JP2002202696A - Network management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network management system wherein a server and devices are connected with a network, and the server controls whether or not the devices perform prescribed operation and a designated device can perform the prescribed operation when the server cannot do such control. SOLUTION: When it is impossible to receive from an accounting server the data showing that image forming devices (202a-202d) can perform their operations, it is judged that an abnormality has occurred on the accounting server 202. When it is judged that the abnormality has occurred on the accounting server 202, the image forming devices (202a-202d) are set to be usable/ unusable beforehand. Those which are set to be usable among the image forming devices (202a-202d) can perform the prescribed operation without receiving the data indicating that the operation can be performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network management system in which a server is connected to an apparatus via a network, and the apparatus activates a function specified by the data only when the apparatus receives usable data from the server. More particularly, the present invention relates to a network management system that activates a function registered in advance when detecting that an error that cannot transmit usable data to the server has occurred.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of network technology, a server for controlling devices connected via a network often manages devices such as image forming devices collectively.

For example, a network charge management server collectively manages charge data of a plurality of networked image forming apparatuses. That is, the network charging management server can grasp and manage charging information based on the number of sheets used for image formation, regardless of which image forming apparatus in the network is used by each user. Thereby, there is also an advantage that the cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the billing information is managed in each device.

An example of this network charging management system will be described with reference to FIG. Network 201
Are the billing server 202 and the image forming apparatuses (203a,
03b, 203c, and 203d). Here, description will be made using Ethernet (registered trademark) as the network and TCP / IP communication as the data communication means. Also, the charging server 202 and each device are capable of transmitting and receiving information in the device of each image forming device, charging management of each device, control commands such as remote output commands, and setting commands. The billing server 202 holds a department code to be managed and data in which usable / unusable information is registered in advance for each department code.

First, image forming apparatuses 203a, 203b,
As shown in FIG. 8, 203c and 203d display to the user to input a department code using the display unit. At this time, the user cannot use any function other than a predetermined function such as a section code input function.

When a user uses any of the image forming apparatuses, the user first inputs a department code. The input code is sent from the inside of the image forming apparatus to the accounting server 202 via the network 201. The accounting server 202 checks whether a department code that matches the received code exists in the department codes registered in advance. If a code that matches this code exists in the pre-registered department code, whether the code is authorized to use the image forming apparatus (can be set to useable or unusable) Has been determined).

If the user is authorized, the charging server 202 transmits data (usable data) indicating that the code is usable to the image forming apparatus into which the code is input. Upon receiving this data, the image forming apparatus closes the department code input screen shown on the display unit. This allows the user to use this image forming apparatus.

[0010] Thereafter, unless the user stops using the image forming apparatus, management information such as the number of output sheets is transmitted to the charging server via the network every time an output is performed from the image forming apparatus. The billing server performs a billing process according to the data.

When it is determined that the charging server cannot be used, or when the code transmitted to the charging server does not exist in the charging server, the image forming apparatus remains unusable. The use of the device can be prohibited.

[0010]

However, when a server cannot transmit and receive data to and from a device, all devices managed by the server cannot be used.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a server and an apparatus are connected via a network, and the apparatus is designated by the data only when usable data is received from the server. It is an object of the present invention to provide a network management system in which a function is made effective, so that even if the server becomes unable to communicate, the system does not go down.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, in a network management system according to the present invention, a server and a device are connected via a network, and the device receives usable data from the server. A network management system that validates a function specified by the data only when the device detects an error that cannot receive usable data from the server.
It is characterized in that a function registered in advance is made valid.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the system according to the first aspect, the device specifies the function to be validated in advance from a server.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a server and a device are connected via a network, and the device performs a function designated by the data only when receiving usable data from the server. In a network management system to be enabled, when the apparatus detects an error that cannot receive usable data from the server, the apparatus enables a function only for a designated user.

[0015] The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3.
In any one of the systems, the apparatus is an image forming apparatus, the server is a network management system that performs a network accounting process, and the apparatus is configured so that there is no storage unit for accounting information under the management of the apparatus. Is characterized in that, when an error in which usable data cannot be transmitted from the server is detected, all functions are invalidated.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As the network management system according to the present invention, there are various systems such as a server that manages billing data and usage time data of a device, and a printer, a copier, a facsimile, and the like under the management are connected to a network. In the following description, a network charging management system will be described as one embodiment. This network charging management system may be the same as that in FIG.

