JP2008065780A - Device, device management program and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a usable device capable of appropriately suspending communications with a management device collecting management information. <P>SOLUTION: In a device remote management system 1, when a communication suspension factor of suspending communications for transmitting to a management device KC management information necessary for management by managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2, etc. or managed devices with intermediating function HKn1 and HKn2, which are collected by these devices, by their built-in communicating functions or by intermediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2, etc. through a communication network NW occurs, communication suspension processing for suspending the communications to the management device KC by the communication functions or the communications to the intermediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2, etc. is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a device, a device management program, and a recording medium, and more particularly, to a device, a device management program, and a recording medium that have good usability by appropriately stopping communication with a management device that collects management information.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in devices such as facsimile machines, copiers, multifunction devices, and printer devices such as OA (Office Automation) devices, in order to facilitate maintenance management of the consumables and maintenance of the devices, the devices and the devices A management device such as a service center of a manufacturer of the manufacturer via a mediation device such as a communication adapter connected to the device or a built-in mediation device and connected via a wired or wireless communication line. Collects various management information such as maintenance management information and operating status of the device, whether or not a failure has occurred via the intermediary device, accumulates and analyzes the collected management information, and manages maintenance and failure of the device. Perform various management such as repair management and consumables management.

  In a device remote management system that manages a plurality of devices via an external or built-in intermediary device by such a management device, conventionally, the intermediary device is generally connected to each connected device at a predetermined timing. The management information is collected from the devices by sending a management information (counter value, etc.) collection request to the device and receiving a management information response from each device, and the intermediary device stores the collected management information. The management information held in a storage area such as an internal memory is transmitted to the management apparatus at a predetermined time, and the management apparatus holds the received management information in its own storage area. Used for management. Also, in a remote device management system, when an abnormality occurs in a device and an SC (service call signal) is generated, the device sends SC information including management information such as a counter value via a mediation device to the management device. (See Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, etc.).

  In the conventional remote device management system, an intermediary device is provided for each device and communication is performed for each device. However, in recent years, with the spread of networks, devices to be managed are connected to the network. It is becoming.

JP 2001-34122 A JP 2002-144684 A

  However, in the above prior art, once the managed device is set as the management target of the management device, the managed device communicates with the management device from the managed device side and passes the necessary information to the management device. Therefore, if you want to temporarily stop communication with the management device, it is necessary to temporarily set the managed device outside the management target of the management device, and the procedure is cumbersome. Because the managed device does not communicate with the managed device, if the managed device wants to temporarily stop communication, communication from the managed device will occur if the managed device is not set out of the management target of the managed device. In addition, since the management apparatus is not a management target, communication contents from the managed apparatus cannot be managed, and there is a problem that usability and manageability are poor.

  Therefore, the present invention appropriately stops communication from the managed device side to the management device when it is desired to stop communication on the managed device side or the management device side, etc. The object is to provide a program and a recording medium.

  The device according to claim 1 has a communication function for communicating with a management device via a predetermined wired or wireless communication line, collects predetermined management information necessary for management at a predetermined timing, and performs the communication. A device that transmits to the management apparatus via the communication line according to a function, and when a predetermined communication stop factor for stopping communication to the management apparatus occurs, stops communication to the management apparatus by the communication function The above-mentioned purpose is achieved by performing communication stop processing.

  The device according to claim 2 is connected to a communication device that communicates with the management device via a wired or wireless predetermined communication line, directly or via a network, and predetermined management information required for management at a predetermined timing. Are collected and transmitted to the communication device, and the communication device transmits the management information to the management device via the communication line, and a predetermined communication stop factor for stopping communication to the management device When this occurs, the above-described object is achieved by performing communication stop processing for stopping communication with the communication device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device management program having a built-in communication function for communicating with a management device via a predetermined wired or wireless communication line, or directly or via a network in a communication device having the communication function. It is connected, and collects predetermined management information required for management at a predetermined timing, and is mounted on a device that transmits the management information to the management device by the communication function or the communication device via the communication line A communication stop process for stopping communication to the management device or communication to the communication device by the communication function when a predetermined communication stop factor for stopping communication to the management device occurs. By doing so, the above objective is achieved.

  In each of the above cases, for example, as described in claim 4, in the device or the device management program, the communication stop factor is generated by an operation on the device or a request from the management device. Also good.

  In addition, for example, as described in claim 5, when the device or the device management program has stopped the communication in the communication stop processing, there is an abnormal state to be notified to the management device in the device. When it occurs, a notification output process for outputting a notification that communication has been stopped may be performed.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 6, the device or the device management program causes the device to stop communication when the communication stop factor occurs in the device and executes the communication stop processing. Notification processing may be performed to notify the management device of the fact.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 7, the device or the device management program causes the device to stop communication when the communication stop factor occurs in the device and executes the communication stop processing. Notification processing may be performed to notify the communication device that the communication is in progress.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 8, when the communication stop factor is generated by a request from the management device and the communication stop processing is executed, the device or the device management program executes the communication stop processing from the management device. Notification output processing may be performed to notify that the communication has been suspended by request.

