JP4373187B2 - Communications system - Google Patents

Description

This invention comprises a server and a client for the same communication using a communication line (network), relates to a communication system which performs communication using a communication line (the client-server system).

In a communication system, only a public line such as a telephone line or a dedicated line is used as a technique for realizing a network connection between two communication devices (for example, a client and a server) (a state in which communication is possible via a network that is a communication line). In addition to the technology for realizing network connection, there is a technology for realizing network connection using the Internet. In recent years, the latter technology has been widely used.
The technology for realizing network connection using the Internet usually uses PPP (Point to Point Protocol) and SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol) protocols for transmitting and receiving data on a serial line, and IP packets are transmitted on this protocol. Internet connection is realized by transmission.

Using this technology, various Internet connection service providers (hereinafter also simply referred to as “providers”) provide dial-up connection services as services for providing Internet connections via telephone lines.
In addition, as a service for enterprises, a service for connecting to a corporate network instead of the Internet as a connection destination (destination) is also provided.
Generally, in such a service, a user of the service uses a modem or the like equipped in a communication device (client) and uses a public line (or a dedicated line) as a connection destination called an access point provided by a provider. Make a call. After performing authentication between the communication device and the access point, a network connection is established by a protocol such as PPP / SLIP.

By this network connection, arbitrary data can be transmitted and received between the communication device on the user side and the access point.
In the case of a normal Internet connection service, an access point (provider) is further connected to the Internet, and the access point transfers data between the Internet and a communication device on the user side.
In the case of an enterprise dial-up access service, data is transferred to a contracting company's network system via a dedicated line or a commercial network line. A method such as VPN (Virtual Private Network) is used for connection between the access point and the corporate network.

On the other hand, image processing devices such as printers, facsimile (FAX) devices, digital copiers, digital multifunction peripherals, and other image processing devices such as communication devices, network appliances, vending machines, and medical equipment. , A communication device that has a communication function (communication means) in a power supply device, an air conditioning system, a gas / water supply / electricity metering system, etc. is defined as a managed device (client), and a management device (service center (management center)) A remote management system (remote service system) in which a server) remotely manages these managed devices using a public line (telephone line) as a network has been proposed.
Alternatively, if the managed device does not have a communication function, or if the managed device does not have a function for communicating with the management device even if it has a communication function, the managed device communicates with the management device. There has also been proposed a remote management system in which a remote management mediating device (hereinafter also simply referred to as “mediation device”) having a possible communication function is connected and the management device remotely manages the managed device via the public line and the mediation device.

For example, when the managed apparatus is an image forming apparatus (image processing apparatus) such as a digital copying machine, an intermediary apparatus (line adapter) is installed together with the image forming apparatus in a customer's office or the like, and the image forming apparatus and service are provided. 2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus management system is known in which a management apparatus (monitoring terminal apparatus) in a center can communicate with a public line and an intermediary apparatus, and the state of the image forming apparatus of a customer is managed by the management apparatus (Patent Literature) 1).
The intermediary device is also managed by the management device, and is therefore one of the managed devices (clients).
By the way, in such a remote management system, in order to enable line connection (network connection) from both the management device on the service center side and the managed device (or mediation device) on the device user (user) side, Both of them have a calling function and an incoming call function, thereby realizing bidirectional outgoing / incoming calls.

For this reason, when the managed device is installed at a location far away from the installation location of the management device, the communication cost (burden of communication fee, etc.) may become a problem. In addition, it is necessary to have equipment with an incoming call function on the management device side, and it is necessary to secure a line capacity for simultaneous incoming calls from many managed devices. Take it.
Therefore, by making the call destination from the managed device side not the management device but the access point provided by the provider (where a dial-up server as a relay device is installed), the equipment cost on the management device side is reduced. In addition to being able to reduce, by selecting the nearest access point, it is possible to reduce the outgoing cost from the managed device as compared with the case where the managed device directly connects the telephone line to the management device.

However, a call from the management device side can be made by using the general technique as described above. If data such as a command is transmitted from the management device side to the managed device by using the technology, the following is performed. Problems arise. In other words, the normal dial-up connection service only services incoming calls from the managed device (user system) side, and does not allow calls from the management device (enterprise network or Internet side) to the managed device. Therefore, when data is to be transmitted from the management device to the managed device, the data is transmitted from the management device to the managed device by making a call from the management device side and making an incoming call on the managed device side. As a result, the communication cost becomes a problem.
Therefore, it is also conceivable to use a technique called callback in order to transmit data from the management apparatus to the managed apparatus. The callback is described in Patent Document 2, for example.
JP-A-6-237330 JP 2001-333113 A

Here, an operation example for performing data transmission from the management apparatus to the managed apparatus using the callback will be briefly described. In this case, it is assumed that the managed device includes a communication unit.
When the management apparatus transmits data to the managed apparatus, the management apparatus makes a call to the managed apparatus (makes a communication request).
When the managed device receives a call signal (communication request signal), it performs callback control (communication state control). In other words, it is possible to communicate with the management device (connect the line with the management device so that communication is possible), once cancel the state (cut off the line with the management device), and then by a callback request from itself By making a call to the management device, the communication with the management device is made possible again.
The management apparatus communicates with the managed apparatus after transmitting communication with the managed apparatus again, and transmits data to the managed apparatus.

However, in the remote management system, data transmission from the management device to the managed device is enabled by callback control by the managed device, so that the communication cost is reduced on the management device side. On the contrary, the communication cost increases on the device side.
Therefore, in addition to the technology for realizing network connection using the Internet described above, it is also conceivable to use a callback described in Patent Document 2.

  However, in the system described in Patent Document 2, the callback control as described above is performed not by an external portable terminal corresponding to the managed device but by an internal callback control unit or the like constituting the management device. is there. Therefore, data transmission from the in-house (management device) to the external mobile terminal (managed device) cannot be performed by callback control by the external mobile terminal. Further, in-house callback control is performed by one of a plurality of callback control units (calling functions), and the access point to be selected is one of a plurality, so the control becomes very complicated. . Further, the communication cost varies depending on the distance to the selected access point.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. The client (managed device) and the server (management device) can communicate at an arbitrary timing, and the client performs callback control (communication state control). It is an object of the present invention to efficiently reduce the equipment cost and communication cost when performing communication with a server using the.

The present invention, for achieving the above object, there is provided a communication system that includes a client and a server.

A communication system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a communication system in which a server and a client communicate with each other using a communication line, and performs data communication with a partner in response to a request from both itself and the client. Communication state control means for enabling communication with the client via the communication line by transmitting a communication request signal to the client via the first communication line used as the enabling bidirectional communication line When the communication request signal is received from the server via the first communication line to the client, the server is enabled to communicate with the server via the communication line, and the state is temporarily released. After that, it has been designated in advance through a second communication line used as a one-way communication line that enables data communication with the server by a request from itself. Communication state control for enabling communication with the server again through the communication line, the relay apparatus, and the third communication line used as the one-way communication line by making a communication request to the relay device Data request to the server after the communication state control means and the communication state control means are able to communicate with the server again via the second communication line, the relay device, and the third communication line. A data request signal transmission means for transmitting a signal, and a data storage means for storing data to be transmitted to the client in the server; a second communication line, a relay device, and a third communication from the client; When the data request signal is received via a line, the data storage means to the client via the third communication line, the relay device, and the second communication line Data transmission start means for starting the transmission of the data of the server, and when a communication request signal is transmitted to the communication state control means of the server via the first communication line to the client, a retry is set in advance. Means for transmitting time, and means for deleting data in the data storage means when the data request signal is not received even after the retry time has elapsed since the transmission of the communication request signal, communication state control means of the client, when communicating request to the relay apparatus via the second communication line, Ru using a preset communication request destination identification information (telephone number of the relay device) Means for setting the retry time when the retry time is received from the server; and the second communication line, the relay device, and the first by the communication request And means for re-issuing the communication request when the communication with the server is not possible via the communication line, and means for permitting the re-communication request by the means within the retry time. It is a thing.

Communication system according to the invention of claim 2 is the communication system according to claim 1, the communication state control means of the server, when transmitting a communication request signal through the first communication line to said client, preset Means for transmitting the communication time limit, and means for setting the communication time limit when the communication state control means of the client receives the communication time limit from the server, and the second communication line. , A relay device, and a means for permitting a communicable state with the server via the third communication line within the communication time limit.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system according to the first or second aspect , wherein the first communication line is a communication line for pay-per-use and the second communication line is pay-per-use or flat-rate charge. Communication line, the third communication line is a communication line for flat-rate billing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently reduce the facility cost and the communication cost when the client and the server can communicate with each other at an arbitrary timing, and the client communicates with the server using the callback control (communication state control). It can be reduced well.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
First, a configuration example of a remote management system (communication system) using an electronic device according to the present invention as a managed device will be described.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of the remote management system. Here, for convenience of explanation, a communication device (electronic device) having a communication function and managed by a management device is referred to as a “managed device”.

  This remote management system includes image processing apparatuses (OA equipment) such as printers, FAX machines, digital copying machines (copiers), digital multifunction machines, etc., network appliances, vending machines, medical equipment. , Managed devices 10 (10a, 10b, 10a, 10b, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10b, 10c, 10b, 10c, 10c, 10c, 10c, 10b, 10c, 10b) 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f). As an external device connected to the managed device 10 (as viewed from the managed device side), an intermediary device 101 (functioning as a client connected to the managed device 10 via a network such as a LAN (local area network)) 101a, 101b, 101c), and a management device 102 functioning as a server device connected to the mediation device 101 via the public line (telephone line) 103 or the Internet 112. The management device 102 is connected via the mediation device 101. Thus, each managed device 10 can be centrally managed remotely. The managed device 10 and the intermediary device 101 are installed in an office on the device user (user) side, and the management device 102 is installed in a service center (management center).

