JP2008065637A - Management apparatus, management program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a management apparatus capable of automatically setting equipment connected to a network, a management program and a recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: In a network system 1, a server SV retrieves pieces of equipment KM1 to KMn on the network NW, registers the equipment information of the detected pieces of equipment KW1 to JMn in a management database in which the equipment information of the pieces of equipment KM1 to KMn, management information necessary for the management of the pieces of equipment KM1 to KMn and setting information made to correspond to the management information are to be registered, acquires the setting information corresponding to the management information from the management database on the basis of the management information of the detected pieces of equipment KM1 to KMn, and transmits the acquired setting information to the detected pieces of equipment KM1 to KMn to register the setting information to the pieces of equipment KM1 to KMn. Thereby, various setting of the pieces of equipment KM1 to KMn connected to the network NW can be automatically performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a management device, a management program, and a recording medium, and more particularly, to a management device, a management program, and a recording medium that automatically perform various settings of the device according to information about the device on a network.

  In order to connect a host device such as a computer and an image processing device (peripheral device) such as a printer device and a scanner device and use the image processing device from the host device, a printer driver corresponding to the printer device and the scanner device It is necessary to install a scanner driver and device management utility software corresponding to the above in the host device and use the software to operate the image processing device. Also, appropriate settings of the image processing device, particularly a network, etc. When the host apparatus and the image processing apparatus are connected and used via the communication line, it is necessary to appropriately perform communication settings via the network.

  Conventionally, software for such an image processing apparatus is provided on a recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) included in the image processing apparatus, or a company that provides an image processing apparatus via the Internet. Software obtained by downloading from a software providing device or the like is manually installed on the host device.

  In recent years, networking has progressed, and image processing apparatuses such as printers and scanners have been used from a plurality of host apparatuses. When such image processing apparatuses on a network are used from a plurality of host apparatuses. In addition to installing a dedicated driver for each image processing apparatus in each host apparatus, it is necessary to make various settings according to the usage environment intended by the user of each host apparatus.

  Conventionally, in an image input / output device having at least one function such as a network, a scanner, a facsimile, a copy, and a printer, setting information for enabling use of each function, an identifier indicating a setting condition, and its value are stored and managed. An image input / output device that changes the value of the identifier in response to a setting change request has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

  Conventionally, when a device having a hierarchical management information base is connected to the network, the type of the management information base is determined by accessing the device and referring to predetermined information in the management information base. A parameter setting system that recognizes and sets parameters for a device by a setting method according to the type of the management information base has been proposed (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-363710 A JP 2000-339247 A

  However, in the above prior art, there is a need for improvement in order to make setting of devices connected to the network simple and efficient.

  That is, in the prior art described in Patent Document 1, when there are a plurality of functions, setting information for enabling use of each function and an identifier indicating a setting condition and its value are held from the outside. When there is a request to change the value of the identifier, the function used in response to the change request is changed. Therefore, it is not possible to automatically set the device connected to the network. There was a need to improve the efficiency.

  In the prior art described in Patent Document 2, when a device having a hierarchical management information base is connected to the network, the device is accessed and predetermined information in the management information base is referred to. Therefore, since the type of management information base is recognized and the parameter setting is performed for the device by the setting method according to the type of the management information base, the hierarchical management information that defines the setting method by the device There is a need to have a base, which increases costs, and requires improvements in order to make the equipment setup inexpensive and simple.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a management device, a management program, and a recording medium with good usability by automatically performing various settings of devices connected to a network.

  The management device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a management device that is connected to a network to which a device that operates in accordance with registered setting information is connected and manages the device. Management information storage means in which management information necessary for management and the setting information associated with the management information are registered; search means for searching for devices on the network; and from the devices detected by the search means, Acquire device information and management information, register the acquired device information in the management information storage means, and acquire the setting information corresponding to the management information from the management information storage means based on the acquired management information And a control means for performing setting information registration processing for transmitting the acquired setting information to the detected device and registering the setting information in the device. It has achieved.

  The management program of the invention described in claim 2 is a management program installed in a management apparatus that is connected to a network to which a device that operates in accordance with registered setting information is connected and manages the device. A search processing step for searching for devices on the network, and device information and management information of the devices are acquired from the devices detected by the search processing, and the acquired device information is used for device information and management of devices. The management information is registered in the management information storage unit in which the setting information associated with the management information is registered, and the setting information corresponding to the management information is registered from the management information storage unit based on the acquired management information. And a management processing step for performing setting information registration processing for transmitting the acquired setting information to the detected device and registering the setting information in the device. By Rukoto, it has achieved the above object.

  The management device according to claim 3 is a management device that is connected to a network to which a device that operates in accordance with registered setting information is connected and manages the device. Management information storage means in which necessary management information is registered for each group based on the management information, search means for searching for devices on the network, and devices of the devices from the devices detected by the search means Control means for acquiring information and the management information, and performing device registration processing for registering the acquired device information in a group corresponding to the acquired management information in the group of the management information storage means The above-mentioned purpose is achieved.

  5. The management program according to claim 4, wherein the management program is installed in a management apparatus that is connected to a network connected to a device that operates in accordance with registered setting information and manages the device. A search processing step for searching for a device, device information and management information of the device from the device detected in the search processing, and the acquired device information as device information related to the device and management information necessary for device management A device registration processing step for performing device registration processing for registering in the group corresponding to the acquired management information among the groups of the management information storage means registered separately for each group based on the management information The above-mentioned purpose is achieved.

  In the case of claim 3 or claim 4, for example, as set forth in claim 5, the management information storage means sets and registers the setting to the device in association with the management information corresponding to the group Information is registered, and the management apparatus or the management program acquires the setting information associated with the management information acquired from the device detected in the search process from the management information storage unit, and the acquired setting information May be transmitted to the detected device to perform setting information registration processing for registering the setting information in the device.

