JP4376811B2 - Remote management system and its management device - Google Patents

Description

This invention is the remote management system consisting of an image processing equipment and management device to manage it such as an image forming apparatus (MFP), and to the management device.

For example, conventionally, an image processing apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine (FAX), a digital copying machine (copier), a scanner, or a digital multifunction machine is a managed apparatus, and a management apparatus in a service center (management center) is a public line. A remote management system that remotely manages these managed devices via a communication line (such as a dedicated line) is proposed.
Alternatively, if the managed device does not have a communication function for communicating with the management device, the managed device has a communication function capable of communicating with the management device (hereinafter simply referred to as “mediation device”). A remote management system is also proposed in which a management device remotely manages a managed device via a communication line and an intermediary 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 remote management system (monitoring 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. (See Patent Document 1).
JP-A-6-237330

  In such an image forming apparatus remote management system, a plurality of image forming apparatuses are centrally managed by the management apparatus, so that usage statuses of the respective image forming apparatuses are aggregated, and the management information is stored in the image forming apparatus maintenance. It is used for etc. The usage status includes a counter value (number of times of processing) such as the number of copies, and the maintenance content includes automatic transmission to the management apparatus by self-diagnosis of the image forming apparatus and image formation by access from the management apparatus side. There is adjustment of each part of the device. In addition, the counter value for billing the maintenance contract of the image forming apparatus, which has been confirmed by visiting a serviceman (service engineer) customer or by telephone, can be read out remotely using this system. Has also been done.

  In an image forming apparatus used in such an image forming apparatus remote management system, the number of processes is counted (counted) for each image processing (for example, double-sided image forming processing for forming images on both sides of a sheet). A counter (nonvolatile storage means such as NVRAM) for storing the value), and the counter value (counter value) is directly transmitted to the management device at a predetermined timing (for example, by a request from the management device), or an intermediary device Is transmitted to the management device.

In such an image forming apparatus, there is a case where counter clear is executed by a command issued by a predetermined operation in the market and the value of the corresponding counter (number of processes) is reset to “0”. When such an operation is performed, the value of the counter to be transmitted to the management apparatus becomes smaller than the previously transmitted value. Therefore, the management apparatus reduces the data even though the statistics data is the cumulative counter value. As a result, the image forming apparatus cannot be managed accurately.
Here, the counter clear is performed in the following case. A serviceman (customer engineer) may want to observe the progress after performing normal maintenance work, that is, replacing parts, cleaning equipment, adjusting machine parts, etc. The effect of the maintenance work can be confirmed by resetting to “0” and restarting the count (count of the number of processing times) and referring to the value.

  However, for consumable parts that are subject to periodic maintenance in advance, a counter is prepared for each consumable part and managed, but there is no counter that can be used as a measure of elapsed time when it is not subject to regular maintenance. , Use the regular maintenance counter instead of the maintenance time that is different from the regular maintenance (reset the counter value to “0” and restart the count, and refer to the value) It was necessary to confirm the effect of maintenance work.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and in an image processing apparatus such as the image forming apparatus described above, the elapsed time after a service person performs maintenance work different from regular maintenance is calculated. It is an object of the present invention to ensure that management by a management apparatus is performed accurately even when the counter is cleared for confirmation by substituting a counter for periodic maintenance.

The present invention, for achieving the above object, there is provided a remote control system consisting of an image processing equipment and management device to manage it such as an image forming apparatus, and the management device.

The management apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is a management apparatus that remotely manages an image processing apparatus via a network, and when the number of times of image processing (cumulative counter value) is received from the image processing apparatus, When the erasure information is received from the image processing apparatus, the cumulative processing count stored in the cumulative processing count storage means is stored as the erased processing count. An erasing process count storage means, and the cumulative processing count storage means receives the image processing count from the image processing apparatus after the erase processing count storage section stores the erased processing count. The number of erased processes stored in the erase process number storage means is added to the number of processes, and the number of processes after the addition is stored as the cumulative number of processes. It is intended.

Remote management system according to the invention of claim 2 is the remote management system for remote management of the image processing apparatus via the network by the management apparatus according to claim 1, in the image processing apparatus, image processing means for performing image processing When a storage means for storing the processing frequency of the image processing, a processing number transmission means for transmitting a number of processes in the storage means to said management apparatus, and instruction means for instructing the erasure of processing count in the storage means , when the erase processing count in the storage means is instructed by said instructing means, and processing count erasing means for erasing the processing count, erase processing count in the storage means is instructed by said instructing means In this case, the information processing apparatus includes erasure information transmitting means for transmitting erasure information notifying the fact to the management apparatus.

A management device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a management device for remotely managing an image processing device via a network, and when the number of times of image processing is received from the image processing device, the number of times of processing is set as the cumulative number of times of processing. The cumulative processing number storage means for storing, and the erasure for storing the processing number added to the erasing information as the erased processing number when receiving the erasing information to which the processing number of the image processing is added from the image processing apparatus A processing number storage means, and when the cumulative processing number storage means receives the number of times of image processing from the image processing apparatus after the erased processing number storage is stored in the deletion processing number storage means. Is to add the number of erased processes stored in the erase process number storage means to the number of processes and store the number of processes after the addition as the cumulative number of processes. .

A remote management system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a remote management system for remotely managing the image processing apparatus via the network by the management apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the image processing means executes image processing on the image processing apparatus. Storage means for storing the number of processing times of the image processing, processing number transmission means for transmitting the processing number in the storage means to the management device, and instruction means for instructing deletion of the processing number in the storage means, When the instruction means instructs to erase the number of processing times in the storage means, the processing number erasing means for erasing the processing number, and the processing in the storage means immediately before being erased by the processing number erasing means Copying means for copying the number of times to a predetermined save area, and deletion information notifying that when the instruction means instructs to erase the number of processing times in the storage means By adding the copied number of processing times in serial save area in which and a erasing information transmitting means for transmitting to said management apparatus.

A management apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a management apparatus for remotely managing an image processing apparatus via a network, and when the number of times of image processing is received from the image processing apparatus, the number of times of processing is set as the cumulative number of times of processing. The accumulated processing number storage means for storing, the transmission request means for requesting the image processing apparatus to transmit the processing count when the erasure information is received from the image processing apparatus, and the transmission of the processing count by the transmission request means After receiving the request, when receiving the number of times of image processing from the image processing device, an erasure processing number storage means for storing the number of processing times as the number of erased processes is provided, and the cumulative processing number storage means If the number of times of image processing is received from the image processing apparatus after the number of times of deletion processed is stored in the number of times of deletion processing storage means, the number of times of deletion Adding the number of processing times that has been erased are stored in the management number storage means is for storing the number of times of processing after the addition as an accumulated number of times of processing.

