JP4561492B2 - Remote diagnosis apparatus, remote diagnosis system, and information collection program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote diagnosis apparatus, a remote diagnosis system, and an information collection program, and more particularly to a remote diagnosis apparatus, a remote diagnosis system, and a remote diagnosis apparatus that collect management information from a plurality of devices connected via a telephone network. Related information collection programs.

  Remote diagnosis that collects management information from the managed device on the remote diagnostic device side by connecting the managed device and the remote diagnostic device via a telephone line and transmitting management information stored in the managed device to the remote diagnostic device A system is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In a remote diagnosis system, when there are multiple managed devices, if a plurality of managed devices make a call at a close timing to connect to the remote diagnostic device, the devices other than the managed device with which communication has been established will be called. The phenomenon of not being connected occurs. For this reason, management information is periodically collected by assigning communication time to each of a plurality of devices to be managed from the remote diagnosis apparatus side and adjusting the timing of making a call. On the other hand, apart from the management information collected periodically, there is management information that needs to be suddenly connected to the remote diagnosis apparatus and transmitted, such as when a trouble occurs on the management target device side. When communication between the managed device that is called due to this unexpected event and the remote diagnosis apparatus is established, the managed device that has been assigned a communication time for transmitting management information to be periodically transmitted at that time Communication is disturbed. For this reason, the management target device to which the communication time has been allocated establishes communication with the remote diagnosis apparatus by calling again after a predetermined time has elapsed, and transmits management information.

However, if you want to collect management information that is fixed at a certain time, such as billing information that is fixed at the end of the month or the end of the month, each managed device per unit time at the end of the month or the end The communication time allocated to becomes longer. In other words, the idle time during which the remote diagnosis apparatus has not established communication with the management target device is shortened. In this situation, when communication between the managed device that originated due to an unexpected reason and the remote diagnosis device is established, the communication of the managed device that has been allocated communication time for periodic connection at that time High probability of being disturbed. Furthermore, since the managed device that cannot be connected periodically makes a call again after a predetermined time has elapsed, at this time, another managed device to which a communication time is assigned to make a periodic connection There is a high probability that communication will be hindered. Such periodic communication obstructions are repeated in order, and there is a problem that management information cannot be collected efficiently. This problem occurs with higher probability as the number of managed devices increases.
JP 2003-244335 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is that even if the number of managed devices for collecting management information increases, the number of managed devices from the managed devices is increased. It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote diagnosis apparatus that improves the probability of establishing communication in response to an incoming call.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a remote diagnosis system that improves the probability of establishing communication in response to an incoming call from a managed device even when the number of managed devices that collect management information increases. Is to provide.

  Still another object of the present invention is to improve the probability of establishing communication in response to an incoming call from a managed device even when the number of managed devices that collect management information increases. To provide an information gathering program.

According to an aspect of the present invention in order to achieve the above object, a remote diagnostic apparatus, a remote diagnostic device collects and manages management information of a plurality of managed devices, the scheduled date and time of transmitting the management information Is stored in the transmission schedule storage means, the communication establishment means for establishing communication in response to an incoming call from any of the plurality of management target devices, and the transmission schedule storage means. Based on the transmission schedule stored in the transmission schedule storage means, the call time transmission means for transmitting the next scheduled transmission date and time determined based on the transmission schedule being performed to the managed device for which communication has been established, when the congestion degree calculating means for calculating an excessive density indicating the percentage of a communication time per unit time, congestion degree calculated exceeds a predetermined upper limit, the data amount of the management information received Comprising a reduction means for reducing to the reduction means, the communication establishing means, Ru to establish communication on the condition that there is a call count exceeds a predetermined number.

  According to the present invention, the overdensity is calculated based on the call schedule, and the amount of management information to be received is reduced when the calculated overdensity exceeds a predetermined upper limit. If the amount of management information to be received is reduced, the time during which communication is established in the remote diagnosis apparatus is shortened, and the time during which communication is not established is lengthened. For this reason, the probability that any of the plurality of devices to be managed makes a call and communication is not established becomes low. As a result, it is possible to provide a remote diagnosis apparatus that improves the probability of establishing communication in response to an incoming call from a managed device even when the number of managed devices that collect management information increases. .

Furthermore , if the managed device makes a call exceeding a predetermined number only when transmitting important management information, the probability of establishing communication for receiving only important management information can be improved.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the remote diagnosis apparatus is a remote diagnosis apparatus that collects and manages management information from a plurality of management target devices, and sets a scheduled date and time for transmitting the management information to each of the plurality of management target devices. Based on the transmission schedule stored in the transmission schedule storage means, the transmission schedule storage means for storing the transmission schedule assigned to the communication schedule, the communication establishment means for establishing communication in response to an incoming call from any of the plurality of managed devices The call time transmission means for transmitting the next scheduled transmission date and time determined to the managed device to which communication has been established, and the communication time per unit time based on the transmission schedule stored in the transmission schedule storage means An overdensity calculating means for calculating an overdensity indicating a ratio, and a reducing means for reducing the data amount of management information to be received when the calculated overdensity exceeds a predetermined upper limit. Reduction means, on condition that the management information to be transmitted from the managed devices communication is established by the communication establishing unit is a predetermined type, the blocking means for blocking the communication without receiving the control information Including.

  According to the present invention, the communication time for receiving a predetermined type of management information can be reduced, and the probability of establishing communication for receiving management information other than the predetermined type can be improved.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the remote diagnosis apparatus is a remote diagnosis apparatus that collects and manages management information from a plurality of management target devices, and sets the scheduled date and time for transmitting the management information to the plurality of management target devices. Transmission schedule storage means for storing the transmission schedule assigned to each, communication establishment means for establishing communication in response to an incoming call from any of a plurality of managed devices, and transmission schedules stored in the transmission schedule storage means A communication time per unit time based on a transmission schedule stored in the transmission schedule storage means and a call time transmission means for transmitting the next scheduled transmission date and time determined on the basis of the communication to the management target device. An over-density calculating means for calculating an over-density indicating the ratio, and a reducing means for reducing the amount of management information received when the calculated over-density exceeds a predetermined upper limit; Comprising reduction means to the management target device that communication has been established by the communication establishing means, including management information limiting means for transmitting a part of the plurality of management information plan to send.

