JP2014016757A - Apparatus management device, apparatus management system, apparatus management method, and apparatus management program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus management device which efficiently performs apparatus management while enhancing its usability.SOLUTION: In an apparatus management system 1, from image processing devices G1 to Gn which are management target apparatuses, a device manager DM acquires counter values which are actual values of a plurality of operation items generated by operation of the image processing devices G1 to Gn, and saves the counter values. When an arithmetic expression is input via UI 13, an apparatus management device KS determines whether the arithmetic expression is proper. When the arithmetic expression is determined to be proper, the apparatus management device KS acquires only the counter values of operation items required for the arithmetic expression from the device manager DM, performs the arithmetic processing, and displays and outputs the arithmetic processing result on a display of the UI 13.

Description

  The present invention relates to a device management apparatus, a device management system, a device management method, and a device management program, and more specifically, a device management device, a device management system, a device management method, and a device management device that manage devices while improving efficiency and usability. It relates to a device management program.

  Today, in image processing apparatuses such as printers, copiers, facsimile machines, scanners, and composite apparatuses, each image processing apparatus itself is used in order to grasp various usage conditions of the image processing apparatus and usage conditions of consumables. A function that counts the number of times of use, the number of formed images, and the like by a counter and stores / saves the result, and the count result by the counter is stored in an internal memory or a separately attached card.

  Conventionally, a plurality of image processing devices as described above are connected to a device management device via a network, and counter values of each image processing device are collected and stored as a database in a large-capacity memory such as a hard disk. The counter value of the database is displayed and printed on the display in response to the request of the device manager (see Patent Document 1).

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, the device management apparatus only collects and stores various counter values from the image processing apparatus that is the management target device, and outputs the counter value in response to an output request. Therefore, in order to perform device management from various counter values collected in the device management device, conventionally, an administrator manually uses the user interface (keyboard, mouse, display, etc.) of the device management device, Select the counter value according to the purpose of device management and display it on the display or print it out, etc., and manually output the calculated counter value using a calculator. Thus, there is a problem that it is necessary to acquire calculation result information necessary for device management, and the usability is poor.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to efficiently process the collected performance values and improve the efficiency of device management.

  In order to achieve the above object, the device management apparatus according to claim 1 includes: a performance value acquisition unit configured to acquire performance values of a plurality of operation items generated as operation results of the management target device from the management target device; An arithmetic expression receiving unit that receives an input of an arithmetic expression using the operation item, and performs an operation according to the arithmetic expression with respect to the actual value of the operation item in all the management target devices acquired by the actual value acquisition unit An arithmetic means and an output means for outputting a calculation result by the arithmetic means are provided.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the performance value of collected operation | movement can be efficiently calculated and processed, and the efficiency of apparatus management can be improved.

The block diagram of the equipment management system to which the equipment management apparatus of one Example of this invention is applied. The functional block block diagram of a calculating part. The figure which shows an example of a computing equation input screen. The figure which shows an example of a calculation result display screen. The flowchart which shows an apparatus management process.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The range of this invention is unduly limited by the following description. However, not all the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

  1 to 5 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a device management apparatus, a device management system, a device management method, and a device management program according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a device management device, a device management system according to the present invention, 1 is a configuration diagram of a device management system 1 to which an embodiment of a device management method and a device management program are applied. FIG.

  In FIG. 1, a device management system 1 includes a device management device KS that manages devices and a plurality of management target image processing devices (management target devices) G1 to Gn connected via a device manager DM. The management apparatus KS and the device manager DM are connected by a communication line TK such as the Internet, a telephone line, and a LAN.

  Image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn, which are devices to be managed by the device management apparatus KS, are connected to a network NW such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and the network NW receives each operation item from the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn. A device manager DM that collects counter values that are actual values is connected.

  The image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn are various apparatuses that perform image processing such as printers, copying apparatuses, facsimile apparatuses, composite apparatuses, and computer apparatuses. Each time an operation is performed, the actual value (counter value) for each operation item. It has a counter to count.

  For example, the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn have a monochrome print counter that counts the number of monochrome prints in the monochrome image formation operation item, a color print counter that counts the number of color prints in the color image formation operation item, A monochrome scan counter that counts the number of monochrome scan operations in the monochrome scan operation item, a color scan counter that counts the number of color scan operations in the color scan operation item, and a facsimile that counts the number of facsimile communication operations in the facsimile operation item A counter is provided, and the counter value of each counter is transmitted to the device manager DM via the network NW.

