JP2015114861A - Information processing system, information processing device, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To alleviate burden of setting work to an apparatus.SOLUTION: An information processing system having one or more computers includes: a first storage section for storing one or more combinations of setting values to each of a plurality of setting items that an apparatus owns: a second storage section for storing information mapping attribute information of the apparatus to the combinations; a specification section for specifying the combinations corresponding to the attribute information of a first apparatus using the second storage section; an acquisition section for acquiring each of the setting values belonging to the combinations specified by the specification section from the first storage section; and a setting section for setting each of the setting values acquired by the acquisition section to the first apparatus.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

  In recent years, devices such as multifunction peripherals and printers can be expanded in function according to the user's business by changing values of various setting items, installing applications, and the like.

  On the other hand, when a user introduces a new device, the user is burdened with work such as setting values for various setting items and installing an application in order to bring the device into a state suitable for the user's business. Become.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to reduce the burden of setting work on a device.

In order to solve the above problem, an information processing system including one or more computers is provided.
A first storage unit that stores one or more combinations of setting values for each of a plurality of setting items of the device, a second storage unit that stores information that associates the attribute information of the device with the combination, A specifying unit that specifies the combination corresponding to the attribute information of the device using the second storage unit, and an acquisition unit that acquires each set value belonging to the combination specified by the specifying unit from the first storage unit And a setting unit that sets each setting value acquired by the acquisition unit in the first device.

  The burden of setting work on the device can be reduced.

It is a figure which shows the system configuration example in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the asset management apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of each apparatus in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the process sequence which an asset management apparatus and an apparatus management apparatus perform in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of apparatus information. It is a figure which shows the structural example of asset information. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a profile. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the process sequence which an asset management apparatus and an apparatus management apparatus perform in 2nd embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration in the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an asset management device 10, a device management device 20, a plurality of devices 30, a client device 40, and the like are connected via a network 50 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). .

  The device 30 is, for example, an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction machine, a copier, a scanner, or a printer. However, the device 30 may be an electronic device other than the image forming apparatus, such as a projector, an electronic blackboard, a video conference system, or a digital camera.

  The device management apparatus 20 is a computer that monitors the state of each device 30 by periodically communicating with each device 30 connected to the network 50. The device management apparatus 20 communicates with each device 30 through the attribute information of each device 30 and information (hereinafter referred to as “device information”) including setting values for setting items of each device 30. Collect from 30 and store. The setting item value may include not only the parameter value but also identification information of the program installed in the device 30. That is, in the present embodiment, installation of a program in the device 30 is also handled as one form of setting values for setting items that the device 30 has.

  The asset management apparatus 10 is a computer that manages asset information of each device 30. The asset information is information required in general asset management, for example. Note that the asset management apparatus 10 may manage asset information related to assets other than the device 30. For example, asset information related to software and asset information of other assets may be managed by the asset management apparatus 10.

  The client device 40 is an information processing device that functions as a user interface for the device management device 20 and the asset management device 10. That is, the user inputs a request for the device management apparatus 20 or the asset management apparatus 10 via the client apparatus 40. As an example of the client device 40, a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet-type terminal, a smartphone, a mobile phone, or the like can be given.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the asset management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The asset management apparatus 10 in FIG. 2 includes a drive device 100, an auxiliary storage device 102, a memory device 103, a CPU 104, an interface device 105, and the like that are mutually connected by a bus B.

  A program for realizing processing in the asset management apparatus 10 is provided by a recording medium 101 such as a CD-ROM. When the recording medium 101 storing the program is set in the drive device 100, the program is installed from the recording medium 101 to the auxiliary storage device 102 via the drive device 100. However, the program need not be installed from the recording medium 101 and may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 102 stores the installed program and also stores necessary files and data.

  The memory device 103 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 102 and stores it when there is an instruction to start the program. The CPU 104 executes a function related to the asset management apparatus 10 in accordance with a program stored in the memory device 103. The interface device 105 is used as an interface for connecting to a network.

