JP4097011B2 - Network image forming system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a network image forming system, and more particularly to a network image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a management server are connected via a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a network image forming system in which an image forming apparatus and a terminal device are connected to a network and the terminal device uses an image forming apparatus such as a network printer. In order to use this image forming apparatus from a terminal device on the network, first, a driver is installed in the terminal device, a port is created, and a driver and a port are associated. In this specification, making the image forming apparatus usable from the terminal device is referred to as introducing the image forming apparatus into the terminal device. Installation information such as the driver identifier, the location where the driver is located, and the address information (IP address, host name, etc.) of the image forming apparatus necessary for the installation is individually determined by the user who introduces the image forming apparatus. What is collected is common.
[0003]
In addition, as a prior invention example 1 similar to the present invention in the technical field, there is a “network printer system” in Japanese Patent Application No. 11-140212 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-330742) previously filed by the present applicant. is there. This is a network printer system in which a computer, a plurality of printers, and an information management server are connected via a network. The printer information management server automatically installs the IP address and printer driver for the printer selected by the user on the computer. To do.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional network image forming system, when a new network is constructed, when an office is moved, when a terminal device is moved / newly introduced, when a new image forming device is introduced, when an address of the terminal device or the image forming device is changed, etc. Therefore, it is necessary for a user or a network administrator for each terminal device to perform the operation of introducing the image forming apparatus for each terminal device, which is very time-consuming and time-consuming.
In order to enable the administrator to collectively manage the assignment of image forming apparatuses to be used for each terminal apparatus and to grasp the status of printer installation to each terminal apparatus, When moving, etc., it was necessary for the administrator to register and record the allocation status and installation status.
[0005]
In the first invention example 1, the driver software is installed when the printer selected by the user is introduced into the computer, and it is necessary for the user of each computer to select the printer to be installed. In other words, the printer assigned by the administrator is not introduced, and it is not considered to reduce the effort for managing the assignment status and the introduction status by the administrator.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has the following objects.
A first object is to provide a network image forming system in which an image forming apparatus can be easily introduced into a terminal apparatus and an administrator can easily assign an image forming apparatus to be used for each terminal apparatus. .
[0007]
A second object is to provide a network image forming system in which a network administrator can grasp the introduction status of an image forming apparatus to each terminal device.
[0008]
A third object is to provide a network image forming system that can easily delete unnecessary printer drivers from a terminal device.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, the present invention has the following features.
The invention described in claim 1 is a network image forming system that includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a plurality of terminal apparatuses, and a management server, each of which is connected via a network. An assigning unit that stores specific information for identifying one terminal device in association with address information of the image forming device assigned to the terminal device by an administrator, and an image forming unit associated with the one terminal device by the assigning unit. Each of the plurality of terminal devices has an acquisition unit for acquiring the introduction information from the management server, and an image associated with the allocation unit by the introduction information acquired by the acquisition unit. possess a means for introducing a forming apparatus, the acquisition means determines whether or not the driver in the terminal apparatus including the acquisition means has been introduced, If not, the introduction means installs the driver, the acquisition means determines whether the printer port has already been created, and if not, the introduction means creates the port, and the introduction means , And associating a driver with a port .
[0010]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of terminal devices has introduction completion notifying means for notifying the management server of completion when the introduction is completed by the introducing means. When notified by the notifying means, the apparatus has an introduction history storage means for storing the specific information of the terminal apparatus that has made the notification in association with the image forming apparatus introduced by the terminal apparatus.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, when each of the plurality of terminal devices is introduced by the introducing unit, and an image forming apparatus other than the image forming apparatus associated by the assigning unit is introduced, the image forming apparatus It has the deletion means which deletes the driver of an apparatus, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, a network image forming system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a network printer system as an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a network printer system according to the present invention includes a plurality of terminal devices 1 (1a, 1b,...), A management server 2, and a plurality of printers 3 (3a, 3b,...). Are connected to the network.
[0014]
Each part shown in FIG. 1 is demonstrated below.
The terminal device 1 (1a, 1b,...) Includes a main control unit, a communication unit, a storage unit, a display unit, and an input unit. The storage unit stores the introduction printer information inquiry unit 11, the printer information introduction unit 12, the introduction completion notification unit 13, and the deletion unit 14 as programs.
[0015]
The terminal device 1 performs operations such as printing on the printer 3 by the user. The client receives a service from the management server 2.
