JP2001197152A - Server device, communication system and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a server device, a communication system and a control method therefor having a function for automatically detecting and dealing with the abnormality of a terminal and a function for reporting the occurrence of abnormality and dealing to a user or manager concerning the communication system, in which a communicating terminal and the server device for managing it are connected through a network. SOLUTION: Communication managing data or the like are received from the communication terminal (S4203 and S4207) and it is decided by analyzing these data (S4202) whether the communication terminal has abnormality or not. When any abnormality is detected, the other communication terminal substitutes a job corresponding to the communication terminal, with which the abnormality is detected, corresponding to the degree of the abnormality (S4208) or processing such as limiting a function usable for that communication terminal is automatically performed (S4209). The result of abnormality detection or contents of dealing can be reported to the user or manager as needed as well (S4210).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a communication system in which a communication terminal such as a facsimile terminal and a server device for managing the communication terminal are connected on a network. Detected
The present invention relates to a server device, a communication system, and a control method for the server device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a communication system in which a plurality of communication terminals such as facsimile terminals are connected, if an abnormality occurs in a communication function of one of the connected communication terminals, an administrator determines a communication function from a communication result report of each terminal. Unless the abnormality of the communication function was read, the abnormality of the communication function could not be detected.

In addition, measures such as disconnecting a communication terminal in which an abnormality has occurred from the network or restricting the communication function of the communication terminal must be determined by the administrator based on the result of detection of the abnormality, and must be performed by the administrator. did not become.

[0004]

That is, the current communication system has the following problems. (1) Since there is no automatic detection means and automatic notification means for occurrence of abnormality, an error in actual communication is detected,
It can only perform passive checks to detect device malfunctions. Further, since a device abnormality is detected, it is not possible to identify the cause of the abnormality in detail. Further, in order to detect the occurrence of an abnormality, an administrator or a user must determine the occurrence of the abnormality based on the communication management report or the frequency of occurrence of communication errors.

[0005] (2) Since there is no function for automatically responding to the occurrence of an abnormality, it is necessary for an administrator to determine a countermeasure for communication failure due to the occurrence of the abnormality based on the content of the abnormality and to execute it. (3) Since there is no automatic notification function of the response content when an abnormality occurs, the administrator needs to promptly notify the user or another administrator of the occurrence of the abnormality and the response.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication system in which a communication terminal and a server device for managing the communication terminal are connected via a network. The present invention provides a server device, a communication system, and a control method therefor, which have a function of notifying a user or an administrator of the occurrence of an abnormality and a response thereto, while automatically performing the operation.

[0007]

That is, the gist of the present invention is to provide a server device that is connected to at least one communication terminal via a network and manages the communication terminal, and detects an abnormality of the communication terminal. Abnormality detecting means, and a function restricting means for restricting, in accordance with the detected abnormality, a function of the communication terminal in which the abnormality is detected, which function can be used from another communication terminal and / or a server device. Exists in the server device.

[0008] Further, another gist of the present invention is to provide a server device according to the present invention and at least one server managed by the server device.
There is a communication system in which two communication terminals are mutually connected via a network.

Another aspect of the present invention provides at least one aspect.
A method for controlling a communication system in which two communication terminals and a server device that manages the communication terminals are connected to each other via a network, comprising: an abnormality detection step of detecting an abnormality of the communication terminal; And a function restricting step of restricting a function of the communication terminal in which the abnormality is detected, which function can be used from another communication terminal and / or a server device.

Another aspect of the present invention is a storage medium storing a program executable by a computer device, wherein the computer device executing the program functions as a server device according to the present invention. Exists in storage media.

Another aspect of the present invention resides in a storage medium characterized in that a control method of a communication system according to the present invention is stored as a program executable by a computer device.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (Overall Configuration Example 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a document distribution system according to an embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention. In this system, a case where an MFD (a device having a facsimile communication function, a scanner function, and a copy function) is used as a communication terminal is shown.

In this example, the document distribution / management server 100
1 and a plurality of MFDs (1110, 1111) and a plurality of clients (1120 to 1123) share a common LA.
It has a configuration interconnected by N. Also, the number of MFDs and clients can be changed according to the load of the service operated by the present system.

A plurality of connected MFDs 1110,
Regarding the proper use of 1111, it is possible to flexibly cope with the document distribution / management server 1101 by implementing a proper use process as needed.

