Electronic apparatus, information communications apparatus, management system for same electronic apparatus, and management method for same electronic apparatus

• US 20020056015A1
• Filed: 10/02/2001
• Published: 05/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Nakai, Yasuhiro, Nakamura, Masakatsu
• Granted Patent: US 7,373,382 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/18
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5079 for maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/55 Self-diagnostics; Malfunction or lifetime display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0733 in a data processing system embedded in an image processing device, e.g. printer, facsimile, scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0748 in a remote unit communicating with a single-box computer node experiencing an error/fault remote testing G06F11/2294
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0766 Error or fault reporting or storing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00029 Diagnosis, i.e. identifying a problem by comparison with a normal state
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00079 remotely
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00344 with a management, maintenance, service or repair apparatus monitoring H04N1/00002

Abstract

A management system of the present invention is provided with an electronic apparatus having a specific function, such as a digital composite machine, an information management apparatus, and a plurality of service information terminals. the information management apparatus and a plurality of the service information terminals are linked with the electronic apparatus via a network. After the operation of the digital composite machine, which has been serviced, is resumed, operation information is prepared, for example, by inputting operating condition into an operation panel in accordance with judgement made by a user, so as to transmit the operation information to the information management apparatus. The information management apparatus uses the operation information, at least as a judgement reference for judging whether or not it is necessary to redo the service, so as to instruct the service information terminal to redo the service, for example. In this way, it is possible to provide a management system and a management method for the electronic apparatus, which appropriately manage the electronic apparatus by using advantageously characteristics of E-mail.

Claims

1. An electronic apparatus having a specific function, comprising:

apparatus communications means for transmitting an electronic mail to a predetermined receiving end that is linked with said apparatus communications means via a network;

operation information preparation means, including {circle over (1)} an operation condition checking section for checking operation condition of the specific function after said electronic apparatus is serviced, and {circle over (2)} a preparation section for preparing operation information that indicates the operation condition that has been checked by said operation condition checking section; and

control means (a) for controlling said operation information preparation means so as to prepare the operation information after operation of the specific function is resumed after the provision of the service, and (b) for controlling said apparatus communications means so as to transmit the operation information to said predetermined receiving end.

2. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said operation information preparation means includes self-diagnosis means for diagnosing condition of said electronic apparatus so as to prepare a self-diagnosis result, and

said control means (a) controls the self-diagnosis means so as to diagnoses the condition of said electronic apparatus after the provision of the service, and (b) controls said apparatus communications means so as to transmit the self-diagnosis result as the operation information to said predetermined receiving end.

3. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said self-diagnosis means supervises the operation condition until a predetermined condition is satisfied, and

said control means controls said apparatus communications means so as to transmit the self-diagnosis result as the operation information, irrespective of whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied, in case said self-diagnosis means detects a trouble.

4. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said control means changes the predetermined condition in accordance with condition of a trouble at a time when the service is provided.

5. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the predetermined condition is at least one of (a) a number of times in which the specific function is operated after the provision of the service, and (b) time passed since the service is provided.

6. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein, in case plural parts or units are renewed in the service, the operation information is prepared in accordance with operation condition of a specific function of each part or unit, when all the predetermined conditions of the respective parts or units are satisfied.

7. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said operation information preparation means prepares the operation information in accordance with the operation condition of the specific function that has been carried out until the predetermined condition is satisfied.

8. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the predetermined condition is at least one of (a) a number of times in which the specific function is operated after the provision of the service, and (b) time passed since the service.

9. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the predetermined condition is changeable.

10. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein, in case plural parts or units are renewed in the service, the operation information is prepared in accordance with operation condition of a specific function of each part or unit, when all the predetermined conditions of the respective parts or units are satisfied.

11. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said operation information preparation means, at least includes {circle over (1)} display means capable of displaying information and {circle over (2)} input means capable of receiving information, and

said control means (a) controls said display means so as to display a message for asking to input information whether the condition of said electronic apparatus is adequate after the provision of the service, by means of said input means, and (b) controls said apparatus communications means so as to transmit, as the operation information, an inputted result, which has been inputted by means of said input means, to said predetermined receiving end.

12. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein, only in case said operation information preparation means prepares operation information that indicates inadequate operation condition of said electronic apparatus, said control means controls said apparatus communications means so as to transmit the operation information to said predetermined receiving end.

13. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein in case said operation information preparation means prepares operation information that indicates inadequate operation condition of said electronic apparatus, said control means (a) controls said apparatus communications means so as to transmit the operation information to said predetermined receiving end, and (b) controls parts of said electronic apparatus, which causes the inadequate operation condition, so as to temporally stop to operate.

14. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein said control means includes trouble notifying means for notifying a user, who uses the specific function, of unavailability of the specific function, when said part of said electronic apparatus, which causes the inadequate operation condition, is temporally stopped to operate.

15. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electronic apparatus is an image forming apparatus.

16. An electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising notifying means for notifying a user, who uses the specific function, of the operation condition which has been checked by said operation condition checking section, after the operation of the specific function is resumed or started.

17. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said notifying means notifies a user, who uses the specific function, at a time the operation condition is checked as normal by said operation condition checking section, after the operation of the specific function is resumed or started.

18. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said predetermined receiving end includes each user of the specific function.

19. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein, in order to transmit the operation information that indicates the operation condition, said control means selects said receiving end in accordance with the operation condition of the specific function checked by said operation condition checking section.

20. A management system for an electronic apparatus, comprising:

a predetermined receiving end; and

said electronic apparatus having a specific function, said electronic apparatus including;

apparatus communications means for transmitting an electronic mail to said predetermined receiving end that is linked with said apparatus communications means via a network;

operation information preparation means, having {circle over (1)} an operation condition checking section for checking operation condition of the specific function after said electronic apparatus is serviced, and {circle over (2)} a preparation section for preparing operation information that indicates the operation condition that has been checked by said operation condition checking section; and

control means (a) for controlling said operation information preparation means so as to prepare the operation information after operation of the specific function is resumed after the provision of the service, and (b) for controlling said apparatus communications means so as to transmit the operation information to said predetermined receiving end.

21. The management system for said electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein said predetermined receiving end includes a primary receiving end for receiving the operation information directly from said electronic apparatus, and a secondary receiving end to which said primary receiving end can transmit instructions information as to the service.

22. The management system for said electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein said primary receiving end charges a cost of the service when received is operation information to indicate adequate operation of said electronic apparatus after the service.

24. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein:

said operation information preparation means includes self-diagnosis means for diagnosing condition of said electronic apparatus so as to prepare a self-diagnosis result, and

said control means (a) controls the self-diagnosis means so as to diagnoses the condition of said electronic apparatus after the renewal of said part, and (b) controls said apparatus communications means so as to transmit the self-diagnosis result as the operation information to said predetermined receiving end.

25. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein:

said self-diagnosis means supervises the operation condition until a predetermined condition is satisfied, and

said control means controls said apparatus communications means so as to transmit the self-diagnosis result as the operation information, irrespective of whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied, in case said self-diagnosis means detects a trouble.

26. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 25, wherein said control means changes the predetermined condition in accordance with condition of a trouble at a time when said part is renewed.

27. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 25, wherein the predetermined condition is at least one of (a) a number of times in which the specific function as operated after the renewal of said part, and (b) time passed since said part is renewed.

28. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 25, wherein, in case plural parts are renewed, the operation information is prepared in accordance with operation condition of a specific function of each part, when all the predetermined conditions of the respective parts are satisfied.

29. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein said operation information preparation means prepares the operation information in accordance with the operation condition of the specific function that has been carried out until the predetermined condition is satisfied.

30. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 29, wherein the predetermined condition is at least one of (a) a number of times in which the specific function is operated after the renewal of said part, and (b) time passed since the renewal.

31. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 29, wherein the predetermined condition is changeable.

32. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 29, wherein, in case plural parts are renewed, the operation information is prepared in accordance with operation condition of a specific function of each part, when all the predetermined conditions of the respective parts are satisfied.

33. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein:

said operation information preparation means, at least includes {circle over (1)} display means capable of displaying information and {circle over (2)} input means capable of receiving information, and

said control means (a) controls said display means so as to display a message for asking to input information whether the condition of said electronic apparatus is adequate after the renewal of said part, by means of said input means, and (b) controls said apparatus communications means so as to transmit, as the operation information, an inputted result, which has been inputted by means of said input means, to said predetermined receiving end.

34. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein, only in case said operation information preparation means prepares operation information that indicates inadequate operation condition of said electronic apparatus, said control means controls said apparatus communications means so as to transmit the operation information to said predetermined receiving end.

35. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein in case said operation information preparation means prepares operation information that indicates inadequate operation condition of said electronic apparatus, said control means (a) controls said apparatus communications means so as to transmit the operation information to said predetermined receiving end, and (b) controls parts of said electronic apparatus, which causes the inadequate operation condition, so as to temporally stop to operate.

36. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 35, wherein said control means includes trouble notifying means for notifying a user, who uses the specific function, of unavailability of the specific function, when said part of said electronic apparatus, which causes the inadequate operation condition, is temporally stopped to operate.

37. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein said electronic apparatus is an image forming apparatus.

38. An electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 23, further comprising notifying means for notifying a user, who uses the specific function, of the operation condition which has been checked by said operation condition checking section, after the operation of the specific function is resumed or started.

39. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 38, wherein said notifying means notifies a user, who uses the specific function, at a time the operation condition is checked as normal by said operation condition checking section, after the operation of the specific function is resumed or started.

40. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein said predetermined receiving end includes each user of the specific function.

41. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein, in order to transmit the operation information that indicates the operation condition, said control means selects said receiving end in accordance with the operation condition of the specific function checked by said operation condition checking section.

23. An electronic apparatus, comprising:

apparatus communications means for transmitting an electronic mail to a predetermined receiving end that is linked with said apparatus communications means via a network;

operation information preparation means, including {circle over (1)} an operation condition checking section for checking operation condition of, as a specific function, a part of said electronic apparatus, which has been renewed, after the renewal of said part, and {circle over (2)} a preparation section for preparing operation information that indicates the operation condition that has been checked by said operation condition checking section; and

control means (a) for controlling said operation information preparation means so as to prepare the operation information after operation of the specific function is resumed after the renewal of said part, and (b) for controlling said apparatus communications means so as to transmit the operation information to said predetermined receiving end.

42. A management system for an electronic apparatus, comprising:

a predetermined receiving end; and

said electronic apparatus, including;

apparatus communications means for transmitting an electronic mail to said predetermined receiving end that is linked with said apparatus communications means via a network;

operation information preparation means, including {circle over (1)} an operation condition checking section for checking operation condition of, as a specific function, a part of said electronic apparatus, which has been renewed, after the renewal of said part, and {circle over (2)} a preparation section for preparing operation information that indicates the operation condition that has been checked by said operation condition checking section; and

control means (a) for controlling said operation information preparation means so as to prepare the operation information after operation of the specific function is resumed after the renewal of said part, and (b) for controlling said apparatus communications means so as to transmit the operation information to said predetermined receiving end.

43. The management system for said electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 42, wherein said predetermined receiving end includes a primary receiving end for receiving the operation information directly from said electronic apparatus, and a secondary receiving end to which said primary receiving end can transmit instructions information as to a service.

44. The management system for said electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 43, wherein said primary receiving end charges a cost of the service when received is operation information to indicate adequate operation of said electronic apparatus after the service.

46. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 45, wherein:

said detecting means is capable of detecting a renewed unit among said units that has been attached,

said operation information preparation means prepares the operation information that indicates the operation condition of, as the specific function, the function of said unit which has been renewed and thus newly attached, and

said control means controls said operation information preparation means so as to prepare the operation information, after operation of the specific function is resumed.

48. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 45, wherein:

said self-diagnosis means supervises the operation condition until a predetermined condition is satisfied, and

said control means controls said apparatus communications means so as to transmit the self-diagnosis result as the operation information, irrespective of whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied, in case said self-diagnosis means detects a trouble.

49. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 48, wherein said control means changes the predetermined condition in accordance with condition of a trouble at a time when said unit is renewed.

50. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 48, wherein the predetermined condition is at least one of (a) a number of times in which the specific function is operated after the attachment of said unit, and (b) time passed since said unit is attached.

51. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 48, wherein, in case plural units are attached, the operation information is prepared in accordance with operation condition of a specific function of each unit, when all the predetermined conditions of the respective units are satisfied.

52. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 45, wherein said operation information preparation means prepares the operation information in accordance with the operation condition of the specific function that has been carried out until the predetermined condition is satisfied.

53. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 52, wherein the predetermined condition is at least one of (a) a number of times in which the specific function is operated after the attachment of said unit, and (b) time passed since the attachment.

54. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 52, wherein the predetermined condition is changeable.

55. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 52, wherein, in case plural units are attached, the operation information is prepared in accordance with operation condition of a specific function of each unit, when all the predetermined conditions of the respective units are satisfied.

56. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 45, wherein:

said operation information preparation means, at least includes {circle over (1)} display means capable of displaying information and {circle over (2)} input means capable of receiving information, and

said control means (a) controls said display means so as to display a message for asking to input information whether the condition of said electronic apparatus is adequate after the attachment of said unit, by means of said input means, and (b) controls said apparatus communications means so as to transmit, as the operation information, an inputted result, which has been inputted by means of said input means, to said predetermined receiving end.

57. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 45, wherein, only in case said operation information preparation means prepares operation information that indicates inadequate operation condition of said electronic apparatus, said control means controls said apparatus communications means so as to transmit the operation information to said predetermined receiving end.

58. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 45, wherein in case said operation information preparation means prepares operation information that indicates inadequate operation condition of said electronic apparatus, said control means (a) controls said apparatus communications means so as to transmit the operation information to said predetermined receiving end, and (b) controls parts of said electronic apparatus, which causes the inadequate operation condition, so as to temporally stop to operate.

59. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 58, wherein said control means includes trouble notifying means for notifying a user, who uses the specific function, of unavailability of the specific Function, when said part of said electronic apparatus, which causes the inadequate operation condition, is temporally stopped to operate.

60. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 45, wherein said electronic apparatus is an image forming apparatus.

61. An electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 45, further comprising notifying means for notifying a user, who uses the specific function, of the operation condition which has been checked by said operation condition checking section, after the operation of the specific function is resumed or started.

62. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 61, wherein said notifying means notifies a user, who uses the specific function, at a time the operation condition is checked as normal by said operation condition checking section, after the operation of the specific function is resumed or started.

63. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 45, wherein said predetermined receiving end includes each user of the specific function.

64. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 45, wherein, in order to transmit the operation information that indicates the operation condition, said control means selects said receiving end in accordance with the operation condition of the specific function checked by said operation condition checking section.

65. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 45, wherein said control means selects said receiving end for the operation information, depending on which unit is attached.

45. An electronic apparatus, which is capable of expanding its function by an optional unit attached to said electronic apparatus, comprising:

apparatus communications means for transmitting an electronic mail to a predetermined receiving end that is linked with said apparatus communications means via a network;

detecting means for detecting the attachment of said unit;

operation information preparation means, including {circle over (1)} an operation condition checking section for checking operation condition of, as a specific function, a function of said unit, which has been attached, and {circle over (2)} a preparation section for preparing operation information that indicates the operation condition that has been checked by said operation condition checking section; and

control means (a) for controlling said operation information preparation means so as to prepare the operation information after the attachment of said unit is detected and operation of the specific function is resumed, and (b) for controlling said apparatus communications means so as to transmit the operation information to said predetermined receiving end.

