JP2019185238A - Management device and management system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To notify fault at a timing corresponding to a type of an event.SOLUTION: An event information reception unit 110 receives event information of an image formation device to be managed. An event processing unit 120 executes processing corresponding to an event indicated by the event information received by the event information reception unit 110. A fault information notification unit 150, when fault occurs in the event processing unit 120, if the fault has not been resolved after a specified time determined corresponding to a type of the event that the event information indicates, notifies a user of the image formation device of the fault.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a management device, a management system, and a program.

  In Patent Document 1, a default message and a simple message are alternately displayed on the status bar, and when the attribute information non-display condition includes a return from a failure, the simple message is controlled to be hidden according to the return from the failure. The system to be described is described.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when it is determined that the condition for changing to display of other messages in the message list is satisfied when the network between the network device and the management server is disconnected, the message list Describes a system for displaying other messages corresponding to the conditions included in.

JP 2017-187906 A JP 2017-054397 A

  For example, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, techniques for notifying a message or the like when a failure occurs in a system are conventionally known. However, for example, depending on the circumstances on the side receiving the failure notification, the failure notification may be required immediately, or it may be better to refrain from urgent notification.

  An object of the present invention is to be able to notify a failure at a timing according to the type of event.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a receiving unit that receives event information of a target device to be managed, a processing unit that executes processing according to an event indicated by the event information, and a failure has occurred in the processing unit A notification unit that notifies the user of the target device of the failure when the failure has not been resolved after a specified time determined according to the type of event indicated by the event information. is there.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the management device according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit does not notify the failure when the failure that has occurred in the processing unit is resolved after the specified time. Management device.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the management device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising instruction means for instructing the target device to perform polling after the specified time, wherein the notification means is the processing means. In the case where the failure that has occurred in step S3 is not resolved after the specified time and polling is performed after the specified time from the target device, information on the failure is notified to the target device. Device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the management device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the event information is indicated from the table information by referring to table information in which a designated time is defined for each event type. The management apparatus is characterized by obtaining a designated time corresponding to an event type.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the management device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the type of event indicated by the event information is a predetermined event, the usage frequency of the target device The management apparatus determines a designated time corresponding to the specific event according to the determination condition according to the above.

  The invention according to claim 6 is a management system comprising a target device to be managed and a management device for managing the target device, wherein the target device includes transmission means for transmitting event information of the target device; Display means for displaying failure information notified from the management apparatus, and the management apparatus performs reception processing for receiving event information of the target apparatus, and processing according to the event indicated by the event information And when a failure occurs in the processing unit, if the failure has not been resolved after a specified time determined according to the type of event indicated by the event information, And a notification means for notifying failure information.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the management system according to the sixth aspect, the target device further includes execution means for executing polling, the management device after the specified time with respect to the target device. In addition, the notification unit further includes an instruction unit for instructing polling, and the notification unit does not resolve a failure that has occurred in the processing unit after the specified time, and there is a polling after the specified time from the target device. In addition, the management system is configured to notify the target device of information on the failure.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided in the computer a reception function for receiving event information of a target device to be managed, a processing function for executing processing according to an event indicated by the event information, and a fault in the processing function A notification function that notifies the user of the target device of the failure when the failure has not been resolved after a specified time determined according to the type of event indicated by the event information. It is a program to let you.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, a failure can be notified at a timing according to the type of event.

  According to the invention of claim 2, notification of the trouble that has been solved is avoided.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, failure information is notified to the target device as a response to polling from the target device.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the specified time corresponding to the type of event is acquired with reference to the table information.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the designated time is determined according to the usage frequency of the target device in the case of a predetermined specific event.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a management system that notifies a failure at a timing according to the type of event is realized.

  The invention according to claim 7 realizes a management system in which the management apparatus notifies the target apparatus of failure information in response to polling from the target apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 8 provides a program for notifying a failure at a timing according to the type of event.

It is a figure which shows the specific example of a management system provided with the image forming apparatus and the management apparatus. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a management apparatus. It is a figure which shows the specific example of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the process from event reception to polling instruction | indication. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the table information which defined designation | designated time for every kind of event. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the determination process of the designated time by usage frequency. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the table information which registered the average print volume for every apparatus. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a process from polling reception to the display of failure information. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a display image.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a specific embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a specific example of a system including a management apparatus 100 and one or more image forming apparatuses 200. The management apparatus 100 and the image forming apparatus 200 are connected to each other via a communication line (communication network) 400 such as the Internet, and exchange data (information). Further, an event response device 300 is connected to the management device 100 by communication, and the management device 100 and the event response device 300 also exchange data (information) with each other.