  For example, a computer having a normal hardware configuration and software configuration is used as the device manager DM, and a counter information database constructed in a large-capacity nonvolatile memory (hard disk or the like) is added to each image processing apparatus via the network NW. The counter values sent from G1 to Gn are stored, and the stored counter values are transmitted to the device management apparatus KS via the memory communication line TK in response to a request from the device management apparatus KS.

  The device management device KS uses a computer having a normal hardware configuration and software configuration, such as a personal computer, and includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a hard disk. In addition to hardware such as a display monitor (hereinafter referred to as a display), a speaker, a mouse, and a keyboard, various application software are mounted on an OS (Operating System).

  The device management device KS includes ROM, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), EPROM, flash memory, flexible disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable), DVD (Digital ROM or hard disk by reading a device management program for executing the device management method of the present invention recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as Versatile Disk (SD), Secure Digital (SD) card, MO (Magneto-Optical Disc) And the like, it is constructed as a device management device that executes a device management method for efficiently managing the image processing devices G1 to Gn. This device management program is a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark) or an object-oriented programming language, and is stored in the recording medium. Can be distributed.

  The device management apparatus KS introduces the device management program, so that the information collection unit 11, the calculation unit 12, and a UI (user interface) are provided as functional units necessary for executing the device management method of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a counter calculation unit 21, an existing counter information processing unit 22, an arithmetic expression check unit 23, and the like are built in the calculation unit 12.

  The information collection unit 11 acquires the counter value stored in the counter information database of the device manager DM via the communication line TK and passes it to the calculation unit 12. That is, the information collection unit 11 acquires the actual value acquisition of the counter values (actual values) of the plurality of operation items generated as the operation results of the image processing devices G1 to Gn from the image processing devices G1 to Gn that are the management target devices. It functions as a means.

  For example, the calculation unit 12 displays an arithmetic expression input screen DP1 as shown in FIG. 3 on the display (display means) of the UI 13.

  In addition, the arithmetic expression input screen DP1 of FIG. 3 includes alternative names (A, B,...) As item symbols and items corresponding to the alternative names when a total is obtained (displayed as a title) as an arithmetic expression. A source field as a name is shown correspondingly, and an arithmetic expression of the designated source field is shown in the calculation field column using an alternative name corresponding to the source field. In the arithmetic expression input screen DP1 of FIG. 3, as alternative names, the source fields indicated by F and G, that is, the count value of the monochrome print counter (printer: monochrome) and the count value of the color print counter (printer: full color) are summed. A state in which an arithmetic expression is input is shown.

  An administrator or the like uses the arithmetic expression input screen DP to input an arithmetic expression for generating intended management information using the mouse, keyboard, etc. of the UI 13, and the UI 13 displays the input arithmetic expression. Accept and pass to the calculation unit 12.

  When an arithmetic expression is input from the UI 13, the arithmetic unit 12 acquires a counter value necessary for execution of the input arithmetic expression from the information collection unit 11, executes the arithmetic expression, and calculates operation result information. Is displayed on the display of the UI 13 like the calculation result display screen DP2 shown in FIG.

  In the calculation result display screen DP2 of FIG. 4, the count value of the monochrome print counter (printer: monochrome), the count value of the color print counter (printer: full color) and the total count value thereof in the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn to be managed, The device properties are displayed.

  Then, the arithmetic expression check unit (appropriate determination means) 23 checks whether or not the arithmetic expression input by the administrator or the like on the arithmetic expression input screen DP1 is appropriate. An arithmetic expression is accepted, and the arithmetic expression is passed to the counter arithmetic unit 21 and the existing counter information processing unit 22.

  The existing counter information processing unit 22 is a counter that is necessary for calculation of an arithmetic expression that is input from the UI 13 and determined to be appropriate by the arithmetic expression check unit 23 from all counter values stored in the counter information database of the device manager DM. A value is extracted and passed to the counter calculation unit 21.

  Based on the arithmetic expression determined to be appropriate by the arithmetic expression check section 23, the counter arithmetic section 21 performs arithmetic processing of the arithmetic expression using the counter value of the action item extracted by the existing counter information processing section 22. Then, the calculation result is displayed and output as the calculation result display screen DP2 shown in FIG. 4 or printed out using a printer device or the like (not shown). That is, the counter calculation unit functions as a calculation unit that calculates the counter values of the operation items in all the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn acquired by the information collection unit 11 according to the calculation formula.