The document distribution / management server 1101 detects the communication environment of the MFDs 1110 and 1111 and restricts the use of a specific MFD (for example, the transmission work is performed on behalf of another connected MFD). ), MFD
(For example, by reducing the communication speed to prevent the occurrence of a communication error).

(Overall Configuration Example 2) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a document distribution system having a configuration in which the document distribution systems having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 are interconnected.

As shown in FIG. 2, it is also possible to logically arrange a plurality of document distribution / management servers on the same logical network (LAN).

More specifically, the MFDs 1210 and 1224 and the clients 1220 and 1221 can be operated as one group for one document distribution / management server 1201, and the document distribution / management server 1202 is mainly used as another group. The group can be operated by the MFDs 1211 and 1225 and the clients 1222 and 1223.

In this case, by supporting communication between the document distribution / management servers as needed, it is possible to provide more flexible document distribution / management services to the user.

The server 1201 stores the job execution status and M
From the operating environment of FD1210, 1225, etc.,
By assigning to FDs 1210 and 1225, document distribution /
Management services can be provided to users. Similarly, in the server 1202, the MFDs 1202, 12
Assign JOB to 25.

(Whole Configuration Example 3) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the document distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In this example, the document distribution / management server 130
1 and MFDs 1310 and 1324 are provided by limited clients (here, 1321 and 1322) on the same network (LAN).
2) only.

In this example, the document distribution / management server 1301
Indicates that it is possible to flexibly perform user management, for example, license management and security management of this application as needed.

(Overall Configuration Example 4) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing still another configuration example of the document distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, a document distribution / management server 1401 is placed on a LAN, and a multifunction device (M
FD) 1410 and 1412, and a plurality of (here, two) clients 1420 and 1421 as service environments for each user are arranged on the same LAN.

The MFDs 1410 and 1412 are connected to a public network for facsimile communication.

In this example, the server 1401 is connected to a public network, and is connected not only to the facsimile terminal 1450 but also to an information processing terminal (PC) 1460 via the public network. Then, the facsimile terminal 145
The server 1401 can be accessed from the PC 1460 via a public network. The communication means between the server and the public network can be easily dealt with by ordinary dial-up processing.

(Configuration of Multifunction Device)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a multifunction device (MFD) that can be used in a facsimile system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 2001
A resource management unit manages various resources supported as devices and performs scheduling of various requested jobs.

An operation unit 2010 serves as a user interface for providing a user with a function as a terminal. 2015, a reading control unit;
016 is performed. Reference numeral 2020 denotes a recording control unit,
The printer 2021 is controlled.

Reference numeral 2025 denotes a communication control unit which controls normal facsimile transmission / reception via the line control unit 2026. Reference numeral 2030 denotes a memory management unit which allocates a memory 2031 resource to each control unit and performs storage management of various document data and the like.

Reference numeral 2035 denotes an image processing unit which performs image processing necessary for paper size conversion, resolution conversion, smoothing processing, etc., particularly when facsimile transmission, reception and recording. 204
Reference numeral 0 denotes an encoding processing unit, which mainly performs encoding and decoding processes such as MH, MR, and MMR which are standardly used for facsimile transmission and reception.

A PDL control unit 2045 converts PDL data received via the LAN into video data using a PDL processing unit 2046 in this embodiment. The data is generally passed to the recording control unit 2020 and output by the printer 2021.

Reference numeral 2050 denotes an external i / f control unit, which performs predetermined data communication with a server on the LAN, job management, and control via the LAN control unit 2051 in this example.
For example, processing such as receiving a transmission job and a print job from the server and transferring received data and scanner read data to the server is performed under the management of the resource management unit 2001. Further, in order to transfer the scanner read data to a server for a specific user (client) on the network, a unit for designating the client from the operation unit 2010 is also provided.

(Single operation) The following is a supplementary description of the operation of this terminal alone. An operation from the “copy operation” operation unit 2010 reads the original set on the scanner 2016 and outputs it to the printer 2016 so that the resource management unit 200
Each related control unit is controlled under the management of 1.

Under the control of the resource management unit 2001, each of the related control units is controlled so that the original set on the scanner 2016 is read by the operation of the “facsimile transmission” operation unit 2010 and the data is transferred from the line control unit 2026. The part is controlled.

Modem settings (speed,
For the output level) and the facsimile protocol (communication procedure, communication speed), data stored in the communication management information storage unit 2052 is used. The communication result report data of each communication (such as the presence or absence of an error, the communication speed, and the number of retransmissions) is also stored in the communication management information storage unit 2052, and is transferred to an external server as needed.