  The management apparatus 100 and the event handling apparatus 300 provide various services to the image forming apparatus 200. For example, services such as remote inspection for stable operation of the image forming apparatus 200 and support for daily operation management of the image forming apparatus 200 are provided to the image forming apparatus 200.

  The image forming apparatus 200 is one specific example of a target apparatus managed by the management apparatus 100. One specific example of the image forming apparatus 200 is a composite apparatus having a plurality of image output functions such as a print function, a scanner function, and a copy function. For example, the image forming apparatus 200 may be installed in a company or school and used by customers of the company or school, or may be installed in a store such as a convenience store and used by an unspecified number of customers. .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the management apparatus 100 (FIG. 1). The management apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes an event information reception unit 110, an event processing unit 120, a polling instruction unit 130, a data storage unit 140, and a failure information notification unit 150.

  The event information receiving unit 110 receives event information of the image forming apparatus 200 (FIG. 1), which is a specific example of the target device to be managed. The event processing unit 120 executes processing corresponding to the event indicated by the event information received by the event information receiving unit 110. The polling instruction unit 130 instructs the image forming apparatus 200 (FIG. 1) to perform polling.

  The data storage unit 140 stores table information that defines a specified time for each event type. The data storage unit 140 also stores various types of information managed by the management apparatus 100. The data storage unit 140 is realized by using a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a semiconductor memory, for example.

  When a failure occurs in the event processing unit 120, the failure information notification unit 150 determines whether the failure has not been resolved after a specified time determined according to the type of event indicated by the event information. Notify the user of the failure.

  The management apparatus 100 of the specific example shown in FIG. 2 can be realized using, for example, one or more computers. The computer includes a computing device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a memory and a hard disk, a communication device using a communication line such as the Internet, a device that reads data from a storage medium such as an optical disk and a semiconductor memory, writes data, and a display such as a display Hardware resources such as a device and an operation device that receives an operation from a user are provided.

  Then, for example, a program (software) corresponding to at least a part of functions of a plurality of parts with reference numerals provided in the management apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 is read into the computer, and the hardware resources provided in the computer are read. In cooperation with the software, at least a part of the functions of the management apparatus 100 is realized by a computer. The program may be provided to the computer (management apparatus 100) via a communication line such as the Internet, or stored in a storage medium such as an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or a card memory and stored in the computer (management apparatus 100). May be provided.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the image forming apparatus 200 (FIG. 1). The image forming apparatus 200 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes an image forming unit 210, a data storage unit 220, an event information transmission unit 230, a polling execution unit 240, and a display unit 250.

  The image forming unit 210 executes image forming processing (including images of only characters and symbols). The image forming unit 210 includes, for example, a printing function for printing an image corresponding to image data on a medium such as paper and outputting it, and a copying function for reading an image from a medium such as paper and printing it on another paper for output. And at least one of scanner functions for reading an image from a medium such as paper and obtaining image data of the image.

  The data storage unit 220 stores image data, for example. The data storage unit 220 is realized by using a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a semiconductor memory, for example.

  The event information transmission unit 230 transmits event information of the image forming apparatus 200 to the management apparatus 100 (FIG. 1). The polling execution unit 240 performs polling on the management apparatus 100. By executing polling, information corresponding to the polling is acquired from the management apparatus 100.

  The display unit 250 displays failure information obtained from the management apparatus 100. The display unit 250 is realized using a display device such as a display or a touch panel.

  The overall configuration of the management system including the management apparatus 100 and the image forming apparatus 200 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 is as described above. Next, functions and the like realized by the system and apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described in detail. In addition, about the structure (part) shown in FIGS. 1-3, the code | symbol of FIGS. 1-3 is utilized in the following description.

  For example, when a failure occurs in the management apparatus 100, for example, when a failure occurs in the event processing unit 120, it is desired to quickly recover without affecting the service provided to the image forming apparatus 200 as much as possible. However, depending on the recovery status of the failure, it may not be possible to provide a service to some of the image forming apparatuses 200, so it may be better to notify the customer who uses the image forming apparatus 200 of the occurrence of the failure. On the other hand, notification of the occurrence of the failure is not important for the customer of the image forming apparatus 200 that is not affected by the failure or is less affected by the failure. Insignificant notifications may cause customers to feel extra anxiety and may require responses to inquiries from customers for such notifications.

  Therefore, for example, when a failure occurs in the event processing unit 120, the management device 100 does not solve the failure after a specified time determined according to the type of event indicated by the event information obtained from the image forming device 200. In addition, the occurrence of the failure is notified to the user (customer) of the image forming apparatus 200.