Here, in the public line 103, the communication line between the mediation device 101 and the management device 102 is bidirectional communication that enables communication with the other party according to requests from both the mediation device 101 and the management device 102. The first communication line used as a line, the communication line between the mediation apparatus 101 and the dial-up server 111 (may be a dedicated line), can communicate with the management apparatus 102 by a request (callback) from the mediation apparatus 101. This is a second communication line used as a one-way communication line. Of the Internet 112, a communication line (which may be a dedicated line) between the dial-up server 111 and the management apparatus 102 is a third communication line used as a one-way communication line.
As the public line 103 (or dedicated line), an analog line, an ADSL line, a digital line (ISDN line), a fixed telephone line such as a fiber optic line, or a mobile telephone line such as a mobile phone line or a PHS line may be used. .

Further, in order to realize a service (NRS) that the management apparatus 102 remotely manages using a new method, an intermediary apparatus 101 in which software corresponding to NRS is installed in a network such as a LAN on the device user side and a managed apparatus A device 10 is connected. The intermediary device 101 and the managed device 10 are also equipped with software corresponding to CSS in order to realize a service (CSS) that is managed remotely by the management device 102 using a conventional method. In order to realize the NRS, the mediation device 101 and the managed device 10 may be initially installed as in the case of realizing the CSS.
The connection between the mediation apparatus 101 and the managed apparatus 10 is not limited to the network, but is performed by serial connection conforming to the RS-485 standard, parallel connection conforming to the SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) standard, or the like. Also good. For example, in the case of the RS-485 standard, a plurality of managed devices 10 can be connected to the intermediary device 101 in series.

The intermediary device 101 and the managed device 10 have various hierarchical structures depending on the usage environment.
For example, in the installation environment A shown in FIG. 1, the intermediary device 101a capable of establishing a direct connection with the management device 102 by HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) has a simple hierarchical structure in which the managed devices 10a and 10b follow. However, since the four managed devices 10 are installed in the installation environment B shown in the figure, the load increases only by installing one intermediary device 101. Therefore, the intermediary device 101b that can establish a direct connection with the management device 102 by HTTP follows not only the managed devices 10c and 10d but also another intermediary device 101c, and the intermediary device 101c uses the managed devices 10e and 10f. Furthermore, a hierarchical structure is formed in which it can be followed. In this case, the information issued from the management device 102 for remotely managing the managed devices 10e and 10f is managed by the managed device 10e or 10f via the mediation device 101b and the mediation device 101c which is a lower node. Will be reached.

Further, as in the installation environment C, managed devices with mediation functions (hereinafter also simply referred to as “managed devices”) 11 a and 11 b in which the managed device 10 has the functions of the mediation device 101 are separately provided as mediation devices 101. You may make it connect with the management apparatus 102 by the public line 103 or the internet 112 without going through.
Although not shown, a managed device equivalent to the managed device 10 can be further connected to the lower level of the managed device 11 with a mediation function.

The dial-up server 111 is a relay device, and connects the management device 102 and the mediation device 101 or the managed device 11 so that they can communicate with each other via the public line 103 (may be a dedicated line) and the Internet 112. For example, in response to a request (communication request with the management apparatus 102) from the intermediary apparatus 101 or the managed apparatus 10, negotiation (information exchange regarding communication) is performed with the request source via the public line 103, and the public line 103 and the Internet 112 are passed. Then, the request source and the management apparatus 102 are communicably connected (the communication between the request source and the management apparatus 102 is made possible). The dial-up server 111 is installed at the provider as an access point.
In each of the installation environments A, B, and C, a firewall 104 (104a, 104b, 104c) is installed in consideration of security. The firewall 104 is configured by a proxy server.
Further, a terminal device such as a personal computer or other electronic device (external device) can be connected to each managed device 10 or 11 via a network.

In such a remote management system, the intermediary device 101 has an application program for control management of the managed device 10 connected thereto.
The management apparatus 102 is mounted with an application program for performing control management of each intermediary apparatus 101 and further performing control management of the managed apparatus 10 via the intermediary apparatus 101. Then, each of these nodes in this remote management system including the managed device 10 transmits a “request” which is a request for processing for a method of the application program to be implemented by RPC (remote procedure call). The “response” that is the result of the processed processing can be acquired.

That is, the intermediary device 101 or the managed device 10 connected thereto can generate a request to the management device 102 and pass it to the management device 102 to obtain a response to this request, while the management device 102 A request to the mediating apparatus 101 is generated and delivered to the mediating apparatus 101, and a response to the request can be acquired. This request includes causing the mediation device 101 to transmit various requests to the managed device 10 and obtaining a response from the managed device 10 via the mediation device 101.
In order to realize RPC, known protocols (communication standards) such as SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), HTTP, FTP (File Transfer Protocol), COM (Component Object Model), CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture), etc. , Technology, specifications, etc. can be used.

The transmission / reception data transmission / reception model is shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. In this figure, the presence of the firewall 104 is not considered.
(A) is a case where a request to the management apparatus 102 has occurred in the managed apparatus 10. In this case, the managed device 10 generates a managed device-side request “a”, and the management device 102 that has received this request via the mediation device 101 returns a response “a” to this request. A case where there are a plurality of mediation apparatuses 101 shown in the figure can also be assumed (installation environment B shown in FIG. 1). Note that (A) shows a case in which not only the response a but also a response delay notification a ′ is returned. When the management apparatus 102 receives a managed apparatus side request via the intermediary apparatus 101 and determines that the response to the request cannot be returned immediately, it notifies the response delay notification and temporarily disconnects the connection state. This is because the response to the request is delivered again at the time of the next connection.
(B) is a case where a request for the managed device 10 has occurred in the management device 102. In this case, the management apparatus 102 generates a management apparatus side request b, and the managed apparatus 10 that has received the request via the mediation apparatus 101 returns a response b to the request. Even in the case of (B), the response delay notification b ′ is returned in the same manner as in the case of (A) when the response cannot be returned immediately.

Next, the physical configuration of the management device 102 shown in FIG. 1 will be briefly described. The management device 102 includes a control device including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, a database, a modem, a proxy server, and the like. Has been. The configuration will be described later in detail.
Further, the physical configuration of the intermediary device 101 shown in FIG. 1 will be briefly described. The intermediary device 101 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a nonvolatile memory, a network interface card (hereinafter abbreviated as “NIC”), and the like. Has been. The configuration will be described in detail later.

  In addition, for the managed device 11 with an intermediary function, these units may be simply added to the managed device 10 in order to realize the function of the intermediary device 101, but the CPU, ROM, and RAM provided in the managed device 10 The functions of the intermediary device 101 can be realized by causing the CPU to execute appropriate applications and program modules using hardware resources such as the above.

Hereinafter, as a more specific example of the remote management system shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus management system that is a remote management system in which an image forming apparatus that is an electronic apparatus (client) according to the present invention is a managed apparatus will be described. . FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus management system. The managed apparatus 10 is an image forming apparatus 100, the managed function-equipped managed apparatus 11 is an image forming apparatus with an intermediary function (hereinafter simply referred to as an image forming apparatus 100). The only difference from FIG. 1 is that the configuration is changed to 110 (also referred to as “image forming apparatus”), and thus the description of the overall configuration of the system is omitted.
The image forming apparatus 100 is a digital multi-function peripheral having functions such as copying, facsimile, and scanner, and a function for communicating with an external apparatus, and is equipped with an application program for providing services related to these functions. It is. The image forming apparatus with a mediation function 110 is obtained by adding the functions of the mediation apparatus 101 to the image forming apparatus 100.

A physical configuration of such an image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus 100.
The image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU 201, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 202, an SDRAM 203, a flash memory (nonvolatile memory) 204, an NRS memory 205, a PHY (physical media interface) 206, an operation unit 207, and an HDD (hard disk drive). ) 208, modem 211, PI (personal interface) 212, FCU (fax control unit) 213, USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface 214, IEEE 1394 interface 215, plotter / scanner engine 216, and peripheral unit 217. Each of these units is a hardware resource in the image forming apparatus 100. Each plotter / scanner engine 216, which is an engine unit, includes a sensor for detecting an event such as an abnormality.

The CPU 201 is arithmetic processing means that performs data processing (control of each function) via the ASIC 202.
The ASIC 202 is a multi-function device board including a CPU interface, an SDRAM interface, a local bus interface, a PCI interface, a MAC (Media Access Controller), an HDD interface, and the like. From the aspect, it helps to increase the efficiency of development of applications (application software).
The SDRAM 203 is a program memory that stores various programs including an OS (operating system), a main memory that is used as a work memory used when the CPU 201 performs data processing, and the like. In place of the SDRAM 203, a DRAM or SRAM may be used.

  The flash memory 204 includes a boot loader (boot program) for starting the image forming apparatus 100, a fixed program memory for storing an OS image, an application memory for storing each application, a service memory for storing each service (service software), and firmware. Data memory for storing firmware memory to be stored, address (network address), model number, and counter information (billing counter data) that are identification information of a device (image forming apparatus 100) that is a target for monitoring and managing the operation status A non-volatile memory (non-volatile storage means) that is used as a storage device, etc., and retains stored contents even when the power is turned off. Instead of the flash memory 204, a nonvolatile RAM in which a backup circuit using a RAM and a battery is integrated, or another nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM may be used.

