JP2011197791A - Program for management server and management server device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a program for a management server and a management server device which enable an information processor to designate a server device according to an area where the information processor is arranged which is accessed when downloading firmware.SOLUTION: The management server device 1 includes: an acquisition means 111 for acquiring identification numbers from a plurality of multi-function machines 31 to 34 arranged so as to be distributed to a plurality of areas; a specification means 112 for specifying a country where the multi-function machine is arranged based on the acquired identification numbers; an extraction means 113 for extracting the download server which stores firmware which can be applied to the multi-function machine in the country specified by the specification means 112 among the plurality of download servers 21 to 24; and an indication means 114 for transmitting a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for performing access to the download server extracted by the extraction means 113 to the multi-function machine whose identification number has been acquired by the acquisition means 111, and instructing the multi-function machine to execute the download.

Description

  The present invention relates to a management server program and a management server device.

  Conventionally, when downloading firmware for controlling the operation of a device from a server device, a download system that regulates the reception of firmware is known so that downloading the firmware does not violate the regulations set in the region where the device is installed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  The download system described in Patent Literature 1 includes a control device that downloads software and a management device that can transmit software to the control device. The control device includes a GPS receiver for receiving position information from a GPS (Global Positioning System), and a transmission unit that transmits the position information received by the GPS receiver to the management device. Based on the location information received from the control device, the management device determines whether the installation location of the control device falls within the export restricted area of the software to be downloaded. The software is configured not to transmit.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-190068

  An object of the present invention is to provide a management server program and a management server device capable of causing an information processing device to acquire a file from an appropriate server device as compared with a case where an area where the information processing device is disposed is not considered. There is.

  In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides the following management server program and management server device.

[1] Applied to the information processing apparatus in the area specified in the specifying step among the specifying step of specifying the area where the information processing apparatus is arranged and the plurality of server apparatuses distributed in a plurality of areas An extraction step of extracting a server device storing a file that can be performed, and an instruction step for instructing the information processing device to acquire the file from the server device extracted in the extraction step Management server program to be executed.

[2] When the information processing apparatus cannot acquire the file from the server apparatus extracted in the extraction step, the plurality of server apparatuses storing files that can be applied to the information processing apparatus. Among them, the server device arranged in the region where the server device extracted in the extraction step is different from the region where the server device is arranged is preferentially extracted, and the information processing device acquires the file from the server device. The management server program according to [1], further including a re-instruction step of instructing again.

[3] An acquisition unit that acquires identification information for identifying the information processing device from a plurality of information processing devices that are distributed in a plurality of regions, and the information based on the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit. It is possible to apply to the information processing apparatus in the area specified by the specifying means among the specifying means for specifying the area where the processing device is arranged and the plurality of server devices distributed and arranged in a plurality of areas. Extracting means for extracting a server device storing a simple file; and instruction means for instructing the information processing device that has acquired the identification information to acquire the file from the server device extracted by the extracting device. Management server device provided.

  According to invention of Claim 1, 3, compared with the case where the area where information processing apparatus is arrange | positioned is not considered, a file can be acquired from a suitable server apparatus to an information processing apparatus.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to increase the possibility that the information processing apparatus can acquire a file from the server device, as compared with the case where the time difference of the area where the server device is arranged is not taken into consideration.

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a schematic configuration example of a firmware download system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of the management server according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an identification number management table according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the export country management table according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a URL management table according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the firmware download system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the management server according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an export country management table according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the firmware download system operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a schematic configuration example of a firmware download system to which the management server device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  The firmware download system 100 includes a management server 1 arranged in country A, first to fourth multifunction devices 31 to 34 arranged distributed in country A, country B, country C, and country D, The first to fourth download servers 21 to 24 arranged in these countries are provided. The management server 1, the first to fourth multifunction devices 31 to 34, and the first to fourth download servers 21 to 24 can communicate with each other via the network 10 such as the Internet network.

