the operator on the printer side through the display device, there are more cases where the person on the center side does not have to bother to go out and restore the printer, which also imposes a burden on the center side. Can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a main part of a printer diagnostic system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the printer of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing control for data communication and recording between the printer control unit and the printer operation unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a work flow for transmitting communication contents to the center device in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the contents of control on the printer controller side when data for restoration is sent from the center device in the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing storage control of communication contents in a modified example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... center apparatus, 12 ... communication cable, _131-134
N ... Printer, 14 ... Host computer, 24 ... Printing mechanism section, 25 ... First magnetic disk, 26 ... Second magnetic disk, 29 ... Printer operating section, 29A ... CR
T, 29B ... Keyboard, 29C ... Mouse, 41 ... Main CPU, 43 ... System control circuit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A printer for printing, a data input means for inputting data for directly operating or diagnosing the printer, data input from the data input means, and data externally displayed by the printer. Trace data storing means for sequentially storing the trace data as trace data, and receiving the trace data stored in the trace data storing means when the failure is not recovered by an input operation by the data input means connected to the printer by a line and diagnosing the printer. A printer diagnostic system, comprising: a center side device for performing. 2. A printer for printing, data input means for inputting data for directly operating or diagnosing the printer, data input from the data input means and data displayed externally by the printer. Trace data storing means for sequentially storing the trace data as trace data, and data deleting means for sequentially erasing the oldest data corresponding to the newly stored data when the storage capacity of the trace data storing means exceeds a predetermined value. A center side device which is connected to the printer by a line and receives the trace data stored in the trace data storage means when the trouble cannot be recovered by the input operation by the data input means and diagnoses the printer. Printer diagnostic system. 3. A printer for printing, data input means for inputting data for directly operating or diagnosing this printer, data input from this data input means and data displayed externally by the printer. Trace data storing means for sequentially storing the trace data as trace data, and receiving the trace data stored in the trace data storing means when the failure is not recovered by an input operation by the data input means connected to the printer by a line and diagnosing the printer. A printer diagnosis system, comprising: a center side device to perform; and a printer side display device for receiving a diagnosis result of the center side device through the line and displaying the result on a corresponding printer side.