A remote management system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a remote management system for remotely managing the image processing apparatus via a network by the management apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the image processing means executes image processing on the image processing apparatus. Storage means for storing the number of processing times of the image processing, processing number transmission means for transmitting the processing number in the storage means to the management device, and instruction means for instructing deletion of the processing number in the storage means, When the instruction means instructs to erase the number of processing times in the storage means, the processing number erasing means for erasing the processing number, and the processing in the storage means immediately before being erased by the processing number erasing means Copying means for copying the number of times to a predetermined save area, and deletion information notifying that when the instruction means instructs to delete the number of processing times in the storage means Erasure information transmission means to be transmitted to the management device, and when the transmission request is received from the management device after the erasure information transmission by the erasure information transmission means, the number of processes copied to the save area is sent to the management device Means for transmitting.

According to the present invention, in the image processing apparatus, the counter clear (the number of processing times in the storage means) is checked in order to confirm the elapsed time after performing maintenance work different from the regular maintenance by substituting the regular maintenance counter . Even when the ( erasure) is performed, the management by the management apparatus can be performed accurately.

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 using an image processing apparatus (electronic apparatus) according to the present invention as a managed apparatus 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, an image processing apparatus having a communication function and managed by a management apparatus is referred to as a “managed apparatus”.

  This remote management system uses an image processing apparatus 10 (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e) as an image processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a digital multifunction machine having a communication function or an image reading apparatus such as a scanner apparatus. , 10f). As an external device connected to the managed device 10 (as viewed from the managed device side), an intermediary device that is a remote management mediation device connected to the managed device 10 via a network such as a LAN (local area network). 101 (101a, 101b, 101c), and a management device 102 that functions as a server device connected to the mediation device 101 via the Internet 103 (may be another network such as a public line). Each managed device 10 can be intensively managed remotely via the mediation device 101. 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 order to realize a service (NRS) remotely managed by the management apparatus 102 using a new method, software corresponding to NRS is installed in a network such as a LAN (local area network) on the device user side. The implemented mediation apparatus 101 and the managed apparatus 10 are 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 public line (or dedicated line) includes an analog line, an ADSL line, a digital line (ISDN line), a fixed telephone line such as a fiber optic line, and a mobile telephone line such as a mobile phone line and a PHS line.
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, up to five 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 to the management apparatus 102 by the internet 103 without going through.
Although not shown, the managed device 10 can be further connected to the lower level of the managed device 11 with a mediation function.

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.
Further, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 1, for example, a management device 102 ′ is provided in the installation environment B, and the managed device or the intermediary device is directly managed (without going through a firewall and the Internet) by the management device 102 ′. Is also possible. In this case, the management device 102 ′ has a communication function such as a modem and a proxy server described later, and a function for managing each managed device in the other installation environments A and C, among the functions of the management device 102. There is no need.

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.
(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, ROM, RAM, and the like, a file server (database), a modem, and a proxy. It is configured by a server or the like. 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 (nonvolatile storage means), a PHY (physical media interface), and the like. Has been.

  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 remote management system, which is a remote management system using the image forming apparatus according to the present invention as a managed apparatus, will be described.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus remote management system. The managed apparatus 10 is an image processing apparatus 100 and the managed apparatus 11 with an intermediary function is an image forming apparatus with an intermediary function (hereinafter referred to as an image forming apparatus with an intermediary function). The only difference from FIG. 1 is that it is changed to “110” (also simply referred to as “image processing apparatus”), and therefore the description of the overall configuration of the system is omitted.
The image processing apparatus 100 is a digital multi-function peripheral having functions such as copying, printers, facsimiles, scanners, and the like and functions for communicating with external devices, and is implemented with application programs for providing services relating to those functions. It is what. The image processing apparatus with an intermediary function 110 is obtained by adding the functions of the intermediary apparatus 101 to the image processing apparatus 100.

  Here, as an image processing operation executed by the image processing apparatus 100, a copy operation by a copy function (an operation for reading a document image and copying it on a sheet) and a print operation by a printer function (a terminal device such as a personal computer). Printing an image on paper using image data received from the printer) and a fax operation using a facsimile function (an operation for reading an original image and faxing the image data to an external facsimile machine, etc., and a fax from an external facsimile machine, etc.) There are an operation for printing an image on paper using received image data) and a scanning operation by a scanner function (operation for reading a document image and storing the image data in a memory).

Next, the physical configuration of such an image processing apparatus 100 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image processing apparatus 100.
The image processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU 201, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 202, an SDRAM 203, an NVRAM 204, an NRS memory 205, a PHY (physical media interface) 206, an operation unit 207, an HDD (hard disk drive) 208, a modem 211, and a 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 processing 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 NVRAM 204 stores a boot loader (boot program) for starting the image processing 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. Firmware memory, data memory for storing the address (network address), model number, and counter information (billing counter data) that are identification information of the device (image processing apparatus 100) that monitors and manages the operation status, config A nonvolatile memory (nonvolatile storage means) such as an EEPROM or a flash memory used as a memory or the like for storing a file (setting file), and retains stored contents even when the power is turned off. Instead of the NVRAM 204, a nonvolatile RAM in which a RAM and a backup circuit using a battery are integrated may be used. Further, a ROM that stores a boot loader and a configuration file may be provided.

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. Of course, the NRS may be stored in the NVRAM 204 without including the NRS memory 205.
The PHY 206 is an interface for communicating with an external device via a network such as a LAN. The PHY 206 is an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 802.11b standard (compatible with a wireless LAN), an IEEE 1394 standard, an IEEE 802.3 standard (Ethernet). (Registered trademark) compatible interface (communication means) can be used.

The operation unit 207 includes 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, each counter, and the like, and an LCD or CRT character display. It is the operation means which has. For example, a touch panel can be provided on the surface of the character display.
The HDD 208 is a large-capacity recording medium (nonvolatile storage means) 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 NVRAM 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. When data is transmitted to an external device via a public line, the modem 211 modulates the data to flow through the public line. 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 a public line via a line adapter (not shown). It is also possible to connect the image processing apparatus 100 and the mediation apparatus 101 using the PI 212.
The FCU 213 controls communication with an external apparatus such as an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a digital multifunction peripheral having a FAX (fax) apparatus or a modem function (FAX communication function) and a management apparatus 102 via a public line (not shown). .

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 forms an image on a recording medium such as paper based on a scanner engine (image reading means) that reads an image of a document and image data read by the scanner engine or data received from an external device. It comprises a plotter engine (image forming means) for performing.
The peripheral unit 217 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) that automatically feeds a document to an image reading position of a scanner engine, and a post-processing device that performs post-processing such as sorting sheets on which images have been formed by a plotter engine (for example, Equivalent to finisher).

  Here, when the power is turned on (power is turned on), the CPU 201 activates the boot loader in the NVRAM 204 via the ASIC 202, reads the OS image in the NVRAM 204 according to the boot loader, loads it into the SDRAM 203, and develops it into a usable OS. To do. When the deployment of the OS is completed, the OS is activated. Thereafter, a program such as an application or service in the NVRAM 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. The boot loader may not be stored in the NVRAM 204, and a ROM storing the boot loader may be provided.

