JP2017129997A - License management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a license management system which prevents a specific function from being disabled unexpectedly before expiration of a license.SOLUTION: A license management system 1 includes: a first multi-function machine 11a, as an image forming apparatus, having a specific function which is enabled with a license; and a license management server 19 connected communicably to the first multi-function machine 11a. The first multi-function machine 11a includes: a receiving unit 31 for receiving a request for using the function; and a notification unit 32 for transmitting a notification on the receipt of the request, to the license management server 19. The license management server 19 includes: a receiving unit 40 for receiving the notification from the notification unit 32; an estimation unit 41 which estimates the time when the amount of use of the function in the first multi-function machine 11a reaches a prescribed upper limit; and a warning unit 42 which issues a warning about the time when the prescribed upper limit is reached.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a license management system.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals have been designed to meet user needs and improve work efficiency by introducing expansion functions (applications) that extend the original functions of multifunction peripherals. . Among such extended functions, there is one that permits use within a range not exceeding a predetermined upper limit value for a predetermined period by acquiring a license provided for a fee. Such an extended function needs to renew the license by paying a fee again in order to continue the use after a predetermined period or after the accumulated usage amount reaches a predetermined upper limit value.

  If the cumulative usage of the extended function reaches the specified upper limit even though it is within the validity period of the license, the extended function cannot be used unless the license is renewed. is there. In order to prevent such a situation, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for automatically updating a license. On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for preventing a license from being automatically updated when a fee is not paid.

JP 2006-235963 A JP, 2014-078270, A

  In Patent Document 1, automatic license update is performed between an image forming apparatus and a license management apparatus. However, since the license management apparatus does not hold software usage fee collection information, the license is updated even when the usage fee is not paid. In addition, it is impossible to prevent useless use of the software by the user, and it is impossible to prevent the software usage amount from being reached before the expiration date.

  Patent Document 2 aims to solve the problem in Patent Document 1 that the license is updated even when the usage fee is not paid. However, if payment of the usage fee is not made in time and the extended function cannot be used suddenly, there is a risk that business will be hindered.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a license management system that prevents as much as possible a situation in which the use of a specific function is unexpectedly stopped before the expiration of the license validity period.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the license management system acquires a license so that when a predetermined period expires or when the cumulative usage of the function within the predetermined period reaches a prescribed upper limit value. A first image forming apparatus having a function that can be used until whichever comes first, and a license management server that is communicably connected to the first image forming apparatus and manages the license. The first image forming apparatus includes a receiving unit and a notification unit. The accepting unit accepts a request to use the above function. The notification unit transmits a notification that the reception unit has received the request to the license management server. The license management server includes a reception unit, a prediction unit, and a notification unit. The receiving unit receives the notification from the notification unit of the first image forming apparatus. When the notification is received by the reception unit, the prediction unit predicts when the cumulative usage amount of the function in the first image forming apparatus reaches a prescribed upper limit value. The notification unit notifies when the prediction unit predicts the specified upper limit value (when the prediction upper limit is reached).

  Such a license management system includes an image forming apparatus having a function of which the cumulative usage amount is limited by a license, and a license management server for managing the license. The license management server includes a prediction unit that predicts when the accumulated usage amount of the function in the image forming apparatus reaches a specified upper limit value, and a notification unit that notifies when the prediction upper limit value predicted by the prediction unit is reached. . With these functions, the user can be informed of the usage status when using the function, and can be urged to refrain from unnecessary use of the function. In addition, when the frequency of use of the function is high in a specific image forming apparatus, the use of the function in another image forming apparatus can be promoted, and the cumulative usage amount can be averaged between the image forming apparatuses. As a result, by making the period in which the function can be used as long as possible, it is possible to reduce the situation in which the function is unexpectedly stopped and business troubles occur.

1 is an overall view of a license management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the license management system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the multifunction machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part of a license management server. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the case of performing color printing using the license management system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the graph which predicted the time of reaching | attaining an upper limit by linear approximation at the time of the 6th day of elapsed days. It is a figure which shows an example of a display of the display screen of a computer.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is an overall view of a license management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the license management system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a license management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first multifunction machine 11a as a first image forming apparatus and a second as a second image forming apparatus. The multifunction machine 11b and the license management server 19 are communicably connected via the network 5. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the computer 26 may be communicably connected to the first multifunction device 11 a and the second multifunction device 11 b as the second image forming apparatus, and the license management server 19.