  The management server 1 transmits instructions to download firmware from any of the first to fourth download servers 21 to 24 to update the firmware to the first to fourth multifunction devices 31 to 34. It is configured as follows. Details of the configuration of the management server 1 will be described later.

  Each of the first to fourth multifunction devices 31 to 34 includes a control unit 311, 321, 331, 341 realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and a magnetic disk, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM, for example. (Random Access Memory) or the like, and storage units 312, 322, 332, and 342 are realized. The first to fourth multifunction devices 31 to 34 operate in accordance with firmware stored in the storage units 312, 322, 332, and 342, so that the control units 311, 321, 331, and 341 operate to copy functions, printer functions, and scanners. Realize functions, etc.

  The storage units 312, 322, 332, and 342 of the first to fourth multifunction devices 31 to 34 store identification numbers as an example of identification information for identifying each multifunction device from other multifunction devices. Has been.

  The first to fourth download servers 21 to 24 have firmware repositories 211, 221, 231, and 241 for storing firmware for the first to fourth multifunction devices 31 to 34, and It is configured to receive requests from the multifunction devices 31 to 34 and transmit firmware to the requesting multifunction device.

  The network 10 may be wired (electric cable, optical cable, etc.) or wireless (radio wave, infrared ray, etc.). There are no restrictions on the number of MFPs or download servers in each country. Further, although communication devices such as routers and firewalls are not shown in FIG. 1, these communication devices can be added as necessary.

(Management server configuration)
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of the management server 1. The management server 1 includes a control unit 11 configured by electronic components such as a CPU, a storage unit 12 configured by a magnetic disk, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and a communication unit 13 that performs communication via the network 10. It is configured.

  The control unit 11 functions as the acquisition unit 111, the identification unit 112, the extraction unit 113, the instruction unit 114, and the like when the CPU operates according to the management server program 120 stored in the storage unit 12.

  The storage unit 12 stores a management server program 120, an identification number management table 121, an export country management table 122, a URL management table 123, and the like.

  The acquisition unit 111 acquires transmission data transmitted from the first to fourth multifunction devices 31 to 34 to report the operating status and the like. This transmission data includes information on the identification number of the multifunction device. The acquisition unit 111 acquires the transmission data periodically (for example, once a day, regularly).

  The identification unit 112 refers to the identification number management table 121 based on the identification number acquired by the acquisition unit 111, determines the model of the MFP with the identification number, and determines whether firmware download is necessary. To do. If the result of this determination is that the firmware needs to be downloaded, the country in which the MFP with that identification number is located is specified.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the identification number management table 121 used by the specifying unit 112. In the identification number management table 121 shown in this example, a first column 121a, a second column 121b, a third column 121c, and a fourth column 121d are provided in each row for each of the first to fourth multifunction devices 31 to 34. Each column is provided with an identification number column 121e indicating the identification number of each MFP, a model column 121f indicating the model of each MFP, and an arrangement country column 121g indicating the country where each MFP is located.

  The identification unit 112 searches the identification number column 121e of the identification number management table 121 for an identification number that matches the identification number acquired by the acquisition unit 111, and refers to the placement country column 121g of the line with the matching identification number. The country in which the MFP with the identification number acquired by the acquisition unit 111 is located is specified. Hereinafter, this country is referred to as a “specific country”.

  For example, if the identification number acquired by the acquisition unit 111 is “123-456”, the identification number in the first column 121a matches, so the country number 121g in the first column 121a is referred to and the identification number is set. It is specified that country A is located in the multifunction peripheral (first multifunction peripheral 31) that has transmitted the transmission data. Note that the method for the management server 1 to specify the country in which the multifunction peripheral is located is not limited to the above-described method, and information related to the country in which the multifunction peripheral is located in advance is stored in the multifunction peripheral. Various methods are conceivable, such as transmission from the machine to the management server 1.

