JP2017021583A - Management server, method for controlling management server, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a management server for executing log totalization processing according to setting by a system manager in log totalization processing in the case that a totalization method is changed during a log totalization period.SOLUTION: The management server of this invention includes: mode management means for managing setting of either a first mode being a mode for totalizing the number of pages of color printing of each step on the basis of a plurality of step logs of color printing or a second mode being a mode for totalizing the number of pages of color printing without distinguishing each step; totalization means for totalizing the number of pages of color printing during a prescribed totalization period; and holding means for holding setting information to be used by the totalization means when a mode managed during the totalization period is changed. The totalization means totalizes the number of pages of color printing on the basis of a plurality of step logs during the totalization period according to the held setting information in accordance with the change during the totalization period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a print output history tabulation process of an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a system that reports the actual usage of printing in an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral. For such a report, the image forming apparatus transmits to the system a log indicating a print output history classified into two types of “monochrome printing” and “color printing” as types of print output. Also, in recent years, unlike conventional image forming apparatuses that record such a log for “color printing” print output, a multi-stage log classified by stage according to the color ratio of each page in the print job, etc. There are image forming devices that can record and send to the system.

  Furthermore, in the above-described system, upper limit management may be performed for the number of printed pages and the amount of usage using the print output history tabulation results. In the upper limit management, when the number of printed pages or the amount of usage related to the use of the user reaches a set upper limit value, the user is restricted from printing on the image forming apparatus. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a system that calculates the usage amount of a plurality of image forming apparatuses by a user using device usage information transmitted from the image forming apparatus. When the user's usage limit is exceeded, the user is prohibited from using the image forming service.

JP 2008-176704 A

  On a network in an actual office, there is a conventional image forming apparatus that holds a single-stage log that does not distinguish the proportion of color amounts for “color printing” and an image forming apparatus that can record a multi-stage log. May be mixed. Since the contents of the one-stage log and the multi-stage log are different, they are aggregated by different methods.

  In the above-described system, usage results within a predetermined counting period in the image forming apparatus are reported. Due to a change in the system configuration or the like, the log aggregation method may change during a predetermined aggregation period. Due to this system configuration change, the number of image forming apparatuses capable of recording a multi-stage log in the system may increase or decrease. For example, the change of the system configuration means that the software of the image forming apparatus in the system is upgraded or the image forming apparatus is replaced.

  In the image forming service disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is not assumed that the aggregation process of the multi-stage log and the log aggregation method are changed during a predetermined aggregation period. Therefore, when the log aggregation method is changed during a predetermined aggregation period, there is a problem that the log aggregation process is not performed as intended by the system administrator. In addition, there is a possibility that the result of aggregation before and after the change of the log aggregation method may not match, and there is a possibility that upper limit management cannot be performed appropriately.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a management server capable of appropriately executing log aggregation processing when the aggregation method is changed during a log aggregation period.

  In order to solve the above problems, a management server of the present invention is a management server that manages a log including the number of pages of color printing in an image forming apparatus to be managed, and color printing is performed on the image forming apparatus. A first mode, which is a mode for counting the number of pages of color printing at each stage based on a plurality of stage logs classified by stage according to the ratio of the amount of color performed on each page, and based on the plurality of stage logs According to the mode managed by the mode management means, which manages whether one of the second modes, which is a mode for summing up the number of pages for color printing without distinguishing each stage, is set. , Managed by a totaling unit that counts the number of pages for color printing in a predetermined totaling period, and the mode management unit during the totaling period Holding means for holding setting information used by the counting means when the mode is changed, and the counting means changes the mode managed by the mode management means during the counting period. Accordingly, according to the setting information held by the holding means, the number of pages for color printing is totaled based on at least a part of the multi-stage log during the aggregation period.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to provide the management server which performs a log total process according to the setting by a system administrator in the log total process when a total method is changed during the log total period.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the device management system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of an internal structure of information processing apparatus. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a management server 102. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting amount of charge. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a log total process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a total process. It is the figure which illustrated the screen on a client computer. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an upper limit management process. It is the figure which illustrated the difference of the total result before and after mode change. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a display process. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a total result. It is a figure which shows an example of the log management table which the memory | storage part 307 hold | maintains. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the threshold value change process of a multistage log.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a device management system showing an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a client computer 101 is a personal computer used by an administrator. The user uses the client computer 101 to generate image data and perform printing. The client computer 101 includes hardware resources to be described later, and software resources including an operating system (OS), a printer driver, and the like. Further, the client computer 101 is communicably connected to an image forming apparatus connected to the network 105 using a predetermined protocol.