  The recording medium of the invention according to claim 9 has a built-in communication function for communicating with the management apparatus via a predetermined wired or wireless communication line, or is connected directly or via a network to a communication apparatus having the communication function The predetermined management information necessary for management is collected at a predetermined timing, and the communication function or the communication device is mounted on a device that transmits the management information to the management device via the communication line A recording medium for recording a device management program, wherein the device management program achieves the above object by being the device management program according to any one of claims 3 to 8.

  According to the present invention, the predetermined management information necessary for device management is collected at a predetermined timing, and the communication is transmitted by the communication function or the communication device to the management device via the predetermined communication line. When a predetermined communication stop factor that cancels communication occurs, communication to the management device by the communication function or communication stop processing to stop communication to the communication device is performed, so communication between the device side and the management device side is temporarily If it is desired to cancel the operation, the management device will be excluded from the management target, and the device will be easy and easy without recognizing that both the management device and the device are not subject to external separation. Communication between the management apparatus side and the management apparatus side can be stopped, and usability can be improved.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The scope of the present invention limits this invention especially in the following description. As long as there is no description of the effect, it is not restricted to these aspects.

  1 to 7 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a device, a device management program, and a recording medium according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an application of the device, the device management program, and the recording medium according to the present invention. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a device remote management system 1. FIG.

  1, a device remote management system 1 includes a management device KC and a plurality of customer sites, customer sites KSa to KSn, which are connected by a communication network NW. The communication network (communication line) NW may be a public line or the Internet. Wired or wireless communication lines such as networks are used.

  The customer sites KSa to KSn have various hierarchical structures depending on the customer sites KSa to KSn. For example, the customer site KSa has a LAN (Local) to an intermediary device (communication device) CKa that allows two managed devices HKa1 and HKa2 as devices to establish a direct connection with the management device KC using HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol). The intermediary device CKa is connected to the management device KC via a firewall FWa and a communication network NW for ensuring security. In addition, for example, the customer site KSb has four managed devices (equipment) HKb1 to HKb4 installed, and the load is increased only by one intermediary device. Therefore, a direct connection between the management device KC and HTTP is made. 2 managed devices HKb1 and HKb2 and another mediating device (communication device) CKb2 are connected to the mediating device (communication device) CKb1 by a LAN, and the 2 managed devices HKb3 are connected to the mediating device CKb2. , HKb4 is connected to the management device KC via a firewall FWb and a communication network NW for ensuring security. In the case of this customer site KSb, information issued to remotely manage the managed devices HKb3 and HKb4 from the management device KC passes through the mediation device CKb1 and the mediation device CKb2 which is a lower node thereof, and the managed device HKb3. , HKb4 is reached. Further, the customer site KSn is connected to the managed devices (equipment) HKn1 and HKn2 with the function of the mediating device connected by the LAN, through the firewall FWn and the communication network NW for ensuring security. The managed device may be further connected to the subordinates of the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with the intermediary function.

  Managed devices HKa1 to HKn2 include, for example, image processing devices such as printers, facsimile devices, digital copying devices, scanner devices, digital composite devices, network home appliances, vending machines, medical equipment, power supply devices, air conditioning systems, gas / This is a device that has a communication function in measuring systems such as water and electricity.

  And the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Are equipped with application programs for managing the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,. Similarly, the intermediary function units of the managed devices with intermediary functions HKn1 and HKn2 are mounted with application programs for managing the portions as the managed devices, and the management device KC includes each intermediary device CKa. , CKb1, CKb2,... And control management of the intermediary function unit of the managed device HKn1, HKn2 with mediation function, and further, managed via the mediation device CKa, CKb1, CKb2,. Devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... And managed devices with intermediary functions HKn1, HKn2 It implements the application program for managing the department.

  That is, the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... And the managed devices HKn1, HKn2 with mediation functions are a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Video Disk), a flexible disk, etc. By reading and introducing a later-described device management program recorded on the recording medium, managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Function-managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 are constructed.

  In order to realize remote management, the device remote management system 1 according to the present embodiment has a function of transmitting and receiving processing requests and responses to methods of applications to be mounted on each device by RPC (Remote Procedure Call). Therefore, it is possible to transmit a “request” that is a request for processing for a method of an application program to be installed mutually, and obtain a “response” that is a result of the requested processing. The device remote management system 1 is a known protocol (communication standard) such as SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), technology, specification, etc., in order to realize RPC. Can be used.

  That is, the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Or the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Connected to the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,. The managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 generate a request to the management device KC, deliver it to the management device KC, and obtain a response to the request. On the other hand, the management device KC receives the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2, ... A request to the side is generated and transferred to the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,..., And a response to the request can be acquired. In response to this request, the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... And the managed devices with intermediary functions HKn1, HKn2 are sent various requests to the managed devices HKa1 to HKn2, and responses from the managed devices HKa1 to HKn2 are sent. Obtained via the mediation function units of the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... And the managed devices with mediation function HKn1, HKn2.

  The device remote management system 1 executes data transmission / reception as shown in FIG. 2 as a conceptual diagram of the transmission / reception model.

