JP2001216103A - System for managing image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To economically and efficiently solve various problems in the case of updating firmware for a customer's image forming device. SOLUTION: Each of network management devices 17, 25 periodically reads out the address (identification information) of each image forming device on each of networks 16, 24, a code indicating reference constitution, the current firmware version of the reference constitution, a code indicating option constitution, and the current firmware version of the option constitution as monitor information, stores the monitor information in a memory and transmits the monitor information to a center system 1 through a public communication network 5 at prescribed timing (e.g. at the time of receiving monitor information transmission request information from the center system 1 through the network 5).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a central management unit having a computer, and a plurality of image forming apparatuses (for example, copying machines) connected to the central management unit via a public communication network. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus management system having a remote management unit in which a central management apparatus remotely manages a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a public communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As such an image forming apparatus management system, a plurality of image forming apparatuses (OA equipment) installed at remote customers are utilized by using a public communication network and further using a communication adapter or the like. ) Can be connected to a central management device (hereinafter also referred to as “center system”) installed in a service center.

Conventionally, for reasons of customer requests or improvement of the image forming apparatus, for example, an optional configuration (optional equipment such as an automatic document feeder, a sorter, a finisher, etc.) and firmware (optional equipment) of the image forming apparatus at the customer's site. May need to be updated (added or changed, etc.) to the device program for controlling the image forming apparatus including the optional device, or if the need arises, the service center side may perform the following ( It is necessary to perform the operations or processes shown in 1) to (4).

(1) After a serviceman (CE) goes to a customer and completes a work for updating the optional configuration and firmware of the image forming apparatus, the work result is transmitted by telephone or FAX of the customer. The operator of the service center (center operator) is notified, and the center operator manages the corresponding database (firmware version) using the keyboard of the computer (operator terminal) of the center system based on the notification contents from the service person. Work to update the database etc.).

[0005] (2) When updating the optional configuration and firmware of the image forming apparatus at the customer's site, before the service technician performs the work for that, the target image forming apparatus or the image forming apparatus considered to be the target. Go to the customer's site and investigate whether it is necessary to update the option configuration and firmware.

(3) The center system of the service center can perform a process for updating the firmware of the image forming apparatus at the customer's site online.
This processing is performed by using a method such as equipping the target image forming apparatus with a buffer memory or sharing the image memory.

(4) When the center system of the service center performs processing for updating the firmware of the image forming apparatus at the customer's site online, processing for checking whether the target image forming apparatus is in use. Perform Then, when the image forming apparatus is in use, it waits until the image forming apparatus is no longer used, or suspends its use, and performs the above-described processing.

[0008]

However, (1)
The work by the serviceman and the center operator as shown in (1) requires a great deal of trouble for both persons in charge. In addition, there is a possibility that an error (transmission error) of the notification content from the service person to the center operator or an input error on the keyboard by the center operator may be induced. Further, if the serviceman forgets to notify the center operator, the information (data) may be mismatched between the image forming apparatus and the corresponding database of the center system, which may cause great confusion in the subsequent maintenance work. There is fear.

The work by the service person as shown in (2) requires a great deal of labor and time. The provision of the buffer memory on the image forming apparatus side and the sharing of the image memory, etc., which are necessary for realizing the processing by the center system as shown in (3), are factors that increase the cost and also complicate the processing (control). .

The process of checking whether an image forming apparatus to be updated by the center system as shown in (4) is in use is not used because the image forming apparatus is in use. In this case, it is necessary to perform the processing periodically, so that the traffic amount is increased, and as a result, other effective communication speeds are reduced.

In addition, the above-described countermeasures when the image forming apparatus for which the firmware is to be updated are in use are a cause of wasted time or a decrease in customer productivity. Furthermore, if some trouble (abnormality) occurs after the firmware update (rewrite) process of the image forming apparatus is performed, the time during which the image forming apparatus cannot be used increases. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is an economical and efficient solution to various problems in updating firmware of an image forming apparatus at a customer in an image forming apparatus management system. With the goal.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a central management apparatus having a computer, and a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to the central management apparatus via a public communication network. However, in order to achieve the above object, in an image forming apparatus management system having remote management means for remotely managing a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a public communication network, the following is provided.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network management apparatus for connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a network, and connecting the network to a public communication network.
A means for periodically reading the identification information and the current firmware version of each image forming apparatus on the network as monitor information in the network management device; a monitor information storage means for storing the monitor information read by the means; Monitor information transmitting means for transmitting the monitor information stored in the means to the central management device via the public communication network.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the first aspect, the monitor information transmission means of the network management apparatus transmits the monitor information of the image forming apparatus from the central management apparatus via a public communication network. When the monitor information transmission request information indicating the request is received, the monitor information stored in the monitor information storage means is transmitted to the central management device via the public communication network.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the second aspect, the monitor information transmission means of the network management apparatus is used as the image information transmission request information from the central management apparatus via the public communication network. When receiving information including the identification information of the apparatus, the monitor information corresponding to the identification information among the monitor information stored in the monitor information storage means is transmitted to the central management apparatus via the public communication network. Things.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus management system according to the second or third aspect, wherein the network management apparatus transmits the identification information and the update firmware of the image forming apparatus from the central management apparatus via a public communication network. And firmware update information storage means for temporarily storing the firmware update information when the firmware update information including the firmware version and the current firmware version of the image forming apparatus is received.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the fourth aspect, the network management device includes the image forming device included in the firmware update information received from the central management device via the public communication network. Search processing means for searching the monitor information accumulating means for the identification information of the image forming apparatus and the monitor information corresponding to the current firmware version of the image forming apparatus; and information indicating the processing result by the means, via a public communication network. Means for transmitting to the central management device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the fourth aspect, the network management device includes the image forming device included in the firmware update information received from the central management device via the public communication network. Search processing means for searching the monitor information storage means for the identification information of the image information and the monitor information corresponding to the current firmware version of the image forming apparatus, and the monitor information can be searched from the monitor information storage means by the means. Means for transmitting power-on state transmission request information indicating a request for transmission of power-on state information indicating the state at power-on to the image forming apparatus of the identification information included in the monitor information, Each of the image forming apparatuses receives power-on state transmission request information from the network management apparatus. , It is provided with a transmission request reception information storing means for storing a transmission request reception information indicating the reception.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system of the sixth aspect, when transmission request reception information is stored in transmission request reception information storage means in each image forming apparatus on the network, Means for transmitting warm-up state information indicating a warm-up state to the network management device when the power is turned on, and firmware update processing for performing a firmware update process based on the firmware update information when firmware update information is received from the network management device Means for receiving, when the network management apparatus receives warm-up status information from any of the image forming apparatuses on the network, information including identification information of the image forming apparatus, current firmware, and the firmware version thereof. Reading means; Recovery information storage means for temporarily storing information read by the step as recovery information; and, after the storage of the recovery information by the means is completed, the warm-up state of the firmware update information stored in the firmware update information storage means. A firmware update information transmitting unit that transmits firmware update information corresponding to the identification information of the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the information to the image forming apparatus.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system of the seventh aspect, after the firmware update processing by the firmware update processing means is completed in each of the image forming apparatuses on the network, the firmware indicating the fact is provided. Means for transmitting the update completion information to the network management device; and when the network management device receives erasure request information indicating an erasure request of the transmission request reception information stored in the transmission request reception information storage means, the transmission request reception information Means for erasing the firmware, when the network management apparatus receives the firmware update completion information from any of the image forming apparatuses on the network, Means for erasing recovery information received from the device; When the firmware update completion information is received from any of the above image forming apparatuses, the erasure request information indicating the erasure request of the transmission request reception information stored in the transmission request reception information storage means of the image forming apparatus is replaced with the image. Means for transmitting to the forming apparatus.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system according to the eighth aspect, a time counting means for counting the time from the end of the transmission of the firmware update information by the firmware update information transmitting means to the network management apparatus. If the firmware update completion information cannot be received before the counting time by the time counting means reaches the predetermined warm-up time from the image forming apparatus to which the firmware update information is transmitted, the warm-up time is set in advance. And a time extending means for extending the maximum prescribed time.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system of the ninth aspect, the network management device includes:
Alarm information indicating that the firmware update completion information has not been received from the image forming apparatus to which the firmware update information has been transmitted by the firmware update information transmission means until the time counted by the time counting means reaches the maximum specified time, or that an alarm has occurred. When the recovery information is received, the recovery information received from the image forming apparatus among the recovery information stored in the recovery information storage means is downloaded to the image forming apparatus, and the downloading of the recovery information by the means is completed. And means for transmitting serviceman arrangement request information indicating the serviceman arrangement request to the central management device via the public communication network.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus management system of the ninth aspect, the network management device includes:
When firmware update completion information is received from any of the image forming apparatuses on the network, means for transmitting the firmware update completion information to the central management device via a public communication network is provided. Database storage means for storing a database for managing the firmware version of each image forming apparatus, and when firmware update completion information is received from a network management apparatus via a public communication network, based on the firmware update completion information. Means for updating the database.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the center system.