"Facsimile reception" line controller 2026
Is temporarily stored in the memory 2031 and the image data is generally printed out from the printer 2021 as a received document output.
Alternatively, each related control unit is controlled under the management of the resource management unit 2001 so that data is transferred to the server via the LAN control unit 2051.

Modem settings (speed,
For the output level) and the facsimile protocol (communication procedure, communication speed), data stored in the communication management information storage unit 2052 is used. The communication result report data of each communication (such as the presence or absence of an error, the communication speed, and the number of retransmissions) is also stored in the communication management information storage unit 2052, and is transferred to an external server as needed.

(Cooperation with Server) FIG. 6 shows a multi-function device (MFD), in particular, a LAN.
13 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation when various jobs are processed in cooperation with the above server. Step S2101
First, it checks whether a connection request with the server has been made, and if there is no request, waits until a request is made.

The connection request instruction with the server can be received from the operation unit or from the network. At this time, a server to be connected can be specified.

Step S2102 is performed in step S210.
1 is a connection process when a connection request with a server is made, and when a server name to be connected is specified,
The designated server is notified by adding the parameter value to the data to be transmitted on the LAN.

In step S2110, it is checked whether or not there is job data to be transferred to the server in the MFD. If there is a received document transfer job, scanner reading job, or the like, in step S2111, the process proceeds to step S2111. , Such as job data transfer.

In step S2120, the server sends the MFD
It is checked whether there is a job request to the MFD. If there is a requested job, the availability of the MFD resource is checked in step S2121. If it is determined that the job data cannot be accepted at that time, the process proceeds to step S2122. MF
The server side is notified that D is busy, and if not, the job data is accepted in step S2123 and job processing is performed. In general, job data is temporarily stored in a memory, and then necessary processing, such as facsimile transmission processing, printout processing, and communication environment setting are performed.

In step S2130, it is checked whether a request to release the connection with the server has been issued. If there is no instruction, the process returns to step S2110 to continue the process. If there is a request to release the connection with the server, disconnection processing with the server is performed in step S2131,
In step S2101, a connection request with the server is waited for.

(Configuration of Document Distribution Server) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the document distribution server according to the present embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 3001 denotes a LAN control unit, and basic functions are provided by a network OS in which a server application is installed.

Reference numeral 3002 denotes a transaction management unit which performs individual communication processing with the MFD and the client under server management based on the result of the internal processing.
01.

Reference numeral 3003 denotes a request queue management unit, which basically internally stores various request messages asynchronously transferred from the MFD and the client once into the queue.
ue management, and sequentially performs processing according to the request contents. However, it is assumed that a request that requires scheduling occurs in the server.

Reference numeral 3004 denotes a job management unit.
D, the processing is passed to various job processing units in accordance with the contents of a request from the client and, in some cases, the server. 300
Reference numeral 5 denotes a user / device management unit which processes a job relating to a user (client) or a device.
Basically, it processes jobs related to the management of connected users (clients) and devices. For example, it determines connection (login) request processing from each client and MFD, handles document information and address information managed for each user, and manages and controls MFD job processing status, resource status, and the like.

Reference numeral 3006 denotes a server management unit which processes a job related to server management, and basically provides service functions such as server settings, data backup, and acquisition of service log data to a server administrator.

Reference numeral 3007 denotes a document processing unit which handles processing relating to overall document processing in the server, transfers control authority to a scheduler 3010 as needed, and manages various jobs 3 under its management.
020 is executed. FIG. 8 shows a specific example of the various job groups 3020.

Reference numeral 3030 denotes a memory management unit, and various data handled by the server are stored and managed in the database 3031 under the management thereof, and are referred to as needed.
Reading is performed. It should be noted that a specific example of the database 3031 is as shown in FIG. 9, and details thereof will be described later.

Such a server can be realized by installing an OS supporting a network and the above-described functional modules on a generally available personal computer that can be connected to a LAN.

(Document Processing Job Group) FIG. 8 is a diagram showing various document processing job groups of the document distribution server in this embodiment. The document processing job of the document distribution server is, in principle, a job involving transfer processing of job data between the server and the MFD, a device job group 3110, and data processed in the server or data between the server and the client. Document processing job group 312 limited to processing
0, which are managed and controlled by a scheduler 3010 in the server. Less than,
The jobs belonging to each job group will be described.