  In the following description, in order to simplify the description, the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Are installed separately from the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,. The same applies to the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with a mediation function.

  That is, FIG. 2A shows a case where a request to the management device KC is generated by the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,..., In this case, the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, and HKb1. , HKb2,... Generate a managed device side request a and send it to the management device KC via the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,. When the management device KC receives the managed device-side request a, the managed device HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,. Are returned via the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,. When there are a plurality of mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,..., For example, in the case of the customer site KSb, the mediation device CKb2 and the mediation device CKb1 may be routed. In FIG. 2 (a), the management device KC describes a case where not only the response a but also a response delay notification a ′ is returned. This is because the management device KC is connected to the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, When the managed device side request a is received via CKb2,... And it is determined that the response a to the request a cannot be returned immediately, the response delay notification a ′ is notified and the connection state is temporarily disconnected. In the next connection, the response a to the request a is handed over again.

  2B shows a case where a request for the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Is generated in the management device KC. In this case, the management device KC requests the management device side. b is generated and transmitted to the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... via the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,. When the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Receive the management device side request b via the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,..., A response b to the management device side request b or The delay notification b ′ is returned to the management device KC via the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,. Also in FIG. 2B, when the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Cannot return the response b immediately, the response delay notification b ′ is returned in the same manner as described above.

  The management device KC is a server device installed in a service center or the like of a managed device HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Or a managed device with intermediary function HKn1, HKn2 or a service provider company. As shown in FIG. 3, the block is configured, and includes a control unit 11, an operation terminal 12, a database 13, a communication terminal 14, a modem 15, a proxy server 16, and the like.

  The modem 15 communicates with the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Via the communication network NW, in particular via the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,. A protocol is exchanged and connected, and a communication protocol is exchanged and connected to the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with a mediation function.

  The communication terminal 14 controls the communication of the modem 15 under the control of the control unit 11, and the proxy server 16, when the communication network NW is the Internet, the mediation devices CKa, CKb 1, CKb 2,. Data is transmitted to and received from the devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... And the managed devices HKn1, HKn2 with a mediation function, and security management is performed.

  The operation terminal 12 is an interface for inputting various data by an operator constituted by a keyboard, a mouse, a display, and the like. For example, each intermediary device CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Or a managed device HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2 ,... And data such as customer information such as an IP address and a call destination telephone number used when the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with an intermediary function communicate with the management device KC.

  The database 13 is stored in a large-capacity memory such as a hard disk, and call data such as IP addresses and telephone numbers of the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... And the managed devices with intermediary functions HKn1, HKn2, Data received from these devices, data input from the operation terminal 12, customer information related to the customer sites KSa to KSn (for example, customer site K name, device manager, model of the managed devices HKa1 to HKn2, model number, printing) Various data and programs such as a management program necessary for managing the number of devices, failure codes, estimated failure causes, etc.) and devices are stored.

  The control device 11 includes a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. (not shown), and controls the entire management device KC in an integrated manner. The program is executed as necessary, and device management processing described later is realized by using the modem 15, the communication terminal 14, and the proxy server 16.

  The intermediary devices (communication devices) CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Are not shown, but include a CPU, ROM, RAM, nonvolatile memory, NIC (Network Interface Card), etc., and a managed device HKa1. , HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,..., Management information such as status information and counter information, collection of firmware version information, confirmation of presence / absence of failure, search under unusable state due to unknown or changed IP address, firmware A function for transmitting a request for updating, command execution, etc. in a method unit, and a function for receiving a response to a method from the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,. Have. Also, the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Require abnormal, regular or instantaneous user calls from the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,. It has a function of receiving a report, a supply report, a startup report, a counter uncollected report, etc. and reporting it to the management device KC. Further, the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Have a scheduler function, a file transmission / reception function, and a firmware discarding function, and set parameters for realizing these functions.

  The intermediary functions incorporated in the managed devices with intermediary functions HKn1, HKn2 are not shown, but have the same functions as the intermediary apparatuses CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... May be provided with the same units as the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,..., But using hardware resources such as the CPU, ROM, and RAM of the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with intermediary functions. The functions similar to those of the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... May be realized by introducing and executing appropriate applications and program modules in the CPU.

  The managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... And the managed devices with intermediary functions HKn1, HKn2 are, for example, printers, facsimile devices, digital copying devices, scanner devices, digital composite devices as described above. Image processing devices such as network home appliances, vending machines, medical equipment, power supply devices, air conditioning systems, gas / water / electricity metering systems, etc. In this case, the functional part as a device is configured as a block as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, managed devices HKa1 to HHKn2 include a controller board 20, an HDD (hard disk drive) 21, an NV-RAM (nonvolatile RAM) 22, a PI (personal interface) board 23, a PHY (physical media interface) 24, and an operation. Panel 25, plotter / scanner engine board 26, power supply unit 27, finisher 28, ADF (automatic document feeder) 29, paper feed bank 30, other peripherals 31, power switch 32 and PCI bus (Peripheral Components Interconnect-Bus) 33 etc. are provided.

  The controller board 20 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls each function via the PCI bus 33.