  In the above description, the device management system 1 collects the counter values of the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn in the device manager DM and stores them in the device manager DM. For example, the device management device KS is disposed in a management center that manages devices such as manufacturers, sales companies, and maintenance companies of the image processing devices G1 to Gn. A device manager DM may be installed, and the device manager DM of each customer may be connected to the device management apparatus KS of the management center via a communication line TK such as the Internet. In this case, the device manager DM of each customer collects and stores the counter values of the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn of the customer, and the information managed and managed by the device management apparatus KS in the device manager DM of each customer. Are collected and calculated as necessary, and the calculation result is output.

  The device management system 1 is not limited to the device management system including the device manager DM. For example, all the image processing devices G1 to Gn to be managed are directly connected to the device management device KS, or Some image processing devices G1 to Gn may be directly connected to the device management device KS, and other image processing devices G1 to Gn may be connected to the device management device KS via the device manager DM. In this case, the device management apparatus KS stores and manages at least the counter values of the directly connected image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn in an internal or external nonvolatile memory.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The device management apparatus KS of this embodiment efficiently calculates the collected counter values and improves the efficiency of device management.

  When each of the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn performs an image processing operation, the device management system 1 counts preset operation information by a counter provided for each operation item, for example, The number of black and white prints, the number of color prints, the number of black and white scans, the number of color scans, the number of facsimile communication, etc. are counted, and the counter value of the operation item is output to the device manager DM. The device manager DM stores and manages the counter value of each operation item sent from each image processing device G1 to Gn for each operation item in association with the image processing device G1 to Gn, and the operation item from the device management device KS. Is requested, the counter value of the requested action item is transmitted to the device management apparatus KS via the communication line TK.

  Then, the device management apparatus KS performs device management processing as shown in FIG. In other words, when the administrator or the like performs an operation input request for an arithmetic expression using the UI 13, the device management apparatus KS displays and outputs the arithmetic expression input screen DP1 as shown in FIG. When an arithmetic expression is input by the administrator using the arithmetic expression input screen DP1 (step S101), the arithmetic expression check unit 23 of the arithmetic unit 12 determines whether the input arithmetic expression is appropriate (accuracy). Judgment is made (step S102). For example, the arithmetic expression check unit 23 determines whether or not the arithmetic expression itself is grammatically appropriate, and a counter value that does not exist (in FIG. 4, a printer: a column such as black and white). It is determined whether or not it is included, or whether or not the arithmetic expression is an arithmetic expression suitable for deriving information necessary for management of the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn.

  When the arithmetic expression check unit 23 determines that the arithmetic expression is inappropriate, the arithmetic unit 12 causes the UI 13 to display an error message indicating that the arithmetic expression is inappropriate (step S103), and then to step S101. Returning, waiting for the input of the arithmetic expression, and when the arithmetic expression is input, the process of determining the appropriateness of the arithmetic expression is performed until the appropriate arithmetic expression is input or the termination process is performed. Repeatedly (steps S101 to S103).

  If the arithmetic expression is appropriate in step S102, the arithmetic expression is passed to the counter arithmetic unit 21 and the existing counter information processing unit 22, and the counter used by the existing counter information processing unit 22 for calculating the arithmetic expression determined to be appropriate. The value is extracted and acquired from the device manager DM and passed to the counter calculation unit 21 (step S104).

  The counter calculation unit 21 uses the column name, that is, the alternative name (F, G,...) That is the operation item for each row, that is, for each of the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn, in the image processing. Substitution is performed with the counter values of the alternative names of the devices G1 to Gn (step S105), and computation is performed by executing the arithmetic expression after the substitution (step S106).

  For example, for the calculation formula: F + G shown in FIG. 3, the count value of the monochrome print counter (printer: monochrome), which is the counter value of the source field of alternative name F, and the color print counter of the source field of alternative name G The count value (printer: full color) is calculated. In FIG. 4, in the case of printer B in the second column, “367” + “241” is calculated to obtain “638”.

  Then, it is checked whether the calculation result is within a preset specified range (step S107).

  When the calculation result is within the specified range in step S107 (when YES in step S107), the counter calculation unit 21 displays and outputs the calculation result as it is on the display of the UI 13, as shown in FIG. Or the device management process is terminated (step S108). In the case of FIG. 4, in the case of the printer B in the second column, “638” is displayed in the total column.