First, the image forming apparatus (203 a, 2 a) shown in FIG.
03b, 203c, and 203d) will be described. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram for explaining this image forming apparatus.
An automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 1
When the start key 34 on the operation unit 30 is pressed, the document bundle placed on the document table 2 with the document surface facing up is pressed.
From the document at the bottom of the document bundle, the document is fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by the feeding roller 3 and the feeding belt 4. At this time, a count function is provided for counting up the number of originals upon completion of feeding one original.

The fed document is read by a reading unit 50.
Then, the image data of the original on the contact glass 6 is read, and the original that has been read is discharged by the feed belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. Further, when the document set detection 7 detects that the next document is present on the document table 2, the document is fed to the contact glass 6 in the same manner as the previous document. The feed roller 3, the feed belt 4, and the discharge roller 5 are driven by a transport motor 26.

The transfer papers stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are supplied to the first paper feeding unit 1 respectively.
1, the second paper supply unit 12 and the third paper supply unit 13 feed the photosensitive body 1;
5 is conveyed to a position where it abuts. Reading unit 5
The image data read at 0 is written to the writing unit 5
The toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 15 by the laser from 7 and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. The transfer paper transfers the toner image on the photoconductor 15 while being conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation speed of the photoconductor 15. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17, and is discharged to the finisher 100 by the sheet discharging unit 18.

The finisher 100 can guide the transfer paper conveyed by the paper discharge roller 19 in the normal paper discharge roller 102 direction and the staple direction. Further, the branch deflection plate 101 switches the paper discharge direction,
It controls the discharge to the discharge tray 104 side via the transport roller 103 and the transport to the staple table 108 via the transport rollers (105, 107).

Each time one sheet of the transfer paper stacked on the staple table 108 is discharged, the jogger 109 aligns the end faces of the transfer paper. . The transfer paper group bound by the stapler 106 is stored in the stapling completion paper discharge tray 110 by its own weight.

On the other hand, the paper discharge tray 104 has mobility. That is, the paper discharge tray 104 moves according to each document and each transfer group sorted by the image memory, and sorts out the discharged transfer paper.

When images are formed on both sides of the transfer paper, the first
Paper feed tray 8, second paper feed tray 9, and third paper feed tray 10
Transfer paper fed from the printer and formed with an image
The path is switched and the stock is temporarily stored in the double-sided conveyance unit 111 without being guided to the fourth path. The transfer paper stocked in the duplex transport unit 111 is fed again from the duplex transport unit 111 when the photoconductor 15 creates a toner image of the next image data. Thereafter, the transfer paper is transferred to the discharge tray 10
It is led to 4.

The photosensitive member 15, the conveyor belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the sheet discharging unit 18, and the developing unit 27
Is driven by the main motor 25.

Next, the operation section 30 of the image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation unit 30. The operation unit 30 includes a liquid crystal touch panel 31,
It has a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 33, a print key 34, a reset key 36, and an interrupt key 37.

Information input from the operation unit 30 by pressing a predetermined key or the like is transmitted to the main controller to perform a predetermined operation. When the interrupt key 37 is pressed, the image forming apparatus shifts to an interrupt mode.
The interrupt mode is a mode in which image formation can be temporarily performed on image data different from the image data during or during image formation.

By setting this mode, first, the mode setting data for the image formation performed before the interruption and the data during the image formation are stored in the nonvolatile R
Store in AM. Subsequently, the mode is shifted to the interrupt mode, and data relating to the mode before the interrupt is initialized.
When the image formation using the interrupt mode is completed and the interrupt mode is released, the data of the mode stored in the nonvolatile RAM, the data relating to the progress, and the like are read, and the state before the setting of the mode before the interrupt is restored. Let it.
Thus, the image forming apparatus can continuously perform the image forming performed in the mode before the interruption.

When the initial setting key 38 is pressed, the user can set the initial settings of the image forming apparatus. Thus, the user can set the size of the paper to be stored in the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 of the image forming apparatus, and set the state set when the input is performed from the clear / stop key. You can do it. Further, the user can set the operation of the image forming apparatus when no input is performed from the operation unit 30 for a certain period of time, or automatically switch to the preheating mode. Can be set.

When the preheat key 35 is depressed,
Move to preheating mode. The preheating mode is a state in which, when the input operation is not performed, the image forming apparatus is turned off except for the minimum part that can operate, and the amount of power consumed per unit time is less than that in the case where the preheating mode is not performed. can do. At this time, the display of the operation unit 30 is turned off.

