JP2002320066A - Image forming apparatus, control method for image forming apparatus, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To build up an excellent image forming environment where even when a fault takes place in part of functions of an image forming device, only a faulty function can be invalidated without the need for invalidating the entire device and the other functions can continuously be used. SOLUTION: The image forming device is characterized in that when a CPU in a core section 10 detects a state of each function to detect a fault of the functions of the image forming device, an operation section 500 displays the detection result of the faulty function, the CPU selects whether or not the function with the detected fault is to be invalidated on the basis of the result of detection, when the invalidated function whose fault is detected is selected, the faulty function is invalidated and when the faulty function is invalidated, a fact of invalidating the faulty function is displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions, such as a digital copying machine and a laser beam printer, a control method of the image forming apparatus, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine, a failure state of a device includes, for example, a lamp lighting error and a motor error in the case of a scanner, a fixing unit temperature rise defect, a fan motor error and the like in a printer. When these failures occur, a corresponding error code (E code) is displayed on the operation unit of the copying machine to inform the user that there is a possibility that the serviceman needs repair. .

In this case, even if a failure occurs only in a part of the functions, for example, only in the scanner part, the functions of the entire apparatus are stopped and the E code is displayed.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, some functions of the digital copier,
For example, even if a failure (E code) occurs only in the scanner function, the entire device including the printer function is stopped, and the E code is displayed on the operation unit as a failure of the device.

For this reason, jobs that do not require the use of a scanner, for example, a function of selecting and printing a scan image stored in advance in a hard disk in the device, and print data transmitted from an external computer are merely used. I couldn't even perform the print function. Therefore, a malfunction of the scanner function occurs, the user notifies the service person of the trouble, and until the service man completes the repair, the user does not even print even though there is no problem with the print function during that time. There was a problem that the inconvenience of being unable to do so was forced.

[0006] Further, manufacturers and sales companies have also suffered a malfunction of the scanner, and have not been able to obtain income from toner consumption, paper consumption, and counter fees by the time the service technician completes repairs. There was a defect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the first to twentieth inventions according to the present invention to detect the state of each function and to provide an image forming apparatus. When detecting a failure of a function, displaying a detection result of the failure of the function, selecting whether to disable the function in which the failure is detected based on the detection result, and selecting disabling of the function in which the failure is detected. In the case where the failed function is disabled and the failed function is disabled, the fact that the failed function is disabled indicates that some of the functions of the image forming apparatus have failed. And an image forming apparatus capable of constructing an excellent image forming environment capable of disabling only a faulty function without disabling all functions of the device and continuously using other functions. Control of image forming device To provide a law and a storage medium.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, state detecting means (C shown in FIG. 3) for detecting a state of each of the functions.
PU323) and a detection result display unit (CPU3 shown in FIG. 3) for displaying a detection result of the function failure when the state detection unit detects a failure in the function of the image forming apparatus.
23 controls the display of the failure message 601 shown in FIG. 5), degeneration selection means (degeneration selection screen shown in FIG. 5) for selecting whether or not to invalidate the function in which the failure is detected based on the detection result; When the degeneration selection unit selects invalidation of the function in which the failure is detected, the manual degeneration unit (CP shown in FIG. 3) invalidates the function in which the failure has occurred.
U323) and first degeneration status display means (in which the CPU 323 shown in FIG. 3 operates as shown in FIG. 4) to display that the function in which the failure occurred is invalidated by the manual degeneration means. Status line 540 shown
Display control).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, a state detecting means (CPU 323 shown in FIG. 3) for detecting a state of each of the functions is provided.
When the state detection unit detects a failure of the function of the image forming apparatus, a detection result display unit that displays a detection result of the failure of the function (the CPU 323 illustrated in FIG. 3 controls display of the failure message 601 illustrated in FIG. 5). ), An automatic degeneration means (CPU 323 shown in FIG. 3) for automatically disabling the function in which the failure is detected when a function failure is detected by the state detection means; Second degeneration status display means (CPU 323 shown in FIG. 3 controls display on status line 540 shown in FIG. 4) for displaying that the function in which the failure has been detected by the state detection means has been automatically disabled. Have

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, a state detecting means (CPU 323 shown in FIG. 3) for detecting a state of each function and the state detecting means When a failure of the function of the image forming apparatus is detected, a detection result display means for displaying a detection result of the failure of the function (the CPU 323 shown in FIG. 3 controls the display of the failure message 601 shown in FIG. 5); A degeneration selection means (degeneration selection screen shown in FIG. 5) for selecting whether to invalidate the function in which the failure has been detected, and when the deactivation selection means selects the invalidation of the function in which the failure has been detected. The manual degeneration means (CPU 323 shown in FIG. 3) for invalidating the function in which the failure has occurred, and the failure occurs when the function in which the failure has occurred is invalidated by the manual degeneration means. First degenerate state display means for displaying that the disable function (CPU 323 shown in FIG. 3 is the display control in the status line 540 shown in FIG. 4)
An automatic degeneration means (CPU 323 shown in FIG. 3) for automatically disabling the function in which the failure is detected when a failure of the function is detected by the state detection means; Second degeneration status display means (CPU 323 shown in FIG. 3 performs display control on status line 540 shown in FIG. 4) for displaying that the function in which the failure has been detected by the state detection means has been automatically disabled; There is provided a first degeneration switching selecting means (degeneration switching screen shown in FIG. 8) for preliminarily selecting which of the manual degeneration means and the automatic degeneration means is valid.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, a state detecting means (CPU 323 shown in FIG. 3) for detecting a state of each of the functions is provided.
A detection result display unit for displaying a detection result of the function failure when the state detection unit detects a failure in the function of the image forming apparatus (the CPU 323 shown in FIG. 3 controls the display of the failure message 601 shown in FIG. 5); A degeneration selection unit (degeneration selection screen shown in FIG. 5) for selecting whether to invalidate a function in which a failure is detected based on the detection result, and selecting the invalidation of the function in which the failure is detected by the degeneration selection unit In this case, the manual degeneration means (CPU 323 shown in FIG. 3) for disabling the function in which the failure has occurred, and disabling the function in which the failure has occurred when the function in which the failure has occurred by the manual degeneration means are disabled. First degeneration status display means (CPU 323 shown in FIG. 3 performs display control on the status line 540 shown in FIG. 4) for displaying the fact that If a failure of the function is detected, the automatic degeneration means (CPU 323 shown in FIG. 3) for automatically invalidating the function in which the failure is detected, and the state detection means detects the failure by the automatic degeneration means. A second degeneration status display means (CPU 323 shown in FIG. 3 performs display control on the status line 540 shown in FIG. 4) for displaying that the function has been automatically invalidated, Second degeneration switching selecting means (CP shown in FIG. 3) for automatically selecting either the manual degeneration means or the automatic degeneration means according to the type of the functional failure
U323).

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the function of the image forming apparatus includes a scan function.

In a sixth aspect according to the present invention, the function of the image forming apparatus includes a printing function.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the functions of the image forming apparatus include a page description language developing function.

In an eighth aspect according to the present invention, the functions of the image forming apparatus include a network communication function.

In a ninth aspect according to the present invention, the function of the image forming apparatus includes a feeder function.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the function of the image forming apparatus includes a finisher function.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the function of the image forming apparatus includes a facsimile function.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the function of the image forming apparatus includes a paper feeding function.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method for controlling an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, a state detecting step (step S in FIG. 6) for detecting a state of each of the functions.
101) and a detection result display step of displaying a detection result of the function failure of the image forming apparatus when a failure of the function of the image forming apparatus is detected by the state detection step (step S10 in FIG. 6).
2), a degeneration selection step (step S103 in FIG. 6) for selecting whether to invalidate the function in which the failure is detected based on the detection result, and disabling the function in which the failure is detected by the degeneration selection step. Is selected, the manual degeneration process for disabling the failed function (step S1 in FIG. 6)
04, S106), and a first degeneration status display step (Step S107 in FIG. 6) for displaying that the function in which the failure has occurred has been invalidated when the function in which the failure has occurred is invalidated in the manual degeneration step. And

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method for controlling an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, a state detecting step of detecting the state of each of the functions (step S in FIG. 7).
201), and a detection result display step (Step S202 in FIG. 7) of displaying a detection result of the function failure when a failure in the function of the image forming apparatus is detected in the state detection step.
An automatic degeneration step (steps S203 and S204 in FIG. 7) for automatically invalidating the function in which the failure is detected when a failure in the function is detected in the state detection step;
A second display indicating that the function in which the failure was detected in the state detection step was automatically disabled by the automatic degeneration step.
(Step S205 in FIG. 7).

