JP4432682B2 - Communication management system, transmission device, and communication management program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a communication management system, a transmission device, and a communication management program that constantly monitor transmission of a processing end signal from a receiving device that is a request destination for a processing request, and in particular, is calculated according to the data size requested for processing. Communication management system for automatically making a call to a sender and confirming the progress of the process and transmission for the purpose of surely transmitting information when the process does not end within the scheduled time until the end of the process The present invention relates to a device and a communication management program .

  Generally, confirmation of whether processing requested data has arrived and processing has ended can be done by referring to processing records (hereinafter referred to as “logs”) of processing servers and processing devices that process data. By referring to the log, it is possible to confirm the time required for the process, the process date and time, or the establishment / non-establishment of the process execution.

  However, in order to refer to the log on the sender side, it is usually necessary to have the right to refer to the log, which may cause a reduction in security. Thus, in order to check whether the transmitted data has been normally reached or processed, there is a problem in that it is necessary to refer to the log every time or to check the processing manually.

In the prior art disclosed in this patent document 1, when a facsimile transmission is performed using an Internet mail type facsimile transmission system, the transmission status of whether or not the transmission is made to a destination mail server device is indicated. It is possible to check with a communication terminal device.
JP2002-132688

  However, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to constantly monitor the storage area of the destination mail server device as to whether the facsimile data transmitted to the destination mail server device is the destination. There is a problem that security is often lowered due to the constant monitoring of the mail server device, and higher immediacy cannot be required.

Therefore, the present invention provides a schedule until the end of processing calculated by the sender according to the data size of the processing request from the reception of the processing end signal indicating whether the processing is completed from the processing device by the transmitting device on the sender side. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication management system, a transmission apparatus, and a communication management program that can automatically call a number registered in advance for each sender when it is not performed within the time.

To achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a communication management system for managing communication contents when a processing request is made from a transmission device to a reception device connected via a communication line. Transmitting means for transmitting the processing request to the receiving device ; data size calculating means for calculating the data size of the processing request transmitted by the transmitting means; and the processing request having the data size calculated by the data size calculating means The transmission time required to transmit a message to the receiving device via the communication line and the transmission time required to receive a processing end signal indicating that the processing has been completed by the receiving device via the communication line Transmission time calculation means for calculating based on the bandwidth of the line and the transmission loss rate of the communication line, and the calculation calculated by the transmission time calculation means From the transmission time required to transmit a physical request to the receiving device, the transmission time required to receive the processing end signal via the communication line, and the processing time required for processing performed by the receiving device, the processing request Scheduled time calculation means for calculating a scheduled time from the start of transmission until receiving the processing end signal, and monitoring means for monitoring whether the processing end signal is received within the scheduled time calculated by the scheduled time calculation means, comprising an automatic calling means for automatically calling the telephone number registered in advance corresponding to the receiving device when not receiving the process end signal by monitoring that due to said monitoring means within said expected time, the A receiving device configured to receive the processing request transmitted by the transmitting unit; and a request content of the processing request received by the receiving unit. And process execution means for executing processing Therefore, a signal generating means for generating the processing end signal indicating processing of the end performed by the process execution means, said processing completion signal generated by said signal generating means Signal transmitting means for transmitting to the transmitting device .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmitting apparatus for transmitting a processing request to a receiving apparatus connected via a communication line, a transmitting means for transmitting the processing request to the receiving apparatus, and a process transmitted by the transmitting means. A data size calculating means for calculating the data size of the request ; a transmission time required for transmitting the processing request having the data size calculated by the data size calculating means to the receiving apparatus via the communication line; and the receiving apparatus A transmission time calculating means for calculating a transmission time required to receive a processing end signal indicating that the processing is completed via the communication line based on a bandwidth of the communication line and a transmission loss rate of the communication line; The transmission time required to transmit the processing request calculated by the transmission time calculating means to the receiving device and the processing end signal are From the processing time required for the processing performed by the transmission time and the receiving device required until received via the signal line, estimated time calculation means for calculating the expected time for receiving the said processing completion signal from the transmission start of the processing request when a monitoring means for monitoring whether it receives the process end signal to the scheduled calculated time by the estimated time calculation means, when said by by that monitoring the monitoring unit does not receive the process end signals within the expected time And an automatic calling means for automatically calling a telephone number registered in advance corresponding to the receiving device .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmitting means for transmitting the processing request to a receiving apparatus connected via a communication line, and a data size calculating means for calculating a data size of the processing request transmitted by the transmitting means. A transmission time required for transmitting the processing request having the data size calculated by the data size calculating means to the receiving device via the communication line, and a processing end signal indicating that the processing has ended in the receiving device Transmission time calculating means for calculating the transmission time required to receive the data via the communication line based on the bandwidth of the communication line and the transmission loss rate of the communication line, and the processing request calculated by the transmission time calculating means Is transmitted to the receiving device and the transmission time required to receive the processing end signal via the communication line. From the processing time required for the processing performed by the time and the receiving apparatus, estimated time calculation means for calculating the expected time from start of transmission of the processing request until it receives the processing end signal, scheduled calculated by the estimated time calculation means monitoring means for monitoring whether it receives the process completion signal within the time, the monitoring unit to the reception device corresponding to previously registered telephone when not receiving the process end signal within said predetermined time by by that monitor It is made to function as an automatic calling means for automatically calling a number .

