Image Forming Apparatus and Method for Outputting Information of the Image Forming Apparatus

• US 20090225368A1
• Filed: 05/19/2009
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation), Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation), Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Takara, Syusaku
• Granted Patent: US 8,005,994 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.150
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6209 to a single file or object, e.g. in a secure envelope, encrypted and accessed using a key, or with access control rules appended to the object itself
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2153 Using hardware token as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2158 using a detachable storage unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32609 Fault detection or counter-measures, e.g. original mis-positioned, shortage of paper
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32694 Storing a fault condition in memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4413 involving the use of passwords, ID codes or the like, e.g. PIN
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4433 to an apparatus, part of an apparatus or an apparatus function
• 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 image forming apparatus includes a communication section configured to communicate with an external storage device which has a storage section that stores designated information for at least designating information which is output from an apparatus, an operation state information storage section configured to store operation state information representing an operation state of an operation module for operating a corresponding device provided inside the apparatus, a detection section configured to detect whether or not communication can be made with the external storage device through the communication section, an information obtaining section configured to, when the detecting section detects that communication can be made with the external storage device, obtain the designated information at least from the external storage device, and an information outputting section configured to, based on the designated information, output the operation state information to the external storage device through the communication section.

Claims

1. An output device for outputting information related to various operation modules that control hardware of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

an interface connectable to an external storage device; and

processing means for confirming an operation state of each operation module when the module is put into operation, storing operation state information which represents the operation state and is associated with the time and date of the operation, and outputting stored items of the operation state information from the interface to the external storage device upon connection of the external storage device,

wherein the processing means is configured to detect time/date information present in the external storage device and then omit outputting of the operation state information items each of which is stored for the operation no later than the time and date designated by the time/date information.

2. The output device according to claim 1, wherein the processing means is configured to update the time/date information stored in the external storage device to represent the time and date at which the operation state information items are newly output.

3. The output device according to claim 1, wherein the processing means is configured to detect select information present in the external storage device and then omit outputting of the operation state information items each of which is stored for the operation module not selected by the select information.

4. The output device according to claim 1, wherein the processing means is configured to detect absence of correct password information in the external storage device and then omit outputting of all of the operation state information items stored for the operation modules.

5. The output device according to claim 1, wherein the processing means is configured to code the operation state information items to be output to the external storage device.

6. An output method for outputting information related to various operation modules that control hardware of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

confirming an operation state of each operation module when the module is put into operation;

storing operation state information which represents the operation state and is associated with the time and date of the operation; and

outputting stored items of the operation state information from an interface to an external storage device upon connection of the external storage device,

wherein time/date information present in the external storage device is detected to omit outputting of the operation state information items each of which is stored for the operation no later than the time and date designated by the time/date information.

7. The output method according to claim 6, wherein the time/date information stored in the external storage device is updated to represent the time and date at which the operation state information items are newly output.

8. The output method according to claim 6, wherein select information present in the external storage device is detected to omit outputting of the operation state information items each of which is stored for the operation module not selected by the select information.

9. The output method according to claim 6, wherein the absence of correct password information in the external storage device is detected to omit outputting of all of the operation state information items stored for the operation modules.

10. The output method according to claim 6, wherein the operation state information items to be output to the external storage device are coded.