  Each of the first multifunction device 11a and the second multifunction device 11b obtains a license so that the accumulated usage amount of the function at the time of image formation at the end of the predetermined period or during the predetermined period is specified. It has a function that can be used until the earlier of the time when the upper limit value is reached. That is, even if the cumulative usage amount does not reach the prescribed upper limit value, when the predetermined period has passed and the expiration date has passed, the function cannot be used unless the license is updated. On the other hand, even if within a predetermined period, when the accumulated usage amount reaches a prescribed upper limit value, it is necessary to update the license in order to continue using the function.

  Although not particularly limited, either when the predetermined period expires or when the accumulated usage of the function during image formation reaches the specified upper limit within the predetermined period by acquiring a license Examples of functions that can be used until early are the color printing function that enables printing with the maximum number of colors within a certain period, and automatically saves the file in a specified folder when a paper document is scanned. Document digitization function, Fax function for faxing directly from digital data without going through paper media, automatically character recognition of scanned paper text or received fax document data, and save as electronic data with character data Examples include recognition functions.

  A first multifunction machine 11a as a first image forming apparatus includes a multifunction machine control unit 12, an operation unit 13, an image reading unit 14, an image forming unit 15, a multifunction machine storage unit 16, and a facsimile communication unit. 17 and a multifunction machine network interface unit 18 for connecting to the network 5.

  The control unit 12 controls the entire first multifunction machine 11a. The operation unit 13 includes a display screen 21 that displays information transmitted from the first multifunction device 11a side and user input contents. The operation unit 13 inputs image forming conditions such as the number of copies to be printed and gradation, and power on / off. The image reading unit 14 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF (Auto Document Feeder)) 22 that automatically conveys a set document to a reading position. The image reading unit 14 reads an image of a document transported by the ADF 22 or an image of a document placed on the placement table. The image forming unit 15 forms an image based on the read image or image data transmitted via the network 5. That is, the image forming unit 15 forms an image on a recording medium, for example, on a sheet based on the image data in response to the accepted image formation request. The storage unit 16 stores transmitted image data, input image forming conditions, and the like. The facsimile communication unit 17 is connected to the public line 24 and performs facsimile transmission and facsimile reception.

  The first multifunction device 11a includes a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) for writing and reading image data, and a sheet conveying unit that conveys a sheet on which a visualized image formed by a developer is transferred. The illustration and description are omitted for. In addition, arrows in FIG. 2 indicate the flow of data regarding control signals, control, and images.

  The first multifunction device 11a operates as a copying machine by forming an image in the image forming unit 15 based on the image data acquired by the image reading unit 14 and printing it on a sheet. The first multifunction device 11a is communicably connected to the license management server 19 on the network 5, the second multifunction device 11b as the second image forming apparatus, and the computer 26 through the network interface unit 18. Yes. The first multifunction device 11a operates as a printer by forming an image in the image forming unit 15 using the image data transmitted from the computer 26 and printing the image on paper. The first multifunction machine 11a forms an image in the image forming unit 15 via the DRAM using the image data transmitted from the public line 24 through the facsimile communication unit 17 or the image reading unit 14. The image data acquired by the above is transmitted to the public line 24 through the facsimile communication unit 17 to operate as a facsimile apparatus. In other words, the first multifunction machine 11a has a plurality of uses such as copying, printers, and facsimiles for image processing. Further, detailed settings can be made for each application.

  The license management server 19 includes a server network interface unit 29, a server control unit 30, and a server storage unit 28. The license management server 19 is communicably connected to the first multifunction device 11 a and the second multifunction device 11 b on the network 5 and the computer 26 through the server network interface unit 29. The control unit 30 controls the entire license management server 19. The storage unit 28 stores license information and function usage status in each of the first and second multifunction peripherals 11a and 11b.