  According to the present invention, the data size to be requested for processing and the scheduled time until the end of processing for the data size are calculated, and if the processing end signal indicating the end of processing is not received within the scheduled time, the automatic call is made. Since it is configured in such a way, it is possible to constantly monitor the processing status for processing requests, and automatically make a call when a processing end signal is not received within the scheduled time, so that it is possible to realize high immediacy. Play.

Embodiments of a communication management system, a transmission apparatus, and a communication management program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Note that the management target of the communication management system of the present invention is to monitor the end signal of a device that executes a specific process in response to a processing request from a sender, such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral. In the following description, an end signal of a printing process performed by a printer will be described as a monitoring target.

FIG. 1 is an overall structural diagram of a communication management system configured by applying a communication management system, a transmission apparatus and a communication management program according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, this communication management system is in a state where a sender network 1 and a receiver network 5 are connected by a communication line 10 and two networks are connected.

  For example, connection between LANs (Local Area Networks) which are networks within a specific range such as in a company, connection of WAN (Wide Area Network) using an Internet line or a dedicated line, and the like.

  The sender network 1 includes a PC 2 that is a processing terminal operated by the sender itself, a router 3 that serves as a communication gateway for a communication line, a server 4 that performs various services such as processing backup and centralized processing, and a telephone 11. It is provided and configured.

  The receiver network 5 includes a router 6 serving as a communication gateway with the communication line 10, a PC 7 that receives print request data transmitted from the sender's PC 2, a print server 8 that controls print output, and a print output request. The printer 9 and the telephone 12 for performing print output are provided.

  Here, after the print request data is generated by the PC 2 of the sender network 1, the data size of the print request data is calculated, the estimated end time until the printing is completed via the communication line 10 is calculated, and the printing is performed. Request data is transmitted to the router 3.

  Note that the calculation of the data size of the print request data and the calculation of the estimated end time may be performed by the server 4 instead of by the client requesting printing. In this case, the processing end signal may be monitored by the server 4 in the same manner.

  The router 3 transmits print request data to the router 6 which is a gateway of the sender network 1 with the PC 7 as a destination based on the routing table. The router 6 transfers the received print request data to the destination PC 7.

  The PC 7 refers to the print request, confirms the print request content, designates the print server 8 as the print request destination, and transmits data. The print server 8 that has received the transmission controls the requested print request and outputs it to the printer 9.

  The printer 9 transmits the output result to the print server 8 or the PC 7.

  For example, as a result of the output, if the output request is normally output, a normal end signal indicating normality is sent, and if the output request is not normally output, the output request is abnormal. An abnormal end signal indicating is sent. The transmitted normal / abnormal end signal is received by the PC 7 of the recipient network 5 and the signal is transmitted to the PC 2 which has requested printing.

  If the content of the print end signal transmitted at this time is a normal end signal indicating normal end and is sent within the scheduled end time, the processing of this system is performed assuming that the print request has been processed normally. finish.

  On the other hand, when an abnormal end signal indicating abnormal end of printing is sent or when a print end signal is not sent within the scheduled end time, a call is automatically made to a previously registered number. .

  At this time, a unified system using the existing communication line 10 can be constructed by using an IP (Internet Protocol) telephone for the telephones (11, 12) to be automatically called.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a communication management system according to the present invention.

  FIG. 2 shows a state in which the sender system 20 and the receiver system 21 are connected by the communication line 10.