  The printer 103 is an image forming apparatus that receives print data via a network and prints on a sheet using a printing technique such as an electrophotographic technique or an inkjet technique.

  The multi-function peripheral 104 is an image forming apparatus that receives print data via a network and prints on paper using a known print technology such as an electrophotographic technology or an inkjet technology. The multi-function device 104 is an MFP (Multi Function Printer) or the like, and has a function of reading a paper document through a scanner, making a copy, converting the image data into image data, and transmitting the image by Email. Note that the multi-function peripheral 104 may have a configuration in which a printer having no copy function is connected to a network.

  The printer 103 and the multifunction peripheral 104 are collectively referred to as an image forming apparatus.

  The management server 102 is a server that collects data relating to devices such as job logs from one or more image forming apparatuses and manages the data. For example, the management server 102 collects logs that the printer 103 and the multifunction peripheral 104 periodically transmit to the management server according to a schedule.

  Note that the client computer 101, the management server 102, the printer 103, and the multi-function peripheral 104 are connected to each other via a network 105 based on a known technique such as Ethernet (registered trademark).

  In this embodiment, the management server 102 is provided as a separate configuration from the printer 103 and the multifunction device 104, but a module having the same function is provided in the printer 103 and the multifunction device 104. It may be configured. In this case, network communication performed between the management server 102, the printer 103, and the multi-function peripheral 104 can be replaced with data exchange via a system bus or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus in this embodiment includes a client computer 101 and a management server 102.

  The information processing apparatus includes a CPU 251 that executes a program stored in the ROM 253, and comprehensively controls each device via an internal bus 256. A RAM 252, ROM 253, storage device 254, network I / F 255, and input / output I / F 257 are connected to the internal bus 256. The input / output I / F 257 includes, for example, PS / 2, Universal Serial Bus (USB I / F), and an analog or digital display I / F. By the input / output I / F 257, a keyboard, mouse, CRT, liquid crystal display, or the like (not shown) can be connected to the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus performs communication via a LAN, an intranet environment, and the Internet via a network I / F 255. Thereby, the information processing apparatus can communicate with a network device or another information processing apparatus. The CPU 251 performs a program execution process together with the RAM 252 and the ROM 253. Further, the CPU 251 can execute a program for realizing the virtualization technology. In addition, the CPU 251 performs processing for recording data on a recording medium such as the storage device 254. The storage device 254 functions as an external storage device, stores various information, and can store various system information and processing information instead of the RAM 252.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the management server 102.

  The log collection unit 301 collects logs from the image forming apparatus that is the management target. For example, the printer 103 or the multifunction peripheral 104 periodically transmits a log to the management server according to a schedule defined in the device, and the log collection unit 301 collects the log. In the present embodiment, a log classified for each stage according to a color amount ratio in each page on which color printing has been performed is referred to as a multi-stage log. The color amount refers to the amount of color toner or color ink used on each page on which color printing has been performed, or the area of the color portion occupied on each page on which color printing has been performed. The multi-stage log will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The tabulation method acquisition unit 302 acquires a mode related to log tabulation processing set in an image forming apparatus that transmits a multi-stage log to the management server, and stores the acquired mode in the storage unit 307, thereby forming an image. Manages the mode set for the device. The mode to be set includes a mode (first mode) that counts the number of pages for color printing at each stage based on a multi-stage log, and a single color without distinguishing each stage based on a multi-stage log. There are two types of modes (second mode) for counting the number of printed pages. It should be noted that the mode related to the log aggregation process is not only set in the image forming apparatus, but can also be changed in the management server 102.

  The counting method acquisition unit 302 also acquires a counting method when the mode is switched. The counting method at the time of mode switching is set from the screen of the client computer 101 by the system administrator. The setting information here is applied in the aggregation process at the time of mode switching. A counting method at the time of mode switching will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The aggregation unit 303 aggregates the logs collected by the log collection unit 301 according to the mode and the aggregation method acquired by the aggregation method acquisition unit 302. The counting process will be described later with reference to FIG. At the time of mode switching, the totaling unit 303 totals according to a totaling method set in advance by the system administrator.