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method for controlling an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, a state detecting step of detecting the state of each of the functions (step S in FIG. 9).
301), and a detection result display step of displaying a detection result of the function failure of the image forming apparatus when a failure of the function of the image forming apparatus is detected by the state detection step (step S30 in FIG. 9).
2), a degeneration selection step (step S305 in FIG. 9) for selecting whether to invalidate the function in which the failure has been detected based on the detection result, and determining whether the function in which the failure has been detected by the degeneration selection step is invalid. If selected, a manual degeneration process for disabling the failed function (step S3 in FIG. 9)
05, S307) and a first degeneration status display step (step S308 in FIG. 9) for displaying that the failed function has been invalidated when the function in which the failure has occurred is invalidated in the manual degeneration step. And an automatic degeneration step (steps S309 and S307 in FIG. 9) for automatically invalidating the function in which the failure is detected when a failure of the function is detected by the state detection step. A second degeneration state display step (step S308 in FIG. 9) for displaying that the function in which the failure is detected in the state detection step is automatically disabled, and enabling either the manual degeneration or the automatic degeneration. Beforehand,
When a failure occurs in the function, a first degeneration switching step (step S303 in FIG. 9) for executing either the manual degeneration step or the automatic degeneration step in accordance with the selection.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method for controlling an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, a state detecting step (step S401 in FIG. 10) for detecting a state of each of the functions, When a failure in the function of the image forming apparatus is detected in the detection step, a detection result display step of displaying a detection result of the failure in the function (step S4 in FIG. 10)
02), a degeneration selection step (step S405 in FIG. 10) for selecting whether to invalidate the function in which the failure is detected based on the detection result, and disabling the function in which the failure is detected by the degeneration selection step. When selected, a manual degeneration process for disabling the failed function (steps S405 and S407 in FIG. 10), and when the failed function is disabled by the manual degeneration process, the failed function is disabled. When a function failure is detected in the first degeneration status display step (step S408 in FIG. 10) for displaying that the function has been invalidated and the state detection step, the function in which the failure is detected is automatically determined. Automatic degeneration process to invalidate (FIG. 10
Steps S409 and S407) and a second degeneration state display step (Step S408 in FIG. 10) for displaying that the function in which the failure has been detected in the state detection step has been automatically disabled by the automatic degeneration step. And a second degeneration switching step (step S403 in FIG. 10) for executing either the manual degeneration step or the automatic degeneration step according to the type of the function failure when the function failure occurs. Things.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, comprising: a state detecting step for detecting the state of each function (step S101 in FIG. 6); When a failure in the function of the image forming apparatus is detected, a detection result display step of displaying a detection result of the failure in the function (step S102 in FIG. 6), and whether the function in which the failure is detected based on the detection result is invalidated. A degeneration selection step (step S103 in FIG. 6) for selecting whether or not the function in which the failure has been detected is selected in the degeneration selection step, and a manual degeneration step (FIG. 6, Steps S104 and S106),
When the function in which the failure has occurred is invalidated in the manual degeneration step, a first degeneration state displaying step (step S10 in FIG. 6) for displaying that the function in which the failure has occurred has been invalidated.
7) is stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner to execute the program.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, comprising: a state detecting step (step S201 in FIG. 7) for detecting a state of each function; When a failure of the function of the image forming apparatus is detected, a detection result display step of displaying a detection result of the failure of the function (Step S202 in FIG. 7) and a failure of the function is detected by the state detection step. The automatic degeneration process (steps S203 and S204 in FIG. 7) for automatically disabling the function in which the failure is detected, and the function in which the failure is detected in the state detection process are automatically performed by the automatic degeneration process. A program for executing a second degeneration status display step (step S205 in FIG. 7) for displaying invalidation, the program being stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner. A.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, comprising: a state detecting step (step S301 in FIG. 9) for detecting a state of each function; When a failure of the function of the image forming apparatus is detected, a detection result display step of displaying a detection result of the failure of the function (Step S302 in FIG. 9), and the function in which the failure is detected based on the detection result is invalidated. A degeneration selection step (step S305 in FIG. 9) for selecting whether or not
When the invalidation of the function in which the failure is detected is selected in the degeneration selection step, the manual degeneration step of disabling the failed function (steps S305 and S307 in FIG. 9)
And a first degeneration status displaying step (step S in FIG. 9) for displaying that the function in which the failure has occurred is invalidated when the function in which the failure has occurred is invalidated in the manual degeneration step.
308) and an automatic degeneration process (steps S309 and S3 in FIG. 9) for automatically invalidating the function in which the failure is detected when a failure in the function is detected in the status detection process.
07) and a second degeneration status display step (step S30 in FIG. 9) for displaying that the function in which the failure was detected in the state detection step was automatically disabled by the automatic degeneration step.
8) and whether to enable the manual degeneration or the automatic degeneration is selected in advance, and if a failure occurs in the function, either the manual degeneration step or the automatic degeneration step is performed according to the selection. Is stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner so as to execute a first degeneration switching step (step S303 in FIG. 9) for executing the above.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, comprising: a state detecting step (step S401 in FIG. 10) for detecting a state of each function; When a failure of the function of the image forming apparatus is detected, a detection result display step of displaying a detection result of the failure of the function (Step S402 in FIG. 10), and the function in which the failure is detected based on the detection result is invalidated. (Step S40 in FIG. 10)
5) and a manual degeneration step of disabling the function in which the failure has occurred when the function in which the failure is detected is selected in the degeneration selection step (steps S405, S4 in FIG. 10).
07) and a first degeneration status displaying step (step S408 in FIG. 10) for displaying that the failed function has been invalidated when the function in which the failure has occurred is invalidated in the manual degeneration step. When a function failure is detected in the state detection step, an automatic degeneration step of automatically invalidating the function in which the failure is detected (step S4 in FIG. 10).
09, S407), a second degeneration status display step (step S408 in FIG. 10) for displaying that the function in which the failure has been detected in the state detection step has been automatically disabled by the automatic degeneration step. If a failure of the function occurs,
The computer reads a program for executing a second degeneration switching step (step S403 in FIG. 10) for executing either the manual degeneration step or the automatic degeneration step in accordance with the type of the functional failure on a storage medium. It is stored as possible.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus (image processing apparatus) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a reader unit 1, a printer unit 2, and an image input / output control unit 3.

In the figure, 11 is a personal computer or workstation (PC / WS), 13 is a digital copying machine, 14 is a network, 15 is a public network such as a telephone line, and 16 is another communication device. FIG.
Is an example, and is not limited to the illustrated configuration.

More specifically, the reader section 1 reads an image of a document set in the image forming apparatus, and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the printer section 2 and the image input / output control section 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on recording paper. The image input / output control unit 3 includes the reader unit 1
And a facsimile unit 4, a network processing unit 7, a PDL development unit (page description language development unit) 8, and a core unit 10.

In the image input / output control unit 3, the facsimile unit 4 decompresses the compressed image data received via the public network 15 and transfers the decompressed image data to the core unit 10. 10 is compressed, and the compressed image data is compressed by the public network 15.
To send over.

The network processing unit 7 includes the network 1
4 is an interface between the core unit 10 and a host computer according to the present invention, that is, a personal computer or a workstation (PC / WS) 11 connected via the PC 4. Similarly, the network processing unit 7 serves as an interface between the core unit 10 and another digital copying machine 13 connected via the network 14. When print data is received from the host computer according to the present invention, the print data is received via the network processing unit 7.
CCI, P directly via Centronics interface
You may comprise so that it may receive from C / WS etc.

The PDL developing unit 8 develops PDL data (print data described in a page description language) transferred from the PC / WS 11 into image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 2. The core section 10 is described later with reference to FIG.
, The core unit 10 includes a reader unit 1, a facsimile unit 4, a file unit (not shown), a network processing unit 7,
It controls the flow of data between each of the DL development units 8.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an example of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention generally comprises an image forming apparatus main body (copier main body) 100, a deck 150, and a circulating automatic document feeder (hereinafter, RDF or feeder) 189. ing.

The image forming apparatus main body 100 includes a platen glass 101, a scanner 102, scanning mirrors 105,
6. Lens 108, CCD sensor (image sensor unit)
109, photosensitive drum 110, primary charger 112, pre-exposure lamp 114, cleaning device 116, transfer charger 118, peeling charger 119, exposure controller 120, developing device 121, transfer belt 130, upper cassette 131, lower stage Cassette 132, pickup rollers 133 and 134,
Paper feed rollers 135 and 136, registration rollers 137, adsorption charger 138, transfer belt roller 170, pre-fixing chargers 139 and 140, fixing device 141, paper discharge roller 142,
Paper discharge flapper 154, reverse path 155, re-feed tray 1
56, a multiple flapper 157, a transport path 158, a paper feed roller 159, a path 160, a discharge roller 161, a first feed roller 162, a second feed roller 162a, and a reversing roller 163.