  Further, in the case of claim 1, claim 2 or claim 5, for example, as described in claim 6, the management device or the management program is already registered in the management information storage unit When the management information changing operation process for changing the management information of the management information is performed, the setting information registered in the management information storage unit is acquired for the management information after the change, and the acquired setting information is A setting information change registration process may be performed in which the setting information is changed and registered in the device by transmitting the information to the device whose information has been changed.

  Further, in the case of claim 5 or claim 6, for example, as described in claim 7, the management apparatus or the management program changes a group to which a device already registered in the management information storage unit belongs. When the group change operation process to be performed is performed, the setting information registered in the management information storage unit is acquired for the changed group, and the setting information is transmitted to the changed device of the group. A setting information change registration process for changing and registering the setting information in the device may be performed.

  In each of the above cases, for example, as described in claim 8, in the management apparatus or the management program, the management information may be a system on the network of each device.

  Further, in the case of claims 1 to 7, for example, as described in claim 9, in the management apparatus or the management program, the management information may be administrator information of each device.

  In the case of claims 1 to 9, for example, as described in claim 10, the management device or the management program includes a plurality of types of information in which the management information is set in priority order. The setting information registration process and / or the device registration process may be executed based on a plurality of types of information set with the priority order.

  Further, in each of the above cases, for example, as described in claim 11, the management device or the management program selects whether to execute the setting information registration process or / and the device registration process for each process. You may process according to a result.

  A recording medium according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is a recording medium for recording a management program that can be installed in a management apparatus that is connected to a network connected to a device that operates in accordance with registered setting information and that manages the device. And the said objective is achieved by recording the management program in any one of Claim 2 or Claim 4 to 11 as said management program.

  According to the present invention, a device on the network is searched, and device information of the detected device is registered as device information related to the device, management information necessary for device management, and setting information associated with the management information. In addition to registering in the management information storage unit, setting information corresponding to the management information is acquired from the management information storage unit based on the management information of the detected device, transmitted to the detected device, and transmitted to the device. Since the setting information is registered, various settings of the devices connected to the network can be performed automatically, making it easy to manage each device on the network and improving the usability of each device. Can be improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, device information on a device searched for on the network is detected, device information related to the device, and management information necessary for device management are divided into groups based on the management information. Registered in the group corresponding to the management information of the detected device out of the group of the management information storage means registered in this way, the devices can be automatically grouped based on the management information, Can be done efficiently.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The scope of the present invention limits this invention especially in the following description. As long as there is no description of the effect, it is not restricted to these aspects.

  1 and 2 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of the management apparatus, management program, and recording medium of the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the management apparatus, management program, and recording medium of the present invention. It is a block block diagram of the applied network system.

  In FIG. 1, a network system 1 includes a server SV and a plurality of devices KM1 to KMn connected to a network NW such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The devices KM1 to KMn include, for example, a printer device, a composite device, In order to operate from a host device (not shown) such as a scanner device via the network NW, driver software (hereinafter referred to as a driver) is required, and in order to operate with settings intended by the user, the various settings are set. Necessary equipment.

  The server (management apparatus) SV is a normal computer or the like and has a normal hardware configuration. The server SV has basic software installed therein as a server SV and is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc), a CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable), a DVD (Digital Video Disk), or a flexible disk. By loading and introducing the management program, it is constructed as a management device that includes search means and control means, and executes device management processing described later such as search processing and setting information registration processing.

  In addition, the server SV includes an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse and an output device such as a display (for example, a liquid crystal display) and a speaker, and the device administrator uses the input / output unit. Input operation of device information of the devices KM1 to KMn to be managed by the network system 1, in particular, management information such as system information of the devices KM1 to KMn and various information including management information and setting information of the devices KM1 to KMn. In addition, various information necessary for device management processing is displayed on the display of the input / output unit.

  The server SV stores various information input from the input / output unit, in particular, device information of the devices KM1 to KMn, system information (management information) of the devices KM1 to KMn, setting information of the devices KM1 to KMn, etc. Is stored as a management database in the volatile memory (management information storage means), and a device management process for managing the setting states of the devices KM1 to KMn is performed based on the management database in the memory.

  The device information includes, for example, IP addresses (IP Address), Mac addresses (MAC Address), model names, and the like of the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW.

  As described above, the devices KM1 to KMn are set in the devices KM1 to KMn in order to operate from the host devices HS1 to HSn such as a printer device, a composite device, and a scanner device via the network NW. And has a function of setting based on setting information transmitted from the server SV.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the network system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the device administrator manages the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW by the network system, the server SV previously stores the device information on the network NW and the network of the devices KM1 to KMn. Based on a management database consisting of setting information for each system (management information), device management processing for automatically setting the settings of the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW is performed.

  That is, the server SV searches the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW in advance using a broadcast address for sending a packet to all the destinations on the network NW, and obtains the device information of the searched devices KM1 to KMn. While registering in the management database and pre-registering the network system of the devices KM1 to KMn and the setting information in the management database in advance, as shown in FIG. When the devices KM1 to KMn are searched using the broadcast address and all the devices KM1 to KMn are searched and the devices KM1 to KMn are detected (step S101), the detected devices KM1 to KMn become a new device KM1. It is checked whether it is ~ KMn (step S102). The server SV checks whether the new devices KM1 to KMn are the same, for example, by comparing the detected mac addresses of the devices KM1 to KMn with the mac addresses registered as device information in the management database. If it is a Mac address, it is a registered device KM1 to KMn, and if it is a different Mac address, it is determined to be a new device KM1 to KMn.

  In step S102, if it is a new device KM1 to KMn, the device information such as the IP address, Mac address, model name, etc. of the devices KM1 to KMn and the system as management information (system on the network) are acquired, The device information is registered in the management database, the system of the devices KM1 to KMn is discriminated (step S103), the setting information registered in the management database for the system is read, and the new devices KM1 to KMn are assigned. In response to this, the device is automatically set and the device management process is terminated (step S104).