  The extraction unit 113 refers to the export country management table 122 and stores firmware that can be applied to the multifunction peripherals located in a specific country among download servers that can communicate via the network 10. Extract download server.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the export country management table 122 used by the extraction unit 113. In the export country management table 122 shown in this example, an A country column 122a, a B country column 122b, a C country column 122c, and a D country column 122d are provided in each row for each country in which the MFP is arranged. For each of the four download servers 21 to 24, a first column 122e to a fourth column 122h are provided in each column. In the box (cell) where the A country column 122a to the D country column 122d and the first column 122e to the fourth column 122h intersect, information of ○ (Yes) or × (No) indicating whether the firmware can be downloaded is set. ing.

  For example, a multifunction peripheral located in country A can download firmware from the first to third download servers 21 to 23, but can download firmware from the fourth download server 24. Can not. In addition, although the multifunction peripheral arranged in the country D can download the firmware from the fourth download server 24, it cannot download the firmware from the first to third download servers 21 to 23.

  Whether or not download is possible is determined, for example, by whether or not the firmware has an encryption function related to export restrictions. In addition, there is a case where download to a multifunction device in a country is regulated depending on the relationship between the function of the firmware and the patent right in a specific country.

  In addition, as a result of referring to the export country management table 122, the extraction unit 113, when there are a plurality of download servers storing firmware that can be applied to the multifunction peripherals arranged in a specific country, Among the download servers, the download servers arranged in a specific country are preferentially extracted.

  For example, when the specific country is country A, the multifunction peripheral arranged in country A can download the firmware from the first to third download servers 21 to 23, but the extraction unit 113 is configured to Among the three download servers 21 to 23, the first download server 21 arranged in the country A is extracted.

  The instructing unit 114 transmits Uniform Resource Locator (URL) information as an example of connection information for downloading firmware from the server device extracted by the extracting unit 113 to the multifunction peripheral from which the acquiring unit 111 has acquired the identification number. To instruct the execution of the download.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the URL management table 123 used by the instruction unit 114. In the URL management table 123 shown in this example, for each download server, a first download server column 123a, a second download server column 123b, a third download server column 123c, and a fourth download server column 123d are in each row. Each of the download servers is provided with a URL field 123e indicating a URL for downloading firmware from the download server.

  The instruction unit 114 searches for the download server extracted by the extraction unit 113 from the URL management table 123, reads the URL information corresponding to the corresponding download server from the URL column 123e of the URL management table 123, and the acquisition unit 111 identifies Send it to the MFP that obtained the number.

(Operation of firmware download system)
Next, the operation of the firmware download system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the firmware download system 100. In this flowchart, the procedure is shown taking the case where the first multifunction device 31 downloads firmware as an example.

  The first multifunction device 31 transmits data including its own identification number (123-456) to the management server 1 for an operational status report or the like (S10). This data transmission is performed periodically, for example, once a day.

  The acquisition unit 111 of the management server 1 receives data from the first multifunction device 31 (S20). Further, the specifying unit 112 of the management server 1 determines the model of the first MFP 31 with reference to the identification number management table 121 based on the identification number included in the data received in step S20, and determines the determined model. Accordingly, it is determined whether or not firmware download is necessary (S21).

  If it is determined in step S21 that the download is necessary, the specifying unit 112 of the management server 1 refers to the identification number management table 121 and specifies the country (country A) in which the first MFP 31 is located (S22). ).

  Next, the extraction unit 113 of the management server 1 refers to the export country management table 122, and finds firmware that can be applied to the multifunction peripheral placed in the country (specific country; country A) specified in step S22. The stored download server is extracted (S23). When there are a plurality of download servers storing firmware applicable to the multifunction peripheral in the specific country, the download server (first download server 21) arranged in the specific country is extracted from them.

  Next, the instruction unit 114 of the management server 1 refers to the URL management table 123, transmits URL information for downloading firmware from the download server extracted in step S23 to the first multifunction device 31, and downloads it. Execution is instructed (S24).

  The first multifunction device 31 receives the URL from the management server 1 (S11), and requests the first download server 21 to transmit firmware by accessing the received URL (S12).

