JP2014006733A - Information processing system, device, device control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent summary data acquisition failure in a device by distributing collected data by mail from a collection server that collects log data transmitted from the device.SOLUTION: A device includes: management means for managing a summary file formed by use of summary data acquired from an information processing device; summary data request means for requesting summary data to the information processing device; summary mail receiving means for receiving summary mail when determined that the summary data cannot be acquired by the request from the request means; and first update means that updates the summary file managed by the management means by means of the summary data included in the summary mail received by the receiving means. The information processing device includes summary mail transmission means that transmits the summary mail including the summary data to a mail address of the device at a predetermined timing.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique in which a device acquires aggregate data.

  Currently, a device such as a multifunction peripheral can know log data between a plurality of devices by acquiring aggregate data from an aggregation server, so that the user's usage record can be known.

  Therefore, for example, if a certain user prints 10 sheets with the multifunction machine A and 20 sheets with the multifunction machine B, the multifunction machine C knows the usage record of the user (printed 30 sheets) from the total data, so the upper limit number is 50. If it is a sheet, it is possible to realize a usage method in which printing is permitted up to the remaining 20 sheets.

  However, since the method of distributing the aggregated data aggregated by the aggregation server is a method of transmitting in accordance with a request from the multifunction peripheral (a mechanism in which the multifunction peripheral pulls and receives the aggregated data), the aggregation server goes down. Each multifunction device cannot receive the aggregated data. In this case, each multifunction device repeats the retry until it can receive the total data, but the following problem occurs.

  (1) Since the summary file held by the multifunction peripheral is not updated, there is a problem that if there is a leakage in the usage record of the user, printing cannot be performed correctly within the upper limit number.

  (2) Since retry processing is performed when acquisition of aggregate data fails, there is a problem that retry processing from a plurality of multifunction peripherals places a load on the network.

  Therefore, there is a need for a function that allows each multifunction device to acquire new aggregate data even while the aggregation server is down.

  Therefore, as one method, a method of using the mail function while the counting server is down can be considered.

  Here, as a technique related to tabulation, Patent Document 1 discloses that the tabulation of responses to questionnaires and the like is performed without human intervention, thereby preventing delays in the processing of tabulating responses to questionnaires and the like. A technique for providing an e-mail system having an aggregation function for preventing an increase is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-290192

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 only analyzes and displays the answers to the questionnaires received by e-mail, and does not enable recovery when an abnormality occurs in the aggregation server. Absent.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and provides a technique for preventing an omission of acquisition of aggregate data in a device by an aggregation server that aggregates log data transmitted from a device delivering the aggregate data by mail.

  The present invention is an information processing system capable of communicating between a device having a function of transmitting log data and an information processing apparatus that aggregates log data received from the device and manages the aggregated data as aggregated data. Management means for managing a summary file created using summary data acquired from the information processing device, summary data requesting means for requesting summary data to the information processing device, and the summary according to a request from the request means When it is determined that the data cannot be acquired, a summary mail receiving unit that receives the summary mail and a summary file that is managed by the management unit are updated using the summary data included in the summary mail received by the receiving unit. The update unit and the information processing apparatus send the total mail including the total data to the data at a predetermined timing. And having a summary mail sending means for sending the e-mail address of the addressed chair.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the aggregation server which totals the log data transmitted from a device can prevent the omission of acquisition of total data in a device by distributing total data by mail.

It is a figure which shows the information processing system in embodiment of this invention. It is a hardware block diagram (1). It is a hardware block diagram (2). It is a figure which shows the whole flow in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which transmits the count mail in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of total data. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the total mail containing total data. It is a figure which shows the whole flow in 2nd embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the multifunction machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the mail containing log data. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which recovers the log data in 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the modification 2 of the process which recovers the log data in 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the modification 3 of the process which recovers log data in 2nd embodiment of this invention.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  An aggregation server 101 (information processing apparatus), a mail server 102, and a plurality of multifunction peripherals 103 (devices) are connected via a network 104 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The aggregation server 101 is a server that aggregates log data (job logs) transmitted from a plurality of multifunction peripherals 103, and transmits the aggregated data after aggregation in response to a request from the multifunction peripheral 103. It also manages aggregate data. In addition, it has a function to record the log data aggregated in the mail body and send it to the mail server as a mail addressed to the multifunction device when it cannot be sent in response to a request from the multifunction device. .