  If the detected devices KM1 to KMn are not the new devices KM1 to KMn in step S101, the server SV uses the systems registered in the previous search and the systems acquired in the current search as the systems of the devices KM1 to KMn. To check whether there is a change in the system (step S105). If there is a change in the system, the setting information registered in the management database for the system is read out and the system is changed. By transmitting the setting information to the existing devices KM1 to KMn, the setting suitable for the changed system is automatically set, and the device management process is terminated (step S106).

  If there is no change in the system of the detected devices KM1 to KMn in step S105, the server SV ends the device management process as it is without changing the setting.

  For example, when the administrator of the network NW manages two systems of the 8th system and the 169th system, the comment setting is “8 system” in the 8th system, and “169 system” in the 169th system. The IP addresses of the detected devices KM1 to KMn are 133.139.8. If it is *, the comment setting is set to “8 system”, and the IP addresses of the detected devices KM1 to KMn are 133.139.169. If *, the comment setting is automatically set to “169”.

  As described above, in the network system 1 according to the present embodiment, the server SV searches for the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW, and detects the device information of the devices KM1 to KMn. Register the system as management information necessary for managing KM1 to KMn and the management database in which the setting information associated with the system is registered, and correspond to the system based on the detected system of the devices KM1 to KMn. Setting information is acquired from the management database, transmitted to the detected devices KM1 to KMn, and the setting information is registered in the devices KM1 to KMn.

  Therefore, various settings of the devices KM1 to KMn connected to the network NW can be automatically performed, reducing the burden on the administrator and improving the usability of the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW. Can do.

  Further, in the network system 1 of the present embodiment, when the management information change operation process is performed in which the server SV changes the system that is the management information of the devices KM1 to KMn already registered in the management database, The setting information registered in the management database is acquired for the system, the acquired setting information is transmitted to the changed devices KM1 to KMn of the system, and the setting information is changed and registered in the devices KM1 to KMn. is doing.

  Therefore, it is possible to easily and automatically set the changed setting information for the devices KM1 to KMn whose management information has been changed, and to further improve the usability of the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW. be able to.

  Furthermore, the network system 1 of the present embodiment uses a system on the network of the devices KM1 to KMn as management information.

  Therefore, it is possible to appropriately and efficiently identify each device KM1 to KMn based on the system and manage the setting information.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing device management processing by the server of the network system to which the second embodiment of the management device, management program and recording medium of the present invention is applied.

  The present embodiment is applied to a network system similar to the network system 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the description of the first embodiment is used as necessary. The description will be made using the reference numerals as they are.

  In the network system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the device administrator manages the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW using the administrator account as management information, the server SV previously stores the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW. Based on a management database consisting of device information and setting information for each administrator account (management information) of the devices KM1 to KMn, device management processing for automatically setting the settings of the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW is performed.

  That is, the server SV searches the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW in advance using the broadcast address, registers the device information of the searched devices KM1 to KMn in the management database, and manages the devices KM1 to KMn in advance. In the state where the user account and the setting information are registered in the management database as a pair, as shown in FIG. 3, the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW are searched using the broadcast address at predetermined timings, etc. When all devices KM1 to KMn are searched and devices KM1 to KMn are detected (step S201), it is checked whether the detected devices KM1 to KMn are new devices KM1 to KMn (step S202).

  In step S202, if it is a new device KM1 to KMn, the server SV acquires device information such as the IP address, mac address, and model name of the device KM1 to KMn and an administrator account, and manages the device information. In addition to registering in the database, the administrator account of the devices KM1 to KMn is determined (step S203), the setting information registered in the management database for the administrator account is read out, and the new devices KM1 to KMn are assigned. In response, the device management process is terminated (step S204).

  When the detected devices KM1 to KMn are not the new devices KM1 to KMn in step S202, the server SV is registered at the previous search with the administrator account acquired in the current search for the devices KM1 to KMn. A comparison with the administrator account is performed to check whether there is a change in the administrator account (step S205). If there is a change in the administrator account, the changed administrator account is registered in the management database. The setting information is read out and automatically set by transmitting the setting information to the devices KM1 to KMn whose manager account has been changed, and the device management process is terminated (step S206).

  If there is no change in the administrator account of the detected devices KM1 to KMn in step S205, the server SV ends the device management process without changing the setting.

  For example, the network NW is managed by two persons, administrator a and administrator b. In administrator a, the comment setting is “administrator is a”, and in administrator b, “administrator is If the administrator account of the detected devices KM1 to KMn is the administrator a, the comment setting is set to “administrator is a” and the management of the detected devices KM1 to KMn is performed. If the administrator account is administrator b, the comment setting is automatically set to “administrator is b”.

  Thus, in the network system 1 of the present embodiment, the server SV searches for the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW, registers the device information of the detected devices KM1 to KMn in the management database, and detects the detection. The setting information corresponding to the administrator account is acquired from the management database based on the administrator account (administrator information) of the devices KM1 to KMn, and transmitted to the detected devices KM1 to KMn and transmitted to the devices KM1 to KM1. The setting information is registered in KMn.

  Accordingly, various settings of the devices KM1 to KMn connected to the network NW can be appropriately and automatically performed based on the administrator account, and the load on the administrator can be reduced, and each device KM1 on the network NW can be reduced. The utility of ~ KMn can be improved.

  In the first and second embodiments, both the network system and the administrator account may be adopted as management information. In this case, which of the network system and the administrator account is prioritized? May be set, and the device may be set based on the priority.

