JP2007249380A - Information processor, snapshot preparation of setting content and management method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extract and display a snapshot managed in arbitrary timing by automatically preparing and managing the snapshot of setting content in specific timing. <P>SOLUTION: A Web application 109 of an information means device configuring an image formation apparatus 100 is provided with: a snapshot control means 203; a snapshot data collection means 201; and a storage means 210 for storing the snapshot data. The snapshot data collection means 201 collects the snapshot of the setting content at a specific point of time, and a snapshot control means 203 stores the snapshot of the collected setting content in a storage means 210. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a setting content snapshot creation and management method, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus that transmits display data to a terminal connected via a network, and a snapshot of the setting contents of the information processing apparatus. Regarding creation and management methods.

As a conventional technique related to creation and management of a snapshot of an information processing apparatus, for example, a technique described in Patent Document 1 is known. This prior art is a system that includes a smaller and less expensive storage device to enable a system to arbitrarily read a plurality of generations of snapshot images. A snapshot image at a certain point in the data holding unit is held in the second data holding unit, and data is rewritten to the first data holding unit after the snapshot image is saved in the second data holding unit. History information including update data, generation information, and update area information is stored in the third data holding unit, and the data read source selection unit reads the snapshot to be read. The storage location of the snapshot image to be read by referring to the history information stored in the third data holding unit according to the designation of the image generation and area Acquired, is that switches to either the data of the read source of the second data holding unit or the third data storage portion in accordance with the storage location.
JP 2002-278819 A

  In general, a device including an information processing apparatus such as an MFP is used by a plurality of users, unlike a PC device intended for an individual user. In addition, it is assumed that this type of device participates in a plurality of network domains. In such a case, there are also a plurality of device managers.

  In addition, when there are multiple administrators, if a setting change made by one administrator is an indispensable change in the system (for example, network setting change), past settings saved by other administrators If you simply restore it, you will not be able to explain to the network.

  Furthermore, the setting change can be performed by a print command if it is not only the operation panel but also a WEB that the information processing apparatus has, or a printing apparatus such as a printer, and it is more difficult to grasp.

  As described above, in the case of a device having a plurality of users who perform operations, when there are a wide variety of setting items for operation of the device, the contents of setting changes made by the current operator in the past, the device of the current operator There is a problem that it is difficult for the operator to grasp the contents of the setting change made by another operator while not in use.

  In view of the above-described points, the object of the present invention is to automatically create and manage a snapshot of setting contents at a specific timing, and extract and display a snapshot managed at an arbitrary timing. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that can perform the processing, and a snapshot creation and management method for setting contents of the information processing apparatus.

  The first means of the present invention for achieving the above object is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of creating and managing snapshot data of setting contents for the information processing apparatus. Means and storage means for storing snapshot data, wherein the snapshot data collection means collects snapshots of setting contents at a specific time point, and the snapshot control means collects snapshots of the collected setting contents Is stored and managed in the storage means.

  The second means of the present invention further comprises a snapshot data acquisition means and a difference extraction means in the first means, and the snapshot data acquisition means acquires the snapshot data stored in the storage means. The difference extracting unit extracts a difference of snapshot data between two time points of the snapshot data acquired by the acquiring unit.

  According to a third means of the present invention, in the second means, when there is a difference between the snapshot data, a list of setting items having the difference is displayed.

  Further, the fourth means of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second means, when there is a difference between the snapshot data, the corresponding item on the setting screen is identified and displayed according to a predetermined specific display method. To do.

  The fifth means of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second means, extraction of the difference between the snapshot data is performed by narrowing down to an operator unit.

  The sixth means of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second means, the extraction of the difference between the snapshot data is performed by narrowing down to date units.

  The seventh means of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second means, extraction of the difference between the snapshot data is performed by narrowing down to a prescribed category unit.

  The eighth means of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second means, extraction of the difference between the snapshot data is performed based on an arbitrary keyword.

