This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-020516, filed on Feb. 12, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image processing device, an image processing method, and a diagnostic system for the image processing device.
In the related art, if malfunction occurs in a built-in application of an image processing device such as a digital multi-functional peripheral (MFP), an administrator, a maintenance person, or the like acquires a debug log according to the built-in application in which the malfunction occurs, from the image processing device and analyzes the debug log to find a cause of the malfunction. However, the debug log obtained from the image processing device is not limited to the debug log of the built-in application in which the malfunction occurs, and also includes a debug log of controller software installed in the image processing device. Further, since the debug log is encrypted, the debug log of the built-in application in which the malfunction occurs cannot be extracted without decrypting all debug logs acquired from the image processing device. Therefore, a mechanism of collecting a debug log of a desired built-in application with a simple operation is demanded.
An object to be achieved by embodiments is to provide an image processing device and an image processing method capable of collecting a debug log of a desired built-in application with a simple operation.
In general, according to one embodiment, an image processing device includes storage means, encryption means, and output means. The storage means stores an encryption key in correlation with a built-in application during installation of the built-in application. The encryption means encrypts a debug log relating to the built-in application with the encryption key in correlation with the corresponding built-in application. The output means outputs the debug log encrypted by the encryption means.
Hereinafter, embodiments are described with reference to the drawings.
The scanner 11 is a device that optically reads an image of a document according to an operation instruction from the control system 13 and converts the image into image information. The scanner 11 outputs the image information of the read document to the control system 13.
The printer 12 prints an image based on the image information supplied from the control system 13 on paper in various printing conditions designated from the control system 13. As the printer 12, printers of various image forming methods can be applied. For example, the printer 12 may be a printer in an electrophotographic method, and may be a printer in an inkjet method or a thermal transfer method.
The control system 13 collectively controls an operation of each unit such as the scanner 11, the printer 12, and the operation panel 14. In addition, the control system 13 performs various processes such as image processing. The control system 13 includes a processor 131, a random-access memory (RAM) 132, a read-only memory (ROM) 133, a data memory 134, an image memory 135, an image processing unit 136, a facsimile (FAX) interface (I/F) 137, a communication interface (I/F) 138, and a medium interface (I/F) 139.
The processor 131 performs processes such as calculation and control according to programs. The processor 131 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The processor 131 realizes various processing functions by executing programs stored in the ROM 133 or the data memory 134. The RAM 132 is a volatile memory. The RAM 132 functions, for example, as a working memory. The ROM 133 is a non-volatile memory. The ROM 133 functions, for example, as a program memory.
The data memory 134 stores control data, a control program, setting information, and the like. The data memory 134 is, for example, a rewritable non-volatile memory. The image memory 135 stores image information. The image processing unit 136 performs image processing with respect to image information.
The FAX interface 137 is an interface for performing FAX communication. The communication interface 138 is an interface for performing data communication with an external device via a network such as the communication network 2. The medium interface 139 is an interface for performing data communication with a storage medium such as a memory card or a universal serial bus (USB) memory.
The operation panel 14 is a user interface. The operation panel 14 includes a touch panel 141 and an input device 142. The touch panel 141 is obtained, for example, by stacking a display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display and a sensing device that detects touch input. The input device 142 is, for example, a button, keyboard, a keypad, or a touchpad.
The MFP 10 includes a built-in application database 40 in the data memory 134. Hereinafter, the built-in application is referred to as a built-in app. The built-in app database 40 is an assembly of built-in app data records 401 (see
The description refers back to
The acquisition timing of the debug log and the transmission destination of the debug log are set on the debug log setting screen 100 in advance by the administrator. If the acquisition timing of the debug log and the transmission destination of the debug log are set, the setting is stored in the built-in app data record 401.
The description refers back to
The MFP 10 stores an app table 1341 (see
The processor 131 of the MFP 10 waits for the instruction of the installation of the built-in app in ACT 1. If the installation of the built-in app is instructed, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT 1 and proceeds to ACT 2. The processor 131 installs the built-in app from the storage medium via the medium interface 139 in ACT 2.
The processor 131 loads the package software in ACT 3. As the package software, the entire package software may be encrypted. In such a case, the entire package software is decrypted, and the electronic signature is confirmed.
The processor 131 stores the program data of the built-in app, the metadata, and the encryption key included in the package software loaded in the process of ACT 3 in the built-in app data record 401 in ACT 4. The processor 131 stores the folder name of the folder of the debug log generated if the package software is installed in the built-in app data record 401. With the above, the processor 131 ends the information process of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of
The processor 131 of the MFP 10 waits for the instruction of executing the built-in app in ACT 11. If the execution of the built-in app is instructed, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT 11 and proceeds to ACT 12. The processor 131 executes the built-in app in ACT 12.