  The mail server 102 has a function for realizing transmission / reception of mail.

  The MFP 103 has a function of transmitting log data based on a user operation to the aggregation server. If log data cannot be transmitted to the aggregation server, the log data is described in the mail body and the mail server sends the log data to the aggregation server. It has a function to send as mail. In addition, when the total data cannot be acquired from the total server, it has a function of acquiring an email in which the total data transmitted from the mail server is described. In the present embodiment, a multifunction peripheral is taken as an example, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to a multifunction peripheral, and may be a device having the same type of function / purpose.

  The network 104 is a communication line such as an intranet or the Internet.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the aggregation server 101 shown in FIG. 1 will be described using FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an information processing apparatus applicable to the aggregation server 101.
The CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the aggregation server includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, an input controller 205, a video controller 206, and a memory controller via a system bus 204. 207, a communication I / F controller 208 and the like are connected. The CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204.

  In the ROM 202 or the external memory 211, a BIOS (BASIC INPUT / OUTPUT SYSTEM), an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS), which is a control program of the CPU 201, and functions necessary for realizing each computer will be described later. Various programs are stored. Further, information necessary for implementing the present invention (for example, a transmission history management table shown in FIG. 19) is stored in the external memory 211. The external memory 211 may be a database.

  The RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program necessary for execution of processing into the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.

  An input controller (input C) 205 controls input from the input device 209. The input device may be either a pointing device such as a mouse or a keyboard or an input device.

  A video controller (VC) 206 controls display on a display device such as the display 210. The display may be either a liquid crystal display, a CRT display, or any other display. These are used by the user as needed.

  The memory controller (MC) 207 is a hard disk (HD), floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), or PCMCIA that stores a boot program, browser software, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Controls access to an external memory 211 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) connected to the card slot via an adapter.

  A communication I / F controller (communication I / FC) 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network (for example, the LAN 104 shown in FIG. 1), and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, Internet communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the display 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. In addition, the CPU 201 displays various operation screens, a mouse cursor, and the like (not shown) on the display 210 to enable a user instruction.

  Note that a program for realizing each process to be described later is recorded in, for example, the external memory 211 and is executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used when the above program is executed are also stored in the external memory 211, and a detailed description thereof will be described later.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 103 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP 103 illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 316 denotes a controller unit which is connected to a scanner 314 functioning as an image input device and a printer unit 312 functioning as an image output device, while being connected to a LAN (for example, the LAN 104 shown in FIG. 1) or a public line (WAN). ) (For example, PSTN or ISDN) to input / output image data and device information.

  In the controller unit 316, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU, which is a processor that controls the entire system. A RAM 302 is a system work memory for the CPU 301 to operate, and is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

  A ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs. A hard disk drive (HDD) 304 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 307 is an interface unit with the operation unit (keyboard or the like) 308. Further, the operation unit I / F 307 serves to transmit the key information (for example, pressing of the start button) input from the operation unit 308 to the CPU 301. Further, it is possible to input a destination fax number for fax transmission from the operation unit 308.

  A network interface (Network I / F) 305 is connected to the network (LAN) 500 to input / output data. A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  Reference numeral 318 denotes an external interface (external I / F), which is an I / F unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, RS-232C, etc. In this embodiment, an IC card for a portable terminal required for authentication A card reader 319 for reading (storage medium) is connected to the external I / F unit 318. The CPU 301 can control reading of information from the IC card of the mobile terminal by the card reader 319 via the external I / F 318, and can acquire information read from the IC card of the mobile terminal. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 309.

  Reference numeral 320 denotes an image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F), which is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 309 and an image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed and converts the data structure. The image bus 315 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 310 develops vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image. A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects the printer unit 312 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 313 connects the scanner 314 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  An image processing unit 317 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data, and performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 317 performs image data rotation and compression / decompression processing such as JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data.

  The scanner unit 314 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner 314, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. I do.

  The printer unit 312 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array directly on the paper. There is an inkjet method for printing an image, but any method may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 312 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has a paper cassette corresponding thereto.