This image forming apparatus management system is composed of a center system 1 which is a central management apparatus installed in a service center S, and electronic devices installed in each of customer sites A, B,. ing. The exchanges at the customer sites A, B,.
The illustration of computers (servers, clients) and the like on 24 is omitted.

The center system 1, as shown in FIG.
Are constituted by a plurality of client computers (hereinafter simply referred to as "clients") 2a, 2b,..., A server 3, and a network 4 such as a LAN (local area network) for interconnecting the servers. A public communication network 5 is connected to each of the clients 2a, 2b,....

At customer site A, as electronic equipment, as shown in FIG. 1, facsimile machine 11, printer 12, 1
3. A plurality of image forming apparatuses including a copying machine 14 and a printing machine 15 are provided, and these are mutually connected by a network 16 such as a LAN. Further, a network management device 17 for connecting the network 16 and the public communication network 5 is provided.

At the customer site B, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of image forming apparatuses including a facsimile machine 21, a printer 22, and a copying machine 23 are provided as electronic devices.
They are interconnected by a network 24 such as an AN. Further, a network management device 25 for connecting the network 24 and the public communication network 5 is provided.

Further, the facsimile machine 21 on the network 24 can be directly connected to the public communication network 5,
A communication adapter 26 is inserted between the public communication line network 5 and the network management device 25, and the communication adapter 26
Is connected to a facsimile machine 21 which can be directly connected to the public communication network 5. If another image forming apparatus can be directly connected to the public communication network 5, the image forming apparatus can be connected to the communication adapter 26.

FIG. 3 shows clients 2a, 2b,.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a server 3. The client (operator terminal) 2a includes a CPU 31, a real-time clock circuit 32, a ROM 33, a RAM 34, communication control units 35a, 35b,..., An external memory control unit 36, a display control unit 37, a keyboard I / F circuit 38, a network I / F (interface) unit 39, hard disk device 40, CRT display (other display device such as LCD display) 4
1, a keyboard 42 and the like.

Note that the client 2b is also the client 2
a, the network I / F unit 3
Illustration and description of each part other than 9 are omitted. Further, other clients in the center system 1 are also clients 2
Since the configuration is the same as that of FIG.

The CPU 31 is a central processing unit that controls the entire client 2a according to a control program stored in the ROM 33. Real time clock circuit 32
Generates time information, and the CPU 31 can read the time information to know the current time. The ROM 33 is a read-only memory that stores various fixed data including a control program used by the CPU 31.

The RAM 34 is a readable / writable memory used as a work memory or the like used when the CPU 31 performs data processing. Communication control unit 35a, 3
5b controls communication with external devices via the public communication line network 5, respectively. The external memory control unit 36 controls an interface with a hard disk device (hereinafter abbreviated as “HDD”) 40.

The display control unit 37 controls the interface with the CRT display 41. The keyboard I / F circuit unit 38 controls the interface with the keyboard 42. The network I / F unit 39
It performs interface control with other clients such as the client 2 b connected to the network 4 and the server 3.

The server 3 includes a CPU 51, a real-time clock circuit 52, a ROM 53, a RAM 54, an external memory control unit 55, a display control unit 56, a keyboard I / F circuit unit 57, a network I / F unit 58,
It comprises an HDD 59, a CRT display (may be another display device such as an LCD display) 60, a keyboard 61 and the like.

The CPU 51 is a central processing unit that controls the entire server 3 by a control program in the ROM 53. The real-time clock circuit 52 generates time information, and the CPU 51 can read the information to know the current time. ROM5
A read-only memory 3 stores various fixed data including a control program used by the CPU 51.

The RAM 54 is a readable / writable memory used as a work memory or the like used when the CPU 51 performs data processing. External memory control unit 55
Performs interface control with the HDD 59. HD
D59 has a function as a database storage means, and stores, for example, a customer database (hereinafter, “database” is abbreviated as “DB”) 59a and a device program management DB 59b as shown in FIG.

The customer DB 59a is stored in the network 16, 2
4 stores customer information for identifying each customer, such as the name and address of the customer who purchased each image forming device including the above image forming device. The device program management DB 59b stores device program information for managing firmware versions of the image forming devices including the image forming devices on the networks 16 and 24.

The display control unit 56 controls the interface with the CRT display 60. The keyboard I / F circuit unit 57 controls an interface with the keyboard 61. The network I / F unit 58
Clients 2a, 2 connected to network 4
b,... are controlled.

FIG. 4 shows the network management devices 17 and 25.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of FIG. The network management devices 17 and 25 include a CPU 71, a real-time clock circuit 72, a ROM 73, a RAM 74, a communication I
/ F75, external memory control unit 76, display control unit 77, keyboard I / F circuit unit 78, HDD 79,
A CRT display (may be another display device such as an LCD display) 80, a keyboard 81, and the like.

The CPU 71 is a central processing unit that controls the entire network management devices 17 and 25 according to a control program stored in the ROM 73. The real-time clock circuit 72 generates time information.
U71 can know the current time by reading it. The ROM 73 is a read-only memory that stores various fixed data including a control program used by the CPU 71.

The RAM 74 is a readable / writable memory used as a work memory used when the CPU 71 performs data processing. The communication I / F 75 controls communication with an external device. The external memory control unit 76
The interface control with the HDD 79 is performed.

The display control unit 77 controls the interface with the CRT display 80. The keyboard I / F circuit unit 78 controls an interface with the keyboard 81.

In each of the network management devices 17 and 25 thus configured, the CPU 71 operates in accordance with the control programs in the ROM 73 and the HDD 79, thereby each image forming device on the networks 16 and 24, and a server and a client (not shown). In addition to the general function of monitoring the operating state (operating state) of the computer, the functions according to the present invention can be realized. Each function will be described in detail later.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the communication adapter 26 of FIG. Data from the public communication network 5 is first input to the line switching circuit 101. Here, communication from the public line communication network 5 is performed by the communication adapter 26.
Is connected to the facsimile apparatus (FAX) 21 connected to the facsimile apparatus 21, the public network 5 is connected to the facsimile apparatus 21;
The public network 5 is connected to the modem 102.

