JP2003099226A - Managing server for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently grasp the states of a plurality of image forming devices which are connected to a network. SOLUTION: A CPU 11 of a managing server 10 once receiving device information on each digital copying machine stores the received device information and updates an HTML file on a URL corresponding to the digital copying machine according to the stored information. When an information terminal device which is connected through the Internet accesses the managing server 10, a picture is formed according to the stored information and a list picture of icons showing the states of respective digital copying machines is displayed in the Web picture. When one of the icons is clicked on, detailed information is displayed through a link with the URL of the digital copying machine corresponding to the icon.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a management server for an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as office automation has progressed, a large number of office automation equipment such as digital copiers, facsimiles, computers, etc. have become available in offices, and it has become necessary to efficiently manage these office automation equipment. ing. Under such circumstances, currently, as a method of managing a plurality of digital copying machines, there is a system in which information of each digital copying machine can be browsed from an information terminal device located at a distant position using a communication network. .

In this system for managing digital copying machines, each digital copying machine is connected to a Web server by a LAN, WAN or the like, and a unique URL (Uniform Resource Locat) is set.
or) is owned. Then, by designating the URL of the digital copying machine from which information can be obtained from the information terminal device connectable to the Internet, information such as the status of the digital copying machine can be browsed on the Web screen.

[0004]

However, in order to browse the information of a plurality of digital copying machines in the conventional system, the URLs of the digital copying machines to be browsed must be designated and displayed on the screen each time. It was Therefore, for example, in order to check whether or not there is a digital copying machine in an unusable state among the 20 digital copying machines, it is necessary to specify the URL 20 times, and the operation is complicated. , It was not possible to efficiently grasp the status of all digital copiers.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to efficiently grasp the states of a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected on a network.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 manages a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a network and requests information from the information terminal apparatus concerning the image forming apparatus. Is a management server of the image forming apparatus that provides information of the corresponding image forming apparatus via a network according to the above, and a receiving unit that receives the apparatus information for each of the image forming apparatuses, and the received apparatus information. A device information storage unit that stores the image information in association with each image forming device, a display element storage unit that stores a display element in association with an information item included in the device information, and an image forming device from the information terminal device. In response to the information request, the device information of the corresponding image forming device is read from the device information storage unit, and the display element corresponding to the information item included in the device information is displayed. It is characterized by further comprising: a screen forming unit that reads out from the storage unit to form an information providing screen; and a screen transmitting unit that transmits the information providing screen to the information terminal device that has received the information request via the network. .

According to the first aspect of the invention, the management server accumulates the device information received from a plurality of image forming devices via the network on the management server, and is connected to the network in response to a request from the information terminal device. It is possible to provide the device information of all the image forming devices on the information providing screen. Therefore, the user of the information terminal device can efficiently understand the operating states of the plurality of image forming devices.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the device information is an information item indicating an operating state of the image forming apparatus, and the display element storage means is
It is characterized in that a display element for indicating the operating state stepwise is stored for each of the information items.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it becomes possible to gradually display, on the screen, the operating status of each item of each image forming apparatus managed by the management server on the network. Therefore, the user of the information terminal device can more easily understand the operating state.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In the invention described above, the display element storage means stores the display element as an image showing the content of the information item.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the operating state of each image forming apparatus managed by the management server on the network is displayed on the screen as an image. Therefore, it is possible to display the simplified information of all the digital copying machines managed by the management server on the network in a small area on the screen.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the image forming apparatus further comprises information transmission requesting means for requesting the image forming apparatuses to transmit the apparatus information. It has a feature.

According to the invention described in claim 4, the management server requests all the image forming apparatuses to transmit the latest operating state. Therefore, for example, the latest information can be periodically obtained by setting so as to automatically request the information transmission every predetermined time.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the screen forming unit combines the display elements corresponding to the information items included in each of the device information, A device image corresponding to each of the image forming devices is formed, and the information providing screen in which the device information of each corresponding image forming device is set with quotation information for quoting from the device information storage means is formed in each device image. However, when the device image in the information provision screen displayed on the information terminal device is designated, the corresponding device information is quoted from the device information storage means based on the quotation information set in the device image. In addition, a detailed information providing unit for providing detailed device information to the information terminal device is further provided.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a screen listing the device images showing the operating state of the image forming apparatus managed by the management server on the network in response to the request from the information terminal device. Furthermore, each device image in the list is
The device information of each image forming device can be quoted, and detailed information of the corresponding image forming device can be provided by pointing each device image displayed on the screen of the information terminal device. Therefore, the user of the information terminal device
The operating states of all image forming apparatuses can be efficiently grasped, and at the same time detailed information can be easily obtained.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration will be described. Figure 1
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overall configuration of a digital copying machine management system 1 in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1,
The digital copying machine management system 1 includes a management server 10 and
The n digital copying machines C1 to Cn are connected to each other via the network N so that they can exchange data with each other and input / output data, and the management server 10 uses the Internet S.
Is connected to the information terminal device 20 via the Internet S so that data can be exchanged with each other.