  The operation unit 308 has an LCD display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD. The operation unit 308 displays an operation screen of the system. When a displayed key is pressed, the position information is displayed on the operation unit I / F 307. To the CPU 301 via The operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

  Note that the display unit has different display performance depending on the printer, and a printer that can be operated via a touch panel, a printer that simply has a liquid crystal screen and displays a character string (displays the print status and the name of the document being printed). Is structured.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 308 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used. Further, the stop key of the operation unit 308 functions to stop the operation in operation. The ID key of the operation unit 308 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  The card reader 319 reads information stored in an IC card provided in the mobile terminal under the control of the CPU 301 and notifies the CPU 301 of the read information via the external I / F 318.

  With the configuration described above, the multi-function peripheral 103 can transmit the image data read from the scanner 314 to the LAN 104 and print out the print data received from the LAN 104 by the printer unit 312. Further, the multifunction machine 103 can send the image data read from the scanner 314 by FAX from the MODEM 306 to the public line network, and print out the image data received by FAX from the public line network by the printer 312.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall flow in the embodiment of the present invention.
(1) The multifunction device 103 transmits log data to the aggregation server 101 as usual.
(2) The aggregation server 101 aggregates log data. In addition, an e-mail describing the total data is transmitted to the mail server 102 at a predetermined timing.
(3) The multi-function peripheral 103 requests total data from the total server 101.
(4) If acquisition of the total data fails due to an abnormality occurring in the total server 101, the mail server 102 is accessed to acquire mail addressed to itself from the mail server.
(5) If there is a mail addressed to the multifunction machine 103, the mail server 102 transmits the mail to the aggregation server 101.
(6) The multi-function peripheral 103 performs an operation of analyzing the received mail content and extracting aggregate data.

  As described above, if an error occurs on the aggregation server and the MFP cannot acquire the aggregation data from the aggregation server, the aggregation server will write the aggregation data in the email body as a temporary save destination. Even if an abnormality occurs on the aggregation server, the multifunction device can immediately acquire the aggregation data, and further eliminate the retry transmission of log data to the aggregation server. Can do.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the flow of processing for transmitting a summary mail in the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for transmitting the aggregate mail according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In 501, the aggregation server performs activation processing.

  In 502, the aggregation server determines whether log data has been acquired from an arbitrary multi-function machine among a plurality of multi-function machines. If yes, go to 503; if no, go back to 502.

  In 503, the aggregation server determines whether the aggregation processing for the aggregation data using the acquired log data has been completed. In the case of Yes, it progresses to 504, and in No, a count process is continued. An example of the total data is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of total data.

  In 504, the tabulation server determines whether it is timing to transmit the tabulation mail. In the case of Yes, it progresses to 505, and in the case of No, it returns to 504. The transmission timing can be arbitrarily set. When emphasizing the real-time property, there is a method of transmitting each time the aggregation process is performed. On the other hand, when importance is placed on reducing the load on the network, various methods such as a method of transmitting at a predetermined time interval or a method of transmitting a predetermined amount of accumulated data as a trigger are employed. be able to.

  In 505, the aggregation server transmits an aggregation mail in which the contents of the aggregation data are described in the mail body to the mail server. The total mail described in the mail text is transmitted so as not to overlap with the total data transmitted last time. For example, it is possible to make a practical application by preparing a management table that can identify transmitted total data. As a mail destination address, there is a method of using a mailing list that can be transmitted to each multifunction device for ease of maintenance, but an individual address of each multifunction device may be set.

  At 506, the mail server receives the mail.

  In 507, the mail server stores the received mail in a mailbox addressed to each multifunction device. When the address is a mailing list, each address included in the mailing list is acquired and stored in each mailbox.

  In the above, the flow of the process of transmitting the aggregate mail according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In 701, the multifunction peripheral acquires log data based on a user operation. There are various timings for acquiring the log data, such as each time, regularly, or when a predetermined amount of log data is accumulated. The log data includes various information such as user ID, job number, job type, start time, end time, total number of pages, total color, total black and white.

  In 702, the multi-function peripheral transmits the acquired log data to the aggregation server.

  In 703, the multi-function peripheral determines whether to request total data from the total server. In the case of Yes, it progresses to 704, and in the case of No, it returns to 703. Specifically, the determination is made based on whether the set time has come or whether a predetermined period has elapsed since the previous request. Note that the determination method is not limited to these, and various methods can be employed.

  In 704, the multifunction peripheral requests total data from the total server.