The NRS memory 205 is a non-volatile memory that stores an NRS described later, and an NRS function can be added as an option.
The PHY 206 is an interface for communicating with an external device via a network.
The operation unit 207 has various operation keys (also referred to as operation switches or operation buttons) for inputting information (data) such as operation commands (commands) for each engine unit, and operation means having an LCD or CRT character display. It is.
The HDD 208 is a non-volatile storage means (recording medium) that stores and saves data regardless of whether the power is on or off. The HDD 208 can store the above-described program in the flash memory 204 and other data. The HDD 208 can also be used as the above-described service memory or firmware memory.

The modem 211 is modulation / demodulation means, and when data is transmitted to an external device via the public line 103, the modem 211 modulates the data so that it can flow through the public line 103. In addition, when modulated data sent from the management apparatus 102 is received, the data is demodulated.
The PI 212 includes an interface conforming to the RS485 standard, and is connected to the public line 103 via a line adapter (not shown).
The FCU 213 controls communication with an external apparatus such as an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine or digital multifunction peripheral having a FAX apparatus or a modem function (FAX communication function) and a management apparatus 102 via the public line 103.

The USB interface 214 is a low-speed or medium-speed serial interface, and the IEEE 1394 interface 215 is a high-speed serial interface.
The plotter / scanner engine 216 includes a scanner engine that reads an image of a document, and a plotter engine that forms an image on a sheet based on image data read by the scanner engine or data received from an external device.
The peripheral unit 217 is an automatic document feeder that automatically feeds a document to an image reading position of a scanner engine, or a post-processing device (for example, a finisher) that performs post-processing such as sorting sheets on which images have been formed by a plotter engine. It is equivalent to.

  Here, when the power is turned on (power is turned on), the CPU 201 activates the boot loader in the flash memory 204 via the ASIC 202, reads the OS image in the flash memory 204 according to the boot loader, and loads it into the SDRAM 203 for use. Deploy to any OS. When the deployment of the OS is completed, the OS is activated. Thereafter, a program such as an application or a service in the flash memory 204 or an NRS in the NRS memory 205 is read out as necessary, and these are loaded into the SDRAM 203 or the NRS memory 205 to be expanded and activated.

Next, the software configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 (or 110) will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the image forming apparatus 100.
The software configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 includes an application module layer, a service module layer, and a general-purpose OS layer. The programs constituting these software are stored in the flash memory 204 and the NRS memory 205, read by the CPU 201 as necessary, and expanded in the SDRAM 203. The CPU 201 can implement various functions by executing these programs as necessary and controlling the apparatus.

  The application module layer software is configured by a program for causing the CPU 201 to function as a plurality of application control means (process execution means) that operate hardware resources to realize a predetermined function. The CPU 201 is interposed between the hardware resource and each application control unit, and receives an operation request for the hardware resource from a plurality of application control units, arbitrates the operation request, and controls the execution of the operation based on the operation request. It is comprised by the program for functioning as a service control means (process execution means) which performs.

  Of these functions, a method for realizing a function related to communication with the management apparatus 102 (function as a communication unit) differs between the image forming apparatus 100 and the image forming apparatus 110. In other words, since the image forming apparatus 110 has the function of the mediation apparatus 101, the function related to the communication with the management apparatus 102 can be realized by the CPU 201 executing the corresponding program. In the case of the image forming apparatus 100, functions related to communication with the management apparatus 102 can be realized by the CPU 201 executing a corresponding program and using the mediation apparatus 101.

  The service module layer includes an operation control service (OCS) 300, an engine control service (ECS) 301, a memory control service (MCS) 302, a network control service (NCS) 303, a fax control service (FCS) 304, a system control service ( SCS) 306, system resource manager (SRM) 307, image memory handler (IMH) 308, delivery control service (DCS) 316, and user control service (UCS) 317 are implemented. The application module layer includes an NRS application (hereinafter simply referred to as “NRS”) 305, a CSS application (hereinafter simply referred to as “CSS”) 315, a copy application 309, a fax application 310, a printer application 311, a scanner application 312, and a net file. An application 313 and a web application 314 are installed. Furthermore, a general-purpose OS 320 is mounted on the general-purpose OS layer.

These will be described in further detail.
The OCS 300 is a module that controls the operation unit 207.
The ECS 301 is a module that controls engine units such as hardware resources.
The MCS 302 is a module that performs memory control. For example, the MCS 302 acquires and releases an image memory, uses the HDD 208, and the like.
The NCS 303 is a module that performs mediation between the network and each application program in the application module layer.
The FCS 304 is a module that performs facsimile transmission / reception, facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and the like.

The SCS 306 is a module that performs start management and end management of each application program in the application module layer according to the content of the command.
The SRM 307 is a module that controls the system and manages resources.
The IMH 308 is a module that manages a memory for temporarily storing image data.
The DCS 316 is a module for transmitting / receiving an image file or the like stored in the HDD 208 or the SDRAM 203 using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) or FTP (File Transfer Protocol).
The UCS 317 is a module that manages user information such as destination information and address information registered by a device user (user).

The NRS 305 and the CSS 315 are modules in which functions related to remote management (functions related to communication with the management apparatus 102) by different methods are collected.
The copy application 309 is an application program for realizing a copy service.
The fax application 310 is an application program for realizing a fax service.
The printer application 311 is an application program for realizing a printer service.
The scanner application 312 is an application program for realizing a scanner service.

The net file application 313 is an application program for realizing a net file service.
The web application 314 is an application program for realizing a web service.
The general-purpose OS 320 can use an operating system (operation system) such as UNIX (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), or Windows (registered trademark). The operating system manages the processing for executing the service module layer and application module layer programs. Here, if UNIX or Linux is used, the safety due to open source is ensured, and there are advantages such as easy source code acquisition.

Next, the internal configuration of the NRS module included in the software configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 described above will be further described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the NRS 305. As shown in the figure, the NRS 305 performs processing between the SCS 306 and the NCS 303. The web server function unit 500 performs response processing related to a request received from the outside. The request here may be a SOAP request by SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) described in XML (Extensible Markup Language) format which is a structured language, for example. The web client function unit 501 performs processing for issuing an external request. The libsoap 502 is a library that processes SOAP, and the libxml 503 is a library that processes data described in the XML format. Also, libwwww 504 is a library that processes HTTP, and libgw_ncs 505 is a library that performs processing with the NCS 303.

Next, the physical configuration of the mediation apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a physical configuration example in the mediation apparatus 101.
This intermediary device 101 includes a CPU 31, DRAM 32, flash ROM 33, card memory controller 34, card memory 35, image forming device I / F 36, real time clock circuit (RTC) 37, modem 38, NCU (network control device) 39, NIC 40, 41 and a power supply circuit 42.

  The CPU 31 controls the image forming apparatus 100 connected to the mediation apparatus 101 based on various programs including an OS (operation system) in the DRAM 32, or the public line 103 or the Internet 112 by the NCU 39 or the NICs 40 and 41. The control unit 102 controls transmission / reception of various data (or signals) to the management apparatus 102 via the network, makes a call to the management apparatus 102 via the public line 103 using data from the image forming apparatus 100, and connects the line to the image forming apparatus 100. The intermediary device 101 as a whole, for example, switching control (including control of line switching timing) of whether to connect to a general telephone (TEL) or FAX device side which is an external communication device. Central processing unit to control.

The DRAM 32 is a main memory used as a program memory for storing various programs including the OS, a work memory used when the CPU 31 performs data processing, and the like. An SRAM may be used instead of the DRAM 32.
The flash ROM 33 stores a program memory that stores a boot loader, transmission data from one to the other of the management apparatus 102 and each image forming apparatus 100, and each piece of machine number information (identification) that identifies one of the image forming apparatuses 100. Information), the IP address of the communication destination of the management apparatus 102, the callback destination telephone number (calling destination identification information) that is the telephone number of the dial-up server 111 (access point), and the recurrence when the line connection is not successful A non-volatile memory used as a database (DB) for storing a call time (retry time), a re-calling interval (retry interval), a communication time limit for restricting continuous communication with the management apparatus 102, and the power is turned off. Even if it becomes, the memory contents are retained. Instead of the flash ROM 33, another nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM may be used. Further, the number of re-calls (the number of retries) may be stored instead of the re-call time.

The card memory controller 34 controls reading / writing of various data with respect to the card memory 35.
The card memory 35 is a recording medium such as an SD memory, and records various programs such as an OS, a driver, and an application.
The image forming apparatus I / F 36 is an image forming apparatus connection unit that connects an image forming apparatus (not shown) to be remotely managed.
The real-time clock circuit 37 generates time information such as year / month / day / hour / minute / second, and the CPU 31 can read the current time to know the current time.
The modem 38 is modulation / demodulation means. When transmitting data to the management apparatus 102 via the public line 103, the modem 38 modulates the data so that the data can flow through the public line 103. In addition, when modulated data sent from the management apparatus 102 is received, the data is demodulated.