  The HDD 21 has various programs and data necessary for realizing the function as an image processing apparatus, for example, a program as a device such as an image forming program, image data, and a device management processing program of the present invention that reads the recording medium. Remember.

  The NV-RAM 22 is a non-volatile memory, for example, a flash memory or the like, and stores data (model number, IP address, etc.) requiring various non-volatility.

  For example, a communication board or the like is used for the PI board 23 and the PHY 24, and performs communication with the outside. The PI board 23 has an interface compliant with the RS485 standard, and is connected to a public line via a line adapter. The PHY 24 is an interface for communicating with an external device via a LAN.

  The operation panel 25 includes various operation keys, function keys, and the like, and also includes a display (for example, a liquid crystal display), and various commands necessary for causing the managed devices HKa1 to HKn2 to perform various operations from the operation keys. Is displayed on the display, and the contents of the command input from the operation keys and various information notified to the operator from the managed devices HKa1 to HKn2 are displayed.

  The ADF 29 includes a document table on which a plurality of documents are set and a feeding mechanism that feeds the documents set on the document table one by one to the reading unit. The reading unit has been conveyed from the ADF 29. The original is scanned and the original image is read at a predetermined resolution.

  The paper supply bank 30 stores a plurality of sheets and supplies the sheets one by one to the image forming unit.

  The finisher 28 performs finisher processing such as stapling and punching on a bundle of sheets on which images have been formed.

  In FIG. 4, ENGRDY is a signal line for notifying the controller board 20 that various initial settings on the engine side have been completed and ready to send and receive commands to and from the controller board 20. PWRCTL is These are signal lines for controlling the power supply to the engine from the controller board 20 side.

  The managed devices HKa1 to HKn2 are configured by software as shown in FIG. 5, and include an application module layer 100, a service module layer 200 below it, and the like. The managed devices HKa <b> 1 to HKn <b> 2 store the programs constituting these software in the RAM on the HDD 21 or the controller board 20, read them as necessary, and execute them by the CPU on the controller board 20. The CPU on the controller board 20 executes these programs as necessary.

  Of these functions, the method for realizing the communication-related functions differs depending on the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... And the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with an intermediary function. That is, since the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with an intermediary function have an intermediary function, a function related to communication can be realized by executing a corresponding program by the CPU, and the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Execute functions corresponding to communication by executing programs corresponding to the CPU and using intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,.

  In the managed devices HKa1 to HKn2, the application layer 100 and the service module layer 200 are functionally connected by the GW-API-IF, and the service module so 200 and the plotter / scanner engine 26 are connected by the RAPI-I / F. An abnormality detection unit including a sensor or the like is provided in an engine unit that is connected and includes a scanner engine and a plotter engine.

  The application module layer 100 includes a copy application (application) 101, a fax application 102, a printer application 103, a scanner application 104, a net file application 105, and a web application 106. The service module layer 200 includes an OCS (operation control service). 201, ECS (engine control service) 202, MCS (memory control service) 203, NCS (network control service) 204, FCS (fax control service) 205, NRS (new remote service) 206, CSS (customer support system) 207, SCS (System Control Service) 208, DCS (Delivery Control Service) 209, UCS (You Control Service) 210, SRM (implementing the system resource manager) 211 and an IMH (image memory handler) 212,.

  Each module of the application module layer 100 is the following program. That is, the copy application 101 is an application program that implements a copy service, and the fax application 102 is an application program that implements a fax service. The printer application 103 is an application program for realizing a printer service, and the scanner application 104 is an application program for realizing a scanner service. The net file application 105 is an application program for realizing a net file service, and the web application 106 is an application program for realizing a web service.

  Each module of the service module layer 200 is a module having the following functions. That is, the OCS 201 is a module that controls the operation panel 25, and the ECS 202 is a module that controls an engine such as hardware resources. The MCS 203 is a module that performs memory control. For example, the MCS 203 acquires and releases an image memory, uses the HDD 21, and the like. The NCS 204 is a module that performs mediation processing between the network and each application program of the application module layer 100, and the FCS 205 is a module that realizes a facsimile function such as facsimile transmission / reception, facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and the like. The NRS 206 is a module that performs conversion of data when data is transmitted / received via the network, and is a module that summarizes functions related to remote management via the network. The CSS 207 is a module that converts data when data is transmitted / received via a public line, and is a module that summarizes functions related to remote management via a public line. The SCS 208 is a module that performs start management and termination management of each application program of the application module layer 100 according to the content of the command. The DCS 209 stores (or does) an image file stored in a memory on the HDD 21 or the controller board 20. Etc. are modules that transmit and receive using Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) and File Transfer Protocol (FTP). The UCS 210 is a module that manages user information such as destination information and address information registered by the user. The SRM 211 is a module that controls the system and manages resources, and the IMH 212 is a module that manages a memory for temporarily storing image data.

