JP2011250150A - Apparatus setting system and apparatus setting server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of users using an image forming apparatus by using setting value which is not suitable for a belonging group.SOLUTION: An apparatus setting server 5 comprises: a presence or absence state acquiring unit 53 for acquiring a presence or absence state including a belonging group of a user for a plurality of user terminals 1a-1e associated with an image forming apparatus 2; a setting retrieval unit 55 for selecting a setting value group according to the presence or absence state from a plurality of setting groups: a setting message creation unit 56 for creating a setting message for setting a plurality of setting values of the setting group to the image forming apparatus 2; and a setting message distribution unit 57 for sending the setting message to the image forming apparatus 2 to set a plurality of setting values of the selected setting value group to the image forming apparatus 2.

Description

  The present invention relates to a device setting system and a device setting server.

  Some image forming apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals automatically switch the function mode of a printer, a facsimile, or the like according to a time zone or the number of past selections (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  Further, a technique has been proposed in which the display on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus is automatically switched according to the user's presence status in the user terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 05-344257 A JP-A-11-095894 JP 2009-296389 A

  The image forming apparatus has a large number of setting items, and it takes a long time for the user to set these setting items one by one at the time of use. For this reason, default setting values are set in advance, and the user changes the setting values during use within an allowable range.

  In general, the usage form of the image forming apparatus differs depending on the user group to which the user belongs. For example, a user in a sales department is required to print a color document with a good impression such as a customer. On the other hand, since a document printed by a user in the development department is usually viewed only by a colleague belonging to himself or his / her group in the company, monochrome printing is sufficient.

  For this reason, when an image forming apparatus is installed for each user group, it is only necessary to select a setting value that is optimal for the usage pattern of the user group. For example, for the color setting in the image forming apparatus in the sales department, a setting value capable of color printing is selected, and for the color setting in the image forming apparatus in the development department, a setting value capable of only monochrome printing is selected.

  However, in the case of an image forming apparatus used by users of a plurality of user groups, a user group mainly using the image forming apparatus may change depending on time. In that case, if the setting value suitable for a certain user group is fixed, the setting value is not suitable for users belonging to other user groups. The total number of users who use the image forming apparatus increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can be used in an apparatus setting system that can reduce the number of users who use the image forming apparatus with setting values that are not suitable for the group to which the user belongs. The purpose is to obtain a simple device setting server.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured as follows.

  An apparatus setting system according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus connected to a network, a plurality of user terminal apparatuses connected to the network, a login server connected to the network, and an apparatus setting server connected to the network. Prepare. The login server specifies a user who is logged in to each of the plurality of user terminal devices and a group to which the user belongs as the presence status of the user. The device setting server has a presence status acquisition unit that acquires the presence status of a plurality of user terminal devices associated with the image forming apparatus from the login server, and setting values of a plurality of predetermined setting items, respectively. A setting search unit that selects a setting value group according to the presence status from a plurality of setting value groups, and a setting message creation unit that generates a setting message for setting a plurality of setting values of the setting value group in the image forming apparatus And a setting message distribution unit that transmits a setting message to the image forming apparatus and causes the image forming apparatus to set a plurality of setting values of the selected setting value group.

  As a result, the setting of the image forming apparatus is changed according to the user's presence status of each user group in a plurality of user terminal apparatuses associated with the image forming apparatus to be set, so that an appropriate setting value at each time point Is set in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of users who use the image forming apparatus with setting values that are not suitable for the group to which the user belongs.

  In addition to the above-described device setting system, the device setting system according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the setting value group is assigned a threshold of the ratio of the number of login users. Then, the setting search unit selects a set value group in which the ratio of the number of logged-in users in the group to all logged-in users is higher than the threshold for the group belonging to the largest number of logged-in users based on the presence status.

  As a result, the set value group for the user group having the largest number of people at each time point is applied, and the set value group is switched according to the ratio of the number of people. Therefore, for example, when the number of attendees is the largest and the ratio of the number of people is low, a set value group that does not have a set value that impedes the work of other user groups is applied.

  In addition to the above-described device setting system, the device setting system according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, the setting value group is assigned a priority. The setting search unit selects the setting value group having the highest priority when there are a plurality of setting value groups in which the number ratio is higher than the threshold.

  As a result, for a plurality of setting value groups having different threshold values, when the ratio of the number of persons is higher than those threshold values, the desired setting value group can be preferentially applied.