  The counter calculation unit 21 converts the calculation result to “+ infinite (infinite value)” or “−infinite” when the calculation result is out of the specified range in step S107 (NO in step S107). Then, the conversion result is displayed on the display of the UI 13 or printed out, and the device management process is terminated (step S109).

  As described above, the device management apparatus KS according to the present exemplary embodiment has a counter value that is an actual value of a plurality of operation items generated as an operation result of the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn from the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn that are management target apparatuses. Information collection unit (actual value acquisition unit) 11 that acquires the image, a UI (calculation equation reception unit) 13 that receives input of an arithmetic expression using the plurality of operation items, and all image processing acquired by the information recovery unit 11 A calculation unit (calculation unit) 12 that performs calculation on the counter value of the operation item in the devices G1 to Gn according to the calculation formula, and a UI (output unit) 13 that outputs a calculation result by the calculation unit 12 is provided. ing.

  Accordingly, not only simply collecting the count values, which are operation performance values of the plurality of image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn, but also by simply inputting from the UI 13 an arithmetic expression for calculating the desired calculation result for the collected count values. The result can be output, and the collected operation count value can be efficiently processed to improve the efficiency of device management.

  In addition, the device management apparatus KS according to the present embodiment acquires the actual value that acquires the count values of a plurality of operation items generated as the operation results of the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn from the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn that are management target apparatuses. The count of the operation items in all the image processing devices G1 to Gn acquired in the processing step, an arithmetic expression reception processing step that receives an input of an arithmetic expression using the plurality of operation items, and the actual value acquisition processing step An apparatus management method having an arithmetic processing step that performs an operation on a value according to the arithmetic expression and an output processing step that outputs a calculation result at the arithmetic processing step is executed.

  Accordingly, not only simply collecting the count values, which are operation performance values of the plurality of image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn, but also by simply inputting from the UI 13 an arithmetic expression for calculating the desired calculation result for the collected count values. The result can be output, and the collected operation count value can be efficiently processed to improve the efficiency of device management.

  Furthermore, the device management apparatus KS according to the present embodiment acquires, from the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn, which are management target apparatuses, count values of a plurality of operation items generated as operation results of the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn. The actual value acquisition process, the arithmetic expression reception process that receives the input of the arithmetic expression using the plurality of operation items, and the count of the operation items in all the image processing devices G1 to Gn acquired in the actual value acquisition process A device management program for executing an arithmetic process that performs an operation on a value according to the arithmetic expression and an output process that outputs an arithmetic result of the arithmetic process is installed.

  Accordingly, not only simply collecting the count values, which are operation performance values of the plurality of image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn, but also by simply inputting from the UI 13 an arithmetic expression for calculating the desired calculation result for the collected count values. The result can be output, and the collected operation count value can be efficiently processed to improve the efficiency of device management.

  In the device management apparatus KS of the present embodiment, the calculation unit 12 includes an arithmetic expression check unit (appropriate determination unit) 23 that determines the suitability of the arithmetic expression received by the UI 13, and the counter calculation unit 21 includes the calculation Only when the expression check unit 23 determines that the calculation is appropriate, the calculation is performed using the calculation expression.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent useless calculations such as performing abnormal calculation results or calculations that do not complete the calculation process. In accordance with the calculation processing, the efficiency of device management can be further improved.

  Further, in the device management apparatus KS of the present embodiment, the arithmetic expression check unit 23 has information necessary for managing the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn, whether the arithmetic expression is a grammatically appropriate arithmetic expression. It is determined whether it is an arithmetic expression suitable for deriving.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent an unnecessary calculation such as an abnormal calculation result or a calculation that does not complete the calculation process, and it is possible to perform only the calculation necessary for managing the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn. It is possible to further improve the efficiency of device management by efficiently calculating the operation count value according to the purpose of device management while improving the processing speed.

  Further, the device management apparatus KS of this embodiment includes a predetermined UI 13 display (display means), a predetermined input means such as a keyboard, and an arithmetic expression input screen (input screen) for inputting the arithmetic expression from the UI 13. And a UI (screen display means) 13 for displaying DP1 on a display, and the UI 13 as the arithmetic expression receiving means receives the arithmetic expression inputted in accordance with the display of the arithmetic expression input screen DP1. .

  Therefore, the arithmetic expression can be input easily and efficiently by using the arithmetic expression input screen DP1 displayed on the display, and the collected operation count value can be calculated and processed more efficiently. Efficiency can be further improved.

