JP7020256B2 - Management equipment, management systems and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to management devices, management systems and programs.

In Patent Document 1, default messages and simple messages are displayed alternately in the status bar, and when the condition for hiding attribute information includes recovery from a failure, the simple messages are controlled to be hidden according to the recovery from the failure. The system to be used is described.

Further, in Patent Document 2, when it is determined that the condition for changing to the 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 is satisfied. Describes a system that displays other messages corresponding to the condition contained in.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-187906 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-054397

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

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

The invention according to claim 1 has a failure in a receiving means for receiving event information of a target device to be managed, a processing means for executing processing according to an event indicated by the event information, and the processing means. In this case, a management device having a notification means for notifying the user of the target device of the failure when the failure has not been resolved after a designated time determined according to the type of event indicated by the event information. be.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the management device according to claim 1, the notification means does not notify the failure when the failure generated in the processing means is resolved after the designated time. It is a management device to do.

The invention according to claim 3 further includes an instruction means for instructing the target device to poll after the designated time in the management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification means is the processing means. The management characterized in that the information of the failure is notified to the target device when the failure that occurred in the above-mentioned is not resolved after the designated time and the target device polls after the designated time. It is a device.

In the invention according to claim 4, in the management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the event information indicates from the table information with reference to the table information in which the designated time is determined for each event type. It is a management device characterized by obtaining a specified time corresponding to the type of event.

The invention according to claim 5 is the management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in the case of a specific event in which the type of the event indicated by the event information is predetermined, the frequency of use of the target device. It is a management device characterized in that a designated time corresponding to the specific event is determined according to the determination condition according to the above.

The invention according to claim 6 is a management system including a target device to be managed and a management device for managing the target device, wherein the target device is a transmission means for transmitting event information of the target device. The management device has a display means for displaying failure information notified from the management device, and the management device executes processing according to the reception means for receiving the event information of the target device and the event indicated by the event information. When a failure occurs in the processing means and the processing means, and the failure is not resolved after a specified time determined according to the type of event indicated by the event information, the target device is affected by the failure. It is a management system characterized by having a notification means for notifying failure information.

The invention according to claim 7 is the management system according to claim 6, wherein the target device further has an execution means for executing polling, and the management device has the target device after the designated time. Further having an instruction means for instructing polling, the notification means has not resolved the failure generated in the processing means after the designated time, and the target device has polled after the designated time. In addition, it is a management system characterized in that information on the failure is notified to the target device.

The invention according to claim 8 has a failure in 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 the processing function. Achieves a notification function for notifying the user of the target device of the failure when the failure has not been resolved after a specified time specified according to the type of event indicated by the event information. It is a program to let you.

From the invention according to claim 1, it becomes possible to notify a failure at a timing according to the type of event.

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

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

According to the invention of claim 4, the designated time corresponding to the type of event is acquired by referring to the table information.

According to the invention of claim 5, the designated time is determined according to the frequency of use of the target device in the case of a predetermined specific event.

According to the invention of claim 6, a management system for notifying a failure at a timing according to the type of event is realized.

According to the invention of claim 7, a management system is realized in which the management device notifies the target device of failure information in response to polling from the target device.

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 the management system which includes the image forming apparatus and the management apparatus. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the management apparatus. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the process from event reception to polling instruction. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the table information which defined the designated time for each event type. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the determination process of the designated time by the usage frequency. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the table information which registered the average print volume for each apparatus. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the process from the polling reception to the display of failure information. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the display image.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a specific embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates a specific example of a system including a management device 100 and one or more image forming devices 200. The management device 100 and the image forming device 200 are connected to each other via a communication line (communication network) 400 such as the Internet, and exchange data (information). Further, the 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 device 100 and the event response device 300 provide various services to the image forming device 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 of specific examples of the target apparatus managed by the management apparatus 100. One of the specific examples of the image forming apparatus 200 is a composite type apparatus having a plurality of image output functions such as a printing function, a scanner function, and a copying function. 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 showing a specific example of the management device 100 (FIG. 1). The management device 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes an event information receiving 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 the 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 according 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 poll.

The data storage unit 140 stores table information or the like in which a designated time is set for each event type. Further, various information managed by the management device 100 is also stored in the data storage unit 140. 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 sets the image forming apparatus 200 when the failure is not resolved after a designated time determined according to the type of event indicated by the event information. Notify the user of the failure.