Further, the image forming apparatus has a new reservation key 3
9 and a job list key 40.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the liquid crystal touch panel 31. The liquid crystal touch panel 31 has a function key 41 and can display a message indicating the number of copies and the state of the image forming apparatus. The liquid crystal touch panel 31 inputs predetermined data by touching a key selected by the user from the displayed keys.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the control unit of the image forming apparatus. The control unit includes a main controller 20, an operation unit 30, and an image processing unit (IP
U) 49, having ADF1. Main controller 20
Controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus. The main controller 20 is connected to a distributed control unit such as the operation unit 30, the IPU 49, and the ADF1. The IPU 49 controls operations such as reading a document by a scanner, writing a document image to a document memory, and forming an image from the image memory.

Further, the main controller 20 is connected to the intermediate clutch 21, the first paper supply clutch 22, the second paper supply clutch 23, the third paper supply clutch 24, and the main motor 25. First paper feed clutch 22, second paper feed clutch 2
3. The third paper supply clutch 24 is provided with the first paper supply unit 11,
It has a role of transmitting the drive of the main motor 25 to the second paper supply unit 12 and the third paper supply unit 13. The intermediate clutch 24 has a role of transmitting the drive of the main motor 25 to the vertical transport unit 14.
The main controller 20 includes a human body detection sensor 29.
May be connected.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus from reading a document to writing an image will be described. This may refer to FIG. The reading unit 50 has a contact glass 6 on which a document is placed and an optical scanning unit. The optical scanning unit includes the exposure lamp 51, the first
Mirror 52, lens 53, CCD image sensor 54,
Second mirror 55, third mirror 56, writing unit 5
Seven.

The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed to a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed to a second carriage (not shown). When the first carriage and the second carriage are driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown),
Scan the original. The light emitted from the exposure lamp 51 irradiates the original, and the reflected light is reflected in the order of a first mirror 52, a second mirror 55, and a third mirror 56, and a lens 53
And enters the CCD image sensor 54. CCD
The image sensor 54 converts the input optical signal into an electric signal and converts it into image data.

The writing unit 57 has a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, and a mirror 60. The laser output unit 58 has a laser diode. The laser diode serves as a light source for laser light. The laser beam output from the writing unit 57 irradiates the photoconductor 15. Thus, the photoconductor 15 forms a toner image.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of IPU 49. The IPU 49 includes an A / D converter 61, a shading correction unit 62, an image processing unit 63,
Scaling unit 72, selector 64, write γ correction unit 71, memory controller 65, write unit 57, CPU
68, a ROM 69, a RAM 70, an I / O port 67, and an image memory 66. The memory controller 65 has an image compression unit and an expansion unit (not shown).

The CPU 68 includes a memory controller 65,
It controls the writing unit 57. The memory controller 65 and the selector 64 can send out image signals in both directions. The ROM 69 and the RAM 70 store programs and data controlled by the CPU 68. CPU6
8 is an image memory 6 via the memory controller 65.
6 can control writing and reading of image data.

The image data converted into an electric signal by the CCD image sensor 54 is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter 61. The image signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to shading correction by the shading correction unit 62 and MTF correction and γ correction by the image processing unit 63. After that, the image signal is enlarged / reduced by the scaling unit 72 in accordance with the scaling ratio and sent to the selector 64. The selector 64 switches between sending the image signal to the writing γ correction unit 71 and sending the image signal to the memory controller 65. When the image signal is sent to the writing γ correction unit 71, the writing γ correction is performed according to the image forming conditions of the image signal. Thereafter, the image signal is sent to the writing unit 57.

The case where the image signal is sent to the memory controller 65 will be described. Memory controller 65
Is compressed by an image compression unit. The compressed image data is sent to the image memory 66. When the image data stored in the image memory is output, the image data read from the image memory 66 is expanded by the expansion unit and sent to the writing unit.

The image signal is temporarily stored in the image memory 66, and the following image signal is processed under the control of the CPU 68, and the processed data can be sent to the writing unit 57. For example, four document images can be sequentially read into an area obtained by dividing an area for one transfer sheet in the image memory. The control of the image memory 66 by the CPU 68 also enables the contents of the image memory to be processed. For example, this makes it possible to perform image thinning, image cutout processing, and the like. These processings can be performed by writing the image data read from the image memory into the register of the memory controller 65. The processed image data may be stored again in the image memory.

