JP2002123382A - Information processor, external terminal device, equipment management system, method of obtaining and transmitting equipment information, method of obtaining equipment information, method of managing equipment information, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a service man to obtain equipment information without disturbing the operation of equipment such as business machine or user's operation of the equipment. SOLUTION: The equipment information designated by an external terminal device can be given to the external terminal device from an information processor by radio and the external terminal device displays the given equipment information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing device capable of wireless communication with an external terminal device, an external terminal device capable of wireless communication with the information processing device, a system including them, a control method thereof, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a business machine such as a copying machine, a printer, or the like, a service person obtains device information and performs maintenance of the business machine. As device information,
There are a remaining amount of toner, a remaining amount of copy paper, the number of sheets on which printout or copying has been performed, abnormal information such as a jam, a device serial number, a device name, and the like.

[0003] In order to obtain the equipment information of the office machine, the serviceman has to open the main body cover of the office machine to be used or use the operation unit of the office machine.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional device information acquisition method, when the main body cover is opened to acquire the device information of the target office machine, the office machine automatically operates by opening the main body cover. , The office machine cannot be used during that time. In addition, when the device information is obtained using the operation unit of the office machine, the operation unit is occupied by the serviceman during that time, and there is a problem that the operation of the office machine by the user is prevented.

[0005] In order to solve this problem, a configuration has been considered in which the equipment information of the office machine is obtained through a wired line such as a dedicated line or via a network, and has actually been installed. However, there has been a problem that the device without this configuration has a problem in that the operation of the office machine is stopped as in the related art, and the device information cannot be obtained unless a function for connecting to a dedicated line or a network is provided.

Further, when connecting to a dedicated line or a network, office machines must be installed within a range where the dedicated line or the network line can reach, so that there is a problem that the place where the office machines are arranged is limited.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and without interrupting the operation of devices such as office machines and the operation of a user on the devices, a service person can provide
It is an object of the present invention to be able to acquire device information of devices such as office machines that are freely arranged.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, comprising: a device information acquisition unit for acquiring device information; and a device information storage device for storing the device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit. Device information storage means for performing
Wireless communication means provided between an external terminal device, receiving means for receiving a request signal requesting transmission of device information of a specified type from the external terminal device via the wireless communication device, and the device information Transmitting means for transmitting, via the wireless communication means, device information corresponding to a designated type included in the request signal received by the receiving means from the device information stored by the storage means; It is characterized by.

[0009] Further, wireless communication means provided between the information processing apparatus and transmission means for transmitting a request signal for requesting transmission of device information of a specified type to the information processing apparatus via the wireless communication means. Receiving means for receiving device information returned from the information processing device via the wireless communication means in response to a request signal transmitted from the transmitting means; and displaying device information received by the receiving means. An external terminal device comprising a display unit.

In a device management system including an information processing device and an external terminal device, device information of the information processing device designated by the external terminal device is transmitted in response to a request from the external terminal device. The information processing apparatus includes means for wirelessly transmitting from the information processing device to the external terminal device.

In a device information acquisition and transmission method applied to an information processing device capable of communicating with an external terminal device by wireless communication, a device information acquisition step of acquiring device information, and a device acquired by the device information acquisition step A device information storing step of storing information; an obtaining step of obtaining device information of a type specified from the external terminal device via wireless communication from the device information stored by the device information storing step; and the obtaining step Transmitting the device information acquired by the above to the external terminal device by wireless.

Also, in a device information obtaining method applied to an external terminal device capable of communicating with an information processing device by wireless communication, device information designated by wireless communication from device information of the information processing device is transmitted by wireless communication. And a display step of displaying the device information received by the receiving step.

Further, in a device information management method applied to a device management system comprising an information processing device and an external terminal device and capable of wireless communication with each other, the information processing device designated by the external terminal device The device information is wirelessly transmitted from the information processing device to the external terminal device in response to a request from the external terminal device.