The main control unit controls the entire terminal device 1 by a program stored in the storage unit. The storage unit stores the various programs and data described above. The communication unit communicates with the management server 2 and the printer 3 via the network.
[0016]
The management server 2 includes a main control unit, a communication unit, a storage unit, a display unit, and an input unit. The storage unit stores the introduction printer information 21 and the introduction history information 22 as data.
[0017]
The management server 2 is used by the network administrator to manage the network. The main control unit controls the entire management server 2 by a program stored in the storage unit. The storage unit stores various programs and the above-described data. The communication unit communicates with the terminal device 1 and the printer 3 via the network.
[0018]
The printer 3 forms an image according to an instruction from the terminal device 1 connected to the network.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating program processing and connection between the terminal device 1 and the management server 2.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the terminal device 1 includes an introduction printer information inquiry unit 11, a printer information introduction unit 12, an introduction completion notification unit 13, and a deletion unit 14. The printer information introduction unit 12 includes a driver introduction unit 121 and a port introduction unit 122.
[0020]
The introductory printer information inquiry unit (acquisition unit) 11 indicates address information (IP address, host name, etc.) in its own network (for the terminal device 1) to the management server 2 and assigns it to the terminal device 1 The printer installation information (driver identifier and location, printer address information, etc.) is requested and acquired. In other words, the introduction information is information for introducing the printer 3 assigned to the terminal device 1 by the administrator into the terminal device 1.
[0021]
The printer information introduction unit (introduction unit) 12 introduces the printer 3 assigned by the administrator into the terminal device 1 using the introduction information acquired by the introduction printer information inquiry unit.
The driver introduction unit 121 receives a location where the driver is included in the introduction information acquired by the introduction printer information inquiry unit 11, downloads the driver from there, and installs it in the terminal device 1.
The port introduction unit 122 receives the network address (address information) of the printer 3 included in the introduction information acquired by the introduction printer information inquiry unit 11, and creates a port based on the address.
[0022]
When the introduction of the printer 3 is completed, the introduction completion notifying unit 13 notifies the management server 2 of the completion.
[0023]
When the introduction printer information inquiry unit 11 acquires the introduction information, the deletion unit 14 checks whether a printer other than the printer assigned to the terminal device 1 is installed in the terminal device 1 based on the introduction information. If installed, the driver of the printer not assigned is deleted.
[0024]
In addition to the introduction printer information 21 and the introduction history information 22 described above, the management server 2 introduces an introduction printer information response unit 23, an introduction printer information management unit 24, an introduction printer information editing unit 25, and an introduction completion notification reception unit. 26 and an introduction history information management unit 27. The introductory printer information 21 has an allocation table 21a.
[0025]
The introductory printer information 21 is printer introductory information (driver identifier, driver ID) assigned to each terminal device 1 (1a, 1b,...) By the network administrator to introduce the terminal device 1 into the terminal device 1. Driver location, printer address information).
The assignment table 21a records information on the assignment of the printer 3 by the administrator. That is, specific information such as address information for specifying one terminal device is stored in association with the address information of the printer 3 assigned by the administrator to the terminal device 1 specified by the specific information.
The administrator creates / changes / deletes the information of the introduced printer information 21 and the allocation table 21a by the input unit.
[0026]
The introduction history information 22 stores the specific information of the terminal device 1 in which the printer is introduced in association with the address information of the printer 3 introduced by the terminal device 1.
[0027]
In response to a request from the introductory printer information inquiry unit, the introductory printer information response unit 23 transmits the introductory information of the printer 3 assigned to the receiving terminal 1 to the receiving terminal 1.
The installed printer information management unit 24 manages the installed printer information 21.
The installed printer information editing unit 25 performs editing such as creation / change / deletion of the installed printer information 21 by the administrator.
[0028]
The introduction completion notification receiving unit 26 receives the introduction completion notification from the introduction completion notification unit 13 when the introduction of the printer to the receiving terminal 1 is completed.
[0029]
When the introduction completion notification receiving unit 26 receives the introduction completion notification, the introduction history information management unit 27 stores the introduction information in the introduction history information 22 as an introduction history. Further, when a display request for history information stored in the introduction history information 22 is input by an operation from the input unit, the requested history information is displayed on the display unit.
[0030]
Next, the operation of the network image forming system as an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0031]
First, as a first operation example, an operation when a user requests printer introduction processing will be described. The processing shown in the first operation example is performed not only when the printer 3 is newly introduced but also periodically, so that the update of the installed printer information 21 of the management server 2 can be reflected in the terminal device 1. .