Next, the software configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 (or 110) will be specifically described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the image processing apparatus 100.
The software configuration of the image processing 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 NVRAM 204 and the NRS memory 205, read by the CPU 201 as necessary, and expanded in the SDRAM 203. Then, the CPU 201 executes these programs as necessary, and controls the apparatus, whereby the image processing means, the processing times transmission means, the processing times erasure means, the erasure information transmission means, and the copying hand according to the present invention. it is possible to realize a function of the stage.

  The software in the application module layer is configured by a program for causing the CPU 201 to function as a plurality of application control units that operate hardware resources to realize predetermined functions. The software in the service module layer includes the CPU 201 in the hardware Service control means that intervenes between resources and each application control means, and that accepts operation requests for hardware resources from a plurality of application control means, arbitrates the operation requests, and controls execution of operations based on the operation requests. It is comprised by the program for functioning as.

Note that, among the functions of the CPU 201, a method for realizing a function related to communication with the management apparatus 102 (a function as a communication unit including a processing count transmission unit) differs between the image processing apparatus 100 and the image processing apparatus 110. That is, since the image processing 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 processing 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.
Further, the image processing apparatus 100 includes an abnormality detection unit (abnormality detection means) including a sensor or the like in an engine unit including a scanner engine and a plotter engine which are hardware resources.

  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) 305, a system control service ( An SCS) 306, a system resource manager (SRM) 307, an image memory handler (IMH) 308, a delivery control service (DCS) 309, and a user control service (UCS) 310 are implemented. The application module layer includes a copy application 311, a fax application 312, a printer application 313, a scanner application 314, an SDK application 315, an NRS application (hereinafter also simply referred to as “NRS”) 316, a CSS application 317, an MIB application 318, a network A file application 319 and a web application 320 are installed. Furthermore, a general-purpose OS 330 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 305 is a module that performs facsimile transmission / reception, facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and the like.

The SCS 306 is a module that performs startup management and termination management of each application program in the application module layer according to the contents of the command (instruction), and manages the unified counter area of the NVRAM 204.
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 309 is a module that transmits and receives image files and the like stored in the HDD 208, SDRAM 203, and NVRAM 204 using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol).
The UCS 310 is a module that manages user information such as destination information and address information registered by a user (device user).

The copy application 311 is an application program for realizing a copy service (a function as an image processing unit that performs a copy operation).
The fax application 312 is an application program for realizing a fax service (function as an image processing unit that performs a fax operation).
The printer application 313 is an application program for realizing a printer service (a function as an image processing unit that performs a printing operation).
The scanner application 314 is an application program for realizing a scanner service (a function as an image processing unit that performs a scanning operation). The scanner service is to control a scanning operation for causing a scanner engine to read an image of a document and storing the image data in a memory (SDRAM 203, NVRAM 204, or HDD 208).

SDK315 is a module (application program) that bundles libraries, documents, development tools, sample code, etc. necessary for software development, and can be called by third-party software such as OS and packaged applications. Software having a general I / F is prepared to support development of software based on it.
Each of the NRS 316 and the CSS 317 is a module that summarizes functions related to remote management (functions related to communication with the management apparatus 102) using different methods.
The MIB 318 is a module that manages management information of the image processing apparatus 100.

The net file application 319 is an application program for realizing a net file service.
The web application 320 is an application program for realizing a web service.
The general-purpose OS 330 can use an operating 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.

  Most of the programs in the application module layer and service module layer have a unified counter library (unified LIB) and an NVRAM library (NVRAM LIB), and each unified counter library calls a function to the NVRAM 204 (library function call). As a result, arbitrary data can be acquired from the NVRAM 204. For example, the NRS 316, the CSS 317, and the SCS 306 obtain an arbitrary accumulated counter value (the number of times of arbitrary image processing) from the unified counter area by calling a function to the unified counter area in the NVRAM 204. Can do.

  Further, for example, the unified counter library of the copy application 311 displays the cumulative copy counter value in the unified counter area of the NVRAM 204 every time a copy operation is performed, and the unified counter library of the fax application 312 performs a fax operation (fax transmission operation or fax). Each time a receiving operation) is performed, the accumulated fax counter value in the unified counter area is obtained, and the unified counter library of the printer application 313 obtains the accumulated printer counter value in the unified counter area every time a printing operation is performed. The unified counter library counts (+1) the accumulated scanner counter value in the unified counter area each time a scanning operation is performed. Each operation described above can be further classified into a plurality of operations depending on conditions such as whether or not an ADF or a duplex unit is used.

Next, the internal configuration of the NRS 316 included in the software configuration of the image processing 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 316. As shown in the figure, the NRS 316 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 management apparatus 102 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 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 mediation apparatus 101 or the image processing apparatus 110 on the device user side (for example, a user destination using the image forming apparatus) via a public line, and modulates and demodulates data to be transmitted and received. . 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 103. 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 processing device 110 on each user side, the mediation device on each user side 101 or parameters to be transmitted to the image processing apparatus 110 (retry time, retry interval, communication time limit, etc.) and commands.

The file server 605 includes a storage device (storage means) 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 processing device 110 on each user side, data (information) received from these devices, and data input from the operator terminal 604. DB (database) 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. Various functions including the cumulative processing count storage means, the erasure processing count storage means, and the transmission request means can be realized.

Based on the above-described configuration, an example of a communication sequence at the time of data transmission / reception performed in the image forming apparatus remote management system of FIG. 3 will be described. Note that the processing by the SCS 306 and NRS 316 described below is actually executed by the CPU 201 operating according to those programs, but for the convenience of explanation, these programs execute processing. Thereafter, the same applies to the case where the program is described as performing some processing.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication sequence for data transmission / reception performed between the management apparatus 102, the mediation apparatus 101, and the image processing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG.

  In this example, first, the mediation apparatus 101 polls the management apparatus 102 via the Internet 103 (inquiry whether there is a transmission request) (S601). That is, it generates a polling SOAP message with an identifier that is its own identification information (converts the polling information to the XML format that is a structured language format), and generates an HTTP message that includes it based on the SOAP message Then, it is transmitted to the management apparatus 102 via the Internet 103. 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 transmit a request from the mediation apparatus 101 (or the image processing apparatus 100 via the mediation apparatus 101), it is necessary to wait for polling from the mediation apparatus 101 in this way. If there is no firewall 104 or if the setting for permitting communication from the outside is made, polling is not necessary.

  When the management apparatus 102 receives the HTTP message (HTTP request) from the mediation apparatus 101, the management apparatus 102 receives an HTTP message (HTTP) including a SOAP message of a charging counter acquisition request command for requesting acquisition of a charging counter (for example, corresponding to a total counter value). Response) is generated and transmitted as a response to polling to the corresponding mediation apparatus 101 (source of the received SOAP message) via the Internet 103 (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 mediation device 101 receives the HTTP message from the management device 102, the mediation device 101 generates a SOAP message of a charging counter acquisition request command on the packet based on the HTTP message, and the image connected to itself via the network The data is transmitted to the NRS 316 of the processing device 100 (S603).
The NRS 316 notifies the SCS 306 of a charging counter acquisition request described in the SOAP message received from the mediation apparatus 101 (S604).
When the SCS 306 receives the charging counter acquisition request from the NRS 316, the SCS 306 reads the charging counter data (total counter value) stored in the unified counter area 1001 of the NVRAM 204 (or the HDD 208) (S605). Then, the read billing counter data is transferred to the NRS 316 as a billing counter acquisition response (S606).

