JP4341314B2 - Device management system, device management program, and device management method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system, a program, and a method for performing notification related to a device to an administrator terminal, and more particularly to a device management system, a device management program, and a device management method capable of easily changing notification items. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a network system in which multiple network devices and a device management server are connected via a network, when the network device itself or the device management server monitors the status of the network device and an abnormality is found in the status of the network device , Notify the device administrator.
[0003]
Conventionally, as a technology for monitoring the state of a network device by a device management server in the device management system, for example, there is a network device control apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1.
In addition, as a technique for the network device to monitor the state of itself or another network device in the device management system, for example, a copying apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, an image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 3, And there was a peripheral device disclosed in Patent Document 4.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 2886150
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-80609
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-5-333625
[Patent Document 4]
JP-A-11-306115
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
What state change is likely to occur in a network device depends on the installation state and operation state of the network device. In addition, what kind of notification the device manager desires varies depending on the device manager.
However, in the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 to 4, when notifying the device manager of a change in the state of the network device, the device administrator determines in advance what kind of state change should be notified in accordance with his / her management environment. It is necessary to set. For example, when the notification is made when the temperature of the network device becomes a predetermined temperature or higher, the device administrator sets a value to be set as a notification condition temperature according to his / her management environment.
[0006]
Therefore, notification items that are not targeted for notification by the device administrator at the time of setting will not be notified unless reconfiguration is performed, even if the need for notification increases in the light of the installation status and operational status of the network device. . Conversely, the notification items that the device administrator is notified at the time of setting are notified unless reconfiguration is performed, even if the need for notification subsequently decreases in light of the installation status and operational status of the network device. to continue. Resetting notification items usually requires careful examination and setting of many notification items one by one, so even a device administrator with advanced technology and expertise can save time and effort. Cost.
[0007]
Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to such an unsolved problem of the conventional technology, and a device management system, a device management program, and a device capable of easily changing notification items, and a device The purpose is to provide a management method.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[Invention 1]
In order to achieve the above object, a device management system of the invention 1 comprises:
A system for notifying a device to an administrator terminal for use by a device administrator.
Status information acquisition means for acquiring status information relating to the state of the device; notification condition storage means for associating a notification condition and notification availability for each of a plurality of notification items and storing them as information; and the status information acquisition A notification condition determination unit that determines whether or not a notification condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied for each notification item in the notification condition storage unit based on the status information acquired by the unit, and a notification regarding the device An administrator notification means for the terminal, and a notification enable / disable setting means for setting the notification enable / disable by interactive communication with the device administrator,
The manager notifying means, when it is determined that the notification condition determining means satisfies the notification condition for the notification items of the notification condition storage means that are set to be required for notification, Send corresponding notification information to the administrator terminal,
When the notification condition determining unit determines that the notification condition is satisfied for the notification item of the notification condition storage unit that is set to be unnecessary, the notification availability setting unit When a response indicating whether notification is necessary is requested to the administrator terminal, and when a necessary response indicating that notification is necessary is received in response to the request, notification availability of the notification condition storage unit Among them, a feature corresponding to the notification item is set as necessary.
[0009]
In such a configuration, the status information is acquired by the status information acquisition unit, and the notification condition determination unit corresponds to the notification item for each notification item of the notification condition storage unit based on the acquired status information. It is determined whether the notification condition to be satisfied is satisfied. As a result, when it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied for the notification items of the notification condition storage means that are set to be notified, the notification information corresponding to the notification item is sent to the administrator terminal by the administrator notification means. Sent to. In addition, when it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied for the notification item of the notification condition storage unit that is set to be unnecessary, the notification availability setting unit determines whether the notification item needs to be notified. A response is requested to the administrator terminal.
[0010]
Here, when the device administrator receives a response request and considers that notification of the notification item is necessary, the device administrator transmits a necessary response indicating that notification is necessary from the administrator terminal.
When a necessary response is received in response to the request, the notification availability setting unit sets the notification item in the notification condition storage unit corresponding to the notification item as necessary. Therefore, the next and subsequent notifications are performed for the notification item.
[0011]
As a result, the device administrator receives a response request and examines whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary. If notification is necessary, the device administrator transmits a necessary response in response to a request from the notification enable / disable setting unit. Just do it. The notification items for which the device administrator has made a necessary response will be notified from the next time onward, so the notification items can be changed relatively easily compared to the conventional case. can get.
[0012]
Here, the administrator notification means is configured to transmit notification information corresponding to the notification item to the administrator terminal, but the notification information may be information indicating that the notification condition is satisfied, for example. It may be status information when the notification condition is satisfied, identification information for identifying the device or the related device, or an installation location indicating the installation location of the device or the related device It may be information. The same applies to the device management systems according to the ninth and tenth aspects and the device management program according to the eleventh to thirteenth aspects.
[0013]
The notification condition storage means stores the notification condition and notification availability at any time and at any time, and may store the notification condition and notification availability in advance. The notification condition and notification availability may be stored by an external input or the like during operation of the present system without storing the availability. The same applies to the device management systems of inventions 9 and 10 below.
[0014]
In addition, this system may be realized as a single device including a device or a device management terminal, or may be realized as a network system in which a device, a device management terminal, and other devices are communicably connected. . In the latter case, each component may belong to any one of a plurality of devices and the like as long as they are connected so as to communicate with each other. The same applies to the device management systems of inventions 9 and 10 below.
[Invention 2]
Furthermore, the device management system of the invention 2 is the device management system of the invention 1,
The notification availability setting unit should add a notification of the notification item when it is determined that there is a high need for notification of notification items stored in the notification condition storage unit that are set to be unnecessary. Is sent to the administrator terminal, requesting the administrator terminal whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary, and notification is required for the request. When a necessary response indicating this is received, a notification corresponding to the notification item is set as necessary among notification availability of the notification condition storage means.
[0015]
With such a configuration, when it is determined that there is a high need for notification of notification items that are set to be unnecessary among notification items in the notification condition storage unit, the notification availability setting unit notifies the notification item of the notification item. Notification addition proposal information indicating that the notification item should be added is transmitted to the administrator terminal, and a response as to whether notification of the notification item is necessary is requested to the administrator terminal.
[0016]
Here, when the device administrator receives the notification additional proposal information and the response request and considers that notification of the notification item is newly required, the device administrator sends a necessary response indicating that notification is required from the administrator terminal. Send.
When a necessary response is received in response to the request, the notification availability setting unit sets the notification item in the notification condition storage unit corresponding to the notification item as necessary. Therefore, for the notification item, the next and subsequent notifications are newly performed.
[0017]
As a result, the device administrator receives the notification additional proposal information and examines whether notification of the notification item is necessary. If notification is necessary, the device administrator responds to the request from the notification availability setting means. Just send. For notification items for which the device administrator has made a required response, notifications for the next and subsequent times will be newly performed, so it is relatively easy to add notification items for notification items that are highly necessary for notification. The effect that it can do is also acquired.
[Invention 3]
Furthermore, the device management system of the invention 3 is the device management system of the invention 2,
The notification condition storage means associates the notification condition, the notification availability and the notification additional condition in association with each notification item, and stores them as information.
Furthermore, for each notification item of the notification condition storage means, provided with a notification additional condition determination means for determining whether a notification additional condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied,
When the notification addition condition determining unit determines that the notification additional condition is satisfied for the notification item of the notification condition storage unit that is set to be unnecessary, the notification availability setting unit Notification addition proposal information indicating that an item notification should be added is transmitted to the administrator terminal, and a response as to whether notification of the notification item is necessary is requested to the administrator terminal. It is characterized by.
[0018]
With such a configuration, the notification addition condition determination unit determines whether or not the notification addition condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied for each notification item of the notification condition storage unit. As a result, if it is determined that the notification addition condition is satisfied for the notification items in the notification condition storage means for which notification is set to be unnecessary, the notification availability setting means should add the notification for the notification item. The notification addition proposal information shown is transmitted to the administrator terminal, and a response as to whether notification of the notification item is necessary is requested to the administrator terminal.
[0019]
Accordingly, it is possible to obtain an effect that the notification item can be added relatively easily for the notification item only by setting the notification addition condition.
[Invention 4]
Furthermore, the device management system of the invention 4 is the device management system of the invention 3,
The notification addition condition includes that the frequency at which the notification condition determination unit determines that the notification condition is satisfied is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
[0020]
With such a configuration, it is determined by the notification addition condition determination means whether or not the frequency at which it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. As a result, when it is determined that the determination frequency is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the notification availability setting unit transmits notification addition proposal information indicating that the notification of the notification item should be added to the administrator terminal and the notification item. A response as to whether or not the notification is necessary is requested to the administrator terminal.