The network N is a LAN (Local Area N).
and an information communication network such as WAN (Wide Area Network). The line form is illustrated as a ring type, but is not limited to this. In addition, connection between each terminal device is wired,
It does not matter whether it is wireless or not. However, from the viewpoint of reliability of information management,
It is desirable that the network is secure and that only specific users can access it. The network N includes, for example, a relay device such as a router for analyzing transmitted / received data, setting a transmission path, and transferring, and a concentrator such as a hub having a predetermined number of ports.

The management server 10 is connected to the network N and the Internet S, and NOS (Network Op
erating System) and has a function as a Web server. The management server 10 uses HTML (Hyper Te
xt Markup Language) Web (World Wide) installed in the information terminal device 20 by accumulating information such as files and images.
(Web) This information is transmitted via the Internet S in response to a browser request.

The internal configuration of the management server 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the management server 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the management server 10 includes a CPU 11, an input unit 12, a RAM 13, a display unit 14, a storage unit 15 having a recording medium 15a, a first communication control unit 16, and a second communication control unit 17. Each unit except the recording medium 15a is connected by a bus 18.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11
Reads various control programs stored in the storage unit 15 and centrally controls the operation of each unit according to the control programs. The CPU 11 also executes a digital copying machine information update process A described later according to the read control program.
And the copying machine information update process B is executed and the result is stored in the RAM.
It is stored in 13 and displayed on the display unit 14. Then, the processing result stored in the RAM 13 is stored in a predetermined storage destination of the storage unit 15 or the recording medium 15a.

That is, when executing the digital copying machine information updating process A, the CPU 11 requests each digital copying machine to transmit the device information via the network N when a predetermined time elapses. When the CPU 11 receives the information transmitted from each digital copying machine via the network N, the CPU 11 stores the received information in the copying machine information storage table 152 and corresponds to each digital copying machine based on the stored information. Update the HTML file on the URL.

Further, when executing the digital copying machine information updating process B, the CPU 11 receives the state change information, which is device information relating to the changed portion from the digital copying machine in which the state change has occurred, via the network N, and then receives it. The state change information is stored in a predetermined position in the copying machine information storage table 152, and the HTML file on the URL of the corresponding digital copying machine is updated based on the stored information.

Further, when there is an instruction to access the URL of the management server 10 from the information terminal device 20, the CPU 11 transmits the HTML file on the URL of the management server 10 and displays it on the Web screen of the information terminal device 20. , A digital copier information list, which is a list of icons indicating the state of the apparatus for each digital copier. Furthermore, when one icon is clicked from the digital copying machine information list on the Web screen, it is received as a request for linking to detailed information of an individual digital copying machine, and H on the URL of the digital copying machine is received.
The TML file is transmitted and detailed information is displayed on the Web screen.

The input unit 12 comprises a keyboard having character / alphanumeric input keys, a cursor key, various function keys, and the like, and a mouse as a pointing device. The CPU 1 uses the pressing signal and the mouse operation signal as input signals.
Output to 1.

A RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 is
It becomes a temporary storage area for system programs, control programs, input or output data, parameters, etc. that can be executed by the management server 10 and read out from the storage unit 15 in the above-described various processes controlled by the CPU 11.

The display unit 14 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal D).
isplay), CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), etc., and the received digital copying machine information and the HTML file of the URL registered in the management server 10 on the display screen according to the instruction of the display signal input from the CPU 11. And image data are displayed.

The storage unit 15 is composed of an HD (Hard Disc), a non-volatile semiconductor memory, or the like, and includes the management server 10
System programs corresponding to the above, various programs such as digital copying machine information updating processing A and digital copying machine information updating processing B that can be executed on the system programs, drivers of digital copying machines C1 to Cn, and processing by these programs The stored data and the like are stored. Also, the storage unit 1
Reference numeral 5 has a storage medium 15a that is detachably mounted, and this storage medium 15a is composed of a magnetic or optical recording medium or a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor. The program is stored in the form of a computer-readable program code, and the CPU 11 sequentially executes operations according to the program code.