  According to a ninth means of the present invention, in the second means, a difference between the snapshot data is detected at a specific timing, and a setting item having the difference is displayed.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus capable of creating and managing a snapshot of setting contents for the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus Comprises snapshot control means, snapshot data collection means, and storage means for storing snapshot data, and the snapshot data collection means collects snapshots of setting contents at a specific time point, and the snapshot control The means stores and manages the collected snapshot of the setting contents in the storage means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to manage snapshot data in a state where setting contents are linked, and it is possible to reduce the complexity of holding effective data combinations and managing history data.

  Embodiments of an information processing apparatus and setting content snapshot creation and management method according to the present invention will be described in detail below. In the following embodiments of the present invention, an example of an image forming apparatus will be described as an example of an information processing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to an image forming apparatus, and is configured with a Web application. The present invention can be applied to any other embedded device, business system, or information processing device.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an MFP including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 includes hardware resources for performing individual image processing such as a plotter engine 103 and a scanner engine 104, an engine control board 102, an OS 101, an SCS 110, an FCS 111, an ECS 112, an MCS 113, The OCS 114, the NCS 115, the plotter_sa 116, and various applications such as a copy application 105, a fax application 106, a printer application 107, a net file application 108, and a Web application 109 are included.

  The engine control board 102 controls individual functions of the MFP 100 such as the plotter engine 103 and the scanner engine 104, and provides the functions of the engine control board 1202 to the OS 101 and the like through an engine I / F (interface).

  The OS 101 is an operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark) and executes various software implemented as applications such as a copy application 105 and a fax application 106 in parallel as processes.

  The SCS 110, FCS 111, ECS 112, MCS 113, OCS 114, NCS 115, and plotter_sa 116 provide functions to higher-level applications such as the copy application 105 through an API (Application Programming Interface). That is, these control functions of the plotter engine 103 and the scanner engine 104 via the engine control board 102, functions related to system management, functions related to network communication, functions related to memory management, functions related to an operation panel (operating panel) installed in the MFP 100. Provides functionality for

  The copy application 105 is a copy application, and the fax application 106 is a facsimile application. The printer application 107 is a printer application having a page description language (PDL), PCL, and postscript (PS). The web application 109 is an application in which various functions in the embodiment of the present invention are implemented. Accordingly, the Web application 109 realizes various functions in the embodiments of the present invention described later.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration for snapshot management of setting contents by a Web application. The Web application 109 constitutes a Web system, which includes a setting content snapshot management unit 207, a user ID acquisition unit 208, a current date acquisition unit 209, and a login / out processing unit 212 that performs login and logout processing. And is connected to a storage device 210 having a repository area for storing the created snapshot data. The setting content snapshot management unit 207 includes a snapshot data collection unit 201, a difference extraction unit 202, a snapshot control unit 203, a registration unit 204, a setting unit 205, and a snapshot data acquisition unit 206. Yes. The registration unit 204, the setting unit 205, and the acquisition unit 206 described above can access the storage device 210 described above.

  The process related to the normal snapshot requires the user ID of the logged-in operator and information on the current date and time, which are acquired by the user ID acquisition unit 208 and the current date and time acquisition unit 209, respectively. A client PC 211 having a browser can be connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a network, and the client PC 211 displays a screen from the Web application 109 via the network, and a user sets using the display screen. Perform the operation.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the setting value of the snapshot data and the display control data. These pieces of information are stored and managed in the storage device 210. The example of the setting value illustrated in FIG. 3A includes a plurality of records for each user ID 301 that identifies a user, that is, for each operator. Each record includes a change date 302 and a series of setting item values. The setting items are divided into categories: a device 303, a network 304, and a security 305. The setting items for the device 303 include “LOG” 3031 indicating whether or not to log, “AUTH” 3032 indicating the contents of the authentication method, “MAIL NOTIFY” 3033 indicating whether or not to report by mail at the time of failure, etc. Is set. Also, in the setting items for the network 304, “IP ADDR” 3041, which is the address of the device used, “HTTP PORT” 3042, “HTTPS PORT” 3043, which are port numbers, and the like are set. In addition, the setting items for the security 305 include “HTTP PORT” 3051 and “HTTPS PORT” 3052 indicating the status (available or not) of “HTTP PORT” and “HTTPS PORT”, and a certificate for performing encrypted communication. “CERT NO” 3053 indicating the book number is set.