  The NRS 206 performs processing between the SCS 208 and the NCS 204, and executes a web server function that performs response processing related to a request received from the outside. For this request, for example, a SOAP request by SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) described in XML (Extensible Markup Language) format which is a structured language can be used. The NRS 206 has a web client function for issuing requests to the outside, a library for processing SOAP (libsoap), a library for processing data described in XML format (libxml), and a library for processing HTTP (libwwww) , And a library (libgw_ncs) for processing with the NCS 204.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The device remote management system 1 of the present embodiment is characterized in that communication between the managed devices HKa1 to HKn2 and the management device KC is appropriately stopped. In the following description, communication processing performed between the management device KC, the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... And the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,. The communication performed between the managed devices HKn1, HKn2 with the mediation function and the management device KC is also performed by the mediation function unit of the managed devices HKn1, HKn2 with the mediation function for the processing of the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,. Just execute it, it is the same.

  Then, the remote device management system 1 is configured such that the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Are connected to the management device KC via the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,. Remote management (remote service: RS) by means of a customer support system that communicates with the new remote remote that communicates with the management device KC via the Internet of the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,. Since the managed devices with intermediary functions HKn1 and HKn2 are subject to remote management by the service method and have the intermediary function, the customer support system method communicates with the management device KC via the public line of the communication network NW. New remote control that communicates with the management device KC via the remote management and the Internet of the communication network NW The gymnastics of remote management by door-service system.

  Then, the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... And the managed devices with intermediary functions HKn1, HKn2 are used for notifying the management device KC when an abnormality occurs in their own engines. As programs, a CSS 207 corresponding to the customer support system system and an NRS 206 corresponding to the new remote service system are provided.

  First, the management device KC, the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... And the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, by polling from the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... In the device remote management system 1 of the present embodiment. Data transmission / reception performed between HKb1, HKb2,... Will be described based on the communication sequence shown in FIG.

  The processing by the SCS 208 and NRS 206 shown below is actually executed by the CPU on the controller board 20 of the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Operating according to those programs. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that these programs execute processing.

  6, first, the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Poll the management device KC (inquiry whether there is a transmission request) (S101). That is, the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Generate an HTTP message including a polling SOAP message to which an identifier that is its identification information is added, and transmit the HTTP message to the management device KC.

  When the management device KC receives the HTTP message from the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,..., The management device KC generates an HTTP message including a SOAP message indicating a charging counter acquisition request, and the corresponding mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2, ... (sent to the sender of the received SOAP message) (S102). The corresponding mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Are recognized based on the identifier added to the SOAP message in the received HTTP message.

  When the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Receive the HTTP message from the management device KC, the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Generate a SOAP message indicating a charging counter acquisition request based on the HTTP message, and are managed. Transmit to the NRS 206 of the devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... (S103).

  The NRS 206 notifies the SCS 208 of a charging counter acquisition request described in the SOAP message received from the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... (S104), and the SCS 208 receives a notification of the charging counter acquisition request from the NRS 206. The charge counter data stored in the NV-RAM 22 is read (S105), and the read charge counter data (response data) is transferred to the NRS 206 (S106).

  When the NRS 206 receives (acquires) the data of the charging counter from the SCS 208, the NRS 206 generates a SOAP message for the charging counter indicating the contents thereof, and transmits it to the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... (S107).

  When the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Receive the accounting counter SOAP message from the NRS 206, the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Generate an HTTP message based on the SOAP message and transmit it to the management device KC (S108).

  As described above, the communication sequence of the communication generated from the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,.

  Next, a communication process when data is transmitted to the management device KC via the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... By a user call from the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,. This will be described based on the communication sequence shown in FIG.

  7, first, when the user call key is pressed in the OCS 201 of the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,..., The OCS 201 notifies the SCS 208 that the user call key has been pressed ( S201).

  Upon receiving notification from the OCS 201 that the user call key has been pressed, the SCS 208 notifies the NRS 206 of a user call request (S202).

  Upon receiving a user call request notification from the SCS 208, the NRS 206 generates a SOAP message for user call, which is user call information notifying the user call, and transmits it to the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... (S203). .

  When the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Receive the user call SOAP message from the NRS 206, the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2, etc. add an identifier, which is their own identification information, to the SOAP message, and further, based on the SOAP message, the HTTP message And make a user call to the management device KC. That is, the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Notify the management device KC of an HTTP message including a user call SOAP message with its own identifier added (S204).

  There are the following three patterns a to c as processing for user calls to the management device KC by the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,..., And each pattern a to c will be described.

  First, the pattern a will be described. In pattern a, the management device KC receives an HTTP message including a SOAP message for a user call from the user's mediation device CKa, CKb1, CKb2,..., And has the reception ended normally or abnormally? The HTTP message including the SOAP message indicating the call result is generated, and transmitted to the reporting intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... (S205). That is, if the management device KC has successfully received the HTTP message including the SOAP message for the user call received from the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,. If an HTTP message including a SOAP message indicating a call result indicating that the user call is not successfully completed (abnormally ended), a SOAP message indicating the call result indicating that the user call has failed is generated. Is generated and transmitted to the mediator devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,.

  When the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Receive an HTTP message including a SOAP message indicating a call result from the management device KC, the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,. Is transmitted to the NRS 206 of the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Connected to itself (S206).

  When the NRS 206 receives a SOAP message indicating the call result from the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,..., The NRS 206 interprets (determines) the call result indicated by the SOAP message and notifies the SCS 208 (S207).