  In addition to the above-described device setting system, the device setting system according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, the set value group is composed of a plurality of sub set value groups divided for each function of the image forming apparatus. The plurality of sub setting value groups have setting values of a plurality of setting items for one function.

  An apparatus setting server according to the present invention includes an attendance status acquisition unit that acquires an attendance status including a group to which a user belongs for a plurality of user terminal devices associated with an image forming apparatus, and a plurality of predetermined setting items. A setting search unit for selecting a setting value group corresponding to the presence status from a plurality of setting value groups each having a setting value, and a setting message for setting a plurality of setting values of the setting value group in the image forming apparatus A setting message creation unit to be created, and a setting message distribution unit that transmits the setting message to the image forming apparatus and causes the image forming apparatus to set a plurality of setting values of the selected setting value group.

  As a result, the setting of the image forming apparatus is changed according to the user's presence status of each user group in a plurality of user terminal apparatuses associated with the image forming apparatus to be set, so that an appropriate setting value at each time point Is set in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of users who use the image forming apparatus with setting values that are not suitable for the group to which the user belongs.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of users who use the image forming apparatus with setting values that are not suitable for the group to which the user belongs.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a device setting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the device setting database in FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the device setting server when setting the image forming apparatus in the system shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating creation of a setting message by the setting message creation unit in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of the image forming apparatus in FIG.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a device setting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the system shown in FIG. 1, user terminal apparatuses 1 a to 1 e and an image forming apparatus 2 are connected to a network 3. The user terminal devices 1a to 1e and the image forming apparatus 2 are installed on one floor or one room. Furthermore, a monitoring server 4 and a device setting server 5 are connected to the network 3. The device setting server 5 sets the image forming apparatus 2 via the network 3.

  The user terminal devices 1 a to 1 e are, for example, personal computers, and include a communication device 11 and a login processing unit 12. The communication device 11 is connected to the network 3 and performs data communication with other devices (such as the monitoring server 4 and the image forming device 2) connected to the network 3 using a predetermined protocol. For example, a network interface is used as the communication device 11. When the user inputs user identification information (such as a user ID, a user ID and password pair) to an input device (not shown), the login processing unit 12 uses the communication device 11 to log the user identification information and the login request. Are sent to the monitoring server 4 to log in. The login processing unit 12 is realized by executing a program by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

  The image forming apparatus 2 is a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine, or the like, and includes a communication device 21 and a setting management unit 22. The communication device 21 is connected to the network 3 and performs data communication with other devices (such as the device setting server 5 and the user terminal devices 1a to 1e) connected to the network 3 using a predetermined protocol. For example, a network interface is used as the communication device 21. The setting management unit 22 uses the communication device 21 to receive a setting message from the device setting server 5 and applies the setting value specified in the setting message to the image forming apparatus 2. The setting management unit 22 is realized by executing a program by a processor such as a CPU.

  The network 3 is a computer network such as a local area network. The user terminal devices 1a to 1e and the image forming apparatus 2 may be connected to a local network, and the monitoring server 4 and the device setting server 5 may be connected to a wide area network (such as the Internet) connected to the local network.

  The monitoring server 4 is a login server that monitors the user's presence status, and identifies the user who is logged in to each of the plurality of user terminal devices and the group to which the user belongs as the user's presence status. . The monitoring server 4 includes a communication device 41, a server management unit 42, a user management unit 43, and a storage device 44.

  The communication device 41 is connected to the network 3 and performs data communication with other devices (such as the device setting server 5 and the user terminal devices 1a to 1e) connected to the network 3 using a predetermined protocol. As the communication device 41, for example, a network interface is used.

  The server management unit 42 receives various requests received by the communication device 41 via the network 3, executes processing according to the received request, and transmits the processing result as a response.

  The server management unit 42 accepts login requests from the user terminal devices 1 a to 1 e and presence status transmission requests from the device setting server 5. The presence status transmission request is a request for transmitting the presence / absence of a user logged in at the user terminal devices 1a to 1e and the user group to which the user logged in at the user terminal devices 1a to 1e belongs.

  The user management unit 43 performs user authentication processing and user login management (user login, logout, login state maintenance, etc.).