  The first multifunction device 11a, the license management server 19, the computer 26, and the second multifunction device 11b may be connected by wire using a LAN (Local Area Network) cable or the like, or connected wirelessly. May be.

  Next, the configuration of the control unit 12 of the first multifunction machine 11a will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction machine control unit 12. Referring to FIG. 3, the control unit 12 of the first multifunction machine 11 a includes a reception unit 31, a notification unit 32, a notification reception unit 33, and a usage amount data transmission unit 34. The accepting unit 31 accepts a request for executing the above function from the user. The notification unit 32 transmits to the license management server 19 a notification that the reception unit 31 has received the execution request for the function. The notification receiving unit 33 receives a notification regarding the time when the accumulated usage amount is predicted to reach the upper limit (when the predicted upper limit is reached) from the control unit 30 of the license server 19 described later. The usage amount data transmission unit 34 transmits the data regarding the usage amount to the license management server 19 after using the above function in the first multifunction device 11 a.

  Next, the configuration of the control unit 30 of the license management server 19 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 30. Referring to FIG. 4, the control unit 30 of the license management server 19 includes a reception unit 40, a prediction unit 41, a notification unit 42, a usage data reception unit 43, and an update unit 44. The prediction unit 41 further includes a regression analysis unit 45.

  The receiving unit 40 receives a notification from the notifying unit 32 that the receiving unit 31 has received a request for executing the above function. The prediction unit 41 predicts the time when the accumulated usage amount of the function reaches a specified upper limit (when the predicted upper limit is reached). For the prediction, regression analysis by the regression analysis unit 45 may be used. The notification unit 42 notifies the computer 26 of the time when the prediction upper limit predicted by the prediction unit has been reached when a terminal such as the first multifunction device 11 a and the computer 26 is connected to the network 5. The usage amount data receiving unit 43 receives the data relating to the usage amount transmitted from the usage amount data transmitting unit 34 of the first multifunction device 11a after using the above function in the first multifunction device 11a. The updating unit 44 updates the accumulated usage amount of the function stored in the storage unit 28 after the usage amount data receiving unit 43 receives the usage amount data.

  Next, the flow of license management when the license management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention uses the above function in the first multifunction device 11a will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when color printing is performed using the license management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is assumed that the above function is a color printing function that enables color printing of up to 1000 sheets per multifunction device within a predetermined period. In the present embodiment, the predetermined period (effective period) is 10 days.

  Referring to FIG. 5, first, a receiving unit 31 of a first multifunction peripheral (MFP (Multi Function Peripheral)) 11 a receives a request for permission to form an image in color from the user (step S <b> 11, hereinafter “step”). The notifying unit 32 notifies the license management server 19 that the request has been made (S12), and the receiving unit 40 receives the notification (S13).

  The prediction unit 41 predicts when the accumulated usage amount of the color printing function within a predetermined period in the first multifunction device 11a reaches a predetermined upper limit value. The prediction method is not particularly limited. As an example, in the storage unit 28, the use status of the color printing function in the first multifunction device 11a (at the start and expiration of a predetermined period that can be used, the number of days that have elapsed since the start of the predetermined period, the cumulative use Amount etc.) is stored, and the time when the accumulated usage amount reaches the prescribed upper limit value is predicted from the usage status (S14). For the prediction, regression analysis such as linear analysis may be used. The regression analysis is performed by the regression analysis unit 45 of the control unit 30 of the license management server.

  As an example, a method for predicting the time when a predetermined upper limit value is reached by regression analysis will be described. In this case, it is assumed that the number of color printings as shown in Table 1 below is performed from the start of the predetermined period to the sixth day.

FIG. 6 shows a graph in which the upper limit reaching time is predicted by linear approximation at the time of the 6th day. In FIG. 6, the vertical axis indicated by 51 indicates the cumulative usage (sheets), and the horizontal axis indicated by 52 indicates the number of days (days) since the color printing function can be used. A broken line indicated by 53 represents a prescribed use amount upper limit value (1000 sheets). A line indicated by 54 is a line graph representing the accumulated usage. A broken line indicated by 55 is a linear approximation straight line when the upper limit is predicted by linear approximation. In this case, the linear approximation line 55 is expressed by
y = 131.69x-67.067
(X is the number of days elapsed, y is the cumulative usage (sheets)).