In detail, the reader section 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a platen glass 101 to a CCD sensor 1.
The printer unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to the photosensitive drum 110 to the reversing roller 163.

First, the reader section 1 will be described in detail.

The platen glass 101 is a document table. The scanner 102 includes a document illumination lamp 103, a scanning mirror 104, and the like. The scanner 102 is reciprocally scanned in a predetermined direction by a motor (not shown),
The reflected light 107 of the document fed onto the platen glass 101 by the feeder 189 or the like is scanned by the scanning mirrors 104 to 104.
6 through the lens 108 and the CCD sensor 10
9 is formed. The reflected light 107 of this document is converted into an electric signal by a CCD sensor 109,
By a nearby scanner image processing unit (not shown), A /
D conversion and shading correction are performed, and are stored in the memory 324 via the gate array 326 of the core unit 10 described later.
It is stored as digital image data.

Next, the printer section 2 will be described in detail.

The exposure control section 120 is constituted by a laser, a polygon scanner, etc.
The digital image data stored in the memory 24 is read out from the memory, and a gate array (a data processing unit 326 shown in FIG. 3) of the core unit 10 described later converts the digital image data into a video signal and outputs an I / F 327 shown in FIG. To the printer unit 2 through

Then, the photosensitive drum 110 is irradiated with a laser beam 129 modulated based on the video signal. Around the photosensitive drum 110, a primary charger 11
2, developing unit 121, transfer charger 118, peeling charger 11
9. A cleaning device 116 and a pre-exposure lamp 114 are provided.

In the image forming section 126 centered on the photosensitive drum 110, the photosensitive drum 110 is rotated by a motor (not shown) in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
After being charged to a desired potential by the exposure control unit 12
A laser beam 129 from 0 is irradiated to form an electrostatic latent image.

On the other hand, the transfer paper fed from the upper cassette 131 or the lower cassette 132 by the pickup rollers 133 and 134 is sent to the main body by the feed rollers 135 and 136, and is fed to the transfer belt 130 by the registration rollers 137. Then, the visualized toner image is transferred to transfer paper by the transfer charger 118.

After the transfer, the photosensitive drum 110 is cleaned of residual toner by the cleaning device 116, and the residual charge is erased by the pre-exposure lamp 114. The transfer paper after the transfer is separated from the transfer belt 130 and the pre-fixing charger 1
The toner is recharged by 39 and 140, and the fixing device 141
And is fixed by pressure and heat,
Is discharged out of the main body 100.

The attraction charger 138 includes the registration roller 13
The transfer paper sent from 7 is attracted to the transfer belt 130. The transfer belt roller 170 is used to rotate the transfer belt 130 and, at the same time, pairs with the suction charger 138 to cause the transfer belt 130 to suction-charge the transfer paper.

The image forming apparatus main body 100 has, for example, 40
A deck 150 capable of storing 00 transfer papers is provided. The lifter 151 of the deck 150 is
2 and rises according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always contacts. Further, for example, 1
A multi-bypass 153 capable of storing 00 sheets of transfer paper is provided.

The discharge flapper 154 switches the path between the double-side recording side or the multiple recording side and the discharge side. Discharge roller 1
The transfer paper sent out from the paper discharge flapper 15
4 switches to the double-side recording side or the multiple recording side. The multiplex flapper 157 switches the path between double-sided recording and multiplex recording. By inverting the path to the left, the transfer paper is led directly to the transport path 158 without passing through the reversing path 155. The paper feed roller 159 feeds the transfer paper to the photosensitive drum 110 through the path 160.

The discharge roller 161 is a discharge flapper 154.
The transfer paper switched to the discharge side by the paper discharge flapper 154 is discharged outside the apparatus. At the time of double-sided recording (double-sided copying), the discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the right, the recorded (copied) transfer paper passes through the reversing path 155, and then the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the left. Then, the sheet is stored in the re-feeding tray 156 in a state of being turned over via the transport path 158.

At the time of multiple recording (multiple copying), the discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the left, and the recorded (copied) transfer paper is transferred to the transport path 158.
Then, the sheet is stored in the re-feed tray 156. The transfer paper stored in the re-feed tray 156 is guided to the registration roller 137 of the main body via the path 160 by the feed roller 159 one by one from below.

When the transfer paper is inverted and discharged from the copying machine main body 100, the discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, the multiple flapper 157 is tilted rightward, and the recorded (copied) transfer paper is moved to the transport path 155 side. Transport, and the rear end of the transfer paper
After passing through the feed roller 162, the reversing roller 163
Then, the transfer paper is turned over by a discharge roller 161 and discharged outside the apparatus.
Further, the transfer paper discharged out of the machine is the finisher 190.
Then, post-processing such as stapling is performed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the core unit 10 shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the core unit 10 includes interface units (I / F) 320, 322, 328, and 32.
7, a data processing unit 321, 326, a CPU 323 (each control unit), and a memory 324.

The above configuration will be described in detail. Image data from the reader unit 1 is transmitted to the data processing unit 32 via the I / F 322.
Transferred to 1. The data processing unit 321 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing. The image data transferred to the data processing unit 321 is accumulated as digital image data in the memory 324 via the CPU 323. Alternatively, in response to a control command from the operation unit 500, the CPU 323, the data processing unit 326, the I / F 32
7, and is transferred to the printer unit 2. Alternatively, the data is transferred to the facsimile unit 4, a file unit (not shown), and the network processing unit 7 via the interface unit 320.

Code data representing an image input via the network processing unit 7 is transferred to the CPU 323 via the I / F 320. If the CPU determines that the data is a PDL code, I / F320
Is transferred to the PDL developing unit 8, where it is developed into image bitmap data. The image bitmap data is accumulated in the memory 324 through the I / F 320 and the CPU 323. After that, the CPU 323,
The data is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the data processing unit 326 and the I / F 327 and printed.

The image data from the facsimile unit 4 is
/ F 320, the data processing unit 32 via the CPU 323
6 is transferred to the printer via the I / F 327. Image data from a file unit (not shown) is stored in the I / F 320, the CPU 323, and the data processing unit 3.
26, the data is transferred to the printer via the I / F 327.

The CPU 323 performs the above control in accordance with the control program stored in the memory 324 and the control command received from the operation unit 500 via the I / F 328. The memory 324 is also used as a work area of the CPU 323.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus, the reading of the original image, the printing of the image, the transmission and reception of the image, the storage of the image, and the input of the data from the computer are performed mainly on the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3. It is possible to perform processing combining functions such as output.

The CPU 323 serves as state detection means according to the present invention. For example, when a failure occurs in the function of the reader (scanner) unit 1 or when a failure occurs in the function of the feeder 189, the CPU 323 transmits the I / F 322. The information can be received from the reader unit 1 and detected. Further, when a failure occurs in the printer unit 2 or a failure occurs in the finisher unit 190, the information can be received from the printer unit 2 through the I / F 327 and detected. Similarly, when a failure occurs in each function of the network processing unit 7, the facsimile unit 4, and the PDL expansion unit 8, the information is received from each of them via the I / F 320, and the CP is received.
U323 can be detected.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a basic screen displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 500 shown in FIG. This screen is a touch panel, and the function is executed by touching the frame of the displayed function.

In the figure, reference numeral 524 denotes a copy mode key which is pressed when performing a copying operation. When the copy mode key 524 is pressed, the display of the copy mode screen is set to the mode screen 530. 50
Reference numeral 1 denotes an extended function key. By pressing this key, a mode such as double-sided copy, multiple copy, move, binding margin setting, frame erasing setting, etc. is entered.

A status line 540 displays a message indicating the status of the device. The detection result display means and the first and second degeneration status display means according to the present invention are displayed on the status line 540. For example, FIG. 4 shows a state in which there is a failure in the finisher function, which is degenerated and invalidated, and is displayed together with a finisher error code “540”.

An image mode key 502 enters a setting mode for shading, shadowing, trimming, and masking a copied image. 503 is a user mode key,
You can register the mode memory and set the standard mode screen.
Reference numeral 504 denotes an application zoom key, which enters a mode for independently changing the magnification in the X and Y directions of the document and a mode for a zoom program for calculating the magnification from the document size and the copy size.