  The storage device 44 is a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk drive, and stores user data 44a. The user data 44a includes user identification information of a registered user and attribute information (user name, user group to which the user belongs, etc.) associated with the user identification information. When the login request is accepted, the user management unit 43 refers to the user data 44a and executes user authentication processing.

  The server management unit 42 and the user management unit 43 are realized by executing a program by a processor such as a CPU.

  The device setting server 5 includes a communication device 51, a server management unit 52, an attendance status acquisition unit 53, a storage device 54, a setting search unit 55, a setting message creation unit 56, and a setting message distribution unit 57. And a log management unit 58.

  The communication device 51 is connected to the network 3 and performs data communication with other devices (such as the monitoring server 4 and the image forming device 2) connected to the network 3 using a predetermined protocol. As the communication device 51, for example, a network interface is used.

  The server management unit 52 manages the device setting process sequence and transmits various requests to the monitoring server 4 and the image forming apparatus 2 via the network 3 using the communication device 51.

  The attendance status acquisition unit 53 causes the server management unit 52 to transmit an attendance status transmission request to the monitoring server 4 to determine the presence status of the plurality of user terminal devices 1 a to 1 e associated with the image forming apparatus 2. Obtained from the monitoring server 4.

  The storage device 54 is a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk drive, and constitutes a device setting database 54a. The device setting database 54a has a plurality of setting value groups. Each set value group has a set value of a plurality of predetermined setting items for the image forming apparatus 2.

  The device setting database 54a is a relational database. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the device setting database 54a in FIG.

  The device setting database 54a includes a priority setting table 61, a function group table 62, a setting value table for each function such as a job setting group table 63, a scan setting group table 64, and a print output setting group table 65. This setting value table has a setting value group having a plurality of setting values for the function of the image forming apparatus 2.

  Therefore, the set value group is composed of a plurality of sub-set value groups divided for each function of the image forming apparatus 2. The plurality of sub setting value groups have setting values of a plurality of setting items for one function. That is, by selecting one function group table 62, one set value group is selected.

  The priority setting table 61 includes a user group ID, a function group ID, a threshold value, and a priority. This user group ID indicates a user group suitable for use of a set value group (that is, a function group specified by the function group ID). This threshold value is a threshold value of the ratio of the number of logged-in users assigned to the set value group (that is, the function group specified by the function group ID). This priority is assigned to a set value group (that is, a function group specified by a function group ID). The function group ID in the priority setting table 61 is linked to the function group ID in the function group table 62.

  The function group table 62 includes a function group ID, a function group name, and a setting value table ID for each function such as a job setting group ID, a scan setting group ID, and a print output setting group ID.

  The ID of the setting value table in the function group table 62 is linked to the ID in the setting value table. Here, the job setting group ID of the function group table 62 is linked to the job setting group ID of the job setting group table 63. The scan setting group ID in the function group table 62 is linked to the scan setting group ID in the scan setting group table 64. The print output setting group ID in the function group table 62 is linked to the print output setting group ID in the print output setting group table 65.

  The job setting group table 63 includes job setting group names and setting values of setting items for the job management function of the image forming apparatus 2. Setting items for the job management function include job name setting, job end notification setting, automatic document erasure setting, priority print setting, and the like.

  The scan setting group table 64 includes a scan setting group name and setting values of setting items for the scan function of the image forming apparatus 2. Setting items for the scan function include enlargement / reduction setting, document setting, color setting, and the like.

  The print output setting group table 65 includes a print output setting group name and setting values of setting items for the print output function of the image forming apparatus 2. Setting items for the print output function include the number of print settings, the eco print setting, and the paper / paper feed setting.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the setting search unit 55 refers to the device setting database 54 a and selects a setting value group corresponding to the presence status acquired by the presence status acquisition unit 53 from the plurality of setting value groups. The setting search unit 55 is a database engine such as SQL. Specifically, the setting search unit 55 selects a set value group in which the ratio of the number of logged-in users in the group to all logged-in users is higher than a threshold for the group belonging to the largest number of logged-in users based on the presence status. The setting search unit 55 selects the setting value group having the highest priority when there are a plurality of setting value groups in which the number ratio is higher than the threshold.

  The setting message creating unit 56 creates a setting message for setting a plurality of setting values included in the setting value group in the image forming apparatus 2. In this embodiment, the setting message is created as a SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) message.

  The setting message distribution unit 57 uses the server management unit 52 to transmit the setting message created by the setting message creation unit 56 to the image forming apparatus 2, and images a plurality of setting values of the selected setting value group. The forming apparatus 2 is set.

