JP2005196400A - Device management apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device management apparatus that facilitates the management of a plurality of devices on a network. <P>SOLUTION: In the device management apparatus that manages a plurality of object devices on a network using a plurality of management services, a control part 15 causes the plurality of management services to be displayed on the display screen of a display part 11, and causes one or more object devices for management by the management services to be displayed on the display screen in a manner following each management service. In response to a module start instruction that designates, among the plurality of object devices displayed on the display screen, the desired object device belonging to the desired management service, the control part 15 starts a management module part 14 that matches the combination of the desired management service and the kind of the desired device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a device management apparatus that manages a plurality of target devices on a network using a plurality of management services, and more particularly to a user interface thereof.

  A network such as a LAN (local area network) is composed of various devices such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC), a printer, or a multifunction peripheral. In these devices, setting information such as an IP address, a subnet mask, and an installation location is set. In addition to these basic settings, for example, the multifunction device has a variety of functions such as an owner name and password of a so-called confidential box (data storage location), a facsimile communication mode, and an e-mail address book. Setting information is set. Here, setting of the setting information to the device is generally performed by the following method.

  (A) The setting information is directly input to the device by operating a user interface provided on the device. Specifically, the setting information is directly input to the control panel of the device (multifunction device, printer, etc.). In the setting target PC, setting information is directly input by operating a mouse or a keyboard while viewing a display screen.

  (B) The device's Web server is called from the PC, and setting information is input on the Web page displayed on the PC.

  (C) Using dedicated application software on the administrator PC, communicate with a device on the network, and set setting information by an operation on the screen of the administrator PC.

  As described above, the setting information for the device is set by various tools according to the model and setting items.

  Similarly to setting information settings, other management services such as confirmation of setting information set on devices, analysis of device usage status, and device status monitoring are also included in the types of management services and device models. Provided by various tools depending on the situation. Here, the usage status of the device is, for example, the number of prints in a predetermined period, the number of color copies for each user, and the like. Further, the state of the device is, for example, the amount of residual toner, the presence or absence of a paper jam, and the like.

  As described above, the management tool to be used differs depending on the type of management service and the type of equipment, so the administrator can use various management tools depending on what kind of management is desired and what kind of equipment. You must use them properly. For this reason, the management of devices is complicated, and the burden on the administrator who manages a plurality of devices on the network is very large.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a device management apparatus that facilitates management of a plurality of devices on a network.

  The present invention is a device management apparatus that manages a plurality of target devices on a network using a plurality of management services, displays the plurality of management services on a display screen, and is a management target of each management service. Object display means for displaying the above target devices on a display screen in a mode dependent on each management service, and a desired subordinate to a desired management service among a plurality of target devices displayed on the display screen In response to a module activation instruction designating a target device, module activation means for activating a management module corresponding to the combination of the desired management service and the model of the desired target device is provided.

  The present invention also provides a device management apparatus for managing a plurality of target devices on a network using a plurality of management services, displaying the plurality of management services on a display screen, and managing the management services of the management services. Object display means for displaying one or more target devices on the display screen in a manner depending on each management service, and depending on a desired management service among a plurality of target devices displayed on the display screen In response to a management screen display instruction specifying a desired target device, a management screen display means for displaying a management screen corresponding to the combination of the desired management service and the model of the desired target device on the display screen; It is characterized by having.

  In the device management apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the device management apparatus is managed by the desired management service in response to an attribute display instruction designating the desired management service among the plurality of management services displayed on the display screen. There is further provided first attribute display means for associating one or more target devices with the attribute information of each target device related to the desired management service in a list on the display screen.

  Preferably, in response to an attribute display instruction specifying a desired target device subordinate to the desired management service among the plurality of target devices displayed on the display screen, the desired related to the desired management service. Second attribute display means for displaying a list of attribute information of the target device on the display screen.

  Preferably, the plurality of target devices and the plurality of management services are row items or column items, and whether or not each target device that is a management target of each management service is displayed on a display screen is an element A list screen display means for displaying on the display screen, an element setting means for accepting an operation for setting whether to display the list in the list displayed on the display screen; The object display means displays or hides each of the target devices managed by each of the management services based on whether or not the display set for each element of the list is displayed. .

  Preferably, in the list displayed on the display screen, in response to a delete instruction designating a desired target device among a plurality of target devices displayed as row items or column items, the desired item is displayed. The apparatus further includes a device deletion unit that deletes the target device from the management target of the device management apparatus.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes device addition means for adding a new target device to the management target of the device management apparatus in response to a predetermined addition instruction on the display screen on which the list is displayed.