The management device 100 of the specific example shown in FIG. 2 can be realized by using, for example, one or more computers. The computer is a display of a computing device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a memory or 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 or a semiconductor memory, and writes data, a display, or the like. It has hardware resources such as devices and operation devices that accept operations from users.

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

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing 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 transmitting unit 230, a polling execution unit 240, and a display unit 250.

The image forming unit 210 executes an image forming process (including an image containing only characters and symbols). The image forming unit 210 has, for example, a printing function of printing an image corresponding to image data on a medium such as paper and outputting it, and a copy function of reading an image from a medium such as paper and printing it on another paper and outputting it. , It has at least one of the scanner functions of reading an image from a medium such as paper and obtaining image data of the image.

For example, image data is stored in the data storage unit 220. 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 the event information of the image forming apparatus 200 to the management apparatus 100 (FIG. 1). The polling execution unit 240 executes polling for the management device 100. By executing polling, information corresponding to the polling is acquired from the management device 100.

In addition, the display unit 250 displays failure information and the like obtained from the management device 100. The display unit 250 is realized by using a display device such as a display or a touch panel.

The overall configuration of the management system including the management device 100 and the image forming device 200 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 is as described above. Next, the functions and the like realized by the systems and devices exemplified in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described in detail. For the configurations (parts) shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the reference numerals of FIGS. 1 to 3 are used in the following description.

For example, if a failure occurs in the management device 100, for example, if a failure occurs in the event processing unit 120, it is desired to recover as soon as possible 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 the service to some of the image forming devices 200, so it may be better to notify the customer who uses the image forming device 200 of the occurrence of the failure. On the other hand, for the customer of the image forming apparatus 200 which is not affected by the failure or has a small effect of the failure, the notification of the occurrence of the failure is not important. Insignificant notifications may cause the customer to feel extra anxiety and may need to respond to customer inquiries regarding the notification.

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

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

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

If no failure has occurred in S402, normal event processing is executed (S403). That is, the event processing unit 120 executes the processing of the event received in S401. For example, in the case of a repair request event, the event processing unit 120 transmits the repair request information to the event response device 300, and the event response device 300 repairs the image forming apparatus 200 that notifies the maintenance worker or the like of the event. Be asked.

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

Then, the polling instruction unit 130 of the management device 100 instructs the image forming apparatus 200 to poll after a designated time (S407). The polling instruction unit 130 instructs the image forming apparatus 200 to poll after the designated time determined by the processing of S405 or S406.

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

In the specific example shown in FIG. 5, for example, a designated time of 30 minutes is associated with an event of a repair request, and a designated time of 24 hours is associated with an event of tightening billing. Regarding the event of notifying the life of the drum and the event of notifying the remaining amount of toner, which are specific examples of information on the toner or the drum, a determination process (FIG. 6) for a designated time is executed according to the frequency of use of the image forming apparatus 200. ..

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of the determination process of the designated time according to the frequency of use. When the event received from the image forming apparatus 200 is information about the toner or the drum, for example, an event for notifying the life of the drum or an event for notifying the remaining amount of toner, the management apparatus 100 determines the frequency of use of the image forming apparatus 200. Determine the specified time corresponding to the event according to the conditions.

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, the determination regarding the frequency of use of the image forming apparatus 200 is executed. In the specific example shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 200 executes the determination based on the monthly average print volume (number of prints).

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

In the specific example shown in FIG. 7, the monthly average print volume (monthly average PV) is associated with each of the image forming devices 200 for the nine image forming devices 200 of the numbers (No.) 1 to 9. Further, 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 device 100 stores table information about a plurality of image forming devices 200 managed by the management device 100. The monthly average print volume (monthly average PV) may be calculated from, for example, the print volume of the last few months and updated periodically (for example, every month).

In the processing of S603 and S605 of 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 or less, the day after the next day (the time may be set 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 more than 500 and 5000 or less, the next day (the time may be set in advance) is set as the designated time (S606).

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

As described above, in the specific example shown in FIG. 7, the larger the average print volume of the image forming apparatus 200, the shorter the designated time. That is, it is determined that the higher the frequency of use of the image forming apparatus 200, the higher the need for immediate notification to the customer who uses the image forming apparatus 200.