  According to the present invention, the communication time for receiving unimportant management information among a plurality of management information is reduced, and the probability of establishing communication for receiving necessary management information among the plurality of management information is improved. be able to.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a remote diagnosis system is a remote diagnosis system including a plurality of managed devices and a remote diagnosis device that collects and manages management information from the plurality of managed devices. Each of the plurality of devices to be managed, when a connection is established between the calling unit for establishing communication with the remote diagnosis apparatus and the remote diagnosis apparatus, the management specified from the remote diagnosis apparatus among a plurality of pieces of management information Management information transmitting means for transmitting information, the calling means regardless of the designated calling means for calling at the scheduled transmission date and time designated by the remote diagnostic apparatus and the scheduled transmission date and time designated by the remote diagnostic apparatus A re-call that re-calls after a specified period of time if communication cannot be established between the original calling means that makes a call and the remote diagnosis device, or if communication is established but management information cannot be transmitted. And stage includes a remote diagnostic apparatus, a transmission schedule storing means for storing a transmission schedule allocating the scheduled date and time of transmitting the management information to a plurality of managed devices, from either a plurality of managed devices Communication establishment means for establishing communication in response to an incoming call, and outgoing call for transmitting the next scheduled transmission date and time determined based on the transmission schedule stored in the transmission schedule storage means to the managed device with established communication Time transmission means, overdensity calculation means for calculating an overdensity indicating a proportion of communication time per unit time based on the transmission schedule stored in the transmission schedule storage means, and the calculated overdensity is a predetermined upper limit. If it exceeds, the reduction means to reduce the amount of data of the management information received, comprising a plurality of managed devices each call means, management information scheduled to be transmitted at a predetermined type The first calling means for stopping the call by a predetermined number of calls, and the second calling means for calling more than the predetermined number of times when the management information to be transmitted is of a different type from the predetermined type The remote diagnostic apparatus reduction means causes the communication establishment means to establish communication on condition that there are more than a predetermined number of calls .

  According to the present invention, even when the number of management target devices for collecting management information increases, the remote diagnosis improves the probability of establishing communication in response to an incoming call from the management target device in the remote diagnosis device A system can be provided.

Furthermore, since the management target device makes a call exceeding a predetermined number only when management information other than the first type is transmitted, the remote diagnosis apparatus establishes communication for receiving management information other than the first type. The probability of doing can be improved.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a remote diagnosis system is a remote diagnosis system including a plurality of remote diagnosis apparatuses that are each connected to a network and collect and manage management information from a plurality of managed devices. Each of the remote diagnosis apparatuses communicates according to an incoming call from any of the plurality of managed devices, and a transmission schedule storage means for storing a transmission schedule in which the scheduled date and time for transmitting the management information are assigned to each of the plurality of managed devices. A communication establishment means for establishing communication, a call time transmission means for transmitting the next scheduled transmission date and time determined based on the transmission schedule stored in the transmission schedule storage means to the managed device for which communication has been established, and transmission based on the transmission schedule stored in the schedule storage means, and overcrowding calculating means for calculating an excessive density indicating the percentage of a communication time per unit time, calculated To cause the managed device that has established communication by the communication establishing means to call another remote diagnostic apparatus and receive the other remote diagnostic apparatus on behalf of the other remote diagnostic apparatus when the over-density that has been exceeded exceeds a predetermined upper limit In addition, the proxy instructing means for blocking communication after transmitting the call number to the other remote diagnosis apparatus to the management target device for which communication has been established by the communication establishing means, and the management information that has been received by the other remote diagnosis apparatus Proxy reception information receiving means for requesting transmission to the other remote diagnosis apparatus and receiving the information.

  According to the present invention, when the calculated overdensity exceeds a predetermined upper limit, the managed device to which communication has been established is called to another remote diagnostic apparatus, and the other remote diagnostic apparatus is substituted for the other remote diagnostic apparatus. Since the communication is interrupted after sending the calling number to the other remote diagnosis apparatus to the managed device with which communication is established in order to receive it, the communication time with the managed device with which communication is established is shortened. Can do. Since the management information that has been received by other remote diagnosis apparatuses is transmitted to the other remote diagnosis apparatuses and received, the management information can be reliably collected. As a result, even if the number of managed devices that collect management information increases, the probability of establishing communication in response to an incoming call from the managed device is improved and management information is collected reliably Can provide a remote diagnosis system.

  Preferably, the remote diagnosis system further includes a management server connected to the network, the management server receiving overdensity from each of the plurality of remote diagnosis devices, and overdensity to the plurality of remote diagnosis devices. Calling number transmission means for transmitting a calling number to a low remote diagnosis apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the management server receives the overdensity from each of the plurality of remote diagnosis apparatuses and transmits the calling number to the remote diagnosis apparatus having a low overdensity to the plurality of remote diagnosis apparatuses. Each diagnostic device can be intercepted by a remote diagnostic device with low overdensity. Therefore, it is possible to increase the probability that communication is established by the remote diagnosis apparatus that performs proxy reception.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the information collection program is an information collection program executed by a remote diagnosis apparatus that collects and manages management information from a plurality of devices to be managed, and plans to transmit the management information storing a transmission schedule assigned date and time to each of the plurality of managed devices, establishing a communication in accordance with the incoming call from any plurality of managed devices is determined based on the stored transmission schedule A step of transmitting a scheduled transmission date and time to the managed device with which communication has been established, a step of calculating an overdensity indicating a ratio of communication time per unit time based on the stored transmission schedule, and when congestion degree exceeds a predetermined upper limit, then execution steps to reduce the amount of data of the management information received, the remote diagnostic device, to reduce Step is, in the step of establishing communication, comprising the step of establishing a communication on the condition that there is a call count exceeds a predetermined number.

According to the present invention, an information collection program capable of improving the probability of establishing communication in response to an incoming call from a managed device even when the number of managed devices collecting management information has increased. Can be provided.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the information collection program is an information collection program executed by a remote diagnosis apparatus that collects and manages management information from a plurality of devices to be managed, and plans to transmit the management information It is determined based on the step of storing the transmission schedule assigned to each of the plurality of managed devices, the step of establishing communication in response to an incoming call from any of the plurality of managed devices, and the stored transmission schedule. A step of transmitting a scheduled transmission date and time to the managed device with which communication has been established, a step of calculating an overdensity indicating a ratio of communication time per unit time based on the stored transmission schedule, and Reducing the amount of management information received when the over-density exceeds a predetermined upper limit, and causing the remote diagnosis apparatus to execute the reduction The step includes a step of blocking communication without receiving the management information on the condition that the management information scheduled to be transmitted from the managed device to which communication has been established is a predetermined type in the step of establishing communication. , Information gathering program.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the information collection program is an information collection program executed by a remote diagnosis apparatus that collects and manages management information from a plurality of devices to be managed, and plans to transmit the management information It is determined based on the step of storing the transmission schedule assigned to each of the plurality of managed devices, the step of establishing communication in response to an incoming call from any of the plurality of managed devices, and the stored transmission schedule. A step of transmitting a scheduled transmission date and time to the managed device with which communication has been established, a step of calculating an overdensity indicating a ratio of communication time per unit time based on the stored transmission schedule, and Reducing the amount of management information received when the over-density exceeds a predetermined upper limit, and causing the remote diagnosis apparatus to execute the reduction Step to the management target device to communicate in the step of establishing a communication has been established, comprising the step of transmitting a part of the plurality of management information scheduled to be transmitted, the information collecting program.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of a remote diagnosis system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the remote diagnosis system includes a remote diagnosis server 1 and three multifunction peripherals (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) 2, 2A, 2B which are managed devices of remote diagnosis server 1. Remote diagnosis server 1 and MFP (Multi
(Function Peripheral) 2, 2A, 2B are connected to the telephone line network 3, respectively. Here, three MFPs 2, 2A, and 2B are shown, but the number is not limited to this, and a plurality of MFPs may be used. Since the three MFPs 2, 2A, 2B have the same configuration and function, the MFP 2 will be described as an example unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the remote diagnosis server. The remote diagnosis server 1 is a general computer. Referring to FIG. 2, the remote diagnosis server 1 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101 that is connected to the bus 120 and a ROM (Read) that records a boot-up program to be executed by the CPU 101.
(Only Memory) 103 and a RAM (Random Access) for loading management information collection programs to be executed and for storing data during program execution
(Memory) 105, a hard disk drive (HDD) 107 for storing data in a nonvolatile manner, a card interface (I / F) 109 to which an IC card 108 is mounted, an input unit 111 serving as an interface with a user, and a display Unit 113 and communication I / F 115 for connecting remote diagnosis server 1 to the network.

  The CPU 101 loads the management information collection program stored in the HDD 107 into the RAM 105 and executes it. The CPU 101 may load the management information collection program recorded on the IC card 108 attached to the card I / F 109 into the RAM 105 and execute it. Furthermore, a management information collection program may be downloaded from another computer connected to the network and stored in the HDD 107, and the management information collection program may be loaded into the RAM 105 and executed. The management information collection program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 101 but also a program in a source program format, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

The recording medium for storing the management information collection program is not limited to the IC card 108, but is a flexible disk, cassette tape, optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-ROM) / MO (Magnetic Optical).
Disc) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable)
It may be a medium that carries a fixed program such as a semiconductor memory such as a programmable ROM (EEPROM) or an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM).

  The input unit 111 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The display unit 113 is a liquid crystal display device or a cathode ray tube (CRT). The communication I / F 115 is a communication interface for connecting the remote diagnosis server 1 to a network. Thereby, the remote diagnosis server 1 can communicate with another computer.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the MFP. Referring to FIG. 3, MFP 2 includes a scanner unit 203, an image forming unit 206 that forms an image on a recording medium such as paper, a CPU 201 connected to a bus 211, a storage unit 202, and a scanner unit 203. An input image processing unit 204 that processes image data output from the computer, an output image processing unit 205 that performs processing suitable for output to the image data, a network interface (I / F) 207, a modem 208, and an operation panel 209 and a card I / F 210.

  The CPU 201 controls the entire MFP 2. The storage unit 202 includes a semiconductor memory such as a ROM, a RAM, and an EEPROM, and a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD). The CPU 201 loads a management information transmission program stored in the ROM or EEPROM into the RAM and executes it. Further, the CPU 201 generates management information for the MFP 2 and stores it in the EEPROM of the storage unit 202. The management information will be described later.

  The scanner unit 203 includes a photoelectric conversion device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), optically reads a document, and outputs image data as electronic data to the input image processing unit 204. The input image processing unit 204 performs color conversion processing, color correction processing, resolution conversion processing, region discrimination processing, and the like on the input image data, and stores the processed image data in the storage unit 202.

  The output image processing unit 205 is controlled by the CPU 201, reads image data from the storage unit 202, performs screen control processing, smoothing processing, and pulse width modulation (PWM), and outputs the processed image data to the image forming unit 206. To do. The image forming unit 206 is a laser printer and visualizes the image data input from the output image processing unit 205 on a recording medium such as paper. The image forming unit 206 forms an image with four color toners of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black in the case of color printing, and forms an image with black toner in the case of monochrome printing. The image forming unit 206 may be an ink jet printer.

  An IC card 210A is attached to the card I / F 210. The CPU 201 can access the IC card 210A via the card I / F 210. A network I / F 207 connects the MFP 2 to the network 113. The network 113 may be a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. The network 113 may be wired or wireless. The network I / F 207 outputs data to the network 113 according to a predetermined communication protocol, and receives data from the network 113 according to a predetermined communication protocol. The CPU 201 can communicate with other computers connected to the network 113 via the network I / F 207. Therefore, when image data is received from another computer via the network 113, the image data received by the image forming unit 206 is formed on a recording medium such as paper and visualized.

  A modem 208 connects the MFP 2 to the telephone line network 3. The modem 208 includes an NCU (Network Control Unit) for enabling communication with the remote diagnosis server 1 connected to the telephone line network 3. The modem 208 enables facsimile communication of data according to a facsimile communication protocol. The modem 208 stores the data received by facsimile in the HDD of the storage unit 202.

  Operation panel 209 includes an input unit 209A and a display unit 209B. The input unit 209 </ b> A is an input device such as a touch panel, a keyboard, or a mouse for receiving an operation input by the user of the MFP 2. The display unit 209B is a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display panel. In the case where a touch panel made of a transparent member is used for the input unit 209A, an instruction of a button displayed on the display unit 209B can be detected by placing the touch panel on the display unit 209B. Thereby, various operations can be input.

  The management information transmission program executed by the CPU 201 is not limited to the one stored in the EEPROM of the storage unit 202, and the management information transmission program stored in the HDD or the IC card 108 is loaded into the RAM and executed. Also good. The management information transmission program stored in the EEPROM or HDD may be rewritten by another computer connected to the network 113, or a new management information transmission program may be added and written. Then, the MFP 2 may download the management information transmission program from another computer connected to the network 113 or the remote diagnosis server 1 connected to the telephone network 3, and store the management information transmission program. .

  Furthermore, the management information transmission program stored in the IC card 108 may be loaded into the RAM and executed. The management information transmission program is not an IC card 108, but a fixed disk such as a flexible disk, a cassette tape, an optical disk (CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD), an optical card, a mask ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, and other semiconductor memories. When the program is stored in the medium carrying the program, the MFP 2 loads the management information transmission program stored in the storage medium into the RAM and executes it.

  The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 201 but also a program in a source program format, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  The remote diagnosis server 1 in the present embodiment collects management information from the MFPs 2, 2A, 2B in order to monitor the states of the MFPs 2, 2A, 2B. The MFPs 2, 2 </ b> A, 2 </ b> B make calls to the remote diagnosis server using the telephone line network 3 in order to transmit management information to the remote diagnosis server 1. When the remote diagnosis server 1 detects an incoming call from one of the MFPs 2, 2A, 2B, it goes off-hook and establishes communication with the calling one of the MFPs 2, 2A, 2B. The remote diagnosis server 1 communicates with the MFP 2, 2 </ b> A, 2 </ b> B that has communication probability and receives management information.