Upon receiving (acquiring) a charging counter acquisition response from the SCS 306, the NRS 316 generates a SOAP message of a charging counter acquisition response command including the charging counter acquisition response based on the charging counter acquisition response (the charging counter acquisition response command is converted into a structured language). The data is converted into an XML format, which is a format, and is transmitted to the mediation apparatus 101 via the network (S607).
When the mediation apparatus 101 receives the SOAP message of the charging counter acquisition response command from the NRS 316, it generates an HTTP message of the charging counter acquisition response command including the SOAP message based on the SOAP message, and sends it to the management apparatus 102 via the Internet 103. Transmit (S608).
Thus, data transmission / reception is performed by the communication sequence.

Next, unlike FIG. 8 described above, an example of a communication sequence when data is transmitted from the image processing apparatus 100 to the management apparatus 102 via the mediation apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication sequence when data is transmitted from the image processing 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 316 of a user call request command (S702).

Upon receiving the user call request command from the SCS 306, the NRS 316 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 316, 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 103 (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 reporting intermediary apparatus 101 via the Internet 103 (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 316 of the image processing apparatus 100 where the user call key is pressed (S706).

When the NRS 316 receives a SOAP message of information indicating the call result from the mediation apparatus 101, the NRS 316 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 316 (S709).
When the NRS 316 receives a SOAP message indicating information indicating a call result indicating failure, the NRS 316 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 316, 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 316 determines that there is no response from the mediation apparatus 101 even after the specified time has elapsed, it notifies the SCS 306 of the call result indicating that the user call has failed (S712).
When the SCS 306 receives the call result from the NRS 316, 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 processing 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.

In the following, operations that characterize this embodiment in the above-described image processing apparatus 100 and management apparatus 102 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. The image processing apparatus 110 also performs operations that are characteristic of this embodiment. However, since the operation is almost the same as that of the image processing apparatus 100, description thereof is omitted here.
As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 is provided with both communication means corresponding to the public line and communication means corresponding to the Internet communication.
The image processing apparatus 100 can select a CSS system that communicates with the management apparatus 102 via the mediation apparatus 101 and the public line, or an NRS system that communicates with the management apparatus 102 via the mediation apparatus 101 and the Internet 103. Since the image processing apparatus 110 has the function of the mediation apparatus 101, the same selection can be performed.

First, a counter (image processing count) acquisition response process in the image processing apparatus 100 and the management apparatus 102 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of information including various monthly counter values (number of output pages) in the image processing apparatus 100.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of information including various monthly counter values in the image processing apparatus 100.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of information including various monthly counter values in the image processing apparatus 100.

  10 to 12, “total (number of output faces)” is a total counter value obtained by adding up the counter values (number of faces). “Number of output sheets by size” is the number (count value) of printing sheets counted (counted) at the time of paper feeding, and does not include the number of double-sided output faces (number of printing sheets passing through the duplex unit). The “number of output sheets for each paper feed stage” is the number of print sheets for each paper feed stage (paper feed tray) counted during paper feeding. “Double-sided output side number” is the number of print sheets that have passed through the double-sided unit.

  For example, in addition to monochrome and color copying, printer, and FAX (facsimile) functions, the image processing apparatus 100 has an aggregate printing function for printing (image forming) a plurality of pages on one side of a sheet of paper, and two pages. A double-sided printing function for printing an image separately on the front and back sides of a sheet of paper is provided. Various counter values corresponding to these functions are counted (counted) using the above-mentioned unified counter area 1001 of the NVRAM 204 and managed. Various counter values (including a total counter value obtained by adding them) can be transmitted to the management apparatus 102 by a request from the apparatus 102 or at a predetermined timing. Further, the counter clear can be executed and the various counter values can be reset to “0” by a counter clear execution instruction (instruction for deleting the number of processing times) issued by a predetermined operation on the operation unit 207.

  The management apparatus 102 acquires (receives) the counter value sent from the image processing apparatus 100, and stores (stores) the counter value as it is in the DB of the file server 605, or based on the stored counter value, the double-side output surface ratio And the aggregate output surface ratio, etc., can be displayed on the display unit of the operator terminal 604 as a report together with various counter values, or printed on paper by a plotter (printer) not shown.

  When the NRS 316 of the image processing apparatus 100 receives a counter acquisition request command (using the SOAP method) requesting acquisition of a counter value other than the above-described total counter value from the intermediary apparatus 101, a configuration file (not shown) is connected via the unified counter library. The unified counter area 1001 is secured on the NVRAM 204 and the unified counter specification, which is unified management information for centrally managing a plurality of counter values, is referred to), and the unified counter area on the NVRAM 204 is By making a function call, the counter value requested from the unified counter area is read out and acquired, and based on this, a counter acquisition response command (using the SOAP method) including the counter value is generated. When a counter acquisition request command (using the SOAP method) is received from the mediation apparatus 101, the counter acquisition response command generated is returned to the mediation apparatus 101.

  Alternatively, when a total counter acquisition request command (using the SOAP method) requesting acquisition of the total counter value is received from the intermediary device 101, the configuration file is referred to via the unified counter library, and the unified counter area on the NVRAM 204 is based on the configuration file. After calling all the counter values (or any number of counter values) sequentially from the unified counter area, the total counter value is obtained by summing the counter values. Based on this, a counter acquisition response command (by the SOAP method) including it is generated. When a counter acquisition request command (using the SOAP method) is received from the mediation apparatus 101, the counter acquisition response command generated is returned to the mediation apparatus 101.

  When the CSS 317 receives a counter acquisition request command (using a CSS information code) requesting acquisition of a counter value other than the total counter value from a line adapter (not shown), the CSS 317 refers to the configuration file 1011 via the unified counter library, and based on that By making a function call to the unified counter area on the NVRAM 204, the requested counter value is read out and obtained from the unified counter area, and based on this, a counter obtaining response command (with CSS information code) containing it is obtained. Is generated. When the counter acquisition request command (by the CSS information code) is received from the mediation apparatus 101, the generated counter acquisition response command is returned to the mediation apparatus 101.

  Alternatively, when a total counter acquisition request command (by CSS information code) for requesting acquisition of the total counter value is received from the line adapter, the configuration file is referred to via the unified counter library, and based on this, the unified counter area on the NVRAM 204 After calling all the counter values (or any number of counter values) sequentially from the unified counter area, the total counter value is obtained by summing the counter values. Based on this, a counter acquisition response command including it (by CSS information code) is generated. When the counter acquisition request command (by the CSS information code) is received from the mediation apparatus 101, the generated counter acquisition response command is returned to the mediation apparatus 101.