47. The electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 45, wherein:

said operation information preparation means includes self-diagnosis means for diagnosing condition of said electronic apparatus so as to prepare a self-diagnosis result, and

said control means (a) controls the self-diagnosis means so as to diagnoses the condition of said electronic apparatus after the attachment of said unit, and (b) controls said apparatus communications means so as to transmit the self-diagnosis result as the operation information to said predetermined receiving end.

66. A management system for an electronic apparatus, comprising:

a predetermined receiving end; and

said electronic apparatus, which is capable of expanding its function by an optional unit attached to said electronic apparatus, including;

apparatus communications means for transmitting an electronic mail to said predetermined receiving end that is linked with said apparatus communications means via a network;

detecting means for detecting the attachment of said unit;

operation information preparation means, including {circle over (1)} an operation condition checking section for checking operation condition of, as a specific function, a function of said unit, which has been attached, and {circle over (2)} a preparation section for preparing operation information that indicates the operation condition that has been checked by said operation condition checking section; and

control means (a) for controlling said operation information preparation means so as to prepare the operation information after the attachment of said unit is detected and operation of the specific function is resumed, and (b) for controlling said apparatus communications means so as to transmit the operation information to said predetermined receiving end.

67. The management system for said electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 66, wherein said predetermined receiving end includes a primary receiving end for receiving the operation information directly from said electronic apparatus, and a secondary receiving end to which said primary receiving end can transmit instructions information as to a service.

68. The management system for said electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 67, wherein said primary receiving end charges a cost of the service when received is operation information to indicate adequate operation of said electronic apparatus after the service.

69. An information communications apparatus capable of being externally connected with an electronic apparatus having a specific function, comprising:

communications means, connected with a network, being capable of transmitting information to a predetermined receiving end by electronic mail;

control means for controlling the transmission of the information in accordance with operation of said electronic apparatus; and

operation information preparation means for preparing operation information that indicates operation condition of said electronic apparatus,

wherein said control means (a) controls said operation information preparation means so as to prepare the operation information after operation of the specific function is resumed after said electronic apparatus is serviced, and (b) controls said communications means so as to transmit the operation information to said predetermined receiving end.

70. A management system for an electronic apparatus, comprising:

a predetermined receiving end;

said electronic apparatus having a specific functions; and

an information communications apparatus capable of being externally connected with said electronic apparatus, said information communications apparatus, including;

communications means, connected with a network, being capable of transmitting information to said predetermined receiving end by electronic mail;

control means for controlling the transmission of the information in accordance with operation of said electronic apparatus; and

operation information preparation means for preparing operation information that indicates operation condition of said electronic apparatus,

wherein said control means (a) controls said operation information preparation means so as to prepare the operation information after operation of the specific function is resumed after said electronic apparatus is serviced, and (b) controls said communications means so as to transmit the operation information to said predetermined receiving end.

71. The management system for said electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 70, wherein said predetermined receiving end includes a primary receiving end for receiving the operation information directly from said electronic apparatus, and a secondary receiving end to which said primary receiving end can transmit instructions information as to a service.

72. The management system for said electronic apparatus as set forth in claim 71, wherein said primary receiving end charges a cost of the service when received is operation information to indicate adequate operation of said electronic apparatus after the service.

73. A management method for an electronic apparatus, comprising the steps of:

preparing operation information that indicates operation condition of said electronic apparatus, after operation of a specific function of said electronic apparatus is resumed after said electronic apparatus is serviced; and

transmitting to a predetermined receiving end the operation information, at least as a judgement reference for judging whether or not it is necessary to redo the service,

wherein said electronic apparatus has a specific function, and is linked with said predetermined receiving end via network so that said electronic apparatus is capable of transmitting information to said receiving end by electronic mail.