As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 15 has a copy machine status image correspondence table 151 and a copy machine information storage table 152 inside. The copier state image correspondence table 151 is a table that stores the state of the digital copier and the image in association with each other. An example of data storage in the copier state image correspondence table 151 will be described below with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the copier state image correspondence table 151 includes a character string (for example, "copier operation", "toner remaining amount", etc.) representing the item of the state change of the digital copier.
An item area 151a for storing "tray paper remaining amount") as an "item" and a character string (for example, "eye", "nose", "mouth") representing a portion of an image corresponding to the item are "displayed". part"
And a display partial area 151b stored as a character string and a character string representing the first state when the states that can occur in the copying machine are associated with each item and divided into three stages (for example, "normal operation" and "toner allowance"). , “Paper allowance in tray”), and a state A area 151c for storing image data corresponding to each character string as “state A”, and possible states of the copying machine are associated with each item and divided into three stages. Character string representing the second state (for example, "job output", "toner remaining", "paper remaining in tray"), and image data corresponding to each character string as "state B" A state B area 151d to be stored and a character string representing the third state when the states that can occur in the copying machine are associated with each item and divided into three stages (for example, "error occurrence", "toner replacement required", "Need to refill tray" Has a state C region 151e for storing image data corresponding to each character string as a "state C", the.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 4, each digital copying machine C will be described.
An example of data storage in the copying machine information storage table 152 that stores the status information received from 1 to Cn for each item will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, a copy machine information storage table 1
52 is an identification code uniquely assigned to each digital copying machine to identify the digital copying machine (for example,
"C1", "C2", "C3" ...) as "copy machine NO"
The copy machine NO area 152a and the character string representing the operation state of the digital copy machine (for example, "normal operation", "error occurrence", "job output" ...) Are stored as "copy machine operation". A copy machine operating area 152b for storing
Character string that indicates the remaining amount of toner (for example, "Toner margin", "Slight toner remaining", "Toner margin" ...)
Remaining toner amount area 152 storing
c and a character string indicating the remaining amount of paper in the tray (for example, "replenishing paper in the tray", "requiring paper supply in the tray", "remaining paper in the tray" ...) The remaining tray paper amount area 152d to be stored as, and a character string indicating detailed information (for example, "please add paper to tray 2", "remove paper from part A", "job output. Wait for a while. Detailed information area 152e for storing "..." as "detailed information".

The first communication control unit 16 is composed of a communication control card such as a LAN card, and transmits / receives various data to / from the digital copying machines C1 to Cn connected to the network N. The second communication control unit 17 is configured by a router, TA, or the like, and controls communication based on the Internet protocol with external communication terminals such as the information terminal device 20 connected to the Internet S.

The information terminal device 20 is equipped with a Web browser, which is software for browsing HTML files provided by the management server 10 via the Internet S, and the UR of the management server 10 can be accessed from the Web browser.
By designating L, it has a function of displaying the operation status of the digital copying machines C1 to Cn on the Web screen.

Further, the digital copying machines C1 to Cn are provided with a paper feed section in which cut sheets are mounted and a paper discharge section thereof, project light on a set original document, and convert reflected light into electric signals. As a result, the original is copied onto the paper and the paper is output.

The digital copying machines C1 to Cn use the FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or e-mail to change the status to the management server 10 when a status change such as tray paper supply is required or an error occurs. It has a communication function to transmit the information. In addition, each digital copying machine C1 to Cn
In order to enable the external information terminal device 20 to access via the Internet S and the management server 10, a dedicated URL is individually set.

Next, the operation will be described. As a method of updating the device information of the digital copying machines C1 to Cn on the management server 10, a digital copying machine information update process A for collectively updating the device information of the digital copying machines C1 to Cn, a digital copying machine in which the state has changed Two methods of the digital copying machine information updating process B for updating the device information of 1) in real time will be described. First, the digital copying machine information update process A executed by the CPU 11 of the management server 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

Digital copiers C1 to Cn at predetermined time intervals
When the device information is updated, when the predetermined time has passed (step S1), the CPU 11 causes the first communication control unit 1
Digital copiers C1 to C6 via network N
The Cn copying machines are requested to transmit the device information (step S2). When the device information is transmitted from each digital copying machine and the transmitted device information is received through the first communication control unit 16 (step S3), the CPU 11 determines the received device information in the copying machine information storage table 152 by a predetermined value. It is stored in the position (step S4), and the HTML file on the URL of each digital copying machine is updated using a script language such as perl based on the information stored in the copying machine information storage table 152 (step S5). . After the update is completed, each processing of steps S1 to S4 is repeatedly executed every time a predetermined time is completed.

In the above embodiment, the device information of the digital copying machines C1 to Cn is collectively updated every time a predetermined time elapses. However, when the user gives an instruction to update the device information, each digital copying machine is updated. Alternatively, the device information may be requested from C1 to Cn to be collectively updated.