  The upper limit management unit 304 performs upper limit management performed by the number of pages of color printing tabulated by the tabulation unit 303 or by the usage amount calculated using the number of pages. The upper limit management process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The print restriction setting unit 305 changes the setting of the image forming apparatus so as to restrict printing by a user exceeding the upper limit value, or changes the setting of the image forming apparatus so as to release the print restriction.

  The display processing unit 306 acquires a condition (display condition) for displaying the aggregation result on the screen of the client computer 101, and performs display processing. By the display process, the total number of pages or the amount of money is displayed on the screen of the client computer 101. Details of the display process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The storage unit 307 is the ROM 253 or the storage device 254 of the management server 102, and stores the aggregation results, setting information, modes acquired in the past, and the like.

  The threshold value setting unit 308 performs processing such as changing a threshold value indicating the ratio of the color amount for defining the multi-stage log. This process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the set amount of billing according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the case of the upper limit management based on the usage amount, the aggregation unit 303 calculates the usage amount by performing log aggregation processing using the set amount of charge. Here, the set amount of charge for “color printing” will be described.

  Reference numeral 401 denotes a set amount of billing when performing aggregation processing in one step without distinguishing each step of the multi-step log. For example, when printing a page including a color portion, the totalization unit 303 treats all color printing logs uniformly as a full color regardless of each stage of the multi-stage log. Here, an amount of 10 cents is set for one page of full color printing.

  Reference numeral 402 denotes a set amount of charge when the multi-stage log is tabulated for each stage. For example, the totalization unit 303 sets the color printing log into three stages of low color, mid color, and high color according to the ratio of the color portion included in the print image. Here, an amount of 5 cents is set for one page of low color printing, 10 cents for one page of mid color printing, and 15 cents for one page of high color printing.

  Note that the three stages of low color, mid color, and high color are used, but the multi-stage log may be two stages or four or more stages. The threshold of the ratio of the color part that defines the multi-stage log can be arbitrarily changed by an administrator who operates the client computer 101. The currency unit may be any currency unit other than cents.

  Further, a uniform amount may be set for monochrome printing, and the management server 102 may perform upper limit management in addition to the monochrome printing log totaling process (FIG. 6).

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of log tabulation processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, it is necessary for the management server 102 to perform processing for setting the image forming apparatus as a log acquisition target.

  In step S <b> 501, the client computer instructs the management server 102 to register an image forming apparatus to be counted. Thereafter, the log collection unit 301 performs operation confirmation of the image forming apparatus, setting of a management server address to the image forming apparatus, and the like. In step S <b> 502, the log collection unit 301 registers an image forming apparatus to be counted.

  In step S503, the mode acquisition unit 402 acquires a mode from the image forming apparatus. In an image forming apparatus that holds a multi-stage log, a mode (first mode) in which a multi-stage log is aggregated for each stage and a mode (first mode) in which the stages of the multi-stage log are not distinguished from each other. 2 types). The mode is preset in the image forming apparatus. In S504, the acquired mode is stored in the storage unit 307.

  In step S <b> 505, the log collection unit 301 transmits a log collection start instruction to the image forming apparatus. Thereafter, in step S506, the log collection unit 301 periodically acquires logs from the respective image forming apparatuses, and performs aggregation processing (FIG. 6) using the acquired logs. In response to the execution of the aggregation process in S506, in S507, the log collection unit 301 performs the upper limit management process (FIG. 8) based on the aggregation result. The process of S506 is repeatedly executed at regular intervals.

  In step S <b> 508, the client computer instructs the management server 102 to display the total result at an arbitrary timing. In response to the instruction, in S509, the management server 102 executes display processing (FIG. 10).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the counting process by the management server according to the embodiment of the present invention. When the upper limit management is performed for each user, this processing is executed at the timing when the management server 102 acquires the log. Note that after the logs are acquired from all the image forming apparatuses to be managed, the aggregation process may be executed for each image forming apparatus.