<Device job group> 3111 is a facsimile transmission job, receives transmission request job data from each client, and requests the MFD for facsimile transmission. Reference numeral 3112 denotes a facsimile reception job, which receives facsimile reception data from the MFD and stores and manages originals in the server. In addition, when the distribution destination data of the client is added from the MFD,
The distribution process is performed by managing the user-specific data. When the distribution destination is unknown, the processing is shifted to an automatic routing job 3126 to be described later, whereby the extraction of the distribution destination from the image data, the recognition processing, and the like are performed, and the distribution processing is enabled.

Reference numeral 3113 denotes a print job, which controls processing of a print request job of an image document such as facsimile reception data stored and managed in a server, particularly from a client. Reference numeral 3114 denotes a scan job which receives document data read by the MFD, manages the data as a file in a read-only folder of a predetermined user, and is configured to be accessible from the user.

A setting / status management job 3129 sets, registers, and manages MFD operation setting information (communication setting value) and operation environment information (communication management data). If necessary, operation setting information (communication setting value) and operation environment information (communication management data) of the MFD are sent out of the MFD.

<Job group in server> 3121 is an OCR
This is an analysis job, and performs OCR processing on a received document, a scanner-read document, and the like, which are stored and managed as image data. The OCR analysis job 3121 includes a case where the entire directly specified document is subjected to the OCR processing and a case where another document summarizing job 3
It also supports the OCR processing of the designated part of the document by starting according to the purpose from the routing job 122 and the routing job 3126. As a result, for example, it is possible to extract destination data from a received document or to perform OCR processing on the entire image data to convert the entire text into electronic data.

Reference numeral 3122 denotes a document summarization job for performing a content summarization process on a character-coded document stored in the server. 3123 is
This is a document search job, which provides a means for searching for documents stored in the server.

Reference numeral 3124 denotes an encryption processing job, which performs encryption processing on documents stored in the server as necessary to guarantee the security of the documents. Reference numeral 3125 denotes a document data transfer job for transferring image data to the client. At this time, if there is a display size reduction request, the display data subjected to the reduction processing is transferred. When a plurality of MFDs are managed, job assignment is performed.

Reference numeral 3126 denotes an automatic routing job. In particular, in the distribution processing for a received document, a destination is extracted by the OCR analysis job 3121, and the document is stored in a management area for each user corresponding to the extracted destination. To perform the distribution process.

Reference numeral 3127 denotes a manual routing job. For a temporarily stored received document, the contents of each document are visually shown to a user on the client side who is specifically permitted, and a predetermined content is displayed. Means for confirming the destination,
Means for manually moving the document to a folder of each user on the network within the server.

Reference numeral 3128 denotes a document registration job, which can register a document in the server in response to a request from the client. Reference numeral 3130 denotes a device management job, which includes the usage status of each MFD, settings and operating environment,
The communication environment is received from the MFD and a check is performed.

Then, in accordance with the check result, if necessary, the document data transfer job 3125 is instructed to prohibit the transfer of the job to the MFD in which the abnormality has occurred,
It instructs the MFD to change the communication settings (for example, reduce the transfer rate to prevent communication errors from occurring).
Further, it notifies each client and the administrator of the occurrence of an abnormality in the MFD and the notification of the MFD communication restriction.

(Configuration of Database) FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the database 3031 of the document distribution server. <Shared Data> First, the following data is managed as shared data. (1) User management information-User name, user password, user-specific settings, device setting information, etc. (2) Server management information-Number of user licenses, time, server application version, etc.

(3) Shared Address Data: Shared Address Data The address of each user on the network on the LAN is automatically registered. (4) Shared document data: Shared document data (5) Shared document annotation data-Annotation information for a shared document.

(6) Communication log data • In particular, communication log (history) data related to facsimile transmission / reception (7) Temporarily stored data • In particular, facsimile received documents transferred without specifying the destination.

<Individual User Data> The following data is managed as data for each user. (1) InBox data: received document data mainly transferred from the device side. (2) outBox data: document data in a transmission request transferred to the device side. (3) Scan data: Document data transferred after scanning. (4) Sent facsimile data: document data that has been transmitted. (5) Trash data: document data that has been instructed unnecessary and temporarily stored. (6) User-specific folder data.・ The user moves to the folder set individually by the user,
The copied document is managed. (7) User-specific address data. -Address information uniquely set by the user.