  In 705, the multi-function peripheral determines whether total data has been acquired from the total server. If yes, go to 706, if no, go to 707. For example, the determination can be made based on whether there is no response from the aggregation server for a predetermined period. Here, normally, when there is no response, the retry is repeated, but in this embodiment, the retry is not performed. This is because the aggregate data can be acquired from the mail. Since it may happen that a response cannot be obtained, it may be set to allow retry several times.

  In 706, the multifunction peripheral performs processing for updating the aggregation file using the aggregation data acquired from the aggregation server. The aggregation file is a file that is internally held by each multifunction peripheral, and is a file that is created by accumulating the aggregation data that is aggregated by the aggregation server. Since this aggregate file includes log data of each user in each multifunction peripheral, the multifunction peripheral can grasp the usage record of the operator. Then, it progresses to 707 and progresses to the process which acquires a total mail. This is because there is a possibility that unacquired aggregate data exists when there is an unreceived aggregate mail.

  In 707, the multifunction peripheral requests a total mail from the mail server.

  In 708, the multi-function peripheral determines whether the total mail has been acquired from the mail server. In the case of Yes, it progresses to 709, and in No, a process is complete | finished. Specifically, the determination is made based on whether or not the MFP can acquire the mail addressed to the requested MFP and stored in the mailbox of the mail server. An example of the total mail is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a total mail including total data.

  Here, two mail examples are described. Addresses 801 and 805 are mail addresses for the multifunction peripheral. The senders 802 and 806 are e-mail addresses of aggregation servers that transmit e-mails. The subjects 803 and 807 describe the subject for specifying that the total data is included. In the texts 804 and 808, total data is described. Since there are various methods for describing the total data, a description method other than these two examples may be used.

  In 709, the multi-function peripheral determines whether the acquired total mail includes the total data. In the case of Yes, it progresses to 710, and in No, a process is complete | finished. For example, there is a method of determining based on the subject of an email. Since mail including scan data may be received, such mail is mail that does not include aggregate data.

  In 710, the multi-function peripheral performs processing for extracting the total data included in the total mail and updating the total file.

  The processing flow of the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to FIG.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an aggregation server that aggregates log data transmitted from a device distributes the aggregation data by mail, thereby preventing omission of acquisition of the aggregation data in the device.

  It should be noted that the embodiment of the present invention shows a solution method in which the aggregation server transmits the aggregation mail to each multifunction device in advance when the multifunction peripheral cannot acquire the aggregation data due to a malfunction of the aggregation server. It was. However, since the aggregation server cannot acquire log data transmitted from each MFP due to a malfunction of the aggregation server, the point of preventing omission of aggregation is not taken into consideration, and will be described below as a second embodiment. By combining the first embodiment and the second embodiment, even if a problem occurs in the aggregation server, using the mail function prevents omissions in the aggregation server, and aggregation in the multifunction machine Non-acquisition of data can be prevented.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an overall flow in the second embodiment of the present invention.
(1) The multifunction device 103 transmits log data to the aggregation server 101 as usual.
(2) When a transmission failure occurs due to the occurrence of an abnormality in the aggregation server 101, the multifunction machine 103 transmits an email with the log information described in the mail body and the destination as the aggregation server 101 to the mail server 102. .
(3) When recovering from the abnormal state, the aggregation server 101 accesses the mail server 102 to acquire mail addressed to itself.
(4) When there is a mail addressed to the aggregation server 101, the mail server 102 transmits the mail to the aggregation server 101.
(5) The tabulation server 101 analyzes the received mail contents and performs tabulation work.
(6) The multi-function peripheral 103 downloads the total data from the total server.

  As described above, if an error occurs on the aggregation server and the multifunction device cannot send log data to the aggregation server, the multifunction device will write the log data in the email body as a temporary save destination. By transmitting to the log data, it is possible to prevent the log data from being lost from the MFP due to the storage limit of the number of log data, and it is possible to eliminate the retry transmission of the log data to the aggregation server.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the multifunction machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In 1001, the multi-function peripheral acquires log data based on a user operation. There are various timings for acquiring the log data, such as each time, regularly, or when a predetermined amount of log data is accumulated. The log data includes various information such as user ID, job number, job type, start time, end time, total number of pages, total color, total black and white.

  In 1002, the multifunction peripheral transmits the acquired log data to the aggregation server.

  In 1003, the multi-function peripheral determines whether transmission is successful. In the case of Yes, it complete | finishes, and in No, it progresses to 1004.