In step S601, the log collection unit 301 collects logs from the image forming apparatus.
In step S <b> 602, the log collection unit 301 determines whether the image forming apparatus holds a log for each stage. When the image forming apparatus is a model that holds a multi-stage log, the image forming apparatus holds a multi-stage log.

  In step S <b> 603, the tabulation method acquisition unit 302 acquires a mode related to log tabulation processing from the image forming apparatus. Note that the processing in S603 may be performed simultaneously with the log collection in S601.

  In step S604, the tabulation unit 303 determines whether the mode related to the log tabulation process has been changed. When the mode stored in the storage unit 307 and the mode acquired in S601 are the same, the totalization unit 303 advances the process to S605. Note that in S603, the mode may be acquired for the first time from the image forming apparatus, and in this case also, in S604, the counting unit 303 determines that the mode has been changed. Specifically, there is a case where the image forming apparatus that has retained the one-stage log until now retains a plurality of stages of logs by upgrading the software of the image forming apparatus.

  In step S605, the tabulation unit 303 determines whether the mode acquired in step S603 is a mode (first mode) for performing tabulation processing as a multi-stage log. If it is determined that the mode is the first mode, the tabulation unit 303 advances the process to S606.

  If the image forming apparatus is in a mode (first mode) in which tabulation processing is performed as a multi-stage log (S 606), the tabulation unit 303 totals logs for each stage of the multi-stage log in S 606. If the image forming apparatus is not in the first mode, in step S607, the tabulation unit 303 performs log tabulation processing without distinguishing each stage of the multi-stage log. In addition, even when the image forming apparatus is not a model that holds a multi-stage log, the totaling unit 303 is a mode that counts the number of pages for color printing in one stage without distinguishing each stage based on the multi-stage log (second). ) Mode).

  If it is determined in S604 that the mode has been changed, the aggregating unit 303 advances the process to S608. In step S608, the totalization unit 303 acquires a totalization method at the time of mode switching. The storage unit 307 stores the mode acquired in S603 as the changed mode.

  For example, from the screen on the client computer operated by the system administrator as shown in FIG. 7, a counting method at the time of mode switching is selected, and this setting is managed in the storage unit 307 and the like. The selected aggregation method is applied to all devices and all users to be managed. Note that the system administrator may set different aggregation methods for each device and for each user. A counting method at the time of mode switching will be described.

  In the case of aggregation in the mode before change, the aggregation unit 303 totals in the mode before change until the set month for clearing the aggregation results. The changed mode is adopted from the month following the set month.

  In the case of totalization in the mode before and after the change, the totalization unit 303 totals in the mode before the change before the mode change, and totals in the mode after the change after the mode change. The aggregation unit 303 manages the aggregation result before the mode change and the aggregation result after the mode change.

  In the case of aggregation in the mode after change (aggregation by correcting before switching), the aggregation unit 303 corrects the aggregation result before the mode change. For example, when the mode is changed from the step-by-step mode to the normal mode, the totalization unit 303 recalculates all the low color, mid color, and high color logs as full color. Further, when the image forming apparatus is a model that holds a multi-stage log, the image forming apparatus collects low color, mid color, and high color logs even when the image forming apparatus is in the normal mode, and the aggregation unit 303 collects the logs. Recalculate in stepwise mode using. When the mode is changed from the normal mode to the step-by-step mode, the totalization unit 303 may perform recalculation using all full-color logs as a mid color.

  In the case of calculation in the mode after the change (clear before switching), the totaling unit 303 clears the totaling result totaled before the mode change, and the totaling unit 303 changes the totalization of logs acquired after that Aggregate in later mode. When the aggregation unit 303 aggregates only logs acquired after the mode change, a part of the multi-stage logs during the aggregation period is used.

  Returning to the description of FIG. In step S609, the tabulation unit 303 tabulates according to the tabulation method acquired in step S608.

  In step S610, the totalization unit 303 determines whether the totalization of all image forming apparatuses to be managed has been completed. If there is an image forming apparatus that has not been counted, the log collection unit 301 returns to S601 for processing. When the aggregation of all the image forming apparatuses has been completed, the aggregation unit 303 advances the process to S611.