[0021]
Even if the notification item is set to be unnecessarily notified, if the frequency at which it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the necessity for notification is considered high. Therefore, it is possible to relatively surely specify a notification item having a high necessity for notification and to add a notification item for such a notification item relatively easily.
[Invention 5]
Furthermore, the device management system of the invention 5 is the device management system of any of the inventions 3 and 4,
The notification addition condition includes that the number of times the notification information is transmitted by the notification availability setting unit is a predetermined number or more.
[0022]
If it is such composition, it will be judged by notice addition condition judging means whether the number of times of sending notice information is more than predetermined. As a result, when it is determined that the number of times of transmission is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, the notification availability setting means transmits notification addition proposal information indicating that notification of the notification item should be added to the administrator terminal and the notification item. A response as to whether or not the notification is necessary is requested to the administrator terminal.
[0023]
Even if the notification item is set to be unnecessary, if the number of times the notification information has been transmitted in the past is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, the necessity of notification is considered high. Therefore, it is possible to relatively surely specify a notification item having a high necessity for notification and to add a notification item for such a notification item relatively easily.
[Invention 6]
Furthermore, the device management system of the invention 6 is the device management system of any of the inventions 1 to 5,
The notification availability setting unit should exclude the notification of the notification item when it is determined that the notification is not necessary for the notification item of the notification condition storage unit that is set to be notified. Is sent to the administrator terminal, requesting the administrator terminal whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary, and notification is not necessary for the request. When an unnecessary response indicating that the notification item is received is received, the notification condition storage means corresponding to the notification item is set to be unnecessary.
[0024]
With such a configuration, when it is determined that the necessity of notification is low for notification items in the notification condition storage means that are set to be notified, the notification enable / disable setting means notifies the notification items. Notification exclusion proposal information indicating that the notification item should be excluded is transmitted to the administrator terminal, and a response as to whether notification of the notification item is necessary is requested to the administrator terminal.
[0025]
Here, when the device administrator receives the notification exclusion proposal information and the response request and considers that notification of the notification item is unnecessary, the device administrator transmits an unnecessary response indicating that notification is unnecessary from the administrator terminal. .
When an unnecessary response is received in response to the request, the notification availability setting unit sets the notification item in the notification condition storage unit corresponding to the notification item to be unnecessary. Therefore, the notification is not performed for the notification item after the next time.
[0026]
As a result, the device administrator receives the notification exclusion proposal information and examines whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary. If notification is not necessary, the device administrator responds to the request from the notification enable / disable setting unit. Just send. The notification items for which the device administrator has made an unnecessary response will not be notified from the next time onward, so that the notification items can be relatively easily excluded from the notification items whose necessity for notification is low. Can also be obtained.
[Invention 7]
Furthermore, the device management system of the invention 7 is the device management system of the invention 6,
The notification condition storage means associates the notification condition, the notification availability and the notification exclusion condition in association with each notification item, and stores them as information.
Furthermore, for each notification item of the notification condition storage means, a notification exclusion condition determination unit that determines whether or not a notification exclusion condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied,
The notification availability setting unit is configured to notify the notification condition storage unit when the notification exclusion condition determination unit determines that the notification exclusion condition is satisfied for a notification item that is set to be notified. Notification exclusion proposal information indicating that notification of an item should be excluded is transmitted to the administrator terminal, and a response as to whether notification of the notification item is necessary is requested to the administrator terminal. It is characterized by.
[0027]
With such a configuration, the notification exclusion condition determination unit determines whether or not the notification exclusion condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied for each notification item of the notification condition storage unit. As a result, when it is determined that the notification exclusion condition is satisfied for the notification items in the notification condition storage means that are set to be notified, the notification enable / disable setting means should exclude the notification of the notification item. The notification exclusion proposal information shown is transmitted to the administrator terminal, and a response as to whether notification of the notification item is necessary is requested to the administrator terminal.
[0028]
Accordingly, it is possible to obtain an effect that the notification item can be relatively easily excluded from the notification item only by setting the notification exclusion condition.
[Invention 8]
Furthermore, the device management system of the invention 8 is the device management system of the invention 7,
The notification exclusion condition includes a frequency at which the notification condition determination unit determines that the notification condition is satisfied is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
[0029]
If it is such composition, it will be judged by notice exclusion condition judging means whether the frequency judged as having met notice conditions is below predetermined. As a result, when it is determined that the determination frequency is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, notification allowance setting means transmits notification exclusion proposal information indicating that notification of the notification item should be excluded to the administrator terminal and the notification item. A response as to whether or not the notification is necessary is requested to the administrator terminal.
[0030]
Even if the notification item is set to be necessary for notification, if the frequency at which it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the necessity for notification is considered low. Accordingly, it is possible to relatively surely specify a notification item having a low necessity for notification, and it is also possible to relatively easily exclude the notification item for such a notification item.
[Invention 9]
Furthermore, the device management system of the invention 9 is
A system for notifying a device to an administrator terminal for use by a device administrator.
Status information acquisition means for acquiring status information relating to the state of the device; notification condition storage means for associating a notification condition and notification availability for each of a plurality of notification items and storing them as information; and the status information acquisition A notification condition determination unit that determines whether or not a notification condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied for each notification item in the notification condition storage unit based on the status information acquired by the unit, and a notification regarding the device An administrator notification means for the terminal, and a notification enable / disable setting means for setting the notification enable / disable by interactive communication with the device administrator,
The manager notifying means, when it is determined that the notification condition determining means satisfies the notification condition for the notification items of the notification condition storage means that are set to be required for notification, Send corresponding notification information to the administrator terminal,
The notification availability setting unit should add a notification of the notification item when it is determined that there is a high need for notification of notification items stored in the notification condition storage unit that are set to be unnecessary. Is sent to the administrator terminal, requesting the administrator terminal whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary, and notification is required for the request. When a necessary response indicating this is received, a notification corresponding to the notification item is set as necessary among notification availability of the notification condition storage means.
[0031]
In such a configuration, the status information is acquired by the status information acquisition unit, and the notification condition determination unit corresponds to the notification item for each notification item of the notification condition storage unit based on the acquired status information. It is determined whether the notification condition to be satisfied is satisfied. As a result, when it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied for the notification items of the notification condition storage means that are set to be notified, the notification information corresponding to the notification item is sent to the administrator terminal by the administrator notification means. Sent to. In addition, when it is determined that there is a high need for notification of notification items that are set to be unnecessary among notification items in the notification condition storage unit, the notification availability setting unit should add notification of the notification item. The notification addition proposal information shown is transmitted to the administrator terminal, and a response as to whether notification of the notification item is necessary is requested to the administrator terminal.
[0032]
Here, when the device administrator receives the notification additional proposal information and the response request and considers that notification of the notification item is newly required, the device administrator sends a necessary response indicating that notification is required from the administrator terminal. Send.
When a necessary response is received in response to the request, the notification availability setting unit sets the notification item in the notification condition storage unit corresponding to the notification item as necessary. Therefore, for the notification item, the next and subsequent notifications are newly performed.
[0033]
As a result, the device administrator receives the notification additional proposal information and examines whether notification of the notification item is necessary. If notification is necessary, the device administrator responds to the request from the notification availability setting means. Just send. For notification items for which the device administrator has made a necessary response, notifications for the next and subsequent times will be newly performed. The effect that it can carry out comparatively easily is acquired.
[Invention 10]
Furthermore, the device management system of the invention 10 is
A system for notifying a device to an administrator terminal for use by a device administrator.
Status information acquisition means for acquiring status information relating to the state of the device; notification condition storage means for associating a notification condition and notification availability for each of a plurality of notification items and storing them as information; and the status information acquisition A notification condition determination unit that determines whether or not a notification condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied for each notification item in the notification condition storage unit based on the status information acquired by the unit, and a notification regarding the device An administrator notification means for the terminal, and a notification enable / disable setting means for setting the notification enable / disable by interactive communication with the device administrator,
The manager notifying means, when it is determined that the notification condition determining means satisfies the notification condition for the notification items of the notification condition storage means that are set to be required for notification, Send corresponding notification information to the administrator terminal,
The notification availability setting unit should exclude the notification of the notification item when it is determined that the notification is not necessary for the notification item of the notification condition storage unit that is set to be notified. Is sent to the administrator terminal, requesting the administrator terminal whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary, and notification is not necessary for the request. When an unnecessary response indicating that the notification item is received is received, the notification condition storage means corresponding to the notification item is set to be unnecessary.
[0034]
In such a configuration, the status information is acquired by the status information acquisition unit, and the notification condition determination unit corresponds to the notification item for each notification item of the notification condition storage unit based on the acquired status information. It is determined whether the notification condition to be satisfied is satisfied. As a result, when it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied for the notification items of the notification condition storage means that are set to be notified, the notification information corresponding to the notification item is sent to the administrator terminal by the administrator notification means. Sent to. In addition, when it is determined that the necessity of notification is low for the notification items in the notification condition storage means that are set to be notified, the notification enable / disable setting means should exclude the notification of the notification item. The notification exclusion proposal information shown is transmitted to the administrator terminal, and a response as to whether notification of the notification item is necessary is requested to the administrator terminal.
