Remote management system, electronic apparatus, control method, and program that reduce communication costs in occurrence of abnormality

• US 20040133674A1
• Filed: 09/23/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Sasaki, Katsuhiko
• Application Number:
  US10/667,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20040133674A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• 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 11/0781 Error filtering or prioritizing based on a policy defined by the user or on a policy defined by a hardware/software module, e.g. according to a severity level
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2294 by remote test
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0661 by reconfiguring faulty entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/133 Protocols for remote procedure calls [RPC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/2885 Hierarchically arranged intermediate devices, e.g. for hierarchical caching
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/40 for recovering from a failure of a protocol instance or entity, e.g. service redundancy protocols, protocol state redundancy or protocol service redirection management of faults, events, alarms or notifications in data switching networks H04L41/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00344 with a management, maintenance, service or repair apparatus monitoring H04N1/00002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32609 Fault detection or counter-measures, e.g. original mis-positioned, shortage of paper
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32625 Fault detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32662 remotely, e.g. to the transmitter from the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0091 : Digital copier; digital 'photocopier' H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0093 : Facsimile machine H04N2201/0094 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 : Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

An electronic apparatus includes an abnormality detector for detecting an abnormality when the abnormality occurs. An abnormality type determination part determines the type of the abnormality detected by the abnormality detector. The abnormality notification part informs an external apparatus of the abnormality when the type of the abnormality determined by the abnormality type determination part represents an abnormality that cannot be eliminated by a user of the electronic apparatus.

Claims

1. An electronic apparatus, comprising:

an abnormality detector detecting an abnormality when the abnormality occurs;

an abnormality type determination part determining a type of the abnormality detected by said abnormality detector; and

an abnormality notification part for informing an external apparatus of the abnormality when the type of the abnormality determined by said abnormality type determination part represents an abnormality that cannot be eliminated by a user of said electronic apparatus.

2. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a use request reception part receiving a request for using one or more functions; and

an abnormality display part that, in a case where the type of abnormality determined by the abnormality type determination part represents an abnormality in a predetermined function, displays that the abnormality is occurring only when a request for using the predetermined function is received by the use request reception part.

3. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a non-volatile storage part; and

an abnormality history writing part for writing history of the abnormality to said non-volatile storage part when the type of the abnormality determined by the abnormality type determination part represents an abnormality that requires only history saving.

4. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

an abnormality counter for counting the number of times of occurrence of an abnormality; and

an abnormality counter controller for causing said abnormality counter to up count when the type of the abnormality determined by the abnormality type determination part represents an abnormality that can be eliminated by the user of the electronic apparatus,

wherein the abnormality notification part includes means for informing the external apparatus of a corresponding abnormality when a count value of the abnormality counter reaches a predetermined value.

5. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

means for displaying occurrence of an abnormality when the count value of the abnormality counter has not reached the predetermined value.

6. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

a reset part resetting the count value of the abnormality counter when the count value thereof reaches the predetermined value.

7. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

an image forming part forming an image on a recording medium;

a sheet counter counting the number of sheets each having an image thereon formed by said image forming part since the abnormality that can be eliminated by the user of the electronic apparatus is detected by the abnormality detector until the abnormality is detected again; and

a reset part for resetting the count value of the abnormality counter when a count value of said sheet counter reaches the predetermined value.

8. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

means for causing the electronic apparatus to reboot when the count value of the abnormality counter has not reached the predetermined value.

9. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

means for displaying that reboot is to be performed before the electronic apparatus is caused to perform reboot.

10. A remote management system remotely managing a plurality of electronic apparatuses by a management apparatus via a communication line, comprising:

the plurality of electronic apparatuses; and

the management apparatus,

wherein each of the electronic apparatuses includes;

an abnormality detector detecting an abnormality when the abnormality occurs in the electronic apparatuses;

an abnormality type determination part determining a type of the abnormality detected by said abnormality detector; and

an abnormality notification part for informing the management apparatus of the abnormality, together with identification information of one or more of the electronic apparatuses in which the abnormality occurs, when the type of the abnormality determined by said abnormality type determination part represents an abnormality that cannot be eliminated by a user of said one or more of the electronic apparatuses.

11. The remote management system as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of the electronic apparatuses further includes:

an abnormality counter counting the number of times of occurrence of an abnormality; and

an abnormality counter controller for causing said abnormality counter to up count when the type of the abnormality determined by the abnormality type determination part represents an abnormality that can be eliminated by the user of the electronic apparatus, and

wherein the abnormality notification part of each of the electronic apparatuses includes means for informing the management apparatus of a corresponding abnormality together with identification information of the electronic apparatus in which the abnormality occurs, when a count value of said abnormality counter reaches a predetermined value.

12. The remote management system as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of the electronic apparatuses further includes means for displaying that an abnormality is occurring when the count value of the abnormality counter has not reached the predetermined value.

13. The remote management system as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of the electronic apparatuses further includes a reset part for resetting the count value of the abnormality counter when the count value thereof reaches the predetermined value.

14. The remote management system as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of the electronic apparatuses further includes:

an image forming part forming an image on a recording medium;

a sheet counter for counting the number of sheets each having an image thereon formed by said image forming part since the abnormality that can be eliminated by the user of the electronic apparatus is detected by the abnormality detector until the abnormality is detected again; and

a reset part resetting the count-value of the abnormality counter when a count value of said sheet counter reaches a predetermined value.

15. The remote management system as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of the electronic apparatuses further includes:

means for causing the electronic apparatus to reboot when the count value of the abnormality counter has not reached the predetermined value.

16. The remote management system as claimed in claim 15, wherein each of the electronic apparatuses further includes:

means for displaying that reboot is to be performed before the electronic apparatus is caused to perform reboot.