  In S611, the totalization unit 303 adds up the total results in S606, S607, and S609 for each result totaled in the same mode. This aggregation result is stored in the aggregation result storage unit 304. The print restriction setting unit 305 performs upper limit management processing (FIG. 8) and display processing (FIG. 10), which will be described later, using the aggregation results.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a management server that executes the log totaling process according to the setting by the system administrator in the log totaling process when the totaling method is changed during the log totaling period.

(Example 2)
In this embodiment, an upper limit management process for restricting printing by a user when the number of print pages or usage amount for each user reaches the upper limit value using the processing result of the aggregation process (FIG. 6) in the first embodiment. (FIG. 8) and the display processing (FIG. 10) of the total result according to the display conditions will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow of the upper limit management process according to the embodiment of the present invention. The management server 102 performs this process for upper limit management using the result of the aggregation process (FIG. 6). The print restriction setting unit 305 executes this process every time the aggregation process (FIG. 6) ends.

  In step S <b> 801, the upper limit management unit 304 acquires the upper limit management setting item held in the storage unit 307. The upper limit management setting items include, for example, the color unit price, the upper limit value of the number of color print pages, the upper limit value of the color print amount, and the upper limit management method. The color unit price is the amount of money required for one page of color printing at each stage. The upper limit value of the number of color print pages is the upper limit value of the number of color print pages at each stage. The upper limit value of the color printing amount is the upper limit value of the usage amount of color printing. The upper limit management method is based on the upper limit management by counting the number of pages for color printing at each stage based on the multi-stage log, and the total number of pages for color printing based on the multi-stage log without distinguishing each stage. There is upper limit management by processing. These upper limit management setting items may be input from the client computer 101 operated by the system administrator, or may be set in advance in the management server 102. The upper limit management may include the number of pages for monochrome printing and the usage amount for monochrome printing.

  In step S802, the upper limit management unit 304 acquires a totaling result.

  In step S803, the upper limit management unit 304 determines whether the value of the aggregation result for each user acquired in step S802 has exceeded the upper limit value. The upper limit value for each user is managed in the storage unit 307.

Here, the print restriction setting process for each user will be described.
If the value of the total result of the specific user exceeds the upper limit value, in step S804, the print restriction setting unit 305 determines whether the user is restricted from printing.

  If the user is not already restricted from printing, in step S805, the print restriction setting unit 305 changes the setting of the image forming apparatus so that color printing by the user is restricted. Specifically, color printing is restricted when login processing is performed with the user information. At this time, black and white printing may not be limited. In response to the print restriction setting unit 305 transmitting a print restriction command to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus is set to restrict printing by the user. If the user is already restricted from printing in step S804, the process ends.

  Here, a print restriction setting cancellation process for each user will be described.

  If the total result value of the specific user does not exceed the upper limit value in S803, the management server 102 determines whether the user has already been restricted in printing in S806.

  If the user has already been restricted from printing, in S807, the management server 102 determines whether the value of the total result for each user acquired in S802 is below the upper limit value.

  If the value of the total result of the specific user falls below the upper limit value, in S808, the management server 102 changes the setting of the image forming apparatus so that the color printing restriction setting by the user is released. In response to the print restriction setting unit 305 sending a print restriction setting cancellation command to the image forming apparatus, the user sets the print restriction setting cancels in the image forming apparatus. If the user is not restricted from printing in S806, and if the value of the total result of the specific user is not lower than the upper limit value in S807, the process ends.

  Note that the upper limit management unit 304 may limit only high color printing when the upper limit value is exceeded in high color. The upper limit management unit 304 may not set an upper limit value for low color printing. In such a case, the upper limit management unit 304 may change the content of the print restriction between a model that holds a multi-stage log of color printing and a model that holds a single-stage log.

