JP2002202826A - Information processing system, charging method for the system, network device, information processor, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically perform the setting change of functions and the charging accompanying the setting change of functions. SOLUTION: An event is obtained (S1) and when the obtained event is a reception event of electronic mail and the electronic mail indicates the cancel of function restriction, the restriction of functions is canceled (S2 to S4). When the event is not the electronic mail, but a use time limit event, it is judged whether the use period has expired (S2 to S5 to S6). When the use period has expired, the functions are made ineffective (S7), but when not, it is judged that the extension of the use period is acknowledged and a use period check timer is restarted (S8).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an information processing system, an accounting method in the information processing system, a network device, an information processing apparatus, and a storage medium, and more particularly, to a device connected to a network (hereinafter referred to as a "network"). Device), an information processing system that performs information processing using software installed in the device, a billing method for use of the software, a network device such as a network printer, an information processing apparatus such as a server personal computer, and predetermined control. The present invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium in which a procedure is stored.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an information processing system in which software is installed in a network device and information processing is performed using the installed software, setting of the network device has conventionally been changed by an SNMP (Simple Network) operating within a LAN. Management Protoc
ol; Simple Network Management Protocol).

For example, a printer as a network device is usually provided with various functions, and among such functions, there is a function called a file box function. In the file box function, a virtual box is provided in the printer, and instead of physically printing out print data, virtual printing is performed on the file box and print data is stored in the file box. Then, if necessary, the print data is read out from the file box and physically printed out.

[0004] Conventionally, for example, when the file box function is "disabled" at the time of factory shipment and the function is changed to "valid", a service provider such as a manufacturer or a distributor of the network device is required. Etc. are directly sent to a user office or the like where the network device is installed, and a process of changing the setting of the file box function from “invalid” to “valid” on the SNMP is performed.

[0005]

Therefore, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, in order to change the function setting, a service provider such as a manufacturer or a distributor of the network device must be seconded to a user office or the like, which is costly. However, even if the function settings are changed, the charging amount cannot be automatically changed in accordance with the change of the function settings. Therefore, the changed charging amount must be separately charged. The change procedure was complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an information processing system and a charging method in the information processing system capable of automatically performing a function setting change and a billing accompanying the function setting change are provided. And a network device, an information processing apparatus, and a storage medium.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing system according to the present invention is an information processing system in which a network device and an information processing apparatus for managing the network device are connected via a network. An e-mail receiving unit configured to receive an e-mail including a change in the setting of a specific function from the information processing apparatus; and changing a setting of the specific function based on a reception result of the e-mail receiving unit. An e-mail transmitting means for transmitting an e-mail including a setting change instruction of the specific function of the network device, and an e-mail transmitted by the e-mail transmitting means. When the setting of the specific function is changed, the charging amount is changed according to the content of the change. It is characterized in that it comprises a means.

[0008] Further, a billing method in an information processing system according to the present invention is a billing method for an information processing system in which a network device and an information processing apparatus for managing the network device are connected via a network. An e-mail receiving step of receiving an e-mail including a setting change of a specific function from the information processing apparatus, and a function setting change of changing the setting of the specific function based on a reception result in the e-mail receiving step An e-mail transmitting step in which the information processing apparatus transmits an e-mail including a setting change instruction of the specific function of the network device, and the specific function via the e-mail transmitted by the e-mail transmitting step. When the setting is changed, the billing amount is changed according to the change. It is characterized in that and a modified billing amount steps of.

Further, a network device according to the present invention is connected to an information processing apparatus via a network,
In a network device managed by the information processing device, an e-mail receiving unit that receives an e-mail including a setting change of a specific function from the information processing device, and based on a reception result of the e-mail receiving unit, Changing means for changing the setting of the specific function.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is connected to a network device via a network, and in the information processing apparatus for managing the network device, the information processing apparatus includes an instruction to change a setting of a specific function of the network device. E-mail transmitting means for transmitting an e-mail, and charging amount changing means for changing a charging amount according to the contents of the change when the setting of the specific function is changed via the e-mail by the e-mail transmitting means. It is characterized by:

A storage medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium which is installed and used in a network device connected to an information processing apparatus, wherein a setting change of a specific function from the information processing apparatus is performed. An email receiving procedure for receiving an email containing
A change procedure for changing the setting of the specific function based on a reception result in the e-mail reception procedure is stored.

