JP2002215344A - Data transfer processing system, device, network system, data transfer method and memory medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data transfer processing system, a device, a network system, a data transfer method and a memory medium, capable of making a user managing the device acknowledge a state of the device with precise timings by sending a message according to device state information, based on the state change of the device and sending data created, based on destination information as an e-mail. SOLUTION: The device 101 is provided with a device state change detection part 107 acquiring device state information, status message acquisition part 109 acquiring a message according to the state information, a mail header footer data part 112 storing destination information, a mail message creation part 108 creating sending data, based on the message and destination information, and a mail sending part 113 sending the sending data to a client device 301 as e-mail.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data transfer processing device, a device device, a network system, a data transfer method, and a storage medium, and more particularly, to a server device, a client device, and a network connected to a network. Data transfer processing between a network device that performs an interface and a device device having a device control unit that controls the device itself, setting of processing performed in data transfer, a data transfer processing device suitable for control in the device device, The present invention relates to a device, a network system, a data transfer method, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a network system in which a client device and various device devices are connected on a network, and information of the device device is obtained and monitored by the client device. In this type of network system, a dedicated application for acquiring device information in advance is installed in the client device, and if the application is not running on the client device, the device information is acquired. I couldn't.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-149302, information on a change in the state of a device is transferred as an e-mail to a client via a server. Has been proposed. Further, there is also a network system which notifies the status of a device notified by e-mail only to a specified status in advance.

[0004]

However, in the above conventional example, the information of the device notified by the electronic mail is read by a human based on the information obtained from the device by the data transfer processing device connected to the device. It is converted into a text message written in a possible natural language and sent. Therefore, the data transfer processing device connected to the device needs to hold a text message corresponding to each state information of the device connected in advance.

In the above conventional example, when the data transfer processing device is connected to different types of device devices,
According to the type of each device, the status information acquired from the device needs to be held as a text message. Therefore, each time the type of the corresponding device increases, the storage capacity of the storage device of the data transfer processing device increases. There was a problem that it increased.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since the data transfer processing device holds a text message corresponding to each state information of each device, the data transfer processing device has a high degree of device model dependency, and is generally used. There was also a problem of lack of sex.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional example, when the status of a device to be notified by e-mail is limited to a previously specified status and notified, it is necessary to set a notification condition for each status of the device. There has been a problem that the setting burden by the user increases as the number of state types increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and transmits a message corresponding to status information of a device based on a status change of the device and transmission data created based on destination information as an e-mail. By that
A data transfer processing device, a device, a network system, and the like, which allow a user who manages the device to recognize the state of the device at an appropriate timing.
A first object is to provide a data transfer method and a storage medium.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and allows an arbitrary client apparatus to use a device apparatus without using a dedicated application.
A second object is to provide a data transfer processing device, a device device, a network system, a data transfer method, and a storage medium, which are capable of instructing acquisition and transfer of information for managing a device device. .

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and holds a message indicating each state of a device in a device control unit of the device, thereby enabling data transfer between the client device and the device. The network control unit responsible for processing eliminates the need to hold information dependent on device devices, and for device devices having the same system configuration and different device control units,
A third object is to provide a data transfer processing device, a device device, a network system, a data transfer method, and a storage medium that enable the network control unit to be applied as it is.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned point, and an electronic mail transmitted from a device is provided as a reply address to the electronic mail, for example, by a manager of a device or a person in charge of maintenance. By setting the mail address in advance, the data transfer process enables the user who received the e-mail to make inquiries about the device device to the appropriate contact without being aware of the e-mail address of the administrator or maintenance person A fourth object is to provide an apparatus, a device, a network system, a data transfer method, and a storage medium.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and according to the status type of a device, for example, a mail address of a maintenance person in the case of a device error, and an equipment address in the case of a consumable replacement request. By setting the mail address of the administrator as a reply address, a data transfer processing device, a device device,
A fifth object is to provide a network system, a data transfer method, and a storage medium.

[0013]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data transfer processing apparatus for controlling data transfer between a client device and a device connected on a communication medium. A state information acquisition unit that acquires state information related to a state of the device device; a message acquisition unit that acquires a message based on a natural language according to the state information acquired by the state information acquisition unit from the device device; Destination information storage means for storing destination information of a message, and creating transmission data based on the message and the destination information;
It is characterized by having transmission data creation means for setting a reply address for an e-mail, and e-mail transmission means for sending the transmission data created by the transmission data creation means to the client device as an e-mail.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the data transfer processing device is a network board mounted on the device device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the electronic mail transmitting means transmits the transmission data as an electronic mail to the client device via a mail server connected to the communication medium. It is characterized by doing.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 4 is transmission setting information for transmitting an electronic mail including a message based on a natural language corresponding to state information on the state of the device to the client. Transmission setting information storage means for storing data, a data generation means for generating data representing a setting screen of the transmission setting information displayed on the client device, and the data generated by the data generation means to the client device. Data transmitting means for transmitting.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the transmission setting information stored by the transmission setting information storage means stores the reply destination address for the electronic mail. And

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a notification setting information obtaining means for obtaining notification setting information transmitted from the client device, and the notification setting information obtained by the notification setting information obtaining means. Notification setting information holding means for holding information; and notification condition setting means for setting a notification condition of the state of the device to the device based on the notification setting information.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 7, wherein the device has an image forming function of forming an image on a recording medium, and the status information is used by the device. The data transfer processing device includes information relating to replenishment of goods and replacement of consumable parts, or information indicating a processing status of the device device. The data transfer processing device is provided in the device device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device which can communicate with a client device via a communication medium, wherein the status information obtaining means obtains status information relating to the device status. Message acquisition means for acquiring a message based on a natural language according to the state information acquired by the state information acquisition means, transmission destination information storage means for storing transmission destination information of the message,
Transmission data creating means for creating transmission data based on the message and the destination information; andemail sending means for sending the transmission data created by the transmission data creation means as an email to the client device. Features.

[0021] To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the transmission data creation means sets a reply destination address for the electronic mail in the transmission data.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the electronic mail transmitting means transmits the transmission data as an electronic mail to the client device via a mail server connected to the communication medium. It is characterized by doing.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 11 is a device capable of communicating with a client device via a communication medium, wherein the device is capable of transmitting a message based on a natural language according to state information relating to the device state. Transmission setting information storing means for storing transmission setting information for transmitting an electronic mail including the electronic mail to the client device, and screen information necessary for generating data representing a setting screen of the transmission setting information displayed on the client device Screen data storage means for storing data, data generation means for generating the data based on the transmission setting information and the screen information, and data transmission means for transmitting the data generated by the data generation means to the client device. It is characterized by having.