  Each time a setting message is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 2, the log management unit 58 stores a log indicating the presence status at that time and a selected setting value group (priority setting table 61 described later) in the storage device 54. Remember me.

  The server management unit 52, the presence status acquisition unit 53, the setting search unit 55, the setting message creation unit 56, the setting message distribution unit 57, and the log management unit 58 are realized by executing a program by a processor such as a CPU. .

  Next, the operation of the device setting server 5 when setting the image forming apparatus 2 in the system will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the device setting server 5 when setting the image forming apparatus 2 in the system shown in FIG.

  For example, in the state illustrated in FIG. 1, three users 101, 102, and 103 are logged in using the user terminal devices 1 b to 1 d, and the monitoring server 4 holds the login state of the three users 101, 102, and 103. is doing. Users 101 and 102 belong to a development group, and user 103 belongs to a sales group.

  The device setting server 5 periodically executes the following processing to set a setting value suitable for each time point in the image forming apparatus 2.

  In the device setting server 5, the server management unit 52 causes the presence status acquisition unit 53 to acquire the presence status of the user terminal devices 1a to 1e. The presence status acquisition unit 53 uses the communication device 51 to send a presence status transmission request to the monitoring server 4 to inquire about the presence status (step S1).

  In the monitoring server 4, when the server management unit 42 accepts the presence status transmission request, the presence / absence of the user logged in at the user terminal devices 1 a to 1 e and the affiliation of the user logged in at the user terminal devices 1 a to 1 e The presence status indicating the user group to be sent is transmitted as a response. The presence status acquisition unit 53 receives the response.

  When the presence status is acquired, the server management unit 52 causes the setting search unit 55 to search for a set value group suitable for the presence status. First, the setting search unit 55 identifies the number of logged-in users for each user group to which the logged-in user belongs (step S2). For example, in the state shown in FIG. 1, the total number of login users is 3, the number of login users in the development group is 2, and the number of login users in the sales group is 1. Percentage (= 2/3), and the ratio of the number of people in the sales group is 33 percent (= 1/3).

  Next, the setting search unit 55 searches for the set value group by designating the user group ID of the user group having the largest number of people and the number of people (step S3).

  For example, if the presence status is 20% for the personnel group, 30% for the sales group, and 50% for the development group, “select function group ID, priority from priority setting table where threshold <= 50, user group ID = 'DEV A query such as' "is used. DEV is a user group ID of the development group.

  As a result, the priority setting table 61 having a user group ID that matches the user group ID specified in the search query and having the number of people specified in the search query higher than the threshold is found.

  When only one priority setting table 61 is found, the setting search unit 55 selects the function group table 62 linked to the priority setting table 61.

  On the other hand, when a plurality of priority setting tables 61 are found, the setting search unit 55 selects the function group table 62 linked to the priority setting table 61 having the highest priority.

  Next, the server management unit 52 causes the setting message creation unit 56 to create a setting message. The setting message creation unit 56 reads a setting value group from the setting value tables 63, 64, and 65 linked to the function group table 62 selected by the setting search unit 55, and creates a setting message from the read setting value group. (Step S4).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating creation of a setting message by the setting message creation unit 56 in FIG.

  The setting message creation unit 56 designates the function group ID of the selected function group table 62 and sets the setting value tables 63 and 64 linked to the function group table 62 by a query as shown in FIG. , 65, a set value group as shown in FIG.

  Then, the setting message creating unit 56 creates a setting message as shown in FIG. 4C from the set value group. The setting message shown in FIG. 4C is a SOAP message, and the setting value of one setting item is described by one XML (Extensible Markup Language) element in the Body element of the SOAP message.

  Then, when the setting message is created in this way, the server management unit 52 causes the setting message distribution unit 57 to transmit the setting message. The setting message transmission unit 57 transmits the setting message to the image forming apparatus 2 (step S5). In the image forming apparatus 2, when receiving the setting message, the setting management unit 22 sets the setting value specified by the setting message.