  On the other hand, when the management device 102 acquires a desired counter value from any of the mediation devices 101 via the Internet 103, the management device 102 receives an HTTP message including a polling SOAP message from the mediation device 101, thereby obtaining a desired counter value. An HTTP message including a SOAP message of a counter acquisition request command for requesting acquisition of a value is generated, and is transmitted as a response to polling to the corresponding intermediary device 101 (source of the received HTTP message) via the Internet 103. At this time, the corresponding intermediary device 101 is recognized based on the identifier added to the SOAP message in the received HTTP message.

As described above, the mediation device 101 periodically polls the management device 102 via the Internet 103. That is, it generates a polling SOAP message with an identifier that is its own identification information (converts the polling information to the XML format that is a structured language format), and generates an HTTP message that includes it based on the SOAP message Then, it is transmitted to the management apparatus 102 via the Internet 103.
When the HTTP message including the SOAP message of the counter acquisition request command is received from the management apparatus 102 for the transmission, the following processing is performed.

  That is, a SOAP message of a counter acquisition request command on the packet is generated based on the HTTP message, and it is transmitted to the NRS 316 of the image processing apparatus 100 connected to itself via the network. When the SOAP message of the acquisition response command is received, an HTTP message of a counter acquisition response command including the SOAP message is generated based on the SOAP message, and is transmitted to the management apparatus 102 via the Internet 103.

Alternatively, when the management apparatus 102 acquires a desired counter value from any of the intermediary apparatuses 101 via a public line, the management apparatus 102 generates a CSS information code of a counter acquisition request command for requesting acquisition of the counter value, and transmits it to the public It transmits to the corresponding mediation apparatus 101 via the line.
When the mediation apparatus 101 receives the CSS information code of the counter acquisition request command from the management apparatus 102, the mediation apparatus 101 transmits the CSS information code to the CSS 317 of the image processing apparatus 100 connected to itself via the network. When the CSS information code of the counter acquisition response command is received, the CSS information code is transmitted to the management apparatus 102 via the public line.

  Regardless of the request from the management apparatus 102, the mediation apparatus 101 requests a counter acquisition request command (requested to acquire an arbitrary counter value) from the image processing apparatus 100 connected to the image processing apparatus 100 at a predetermined timing (for example, periodically). The counter value can also be obtained by sending a SOAP method or CSS information code) to the NRS 316 or CSS 317. In this case, when transmitting the acquired counter value to the management apparatus 102, an identifier which is identification information of itself is added to the counter value.

Next, the counter clear call process in the image processing apparatus 100 and the management apparatus 102 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a counter clear call process in the image processing apparatus 100.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a counter clear call process in the image processing apparatus 100.

  In the image processing apparatus 100, the OCS 300 displays a predetermined screen on a character display on the operation unit 207, for example, a service program mode for a serviceman to perform maintenance work, by a predetermined key operation by a serviceman on the operation unit 207. When a command (command) instructing execution of counter clear for resetting a counter value (s) to “0” is issued by operating the touch panel on the screen (number of processing times) Is notified to the SCS 306 (step S1).

  Upon receiving the command, the SCS 306 refers to the configuration file via the unified counter library, and makes a function call to the unified counter area 1001 on the NVRAM 204 based on the configuration file. The counter value (counter information) requested by is read and acquired, and is copied to the counter clear call area (predetermined save area) 1002a in the NRS area 1002 (step S2).

  Thereafter, the SCS 306 resets the counter value in the unified counter area 1001 to “0” via the unified counter library (step S3), and adds a counter clear call command (erase information) to that effect to the NRS area 1002 Is added to the counter clear call area 1002a, and the counter clear call command to which the counter value is added is passed to the NRS 316, whereby the counter clear call command received by the NRS 316 is converted into a SOAP method (structured). 20 is converted into a SOAP message (counter clear call SOAP command) as shown in FIG. 20, and is transmitted to the mediation apparatus 101 by the NCS 303 (step S4).

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a format example of a counter clear call command. In this example, a call ID (call) indicating the type of report information (call information), a call type (calltype), a call detail (calldetail), and monochrome and a plurality of counter values (count) reset by counter clearing A full color cumulative copy count value, a cumulative printer counter value, a cumulative fax counter value, a cumulative duplex counter value (cumulative duplex output surface count), and a cumulative aggregate counter value are shown.

  When the mediation apparatus 101 receives the SOAP message of the counter clear call command from the image processing apparatus 100 connected to itself, the mediation apparatus 101 generates an HTTP message including the SOAP message based on the SOAP message, and manages the HTTP message via the Internet 103. Send to device 102.

  The SCS 306 that has received an instruction to execute counter clearing to reset a certain counter value (s) to “0” is requested from the unified counter area 1001 by the above instruction via the unified counter library. The counter value is read and acquired, copied to the counter clear call area in the CSS area (not shown), the counter value in the unified counter area 1001 is reset to “0”, and the counter is cleared to notify that. The counter value copied to the counter clear call area in the CSS area is added to the call command, and the counter clear call command with the counter value added is passed to the CSS 317, so that the counter clear call command received by the CSS 317 is Convert to CSS information code It may be sent to the line adapter (not shown). When the line adapter receives the CSS information code from the image processing apparatus 100 connected thereto, the line adapter transmits it to the management apparatus 102 via the public line.

  Alternatively, the SCS 306 that has received an instruction to instruct execution of counter clearing to reset a certain counter value (or a plurality of counter values) to “0” immediately receives the counter value requested by the instruction in the unified counter area 1001 ( The counter clear call command notifying that is reset to “0” and passing the NRS 316 or CSS 317 to the NRS 316 or CSS 317 so that the counter clear call command received by the NRS 316 or CSS 317 is transferred to the SOAP method or CSS information code. It can also be converted and sent to the intermediary device 101 or line adapter.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing when the management apparatus 102 receives a counter clear call and when receiving a normal counter value.
When the management device 102 receives an HTTP message of a counter clear call command from any of the intermediary devices 101 (devices) via the Internet 103 (step S11), the management device 102 obtains the message from the description content of the SOAP message in the HTTP message. The file server 605 recognizes that the counter clear has been executed in the image processing apparatus 100 connected to the mediation apparatus 101 of the transmission source, and sets the counter value added to the SOAP message as the counter value reset by the counter clear. (Step S12).

  When an HTTP message of a counter acquisition response command (including a normal counter value) is received (acquired) from the intermediary device 101 via the Internet 103 (step S13), it is described in the SOAP message in the HTTP message. The counter value is recognized, and the counter value is added to the corresponding counter value reset by the counter clear stored in the DB in the file server 605, and stored as an accumulated counter value (step S14).

Alternatively, when the CSS information code of the counter acquisition response command is received from any of the intermediary devices 101 via the public line, the counter value described in the CSS information code is recognized, and the counter value is stored in the DB in the file server 605. Is stored together with the corresponding counter value reset by clearing the counter stored in (1) and stored as an accumulated counter value.
The processing in the image processing apparatus 100 or the like for acquiring the HTTP message or CSS information code of the counter acquisition response command is as described above.