[0024] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 12 is characterized in that the transmission setting information stored by the transmission setting information storage means stores the reply destination address for the electronic mail. And

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a notification setting information acquiring means for acquiring notification setting information transmitted from the client device, and the notification setting information acquired by the notification setting information acquiring means. It is characterized by having notification setting information holding means for holding information, and notification condition setting means for setting a notification condition of a device state based on the notification setting information.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 14 has an image forming function of forming an image on a recording medium, and the status information includes replenishment and consumption of consumables used in the device. It is characterized by including information on replacement of parts or information indicating a processing status in the device.

[0027] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 15 provides notification setting information acquisition for acquiring notification setting information transmitted from a data transfer processing device that controls data transfer between the client device and the device device. Means, notification setting information holding means for holding the notification setting information obtained by the notification setting information obtaining means, state detecting means for detecting a state occurring in the device, and a state detected by the state detecting means. Status notification means for notifying the data transfer processing device according to the notification setting information.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 16 is a message storage means for storing a message based on a natural language corresponding to various device states,
Message transmission means for transferring a message based on the natural language stored in the message storage means to the data transfer processing device based on a transmission request for a message based on the natural language from the data transfer processing device. It is characterized by.

To achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 17 is a network system in which a client device and a device device are communicably connected on a communication medium, wherein the device device is in a state of the device device. State information acquisition means for acquiring state information about, message acquisition means for acquiring a message based on a natural language according to the state information acquired by the state information acquisition means,
Destination information storage means for storing destination information of the message, transmission data creation means for creating transmission data based on the message and the destination information, and sending the transmission data created by the transmission data creation means to an e-mail. And e-mail transmitting means for transmitting to the client device.

[0030] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 18 is characterized in that the transmission data creating means of the device device sets a reply destination address for the electronic mail in the transmission data.

[0031] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 19 is characterized in that the electronic mail transmitting means of the device device transmits the transmission data as an electronic mail via a mail server connected to the communication medium. It is transmitted to a client device.

To achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 20 is a network system in which a client device and a device device are communicably connected on a communication medium, wherein the device device is in a state of the device device. Transmission setting information storage means for storing transmission setting information for transmitting an e-mail including a message based on a natural language according to the state information to the client device, and the transmission setting information displayed on the client device. Screen information storage means for storing screen information necessary for generating data representing a setting screen, data generation means for generating the data based on the transmission setting information and the screen information,
Data transmitting means for transmitting the data generated by the data generating means to the client device.

[0033] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 21, wherein the transmission setting information stored in the transmission setting information storage means of the device device stores the reply destination address for the electronic mail. It is characterized by that.

[0034] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 22 is characterized in that the device device comprises: notification setting information obtaining means for obtaining notification setting information transmitted from the client device; A notification setting information holding unit that holds the obtained notification setting information, and a notification condition setting unit that sets a notification condition of the state of the device based on the notification setting information.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the device has an image forming function of forming an image on a recording medium, and the status information is used by the device. It is characterized by including information on replenishment of goods and replacement of consumable parts, or information indicating the processing status of the device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 24, wherein the device acquires notification setting information transmitted from a data transfer processing device that controls data transfer between the client device and the device. Notification setting information acquiring means, notification setting information holding means for holding the notification setting information acquired by the notification setting information acquiring means, state detecting means for detecting a state occurring in the device, and the state detecting means And a status notifying means for notifying the data transfer processing device of the status detected in the step (b) according to the notification setting information.

[0037] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 25, wherein the device unit stores message based on a natural language corresponding to each state of the device unit, and the data transfer processing unit. From a request to send a message based on the natural language from
Message transmission means for transferring a message based on the natural language stored in the message storage means to the data transfer processing device.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 26 is a data transfer method in a network system in which a client device and a device device are communicably connected on a communication medium, wherein the device device is Acquiring state information on the state of the device device, acquiring a message based on a natural language according to the acquired state information, creating transmission data based on the message and destination information of the message, and creating the transmission data Is transmitted to the client device as an e-mail.

[0039] In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 27 is characterized in that the device unit sets a reply destination address for the electronic mail in the transmission data.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 28 is that the device transmits the transmission data as an electronic mail to the client via a mail server connected to the communication medium. It is characterized by.

To achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 29 is a data transfer method in a network system in which a client device and a device device are communicably connected on a communication medium, wherein the device device is Transmission setting information for transmitting an e-mail including a message based on a natural language according to the state information relating to the state of the device to the client device, and screen information necessary for generating data representing a setting screen of the transmission setting information And generating the data to be displayed on the client device, and transmitting the generated data to the client device.

[0042] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 30 is characterized in that the reply setting address for the electronic mail is stored in the transmission setting information.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 31, wherein the device acquires notification setting information transmitted from the client apparatus, holds the acquired notification setting information, A condition for notifying the status of the device is set based on information.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 32 is characterized in that the status information includes a replenishment of consumables used in the device having an image forming function of forming an image on a recording medium and a consumable part. It is characterized by including information on exchange or information indicating the processing status of the device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 33, wherein the device acquires notification setting information transmitted from a data transfer processing device that controls data transfer between the client device and the device. Holding the acquired notification setting information, detecting a state occurring in the device device, and notifying the detected state to the data transfer processing device in accordance with the notification setting information.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 34 is characterized in that the device device is configured to perform the following based on a request for transmission of a message based on a natural language corresponding to a state of the device device from the data transfer processing device. A message based on a natural language is transferred to the data transfer processing device.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 35 is a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a data transfer method in a network system in which a client device and a device device are communicably connected on a communication medium. A possible storage medium, wherein the data transfer method comprises: acquiring state information on a state of the device device; acquiring a message based on a natural language according to the acquired state information; and The method includes a step of creating transmission data based on destination information of the message, and a step of transmitting the created transmission data to the client device as an electronic mail.

[0048] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 36 is characterized in that the data transfer method includes a step of setting a reply destination address for the electronic mail in the transmission data in the device device. .

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 37, wherein in the data transfer method, the client transmits the transmission data from the device as an electronic mail via a mail server connected to the communication medium. Transmitting to the device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer reads out a program for executing a data transfer method in a network system in which a client device and a device device are communicably connected on a communication medium. A storage medium capable of transmitting, by the data transfer method, transmission setting information for transmitting an e-mail including a message based on a natural language corresponding to state information on a state of the device apparatus to the client apparatus; A step of generating the data to be displayed on the client device based on screen information necessary for generating data representing a setting screen of the setting information, and a step of transmitting the generated data to the client device. It is characterized by the following.