The image memory 66 divides the memory into a plurality of areas according to the size of the image data to be processed, and can simultaneously execute input and output of image data. Further, the image memory 66 has input and output address / data lines as an interface with the memory controller 65 in order to execute input / output of image data in parallel to each divided area. I have. This makes it possible to output image data from another area while inputting image data to one area.

The image data stored in the image memory 66 may be read out under the control of the CPU 68 and transferred to the operation unit 30 as image data 73 via the I / O port 67. At this time, the image data may be sent to the operation unit 30 after image thinning is performed and the resolution of the image is reduced.

A hard disk may be used as the image memory 66.

Next, an image signal in the selector 64 of the image forming apparatus will be described. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining FIG. / FGATE indicates the effective period of one page of image data in the sub-scanning direction.
/ LSYNC is a main scanning synchronization signal for each line,
The image signal becomes valid at a predetermined clock after this signal has risen. / LGATE indicates a signal indicating that the image signal in the main scanning direction is valid. These signals are
Synchronized with the pixel clock VCLK, data of 8 bits per pixel (256 gradations) is sent for one cycle of VCLK.

(First Network Management System) Next, an operation example of the first network management system according to the present invention will be described. An operation example of the first network management system can be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

The image forming apparatus (203a, 203b, 203c, 203d) in the network charging system as an embodiment of the first network management system has a setting unit, a storage unit, and a display unit. The setting unit can be used when the image forming apparatuses (203a, 203b, 203c, 203d) determine that the billing server 202 has an abnormality.
Set about making it impossible. The storage unit stores the setting. The display unit notifies the user of the contents such as usable / impossible.

The image forming apparatus (203a, 203
b, 203c, and 203d) correspond to the accounting server 20 respectively.
2 are set to enable / disable the image forming apparatuses (203a, 203b, 203c, 203d) when it is determined that there is an abnormality in the image forming apparatus. Also, the image forming apparatuses (203a, 203b, 203c, 203d)
When setting to be usable when the accounting server 202 is abnormal, the image forming apparatus (203a, 203b, 203c, 203)
The function that operates (can be used) in d) is specified in advance.

Next, a description will be given on the assumption that the user intends to use the image forming apparatus 203a. When the image forming apparatus 203a determines that there is no abnormality in the accounting server 202 (step S101 / No), a department code input screen is displayed (step S105). Image forming apparatus 2
03a determines that there is an abnormality in the accounting server 202 (step S101 / Yes), and recognizes whether the image forming apparatus is usable or unavailable when the accounting server is abnormal (step S102).

The image forming apparatus 203a determines that the accounting server 202 is abnormal as described below. The judgment at this time is not only the abnormality of the billing server 202 but also
An abnormality of the network 201 may be included. First, the image forming apparatus 203a recognizes the following case.

The first case is a case where after the data indicating the department code is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 203a to the accounting server 202, the image forming apparatus 203a does not receive the response data within a predetermined time. . In the second case, from the image forming apparatus 203a to the billing server 202,
After the data indicating the department code is transmitted, the image forming apparatus 203a receives response data within a predetermined period of time, but the received content does not match the pattern of the content expected in advance. In the third case, after the data indicating the department code is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 203a to the billing server 202, the data indicating that an error has occurred in the server is transmitted from the billing server 202 to the billing server 202 via the network 201. This is a case where the forming apparatus 203a receives the data.

Next, the data indicating the department code is repeatedly transmitted from the image forming apparatus 203a to the accounting server 202 based on a predetermined time interval and the number of transmissions.
As a result, when the first to third cases occur a certain number of times or more, the image forming apparatus 203a
It is determined that an abnormality has occurred.

In the first to third cases,
The image forming apparatus 203a may determine the abnormality of the accounting server 202 by recognizing only a part.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 203a
Indicates that the storage unit stores a setting of unusable when the accounting server 202 is abnormal (step S102 / No) after determining that the accounting server 202 is abnormal (step S102 / No). A message to the effect that it cannot be displayed is displayed (step S104) (FIG. 9).

The image forming apparatus 203a is connected to the charging server 20
(2) When the setting is made to be usable at the time of abnormality (step S
102 / Yes), the image forming apparatus 203a becomes usable (not shown).

(Second Network Management System) A second network management system according to the present invention will be described. This means that, in the first network management system, the billing server has means for setting use / non-use of the image forming apparatus.

The setting is performed as follows. The setting means in the billing server has a registration unit, a storage unit, and a data transmission unit. The registration unit can register a setting as to whether the image forming apparatus can be used or disabled when the charging server is abnormal. At this time, the server, based on the registration,
The setting state may be displayed on the display unit (see FIG. 1).
1). The storage unit stores the registration data. The data transmission unit has a function of transmitting data indicating the settings to a predetermined image forming apparatus.