[0035]
Here, when the device administrator receives the notification exclusion proposal information and the response request and considers that notification of the notification item is unnecessary, the device administrator transmits an unnecessary response indicating that notification is unnecessary from the administrator terminal. .
When an unnecessary response is received in response to the request, the notification availability setting unit sets the notification item in the notification condition storage unit corresponding to the notification item to be unnecessary. Therefore, the notification is not performed for the notification item after the next time.
[0036]
As a result, the device administrator receives the notification exclusion proposal information and examines whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary. If notification is not necessary, the device administrator responds to the request from the notification enable / disable setting unit. Just send. For notification items for which an unnecessary response has been made by the device administrator, notifications for the next and subsequent times will not be performed. Therefore, it is relatively easy to exclude notification items for notification items that require less notification than before. The effect that it can be performed is acquired.
[Invention 11]
On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the device management program of the invention 11
A program for notifying a device terminal to the administrator terminal for use by a device administrator using a notification condition storage means that associates a notification condition and notification availability for each of a plurality of notification items and stores them as information Because
Status information acquisition means for acquiring status information relating to the state of the device, whether the notification condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied for each notification item of the notification condition storage means based on the status information acquired by the status information acquisition means Notification condition determination means for determining whether or not, administrator notification means for performing notification regarding the device to the administrator terminal, and notification enable / disable setting means for setting the notification enable / disable by interactive communication with the device administrator A program for causing a computer to execute the realized processing,
The manager notifying means, when it is determined that the notification condition determining means satisfies the notification condition for the notification items of the notification condition storage means that are set to be required for notification, Send corresponding notification information to the administrator terminal,
When the notification condition determining unit determines that the notification condition is satisfied for the notification item of the notification condition storage unit that is set to be unnecessary, the notification availability setting unit When a response indicating whether notification is necessary is requested to the administrator terminal, and when a necessary response indicating that notification is necessary is received in response to the request, notification availability of the notification condition storage unit Among them, a feature corresponding to the notification item is set as necessary.
[0037]
With this configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the device management system of the first aspect can be obtained.
[Invention 12]
Furthermore, the device management program of the invention 12 is
A program for notifying a device terminal to the administrator terminal for use by a device administrator using a notification condition storage means that associates a notification condition and notification availability for each of a plurality of notification items and stores them as information Because
Status information acquisition means for acquiring status information relating to the state of the device, whether the notification condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied for each notification item of the notification condition storage means based on the status information acquired by the status information acquisition means Notification condition determination means for determining whether or not, administrator notification means for performing notification regarding the device to the administrator terminal, and notification enable / disable setting means for setting the notification enable / disable by interactive communication with the device administrator A program for causing a computer to execute the realized processing,
The manager notifying means, when it is determined that the notification condition determining means satisfies the notification condition for the notification items of the notification condition storage means that are set to be required for notification, Send corresponding notification information to the administrator terminal,
The notification availability setting unit should add a notification of the notification item when it is determined that there is a high need for notification of notification items stored in the notification condition storage unit that are set to be unnecessary. Is sent to the administrator terminal, requesting the administrator terminal whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary, and notification is required for the request. When a necessary response indicating this is received, a notification corresponding to the notification item is set as necessary among notification availability of the notification condition storage means.
[0038]
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the device management system of the ninth aspect are obtained.
[Invention 13]
Furthermore, the device management program of the invention 13 is
A program for notifying a device terminal to the administrator terminal for use by a device administrator using a notification condition storage means that associates a notification condition and notification availability for each of a plurality of notification items and stores them as information Because
Status information acquisition means for acquiring status information relating to the state of the device, whether the notification condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied for each notification item of the notification condition storage means based on the status information acquired by the status information acquisition means Notification condition determination means for determining whether or not, administrator notification means for performing notification regarding the device to the administrator terminal, and notification enable / disable setting means for setting the notification enable / disable by interactive communication with the device administrator A program for causing a computer to execute the realized processing,
The manager notifying means, when it is determined that the notification condition determining means satisfies the notification condition for the notification items of the notification condition storage means that are set to be required for notification, Send corresponding notification information to the administrator terminal,
The notification availability setting unit should exclude the notification of the notification item when it is determined that the notification is not necessary for the notification item of the notification condition storage unit that is set to be notified. Is sent to the administrator terminal, requesting the administrator terminal whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary, and notification is not necessary for the request. When an unnecessary response indicating that the notification item is received is received, the notification condition storage means corresponding to the notification item is set to be unnecessary.
[0039]
With this configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the device management system of the tenth aspect can be obtained.
[Invention 14]
On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the device management method of the invention 14 includes:
A method of performing device-related notification to an administrator terminal for use by a device administrator by using a notification condition storage unit that associates a notification condition and notification availability for each of a plurality of notification items and stores them as information Because
A status information acquisition step for acquiring status information related to the state of the device, and a notification condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied for each notification item of the notification condition storage unit based on the status information acquired in the status information acquisition step A notification condition determination step for determining whether or not the device has been notified, an administrator notification step for performing notification regarding the device to the administrator terminal, and a notification enable / disable setting for setting the notification enable / disable by interactive communication with the device administrator Including steps,
The notification step of the administrator, when it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied in the notification condition determination step for the notification item of the notification condition storage means that is set to be required notification, the notification item Send corresponding notification information to the administrator terminal,
In the notification availability setting step, when it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied in the notification condition determination step for the notification item of the notification condition storage means that is set to be unnecessary, the notification item When a response indicating whether notification is necessary is requested to the administrator terminal, and when a necessary response indicating that notification is necessary is received in response to the request, notification availability of the notification condition storage unit Of these, a feature corresponding to the notification item is set as necessary.
[0040]
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the device management system of aspect 1 can be obtained.
Here, the administrator notification step transmits the notification information corresponding to the notification item to the administrator terminal. The notification information may be information indicating that the notification condition is satisfied, for example. May be status information when satisfying the above, identification information for identifying the device or its related equipment, or installation location information indicating the installation location of the device or its related equipment Good. The same applies to the device management methods of inventions 15 and 16 below.
[Invention 15]
Furthermore, the device management method of the invention 15 includes:
A method of performing device-related notification to an administrator terminal for use by a device administrator by using a notification condition storage unit that associates a notification condition and notification availability for each of a plurality of notification items and stores them as information Because
A status information acquisition step for acquiring status information related to the state of the device, and a notification condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied for each notification item of the notification condition storage unit based on the status information acquired in the status information acquisition step A notification condition determination step for determining whether or not the device has been notified, an administrator notification step for performing notification regarding the device to the administrator terminal, and a notification enable / disable setting for setting the notification enable / disable by interactive communication with the device administrator Including steps,
The notification step of the administrator, when it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied in the notification condition determination step for the notification item of the notification condition storage means that is set to be required notification, the notification item Send corresponding notification information to the administrator terminal,
The notification availability setting step should add a notification of the notification item when it is determined that there is a high need for notification of notification items in the notification condition storage means that are set to be unnecessary. Is sent to the administrator terminal, requesting the administrator terminal whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary, and notification is required for the request. When a necessary response indicating the above is received, the notification condition storage means corresponding to the notification item is set as necessary.
[0041]
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the device management system of aspect 9 is obtained.
[Invention 16]
Furthermore, the device management method of the invention 16 includes:
A method of performing device-related notification to an administrator terminal for use by a device administrator by using a notification condition storage unit that associates a notification condition and notification availability for each of a plurality of notification items and stores them as information Because
A status information acquisition step for acquiring status information related to the state of the device, and a notification condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied for each notification item of the notification condition storage unit based on the status information acquired in the status information acquisition step A notification condition determination step for determining whether or not the device has been notified, an administrator notification step for performing notification regarding the device to the administrator terminal, and a notification enable / disable setting for setting the notification enable / disable by interactive communication with the device administrator Including steps,
The notification step of the administrator, when it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied in the notification condition determination step for the notification item of the notification condition storage means that is set to be required notification, the notification item Send corresponding notification information to the administrator terminal,
The notification availability setting step should exclude the notification of the notification item when it is determined that the notification is not necessary for the notification item of the notification condition storage means that is set to be notified. Is sent to the administrator terminal, requesting the administrator terminal whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary, and notification is not necessary for the request. When an unnecessary response indicating that the notification item is received, the notification condition storage means is set so as to be unnecessary corresponding to the notification item.
[0042]
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the device management system of the tenth aspect can be obtained.