  The present invention is also a device management method for managing a plurality of target devices on a network by a plurality of management services, wherein the plurality of management services are displayed on a display screen, and the management target of each management service is An object display step of displaying one or more target devices on a display screen in a manner depending on each management service, and depending on a desired management service among a plurality of target devices displayed on the display screen A module activation step of activating a management module corresponding to a combination of the desired management service and the model of the desired target device in response to a module activation instruction designating a desired target device To do.

  In the device management method of the present invention, preferably, the plurality of target devices and the plurality of management services are set as row items or column items, and each target device that is a management target of each management service is displayed on a display screen. A list screen display step for displaying on the display screen a list having elements as to whether or not to perform the operation, and an operation for setting whether to display the list in the list displayed on the display screen as the element And an element setting step for receiving each of the target devices managed by each management service based on whether or not to display the elements set in each element of the list. Show or hide.

  The present invention is also a device management program for managing a plurality of target devices on a network by a plurality of management services, wherein the computer displays the plurality of management services on a display screen, and each management An object display step of displaying one or more target devices, which are service management targets, on a display screen in a manner dependent on each management service, and a desired target device among a plurality of target devices displayed on the display screen In response to a module activation instruction designating a desired target device subordinate to the management service, a module activation step for activating a management module according to the combination of the desired management service and the model of the desired target device. It is made to perform.

  The present invention is also a device management program for managing a plurality of target devices on a network by a plurality of management services, wherein the computer displays the plurality of management services on a display screen, and each management An object display step of displaying one or more target devices, which are service management targets, on a display screen in a manner dependent on each management service, and a desired target device among a plurality of target devices displayed on the display screen In response to a management screen display instruction specifying a desired target device subordinate to the management service, a management screen is displayed on the display screen according to the combination of the desired management service and the model of the desired target device. And a screen display step.

  In the device management program of the present invention, preferably, in response to an attribute display instruction designating a desired management service among a plurality of management services displayed on the display screen on the computer, the desired management service A first attribute display step of causing a list to be displayed on the display screen in association with one or more target devices to be managed and the attribute information of each target device related to the desired management service is further executed.

  Preferably, in response to an attribute display instruction designating a desired target device subordinate to the desired management service among a plurality of target devices displayed on the display screen on the computer, the desired management service A second attribute display step for displaying a list of attribute information of the desired target device on the display screen is further executed.

  Preferably, the computer sets the plurality of target devices and the plurality of management services as row items or column items, and displays the target devices that are management targets of the management services on a display screen. A list screen display step for displaying on the display screen a list table having such elements as elements, and an element for receiving an operation for setting whether to display the list in the list table displayed on the display screen And further executing a setting step, wherein the object display step displays or hides each target device managed by each management service based on whether or not the display set in each element of the list is displayed. Display.

  Further, preferably, in response to a deletion instruction that specifies a desired target device among a plurality of target devices displayed as row items or column items in the list displayed on the display screen on the computer, A device deletion step of deleting the desired target device from the management target of the device management apparatus is further executed.

  Preferably, the computer further executes a device addition step of adding a new target device to a management target of the device management apparatus in response to a predetermined addition instruction on the display screen on which the list is displayed. .

  In the present invention, one or more target devices, which are management targets of each management service, are displayed on the display screen in a manner dependent on each management service. Then, in response to the module activation instruction specifying the desired target device subordinate to the desired management service, the management module corresponding to the combination of the desired management service and the model of the desired target device is activated. For this reason, when a user wants to use a certain management service for a certain target device, the user only needs to specify the target device subordinate to the management service on the display screen. There is no need to use various management tools. As a result, management of a plurality of target devices on the network can be facilitated.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a network system in which a device management apparatus 10 according to an embodiment is installed. In this network system, a plurality of devices 20 are connected to each other via a LAN 30. In the present embodiment, the plurality of devices 20 are two multifunction devices 21, two printers 22, and four PCs 23. A device management apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is connected to the LAN 30. The device management apparatus 10 facilitates the management of the plurality of devices 20 and reduces the burden on the administrator by providing an environment in which the plurality of devices 20 can be collectively managed on the display screen.

  In this embodiment, an apparatus having a printer function, a facsimile function, or a scanner function is referred to as a multi-function machine. A multi-function device or printer is referred to as a device.