  In this case, for example, the setting information is registered in the management database in correspondence with the network system and the administrator account, and the priority order of the network system and the administrator account is registered. For example, two systems of 8 and 169 are managed. In the 8 system, the comment setting is “8 system”, in the 169 system, “169 system”, and the network NW is the administrator. The administrator a and the administrator b manage the comment. The administrator a sets the comment setting to “Administrator is a”, and the administrator b has “Administrator is b”. If the IP addresses of the devices KM1 to KMn detected by the search are 133.139.8.1 and the administrator account is the administrator b, the comment indicates “Management "Is b" "is set, and" 8 system "is not set.

  In this way, various settings of the devices KM1 to KMn connected to the network NW can be more appropriately and automatically performed based on a plurality of types of management information (system and administrator account in the above example). It is possible to reduce the burden on the administrator and improve the usability of the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing device management processing by the server of the network system to which the third embodiment of the management device, management program and recording medium of the present invention is applied.

  The present embodiment is applied to a network system similar to the network system 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the description of the first embodiment is used as necessary. The description will be made using the reference numerals as they are.

  In the network system 1 of the present embodiment, the device administrator groups the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW based on the network system (management information) and registers them in the management database, and based on the system, the devices KM1 to KM1 are registered. Device management processing for automatically setting the KMn setting is performed.

  That is, the server SV searches the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW in advance using the broadcast address, and stores the searched device information of the devices KM1 to KMn in the network system (management information) of the devices KM1 to KMn. As shown in FIG. 4, the network is divided into groups and registered in the management database, and the system corresponding to the group and the setting information are previously registered in the management database, as shown in FIG. When searching for the devices KM1 to KMn on the NW using the broadcast address and searching for all the devices KM1 to KMn and detecting the devices KM1 to KMn (step S301), the detected devices KM1 to KMn are new. It is checked whether the devices are KM1 to KMn (step S302).

  In step S302, if it is a new device KM1 to KMn, the server SV acquires the device information and system (system on the network) such as the IP address, mac address, and model name of the device KM1 to KMn, and The system of the devices KM1 to KMn is discriminated (step S303), the devices KM1 to KMn are automatically assigned to the group registered in the management database for the system, and the device information is registered (step S304).

  Next, the server SV reads the setting information registered in the management database for the system of the distributed group, and transmits the setting information to the new devices KM1 to KMn for automatic setting. The device management process is terminated (step S305).

  When the detected devices KM1 to KMn are not new devices KM1 to KMn in step S302, the server SV determines whether the system acquired in the current search for the devices KM1 to KMn and the system registered in the previous search are the same. A comparison is performed to check whether there is a change in the system (step S306). If there is a change in the system, the devices KM1 to KMn are automatically assigned to groups registered for the system in the management database, The device information is registered (step S307).

  Next, the server SV reads the setting information registered in the management database for the system of the distributed group, and sets the setting information corresponding to the system after the change to the devices KM1 to KMn that have been distributed. Then, the device management process is terminated (step S308).

  If there is no change in the system of the detected devices KM1 to KMn in step S306, the server SV ends the device management process as it is without changing the setting.

  For example, an administrator of the network NW has managed to detect two systems 8 and 169, 8 being managed by group A, and 169 being managed by group B. The IP addresses of the devices KM1 to KMn are 133.139.8. If it is *, the devices KM1 to KMn are automatically assigned to the group A, and the IP addresses of the detected devices KM1 to KMn are 133.139.169. If it is *, the devices KM1 to KMn are automatically assigned to the group B.

  As described above, in the network system 1 according to the present embodiment, the server SV searches for the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW, and the device information of the devices KM1 to KMn and the devices KM1 to KM1 from the detected devices KM1 to KMn. The system on the network of KMn is acquired, and the acquired device information is stored in the management database in which the device information on the devices KM1 to KMn and the systems of the devices KM1 to KMn are divided and registered for each group based on the system. The group is registered in the group corresponding to the acquired system.

  Therefore, the devices KM1 to KMn can be automatically grouped based on the system of the devices KM1 to KMn, and the devices KM1 to KMn can be managed efficiently.

  In the network system 1 of the present embodiment, setting information is registered in the management database of the server SV in association with the system corresponding to the group, and the server SV acquires the information acquired from the devices KM1 to KMn detected by the search process. The system setting information associated with the group corresponding to the system of the devices KM1 to KMn is acquired from the management database, and the acquired setting information is transmitted to the detected devices KM1 to KMn and the settings to the devices KM1 to KMn are set. Setting information registration processing for registering information is performed.

  Therefore, the devices KM1 to KMn connected to the network NW are managed for each group based on the system of the devices KM1 to KMn, and various settings of the devices KM1 to KMn of the group are appropriately and automatically performed. It is possible to further reduce the burden on the administrator and improve the usability of the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing device management processing by the server of the network system to which the fourth embodiment of the management device, management program and recording medium of the present invention is applied.

  The present embodiment is applied to a network system similar to the network system 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the description of the first embodiment is used as necessary. The description will be made using the reference numerals as they are.

  In the network system 1 of the present embodiment, the device administrator groups the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW based on the administrator account (management information) and registers them in the management database, and based on the administrator account. Device management processing for automatically setting the devices KM1 to KMn is performed.

  That is, the server SV searches for the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW in advance using the broadcast address, and uses the searched device information of the devices KM1 to KMn as an administrator account (administrator information) of the devices KM1 to KMn. As shown in FIG. 5, the administrator account corresponding to the group and the setting information are previously registered in the management database as shown in FIG. Then, the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW are searched using the broadcast address, and all the devices KM1 to KMn are searched to detect the devices KM1 to KMn (step S401). Check whether ~ KMn is a new device KM1-KMn (step 402).

  In step S402, if it is a new device KM1 to KMn, the server SV acquires device information such as an IP address, a Mac address, and a model name of the device KM1 to KMn and an administrator account, and the devices KM1 to KMn. (Step S403), the devices KM1 to KMn are automatically assigned to the group registered in the management database for the administrator account, and the device information is registered (step S404).