[0043]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of a device management system, a device management program, and a device management method according to the present invention.
In the present embodiment, the device management system, the device management program, and the device management method according to the present invention notify the administrator terminal 200 of a failure related to the network printer 100, and notifies the administrator terminal 200 by interactive communication with the printer administrator. This is applied when changing items.
[0044]
First, an outline of a network system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a functional conceptual diagram showing an outline of a network system to which the present invention is applied.
In FIG. 1, a network printer 100 and an administrator terminal 200 for use by a printer administrator are connected via the Internet 199. In order to facilitate understanding of the invention, only one administrator terminal 200 is shown, but in reality, a large number of administrator terminals 200 are connected to the Internet 199.
[0045]
The network printer 100 includes a status information storage unit 10 that stores status information regarding the status of the network printer 100, a notification setting file storage unit 12 that stores a notification setting file in which notification conditions and other items are registered for each notification item, The communication unit 14 communicates with the administrator terminal 200 via the Internet 199, and the state monitoring unit 16 monitors the state of the network printer 100.
[0046]
The status monitoring unit 16 is based on the status information acquisition unit 18 that acquires status information from the status information storage unit 10 at a predetermined cycle, the status information acquired by the status information acquisition unit 18, and the notification setting file of the notification setting file storage unit 12. The failure notification unit 20 is configured to notify the administrator terminal 200 of a failure notification related to the network printer 100.
[0047]
The failure notification unit 20 includes a state determination unit 22 that determines the state of the network printer 100 at a predetermined cycle based on the status information and the notification setting file, and a failure notification related to a failure of the network printer 100 based on the determination result of the state determination unit 22. Based on the notification information transmitting unit 24 that transmits information to the administrator terminal 200, the notification setting instruction receiving unit 26 that receives a notification setting instruction from the administrator terminal 200, and the notification setting instruction received by the notification setting instruction receiving unit 26 And a notification setting file editing unit 28 for editing the notification setting file.
[0048]
The administrator terminal 200 transmits a notification setting instruction to the communication unit 30 that communicates with the network printer 100 via the Internet 199, a notification information reception unit 32 that receives failure notification information from the network printer 100, and the network printer 100. And a notification setting instruction transmission unit 34.
Next, a more specific configuration of the network printer 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0049]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the network printer 100.
As shown in FIG. 2, the network printer 100 includes a CPU 50 that controls operations and the entire system based on a control program, a ROM 52 that stores a control program for the CPU 50 in a predetermined area, and data read from the ROM 52 and the like. And a RAM 54 for storing calculation results required in the calculation process of the CPU 50, and an I / F 58 for mediating input / output of data to / from an external device, which are signals for transferring data The buses 59 are connected to each other so as to be able to exchange data.
[0050]
The I / F 58 includes, as external devices, an operation panel 60 that can input and display data as a human interface, a storage device 62 that stores data, tables, and the like as files, and a printing device that performs printing based on print data. 64 and a signal line for connecting to the Internet 199 are connected.
The storage device 62 stores an MIB database as the status information storage unit 10 and a notification setting file 400.
[0051]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the data structure of the notification setting file 400.
As shown in FIG. 3, the notification setting file 400 is a file in which notification conditions and notification availability are registered in association with each notification item. The notification setting file 400 has one record for each notification item. It is registered. Each record includes a field 402 in which a notification item name is registered, a field 404 in which an acquisition destination of status information in the MIB database is registered, a field 406 in which notification conditions are registered, and a field 408 in which a notification switch indicating whether notification is possible is registered. , A field 410 in which a notification history indicating the number of notifications to the printer administrator is registered, and a field 412 in which a notification destination of failure notification information is registered.
[0052]
In the example of FIG. 3, the first-stage record includes “paper jam” as the notification item name, “MIB: 1.3.6.1.2.1.1.1.1” as the status information acquisition destination, and “Value” as the notification condition. = “1”, “ON” as the notification switch, “0 times” as the notification history, and “admin@admin.co.jp” as the notification destination are registered. This is because status information indicating whether or not a paper jam has occurred can be acquired from the address “1.3.6.1.2.1.1.1.1” of the MIB database, and the value of the acquired status information is “1” (“ "1" is a value indicating that a paper jam has occurred), it indicates that failure notification information is transmitted to the administrator terminal 200. This notification item needs to be notified to the printer administrator, and the mail address of the notification destination is “admin@admin.co.jp”.
[0053]
The CPU 50 comprises a microprocessing unit (MPU) or the like, starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 52, and executes the failure notification process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 according to the program. .
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the failure notification process.
[0054]
The failure notification process is a process of notifying the administrator terminal 200 of a failure regarding the network printer 100 based on the status information and the notification setting file 400, and when executed in the CPU 50, as shown in FIG. First, the process proceeds to step S100.
In step S100, when the notification setting file 400 is read and the process proceeds to step S102, it is determined whether or not the notification determination timing (for example, once every several days) has been reached, and it is determined that the notification determination timing has been reached. (Yes) sets the first one of the notification items in the notification setting file 400 as the target notification item, and proceeds to step S104.
[0055]
In step S104, status information corresponding to the target notification item is acquired from the MIB database based on the notification setting file 400, and the process proceeds to step S106, where the target notification item is acquired based on the acquired status information and the notification setting file 400. It is determined whether the notification condition corresponding to is satisfied, and when it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied (Yes), the process proceeds to step S108.
[0056]
In step S108, it is determined whether or not the notification switch corresponding to the target notification item is ON based on the notification setting file 400. If it is determined that the notification switch is ON (Yes), the process proceeds to step S110. Then, based on the notification setting file 400, the failure notification information is transmitted to the notification destination corresponding to the target notification item. The failure notification information includes, for example, the status information acquired in step S104. Hereinafter, in step S116, it is the same.
[0057]
Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S112, and “1” is added to the notification history of the notification setting file 400 corresponding to the target notification item. The process proceeds to step S114, and the target notification item is based on the notification setting file 400. It is determined whether or not the notification switch corresponding to is OFF and the notification history is 0, and when it is determined that the notification switch is OFF and the notification history is 0 (Yes), the process proceeds to step S116. .
[0058]
In step S116, based on the notification setting file 400, the failure notification information and a notification setting instruction request for requesting a response indicating whether notification of the target notification item is necessary are transmitted to the notification destination corresponding to the target notification item. Then, the process proceeds to step S118, "1" is added to the notification history in the notification setting file 400 corresponding to the target notification item, and the process proceeds to step S120.
[0059]
In step S120, a notification setting instruction that is a response from the administrator terminal 200 is received, and the process proceeds to step S122, in which it is determined whether or not the received notification setting instruction is a necessary response indicating that notification is necessary. If it is determined that the notification setting instruction is a necessary response (Yes), the process proceeds to step S124, and the notification switch of the notification setting file 400 corresponding to the target notification item is set to ON. The process proceeds to S126.
[0060]
In step S126, it is determined whether or not the processing of steps S104 to S124 has been completed for all the notification items in the notification setting file 400. When it is determined that the processing has been completed for all the notification items (Yes), End the process and return to the original process.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S126 that the processing in steps S104 to S124 is not completed for all notification items in the notification setting file 400 (No), the following items among the notification items in the notification setting file 400 are subject notification items. And the process proceeds to step S104.
[0061]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S122 that the received notification setting instruction is not a necessary response (No), in step S114, it is determined that the notification switch corresponding to the target notification item is ON or the notification history is not zero (No). ), And when it is determined in step S106 that the notification condition corresponding to the target notification item is not satisfied (No), the process proceeds to step S126.
[0062]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S108 that the notification switch corresponding to the target notification item is not ON (No), the process proceeds to step S114.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S102 that the notification determination timing is not reached (No), the process waits in step S102 until the notification determination timing is reached.
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
[0063]
In the network printer 100, at the notification determination timing, the status information corresponding to the target notification item is acquired from the MIB database through steps S104 and S106, and the target notification item is based on the acquired status information and the notification setting file 400. It is determined whether or not a notification condition corresponding to is satisfied. As a result, when it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied, it is determined through step S108 whether or not the notification switch corresponding to the target notification item is ON. As a result, if it is determined that the notification switch is ON, the failure notification information is transmitted by e-mail or the like to the notification destination corresponding to the target notification item through steps S110 and S112, and the notification history of the notification setting file 400 is stored. Among them, “1” is added to the item corresponding to the target notification item.
[0064]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display screen displaying the failure notification information.
When the administrator terminal 200 receives the failure notification information, the received failure notification information is displayed on a display device such as a display as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 5, the remaining amount of toner specified by the acquired status information is 30% or less (15% in the example of FIG. 5), with the notification item of the third record in FIG. 3 as the target notification item. In this case, the contents of the failure notification displayed on the administrator terminal 200 are shown. As a result, the printer administrator can grasp that a failure has occurred in the network printer 100 and the content of the failure.