The processor 131 confirms whether the acquisition flag of the app table 1341 is “1” in ACT 13. If the acquisition flag is not “1”, that is, the acquisition flag is “0”, the processor 131 determines NO in ACT 13 and proceeds to ACT 14.
The processor 131 confirms whether built-in app ends in ACT 14. If the built-in app ends, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT 14, and the processor 131 ends the information processes of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of
If the acquisition flag of the app table 1341 is “1”, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT 13 and proceeds to ACT 15. The processor 131 confirms whether the acquisition timing of the debug log is stored in the built-in app data record 401 in ACT 15. If the acquisition timing of the debug log is not stored, the processor 131 determines NO in ACT 15 and proceeds to ACT 17 described below.
If the acquisition timing of the debug log is stored, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT 15 and proceeds to ACT 16. The processor 131 extracts the folder of the folder name of the debug log stored in the built-in app data record 401 and stores the debug log of the built-in app in the folder in ACT 16.
The processor 131 confirms whether the built-in app ends in ACT 17. If the built-in app does not end, the processor 131 determines NO in ACT 17 and returns to ACT 15. That is, the processor 131 repeatedly performs the processes of ACTS 15 to 17 until the built-in app ends.
If the built-in app ends, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT 17, and the processor 131 ends the information processes of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of
If the malfunction of the built-in app occurs, the administrator switches the operation mode of the MFP 10 from the normal mode to the maintenance mode. The administrator designates the built-in app in which the malfunction occurs from the screen of the maintenance mode displayed on the touch panel 141 and inputs an acquisition button for acquiring the debug log of the corresponding built-in app.
That is, the processor 131 of the MFP 10 waits for the instruction of the acquisition of the debug log in ACT 21. If the acquisition of the debug log is instructed, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT 21 and proceeds to ACT 22.
The processor 131 confirms whether the acquisition flag of the app table 1341 is “1” in ACT 22. If the acquisition flag is not “1”, that is, the acquisition flag is “0”, the processor 131 determines NO in ACT 22 and ends the information process of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of
If the acquisition flag of the app table 1341 is “1”, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT 22 and proceeds to ACT 23. The processor 131 extracts the folder of the debug log of the corresponding built-in app and confirms whether the debug log is acquired in ACT 23. If the debug log is not acquired, the processor 131 determines NO in ACT 23 and ends the information process of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of
If the debug log is acquired, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT 23 and proceeds to ACT 24. The processor 131 acquires an encryption key corresponding to the corresponding built-in app stored in the built-in app data record 401 in ACT 24. The processor 131 encrypts the debug log by using the encryption key in ACT 25. The processor 131 stores the debug log encrypted in the RAM 132 in ACT 26.
The processor 131 confirms whether the transmission destination of the debug log is stored in the built-in app data record 401 in ACT 27. If the transmission destination of the debug log is not stored, the processor 131 determines NO in ACT 27 and proceeds to ACT 28.
The processor 131 outputs the encrypted debug log of the built-in app to the storage medium via the medium interface 139 in ACT 28. With the above, the processor 131 ends the information process of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of
If the transmission destination of the debug log is stored, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT 27 and proceeds to ACT 29. The processor 131 transmits the encrypted debug log of the built-in app to the stored transmission destination in ACT 29. With the above, the processor 131 ends the information process of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of
As clearly described above, the processor 131 of the MFP 10 that is an example of the image processing device configures storage means by performing the processes of ACTS 1 to 4 of
The processor 131 of the MFP 10 configures encryption means by performing the processes of ACTS 21 to 25 of
The processor 131 of the MFP 10 configures output means by performing the processes of ACTS 26 to 28 of
In this manner, according to the present embodiment, if the administrator instructs the MFP 10 to install the built-in app, the package software is loaded. The program data of the built-in app, the metadata of the built-in app, and the encryption key included in the package software are stored in the built-in app data record 401. In addition, the folder of the debug log generated during the installation is stored in the built-in app data record 401. After the installation, the acquisition timing of the debug log and the transmission destination of the debug log are set in advance by the administrator on the debug log setting screen 100. Also, if the user instructs the execution of the built-in app, if the acquisition flag of the app table 1341 is “1”, and the acquisition timing of the debug log is stored in the built-in app data record 401, the debug log is stored in the folder of the corresponding built-in app. Further, if the administrator acquires the debug log, the encryption key corresponding to the built-in app stored in the built-in app data record 401 is acquired. Also, the debug log encrypted by using the encryption key is stored in the RAM 132. If the transmission destination of the debug log is not stored in the built-in app data record 401, the encrypted debug log of the built-in app is automatically output to the storage medium. Therefore, the debug log of the desired built-in application can be collected by a simple operation.