In the first operation example, the introduction completion notification issuing unit 13, the introduction completion notification receiving unit 26, the introduction history information management unit 27, and the introduction history information 22 described above may not be provided.
[0032]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing in the terminal device 1 in the first operation example.
When a printer installation request is input from the input unit by the user, the installed printer information inquiry unit 11 searches the management server 2 having the installed printer information 21 on the network (step S101). If the management server 2 is found, the process proceeds to the next step S103, and if not found, the process is terminated (step S102). When the process is terminated, a predetermined error message may be displayed on the display unit. When the connection with the management server 2 is established, the introductory printer information inquiry unit 11 indicates its own address information (of the terminal device 1) to the management server 2, and introduces the printer information assigned to the terminal device 1. Is requested (step S103). If the introduction information of the printer can be acquired, the process proceeds to the next step S105, and if it cannot be acquired, the process ends (step S104). When the process is terminated, a predetermined error message may be displayed on the display unit.
[0033]
When acquiring the printer introduction information, the introduction printer information inquiry unit 11 determines whether the driver specified by the acquired introduction information has already been installed in the terminal device 1 (step S105). If it has already been introduced, the process proceeds to step S107, and if not, the process proceeds to the next step S106. If the printer 3 is not installed, the driver introduction unit 121 downloads and installs the driver from the driver storage location in the obtained introduction information (step S106). Here, it is determined whether or not a port for printer introduction information has already been created (step S107). If it has already been created, the process proceeds to step S109. If it has not been created, the process proceeds to the next step S108. If the printer port has not been created, the port introduction unit 122 creates a port based on the printer address information in the obtained introduction information (step S108). When the driver installation and the port creation are thus completed, the printer information introducing unit 12 associates the driver with the port (step S109).
[0034]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing in the management server 2 in the first operation example. A series of processes shown in FIG. 4 is started when the management server 2 is activated.
[0035]
First, the introductory printer information response unit 23 receives a message from the client (terminal device 1) (step S201), and determines whether the received message is a request for introductory printer information (step S202). If the printer introduction information is requested, the process proceeds to the next step S203, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S201. When the message is a request for printer introduction information, the introduction printer information management unit 24 searches the assignment table 21a in the printer introduction information 21 using specific information such as client address information as a key, and is assigned to the client. The installation information of the printer 3 is acquired (step S203). When the introduction information is acquired, the introduction printer information response unit 23 transmits the introduction information to the requested client.
[0036]
Next, as a second operation example, the terminal device 1 introduces information related to the printer, and notifies the management server 2 that the installation has been completed. Will be described.
[0037]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing in the terminal device 1 when the printer is introduced in the second operation example.
The processing from step S301 to step S309 is the same as the processing from step S101 to step S109 in FIG. 3 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.
When the introduction of the printer 3 is completed by the processing up to step S309, the introduction printer information inquiry unit 11 informs the management server 2 that the completion has been completed, the address information of its own (the terminal device 1), and the installed printer. Notification is made together with the information (step S310).
[0038]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing in the management server 2 when the printer is introduced in the second operation example.
The processing from step S401 to step S404 is the same as the processing from step S201 to step S204 in FIG. 4 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted. However, if it is determined in step S402 that the received message is other than a request for printer installation information, the process proceeds to step S405.
[0039]
When the message received in step S101 is other than the request for introduction information, the introduction completion notification receiving unit 26 determines whether or not the message is an introduction completion notification (step S405). If it is an introduction completion notification, the process proceeds to the next step S406. When the received message is an introduction completion notification, the introduction history information management unit 27 includes specific information such as the address information of the client (terminal device 1) that transmitted the introduction completion notification, and the address information of the printer introduced by the client. Are stored in the introduction history information 22 as an introduction history.
[0040]
Next, as a third operation example, an operation for deleting information about the printer 3 that is not included in the assignment table 21a when the terminal device 1 introduces information about the printer 3 will be described.
In the third operation example, the introduction completion notification issuing unit 13, the introduction completion notification receiving unit 26, the introduction history information management unit 27, and the introduction history information 22 described above may not be provided.
[0041]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing in the terminal device 1 when the printer is introduced in the third operation example.
The processing from step S501 to step S509 is the same as the processing from step S101 to step S109 in FIG. 3 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.