In the above-described embodiment, the image processing apparatus 100 copies the counter value reset by the counter clear and transmits a counter clear call command to which the counter value is added to the management apparatus 102 by the mediation apparatus 101. A counter clear call command that does not add the copied counter value can be transmitted to the management apparatus 102 by the mediation apparatus 101.
Processing in the management apparatus 102 and the image processing apparatus 100 in this case will be briefly described.

  When the management device 102 receives an HTTP message or CSS information code of a counter clear call command without adding a counter value, the intermediary device that is the transmission source of the message from the description content of the SOAP message or CSS information code in the HTTP message An HTTP message or CSS information including a SOAP message of a reset counter acquisition request command for recognizing that counter clear has been executed in the image processing apparatus 100 connected to 101 and requesting acquisition of a counter value reset by counter clear A code is generated and transmitted to the corresponding intermediary device 101 (source of the received HTTP message or CSS information code) via the Internet 103.

When the corresponding intermediary device 101 receives the HTTP message including the SOAP message of the reset counter acquisition request command from the management device 102, it generates a SOAP message of the reset counter acquisition request command based on the HTTP message, and transmits it to the network via the network. When the SOAP message of the reset counter acquisition response command is received from the NRS 316 in response to the transmission to the NRS 316 of the image processing apparatus 100 connected thereto, the HTTP message of the reset counter acquisition response command including it based on the SOAP message Is transmitted to the management apparatus 102 via the Internet 103.
When the NRS 316 of the image processing apparatus 100 receives the SOAP message of the reset counter acquisition request command from the corresponding mediation apparatus 101, the NRS 316 reads and acquires the counter value on the counter clear call area 1002a of the NRS area 1002 (by function call). ), A SOAP message of a reset counter acquisition response command including it is generated on the basis thereof, and it is returned to the corresponding mediation apparatus 101.

Alternatively, when the corresponding mediation apparatus 101 receives the CSS information code of the reset counter acquisition request command from the management apparatus 102, the corresponding mediation apparatus 101 transmits the CSS information code to the CSS 317 of the image processing apparatus 100 connected to itself via the network. On the other hand, when the CSS information code of the reset counter acquisition response command is received from the CSS 317, the CSS information code is transmitted to the management apparatus 102 via the public line.
When the CSS 317 of the image processing apparatus 100 receives the CSS information code of the reset counter acquisition request command from the corresponding mediation apparatus 101, the CSS 317 reads and acquires the counter value on the counter clear call area 1002a of the NRS area 1002 (function call). Based on this, a CSS information code of a reset counter acquisition response command including it is generated and returned to the corresponding mediation apparatus 101.

When the management apparatus 102 receives an HTTP message of a reset counter acquisition response command from the corresponding intermediary apparatus 101 via the Internet 103, the counter value described in the SOAP message in the HTTP message is reset by counter clearing. Is stored in the DB in the file server 605.
Alternatively, when the CSS information code of the counter acquisition response command is received from the corresponding mediation apparatus 101 via the public line, the counter value described in the CSS information code is set as the counter value reset by the counter clear in the file server 605. Save to DB.
Note that the current cumulative counter value stored in the DB in the file server 605 is not reset as a counter value reset by counter clear without receiving the SOAP message or HTTP message of the reset counter acquisition response command from the corresponding mediation apparatus 101. You may make it preserve | save.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a change over time of a certain accumulated counter value in the management apparatus 102. In FIG. 17, the same step numbers (S11 to S14) are assigned to the respective determinations and processes in FIG.
The management apparatus 102 obtains a counter value (here, “the number of double-sided output faces”) as of November 2003 and February 2004 from a certain intermediary apparatus 101 (corresponding intermediary apparatus 101). When a counter clear call occurs in the image processing apparatus 100 connected to the apparatus 101 (when the counter clear is executed and the number of double-side output faces is reset), a counter clear call command is received from the corresponding mediation apparatus 101 Therefore, the number of duplex output faces added to the command is stored in the DB in the file server 605 as the number of duplex output faces reset by the counter clear. Alternatively, in response to a reset counter acquisition request to the corresponding mediation apparatus 101, the number of duplex output faces reset by counter clear is acquired from the mediation apparatus 101 and stored in the DB in the file server 605. Alternatively, the current cumulative double-sided output surface number stored in the DB in the file server 605 is stored as the double-sided output surface number reset by the counter clear.

  Therefore, when the normal duplex output surface number (normal counter value notified from the device) is acquired from the corresponding mediation apparatus 101 in November 2003 and February 2004, the normal duplex output surface number. Even if the number of duplex output faces reset by the counter clear is added to the counter, the number of duplex output faces of the image processing apparatus 100 connected to the corresponding mediation apparatus 101 may be reset by the counter clear. Thus, it is possible to avoid a reduction in the cumulative number of double-sided output faces on the management apparatus 102 side.

This will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the relationship between the number of double-sided output faces by month in the image processing apparatus 100 and the cumulative number of double-sided output faces by month when there is a counter clear call in the management apparatus 102. is there.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a change with time of each cumulative double-sided output surface number when there is a counter clear call in the management apparatus 102 and when there is no counter clear call.

In the image processing apparatus 100, when the number of duplex output surfaces in September 2003 is “1000” and the number of duplex output surfaces performed in October 2003 is “1200”, the number of duplex output surfaces in October 2003 is shown. Becomes “2200”, and is transmitted to the management apparatus 102 via the intermediary apparatus 101 (corresponding intermediary apparatus 101) as a normal double-sided output surface number.
The management apparatus 102 receives (receives) the normal double-sided output face number “2200” from the corresponding mediation apparatus 101 in October 2003, and obtains (receives) it as the cumulative double-sided output face number as the file server 605. Stored in the DB.

Thereafter, a counter clear call is generated in the image processing apparatus 100 connected to the mediation apparatus 101 before acquiring the duplex output surface number as of November 2003 from the corresponding mediation apparatus 101, and the mediation apparatus 101 receives the counter clear call. When a counter clear call command is sent, the command is acquired, and the number of double-side output faces “2200” added to the command is set as the double-side output face number reset by the counter clear. Whether the number of double-sided output planes “2200” reset by counter clearing is acquired from the mediation device 101 in response to a reset counter acquisition request to the corresponding mediation device 101 and stored in the DB in the file server 605 The current cumulative number of double-sided output pages stored in the DB in the file server 605 Save 2200 "as a duplex page count being reset by the counter clear.
In the image processing apparatus 100, the count (count) of the number of both-side output surfaces is restarted from “0” by executing the counter clear.

  Then, in November 2003, when a normal duplex output surface number “500” is sent from the corresponding mediation apparatus 101, it is acquired and the following processing is performed. That is, since the double-side output surface number “2200” reset by the counter clear is stored, the double-side output surface number reset by the counter clear to the normal double-side output surface number “500” acquired from the corresponding intermediary device 101. By adding “2200”, the addition result “2700” is stored in the DB in the file server 605 as the cumulative number of double-sided output faces. If there is no counter clear call, the above addition is not performed, so "500" is stored as the cumulative number of double-sided output surfaces, and the cumulative number of double-sided output surfaces (cumulative counter value) decreases. become.