[0014] Further, in a computer-readable storage medium storing, as a program, a device information acquisition and transmission method applied to an information processing device capable of wirelessly communicating with an external terminal device, the device information acquisition and transmission method may include a device information acquisition method. Acquiring the device information, acquiring the device information acquired by the device information acquiring step, storing the device information acquired by the device information acquiring step, the device information of the type specified by wireless communication from the external terminal device the device information An acquisition step of acquiring from the device information stored in the storage step, and a transmission step of wirelessly transmitting the device information acquired in the acquisition step to the external terminal device.

[0015] Further, in a storage medium readable by a computer storing a method for obtaining device information applied to an external terminal device capable of wirelessly communicating with the information processing device as a program, the method for obtaining device information may be the information processing device. A receiving step of receiving, via wireless communication, device information designated via wireless communication from among the device information items, and a displaying step of displaying the device information received by the receiving step.

[0016]

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a device management system according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a multi-function printer (MFP) having a wireless communication function, such as copying a document, printing out an electronic file via a network, and transmitting / receiving a facsimile via a telephone line. I do.
Hereinafter, the multi-function printer is referred to as “MFP”. MPF101
Then, the number of sheets printed or copied is counted, and stored as device information in an internal storage device. Further, the remaining amount of toner, the remaining amount of copy paper, and the like are sequentially monitored and stored in the internal storage device.

Reference numeral 102 denotes a personal digital assistant (PDA) having a wireless communication function, which is an external terminal carried by a service person. Hereinafter, the portable information terminal is referred to as “PDA”. By operating the PDA 102, a service person can obtain desired device information. MFP10
1 and the PDA 102 are wirelessly connected by wireless communication means such as BlueTooth, and the serviceman operates the PDA 102 to select and determine desired device information, so that the device information of the MFP 101 is displayed on the PDA 102. Software for selecting and determining device information is stored in the PDA 102, and is software conforming to the OS (Operating System) of the PDA 102.

It is to be noted that such a device information wireless acquisition system is intended to be used only by a related person such as a service person. Therefore, when using this system, an authentication operation for certifying the person concerned is required. Although necessary, this authentication software is also stored in the PDA 102.

FIG. 1 shows an MFP for simplicity.
Although only one PDA and one PDA are shown, there are actually a plurality of each.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing the MFP 101 in detail.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a scanner.
This is a device that scans an original placed on top and reads it as digital data. Reference numeral 202 denotes a document feeder, which automatically pulls in a document placed on the document feeder 202 and conveys the document to a predetermined location on the scanner 201. The scanned document is conveyed out of the scanner 201 by the document feeder 202, and if there is a next document, the next document is continuously drawn in and conveyed.

Reference numeral 203 denotes a printer engine which receives image data digitized by the scanner 201,
An image is formed on an output paper by an electrostatographic process or the like,
Output the output paper. Reference numeral 204 denotes an MFP controller which is stored inside the MFP 101,
01, the printer engine 203, and the operation of a UI 205, which will be described later, and the like, perform image processing on digital image data received from the scanner 201, and transfer the data to the printer engine 203. The MFP controller 204 is connected to a network, and can transfer digital image data read by the scanner 201 via a network, receive data from the network, and output the data from the printer engine 203. . The network is a network using a known technology for connecting devices, and in the present embodiment, Ethernet (registered trademark) using the TCP / IP protocol is assumed.

An operation unit UI (User Interface) 205 includes a liquid crystal display, a touch panel, hard keys, and the like, and can display the contents of operations and processes performed by the MFP 101 and determine a selection. Hereinafter, the operation unit is referred to as “UI”. 206 is a finisher,
This is a device for receiving output sheets output from the printer engine 203 and performing processes such as sorting and stapling.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the MFP controller 204.