  Next, the server SV reads the setting information registered in the management database for the administrator account of the distributed group, and transmits the setting information to the new devices KM1 to KMn for automatic setting. Then, the device management process is terminated (step S405).

  When the detected devices KM1 to KMn are not new devices KM1 to KMn in step S402, the server SV and the management account registered in the current search for the devices KM1 to KMn and the management registered at the previous search are performed. The administrator account is compared to check whether there is a change in the administrator account (step S406). If there is a change in the administrator account, the group registered in the management database for the administrator account The devices KM1 to KMn are automatically distributed and the device information is registered (step S407).

  Next, the server SV reads the setting information registered in the management database for the administrator account of the assigned group, and transmits the setting information to the assigned devices KM1 to KMn for automatic setting. Then, the device management process ends (step S408).

  If there is no change in the administrator account of the detected devices KM1 to KMn in step S406, the server SV ends the device management process without changing the setting.

  For example, when the administrator of the network NW has two administrators, administrator a and administrator b, the administrator a manages group A, and the administrator b manages group B. If the administrator account of the detected devices KM1 to KMn is the administrator a, the devices KM1 to KMn are automatically assigned to the group A, and the administrator account of the detected devices KM1 to KMn is the administrator b. Then, the devices KM1 to KMn are automatically assigned to the group B.

  As described above, in the network system 1 of the present embodiment, the server SV searches for the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW, and uses the detected devices KM1 to KMn to obtain device information and an administrator account of the devices KM1 to KMn. The acquired administrator information is acquired from the group of the management database in which the device information about the devices KM1 to KMn and the administrator account are registered for each group based on the administrator account. You are registered in the group corresponding to the account.

  Therefore, the devices KM1 to KMn can be automatically grouped based on the administrator account, and the devices KM1 to KMn can be managed efficiently.

  Further, in the network system 1 of this embodiment, the management information of the server SV is registered in association with the group, and the server SV corresponds to the administrator account acquired from the devices KM1 to KMn detected by the search process. Setting information for acquiring the setting information of the administrator account associated with the group to be transmitted from the management database, transmitting the acquired setting information to the detected devices KM1 to KMn, and registering the setting information in the devices KM1 to KMn Registration process is in progress.

  Therefore, the devices KM1 to KMn connected to the network NW can be managed for each group based on the administrator account, and various settings of the devices KM1 to KMn of the group can be appropriately and automatically performed. The user's load can be further reduced, and the usability of the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW can be improved.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing device management processing by the server of the network system to which the fifth embodiment of the management device, management program and recording medium of the present invention is applied.

  The present embodiment is applied to a network system similar to the network system 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the description of the first embodiment is used as necessary. The description will be made using the reference numerals as they are.

  The network system 1 of the present embodiment divides the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW into groups based on the network system and registers them in the management database and manages each group. However, for the entire devices KM1 to KMn, Depending on the selection, the setting of the devices KM1 to KMn is automatically set for each group based on the system of the group, or device management processing for rejecting the automatic setting is performed.

  That is, the server SV searches the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW in advance using the broadcast address, and groups the device information of the searched devices KM1 to KMn into groups based on the network system of the devices KM1 to KMn. As shown in FIG. 6, the devices on the network NW are registered separately in the management database and registered in the management database in pairs with the system and setting information corresponding to the group in advance. The search for KM1 to KMn is performed using the broadcast address, and all the devices KM1 to KMn are searched and when the devices KM1 to KMn are detected (step S501), the detected devices KM1 to KMn become a new device KM1. It is checked whether it is ~ KMn (step S502).

  In step S502, if it is a new device KM1 to KMn, the server SV checks whether it is set to perform automatic group distribution for the entire device KM1 to KMn (step S503). The setting as to whether or not this group is automatically distributed can be set as appropriate by the administrator through an operation from the input / output unit of the server SV and registered in the management database. The server SV refers to this setting state. Then, check whether it is set to perform automatic group assignment.

  If it is set to perform automatic group distribution in step S503, the server SV acquires device information and systems (system on the network) such as IP addresses, mac addresses, and model names of the new devices KM1 to KMn. Then, the system of the devices KM1 to KMn is discriminated (step S504), the devices KM1 to KMn are automatically assigned to the group registered in the management database for the system, and the device information is registered ( Step S505).

  Next, the server SV reads the setting information registered in the management database for the system of the distributed group, and transmits the setting information to the new devices KM1 to KMn for automatic setting. The device management process is terminated (step S506).

  If it is not set to perform automatic group assignment in step S503, the server SV sets the devices KM1 to KMn as not belonging to any group, and determines the system of the devices KM1 to KMn. (Step S507) The setting information registered in the management database for the system is read, the setting information is automatically transmitted to the new devices KM1 to KMn, and the device management process is terminated. (Step S508).

  If the detected devices KM1 to KMn are not the new devices KM1 to KMn in step S502, the server SV checks whether the setting is made to reset the devices KM1 to KMn (step S509). The setting as to whether or not to reset the already registered devices KM1 to KMn can be appropriately set by an administrator and registered in the management database by an operation from the input / output unit of the server SV. With reference to this setting state, it is checked whether it is set to reset the devices KM1 to KMn.

  If it is determined in step S509 that the devices KM1 to KMn are to be reset, the server SV is configured to perform automatic group distribution by referring to the group automatic distribution setting state in the management database as described above. If it is set to perform automatic distribution (step S510), the system acquired in the current search of the devices KM1 to KMn is compared with the system registered at the previous search. Then, it is checked whether there is a system change (step S511).

  When there is a change in the system in step S511, the server SV automatically allocates the devices KM1 to KMn to the group registered in the management database for the system and registers the device information (step S512). Then, the setting information registered in the management database is read for the system of the allocated group, the setting information is transmitted to the allocated devices KM1 to KMn and automatically set, and the device management process is terminated. (Step S513).

  If there is no change in the system of detected devices KM1 to KMn in step S511, the server SV ends the device management process as it is without changing the setting.

  If it is determined in step S510 that automatic group assignment is not performed, the server SV keeps the detected devices KM1 to KMn as the conventional group setting and searches for the devices KM1 to KMn this time. A comparison is made between the system acquired in step 1 and the system registered at the previous search to check whether there is a change in the system (step S514). If there is a change in the system, the system after the change is managed. The setting information registered in the database is read out, the setting information is transmitted to the devices KM1 to KMn that have been changed in the system and automatically set, and the device management process is terminated (step S515).

  If there is no change in the system of detected devices KM1 to KMn in step S514, the server SV ends the device management process without changing the setting, and in step S509, the devices KM1 to KMn are reset. When the device management is not performed, the device management processing is terminated without performing group assignment and setting change.

  For example, the administrator of the network NW manages two systems, the 8 system and the 169 system, the 8 system is managed by the group A, and the 169 system is managed by the group B. When the setting is not made, the IP addresses of the detected devices KM1 to KMn are 133.139.8. Even if it is *, the devices KM1 to KMn are not set to group A and do not belong to any group, but are set to group A automatically when group distribution is set.

  In the above description, the case where the administrator information is a system on the network of the devices KM1 to KMn has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where the administrator information is an administrator account. The same applies to a plurality of pieces of information in which the manager information is prioritized, for example, the system and the manager account.

  As described above, in the network system 1 according to this embodiment, the server SV groups the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW based on the administrator information such as the system and registers them in the management database to manage each group. At the same time, the device management process for automatically setting the devices KM1 to KMn based on the management information for each group or rejecting the automatic setting is performed on the entire devices KM1 to KMn according to the selection. .

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the setting state of the devices KM1 to KMn from being inadvertently changed, and to manage the devices KM1 to KMn more appropriately according to the usage situation, thereby further improving the usability. Can be made.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing device management processing by the server of the network system to which the sixth embodiment of the management device, management program and recording medium of the present invention is applied.

  The present embodiment is applied to a network system similar to the network system 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the description of the first embodiment is used as necessary. The description will be made using the reference numerals as they are.

  The network system 1 according to the present embodiment, when an operation for changing the group to which the devices KM1 to KMn belong is performed, changes the membership of the devices KM1 to KMn and changes the settings registered for the group after the change. Device management processing for automatically setting information for the devices KM1 to KMn is performed.

  That is, the server SV searches the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW in advance using the broadcast address, and obtains the device information of the searched devices KM1 to KMn based on the network system of the devices KM1 to KMn. Or / and based on the administrator account of the devices KM1 to KMn, it is divided into groups and registered in the management database, and the network system of the devices KM1 to KMn corresponding to the group or / and the administrator account and setting information are stored in advance. When an operation for changing the group to which the devices KM1 to KMn belong is performed from the input / output unit as shown in FIG. 7 with the pair registered in the management database (step S601), a new group is determined. Information about the new group's system or administrator account. Read from, the setting state by sending for the changed device KM1~KMn to the new group, to terminate performing device management processing for automatic setting to the setting information (step S602).

  For example, the device administrator manages the devices KM1 to KMn in the group A and the group B, and the comment of the devices KM1 to KMn belonging to the group A is “belonging to the group A” and the devices KM1 to KM1 belonging to the group B When the comment of KMn is set to “belongs to group B”, when the devices KM1 to KMn belonging to group A, for example, device KM1 is changed to group B, the group of device KM1 in the management database The registration is changed and registered from group A to group B, and the comment of the device KM1 is automatically set to “belongs to group B”.

  As described above, in the network system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the group change operation process is performed in which the server SV changes the group to which the devices KM1 to KMn already registered in the management database belong, the group after the change is performed. The setting information registered in the management database for the management information of the group is acquired, the setting information is transmitted to the changed devices KM1 to KMn of the group, and the setting information is changed and registered in the devices KM1 to KMn. is doing.

  Therefore, when the group of the devices KM1 to KMn is changed, the setting according to the group can be automatically performed for the devices KM1 to KMn, further reducing the burden on the administrator and improving the usability. This can be further improved.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing device management processing by the server of the network system to which the seventh embodiment of the management device, management program and recording medium of the present invention is applied.

  The present embodiment is applied to a network system similar to the network system 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the description of the first embodiment is used as necessary. The description will be made using the reference numerals as they are.

  The network system 1 according to the present embodiment groups the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW based on the management information such as the network system and the administrator account and registers them in the management database to manage each device. KM1 to KMn are individually set according to the selection, and the device management process for automatically setting the devices KM1 to KMn or rejecting the automatic setting is performed.

  That is, the server SV searches for the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW in advance using the broadcast address, and uses the searched device information of the devices KM1 to KMn as the network system and administrator account of the devices KM1 to KMn. As shown in FIG. 8, the group management information and the setting information are previously registered in the management database as a pair as shown in FIG. Then, the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW are searched using the broadcast address, and all devices KM1 to KMn are searched to detect the devices KM1 to KMn (step S701). Check whether ~ KMn is a new device KM1-KMn (step 702).

  In step S702, if it is a new device KM1 to KMn, the server SV checks whether it is set to perform automatic group distribution for each of the devices KM1 to KMn (step S703). Whether or not this group is automatically distributed can be set by the administrator appropriately for each device KM1 to KMn and registered in the management database by an operation from the input / output unit of the server SV. The SV refers to the setting state for each of the devices KM1 to KMn and checks whether it is set to perform automatic group assignment.

  If it is set to perform automatic group distribution in step S703, the server SV acquires the device information and management information such as the IP address, mac address, and model name of the new devices KM1 to KMn, and performs the management. A management environment as to whether the information is the system of the devices KM1 to KMn (system on the network) or the administrator account of the devices KM1 to KMn is determined (step S704), and the management environment, that is, the system or management The devices KM1 to KMn are automatically assigned to the group registered in the management database for the user account, and the device information is registered (step S705).