Further, communication with an image forming apparatus (not shown) can be performed by a communication interface (SI / O) 103 using an RS-485 transceiver or the like. Further, communication with the network management device 25 can be performed by the communication interface 104.
These controls and processes are performed mainly by the CPU 105 according to a control program in the ROM 106.

The RAM 107 is also used to temporarily store various data. In this RAM 107,
A backup battery (battery) 108 is connected. The switch 109 is for selectively setting various modes.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control unit of the copying machine 14. The control unit of the copying machine 14 includes a CPU 1
11, real-time clock circuit 112, ROM11
3, a RAM 114, a nonvolatile RAM 115, an input / output port 116, and a serial communication control unit 117a.
A PPC (copier) controller including 117b and 117c, a network I / F unit 118, and a system bus 119 are provided.

The CPU 111 is a central processing unit that controls the whole of the control unit by a control program in the ROM 113 and the nonvolatile RAM 115. The real-time clock circuit 112 generates time information, and the CPU 111 can know the current time by reading it. ROM 113 is a CPU
A read-only memory 111 stores various fixed data including a control program to be used.

The RAM 114 is a readable / writable memory used as a work memory or the like used when the CPU 111 performs data processing. Non-volatile RAM 115
Is a memory for storing the contents of mode instructions from an operation display unit (not shown) and the control program (firmware) used by the CPU 111, and is backed up by a battery.

The input / output port 116 is connected to an output load such as a motor, a solenoid, and a clutch in the machine, and sensors and switches. Serial communication control unit 117a
Exchanges signals with an operation display unit (not shown).

The serial communication control unit 117b exchanges signals with a document feed unit (not shown). The serial communication control unit 117c exchanges signals with a transfer paper post-processing unit (not shown).

The network I / F unit 118 controls the interface with the network management device 17 on the network 16. Network 1
Each of the other image forming apparatuses 6 and 24 also has a control unit including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a nonvolatile RAM, and the like, similar to the copying machine 14, but illustration and description thereof are omitted.

Here, the functions shown in the following (A1) to (A17) correspond to the network management devices 17 and 25, respectively.
CPU 71 operates in accordance with the control programs in the ROM 73 and the HDD 79.

(A1) Function as means for periodically reading the identification information of each image forming apparatus on the networks 16 and 24 and the current firmware version as monitor information. (A2) Store the monitor information read by the function. Function as monitor information storage means

Since the function as the monitor information storage means is realized by using a memory (RAM 74 or HDD 79), the monitor information is actually stored in the memory. (A3) Function as monitor information transmitting means for transmitting the monitor information stored in the memory by the function to the center system (central management device) 1 via the public communication network 5

The function shown in (A3) specifically receives monitor information transmission request information indicating a request for transmission of monitor information of the image forming apparatus from the center system 1 via the public communication network 5. At this time, the monitor information stored in the memory is transmitted to the center system 1 via the public communication network 5, or the center system 1 identifies the image forming apparatus as monitor information transmission request information via the public communication network 5. When receiving the information including the information, the monitor information corresponding to the identification information among the monitor information stored in the memory is transmitted to the center system 1 via the public communication network 5.

(A4) From the center system 1 via the public communication network 5, identification information of the image forming apparatus, update firmware, its firmware version, and firmware update information including the current firmware version of the image forming apparatus are transmitted. Function as a firmware update information storage unit that temporarily stores the firmware update information when received

The function as the firmware update information storage means is performed by a memory (the RAM 74 or the HDD 7).
9), the firmware update information is actually stored in the memory.

(A5) The identification information of the image forming apparatus and the monitor information corresponding to the current firmware version of the image forming apparatus included in the firmware update information received from the center system 1 via the public communication network 5 are stored. Function as search processing means for performing processing of searching from a memory (monitor information storage means) (A6) Information indicating the processing result (presence or absence of the monitor information) by the function is sent to center system 1 via public communication network 5. Function as transmission means

(A7) When the monitor information can be retrieved from the memory by the function as the retrieval processing means,
A function as means for transmitting power-on state transmission request information indicating a request for transmitting power-on state information indicating a state at power-on to the image forming apparatus of the identification information included in the monitor information

(A8) When the warm-up state information is received from one of the image forming apparatuses on the networks 16 and 24, information including the identification information of the image forming apparatus, the current firmware, and the firmware version is read. Function as means (A9) Recovery information storage means for temporarily storing information read by that function as recovery information

Since the function as the recovery information storage means is realized using a memory (RAM 74 or HDD 79), the recovery information is actually stored in the memory.

(A10) After the storage of the recovery information by the function is completed, of the firmware update information stored in the memory (firmware update information storage means), the identification information of the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the warm-up state information. As firmware update information transmitting means for transmitting firmware update information corresponding to the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus

(A11) When the firmware update completion information is received from one of the image forming apparatuses on the networks 16 and 24, of the recovery information stored in the memory (recovery information storage means), Function as a means to erase recovery information received from

(A12) When the firmware update completion information is received from one of the image forming apparatuses on the networks 16 and 24, the transmission request stored in the memory (transmission request reception information storage means) of the image forming apparatus. Function as means for transmitting erasure request information indicating a request for erasing received information to the image forming apparatus (A13) Time for counting time from the end of transmission of firmware update information by the function as firmware update information transmission means Function as counting means

(A14) If the firmware update completion information cannot be received from the image forming apparatus to which the firmware update information is transmitted until the counting time by the function as the time counting means reaches a predetermined warm-up time, Time extension means to extend the warm-up time to a preset maximum specified time

(A15) The firmware update completion information cannot be received from the image forming apparatus to which the firmware update information is transmitted by the function as the firmware update information transmission means until the counting time by the time counting means reaches the maximum specified time. Means for downloading the recovery information received from the image forming apparatus out of the recovery information stored in the memory (recovery information storing means) to the image forming apparatus when the alarm information indicating the occurrence of the alarm is received. Function as

(A16) A function as a means for transmitting serviceman arrangement request information indicating a serviceman arrangement request to the central management apparatus via the public communication network 5 after the download of the recovery information by the function is completed. A17) Function as means for transmitting firmware update completion information to center system 1 via public communication line network 5 when firmware update completion information is received from any of the image forming apparatuses on networks 16 and 24.

The functions shown in the following (B1) to (B5) correspond to the C of the copying machine 14 on the network 16 respectively.
This can be realized by the PU 111 operating according to the control program in the ROM 113 and the CPU of each of the other image forming apparatuses on the networks 16 and 24 operating according to the control program in the ROM.

(B1) Network management devices 17 and 25
The function as transmission request reception information storage means for storing transmission request reception information indicating the reception when the power-on state transmission request information is received from the non-volatile RAM 115 The transmission request reception information is actually stored in the memory.

(B2) When the transmission request reception information is stored in the memory (transmission request reception information storage means), as a means for transmitting warm-up state information indicating a warm-up state to the network management device when the power is turned on. Function (B3) When firmware update information is received from the network management devices 17 and 25, a firmware update that performs a process of updating the firmware in the nonvolatile memory 115 (processing such as addition or change of firmware) based on the firmware update information. Function as processing means

(B4) Function as means for transmitting firmware update completion information indicating the completion of the firmware update processing by the function as firmware update processing means to the network management device (B5) Network management device 17, 25, a function as means for deleting the transmission request reception information when receiving the deletion request information indicating the deletion request of the transmission request reception information stored in the memory (transmission request reception information storage means)

Further, each function shown in the following (C1) and (C2) is such that the CPU 31 of each of the clients 2a, 2b,... In the center system (central management device) 1 transmits the control program in the ROM 33 and the HDD 40 to the server. The third CPU 51 operates in accordance with the control programs in the ROM 53 and the HDD 59, respectively.