  The display control information shown in FIG. 3B is an example showing customization data regarding the display method (whether or not to display) each item for each item of the setting value shown in FIG. In addition to the above, an expression method item 306 is provided, and a character color 3061, a character size 3062, a font 3063, and the like are set as sub-items in the item. It is also possible to obtain a snapshot of data related to method control.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a screen example according to the display control method illustrated in FIG. In the example shown here, the user ID 301 is the user A, the IP address item is not displayed, and the display items are displayed in color = blue, size = large, font = MS Gothic. The “OK” and “Cancel” buttons are buttons that are operated when the user uses them.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence chart for explaining the operation when creating a snapshot at a specific timing. The example shown here is an example of a sequence when a snapshot is created and registered at the timing when the operator logs out from the system.

(1) When a client PC 211 as a Web client logs in to the Web system, makes necessary settings, and issues a logout request, the login / out processing unit 212 creates a snapshot of the current settings. Therefore, a processing request is made to the snapshot control unit 203 (sequences 501 and 502).

(2) Upon receipt of the processing request, the snapshot control unit 203 receives the setting content data collected by the snapshot data collection unit 201, acquires the current date information from the current date acquisition unit 209, and the user A user ID is acquired from the ID acquisition unit 208 (sequences 503 to 505).

(3) The snapshot control unit 203 causes the snapshot data acquisition unit 206 to search whether there is corresponding previous setting data in the storage device 210 using the user ID as a key, and receives the response. (Sequence 506 to 508).

(4) If there is no corresponding data in the received response, the snapshot control unit 203 instructs the snapshot data registration unit 204 to store the acquired current date and time and the collected snapshot data in the storage device 210. New registration is performed, and a response of the registration result is received (sequence 509 to 511).

(5) If there is corresponding data in the received response, the snapshot control unit 203 instructs the snapshot data setting unit 205 to store the acquired current date and time and the collected snapshot data in the storage device 210. Overwriting is updated, and a response of the update result is received (sequences 512 to 514).

(6) After that, the snapshot control unit 203 notifies the login / out processing unit 212 that the control of the snapshot has been completed, whereby the login / out processing unit 212 performs other logout processing to perform the Web client. To notify the end of logout (sequences 515 to 517).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a snapshot creation process in the snapshot control unit in the sequence explained with reference to FIG. 5. Next, this will be explained.

(1) First, the setting data collected by the snapshot data collection unit 201 is collected, the current date and time information is acquired from the current date and time acquisition unit 209, and the user ID is acquired from the user ID acquisition unit 208 (step) 601-603).

(2) When the current operator acquires snapshot data registered last time using the user ID as a key, determines whether or not corresponding data exists, and there is no corresponding previously registered snapshot data Then, the collected setting data is newly registered together with the user ID and the current date and time, and the process ends (steps 604 to 606).

(3) If the corresponding previously registered snapshot data exists in the determination in step 605, the difference between the latest collected snapshot data and the previously registered snapshot data is extracted, and whether or not there is a difference. Is determined (steps 607 and 608).

(4) If there is no change in the determination in step 608, only the date / time of the previously registered data is changed to the date / time of the data collected this time. And the process ends (steps 609 and 610).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation relating to the difference extraction of the snapshot data in the processing shown in FIG. 6, and this will be described next.

(1) First, the setting data collected by the snapshot data collecting unit 201 is collected, the user ID is obtained from the user ID obtaining unit 208, and the snapshot data previously registered by the current operator using the user ID as a key. That is, the latest data in the snapshot management is acquired (steps 701 to 703).

(2) As to the result of the processing in step 703, it is determined whether or not the corresponding user's snapshot data exists. If there is no corresponding data, there is no difference and the processing is terminated (step 704). .

(3) If it is determined in step 704 that the corresponding user's snapshot data exists, the latest snapshot data acquired in step 701 and the previously registered snapshot data acquired in step 703 And the process is terminated (step 705).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list display screen of items having differences when there is a difference in snapshot data. The list display screen shown in FIG. 8 is an example of a screen that displays a list of setting items for which a difference has been detected, with screen links added. Then, the user can move to the setting screen by selecting and clicking an item displayed on the screen.

  The difference can be considered not only for the setting value but also for the setting item itself. That is, in the case of having a function that can customize the screen, if the presence / absence, size, color, position, etc. of the setting items can be changed by the user, all the differences can be displayed.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen displayed by selecting one of the changed items in the example shown in FIG. This example shows a display example when the HTTP port number in the screen example of FIG. 8 is selected. The item column of “HTTP port number” is surrounded by a red frame, for example, and this item is changed. It has been shown. The value “8080” corresponding to this item is a value after the change. Here, the user can make another setting, or can call up and display the previous state.

  An IP address item can be newly displayed as a setting item.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing for narrowing down the difference extraction. In the description so far, the difference between the latest modified snapshot data and the latest snapshot data has been extracted. However, in the process described here, as an example of narrowing the difference to the date unit, the past one day or more The difference between the previously changed setting item and the latest snapshot data is extracted.

  In this process, first, the current date and time is acquired (step 1001), the latest data among the snapshot data registered one day or more before the acquired current date and time is acquired (step 1002), The latest snapshot data is acquired (step 1003), and the difference between these two snapshot data is extracted (step 1004).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a processing example in which the difference extraction narrowing is performed in a prescribed category unit. In this process, first, the difference of the snapshot data is extracted (step 1101), and the extracted difference is looped for each category to generate a difference for each category (step 1102), and the current category is designated. Whether to match the specified category is checked for each category (step 1103), and if the current category matches the specified category, the setting item belonging to the matched category is held (step 1104) become.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a processing example in which the extraction of difference extraction is an arbitrary keyword. In this process, the difference between the snapshot data is extracted (step 1201), the extracted difference is looped for each setting item to generate a difference for each item (step 1202), and the current setting item name is Whether the specified keyword is included is checked for each set item (step 1203). If the current set item name includes the specified keyword, the setting item is retained (step 1204). become.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining processing for detecting a difference in snapshot data at the timing when the operator logs in to the system and displaying the updated snapshot data on the client.

(1) When the client PC 211 as a Web client issues a login request to the Web system, the login / out processing unit 212 requests the snapshot control unit 203 to extract a difference of snapshot data ( Sequence 1301, 1302).

(2) Upon receiving the processing request, the snapshot control unit 203 requests the snapshot data acquisition unit 206 to acquire the latest snapshot data in the storage device 210, and as a response, the latest snapshot data (latest (Setting contents data) is acquired (sequence 1303-1305).

(3) Next, the snapshot control unit 203 acquires a user ID from the user ID acquisition unit 208, and causes the snapshot data acquisition unit 206 to use the user ID as a key and the previous setting data corresponding to the storage device 210. A response is received (sequence 1306 to 1309).

(4) The snapshot control unit 203 requests the snapshot data difference extraction unit 202 to extract the difference between the snapshot when the user logged in last time and the latest snapshot, and the response Difference data is acquired (sequences 1310 and 1311).

(5) When there is no difference in the received difference data, the snapshot control unit 203 reports to that effect to the login / out processing unit 212, and the login / out processing unit 212 The top page screen is returned and displayed (sequences 1312, 1313).

(6) When there is a difference in the received difference data, the snapshot control unit 203 reports to that effect to the login / out processing unit 212, and the login / out processing unit 212 notifies the Web client. Then, the updated setting item list screen (for example, the screen described with reference to FIG. 8) is returned and displayed (sequences 1314 and 1315).

  According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to manage snapshot data in a state in which each setting content is linked, reducing the complexity of holding effective data combinations and managing history data. be able to.

  In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to easily obtain information on setting items changed between a specific time point and another specific time point, and to display a list of changed setting items. Therefore, the operator can easily identify the entire change point.

  Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the changed setting item can be displayed separately from the setting item that has not been changed, so that the change point can be easily performed without causing the operator to perform a specific operation. Can be identified.

  In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the difference data can be narrowed down by the setting changer, the setting change date and time, the predefined category to which the setting item belongs, the keyword included in the setting item name, etc. Display of unnecessary difference data can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the detection and display of the setting change can be automatically performed, the change point is notified without requiring the operator to perform a specific operation. Is possible.

  Each processing in the above-described embodiment of the present invention is configured by a program and can be executed by a CPU provided in the image forming apparatus, and these programs are stored in a recording medium such as an FD, a CD-ROM, and a DVD. It can be stored and provided, or can be provided by digital information via a network.

  The above-described embodiment of the present invention can be implemented with the same configuration even with an operation panel or the like having a large-screen liquid crystal.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an MFP including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structure for the snapshot management of the setting content by a Web application. It is a figure explaining the setting value and display control data of snapshot data. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen according to the display method illustrated in FIG.3 (b). It is a sequence chart explaining operation | movement when creating a snapshot at a specific timing. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a snapshot creation process in a snapshot control unit in the sequence described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation relating to snapshot data difference extraction in the processing shown in FIG. 6. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the list display screen of the item with a difference when there exists a difference in snapshot data. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting screen displayed by selecting one of the items which changed in the example shown in FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the example of a narrowing-down process of difference extraction. It is a flowchart explaining the process example which made narrowing-down of difference extraction the unit of a regular category. It is a flowchart explaining the process example which narrowed down difference extraction as the arbitrary keyword. It is a flowchart explaining the process which detects the difference of snapshot data at the timing when an operator logs in to a system, and displays the updated snapshot data on a client.

Explanation of symbols

100 MFP
101 OS
102 Engine Control Board 103 Plotter Engine 104 Scanner Engine 105 Copy Application 106 Fax Application 107 Printer Application 108 Net File Application 109 Web Application 110 SCS
111 FCS
112 ECS
113 MCS
114 OCS
115 NCS
116 plotter_sa
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 201 Snapshot data collection part 202 Difference extraction part 203 Snapshot control part 203 Registration part 205 Setting part 206 Snapshot data acquisition part 207 Setting content Snapshot management part 208 User ID acquisition part 209 Current date acquisition part 210 Storage device 211 Client PC
212 Login / out processing part

Claims (10)

  An information processing apparatus capable of creating and managing snapshot data of setting contents for an information processing apparatus, comprising: a snapshot control means; a snapshot data collection means; and a storage means for storing snapshot data; The shot data collection unit collects a snapshot of the setting content at a specific time, and the snapshot control unit stores and manages the collected snapshot of the setting content in the storage unit. apparatus.   Snapshot data acquisition means and difference extraction means are further provided, the snapshot data acquisition means acquires snapshot data stored in the storage means, and the difference extraction means stores the snapshot data acquired by the acquisition means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a difference in snapshot data between two time points is extracted.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when there is a difference between the snapshot data, a list of setting items having the difference is displayed.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when there is a difference between the snapshot data, the corresponding item on the setting screen is identified and displayed according to a predetermined display method.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the extraction of the difference between the snapshot data is performed by narrowing down to an operator unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein extraction of differences between the snapshot data is performed by narrowing down to date units.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein extraction of differences between the snapshot data is performed by narrowing down to a predetermined category unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein extraction of differences between the snapshot data is performed by narrowing down based on an arbitrary keyword.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a difference between the snapshot data is detected at a specific timing, and a setting item having the difference is displayed.   In the method for creating and managing a snapshot of setting contents in an information processing apparatus capable of creating and managing a snapshot of setting contents for the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus includes: snapshot control means; snapshot data; A collection unit; and a storage unit for storing snapshot data, wherein the snapshot data collection unit collects a snapshot of setting contents at a specific time point, and the snapshot control unit includes a snapshot of the collected setting contents. A snapshot creation and management method characterized in that a shot is stored and managed in the storage means.

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