(Data Flow) FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a data flow in the document distribution system shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, for the sake of simplicity, the clients (1120 to 1123) are referred to as users 1 to 4 respectively.
Is used.

Multi-function device (MFD)
1110, a data transfer process is performed via the data buffer 3310 in the server 1011. In the data buffer 3310, (1) data buffer for facsimile transmission request, (2) data buffer for facsimile reception, (3) data buffer for print data, and (4) data buffer for scanner data are prepared.
And data packets can be transferred together.

In the server 1011, the MFD 1110,
1111 data buffer 3310 and database 3
Data transfer is internally performed as necessary with the device 031.

Each client (1120 to 1123)
Is basically to provide various services by performing data transfer (access) to a database 3031 in the server 1011.

For example, a user 1 (1
120), by accessing the data area of the common data area in the server and the user 1 data area individually managed for the user 1, various services can be provided. Similarly, other users 2 to 4 can also receive various services by accessing the common data area and the user 2 data to user 4 data areas individually managed for the users 2 to 4. .

(Operation of Document Distribution Server) FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the document distribution server. Step S3401 is a database check performed when the power is turned on. In step S3410, Logi to the server from various clients and devices is performed.
Confirmation of n request. If there is a Login request, step S3
In 411, Login including password check etc.
Perform processing. This processing is performed by the user / device management unit 3005 shown in FIG.

Step S3415 is for confirming the user information request from the client. If there is a user information request, in step S3416, the data individual to each user and the shared data are transferred to the client according to the request. This processing is performed by the user / device management unit 3005 shown in FIG.

Step S3420 is for confirming a request for server information from the client. If there is a server information request, in step S3421, server-specific data is transferred to the client according to the request. This process is performed by the server management unit 3006 shown in FIG.

Step S3425 is for confirming a document data request from the client. If there is a document data request, data transfer processing of the specified document is performed in step S3426. This processing is performed by the document processing unit 3007 shown in FIG.

Step S3430 is for confirming various job requests from clients and devices. If there is a job request, in step S3431, job data is processed according to the type of the designated job. The processing of various jobs is performed by the document processing unit 3007 shown in FIG.

Step S3435 is for confirming the processing request related to the address book processing. If there is a processing request,
In step S3436, processing related to collection, registration, and change of address information is performed. Step S3440 is Login
Confirmation of request. If there is a Login request, step S3
At 441, a Login process is performed. Step S3445,
Confirmation of server shutdown request. If there is a request, a shutdown process is performed in step S3446.

(Configuration of Client) FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the client in the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, four clients 11
20 to 1123 are described, but the configuration is common.

Reference numeral 4001 denotes a general document creation application; 4002, a graphic device interface provided by the OS; 4003, a printer driver; 4004, a print manager generally provided by the OS; The print-related job requested from the module 4001 includes these modules (4
002 to 4004), and is processed on the printing system provided by the network OS via the LAN controller 4030.

Reference numeral 4005 denotes a facsimile driver. When a transmission request is made from an application, this driver is selected and processed as a transmission request job via a job management unit 4020 described later. 4010 is
A document distribution / management application provided in the present embodiment, and provides a GUI for accessing the document distribution / management server.

More specifically, display of various data (facsimile transmission / reception documents, scanner documents, communication history information, etc.), document editing function, various setting functions (including a mode setting to make a personal document a shared document, an address book setting), It provides various job designation operations (facsimile transmission, document printing, etc.).

In this embodiment, apart from the general user application, several administrator applications are also prepared, one of which is a manual distribution application for received documents.

This is because the contents of a received document whose address is unknown (including unanalyzable) and temporarily stored in the server are displayed by a viewer application or the like running on the client, and the destination can be visually confirmed so that the document can be checked. Is an application that can be set as a document for a predetermined user.

Further, as an application for a server administrator, an application for an administrator capable of setting a client (user) using the server, setting a device remotely, and the like is also provided.

Reference numeral 4011 denotes the document distribution /
The management driver 402 manages various job data requested by the application.
0 through.

Reference numeral 4020 denotes a job management unit which manages a job requested by the application 4010. Reference numeral 4021 denotes a job control unit which performs data transfer processing with the server for various jobs.
Reference numeral 4030 denotes a LAN control unit, which generally controls communication on a LAN provided by an OS maker.

A client having such a functional configuration can be realized, for example, by installing an OS supporting a network and the above-described functional modules on a generally available personal computer that can be connected to a LAN.