(C1) Function as remote management means for remotely managing a plurality of image forming apparatuses via the public communication network 5 (C2) Receiving firmware update completion information via the public communication network 5 from the network management apparatus The customer DB 59 based on the firmware update completion information.
a as a means for updating a and the device program management DB 59b

Hereinafter, the processing operation according to the present invention in the image forming apparatus management system will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic example of a processing operation according to the present invention in the image forming apparatus management system.

First, the processing operation of the image forming apparatus management system according to the first to third aspects of the present invention will be described. In the center system 1, customer information and device program information to be managed are respectively stored in the HDDs of the server 3.
59 is a customer DB 59a, a device program management DB 59b
Is stored (set) in the HDD 59 in advance.

Here, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the customer information includes the name (customer name), address, and department name (customer name) of the customer who has purchased each image forming apparatus including the image forming apparatuses on the networks 16 and 24. Department name), customer contact name, contact information (T
EL number, FAX number), information for specifying the customer, such as a department name, a person in charge, and a contact address of each of the sales ward and service ward of the image forming apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 9, for example, the device program information includes the model / device number (lot information) of each image forming apparatus including the image forming apparatuses on the networks 16 and 24, and the standard configuration (image forming apparatus main body). And a code indicating an optional configuration (optional mechanism), a firmware version (version number of firmware for controlling the standard configuration and the optional configuration), etc., and manages by grasping the current state of the image forming apparatus to be managed. Things.

CPU 71 of Network Management Device 17
Monitors the address (or other identification information) of each image forming apparatus on the network 16, a code indicating the standard configuration, a current firmware version of the standard configuration, a code indicating the optional configuration, and a current firmware version of the optional configuration. The information is read sequentially (periodically) at predetermined time intervals set in advance.

At this time, each read command including the address of each image forming apparatus on the network 16 (image forming apparatus address) is sequentially transmitted on the network 16 in a data format as shown in FIG.

Here, in (1) and (2) of FIG.
The management device (network management device 17) address and the image forming device address are logical addresses on the network 16. In each of the data formats shown in FIGS. 10 to 17, the communication control code and the data security are omitted. Network management device 1
Reference numeral 7 is provided in the memory with a table of the model / device number of the image forming apparatus to be managed and the above-described logical address corresponding thereto.

The C of each image forming apparatus on the network 16
Each of the PUs receives the read command from the network management device 17, and when the address of the image forming device included in the PU matches the address of its own device, the image forming device address, the code indicating the standard configuration, and the standard configuration. The response information (response data) including the current firmware version, the code indicating the option configuration, and the current firmware version of the option configuration is shown in (2) of FIG.
Is returned to the network management device 17 as monitor information (monitor data) in a data format as shown in FIG.

CPU 71 of Network Management Device 17
Includes monitor information (image forming apparatus address, code indicating standard configuration, current firmware version of standard configuration, code indicating optional configuration, current firmware version of optional configuration) from any image forming apparatus on network 16. When the response information is received, the monitor information is stored in the memory in a format as shown in FIG. However, an image forming apparatus address is stored in place of the model and machine number of the image forming apparatus. Of course, it is also possible to convert the image forming apparatus address into the model and machine number of the corresponding image forming apparatus and store the converted image forming apparatus.

CPU 71 of network management device 17
Performs the above-described operation sequentially on all the image forming apparatuses on the network 16 to be managed, and after a predetermined time elapses, restarts the above-described operation.
Thereafter, the same is repeated. Therefore, the monitor information in the memory is updated (rewritten) every time the above operation is performed. Note that the start and stop of the reading can also be performed according to a command from the center system 1.

On the other hand, the CPU of the network management device 17
The monitor information 71 is stored in the memory at a predetermined timing, for example, when an operation for requesting the transmission of monitor information is performed on the keyboard 81, or at a predetermined time interval (periodically). And (2) of FIG.
Is automatically transmitted to the center system 1 via the public communication network 5 in a data format as shown in FIG.

Alternatively, by receiving monitor information transmission request information indicating a request for transmission of monitor information of the image forming apparatus from the center system 1 via the public communication network 5,
The monitor information stored in the memory can be transmitted to the center system 1 via the public communication network 5.

In this case, in the service center S, when it is necessary to obtain monitor information of each image forming apparatus on the network 16, the responsible center operator operates the client (one of 2a, 2b,...) Of the center system 1. An operation for requesting transmission of monitor information of each image forming apparatus is performed on the keyboard 42 of the image forming apparatus.

CPU of client of center system 1
When the above operation is performed, 31 transmits monitor information transmission request information (transmission request data) to the network management device 17 via the public communication network 5 in a data format as shown in (1) of FIG.

Here, in (1) and (2) of FIG.
The management device C address is different from the logical address of the network management device 17 on the network 16 and is the network address of a plurality of network management devices viewed from the center system 1.

Upon receiving the monitor information transmission request information from the center system 1 via the public communication network 5, the network management device 17 reads the monitor information stored in the memory, and as shown in (2) of FIG. System 1 via the public communication network 5 in a simple data format
Automatically return to. At this time, the image forming apparatus address is converted by the CPU 71 of the network management apparatus 17 into the model and machine number of the corresponding image forming apparatus.

When a plurality of image forming apparatuses or a specific image forming apparatus is designated and the monitor information is acquired, the responsible center operator specifies the operation of the image forming apparatus on the keyboard 42 of the client and the monitor information. By performing an operation for requesting transmission, the CPU 31 of the client transmits information including a plurality of models or specific image forming apparatuses designated as monitor information transmission request information to the public communication network 5. It may be transmitted to the network management device 17 via the Internet.

In this case, in the data format shown in (1) of FIG. 11, following the management device C address,
A field for a plurality of designated or specific image forming apparatuses is added.

CPU 71 of network management device 17
Receives monitor information transmission request information including a plurality of designated or specific image forming apparatus models and machine numbers from the center system 1 via the public communication network 5, among monitor information stored in the memory, , The received model
Only the monitor information corresponding to the model number (monitor information in which the received model / model number matches the model / model number converted from the image forming apparatus address) is read out, and a data format as shown in (2) of FIG. Automatically returns to the center system 1 via the public communication network 5.

As described above, the network management device 17
Is the address (identification information) of each image forming apparatus on the network 16, a code indicating the standard configuration, a current firmware version of the standard configuration, a code indicating the optional configuration, and the current firmware version of the optional configuration as monitor information. Since the monitor information is periodically read, the monitor information is stored in the memory, and transmitted to the center system 1 of the service center S via the public communication network 5 at a predetermined timing, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, in the center system 1, the CPU 31 of the client displays the monitor information from the network management device 17 on the CRT display (display device) 41, so that the center operator can form each image on the network 16 at the customer A. The standard configuration and optional configuration of the device and the update status of their firmware can be easily grasped.

Accordingly, there is no trouble of communication between the center operator and the service person in charge, and no transmission error. In addition, information mismatch does not occur between the corresponding DB (the device program management DB 59b) of the center system 1 and the image forming apparatus, and confusion in maintenance work does not occur.

Further, the network management device 17 receives the monitor information transmission request information from the center system 1 via the public communication network 5, so that the monitor information stored in the memory is transmitted via the public communication network 5. By transmitting the monitor information to the center system 1, the center system 1 can acquire the monitor information by transmitting the monitor information transmission request information to the network management device 17 only when it is desired to acquire the monitor information. The number of times of communication between the network management device 17 and the center system 1 is reduced, and the communication efficiency is improved.