  When the setting message is transmitted, the server management unit 52 causes the log management unit 58 to record a log. The log management unit 58 stores a log indicating the attendance status at this time and the selected set value group (priority setting table 61) in the storage device 54 (step S6).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of the image forming apparatus 2 in FIG. FIG. 5A shows a setting example when the ratio of the number of people in the sales group is the highest, and the use of functions for supporting sales activities is permitted. FIG. 5B shows a setting example when the ratio of the number of people in the development group is the highest, and the use of functions that can cause information leakage is limited.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, in the device setting server 5, (a) the presence status acquisition unit 53 includes the plurality of user terminal devices 1 a to 1 e associated with the image forming apparatus 2. The presence status including the user's affiliation group is acquired, and (b) the setting search unit 55 selects a setting value group corresponding to the presence status from a plurality of setting value groups, and (c) the setting message creation unit 56. Creates a setting message for setting a plurality of setting values of the setting value group in the image forming apparatus 2, and (d) the setting message distribution unit 57 transmits the setting message to the image forming apparatus 2 and is selected. The image forming apparatus 2 is set with a plurality of setting values of the set value group.

  As a result, the setting of the image forming apparatus 2 is changed according to the user's presence status of each user group in the plurality of user terminal apparatuses 1a to 1e associated with the image forming apparatus 2 to be set. Thus, an appropriate setting value is set in the image forming apparatus 2. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of users who use the image forming apparatus 2 with setting values not suitable for the group to which the user belongs.

  The above-described embodiments are preferred examples of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. is there.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the presence status is specified from the login state, but the entrance / exit system is connected to the monitoring server 4, and the monitoring server 4 goes to the room where the user terminal devices 1a to 1e are installed. The device setting server 5 may specify the presence status based on the user's room entry state.

  In the above embodiment, the monitoring server 4 and the device setting server 5 may be operated by one server device. In this case, the communication devices 41 and 51 are one communication device, and the server management units 42 and 52 are one server management unit.

  The present invention is applicable to, for example, a managed print service for setting an image forming apparatus.

1a to 1e User terminal device 2 Image forming device 3 Network 4 Monitoring server (an example of login server)
5 Device Setting Server 53 Attendance Status Acquisition Unit 55 Setting Search Unit 56 Setting Message Creation Unit 57 Setting Message Distribution Unit

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus connected to the network;
A plurality of user terminal devices connected to the network;
A login server connected to the network;
A device setting server connected to the network,
The login server specifies a user who is logged in to each of the plurality of user terminal devices and a group to which the user belongs, as the presence status of the user,
The device setting server includes a presence status acquisition unit that acquires the presence status of a plurality of user terminal devices associated with the image forming apparatus from the login server, and setting values of a plurality of predetermined setting items. A setting search unit for selecting a setting value group corresponding to the presence status from a plurality of setting value groups, and a setting message for setting a plurality of setting values of the setting value group in the image forming apparatus A setting message creating unit that transmits the setting message to the image forming apparatus, and causes the image forming apparatus to set a plurality of setting values of the selected setting value group;
A device setting system characterized by The plurality of setting value groups include a setting value group corresponding to the ratio of the number of logged-in users for each belonging group,
The setting search unit selects a setting value group corresponding to the ratio of the number of logged-in users of the belonging group with respect to all logged-in users for the belonging group having the largest number of logged-in users based on the presence status;
The device setting system according to claim 1. The setting value group is assigned a threshold of the ratio of the number of logged-in users,
The setting search unit selects a setting value group in which the ratio of the number of logged-in users of the belonging group with respect to all logged-in users is higher than the threshold for the belonging group having the largest number of logged-in users based on the presence status;
The apparatus setting system according to claim 2. The set value group is assigned a priority,
The setting search unit selects a setting value group having the highest priority when there are a plurality of setting value groups in which the number of persons is higher than the threshold.
The apparatus setting system according to claim 3. The set value group is composed of a plurality of sub set value groups divided for each function of the image forming apparatus,
The plurality of sub setting value groups have setting values of a plurality of setting items for one function;
The device setting system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein An attendance status acquisition unit that acquires an attendance status including a group to which the user belongs for a plurality of user terminal devices associated with the image forming apparatus;
A setting search unit that selects a setting value group according to the presence status from a plurality of setting value groups each having setting values of a plurality of predetermined setting items;
A setting message creating unit for creating a setting message for setting a plurality of setting values of the setting value group in the image forming apparatus;
A setting message delivery unit that transmits the setting message to the image forming apparatus and causes the image forming apparatus to set a plurality of setting values of the selected setting value group;
A device setting server characterized by comprising:

Images