  When the SCS 208 receives the call result, the SCS 208 delivers it to the OCS 201. When the OCS 201 receives the call result from the SCS 208, the OCS 201 displays a message on the operation panel 25 indicating the contents, that is, whether the user call is successful or unsuccessful. A notification process for displaying on the display or outputting the sound from the speaker to notify the user is performed (S208).

  Next, the pattern b will be described. Pattern b is when the mediation device CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Does not receive a response from the management device KC even after the specified time has elapsed after sending an HTTP message including a SOAP message for a user call to the management device KC. In the pattern b, the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... First transmit an HTTP message including a SOAP message for user calls to the management device KC, and then a predetermined time (set in advance). If it is determined that there is no response from the management device KC even after the predetermined time has elapsed, a SOAP message indicating a call result indicating that the user call has failed is generated and transmitted to the NRS 206 (S209).

  When the NRS 206 receives a SOAP message indicating the call result indicating failure from the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,..., The NRS 206 interprets the call result indicating failure described in the SOAP message and notifies the SCS 208. (S210).

  When the SCS 208 receives the call result indicating failure from the NRS 206, the SCS 208 delivers it to the OCS 201.

  Upon receiving the call result from the SCS 208, the OCS 201 displays the content, that is, a message indicating that the user call has failed on the display on the operation panel 25, or outputs the sound from the speaker to notify the user. Is performed (S211).

  Next, the pattern c will be described. The pattern c indicates that the NRS 206 transmits a SOAP message for user call, which is user call information notifying the user call to the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,. , CKb2,..., CKb2,..., And in pattern c, the NRS 206 first transmits a user call SOAP message as user call information, and then after the specified time has elapsed, the intermediary device When it is determined that there is no response from CKa, CKb1, CKb2,..., A call result indicating that the user call has failed is notified to the SCS 208 (S212).

  When the SCS 208 receives the call result from the NRS 206, the SCS 208 delivers it to the OCS 201.

  Upon receiving the call result from the SCS 208, the OCS 201 displays the content, that is, a message indicating that the user call has failed on the display on the operation panel 25, or outputs the sound from the speaker to notify the user. (S213).

  As described above, the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Are provided with an abnormality detection unit composed of sensors or the like in the engine unit including the scanner engine and the plotter engine, and the own engine If an abnormality occurs in the system, the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormality and performs different processing depending on the type of the abnormality. The SC (service call) is equivalent to this abnormality. The above process is executed.

  In the device remote management system 1 that performs such communication processing, when a communication stop factor for stopping communication with the management device KC occurs due to an abnormality or operation of the operation panel 25, communication with the management device KC is stopped. In addition, a communication stop process for notifying the management device KC that the communication is to be stopped is performed.

  First, a case where a communication stop factor occurs in the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with a mediation function at the customer site KSn will be described.

  In this case, the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with mediation function are provided with a firewall FWn at the customer site KSn, and the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with mediation function are managed via the communication network NW through the firewall FWn. Since it is connected to the device KC, it is impossible to directly communicate from the management device KC to the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with a mediation function.

  Therefore, by stopping communication from the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with the mediation function to the management device KC, communication between the management device KC and the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with the mediation function can be stopped.

  Therefore, when a cause for canceling communication with the management device KC occurs, the managed devices with intermediary functions HKn1, HKn2, for example, when communication stop operation is performed on the operation panel 25, communication prohibition information is stored in a communication management information memory such as a RAM. If the communication prohibition information is stored with reference to the communication management information memory at the time when the communication stop factor from the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with the mediation function to the management device KC occurs, the management device KC When communication permission information indicating that communication with the management device KC is permitted is stored in the communication management information memory, communication with the management device KC is performed.

  Further, communication prohibition information is set in the communication management information memory of the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with the mediation function by the notification from the management device KC, and the communication from the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with the mediation function to the management device KC is stopped. To do.

  In this case, as described above, the management device KC wants to stop communication with the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with the mediation function due to requests from the users of the management devices HKn1 and HKn2 with the mediation function, management necessity, and the like. In this case, since the management device KC cannot directly communicate with the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with an intermediary function, the management device KC makes a communication prohibition request as a response to the communication from the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with an intermediary function. When there is a communication prohibition request from the management device KC, the function-equipped managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 set the communication prohibition information in the communication management information memory.

  Further, as described above, the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with an intermediary function have communication prohibition information set in the communication management information memory by a non-managed operation on the operation panel 25, a report from the management device KC, or the like. When the user call is generated or the supply end state is reached, the management device KC cannot be notified.

  Therefore, the managed devices with intermediary functions HKn1 and HKn2 of this embodiment cannot communicate with the management device KC when communication prohibition information is set in the communication management information memory and communication with the management device KC becomes impossible. A message indicating that the setting cannot be performed is displayed on the display on the operation panel 25, or a voice is output from the speaker to perform notification processing to notify the user. Note that this notification process may be a notification control process in which notification is performed or notification is not performed depending on the setting factor of the communication prohibition information.