Further, the network management device 17 transmits monitor information transmission request information including a plurality of models or specific image forming apparatuses designated by the center system 1 via the public communication network 5 or model numbers (identification information). By receiving the information, only the monitor information corresponding to the received model / model number out of the monitor information stored in the memory is transmitted to the center system 1 via the public communication network 5. This makes it possible to reduce the time and effort required for servicemen to visit customers and conduct surveys.

Next, the processing operation of the image forming apparatus management system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention will be described. In the service center S, when it is necessary to update the firmware of any of the image forming apparatuses (corresponding image forming apparatuses) on the network 16, the responsible center operator corresponds to the update on the keyboard 42 of the client of the center system 1. An operation for requesting transmission of firmware update information of the image forming apparatus is performed.

When the above operation is performed, the client of the center system 1 updates the firmware of the corresponding image forming apparatus (for example, the model / model number of the image forming apparatus, a code indicating the standard configuration, the current firmware version of the standard configuration). , The firmware for updating (changing) the standard configuration, its firmware version, a code indicating the optional configuration, the current firmware version of the optional configuration, the firmware (control program) for updating the optional configuration, and its firmware version). And transmits it to the network management device 17 via the public communication network 5 in the data format shown in FIG.

CPU 71 of network management device 17
Receives the firmware update information from the client of the center system 1 via the public communication network 5 and temporarily stores it in the memory.

As described above, the network management device 17
From the center system 1 via the public communication network 5 to update the firmware of the corresponding image forming apparatus, for example, information model / device number (identification information), code indicating the standard configuration, current firmware version of the standard configuration, standard configuration When the firmware update information including the firmware for updating the firmware, the firmware version, the code indicating the optional configuration, the current firmware version of the optional configuration, the firmware (control program) for updating the optional configuration, and the firmware version is received, Is temporarily stored in the memory, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, a cost-up factor such as equipping the relevant image forming apparatus with an update buffer memory or sharing another memory (image memory or the like),
No complicated control is required.

Next, the processing operation according to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention will be described. The CPU 71 of the network management apparatus 17 updates the firmware update information (for example, the model / machine number of the image forming apparatus, the code indicating the standard configuration, the current firmware version of the standard configuration, the firmware version received from the center system 1 via the public communication network 5). After storing in the memory the firmware for updating the standard configuration, its firmware version, the code indicating the optional configuration, the current firmware version of the optional configuration, the firmware (control program) for updating the optional configuration, and its firmware version) Then, the following processing is performed.

That is, the model / model of the image forming apparatus included in the firmware update information (stored in the memory) received from the center system 1 via the public communication network 5
Monitor information (monitor information that matches those information) corresponding to the machine number, current firmware version of the standard configuration (current version number of the standard configuration), and current firmware version of the optional configuration (current version number of the optional configuration) A process of searching (extracting) from the memory is performed.

If the monitor information cannot be retrieved from the memory because the monitor information does not exist in the memory, information indicating that the monitor information does not exist (corresponding non-response information) in FIG. The data is automatically returned to the center system 1 via the public communication network 5 in a data format as shown in 2).

On the other hand, the CPU of the network management device 17
Reference numeral 71 denotes the model / device number of the image forming apparatus, the current firmware version of the standard configuration, and the current firmware version of the optional configuration included in the firmware update information received from the center system 1 via the public communication network 5. If the corresponding monitor information can be retrieved from the memory because the corresponding monitor information exists in the memory,
Information indicating that the monitor information is present (corresponding response information) is automatically returned to the center system 1 via the public communication network 5 in a data format as shown in (3) of FIG.

Subsequently, power-on state transmission request information indicating a request for transmitting power-on state information indicating a state at power-on to the image forming apparatus at the image forming apparatus address included in the monitor information retrieved from the memory is displayed. The data is automatically transmitted in a data format as shown in FIG.

The C of each image forming apparatus on the network 16
When each of the PUs receives the power-on state transmission request information (actually, when the image forming apparatus address included in the information matches the image forming apparatus address of its own apparatus), the PU receives the transmission request reception indicating the reception. Non-volatile RA
It is stored in M115 (in this example, the transmission request reception flag is set).

When the power is turned on, the CPU of each image forming apparatus on the network 16 checks the status of the transmission request reception flag in the memory, and if the transmission request reception flag is set, The power-on state information indicating the state at power-on (warm-up state information indicating the warm-up state) is stored in the network management apparatus 17.
Return to

The process at the time of turning on the power is performed according to claim 7
The invention will be described in detail later. When the CPU 31 of the client of the center system 1 receives information indicating that monitor information does not exist or exists (information indicating the presence or absence of monitor information) from the network management device 17 via the public communication network 5, the information is received. Is displayed on the CRT display 41 as message information to notify the center operator.

As described above, the network management device 17
Corresponds to the model / device number of the image forming apparatus, the current firmware version of the standard configuration, and the current firmware version of the optional configuration included in the firmware update information received from the center system 1 via the public communication network 5 A process for retrieving the monitor information to be performed from the memory is performed, and information indicating the processing result (presence / absence of the monitor information) is transmitted to the center system 1 via the public communication network 5, so that the service person in charge goes to the customer site. There is no need to search for the image forming apparatus, and the center operator can grasp the presence or absence of the monitor information of the desired image forming apparatus in a short time.

Further, the network management device 17 transmits the model / model number of the image forming apparatus included in the firmware update information received from the center system 1 via the public communication network 5, the current firmware version of the standard configuration, If the monitor information corresponding to the current firmware version of the optional configuration can be retrieved from the memory,
The power-on state transmission request information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus of the image forming apparatus address included in the monitor information, the transmission request reception information is accumulated, and the power-on state information is transmitted from the image forming apparatus at power-on. By receiving,
Since it is possible to constantly monitor when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on,
It is not necessary to generate any traffic on the network 16 and the public communication network 5, and it is possible to avoid a problem caused by a decrease in the effective communication speed.

Next, the processing operation of the image forming apparatus management system according to the seventh aspect of the present invention will be described. The CPU of each image forming apparatus on the network 16 enters a warm-up state when the power is turned on, and continues the state for a predetermined period of time.

Here, the warm-up state refers to, for example, in a copying machine, a state in which the fixing temperature (surface temperature of the fixing roller) generally waits until the temperature rises to a temperature at which printing (image formation) is possible. During this time, the copying machine cannot be used. Further, during the warm-up state, the firmware is updated (rewritten), which will be described later, so that the provision of a firmware update buffer memory becomes unnecessary. Further, the image forming apparatus is made unusable, and the firmware is updated during this time. It is possible to avoid such a method as to perform the operation.

The C of each image forming apparatus on the network 16
When the PU enters the warm-up state by turning on the power, the PU checks the state of the transmission request reception flag in the memory, and if the transmission request reception flag is set,
The warm-up state information indicating the warm-up state (power-on state information indicating the state at power-on) is returned to the network management device 17 in a data format as shown in FIG.

The CPU 71 of the network management device 17
When the warm-up state information is received from any one of the image forming apparatuses on the network 16 (corresponding image forming apparatus), the address of the image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus address), a code indicating the standard configuration, the standard configuration Current firmware, its firmware version,
The information including the code indicating the option configuration, the current firmware of the option configuration, its firmware version, and various parameter data currently set is read.

At this time, a data read command including the address of the corresponding image forming apparatus is transmitted over the network 16 in a data format as shown in FIG. The CPU of each image forming apparatus on the network 16 receives the data read command from the network management apparatus 17 and executes the following processing when the address of the image forming apparatus included in the command matches the address of the own apparatus. Do.