  Note that the asset management apparatus 10 may be configured by one or more computers. Also, the device management apparatus 20 may have hardware as shown in FIG. 2 or may be configured by one or more computers. Furthermore, the device management apparatus 20 and the asset management apparatus 10 may be realized using one or a plurality of identical computers.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of each device according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the client device 40 includes a request transmission unit 41, a response reception unit 42, and the like. The request transmission unit 41 transmits, to the asset management apparatus 10, a processing request that is input via an input device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a button, or a touch panel according to a user operation. The response receiving unit 42 receives a response including an execution result of processing executed in the asset management apparatus 10 in response to the processing request. The response receiving unit 42 displays information included in the response on a display device such as a liquid crystal display, for example.

  The asset management apparatus 10 includes an asset management communication unit 11 and an asset information management unit 12. These units are realized by processing that the program installed in the asset management apparatus 10 causes the CPU 104 to execute. The asset management apparatus 10 also includes an asset information storage unit 13 and a profile storage unit 14. Each of these storage units can be realized using the auxiliary storage device 102. Alternatively, each of these storage units may be realized using a storage device or the like connected to the asset management apparatus 10 via a network.

  The asset management communication unit 11 controls communication with the client device 40, the device management device 20, and the like. The asset information management unit 12 executes updating of asset information stored in the asset information storage unit 13, processing using the asset information, and the like.

  The asset information storage unit 13 stores asset information of each device 30. The profile storage unit 14 stores one or more profiles. A profile refers to a combination of setting values for a plurality of setting items that the device 30 has. One profile can be said to be one setting pattern for a plurality of setting items of the device 30. That is, when there are a plurality of devices 30, combinations of setting values are not necessarily different for each device 30. For example, the combination of setting values for each device 30 may be classified into one or more patterns. The present embodiment is particularly effective in such a case.

  The device management apparatus 20 includes a device management communication unit 21, a device setting management unit 22, a device information management unit 23, and the like. Each of these units is realized by processing that a program installed in the device management apparatus 20 causes the CPU of the device management apparatus 20 to execute. The device management apparatus 20 also has a device information storage unit 24. The device information storage unit 24 can be realized by using an auxiliary storage device of the device management apparatus 20. Alternatively, the device information storage unit 24 may be realized using a storage device or the like connected to the device management apparatus 20 via a network.

  The device management communication unit 21 controls communication with the asset management apparatus 10 and the like. The device setting management unit 22 performs setting of values for setting items of the device 30. The device information management unit 23 collects device information from each device 30 and stores the collected device information in the device information storage unit 24. The device information management unit 23 monitors the status of each device, detects the installation of a new device 30 (connection to the network 50), and the like based on the collected device information. The device information storage unit 24 stores device information of each device 30.

  Hereinafter, processing procedures executed by the asset management device 10 and the device management device 20 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by the asset management device and the device management device in the first embodiment.

  The device information management unit 23 periodically acquires device information from each device 30 connected to the network 50 (S10).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of device information. FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of device information for one device 30 (that is, one record in the device information storage unit 24). The device information includes basic information, setting item information, and an application.

  The basic information is basic information of the device 30 and includes items such as a device ID, model name, IP address, serial number, MAC address, installation location, registration date / time, discard date / time, setting item ID, and application ID. .

  The device ID is identification information for identifying an individual (machine) of each device 30 in the device management apparatus 20. The model name is the model name of the device 30. The IP address, serial number, and MAC address are the IP address, MAC address, and serial number of the device 30. The serial number is also information for identifying an individual (machine) of the device 30.

  The installation location is a location where the device 30 is installed. The registration date / time is the date / time when the device information is registered in the device information storage unit 24. The discard date and time is the date and time when the device management apparatus 20 can no longer confirm the presence of the device 30 on the network 50. For example, in the periodic acquisition of device information, the disposal date and time is stored for the device 30 that has not been searched continuously for a predetermined period or a predetermined number of times.

  The setting item ID is identification information of each setting item that the device 30 has. The setting item IDs are included in the basic information by the number of some or all of the setting items that the device 30 has. The setting item related to the setting item ID refers to a setting item (for example, a parameter) in a narrow sense, and does not include an installed program (application). The application ID is identification information of an application installed in the device 30. Application IDs are included in the basic information by the number of applications installed in the device 30.

  The setting item information is detailed information of each setting item (parameter) included in the device 30 and includes items such as a setting item ID, a setting item name, and a setting value for each setting item. The setting item ID is identification information of the setting item. The setting item ID included in the basic information corresponds to link information for the setting item ID in the setting item information. The setting item name is the name of the setting item. The setting value is a value set for the setting item.