  Further, in the device management apparatus KS of the present embodiment, the UI 13 causes the arithmetic expression input screen (screen display means) DP1 to display item symbols that correspond to the item names of the plurality of operation items, and uses the item symbols. It is possible to input the arithmetic expression using the UI 13.

  Therefore, it is possible to more easily and efficiently input the arithmetic expression using the item symbol on the arithmetic expression input screen DP1 displayed on the display, and the collected operation count value can be calculated more efficiently. Thus, the efficiency of device management can be further improved.

  In the device management apparatus KS of the present embodiment, the information collection unit 11 may store the acquired count value for each operation item in a nonvolatile memory in association with the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn.

  In this way, it is not necessary to provide the device manager DM, and the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn can be efficiently managed with a simple system configuration.

  Furthermore, in the device management apparatus KS of the present embodiment, the information collection unit 11 uses each operation mode when the image processing apparatuses G1 to Gn perform the image forming operation in the monochrome mode, the color mode, or the like as the operation item. The number of printed sheets (image formation number value) in the operation item is acquired as the count value of the operation item.

  Therefore, it is possible to manage paper according to the number of printed sheets, manage printing agents such as ink and toner, and the deterioration status of printing members, and perform device management efficiently and appropriately.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

1 device management system KS device management device G1 to Gn image processing device DM device manager TK communication line NW network 11 information recovery unit 12 calculation unit 13 UI
21 Counter Calculation Unit 22 Existing Counter Information Processing Unit 23 Calculation Formula Check Unit DP1 Calculation Formula Input Screen DP2 Calculation Result Display Screen

JP 2008-225919 A

Claims (10)

Actual value acquisition means for acquiring actual values of a plurality of operation items generated as operation results of the managed device from the managed device;
An arithmetic expression receiving means for receiving an input of an arithmetic expression using a plurality of the operation items;
Calculation means for calculating according to the calculation formula for the actual values of the operation items in all the managed devices acquired by the actual value acquisition means;
Output means for outputting a calculation result by the calculation means;
A device management apparatus comprising: The device management apparatus
Including appropriateness determining means for determining the suitability of the arithmetic expression received by the arithmetic expression receiving means;
The computing means is
2. The apparatus management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein calculation is performed using the calculation formula only when the aptitude determination unit determines that the aptitude is appropriate. The aptitude determination means includes
The determination is made as to whether the arithmetic expression is a grammatically appropriate arithmetic expression and / or an arithmetic expression suitable for deriving information necessary for management of the managed device. 2. The device management apparatus according to 2. The device management apparatus
Predetermined display means;
Predetermined input means;
Screen display means for displaying on the display means an input screen for inputting the arithmetic expression from the input means;
With
The arithmetic expression receiving means is
The device management according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the arithmetic expression input from the input unit is received in accordance with display of the input screen on the display unit by the screen display unit. apparatus. The screen display means includes
5. An item symbol corresponding to each of item names of a plurality of operation items is displayed on the display unit, and the arithmetic expression can be input by the input unit using the item symbol. Equipment management equipment. The device management apparatus
6. The storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit configured to store the actual value for each operation item acquired by the actual value acquisition unit in association with the device to be managed. Equipment management equipment. The actual value acquisition means includes
Each operation mode when the device to be managed performs an image forming operation in a monochrome mode, a color mode, or the like is acquired as the operation item, and an image formation number value in the operation item is acquired as the actual value of the operation item. The device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device management apparatus is a device management apparatus. A device management system in which a device to be managed and a device management apparatus that manages the device to be managed are connected by a predetermined communication line,
The device management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the device management device is the device management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Actual value acquisition processing step for acquiring actual values of a plurality of operation items generated as operation results of the managed device from the managed device;
An arithmetic expression receiving process step for receiving an input of an arithmetic expression using a plurality of the action items;
An arithmetic processing step for performing an operation according to the arithmetic expression with respect to the actual values of the operation items in all the managed devices acquired in the actual value acquisition processing step;
An output processing step for outputting a calculation result in the calculation processing step;
A device management method characterized by comprising: On the computer,
Actual value acquisition processing for acquiring actual values of a plurality of operation items generated as operation results of the managed device from the managed device;
An arithmetic expression receiving process for receiving an input of an arithmetic expression using a plurality of the operation items;
Arithmetic processing for performing an operation according to the arithmetic expression for the actual values of the operation items in all the managed devices acquired in the actual value acquisition processing;
An output process for outputting a calculation result in the calculation process;
A device management program characterized in that

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