  Note that the management server 102 may perform aggregation processing (FIG. 6) and upper limit management processing (FIG. 8) for each user. Alternatively, the management server 102 may perform aggregation processing (FIG. 6) and upper limit management processing (FIG. 8) for a group in which a plurality of users are grouped.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram exemplifying a difference in count results before and after mode change according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the multi-stage log has low color: 100 sheets, mid color: 20 sheets, and high color: 10 sheets. The totaling result in the mode (second mode) in which the totaling process is performed in one stage without distinguishing each stage of the multi-stage log is (100 + 20 + 10) × 10 = 1300 cents when the full color is 10 cents. Thereafter, the mode related to the tabulation process is switched, the tabulation result in the mode (first mode) in which the multi-stage log is tabulated for each stage (low color: 5 cents, mid color: 10 cents, high color: 15). In the case of a cent, 100 × 5 + 20 × 10 + 10 × 15 = 850. Here, assuming that the upper limit value is 1000 cents, the aggregation result exceeds the upper limit value before the mode related to the aggregation process is switched, but after the switching, the aggregation result falls below the upper limit value.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of display processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. This process is a process for displaying the total number of pages or the amount of money on the screen of the client computer. The display processing unit 306 performs this process for displaying the result of the aggregation process (FIG. 6). When an instruction to display the counting result is input from the screen UI of the client computer 101, the management server starts this processing.

  In step S <b> 1001, the display processing unit 306 acquires display conditions for all image forming apparatuses to be managed. In a base with multiple image forming devices, depending on the circumstances of each base, it is not necessary to distinguish between the stages of the multi-stage log, in which case the results of summarizing the multi-stage log are displayed for each stage. It is different whether to display the result of aggregation at each stage. The display condition is, for example, a setting for displaying the aggregation result as a multi-stage log in the first mode in which all image forming apparatuses perform the aggregation process as a multi-stage log. If there is a device that holds a plurality of log levels even if there is a plurality of image forming apparatuses, the display processing unit 306 displays the result of the tabulation process as a multi-stage log using only the log information of the image forming apparatus. May be performed. Alternatively, if the image forming apparatus to be prioritized is a device that holds a multi-stage log, it is possible to set such that the aggregate result as a multi-stage log is displayed using only the log information of the image forming apparatus. .

  In S1002, the management server acquires display conditions based on location information (destination). Depending on the destination, there is a case where the display format of the aggregation result in the first mode or the aggregation result in the second mode is unified.

  The display conditions acquired in S1001 and S1002 are input from the screen on the client computer. Display conditions may be set on the management server 102 in advance. Here, it is assumed that if all image forming apparatuses are charged by stage, the charging by stage is displayed.

  In S1003, the management server obtains a total result.

  In S1004, the management server displays the aggregation result acquired in S1003 on the screen of the client computer in accordance with the display conditions set in S1001 and S1002.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the total result. FIG. 11A shows a display example of the counting result for each device. In a model that holds a multi-stage log, the display of the aggregation result for each device is switched according to the change of the mode related to the log aggregation process. As shown in FIG. 11A, the total number of pages for all color printing is displayed in the result of the aggregation processing in the first mode without distinguishing each stage of the multi-stage log. On the other hand, in the mode of performing the aggregation process as a multi-stage log, the number of color printing pages in each stage and the total number of pages of the breakdown are displayed.

  FIG. 11B shows a display example of the total result for each paper size. In a model that holds a multi-stage log, the display of the totaling result for each paper size is switched according to the change of the mode related to the log totaling process. As shown in FIG. 11A, the number of color print pages of the Large size and Small size is displayed as a result of the aggregation processing in the first mode. On the other hand, in the mode for performing the aggregation process as a multi-stage log, the number of large and small size color print pages for each of the three stages is displayed. In addition, the manager can change the unit price not only by the paper size but also by the paper type such as glossy paper or postcard.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a log management table held by the storage unit 307. In FIG. 12, log data as indicated by records 1221 to 1224 is managed.

  The job history ID 1201 is an ID that uniquely identifies the job history within the system. The MFP ID 1202 is information for identifying the MFP, and for example, a MAC address or an IP address may be used. The job type 1203 may be print from the host, copy, scan, box print to print a document stored in the multifunction peripheral, or the like. The start time 1204 is a job start time. An end time 1205 is a job end time. The number of color pages 1206 records the number of pages printed in color by the job. As the monochrome page number 1207, the number of pages printed in black and white by the corresponding job is recorded. In the output number 1208, the number of sheets printed by the job is recorded. The double-sided number 1209 records the number of sheets printed on both sides by the job. The 2 in 1 page number 1210 records the number of pages printed in 2 in 1 by the corresponding job. The 4in1 page number 1211 records the number of pages printed in 4in1 by the corresponding job. The high color 1212, the mid color 1213, and the low color 1214 are the number of pages classified according to the color amount ratio in one printed page, and the high color, mid color, and low color are in descending order of the color amount ratio. And the number of pages is recorded. The user name 1215 indicates which user's job history is in each row. The department ID 1216 indicates which department ID the job history of each row is. With these pieces of information, job history information indicating who started what job and at what time was recorded.