  Here, the management service provided by the device management apparatus 10 includes a setting service for setting setting information in the device 20, an analysis service for grasping the usage status of the device 20, and a usage status of the device 20. A monitoring service is included. However, the management service provided by the device management apparatus 10 is not limited to these, and may include other management services such as a maintenance service for performing maintenance on the device 20. In the present embodiment, the plurality of devices 20 are management targets of the device management apparatus 10 and are target devices.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the device management apparatus 10. The device management apparatus 10 includes a display unit 11, an input unit 12, a storage unit 13, a plurality of management module units 14, and a control unit 15.

  The display unit 11 is a user interface such as a liquid crystal display that displays various types of information on a display screen. The input unit 12 is a user interface such as a mouse or a keyboard that receives an operation input from a user.

  The storage unit 13 is a storage medium such as a hard disk device that stores various types of information and programs. Here, the various types of information include service classification information, device information, management screen information, management module information, and display / non-display information. These pieces of information will be described later. The various programs include a device management program according to the present embodiment and a management program module to be described later.

  The plurality of management module units 14 are modules for managing the device 20. Specifically, each management module unit 14 communicates with a module of the device 20 corresponding to the management module unit 14 using a predetermined communication protocol, and provides a management service for the device 20. Here, examples of the predetermined communication protocol include SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol). The management module unit 14 is realized by a management program module stored in the storage unit 13 being executed by a CPU (not shown). As the management program module, a module included in a management tool such as existing device management software can be used.

  The control unit 15 controls the screen state of the display unit 11, reads / writes data from / to the storage unit 13, and controls the plurality of management module units 14. The control unit 15 is realized by a device management program stored in the storage unit 13 being executed by a CPU (not shown). The above processing by the control unit 15 is executed based on the device management program, information stored in the storage unit 13, and user input received via the input unit 12.

  The management module unit 14 may be realized by a device management program, or may be realized by a program different from the device management program. Therefore, the control unit 15 can instruct management of the device 20 to the management module of other device management software installed in the device management apparatus 10. The reason why the plurality of management module units 14 are used in this way is that the corresponding management module differs depending on the type of management service and the model of the device 20. In addition, the device management apparatus 10 is a normal PC in the present embodiment, but may be realized in another manner.

  Hereinafter, service classification information and device information among various types of information stored in the storage unit 13 will be described.

  First, the service classification information will be described. In the present embodiment, the plurality of management services are classified according to their types. The service classification information is information representing the classification structure of the management service. FIG. 3 shows the data structure of the service classification information. In FIG. 3, the lowest layer represents the management service, and the other layers represent the management service classification items. In FIG. 3, the “basic setting” service includes a device (multifunction device 21 or printer 22), a device name (arbitrary character string), an installation location (arbitrary character string), a main body email address, a low power mode transition time, This is a service for setting start / stop of various ports (DHCP, LPD, SMB), subnet mask, gateway address, and the like. “Device Access Restriction” service uses user information (user ID, password, color output restrictions, number restrictions) set for each user, IP address list of clients that can use the device, and the device It is a service for setting the mail domain etc. of the client that can be used. The “device certificate” service is a service for registering a public key certificate of the device in the device. The “confidential box” service executes a box number, a box name, a password, an access restriction (unrestricted, writable or readable), and a job flow and a job flow associated with the confidential box on the MFP 21. This is a service for setting whether or not to do so. The “destination table” service is a service for registering in the multifunction device 21 a destination table in which a destination name and a mail address are associated, a destination table in which a server name and a server address are associated, and the like. The “instruction sheet” service is a service for registering a job flow file (also referred to as an instruction sheet) in which the operation procedure of the multifunction machine 21 is described in the multifunction machine 21. The “printer driver” service is a service for setting a printer driver customized for the user of the PC 23 in the PC 23. The “print status analysis” service is a service for grasping the device usage status such as the number of printed sheets within a predetermined period, the average number of printed sheets per day, and the average number of printed sheets per month for each user. The “device monitoring” service is a service for monitoring the usage state of the device such as the amount of residual toner and the presence or absence of a paper jam.

  Next, device information will be described. The device information is information related to management of the device 20 that is a management target. FIG. 4 shows the data structure of the device information. As shown in FIG. 4, the device information is composed of a plurality of device attribute tables corresponding to a plurality of management services. That is, one device attribute table is prepared for one management service. In FIG. 4, it is omitted. In the device attribute table of a certain management service, one or more devices 20 to be managed by the management service are associated with the attribute information of each device 20 related to the management service. Specifically, identification information for identifying the device 20 and attribute information of the device 20 are associated with each other. The device management apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment employs a model name and an IP address as identification information for identifying the device 20. However, as long as the device 20 can be identified, the identification information may be other information such as the model name and host name, only the IP address, or only the host name.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the device management apparatus 10 having the above configuration will be described in detail for each case. Here, the operation of the control unit 15 will be mainly described.