[0065]
If it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied, the network printer 100 determines whether or not the notification switch corresponding to the target notification item is OFF and the notification history is 0 times through step S114. As a result, when it is determined that the notification switch is OFF and the notification history is zero, a request is made through steps S116 and S118 to determine whether failure notification information and notification of the target notification item are required. The notification setting instruction request to be transmitted is transmitted to the notification destination corresponding to the target notification item by e-mail or the like, and “1” is added to the notification history of the notification setting file 400 corresponding to the target notification item.
[0066]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display screen displaying the failure notification information and the notification setting instruction request.
When the administrator terminal 200 receives the failure notification information and the notification setting instruction request, the received failure notification information and the notification setting instruction request are displayed on a display device such as a display as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 6, the notification temperature of the sixth record in FIG. 3 is the target notification item, and the heater temperature specified by the acquired status information is 80 ° C. or higher (95 ° C. in the example of FIG. 6). The contents of the failure notification displayed on the administrator terminal 200 are shown. In the display screen of FIG. 6, a button 600 for inputting a necessary response indicating that notification of the target notification item is necessary in the future and an unnecessary response indicating that notification of the target notification item is unnecessary in the future are input. Button 602 to be displayed.
[0067]
Here, the printer administrator receives a notification setting instruction request, and when the notification of the target notification item is necessary, the printer administrator inputs a necessary response by clicking the button 600. In the administrator terminal 200, when the button 600 is clicked, a notification setting instruction indicating a necessary response is transmitted to the network printer 100.
When the network printer 100 receives the notification setting instruction indicating the necessary response, the notification switch corresponding to the target notification item among the notification switches of the notification setting file 400 is set to ON through step S124.
[0068]
Such processing is performed for all notification items in the notification setting file 400. That is, for notification items for which the notification switch is set to ON, failure notification information is transmitted when the notification condition is satisfied. For notification items for which the notification switch is set to OFF, failure notification information and a notification setting designation request are transmitted when the notification condition is satisfied, and the notification switch for those for which the printer administrator has made a necessary response Is set to ON.
[0069]
In this way, in the present embodiment, the network printer 100 acquires the status information regarding its own state, and the notification corresponding to the notification item for each notification item of the notification setting file 400 based on the acquired status information. It is determined whether the condition is satisfied, and when it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied for the notification item of the notification setting file 400 in which the notification switch is set to OFF, the failure notification information and the notification setting instruction request are transmitted. When a necessary response is received in response to a notification setting instruction request transmitted to the administrator terminal 200, the notification switch of the notification setting file 400 corresponding to the notification item is set to ON.
[0070]
Thus, the printer administrator receives the notification setting instruction request and examines whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary. If the notification is necessary, the printer administrator transmits a necessary response in response to the notification setting instruction request. Just do it. The notification items for which the printer administrator has made the necessary response are notified from the next time onward, so that the notification items can be changed relatively easily as compared with the conventional case.
[0071]
In the first embodiment, the storage device 62 corresponds to the notification condition storage means of the invention 1, 11 or 14, and step S104 is the status information acquisition means of the invention 1 or 11, or the status information acquisition of the invention 14. Corresponding to the step, step S106 corresponds to the notification condition determining means of the invention 1 or 11, or the notification condition determining step of the invention 14. Step S110 corresponds to the administrator notifying means of the invention 1 or 11, or the administrator notifying step of the invention 14, and the steps S116, S120 to S124 are the notification enable / disable setting means of the invention 1 or 11, or the invention 14 of the invention 14. This corresponds to the notification availability setting step.
[0072]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 7 to 12 are diagrams showing a second embodiment of the device management system, the device management program, and the device management method according to the present invention.
In the present embodiment, the device management system, the device management program, and the device management method according to the present invention notify the administrator terminal 200 of a failure related to the network printer 100, and notifies the administrator terminal 200 by interactive communication with the printer administrator. The present invention is applied to the case of changing items, and differs from the first embodiment in that it proposes addition and exclusion of notification items according to the necessity of notification. Hereinafter, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described, and the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0073]
The storage device 62 stores a notification setting file 500 instead of the notification setting file 400.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the data structure of the notification setting file 500.
As shown in FIG. 7, the notification setting file 500 is a file in which notification conditions, notification availability, notification addition conditions, and notification exclusion conditions are registered in association with each notification item. One record is registered for each notification item. Each record includes a field 502 in which a notification item name is registered, a field 504 in which a status information acquisition destination is registered, a field 506 in which a notification condition is registered, a field 508 in which a notification switch is registered, and a field in which a notification history is registered. 510, a field 512 in which the notification destination of the failure notification information is registered, a field 514 in which the failure occurrence frequency is registered, and a field 516 in which notification addition conditions and notification exclusion conditions are registered.
[0074]
In the example of FIG. 7, the first record includes “paper jam” as the notification item name, “MIB: 1.3.6.1.2.1.1.1.1” as the status information acquisition destination, and “Value” as the notification condition. = “1”, “ON” as the notification switch, “0 times” as the notification history, “admin@admin.co.jp” as the notification destination, “2 times / month” as the occurrence frequency As an additional condition, “when the notification switch is OFF, the frequency of occurrence is 10 times / month or more and when the notification history is 0”, the additional condition is “when the notification switch is ON, the frequency of occurrence is 3 times / “Exclusion proposals for less than a month” are registered. This is because status information indicating whether or not a paper jam has occurred can be acquired from the address “1.3.6.1.2.1.1.1.1” of the MIB database, and the value of the acquired status information is “1” (“ "1" is a value indicating that a paper jam has occurred), it indicates that failure notification information is transmitted to the administrator terminal 200. In addition, it is necessary to notify the printer administrator about this notification item, the frequency of occurrence so far is twice per month, and the email address of the notification destination is “admin@admin.co.jp”. Show. Furthermore, for this notification item, when the notification switch is set to OFF, when the occurrence frequency is 10 times / month or more and the notification history is 0, the addition of this notification item is proposed. When the notification switch is set to ON and the occurrence frequency is 3 times / month or less, it indicates that the notification item is proposed to be excluded.
[0075]
The CPU 50 includes a microprocessing unit (MPU) or the like, starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 52, and replaces the failure notification process shown in the flowchart of FIG. The failure notification process and the notification exclusion proposal process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 are executed.
[0076]
First, the failure notification process will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the failure notification process.
In the failure notification processing, failure notification related to the network printer 100 is sent to the administrator terminal 200 based on the status information and the notification setting file 500, and there is a high necessity for notification of notification items for which notification is set to be unnecessary. When it is determined, it is a process for proposing addition of a notification item, and when it is executed by the CPU 50, as shown in FIG. 8, first, the process proceeds to step S200.
[0077]
In step S200, the notification setting file 500 is read, and the process proceeds to step S202 to determine whether or not the notification determination timing is reached. When it is determined that the notification determination timing is reached (Yes), the notification setting file 500 is notified. The top item is set as the target notification item, and the process proceeds to step S204.
In step S204, status information corresponding to the target notification item is acquired from the MIB database based on the notification setting file 500, and the process proceeds to step S206, where the target notification item is acquired based on the acquired status information and the notification setting file 500. It is determined whether or not the notification condition corresponding to is satisfied, and when it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied (Yes), the process proceeds to step S208.
[0078]
In step S208, “1” is added to the notification history of the notification setting file 500 corresponding to the target notification item and the occurrence frequency of the notification setting file 500 corresponding to the target notification item, and the process proceeds to step S210. Then, it is determined whether or not the notification switch corresponding to the target notification item is ON, and when it is determined that the notification switch is ON (Yes), the process proceeds to step S212 and is based on the notification setting file 500. The failure notification information is transmitted to the notification destination corresponding to the target notification item. The failure notification information includes, for example, the status information acquired in step S204.
[0079]
Next, the process proceeds to step S214, where it is determined whether the notification switch corresponding to the target notification item is OFF and the notification addition condition is satisfied, and when it is determined that the notification switch is OFF and the notification addition condition is satisfied (Yes ) Is transferred to step S216, and based on the notification setting file 500, the notification additional proposal information indicating that the notification of the target notification item should be added, and the response indicating whether the notification of the target notification item is required A notification setting instruction request for requesting is sent to the notification destination corresponding to the target notification item, and the process proceeds to step S218.
[0080]
In step S218, a notification setting instruction that is a response from the administrator terminal 200 is received, and the process proceeds to step S220 to determine whether or not the received notification setting instruction is a necessary response, and the notification setting instruction is a necessary response. If it is determined (Yes), the process proceeds to step S222, the notification switch of the notification setting file 500 corresponding to the target notification item is set to ON, and the process proceeds to step S224.