Further, a storage medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium which is installed and used in an information processing apparatus connected to a network device, and which issues a setting change instruction of a specific function of the network device. An e-mail transmission procedure for transmitting an e-mail having contents and a charging amount changing procedure for changing a charging amount according to the change when the setting of the specific function is changed via the e-mail are stored. It is characterized by:

The other features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention.

[0014]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing one embodiment of an information processing system according to the present invention, which is a user office 1 using a network device, and a business office 2 performing maintenance and inspection of the network device 1. Are connected via the Internet 3.

The user office 1 has two MFPs which are copying machines having a function as a network printer.
(Multi Function Peripheral) (first MFP 4a and second MFP 4b) and first and second MFPs 4
a, a personal computer operated by a user who manages 4b (hereinafter, "client personal computer")
5), and the first and second MFPs 4a and 4b and the client personal computer 5
They are connected to each other via N6.

The business office 2 is connected to each device (first and second MFs) installed in the user office 1.
P4a, 4b and a client personal computer 5), a server personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a "server personal computer") 7, and an MFP 4 to be maintained.
A database 8 storing the above information is installed. The server personal computer 7 and the database 8 are connected by a dedicated cable 9, and the server personal computer 7 is connected to the Internet 3 via a LAN 10. A Web server is running on the server personal computer 7, and its URL is
(Uniform Resource Locator)
HYPERLINK "http://www.servicesite.co.jp" http: // ww
w.servicesite.co.jp is assigned.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the personal computers 5 and 7. The personal computers 5 and 7 include a keyboard (KB) 11 for performing an input operation, the keyboard 11, a pointing device (not shown), and the like. A keyboard controller (KBC) 12 for controlling an instruction input from the PC, a CRT 13 for displaying and outputting input data and the like, a display controller (CRTC) 14 for controlling the display of the CRT 13, a boot program, various applications, an editing file, a user A hard disk (HD) 15 and a flexible disk (FD) 16 in which files and a network management program are stored, a disk controller (DKC) 17 for controlling access to the HD 15 and the FD 16, and other Network equipment (not ), A network interface card (NIC) 18 for exchanging data bidirectionally with other client personal computers, a ROM 19 storing predetermined arithmetic programs and arithmetic data, and a work area for temporarily storing arithmetic data. RAM used as etc.
And a CPU 22 connected to each component via a system bus 21 to execute network device search software supplied from the ROM 19, HD 15, or FD 16 and control the entire apparatus.

Further, the first and second MFPs 4a and 4b are capable of sending and receiving electronic mails.
HYPERLINK "mailto: d001 @ s"
ite2.co.jp "d001@site2.co.jp and HYPERLINK" mai
lto: d002@site2.co.jp "d002@site2.co.jp is assigned. The first and second MFPs 4a and 4b have a file box function. The function is disabled so that it does not work.

For example, when the file box function of the first MFP 4a is enabled, an e-mail as shown in FIG. 3 is sent from the server personal computer 7 to the first MFP 4a.
Sent to.

That is, at the beginning of the electronic mail, the mail address (HYPERLINK
"mailto: d001@site2.co.jp" d001@site2.co.jp) is described, followed by the subject (function validity), followed by the body of the mail.

The mail text specifically describes the name of the function desired to be changed from "invalid" to "valid", the number of functions to be validated, and the expiration date. In the present embodiment, the function to be activated is “file box function”, the number of file boxes to be activated is “100”, and the expiration date (expiration date) when the file box function is activated is “ March 31, 2001 "
Is described. Therefore, the first MFP 4a that has received the e-mail of FIG. 3 enables the file box function and sets the number of boxes to 100. The expiration date of the file box function is 200
Since it is March 31, 1 year, the file box function is usually invalidated and cannot be used after that date.

Note that the actual e-mail is transmitted after encrypting the body by an encryption method such as PGP so that the user office 1 cannot activate the file box function without the permission of the maintenance company.

FIG. 4 is a management target device list stored in the database 8 connected to the server personal computer 7.

That is, the management target device list is
A device address column 23 in which the device's e-mail address is written, an administrator address column 24 in which the e-mail address of the administrator of the device is written, and a file box in which the number of currently enabled file box functions is written It comprises a number column 25 and an expiration date column 26 in which the expiration date of the file box function is written.

Next, the operation procedure of the MFP 4 will be described in detail.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the MFP 4.