The data is transmitted to a predetermined image processing device via a network. Each image forming apparatus receives corresponding data. The received data is stored in a predetermined location such as a storage unit.

Next, assuming the same example as above, an operation example of the second network management system is as follows. First, when the image forming apparatus 203a determines that there is no abnormality in the accounting server 202, it displays a department code input screen. When the image forming apparatus 203a determines that there is an abnormality in the charging server 202, the image forming apparatus 203a executes the charging server 202 based on the data stored in the storage unit.
Judge whether to enable or disable when an error occurs. The subsequent operation may be the same as the operation example in the first network management system.

(Third Network Management System) Next, a third network management system will be described. This is because, in the first network management system, the image forming apparatus further has an abnormal data storage unit. The abnormal-time data storage unit operates only when it is determined that the billing server 202 has an abnormality, and stores data for enabling the image forming apparatus to be used. That is, the abnormal-time data storage unit holds the abnormal-time code in advance. In addition, the abnormal-time data storage unit has a function of storing data (charging data and the like) transmitted to the charging server by the image forming apparatus in a normal state (other than an abnormal time) when the charging server is abnormal.

At this time, assuming the same example as above, an operation example of the third network management system is as follows. The image forming apparatus 203a may be the same as described above up to the case where the storage unit stores the setting of being unusable when the charging server 202 is abnormal after determining that the charging server 202 is abnormal (steps S101 and S102). , Step S104, Step S105). Image forming apparatus 2
If 03a has been set to be usable when the charging server is abnormal (step S102 / Yes), the display unit displays that the charging server 202 is abnormal and displays that the department code is to be input (step S103). (FIG. 10).

Next, it is checked whether or not the input code matches an abnormal code set in advance in the abnormal data storage unit. If this unit is effective only when the server is abnormal, the storage memory on the image forming apparatus 203a side can be kept to a minimum necessary use. Then, when the accounting server becomes normal, the accounting information of the image forming apparatus 203a is transmitted to the accounting server 202 via the network 201, so that the accounting management during the abnormality of the accounting server 202 can be performed. Further, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus 203a from being used without limit.

Further, the number of abnormal codes stored in the abnormal data storage unit in advance may be varied according to the amount of data that can be stored in the image forming apparatus. That is, when the data capacity that can be held by the abnormal-time data storage unit is equal to or larger than a certain value, the image forming apparatus can increase the number of abnormal-time codes that can be registered in advance according to the capacity. The setting of the code may be performed by the image forming apparatus.

In the third network management system, the image forming apparatus may further include an abnormal data storage unit in the second network management system. In addition, when increasing the above-described abnormal code, the code may be set in the charging server.

(Fourth Network Management System) An operation example of the fourth network management system according to the present invention will be described. The fourth network management system, in addition to the first network management system,
The image forming apparatus has a function of determining whether predetermined data can be stored, and a function of setting, when the data cannot be stored, the setting of the use / impossibility when the server is abnormal in the setting means can be selected. Having.

That is, if the setting is such that the image forming apparatus can be used when the server is abnormal, the image forming apparatus determines whether or not data (such as billing data) that the image forming apparatus normally transmits to the billing server can be stored. If the image forming apparatus cannot store the information, it is possible to select only the setting “usable” or “unusable” when the server is abnormal.

Next, when the user intends to use the image forming apparatus, the operation is performed based on this setting. Subsequent operations may be the same as the operation example in the first network management system.

The fourth network management system includes a second network management system. The image forming apparatus further includes means for determining whether predetermined data can be stored, and setting when the predetermined data cannot be stored. In the means,
It is also possible to have a function that allows the user to select whether or not the server can be used when the server is abnormal. At this time, the server may display, on the display unit, a message indicating that only impossible can be selected together with the setting state (FIG. 1).
2).

In the fourth network management system, the means for determining whether predetermined data can be stored may determine the capacity for storing predetermined data.
Further, when the capacity that can be stored by the means is equal to or smaller than a certain value, the setting of the availability / impossibility at the time of the server abnormality in the setting means may be selected only when the setting is impossible.

At this time, if the setting is such that the image forming apparatus can be used in the event of a server failure, the image forming apparatus determines the capacity capable of storing data (such as billing data) transmitted to the billing server at normal times. If the capacity is equal to or less than a certain value, the image forming apparatus can select only the setting of “usable / unusable” when the server is abnormal.