  The first download server 21 receives a firmware transmission request from the first multifunction device 31 (S30), and transmits firmware corresponding to the received URL to the first multifunction device 31 (S31).

  The first multifunction device 31 receives the firmware from the first download server (S13), stores the received firmware in the storage unit 312 and applies it (S14). Thereafter, the first multifunction device 31 operates according to the updated firmware.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The management server 1 according to the present embodiment has a time difference from the area where the download server of the URL is located when the MFP accessing the URL transmitted by the instruction unit 114 cannot receive the firmware from the download server. In order to receive the firmware from another download server located in a certain area, the URL is transmitted again to the multifunction device.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of the management server 1A according to the present embodiment. The control unit 11 of the management server 1A operates according to the management server program 120A stored in the storage unit 12 to thereby acquire the error information receiving unit 115 in addition to the acquisition unit 111, the identification unit 112, the extraction unit 113, and the instruction unit 114. Also works.

  The error information receiving unit 115 receives error information indicating that the download has failed from the multi-function device when the multi-function device that has accessed the URL transmitted by the instruction unit 114 cannot receive the firmware from the download server.

  The extraction unit 113 has a plurality of download servers storing firmware that can be applied to the MFP in the country (specific country) specified by the specifying unit 112 when the error information receiving unit 115 receives an error signal. At that time, among the plurality of server devices, the download servers arranged in a country having a time difference from the country of the download server of the URL transmitted by the instruction unit 114 are preferentially extracted.

  More specifically, when the error information receiving unit 115 receives the error information, the extracting unit 113 refers to the export country management table 122 again and stores the specific country other than the URL download server transmitted by the instruction unit 114 previously. Select a download server that stores firmware applicable to the MFP. When a plurality of download servers are selected, it is determined whether there is a download server arranged in a region having a time difference from the region of the download server of the URL transmitted by the instruction unit 114. judge. If there is a download server arranged in an area with a time difference, the download server is extracted as a download server to which firmware should be transmitted to the multifunction peripheral.

  If there is no download server arranged in an area having a time difference, one of the selected download servers is extracted as a download server to which firmware should be transmitted to the multifunction device. Which download server is to be extracted can be determined in consideration of, for example, the load status of the download server and the distance from the multifunction peripheral.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the export country management table 122A used by the extraction unit 113. In the export country management table 122A shown in this example, in addition to the information of the export country management table 122 according to the first embodiment, a time difference column 122i indicating the time difference from the country A to the world standard time of the country D is provided. . In the example shown in this figure, the time difference between country A and country B is about +9 hours, so there is no time difference between country A and country B. Moreover, since the time difference with the world standard time of the country C is +12 hours, the time difference between the country A and the country C is 3 hours.

  The extracting unit 113 refers to the time difference column 122i of the export country management table 122A, and extracts the download server arranged in a region having a time difference from the download server region of the URL transmitted by the instruction unit 114 previously.

(Operation of firmware download system)
Next, the operation of the firmware download system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 7 to 9.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the firmware download system 100 according to the present embodiment. In this flowchart, the procedure is shown taking the case where the first multifunction device 31 downloads firmware as an example. Further, the processing from step S10 to S12 of the first multifunction device 31 and the processing from step S20 to S24 of the management server 1 are the same as the processing described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 6). Description is omitted.

  The first multifunction device 31 accesses the URL received in step S11 (S12), and then downloads firmware from the download server (first download server 21) for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes). If not completed, error information is transmitted to the management server 1 (S100).

  When the error information receiving unit 115 of the management server 1 receives error information from the first multifunction device 31 (S25), the extraction unit 113 of the management server 1 displays the country where the download server for the URL transmitted in step S24 is located. A download server that is located in a country having a time difference from (A country) and stores firmware that can be applied to the first MFP 31 is extracted (S26).