In the figure, a CPU 301 controls the entire operation.
It is. Reference numeral 302 denotes a RAM, which is storage information for work;
A program for controlling the operation of the PU 401 and image data are temporarily stored. A ROM 303 stores a program for controlling a predetermined process such as a predetermined operation at the time of starting. The ROM 303 also includes a rewritable ROM (flash ROM or the like), and information relating to charging such as a copy volume (the number of sheets on which printout or copying has been performed) is stored in the rewritable ROM.
Written to OM. Reference numeral 304 denotes an HDD (hard disk) for storing a large amount of image data, which is used for an electronic sort process for changing the order of each image data and a process for performing a plurality of printouts in one scan.

Reference numeral 305 denotes an image processing unit for adjusting the color tone,
Performs digital image processing such as image density adjustment and mirror image / negative / positive inversion. A scanner I / F unit 306 controls connection with the scanner 201 to store image data read by the scanner 201 in the RAM 302. 30
An operation unit I / F unit 7 receives setting information from the UI 205 and transmits image data to be displayed on the UI 205. 308, a printer I / F unit;
It is used when transferring the image data stored in the AM 302 to the printer engine 203. Reference numeral 309 denotes a network I / F for connecting to a network. 31
A wireless communication unit 0 transmits information inside the MFP 101 to the outside and receives an instruction from the outside. PDA10
If a wireless system with a high communication speed is adopted between
The image data on A102 can be taken into the MFP 101 and printed out.

All blocks are connected by a shared internal bus 311.

The configuration inside the MFP 101 is different from that of another MFP.
This is a configuration that should be provided in all cases.

The operation of the MFP 101 having such a configuration for acquiring device information will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the device information acquisition process executed by the CPU 301 of the MFP 101. This process is a device information acquisition process on the MFP 101 side. The processing operation on the PDA 102 will be described below, but is not shown.

In order for the service person to acquire the device information of the MFP 101, the PDA 102 executes software for acquiring the device information. By this operation, request information for device information acquisition is transmitted from the PDA 102 to the MFP 101 via wireless communication.

In step S401, the MFP 101 determines whether a request for device information acquisition has been received from the PDA 102. If it is determined that a request has been received, the process proceeds to step S401.
Proceed to 402.

In step S402, the MFP 101
A request for displaying a screen for authentication is transmitted to the PDA 102 in order to perform authentication in acquiring device information. P who received this request
The DA 102 displays a screen for authentication. PDA102
Then, when the authentication screen is displayed, the authentication information (such as the password) registered in advance by the service
Input to A102. The entered authentication information is PD
A 102 is transmitted to MFP 101.

The MFP 101 receives the authentication information and performs authentication. Although the authentication method is not particularly described, for example, the PDA 102 transmits the device information acquisition request to the MFP 101 at the above-described timing.
In addition to transmitting the serial number of 102 (it is necessary that the information cannot be changed), this serial number is set as authentication information.

In step S403, as a result of the authentication,
If it is authenticated that the user is an authorized serviceman who can acquire device information, the process proceeds to step S404. Step S40 if not authenticated as an authorized serviceman
Returning to step 2, a request for authentication screen display is transmitted to the PDA 102.

In step S404, the MFP 101
Transmits the display data of the selection screen of the device information to be displayed on the PDA 102 to the PDA 102. Then M
In the FP 101, the selected information to be displayed on the selection screen is R
The display data is collected from the OM 303 and the HDD 304 to create the display data. That is, the selection screen is a screen for allowing the serviceman to select information desired from the various types of device information, but the various types of device information that can be provided may be different for each MFP. For example, in a certain MFP, information on the number of copies and information on the remaining amount of toner exist. However, if the sheet number sensor is not installed, only the information on the number of copies and the remaining amount of toner can be provided as the device information that can be provided. is there. Based on this, the above display data is created.

The PDA 102 receives the transmitted display data and displays a selection screen on the PDA 102. The service person refers to the displayed selection screen and selects desired device information by a selection means (touch pen or cursor key). When this selection is made, a notification indicating which device information is selected is transmitted from PDA 102 to MFP 101.

In step S405, the MFP 101
It is determined whether or not the above notification has been received from the DA 102,
If it has been received, in step S406, the device information indicated in the notification is read out from the internal storage device and the PDA 10
Send to 2.