(Client Operation) FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing in the client. In step S4101, connection (Login) processing to the server is performed. Here, first, user authentication (for example, user ID,
Password).

Step S4102 is a process of uploading and displaying data from the server. As a result of the login, data already managed by the server is read as data for the user, and predetermined data is displayed on the GUI.

Step S4110 is for retrieving the presence or absence of a job request from the user.
Performs processing for any job request. In step S4120, an end request of the application is monitored, and if there is no end request, the process returns to step S4102 to upload the data of the server again and check the status such as the presence or absence of the distributed document. Step S41
Reference numeral 21 denotes a process in the case where there is a request to end the application in step S4120, in which a disconnection (Login) process with the server is performed, and the process ends.

(Abnormality Detection Processing) <Server Processing> FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining the MFD abnormality detection processing and the processing corresponding to the abnormality performed by the server in this embodiment. These processes are
In the server, it is executed periodically and / or as needed according to a predetermined setting.

In step S4201, it is checked whether there is a transfer request for communication management data from the MFD managed by the server. If the transfer request of the communication management data from the MFD has been confirmed, the process proceeds to step S42.
In 07, the server receives communication management data (communication management report, error occurrence degree, re-communication degree, communication speed setting, etc.) from the MFD.

On the other hand, in step S4201, the MFD
If the communication management data transfer request from the server cannot be confirmed, the server transmits to the MFD in step S4202
It is determined whether the transfer of the communication management data is requested or not.

As the criterion for determining necessity, an arbitrary criterion may be set, for example, when predetermined conditions (time, number of communications) are satisfied, or when a manual instruction is given by an administrator or the like. Can be.

If a transfer request is required in step S4202, in step S4203 M
Requests transfer of communication management data to FD, and receives response data of MFD. Then, in step S4204, the communication management data received in step S4207 or S4203 is analyzed.

The analysis of the communication management data can be performed by comparing the communication management data (communication management report, error occurrence degree, re-communication degree, communication speed setting, etc.) with predetermined condition values. it can.

In step S4205, step S
Based on the analysis result of 4204, it is determined whether to disconnect the device that has transmitted the communication management data from the system. If it is determined that the device is to be disconnected, step S4
At 208, M
An instruction is sent to the device job 3110 so as not to transfer the communication job to the FD. Specifically, the control is performed so that another device performs the job for the separated MFD on behalf of the job. Release of the disconnection command is performed by the administrator as necessary.

If it is determined in step S4205 that a failure has not occurred enough to disconnect the device from the system, in step S4206, it is determined whether or not the occurrence of a communication error is suppressed by changing the MFD communication settings. I do. To change the communication settings to suppress the occurrence of a communication error, for example, the communication speed setting can be changed to a low speed. MFD in step S4206
If it is determined that the setting of “?” Should be changed, step S420
9 to change the job (setting) of the MFD
Transfer to FD.

After all the judgments and processes have been completed, in step S4210, if necessary, the degree of the trouble that has occurred and the content of the countermeasure taken against the trouble are notified to the user and the administrator via the value and the work. . Specifically, the user and the administrator who have been registered in advance are notified of the MFD in which the failure was detected.
And an electronic mail describing the contents of the trouble and the measures taken automatically can be automatically created and transmitted.

The notification in step S4210 can of course not be performed by setting.

<MFD Processing> FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by the MFD corresponding to the processing by the server described above.

[0102] These processes are executed periodically and / or as needed in the MFD in accordance with predetermined settings.

In step S4301, it is determined whether a transfer request for communication management data should be made from the MFD to the server. The transfer determination conditions include a case where a predetermined condition (a fixed time, a time, the number of communication times, a degree of occurrence of a communication error) is satisfied, a case where an administrator or the like gives an instruction through the operation unit of the MFD, and the like. Arbitrary conditions can be set. When the transfer determination condition is satisfied, the MFD notifies the server that the transfer of the communication management data is necessary, and transfers the communication management data to the server according to a necessary procedure.

If the criterion is not satisfied, step S4
At 302, it is determined whether there is a transfer of communication management data from the server to the MFD. If it is determined in step S4301 or S4302 that the transfer of the communication management data is necessary, or if it is requested from the server, step S4
At 305, the communication route data required by the server is transferred to the server.

In step S4303, it is checked whether a change in device settings has been notified from the server. If notified, in step S4304, the device setting is changed according to the notification.