That is, the address of the image forming apparatus, the code indicating the standard configuration, the current firmware of the standard configuration, the firmware version (current version number), the code indicating the optional configuration, and the code of the optional configuration are included in the data read command. Information (response information) including the current firmware, its firmware version, and currently set various parameter data is read out from the nonvolatile RAM 115, and the network management device 17 is read in a data format as shown in FIG.
Return to

CPU 71 of network management device 17
Indicates the image forming apparatus address from the corresponding image forming apparatus,
Code indicating standard configuration, current firmware of standard configuration, its firmware version, code indicating optional configuration, current firmware of optional configuration,
Upon receiving information including the firmware version and various currently set various parameter data, the information is temporarily stored in a memory as recovery information.

In these processes, when any trouble occurs due to rewriting to the firmware to be updated in the corresponding image forming apparatus, the recovery information is downloaded to the corresponding image forming apparatus (return), and the trouble is returned. Must be implemented as a recovery process for recovering the data at an early stage.

When the storage of the recovery information is completed, the firmware update information corresponding to the address of the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the warm-up state information or the standby state information among the firmware update information stored in the memory (the image forming apparatus). The firmware update information in which the address matches the image forming apparatus address converted from the model / device number) is read and transmitted to the image forming apparatus in a data format as shown in (1) of FIG. At this time, the model / model of the image forming apparatus in the firmware update information
The machine number is converted into an image forming apparatus address.

The C of each image forming apparatus on the network 16
When each of the PUs receives the firmware update information (actually, when the image forming apparatus address included in the information matches its own image forming apparatus address),
Non-volatile RAM based on the firmware update information
The firmware update processing in 115 (processing such as addition or change of firmware) is performed.

As described above, when the transmission request reception flag in the memory is set (when the transmission request reception information is stored in the memory), each image forming apparatus on the network warms up when the power is turned on. The warm-up status information indicating the status is transmitted to the network management device 17.
When the firmware update information is received from the network management device 17, firmware update processing is performed based on the firmware update information.

When the network management device 17 receives the warm-up status information from a corresponding one of the image forming devices on the network 16, the network management device 17 changes the address (identification information) and the standard configuration of the image forming device. Code indicating the current firmware in the standard configuration, its firmware version, code indicating the optional configuration,
After reading information including the current firmware of the optional configuration, its firmware version, and various parameter data currently set, temporarily storing the information as recovery information in the memory, and then out of the firmware update information stored in the memory, Firmware update information corresponding to the address of the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the warm-up state information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and the firmware is updated.

Therefore, the firmware is updated during the warm-up time after the power of the corresponding image forming apparatus is turned on. Therefore, the factor of lowering the productivity of the customer caused by stopping the use of the image forming apparatus is considered. Can be eliminated.

Next, the processing operation according to the invention of claim 8 in the image forming apparatus management system will be described. After the above-described firmware update processing is completed, the CPUs of the respective image forming apparatuses on the network 16 each transmit firmware update completion information (including the image forming apparatus address which is the address of the own apparatus) indicating the completion of the firmware update processing in FIG.
The data is automatically transmitted to the network management device 17 in a data format as shown in (2).

The CPU 71 of the network management device 17
When the firmware update completion information is received from one of the image forming apparatuses on the network 16 (corresponding image forming apparatus), the recovery information received from the corresponding image forming apparatus among the recovery information stored in the memory Is erased.

Further, the non-volatile R of the corresponding image forming apparatus
The clear request information indicating the clear (reset) request of the transmission request reception flag in the AM 115 (deletion request information indicating the deletion request of the transmission request reception information stored in the memory) is data as shown in (3) of FIG. The data is transmitted to the corresponding image forming apparatus in a format.

The C of each image forming apparatus on the network 16
When each of the PUs receives the clear request information from the network management device 17 (actually, when the image forming device address included in the information matches the image forming device address of its own device), the PUs in the nonvolatile RAM 115 The transmission request reception flag is cleared (the transmission request reception information stored in the nonvolatile RAM 115 is deleted).

As described above, each of the image forming apparatuses on the network 16 transmits the firmware update completion information indicating the completion of the firmware update processing to the network management apparatus 17, and the network management apparatus 17 When the erasure request information is received, the nonvolatile R
The transmission request reception information stored in the AM 115 is deleted.

When the network management device 17 receives the firmware update completion information from the corresponding one of the image forming devices on the network 16, the corresponding one of the recovery information stored in the memory is received. Erase the recovery information received from the forming device,
The erasure request information indicating the erasure request of the transmission request reception information stored in the nonvolatile RAM 115 of the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the image forming apparatus.

Therefore, the trouble of notifying that the update of the firmware has been completed by telephone, facsimile, or the like, forgetting or delaying the notification does not occur, and the concern that the maintenance work will be confused thereafter can be solved. .

Next, the processing operation of the image forming apparatus management system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention will be described. The CPU of each image forming apparatus on the network 16
When firmware update information is received from the network management device 17, firmware update processing is performed.
When the size of the firmware for updating is large (the data amount is large), the firmware updating process may be continued even after a predetermined warm-up time (time required for warm-up) has elapsed.

Accordingly, the CP of the network management device 17
U71 starts the timer when the transmission of the firmware update information ends, and counts the time from that point.
When the firmware update completion information cannot be received before the counting time (timer value) by the timer reaches the predetermined warm-up time from the image forming apparatus to which the firmware update information is transmitted (when the firmware update processing is ongoing). ), A process of automatically extending the warm-up time to a preset maximum allowable prescribed time is performed.

In this way, even if the size (amount) of the firmware for update is extremely large, the warm-up time is automatically extended. And there is no increase in customer dissatisfaction.

Next, the processing operation of the image forming apparatus management system according to the tenth aspect of the present invention will be described. The CPU 71 of the network management apparatus 17 cannot receive the firmware update completion information from the image forming apparatus (the corresponding image forming apparatus) to which the firmware update information is transmitted until the counting time by the timer reaches the maximum specified time (response). If no alarm information (failure information) indicating the occurrence of an alarm (failure) is received in a data format as shown in FIG. 16A, the following processing is performed.

That is, the recovery information (the address of the corresponding image forming apparatus,
Code indicating standard configuration, current firmware of standard configuration, its firmware version, code indicating optional configuration, current firmware of optional configuration,
Among the firmware version and information including various parameter data currently set), the recovery information received from the corresponding image forming apparatus is downloaded to the image forming apparatus in a data format as shown in FIG. To be written.

These processes are automatic recovery processes for the relevant image forming apparatus in which a failure (alarm) has occurred for some reason due to the firmware update processing, and the unusable state of the relevant image forming apparatus is kept short. belongs to. After the download of the recovery information is completed, the CPU 71 of the network management device 17 transmits the CE arrangement request information indicating the CE (serviceman) arrangement request in the public communication network 5 in a data format as shown in FIG. To the center system 1 via.

As described above, since the recovery process is prepared, the inconvenience of disabling the use of the image forming apparatus until the failure recovery work by the service person in charge of the corresponding image forming apparatus is completed is avoided. be able to. Next, a processing operation according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention will be described.

CPU 71 of Network Management Device 17
Indicates that the firmware update completion information is received from the image forming apparatus (applicable image forming apparatus) to which the firmware update information is transmitted among the image forming apparatuses on the network 16 (when there are a plurality of applicable image forming apparatuses). Transmits the firmware update completion information from all the image forming apparatuses to the center system 1 via the public communication network 5 in a data format as shown in FIG. . At this time, the address of the image forming apparatus in the firmware update completion information may be converted to the model and device number of the image forming apparatus.