  Further, the notification processing to the effect that the managed devices with intermediary functions HKn1 and HKn2 cannot communicate with the management device KC is displayed on the display on the operation panel 25 or from the speaker. Is not limited to the voice output, for example, an electronic mail (E-mail) describing a message to that effect is sent to the users of the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,. The user may be notified.

  Next, like the customer sites KSa, KSb, etc., the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... And the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,. A case where a communication stop factor occurs in the management devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,.

  In this case, the customer sites KSa, KSb,... Are provided with firewalls FWa, FWb,..., And managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,. The intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Connected to... Are connected to the management device KC via the communication network NW through the firewalls FWa, FWb,. Cannot directly communicate with the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... And the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,. As described above, the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Communicate with the management device KC in response to requests from the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,. Yes.

  Therefore, the communication with the management device KC is stopped by canceling the communication request from the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... To the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,. Can be canceled.

  Therefore, when a communication stop factor for stopping communication with the management device KC occurs, the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... The prohibition information is stored in a communication management information memory such as a RAM, and the communication management information memory is referenced when a factor of communication from the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... To the management device KC occurs. If the communication prohibition information is stored, the communication request to the management device KC to the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Is canceled, and the communication permission information to the management device KC is stored in the communication management information memory. If stored, the communication request to the management device KC is made to the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,..., Thereby communicating with the management device KC.

  Further, the communication prohibition information is set in the communication management information memory of the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... By the notification from the management device KC, and the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,. .. To stop the communication to the management device KC.

  In this case, as described above, the management device KC determines whether the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb1, HKb1, HKb1, HKb1, HKb1,. HKb2,... (Directly, when it is desired to stop communication with the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,...), The management device KC directly connects to the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,. Since the communication cannot be performed, the management device KC makes a communication prohibition request as a communication response from the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,..., And the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,. Are sent to the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,..., And the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,. When there is a transmission prohibition request from C, and set the transmission prohibition information to the communication management information memory.

  Further, as described above, the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Have communication prohibition information stored in the communication management information memory by a communication stop operation on the operation panel 25 or a notification from the management device KC. If set, notification to the management device KC cannot be performed when a user call occurs or when a supply end state is reached.

  Therefore, the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... According to the present embodiment are managed when communication prohibition information is set in the communication management information memory and communication with the management device KC becomes impossible. A message indicating that communication with the device KC cannot be performed is displayed on the display on the operation panel 25, or a voice is output from the speaker to notify the user. Note that this notification process may be a notification control process in which notification is performed or notification is not performed depending on the setting factor of the communication prohibition information.

  In addition, as a notification process to the effect that the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Are set to be unable to communicate with the management device KC, the display on the operation panel 25 of the message is performed. For example, an electronic mail (E-mail) describing a message to the user of the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... ) May be sent to the user or the like.

  Further, the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Cease communication with the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,..., And cease communication with the management device KC. Even so, there is a risk of communication from the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,.

  Therefore, if communication from the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Occurs, the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,. For example, the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Close the network ports connected from the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,. Then, the communication from the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,.

  As described above, the device remote management system 1 according to the present embodiment requires the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Or the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with an intermediary function to be managed at a predetermined timing. There is a communication stop factor that collects management information and interrupts communication in which the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Transmit the management information to the management device KC via the communication network NW by the built-in communication function. When it occurs, a communication stop process is performed to stop communication to the management device KC by the communication function or communication to the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,.

  Therefore, when it is desired to temporarily stop communication between the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Or the managed devices with intermediary functions HKn1, HKn2 and the management device KC, the management device KC side The managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Or the managed devices with intermediary functions HKn1, HKn2 are excluded from the management targets, and the managed device KC and the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2, .. Or the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2, etc. easily and easily without taking the trouble of recognizing that the managed devices with intermediary functions HKn1, HKn2 are not managed. ..Or communication between managed device HKn1, HKn2 with mediation function and management device KC can be stopped Thereby improving the usability.

  Further, the remote device management system 1 causes the communication stop factor to be managed by the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Or the managed devices with intermediary functions HKn1, HKn2, or from the management device KC. Generated by the request.

  Therefore, if the managed device HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2, ... or the user of the managed device with intermediary function HKn1, HKn2 wants to temporarily stop communication with the managed device KC according to the necessity, it is appropriate. If the administrator of the management device KC wants to temporarily stop communication for inspection or the like, the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,. .. Communication from the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with a mediation function can be stopped, and usability can be improved appropriately.

  Further, the device remote management system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the communication is stopped by the communication stop processing, is a managed device HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,. When an abnormal state that should be notified to the management device KC occurs in HKn2, notification output processing is performed to notify that communication has been suspended.

  Therefore, when an abnormality that requires a user call occurs, the managed device HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... And the managed device with intermediary function HKn1, HKn2 are notified to the management device KC. Can be recognized, and appropriate measures can be taken.

  In the device remote management system 1 according to the present embodiment, the communication stop factor is generated in the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... And the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with an intermediary function. Is executed, notification processing is performed to notify the management device KC that communication is suspended in the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... And the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with an intermediary function. Yes.