Thus, the selected desired device information is displayed on the PDA 102, and the serviceman can obtain the desired device information.

It should be noted that the software of the PDA 102 is configured so that the user can select again to obtain another type of device information by operating the PDA 102 or to end the device information obtaining process. . Using this, when the serviceman selects to perform the device information selection again, the PDA 102 requests the MFP 101 to transmit the device information selection screen again. In the MFP 101 that has received this request, the determination result of step S407 for determining whether to end the device information acquisition process is NO, and the process returns to step S404. In step S404,
To display the selection screen again, display data is
Send to 102.

Further, P is set so as to end the device information obtaining process.
If the serviceman has selected the DA on the DA 102, the answer to the determination in step S407 is YES, and the MFP 101
Then, the device information acquisition processing is terminated in the PDA 102.

If it is determined in step S403 that the service person is not an authorized service person, the process returns to step S402, and a request for displaying a screen for authentication is sent to the PD.
A102, and in that case, step S402
May be counted on the MFP 101 side, and when the count value becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the device information acquisition process may be terminated. Further, when the count value becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value, a configuration may be adopted in which an unauthorized access is performed and access from the PDA is prohibited (determined from a serial number or the like).

In step S 407, if the serviceman selects again to select the device information and the answer is no, the process returns to step S 404 to display the selection screen display data from the MFP 101 to the PDA 102.
Alternatively, the process may proceed to step S405 immediately without transmitting the message again. In this case, although the PDA 102 needs to store the display data received first as it is, the number of times of wireless communication between the MFP 101 and the PDA 102 can be reduced.

In some wireless systems, the MFP 10
There is a one-to-n communication system (such as an infrared data communication system IrDA) in which the one-to-one communication with the PDA 102 is not one-to-one.
If such a communication method is adopted, step S40
In order to prevent interruption of communication from another PDA after the first authentication in step 3, the serial number of the PDA is transmitted simultaneously with each subsequent communication,
In addition, a communication protocol that does not transmit the serial number or the like of the PDA from the MFP 101 is implemented. As a result, security can be protected. This is not the case with a wireless communication method such as BlueTooth that can eliminate such spoof communication in advance.

In this embodiment, the PDA 102 and M
Since the wireless communication is performed with the FP 101, the PDA
102 is driven by a power source different from that of the MFP 101. For this reason, it is conceivable that the communication may be interrupted during wireless communication due to a power failure of the PDA 102 or the like. To cope with this, in each of steps S403 and S405, the duration of the transmission waiting state in which transmission from the PDA 102 to the MFP 101 is not performed is counted. You may make it cut | disconnect. In this case, the MFP 101
Transmits the communication disconnection information to the PDA 102 from the
The software on the A102 side receives this and suspends and ends the device information acquisition process.

In addition to the wireless communication method such as BlueTooth between the MFP 101 and the PDA 102,
A wireless communication system such as E802.11a / b may be used.

Further, a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus is provided.
It is needless to say that the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, 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 disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, 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 an OS or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the present invention includes a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are 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, It is needless to say that the present invention includes a case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. .

[0054]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when a service technician attempts to obtain device information at the user's site, the user opens the front cover of an information processing apparatus such as a multi-function printing machine MFP. It is possible to acquire the device information without interrupting the operation and without interrupting the operation while the user is operating the information processing apparatus.