[Display main screen]
When the device management program is activated by the user, the control unit 15 reads the service classification information and the device information stored in the storage unit 13. Next, the control unit 15 displays the main screen 50 shown in FIG. 5 on the display screen of the display unit 11 based on the read service classification information and device information.

  Specifically, the control unit 15 displays a plurality of management services on the display screen based on the service classification information of FIG. Here, displaying the management service on the display screen means displaying a symbol representing the management service on the display screen. In the main screen 50 of FIG. 5, a service icon 53 is used as a symbol for the management service, and the name of the management service is displayed on the right side thereof. It should be noted that the icon in the upper hierarchy of the service icon 53 represents a management service classification item and does not represent a management service.

  Further, the control unit 15 displays one or more devices 20 to be managed by each management service in a manner depending on each management service, based on the device information of FIG. Specifically, a device icon 54 representing the device 20 is arranged in a lower hierarchy of the service icon 53.

  The main screen 50 includes a selection area 51 on the left side of the screen and a list area 52 on the right side of the screen. The tree structure of the service icon 53 and the device icon 54 is arranged in the selection area 51. Further, the symbol of the management service or the device 20 may be any symbol that represents the management service or the like so that it can be identified.

  In the main screen 50, when the user performs an operation for adding a device specifying a desired management service, the control unit 15 responds to the user operation with the identification information (model name and IP address) of the device 20 to be added. Address) is displayed. When receiving input of identification information from the user on this screen, the new device 20 is added to the device information as a management target of the designated management service. Then, the main screen 50 is updated based on the updated device information. As a result, the new device 20 is additionally displayed on the main screen 50 in a form dependent on the designated management service.

  Therefore, when a user wants to add a certain device 20 as a management target of a certain management service, the user may specify the management service on the main screen 50 and perform a device addition operation. Here, as the device addition operation, for example, there is an operation of selecting “add device” from the right-click menu displayed when the service icon 53 is right-clicked.

  In addition, when the user performs a device deletion operation specifying the desired device 20 subordinate to the desired management service on the main screen 50, the control unit 15 responds to the user operation to specify the specified management service. The specified device 20 is deleted from the device information. Then, the main screen 50 is updated based on the updated device information. As a result, the designated device 20 is deleted on the main screen 50.

  Therefore, when a user wants to remove a certain device 20 from the management target of a certain management service, the user may specify the device 20 subordinate to the management service on the main screen 50 and perform a device deletion operation. Here, as the device deletion operation, for example, there is an operation of selecting “delete device” from the right-click menu of the device icon 54.

[Display Management Screen]
In the main screen 50 of FIG. 5, when a management execution operation specifying a desired device 20 subordinate to a desired management service among a plurality of devices 20 is performed by the user, the control unit 15 responds to this user operation. Then, a management screen corresponding to the combination of the desired management service and the model of the desired device 20 is displayed on the display screen.

  Here, as the management execution operation, for example, there is an operation of selecting “execute management” from the right-click menu of the device icon 54. The management screen is a screen for managing a desired device 20 by a desired management service, and is a screen for prompting input of information regarding the management service. More specifically, the management screen is a screen that prompts input of setting information to be set in the device 20 in the case of a service related to setting. In the case of a service related to analysis, this is a screen that prompts the user to set the usage status to be analyzed. In the case of a service related to monitoring, this is a screen that prompts the user to set a usage state to be monitored.

  Specifically, the control unit 15 displays the management screen using the management screen information stored in the storage unit 13. This management screen information is information in which a combination of the management service and the model of the device 20 is associated with management screen data to be displayed in the combination. These management screen data may be shared as appropriate between different management services or between different models.

  In this management screen, the control unit 15 receives a user input operation. And the control part 15 updates the apparatus information stored in the memory | storage part 13 based on the input information received from the user. For example, on the management screen, when the “installation location” of the MF 400 is changed from “conference room” to “third-floor conference room” by the user, the control unit 15 uses the device information shown in FIG. Change "Installation location" to "3rd floor conference room".

  When the model name is not included in the identification information of the device 20, the model name of the device 20 is received from the user before the management screen is displayed.

[Start Management Module]
When a predetermined instruction operation for starting management service processing is performed by the user on the management screen, the control unit 15 responds to a combination of the desired management service and the model of the desired device 20. The management module unit 14 is activated. Here, as the predetermined instruction operation, for example, there is an operation of pressing an OK button (not shown) arranged on the management screen.