  Therefore, the administrator of the management device KC does not receive management information from the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Or the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with an intermediary function. It is possible to recognize that the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... And the managed devices with intermediary functions HKn1, HKn2 have been suspended, and perform appropriate management. it can.

  Furthermore, in the device remote management system 1 according to the present embodiment, the cause of communication interruption is in the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... Connected to the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,. When the communication cancellation processing occurs and notification is performed, the intermediary devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,... Are notified that the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,. Processing is in progress.

  Therefore, communication to the unnecessary management device KC at the mediation devices CKa, CKb1, CKb2,.

  In addition, the remote device management system 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that, in the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... And the managed devices HKn1 and HKn2 with an intermediary function, a communication stop factor is generated from the management device KC. When the communication cancellation process is executed due to the request, a notification output process is performed to notify that the communication has been canceled due to the request from the management device KC.

  Therefore, the users of the managed devices HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2,... And the managed devices with intermediary functions HKn1, HKn2 appropriately recognize that communication has been interrupted by a request from the management device KC. Can be improved.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  The present invention can be applied to a managed device, a management program, and a recording medium that are centrally managed by the management device.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a device remote management system to which one embodiment of a device, a device management program and a recording medium of the present invention are applied. The conceptual diagram of the transmission / reception model in the apparatus remote management system of FIG. The principal part block block diagram of the management apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of the managed device of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a software configuration of the managed device in FIG. 5. The communication sequence figure by the polling from the mediation apparatus in the apparatus remote management system of FIG. The communication sequence figure by the user call from the managed apparatus in the apparatus remote management system of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Device remote management system KC management apparatus KSa-KSn Customer site NW communication network HKa1, HKa2, HKb1, HKb2, ... Managed apparatus HKK1, HKn2 Managed apparatus with mediation function CKa, CKb1, CKb2, ... Intermediary apparatus FWa to FWn Firewall 11 Control unit 12 Operation terminal 13 Database 14 Communication terminal 15 Modem 16 Proxy server 20 Controller board 21 HDD (Hard disk drive)
22 NV-RAM
23 PI board 24 PHY
25 Operation Panel 26 Plotter / Scanner Engine Board 27 Power Supply Unit 28 Finisher 29 ADF
30 Paper Feed Bank 31 Peripheral Device 32 Power Switch 33 PCI Bus 100 Application Module Layer 101 Copy Application 102 Fax Application 103 Printer Application 104 Scanner Application 105 Net File Application 106 Web Application 200 Service Module Layer 201 OCS
202 ECS
203 MCS
204 NCS
205 FCS
206 NRS
207 CSS
208 SCS
209 DCS
210 UCS
211 SRM
212 IMH

Claims (9)

  A communication function for communicating with a management device via a predetermined wired or wireless communication line is provided, and predetermined management information necessary for management is collected at a predetermined timing, and the management is performed via the communication line by the communication function. A device that transmits to a device, and when a predetermined communication stop factor for stopping communication with the management device occurs, communication stop processing for stopping communication with the management device by the communication function is performed. machine.   It is connected directly or via a network to a communication device that communicates with the management device via a wired or wireless predetermined communication line, collects predetermined management information required for management at a predetermined timing, and transmits it to the communication device When the communication device is a device that transmits the management information to the management device via the communication line and a predetermined communication stop factor for stopping communication to the management device occurs, communication to the communication device A device that performs communication stop processing to stop communication.   A communication function for communicating with the management apparatus via a predetermined wired or wireless communication line is built-in, or connected to a communication apparatus having the communication function directly or via a network, and a predetermined required for management at a predetermined timing A device management program installed in a device that collects management information and transmits the management information to the management device by the communication function or the communication device via the communication line. A device management program for performing communication stop processing for stopping communication to the management device or communication to the communication device by the communication function when a predetermined communication stop factor for stopping the communication is generated.   The device or the device management program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication stop factor is generated by an operation on the device or a request from the management device. Item 3. A device management program according to Item 3.   The device or the device management program outputs a notification that the communication is suspended when an abnormal state that should be notified to the management device occurs in the device when the communication is suspended in the communication suspension process. The apparatus or apparatus management program according to claim 1, wherein a notification output process is performed.   The device or the device management program performs notification processing for notifying the management device that communication has been suspended in the device when the communication suspension factor is generated in the device and the communication suspension processing is executed. The device or the device management program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein   The device or the device management program performs notification processing for notifying the communication device that communication has been suspended in the device when the communication suspension factor occurs in the device and the communication suspension processing is executed. The device or the device management program according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein   The device or the device management program, when the communication stop factor is generated by a request from the management device and executes the communication stop processing, notifies that the communication has been stopped by a request from the management device 6. A device or a device management program according to claim 1, wherein a notification output process is performed. A communication function for communicating with a management apparatus via a predetermined wired or wireless communication line is built in, or is connected to a communication apparatus having the communication function directly or via a network, and a predetermined necessary for management at a predetermined timing A recording medium that collects management information and records a device management program mounted on a device that transmits the management information to the management device by the communication function or the communication device via the communication line. The device management program is the device management program according to any one of claims 3 to 8.

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