Next, the digital copying machine information updating process B executed by the CPU 11 of the management server 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

When the device information regarding the changed portion of the digital copying machine C1-Cn whose state has changed is received via the first communication control section 16 (step S11; Y), the CPU 11 The received device information is stored in a predetermined position of the copying machine information storage table 152 (step S12), and the copying machine information storage table 152 is stored.
HTML on the URL of each digital copying machine based on the information stored in
The file is updated (step S13). After updating,
Each time the device information is received from each of the digital copying machines C1 to Cn, the CPU 11 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S11 to S13.

Next, the copying machine information display processing for displaying the apparatus information of the digital copying machines C1 to Cn on the Web screen of the information terminal device 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

From the information terminal device 20 to the U of the management server 10
When the RL is designated, the CPU 11 receives the request for transmitting the information on the URL via the second communication control unit 17 (step S21; Y), and sets the second HTML file on the URL of the management server 10 to the second. The information is transmitted from the communication control unit 17 to the information terminal device 20 via the Internet S (step S22). Thereby, the Web of the information terminal device 20
A digital copier information list in which the states of all the digital copier devices are displayed as icons is displayed on the screen (step S23). In this digital copying machine information list screen, the images corresponding to the information stored in the copying machine information storage table 152 are referred to from the copying machine state image correspondence table 151, so that each digital copying machine C1 is displayed.
~ W of the information terminal device 20 as an icon corresponding to Cn
It is displayed on the eb screen.

Next, when one of the icons corresponding to each of the digital copying machines C1 to Cn displayed on the Web screen of the information terminal device 20 is selected and clicked, the CPU 11 causes the Internet S to pass through. Then, it is received as a link request to the detailed information of the corresponding digital copying machine from the second communication control unit 17 (step S24;
Y). Then, the CPU 11 sends the HTML file on the URL of the corresponding digital copying machine to the second communication control unit 17
From the information terminal device 20 (step S25)
The detailed information of the corresponding digital copying machine is displayed on the eb screen (step S26). When the link to the digital copying machine information list is instructed again from the Web screen and the instruction information is received (step S27; Y), the CPU 11 returns to step S22 and repeatedly executes the processes of steps S22 to S27. If the request for linking to the detailed information of the digital copying machine is not received in step S24, or if the request for linking to the digital copying machine information list is not received in step S27, the CPU 11 ends the copying machine information display processing.

FIG. 8 shows the information terminal device 2 in step S23.
It is a figure which shows an example of the digital copying machine information list screen 241 displayed on the Web screen of 0. On the digital copying machine information list screen 241, characters representing a title such as "digital copying machine list" are displayed at the upper part, and the status of each digital copying machine of the digital copying machines C1 to Cn is displayed below it, for example, in the copying machine. The operation status is associated with the eyes, the remaining amount of toner is associated with the nose, and the remaining amount of tray paper is associated with the mouth. A face icon composed of the eyes, the nose, and the mouth corresponding to the state is displayed together with the digital copying machine number. When instructing a link to the detailed information in step S24, by clicking the icon of the number of the digital copying machine for which the detailed information is to be displayed on this screen, the detailed information is displayed by linking to the URL of the digital copying machine. .

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the detailed information screen 242 of the digital copying machine displayed on the Web screen of the information terminal device 20 when the icon C2 is clicked in step S24. Detail screen 242 of digital copier
In the upper part, a letter representing a title such as "Detailed information on copying machine C2" is displayed, and the state of the digital copying machine is displayed below it in detail for each item (operation of copying machine, remaining amount of toner, remaining amount of tray paper). Explaining.

As described above, the CP of the management server 10
U11 receives a device information request from each digital copying machine after a predetermined time has elapsed and receives the device information, or receives information on the state change of the device from the digital copying machine,
URL of the digital copier based on the received device information
Update the HTML file above. When the information terminal device 20 accesses the URL of the management server 10, the CPU 11 causes the HTM on the URL of the management server 10 to operate.
The L file is transmitted and a digital copying machine information list, which is a list of icons indicating the state of the apparatus for each digital copying machine, is displayed on the Web screen of the information terminal device 20. Furthermore,
When one icon is clicked from the digital copying machine information list on the Web screen, the CPU 11 receives as a request for linking to detailed information of an individual digital copying machine, and transmits an HTML file on the URL of the digital copying machine. Then, the detailed information is displayed on the Web screen. Therefore, it is possible to easily browse the information of the digital copying machines C1 to Cn connected to the network N by designating one URL of the management server 10. Also, by using the icons showing the status of each digital copying machine on the digital copying machine information list screen, simple information of all digital copying machines connected to the network N can be displayed in a small area on the Web screen. can do.