  Transmission of management information from the MFPs 2, 2A, 2B to the remote diagnosis server 1 is divided into four communication types according to the purpose. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining communication types and management information. Referring to FIG. 4, communication types include deadline communication, scheduled communication, emergency notification, and warning notification.

  The closing date communication is a communication for collecting billing information and is performed on the meter reading date. The meter reading date is usually a fixed day of the year, period, month, or week. For this reason, deadline communication is communication performed regularly. The management information transmitted by the closing date communication is a total counter value and a size counter value. The total counter value is the total number of times that the image forming unit 206 has formed an image. The size counter value is a type of the number of times the image forming unit 206 has formed an image for each size. There are as many size counter values as the number of paper sizes. The size counter value is used when the fee charged depends on the size.

  The scheduled communication is communication for periodically collecting management information necessary for monitoring the long-term state of the MFPs 2, 2A, 2B. For this reason, regular communication is communication performed regularly. The management information transmitted by the scheduled communication includes a total counter value, a size counter value, a ROM version, a JAM counter value, and a periodic replacement part counter value. The ROM version is firmware version information stored in the MFPs 2, 2A, 2B. The JAM counter value is the total number of paper jams. There are as many JAM counter values as there are JAM sensors. The periodic replacement part counter value is the total number of times that a part to be periodically replaced such as a photosensitive drum, toner, or a conveyance roller is replaced. There are as many periodic replacement parts counter values as the number of periodic replacement parts.

  The emergency call is communication for collecting information related to troubles occurring in the MFPs 2, 2A, 2B. For this reason, emergency calls are communications that occur suddenly. Troubles that are the subject of emergency calls are troubles that require repairs by dispatching a service person, and include, for example, running out of toner, damage to periodic replacement parts, and the like. Therefore, troubles that can be dealt with only by the users of the MFPs 2, 2A, 2B are not included. The management information transmitted by the emergency call includes a trouble code, a total counter value, a ROM version, a JAM counter value, and a periodic replacement part counter value. The trouble code is identification information determined in advance to identify the trouble that has occurred. The management information transmitted by the emergency call only needs to include at least a trouble code. Here, the emergency call includes a total counter value, a size counter value, a ROM version, a JAM counter value, and a periodic replacement parts counter value. In order to collect at the earliest possible timing, it is included in the management information sent by emergency call.

  The warning notification is communication for collecting information on an event that may cause a trouble, although it is not necessary to respond immediately. The warning notification is transmitted when an event that may cause a trouble occurs, for example, when the toner near is empty, or when the periodic replacement part counter value exceeds a predetermined value. For this reason, the warning notification is communication that occurs unexpectedly. The management information transmitted by the warning notification includes a warning code, a total counter value, a size counter value, a ROM version, a JAM counter value, and a periodic replacement part counter value. The warning code is identification information set in advance in order to identify a situation that may cause a trouble. The management information transmitted by the warning notification only needs to include at least a warning code. Here, the warning notification includes the total counter value, the size counter value, the ROM version, the JAM counter value, and the periodic replacement parts counter value, but these are communicated on the closing date or on a regular basis. In order to collect at the earliest possible timing, it is included in the management information sent in the warning report.

  In this embodiment, the number of communication types is four. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes a communication type for periodic communication and a communication type for sudden communication. It only has to be.

  In remote diagnosis server 1 according to the present embodiment, HDD 107 stores communication settings for allocating communication times for MFP 2, 2 A, and 2 B to perform deadline communication and scheduled communication. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication settings. Referring to FIG. 5, the communication setting includes an MFP ID item, a communication type item, a date / day of the week item, and a scheduled communication time item. The MFP ID item indicates device identification information for identifying the MFPs 2, 2A, and 2B. Here, ID “1” is set for MFP 2, ID “2” is set for MFP 2 A, and ID “3” is set for MFP 2 B. The item of communication type indicates a communication type code for identifying the communication type. Communication type “1” indicates deadline communication, and communication type “2” indicates scheduled communication. The item of date / day of the week indicates a code for specifying the date or the day of the week. The codes “1” to “31” indicate the date with the numbers, and “51” to “57” indicate the day of the week with the first digit, and indicate the day of the week from Sunday to Saturday. For example, the code “22” indicates the 22nd, the code “51” indicates Sunday, the code “52” indicates Monday, and the code “57” indicates Saturday.

  The remote diagnosis server 1 transmits the scheduled communication time to each MFP 2, 2A, 2B using this communication setting. To the MFP 2, transmission is performed at 4 am on the 20th of every month as a scheduled communication transmission schedule, and 1:00 pm every Sunday is transmitted as a scheduled communication transmission schedule. The MFP 2A transmits 5:30 pm on the 15th of every month as a scheduled communication transmission schedule, and transmits every Wednesday at 6 pm and every Thursday at 7 pm as a scheduled communication transmission schedule. For MFP 2B, 11:55 pm on the 10th of every month is transmitted as a schedule for transmission of the closing date communication.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of communication mode setting processing executed by the remote diagnosis server. This communication mode setting process is realized by the CPU 101 executing a communication mode setting program stored in the HDD 107. The communication mode setting program is a part of the management information collection program.

  Referring to FIG. 6, in the communication mode setting process, it is determined whether or not the communication setting has been changed. If the communication setting stored in the HDD 107 has been changed, the process proceeds to step S03, and if not, the process proceeds to step S02. In step S03, it is determined whether or not the over-density calculation time is reached. If the current time is the calculation time, the process proceeds to step S03. If not, the process returns to step S01. The calculation time may be determined in advance. Here, the calculation time is set to 0 minutes every hour. Thereby, the calculation time is set every hour. In step S03, the overdensity is calculated. That is, in the communication mode setting process, the overdensity is calculated when the communication setting is changed (step S01) or at a predetermined time interval (step S02). The overdensity is calculated using the following equation (1).

((Total time required for deadline communication within the period) + (total time required for regular communication within the period)) / period (1)
Although the period here can be determined arbitrarily, it is preferable to make it the same as the interval for calculating the overdensity. Further, the time required for the deadline communication and the time required for the scheduled communication are obtained by dividing the data amount transmitted by the cutoff date communication and the data amount transmitted by the scheduled communication in the MFPs 2, 2A and 2B by the communication speed of the line. Calculated.

  In the next step S04, it is determined whether or not the overdensity calculated in step S03 exceeds the upper limit value. If the overdensity exceeds the upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S04, and if not, the process proceeds to step S06. In step S05, the communication mode is set to the overcrowded mode, and in step S06, the communication mode is set to the normal mode. After step S05 or step S06, the process returns to step S01.