First, an event is acquired in step S1,
Then, it is determined whether or not the event acquired in step S2 is an e-mail reception event. If the answer is affirmative (Yes), the process proceeds to step S3, and after parsing the content of the e-mail, it is determined whether or not the e-mail is a mail for instructing release of the function restriction. If the answer is negative (No), the process returns to step S1 to repeat the above processing. On the other hand, when the answer is affirmative (Yes), that is, when the e-mail as shown in FIG. 3 is received, the process proceeds to step S4, in which the function restriction is released and the file box function is changed from "invalid" to "valid". Later, step S
Returning to step 1, the above processing is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the acquired event is not an e-mail reception event, the flow advances to step S5 to determine whether the acquired event is a use-period timer event. That is, when the e-mail event is received, for example, when the file box function is already “valid”, the expiration date check timer is operated to manage the expiration date. Is an expiration timer event. If the answer is affirmative (Yes), the flow advances to step S6 to compare the current date with the use restriction date of the file box function, and determine whether or not the expiration date has passed. If the answer is affirmative (Yes), the process proceeds to step S7, and the setting of the file box function is changed from "valid" to "invalid".

On the other hand, if the answer to step S6 is negative (No), the flow advances to step S8 to restart the expiration date check timer, and returns to step S1. That is, in this case, it is determined that the invitation from the server personal computer 7 to extend the expiration date has been affirmed, and the expiration date check timer is restarted, and a timer event is acquired in step S1.

If the answer in step S5 is negative (No), it is determined that the event is not the expiration date check timer event, so the flow advances to step S9 to execute other processing.
For example, an operation as a copier or a network printer is performed, and the process returns to step S1.

Next, the operation of the server personal computer 7 will be described in detail.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a solicitation process routine executed when the expiration date of the use of the file box function is imminent. This program is started by an explicit instruction of the operator of the server personal computer 7, or by a timer. Automatically start periodically.

First, in step S11, the database 8
The device whose expiration date is imminent is extracted by referring to the description content of the expiration date column 26 of the management target device list in FIG. For example, assuming that the current date is December 1, 2000, devices whose expiration date will be reached within one month from now, that is, the first and second MFPs 4a and 4b described in the third and fourth lines Is extracted.

Next, the process proceeds to step S12, where a label for identifying the extracted device is created. In the present embodiment, XJ8255T is created as a label. The label is used as a part of the URL when the administrator of the MFP 4 in the user office 1 accesses the server PC 7 of the service provider 2. Then, the labels created in this way are stored in the database 8 in a format as shown in FIG. That is, a label is written in the URL tag column 27 and is attached to the management target device list and stored.

Next, the process proceeds to step S13, in which an invitation e-mail as shown in FIG. 8 is transmitted to the administrator of the MFP 4 of the user office 1 so as to extend the expiration date of the device, and the invitation process is terminated.

The UR to access the label (X8625T) created by the administrator in step S12 in this way.
By including it in the body of the mail as part of
The administrator of P4 can easily extend the expiration date.

The enable.cgi in the URL is a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) running on the Web server.
Shows the name of the program.

The administrator of the MFP 4 in the user office 1 that has received the invitation e-mail in this manner transmits the Web browser from the client personal computer 5 to the URL described in the e-mail text in order to extend the expiration date of the file box function of the MFP 4. Can be accessed using:

When the administrator of the MFP 4 accesses the server personal computer 7, the server personal computer 7 starts the CGI program, and executes a function use permission process for extending the expiration date of the file box function of the MFP 4.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a function use permission processing routine.

First, in step S21, the database 8 is accessed, and information on the device corresponding to the URL tag (XJ8625T) specified as the argument of the CGI program (in the present embodiment, the first and second MFPs 4a,
4b) is pulled out. Then, based on the device information, the user is notified that the expiration date of the file box function is to be extended, and an extended fee presentation screen for confirming the fee is created.

FIG. 10 shows an example of an extension fee presentation screen.
The extension fee presentation screen is displayed on the CRT of the client computer 5
13 is displayed.

Specifically, the extension fee presentation screen is provided with a URL display section 28 at the top and a text display section 2
Below 9, an extension button 30 and an extension reject button 31 are provided.

Then, in a succeeding step S22, the MFP
It is determined whether or not the administrator No. 4 has operated the extension button 30. If the administrator has operated the extension button 30, the process proceeds to step S23, where the database 8 is accessed, and the first and second Ms are accessed.
Expiration date column 26 to extend the expiration date of FP4a, 4b
Is updated, and separately recorded in the database 8 in the server personal computer 7 in order to charge for the extension of the expiration date of the file box function.