The contents described in each of the above embodiments are a preferred example of the digital copying machine management system 1 according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the management server 10 has a function as a Web server,
It may be configured to have a function of another server such as a file server or a print server.

Further, the state of the device of the digital copying machine is displayed by changing the eyes, nose and mouth of the face corresponding to the digital copying machine number in the list of digital copying machine information.
If the digital copier cannot be used, for example, if an error occurs, toner needs to be replaced, or paper in the tray needs to be replenished, the face color can be displayed in red, for example, to make copiers that require replenishment or maintenance more convenient. It can be easily grasped.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention,
Although it has been described that the state of the device of the digital copying machine is managed, the present invention is not limited to the digital copying machine, and can be applied as a system capable of browsing the state of any device connected on the network N. In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of the system or each terminal can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0049]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the management server accumulates the device information received from a plurality of image forming devices via the network on the management server, and the management server stores the device information in the network in response to a request from the information terminal device. The device information of all connected image forming devices can be provided on the information providing screen. Therefore, the user of the information terminal device can efficiently understand the operating states of the plurality of image forming devices.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it becomes possible to gradually display the operating status of each image forming apparatus managed by the management server on the network for each item on the screen. Therefore, the user of the information terminal device can more easily understand the operating state.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the operating state of each image forming apparatus managed by the management server on the network is displayed on the screen as an image. Therefore, it is possible to display the simplified information of all the digital copying machines managed by the management server on the network in a small area on the screen.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the management server requests all the image forming apparatuses to transmit the latest operating state. Therefore, for example, the latest information can be periodically obtained by setting so as to automatically request the information transmission every predetermined time.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a screen is provided in which the management server manages the image forming apparatus managed on the network in response to a request from the information terminal apparatus, in which a list of apparatus images is displayed. Furthermore, each device image in the list is
The device information of each image forming device can be quoted, and detailed information of the corresponding image forming device can be provided by pointing each device image displayed on the screen of the information terminal device. Therefore, the user of the information terminal device
The operating states of all image forming apparatuses can be efficiently grasped, and at the same time detailed information can be easily obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing the overall configuration of a digital copying machine management system 1 according to the present invention.

2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a management server 10 of FIG.

3 is a diagram showing an example of data storage inside a copier state image correspondence table 151 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of data storage inside a copying machine information storage table 152 of FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a digital copying machine information update process A executed by the CPU 11 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a digital copying machine information update process B executed by the CPU 11 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a copying machine information display process executed by the CPU 11 of FIG.

8 is a diagram showing an example of a digital copying machine information list screen 241 displayed in step S23 of FIG.

9 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed screen 242 of the digital copying machine displayed in step S26 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Digital copier management system 10 management server 11 CPU 12 Input section 13 RAM 14 Display 15 memory 15a recording medium 151 Copier status image correspondence table 16 First communication control unit 17 Second communication control unit 18 bus

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 BB10 HH03 HJ08                       HK04 HN05 HN15 HN26 HP06                       HQ17                 5B021 AA01 AA02 AA05 AA19 BB10                       EE02 EE04                 5C062 AA01 AA29 AB23 AB38 AB42                       AC55 AE16 BA00

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus, which manages a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a network, and provides information of the corresponding image forming apparatus via the network in response to an information request from the information terminal apparatus regarding the image forming apparatus. A device management server, a receiving unit that receives device information for each image forming device, a device information storage unit that stores the received device information in association with each image forming device, and the device information. A display element storage unit that stores a display element in association with an information item included in the image information processing apparatus; A screen forming means for reading out the display element corresponding to the information item included in the device information from the display element storing means, and forming an information providing screen. And a screen transmission unit that transmits the information providing screen to the information terminal device that has received the information request via a network, and a management server for the image forming apparatus. 2. The apparatus information is an information item indicating an operating state of the image forming apparatus, and the display element storage means stores a display element stepwise indicating an operating state for each of the information items. The management server of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The management server for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display element storage means stores the display element as an image showing the content of the information item. 4. The management server for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising information transmission requesting means for requesting each image forming apparatus to transmit apparatus information. . 5. The screen forming means forms a device image corresponding to each image forming device by combining the display elements corresponding to the information items included in each device information, Forming the information provision screen in which quotation information for quoting device information of each corresponding image forming device from the device information storage means is set, and the device image in the information provision screen displayed on the information terminal device indicates In the case where a detailed information providing unit is provided, detailed device information is provided to the information terminal device by quoting corresponding device information from the device information storage unit based on the quote information set in the device image. The management server of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: