JP2009211395A - Printer monitoring system and printer monitoring method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To timely maintain a printer device which is used in the creation of an information support medium that needs to be legitimate. <P>SOLUTION: A printer monitoring system 5 includes a monitoring PC 10 and the printer device 20. The printer device 20 periodically sends operation status data to the monitoring PC 10, together with the global IP address of the printer device 20, the operation status data being stored in a printer storage unit 21. The monitoring PC 10 determines whether the operation status data sent from the printer device 20 correspond to warning requirements. If the operation status data for different inspection items are determined to correspond to the warning requirements, warning information is output. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer monitoring system that monitors a printer device used to create an information carrier medium that requires legitimacy.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer that prints different unique information on each substrate is used when creating an information carrier medium that requires validity such as an ID card or a passport. For example, when issuing a passport, a passport printer device is used. A card printer is used to issue an ID card.

  In a printer apparatus used for creating an information carrier medium that requires legitimacy, a photograph of the owner's face or a special hologram can be printed on the surface of the information carrier medium. Therefore, the owner can prove his / her legitimacy by visual recognition to the other party.

  However, a printer device used for creating an information carrier medium that requires legitimacy has a special replacement part, and it takes time to prepare the part. As a result, maintenance may not be possible in a timely manner.

  In addition, since such a printer device can print the same printed matter as a real card on a forged card or the like, there is a possibility of being stolen.

  In particular, in passports, personal authentication may be performed by visual recognition, and damage may be significant due to theft of the printer device.

  Therefore, in order to avoid counterfeiting or theft of the card, a printer device used to create an information carrier medium that requires legitimacy is often installed in an isolated room with high security.

Note that prior art document information relating to the invention of this application includes the following.
JP 2000-132364 A JP 11-53143 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-248816 JP 10-21172 A

  However, according to studies by the present inventors, it is not uncommon for maintenance personnel to enter the room in which the printer device used for the special purpose as described above is installed.

  Therefore, even if the maintenance staff updates the firmware of the printer apparatus, the maintenance staff works after moving the printer apparatus to a low security area. As a result, it may be difficult for maintenance personnel to maintain the printer device in a timely manner.

  In addition, since the printer device is moved to an area with low security, the risk of theft increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a printer monitoring system capable of maintaining in a timely manner a printer device used for creating an information-bearing medium that requires legitimacy.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a printer monitoring system capable of preventing unauthorized use of a printer device used for creating an information carrier medium that requires legitimacy.

  The present invention takes the following means in order to solve the above problems.

  The invention corresponding to claim 1 is a printer monitoring system comprising a printer device and a monitoring device used to create an information carrier medium that requires legitimacy, and the monitoring device checks the printer device. Storage means for storing items and warning conditions in association with the global IP address of the printer device, and when operating status data for each inspection item is received from the printer device, the operating status data for each inspection item is a warning. Warning condition determination means for determining whether or not a condition is satisfied, and means for outputting warning information when the warning condition determination means determines that the operation status data corresponds to the warning condition, and The printer device includes an operation status storage unit that stores operation status data for each inspection item, and the operation status data stored in the operation status storage unit. The monitoring device with a global IP address of the printer device which is a printer monitoring system comprising a means for transmitting periodically.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printer monitoring system according to the first aspect, the monitoring device further includes means for transmitting a new firmware update command to the printer device, and the printer device includes: The printer monitoring system further includes means for updating the firmware of the printer device to the new firmware when the update command is received from the monitoring device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printer monitoring system according to the first or second aspect, the monitoring device writes theft information to the storage unit in association with the global IP address, and the printer A theft determination means for determining whether or not the theft information is stored in the storage means corresponding to the global IP address when the operation status data is transmitted from the apparatus together with the global IP address of the printer apparatus; And a means for transmitting a stop command to the printer device based on the global IP address when the theft information is determined to be stored by the theft determination device. The printer device is stopped from the monitoring device. And a means for stopping the firmware of the printer device when the command is received. It is a printer monitoring system.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the printer monitoring system according to any one of the first to third aspects, an ordinary user is prevented from knowing the existence of the global IP address. The printer monitoring system is configured so that the IP address used for the printer can be set separately in the printer apparatus.

  The invention corresponding to claim 5 is a printer monitoring method using a printer device and a monitoring device, wherein the monitoring device corresponds the inspection items and warning conditions of the printer device to the global IP address of the printer device. And the step of writing the operation status data for each inspection item in the operation status storage means, and the printer device storing the operation status data stored in the operation status storage means. A step of periodically transmitting to the monitoring device together with the global IP address of the printer device; and when the monitoring device receives operation status data for each inspection item from the printer device, operation status data for each inspection item. A warning condition determination step for determining whether or not the warning condition is satisfied, and the monitoring device determines whether the warning condition is In step, if the operation state data is determined to correspond to the warning condition is a printer monitoring method that includes a step of outputting the warning information.

  The invention corresponding to claim 6 is the printer monitoring method corresponding to claim 5, wherein the monitoring device transmits a new firmware update command to the printer device, and the printer device is the monitoring device. And a step of updating the firmware of the printer device to the new firmware when the update command is received from the printer.

  The invention corresponding to claim 7 is the printer monitoring method corresponding to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the monitoring device writes theft information to the storage means in association with the global IP address, and the monitoring Theft determination for determining whether or not the theft information is stored in the storage unit corresponding to the global IP address when the device receives the operation status data from the printer device together with the global IP address of the printer device A step of transmitting a stop command to the printer device based on the global IP address when the monitoring device determines that the theft information is stored in the theft determination step; and When a stop command is received from the monitoring device, the firmware of the printer device A printer monitoring method that includes a step of stopping.

  The invention corresponding to claim 8 is the printer monitoring method corresponding to any one of claims 5 to 7, which prevents a normal user from knowing the existence of the global IP address. In this printer monitoring method, the IP address used for the printer can be set separately for the printer apparatus.

<Terminology>
In the present invention, a “printer device” is used to create an information carrier medium that requires legitimacy, such as an ID card or a passport, and is a printer that can print different unique information on each substrate Device.

  In the present invention, a collection of devices is expressed as a “system”. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be expressed as a “device” or a “program” for each device. It may be expressed as “method”. That is, the present invention can be expressed in any category.

<Action>
Therefore, the present invention has the following effects by taking the above-described means.

  The operation corresponding to claims 1 and 5 is that the printer device periodically transmits the operation status data stored in the operation status storage means together with the global IP address of the printer device to the monitoring device. It is determined whether or not the operation status data transmitted from the printer satisfies the warning condition, and if it is determined that the operation status data satisfies the warning condition, warning information is output, so that the printer device can be maintained in a timely manner. it can.

  The actions corresponding to claims 2 and 6 are the actions corresponding to claims 1 and 5, in addition to the monitoring apparatus transmitting a new firmware update instruction to the printer apparatus, and the printer apparatus receiving the update instruction from the monitoring apparatus. In this case, since the firmware of the printer device is updated, the firmware of the printer device can be automatically updated. In addition, since the firmware can be updated without moving the printer from an area with a high security level, the printer device can be prevented from being stolen.

  The actions corresponding to claims 3 and 7 are the actions corresponding to claims 1, 2, 5 and 6, and the monitoring device stores the theft information corresponding to the global IP address, and the theft information is stored. When the printer device transmits a stop command to the printer device based on the global IP address and the printer device receives the stop command from the monitoring device, the firmware of the printer device is stopped, so that unauthorized use of the printer device can be prevented. .

  The actions corresponding to claims 4 and 8 are used normally in addition to the actions corresponding to claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 so that a normal user cannot know the existence of a global IP address. Since the IP address can be set separately in the printer apparatus, security can be improved by disclosing the global IP address only to those who perform maintenance.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to maintain in a timely manner a printer device used for creating an information carrier medium that requires legitimacy. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of a printer device used to create an information carrier medium that requires legitimacy.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a printer monitoring system 5 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a detailed configuration of each device according to the embodiment.

  The printer monitoring system 5 includes a monitoring personal computer 10, a printer device 20, and a maintenance personal computer 30. Although there are a plurality of printer apparatuses, description thereof is omitted here.

  The monitoring personal computer 10 cooperates by incorporating software into a general personal computer, and includes a monitoring information storage unit 11, an input unit 12, a warning condition determination unit 13, an output unit 14, and an update command transmission unit 15. is doing.

  The monitoring information storage unit 11 is a storage device that stores “inspection items” and “warning conditions” of the printer device 20 in association with the “global IP address” and printer ID of the printer device 20 as shown in FIG. . Various types of information are input by the input unit 12.

  The input unit 12 is configured by a general mouse, keyboard, or the like, and enables various instructions to the monitoring personal computer 10 to be input.

  When the operation condition data for each inspection item is received from the printer device 20, the warning condition determination unit 13 determines whether or not the operation condition data of the inspection item corresponds to a warning condition. For example, the warning condition determination unit 13 determines that the warning condition is met when the operating time of the printer is 1000 hours or more. The determination result is sent to the output unit 14.

  The output unit 14 is configured with a general display or the like, and outputs warning information when the warning condition determination unit 13 determines that the operation status data meets the warning condition. Here, as a warning information, a warning screen is displayed on the display to alert maintenance personnel. Further, it is possible to prompt maintenance personnel to determine whether or not to send a firmware update command from the caution screen displayed on the display.

  The update command transmission unit 15 transmits an “update command” including new firmware to the printer device 20 in accordance with an instruction from the input unit 12. The update command may be one that can be automatically updated by periodically transmitting it.

  The printer device 20 includes a printer storage unit 21, an operation status transmission unit 22, an update unit 23, and a printing unit 24. This printer device 20 uses TCP / IP as an interface. The printer device 20 has a variable address and a fixed address.

  The printer storage unit 21 includes a general memory and stores firmware necessary for operating the printer device 20. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the printer storage unit 21 stores “operation status data” for each inspection item. Each printer device 20 is assigned a global IP address of IPv6 and is stored in the printer storage unit 21 together with the printer ID. This global IP address is a fixed address and is set so that it cannot be recognized from the outside. The firmware cannot be rewritten from the outside.

  The operating status transmission unit 22 periodically transmits the operating status data stored in the printer storage unit 21 to the monitoring personal computer 10 together with the global IP address of the printer device 20.

  When receiving an update command from the monitoring personal computer 10, the update unit 23 updates the firmware of the printer device 20 to new firmware.

  The printing unit 24 executes printing on a card or a passport according to firmware control.

  The maintenance personal computer 30 is a personal computer installed on the same LAN as the printer device 20, and updates the firmware incorporated in the printer device 20 as necessary. Specifically, the firmware of the printer device 20 is updated via a medium such as a CD-ROM.

  Next, the operation of the printer monitoring system 5 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  As a premise, the inspection information and warning conditions of the printer device 20 are written in the monitoring information storage unit 11 of the monitoring personal computer 10 corresponding to the global IP address. In addition, operation status data for each inspection item is written in the operation status storage unit 21 of the printer device 20.

  Under such a premise, the printer device 20 periodically transmits the operation status data stored in the printer storage unit 21 to the monitoring personal computer 10 together with the global IP address of the printer device 20 (step S1).

  In response to this, the monitoring personal computer 10 receives operation status data for each inspection item from the printer device 20 (step S2).

  When the monitoring personal computer 10 receives the operation status data for each inspection item, the monitoring personal computer 10 determines whether or not the operation status data for each inspection item satisfies the warning condition stored in the monitoring information storage unit 11 (step S3).

  When the monitoring personal computer 10 determines that the operation status data of the inspection item corresponds to the warning condition, the monitoring personal computer 10 outputs the warning information to a display or the like (steps S3-Yes, S4). As a result, maintenance personnel and the like can perform maintenance work based on the warning information output on the display.

  Thereafter, the same processing is executed until the setting of the monitoring personal computer 10 or the printer device 20 is changed (steps S5-No, S1).

  As described above, according to the printer monitoring system 5 according to the present embodiment, the printer device 20 periodically sends the operation status data stored in the printer storage unit 21 together with the global IP address of the printer device 20 to the monitoring personal computer 10. The monitoring personal computer 10 determines whether or not the operation status data transmitted from the printer device 20 meets the warning condition, and outputs the warning information when determining that the operation status data meets the warning condition. Therefore, the printer device 20 can be maintained in a timely manner.

  Supplementally, according to the printer monitoring system 5 according to the present embodiment, since information such as the number of printed sheets, firmware version, and usage frequency can be directly acquired from each printer device via the network, timely maintenance can be performed. Notification, preparation of consumable parts, replacement with new equipment, etc. can be proposed.

  In the printer monitoring system 5 according to the present embodiment, when the monitoring personal computer 10 transmits a new firmware update command to the printer device 20 and the printer device 20 receives the update command from the monitoring personal computer 10, the printer device 20. The firmware of the printer apparatus 20 can be automatically updated.

  In short, since the printer monitoring system 5 can monitor a fixed IP address via the network and suck up information such as the usage status and firmware version, the firmware can be updated as appropriate. As a result, firmware can be updated without moving the printer from an area with a high security level, so that the printer device 20 can be prevented from being stolen.

  In the printer monitoring system 5 according to the present embodiment, the normal user cannot know the existence of the global IP address, and the normally used IP address can be set separately in the printer apparatus. Security can be improved by disclosing the global IP address only to those who perform maintenance.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a printer monitoring system 5T according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as the already demonstrated part, description is abbreviate | omitted, and a different part is mainly described here.

  In the monitoring personal computer 10T according to the present embodiment, the monitoring personal computer 10 according to the first embodiment further includes a theft determination unit 16 and a stop command transmission unit 17.

  The monitoring information storage unit 11T of the monitoring personal computer 10T also stores theft information in association with the global IP address as shown in FIG. The theft information is input by the input unit 12.

  The theft determination unit 16 determines whether or not the theft information is stored in the monitoring information storage unit 11T corresponding to the global IP address when the operation status data is transmitted together with the global IP address of the printer device 20. It is. The determination result is sent to the stop command transmission unit 17.

  When the theft determination unit 16 determines that the theft information is stored, the stop command transmission unit 17 transmits a “stop command” to the printer device 20 based on the global IP address.

  Further, in the printer device 20T according to the present embodiment, the printer device 20 according to the first embodiment further includes a stop unit 25.

  The stop unit 25 stops the firmware of the printer device 20 when a stop command is received from the monitoring personal computer 10. When the firmware is stopped, the printer device 20 cannot perform printing.

  Next, the operation of the printer monitoring system 5T according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  As a premise, theft information is written in the monitoring information storage unit 11 of the monitoring personal computer 10T in correspondence with the global IP address.

  Under such a premise, the printer device 20T periodically transmits the operation status data stored in the printer storage unit 21T to the monitoring personal computer 10T together with the global IP address of the printer device 20T (step T1).

  In response to this, the monitoring personal computer 10T receives operation status data for each inspection item from the printer 20T (step T2).

  Here, when the monitoring personal computer 10T receives the operation status data for each inspection item, the monitoring personal computer 10T also receives the global IP address of the printer device 20T. Then, the theft determination unit 16 of the monitoring personal computer 10 determines whether or not the theft information is stored in the monitoring information storage unit 11 corresponding to the global IP address (step T3).

  If the theft determination unit 16 determines that the theft information is stored, the stop command transmission unit 17 transmits a stop command to the printer device 20 based on the global IP address (steps T3-Yes, T4).

  When the printer device 20 receives a stop command from the monitoring personal computer 10, the stop unit 25 stops the firmware of the printer device 20 (step T5). As a result, the printer device 20 cannot be used.

  Thereafter, the same processing is executed until the setting of the monitoring personal computer 10 or the printer device 20 is changed (steps T6-No, T1).

  As described above, according to the printer monitoring system 5T according to the present embodiment, the monitoring personal computer 10 stores the theft information in association with the global IP address stored in the monitoring information storage unit 11, and the theft information is not stored. When the stop command is transmitted to the printer device 20 based on the stored global IP address, and the printer device 20 receives the stop command from the monitoring personal computer 10, the firmware of the printer device 20 is stopped. Use can be prevented.

  In short, according to the printer monitoring system 5T according to the present embodiment, when it is found that the printer device 20T is illegally used, firmware for which the printing unit 24 cannot operate is forcibly downloaded.

  In the printer monitoring system 5 according to the present embodiment, a fixed IP address that cannot be changed using TCP / IP is assigned to the printer device 20. The printer device 20 has two IP addresses and the user uses a visible IP address that can be changed. The fixed IP address cannot be confirmed by the user. In addition, from the viewpoint of theft prevention, it is possible to confirm existence on the network and to perform periodic checks.

  A normal user of the printer device 20 is usually a person who actually creates a card or a passport. Since the global IP address is used only for maintenance, it does not need to be used by a normal user. Therefore, the global IP address only needs to be known by the person who performs maintenance. If the user does not know that the global IP address has been set, the printer device 20 is often used without the user's knowledge even if the user is stolen. The chance of being discovered increases. However, basically, as a precautionary measure for security, it is preferable to adopt a form in which a global user is not taught a normal IP address.

  An example of a specific measure for preventing a normal user from knowing the existence of a global IP address is a method of blocking with the firmware of the printer device 20. At this time, the global IP address setting can be changed only by a special command not disclosed to a normal user.

<Others>
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine a component suitably in different embodiment.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the printer monitoring system 5 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the detailed structure of each apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the monitoring information storage part 11 which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the operation condition memory | storage part 21 which concerns on the same embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printer monitoring system 5 according to the embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the printer monitoring system 5T which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the monitoring information storage part 11T which concerns on the same embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printer monitoring system 5T according to the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Printer monitoring system, 10 ... Monitoring personal computer, 11 ... Monitoring information storage part, 12 ... Input part, 13 ... Warning condition determination part, 14 ... Output part, 15 ... Update command transmission unit, 16 ... Theft determination unit, 17 ... Stop command transmission unit, 20 ... Printer device, 21 ... Operation status storage unit, 22 ... Operation status transmission unit, 23 ..Update unit, 24 ... printing unit, 25 ... stop unit, 30 ... maintenance personal computer.

Claims (8)

A printer monitoring system comprising a printer device and a monitoring device used to create an information carrier medium that requires legitimacy,
The monitoring device
Storage means for storing the inspection items and warning conditions of the printer device in association with the global IP address of the printer device;
Warning condition determination means for determining whether or not the operation status data for each inspection item corresponds to a warning condition when the operation status data for each inspection item is received from the printer device;
Means for outputting warning information when it is determined by the warning condition determination means that the operation status data corresponds to the warning condition;
The printer device includes:
Operating status storage means for storing operating status data for each inspection item;
A printer monitoring system comprising: means for periodically transmitting operation status data stored in the operation status storage means to the monitoring device together with a global IP address of the printer device. The printer monitoring system according to claim 1.
The monitoring device
Means for sending a new firmware update command to the printer device;
The printer device includes:
A printer monitoring system further comprising means for updating firmware of the printer device to the new firmware when the update command is received from the monitoring device. The printer monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2,
The monitoring device
Means for writing theft information to the storage means in correspondence with the global IP address;
A theft determination means for determining whether or not the theft information is stored in the storage means corresponding to the global IP address when the operation status data is transmitted from the printer apparatus together with the global IP address of the printer apparatus; ,
Means for transmitting a stop command to the printer device based on the global IP address when the theft determination means determines that the theft information is stored;
The printer device includes:
A printer monitoring system, further comprising means for stopping firmware of the printer device when a stop command is received from the monitoring device. The printer monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A printer monitoring system characterized in that a normal user cannot know the existence of the global IP address, and a normally used IP address can be set separately in the printer apparatus. A printer monitoring method using a printer device and a monitoring device used to create an information bearing medium that requires legitimacy,
The monitoring device writing the inspection items and warning conditions of the printer device to the storage means in association with the global IP address of the printer device;
The printer device writing operation status data for each inspection item in an operation status storage means;
The printer device periodically transmitting operation status data stored in the operation status storage means to the monitoring device together with a global IP address of the printer device;
A warning condition determination step of determining whether or not the operation status data for each inspection item corresponds to a warning condition when the monitoring device receives the operation status data for each inspection item from the printer device;
A printer monitoring method comprising: a step of outputting warning information when the monitoring device determines that the operation status data corresponds to the warning condition in the warning condition determination step. The printer monitoring method according to claim 5, wherein
The monitoring device sending a new firmware update command to the printer device;
And a step of updating the firmware of the printer device to the new firmware when the printer device receives the update command from the monitoring device. In the printer monitoring method according to claim 5 or 6,
The monitoring device writing the theft information in the storage means corresponding to the global IP address;
When the monitoring apparatus receives the operation status data from the printer apparatus together with the global IP address of the printer apparatus, the monitoring apparatus determines whether the theft information is stored in the storage unit corresponding to the global IP address A theft determination step;
A step of transmitting a stop command to the printer device based on the global IP address when the monitoring device determines that the theft information is stored in the theft determination step;
A printer monitoring method comprising: a step of stopping firmware of the printer device when the printer device receives a stop command from the monitoring device. The printer monitoring method according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
A printer monitoring method characterized in that a normal user cannot know the existence of the global IP address, and an IP address normally used can be set separately in the printer apparatus.

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