[0051] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 39 is characterized in that the reply setting address for the electronic mail is stored in the transmission setting information.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 40, wherein the data transfer method comprises the steps of obtaining notification setting information transmitted from the client device;
Holding the obtained notification setting information; and setting a notification condition of the state of the device device based on the notification setting information.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 41 is characterized in that the status information includes replenishing consumables and consumable parts used in the device having an image forming function of forming an image on a recording medium. It is characterized by including information on exchange or information indicating the processing status of the device.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in the data transfer method, the notification setting information transmitted from a data transfer processing device for controlling data transfer between the client device and the device device may be used. Obtaining, storing the obtained notification setting information, detecting a state occurring in the device, and notifying the data transfer processing apparatus of the detected state according to the notification setting information. And characterized in that:

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 43 is characterized in that the data transfer method is based on a request for transmission of a message based on a natural language corresponding to a state of the device from the data transfer processor. Transferring a message based on the natural language to the data transfer processing device.

[0056]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing embodiments of the present invention, an outline of the present invention will be described.

According to the present invention, in accordance with a change in the state of a device, the state information of the device is obtained as a text message created in a human-readable natural language,
This is to notify the client device of the status information of the device device by e-mail. Further, an error level of each state of the device is defined, and the state of the device is notified by e-mail to a notification destination set for each error level.

Further, notification information set according to the error level of the state that has occurred in the device is added, and the state of the device is notified by e-mail.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system including a device device, a client device, and a mail server device according to an embodiment.

The first embodiment of the present invention corresponds to claim 1. The network system according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a device 101, a client 3
01, a mail server device 302, and a device device 101, a device control unit 102 having a printer engine unit 105, a device state change notification unit 106, a status message transmission unit 110, a status message data unit 111, and a device State change detection unit 1
07, mail message generation unit 108, status message acquisition unit 109, mail header / footer data unit 1
12, a network control unit 103 having a mail transmission unit 113, a network interface 114, and a device interface 104. In the figure, 201
Is a network.

The above configuration will be described in detail.
1 is, for example, Ethernet (Xerox, USA, DE
C and a network 201 such as a LAN having a bus structure jointly developed by three Intel companies. Note that, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a case where the device device 101 is a printer will be described as an example. The detailed configuration of the device device 101 will be described later.

The client device 301 is a device such as a personal computer (PC).
It is connected to the network 201. An e-mail server device (hereinafter, e-mail server device) 302 is a device that transfers e-mail, and is connected to the network 201. In this case, each user has an e-mail address, and when connecting from the client device 301 to the mail server device 302, the mail server device 30
2 sorts the email. The device 101
The transmission of the information including the electronic mail from the client device 301 to the client device 301 is transferred via the mail server device 302.

The device 101 includes a device controller 102 for controlling the device itself and a network controller 103 for interfacing to a network as described above. The device controller 102 and the network controller 103 are connected to a device interface 104. Connected through. In the device control unit 102, the printer engine unit 105 is integrally configured by various control devices and printing devices (not shown) related to print processing.
The device status change notification unit 106 monitors the status of the printer engine unit 105, and sends the printer engine unit 10 to the network control unit 103 via the device interface 104 according to the status of the printer engine unit 105.
5 is notified of information on the status.

In the network control section 103, the device state change detecting section 107 acquires information (state information) on the state of the device 101 notified from the device control section 102. Mail message generator 10
8 generates transmission data to be transmitted to the client device 301 based on the information on the status of the device 101 obtained by the device status change detection unit 107 and the notification information (transmission destination information).

The mail message generating unit 108
The reply address for the e-mail is set in the transmission data. The status message acquiring unit 109 acquires information on the state of the device 101 from the status message transmitting unit 110 as a human-readable message based on a natural language according to the instruction of the mail message generating unit 108.

In this case, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the reply address to the above-mentioned e-mail may be, for example, the mail address of the administrator of the device, the mail address of the person in charge of the maintenance of the device, or the device. An e-mail address that allows the user to make quick inquiries to appropriate contact information, such as the e-mail address of the equipment manager, is set.

In the device control unit 102, the status message transmission unit 110 responds to a request from the status message acquisition unit 109 and converts the information relating to the state of the device 101 into a human-readable message based on a natural language. Send to 103. The status message data unit 111 holds information on various states of the device 101 as a human-readable message based on a natural language.

The mail header / footer data section 112 stores notification information (transmission destination information) to be added when an electronic mail is transmitted to the client device 301.
It is referred to when the transmission data is generated by the mail message generation unit 108. The mail transmission unit 113 converts the transmission data generated by the mail message generation unit 108 into an electronic mail from the network interface 114 to the client device 301 via the mail server device 302.
Transfer data to

Next, the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above
FIG. 2 shows a data transfer processing procedure in the device 101 of the network system according to the embodiment.
The flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 7 and FIGS.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the device control unit 102 of the device 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention when notifying the network control unit 103 of the state of the device 101. Although not specifically shown, a control program for executing this processing is stored in a storage medium in the device control unit 102 and is executed by the device control unit 102.

In step S201, the device control unit 1
02 is the printer engine unit 1 of the device control unit 102
Monitor the state of 05. If it is determined that the state of the printer engine unit 105 has changed, the process proceeds to step S202. If it is determined that the state of the printer engine unit 105 has not changed, the process returns to step S201 again.
The status of the printer engine unit 105 is monitored.

In step S202, the device control unit 1
No. 02 determines whether or not to notify the network control unit 103 of the current status of the printer engine unit 105 based on the notification condition of the device status set in the device control unit 102 in advance. If it is determined that the device state is to be notified to the network control unit 103, the process proceeds to step S203. If it is determined that notification is not necessary to the network control unit 103, the process returns to step S201 again, and the printer engine unit 105 Monitor the status of.

In step S203, the device control unit 1
Numeral 02 indicates whether the current state of the printer engine unit 105 is a state change caused by an error or a state change without an error such as a transition from a standby state to a processing state according to the format shown in FIG. A status change notification type that stores a value, a status code that stores a value corresponding to the current status, an error count that indicates the number of errors that have occurred, and a line status that indicates whether print data can be transmitted to the device 101. And device device 10
Device status information such as panel message character string information displayed on the first display panel is generated as transmission data as shown in FIG. 4, and the process proceeds to step S204.