[0081]
In step S224, it is determined whether or not the processing of steps S204 to S222 has been completed for all the notification items of the notification setting file 500. When it is determined that the processing has been completed for all the notification items (Yes), a series of steps are performed. End the process and return to the original process.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S224 that the processing of steps S204 to S222 is not completed for all notification items in the notification setting file 500 (No), the following notification items in the notification setting file 500 are selected as target notification items. And the process proceeds to step S204.
[0082]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S220 that the received notification setting instruction is not a required response (No), in step S214, when it is determined that the notification switch corresponding to the target notification item is ON or the notification additional condition is not satisfied (No ), And when it is determined in step S206 that the notification condition corresponding to the target notification item is not satisfied (No), the process proceeds to step S224.
[0083]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S210 that the notification switch corresponding to the target notification item is not ON (No), the process proceeds to step S214.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S202 that the notification determination timing is not reached (No), the process waits in step S202 until the notification determination timing is reached.
Next, the notification exclusion proposal process will be described with reference to FIG.
[0084]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the notification exclusion proposal process.
The notification exclusion proposal process is a process for proposing the exclusion of a notification item when it is determined that there is a low necessity for notification for a notification item for which notification is set to be necessary. As shown in FIG. 3, first, the process proceeds to step S300.
[0085]
In step S300, the notification setting file 500 is read, and the process proceeds to step S302 to determine whether or not an exclusion proposal timing has been reached (for example, once every several months). (Yes) sets the first one of the notification items in the notification setting file 500 as the target notification item, and proceeds to step S304.
[0086]
In step S304, status information corresponding to the target notification item is acquired from the MIB database based on the notification setting file 500, and the process proceeds to step S306, where the target notification item is acquired based on the acquired status information and the notification setting file 500. It is determined whether or not the notification condition corresponding to is satisfied, and when it is determined that the notification condition is not satisfied (No), the process proceeds to step S308.
[0087]
In step S308, it is determined whether the notification switch corresponding to the target notification item is ON and the notification exclusion condition is satisfied. When it is determined that the notification switch is ON and the notification exclusion condition is satisfied (Yes), step S310 is performed. , And notification setting request requesting a response indicating whether or not notification of the target notification item is necessary based on the notification setting file 500, and notification exclusion proposal information indicating that the notification of the target notification item should be excluded The instruction request is transmitted to the notification destination corresponding to the target notification item, and the process proceeds to step S312.
[0088]
In step S312, a notification setting instruction which is a response from the administrator terminal 200 is received, and the process proceeds to step S314, where it is determined whether or not the received notification setting instruction is an unnecessary response indicating that notification is unnecessary. If it is determined that the notification setting instruction is an unnecessary response (Yes), the process proceeds to step S316, and the notification switch of the notification setting file 500 corresponding to the target notification item is set to OFF. The process proceeds to S318.
[0089]
In step S318, it is determined whether or not the processing of steps S304 to S316 has been completed for all the notification items of the notification setting file 500. When it is determined that the processing has been completed for all the notification items (Yes), a series of steps are performed. End the process and return to the original process.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S318 that the processing in steps S304 to S316 is not completed for all the notification items in the notification setting file 500 (No), the following items among the notification items in the notification setting file 500 are subject notification items. And the process proceeds to step S304.
[0090]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S314 that the received notification setting instruction is not an unnecessary response (No), in step S308, when it is determined that the notification switch corresponding to the target notification item is OFF or the notification exclusion condition is not satisfied (No ) And when it is determined in step S306 that the notification condition corresponding to the target notification item is satisfied (Yes), the process proceeds to step S318.
[0091]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S302 that the exclusion proposal timing is not reached (No), the process waits in step S302 until the exclusion proposal timing is reached.
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
In the network printer 100, at the notification determination timing, the status information corresponding to the target notification item is acquired from the MIB database through steps S204 and S206, and the target notification item is based on the acquired status information and the notification setting file 500. It is determined whether or not a notification condition corresponding to is satisfied. As a result, if it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied, it corresponds to the target notification item in the notification history of the notification setting file 500 and the occurrence frequency of the notification setting file 500 through step S208. "1" is added to each to-do. Next, through step S210, it is determined whether or not the notification switch corresponding to the target notification item is ON. As a result, when it is determined that the notification switch is ON, the failure notification information is transmitted by e-mail or the like to the notification destination corresponding to the target notification item through step S212.
[0092]
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display screen displaying the failure notification information.
When the administrator terminal 200 receives the failure notification information, the received failure notification information is displayed on a display device such as a display as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 10, the remaining amount of toner specified by the acquired status information is 30% or less (15% in the example of FIG. 10) with the notification item of the third record in FIG. 7 as the target notification item. In this case, the contents of the failure notification displayed on the administrator terminal 200 are shown. As a result, the printer administrator can grasp that a failure has occurred in the network printer 100 and the content of the failure.
[0093]
If it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied, the network printer 100 determines whether the notification switch corresponding to the target notification item is OFF and the notification addition condition is satisfied through step S214. As a result, if it is determined that the notification switch is OFF and the notification addition condition is satisfied, notification additional proposal information indicating that the notification of the target notification item should be added and notification of the target notification item are required via step S216. A notification setting instruction request for requesting a response as to whether or not is sent to the notification destination corresponding to the target notification item by e-mail or the like.
[0094]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display screen displaying the notification addition proposal information and the notification setting instruction request.
When the administrator terminal 200 receives the notification addition proposal information and the notification setting instruction request, the received notification addition proposal information and the notification setting instruction request are displayed on a display device such as a display as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 11, the heater temperature specified by the acquired status information is 80 ° C. or higher (95 ° C. in the example of FIG. 11) with the notification item of the sixth record in FIG. 7 as the target notification item. The contents of the failure notification displayed on the administrator terminal 200 are shown. In addition, in the display screen of FIG. 11, a button 604 for inputting a necessary response indicating that notification of the target notification item is necessary in the future and an unnecessary response indicating that notification of the target notification item is not required in the future are input. Button 606 is displayed.
[0095]
Here, the printer administrator receives a notification setting instruction request, and if a notification of the target notification item is necessary, the printer administrator inputs a necessary response by clicking a button 604. In the administrator terminal 200, when the button 604 is clicked, a notification setting instruction indicating a necessary response is transmitted to the network printer 100.
When the network printer 100 receives a notification setting instruction indicating a necessary response, the notification switch of the notification setting file 500 corresponding to the target notification item is set to ON through step S222.
[0096]
Such processing is performed for all notification items in the notification setting file 500. That is, for notification items for which the notification switch is set to OFF, notification additional proposal information and notification setting designation request are transmitted when the notification condition and notification additional condition are satisfied, and the printer administrator makes a necessary response For those, the notification switch is set to ON.
[0097]
Further, in the network printer 100, at the exclusion proposal timing, the status information corresponding to the target notification item is acquired from the MIB database through steps S304 and S306, and the target information is acquired based on the acquired status information and the notification setting file 500. It is determined whether the notification condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied. As a result, if it is determined that the notification condition is not satisfied, it is determined through step S308 whether the notification switch corresponding to the target notification item is ON and the notification exclusion condition is satisfied. As a result, if it is determined that the notification switch is ON and the notification exclusion condition is satisfied, notification exclusion proposal information indicating that notification of the target notification item should be excluded and notification of the target notification item are required via step S310. A notification setting instruction request for requesting a response as to whether or not is sent to the notification destination corresponding to the target notification item by e-mail or the like.
[0098]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display screen that displays notification exclusion proposal information and a notification setting instruction request.
When the administrator terminal 200 receives the notification exclusion proposal information and the notification setting instruction request, as shown in FIG. 12, the received notification exclusion proposal information and the notification setting instruction request are displayed on a display device such as a display. The example of FIG. 12 shows a failure displayed on the administrator terminal 200 when the notification item of the first record in FIG. 7 is the target notification item and the occurrence frequency of paper jam is 3 times / month or less. Shows the contents of the notification. In addition, in the display screen of FIG. 12, a button 610 for inputting a necessary response indicating that notification of the target notification item is necessary in the future and an unnecessary response indicating that notification of the target notification item is unnecessary in the future are input. Button 608 is displayed.
[0099]
Here, when the printer administrator receives the notification setting instruction request and considers that notification of the target notification item is unnecessary, the printer administrator inputs an unnecessary response by clicking a button 608. In the administrator terminal 200, when the button 608 is clicked, a notification setting instruction indicating an unnecessary response is transmitted to the network printer 100.
When the network printer 100 receives a notification setting instruction indicating an unnecessary response, the notification switch of the notification setting file 500 corresponding to the target notification item is set to OFF through step S316.
[0100]
Such processing is performed for all notification items in the notification setting file 500. In other words, for notification items for which the notification switch is set to ON, notification exclusion proposal information and a notification setting designation request are transmitted when the notification condition is not satisfied and the notification exclusion condition is satisfied, and the printer administrator responds with an unnecessary response. The notification switch is set to OFF for those that have performed.