In the image processing apparatus 100, when the number of double-sided output planes performed in December 2003 is “2000”, the double-sided output plane number in December 2003 is “2500”. The number is transmitted to the management apparatus 102 via the corresponding mediation apparatus 101.
When a normal duplex output number “2500” is sent from the corresponding mediation apparatus 101 in December 2003, the management apparatus 102 acquires it and performs the following processing. That is, the addition result “4700” in the file server 605 is added to the normal double-sided output surface number “2500” by adding the double-sided output surface number “2200” reset by the counter clear previously stored. The accumulated number of double-sided output faces is stored in the DB. If there is no counter clear call, since the above addition is not performed, “2500” is stored as the cumulative number of double-sided output surfaces, so the cumulative number of double-sided output surfaces decreases.

Thereafter, a counter clear call is generated in the image processing apparatus 100 connected to the mediation apparatus 101 before the cumulative number of double-sided output pages as of January 2004 is acquired from the corresponding mediation apparatus 101, and the mediation apparatus 101. When the counter clear call command is sent from the file server 605, the command is acquired, and the number of duplex output faces “2500” added to the command is set as the number of duplex output faces reset by the counter clear in the file server 605. In response to a reset counter acquisition request to the corresponding mediation apparatus 101, the number of duplex output faces “2500” reset by counter clear is acquired from the mediation apparatus 101 and saved in the DB in the file server 605. Or the current cumulative duplex output surface stored in the DB in the file server 605 Save "2200" as the duplex page count being reset by the counter clear.
In the image processing apparatus 100, the counter count is restarted from “0” by executing counter clear.

  Then, when a normal duplex output surface number “1000” is sent from the corresponding mediation apparatus 101 in January 2004, it is acquired and the following processing is performed. That is, since the two-sided output surface numbers “2200” and “2500” reset by the counter clear are stored, the normal two-sided output surface number “1000” acquired from the corresponding intermediary device 101 is reset by the counter clear. By adding the number of double-sided output faces “2200” and “2500”, the addition result “5700” is stored in the DB in the file server 605 as the cumulative number of double-sided output faces. If there is no counter clear call, the above addition is not performed, so "1000" is stored as the cumulative number of double-sided output surfaces, and the cumulative number of double-sided output surfaces is reduced.

In the image processing apparatus 100, when the number of double-sided output planes performed in February 2004 is “500”, the double-sided output plane number in February 2004 is “1500”. The number is transmitted to the management apparatus 102 via the corresponding mediation apparatus 101.
In February 2004, when the normal intermediary device 101 receives the number “1500” of both-side output surfaces, the management device 102 acquires it and performs the following processing. That is, the addition result “6200” is obtained by adding the double-side output surface numbers “2200” and “2500” reset by the counter clear previously stored to the normal double-side output surface number “1500”. The accumulated number of double-sided output faces is stored in the DB in the file server 605. If there is no counter clear call, since the above addition is not performed, “1500” is stored as the cumulative number of double-sided output surfaces, so the cumulative number of double-sided output surfaces decreases.

According to this embodiment, the effects shown in (1) to (3) can be obtained.
(1) The image processing apparatus 100 sets the counter value stored in the unified counter area 1001 of the NVRAM 204 (which may be the HDD 208) to “0” when a counter clear execution (deletion of processing count) is instructed. In addition to resetting (erasing), the intermediary device 101 transmits a counter clear call command (erasing information) to that effect to the management device 102.

  Thereby, on the management apparatus 102 side, when the counter clear call command is acquired from the image processing apparatus 100 (mediation apparatus 101), the current accumulated counter value stored in the DB in the file server 605 is cleared. By storing the counter value as the reset counter value, even if the normal counter value acquired from the image processing apparatus 100 thereafter is smaller than the previously acquired counter value, the accumulated counter value (by counter clearing) is added to the normal counter value. By adding the reset counter value), the cumulative counter value stored in the DB in the file server 605 is not reduced, so that the service person can perform maintenance work different from the regular maintenance of the image processing apparatus 100. Elapsed time after going to the regular maintenance counter Even when performing the counter clear to verify by substituting area) for unified counter NVRAM204 In this embodiment, it is possible to accurately perform remote management of the image processing apparatus 100 by the management apparatus 102.

(2) When the execution of counter clear is instructed, the image processing apparatus 100 copies the counter value stored in the unified counter area 1001 of the NVRAM 204 to a predetermined save area, and then copies it to the unified counter area 1001. The stored counter value is reset to “0”, and the accumulated counter value previously copied is added to the counter clear call command notifying that fact, and transmitted to the management apparatus 102 by the mediation apparatus 101.

  Thereby, on the management apparatus 102 side, when the counter clear call command is acquired from the image processing apparatus 100 (mediation apparatus 101), the counter value added to the command is stored as the counter value reset by the counter clear. By adding the counter value reset by the counter clear to the normal counter value even if the normal counter value acquired from the image processing apparatus 100 is smaller than the previously acquired value, Since the cumulative counter value stored in the DB in the file server 605 does not decrease, the elapsed time after the serviceman performs a maintenance operation different from the periodic maintenance of the image processing apparatus 100 is used as the periodic maintenance counter. Count to confirm by substituting Even when performing clear, it is possible to accurately perform remote management of the image processing apparatus 100 by the management apparatus 102.

(3) When the execution of counter clear is instructed, the image processing apparatus 100 copies the accumulated counter value stored in the unified counter area 1001 of the NVRAM 204 to a predetermined save area, and then the unified counter area 1001 The accumulated counter value stored in is reset to “0”, and a counter clear call command notifying that is transmitted to the management apparatus 102 by the mediation apparatus 101.
When acquiring a counter clear call command from the image processing apparatus 100 (mediation apparatus 101), the management apparatus 102 requests the image processing apparatus 100 to transmit (acquire) a reset counter value.
In response to a reset counter value transmission request from the management apparatus 102, the image processing apparatus 100 transmits the previously copied counter value (counter value reset by counter clear) to the management apparatus 102.

  Thereby, the management apparatus 102 stores the counter value acquired from the image processing apparatus 100 as the counter value reset by the counter clear, so that the normal counter value acquired from the image processing apparatus 100 is acquired the previous time. If the counter value reset by the counter clear is added to the normal counter value, the cumulative counter value stored in the DB in the file server 605 will not decrease even if the counter value has decreased. Even when the counter is cleared to confirm the elapsed time after the maintenance work different from the regular maintenance of the image processing apparatus 100 by substituting the regular maintenance counter, the management apparatus 102 Accurate remote management of the image processing apparatus 100 Door can be.