The NCU 39 controls communication (data transmission / reception) with various external devices including the management device 102 or an external communication device (general telephone or facsimile device) via the public line 103. Therefore, the function as the external communication device connection means can be realized.
The NICs 40 and 41 control communication with each of the image forming apparatuses 100 to be remotely managed on a network such as a LAN, a firewall 104, or other electronic devices including a management terminal using a personal computer (not shown). In addition, communication with various external devices including the management device 102 is controlled via the firewall 104 and the Internet 112. Therefore, the function as the image forming apparatus connecting means can be realized.
The power supply circuit 42 converts AC power (commercial power) from the AC adapter 43 into DC power and supplies it to the above-described units in the mediation apparatus 101.

Here, the CPU 31 controls the card memory controller 34 to read various programs including the OS in the card memory 35 according to the boot loader in the DRAM 32 when the power is turned on (power is turned on from the power circuit 42), and the program memory of the DRAM 32 To install. Then, it operates according to the various programs (the various programs are selectively executed as necessary), and the image forming apparatus I / F 36, the real-time clock circuit 37, the modem 38, the NCU 39, and the NICs 40 and 41 are operated as necessary. by selectively used, it is possible to realize various functions according to the present invention (the function of the communication state control means, and a data request signal transmitting means).

Next, the functional configuration of the mediation apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the mediation apparatus 101.
The intermediary device 101 includes a control unit 50, a communication unit 60, and a callback destination database (hereinafter, “database” is abbreviated as “DB”) 70.
The control unit 50 includes functions of an incoming call detection unit 51, a command reception unit 52, a dial-up client 53, a mediation control unit 54, a device command transmission unit 55, and a device communication unit 56. These functions can be realized by the CPU 31 in FIG. 7 operating according to various programs in the DRAM 32.
The communication unit 60 has functions of a LAN connection unit 61 and a modem unit 62. The LAN connection unit 61 corresponds to the NICs 40 and 41 in FIG. Therefore, in this example, communication with the image forming apparatus 100 or the like is performed via the LAN. The modem unit 62 can be realized by the modem 38 and the NCU 39.
The callback destination DB 70 stores the callback destination telephone number and corresponds to a predetermined storage area on the flash ROM 33 in FIG.

The incoming call detection unit 51 of the control unit 50 detects a call signal (communication request signal) for call back (calling) sent from the exchange when the management device 102 makes a call via the modem unit 62 (incoming call). The command receiving unit 52 is notified (delivered) to that effect.
Upon receiving the detection notification (incoming notification) from the incoming call detection unit 51, the command reception unit 52 acquires the callback destination telephone number from the callback destination DB 70, adds it to the callback request, and delivers it to the dial-up client 53. Or the command from the modem unit 62 is delivered to the mediation control unit 54.
When the dial-up client 53 receives a callback request from the command receiving unit 52, the dial-up client 53 designates a dial-up designated in advance as a callback destination by the modem unit 62 of the communication unit 60 based on the callback destination telephone number added thereto. Call back (call out) the server 111.

The mediation control unit 54 delivers the command from the command reception unit 52 to the device command transmission unit 55 in order to transmit the command to the image forming apparatus 100 on the LAN (the image forming apparatus 100 connected to the mediation apparatus 101).
The device command transmission unit 55 delivers the command from the mediation control unit 54 to the device communication unit 56.
The device communication unit 56 causes the command from the device command transmission unit 55 to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 on the LAN through the LAN connection unit 61 of the communication unit 60.

Next, the physical configuration of the management apparatus 102 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a physical configuration example of the management apparatus 102.
The management device 102 includes a modem 601, a communication terminal 602, a proxy server 603, an operator terminal 604, a file server 605, a control device 606, and the like.
The modem 601 manages communication with the mediating apparatus 101 or the image forming apparatus 110 on the device user side (for example, a user destination using the image forming apparatus) via the public line 103, and modulates / demodulates data to be transmitted / received To do. The modem 601 and a communication terminal 602, which will be described later, serve as communication means.
The communication terminal 602 controls communication by the modem 601.

The proxy server 603 performs communication (data transmission / reception) and security management with the mediation apparatus 101 on the user (device user) side via the Internet 112. The proxy server 603 also functions as a communication unit.
The operator terminal 604 is a terminal device (personal computer or the like) operated by a center operator who is a service center administrator, and inputs various data on an input unit such as a keyboard or a pointing device (mouse or the like) by the center operator. Information to be received by operation or information to be notified to the center operator is displayed on a display unit such as an LCD or CRT. As input data, for example, in addition to customer information such as an IP address and a call destination telephone number used when communicating with the mediation device 101 or the image forming device 110 on each user side, the mediation device on each user side 101 or parameters to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 110 (for example, the above-described retry time, retry interval, communication limit time), commands, and the like.

The file server 605 includes a storage device such as an HDD (hard disk device). The storage device stores various data including IP addresses and telephone numbers of the mediation device 101 and the image forming device 110 on each user side, data (information) received from those devices, and data input from the operator terminal 604. DB is stored (set).
The control device 606 includes a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like (not shown), and controls the entire management device 102 in an integrated manner. The CPU operates in accordance with the program (executes the program as necessary), and uses the modem 601, the communication terminal 602, the proxy server 603, the operator terminal 604, or the file server 605, thereby enabling the present invention. (Functions as communication state control means and data transmission start means ) can be realized.

Next, the functional configuration of the management apparatus 102 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the management apparatus 102.
The management apparatus 102 includes a control unit 700, a communication unit 710, and a storage unit 720.
The control unit 700 includes a device control unit 701, a call control unit 702, and a command response unit 703. These functions are realized by the control device 606 in FIG.
The communication unit 710 includes functions of a WAN (Wide Area Network) connection unit 711 and a modem unit 712. The WAN connection unit 711 can be realized by the control device 606 and the proxy server 603 of FIG. The modem unit 712 can be realized by the modem 601 and the communication terminal 602.
The storage unit 720 corresponds to the file server 605 in FIG. 9 and includes a mediation device information DB 721 and a transmission command queue 722.

The device control unit 701 of the control unit 700 stores a command from an external device such as the operator terminal 604 or another terminal device (not shown) in the transmission command queue 722 of the storage unit 720.
The call control unit 702 acquires a call destination telephone number that is the telephone number of the mediation device 101 or the image forming device 110 from the mediation device information DB 721 of the storage unit 720 based on the call request from the device control unit 701. The intermediary device 101 or the image forming device 110 is caused to make a call by the modem unit 712 of the communication unit 710.
When the command response unit 703 receives a command request notification from the WAN connection unit 711, based on the mediation device identifier added to the command request, the command response unit 703 receives the callback request source mediation device 101 or image forming device from the transmission command queue 722. A command to be transmitted to 110 is acquired, and is transmitted to the callback request source via the Internet 112 and the dial-up server 111 by the WAN connection unit 711.

Here, the mediation device information in the mediation device information DB 721 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the mediation device information in the mediation device information DB 721.
As can be seen from FIG. 11, for each intermediary device 101, the telephone number (calling destination telephone number) and the installation destination are associated (corresponding). For example, the telephone number corresponding to the mediating device identifier (mediating device ID) “SRV6756” that is the identification information of the mediating device 101 is “045345XX”, and the installation destination is “Tanaka Shokai”.
Note that the above-mentioned associated information is not limited to the telephone number and the installation destination, and although not shown, there are the above-described retry time (callback time limit), retry interval, and communication limit time. Further, other information related to the mediation apparatus 101, for example, information such as an image forming apparatus ID of the image forming apparatus 100 connected to the mediation apparatus 101 may be used.

Next, commands in the transmission command queue 722 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of commands in the transmission command queue 722.
As can be seen from FIG. 12, a command is associated with each intermediary device 101. For example, two commands are associated with the mediation device ID “SRV2345”.

Based on the above-described configuration, an example of a communication sequence for data transmission / reception performed in the image forming apparatus management system of FIG. 3 will be described. Note that the processing by the SCS 306 and NRS 305 described below is actually executed by the CPU 201 operating in accordance with those programs, but for the sake of explanation, these programs execute the processing. Thereafter, the same applies to the case where the program is described as performing some processing.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication sequence for data transmission / reception performed between the management apparatus 102, the intermediary apparatus 101, and the image forming apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG.

  In this example, first, the mediation apparatus 101 polls the management apparatus 102 via the Internet 112 (inquiry whether there is a transmission request) (S601). In other words, it generates a polling SOAP message with an identifier that is its own identification information (converts the polling signal to the XML format, which is a structured language format), and generates an HTTP message including it based on the SOAP message Then, it is transmitted to the management apparatus 102 via the Internet 112. As shown in FIG. 3, since the firewall 104 is provided between the mediation device 101 and the management device 102, a communication session cannot be established from the management device 102 to the mediation device 101. Even if it is desired to send a request from the mediating apparatus 101 (or the image forming apparatus 100 via the mediating apparatus 101), it is necessary to wait for polling (inquiry about whether there is a transmission request) from the mediating apparatus 101 in this way. is there. If there is no firewall 104, polling is not necessary.

  When the management apparatus 102 receives the HTTP message (HTTP request) from the mediation apparatus 101, the management apparatus 102 generates an HTTP message (HTTP response) including a SOAP message of information indicating a charging counter (counter information) acquisition request, and transmits it to the Internet 112. It is transmitted as a response to polling to the corresponding mediation apparatus 101 (source of the received SOAP message) via S (S602). At this time, the corresponding intermediary device 101 is recognized based on the identifier added to the SOAP message in the received HTTP message. In this way, if it is a response (HTTP response) to communication (HTTP request) from the inside of the firewall 104, data can be transmitted from the outside of the firewall 104 to the inside.