  The application information is detailed information of each application installed in the device 30 and includes items such as an application ID, an application name, a version, and a serial number for each application. The application ID is application identification information. The application ID included in the basic information corresponds to link information for the application ID in the application information. The application name is the name of the application. The version is the version of the application. The serial number is the serial number of the application.

  When the acquisition of the device information from each device 30 is completed, the device information management unit 23 determines whether a new device 30 has been installed (S20). Whether or not a new device 30 is found can be determined based on whether or not device information having a device ID value different from any device information stored in the device information storage unit 24 is acquired. That is, when device information having a device ID value different from any device information stored in the device information storage unit 24 in the past is acquired, the device information management unit 23 creates a new device 30 (hereinafter, “new device 30”). ")" (Connection to the network 50) is detected. One or more new devices 30 may be detected. In this case, step S30 and subsequent steps may be executed for each detected new device 30.

  When the installation of the new device 30 is detected (Yes in S20), the device information communication unit transmits the device information of the new device 30 to the asset management apparatus 10 to install the new device 30 related to the device information. To the asset management apparatus 10.

  When the device information is received by the asset management communication unit 11, the asset information management unit 12 searches the asset information storage unit 13 for asset information corresponding to the device information (S30).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of asset information. FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of asset information for one device 30 (that is, one record in the asset information storage unit 13). The asset information includes a value for each item constituting the asset information. The items constituting the asset information are, for example, a management number, administrator name, model name, installation location, IP address, MAC address, serial number, purchase price, introduction date / time, disposal date / time, planned installation date / time, and profile ID. is there.

  The management number is a number assigned to each asset. The manager name is the name of the manager of the device 30 related to the asset. The model name is the model name of the device 30. The installation location is a location where the device 30 is installed. The IP address is an IP address to be set for the device 30. The MAC address and serial number are the MAC address and serial number of the device 30. The purchase amount is the purchase amount of the device 30. The introduction date and time is the date and time when the device 30 is introduced. The date and time of disposal is the date and time (time) when the device 30 is discarded. Whether or not the device 30 is being used can be determined based on the disposal date and time. That is, the discard date / time is an example of information indicating the usage state of the device 30. However, an item that directly indicates the usage state of the device 30 such as a status may be included in the asset information. The scheduled installation date and time is the date and time (time) when the device 30 is scheduled to be installed. The profile ID is identification information of a profile to be applied to the device 30.

  The asset information is basically registered in the asset information storage unit 13 before the device 30 is installed. The asset information is input by the user using the client device 40, for example.

  In step S <b> 30, for example, asset information including the same serial number as the serial number included in the device information of the new device 30 is retrieved from the asset information storage unit 13. Instead of the serial number, a MAC address may be used. In an environment where the uniqueness of the IP address is guaranteed, the IP address may be used. A combination of two or more of a serial number, a MAC address, and an IP address may be used.

  Subsequently, the asset information management unit 12 determines whether or not the IP address of the device information of the new device 30 matches the IP address registered in the asset information (S40). That is, it is determined whether or not an IP address as planned in asset management is set for the new device 30.

  When the compared IP addresses match (Yes in S40), the asset information management unit 12 determines whether or not the current date and time (current time) is after the scheduled installation date and time included in the asset information. (S50). When the current date and time is after the scheduled installation date and time included in the asset information (Yes in S50), the asset information management unit 12 selects one profile corresponding to the profile ID included in the asset information. Obtained from the profile storage unit 14 and transmits the profile to the device management apparatus 20 via the asset management communication unit 11 (S60).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a profile. In FIG. 7, one profile includes basic information, setting item information, and application information.

  The basic information is basic information of the profile, and includes items such as a profile ID, a setting item ID, and an application ID.

  The profile ID is a profile ID of the profile. The setting item ID is identification information of each setting item belonging to the profile (a value should be set based on the profile). As many setting item IDs are included in the basic information as the number of setting items set based on the profile. Note that the setting item related to the setting item ID is a setting item (for example, a parameter) in a narrow sense, and does not include an installed program. The application ID is identification information of an application belonging to the profile (which should be installed based on the profile). The application ID is included in the basic information by the number of applications installed based on the profile.