  In 1004, the multi-function peripheral attaches the log data to the mail and sends the destination to the mail server as the aggregation server. An example of mail is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of mail including log data.

  Here, two mail examples are described. Addresses 1101 and 1105 are mail addresses for the aggregation server. The senders 1102 and 1106 are e-mail addresses for the multifunction peripherals that send e-mails. The subject lines 1103 and 1107 describe the IP address of the multi-function peripheral in order to identify which multi-function peripheral has sent the mail. In the texts 1104 and 608, log data is described. Since there are various methods for describing the log mail, a description method other than these two examples may be used.

  The flow of processing of the multifunction machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to FIG.

  Next, the flow of processing for recovering log data according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for recovering log data according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  This processing is performed after the aggregation server recovers from the abnormal state.

  In 1201, the aggregation server performs activation processing. This is the startup process after recovering from the abnormal state.

  In 1202, the aggregation server makes a reception request to the mail server in order to receive mail addressed to itself.

  In 1203, the mail server accepts the reception request.

  In 1204, the mail server determines whether mail addressed to the aggregation server has arrived. If Yes, the process proceeds to 1205. If No, the process ends.

  In 1205, the mail server transmits mail addressed to the aggregation server.

  In 1206, the aggregation server receives the mail.

  In 1207, the aggregation server analyzes the contents of the mail. If a plurality of mails are received, each mail is analyzed.

  In 1208, the tabulation server determines whether the mail includes log data. In the case of Yes, it progresses to 1209, and in No, it complete | finishes. If a plurality of mails are received, each mail is analyzed. Since the mail including the log data is described in the mail body in a predetermined format, it can be specified whether the mail includes the log data. Note that, for example, an email including scan data may be received, and such an email is an email not including log data.

  In 1209, the tabulation server performs tabulation processing and ends the processing.

  Using the log data included in the mail received this time, the total data already acquired will be re-totaled. By recalculating, it is possible to add log data that could not be acquired in an abnormal state, so that it is possible to generate total data without omission.

  The flow of processing for recovering log data according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to FIG.

  Next, the flow of Modification 2 of the process for recovering log data in the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a modification 2 of the process for recovering log data in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The second modification is an embodiment in which the mail server confirms mail to the mail server triggered by the log server receiving the log data from the multifunction peripheral, not at the time of startup.

  In 1301, the multi-function peripheral transmits log data to the aggregation server. This is a log transmission process.

  At 1302, the aggregation server receives log data.

  In 1303, the aggregation server confirms the received log data NO. Specifically, confirmation is performed by using the received log data and the current total data. For example, when the job number of the total data and the job number included in the received log data are not serial numbers, it can be seen that there is a mismatch. That is, since it is understood that there is a possibility that the log data for the missing job NO may not be aggregated, it is necessary to immediately receive the mail.

  In 1304, the aggregation server determines whether inconsistency has occurred. If Yes, the process proceeds to 1202, and if No, the process proceeds to 1209.

  Note that the processing of 1202 to 1209 is the same as the processing of FIG.

  According to the second modification, when the log data No is inconsistent, the mail is immediately received, so that the inconsistency of the total data can be resolved at an early stage.

  In the above, the flow of the modification 2 of the process which recovers log data in 2nd Embodiment of this invention was demonstrated using FIG.

  Next, the flow of Modification 3 of the process for recovering log data according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the third modification of the process for recovering log data according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The third modification is an embodiment in which the mail server confirms the mail by using the trigger that the total server receives the request for the total data from the multifunction machine.

  In 1401, the multi-function peripheral requests total data from the total server.

  In 1402, the aggregation server accepts a request for aggregation data.

  In 1403, the aggregation server determines whether to receive mail. If yes, go to 1202, if no, go to 1404. The determination method here includes various methods such as a method of receiving an email every time a request is received, and a method of receiving an email when a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous request.

  Note that the processing of 1202 to 1209 is the same as the processing of FIG.

  In 1404, the aggregation server transmits the aggregation data to the multifunction peripheral.

  In 1405, the multifunction peripheral receives the aggregated data and ends the process.

  According to the modified example 3, since the mail is received when the request for the total data is received, it is possible to prevent transmission of the total data in which the total omission has occurred.

  The flow of the modification 3 of the process for recovering the log data according to the second embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to FIG.