<Processing for Device Job> FIG. 16 shows a process for a device job 3110 when there is an MFD for which it is determined that the server should be disconnected from the system or that the transfer of a predetermined job should be prohibited. It is a flowchart which shows. In step S4401, it is determined whether the fixed job transfer to a specific device is prohibited by the processes described in FIGS.

If there is a prohibited item, the job is distributed so that the job is not transferred to the specified device and the job is processed on behalf of another device (step S4402). .

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the failure of the MFD is detected by analyzing the communication management data. In the present embodiment, the state of the test target terminal is determined by performing a communication test. Is detected.

For example, in the document distribution system having the configuration shown in FIG.
In the case of 1110, a communication test is performed by connecting to the MFD 1111 via a public network and exchanging signals used for facsimile and data communication. The result of the communication test is sent to the document distribution management server 1101, and the state of the test target device is detected.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the MFD according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As is clear from comparison with FIG. 5 showing the configuration of the MFD in the first embodiment, the MFD in this embodiment is
It has a common configuration except that it has a communication test unit 2053 for controlling a communication test performed via the H.026. The communication test unit 2053 performs a communication test of a facsimile protocol or data communication and a communication test of a server in accordance with the ITU-T recommendation.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a group of various document processing jobs of the document distribution server according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As is clear from comparison with FIG. 8 showing the configuration of the document processing job group in the first embodiment, the document processing job group has a common configuration except that the communication test job 3131 is further included in the device job group.

The communication test job 3131 gives a communication test instruction to the test target machine designated by the server internal job 3120 and a communication terminal on the network which is a test partner, receives a communication test result from each communication terminal, and The internal job 3120 is notified of the test result.

In the present embodiment, the device management job 3130 needs to judge whether to use the MFD for the use status, the setting, the operating environment, and the communication environment to perform the communication test check from the MFD, and to perform the communication test. If there is a communication terminal determined to be, a communication test is instructed to the communication test job 3131 by specifying a device to be tested.

After the end of the communication test, the communication test job 3131 receives the communication test result from the communication test job 3131, and the document data transfer job 3125 has the M
It instructs to prohibit the transfer of a job to the FD, and instructs the MFD to change the communication settings (for example, reduce the transfer speed to prevent communication errors from occurring). In addition, MFD
The client and the administrator are notified of the occurrence of an abnormality in the server and the notification of the MFD communication restriction.

(Communication Test Processing) FIG. 19 shows that the server
Device management job 3130 and communication test job 31
31 is a flowchart for explaining a process of giving a communication test instruction to an MFD on a network by using S.31.

In step S4501, the device management job 3130 determines the usage status of each MFD on the network and the degree of communication error, and selects a terminal that requires a communication test.

In step S4502, it is determined whether the necessity of the communication test has occurred. If it is determined that the communication test is necessary, in step S4503, an MFD to be a test partner is selected. The MFD to be tested may be an MFD on the network or an MFD with communication test capability outside the network.

In step S4504, a command to execute a communication test is sent to each MFD. Each communication terminal starts a communication test according to this command.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the server process after receiving the test result from the MFD instructed to perform the communication test by the process of FIG.

In step S 4601, the device management job 3130 is transmitted via the communication test job 3131 to the device to be tested or the MFD that has become the test partner.
Receives communication test results from and analyzes them.

In step S4602, it is determined whether an abnormality has been detected from the analysis result. When an abnormality is detected, the state of the test target device is determined in the same manner as in step S4205 and step S4206 of FIG. 14 described in the first embodiment, and steps S4208 and S42 are performed.
09, the same correspondence as in step S4210 is taken.

[0122]

[Other Embodiments] In the above-described embodiment, only an example in which an MFD is used as a communication terminal has been described. However, a facsimile terminal or another communication terminal may be used. Further, a system other than the document distribution / management system may be used.

Further, a user who has been disconnected from the system or has requested a job to a communication terminal with limited functions is notified that the communication terminal has suffered a failure and that another communication terminal has performed a proxy process. By configuring to notify, a more convenient system can be realized.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but can be applied to a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile). Device).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) on which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (a computer) of the system or the apparatus. It is needless to say that the present invention can also be achieved by a CPU or an MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Also,
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented by performing some or all of the actual processing, and the processing performs the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the CPU included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium has been described previously (FIGS. 6, 11, and 1).
3, and FIG. 14, FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 19, and FIG. 20).

[0128]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By automatically detecting errors in the communication terminals included in the system, it is possible to minimize system failures due to communication errors, thereby reducing the load on the administrator and improving services for users. Will be possible.