  Since the configuration of the setting item information and the application information is the same as the configuration of the information with the same name in the device information (FIG. 7), description thereof is omitted here.

  As described above, one profile includes a combination of setting values of setting items for the device 30.

  Note that if the asset information of the new device 30 does not include a profile ID, a default (default) profile may be acquired from the profile storage unit 14. That is, the profile storage unit 14 may store a profile to be applied to the device 30 that is not associated with a profile ID as a default profile.

  In the device management apparatus 20, when the profile is received by the device management communication unit 21, the device setting management unit 22 acquires the setting content defined in the profile (S70). Subsequently, the device setting management unit 22 applies the setting contents to the new device 30 (S80). Specifically, the device setting management unit 22 sets a value for each setting item of the new device 30 as indicated by the setting item information of the profile. Further, the device setting management unit 22 installs an application in the new device 30 as indicated by the application information of the profile. Note that setting of setting values, installation of applications, and the like are performed via a network.

  When the application of the profile setting content is completed, the device information management unit 23 stores the device information of the new device 30 in the device information storage unit 24 (S90).

  On the other hand, if the IP addresses compared in step S40 do not match (No in S40), or if the current date is before the scheduled installation date (No in S50), steps S50 to S80 are not executed and step S90 is executed. Is executed. In this case, because the new device 30 is not in the operational state expected in asset management, it is considered that it is not appropriate to execute steps S50 to S80. An example of an operation state expected in asset management is a test operation state.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the setting process for the new device 30 can be automatically performed using a profile prepared in advance. Here, if the setting contents of the plurality of devices 30 are common, one profile can be applied to the plurality of devices 30. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden of setting work for each device 30.

  Note that not all setting items of the device 30 need be defined in the profile. Which setting item is included in the profile may be appropriately determined according to the operation. For example, a setting item (for example, an IP address) for which a unique value for each device 30 should be set may not be included in the profile.

  In addition, network address information other than the IP address, such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), may be used instead of the IP address according to the communication protocol to be used.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. Accordingly, points not particularly mentioned may be the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, a case where the old device 30 is replaced with the new device 30 and the new device 30 is desired to be used with the same setting as the old device 30 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by the asset management device and the device management device in the second embodiment. In FIG. 8, the same parts as those of FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 8, following step S30, steps S31 to S33 are executed. Further, step S50a is executed instead of step S50.

  In step S31, the asset information management unit 12 determines whether asset information corresponding to the new device 30 has been searched. When the asset information is not searched (Yes in S31), the asset information management unit 12 searches the asset information storage unit 13 for asset information including the IP address included in the device information of the new device 30 (S32). . When the corresponding asset information is searched (Yes in S33), the asset information management unit 12 determines whether or not the current date and time is after the discard date and time included in the asset information (S50a). That is, it is determined whether the asset information is asset information of the discarded device 30.

  When the current date and time is later than the disposal date and time included in the asset information (that is, when the asset information is asset information of the discarded device 30) (Yes in S50a), Step S60 and subsequent steps are executed. .

  On the other hand, when the asset information corresponding to the new device 30 is not searched (No in S31), the asset information including the IP address included in the device information of the new device 30 is not searched (No in S33), or the current date and time Is before the disposal date and time included in the asset information (No in S50a), Steps S60 to S80 are not executed. If the current date and time is before the asset information discard date and time, steps S60 to S80 are not executed because the device 30 replaced by the new device 30 is not discarded in asset management, and the user This is because the asset management apparatus 10 cannot determine whether the intention is to replace the device 30 with the new device 30.

  That is, in the second embodiment, when the same setting as that of the discarded device 30 (hereinafter, referred to as “discarded device 30”) is to be applied to the new device 30, the user can specify the asset information of the new device 30. Registration may be postponed and the IP address value of the new device 30 may be set to the same value as that of the discard device 30. In other words, when the asset information is not registered and a new device 30 having the same IP address as the IP address of the disposal device 30 is installed, the asset management apparatus 10 performs the same setting as the disposal device 30. This is recognized as a user's intention to apply to the new device 30.

Thus, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to reduce the burden of setting work on the new device 30 when the device 30 is replaced. That is,
The first embodiment and the second embodiment may be implemented in combination. For example, in FIG. 8, when No is determined in step S31, step S40 and subsequent steps in FIG. 4 may be executed.