17. A method of controlling an electronic apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting an abnormality when the abnormality occurs in the electronic apparatus;

determining a type of the detected abnormality; and

informing an external apparatus of the abnormality when the determined type of the abnormality represents an abnormality that can not be eliminated by a user of the electronic apparatus.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising the step of:

displaying, in a case where the determined type of the abnormality represents an abnormality in a predetermined function, that the abnormality is occurring, only when a request for using the predetermined function is received.

19. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising the step of:

saving history of the abnormality when the determined type of the abnormality represents an abnormality that requires only history saving.

20. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

up counting a count value when the determined type of the abnormality represents an abnormality that can be eliminated by the user of the electronic apparatus; and

informing the external apparatus of a corresponding abnormality when the count value reaches a predetermined value.

21. The method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising the step of:

displaying that an abnormality is occurring when the count value has not reached the predetermined value.

22. The method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising the step of:

resetting the count value when the count value thereof reaches the predetermined value.

23. The method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising the step of:

causing the electronic apparatus to reboot when the count value has not reached the predetermined value.

24. The method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising the step of:

displaying that reboot is to be performed before the electronic apparatus is caused to perform reboot.

25. A program for causing a computer to control an electronic apparatus, said program comprising the instructions of:

causing the computer to detect an abnormality when the abnormality occurs in the electronic apparatus;

causing the computer to determine a type of the detected abnormality; and

causing the computer to inform an external apparatus of the abnormality when the type of the abnormality is determined to represent an abnormality that cannot be eliminated by a user of the electronic apparatus.

26. The program as claimed in claim 25, further comprising the instructions of:

causing the computer to receive a request for using one or more functions of the electronic apparatus; and

causing the computer to display that the abnormality is occurring, in a case where the type of abnormality is determined to represent an abnormality in a predetermined function, and only when a request for using the predetermined function is received.

27. The program as claimed in claim 25, further comprising the instruction of:

causing the computer to save history of the abnormality when the type of the abnormality is determined to represent an abnormality that requires only history saving.

28. The program as claimed in claim 25, further comprising the instructions of:

causing the computer to count the number of times of occurrence of an abnormality in the electronic apparatus;

causing the computer to up count when the type of the abnormality is determined to represent an abnormality that can be eliminated by the user of the electronic apparatus; and

causing the computer to inform the external apparatus of a corresponding abnormality when a count value reaches a predetermined value.

29. The program as claimed in claim 28, further comprising the instruction of:

causing the computer to display occurrence of an abnormality when the count value has not reached the predetermined value.

30. The program as claimed in claim 28, further comprising the instruction of:

causing the computer to reset the count value when the count value thereof reaches the predetermined value.

31. The program as claimed in claim 28, further comprising the instructions of:

causing the computer to form an image on a recording medium;

causing the computer to count the number of sheets each having an formed image thereon since the abnormality that can be eliminated by the user of the electronic apparatus is detected until the abnormality is detected again; and

causing the computer to reset the count value when a count value of the number of sheets reaches a predetermined value.

32. The program as claimed in claim 28, further comprising the instruction of:

causing the computer to cause the electronic apparatus to reboot when the count value of the number of times of occurrence of an abnormality has not reached the predetermined value.

33. The program as claimed in claim 32, further comprising the instruction of:

causing the computer to display that reboot is to be performed before the electronic apparatus is caused to perform reboot.

34. A processor-readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to control an electronic apparatus, said program comprising the instructions of:

causing the computer to detect an abnormality when the abnormality occurs in the electronic apparatus;

causing the computer to determine a type of the detected abnormality; and

causing the computer to inform an external apparatus of the abnormality when the type of the abnormality is determined to represent an abnormality that cannot be eliminated by a user of the electronic apparatus.

35. The processor-readable medium storing the program as claimed in claim 34, wherein the program further comprises the instructions of:

causing the computer to receive a request for using one or more functions of the electronic apparatus; and

causing the computer to display that the abnormality is occurring, in a case where the type of abnormality is determined to represent an abnormality in a predetermined function, and only when a request for using the predetermined function is received.

36. The processor-readable medium storing the program as claimed in claim 34, wherein the program further comprises the instruction of:

causing the computer to save history of the abnormality when the type of the abnormality is determined to represent an abnormality that requires only history saving.

37. The processor-readable medium storing the program as claimed in claim 34, wherein the program further comprises the instructions of:

causing the computer to count the number of times of occurrence of an abnormality;

causing the computer to up count when the type of the abnormality is determined to represent an abnormality that can be eliminated by the user of the electronic apparatus; and

causing the computer to inform the external apparatus of a corresponding abnormality when a count value reaches a predetermined value.

38. The processor-readable medium storing the program as claimed in claim 37, wherein the program further comprises the instruction of:

causing the computer to display occurrence of an abnormality when the count value has not reached the predetermined value.

39. The processor-readable medium storing the program as claimed in claim 37, the program further comprises the instruction of:

causing the computer to reset the count value when the count value thereof reaches the predetermined value.

40. The processor-readable medium storing the program as claimed in claim 37, wherein the program further comprises the instructions of:

causing the computer to form an image on a recording medium;

causing the computer to count the number of sheets each having an formed image thereon since the abnormality that can be eliminated by the user of the electronic apparatus is detected until the abnormality is detected again; and

causing the computer to reset the count value when a count value of the number of sheets reaches a predetermined value.

41. The processor-readable medium storing the program as claimed in claim 37, wherein the program further comprises the instruction of:

causing the computer to cause the electronic apparatus to reboot when the count value of the number of times of occurrence of an abnormality has not reached the predetermined value.

42. The processor-readable medium storing the program as claimed in claim 41, wherein the program further comprises the instruction of:

causing the computer to display that reboot is to be performed before the electronic apparatus is caused to perform reboot.