When the intermediary device 101 receives the HTTP message from the management device 102, the mediation device 101 generates a SOAP message of information indicating a charging counter acquisition request on the packet based on the HTTP message, and sends it to the network via a network such as a LAN. The data is transmitted to the NRS 305 of the connected image forming apparatus 100 (S603).
The NRS 305 notifies the SCS 306 of a charging counter acquisition request described in the SOAP message received from the mediation apparatus 101 (S604).
Upon receiving the charge counter acquisition request notification from the NRS 305, the SCS 306 reads the charge counter data stored in the flash memory 204 (or HDD 208) (S605). Then, the read accounting counter data (response data) is delivered to the NRS 305 (S606).

When the NRS 305 receives (acquires) billing counter data (counter information indicating the counter value) from the SCS 306, the NRS 305 generates a SOAP message of the data (converts the received data into an XML format that is a structured language format). Then, it is transmitted to the mediation apparatus 101 via the network (S607).
When the mediation device 101 receives the SOAP message of the billing counter data from the NRS 305, the mediation device 101 generates an HTTP message including the SOAP message based on the SOAP message, and transmits it to the management device 102 via the Internet 112 (S608).
Thus, data transmission / reception is performed by the communication sequence.

Next, unlike FIG. 13, an example of a communication sequence when data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100 to the management apparatus 102 via the mediation apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication sequence when data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100 to the management apparatus 102.
In this example, the OCS 300 first notifies the SCS 306 that a user call key (not shown) on the operation unit 207 has been pressed (S701).
Upon receiving notification from the OCS 300 that the user call key has been pressed, the SCS 306 notifies the NRS 305 of a user call request (S702).

Upon receiving the user call request notification from the SCS 306, the NRS 305 generates a SOAP message of user call information notifying the user call and transmits it to the mediation apparatus 101 via the network (S703).
When the mediation device 101 receives the SOAP message of the user call information from the NRS 305, the mediation device 101 adds an identifier, which is its own identification information, to the SOAP message, and further generates an HTTP message including it based on the SOAP message. A user call is made to the management apparatus 102 via That is, an HTTP message including a SOAP message of user call information with its own identifier added is reported to the management apparatus 102 via the Internet 112 (S704). In this case, since the transmission is from the inside to the outside of the firewall 104, the mediation apparatus 101 can transmit data by creating a session toward the management apparatus 102 itself.
Here, the pattern after the process of step S704 will be described separately in the following (A) to (C).

First, in (A), the management apparatus 102 receives an HTTP message including a SOAP message of user call information from the user's mediation apparatus 101, and if the reception ends normally, that fact (user call is If the call result indicating success) does not end normally (abnormally ends), an HTTP message including a SOAP message with information indicating the call result indicating that the user call has failed is generated. Then, it is transmitted as a response to the intermediary device 101 as the notification source via the Internet 112 (S705).
When the intermediary device 101 receives an HTTP message including a SOAP message of information indicating the call result from the management device 102, the mediation device 101 generates a SOAP message of information indicating the call result on the packet based on the HTTP message, and transmits it to the network. The user call key is transmitted to the NRS 305 of the image forming apparatus 100 that is pressed (S706).

When the NRS 305 receives a SOAP message of information indicating the call result from the mediation apparatus 101, the NRS 305 interprets (determines) the call result indicated by the SOAP message and notifies the SCS 306 of it (S707).
When the SCS 306 receives the call result, it delivers it to the OCS 300.
When the OCS 300 receives the call result from the SCS 306, the OCS 300 displays the content, that is, a message indicating whether the user call is successful or unsuccessful on the character display on the operation unit 207 (S708).

Next, in (B), when the intermediary device 101 determines that there is no response from the management device 102 after a predetermined time (a predetermined time set in advance), a call result indicating that the user call has failed is displayed. A SOAP message with the indicated information is generated and transmitted to the NRS 305 (S709).
When the NRS 305 receives a SOAP message indicating information indicating a call result indicating failure, the NRS 305 interprets the call result indicating failure described in the SOAP message and notifies the SCS 306 of the result (S710).
When the SCS 306 receives the call result from the NRS 305, the SCS 306 delivers it to the OCS 300.

When the OCS 300 receives the call result from the SCS 306, the OCS 300 displays the content, that is, a message indicating that the user call has failed on the character display on the operation unit 207 (S711).
Next, in (C), when the NRS 305 determines that there is no response from the mediation apparatus 101 even after the specified time has elapsed, the NRS 305 notifies the SCS 306 of a call result indicating that the user call has failed (S712).
When the SCS 306 receives the call result from the NRS 305, the SCS 306 delivers it to the OCS 300.
When the OCS 300 receives the call result from the SCS 306, the OCS 300 displays the content, that is, a message indicating that the user call has failed on the character display on the operation unit 207 (S713).

  Here, in order to transmit data from the management apparatus 102 to the mediation apparatus 101 (or the image forming apparatus 100 via the mediation apparatus 101) over the firewall 104, the data is transmitted in the form of a response to the HTTP request from the mediation apparatus 101. However, the means for going beyond the firewall 104 is not limited to this example. For example, using the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), the management apparatus 102 sends a mail describing or attaching data to be transmitted. Transmission to the mediation apparatus 101 is also conceivable. However, HTTP is superior in terms of reliability.

  Hereinafter, control according to the present invention in the image forming apparatus management system configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Note that the control related to communication between the management apparatus 102 and the mediation apparatus 101 and the control related to communication between the management apparatus 102 and the image forming apparatus 110 having the mediation function (function as the mediation apparatus 101) are substantially the same. Only will be described. Also, among the public lines 103, the first communication line used when making a call from the management apparatus 102 to the mediation apparatus 101 is used as a metered communication line, and at the time of callback from the mediation apparatus 101 to the dial-up server 111. The second communication line to be used is a communication line for pay-per-use or flat-rate charging. In the Internet 112, the third communication line from the dial-up server 111 used for the callback to the management apparatus 102 is a communication line for flat-rate billing.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first example of a communication sequence between the management device 102 and the mediation device 101.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second example of a communication sequence between the management device 102 and the mediation device 101.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a third example of a communication sequence between the management device 102 and the mediation device 101.

15 to 17, for the sake of illustration, the mediation control unit 54 and the LAN connection unit 61 of the mediation device 101 are omitted. Therefore, the following description will be given assuming that the dial-up client 53 has the function of the mediation control unit 54 and the device communication unit 56 has the function of the LAN connection unit 61.
The device communication unit 1000 can be realized by the CPU 201 in the image forming apparatus 100 described with reference to FIG. 4 executing a program in the SDRAM 203. This device communication unit 1000 can actually communicate with the mediation apparatus 101 by the PHY 206.

On the management apparatus 102 side, when the center operator wants to acquire data (information) from the image forming apparatus 100 on any device user side, the center operator operates the input device of the operator terminal 604 so that the data can be acquired.
As a result of the operation, the operator terminal 604 makes a communication request to the intermediary apparatus 101 on the corresponding device user side (the intermediary apparatus 101 connected to the data requesting image forming apparatus 100) as shown in FIG. When a command transmission request (data request) is issued, a mediation device identifier that is identification information for identifying the mediation device 101 on the device user side corresponding to the command indicating the command transmission request is added to the control unit 700. To the device control unit 701 (S800). The association between the command and the mediation device identifier (mediation device ID) is as described with reference to FIG.

When the control unit 700 receives the command (including the mediation device identifier) from the operator terminal 604, the control unit 700 performs line connection control with the mediation device 101.
That is, the device control unit 701 first transfers the command received from the operator terminal 604 to the transmission command queue 722 and stores it (S801), and then adds the mediation device identifier to the call request and sends the call control unit. Notification to 702 is made (S802).
Upon receiving the notification of the call request, the call control unit 702 stores the call destination telephone number that is the telephone number of the corresponding mediation device 101 based on the mediation device identifier added to the call request. The intermediary device information DB 721 is retrieved and read (S803, S804), and the modem unit 712 makes a call to the corresponding intermediary device 101 via the first communication line, thereby communicating the line with the intermediary device 101. Connection is made possible (to enable communication with the management apparatus 102 via the first communication line) (S805).

  That is, it goes off-hook and sends a dial signal (communication request signal) indicating the call destination telephone number read from the mediation device information DB 721 onto the first communication line. At this time, an ID tone signal (DTMF signal) for identifying communication from the management apparatus 102 is read from a DB (not shown) of the storage unit 720, and the retry time (callback time limit) is read from the mediation apparatus information DB 721 of the storage unit 720. ), The retry interval and the communication time limit are retrieved and read, and the ID tone signal, the retry time, the retry interval, and the communication time limit are transmitted on the first communication line following the dial signal. As a result, an ID tone signal, a retry time, a retry interval, and a communication limit time are transmitted from the first communication line to the corresponding mediation apparatus 101 following the call signal (communication request signal).

When a call signal is sent from the first communication line, each modem unit 62 of each intermediary device 101 receives (receives) the call signal and notifies the incoming call detection unit 51 of the control unit 50 to that effect. (S806). Subsequently, although not shown, when an ID tone signal, a retry time, a retry interval, and a communication time limit are sent from the first communication line, they are also detected (received) and an incoming call detection unit of the control unit 50 51 is notified.
When the control unit 50 receives a notification from the modem unit 62 that a call signal has been received, the control unit 50 performs control for connecting the line with the management apparatus 102 so that communication is possible.
That is, first, when the incoming call detection unit 51 of the control unit 50 receives a call signal incoming notification and an ID tone signal detection notification from the modem unit 62, the communication partner is identified by the ID tone signal, and the communication partner is managed by the management device. An authentication process for recognizing that it is 102 is performed.