[0129] In addition, traffic on the network can be improved by reducing retransmission processing by reducing communication errors.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a document distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second configuration example of the document distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a third configuration example of the document distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a fourth configuration example of the document distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a multifunction device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process in the multifunction device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a document distribution server.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document processing job group of the document distribution server.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a database configuration of a document distribution server.

FIG. 10 is a data flow diagram via a document distribution server.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing basic processing in the document distribution server.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a client.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a client.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an abnormality detection / response process in the server.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a process of transferring communication management data and changing a function setting in the MFD.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating job allocation processing of a device management job.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a client according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document processing job group of the document distribution server according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a communication test instruction process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a communication test reception process according to the second embodiment.

Continued on front page F-term (reference) 5B089 GA11 GA21 GA26 GB02 HA06 JA35 JB01 JB14 KA12 KB04 MC08 MD02 MD08 ME06 5K030 GA12 GA14 HD06 JA10 JT03 JT05 JT06 KA01 KA04 LD20 MA06 MB05 MB10 MC06 5K033 AA06 BA08 DA01 DB03 DB14 EA14 EC01 5K035 AA03 BB03 CC01 DD01 EE01 FF01 JJ02 JJ04 LL01 LL12 LL14 MM03 9A001 BB04 BB06 CC07 DZ15 JJ18 JJ27 JZ25 LL06 LZ02

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A server device that is connected to at least one communication terminal via a network and manages the communication terminal, comprising: an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of the communication terminal; And a function restricting unit for restricting a function of the communication terminal in which the abnormality is detected, the function being available from another communication terminal and / or the server device. 2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify another communication terminal and / or a user registered in advance of the communication terminal whose function is limited and / or the information on the restricted function. The server device according to claim 1, wherein 3. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormality based on communication management information stored in the communication terminal. 4. The communication terminal has a self-diagnosis function,
3. The abnormality detection device according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality detection device instructs the communication terminal to perform the self-diagnosis, and detects the abnormality based on the self-diagnosis result. Server device. 5. The server device according to claim 4, wherein the self-diagnosis is performed using communication with another communication terminal. 6. The communication management information according to claim 3, wherein the communication management information includes any one of communication environment data such as a communication result report, a retransmission occurrence degree, a communication speed, a communication error occurrence degree, and a frame retransmission degree. Server device. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a processing transfer unit configured to transfer a process using a function of the communication terminal whose function is limited by the function limiting unit to another communication terminal. 2. The server device according to claim 1. 8. A communication system comprising: the server device according to claim 1; and at least one communication terminal managed by the server device is connected to each other via a network. 9. A method for controlling a communication system in which at least one communication terminal and a server device managing the communication terminal are connected to each other via a network, comprising: an abnormality detection step of detecting an abnormality of the communication terminal. And a function restriction step of restricting, in accordance with the detected abnormality, a function of the communication terminal in which the abnormality is detected, the function being available from another communication terminal and / or the server device. How to control the system. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the function limiting step further includes a notifying step of notifying another communication terminal and / or a pre-registered user of information on the communication terminal whose function has been restricted and / or information on the restricted function. The control method for a communication system according to claim 9, wherein 11. The control method for a communication system according to claim 9, wherein the abnormality detecting step detects the abnormality based on communication management information stored in the communication terminal. 12. The communication terminal has a self-diagnosis function, and the abnormality detecting device instructs the communication terminal to perform the self-diagnosis, and determines the abnormality based on the self-diagnosis result. The control method for a communication system according to claim 9, wherein the detection is performed. 13. The control method for a communication system according to claim 12, wherein said self-diagnosis is performed using communication with another communication terminal. 14. The communication management information according to claim 11, wherein the communication management information includes any one of communication environment data such as a communication result report, a retransmission occurrence degree, a communication speed, a communication error occurrence degree, and a frame retransmission degree. Communication system control method. 15. The method according to claim 9, wherein said function restriction step includes a processing transfer step of instructing another communication terminal to execute processing using a function of the communication terminal whose function is restricted. Item 15. The control method for a communication system according to any one of items 14. 16. A storage medium storing a program executable by a computer device, wherein the computer device executing the program functions as the server device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A storage medium characterized by the above-mentioned. 17. The method according to claim 9, wherein:
A storage medium storing the control method for a communication system according to the above section as a program executable by a computer device.