505 is the M1 key, 506 is the M2 key, 5
Reference numeral 07 denotes an M3 key which is depressed when recalling the registered mode memory. A call key 508 and an option key 509 are used to set optional functions such as a film projector for directly copying from a film.

A sorter key 510 is used to set whether to use a mechanical sorter or an electronic sorter, to sort the sorter, and to set modes such as groups. 511
A mixed document key is a key that is pressed to set A4 size and A3 size, or B5 size and B4 size documents together in the document feeder.

Reference numeral 512 denotes an equal-size key for setting the copy magnification to 100%.
Key to be pressed when 514 is a reduction key, 5
Reference numeral 15 denotes an enlargement key, which is pressed to reduce or enlarge a fixed form. Reference numeral 516 denotes a zoom key which is pressed to set a copy magnification arbitrarily. Reference numeral 513 denotes a paper selection key which is pressed to select a copy paper. Reference numerals 518 and 520 denote density keys. Each time the key 518 is pressed, a dark copy is made, and each time the key 520 is pressed, a light copy is made. Reference numeral 517 denotes a density display, and when the density keys 518 and 520 are pressed, the display changes right and left. Reference numeral 519 denotes an AE key which is depressed when performing automatic density adjustment copying of an original having a dark background such as a newspaper.

Reference numeral 521 denotes a HIFI key which is pressed when copying an original having a high halftone density such as a photographic original. Reference numeral 522 denotes a character emphasis key, which is pressed to make characters stand out when copying a character original.

Reference numeral 523 denotes a guide key which is depressed when the function of a certain key is unknown, and a description of the key is displayed. Reference numeral 525 denotes a fax key which is pressed when facsimile is performed. Reference numeral 526 denotes a file key which is pressed when file data is to be output. Reference numeral 527 denotes a printer key for changing the print density or performing PDL from a remote host computer.
This key is pressed to refer to the printout result of data. Reference numeral 528 denotes an ID key which is pressed to input a personal identification number.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a failure notification and degeneration selection screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which a failure has occurred in the image forming apparatus, and selection of whether to invalidate the failure has occurred. Is displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 500.

In the figure, reference numeral 601 denotes a failure message.
In this figure, a finisher error has occurred and this error code is "540". It also urges the user to select whether to disable this function. 602 and 603 are degeneration selection keys. When "YES" is selected in 602, the function of the fault that has occurred is invalidated. If "No" is selected in 603, the function of the fault that has occurred is left enabled. Then, an OK key 604 is pressed to confirm the selection.

Hereinafter, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
A control processing procedure in the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a first control processing procedure in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. This control is performed mainly by the CPU 323 shown in FIG. Note that S101 to S107 indicate each step.

First, in step S101, the CPU 32
3 determines whether a failure of the device has been detected. If a failure occurs in the reader unit 1 (scanner) or a failure occurs in the feeder 189, the reader unit 1 notifies the CPU 323 via the I / F 322 and a failure occurs in the printer unit 2. Or finisher 1
When a failure occurs in the I / F 327, or when a failure occurs in the deck 150.
Via the CPU 323. When a fault occurs in the facsimile, a fault in the network board, or a fault in the PDL developing unit, the I / F 320 is transmitted from the facsimile unit 4, the network processing unit 7, or the PDL developing unit 8, respectively. Is notified to the CPU 323 through

If a failure is detected in step S101, the process proceeds to step S102, and an error code of the failure when the failure occurs is displayed on the operation unit 500. In step S103, a display for allowing the user to select whether to invalidate the displayed function is displayed on the failure notification and degeneration selection screen illustrated in FIG.

In FIG. 5, a failure occurs in the finisher function, "540" is displayed as an error code, and whether to disable this function is depressed by pressing the "Yes" or "No" degeneration selection keys 602, 603. To the user.

Next, in step S104, it is determined whether the function (displayed function) in which the failure has been detected has been invalidated, that is, whether or not the function has been reduced. In order to disable the function, if the user presses the “Yes” degeneration selection key 602 and then presses the OK key 604, the displayed function becomes invalid. In the example of FIG. 5, the finisher function is invalidated.

If it is determined in step S104 that the function in which the failure was detected (displayed function) was invalidated (reduced), in step S106, the function in which the failure was detected (displayed function) In step S5, the finisher function is disabled, and in step S107, an error code and a state of degeneration are displayed on the status line 540 shown in FIG. 4, and the process ends. FIG. 4 shows a state in which an error code 540 has occurred due to a failure in the finisher function, and the finisher function has been degenerated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the function in which the failure is detected (displayed function) is not to be invalidated (do not degenerate), that is, the "No" degeneration selection key 603 is pressed and OK is pressed. If the key 604 has been pressed, in step S105, "Please turn off / on the power" is displayed near the center of the operation unit screen, and the process ends.

Here, the reason why the instruction to turn off / on the power is displayed is, for example, a communication error such as a noise between the finisher 190 and the printer 2. / ON, there is a possibility that the error may not occur. If the user determines in this way, “No” is selected and the power is turned off / on.
Turn ON. If the same error still occurs even if the power is turned off and on many times, in step S104,
"Yes" may be selected to cause degeneration.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, even if a part of the function of the image forming apparatus, for example, a failure such as a lamp lighting error occurs in the scanning function, the user can operate the scanning function by using the operation unit. By invalidating the scan function, only the faulty scan function can be invalidated without invalidating the entire device as in the related art. Then, other functions, for example, the print function are kept valid, and the user can use functions such as printing an image in the hard disk in the device and receiving and printing print data from an external computer. .

As a result, it is possible for the user to solve the problem that inconvenience caused by stopping the entire device when a failure occurs in a part of the function as in the related art, This has the effect of allowing immediate use. Furthermore, even after disabling a part of the function, the result (E code) of the detected failure is displayed on a part of the operation unit, and the state of which function is disabled is displayed on the operation unit. By displaying in, for example,
The user who uses the image forming apparatus can know the reason why the scanner is invalid, so that it is possible to surely understand why the scanner is invalid.

Further, by leaving the display of the E code, which is the cause of the invalidation, in a part of the operation unit as it is, it becomes effective as a judgment material for a serviceman to determine a procedure for repairing a failure. . In other words, simply displaying the state in which the scan function is disabled is difficult to find the cause, and such a problem can be avoided. In this way, the convenience for the user and the maintainability for the service person are dramatically improved.

Further, even if some functions such as the scanner become invalid, other functions such as printing are made effective, so that the entire apparatus has been stopped so far, causing a scanner failure. Until the serviceman completes the repair of the scanner failure, the printer can not be used, and the toner, paper, counter fee that could not be earned during that time can be earned by the present invention, and it can be provided to manufacturers and sales companies. Very big profits arise.

Further, the function in which the failure has occurred is invalidated.
The convenience can be improved by allowing the user to select “no”. For example, if the user repeatedly turns off and on the main power supply when a failure occurs, the failure may not occur. Therefore, if you want to repeat the main power OFF and ON when a failure occurs,
The main power can be turned off and on without repeating the operation of disabling the function in which the failure has occurred.
After repeating N, if the same failure still occurs, it can be said that the failed function is invalidated.

As a result, the number of calls to service personnel due to the occurrence of the first failure is reduced.
If the main power is turned OFF and ON repeatedly, guidance for when the fault disappears is specified in the user's manual or displayed on the operation unit when a fault occurs, and prompting the user saves labor and labor costs for service personnel. There is also an effect that it can be reduced.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
A configuration has been described in which, when a failure is detected, whether or not the function in which the failure is detected is invalidated (reduced) is manually selected. However, the function in which the failure is detected is automatically revoked (reduced). You may comprise. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

Hereinafter, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
A control processing procedure in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second control processing procedure in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. This control is performed mainly by the CPU 323 shown in FIG. In addition, S201 to S205 indicate each step.

First, in step S201, the CPU 32
3 determines whether a failure of the device has been detected. If a failure occurs in the reader unit 1 (scanner) or a failure occurs in the feeder 189, the reader unit 1 notifies the CPU 323 via the I / F 322 and a failure occurs in the printer unit 2. Or finisher 1
When a failure occurs in the I / F 327, or when a failure occurs in the deck 150.
Is notified to the CPU 323 via. When a fault occurs in the facsimile, a fault in the network board, or a fault in the PDL developing unit, the I / F 320 is transmitted from the facsimile unit 4, the network processing unit 7, or the PDL developing unit 8, respectively. Is notified to the CPU 323 through

If a failure is detected in step S201, the process proceeds to step S202, and an error code of the failure when the failure occurs is displayed on the operation unit 500. Here, the same display as the failure message 601 shown in FIG. 5 is performed.