  The event is an event related to the image forming apparatus 200 that is the target apparatus, and the event includes, for example, an event in which the image forming apparatus 200 requires a corresponding service by the management apparatus 100 and the event response apparatus 300. Specific examples of the events that require the corresponding service include, for example, a repair request, a drum life notification, a toner remaining amount notification, and a failure notification.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of processing from event reception to polling instruction. First, the management apparatus 100 receives an event notified from the image forming apparatus 200 (S401). That is, the event information receiving unit 110 of the management apparatus 100 receives event information transmitted from the event information transmitting unit 230 of the image forming apparatus 200. Then, it is confirmed whether or not a failure has occurred in the event processing unit 120 of the management apparatus 100 (S402).

  If no failure has occurred in S402, normal event processing is executed (S403). That is, the event processing unit 120 executes the event processing accepted in S401. For example, if the event is a repair request, the event processing unit 120 transmits information on the repair request to the event handling apparatus 300, and the event handling apparatus 300 repairs the image forming apparatus 200 that has notified the event to a maintenance worker or the like. Requested.

  If a failure has occurred in S402, it is confirmed whether or not the event accepted in S401 is information relating to toner or drum (S404). If the information is not related to toner or drum, the specified time is acquired from the table information that defines the specified time for each event type (S405). On the other hand, if the information is related to the toner or drum, the specified time determination process is executed (S406: FIG. 6).

  Then, the polling instruction unit 130 of the management apparatus 100 instructs the image forming apparatus 200 to perform polling after a specified time (S407). The polling instruction unit 130 instructs the image forming apparatus 200 to perform polling after the designated time determined in the process of S405 or S406.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of table information in which a designated time is defined for each event type. The table information illustrated in FIG. 5 is stored in the data storage unit 140 of the management device 100, for example.

  In the specific example shown in FIG. 5, for example, a specified time of 30 minutes is associated with a repair request event, and a specified time of 24 hours is associated with a closing billing event. For a drum life notification event and a toner remaining amount notification event, which are specific examples of information relating to toner or drum, a determination process (FIG. 6) of a specified time based on the usage frequency of the image forming apparatus 200 is executed. .

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the determination process of the specified time based on the usage frequency. When the event received from the image forming apparatus 200 is information on toner or drum, for example, a drum life notification event or a toner remaining amount notification event, the management apparatus 100 determines whether the image forming apparatus 200 is used frequently. The specified time corresponding to the event is determined according to the condition.

  First, it is confirmed whether or not the toner or drum has been delivered (S601), and if it has been delivered, normal event processing is executed (S602). If it has not been delivered, a determination relating to the usage frequency of the image forming apparatus 200 is executed. In the specific example shown in FIG. 6, determination by the average monthly print volume (number of printed sheets) by the image forming apparatus 200 is executed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of table information in which the average print volume for each apparatus is registered. The table information illustrated in FIG. 7 is stored in the data storage unit 140 of the management apparatus 100, for example.

  In the specific example shown in FIG. 7, the nine monthly average print volumes (monthly average PV) are associated with each of the nine image forming apparatuses 200 with numbers (No.) 1 to 9. In the specific example shown in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 200 is identified by, for example, a model code (machine number).

  The data storage unit 140 of the management apparatus 100 stores table information regarding a plurality of image forming apparatuses 200 that are managed by the management apparatus 100. The monthly average print volume (monthly average PV) may be calculated from the print volume of the most recent months, for example, and updated periodically (for example, every month).

  In the processing of S603 and S605 in FIG. 6, for example, the table information illustrated in FIG. 7 is referred to, and the average print volume of the image forming apparatus 200 that has notified the event is confirmed.

  For example, if the average print volume of the image forming apparatus 200 that has notified the event is 500 sheets or less, the next day (the time may be determined in advance) is set as the designated time (S604).

  If the average print volume of the image forming apparatus 200 that has notified the event is greater than 500 and less than or equal to 5000, the next day (the time may be determined in advance) is set as the designated time (S606).

  Then, if the average print volume of the image forming apparatus 200 that has notified the event is greater than 5000 sheets, that day (the time may be determined in advance) is set as the designated time (S607).

  As described above, in the specific example illustrated in FIG. 7, the specified time is shortened as the average print volume of the image forming apparatus 200 increases. That is, it is determined that the more frequently the image forming apparatus 200 is used, the higher the need for prompt notification to customers who use the image forming apparatus 200.

  Next, processing when there is a polling from the image forming apparatus 200 will be described. When receiving the polling from the image forming apparatus 200, the management apparatus 100 executes processing described below.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of processing from polling reception to display of failure information. In the specific example shown in FIG. 8, the management apparatus 100 first receives polling from the image forming apparatus 200 (S801). Upon receiving the polling, the management apparatus 100 checks whether or not a failure has occurred in the event processing unit 120 (S802).

  If no failure has occurred in S802, normal polling processing is executed (S803). For example, information requested by polling is transmitted from the management apparatus 100 to the image forming apparatus 200.