In step S204, the device control unit 1
02, after transmitting the device status information to the network control unit 103, returns to step S201 again,
The status of the printer engine unit 105 is monitored.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of transmission data according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the transmission data example of FIG. 4, the status change notification type “0x02” indicates a status change due to an error, and has a status code “4030”.
“9” indicates an abnormal state of the oil pump of the printer engine unit 105, and the error count “1” indicates that the total number of currently occurring errors is one.
The line status “0” indicates that print job data cannot be received, and the panel message character string “E9 oil pump pepper” is displayed on the display panel of the device 101 as “E9 oil pump pepper”. Indicates that the column is being displayed.

FIG. 5 shows the state information of the device 101 in the device controller 102 of the device 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention transmitted to the network controller 103 as a human-readable natural language message. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process for performing the operation. Although not particularly shown, a control program for executing the present process includes:
Stored in a storage medium in the device control unit 102;
This is executed by the device control unit 102.

In step S501, the device control unit 1
02 receives a status code transmitted from the network control unit 103 as a request to acquire a message indicating a device state.

In step S502, the device control unit 1
02 matches the status message corresponding to each status code stored in the device control unit 102 and the status code requested from the status message data unit 111 storing the status detail message, as shown in FIG. It is determined whether there is a status message and a status detail message to be sent. If there is a status message and a status detail message that match the status code, the process proceeds to step S503. If there is no status message and status detail message that matches the status code, the process ends.

In step S503, the device control unit 1
02 acquires the status message corresponding to the status code from the status message data unit 111 of the device control unit 102, transmits the status message to the network control unit 103 in step S504, and ends the process.

Thus, for example, the network control unit 1
When a request to acquire a message corresponding to the status code “40300” is received from the “03”, the status message and the status detail message described in the row of the status code “40300” in FIG.
It is transmitted to the network control unit 103.

FIG. 7 shows the state information of the device 101 in the network control unit 103 of the device 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart showing a process when transmitting as an e-mail to the client device 301 via the mail server device 302 connected to the client device 1. Although not specifically shown,
A control program for executing this processing is stored in a storage medium in the network control unit 103, and is executed by the network control unit 103.

In step S 701, the network control unit 103 sends a message from the device control unit 102 to the device 10
When the status information of No. 1 is received, a status code is acquired from the received status information, and the process proceeds to step S702.

In step S 702, the network control unit 103 checks the status code stored in the network control unit 103 and assigned to each notification type as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and the status acquired from the device control unit 102. Determine whether the code matches. If the two status codes match, step S
Proceeding to 703, if the status codes do not match, the process ends.

In step S 703, the network control unit 103 acquires the status information of the device 101 corresponding to the status code acquired from the device control unit 102 from the device control unit 102 as a human-readable message based on a natural language. And step S704
Proceed to.

In step S 704, the network control unit 103 sends the e-mail destination and the information to be added to the e-mail from the mail header / footer data unit 112, which holds the mail header and the footer information of the network control unit 103 in advance. , And the process proceeds to step S705.

In step S705, the network control unit 103 executes step S703 and step S703.
By combining the information acquired in step 704, e-mail transmission data is generated, and the process proceeds to step S706.

In step S 706, the network control unit 103 transmits, as an e-mail, transmission data indicating the status information of the device 101 to the transmission destination client 301 via the mail server 302 connected to the network 201. Then, the present process ends.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing status codes corresponding to each error state in the device 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated example, the operator call includes, for example, a device 101 such as a paper jam.
A status code corresponding to an error state that can be recovered by the user among the errors that have occurred in the above is assigned. On the other hand, the service call is assigned a status code indicating an error state in which a recovery operation by the user is difficult, such as a failure of the device device 101.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing status codes corresponding to replacement requests for various consumable parts used in the device 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated example, status codes indicating, for example, a request for replacing a toner cartridge, a request for replenishing a stapler used for binding a plurality of printed sheets, and the like are assigned. In addition, photosensitive drum, fixing oil,
Status codes related to the fixing device, the ITB unit, the drum cleaner, the fixing web, and the like are assigned.

FIG. 10 shows an example of transmission of an e-mail generated by the network control unit 103 of the device 101 shown in FIG. 7 when an error occurs in the device 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 1001 denotes a mail header part, that is, a data part composed of transmission information of an electronic mail.
It is composed of information as shown by 1005. 10
02 is data indicating a transmission source and includes, for example, a name and address information for identifying the device apparatus 101 itself. Reference numeral 1003 denotes data indicating a transmission destination, which includes address information for specifying a notification destination user on the client device 301. Reference numeral 1004 denotes data indicating the subject of the electronic mail, and includes information indicating that the electronic mail has been notified by the occurrence of a device error.
Reference numeral 1005 denotes data indicating a reply destination, which includes address information quoted when a reply to the electronic mail is required.

Reference numeral 1006 denotes a message portion, that is, a data portion including status information of the device 101.
It is composed of information as shown by 07 and 1008. A message 1007 indicates the status type of the device 101, and indicates that an error has occurred in the device 101 in this example. Reference numeral 1008 denotes a message indicating the status of the device 101, which includes information of the status message and the status detail message acquired from the device control unit 102.

Reference numeral 1009 denotes a mail footer portion, that is, a data portion including additional information relating to the device device 101 to be added to the client device 301.
It is composed of information such as 011. 10
Reference numeral 10 denotes information unique to the device 101.
For example, the information includes the product name of the device 101 and the total number of pages printed by the device 101 when the electronic mail is generated. Reference numeral 1011 denotes an arbitrary message related to the device 101 set in advance by the setting unit described later.
11 shows a message indicating an installation location of the device 01, a contact address to the administrator of the device apparatus 101, and the like.

FIG. 11 shows a state change of the consumable part replacement request of the device 101 generated by the network control unit 103 of the device 101 shown in FIG. 7 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of transmission of an e-mail transmitted when the e-mail is sent. By this e-mail, for example, when the remaining amount of toner used for printing in the printer engine unit 105 of the device apparatus 101 becomes low, a message urging the notification destination user to replace the toner cartridge is transmitted.

As described above, according to the network system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the device 101 has the device status change detection unit 107 for obtaining status information on the status of the device, and A status message acquiring unit 109 for acquiring a message based on a natural language according to state information, a mail header / footer data unit 112 for storing destination information, and a mail message generating unit 108 for creating transmission data based on the message and the destination information. A mail transmission unit 1 for transmitting the created transmission data as an e-mail to the client device 301
13, the following operations and effects are obtained.

In the above configuration, if a state change such as an error occurs in the device 101, the device 10
Based on the e-mail address held in the mail header / footer data section 112 of the first network control section 103, the user on the client apparatus 301 to be notified via the mail server apparatus 302 at an appropriate timing. The status of the device 101 is notified.