The incoming call detection unit 51 of the intermediary device 101 of the call destination receives the incoming notification of the call signal and the detection notification of the ID tone signal from the modem unit 62 and recognizes that the communication partner is the management device 102 (successful authentication). After that, the incoming signal (including retry time, retry interval, and communication time limit) is notified to the command receiving unit 52 (S807).
When receiving an incoming signal from the incoming call detection unit 51, the command reception unit 52 notifies the incoming call detection unit 51 of a line disconnection request (S808), and the retry time, retry interval, and communication limit time added to the incoming signal. Is stored in the flash ROM 33.
When receiving the notification of the line disconnection request from the command receiving unit 52, the incoming call detection unit 51 notifies the modem unit 62 of the line disconnection request (S809).
When the modem unit 62 receives a notification of a line disconnection request from the incoming call detection unit 51, the modem unit 62 temporarily disconnects the line with the management apparatus 102 (temporarily cancels the communication enabled state with the management apparatus 102) (S810).

When the call control unit 702 of the management apparatus 102 is disconnected from the call destination intermediary device 101, the call control unit 702 notifies the device control unit 701 of the call OK (S811). Waiting for reception of a command request signal (data request signal).
When the line with the management apparatus 102 is once disconnected, the control unit 50 of the call destination mediation apparatus 101 performs control for reconnecting the line with the management apparatus 102 so that communication is possible.
That is, first, the command receiving unit 52 of the control unit 50 notifies the incoming call detection unit 51 of a line disconnection request, and then calls back the callback destination telephone number (calling destination telephone number that is the telephone number of the dial-up server 111). The data is retrieved from the destination DB 70 and read (S812, S813), and the callback destination telephone number is added to the callback request and notified to the dial-up client 53 (S814).

  When the dial-up client 53 receives a notification of the callback request from the command receiving unit 52, the dial-up server 111 causes the dial-up server 111 to call back (call out) the second communication line, dial-up server. 111 and the third communication line are communicably connected to the management apparatus 102 (communication with the dial-up server 111 is established) (S815, S816). At this time, a dial signal indicating the callback destination telephone number added to the callback request is transmitted on the second communication line. As a result, a call signal is sent from the second communication line to the dial-up server 111.

When a call signal is sent from the second communication line, the dial-up server 111 receives the call signal and performs control to connect the line with the mediation apparatus 101 that is the callback source so that communication is possible. That is, the connection OK is notified to the mediation apparatus 101 via the second communication line (S817).
When receiving the notification of connection OK from the dial-up client 53, the modem unit 62 of the mediation apparatus 101 that is the callback request source notifies the dial-up client 53 of this (S818).
Upon receiving the notification of connection OK from the modem unit 62, the dial-up client 53 determines that the line connection with the management apparatus 102 has been successful, and notifies the command reception unit 52 of connection OK (S819).

Note that the mediation device 101 and the dial-up server 111 that are the callback sources each perform control for connecting lines with each other as described above, and if the connection is successful, an authentication process is performed. Since the authentication process is well known, its illustration and description are omitted.
When the authentication is successful, the call-back source intermediary device 101 and the management device 102 are communicably connected via the second communication line, the dial-up server 111, and the third communication line (with the management device 102). The communication becomes possible again during the period.

When receiving a connection OK notification from the dial-up client 53, the command receiving unit 52 of the callback source mediating apparatus 101 determines that the command (data) transmission from the management apparatus 102 is possible, and requests a command. The mediation device identifier and IP address, which are identification information of the mediation device 101, are added to the request (data request signal) and notified to the dial-up client 53 (S820).
When receiving a command request notification from the command receiving unit 52, the dial-up client 53 causes the modem unit 62 to transmit the command request signal (equivalent to the above-described polling signal) to the dial-up server 111 via the second communication line. (S821, S822).

When the dial-up server 111 receives the command request signal from the mediation device 101 that is the callback request source, the dial-up server 111 sends the command request signal to the WAN connection of the management device 102 via the third communication line based on the IP address added thereto. It transmits to the part 711 (S823).
When the WAN connection unit 711 of the management apparatus 102 receives a command request signal transmitted from the mediation apparatus 101 that is the callback request source via the second communication line, the dial-up server 111, and the third communication line. The command request signal is received and notified to the command response unit 703 (S824).

When the command response unit 703 receives the notification of the command request signal from the WAN connection unit 711, the command response unit 703 permits the command transmission to the mediation device 101 that is the callback request source, and based on the mediation device identifier added to the command request. A command (data) to be transmitted from the transmission command queue 722 to the callback request source intermediary device 101, that is, a command with a mediation device identifier matching is searched and read (S825, S826), and the command is notified to the WAN connection unit 711. (S827).
When receiving the command from the command response unit 703, the WAN connection unit 711 transmits the command as response data to the dial-up server 111 via the third communication line (S828).

When the dial-up server 111 receives the command from the WAN connection unit 711 of the management apparatus 102, the dial-up server 111 transmits the command to the modem unit 62 of the mediation apparatus 101 that is the callback request source via the second communication line (S829).
The modem unit 62 of the mediation device 101 that is the callback request source receives the command transmitted from the WAN connection unit 711 of the management device 102 via the third communication line, the dial-up server 111, and the second communication line. Then, the command is received and notified to the dial-up client 53 (S830).
When receiving the command from the modem unit 62, the dial-up client 53 notifies the command receiving unit 52 of the command (S831).

When receiving a command from the dial-up client 53, the command receiving unit 52 notifies the device command transmitting unit 55 of the command (S832).
Upon receiving a command from the command reception unit 52, the device command transmission unit 55 notifies the device communication unit 56 of the command (S833).
Upon receiving the command from the command receiving unit 52, the device communication unit 56 transmits the command to the corresponding device communication unit 1000 of the image forming apparatus 100 (connected to the mediation device 101 that is the callback request source) (S834). ).

Upon receiving a command from the device communication unit 56 of the mediation apparatus 101, the device communication unit 1000 of the image forming apparatus 100 analyzes and processes the command (acquires data requested by the command). And the command result which is the processing result (acquisition data) is transmitted to the apparatus communication part 56 of the mediation apparatus 101 (S835).
When the device communication unit 56 of the mediation apparatus 101 receives a command result from the device communication unit 1000 of the corresponding image forming apparatus 100, the device communication unit 56 notifies the device command transmission unit 55 of the command result (S836).

Upon receiving the command result from the device communication unit 56, the device command transmission unit 55 notifies the command reception unit 52 of the command result (S837).
When receiving the command result from the device command transmission unit 55, the command reception unit 52 notifies the command result to the dial-up client 53 (S838).
Upon receiving the command request notification from the command receiving unit 52, the dial-up client 53 notifies the modem unit 62 of the command result (S839).

When receiving the command result from the dial-up client 53, the modem unit 62 transmits the command result to the dial-up server 111 via the second communication line (S840).
When the dial-up server 111 receives the command result from the mediation apparatus 101 that is the callback request source, the dial-up server 111 transmits the command result to the WAN connection unit 711 of the management apparatus 102 via the third communication line (S841).

The WAN connection unit 711 of the management apparatus 102 receives the command result transmitted from the mediation apparatus 101 that is the callback request source via the second communication line, the dial-up server 111, and the third communication line. The command result is received and notified to the device control unit 701 (S842).
Upon receiving the command result from the WAN connection unit 711, the device control unit 701 transmits the command result to the operator terminal 604 (S843), and then does not receive a command from the WAN connection unit 711 within a predetermined time. The line disconnection request is notified to the WAN connection unit 711 (S844).

When the operator terminal 604 receives a command result from the apparatus control unit 701, the operator terminal 604 displays the content on a screen of a display unit (not shown).
When the WAN connection unit 711 receives a line disconnection request notification from the apparatus control unit 701, the WAN connection unit 711 transmits the line disconnection request signal to the dial-up server 111 (S845).
When the dial-up server 111 receives a line disconnection request signal from the WAN connection unit 711 of the management apparatus 102, the dial-up server 111 disconnects the line with the mediation apparatus 101 that is the callback request source (cancels communication with the mediation apparatus 101) (S846). That is, the communicable state between the management apparatus 102 and the mediation apparatus 101 is cancelled.

Alternatively, when the device control unit 701 receives a command result from the WAN connection unit 711, transmits the command result to the operator terminal 604 (S843), and does not receive a command from the WAN connection unit 711 within a predetermined time. In addition (or immediately), the following control may be performed.
That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the device control unit 701 first notifies the WAN connection unit 711 of a response indicating that the command result has been received (S1000).
When receiving the response from the command response unit 703, the WAN connection unit 711 transmits the response signal to the dial-up server 111 via the third communication line (S1001).

When the dial-up server 111 receives a response signal from the WAN connection unit 711 of the management apparatus 102, the dial-up server 111 transmits the response signal to the modem unit 62 of the mediation apparatus 101 that is the callback request source via the second communication line (S1002). .
The modem unit 62 of the mediation device 101 that is the callback request source sends the response signal transmitted from the WAN connection unit 711 of the management device 102 via the third communication line, the dial-up server 111, and the second communication line. Then, the response signal is received and notified to the dial-up client 53 (S1003).