[0101]
In this way, in the present embodiment, the network printer 100 acquires status information regarding its own state, and the notification corresponding to the notification item for each notification item of the notification setting file 500 based on the acquired status information. It is determined whether the condition is satisfied, and when it is determined that the notification addition condition is satisfied for the notification item of the notification setting file 500 in which the notification switch is set to OFF, the notification additional proposal information and the notification setting instruction When a request is transmitted to the administrator terminal 200 and a necessary response is received in response to the notification setting instruction request, the notification switch of the notification setting file 500 corresponding to the notification item is set to ON. Yes.
[0102]
As a result, the printer administrator receives the notification addition proposal information, examines whether notification of the notification item is necessary, and if notification is necessary, transmits a necessary response in response to the notification setting instruction request. Just do it. For notification items for which the printer administrator has made a necessary response, notifications for the next and subsequent times will be newly performed. Therefore, notification items that have a higher need for notification than before are added. It can be done relatively easily. Further, only by setting a notification addition condition, a notification item can be added relatively easily for the notification item.
[0103]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the notification addition condition includes that the occurrence frequency indicating the frequency at which it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.
Even if the notification item has the notification switch set to OFF, it is considered that there is a high necessity for notification if the occurrence frequency is not less than a predetermined value. Therefore, it is possible to relatively reliably specify a notification item having a high necessity for notification and relatively easily add a notification item for such a notification item.
[0104]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the notification addition condition includes that a notification history indicating the number of times the failure notification information has been transmitted is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
Even if a notification item has a notification switch set to OFF, a notification item having a past notification history of a predetermined value or more is considered to have a high necessity for notification. Therefore, it is possible to relatively reliably specify a notification item having a high necessity for notification and relatively easily add a notification item for such a notification item.
[0105]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the network printer 100 acquires status information regarding its own state, and satisfies the notification condition corresponding to the notification item for each notification item of the notification setting file 500 based on the acquired status information. If it is determined that the notification exclusion condition is satisfied for the notification item of the notification setting file 500 in which the notification switch is set to ON, the notification exclusion proposal information and the notification setting instruction request are managed. When an unnecessary response is received in response to the notification setting instruction request transmitted to the user terminal 200, the notification switch of the notification setting file 500 corresponding to the notification item is set to OFF.
[0106]
As a result, the printer manager receives the notification exclusion proposal information and examines whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary. If notification is not necessary, the printer administrator transmits an unnecessary response in response to the notification setting instruction request. Just do it. Since notification items for which an unnecessary response has been made by the printer administrator will not be sent from the next time, it is relatively easy to exclude notification items for notification items whose need for notification is lower than in the past. It can be carried out. Further, by setting a notification exclusion condition, it is possible to relatively easily exclude a notification item for the notification item.
[0107]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the notification exclusion condition includes that the occurrence frequency indicating the frequency at which it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
Even if the notification item is set to ON, even if the notification frequency is not more than a predetermined value, it is considered that the necessity of notification is low. Therefore, it is possible to relatively reliably specify a notification item with a low necessity for notification and relatively easily exclude the notification item from such a notification item.
[0108]
In the second embodiment, the storage device 62 corresponds to the notification condition storage means of the invention 2, 3, 9, 12 or 15, and step S204 is the status information acquisition means of the invention 9 or 12, or the invention 15 Step S206 corresponds to the notification condition determination means of the invention 4, 9 or 12, or the notification condition determination step of the invention 15. Step S212 corresponds to the administrator notification means of the invention 9 or 12, or the administrator notification step of the invention 15, step S214 corresponds to the notification additional condition determination means of the invention 3, and steps S216 to S222 are This corresponds to the notification enable / disable setting means of the invention 2, 3, 5, 9 or 12, or the notification enable / disable setting step of the invention 15.
[0109]
In the second embodiment, the storage device 62 corresponds to the notification condition storage means of the invention 6, 7, 10, 13 or 16, and the steps S204 and S304 are the status information acquisition means of the invention 10 or 13, or Corresponding to the status information acquisition step of the invention 16, steps S206 and S306 correspond to the notification condition determining means of the invention 8, 10, or 13, or the notification condition determining step of the invention 16. Step S212 corresponds to the administrator notification means of the invention 10 or 13, or the administrator notification step of the invention 16, step S308 corresponds to the notification exclusion condition determination means of the invention 7, and steps S310 to S316 are: This corresponds to the notification enable / disable setting means of the invention 6, 7, 10 or 13, or the notification enable / disable setting step of the invention 16.
[0110]
In the first embodiment, when it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied for the notification item of the notification setting file 400 for which the notification switch is set to OFF, the failure notification information and the notification setting instruction When a request is transmitted to the administrator terminal 200 and a necessary response is received in response to a notification setting instruction request, the notification switch of the notification setting file 400 corresponding to the notification item is set to ON. However, not limited to this, when it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied for the notification item of the notification setting file 400 for which the notification switch is set to ON, the failure notification information and the notification setting instruction request are sent to the administrator terminal. When an unnecessary response is received in response to the notification setting instruction request, the notification setting file 400 includes a notification switch. It is also possible to configure the one corresponding to the notification item to set to OFF.
[0111]
In the first and second embodiments, the network printer 100 is provided with a function corresponding to the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, FIG. 8, or FIG. 9. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A printer management server that manages 100 can be connected to the Internet 199, and a function corresponding to the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, 8, or 9 can be provided in the printer management server. In this case, the above functions may be appropriately classified in consideration of traffic volume, processing load, etc., and some functions may be provided in the network printer 100 and the remaining functions may be provided in the printer management server.
[0112]
In the first and second embodiments, the network printer 100 is exemplified as a device to be monitored. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a network scanner, a home gateway, a network compatible projector, a digital camera, a digital Video camera, personal computer, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), network storage, audio equipment, mobile phone, PHS (registered trademark) (Personal Handyphone System), watch-type PDA, POS (Point Of Sale) terminal, copier, FAX machine, Telephones (including IP telephones), exchanges, NCUs (Network Control Units), and other network compatible devices can be monitored.
[0113]
Further, in the first and second embodiments, the case where the control program stored in advance in the ROM 52 is executed when executing the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4, 8, and 9 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the program may be read into the RAM 54 and executed from a storage medium storing the program showing these procedures.
[0114]
Here, the storage medium is a semiconductor storage medium such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic storage type storage medium such as FD or HD, an optical reading type storage medium such as CD, CDV, LD, or DVD, or a magnetic storage type such as MO. / Optical reading type storage media, including any storage media that can be read by a computer regardless of electronic, magnetic, optical, or other reading methods.
[0115]
In the first and second embodiments, the case where the device management system, the device management program, and the device management method according to the present invention are applied to a network system including the Internet 199 has been described. For example, the present invention may be applied to a so-called intranet that performs communication in the same manner as the Internet 199. Of course, the present invention is not limited to a network that performs communication in the same manner as the Internet 199, and can be applied to a normal network.
[0116]
In the first and second embodiments, the device management system, the device management program, and the device management method according to the present invention perform failure notification regarding the network printer 100 to the administrator terminal 200, and the printer Although applied to the case where the notification item is changed by interactive communication with the administrator, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other cases without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional conceptual diagram showing an outline of a network system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network printer 100. FIG.
3 is a diagram showing a data structure of a notification setting file 400. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a failure notification process.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen on which failure notification information is displayed.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display screen on which failure notification information and a notification setting instruction request are displayed.
7 is a diagram showing a data structure of a notification setting file 500. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a failure notification process.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing notification exclusion proposal processing;
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen displaying failure notification information.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display screen displaying notification addition proposal information and a notification setting instruction request;
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display screen that displays notification exclusion proposal information and a notification setting instruction request;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Network printer, 10 ... Status memory | storage part, 12 ... Notification setting file memory | storage part, 14 ... Communication part, 16 ... Status monitoring part, 18 ... Status information acquisition part, 20 ... Fault notification part, 22 ... State determination part, 24 ... notification information transmitting unit, 26 ... notification setting instruction receiving unit, 28 ... notification setting file editing unit, 50 ... CPU, 52 ... ROM, 54 ... RAM, 58 ... I / F, 59 ... bus, 60 ... operation panel, 62 ... Storage device, 64 ... Printing device, 400, 500 ... Notification setting file, 402-412, 502-516 ... Field, 600-610 ... Button, 200 ... Administrator terminal, 30 ... Communication unit, 32 ... Notification information receiving unit , 34 ... Notification setting instruction transmission unit, 199 ... Internet

Claims (12)

A system for notifying a device to an administrator terminal for use by a device administrator.