That is, the transmission data created based on the message corresponding to the status information of the device 101 based on the status change of the device 101 and the transmission destination information is transmitted to the client 301 as an electronic mail. Can be made to recognize the state of the device 101 at an appropriate timing.

Further, a message indicating each state of the device 101 is sent to the device control unit 10 of the device 101.
2, the network control unit 103 responsible for the data transfer process between the client device 301 and the device device 101 does not need to hold the information dependent on the device device 101. Device device with
The network control unit 103 can be applied as it is.

Further, by setting in advance an e-mail transmitted from the device 101 as a reply address to the e-mail, for example, an e-mail address of a manager or a person in charge of maintenance of the device 101, the e-mail Can receive an inquiry about the device 101 from an appropriate contact without being aware of the mail address of the administrator or the person in charge of maintenance.

Further, according to the status type of the device 101, for example, a mail address of a maintenance person in the case of a device error, and a mail address of an equipment manager in the case of a consumables replacement request are set as reply destination addresses. so,
A quick inquiry to a more appropriate contact according to the state of the device 101 can be made.

Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a system capable of further reducing the user burden related to the maintenance of the device.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system including a device and a client according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment of the present invention corresponds to claim 4. The network system according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises a device 1101, a client 13
The device control unit 11 includes a device status notification condition setting information acquisition unit 1111, a device status notification condition setting unit 1112, and a device status notification condition setting information storage memory 1113.
02, a mail notification setting screen generation unit 1105, a mail notification setting screen storage memory 1106, a mail notification setting information storage memory 1107, a mail notification setting information acquisition unit 110
8. It includes a mail notification setting information registration unit 1109, a device status notification condition setting unit 1110, a network control unit 1103 having a network interface 1114, and a device interface 1104. In the figure, 1
201 is a network.

The above configuration will be described in detail.
01 is connected to the network 1201. still,
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the device 1101
Is described as an example of a printer. Further, at least one client device 1301 including a personal computer (PC) is connected on the network 1201. The device device 1101 includes a device control unit 1102 that controls the device itself and a network control unit 11 that performs an interface to a network.
And the device control unit 1102 and the network control unit 1103 are connected to the device interface 110.
4 are connected.

In the network control unit 1103, the mail notification setting screen generation unit 1105 includes a GUI such as a web browser operating on the client device 1301.
(Graphical User Interface, claims setting screen) to generate GUI data. The GUI data generated by the mail notification setting screen generation unit 1105 is transmitted to the client device 1301 via the network interface 1114, and the client device 1
At 301, a GUI for performing e-mail notification settings as shown in FIG. 13 is provided.

In the mail notification setting screen storage memory 1106, G generated by the mail notification setting screen generation unit 1105 is stored.
Screen information necessary for the UI data is stored. The mail notification setting information storage memory 1107 stores currently set mail notification setting information (transmission setting information) such as an e-mail transmission destination and a notification condition. It is referred to when generating data. In the mail notification setting information (transmission setting information) of the mail notification setting information storage memory 1107, a reply destination address for the electronic mail is stored.

In this case, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the reply address to the above-mentioned electronic mail may be, for example, the mail address of the administrator of the device, the mail address of the person in charge of maintenance of the device, the device An e-mail address that allows the user to make quick inquiries to appropriate contact information, such as the e-mail address of the equipment manager, is set.

The mail notification setting information obtaining unit 1108 obtains the mail notification setting information set by the client device 1301 via the network interface 1114. The mail notification setting information registration unit 1109 updates the mail notification setting information stored in the mail notification setting information storage memory 1107 based on the mail notification setting information obtained by the mail notification setting information obtaining unit 1108. Further, in the above-described mail notification setting information, when the condition of the mail notification such as notifying the state only when an error occurs is changed, the device state notification condition setting unit 1
In step 110, the condition of the status notification of the device 1101 notified from the device control unit 1102 is set.

In the device control section 1102, the device status notification condition setting information obtaining section 1111 obtains the status notification condition of the device 1101 transmitted from the device status notification condition setting section 1110. The device status notification condition setting unit 1112 stores a condition for notifying the status of the device device 1101 in the device status notification condition setting information storage memory 1107 in the device control unit 1102.

Further, the device control section 1102 includes a state detecting means (not shown) for detecting a state occurring in the device 1101, and detecting the detected state in the mail notification setting information stored in the mail notification setting information memory 1107. State notifying means (not shown) for notifying the network control unit 1103 according to.

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention configured as described above is described.
The operation in the network system according to the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12, 13, 14, and 15. FIG.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a mail notification setting screen displayed on the display unit of the client device 1301 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this figure,
An example is shown in which e-mail notification settings can be made for the device device 1101 under two different setting conditions.

For example, in condition 1, the device 110
Only when an error occurs in step 1, an e-mail is transmitted to the notification destination set by the To address. Further, as shown in the To address of the above condition 1, the input section of the To address for setting the transmission destination can set a plurality of addresses separated by commas “,”. In FIG. 13, the mail set under the above condition 1 is "prt-admin" @c
Two destinations, "anon.co.jp" and "Sys-admin@canon.co.jp" are notified.

The address information set in the Reply-To address part is used as a reply address of this electronic mail.
It is stored in the network control unit 1103 of the device device 1101, and is included when this electronic mail is transmitted.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a process when the network control unit 1103 of the device 1101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention transmits GUI data relating to the e-mail notification setting to the client 1301. . Although not particularly shown, a control program for executing this processing is provided by the network control unit 1103.
Stored in a storage medium in the network control unit 1
This is executed by 103.

The network control unit 1103 receives a request for transmission of the GUI data of the mail notification setting from the client device 1301 via the network 1201,
In step S1401, the mail notification setting information currently set in the device 1101 is read from the mail notification setting information storage memory 1107, and step S14 is performed.
Go to 02.

In step S1402, the network control unit 1103 sets the mail notification setting screen storage memory 110
6 is read, and the process proceeds to step S1403.

In step S1403, based on the mail notification setting information and the mail notification setting display data, the network control unit 1103 displays the GUI data referred to when displaying on the client device 1301 as shown in FIG. Is generated, and the process proceeds to step S1405.

In step S1405, the network control unit 1103 transmits the generated GUI data to the client device 1301 via the network 1201, and ends this processing.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example in which the network controller 1103 of the device 1101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention stores the e-mail notification setting information in the device 110.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a process when setting to 1.
Although not particularly shown, a control program for executing this processing is stored in a storage medium in the network control unit 1103, and is executed by the network control unit 1103.

In step S1501, when the network control unit 1103 receives the mail notification setting information from the client device 1301 via the network 1201, the process proceeds to step S1502.