  Specifically, the control unit 15 refers to the management module information stored in the storage unit 13 and selects the management module unit 14 to be activated. This management module information is information in which a combination of a management service and the model of the device 20 is associated with a management module name to be used in the combination. Note that the management module unit 14 may be shared as appropriate between different management services or between different models.

  Next, the control unit 15 activates the management module unit 14 corresponding to the selected management module name, and gives predetermined information to the management module unit 14. Here, the predetermined information includes address information (for example, IP address) for identifying the device 20 on the network, input information on the management screen, and the like.

  Then, the management module unit 14 identifies the device 20 based on the address information given from the control unit 15, and executes management processing for the device 20 according to the input information on the management screen.

  In the above description, the control unit 15 displays the management screen in response to the management execution operation for designating the desired device 20 subordinate to the desired management service, but the management screen is displayed without displaying the management screen. The module unit 14 may be activated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, one or more devices 20 that are management targets of each management service are displayed on the display screen in a form dependent on each management service. Then, in response to a management execution operation for designating a desired device 20 subordinate to the desired management service, a management screen corresponding to the combination of the desired management service and the model of the desired device 20 is displayed. Alternatively, the management module unit 14 corresponding to the combination is activated. For this reason, when the user wants to use a certain management service for a certain device 20, it is only necessary to designate the desired device 20 on the display screen, and various management tools can be selected according to the type of the management service and the model of the device 20. There is no need to use different. As a result, management of the plurality of devices 20 on the network can be facilitated, and the burden on the administrator can be reduced.

  Further, since the plurality of management services and the plurality of devices 20 are displayed on the display screen in a form in which the devices 20 are subordinate to the management service, management according to the purpose is facilitated. When a user wants to use a certain management service, he or she should pay attention to the service icon 53 of the management service and one or more device icons 54 subordinate thereto, and operate them. For this reason, it is easy for the user to see and the operability is good. Specifically, in the main screen 50 of FIG. 5, when “basic setting” is to be performed, pay attention to the “basic setting” service icon 53 and four device icons 54 subordinate thereto, and operate these icons. do it.

[Display device attribute information (when management service is specified)]
In the main screen 50, when an attribute display operation specifying a desired management service among a plurality of management services is performed by the user, the control unit 15 responds to the user operation as shown in FIG. One or more devices 20 to be managed by the desired management service and the attribute information of each device 20 related to the desired management service are displayed in the list area 52 of the main screen 50 in association with each other. Here, as the attribute display operation, for example, there is a click operation on the service icon 53. FIG. 6 shows a screen state when the “basic setting” service icon 53 is clicked.

  Specifically, the control unit 15 reads out a device attribute table corresponding to the desired management service from the device information shown in FIG. 4 stored in the storage unit 13. Based on the device attribute table, identification information (model name and IP address) for identifying the device 20 and attribute information of the device 20 are displayed in association with each other on the display screen.

  Here, the attribute information of the device 20 related to the management service is, for example, setting information set or scheduled to be set in the device 20 in the case of a service related to setting. Further, in the case of a service related to analysis, the attribute information of the device 20 is an analysis result such as an average number of printed pages per day for each user. In the case of a service related to monitoring, the attribute information of the device 20 is, for example, a usage status such as whether a device is jammed.

[Display device attribute information (when a target device is specified)]
When the user performs an attribute display operation specifying a desired device 20 subordinate to a desired management service among the plurality of devices 20 on the main screen 50, the control unit 15 responds to this user operation, As shown in FIG. 7, the attribute information of the desired device 20 related to the desired management service is displayed in the list area 52 of the main screen 50. Here, examples of the attribute display operation include a click operation on the device icon 54. FIG. 7 shows a case where the device icon 54 of “MF300” subordinate to the service icon 53 of “basic setting” is clicked.

  Specifically, the control unit 15 reads out a device attribute table corresponding to the desired management service from the device information shown in FIG. 4 stored in the storage unit 13. Then, the attribute information of the desired device 20 included in the device attribute table is displayed on the display screen. In FIG. 7, the identification information of the device 20 is also displayed together with the attribute information of the device 20.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in response to an attribute display operation specifying a desired management service or a desired device 20, a list in which the device 20 and its attribute information are associated is displayed on the display screen. . For this reason, when the user wants to check the setting information, usage status, or usage status of the device 20, it is only necessary to specify the desired service icon 53 or the desired device icon 54 on the display screen. There is no need to use various management tools depending on the model of the device 20. As a result, management of the plurality of devices 20 on the network can be facilitated, and the burden on the administrator can be reduced.