  In this embodiment, in the image processing apparatus 100, in order to count and store various counter values, a unified counter area 1001 is secured in the NVRAM 204, and the unified counter area 1001 is used as a unified counter. However, it is also possible to secure a plurality of counter areas for storing various counter values in the NVRAM 204 and use each counter area as a counter.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 110 having the communication function (mediation function) and the image processing apparatus 100 to which the mediation apparatus 101 performing the communication function is connected have been described as examples of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Can be connected to a network that has a communication function or is connected to an intermediary device that performs the communication function, AV equipment (DVD recorder, etc.), medical equipment (CT, MRI, etc.) The present invention can be applied to various image processing apparatuses having a communication function, including computers. Even when these image processing apparatuses 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 image processing apparatus, the configuration of the image processing apparatus, the mediating apparatus, and the management apparatus and their connection form are not limited to the above embodiments. Communication between the image processing apparatus and the management apparatus can be performed using various communication lines (communication paths) capable of constructing a network regardless of wired or wireless.

Further, the program according to the present invention, the computer functioning as the image processing apparatus described above, various functions according to the invention (image processing means, the processing number transmission means, processing count erasing means, and erasing information transmitting means and copying hand stage, 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.
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 a remote management system including an image processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus and a management apparatus, and the management apparatus .

It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of a structure of the remote management system of the image processing apparatus by 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 remote management system which is an example of an image processing 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.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the NRS 316 in FIG. 5. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a physical configuration example of the management apparatus 102 in FIG. 3. 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 shows an example of the other communication sequence. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of information including various monthly counter values (number of output faces) in the image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the information similarly containing the various counter values of a single month. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the information similarly containing various counter values of a single month. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a counter clear call process similarly. It is a flowchart which similarly shows an example of a counter clear call process. It is a figure which shows the example of a format of the command for counter clear calls.

It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process at the time of counter clear call reception in the management apparatus 102 shown in FIG. 7, and normal counter value reception. It is a diagram which shows an example of a time-dependent change of a certain accumulation counter value similarly. An example of the relationship between the number of monthly duplex output pages in the image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the cumulative number of duplex output pages by month when there is a counter clear call in the management apparatus 102. It is explanatory drawing shown. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a change with time of each cumulative double-sided output surface number when there is a counter clear call in the management apparatus shown in FIG. 7 and when there is no counter clear call.

Explanation of symbols

10: Managed device 11: Managed device with mediation function 100: Image processing device 101: Mediation device 102: Management device 103: Internet 104: Firewall 201: CPU 202: ASIC
203 SDRAM 204: NVRAM 205: NRS memory 206: PHY 207: Operation unit 208: HDD 211: Modem 212: PI 213: FCU 214: USB interface 215: IEEE1394 interface 216: Plotter / scanner engine 217: Peripheral device 300: OCS 301 : ECS 302: MCS
303: NCS 305: FCS 306: SCS 307: SRM
308: IMH 309: DCS 310: UCS 311: Copy application 312: Fax application 313: Printer application 314: Scanner application 315: SDK 316: NRS 317: CSS 318: MIB
319: Net file application 320: Web application 330: General-purpose OS
601: Modem 602: Communication terminal 603: Proxy server 604: Operator terminal 605: File server 606: Control device 1001: Unified counter area

Claims (6)

A management device for remotely managing an image processing device via a network,
When the number of times of image processing is received from the image processing device, the cumulative processing number storage means for storing the number of processing times as the cumulative number of processing times, and when the erasure information is received from the image processing device, the cumulative number of processing times An erasure processing number storage means for storing the accumulated processing number stored in the storage means as the number of erased processes,
The cumulative processing count storage means stores the erase processing count when the erase processing count storage means stores the erase processing count and receives the processing count of the image processing from the image processing apparatus. A management apparatus that adds the number of deleted processes stored in a processing number storage means and stores the number of processes after the addition as an accumulated number of processes. A remote management system for remote management of the image processing apparatus via the network by the management apparatus according to claim 1,
The image processing apparatus, an image processing means for executing image processing, and storage means for storing the processing times of the image processing, a processing number transmission means for transmitting a number of processes in the storage means to the management device, wherein Instructing means for instructing erasure of the number of processing times in the storage means, a processing number erasing means for erasing the number of processing times when the instruction means instructs to erase the number of processing times in the storage means, and the instructing means remote management system, characterized in that the erasure process count in the storage means when instructed, and an erasure information transmitting means for transmitting the erasure information indicating that effect to the management device by. A management device for remotely managing an image processing device via a network,
When the number of times of image processing is received from the image processing device, cumulative processing number storage means for storing the number of processing times as the cumulative number of processing times, and erasure information with the number of processing times of image processing added from the image processing device. An erasure process number storage means for storing the process number added to the erasure information as the erased process number when received,
The cumulative processing count storage means stores the erase processing count when the erase processing count storage means stores the erase processing count and receives the processing count of the image processing from the image processing apparatus. A management apparatus that adds the number of deleted processes stored in a processing number storage means and stores the number of processes after the addition as an accumulated number of processes. A remote management system for remotely managing the image processing apparatus via a network by the management apparatus according to claim 3,
The image processing device includes: an image processing unit that executes image processing; a storage unit that stores the number of processing times of the image processing; a processing number transmission unit that transmits the processing number in the storage unit to the management device; Instructing means for instructing deletion of the number of processing times in the storage means, a processing number erasing means for deleting the number of processing times when the instruction means instructs to delete the number of processing times in the storage means, and the number of processing times A copy unit that copies the number of processings in the storage unit immediately before being erased by the erasing unit to a predetermined save area; and when the instruction unit instructs to erase the number of processings in the storage unit, A remote management system comprising: deletion information transmission means for adding the number of times of copying copied to the save area to the deletion information to be transmitted and transmitting it to the management apparatus . A management device for remotely managing an image processing device via a network,
When the number of times of image processing is received from the image processing device, the cumulative processing number storage means for storing the number of processing times as the cumulative number of processing times, and when the deletion information is received from the image processing device, the image processing device A transmission request means for requesting transmission of the number of processing times, and when the number of processing times of image processing is received from the image processing apparatus after the transmission requesting number of processing requests by the transmission requesting means is deleted. An erasure processing number storage means for storing the number of processing times,
The cumulative processing count storage means stores the erase processing count when the erase processing count storage means stores the erase processing count and receives the processing count of the image processing from the image processing apparatus. A management apparatus that adds the number of deleted processes stored in a processing number storage means and stores the number of processes after the addition as an accumulated number of processes. A remote management system for remotely managing the image processing apparatus via a network by the management apparatus according to claim 5,
The image processing device includes: an image processing unit that executes image processing; a storage unit that stores the number of processing times of the image processing; a processing number transmission unit that transmits the processing number in the storage unit to the management device; Instructing means for instructing deletion of the number of processing times in the storage means, a processing number erasing means for deleting the number of processing times when the instruction means instructs to delete the number of processing times in the storage means, and the number of processing times A copy unit that copies the number of processings in the storage unit immediately before being erased by the erasing unit to a predetermined save area; and when the instruction unit instructs to erase the number of processings in the storage unit, Erasure information transmitting means for transmitting erasure information to be notified to the management apparatus; and after the erasure information is transmitted by the erasure information transmission means, when the transmission request is received from the management apparatus, Remote management system, characterized by comprising a means for transmitting the copied processing frequency to the management device.

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