Next, in step S203, it is determined whether a predetermined period of time, for example, 10 seconds, has elapsed, and wait is performed until the predetermined period has elapsed. That is, a failure error is displayed on the operation unit for at least that time. After a lapse of a predetermined time, in step S204, the function which is a failure part, for example, the finisher function, is invalidated. In step S205, the error code and the state of degeneration are displayed on the status line 540 in FIG. 4, and the process ends. . FIG. 4 shows a state in which an error code 540 has occurred due to a failure in the finisher function, and the finisher function has been degenerated.

With the above processing, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention automatically disables the scanning function even if a part of the function of the image forming apparatus, for example, a failure such as a lamp lighting error occurs in the scanning function. Can be, as before,
Only disabled scan functions can be automatically disabled without disabling the entire device. Then, other functions, such as the print function, can be left enabled, printing images on the hard disk in the device,
The user can use a function of receiving print data from an external computer and performing printing.

As a result, it is possible for the user to solve the problem that inconvenience caused by stopping the entire device when a failure occurs in a part of the function as in the prior art, Thus, there is an effect that the operation can be performed automatically and immediately without any user operation.

Further, even after automatically disabling some of the functions, the result (E code) of the detected failure is displayed on a part of the operation unit, and furthermore, any function is disabled. By displaying the status on the operation unit, for example,
All users of the image forming apparatus can know the reason why the scanner is invalid, and even if the scanner is automatically invalidated, the reason why the scanner is invalidated can be surely recognized.

Further, by leaving the display of the E-code, which is the cause of the invalidation, in a part of the operation unit as it is, it becomes effective as a judgment material for a serviceman to determine a procedure for repairing a failure. . In other words, simply displaying the state in which the scanning function is disabled makes it difficult to find the cause, so that such a problem can be avoided.

As described above, the convenience for the user and the maintainability for the service person are dramatically improved. Furthermore, even if some functions, such as the scanner, become invalid, other functions, such as printing, are enabled. Until the operator completes the repair of the scanner failure, the printer cannot be used and the toner, paper and counter charges that could not be earned during that time can be earned according to the present invention, which is a great deal for manufacturers and sales companies. Profit arises.

[Third Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the configuration in which a function in which a failure is detected is manually reduced is described. In the second embodiment, the function in which a failure is detected is automatically reduced. Any of manual reduction and automatic reduction may be settable in advance. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the degeneration switching screen, which is one of the user mode setting screens according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to the manual degeneration / auto degeneration switching screen. When the user mode key 503 shown in FIG. 4 is pressed, the user mode key 503 is displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 500.

In the figure, reference numeral 610 denotes a manual key which is depressed when a function in which a failure is detected is set to be manually degenerated. An automatic key 611 is depressed when the function in which a failure is detected is set to automatically degenerate. 61
Reference numeral 2 denotes a return key, which is pressed to confirm selection of the manual key 610 or the automatic key 611 and return to the previous screen. 613
Is a next key, which is pressed to move to a screen for another setting item in the user mode.

Hereinafter, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
A control processing procedure in the third embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a third control processing procedure in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. This control is performed mainly by the CPU 323 shown in FIG. S301 to S309 indicate each step.

First, in step S301, the CPU 32
3 determines whether a failure of the device has been detected. If a failure occurs in the reader unit 1 (scanner) or a failure occurs in the feeder 189, the reader unit 1 notifies the CPU 323 via the I / F 322 and a failure occurs in the printer unit 2. Or finisher 1
When a failure occurs in the I / F 327, or when a failure occurs in the deck 150.
Is notified to the CPU 323 via. When a fault occurs in the facsimile, a fault in the network board, or a fault in the PDL developing unit, the I / F 320 is transmitted from the facsimile unit 4, the network processing unit 7, or the PDL developing unit 8, respectively. Is notified to the CPU 323 through

If a failure is detected in step S301, the flow advances to step S302 to display an error code of the failure when the failure has occurred on the operation unit 500. Here, the same display as the failure message 601 shown in FIG. 5 is performed.

Next, in step S303, it is determined whether the state is set for manual degeneration or automatic degeneration. The manual degeneration is performed by allowing the user to select whether to disable the function in the second embodiment as described with reference to FIG. 6, while the automatic degeneration is performed in the third embodiment. As described with reference to FIG. 8, the function in which a failure has occurred is automatically disabled after a certain period of time.

Whether the manual degeneration or the automatic degeneration is performed in advance by the user shown in FIG. 4 pressing the user mode key 503 to display the user mode setting screen shown in FIG. 8 and selecting it here. . Specifically, the manual key 6
When the user presses the return key 612 after pressing 10, the manual reduction is set, and when the automatic key 611 is pressed and the return key 612 is pressed, the automatic reduction setting state is set.

If it is determined in step S303 that the contraction is not manual reduction, that is, automatic contraction, step S3
In step 09, it is determined whether a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds, has elapsed. If it is determined that the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S307, in which the failure function is automatically disabled, and the process proceeds to step S308. .

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S303 that manual reduction has been performed, then in step S304, a display for prompting the user to select whether to disable the displayed function is displayed on the failure notification and reduction selection screen shown in FIG. I do.

In FIG. 5, when a failure occurs in the finisher function, "540" is displayed as an error code, and whether to disable this function is depressed by pressing the "Yes" or "No" degeneration selection keys 602, 603. To the user.

Next, in step S305, it is determined whether the function (displayed function) in which the failure has been detected has been invalidated, that is, whether or not the function has been reduced. In order to disable the function, if the user presses the “Yes” degeneration selection key 602 and then presses the OK key 604, the displayed function becomes invalid. In the example of FIG. 5, the finisher function is invalidated.

If it is determined in step S305 that the function in which the failure was detected (displayed function) is invalidated (reduced), in step S307, the function in which the failure was detected (displayed function) In step 5, the finisher function is invalidated, and the process proceeds to step S308.

Next, in step S308, an error code and a state of degeneration are displayed on the status line 540 shown in FIG. 4, and the process ends. FIG. 4 shows a state in which an error code 540 has occurred due to a failure in the finisher function, and the finisher function has been degenerated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 305 that the function (displayed function) in which the failure has been detected is not invalidated (do not degenerate), that is, the “No” degeneration selection key 603 is pressed and OK is pressed. If the key 604 has been pressed, in step S306, "Please power off / on" is displayed near the center of the operation unit screen, and the process ends.

Here, the reason why the instruction to turn off / on the power is displayed is, for example, a communication error such as noise between the finisher 190 and the printer unit 2 and the error may have been displayed by chance. When turned off / on,
There is a possibility that the error will not occur. If the user decides in this way, select “No” and turn off the power.
/ ON. Even if the power is turned off / on many times,
If the same error still occurs, step S305
Then, "yes" may be selected to degenerate.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, even if a part of the function of the image forming apparatus, for example, a failure such as a lamp lighting error occurs in the scan function, the user can operate the scan function by the operation unit. The serviceman or the user can select in advance to select to invalidate (manual degeneration) or to automatically invalidate the scan function (automatic degeneration).

Therefore, unlike the related art, it is possible to invalidate only a scan function having a failure without invalidating the entire device. Then, other functions, for example, the print function are kept valid, and the user can use functions such as printing an image in the hard disk in the device and receiving and printing print data from an external computer. . As a result, for users, if a failure occurs in some functions as in the past, the inconvenience caused by stopping the entire device can be resolved, and other functions can be immediately continued. This has the effect of being usable.

Further, even after disabling a part of the function, the result (E code) of the detected failure is kept displayed on a part of the operation unit, and furthermore, the state of which function was disabled is displayed. Is displayed on the operation unit, for example, all users of the image forming apparatus can know the reason why the scanner is invalid, and can surely know the reason why the scanner is invalid. Occurs.

In addition, by leaving the display of the E-code, which is the cause of the invalidation, in a part of the operation unit as it is, it becomes effective for the serviceman to determine the procedure for repairing the failure. . In other words, simply displaying the state in which the scan function is disabled is difficult to find the cause, and such a problem can be avoided. In this way, the convenience for the user and the maintainability for the service person are dramatically improved.

Further, even if some functions such as the scanner become invalid, other functions such as printing are made effective, so that the entire apparatus has been stopped so far. Until the serviceman completes repair of the scanner failure, the printer cannot be used, and the toner, paper, and counter charges that could not be earned during that time can be earned according to the present invention. A great benefit arises also for the like.