Next, processing when polling is received from the image forming apparatus 200 will be described. Upon receiving the polling from the image forming apparatus 200, the management apparatus 100 executes the process described below.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of processing from polling reception to display of failure information. In the specific example shown in FIG. 8, first, the management device 100 receives polling from the image forming device 200 (S801). The management device 100 that has received the poll confirms 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, the information requested by polling is transmitted from the management device 100 to the image forming device 200.

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

On the other hand, if the poll received in S801 is polling after the designated time specified in S407, the failure information notification unit 150 of the management device 100 notifies the image forming device 200 of the failure information (S805). Then, when the failure information is notified, the display unit 250 of the image forming apparatus 200 forms and displays a display image showing the notified failure information (S806).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing 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 exemplified 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 the "copy" button, the display image 252 is switched to the copy setting screen, and the copy is executed after the user makes the necessary settings. When the "print" button is operated, the display image 252 is switched to the print setting screen, and when the "scan" button is operated, the display image 252 is switched to the scan setting screen.

The display image 252 exemplified in FIG. 9 includes a notification image 254 of failure information. For example, in response to the notification from the management device 100, the notification image 254 is pop-up displayed in the display image 252.

The notification image 254 is displayed in the display image 252 so as not to interfere with the display of the selection button of the image forming function, for example, as illustrated in FIG. For example, when the message "There is a notification" is displayed in a pop-up to inform that there is a notification and the user accepts the operation of the detailed display, the display of the notification image 254 is enlarged to display the detailed notification content. May be good.

According to an example of the 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 has occurred in the management apparatus 100, the management apparatus 100 is injured. The 100 instructs the image forming apparatus 200 to perform polling after a designated time according to the type of the event. Then, the image forming apparatus 200 executes polling according to the instruction, and if the failure of the management device 100 is not recovered, the management device 100 notifies the image forming apparatus 200 of the failure information. If the failure of the management device 100 is restored after the designated time, the failure information is not notified to the image forming apparatus 200.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples in all respects, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention includes various modified forms without departing from its essence.

100 management device, 110 event information receiving unit, 120 event processing unit, 130 polling instruction unit, 140 data storage unit, 150 failure 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)

A receiving means for receiving event information of the target device to be managed, and
A processing means that executes processing according to the event indicated by the event information, and
Notification to notify the user of the target device of the failure when a failure occurs in the processing means and the failure is not resolved after a specified time determined according to the type of event indicated by the event information. Means and
Management device with. In the management device according to claim 1,
The notification means does not notify the failure when the failure generated in the processing means is resolved after the designated time.
A management device characterized by that. In the management device according to claim 1 or 2.
Further, it has an instruction means for instructing the target device to poll after the designated time.
When the failure generated in the processing means is not resolved after the designated time and the target device polls after the designated time, the notification means transmits the information of the failure to the target device. Notice,
A management device characterized by that. In the management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
Refer to the table information that defines the specified time for each event type, and obtain the specified time corresponding to the event type indicated by the event information 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 the event indicated by the event information is a predetermined specific event, the designated time corresponding to the specific event is determined according to the determination condition related to the frequency of use of the target device.
A management device characterized by that. It is a management system including a target device to be managed and a management device for managing the target device.
The target device is
A transmission means for transmitting event information of the target device, and
A display means for displaying failure information notified from the management device, and
Have,
The management device is
A receiving means for receiving the event information of the target device, and
A processing means that executes processing according to the event indicated by the event information, and
When a failure occurs in the processing means, if the failure is not resolved after a designated time specified according to the type of event indicated by the event information, the target device is notified of the failure information of the failure. Notification means and
Have,
A management system characterized by that. In the management system according to claim 6,
The target device further has an execution means for performing polling.
The management device further has an instruction means for instructing the target device to poll after the designated time.
When the failure generated in the processing means is not resolved after the designated time and the target device polls after the designated time, the notification means transmits the information of the failure to the target device. Notice,
A management system characterized by that. On the computer
A reception function that receives event information of the target device to be managed, and
A processing function that executes processing according to the event indicated by the event information, and
Notification to notify the user of the target device of the failure when the failure occurs in the processing function and the failure is not resolved after the specified time specified according to the event type indicated by the event information. Functions and
A program that realizes.

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