[Display list screen of target device and management service]
When the user performs a predetermined operation to display the list screen of the device 20 and the management service, the control unit 15 responds to the user operation and displays the list screen of the device 20 and the management service. Is displayed on the display screen. In the present embodiment, this list screen is displayed so as to overlap the main screen 50. Here, the control unit 15 displays the list screen based on the following display / non-display information stored in the storage unit 13.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of display / non-display information. As shown in FIG. 8, the display / non-display information uses the identification information of the device 20 as a row item, the management service name as a column item, and displays the device icon 54 of each device 20 that is the management target of each management service. It is table data whose element is whether or not. This display / non-display information is reflected in whether or not each device icon 54 subordinate to each service icon 53 on the main screen 50 is displayed. The control unit 15 refers to the display / non-display information, and displays or hides the device icon 54 subordinate to each service icon 53 based on “display” or “non-display” set for each element. More specifically, when the element corresponding to the combination of a certain device 20 and a certain management service is “display” in the display / non-display information, the control unit 15 displays the service icon 53 of the management service. In a dependent manner, the device icon 54 of the device 20 is displayed. On the other hand, in the case of “non-display”, the device icon 54 of the device 20 is hidden. When the display / non-display information is as shown in FIG. 8, the main screen 50 is as shown in FIG.

  Based on such display / non-display information, the control unit 15 sets a plurality of management services and a plurality of devices 20 as row items or column items, and displays each device 20 that is a management target of each management service. A list screen having no as a table element is displayed on the display screen.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a list screen of the management service and the device 20. This list screen is based on the display / non-display information of FIG. The configuration of the list table screen of FIG. 9 is almost the same as the data configuration of the display / non-display information of FIG. 8, but check boxes are arranged as table elements. In this check box, the presence of a check means “display”, and the absence of a check means “non-display”.

[Display / Hide Settings for Target Device]
In the list screen of FIG. 9, the control unit 15 receives a user operation for setting whether to display each element. Specifically, when the check box of a certain element is checked, the control unit 15 recognizes that “display” is set for the element, and when the check box is unchecked, It is recognized that “Hide” is set for the element.

  Then, when the user presses an OK button (not shown) on the list screen, the control unit 15 displays the display stored in the storage unit 13 based on the check state of each check box on the list screen. / Update hidden information. Then, the control unit 15 updates the main screen 50 according to the updated display / non-display information. As a result, the device 20 newly checked by the user is displayed on the main screen 50, and the device 20 unchecked by the user is deleted from the main screen 50. Further, the control unit 15 closes the list screen.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the user operation for setting each element whether or not to display each device 20 to be managed by each management service on the screen in which the management service and the device 20 are displayed in a matrix is performed. Accept. Then, each device 20 subordinate to each management service is displayed or hidden based on whether or not display is set for each element. Therefore, the user can easily set the display or non-display of the device 20 with a simple operation on each check box on the easy-to-view screen on which the management service and the device 20 are displayed in a matrix. This effect will be specifically described by taking as an example the case where the device icon 54 of “MF300” is subordinately displayed on all the service icons 53 on the main screen 50 of FIG. When using the operation on the main screen 50, the user right-clicks on the service icon 53 and selects “Add Device” from the right-click menu. The service icon 53 must be repeated. On the other hand, when using the operation on the list screen, the user only needs to check all the check boxes in the row of “MF300” in FIG.

  As a result, management of the plurality of devices 20 on the network can be facilitated, and the burden on the administrator can be reduced.

[Delete target device]
In the list screen of FIG. 9, when a user performs a device deletion operation that specifies a desired device 20 among the plurality of devices 20 displayed as line items, the control unit 15 responds to this operation, The designated device 20 is deleted from the management target of the device management apparatus 10.

  Specifically, the control unit 15 deletes information related to the designated device 20 from the device information and display / non-display information stored in the storage unit 13. Then, the main screen 50 and the list screen are updated according to the updated information. As a result, all the device icons 54 representing the designated device 20 are deleted on the main screen 50. Also, the row for the designated device 20 is deleted on the list screen.