  The remote diagnosis server 1 calculates the overdensity every predetermined time or when the communication setting is changed, and sets the communication mode to the overcrowded mode if the overdensity exceeds the upper limit value. If the upper limit is not exceeded, the communication mode is set to the normal mode. Since the communication setting process is executed every predetermined time, the normal mode may be set in the next period even if the communication mode is set to the overcrowded mode.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed by the remote diagnosis system in the first embodiment. FIG. 7A is a flowchart showing the flow of management information collection processing executed by the remote diagnosis server 1. This management information collection process is realized by the CPU 101 executing a management information collection program stored in the HDD 107. FIG. 7B is a flowchart showing the flow of management information transmission processing executed by the MFP 2. This management information transmission process is realized by the CPU 201 executing a management information transmission program stored in the HDD of the storage unit 202.

  Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, first, in MFP 2, it is determined whether or not the call time has come (step S31). If the current time is the calling time, the process proceeds to step S33, and if not, the process proceeds to step S32. The MFP 2 stores the scheduled communication time and scheduled communication time transmitted from the remote diagnosis server 1. The calling time includes a scheduled communication time for this deadline communication or scheduled communication.

  In step S32, it is determined whether an event for emergency notification or warning notification has occurred. If true, the process proceeds to step S33, and if false, the process returns to step S31. Here, the occurrence of an event for an emergency call corresponds to the occurrence of a trouble, and the occurrence of an event for a warning call is, for example, a toner near empty when an event that may cause a trouble occurs. Or the case where the periodic replacement part counter value exceeds a predetermined value.

  In step S33, a call is made. The MFP 2 stores in advance a telephone number assigned to the remote diagnosis server 1, and this telephone number is dialed by the modem 208 to make a call. Then, in the next step S34, it is determined whether or not communication has been established with the remote diagnosis server 1. If communication is established, the process proceeds to step S39. If not, the process proceeds to step S35.

  In step S35, it is determined whether the importance of the management information to be transmitted is low. If it is determined that the importance level is low, the process proceeds to step S36. If it is determined that the importance level is not low, the process returns to step S34, and a standby state is established until communication is established. In step S36, it is determined whether or not the number of calls exceeds two. If the number of calls exceeds two, the process proceeds to step S37, and if not, the process returns to step S34. In step S37, the call is stopped and the process proceeds to step S38. In step S38, after waiting for a predetermined time, the process returns to step S33. If communication cannot be established during a call in step S34, the process proceeds to step S37.

  Here, the importance of management information will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the importance of management information. With reference to FIG. 8, the total counter value, the size counter value, and the trouble code are items of high importance in the management information. Among the management information, the warning code, the JAM counter value, and the periodic replacement parts counter value are items with medium importance. Of the management information, the ROM version is an item of low importance. The MFP 2 stores the importance for each item of the management information shown in FIG. 8, and determines the importance based on the management information to be transmitted. In this determination, in the case of warning notifications and emergency notifications, the importance is determined based on the warning code and the trouble code that are always included. That is, in the case of a warning notification, the importance level is low, in the case of an emergency call, the importance level is medium, and in the case of deadline communication or scheduled communication, the importance level is high.

  Returning to FIG. 7 (B), communication is established in the case of emergency communication that is a highly important communication type, deadline communication or scheduled communication, or an emergency call with a medium importance level, by the processing in steps S34 to S38. The call is continued until the call is made. However, in the case of a warning notification that is a less important communication type, the call is stopped if communication is not established by up to two calls.

  On the other hand, the remote diagnosis server 1 is in a standby state until an incoming call is received (NO in step S11), and if there is an incoming call, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the process branches depending on the communication mode set by executing the communication mode setting process described above. That is, if the communication mode is set to the normal mode, the process proceeds to step S14. If the overcrowding mode is set, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, the process stands by until the number of calls exceeds twice (NO in step S13), and if it exceeds 2, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, communication is established with the MFP 2 that has made an off-hook call. In the remote diagnosis server 1, when the communication mode is set to the overcrowded mode, it waits until there are two calls after an incoming call, and then goes off-hook, but when the normal mode is set, the incoming call is not received. Then go off-hook without waiting for two calls. On the other hand, the MFP 2 calls more than twice in the case of deadline communication, scheduled communication, or emergency notification, and calls only twice in the case of warning notification. For this reason, when the remote diagnosis server 1 is in the normal mode, communication between the remote diagnosis server 1 and the MFP 2 is established regardless of the communication type of the call of the MFP 2, but the remote diagnosis server 1 In the overcrowded mode, communication between the remote diagnosis server 1 and the MFP 2 is established only when the call of the MFP 2 is a closing date communication, a scheduled communication, or an emergency call, and in the case of a warning notification, the communication is established. do not do. For this reason, when the remote diagnosis server 1 is in the overcrowded mode, it is not communicated with a low-priority warning report, so that the amount of data to be communicated can be reduced.

  When communication is established with the remote diagnosis server 1 (YES in step S34), the MFP 2 transmits a device ID and a communication type (step S39). When receiving the device ID and the communication type (step S15), the remote diagnosis server 1 branches depending on the set communication mode (step S16). If the communication mode is set to the normal mode, the process proceeds to step S17. If the overcrowding mode is set, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S <b> 17, an instruction to transmit all items of management information determined for each communication type is transmitted to the MFP 2. On the other hand, in step S18, an instruction to transmit only the items of high importance among the items of management information determined for each communication type is transmitted to the MFP2. In the MFP 2, the remote diagnosis server 1 receives the item transmission instruction transmitted in step S17 or S18 (step S40), and transmits the management information of the instructed item to the remote diagnosis server 1 (step S40). The remote diagnosis server 1 receives the transmitted management information (step S19) and stores it in a predetermined area of the HDD 107 (step S20).

  When the communication type is cutoff date communication, the management information includes a total counter value and a size counter value, all of which are high in importance. For this reason, the management information collected is the same regardless of whether the communication mode of the remote diagnosis server 1 is the overcrowded mode or the normal mode. When the communication type is scheduled communication, the management information includes a total counter value, a size counter value, a ROM version, a JAM counter, and a periodic replacement parts counter value. A value and a size counter value. For this reason, when the communication mode of the remote diagnosis server 1 is in the overcrowded mode, only the highly important total counter value and size counter value are collected. When the communication type is emergency call, the management information includes trouble code, total counter value, ROM version, JAM counter, and periodic replacement parts counter value. Of these, the most important items are trouble code and The total counter value. For this reason, when the communication mode of the remote diagnosis server 1 is in the overcrowded mode, only trouble codes and total counter values with high importance are collected.

  For this reason, when the remote diagnosis server 1 is in the overcrowded mode, only management information of items with high importance is collected among items of management information determined for each communication type, so that the amount of communication data is reduced. be able to.