  In each of the above embodiments, the combination of the asset management device 10 and the device management device 20 is an example of an information processing system. The profile storage unit 14 is an example of a first storage unit. Asset information is an example of information associating device attribute information with a combination. The asset information storage unit 13 is an example of a second storage unit. The asset information management unit 12 is an example of a specifying unit and an acquiring unit. The device setting management unit 22 is an example of a setting unit. The device information management unit 23 is an example of a detection unit. The serial number is an example of individual identification information. The scheduled installation date and time of asset information is an example of information indicating the installation time. The disposal date / time of the asset information is an example of information indicating the disposal time. The IP address of asset information is an example of network address information.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Asset management apparatus 11 Asset management communication part 12 Asset information management part 13 Asset information storage part 14 Profile storage part 20 Equipment management apparatus 21 Equipment management communication part 22 Equipment setting management part 23 Equipment information management part 24 Equipment information storage part 30 Equipment 40 Client device 41 Request transmission unit 42 Response reception unit 50 Network 100 Drive device 101 Recording medium 102 Auxiliary storage device 103 Memory device 104 CPU
105 Interface device B bus

JP 2012-084124 A

Claims (8)

An information processing system including one or more computers,
A first storage unit that stores one or more combinations of setting values for each of a plurality of setting items of the device;
A second storage unit that stores information associating device attribute information with the combination;
A specifying unit for specifying the combination corresponding to the attribute information of the first device using the second storage unit;
An acquisition unit that acquires each set value belonging to the combination specified by the specifying unit from the first storage unit;
A setting unit that sets each setting value acquired by the acquisition unit in the first device;
An information processing system comprising: It has a detection unit that detects devices newly connected to the network,
The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit specifies the combination corresponding to the attribute information of the device detected by the detection unit using the second storage unit. The information to be associated includes individual identification information for each individual device, and information indicating the installation time of the device corresponding to the combination,
The specifying unit stores the association information including the individual identification information included in the attribute information of the first device in the second storage unit, and the association information is information indicating an installation time after the present time The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the combination is specified based on the information to be associated. The information to be associated includes individual identification information for each individual device, information indicating the disposal time of the device corresponding to the combination, and information indicating network address information.
The specifying unit includes a network included in the attribute information of the first device, wherein the association information including the individual identification information included in the attribute information of the first device is not stored in the second storage unit. When the association information including address information is stored in the second storage unit, and the association information includes information indicating a discard time after the current time, the combination is specified based on the association information. Item 4. The information processing system according to any one of Items 1 to 3.   The said acquisition part acquires each setting value which belongs to the said predetermined combination from said 1st memory | storage part, when there is no said combination corresponding to the attribute information of said 1st apparatus. Information processing system according to item. A first storage unit that stores one or more combinations of setting values for each of a plurality of setting items of the device;
A second storage unit that stores information associating device attribute information with the combination;
A specifying unit that specifies the combination corresponding to the attribute information of the first device using the second storage unit that stores information associating the attribute information of the device with the combination;
An acquisition unit that acquires each set value belonging to the combination specified by the specifying unit from the first storage unit;
An information processing apparatus in which each setting value acquired by the acquisition unit is set in the first device. An information processing system including one or more computers
A first storage unit that stores one or more combinations of setting values for each of a plurality of setting items of the device;
Using a second storage unit that stores information associating device attribute information with the combination,
A specifying procedure for specifying the combination corresponding to the attribute information of the first device using the second storage unit;
An acquisition procedure for acquiring each set value belonging to the combination identified in the identification procedure from the first storage unit;
A setting procedure for setting each setting value acquired in the acquisition procedure in the first device;
The information processing method characterized by performing. On the computer,
A first storage unit that stores one or more combinations of setting values for each of a plurality of setting items of the device;
Using a second storage unit that stores information associating device attribute information with the combination,
A specifying procedure for specifying the combination corresponding to the attribute information of the first device using the second storage unit that stores information associating the attribute information of the device with the combination;
An acquisition procedure for acquiring each set value belonging to the combination identified in the identification procedure from the first storage unit;
A program in which each set value acquired in the acquisition procedure is set in the first device.

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