From the above formula, predicting the time when the specified usage amount upper limit value (1000 sheets) is reached (when the predicted upper limit is reached)
x = (1000 + 67.067) /131.69=8.10 (day)
(A predicted upper limit 56 is shown in FIG. 6). Thus, it can be seen that the accumulated usage reaches the prescribed upper limit after about 8 days have passed since the start of the predetermined period. Since the color printing function can be used for 10 days, it is expected that color printing using the function cannot be performed before the expiration of the predetermined period.

  Next, the notification unit 42 notifies the notification receiving unit 33 of the first multifunction device 11a that the time when the predicted upper limit of the usage amount is reached is 8.10 days in the first multifunction device 11a. At the time of notification, the cumulative usage amount of the color printing function in the second multifunction device 11b is compared with that in the first multifunction device 11a (S15). When the cumulative usage amount of the color printing function in the second multifunction device 11b is compared with that in the first multifunction device 11a, the cumulative usage amount of the color printing function in the first multifunction device 11a is smaller. When the first multifunction device 11a has a larger amount of use of the color printing function, information on 8.10 days, which is the time when the predicted upper limit of the usage amount of the first multifunction device 11a has been reached, is sent from the notification unit 42 to the first. Is notified to the multifunction machine 11a (S16). The information is displayed on the display screen 21 of the operation unit 13. An example of the display is shown in FIG. 61 is a notification message. The user who sees the message 61 on the display screen 21 uses the color printing function by pressing the continue key 62 to copy the first multifunction device 11a as it is, or pressing the stop key 63. You can choose whether to stop copying. By notifying when the predicted upper limit of the usage amount has been reached in advance, it is possible to prevent the situation where the use of the color printing function is unexpectedly stopped as much as possible. Further, it is possible to prompt the user to refrain from unnecessary color printing by notifying when the predicted upper limit is reached and inquiring whether to continue or cancel the color printing in the first multifunction device 11a.

  On the other hand, if the cumulative usage amount of the color printing function in the second multifunction device 11b is smaller, it means that the second multifunction device 11b has a margin in the usage amount of the color printing function. In this case, the notification unit 42 is notified of the use status of the color printing function in the second multifunction device 11b in addition to the information that the usage amount upper limit arrival prediction time in the first multifunction device 11a is 8.10 days. (S17). At this time, the prediction unit 41 predicts the usage amount upper limit arrival time in the second multifunction device 11b in advance, and the usage amount upper limit arrival prediction time of both the first multifunction device 11a and the second multifunction device 11b. You may notify. This information is displayed on the display screen 21 of the operation unit 13 included in the first multifunction machine 11a, for example. The user who sees the message 61 on the display screen 21 can select whether to perform color printing on the first multifunction device 11a as it is or to cancel color printing on the first multifunction device 11a. After the printing is stopped, the user can be prompted to perform color printing with the second multifunction device 11b having a larger usage amount. If the user chooses to copy with the second multifunction device 11b, the color printing function usage is made uniform between the first multifunction device 11a and the second multifunction device 11b, and color printing is possible. Can contribute to extending the time required (S18).

  After performing color printing in the first multifunction device 11 a, the first multifunction device 11 a transmits usage data for the color printing function to the license management server 19. The control unit 12 of the first multifunction device 11 a may further include a usage data transmission unit 34 that transmits usage data of the color printing function to the license management server 19. The usage data transmission unit 34 may transmit the usage data of the color printing function in the first multifunction peripheral 11 a to the license management server 19.

  At this time, the usage amount data receiving unit 43 of the license management server 19 receives data relating to the usage amount of the color printing function from the usage amount data transmitting unit 34. After the usage amount data receiving unit 43 receives data relating to the usage amount of the color printing function, the updating unit 44 updates the cumulative usage amount of the color printing function in the first multifunction peripheral 11a based on the data. The updated accumulated usage amount is stored in the storage unit 28 of the license management server 19.

  When a color image formation request is made from a terminal such as the computer 26 to the first multifunction device 11a, the first multifunction device 11a is used as a printer. In this case, the notification from the notification unit 42 may be performed on the computer 26 of the terminal. In this case, a message 61 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display screen of the computer 26.