  For example, the record 1221 indicates that the user name “yamada” starts the copy job on the MFP A at 2015/04/21 10:35 and ends at 2015/04/22 10:40. The job history 1221 indicates that 12 pages of color printing and 2 pages of monochrome printing were performed, the number of output sheets was 7, and the number of double-sided sheets was output. Furthermore, among the 12 pages of color printing, the number of high color pages is 4, the number of mid color pages is 6, and the number of low color pages is 2 pages. For example, the record 1223 indicates that the number of high color pages, the number of mid color pages, and the number of low color pages cannot be acquired. From this, it is understood that the multi-function peripheral C is a device that does not transmit a multi-stage log to the management server. The log management table may be created for each job type.

  Even after setting to restrict printing on the image forming device by the above-mentioned process, the mode is confirmed at the timing of log acquisition, the mode of the image forming device has been changed, and a specific counting method is used. In this case, the print restriction setting can be canceled. In other words, a user who has reached the upper limit in printing in the normal mode and has performed a lot of printing that can be assigned to a low color even by a user who is restricted from printing can perform printing again.

(Example 3)
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of threshold value changing processing of a multi-stage log according to the embodiment of the present invention. This process acquires threshold information of a multi-stage log at the time of log acquisition. If the threshold has been changed, the unit price set associated with the image forming apparatus is appropriately used for the aggregation process (FIG. 6). This is a process for correcting and associating. The threshold is a value indicating the ratio of the color amount for defining the multi-stage log. The unit price set refers to the setting of the unit price and threshold value of each stage in the multi-stage log.

  In step S1302, the threshold setting unit 308 acquires threshold information of a multi-stage log. This is a process of acquiring color ratio threshold information in the multi-stage log described in FIG. The threshold information is stored in the storage unit 307.

  In step S1303, the threshold setting unit 308 determines whether the threshold information has been changed. This is a process of comparing the previous threshold information with the threshold information acquired this time to determine whether the threshold information has been changed. For example, the low color and mid color threshold values are changed from 20% to 30%, and the mid color and high color threshold values are changed from 80% to 70%. In step S1304, the threshold setting unit 308 determines whether there is an image forming apparatus having the same model and the same threshold. This is a process in which the management server 102 determines whether the image forming apparatus managed by the threshold setting unit 308 has the same model and the same threshold. For example, it is assumed that there is another image forming apparatus of the same model that has a low color and mid color threshold of 30% and a mid color and high color threshold of 70%.

  If it is determined in S1304 that there is an image forming apparatus of the same model and the same threshold value, the threshold value setting unit 308 associates the unit price sets in S1308. This is processing for associating a unit price set associated with the same model and the same threshold value. Thereby, when the threshold value of the image forming apparatus is changed, when there is an image forming apparatus associated with the same model and the same threshold value, the unit price set can be associated.

  If it is determined in S1304 that there is no image forming apparatus of the same model and the same threshold value, in S1305, the threshold value setting unit 308 determines whether the current unit price set is used by another image forming apparatus. Here, it is determined whether the unit price set is used in a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

  If the unit price set is not used, the threshold value setting unit 308 corrects the unit price set in step S1307. A UI for correction is displayed and prompted to be corrected. After correction, the UI is stored in the storage unit 307. Thereafter, the reset unit price set is used.

  If the unit price set is used, the threshold value setting unit 308 duplicates the unit price set in S1306. A copy of the unit price set is created, and the copied unit price set is corrected.

  By the above-described processing, threshold information of a multi-stage log is acquired at the time of log acquisition, and when the threshold is changed, the unit price set associated with the image forming apparatus is appropriately used for aggregation processing (FIG. 6). Can be modified and associated.

(Other examples)
The present invention includes an apparatus or system configured by appropriately combining the above-described embodiments and a method thereof.