The clients (2a, 2a,
2b,...) Receives the firmware update completion information from the network management device 17, and automatically updates the device program management DB 59b based on the firmware update completion information.

In this way, it is possible to reduce the operation of the center operator for updating the corresponding DB (the device program management DB 59b) and the occurrence of input errors and the like.

The processing operations according to the present invention in the network management apparatus 17 and each image forming apparatus on the network 16 have been described above. However, the processing operations in the network management apparatus 25 and each image forming apparatus on the network 24 are substantially the same. , And the description thereof will be omitted.

[0147]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention, it is possible to economically and efficiently solve various problems in updating the firmware of the image forming apparatus at the customer. it can.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the central management device can acquire monitor information of each image forming apparatus on the network at the customer's site via the public communication line network. By displaying on the display device, the center operator can easily grasp the update status of the firmware of each image forming apparatus on the network at the customer.

Accordingly, there is no trouble of communication between the center operator and the service person in charge, and no transmission error. Further, there is no inconsistency in information between the corresponding DB of the central management apparatus and the image forming apparatus, and confusion in maintenance work does not occur.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the same effect as the invention of claim 1, the following effect can be obtained. That is, it can be obtained only when the center operator wants to obtain monitor information of each image forming apparatus on the network at the customer. In addition, the number of communications between the network management device and the central management device decreases,
Communication efficiency is improved.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the following effect can be obtained in addition to the same effect as the second aspect of the invention. That is, since only the monitor information of the desired image forming apparatus can be acquired, it is possible to reduce the labor and time required for a service technician to visit a customer, conduct a survey, and the like.

According to the invention of claim 4, according to claim 2 or 3,
In addition to the same effects as those of the invention of
Since the firmware update information of the image forming apparatus received from the central management unit via the public communication network is temporarily stored, cost increase factors such as equipping the image forming apparatus with an update buffer memory or sharing other memories. Also, it is possible to obtain an effect that no complicated control is required at all.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the following effect can be obtained in addition to the same effect as the fourth aspect of the invention. That is, the network management device performs a process of searching for the identification information of the image forming device and the monitor information corresponding to the current firmware version in the firmware update information received from the central management device via the public communication network, and the process is performed. Since the information indicating the result is transmitted to the central management device via the public communication network, there is no need for the service person in charge to visit the customer site and investigate the image forming apparatus.
Moreover, the center operator can grasp the presence or absence of the monitor information of the desired image forming apparatus in a short time.

According to the invention of claim 6, in addition to the same effect as the invention of claim 4, the following effect can be obtained. That is, when the network management device can search for the identification information of the image forming apparatus and the monitor information corresponding to the current firmware version in the firmware update information received from the central management device via the public communication network,
Power-on state transmission request information (information requesting transmission of power-on state information indicating the state at power-on) is transmitted to the image forming apparatus of the identification information in the monitor information, and transmission request reception information (power-on state transmission) By storing power-on state information when the power is turned on from the image forming apparatus, the power-on state of the image forming apparatus can be constantly monitored, so that the network and the public communication line can be monitored. It is not necessary to generate any traffic on the network, and it is possible to avoid problems caused by a decrease in the effective communication speed.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the following effect can be obtained in addition to the same effect as the sixth aspect of the invention. In other words, the network management device receives the warm-up state information corresponding to the power-on state information from any one of the image forming apparatuses (the corresponding image forming apparatus) on the network, and the current state of the corresponding image forming apparatus is received. After reading the information including the firmware and its firmware version, temporarily storing the information as recovery information, and updating the firmware corresponding to the identification information of the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the warm-up state information among the firmware update information previously stored. Since the information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus and the firmware is updated, the firmware is updated during the warm-up time after the power of the corresponding image forming apparatus is turned on. Discontinued customer productivity It is possible to eliminate the factors.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the following effect can be obtained in addition to the same effect as the seventh aspect of the invention. In other words, the network management apparatus receives firmware update completion information indicating that the firmware update processing has been completed from any one of the image forming apparatuses (corresponding image forming apparatus) on the network, and the previously stored recovery Of the information, the recovery information received from the corresponding image forming apparatus is deleted, and the deletion request information indicating the deletion request of the transmission request reception information stored in the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. This eliminates the trouble of notifying the user that the firmware update has been completed by using a facsimile machine or a facsimile, and avoiding the occurrence of forgetting or delaying the notification, and the fear of causing confusion in subsequent maintenance work.

According to the ninth aspect, in addition to the same effects as those of the eighth aspect, the following effect can be obtained. In other words, the network management device counts the time from the end of the transmission of the firmware update information, and updates the firmware from the image forming apparatus to which the firmware update information is transmitted until the counted time reaches the predetermined warm-up time. If the completion information cannot be received, the warm-up time is extended to a preset maximum specified time. Therefore, even when the size of the firmware for update is extremely large, the firmware update process is performed in a divided manner. There is no need to perform any complicated control,
Also, there is no increase in customer dissatisfaction.

According to the tenth aspect, in addition to the same effect as the ninth aspect, the following effect can be obtained.
That is, the network management apparatus is configured to transmit the firmware update information to the image forming apparatus (applicable image forming apparatus).
If the firmware update completion information cannot be received before the counting time reaches the maximum specified time or the alarm information indicating the occurrence of an alarm is received, the image forming apparatus of the previously stored recovery information Downloads the recovery information received from the server to the image forming apparatus, and then transmits the serviceman arrangement request information indicating the serviceman arrangement request to the central management apparatus via the public communication network. Until the failure recovery operation by the operator is completed, it is possible to avoid such an inconvenience that the unusable state of the image forming apparatus is continued.

According to the eleventh aspect, in addition to the same effects as those of the ninth aspect, the following effects can be obtained.
That is, when the network management device receives the firmware update completion information from one of the image forming devices on the network, the firmware update completion information is transmitted to the central management device, and the central management device receives the firmware update completion information from the network management device. The corresponding database (database for managing the firmware version of each image forming apparatus on the network) is updated based on the updated firmware update completion information, so that the center operator performs an operation or an input error for updating the corresponding database. Etc. can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a center system (central management device) 1 of FIG.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of clients 2a, 2b,..., Server 3 in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of network management devices 17 and 25 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication adapter 26 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control unit of the copying machine 14 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic example of a processing operation according to the present invention in the image forming apparatus management system shown in FIG. 1;

8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a customer DB 59a in FIG. 2;

9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a device program management DB 59b of FIG.

FIG. 10 shows a read command (command for reading monitor information) transmitted from the network management devices 17 and 25 of FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a data format of response information transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the network management apparatuses 17 and 25.

11 shows monitor information transmission request information transmitted from the center system 1 of FIG. 1 to the network management devices 17 and 25 and the network management devices 17 and 2 for the information.
5 is a diagram showing an example of a data format of response information (monitor information) transmitted to the center system 1 from FIG.

12 shows firmware update information transmitted from the center system 1 of FIG. 1 to the network management devices 17 and 25 and the network management devices 17 and 2 for the information;
5 is a diagram showing an example of a data format of response information (corresponding non-response information indicating that monitor information does not exist, and corresponding response information indicating that monitor information exists) transmitted to the center system 1 from FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the power-on state transmission request information transmitted from the network management apparatuses 17 and 25 to the image forming apparatuses on the networks 16 and 24 in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format of response information (power-on state information) transmitted to the management devices 17 and 25.

14 shows a data read command (command for reading current firmware and the like) transmitted from the network management devices 17 and 25 in FIG.
6 to 24 to the network management device 1
It is a figure which shows the example of a data format of the response information transmitted to 7,25.