When receiving the response signal from the modem unit 62, the dial-up client 53 notifies the command receiving unit 52 of the response signal (S1004).
When receiving a response signal from the dial-up client 53, the command receiving unit 52 notifies the dial-up client 53 of a line disconnection request (S1005).
When receiving the line disconnection request from the command receiving unit 52, the dial-up client 53 notifies the modem unit 62 of the line disconnection request (S850).
Upon receiving a line disconnection request notification from the dial-up client 53, the modem unit 62 disconnects the line with the dial-up server 111 (cancels communication with the dial-up server 111) (S851). That is, the communicable state between the management apparatus 102 and the mediation apparatus 101 is cancelled.

On the other hand, in the mediation device 101 that is the callback request source, although not shown, the command result is transmitted to the management device 102 via the second communication line, the dial-up server 111, and the third communication line, and thereafter, FIG. If there is a command (data) to be transmitted to the management apparatus 102 in the flash ROM 33, the command can be similarly transmitted to the management apparatus 102.
That is, the device command transmitter 55 first notifies the command receiver 52 of the command.
When receiving a command from the device command transmitter 55, the command receiver 52 notifies the dial-up client 53 of the command.

When the dial-up client 53 receives a command from the command receiving unit 52, the dial-up client 53 notifies the modem unit 62 of the command.
When modem unit 62 receives a command from dial-up client 53, modem unit 62 transmits the command to dial-up server 111 via the second communication line.
When the dial-up server 111 receives a command from the mediation apparatus 101 that is the callback request source, the dial-up server 111 transmits the command to the WAN connection unit 711 of the management apparatus 102 via the third communication line.

When the command transmitted from the mediation device 101 of the callback request source is sent via the second communication line, the dial-up server 111, and the third communication line, the WAN connection unit 711 of the management apparatus 102 The command is received and notified to the device control unit 701.
As described above, the device control unit 701 receives a command result from the WAN connection unit 711, transmits the command result to the operator terminal 604, and then receives a command from the WAN connection unit 711 within a predetermined time. The command is analyzed and processed (for example, data requested by the command is acquired). Then, the command result which is the processing result is notified to the WAN connection unit 711.

When the WAN connection unit 711 receives the command result from the apparatus control unit 701, the WAN connection unit 711 transmits the command result to the dial-up server 111 via the third communication line.
When the dial-up server 111 receives the command result from the WAN connection unit 711 of the management apparatus 102, the dial-up server 111 transmits the command result to the modem unit 62 of the mediation apparatus 101 that is the callback request source via the second communication line.
The modem unit 62 of the mediation device 101 that is the callback request source sends the command result transmitted from the WAN connection unit 711 of the management device 102 via the third communication line, the dial-up server 111, and the second communication line. When it comes, the command result is notified to the dial-up client 53.

When the dial-up client 53 receives the command result from the modem unit 62, the dial-up client 53 notifies the command receiving unit 52 of the command result.
After receiving the command result from the dial-up client 53, the command receiving unit 52 notifies the dial-up client 53 of a line disconnect request.
When the dial-up client 53 receives a line disconnection request from the command receiving unit 52, the dial-up client 53 notifies the modem unit 62 of the line disconnection request.
When the modem unit 62 receives a notification of a line disconnection request from the dialup client 53, the modem unit 62 disconnects the line with the dialup server 111. That is, the communicable state between the management apparatus 102 and the mediation apparatus 101 is cancelled.

In the mediation apparatus 101 that is the callback request source, even if the dial-up client 53 causes the modem unit 62 to call back (call) the dial-up server 111 (S815, S816), the dial-up server 111 If the dial-up server 111 cannot be connected to the dial-up server 111 due to a situation, a line problem, or the like, the above-mentioned condition is met under the condition that the callback time limit (sent from the management apparatus 102) stored in the flash ROM 33 is satisfied. A similar callback (re-calling) can be repeated (this retry control is permitted within the callback time limit).
That is, when the dial-up client 53 does not receive a response from the dial-up server 111, it is determined that the line connection with the dial-up server 111 has failed, and as shown in FIG. 52 (S900). When a notification of authentication failure is received from the dial-up server 111, authentication NG is notified to the command receiving unit 52.

  When receiving the notification of connection NG (or authentication NG) from the dial-up client 53, the command receiving unit 52 waits for the retry interval stored in the flash ROM 33 and notifies the dial-up client 53 of the callback request again (S901). As a result, the same callback as described above is performed again (S902, S903), but the connection NG (or authentication NG) notification is received even if this retry control is repeated only within the callback time limit (retry time). In this case, the notification of the callback request is stopped as error processing. If the number of callbacks (retry times) is stored in the flash ROM 33 instead of the callback time limit, the connection NG (or authentication NG) is notified even if the retry control is repeated for the number of callback times. If it is received, the notification of the callback request may be stopped as error processing.

In this case, since the command request signal is not sent from the mediation device 101 side of the callback request source on the management device 102 side, the following control is performed.
That is, when the device control unit 701 does not receive a command request signal even after the callback time limit elapses after the line with the callback request source mediating apparatus 101 is cut off, the mediation of the callback request source It is determined that the line connection or authentication between the device 101 and the dial-up server 111 has failed, and the command to be transmitted to the callback request source intermediary device 101 stored in the transmission command queue 722 is deleted as error processing ( S905) .

Furthermore, on the management device 102 side, even if the call control unit 702 receives a call request notification from the device control unit 701 and makes a call to any of the mediating devices 101 to send an ID tone signal, If the intermediary device 101 cannot be communicably connected, that is, if there is no response from the intermediary device 101, it is determined that the line connection has failed, and a connection NG (error) is notified to the device control unit 701.
Upon receiving the notification of connection NG from the call control unit 702, the device control unit 701 waits for a specified time (recalling interval) to notify the call control request to the call control unit 702 again, thereby making the same control. The device 101 is called to send an ID tone signal, but if a connection NG notification is received even if this retry control is performed a specified number of times, the notification of the call request is stopped as error processing. Further, the fact that the command request could not be transmitted can be displayed on the display unit of the operator terminal 604.

In this case, if the intermediary device 101 as the call destination does not receive an ID tone signal from the management device 102 or if the authentication cannot be performed even if there is an incoming call, the line connection or authentication with the management device 102 fails. It is determined that the error has occurred, and error processing is performed.
Further, on the mediation device 101 side of the call destination, the communication restriction stored in the flash ROM 33 after being connected to the management device 102 by a callback (communication with the management device 102 is enabled). Communication with the management apparatus 102 can be performed under a condition that the time is within the time limit (a communicable state is permitted within the communication time limit).

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a schematic example of control according to the present invention by the control unit 50 (FIG. 8) of the mediation apparatus 101.
When the power is turned on, the control unit 50 of the intermediary device 101 initializes the incoming function of the communication unit 60 in step S1, waits for an incoming call from the management device 102 in step S2, and receives an incoming call signal from the modem unit 62 in step S3. The authentication process described above is performed.
Next, in step S4, the authentication result is checked, and if it is determined that the authentication has failed (if the ID tone signal is not detected and the communication partner is not the management apparatus 102), the modem unit in step S17. 62, the line with the management apparatus 102 is disconnected.

If the authentication is successful (when it is recognized that the communication partner is the management apparatus 102 by detecting the ID tone signal), the modem unit 62 is temporarily disconnected from the management apparatus 102 in step S5. At this time, the retry time, the retry interval, and the communication time limit received after the call signal from the management apparatus 102 are stored in the flash ROM 33 (FIG. 7).
Thereafter, the callback destination telephone number is acquired from the callback destination DB 70 in step S6, and the modem unit 62 makes a callback to the dial-up server 111 based on the callback destination telephone number in step S7 as described above. Control is performed to reconnect the line with the management apparatus 102 so that communication is possible.

  Next, in step S8, it is checked whether or not the line connection with the dial-up server 111 is successful. If the line connection is successful, authentication processing is performed in step S9, and the authentication result is checked in step S10. In step S11, a command (data) request signal is transmitted to the management apparatus 102, so that data is transmitted / received (communication) to / from the management apparatus 102 in step S12. After performing data processing corresponding to data transmission / reception, it is checked in step S14 whether or not a disconnection request signal has been received from the management apparatus 102. Since the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 corresponds to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 15, it is checked in step S14 whether or not a disconnection request signal has been received from the management apparatus 102. The sequence diagram shown in FIG. In response to this, it is checked whether or not a response signal is received (S1004) in response to the transmission of the command result to the management apparatus 102 (S838). If the response signal is not received, the response is returned to step S15. If a signal is received, the process can be shifted to step S17.

  If a disconnection request signal is received from the management apparatus 102, the modem unit 62 disconnects the line with the management apparatus 102 in step S17. If the disconnection request signal has not been received, it is checked in step S15 whether or not the communication time that has elapsed since the start of data transmission / reception with the management apparatus 102 has exceeded the communication limit time. If the communication time has not passed the communication time limit, the process returns to step S12 to perform the same processing as described above including data transmission / reception. However, if the communication time has passed the communication time limit, the modem unit 62 in step S17 The line with the management apparatus 102 is disconnected.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the line connection with the management apparatus 102 has failed, or if it is determined in step S10 that authentication has failed, the process since the start of the first callback in step S16. It is checked whether or not the callback time, which is the time, has passed the retry time (callback deadline). If the callback time has not exceeded the retry time, the process returns to step S6 to perform the callback again. If the retry time elapses, the modem unit 62 disconnects the line with the management apparatus 102 in step S17.