If the transmission destination of the debug log is stored in the built-in app data record 401, the encrypted debug log of the built-in app is transmitted to the transmission destination. Therefore, the debug log can be transmitted to the transmission destination such as the administrator and the cloud server 30 by a simple operation.
Subsequently, a second embodiment is described.
According to the first embodiment, the encryption key of the built-in app is described on the assumption of being included in the package software.
In the second embodiment, a case where the encryption key is not included in the package software is assumed. In the drawings relating to the second embodiment and the description thereof below, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. Therefore, the description of the same elements may be omitted.
The processor 131 of the MFP 10 waits for the instruction of the installation of the built-in app in ACT 31. If the installation of the built-in app is instructed, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT 31 and proceeds to ACT 32. The processor 131 installs the built-in app from the storage medium via the medium interface 139 in ACT 32.
The processor 131 loads the package software in ACT 33. The processor 131 confirms whether the encryption key is included in the package software loaded in the process of ACT 33 in ACT 34. If the encryption key is included, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT 34 and proceeds to ACT 35. The processor 131 stores the program data of the built-in app, the metadata, and the encryption key in the built-in app data record 401 in ACT 35. The processor 131 stores the folder name of the folder of the debug log generated during the installation of the package software in the built-in app data record 401. With the above, the processor 131 ends the information process of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of
If the encryption key is not included, the processor 131 determines NO in ACT 34 and proceeds to ACT 36. The processor 131 displays the encryption key selection screen 200 (see
The description refers back to
The processor 131 confirms whether the “upload” is input to the encryption key selection screen 200 in ACT 37. If the “upload” is not input, that is, “no encryption key” is input, the processor 131 determines NO in ACT 37 and proceeds to ACT 38. The processor 131 stores the program data and the metadata of the built-in app in the built-in app data record 401 in ACT 38. The processor 131 stores the folder name of the folder of the debug log generated during the installation of the package software in the built-in app data record 401. With the above, the processor 131 ends the information process of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of
If “upload” is input, the processor 131 determines YES in ACT 37 and proceeds to ACT 39. The processor 131 displays an encryption key setting screen 300 (see
The description refers back to
The processor 131 acquires the encryption key stored in the storage location designated in the file path in ACT 40. The processor 131 stores the program data and the metadata of the built-in app together with the encryption key acquired in the process of ACT 39 in the built-in app data record 401 in ACT 41. The processor 131 stores the folder name of the folder of the debug log generated during the installation of the package software in the built-in app data record 401. With the above, the processor 131 ends the information process of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of
In the second embodiment, the process of ACT 24 in
As clearly described above, the processor 131 of the MFP 10 that is an example of the image processing device performs the processes of ACTS 34, 36, and 37 of
In this manner, in the second embodiment, a case where the encryption key is not included in the package software is assumed. An image of the button 203 that enables to select any one of “no encryption key” or “upload” is displayed on the encryption key selection screen 200. Therefore, the administrator can select whether to set the encryption key and then acquire the debug log of the built-in app.
In the above, the embodiments of the image processing device and the image processing method are described, but the corresponding embodiment is not limited thereto.
In the above embodiments, a case where the image processing device is the MFP 10 is exemplified. The image processing device is not limited to the MFP 10. For example, the image processing device may be a copying machine or a printer.
In the above embodiments, a case where the MFP 10 includes the built-in app database 40 is described. The built-in app database 40 may be a storage device built in the MFP 10 or may be a storage device attached outside the MFP 10.
In the above embodiments, whether to acquire the debug log in case of an error of the built-in app, whether to periodically acquire a debug log, and designation time in case of periodically acquiring the debug log are set in the item field 101 for setting the timing of acquiring the debug log of the built-in app are described. For example, with respect to the timing, the debug log may be acquired if the usage rate of the processor 131 is higher than the reference value, and the debug log may be acquired if the usage amount of the ROM 133 or the data memory 134 is larger than the reference value.
According to the embodiment, a case where the transmission destination of the debug log is the cloud server 30, the administrator, the maintenance person, and the like is described. For example, the debug log may be stored in the storage medium via the medium interface 139.
According to the second embodiment, a case where the encryption key is uploaded from the cloud server 30 to the MFP 10 is described. For example, an encryption key stored in a storage medium different from the storage medium for installing the built-in app may be uploaded to the MFP 10 via the medium interface 139.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2021-020516 | Feb 2021 | JP | national |