  Next, the server SV reads the setting information registered in the management database for the management information of the allocated group, and transmits the setting information to the new devices KM1 to KMn for automatic setting. Then, the device management process is terminated (step S706).

  When automatic group assignment is not performed in step S703, the server SV determines that the new devices KM1 to KMn do not belong to any group, and determines the management environment (management information) of the devices KM1 to KMn ( In step S707), the setting information registered in the management database is read for the management information, the setting information is transmitted to the new devices KM1 to KMn and automatically set, and the device management process is terminated. (Step S508).

  If the detected devices KM1 to KMn are not the new devices KM1 to KMn in step S702, the server SV checks whether the device KM1 to KMn is set to reset the devices KM1 to KMn ( Step S709). Whether or not to reset the devices KM1 to KMn can be set by the administrator for each of the devices KM1 to KMn and registered in the management database by an operation from the input / output unit of the server SV. The SV refers to the setting state for each of the devices KM1 to KMn and checks whether it is set to reset the devices KM1 to KMn.

  If it is determined in step S509 that the devices KM1 to KMn are to be reset, the server SV refers to the group automatic distribution setting state for the devices KM1 to KMn in the management database as described above. Is set to perform automatic distribution (step S710), and if it is set to perform automatic distribution, the management environment (management information) acquired in the current search of the devices KM1 to KMn and the previous search are checked. The management environment (management information) registered at times is compared to check whether there is a change in the management environment (management information) (step S711). Whether or not the management environment (management information) has been changed is changed to the system or administrator account when the management environment of the devices KM1 to KMn has only one of the system and the administrator account set as management information. If both the system and the administrator account are set and the priority is set, not only the setting change within the system or the administrator account but also the priority of the system and the administrator account Also check the change of rank.

  If there is a change in the management environment in step S711, the server SV automatically assigns the devices KM1 to KMn to the group registered in the management database with respect to the changed management environment (management information). The device information is registered (step S712), the setting information registered in the management database is read out for the management environment (management information) of the allocated group, and the setting information is stored in the new devices KM1 to KMn. Then, the device management process is terminated (step S713).

  If there is no change in the management environment of the detected devices KM1 to KMn in step S711, the server SV ends the device management process without changing the setting.

  If it is determined in step S710 that automatic group assignment is not performed, the server SV keeps the group of the devices KM1 to KMn as it is, and the management acquired in the current search of the devices KM1 to KMn. The environment (management information) is compared with the management environment (management information) registered at the time of the previous search to check whether the management environment (management information) has changed (step S714), and the management environment (management information) ) Is changed, the setting information registered in the management database is read with respect to the changed management environment (management information), and the setting information is transmitted to the detected devices KM1 to KMn. The device management process is terminated (step S715).

  When there is no change in the management environment (management information) of the detected devices KM1 to KMn in step S714, the server SV ends the device management process without changing the setting, and in step S709, the device KM1. When KMn is not reset, the device management process is terminated without performing group assignment and setting change.

  As described above, in the network system 1 of this embodiment, the server SV registers the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW in the management database by grouping them based on the administrator information such as the network system and the administrator account. Are managed for each group, and the devices KM1 to KMn are automatically set based on the management information according to the selection, or the automatic setting is rejected.

  Therefore, the setting state of the devices KM1 to KMn can be prevented from being changed carelessly for each device KM1 to KMn, and the management of the devices KM1 to KMn can be performed more appropriately according to the usage situation, etc. Usability can be further improved.

  Further, in the network system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the group change operation is performed on the plurality of devices KM1 to KMn, the entire devices KM1 to KMn and the devices KM1 to KMn are individually selected according to the selection. Along with registering change of affiliation, setting information set for the management information of the group after the change is automatically set for the devices KM1 to KMn, or device management processing for rejecting automatic setting is performed. .

  That is, the server SV searches for the devices KM1 to KMn on the network NW in advance using the broadcast address, and the device information of the searched devices KM1 to KMn is based on the network system of the devices KM1 to KMn. Or / and based on the administrator account of the devices KM1 to KMn, it is divided into groups and registered in the management database, and the management database of the network system and / or administrator account and setting information is previously paired for each group. 9, when an operation for changing the group belonging to a plurality of devices KM1 to KMn is performed from the input / output unit as shown in FIG. 9 (step S801), all the devices KM1 to KMn are registered. Check if all devices are set automatically. Flop S803). Whether or not to automatically set all devices in this group is set in the management database by the administrator appropriately setting all the devices KM1 to KMn by an operation from the input / output unit of the server SV, as described above. The server SV can check whether it is set to perform automatic setting with reference to the setting state of whether all devices can be automatically set.

  In step S802, when all device automatic setting is not performed, the server SV ends the device management processing as it is without performing any automatic setting processing.

  When performing all device automatic setting in step S802, the server SV checks whether the device KM1 to KMn is set to perform device individual automatic setting for automatically setting the devices KM1 to KMn (step S803). . Whether or not to perform the individual automatic setting of the devices KM1 to KMn can be set by the administrator appropriately for each of the devices KM1 to KMn and registered in the management database by an operation from the input / output unit of the server SV. The server SV refers to the setting state of the individual device automatic setting for each of the devices KM1 to KMn, and checks whether the setting is made to perform the individual device automatic setting of the devices KM1 to KMn.

  If the device individual automatic setting is not performed in step S803, the server SV ends the device management process without changing the setting.

  If it is determined in step S803 that the individual device automatic setting is set, the server SV reads the setting information registered in the management database for the management information (system or administrator account) of the changed group. Then, the setting information is transmitted to the changed individual devices KM1 to KMn and automatically set, and the device management process is terminated (step S804).