  Here, as the device deletion operation specifying the desired device 20, for example, after clicking the identification information of the device 20 displayed as the line item or the row corresponding to the device 20, “Delete Device” on the list screen is displayed. ”Button (not shown).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when a device deletion operation specifying the desired device 20 is received from the user on the screen in which the management service and the device 20 are displayed in a matrix, information on the specified device 20 is stored. The device icon 54 representing the designated device 20 is deleted from the display screen. Therefore, the user can easily delete the desired device 20 from the management target of the device management apparatus 10 simply by performing a device deletion operation on the device 20 to be deleted on the list screen. This effect will be specifically described by taking as an example a case where the device “MF300” is to be deleted from the management target. When using the operation on the main screen, the user right-clicks the device icon 54 of “MF300” and selects “Delete Device” from the right-click menu, and all the device icons 54 of “MF300”. Must be repeated for. On the other hand, when using an operation on the list screen, the user clicks the line item “MF300” in FIG. 9 and presses a “delete device” button (not shown) on the list screen. Just do it.

  As a result, management of the plurality of devices 20 on the network can be facilitated, and the burden on the administrator can be reduced.

[Add target device]
In the list screen of FIG. 9, when the user performs a predetermined device addition operation for adding a new device 20, the control unit 15 manages the new device 20 in response to this operation. It adds to the management object of the apparatus 10. Here, the predetermined device addition operation includes, for example, an operation of pressing a “add device” button (not shown) on the list screen.

  Specifically, the control unit 15 displays a screen for prompting input of identification information (model name and IP address) of a new device 20 in response to the user operation, and receives identification information from the user on this screen. And the control part 15 adds the new apparatus 20 which has the information received from the user as identification information to the apparatus information and display / non-display information of the memory | storage part 13. FIG. Here, in the display / non-display information, the display / non-display settings of the new device 20 are all “display”. Next, the control unit 15 updates the main screen 50 and the list screen according to the added information. Thereby, the device icon 54 of the new device 20 is arranged on the main screen 50. In addition, a new row of the device 20 is generated on the list screen.

  Thereafter, the control unit 15 receives a setting operation as to whether or not to display the device icon 54 subordinate to each service icon 53 for the new device 20 on the list screen. Therefore, after adding a new device 20, the user can select a management service to manage the device 20 on the list screen.

  Note that the display / non-display setting for the new device 20 immediately after the addition is not particularly limited, and may be all “non-display”, for example.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when a device addition operation is received from the user on the screen in which the management service and the device 20 are displayed in a matrix, information related to the new device 20 is registered in the storage unit 13 and displayed. A new device 20 is additionally displayed on the screen. Therefore, the user can easily add a new device 20 to the management target of the device management apparatus 10 simply by performing a device addition operation on the list screen. This effect will be described more specifically. When using the operation on the main screen 50, the user right-clicks on the service icon 53 and selects “Add Device” from the right-click menu for the number of management services to be used for the new device 20. Must be repeated. On the other hand, when using the operation on the list screen, the user only has to press the “Add device” button (not shown) and then operate the check box on the list screen.

  As a result, management of the plurality of devices 20 on the network can be facilitated, and the burden on the administrator can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to said embodiment.

1 is a configuration diagram of a network system in which a device management apparatus 10 according to an embodiment is installed. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a device management apparatus 10. FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of service classification information. It is a figure which shows the data structure of apparatus information. It is a figure which shows the main screen. It is a figure which shows the main screen 50 in case management service is designated. It is a figure which shows the main screen 50 when a target apparatus is designated. It is a figure which shows the data structure of display / non-display information. It is a figure which shows a list screen.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 apparatus management apparatus, 11 display part, 12 input part, 13 memory | storage part, 14 management module part, 15 control part, 20 apparatus, 21 compound machine, 22 printer, 23 personal computer (PC), 30 LAN.

Claims (16)