  In the above-described example, when the prediction unit 41 of the license management server 19 predicts when the predetermined upper limit value is reached, the use status of the color printing function in the first multifunction device 11 a stored in the storage unit 28. However, as already described, the prediction method is not limited to this. Therefore, the license management server 19 does not necessarily have the storage unit 28.

  In the above example, the case where the license management system 1 includes the second multifunction device 11b has been described. However, the second multifunction device 11b may not be provided. By notifying the first multifunction machine 11a from the notification unit 42 of the license management server 19 when the predicted usage limit is reached, the object of the invention can be achieved.

  Further, the usage amount data transmission unit of the first multifunction machine 11a, the usage amount data reception unit 43 and the update unit 44 of the license management server 19 are optional. The purpose of can be achieved.

  It should be understood that the embodiments and examples disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive in any respect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

  The license management system according to the present invention is effectively used in an image forming apparatus having a specific function that can be used for a predetermined period or a predetermined usage amount by acquiring a license.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 License management system, 5 network, 11a 1st multifunction machine, 11b 2nd multifunction machine, 12 multifunction machine control part, 13 operation part, 14 image reading part, 15 image formation part, 16 multifunction machine memory | storage part, 17 facsimile Communication unit, 18 MFP network interface unit, 19 License management server, 21 Display screen, 22 ADF, 24 Public line, 26 Computer, 28 Server storage unit, 29 Server network interface unit, 30 Server control unit, 31 Accepting unit, 32 Notification unit, 33 Notification receiving unit, 34 Usage data transmission unit, 40 Reception unit, 41 Prediction unit, 42 Notification unit, 43 Usage data reception unit, 44 Update unit, 45 Regression analysis unit, 51 Cumulative usage (sheets) , 52 Elapsed days (days), 53 Maximum usage limit , 54 Line graph of cumulative usage, 55 Linear approximation line, 56 When the prediction upper limit is reached, 61 Notification message, 62 Continue key, 63 Cancel key

Claims (7)

By acquiring a license, the function can be used until the expiration of a predetermined period or when the accumulated usage of the function within the predetermined period reaches a specified upper limit, whichever comes first A first image forming apparatus;
A license management system comprising: a license management server that manages the license, and is communicably connected to the first image forming apparatus;
The first image forming apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives a request to use the function;
A notification unit that transmits a notification that the request has been received by the reception unit to the license management server,
The license management server includes a receiving unit that receives the notification from the notification unit;
When the notification is received by the reception unit, a prediction unit that predicts when the accumulated usage of the function in the first image forming apparatus reaches the prescribed upper limit value;
A notifying unit for notifying when the predicting unit has predicted and reaching the prescribed upper limit;
A license management system comprising: The license management server further includes a storage unit that stores a usage status of the function within the predetermined period in the first image forming apparatus,
The prediction unit predicts a time when the accumulated usage amount of the function in the first image forming apparatus reaches the prescribed upper limit value from the usage state stored in the storage unit. License management system. The license management system according to claim 1, wherein the predicting unit predicts when the cumulative usage amount of the function reaches the specified upper limit value by regression analysis. The first image forming apparatus further includes a usage data transmission unit that transmits usage data of the function to the license management server after using the function,
The license management server further includes a usage data receiving unit that receives usage data of the function from the usage data transmitting unit;
An update unit that updates the cumulative usage amount stored in the storage unit after the usage amount data receiving unit receives the usage amount data;
The license management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: The license management system further includes a second image forming apparatus that is communicably connected to the license management server and has the same function as the function of the first image forming apparatus,
When the cumulative usage amount of the function in the second image forming apparatus is smaller than the cumulative usage amount of the function in the first image forming apparatus, the notification unit further includes the second image forming apparatus in the second image forming apparatus. The license management system of any one of Claims 1-4 which alert | reports the usage condition of a function. The license management system according to claim 1, further comprising a terminal that is communicably connected to the first image forming apparatus and the license management server. The license management system according to claim 6, wherein the notification unit notifies the terminal.

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