  As described above, in the network system 1 according to the present embodiment, when an operation of changing the group belonging to a plurality of devices KM1 to KMn is performed, the entire device KM1 to KMn and the respective devices are changed according to the selection. Setting information set for the management information of the subsequent group is automatically set for the devices KM1 to KMn, or device management processing for rejecting automatic setting is performed.

  Therefore, when the group of the devices KM1 to KMn is changed, the settings of the devices KM1 to KMn are used while preventing the group KM1 to KMn from being inadvertently automatically set for the devices KM1 to KMn. It is possible to further improve the usability while further reducing the burden on the administrator by performing more appropriately according to the situation.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  The present invention can be applied to a management apparatus, a management program, and a recording medium that automatically set up devices on a network.

1 is a block configuration diagram of a network system to which a first embodiment of a management apparatus, a management program, and a recording medium of the present invention is applied. The flowchart which shows the apparatus management process by the server of FIG. The flowchart which shows the apparatus management process by the server of the network system to which 2nd Example of the management apparatus of this invention, a management program, and a recording medium is applied. The flowchart which shows the apparatus management process by the server of the network system to which the 3rd Example of the management apparatus of this invention, a management program, and a recording medium is applied. The flowchart which shows the apparatus management process by the server of the network system to which the 4th Example of the management apparatus of this invention, a management program, and a recording medium is applied. The flowchart which shows the apparatus management process by the server of the network system to which 5th Example of the management apparatus of this invention, a management program, and a recording medium is applied. The flowchart which shows the apparatus management process by the server of the network system to which the 6th Example of the management apparatus of this invention, a management program, and a recording medium is applied. The flowchart which shows the apparatus management process according to selection for every apparatus by the server of the network system to which the 7th Example of the management apparatus of this invention, a management program, and a recording medium is applied. The flowchart which shows the apparatus management process accompanying the apparatus affiliation group change according to the selection for every apparatus by the server of the network system to which the 7th Example of the management apparatus of this invention, a management program, and a recording medium is applied.

Explanation of symbols

1 Network system NW network SV server KM1-KMn Equipment

Claims (12)

  A management device that is connected to a network to which a device that operates according to registered setting information is connected and manages the device, including device information related to the device, management information necessary for device management, and the management information. Management information storage means for registering the associated setting information, search means for searching for devices on the network, device information and management information of the devices are acquired from the devices detected by the search means, and the acquisition is performed. The registered device information is registered in the management information storage means, and the setting information corresponding to the management information is acquired from the management information storage means based on the acquired management information, and the acquired setting information is detected. And a control unit that performs setting information registration processing for transmitting the setting information to the device and registering the setting information in the device.   A management program installed in a management apparatus connected to a network to which a device that operates in accordance with registered setting information is connected and managing the device, a search processing step for searching for a device on the network; The device information and management information of the device are acquired from the device detected in the search process, and the acquired device information is associated with the device information about the device, management information necessary for device management, and the management information. The management information is registered in the management information storage unit in which the setting information is registered, and the setting information corresponding to the management information is acquired from the management information storage unit based on the acquired management information, and the acquired setting information is stored in the management information storage unit. A management processing step for performing setting information registration processing for transmitting the detected information to the detected device and registering the setting information in the device;   A management device that is connected to a network to which a device that operates according to registered setting information is connected and manages the device. The management information includes device information related to the device and management information necessary for device management. A management information storage unit that is registered for each group based on the search unit, a search unit that searches for a device on the network, and acquires the device information and the management information of the device from the device detected by the search unit, And a control unit that performs a device registration process for registering the acquired device information in a group corresponding to the acquired management information among the group of the management information storage unit.   A management program installed in a management apparatus connected to a network to which a device that operates in accordance with registered setting information is connected and managing the device, a search processing step for searching for a device on the network; The device information and management information of the device is acquired from the device detected in the search process, and the acquired device information is stored in the device information related to the device and management information necessary for device management based on the management information. And a device registration processing step of performing device registration processing for registering in the group corresponding to the acquired management information among the groups of the management information storage means registered separately.   The management information storage means registers the setting information to be registered for the device in association with the management information corresponding to the group, and the management device or the management program is stored in the device detected in the search process. Setting information registration processing for acquiring the setting information associated with the acquired management information from the management information storage unit, transmitting the acquired setting information to the detected device, and registering the setting information in the device 5. The management apparatus according to claim 3, or the management program according to claim 4.   When the management information change operation process for changing the management information of the device already registered in the management information storage unit is performed, the management apparatus or the management program stores the management information for the changed management information. Acquiring the setting information registered in the means, transmitting the acquired setting information to the device whose management information has been changed, and performing setting information change registration processing for changing and registering the setting information in the device 6. The management apparatus according to claim 1, the management program according to claim 2, or the management apparatus or management program according to claim 5.   When the group change operation process for changing the group to which the device already registered in the management information storage unit belongs is performed, the management apparatus or the management program performs the management information storage unit on the group after the change And performing setting information change registration processing for transmitting the setting information to the changed device of the group and changing and registering the setting information in the device. The management apparatus or management program according to claim 5 or 6.   The management apparatus or management program according to claim 1, wherein the management information is a system on each network of each device.   The management apparatus or the management program according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the management information is manager information of each device.   The management apparatus or the management program includes a plurality of types of information in which the management information is set with priority, and the setting information registration process or / and based on the plurality of types of information in which the priority is set The management apparatus or management program according to claim 1, wherein the device registration process is executed.   The said management apparatus or the said management program processes the said setting information registration process or / and the said apparatus registration process according to the selection result of the decision | availability of execution with respect to each process. The management apparatus or management program in any one of. A recording medium for recording a management program that can be installed in a management apparatus that is connected to a network to which a device that operates according to registered setting information is connected and that manages the device. 12. A recording medium for recording the management program according to claim 2 or any one of claims 4 to 11.

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