  Here, the present invention is an apparatus or system that is a main body that executes one or more software (programs) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. Further, a method for realizing the above-described embodiment executed by the apparatus or system is also one aspect of the present invention. The program is supplied to the system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and the program is read and executed by one or more computers (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus. That is, as one aspect of the present invention, the program itself or various storage media readable by a computer storing the program are included. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

102 Management Server 302 Totaling Method Acquisition Unit 303 Totaling Unit

Claims (9)

A management server that manages a log including the number of pages of color printing in an image forming apparatus to be managed;
In the image forming apparatus, a first mode is a mode in which the number of pages of color printing at each stage is tabulated based on a multi-stage log classified by stage according to the ratio of the color amount in each page on which color printing has been performed. And mode management means for managing whether one of the second modes, which is a mode for counting the number of pages for color printing without distinguishing each stage based on the multi-stage log, is set;
Totaling means for totalizing the number of pages for color printing in a predetermined totaling period according to the mode managed by the mode management means;
Holding means for holding setting information used by the counting means when the mode managed by the mode management means is changed during the counting period;
The aggregation unit is configured to at least part of the multi-stage log during the aggregation period according to the setting information held by the holding unit according to the change of the mode managed by the mode management unit during the aggregation period. A management server that counts the number of pages for color printing based on the database. Print restriction means for restricting printing in the image forming apparatus to a user whose number of pages of color printing counted by the counting means or a usage amount calculated using the number of pages exceeds a predetermined upper limit value Further comprising
When the setting information held by the holding unit is aggregation in the mode after the change, the printing restriction unit is in the aggregation period and the mode change is performed when the mode is changed in the aggregation period. Based on the multi-stage log of the previous period and the multi-stage log of the period after the change of the mode during the aggregation period, the number of pages of color printing or the number of pages aggregated according to the changed mode 2. The management server according to claim 1, wherein when the usage amount calculated by using the image data is less than the upper limit value, the restriction on a user who is restricted from printing on the image forming apparatus is released. . The counting means includes
When the setting information held by the holding unit is aggregation in the mode before the change, the multi-stage log of the period before the mode change during the aggregation period, and the mode during the aggregation period and the mode Based on the multi-stage log of the period after the change, the number of pages for color printing is aggregated according to the mode before the change,
In the case where the setting information held by the holding unit is totaling in the mode before and after the change, color printing is performed according to the mode before the change based on the multi-stage log during the totaling period and before the mode change. The number of pages is totaled, and the number of pages for color printing is totaled according to the mode after the change based on a multi-stage log of the period after the mode change during the total period. 2. The management server according to 2.   The multi-stage log is classified into three stages according to the amount of color toner and color ink used on each page on which color printing has been performed, or the area of the color portion occupied on each page on which color printing has been performed. The management server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the management server is a log for recording a message. Condition acquisition means for acquiring a display condition when displaying the aggregation result by the aggregation means on the screen of the client computer that gives an instruction to the management server;
5. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display a totaling result obtained by the totaling unit on a screen of the client computer in accordance with the display condition acquired by the condition acquiring unit. The management server described in.   6. The mode management unit acquires and manages one of the first mode and the second mode set for the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus. The management server according to any one of the above. The management server manages a plurality of image forming apparatuses,
When a threshold value that is set in one image forming apparatus and indicates the ratio of the color amount for defining the multi-stage log is changed, it is applied to another image forming apparatus of the same model having the same threshold value as the changed threshold value. 7. The management server according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores setting information of applied unit prices in association with the one image forming apparatus. A management server control method for managing a log including the number of pages of color printing in an image forming apparatus to be managed,
In the image forming apparatus, a first mode is a mode in which the number of pages of color printing at each stage is tabulated based on a multi-stage log classified by stage according to the ratio of the color amount in each page on which color printing has been performed. And a mode management process for managing any setting of the second mode, which is a mode for counting the number of pages for color printing without distinguishing each stage based on the multi-stage log;
In accordance with the managed mode, a counting step for counting the number of pages for color printing in a predetermined counting period;
Holding the setting information used when the managed mode is changed during the counting period,
In the counting step, a page for color printing based on at least a part of the multi-stage log during the counting period according to the held setting information in response to the change of the managed mode during the counting period A control method characterized in that numbers are aggregated.   A program for causing a computer to function as the means according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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