The contents displayed on the display unit are as follows.
It is not limited to displaying that the billing server 202 is abnormal.

The operation after the screen for inputting the department code (step S103, step S105) is displayed may be as described above.

The image forming apparatus that the user intends to use is not limited to the image forming apparatus 203a. The type and number of devices connected to the network 201 and managed by the server are not limited. Furthermore, the server in the present invention is not limited to the billing server 202.

[0074]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the server and the device are connected via the network, and the device is connected only when the usable data is received from the server. In the network management system that enables the function specified by the data, it is possible to prevent all the devices of the system from becoming unusable due to an abnormality occurring in the network management server.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to collectively set whether or not the server can be used when the server is abnormal. In addition, since the settings are collectively managed, the settings are not easily changed, and high reliability is obtained in terms of management.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to limit the processing that can be performed in the event of a server abnormality, in particular, depending on the type of received data. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent use by an outsider (a person without authority) until the abnormality is resolved.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in a network charging system, an image forming apparatus having no charging information storage means is set to be unusable in the event of a server failure, so that even if the server is down, the image forming apparatus is disabled. It is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the forming apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a touch panel of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of an IPU of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image signal in a selector of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network charging management system.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a display screen of a device managed by a server via a network.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a display screen of a device managed via a network by a server in the first network management system.

FIG. 10 In a fourth network management system,
It is a figure of a display screen of an apparatus managed via a network by a server.

FIG. 11 shows a second network management system.
It is a figure of a display screen of a server.

FIG. 12 In a fourth network management system,
It is a figure of a display screen of a server.

FIG. 13 is a schematic flowchart of an operation example of the first network management system.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 automatic document feeder (ADF) 2 document table 3 feed roller 4 feed belt 5 discharge roller 6 contact glass 7 document set detection 8 first tray 9 second tray 10 third tray 11 first paper feed unit 12 2 paper feed unit 13 third paper feed unit 14 vertical transport unit 15 photoconductor 16 transport belt 17 fixing unit 18 paper discharge unit 19 paper discharge tray 20 main controller 21 intermediate clutch 22 first paper feed clutch 23 second paper feed clutch 24 Third paper feed clutch 25 Main motor 26 Transport motor 29 Human body detection sensor 30 Operation unit 31 LCD touch panel 32 Numeric keys 33 Clear / Stop key 34 Print key 35 Preheat key 36 Reset key 37 Interrupt key 38 Initial setting key 39 New reservation key 40 Job List key 49 Image processing unit (IPU) 50 Reading unit 51 Exposure lamp 52 First mirror 53 Lens 54 CCD image sensor 55 Second mirror 56 Third mirror 57 Writing unit 58 Laser output unit 59 Imaging lens 60 Mirror 61 A / D converter 62 Shading Correction unit 63 Image processing unit (MTF / γ correction) 64 Selector 65 Memory controller 66 Image memory 67 I / O port 68 CPU 69 ROM 70 RAM 71 Write γ correction unit 72 Zoom processing unit 73 Image data 100 Finisher 101 Branch / deflection plate 102 Discharge and Convey Roller 103 Discharge and Convey Roller 104 Discharge Tray 105 Stapler and Convey Roller 106 Staple 107 Stapler and Convey Roller 108 Staple Tray 109 Jogger 110 Tables complete discharge tray 111 duplex conveying unit 112 reversing unit 113 duplex Nyukami conveying path 114 reverse discharge transport path 201 network 202 charging server 203a, 203b, 203c, 203d image forming apparatus

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04L 12/28 100 G03G 21/00 392

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A network management system in which a server and a device are connected via a network, and the device validates a function specified by the data only when the device receives usable data from the server. A network management system, wherein the apparatus activates a preset function when detecting an error that cannot receive usable data from the server. 2. The network management system according to claim 1, wherein the device specifies the function to be validated in advance from a server. 3. A network management system, wherein a server and an apparatus are connected via a network, and the apparatus validates a function specified by the data only when the apparatus receives usable data from the server. A network management system, wherein the apparatus enables a predetermined function only for a designated user when detecting an error in which usable data cannot be received from the server. 4. The apparatus is an image forming apparatus, wherein the server is a network management system that performs a network charging process, wherein the apparatus is configured to store the charging information when there is no charging information storage unit under the management of the apparatus. 4. The network management system according to claim 1, wherein all functions are invalidated when an error that cannot receive usable data from the server is detected.