In step S1502, the network control unit 1103 compares the contents of the received mail notification setting information with the mail notification setting information stored in the mail notification setting information storage memory 1107 in the network control unit 1103. If it is determined that there is a change in the mail notification setting information, the process proceeds to step S1503, and if it is determined that there is no change in the mail notification setting information, this processing ends.

In step S1503, the network control unit 1103 updates the mail notification setting information stored in the mail notification setting information storage memory 1107 according to the received mail notification setting information, and proceeds to step S1504.

In step S1504, the network control unit 1103 determines whether it is necessary to change the notification condition of the status change of the device 1101 according to the received mail notification setting information. Device device 110
If it is necessary to change the notification condition of the status change of No. 1, the process proceeds to step S1505, and the device device 1101
If you do not need to change the notification conditions for
This processing ends.

As described above, according to the network system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the device 1101 performs the e-mail including the message based on the natural language corresponding to the state information on the state of the device. Notification setting information storage memory 110 for storing transmission setting information for transmitting a message to client device 1301
7. E-mail notification setting screen storage memory 1106 for storing screen information necessary for generating GUI data of transmission setting information displayed on client device 1301, e-mail notification setting for generating GUI data based on transmission setting information and screen information A screen generation unit 1105, a network I / F for transmitting the generated GUI data to the client device 1301
1114, the following operations and effects are achieved.

In the above configuration, the device 1101
The setting process required when notifying the status information of the device 110 by e-mail is executed on the client device 1301 by the device device 110.
1 can be changed while checking the current setting information.

That is, it becomes possible to instruct the client device 1301 to acquire and transfer information for managing the device device 1101 to the device device 1101 without using a dedicated application.

Also, by setting in advance an e-mail transmitted from the device 1101 as a reply address to the e-mail, for example, an e-mail address of a manager of the device or a person in charge of maintenance, the e-mail can be sent. The receiving user can send the device 1 to an appropriate contact without being conscious of the e-mail address of the administrator or maintenance person.
It is possible to make an inquiry about 101.

Further, according to the status type of the device 1101, for example, a mail address of a maintenance person in the case of a device error, and a mail address of an equipment manager in the case of a consumables replacement request, are set as reply addresses. Thus, a quick inquiry to a more appropriate contact according to the state of the device 1101 can be made.

Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a system capable of further reducing a user burden related to the maintenance of the device.

[Other Embodiments] (1) In the first embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the error and the consumable parts replacement request, for example, paper An e-mail may be transmitted in response to a warning such as a small number or a state change such as the end of the printing process. Further, address information such as an IP address or a FAX number of the device may be added as information to be added to the e-mail notifying the status of the device.

(2) In the second embodiment of the present invention, as a notification timing of an e-mail to be set to the device, a specific state of the device such as notifying only a paper jam error is set. The setting may be limited and the status code may be directly input as a setting method at that time.

(3) In the second embodiment of the present invention, the number of e-mail notification setting conditions that can be set is not limited to two, and a plurality of notification setting conditions may be set. It goes without saying that it is possible.

(4) In the above-described first and second embodiments of the present invention, a printer having an image forming function has been described as an example of a device connected to a network. A copier or a multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a forming function and an image reading function may be connected.

(5) In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, a case where one client device and one device device are connected on a network has been described as an example.
The number of connected client devices and device devices can be any number.

(6) In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, as a reply destination address for an electronic mail, a mail address of a manager of a device, a mail address of a person in charge of maintenance of a device, a device Although the e-mail address of the equipment manager is described as an example, any e-mail address that allows the user to make quick inquiries to appropriate contact information is sufficient.

The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single device. A medium such as a storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus stores the medium in the medium such as a storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code thus executed.

In this case, the program code itself read from a medium such as a storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the medium such as a storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Will be. Examples of a medium such as a storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a CD-RO.
M, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card,
ROM or download via a network can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program codes, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS or the like running on the computer is actually executed based on the instructions of the program codes. It goes without saying that a part or all of the above-described processing is performed, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read out from a medium such as a storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the instruction of the program code is written. It is needless to say that a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the above, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing a conceptual example in which a program for executing the data transfer method of the present invention and related data are supplied from a storage medium to a device such as a computer. A program for executing the data transfer method of the present invention and related data are supplied by inserting a storage medium 1701 such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM into an insertion port 1703 of a storage medium drive provided in a device 1702 such as a computer. You. Thereafter, the program for executing the data transfer method of the present invention and the related data are temporarily installed on the hard disk from the storage medium 1701 and loaded on the RAM from the hard disk, or directly loaded on the RAM without being installed on the hard disk. It becomes possible to execute programs and related data.

In this case, in the network system according to the first or second embodiment of the present invention, when executing a program for executing the data transfer method of the present invention,
For example, the program and related data may be supplied to each device constituting the network system via a device such as a computer as described with reference to FIG. By storing the related data, the program can be executed.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the storage contents of a storage medium storing a program for executing the data transfer method of the present invention and related data. The storage medium includes, for example, volume information 1601, directory information 1602,
It is composed of storage contents such as a program execution file 1603 and a program-related data file 1604. A program for executing the data transfer method of the present invention is a program coded based on the above-described flowcharts.

[0142]

As described above, according to the data transfer processing apparatus of the present invention, the transmission data created based on the message corresponding to the status information of the device based on the status change of the device and the transmission destination information is generated. Since the electronic mail is transmitted to the client device as an e-mail, it becomes possible for a user who manages the device to recognize the state of the device at an appropriate timing.

Further, it is possible to instruct a client device to acquire and transfer information for managing the device device without using a dedicated application from a client device.

A message indicating each state of the device is held in the device controller of the device, so that a data transfer processor (network controller) responsible for data transfer processing between the client and the device.
However, since it is not necessary to hold information dependent on the device, the data transfer processing device (network control unit) can be applied as it is to device devices having the same system configuration and different device control units. Becomes

Also, by setting in advance an e-mail transmitted from the device as a reply address to the e-mail, for example, an e-mail address of a manager of the device or a person in charge of maintenance, the e-mail is received. It becomes possible for the user who made the inquiry to an appropriate contact to make an inquiry about the device without being aware of the e-mail address of the manager or the person in charge of maintenance.

Also, according to the status type of the device,
For example, by setting the e-mail address of the maintenance person in the case of a device error and the e-mail address of the equipment administrator in the case of a consumables replacement request, a more appropriate contact address according to the status of the device can be set. Quick inquiry is possible.

Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a system capable of further reducing the user burden related to the maintenance of the device.