  When the remote diagnosis server 1 receives and stores the management information, it determines the next call time based on the communication settings and transmits it to the MFP 2. This transmission may be transmitted only when the communication type of the established communication is deadline communication or scheduled communication, but may be transmitted in the case of an emergency notification or a warning notification. Then, the communication is cut off by hooking (step S22), and the process returns to step S11.

  The MFP 2 receives the next calling time transmitted from the remote diagnosis server 1 and stores it in the storage unit 202. This stored call time is read out next time step S31 is executed. And it becomes standby information until communication is cut | disconnected (step S43), and if communication is cut | disconnected, it will return to step S31.

  Note that, when the MFP 2 issues a warning notification, the number of calls after a call is set to two to limit the number of calls. However, the number of calls to be limited is not limited to this and may be one or more. The number of calls that the remote diagnosis server 1 waits in step S13 is determined according to the number of times that the MFP 2 limits calls.

<Modification>
In the remote diagnosis system described above, when the communication type is warning notification, the MFPs 2, 2A, 2B limit the number of calls after a call to two. The remote diagnosis system according to the modification corresponds to the case where the MFP 2, 2A, 2B cannot limit the number of calls after the call is issued due to the warning notification.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed by the remote diagnosis system in the modification. FIG. 9A is another flowchart showing the flow of management information collection processing executed by the remote diagnosis server 1. The difference from the management information collection process shown in FIG. 7A is that step S12 and step S13 are deleted, and step S15A is added between step S15 and step S16. FIG. 9B is another flowchart showing the flow of the management information transmission process executed by the MFP 2. The difference from the management information transmission process shown in FIG. 7B is that steps S35 to S38 are deleted. Therefore, the MFPs 2, 2A, and 2B repeat the call after making a call until communication is established regardless of the communication type. In the figure, step S43 detects that the communication has been disconnected after step S42 is executed. However, if the communication is disconnected after the communication is established, the MFP 2, 2A, 2B will Then, an interrupt is generated and the process proceeds to step S31.

  Referring to FIG. 9A, when an incoming call is detected (YES in step S11), remote diagnosis server 1 unconditionally establishes communication (step S14). When the device ID and the communication type are received (step S15), it is determined whether or not the received communication type is a warning notification (step S15A). If it is determined to be a warning notification, the process proceeds to step S22 and communication is disconnected. If the communication type is not a warning notification, the process proceeds to step S16. This is because the warning notification does not include items of high importance or medium in the management information to be transmitted. For this reason, the determination in step S15A is to determine that the management information to be received does not include management items with high or medium importance. Since management information of items of low importance is not received, the amount of data to be communicated can be reduced.

  As described above, in the remote diagnosis system according to the first embodiment, when the communication mode of the remote diagnosis server 1 is in the overcrowded mode, the amount of data to be communicated without receiving management information of low importance To reduce. Furthermore, when the communication mode of the remote diagnosis server 1 is in the overcrowded mode, the amount of data to be communicated is reduced by transmitting and receiving only management items with high importance. For this reason, the time during which the remote diagnosis server 1 is off-hook and communicating is shortened, and the on-hook time can be lengthened. As a result, for example, even when there is a sudden emergency notification or warning notification from the MFP 2, it is possible to reduce the influence on the regular closing date communication or scheduled communication assigned to the other MFPs 2A and 2B.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a remote diagnosis system according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an overall outline of a remote diagnosis system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, the remote diagnosis system according to the second embodiment includes a remote diagnosis server 1, 1 A, three MFPs 2, 2 A, 2 B that are managed devices of remote diagnosis server 1, and a remote diagnosis server. 1 includes three MFPs 2C, 2D, and 2E, which are one management target device, and an auxiliary server 4. The remote diagnosis servers 1 and 1A and the MFPs 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E are connected to the telephone line network 3, respectively. The remote diagnosis servers 1 and 1A and the auxiliary server 4 are connected to the Internet 5. Here, three MFPs 2, 2A, 2B are managed devices for the remote diagnosis server 1, and three MFPs 2C, 2D, 2E are managed devices for the remote diagnosis server 1A. Is not limited to this. Furthermore, the number of remote diagnosis servers 1 and 1A is not limited to two, but may be plural.

  Further, the remote diagnosis apparatus 1 or 1A and the auxiliary server 4 are connected to the Internet 5, but not limited to the Internet 5, it may be a telephone line network 3 or a LAN, and further, a serial line or a parallel line. You may make it connect directly with a line | wire. The communication I / F 115 uses an interface according to the connection form between the remote diagnosis server 1 and another computer.

  The hardware configuration of the remote diagnosis server in the second embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 2, and the hardware configuration of each of MFPs 2, 2A to 2E is the same as that shown in FIG. Therefore, the description will not be repeated here. The auxiliary server 4 is a general computer, and its hardware configuration and functions are well known, so the description thereof will not be repeated here.

  Hereinafter, differences from the remote diagnosis system according to the first embodiment will be mainly described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of communication mode setting processing executed by the remote diagnosis server in the second embodiment. This communication mode setting process is executed by each of the remote diagnosis servers 1 and 1A. Referring to FIG. 11, the difference from the communication mode setting process shown in FIG. 6 is that step S03A is added between step S03 and step S04, and step S05A between step S05 and step S01. Is added.

  Here, an example executed by the remote diagnosis server 1 will be described. In the remote diagnosis server 1, when the overdensity is calculated (step S03), the calculated overdensity is transmitted to the auxiliary server 4 (step S03A). Thereby, the auxiliary server 4 receives overdensity from each of the remote diagnosis servers 1 and 1A. For this reason, the auxiliary server 4 can determine the remote diagnosis server 1 or 1A having a low overdensity. Here, it is assumed that the overdensity of the remote diagnosis server 1A is small.

  In the next step S04, it is determined whether or not the overdensity calculated in step S03 exceeds the upper limit value. If it exceeds the upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S04, and if not, the process proceeds to step S06. In step S05, the communication mode is set to the overcrowded mode. In the next step S05A, the telephone number of the remote diagnosis server 1A with a small overdensity is received from the auxiliary server 4. It should be noted that the remote diagnosis server 1 may receive the overdensity of all other remote diagnosis servers, here the remote diagnosis server 1A, and the remote diagnosis server 1 may determine the overdensity. In this case, it is necessary to store the telephone numbers of all the other remote diagnosis servers 1A in the remote diagnosis server 1.

  In step S06, the communication mode is set to the normal mode. After step S05A or step S06, the process returns to step S01.