Status information acquisition means for acquiring status information related to the state of the device, notification condition storage means for associating a notification condition and notification availability for each of a plurality of notification items, and storing them as information, and the status information acquisition A notification condition determination unit that determines whether or not a notification condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied for each notification item in the notification condition storage unit based on the status information acquired by the unit, and a notification regarding the device An administrator notification means for the terminal, and a notification enable / disable setting means for setting the notification enable / disable by interactive communication with the device administrator,
The manager notifying unit determines that the notification condition determination unit determines that the notification condition is satisfied for a notification item stored in the notification condition storage unit , and the notification condition determining unit determines that the notification condition is satisfied. Send corresponding notification information to the administrator terminal,
The notification availability setting means should add notification of the notification item when it is determined that there is a high need for notification of notification items in the notification condition storage means that are not set as notification targets. Is sent to the administrator terminal, requesting the administrator terminal whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary, and notification is required for the request. When a necessary response indicating the above is received , the device management system is configured to set a notification target in the notification condition storage unit corresponding to the notification item .   In claim 1,
  The notification condition storage means associates the notification condition, the notification availability and the notification additional condition in association with each notification item, and stores them as information,
  Furthermore, for each notification item of the notification condition storage means, provided with a notification additional condition determination means for determining whether a notification additional condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied,
  The notification availability setting means, when it is determined by the notification addition condition determination means that the notification addition condition is satisfied for the notification items of the notification condition storage means that are not set as notification targets, Notification addition proposal information indicating that an item notification should be added is transmitted to the administrator terminal, and a response as to whether notification of the notification item is necessary is requested to the administrator terminal. A device management system.   In claim 2,
  The device management system, wherein the notification addition condition includes a frequency at which the notification condition determination unit determines that the notification condition is satisfied is a predetermined frequency or more.   In any of claims 2 and 3,
  The device addition system, wherein the notification addition condition includes that the number of times the notification information is transmitted by the notification availability setting unit is a predetermined number or more.   In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
  The notification availability setting unit should exclude notification of the notification item when it is determined that the notification is not necessary for the notification item of the notification condition storage unit that is set as a notification target. Is sent to the administrator terminal, requesting the administrator terminal whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary, and notification is not necessary for the request. When an unnecessary response indicating this is received, a device management system is configured to exclude the notification condition storage means corresponding to the notification item from the notification target.   In claim 5,
  The notification condition storage means associates the notification condition, the notification availability and the notification exclusion condition in association with each notification item, and stores them as information.
  Furthermore, for each notification item of the notification condition storage means, a notification exclusion condition determination unit that determines whether or not a notification exclusion condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied,
  The notification enable / disable setting means, when it is determined by the notification exclusion condition determination means that the notification exclusion condition determination means satisfies the notification exclusion condition, among the notification items of the notification condition storage means, the notification Notification exclusion proposal information indicating that notification of an item should be excluded is transmitted to the administrator terminal, and a response as to whether notification of the notification item is necessary is requested to the administrator terminal. A device management system.   In claim 6,
  The device management system, wherein the notification exclusion condition includes a frequency at which the notification condition determination unit determines that the notification condition is satisfied is equal to or less than a predetermined value.   A system for notifying an administrator terminal for use by a device administrator about a device,
  Status information acquisition means for acquiring status information related to the state of the device, notification condition storage means for associating a notification condition and notification availability for each of a plurality of notification items, and storing them as information, and the status information acquisition A notification condition determination unit that determines whether or not a notification condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied for each notification item in the notification condition storage unit based on the status information acquired by the unit, and a notification regarding the device An administrator notification means for the terminal, and a notification enable / disable setting means for setting the notification enable / disable by interactive communication with the device administrator,
  The manager notifying unit determines that the notification condition determination unit determines that the notification condition is satisfied for a notification item stored in the notification condition storage unit, and the notification condition determining unit determines that the notification condition is satisfied. Send corresponding notification information to the administrator terminal,
  The notification availability setting unit should exclude notification of the notification item when it is determined that the notification is not necessary for the notification item of the notification condition storage unit that is set as a notification target. Is sent to the administrator terminal, requesting the administrator terminal whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary, and notification is not necessary for the request. When an unnecessary response indicating this is received, a device management system is configured to exclude the notification condition storage means corresponding to the notification item from the notification target.   A program that notifies a device to an administrator terminal for use by a device administrator using a notification condition storage unit that associates a notification condition and notification availability for each of a plurality of notification items and stores them as information Because
  Status information acquisition means for acquiring status information relating to the state of the device, whether the notification condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied for each notification item of the notification condition storage means based on the status information acquired by the status information acquisition means Notification condition determination means for determining whether or not, administrator notification means for performing notification regarding the device to the administrator terminal, and notification enable / disable setting means for setting the notification availability by interactive communication with the device administrator A program for causing a computer to execute the realized processing,
  The manager notifying unit determines that the notification condition determination unit determines that the notification condition is satisfied for a notification item stored in the notification condition storage unit, and the notification condition determining unit determines that the notification condition is satisfied. Send corresponding notification information to the administrator terminal,
  The notification availability setting means should add notification of the notification item when it is determined that there is a high need for notification of notification items in the notification condition storage means that are not set as notification targets. Is sent to the administrator terminal, requesting the administrator terminal whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary, and notification is required for the request. When a necessary response indicating this is received, a device management program is configured to set a notification target in the notification condition storage means corresponding to the notification item.   A program that notifies a device to an administrator terminal for use by a device administrator using a notification condition storage unit that associates a notification condition and notification availability for each of a plurality of notification items and stores them as information Because
  Status information acquisition means for acquiring status information relating to the state of the device, whether the notification condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied for each notification item of the notification condition storage means based on the status information acquired by the status information acquisition means Notification condition determination means for determining whether or not, administrator notification means for performing notification regarding the device to the administrator terminal, and notification enable / disable setting means for setting the notification availability by interactive communication with the device administrator A program for causing a computer to execute the realized processing,
  The manager notifying unit determines that the notification condition determination unit determines that the notification condition is satisfied for a notification item stored in the notification condition storage unit, and the notification condition determining unit determines that the notification condition is satisfied. Send corresponding notification information to the administrator terminal,
  The notification availability setting unit should exclude notification of the notification item when it is determined that the notification is not necessary for the notification item of the notification condition storage unit that is set as a notification target. Is sent to the administrator terminal, requesting the administrator terminal whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary, and notification is not necessary for the request. A device management program characterized in that, when an unnecessary response indicating this is received, a notification corresponding to the notification item in the notification condition storage means is excluded from the notification target.   A method of notifying a device to an administrator terminal for use by a device administrator using a notification condition storage unit that associates a notification condition and notification availability for each of a plurality of notification items and stores them as information Because
  A status information acquisition step for acquiring status information related to the state of the device, and a notification condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied for each notification item of the notification condition storage unit based on the status information acquired in the status information acquisition step A notification condition determination step for determining whether or not the device has been notified, an administrator notification step for performing notification regarding the device to the administrator terminal, and a notification enable / disable setting for setting the notification enable / disable by interactive communication with the device administrator Including steps,
  The manager notifying step sets the notification item when the notification condition determining step determines that the notification condition is satisfied with respect to the notification item set in the notification condition storage unit as a notification target. Send corresponding notification information to the administrator terminal,
  The notification availability setting means should add notification of the notification item when it is determined that there is a high need for notification of notification items in the notification condition storage means that are not set as notification targets. Is sent to the administrator terminal, requesting the administrator terminal whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary, and notification is required for the request. When a necessary response indicating the above is received, a device management method is configured to set, as a notification target, a notification corresponding to the notification item among the notification availability of the notification condition storage unit.   A method of notifying a device to an administrator terminal for use by a device administrator using a notification condition storage unit that associates a notification condition and notification availability for each of a plurality of notification items and stores them as information Because
  A status information acquisition step for acquiring status information related to the state of the device, and a notification condition corresponding to the notification item is satisfied for each notification item of the notification condition storage unit based on the status information acquired in the status information acquisition step A notification condition determination step for determining whether or not the device has been notified, an administrator notification step for performing notification regarding the device to the administrator terminal, and a notification enable / disable setting for setting the notification enable / disable by interactive communication with the device administrator Including steps,
  The manager notifying step sets the notification item when the notification condition determining step determines that the notification condition is satisfied with respect to the notification item set in the notification condition storage unit as a notification target. Send corresponding notification information to the administrator terminal,
  The notification availability setting step should exclude notification of the notification item when it is determined that there is a low need for notification of notification items stored in the notification condition storage means that are set as notification targets. Is sent to the administrator terminal, requesting the administrator terminal whether or not notification of the notification item is necessary, and notification is not necessary for the request. When an unnecessary response indicating this is received, a device management method that excludes notifications corresponding to the notification item from notification targets in the notification condition storage means.

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