  In the example of the export country management table 122A shown in FIG. 9, in addition to the first download server 21, the second download server 22 arranged in the country B and the third download server 23 arranged in the country C Firmware can be downloaded to one MFP 31. However, country B has no time difference with country A, and country C has a time difference with country A of 3 hours, so the extraction means 113 is located in country C. The third download server 23 is extracted. Due to the time difference between country A and country C, a difference occurs in the peak time zone of the multifunction device, and the load status of the download server differs depending on the difference, and the possibility of successful download increases. Here, when there are a plurality of countries having a time difference, it is preferable to preferentially select a country whose time difference (absolute value) is close to 12 hours. Because the time difference of 12 hours means that the morning and afternoon are reversed, it is highly likely that the peak hours of operation hours will not overlap, and as a result, the possibility of successful downloads is expected to increase. is there.

  The instruction unit 114 of the management server 1 refers to the URL management table 123 and transmits the URL for downloading firmware from the download server (third download server 23) extracted in step S26 to the first multifunction device 31. Then, the execution of download is instructed again (S27).

  The first multifunction device 31 receives URL information from the management server 1 (S101), and requests the third download server 23 to transmit firmware by accessing the received URL (S102).

  The third download server 23 receives the firmware transmission request from the first multifunction device 31 (S40), and transmits the firmware corresponding to the received URL to the first multifunction device 31 (S41).

  The first multifunction device 31 receives the firmware from the third download server 23 (S103), and applies the received firmware to itself (S104). Thereafter, the first multifunction device 31 operates according to the updated firmware.

[Other embodiments]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, You may change variously within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, each unit included in the management server is realized by the control unit and the program, but part or all of them may be realized by hardware.

  Further, the information processing apparatus for downloading firmware is not limited to the multifunction machine, and a personal computer, a server apparatus, a portable information terminal apparatus, or the like may be applied.

  In addition to the firmware, a series (file) of a series of electronic data such as a data file such as a program file, a document, an image, a moving image, and a sound may be used.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the country has been described as an example of the region, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a region may be divided for each state or region of one country, or a region may be divided for each time zone having a different time difference in one country. A community composed of multiple countries may be treated as one region.

  The program used in the above embodiment may be read from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM into a storage unit in the apparatus, or downloaded from a server connected to a network such as the Internet to the storage unit in the apparatus. May be.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A ... Management server, 10 ... Network, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Memory | storage part, 13 ... Communication part, 21-24 ... 1st-4th download server, 31-34 ... 1st-4th compound 100 ... Firmware download system, 111 ... Acquisition means, 112 ... Identification means, 113 ... Extraction means, 114 ... Transmission means, 115 ... Error information reception means, 120, 120A ... Program for management server, 121 ... Identification number management table , 122, 122A ... export country management table, 123 ... management table, 211, 221, 231, 241 ... control unit, 212, 222, 232, 242, ... storage unit, 311, 321, 331, 341 ... repository

Claims (3)

A specific step of identifying an area where the information processing device is located;
An extraction step of extracting a server device storing a file that can be applied to the information processing device in the region specified in the specifying step among the plurality of server devices distributed in a plurality of regions; ,
A management server program for causing a computer to execute an instruction step for instructing the information processing device to acquire the file from the server device extracted in the extraction step.   When the information processing apparatus cannot acquire the file from the server apparatus extracted in the extraction step, among the plurality of server apparatuses storing a file that can be applied to the information processing apparatus, The server device placed in the region where the server device extracted in the extraction step is located with a time difference is preferentially extracted, and the information processing device is instructed again to acquire the file from the server device. The management server program according to claim 1, further comprising a re-instruction step. Acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying the information processing device from a plurality of information processing devices distributed in a plurality of areas;
Based on the identification information acquired by the acquisition means, a specifying means for specifying an area where the information processing apparatus is disposed;
An extracting unit that extracts a server device storing a file that can be applied to the information processing device in the area specified by the specifying unit among the plurality of server devices distributed in a plurality of regions; ,
A management server apparatus comprising: instruction means for instructing the information processing apparatus that has acquired the identification information to acquire the file from the server apparatus extracted by the extraction means.

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