  By the communication mode setting process, the remote diagnosis server 1 acquires the telephone number of the remote diagnosis server 1A having a small overdensity from the auxiliary server 4 when the overdensity exceeds the upper limit value. In the remote diagnosis system according to the second embodiment, the remote diagnosis server 1 whose overdensity exceeds the upper limit value receives management information to be received on its behalf by the remote diagnosis server 1A having a small overdensity, After the overdensity falls below the upper limit value, management information received on behalf of the substituted remote diagnosis server 1A is received.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed in the remote diagnosis system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12A is a flowchart showing the flow of management information collection processing executed by the remote diagnosis server in the second embodiment. Here, an example executed by the remote diagnosis server 1 will be described. The difference from the management information collection process shown in FIG. 7A is that a determination step S18A is added between step S16 and step S18, and step S18B executed when YES is determined in step S18A. Is added. FIG. 12B is a flowchart showing the flow of management information transmission processing executed by the MFP in the second embodiment. Here, an example executed by the MFP 2 will be described. The difference from the management information transmission process shown in FIG. 7B is that a determination step S40A is executed instead of step S40, and a step S40B is added.

  When receiving the device ID and the communication type (step S15), the remote diagnosis server 1 branches depending on the set communication mode (step S16). If the communication mode is set to the normal mode, the process proceeds to step S17, and if the communication mode is set to the overcrowded mode, the process proceeds to step S18A. In step S18A, it is determined whether or not the communication type is an emergency call. If it is an emergency call, the process proceeds to step S18B, and if it is not an emergency call, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18B, the telephone number of remote diagnosis server 1A having a small overdensity acquired by the communication mode setting process executed earlier is transmitted to MFP 2. In MFP 2, it is determined whether or not the information received from remote diagnosis server 1 is an item transmission instruction (step S40A). If an item transmission instruction is received, the process proceeds to step S41. If a telephone number is received instead of the item transmission instruction, the process proceeds to step S40B. In step S40B, the telephone number to be called is changed to the received telephone number, and the process proceeds to step S31. Therefore, the MFP 2 makes a call to the remote diagnosis server 1A in step S31, and transmits emergency call management information if communication is established.

  FIG. 13A is a flowchart showing a flow of management information transmission processing executed by the remote diagnosis server 1. FIG. 13B is a flowchart showing a flow of proxy reception management information transmission processing executed by the remote diagnosis server 1A that has received management information by proxy. Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, remote diagnosis server 1 determines whether or not there is a period in the overcrowded mode (step S51). If true, the process proceeds to step S52, but if false, the process ends. In step S52, the remote diagnosis server 1A that has received the proxy is requested to transmit management information.

  The remote diagnosis server 1A that has received the management information on its behalf is in a standby state until a transmission request for the management information that has been received is received (NO in step S61). If a transmission request is received, the process proceeds to step S62. Send management information. In response to this, the remote diagnosis server 1 receives the management information (step S53) and stores it (step S54). If there is no management information received as a substitute in the remotely received remote diagnosis server 1A, a signal indicating that the management information received as a substitute does not exist is transmitted to the remote diagnosis server 1 in step S62. Received by the server 1 (step S53). If the remote diagnosis server 1 receives a signal indicating that there is no management information received in place of the proxy, the remote diagnosis server 1 terminates the process.

  The remote diagnosis server 1 may execute the management information transmission request process at a predetermined interval. This predetermined interval is preferably set to a value shorter than the interval for calculating the overdensity described above. In step S51, it is determined whether or not there is a period that has been in the overcrowded mode in the past. However, even if it is in the overcrowded mode at the time when step S51 is executed, the processing after step S52 is executed. It may be. As a result, it is possible to acquire management information that has been proxy-received earlier.

  As described above, in the remote diagnosis system according to the second embodiment, the remote diagnosis server 1 in which the communication mode is set to the overcrowded mode causes the remote diagnosis server 1A having a small overdensity to receive management information instead. The amount of data communicated by the remote communication server 1 can be reduced. For this reason, the time for which the remote diagnosis server 1 is off-hook and establishes communication is shortened, and the time for on-hook can be lengthened. As a result, for example, even when there is a sudden emergency notification or warning notification from the MFP 2, it is possible to reduce the influence on the regular closing date communication or scheduled communication assigned to the other MFPs 2A and 2B.

  Moreover, since the management information received on behalf of the remote diagnosis server 1A is received, the management information can be received reliably.

  In the second embodiment, the overdensity is acquired via the auxiliary server 4, but may be transmitted and received between the remote diagnosis servers 1 and 1A. In this case, the auxiliary server 4 is not necessary.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a figure showing the whole remote diagnostic system outline in a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a remote diagnosis server. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the MFP. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating a communication type and management information. It is a figure which shows an example of a communication setting. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the communication mode setting process performed with a remote diagnosis server. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed with the remote diagnosis system in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the importance of management information. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed with the remote diagnosis system in a modification. It is a figure which shows the whole outline | summary of the remote diagnosis system in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the communication mode setting process performed with the remote diagnosis server in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed with the remote diagnosis system in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the management information transmission process and substitution reception management information transmission process which are performed with the remote diagnosis server in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  1 remote diagnosis server, 2, 2A to 2E MFP, 3 telephone line network, 4 auxiliary server, 108 IC card, 111 input unit, 113 display unit, 113 network, 120, 211 bus, 202 storage unit, 203 scanner unit, 204 Input image processing unit, 205 Output image processing unit, 206 Image forming unit, 208 Modem, 209 Operation panel, 209A Input unit, 209B Display unit, 109, 210 Card I / F, 115 Communication I / F, 207 Network I / F .

Claims (9)