According to this embodiment, the following effects (1) to (6) can be obtained.
(1) The management device 102 transmits a communication request signal to the mediation device 101 via the first communication line, thereby enabling communication with the mediation device 101. When the mediation device 101 receives a communication request signal from the management device 102 via the first communication line, the mediation device 101 makes communication with the management device 102 possible via the communication line, and once cancels the state. Then, by calling back to the dial-up server 111, which is a relay device designated in advance, via a second communication line that enables data communication with the management device 102 according to a request from itself. Then, communication with the management apparatus 102 is again made possible via the communication line, the dial-up server 111, and the third communication line.
Therefore, the equipment cost when the mediation apparatus 101 and the management apparatus 102 can communicate at an arbitrary timing, and the mediation apparatus 101 communicates with the management apparatus 102 using callback control (communication state control), and Communication costs can be reduced efficiently.

(2) The mediating apparatus 101 transmits a command request signal equivalent to a polling signal to the management apparatus 102 after enabling communication with the management apparatus 102 again by a request from itself. When the management apparatus 102 receives the command request signal, the management apparatus 102 starts command transmission to the mediation apparatus 101 that is the callback request source.
Therefore, it leads to security improvement.
(3) The intermediary device 101 uses a fixed call destination telephone number (call destination identification information) set (stored) in advance when calling back to the dial-up server 111.
Therefore, security is improved by the amount that it is not necessary to acquire the callback destination telephone number from the management apparatus 102.

(4) When the management apparatus 102 transmits a communication request signal to the mediation apparatus 101 via the first communication line, the management apparatus 102 also transmits a preset retry time (recall time). When the intermediary device 101 receives the retry time from the management device 102, the mediation device 101 sets the re-call time, and the second communication line, the dial-up server 111, and the third communication line are set by callback to the dial-up server 111. When communication with the management apparatus 102 is not enabled via the communication line, the callback to the dial-up server 111 is performed again, but the callback is permitted within the retry time.
Therefore, the processing efficiency is improved by the amount that the callback is not wasted.

(5) When the management apparatus 102 transmits a communication request signal to the mediation apparatus 101 via the first communication line, the management apparatus 102 also transmits a preset communication time limit. When the mediation device 101 receives the communication time limit from the management device 102, the mediation device 101 sets the communication time limit, and the management device 102 via the second communication line, the dial-up server 111, and the third communication line. The communication possible state between the two is permitted within the communication time limit.
Therefore, the processing efficiency is improved as much as unnecessary data communication is not required.
(4) When the management device 102 does not receive a command request signal from the mediation device 101 within a preset callback time limit, the line connection or authentication between the mediation device 101 and the dial-up server 111 has failed. The command to be transmitted to the mediation apparatus 101 stored (saved) in the transmission command queue 722 is deleted.
Therefore, it is possible to avoid a state of waiting for transmission for a long time.

(6) On the management device 102 side, a pay-as-you-go billing communication line is used as the first communication line for communicating with the mediation device 101, but only when a communication request signal is transmitted to the mediation device 101. The burden of communication charges can be reduced.
On the mediation apparatus 101 side, at least one of the communication lines for flat-rate billing is used as the second or third communication line for communicating with the management apparatus 102. For example, by calling back to the dial-up server 111 via a communication line for pay-per-use or flat-rate charging at the request of itself, the communication line, dial-up server 111, and communication for flat-rate charging Since communication with the management apparatus 102 is enabled again via the line, the burden of communication charges can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the mediating apparatus and the image forming apparatus having the communication function have been described as examples of the communication apparatus (client) according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and the communication function is provided. Network communication home appliances, vending machines, medical equipment, power supply equipment, air conditioning systems, gas / water / electricity metering systems, AV equipment, game machines, etc. It can be applied to various communication devices. Even when these communication devices are managed devices, the remote management system can be operated in the same manner as described above. Further, with regard to the remote management system of the communication device, the configuration of the communication device, the mediation device, and the management device and their connection form are not limited to the above embodiments.

The program according to the present invention causes a computer that controls the communication apparatus such as the above-described mediating apparatus to realize various functions according to the present invention, that is, functions as a communication state control unit, a data request signal transmission unit, and a communication permission unit. The above-described effects can be obtained by causing a computer to execute such a program.
Such a program may be stored in a storage means such as a ROM or HDD provided in the computer from the beginning, but a non-volatile recording such as a CD-ROM or flexible disk, SRAM, EEPROM, memory card or the like as a recording medium. It can also be recorded on a medium (memory) and provided. Each procedure described above can be executed by installing a program recorded in the memory in a computer and causing the CPU to execute the program, or causing the CPU to read and execute the program from the memory. FIG. 7 shows an example in which a program for realizing each function according to the present invention is stored in the card memory 35.
Furthermore, it is also possible to download and execute an external device that is connected to a network and includes a recording medium that records the program, or an external device that stores the program in the storage unit.

The present invention can be applied to communication systems equipped with various communication devices such as network home appliances, vending machines, medical equipment, power supply devices, air conditioning systems, metering systems such as gas, water and electricity, AV equipment, game machines and computers. It is.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of a structure of the remote management system of the communication apparatus of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the data transmission / reception model in the remote management system. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming apparatus management system which is an example of a communication apparatus management system according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a physical configuration example of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration example of the image forming apparatus.

2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of an NRS module in the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the mediation apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function structural example of the mediation apparatus. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a physical configuration example of the management apparatus in FIG. 3. It is a block diagram which shows the function structural example of the management apparatus.

It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the mediation apparatus information in mediation apparatus information DB of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the command in the transmission command queue of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence for explaining data transmission / reception performed in the image forming apparatus remote management system shown in FIG. 3. It is a figure which similarly shows the other example of a communication sequence. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first example of a communication sequence between the management device and the mediation device 101 in FIG. 3.

Similarly, it is explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd example of the communication sequence of the management apparatus 102 and the mediation apparatus 101. FIG. Similarly, it is explanatory drawing which shows the 3rd example of the communication sequence of the management apparatus 102 and the mediation apparatus 101. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the schematic example of the control concerning this invention by the control part 50 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Managed apparatus 11: Managed apparatus with mediation function 31, 201: CPU 32: DRAM 33: Flash ROM 34: Card memory controller 35: Card memory 36: Image forming apparatus I / F 37: Real time clock circuit 38: Modem 39: NCU 40, 41: NIC 50, 700: control unit 51: incoming call detection unit 52: command reception unit 53: dial-up client 54: mediation control unit 55: device command transmission unit 56, 710: device communication unit 60, 710 : Communication unit 61: LAN connection unit 62, 712: Modem unit 70: Callback destination DB 100: Image forming device 101: Mediation device 102: Management device 103: Public line 104: Firewall 110: Image with mediation function Forming apparatus 111: Dial-up server 112: Internet 202: ASIC 203: SDRAM 204: Flash memory 205: NRS memory 206: PHY 207: Operation unit 216: Plotter / scanner engine 300: OCS 301: ECS 302: MCS 303: NCS 304: FCS 305: NRS 306: SCS 307: SRM 308: IMH 309: Copy application 310: Fax application 311: Printer application 312: Scanner application 313: Net file application 314: Web application 315: CSS 316: DCS 320: General-purpose OS 601: Modem 602: Communication terminal 603: Proxy server 604: Operator terminal 605: Airusaba 606: Control unit 701: device control unit 702: call controller 703: command response unit 711: WAN connection unit 720: storage unit 721: mediating apparatus information DB 722: the transmission command queue

Claims (3)

A communication system in which a server and a client communicate using a communication line,
By sending a communication request signal to the client via the first communication line used as a bidirectional communication line that enables data communication with the other party in response to a request from both itself and the client to the server, Providing communication state control means for enabling communication with the client via the communication line;
When the communication request signal is received from the server via the first communication line to the client, the server is enabled to communicate with the server via the communication line, and the state is once released, By making a communication request to a relay device designated in advance via a second communication line used as a one-way communication line that enables data communication with the server by a request from itself, the communication line, relay And a communication state control means for enabling communication with the server again via a third communication line used as the one-way communication line, and the second communication line and relay by the communication state control means. device, and after becoming the third communication state again between the server via a communication line, and a data request signal transmitting means for transmitting a data request signal to the server provided
In the server, when the data request signal is stored via the second communication line, the relay device, and the third communication line from the client, data storage means for storing data to be transmitted to the client, A data transmission start means for starting transmission of data in the data storage means to the client via the third communication line, the relay device, and the second communication line;
The server communication state control means transmits a communication request signal to the client via the first communication line, a means for transmitting a preset retry time, and from the time of transmission of the communication request signal. Means for deleting data in the data storage means when the data request signal is not received even after the retry time has elapsed;
Communication state control means before SL client when communicating request to the relay apparatus through the second communication line, a means for Ru with a preset communication request destination identification information, said server When the retry time is received from the server, the means for setting the retry time can communicate with the server via the second communication line, the relay device, and the third communication line according to the communication request. A communication system, comprising: means for re-executing the communication request when not in a state; and means for permitting a re-communication request by the means within the retry time . The communication system according to claim 1 ,
The communication state control means of the server has means for transmitting a preset communication time limit when transmitting a communication request signal to the client via the first communication line,
The communication state control means of the client, when receiving the communication time limit from the server, via the means for setting the communication time limit, the second communication line, the relay device, and the third communication line And a means for permitting a communicable state with all of the servers within the communication time limit. The communication system according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The first communication line is a pay-per-use billing communication line, the second communication line is a pay-per-use or flat-rate charge communication line, and the third communication line is a flat-rate charge communication line. A communication system characterized by being.

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