When the manual degeneration is selected,
The convenience can be improved by allowing the user to select whether or not to disable the function in which the failure has occurred. For example, if the user repeatedly turns off and on the main power supply when a failure occurs, the failure may not occur.
Therefore, when a failure occurs, the main power supply OF
If you want to repeat F and ON, you can repeat the main power OFF, ON, etc. without performing the operation to invalidate the function in which the failure occurred, and it is possible to eliminate the failure. After repeatedly turning OFF and ON, if the same fault still occurs, it can be said that the function in which the fault has occurred is invalidated.

As a result, the number of times a service person is called due to the occurrence of the first failure is reduced.
By repeating the main power OFF and ON, the guidance for clearing the fault can be specified in the user's manual or displayed on the operation unit when the fault occurs.
Prompting the user also has the effect of reducing labor and labor costs for service personnel.

Further, by selecting the automatic degeneration, when a failure occurs, the function can be automatically and immediately invalidated without any operation by the user, so that the convenience for the user is improved. The user or the serviceman can select one of the manual degeneration and the automatic degeneration in advance by using the operation unit, so that the operation can be performed according to the purpose of the user or the serviceman, and the effect of improving convenience can be obtained.

[Fourth Embodiment] In the third embodiment,
Although the configuration in which either the manual degeneration or the automatic degeneration is set in advance has been described, the configuration may be such that the manual degeneration or the automatic degeneration is automatically switched according to the type of the fault. Less than,
The embodiment will be described.

Hereinafter, a control processing procedure in the fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the fourth control processing procedure in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. This control is performed mainly by the CPU 323 shown in FIG.
S401 to S409 indicate each step.

First, in step S401, the CPU 32
3 determines whether a failure of the device has been detected. In addition,
When a failure occurs in the reader unit 1 (scanner) or when a failure occurs in the feeder 189, the reader unit 1
Is notified to the CPU 323 via the I / F 322, and when a failure occurs in the printer unit 2, or when a failure occurs in the finisher 190, or when the
If a fault occurs in the printer unit 2, the I / F 3
The CPU 323 is notified via the CPU 27. When a fault occurs in a facsimile, a fault occurs in a network board, or a fault occurs in a PDL expansion unit, the I / F 32 is transmitted from the facsimile unit 4, the network processing unit 7, or the PDL expansion unit 8 respectively.
0 is notified to the CPU 323.

If a failure is detected in step S401, the process proceeds to step S402, and an error code of the failure when the failure occurs is displayed on the operation unit 500. Here, the same display as the failure message 601 shown in FIG. 5 is performed.

Next, in step S403, it is determined whether the contents of the failure are contents to be manually reduced or contents to be automatically reduced. The contents to be manually degenerated are power OFF / O
N is an error that may not be displayed. For example, if there is an error in the communication line between the printer and the finisher, there is a possibility that noise has happened to the line, and there is a possibility that the error will not occur when the power is turned off / on. The contents to be automatically degenerated are those that are unlikely to cause an error even if the power is turned off / on. For example, a motor abnormality, a sensor abnormality, and the like.

If it is determined in step S403 that manual reduction should not be performed, that is, automatic reduction should be performed,
In step S409, it is determined whether a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds, has elapsed. If it is determined that the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S407, in which the failure function is automatically disabled, and the process proceeds to step S408. move on.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S403 that manual degeneration is to be performed, the user is prompted in step S404 by the failure notification and degeneration selection screen shown in FIG. 5 to determine whether to disable the displayed function. Is displayed.

In FIG. 5, a failure occurs in the finisher function, "540" is displayed as an error code, and whether to disable this function is depressed by pressing the "Yes" or "No" degeneration selection keys 602, 603. To the user.

Next, in step S405, it is determined whether or not the function (displayed function) in which the failure has been detected has been invalidated, that is, whether or not the function has been reduced. In order to disable the function, if the user presses the “Yes” degeneration selection key 602 and then presses the OK key 604, the displayed function becomes invalid. In the example of FIG. 5, the finisher function is invalidated.

If it is determined in step S405 that the function in which the failure was detected (displayed function) is invalidated (reduced), in step S407, the function in which the failure was detected (displayed function) In step 5, the finisher function is invalidated, and the flow advances to step S408.

Next, in step S408, an error code and a state of degeneration are displayed on the status line 540 shown in FIG. 4, and the process is terminated. FIG. 4 shows a state in which an error code 540 has occurred due to a failure in the finisher function, and the finisher function has been degenerated.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S405 that the function (displayed function) in which the failure has been detected is not invalidated (do not degenerate), that is, the "No" degeneration selection key 603 is pressed and OK is pressed. If the key 604 is pressed, in step S406, "Please power off / on" is displayed near the center of the operation unit screen, and the process ends.

Here, the reason why the instruction to turn off / on the power is displayed is, for example, a communication error such as noise between the finisher 190 and the printer unit 2 and the error may have been displayed by chance. When turned off / on,
There is a possibility that the error will not occur. If the user decides in this way, select “No” and turn off the power.
/ ON. Even if the power is turned off / on many times,
If the same error still occurs, step S405
Then, "yes" may be selected to degenerate.

In the first to fourth embodiments, an electrophotographic method has been described as an example of a printing method of an image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be an ink jet method or a thermal transfer method. , Heat-sensitive method, electrostatic method,
Other printing methods such as a discharge breakdown method and a sublimation method may be used.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, even if a part of the function of the image forming apparatus, for example, a failure such as a lamp lighting error occurs in the scanning function, the user can operate the scanning function using the operation unit. (Manual degeneration) or automatically invalidating the scan function (automatic degeneration) can be automatically selected depending on the type of failure.

For example, in the case of a communication error between the scanner and the document feeder, an error may have occurred on the communication line due to noise or the like, so that the error may not occur when the main switch is turned on or off. In this case, manual degeneracy increases convenience. In addition, for an error such as a lamp lighting error in which an error is likely to occur again when the main switch is turned off or on, it is more convenient to use automatic degeneration.
By automatically selecting the manual degeneration and the automatic degeneration in accordance with the type of error that has occurred, overall convenience is improved.

In addition, when an error occurs in the scanning function as in the related art, it is possible to invalidate only the failed scanning function without invalidating the entire device.
Then, other functions, for example, the print function are kept valid, and the user can use functions such as printing an image in the hard disk in the device and receiving and printing print data from an external computer. .

As a result, it is possible for the user to solve the problem that inconvenience caused by stopping the entire device when a failure occurs in a part of the function, as in the related art, and to provide other functions. This has the effect of allowing immediate use. Furthermore, even after disabling a part of the function, the result (E code) of the detected failure is displayed on a part of the operation unit, and the state of which function is disabled is displayed on the operation unit. By displaying in, for example,
All users who use the image forming apparatus can know the reason why the scanner is invalid, and it is also possible to solve the conventional problem that the reason why the scanner is invalid is not understood.

Further, by leaving the display of the E-code, which is the cause of the invalidation, as it is on a part of the operation unit, it becomes effective as a judgment material for a serviceman to determine a procedure for repairing a failure. . In other words, simply displaying the state in which the scanning function is disabled makes it difficult to find the cause, so that such a problem can be avoided.

As described above, the convenience for the user and the maintainability for the service person are dramatically improved. Furthermore, even if some functions, such as the scanner, become invalid, other functions, such as printing, are enabled. Until the operator completes the repair of the scanner failure, the printer cannot be used and the toner, paper and counter charges that could not be earned during that time can be earned according to the present invention, which is a great deal for manufacturers and sales companies. Profit arises.

Further, when the manual degeneration is selected, the user can select whether to disable or not the function in which the failure has occurred, thereby improving the convenience.
For example, when a failure occurs, the user can turn the main power off and on.
May cause no failure.

Therefore, when it is desired to repeatedly turn off and on the main power supply when a failure occurs, the main power supply OF is not operated without invalidating the function in which the failure has occurred.
F, ON, etc. can be repeated, it is possible to eliminate the failure, and the main power OFF, ON was repeated, but if the same failure still occurs, disable the failed function Can be said. As a result, the number of calls to service personnel due to the occurrence of the first failure is reduced.
If FF and ON are repeated, guidance for when the fault disappears is specified in the user's manual or displayed on the operation unit when a fault occurs, so if the user is prompted, labor and labor costs for service personnel can be reduced. There is also an effect that can be done.

Further, by selecting the automatic degeneration, when a failure occurs, the function can be automatically and immediately invalidated without any operation by the user, so that the convenience for the user is improved. The user or the serviceman can select one of the manual degeneration and the automatic degeneration in advance by using the operation unit, so that the operation can be performed according to the purpose of the user or the serviceman, and the effect of improving convenience can be obtained.

Then, these manual degeneration and automatic degeneration are
The device is automatically selected according to the type of error, thereby improving overall convenience.