  If a failure has occurred in S802, it is confirmed whether or not the polling accepted in S801 is polling after the designated time designated in S407 (FIG. 4) (S804). If it is not polling after the designated time designated in S407, normal polling processing is executed (S803). For example, information requested by polling is transmitted from the management apparatus 100 to the image forming apparatus 200.

  On the other hand, if the polling accepted in S801 is polling after the specified time designated in S407, the fault information is notified from the fault information notification unit 150 of the management apparatus 100 to the image forming apparatus 200 (S805). When the failure information is notified, the display unit 250 of the image forming apparatus 200 forms and displays a display image indicating the notified failure information (S806).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the display image 252. FIG. 9 shows a specific example of the display image 252 displayed on the display unit 250 of the image forming apparatus 200. The display image 252 illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a selection button for an image forming function included in the image forming apparatus 200.

  For example, when the user operates a “copy” button, the display image 252 is switched to a setting screen for copying, and copying is executed after the user performs necessary settings. When the “print” button is operated, the display image 252 is switched to the setting screen for printing, and when the “scan” button is operated, the display image 252 is switched to the setting screen for scanning.

  In addition, the display image 252 illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a failure information notification image 254. For example, in response to a notification from the management apparatus 100, a notification image 254 is popped up in the display image 252.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the notification image 254 is displayed in the display image 252 so as not to prevent the display of a selection button or the like of the image forming function. For example, when a message “There is a notification” pops up to notify that there is a notification and a detailed display operation is received from the user, the display of the notification image 254 is enlarged to display the detailed notification content. Also good.

  According to an example of a specific embodiment of the present invention described above, when the image forming apparatus 200 notifies the management apparatus 100 of an event and some trouble occurs in the management apparatus 100, the management apparatus 100 instructs the image forming apparatus 200 to perform polling after a specified time corresponding to the type of the event. Then, according to the instruction, the image forming apparatus 200 performs polling, and if the management apparatus 100 has not recovered from the failure, the management apparatus 100 notifies the image forming apparatus 200 of failure information. Note that if the failure of the management apparatus 100 is recovered after the specified time, the failure information is not notified to the image forming apparatus 200.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described, embodiment mentioned above is only a mere illustration in all the points, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention includes various modifications without departing from the essence thereof.

  100 management device, 110 event information receiving unit, 120 event processing unit, 130 polling instruction unit, 140 data storage unit, 150 fault information notification unit, 200 image forming device, 210 image forming unit, 220 data storage unit, 230 event information transmission Unit, 240 polling execution unit, 250 display unit, 300 event response device.

Claims (8)

Receiving means for receiving event information of a target device to be managed;
Processing means for executing processing according to the event indicated by the event information;
Notification that notifies the user of the target device of the failure when the failure has not been resolved after a specified time determined according to the type of event indicated by the event information when a failure has occurred in the processing means Means,
A management device. The management device according to claim 1,
The notifying means does not notify the trouble when the trouble occurred in the processing means is resolved after the specified time;
A management device characterized by that. In the management device according to claim 1 or 2,
Further comprising instruction means for instructing the target device to perform polling after the specified time;
The notification means sends information on the failure to the target device when the failure that has occurred in the processing means has not been resolved after the specified time and the target device has been polled after the specified time. Notice,
A management device characterized by that. In the management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
With reference to table information that defines a specified time for each event type, a specified time corresponding to the event type indicated by the event information is obtained from the table information.
A management device characterized by that. In the management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When the type of event indicated by the event information is a predetermined specific event, a specified time corresponding to the specific event is determined according to a determination condition related to the usage frequency of the target device
A management device characterized by that. A management system comprising a target device to be managed and a management device for managing the target device,
The target device is:
Transmitting means for transmitting event information of the target device;
Display means for displaying failure information notified from the management device;
Have
The management device
Receiving means for receiving event information of the target device;
Processing means for executing processing according to the event indicated by the event information;
When a failure occurs in the processing means, the failure information of the failure is notified to the target device when the failure has not been resolved after a specified time determined according to the type of event indicated by the event information. Notification means;
Having
Management system characterized by that. The management system according to claim 6,
The target device further includes execution means for executing polling,
The management device further includes instruction means for instructing the target device to perform polling after the specified time,
The notification means sends information on the failure to the target device when the failure that has occurred in the processing means has not been resolved after the specified time and the target device has been polled after the specified time. Notice,
Management system characterized by that. On the computer,
A receiving function for receiving event information of a target device to be managed;
A processing function for executing processing according to the event indicated by the event information;
Notification that notifies the user of the target device of the failure when the failure has not been resolved after a specified time determined according to the type of event indicated by the event information when the failure has occurred in the processing function Function and
A program that realizes