A remote diagnostic apparatus that collects and manages management information from a plurality of managed devices,
A transmission schedule storage means for storing a transmission schedule in which a scheduled date and time for transmitting management information is assigned to each of the plurality of devices to be managed;
Communication establishment means for establishing communication in response to an incoming call from any of the plurality of managed devices;
A call time transmission means for transmitting the next scheduled transmission date and time determined based on the transmission schedule stored in the transmission schedule storage means to the managed device for which the communication has been established;
Based on the transmission schedule stored in the transmission schedule storage means, an overdensity calculation means for calculating an overdensity indicating a ratio of communication time per unit time ;
A reduction means for reducing the data amount of management information to be received when the calculated overdensity exceeds a predetermined upper limit;
The remote diagnosis apparatus , wherein the reduction means causes the communication establishment means to establish communication on condition that there is a predetermined number of calls . A remote diagnostic apparatus that collects and manages management information from a plurality of managed devices,
A transmission schedule storage means for storing a transmission schedule in which a scheduled date and time for transmitting management information is assigned to each of the plurality of devices to be managed;
Communication establishment means for establishing communication in response to an incoming call from any of the plurality of managed devices;
A call time transmission means for transmitting the next scheduled transmission date and time determined based on the transmission schedule stored in the transmission schedule storage means to the managed device for which the communication has been established;
Based on the transmission schedule stored in the transmission schedule storage means, an overdensity calculation means for calculating an overdensity indicating a ratio of communication time per unit time;
A reduction means for reducing the data amount of management information to be received when the calculated overdensity exceeds a predetermined upper limit;
The reducing unit is a blocking unit that blocks communication without receiving the management information on condition that the management information scheduled to be transmitted from the management target device with which communication has been established by the communication establishing unit is a predetermined type. the including, far septum diagnostic equipment. A remote diagnostic apparatus that collects and manages management information from a plurality of managed devices,
A transmission schedule storage means for storing a transmission schedule in which a scheduled date and time for transmitting management information is assigned to each of the plurality of devices to be managed;
Communication establishment means for establishing communication in response to an incoming call from any of the plurality of managed devices;
A call time transmission means for transmitting the next scheduled transmission date and time determined based on the transmission schedule stored in the transmission schedule storage means to the managed device for which the communication has been established;
Based on the transmission schedule stored in the transmission schedule storage means, an overdensity calculation means for calculating an overdensity indicating a ratio of communication time per unit time;
A reduction means for reducing the data amount of management information to be received when the calculated overdensity exceeds a predetermined upper limit;
It said reducing means to the management target device that communication has been established by the communication establishing means, including management information limiting means for transmitting a part of the plurality of management information scheduled to be transmitted, the far-septal diagnostic device. A remote diagnosis system comprising a plurality of managed devices and a remote diagnosis device that collects and manages management information from the plurality of managed devices,
Each of the plurality of devices to be managed has a calling means for calling to establish communication with the remote diagnosis apparatus;
When a connection with the remote diagnostic apparatus is established, management information transmission means for transmitting management information designated from the remote diagnostic apparatus among a plurality of management information,
The calling means is designated calling means for calling at a scheduled transmission date and time designated by the remote diagnosis device;
Unique calling means for calling regardless of the scheduled transmission date and time designated from the remote diagnostic device;
Re-calling means for making a call again after a predetermined time if communication with the remote diagnosis device cannot be established, or if communication is established but the management information cannot be transmitted,
The remote diagnosis apparatus includes a transmission schedule storage unit that stores a transmission schedule in which a scheduled date and time for transmitting management information is assigned to each of the plurality of managed devices;
Communication establishment means for establishing communication in response to an incoming call from any of the plurality of managed devices;
A call time transmission means for transmitting the next scheduled transmission date and time determined based on the transmission schedule stored in the transmission schedule storage means to the managed device for which the communication has been established;
Based on the transmission schedule stored in the transmission schedule storage means, an overdensity calculation means for calculating an overdensity indicating a ratio of communication time per unit time ;
A reduction means for reducing the data amount of management information to be received when the calculated overdensity exceeds a predetermined upper limit ;
The calling means of each of the plurality of devices to be managed, when the management information to be transmitted is a predetermined type, a first calling means for canceling the call by a predetermined number of calls,
When the management information scheduled to be transmitted is of a type different from the predetermined type, further includes second calling means for making a call exceeding the predetermined number of times,
The remote diagnosis system, wherein the reduction unit of the remote diagnosis device establishes communication on the condition that the communication establishment unit has a number of calls exceeding a predetermined number .
The remote diagnosis system according to claim 4. A remote diagnosis system including a plurality of remote diagnosis devices, each connected to a network and collecting and managing management information from a plurality of managed devices,
Each of the remote diagnosis devices
A transmission schedule storage means for storing a transmission schedule in which a scheduled date and time for transmitting management information is assigned to each of the plurality of devices to be managed;
Communication establishment means for establishing communication in response to an incoming call from any of the plurality of managed devices;
A call time transmission means for transmitting the next scheduled transmission date and time determined based on the transmission schedule stored in the transmission schedule storage means to the managed device for which the communication has been established;
Based on the transmission schedule stored in the transmission schedule storage means, an overdensity calculation means for calculating an overdensity indicating a ratio of communication time per unit time ;
When the calculated overdensity exceeds a predetermined upper limit, the managed device that has established communication by the communication establishment unit is caused to call another remote diagnosis device and act as a substitute for the other remote diagnosis device. Proxy instruction means for blocking communication after transmitting the calling number to the other remote diagnostic apparatus to the managed device established for communication by the communication establishment means for receiving,
A remote diagnosis system comprising: substitution reception information receiving means for requesting transmission of the management information received by the other remote diagnosis apparatus to the other remote diagnosis apparatus and receiving the management information. The remote diagnosis system further includes a management server connected to the network,
The management server includes overdensity receiving means for receiving overdensity from each of the plurality of remote diagnostic apparatuses;
The remote diagnosis system according to claim 5 , further comprising calling number transmission means for transmitting a calling number to a remote diagnosis device with low overdensity to the plurality of remote diagnosis devices. An information collection program executed by a remote diagnosis apparatus that collects and manages management information from a plurality of managed devices,
Storing a transmission schedule in which a scheduled date and time for transmitting management information is assigned to each of the plurality of managed devices;
Establishing communication in response to an incoming call from any of the plurality of managed devices;
Transmitting the next scheduled transmission date and time determined based on the stored transmission schedule to the managed device with which the communication has been established;
Calculating an overdensity indicating a ratio of communication time per unit time based on the stored transmission schedule;
Reducing the amount of management information received when the calculated overdensity exceeds a predetermined upper limit, causing the remote diagnostic apparatus to execute ,
The information reducing program includes the step of establishing the communication on the condition that the number of calls exceeds a predetermined number in the step of establishing the communication . An information collection program executed by a remote diagnosis apparatus that collects and manages management information from a plurality of managed devices,
Storing a transmission schedule in which a scheduled date and time for transmitting management information is assigned to each of the plurality of managed devices;
Establishing communication in response to an incoming call from any of the plurality of managed devices;
Transmitting the next scheduled transmission date and time determined based on the stored transmission schedule to the managed device with which the communication has been established;
Calculating an overdensity indicating a ratio of communication time per unit time based on the stored transmission schedule;
Reducing the amount of management information received when the calculated overdensity exceeds a predetermined upper limit, causing the remote diagnostic apparatus to execute,
The reducing step cuts off the communication without receiving the management information on the condition that the management information scheduled to be transmitted from the managed device established in the establishing the communication is a predetermined type. An information gathering program including the steps of An information collection program executed by a remote diagnosis apparatus that collects and manages management information from a plurality of managed devices,
Storing a transmission schedule in which a scheduled date and time for transmitting management information is assigned to each of the plurality of managed devices;
Establishing communication in response to an incoming call from any of the plurality of managed devices;
Transmitting the next scheduled transmission date and time determined based on the stored transmission schedule to the managed device with which the communication has been established;
Calculating an overdensity indicating a ratio of communication time per unit time based on the stored transmission schedule;
Reducing the amount of management information received when the calculated overdensity exceeds a predetermined upper limit, causing the remote diagnostic apparatus to execute,
The information collecting program, wherein the reducing step includes the step of transmitting a part of a plurality of management information to be transmitted to the management target device established in the communication in the step of establishing the communication.

Images