Further, the information processing device can be freely arranged, and the device information can be obtained from any place as long as the information can be communicated wirelessly. Therefore, the device information can be acquired without having to go near the information processing apparatus, so that the time required for the service person to acquire the device information can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a device management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing the multi-function printer MFP in detail.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the MFP controller.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of device information acquisition processing executed by a CPU of the MFP.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 101 Multifunction printing machine MFP (information processing device) 102 Portable information terminal (PDA, external terminal device, transmission means, reception means, display means) 201 Scanner 202 Document feeder 203 Printer engine 204 MFP controller 205 Operation unit UI 206 Finisher 301 CPU (Equipment information acquisition means, acquisition means) 302 RAM (equipment information storage means) 303 ROM 304 HDD (hard disk) 305 Image processing unit 306 Scanner I / F unit 307 Operation unit I / F unit 308 Printer I / F unit 309 Network I / F section 310 Wireless communication section 311 Shared internal bus

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 HJ08 HK11 HK16 HQ19 2H027 DA31 DD02 DD09 EE10 EJ08 EJ13 HB17 ZA07 5B021 AA01 AA05 AA19 AA21 BB10 NN00 5C062 AA05 AA37 AC02 AB17 AC22

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a device information acquisition unit that acquires device information; a device information storage unit that stores device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit; and an external terminal device. Wireless communication means, receiving means for receiving a request signal for requesting transmission of device information of a specified type from the external terminal device via the wireless communication means, and device information stored by the device information storage means. An information processing apparatus, comprising: transmitting means for transmitting, via the wireless communication means, device information corresponding to a designated type included in the request signal received by the receiving means to the external terminal device. 2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information processing apparatus has at least a copying machine function or a printing function. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit is a wireless communication unit based on an infrared data communication system IrDA. 4. The wireless communication means according to claim 1, wherein
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a wireless communication unit based on the h method. 5. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein said wireless communication means is IEEE802.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a wireless communication unit based on the 11a scheme or the IEEE802.11b scheme. 6. A wireless communication means provided between the information processing apparatus and a transmitting means for transmitting a request signal for requesting transmission of device information of a specified type to the information processing apparatus via the wireless communication means. Receiving means for receiving device information returned from the information processing device via the wireless communication means in response to a request signal transmitted from the transmitting means; and displaying device information received by the receiving means. An external terminal device comprising: a display unit. 7. In a device management system including an information processing device and an external terminal device, in response to a request from the external terminal device, device information of the information processing device designated by the external terminal device A device management system, comprising: means for wirelessly transmitting from the information processing device to the external terminal device. 8. A device information acquisition and transmission method applied to an information processing device capable of communicating with an external terminal device by wireless communication, wherein: a device information acquisition step of acquiring device information; and a device acquired by the device information acquisition step. A device information storing step of storing information; an obtaining step of obtaining device information of a type specified from the external terminal device via wireless communication from the device information stored in the device information storing step; Transmitting wirelessly the device information acquired by the above to the external terminal device. 9. A device information obtaining method applied to an external terminal device capable of communicating with an information processing device by wireless communication, wherein device information designated via wireless communication from device information of the information processing device is wirelessly communicated. A device information obtaining method, comprising: a receiving step of receiving the information via the Internet; and a displaying step of displaying the device information received by the receiving step. 10. A device information management method applied to a device management system comprising an information processing device and an external terminal device, and both of them can wirelessly communicate with each other, wherein the information processing device designated by the external terminal device A device information management method, wherein the device information is wirelessly transmitted from the information processing device to the external terminal device in response to a request from the external terminal device. 11. A computer-readable storage medium storing, as a program, a device information acquisition and transmission method applied to an information processing device capable of wirelessly communicating with an external terminal device, wherein the device information acquisition and transmission method comprises: Acquiring device information, acquiring device information acquired by the device information acquiring step, and storing device information acquired by the device information acquiring step, and acquiring the device information of the type designated from the external terminal device via wireless communication to the device information. A storage medium, comprising: an acquiring step of acquiring from the device information stored in the storing step; and a transmitting step of wirelessly transmitting the device information acquired by the acquiring step to the external terminal device. 12. A computer-readable storage medium storing, as a program, a device information obtaining method applied to an external terminal device capable of wirelessly communicating with an information processing device, wherein the device information obtaining method comprises: A storage medium, comprising: a receiving step of receiving, via wireless communication, device information designated by wireless from among device information of the above, and a displaying step of displaying the device information received by the receiving step. .