FIG. 15 shows firmware update information transmitted from the network management apparatuses 17 and 25 of FIG. 1 to the image forming apparatuses on the networks 16 and 24 and the firmware update information transmitted from the image forming apparatuses on the networks 16 and 24 to the network management apparatus 17; , 25 shows an example of a data format of firmware update completion information and clear request information transmitted to the MFP.

16 is data of fault information transmitted from the image forming apparatuses on the networks 16 and 24 to the network management apparatuses 17 and 25 and CE arrangement request information transmitted from the network management apparatuses 17 and 25 to the center system 1 in FIG. It is a figure showing the example of a format.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a data format of recovery information (download data) transmitted from the network management apparatuses 17 and 25 of FIG. 1 to the image forming apparatuses on the networks 16 and 24.

18 is a diagram showing an example of a data format of firmware update completion information transmitted from the network management devices 17 and 25 of FIG. 1 to the center system 1. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: center system (central management device) 2a, 2b: client 3: server 4, 16, 24: network 5: public communication line network 11, 21: facsimile machine 12, 13, 22: printer 14, 23: copier 15 : Printing machine 17, 25: network management device 31, 51, 71, 105, 111: CPU (central processing unit) 32, 52, 72, 112: real time clock circuit 33, 53, 73, 106, 113: ROM 34, 54, 74, 107, 114: RAM 35a, 35b: communication control unit 36, 55, 76: external memory control unit 37, 56, 77: display control unit 38, 57, 78: keyboard I / F circuit 39, 58 , 118: Network I / F unit 40, 59, 79: HDD 41, 60, 80: C T Display 42,61,81: Keyboard 59a: Customer DB 59b: Equipment program management DB 75,103,104: communication I / F 101: a line switching circuit 102: Modem 115: nonvolatile RAM

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 13/00 357 G06F 13/00 357A F term (Reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 HJ08 HK19 HN15 HQ01 HQ17 HS07 2H027 EJ08 EJ13 EJ15 5B021 AA19 CC06 NN18 5B089 GA13 GA14 GB02 HA01 JA35 JB07 JB14 KA13 KB04 KB09 KC26 9A001 BB03 BB04 CC08 JJ02 JJ35 LL09

Claims (11)

[Claims] A central management device having a computer;
A central management unit and a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected via a public communication network, wherein the central management apparatus remotely manages the plurality of image forming apparatuses via the public communication network; In the image forming apparatus management system having a management unit, a network management apparatus that connects the plurality of image forming apparatuses via a network and connects the network and the public communication network is provided. Means for periodically reading the identification information and the current firmware version of each of the image forming apparatuses as monitor information, monitor information storage means for storing the monitor information read by the means, and monitor information stored in the means. Information transmission to the central management device via the public communication network The image forming apparatus management system characterized by comprising a stage. 2. When the monitor information transmitting means receives monitor information transmission request information indicating a request for transmission of monitor information of an image forming apparatus from the central management device, the monitor information stored in the monitor information storage means is read. 2. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting data to said central management apparatus via said public communication network. 3. When the monitor information transmitting unit receives information including identification information of an image forming apparatus as the monitor information transmission request information from the central management device, the monitor information transmitting unit receives the monitor information stored in the monitor information storing unit. 3. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 2, wherein said means for transmitting monitor information corresponding to said identification information to said central management apparatus via said public communication network. 4. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 2, wherein the network management apparatus sends identification information of the image forming apparatus, firmware for updating, from the central management apparatus via the public communication network. Upon receiving firmware update information including the firmware version and the current firmware version of the image forming apparatus,
An image forming apparatus management system comprising a firmware update information storage unit for temporarily storing the firmware update information. 5. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 4, wherein said network management apparatus includes an image forming apparatus which is included in firmware update information received from said central management apparatus via said public communication network. Search processing means for searching the monitor information storage means for identification information and monitor information corresponding to the current firmware version of the image forming apparatus; and information indicating a processing result by the means, via the public communication network. And a means for transmitting to the central management apparatus. 6. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 4, wherein said network management apparatus includes an image forming apparatus which is included in firmware update information received from said central management apparatus via said public communication network. Search processing means for searching the monitor information storage means for identification information and monitor information corresponding to the current firmware version of the image forming apparatus; and the monitor information can be searched from the monitor information storage means by the means. Means for transmitting power-on state transmission request information indicating a request for transmission of power-on state information indicating a state at power-on to the image forming apparatus of the identification information included in the monitor information. Each of the above image forming apparatuses receives power-on state transmission request information from the network management apparatus. When in the image forming apparatus management system characterized in that a transmission request reception information storing means for storing a transmission request reception information indicating the reception. 7. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 6, wherein a power supply is provided when the transmission request reception information is stored in the transmission request reception information storage unit in each of the image forming apparatuses on the network. Means for transmitting warm-up state information indicating a warm-up state to the network management device at the time of turning on, and a firmware update for performing a firmware update process based on the firmware update information when firmware update information is received from the network management device Processing means, when the network management device receives warm-up state information from any of the image forming devices on the network, the identification information of the image forming device, the current firmware, and the firmware version thereof Read information including Means, recovery information storage means for temporarily storing information read by the means as recovery information, and after the storage of the recovery information by the means is completed, the firmware update information stored in the firmware update information storage means. An image forming apparatus management system comprising: a firmware update information transmitting unit that transmits firmware update information corresponding to identification information of the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the warm-up state information to the image forming apparatus. 8. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 7, wherein after each of the image forming apparatuses on the network has completed the firmware update processing by the firmware update processing unit, the firmware update is completed. Means for transmitting information to the network management device; and when receiving from the network management device deletion request information indicating a deletion request of the transmission request reception information stored in the transmission request reception information storage means, the transmission request reception information When the firmware update completion information is received from any one of the image forming apparatuses on the network, the recovery information stored in the recovery information storage means, Means for erasing recovery information received from the image forming apparatus; When firmware update completion information is received from any of the image forming apparatuses on the network, erasure request information indicating an erasure request for the transmission request reception information stored in the transmission request reception information storage means of the image forming apparatus. And a means for transmitting the information to the image forming apparatus. 9. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 8, wherein: a time counting unit that counts a time from a point in time when the transmission of the firmware update information by the firmware update information transmission unit ends to the network management device; If the firmware update completion information cannot be received before the counting time by the time counting unit reaches the predetermined warm-up time from the image forming apparatus to which the firmware update information is transmitted, the warm-up time is set in advance. An image forming apparatus management system, comprising: a time extension unit extending a maximum specified time. 10. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 9, wherein the counting time by the time counting means from the image forming apparatus to which the firmware update information is transmitted by the firmware update information transmitting means is transmitted to the network management apparatus. If the firmware update completion information is not received before the maximum specified time is reached, or if the alarm information indicating the occurrence of an alarm is received, the image forming apparatus of the recovery information stored in the recovery information storage unit is Means for downloading the recovery information received from the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus; and, after the recovery information has been downloaded by the means, the serviceman arrangement request information indicating the serviceman arrangement request is transmitted to the central processing unit via the public communication network. Means for transmitting to the management device. The image forming apparatus management system according to. 11. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 9, wherein when the network management apparatus receives firmware update completion information from one of the image forming apparatuses on the network, the firmware update completion information is transmitted to the network management apparatus. Means for transmitting to the central management device via the public communication network, a database storage means for storing a database for managing firmware versions of the image forming apparatuses on the network in the central management device; Means for updating the database based on the firmware update completion information when firmware update completion information is received from the network management device via the public communication network. system.