  By combining the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, even if a problem occurs in the aggregation server, the mail function is used to prevent omission of aggregation in the aggregation server. It is possible to prevent non-acquisition of aggregate data in the machine.

  It should be noted that the configuration and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the various data and configurations are configured according to the application and purpose.

  Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system including a single device.

  The program according to the present invention is a program capable of executing a processing method by a computer, and the storage medium according to the present invention stores a program capable of executing the processing method by a computer. The program in the present invention may be a program for each processing method of each device.

  As described above, a recording medium that records a program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by executing the reading.

  In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon A disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on an instruction of the program is actually It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network using a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

101 Total Server 102 Mail Server 103 Multifunction Machine 104 Network

Claims (8)

An information processing system capable of communicating between a device having a function of transmitting log data and an information processing apparatus that aggregates log data received from the device and manages the aggregated data,
The device is
Management means for managing a summary file created using the summary data acquired from the information processing apparatus;
Aggregate data request means for requesting aggregate data to the information processing apparatus;
When it is determined that the aggregate data cannot be acquired by a request from the request unit, a total mail receiving unit that receives the total mail;
First update means for updating a summary file managed by the management means, using summary data included in the summary mail received by the receiving means;
The information processing apparatus includes:
An information processing system comprising: aggregate mail transmission means for transmitting a total mail including total data to a mail address addressed to the device at a predetermined timing. The device is
When the aggregate data is acquired by a request by the request unit, the aggregate data is used, and the second update unit updates the aggregate file managed by the management unit,
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit receives the total mail after the total file is updated by the second update unit. The device is
When the log data cannot be transmitted to the information processing apparatus, a log mail transmission unit that transmits a log mail including the log data to a mail address addressed to the information processing apparatus;
Log mail receiving means for receiving log mail;
Analyzing means for analyzing the log mail received by the log mail receiving means;
The log data is included in the mail as a result of analysis by the analysis means, and the log data is used to re-count the total data using the log data. Information processing system. The information processing apparatus includes:
When log data is received from the device, the log data is used to further determine whether there is inconsistency with the aggregate data,
The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the log mail receiving unit receives the log mail when it is determined that there is inconsistency as a result of the determination by the determination unit. The information processing apparatus further includes accepting means for accepting a transmission request for the aggregate data from the device,
5. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the log mail receiving unit receives the log mail when the receiving unit receives a transmission request for the total data. An information processing apparatus that aggregates log data received from a device and manages the aggregated data as aggregated data, and has information having aggregated mail transmission means for transmitting aggregated mail including aggregated data to a mail address addressed to the device at a predetermined timing A device capable of communicating with a processing apparatus and having a function of transmitting log data,
Management means for managing a summary file created using the summary data acquired from the information processing apparatus;
Aggregate data request means for requesting aggregate data to the information processing apparatus;
When it is determined that the aggregate data cannot be acquired by a request from the request unit, a total mail receiving unit that receives the total mail;
A device comprising: first update means for updating a summary file managed by the management means using summary data included in the summary mail received by the receiving means. An information processing apparatus that aggregates log data received from a device and manages the aggregated data as aggregated data, and has information having aggregated mail transmission means for transmitting aggregated mail including aggregated data to a mail address addressed to the device at a predetermined timing A method for controlling a device having a function of transmitting log data, which can communicate with a processing apparatus,
A management step of managing a summary file created using the summary data acquired from the information processing device;
A total data request step for requesting total data to the information processing apparatus;
If it is determined that the aggregate data cannot be acquired by a request by the request step, a summary mail receiving step for receiving a summary mail;
A device control method comprising: a first update step of updating a total file managed by the management step using total data included in the total mail received by the reception step. An information processing apparatus that aggregates log data received from a device and manages the aggregated data as aggregated data, and has information having aggregated mail transmission means for transmitting aggregated mail including aggregated data to a mail address addressed to the device at a predetermined timing A program executable in a device having a function of transmitting log data, which can communicate with a processing apparatus,
Management means for managing a summary file created using the summary data acquired from the information processing apparatus;
Aggregate data request means for requesting aggregate data to the information processing apparatus;
An aggregate mail receiving means for receiving an aggregate mail when it is determined that the aggregate data cannot be acquired by a request from the request means;
A program that causes the device to function as a first update unit that updates a total file managed by the management unit, using total data included in a total mail received by the reception unit.

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