Next, in step S24, the first and second
An electronic mail similar to that shown in FIG. 3 is transmitted to the MFPs 4a and 4b.

Then, in the subsequent step S25, a screen for confirming the extension of the expiration date of the file box function is generated, a confirmation screen is displayed on the CRT 13 of the client personal computer 5, and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, in step S22, the extension reject button 3
If it is determined that No. 1 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S26, where an extension refusal confirmation screen for confirming that the expiration date of the file box function is not extended is created. Is displayed, and the process ends.

As described above, in this embodiment, the MFP 4 can be notified of the specific function of the MFP 4 via the Internet 3 to perform the charging process, and the function of the MFP 4 can be automatically enabled.

The charging method may be executed on the server personal computer 7 by a program installed from the outside.

FIG. 11 shows a CD-ROM as an example of a storage medium.
A memory map of a ROM, wherein the memory map includes a directory information storage area 32 storing directory information, an installation program storage area 33 storing an installation program, and a network device control program storing a network device control program. And a storage area 34.

In the directory information storage area 32, the storage locations of the installation program and the network device control program are written. Then, the installation program stored in the installation program storage area 32 is loaded into the server personal computer 7 and executed by the CPU 22 in the server personal computer 7. Next, the installation program executed by the CPU 22 reads out the network device control program stored in the network device control program 34 and stores it in the HD 15 in the server personal computer 7.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. By loading a group of information including a program onto the server personal computer 7 via a network such as electronic mail or personal computer communication, the server personal computer 7 May be supplied.

Further, the storage medium for supplying the program code is not limited to the CD-ROM.
For example, FD, Hd, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
A DR, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used.

In addition to executing the program code read by the computer, the OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code. The embodiment described above can be realized.

[0056]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to change the setting of a specific function of a device via a network and to automatically perform a charging amount change process, thereby reducing costs. Can be planned.

In addition, an expiration date is provided for a specific function that has been made effective by the setting change, and when the expiration date until the expiration date falls within a predetermined range, an invitation is made to extend the expiration date of the specific function. By doing so, it is possible to improve the profit of the device manufacturer and the like, and also to improve the convenience of the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an information processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a personal computer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic mail transmitted to an MFP.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management target device list stored in a database.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the MFP.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a solicitation process routine.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management target device list to which a URL tag is added.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an e-mail transmitted to an administrator of the MFP during a solicitation process routine.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a function use permission processing routine.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an extension fee presentation screen.

FIG. 11 is a memory map showing an embodiment of a storage medium according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Internet 4a First MFP 4b Second MFP 7 Server PC 13 CRT 18 NIC 22 CPU

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04L 12/14 H04L 12/58 100Z 12/58 100 G06F 9/06 660A