Further, in the device device of the present invention, the network system of the present invention, the data transfer method of the present invention, and the storage medium of the present invention, similarly to the above, the user burden related to the maintenance of the device device is further reduced. There is an effect that it is possible to provide a system that can perform the operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network system including a device device, a client device, and a mail server device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data transfer process in a device control unit of the device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a format of transmission data regarding a state of a device transmitted from a device control unit of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of transmission data from a device device control unit of a device according to the format example shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data transfer process in a device control unit of the device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of status message data representing each state of the device stored in the device control unit of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data transfer process in a network control unit of the device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a status code corresponding to each error state of the device stored in the network control unit of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a status code corresponding to each consumable item replacement request state of the device stored in the network control unit of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of transmission of an e-mail when an error occurs in a device generated by the network control unit of the device illustrated in FIG. 7;

11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of transmission of an e-mail when a consumable item replacement request is generated in a device generated by a network control unit of the device illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network system including a device device and a client device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

13 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a mail notification setting screen displayed on the client device shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data transfer process in a network control unit of the device illustrated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data transfer process in the network control unit of the device illustrated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of storage contents of a storage medium storing a program for executing the data transfer method of the present invention and related data.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a conceptual example in which a program for executing the data transfer method of the present invention and related data are supplied from a storage medium to a device such as a computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

101, 1101 Device device 102, 1102 Device control unit 103, 1103 Network control unit (data transfer processing device) 107 Device state change detection unit (state information acquisition unit) 108 Mail message generation unit (transmission data creation unit) 109 Status message acquisition Section (message acquisition section) 110 status message transmission section (message transmission section) 111 status message data section (message storage section) 112 mail header / footer data section (transmission destination information storage section) 113 mail transmission section (e-mail transmission section) 201, 1201 Network (communication medium) 301, 1301 Client device 302 Mail server device 1105 E-mail notification setting screen generation unit (data generation means) 1106 E-mail notification setting screen storage Memory (screen information storage unit) 1107 e-mail notification setting information storage memory (transmission setting information storage unit, notification setting information holding unit) 1108 e-mail notification setting information acquisition unit (notification setting information acquisition unit) 1110 device status notification condition setting unit (notification Condition setting means) 1114 network I / F (data transmission means)

Claims (43)