When the installation of the printer 3 is completed through the processing up to step S509 described above, the deletion unit 14 includes a printer driver that is not included in the acquired installation information (which is not associated with the terminal device 1 by the allocation table 21a). It is determined whether it is installed in the terminal device 1 (step S510). If it has been installed, the process proceeds to the next step S511. If it has not been installed, the process ends. If installed, the deletion unit 14 deletes a printer driver that is not included in the printer introduction information (step S511). Here, the deletion unit 14 determines whether or not a port of a printer that is not included in the acquired introduction information exists in the terminal device 1 (step S512). If it exists, the process proceeds to the next step S513, and if it does not exist, the process ends. If it exists, the deletion unit 14 deletes the printer port not included in the introduction information (step S513).
[0042]
As described above, in the network image forming system of the present invention, the introduction printer information 21 of the management server 2 is created / changed / deleted by the administrator, thereby equalizing the usage rates of a plurality of printers. It is also easy for the administrator to make settings. Further, by referring to the introduction history information 22 at the time of setting, the assignment of the terminal device 1 to each printer can be set so that the usage rate is equalized with higher accuracy.
[0043]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus is described as a printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as the apparatus has an image forming function and can be connected to a network. .
[0044]
Each of the above-described embodiments is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and can be implemented with various modifications as described above, for example, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the network image forming system of the present invention, the management server has introduction information used for introducing the image forming apparatus into the terminal device, whereby the image forming apparatus into the terminal device is obtained. Can be easily introduced. Further, it is possible to facilitate assignment of an image forming apparatus to be used for each terminal device, which is performed by a network administrator, and the burden on the administrator can be reduced. Further, by creating / changing / deleting the introduction information by the administrator, it becomes easy to set a plurality of image forming apparatuses so that their usage rates are equalized.
[0046]
According to the network image forming system of the present invention, the management server has the introduction history information of the image forming apparatus to the terminal device, so that the administrator grasps the introduction status of the image forming apparatus to each terminal device. be able to. Further, by using the introduction status for subsequent printer allocation, the usage rate of each printer can be equalized.
[0047]
Further, according to the network image forming system of the present invention, the terminal device includes the deletion unit, so that unnecessary printer drivers can be easily deleted.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network printer system as an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing program processing in each of the terminal device 1 and the management server 2 and their connection.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing in the terminal device 1 in the first operation example according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing in the management server 2 in the first operation example according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing in the terminal device 1 when a printer is introduced in the second operation example according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing in the management server 2 when a printer is installed in the second operation example according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing in the terminal device 1 when a printer is introduced in a third operation example according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Terminal device 11 Introduction printer information inquiry part 12 Printer information introduction part 121 Driver introduction part 122 Port introduction part 13 Introduction completion notification part 14 Deletion part 2 Management server 21 Introduction printer information 21a Assignment table 22 Introduction history information 23 Introduction printer information response part 24 Introduction Printer Information Management Unit 25 Introduction Printer Information Editing Unit 26 Introduction Completion Notification Receiving Unit 27 Introduction History Information Management Unit

Claims (3)

A network image forming system having a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a plurality of terminal apparatuses, and a management server, each connected via a network,
The management server
Assigning means for storing specific information for identifying one terminal device in association with address information of an image forming apparatus assigned to the terminal device by an administrator;
Introduction information for causing the one terminal device to introduce the image forming apparatus associated by the assigning unit;
Each of the plurality of terminal devices
Obtaining means for obtaining the introduction information from the management server;
The introduction information acquired by the acquisition unit, have a, and introducing means for introducing an image forming apparatus associated with said assignment means,
The acquisition unit determines whether or not a driver is installed in a terminal device including the acquisition unit, and if the driver is not installed, the introduction unit installs the driver,
The acquisition means determines whether or not a printer port has already been created, and if not, the introduction means creates a port,
The network image forming system , wherein the introduction unit associates a driver with a port . Each of the plurality of terminal devices
When the introduction is completed by the introduction means, the system has an introduction completion notification means for notifying the management server of the completion.
The management server
When the notification is made by the introduction completion notifying means, the information processing apparatus has an introduction history storage means for storing the specific information of the terminal apparatus that has made the notification in association with the image forming apparatus introduced by the terminal apparatus. The network image forming system according to claim 1. Each of the plurality of terminal devices
The image forming apparatus includes a deleting unit that deletes a driver of the image forming apparatus when an image forming apparatus other than the image forming apparatus associated with the assigning unit is installed when the introduction is performed by the introducing unit. The network image forming system according to claim 1 or 2.

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