Each of the above-described embodiments includes a scan function as a degenerate function. Accordingly, a function unrelated to scan, for example, a function of printing an image in a hard disk in a device or a function of an external computer is provided. The function of receiving and printing the print data can be enabled.

In each of the above embodiments, a print function is included as a degenerate function. Therefore, a function not related to printing, for example, a scan send function for transferring an image scanned by a scanner to an external computer via a network. Can be enabled.

Furthermore, since each of the above-described embodiments includes a PDL expansion function as a degenerating function, functions not related to PDL, for example, a function of printing an image on a hard disk in a device and a scanning function can be effectively performed. can do.

Further, since each of the above embodiments includes a network function as a function of degenerating, for example, a copy function irrelevant to the network, a function of storing scanned images in a hard disk in the device, and a function in a hard disk in the device. The ability to print certain images can be enabled.

Further, since each of the above-described embodiments includes a feeder function as a function of degenerating, for example, there is an effect that a platen scan and a platen copy function which are irrelevant to the feeder can be made effective.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the finisher function is used as an example of the degenerate function. Therefore, for example, a print job function that is not related to the finisher and does not staple can be made effective.

Further, since each of the above-described embodiments includes a facsimile function as a degenerate function, for example, a copy function, a scan function, a print function, and the like, which are irrelevant to a facsimile function for transmitting / receiving a line, may be enabled. There is an effect of being able to do so.

Further, since each of the above-described embodiments includes a paper feeding function as a function of contracting, for example, if the paper deck is contracted, paper feeding from a cassette, which is unrelated to paper deck paper feeding, can be made effective. Occurs.

Further, it goes without saying that the present invention also includes the degeneration of a function other than the above-described function.

Note that the configuration combining the above embodiments is also
It is included in the present invention.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, etc. are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is stored. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. Also, if the programs and data to be installed are compressed,
A program for decompressing may also be stored.

The functions shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10 in this embodiment may be executed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
D-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape,
A non-volatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon disk, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Further, by reading and reading a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. It becomes possible.

[0171]

As described above, according to the first, thirteenth, and seventeenth aspects of the present invention, when the state of each function is detected and the failure of the function of the image forming apparatus is detected, the failure of the function is detected. The detection result is displayed, and whether to disable the function in which the failure is detected based on the detection result is selected, and if the function in which the failure is detected is selected, the function in which the failure has occurred is invalidated. If you disable a feature that caused a
Since it is displayed that the function in which the failure has occurred has been disabled, even if a failure has occurred in some of the functions of the image forming apparatus, the user can select to disable the function using the operation unit, Only disabled functions can be disabled without disabling the entire device, other functions can be used immediately and the user can easily know that some of the functions are disabled be able to.

According to the second, fourteenth, and eighteenth aspects of the present invention, when the state of each function is detected and a failure of the function of the image forming apparatus is detected, the detection result of the failure of the function is displayed, and the failure of the function is detected. When the failure is detected, the function in which the failure is detected is automatically invalidated, and it is displayed that the function in which the failure is detected is automatically invalidated. If it does occur, the function can be automatically disabled, and only the faulty function can be automatically disabled without disabling the entire device, and the user is aware of the failure of that function. , Other functions can be used immediately and immediately, and the user can easily know that some of the functions are disabled.

According to the third, fifteenth, and nineteenth aspects, when the state of each function is detected and a failure of the function of the image forming apparatus is detected, a detection result of the failure of the function is displayed, and the failure is detected based on the detection result. If you select whether to disable the detected function, if you select to disable the function where the failure was detected, if you manually disable the function that failed, and if you disabled the function that caused the failure Indicating that the function in which the failure has occurred has been disabled, and if a failure in the function has been detected, the function in which the failure has been detected is automatically disabled, and the function in which the failure has been detected is automatically activated. Is displayed in advance, and whether to enable the manual degeneration or the automatic degeneration is selected in advance. Therefore, even if a part of the function of the image forming apparatus fails, the user can operate the operation unit. Will disable that feature. It is selected, or, by automatically disable its function can be disabled only faulty function without disabling the entire apparatus,
While other functions can be used immediately and immediately, the user can easily recognize that some of the functions are disabled, and can operate according to the purpose of the user or service person, Convenience can be improved.

According to the fourth, twentieth and twentieth aspects of the present invention, when the state of each function is detected and a failure of the function of the image forming apparatus is detected, a result of the detection of the failure of the function is displayed, and the detection result is displayed. Select whether to disable the function in which the failure was detected, and if you selected to disable the function in which the failure was detected, manually disable the function in which the failure occurred, and disable the function in which the failure occurred. In the case where a failure is detected, the function in which the failure occurred is manually disabled is displayed.If a failure in the function is detected, the function in which the failure is detected is automatically disabled, and the function in which the failure is detected is displayed. Is automatically disabled, and if a failure occurs in the function, depending on the type of the functional failure, either the manual degeneration or the automatic degeneration is automatically selected to be enabled or disabled. , Of the functions of the image forming apparatus Even if a failure occurs in the unit, the user can use the operation unit to select to disable the function, or automatically disable the function, so that there is a failure without disabling the entire device. Only the features can be disabled, other features can be used immediately and the user can easily know that some of the features are disabled. Is automatically selected by the device according to the type of error, thereby improving overall convenience.

According to the fifth aspect, the functions of the image forming apparatus include a scan function. Therefore, even if a failure occurs in the scan function, a function unrelated to the scan, for example, a hard disk in the device is provided. A function of printing an image or a function of receiving and printing print data from an external computer can be enabled.

According to the sixth aspect, since the functions of the image forming apparatus include a printing function, even if a failure occurs in the printing function, functions not related to printing, for example, an image scanned by a scanner. ScanSend function to transfer the data to an external computer via a network can be enabled.

According to the seventh aspect, since the functions of the image forming apparatus include a page description language developing function, even if a failure occurs in the page description language (PDL) developing function, the PDL can be developed.
, For example, a function of printing an image in a hard disk in the device and a scan function can be enabled.

According to the eighth aspect, since the function of the image forming apparatus includes a network communication function, even if a failure occurs in the network function, for example, a copy function and a scanned image irrelevant to the network can be obtained. The function of storing in the hard disk in the device and the function of printing the image in the hard disk in the device can be enabled.

According to the ninth aspect, since the functions of the image forming apparatus include the feeder function, even if a failure occurs in the feeder function, for example, the platen scan and the platen copy function which are irrelevant to the feeder are effective. The effect is obtained.

According to the tenth aspect, since the functions of the image forming apparatus include a finisher function, even if a failure occurs in the finisher function, for example, a print job function that does not involve stapling and is not stapled is effective. Can be

According to the eleventh aspect, the function of the image forming apparatus includes a facsimile function. Therefore, even if a failure occurs in the facsimile function, for example, a copy function unrelated to the facsimile function for transmitting / receiving data to / from a line. Functions, scan functions, print functions, etc. can be enabled.

According to the twelfth aspect, since the function of the image forming apparatus includes a paper feeding function, even if a failure occurs in a certain paper feeding function, for example, if the paper deck is degraded, the paper deck feeding function is stopped. There is an effect that paper feeding from a cassette, which is irrelevant to paper, can be made effective.

Therefore, even if a failure occurs in a part of the functions of the image forming apparatus, it is possible to invalidate only the failed function without invalidating all of the devices, and to continue the other functions. The present invention has an effect that an excellent image forming environment that can be used can be constructed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus (image processing apparatus) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an example of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a core unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a basic screen displayed on a display unit of the operation unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a failure notification and degeneration selection screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a first control processing procedure in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a second control processing procedure in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a degeneration switching screen which is one of user mode setting screens according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a third control processing procedure in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth control processing procedure in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reader part 2 Printer part 10 Core part 11 PC / WS 14 Network 324 Memory 323 CPU

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 21/00 500 G03G 21/00 500 G06F 3/12 G06F 3/12 K F term (Reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AQ06 AR03 HJ03 HV08 HV34 HV49 2H027 DA38 EK00 EK04 EK15 FA21 GA30 GB07 GB09 ZA07 5B021 AA01 NN00 5C062 AA05 AB22 AB23 AB30 AB32 AB38 AC05 AC55 AC58