[Claims] 1. A data transfer processing device for controlling data transfer between a client device and a device device connected on a communication medium, comprising: status information obtaining means for obtaining status information on a status of the device device; A message acquisition unit that acquires a message based on a natural language according to the state information acquired by the state information acquisition unit from the device device; a destination information storage unit that stores destination information of the message; Sending data creating means for creating sending data based on sending destination information and setting a reply address to an email, and sending the sending data created by the sending data creating means as an email to the client device; A data transfer processing device comprising a transmission unit. 2. The data transfer processing device according to claim 1, wherein the data transfer processing device is a network board mounted on the device device. 3. The electronic mail transmitting unit according to claim 1, wherein the electronic mail transmitting unit transmits the transmission data as an electronic mail to the client device via a mail server device connected to the communication medium. Data transfer processing device. 4. A transmission setting information storage unit for storing transmission setting information for transmitting an e-mail including a message based on a natural language according to state information on a state of the device to the client, and the client. Data generating means for generating data representing a setting screen of the transmission setting information displayed above, and data transmitting means for transmitting the data generated by the data generating means to the client device. The data transfer processing device according to claim 1. 5. The data transfer processing device according to claim 2, wherein the transmission setting information stored by the transmission setting information storage unit stores the reply destination address for the electronic mail. . 6. A notification setting information obtaining means for obtaining notification setting information transmitted from the client device, a notification setting information holding means for storing the notification setting information obtained by the notification setting information obtaining means, 5. The data transfer processing device according to claim 4, further comprising: a notification condition setting unit configured to set a notification condition of the state of the device to the device based on the setting information. 7. The device device has an image forming function of forming an image on a recording medium, and the status information is information on replenishment of consumables or replacement of consumable parts used in the device device, or It includes information indicating the processing status of the device device, the data transfer processing device,
The data transfer processing device according to claim 1, wherein the data transfer processing device is provided in the device device. 8. A device device capable of communicating with a client device via a communication medium, comprising: status information obtaining means for obtaining status information relating to device device status; Message acquisition means for acquiring a message based on the natural language, destination information storage means for storing destination information of the message, transmission data creation means for creating transmission data based on the message and the destination information, An e-mail transmission unit for transmitting the transmission data created by the transmission data creation unit to the client device as an e-mail. 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the transmission data creation unit sets a reply destination address for the electronic mail in the transmission data. 10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the electronic mail transmitting means transmits the transmission data as an electronic mail to the client via a mail server connected to the communication medium. . 11. A device device capable of communicating with a client device via a communication medium, wherein the device device transmits an e-mail including a message based on a natural language corresponding to status information relating to the device device status to the client device. Transmission setting information storage means for storing setting information, screen information storage means for storing screen information necessary for generating data representing a setting screen of the transmission setting information displayed on the client device, and the transmission setting information And a data generating means for generating the data based on the screen information, and a data transmitting means for transmitting the data generated by the data generating means to the client device. 12. The device according to claim 9, wherein the transmission setting information stored by the transmission setting information storage unit stores the reply destination address for the electronic mail. 13. A notification setting information acquiring unit for acquiring notification setting information transmitted from the client device, a notification setting information holding unit for retaining the notification setting information acquired by the notification setting information acquiring unit, 12. The device according to claim 11, further comprising: a notification condition setting unit configured to set a notification condition of a device state based on the setting information. 14. An image forming function for forming an image on a recording medium, wherein the status information is information on replenishment of consumables or replacement of consumable parts used in the device, or processing status in the device. 14. The device according to claim 8, wherein the device includes information indicating the following. 15. A notification setting information acquisition unit for acquiring notification setting information transmitted from a data transfer processing device that controls data transfer between the client device and the device device, and the notification setting information acquisition unit acquiring the notification setting information. Notification setting information holding means for holding notification setting information; state detection means for detecting a state occurring in the device;
12. The device according to claim 11, further comprising: a status notifying unit that notifies the data transfer processing device of a status detected by the status detecting unit in accordance with the notification setting information. 16. A message storage means for storing a message based on a natural language corresponding to various device states, and a message storage means for storing a message based on the natural language from the data transfer processing device. 16. The device device according to claim 15, further comprising: a message transmission unit configured to transfer a stored message based on the natural language to the data transfer processing device. 17. A network system in which a client device and a device device are communicably connected on a communication medium, wherein the device device obtains status information about a status of the device device; Message acquisition means for acquiring a message based on a natural language according to the state information acquired by the state information acquisition means, destination information storage means for storing destination information of the message, and the message and the destination information A network system comprising: transmission data creation means for creating transmission data based on the transmission data; and e-mail transmission means for transmitting the transmission data created by the transmission data creation means to the client device as an e-mail. 18. The network system according to claim 17, wherein the transmission data creation means of the device sets a reply destination address for the e-mail in the transmission data. 19. The device according to claim 17, wherein the e-mail transmitting means of the device transmits the transmission data as e-mail to the client via a mail server connected to the communication medium. The described network system. 20. A network system in which a client device and a device device are communicably connected on a communication medium, wherein the device device includes a message based on a natural language according to status information on a status of the device device. Transmission setting information storage means for storing transmission setting information for transmitting an e-mail to the client device; and screen information necessary for generating data representing a setting screen of the transmission setting information displayed on the client device. Screen information storage means for storing; data generation means for generating the data based on the transmission setting information and the screen information; and data transmission means for transmitting the data generated by the data generation means to the client device. A network system, characterized in that: 21. The transmission setting information stored in the transmission setting information storage unit of the device device, the reply destination address for the electronic mail is stored. Network system. 22. A notification setting information acquisition unit for acquiring notification setting information transmitted from the client device, and a notification setting information holding unit for retaining the notification setting information acquired by the notification setting information acquisition unit. 21. The network system according to claim 20, further comprising: a notification condition setting unit configured to set a notification condition of the status of the device based on the notification setting information. 23. The device device has an image forming function of forming an image on a recording medium, and the status information includes:
18. The apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising information on replenishment of consumables and replacement of consumable parts used in the device, or information indicating a processing status of the device.
23. The network system according to any one of claims to 22. 24. The notification setting information obtaining means for obtaining notification setting information transmitted from a data transfer processing device that controls data transfer between the client device and the device device, and the notification setting information obtaining device. Notification setting information holding means for holding the notification setting information obtained by the means, state detection means for detecting a state occurring in the device device, and a state detected by the state detection means according to the notification setting information. 24. The network system according to claim 20, further comprising a status notifying unit that notifies the data transfer processing device. 25. The device device, comprising: a message storage unit for storing a message based on a natural language corresponding to each state of the device device; and a request for transmitting a message based on the natural language from the data transfer processing device. 25. The network system according to claim 24, further comprising: a message transmission unit that transfers a message based on the natural language stored in the message storage unit to the data transfer processing device. 26. A data transfer method in a network system in which a client device and a device device are communicably connected on a communication medium, wherein the device device acquires status information on a status of the device device, and acquires the acquired status information. Obtain a message based on the natural language according to the state information, create transmission data based on the message and destination information of the message,
A data transfer method, wherein the created transmission data is transmitted as an e-mail to the client device. 27. The data transfer method according to claim 26, wherein the device device sets a reply destination address for the electronic mail in the transmission data. 28. The data transfer method according to claim 26, wherein said device device transmits said transmission data as an electronic mail to said client device via a mail server device connected on said communication medium. 29. A data transfer method in a network system in which a client device and a device device are communicably connected on a communication medium, wherein the device device converts a natural language according to state information relating to a state of the device device. Based on transmission setting information for transmitting an e-mail including a message based on the message to the client device, and screen information necessary for generating data representing a setting screen of the transmission setting information, the message is displayed on the client device. A data transfer method comprising: generating data; and transmitting the generated data to the client device. 30. The data transfer method according to claim 27, wherein the reply setting address for the electronic mail is stored in the transmission setting information. 31. The device device acquires the notification setting information transmitted from the client device, holds the acquired notification setting information, and sets a notification condition of the state of the device device based on the notification setting information. 30. The data transfer method according to claim 29, wherein: 32. The status information indicates information relating to replenishment of consumables or replacement of consumable parts used in the device having an image forming function of forming an image on a recording medium, or the processing status of the device. 27. The data transfer method according to claim 26, comprising information. 33. The device device, acquires notification setting information transmitted from a data transfer processing device that controls data transfer between the client device and the device device, holds the acquired notification setting information, 33. The data transfer method according to claim 29, wherein a state occurring in the device device is detected, and the detected state is notified to the data transfer processing device according to the notification setting information. 34. The device device transfers a message based on the natural language to the data transfer processing device based on a request from the data transfer processing device for transmitting a message based on a natural language corresponding to a state of the device device. 34. The data transfer method according to claim 33, wherein: 35. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a data transfer method in a network system in which a client device and a device device are communicably connected on a communication medium, wherein the data transfer method is Obtaining status information related to the status of the device, obtaining a message based on a natural language corresponding to the obtained status information, and creating transmission data based on the message and destination information of the message. And a step of transmitting the created transmission data to the client device as an e-mail. 36. The storage medium according to claim 35, wherein the data transfer method includes a step of setting a reply address to the electronic mail in the transmission data in the device device. 37. The data transfer method according to claim 37, further comprising the step of transmitting the transmission data from the device as an electronic mail to the client via a mail server connected to the communication medium. Item 36. The storage medium according to Item 35. 38. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a data transfer method in a network system in which a client device and a device device are communicably connected on a communication medium, wherein the data transfer method is A transmission setting information for transmitting an e-mail including a message based on a natural language according to the state information relating to the state of the device to the client apparatus; Generating the data to be displayed on the client device based on the screen information;
Transmitting the generated data to the client device. 39. The storage medium according to claim 36, wherein the transmission setting information stores the reply destination address for the electronic mail. 40. The data transfer method, comprising: obtaining notification setting information transmitted from the client device; holding the obtained notification setting information; and a status of the device device based on the notification setting information. Setting a notification condition for the storage medium. 41. The status information indicates information on replenishment of consumables and replacement of consumable parts used in the device having an image forming function of forming an image on a recording medium, or a processing status of the device. 36. The storage medium according to claim 35, which contains information. 42. The data transfer method, comprising: obtaining notification setting information transmitted from a data transfer processing device that controls data transfer between the client device and the device device; and holding the obtained notification setting information. 42. The method according to claim 38, further comprising: performing a step of detecting a state occurring in the device device; and notifying the data transfer processing device of the detected state according to the notification setting information. The storage medium according to any one of the above. 43. The data transfer method, wherein the message based on the natural language is sent to the data transfer processing device based on a request from the data transfer processing device for transmitting a message based on a natural language corresponding to a state of the device device. 43. The method according to claim 42, further comprising the step of transferring.
The storage medium according to the above.