A device management apparatus that manages a plurality of target devices on a network by a plurality of management services,
An object display unit that displays the plurality of management services on a display screen, and displays one or more target devices that are management targets of the management services on a display screen in a mode depending on the management services;
In response to a module activation instruction specifying a desired target device subordinate to the desired management service among the plurality of target devices displayed on the display screen, the desired management service and the model of the desired target device Module activation means for activating the management module according to the combination with
A device management apparatus comprising: A device management apparatus that manages a plurality of target devices on a network by a plurality of management services,
An object display unit that displays the plurality of management services on a display screen, and displays one or more target devices that are management targets of the management services on a display screen in a mode depending on the management services;
In response to a management screen display instruction specifying a desired target device subordinate to a desired management service among a plurality of target devices displayed on the display screen, the desired management service and the desired target device Management screen display means for displaying a management screen corresponding to the combination with the model on the display screen,
A device management apparatus comprising: The device management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
Among the plurality of management services displayed on the display screen, one or more target devices managed by the desired management service in response to an attribute display instruction designating the desired management service, and the desired management A device management apparatus further comprising first attribute display means for displaying a list on the display screen in association with the attribute information of each target device related to a service. The device management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The attribute of the desired target device related to the desired management service in response to an attribute display instruction specifying the desired target device subordinate to the desired management service among the plurality of target devices displayed on the display screen A device management apparatus further comprising second attribute display means for displaying a list of information on a display screen. The device management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A list including the plurality of target devices and the plurality of management services as row items or column items and whether or not each target device that is a management target of each management service is displayed on a display screen. A list screen display means to be displayed on the display screen;
In the list displayed on the display screen, further comprising element setting means for receiving an operation for setting the element as to whether or not to display,
The object display means displays or hides each target device managed by each management service, based on whether or not to display each element set in the list. Management device. The device management apparatus according to claim 5,
In response to a delete instruction specifying a desired target device among a plurality of target devices displayed as row items or column items in the list displayed on the display screen, the desired target device is set to the device. A device management apparatus further comprising device deletion means for deleting from a management target of the management device. The device management apparatus according to claim 5 or 6,
A device management apparatus further comprising device addition means for adding a new target device to a management target of the device management device in response to a predetermined addition instruction on a display screen on which the list is displayed. A device management method for managing a plurality of target devices on a network by a plurality of management services,
An object display step of displaying the plurality of management services on a display screen, and displaying one or more target devices that are management targets of the management services on a display screen in a mode dependent on the management services;
In response to a module activation instruction specifying a desired target device subordinate to the desired management service among the plurality of target devices displayed on the display screen, the desired management service and the model of the desired target device Module activation step for activating the management module according to the combination with
A device management method characterized by comprising: The device management method according to claim 8,
A list including the plurality of target devices and the plurality of management services as row items or column items and whether or not each target device that is a management target of each management service is displayed on a display screen. A list screen display step to be displayed on the display screen;
In the list displayed on the display screen, further comprising an element setting step for accepting an operation for setting the element as to whether or not to display,
In the object display step, the target device managed by each management service is displayed or hidden based on whether or not the display set in each element of the list is displayed. Management method. A device management program for managing a plurality of target devices on a network by a plurality of management services,
An object display step of displaying the plurality of management services on a display screen, and displaying one or more target devices that are management targets of the management services on a display screen in a mode dependent on the management services;
In response to a module activation instruction specifying a desired target device subordinate to the desired management service among the plurality of target devices displayed on the display screen, the desired management service and the model of the desired target device Module activation step for activating the management module according to the combination with
A device management program characterized in that A device management program for managing a plurality of target devices on a network by a plurality of management services,
An object display step of displaying the plurality of management services on a display screen, and displaying one or more target devices that are management targets of the management services on a display screen in a mode dependent on the management services;
In response to a management screen display instruction specifying a desired target device subordinate to a desired management service among a plurality of target devices displayed on the display screen, the desired management service and the desired target device A management screen display step for displaying a management screen corresponding to the combination with the model on the display screen;
A device management program characterized in that The device management program according to claim 10 or 11, comprising:
Among the plurality of management services displayed on the display screen, one or more target devices managed by the desired management service in response to an attribute display instruction designating the desired management service, and the desired management A device management program that further executes a first attribute display step of displaying a list on the display screen in association with attribute information of each target device related to a service. The device management program according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the computer
The attribute of the desired target device related to the desired management service in response to an attribute display instruction specifying the desired target device subordinate to the desired management service among the plurality of target devices displayed on the display screen A device management program for further executing a second attribute display step for displaying a list of information on a display screen. The device management program according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the computer
A list including the plurality of target devices and the plurality of management services as row items or column items and whether or not each target device that is a management target of each management service is displayed on a display screen. A list screen display step to be displayed on the display screen;
In the list displayed on the display screen, an element setting step for receiving an operation for setting the element as to whether or not to display is further executed,
In the object display step, the target device managed by each management service is displayed or hidden based on whether or not the display set in each element of the list is displayed. Management program. The device management program according to claim 14, wherein the computer
In response to a delete instruction specifying a desired target device among a plurality of target devices displayed as row items or column items in the list displayed on the display screen, the desired target device is set to the device. A device management program that further causes a device deletion step to be deleted from a management target of a management device. The device management program according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the computer
A device management program that further executes a device addition step of adding a new target device to a management target of the device management apparatus in response to a predetermined addition instruction on the display screen on which the list is displayed .

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