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. An information processing system in which a network device and an information processing device that manages the network device are connected via a network, wherein the network device includes a setting change of a specific function from the information processing device. An e-mail receiving unit for receiving an e-mail to be transmitted, and a function setting changing unit for changing a setting of the specific function based on a reception result of the e-mail receiving unit, wherein the information processing apparatus specifies the network device. An e-mail transmitting unit that transmits an e-mail including a function setting change instruction, and when the setting of the specific function is changed via e-mail by the e-mail transmitting unit, the billing amount is changed according to the change. An information processing system, comprising: 2. The setting change of the specific function is a setting change from invalid to valid of the specific function, and the information processing apparatus has an expiration date setting unit that sets an expiration date for the setting change. Wherein the network device has function setting re-change means for re-changing the specific function from valid to invalid when the expiration date set by the expiration date setting means has expired. Item 10. The information processing system according to Item 1. 3. The information processing apparatus further comprises a solicitation unit for inviting an extension of the expiration date when a period until the expiration date set by the expiration date setting unit is within a predetermined range. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein 4. When the information processing apparatus extends the validity period by the solicitation means, a billing amount presenting means for presenting a billing amount together with the extension time limit, and whether or not the content presented by the billing amount presenting means is approved. 4. The information according to claim 3, further comprising: a judging means for judging whether the content is presented, and a presentation content validating means for instructing the validity of the presented content when said content is approved by said determining means. Processing system. 5. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the network is the Internet. 6. A charging method in an information processing system in which a network device and an information processing device managing the network device are connected via a network, wherein the network device changes a setting of a specific function from the information processing device. An e-mail receiving step of receiving an e-mail having the following contents, and a function setting changing step of changing a setting of the specific function based on a reception result in the e-mail receiving step, An e-mail sending step of sending an e-mail containing a setting change instruction of a specific function of the network device, and, when the setting of the specific function is changed via e-mail in the e-mail sending step, the e-mail is sent in accordance with the change. And a charge amount changing step of changing the charge amount. Charging method in an information processing system according to claim. 7. The setting change of the specific function is a setting change from invalid to valid of the specific function, and the information processing apparatus includes an expiration date setting step of setting an expiration date for the setting change. The network device, further comprising a function setting re-change step of re-changing the specific function from valid to invalid when the expiration date set in the expiration date setting step has expired. 7. A charging method in the information processing system according to 6. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a solicitation step of inviting an extension of the expiration date when a period of time until the expiration date set in the expiration date setting step is within a predetermined range. The charging method in the information processing system according to claim 7, wherein: 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus presents a billing amount for presenting the billing amount together with the extension time limit when the expiration date is extended by the solicitation step; 9. The information processing system according to claim 8, further comprising: a determination step of determining whether or not the content is presented, and a presentation content validity instructing step of instructing the validation of the presented content when the presented content is accepted in the determination step. Billing method in. 10. The accounting method according to claim 6, wherein the network is the Internet. 11. A network device connected to an information processing apparatus via a network and managed by the information processing apparatus, wherein an e-mail receiving an e-mail including a setting change of a specific function from the information processing apparatus is received. A network device comprising: a receiving unit; and a function setting changing unit that changes a setting of the specific function based on a reception result of the electronic mail receiving unit. 12. The setting change of the specific function is a setting change from invalid to valid of the specific function, and when the expiration date set by the information processing apparatus has passed, the specific function is disabled. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a function setting changing means for changing the setting to invalid.
The described network device. 13. The network device according to claim 11, wherein the network is the Internet. 14. An information processing apparatus which is connected to a network device via a network and manages the network device, comprising: an e-mail transmitting unit for transmitting an e-mail including a setting change instruction of a specific function of the network device; An information processing apparatus comprising: a charging amount changing unit configured to change a charging amount in accordance with the change when the setting of the specific function is changed via an electronic mail by the electronic mail transmitting unit. 15. The setting change of the specific function is a setting change from invalid to valid of the specific function, and further includes an expiration date setting unit for setting an expiration date for the setting change. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14, which performs the processing. 16. An inviting means for inviting an extension of the expiration date when a period until expiration of the expiration date set by the expiration date setting means falls within a predetermined range. The information processing device according to claim 15. 17. A billing amount presenting means for presenting a billing amount together with an extension time limit when the expiration date is extended by the solicitation means, and a judging means for judging whether or not the content presented by the billing amount presenting means is accepted 17. The information processing apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising: a presentation content validity instructing unit for instructing the validity of the presentation content when the presentation content is approved by the determination unit. 18. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the network is the Internet. 19. A computer-readable storage medium which is installed and used in a network device connected to an information processing apparatus, and receives an e-mail from the information processing apparatus, the content including a change in setting of a specific function. And a function setting change procedure for changing a setting of the specific function based on a reception result in the e-mail reception procedure. 20. The setting change of the specific function is a setting change from invalid to valid of the specific function, and when the expiration date set by the information processing apparatus has passed, the specific function is disabled. 20. The storage medium according to claim 19, wherein a function setting re-change procedure for invalidating and re-changing is stored. 21. A computer-readable storage medium that is installed and used in an information processing apparatus connected to a network device, and transmits an e-mail containing a setting change instruction of a specific function of the network device. A storage medium storing an e-mail transmission procedure and a billing amount changing procedure for changing a billing amount according to the content of a change in the setting of the specific function via the e-mail. 22. The setting change of the specific function is a setting change from invalid to valid of the specific function, and an expiration date setting procedure for setting an expiration date for the setting change is stored. 22. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein 23. The storage medium according to claim 22, wherein a solicitation procedure for inviting an extension of the expiration date when the expiration date reaches a predetermined range is stored. 24. When the validity period is extended by the solicitation procedure, a billing amount presentation procedure for presenting a billing amount together with the extension time limit, and a determination for judging whether or not the content presented in the billing amount presentation procedure has been accepted. 24. The storage medium according to claim 23, wherein a procedure and a presentation content validity setting procedure for setting the presentation content valid when said presentation content is approved are stored.