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, wherein: a state detecting means for detecting a state of each of the functions; and a function when the function of the image forming apparatus is detected by the state detecting means. Detection result display means for displaying the detection result of the fault, a degeneration selection means for selecting whether or not to invalidate the function in which the fault was detected by the detection result, and a function in which the fault was detected by the degeneration selection means If the invalidation is selected, a manual degeneration means for disabling the function in which the failure has occurred, and disabling the function in which the failure has occurred by the manual degeneration means, disabling the function in which the failure has occurred. An image forming apparatus, comprising: first degeneration status display means for displaying. 2. An image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, wherein: a state detecting means for detecting a state of each function; and a function when the function detecting means detects a failure in a function of the image forming apparatus by the state detecting means. Detection result display means for displaying a detection result of the failure, automatic degeneration means for automatically invalidating the function in which the failure is detected when a function failure is detected by the state detection means, A second display indicating that the function in which the failure has been detected by the state detection means has been automatically disabled by the degeneration means.
An image forming apparatus comprising: 3. An image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, wherein: a state detecting means for detecting a state of each of the functions; and a function when the failure of a function of the image forming apparatus is detected by the state detecting means. Detection result display means for displaying the detection result of the fault, a degeneration selection means for selecting whether or not to invalidate the function in which the fault was detected by the detection result, and a function in which the fault was detected by the degeneration selection means When the invalidation is selected, a manual degeneration means for disabling the function in which the failure has occurred, and when disabling the function in which the failure has occurred by the manual degeneration means, disabling the function in which the failure has occurred. First degeneration status display means for displaying, when the function detection is detected by the state detection means, automatic degeneration means for automatically invalidating the function in which the failure is detected, The serial automatic degraded unit, a second to indicate that a fault in said state detecting means is automatically disables sensed feature
An image forming apparatus comprising: a degeneration status display unit; and a first degeneration switching selection unit that preliminarily selects which of the manual degeneration unit and the automatic degeneration unit is enabled. 4. An image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, wherein: a state detecting means for detecting a state of each of the functions; and a function when the function of the image forming apparatus is detected by the state detecting means. Detection result display means for displaying the detection result of the fault, a degeneration selection means for selecting whether or not to invalidate the function in which the fault was detected by the detection result, and a function in which the fault was detected by the degeneration selection means If the invalidation is selected, a manual degeneration means for disabling the function in which the failure has occurred, and disabling the function in which the failure has occurred by the manual degeneration means, disabling the function in which the failure has occurred. First degeneration status display means for displaying, when the function detection is detected by the state detection means, automatic degeneration means for automatically invalidating the function in which the failure is detected, The serial automatic degraded unit, a second to indicate that a fault in said state detecting means is automatically disables sensed feature
And a second degeneration method for automatically selecting either the manual degeneration means or the automatic degeneration means according to the type of the function failure when the function failure has occurred. An image forming apparatus comprising: a switching selection unit. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function of the image forming apparatus includes a scan function. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function of the image forming apparatus includes a printing function. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function of the image forming apparatus includes a page description language developing function. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function of the image forming apparatus includes a network communication function. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function of the image forming apparatus includes a feeder function. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function of the image forming apparatus includes a finisher function. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function of the image forming apparatus includes a facsimile function. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function of the image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeding function. 13. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, comprising: a state detecting step of detecting a state of each function; and a failure of a function of the image forming apparatus detected by the state detecting step. A detection result displaying step of displaying a detection result of the failure of the function; a degeneration selection step of selecting whether to invalidate the function in which the failure is detected based on the detection result; and a failure detection by the degeneration selection step. If the disabled function is selected, a manual degeneration step for disabling the function in which the failure has occurred, and disabling the function in which the failure has occurred in the manual degeneration step, disabling the function in which the failure has occurred. And a first degeneration status display step of displaying that the operation has been performed. 14. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, wherein: a state detecting step of detecting a state of each of the functions; and a failure of a function of the image forming apparatus is detected by the state detecting step. A detection result display step of displaying a detection result of a failure in the function, and an automatic degeneration step of automatically invalidating the function in which the failure is detected when a failure in the function is detected by the state detection step. A second display indicating that the function in which the failure has been detected in the state detection step has been automatically disabled by the automatic degeneration step;
And a degeneration status display step. 15. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, wherein: a state detecting step of detecting a state of each function; and a failure of a function of the image forming apparatus is detected by the state detecting step. A detection result displaying step of displaying a detection result of the failure of the function; a degeneration selection step of selecting whether to invalidate the function in which the failure is detected based on the detection result; and a failure detection by the degeneration selection step. If the disabled function is selected, a manual degeneration step for disabling the function in which the failure has occurred, and disabling the function in which the failure has occurred in the manual degeneration step, disabling the function in which the failure has occurred. A first degeneration state displaying step of displaying that the function has been performed, and an automatic reduction for automatically disabling the function in which the failure is detected when a failure of the function is detected in the state detection step. A second step of displaying that the function in which the failure has been detected in the state detection step has been automatically disabled by the automatic degeneration step.
The degeneration status display step, and whether to enable the manual degeneration or automatic degeneration is selected in advance, and if a failure of the function occurs,
A first degeneration switching step of executing either the manual degeneration step or the automatic degeneration step in accordance with the selection. 16. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, wherein: a state detecting step of detecting a state of each function; and a failure of a function of the image forming apparatus is detected by the state detecting step. A detection result displaying step of displaying a detection result of the failure of the function; a degeneration selection step of selecting whether to invalidate the function in which the failure is detected based on the detection result; and a failure detection by the degeneration selection step. If the disabled function is selected, a manual degeneration step for disabling the function in which the failure has occurred, and disabling the function in which the failure has occurred in the manual degeneration step, disabling the function in which the failure has occurred. A first degeneration state displaying step of displaying that the function has been performed, and an automatic reduction for automatically disabling the function in which the failure is detected when a failure of the function is detected in the state detection step. A second step of displaying that the function in which the failure has been detected in the state detection step has been automatically disabled by the automatic degeneration step.
And a second degeneration switching step of executing either the manual degeneration step or the automatic degeneration step in accordance with the type of the function failure when the function failure occurs. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: 17. An image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, a state detecting step of detecting a state of each of the functions, and a function of detecting a failure of a function of the image forming apparatus by the state detecting step. A detection result display step of displaying a detection result of the failure, a degeneration selection step of selecting whether to invalidate a function in which the failure is detected based on the detection result, and a function in which the failure is detected by the degeneration selection step. If invalidation is selected, a manual degeneration step for disabling the function in which the failure has occurred, and disabling the function in which the failure has occurred in the manual degeneration step, disabling the function in which the failure has occurred. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for executing a first degeneration state displaying step of displaying the following. 18. An image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, comprising: a state detecting step of detecting a state of each of the functions; and a function detecting a failure of the function of the image forming apparatus by the state detecting step. A detection result display step of displaying a detection result of the failure, an automatic degeneration step of automatically disabling the function in which the failure is detected when a failure of the function is detected by the state detection step, A second display indicating that the function in which the failure was detected in the state detection step was automatically disabled by the degeneration step.
A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for executing the degeneration status display step and 19. An image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, comprising: a state detecting step of detecting a state of each of the functions; and a function when the failure of the function of the image forming apparatus is detected by the state detecting step. A detection result display step of displaying a detection result of the failure, a degeneration selection step of selecting whether to invalidate a function in which the failure is detected based on the detection result, and a function in which the failure is detected by the degeneration selection step. If invalidation is selected, a manual degeneration step for disabling the function in which the failure has occurred, and disabling the function in which the failure has occurred in the manual degeneration step, disabling the function in which the failure has occurred. A first degeneration status display step to be displayed; and an automatic degeneration step of automatically invalidating the function in which the failure is detected when a failure of the function is detected by the state detection step; The dynamic degeneration process, first to indicate that a fault in the state detecting step is automatically disables the sensed function 2
The degeneration status display step, and whether to enable the manual degeneration or automatic degeneration is selected in advance, and if a failure of the function occurs,
A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for executing a first degeneration switching step of executing either the manual degeneration step or the automatic degeneration step in accordance with the selection. 20. An image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions, comprising: a state detecting step of detecting a state of each function; and a function detecting a failure of a function of the image forming apparatus by the state detecting step. A detection result display step of displaying a detection result of the failure, a degeneration selection step of selecting whether to invalidate a function in which the failure is detected based on the detection result, and a function in which the failure is detected by the degeneration selection step. If invalidation is selected, a manual degeneration step for disabling the function in which the failure has occurred, and disabling the function in which the failure has occurred in the manual degeneration step, disabling the function in which the failure has occurred. A first degeneration status display step to be displayed; and an automatic degeneration step of automatically invalidating the function in which the failure is detected when a failure of the function is detected by the state detection step; The dynamic degeneration process, first to indicate that a fault in the state detecting step is automatically disables the sensed function 2
And a second degeneration switching step of executing either the manual degeneration step or the automatic degeneration step according to the type of the function failure when the function failure occurs. Storage medium storing a computer readable program.