  As the sender system 20, an interface 20-1, an input unit 20-2, a data generation unit 20-3, a data size calculation unit 20-4, an end time calculation unit 20-5, a control unit 20-6, a storage unit 20- 7, a request unit 20-8, an end signal reception control unit 20-9, a calling unit 20-10, a monitoring unit 20-11, and a display unit 20-12.

  The interface 20-1 implements an electrical connection between the sender system 20 and the receiver system 21.

  The input unit 20-2 is used to input data to be generated or input manually by a person who confirms a working state.

  The data generation unit 20-3 generates data for performing a print request from the input data input by the input unit 20-2.

  The data size calculation unit 20-4 calculates the data size in the data generated by the data generation unit 20-3. The data includes header information for transmission to the recipient network 21 via the communication line.

  The end time calculation unit 20-5 calculates the time from when the print request having the size of the print request data calculated by the data size calculation unit 20-4 starts to be completed by the printing apparatus.

  It is not limited to the time from the start to the end of printing, but is transmitted to the recipient system 21 via a communication line, and further, a printing request is made from the recipient network to the printing device, and printing is actually performed by the printing device. In addition, a configuration may be employed in which a total estimated time until completion is received until an end signal indicating the end of printing is received.

  For example, the transmission rate may be calculated in consideration of the bandwidth of the communication line from the sender network 20 to the receiver system 21 and the transmission loss rate, and the transmission size per unit time may be calculated.

  The control unit 20-6 performs control such as associating the print request data generated by the data generation unit 20-3 with the data for which a print request is made based on the estimated end time until the end of printing by the end time calculation unit 20-5. In addition, control is also performed such that the print request data for which the print request has been made is transmitted to the storage unit 20-7 together with the print request destination (destination), request start time, print request data size, scheduled end time, and the like.

  The storage unit 20-7 stores information such as print request data transmitted by the control unit 20-6. Various data stored in the storage unit 20-7 is referred to from the display unit 20-12, the calling unit 20-10, and the like. The contents stored in the storage unit 20-7 are shown in FIG.

  The request unit 20-8 receives the content controlled by the control unit 20-6 and creates data for requesting printing to the recipient system. The generated print request data is transmitted to the interface 20-1 and transmitted to the recipient network 21.

  The end signal reception control unit 20-9 receives the end signal when the signal received by the interface 20-1 is an end signal indicating the end of printing, and stores the received end signal in the storage unit 20-7. Control is performed to update the storage data of the storage unit 20-7 in comparison with the scheduled end time.

  The calling unit 20-10 automatically makes a call to a pre-registered number with respect to a partner who does not receive an end signal even though the scheduled end time has elapsed from the monitoring unit 20-11.

  The monitoring unit 20-11 monitors whether or not the end signal control unit 20-9 receives the end signal within the scheduled end time stored in the storage unit 20-7. If the end signal is not received within the scheduled end time, an instruction is sent from the calling unit 20-10 to make an automatic call.

  The display unit 20-12 displays a monitoring list which is the content of monitoring monitored by the monitoring unit 20-11, or a screen indicating that automatic calling is performed when an end signal is not received within the scheduled end time Is displayed.

  The receiver system 21 includes an interface 21-1, an analysis unit 21-2, an output control unit 21-3, a printer 21-4, a signal generation unit 21-5, and a signal transmission unit 21-6.

  The interface 21-1 implements an electrical connection between the sender system 20 and the receiver system 21.

  The analysis unit 21-2 analyzes whether the data transmitted from the transmission system 20 is print request data.

  The output control unit 21-3 outputs to the printer 21-4 when the content analyzed by the analysis unit 21-2 is print request data, and controls the output result from the printer 21-4. .

  The signal generation unit 21-5 generates a signal based on the content controlled by the output control unit 21-3. For example, a normal end signal is generated as an end signal indicating the end of output when printing by the printer 21-4 is normally completed, and an abnormal end signal is generated when printing is not normally completed. To do.

  The signal transmitter 21-6 transmits the end signal generated by the signal generator 21-5 to the sender of the print request.

  According to such a configuration, the estimated end time until the end of printing is calculated based on the data size of the print request data, and it is monitored whether the end signal is transmitted within the estimated end time. It is always possible to confirm whether a print request has been made reliably.

  FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of the sender side A and the receiver side B of the communication management system according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 3, the sender A calculates the data size of the print request data and the scheduled end time until the end of printing, and then sends the print request data to the receiver B (S31). Measure time. The receiver B analyzes the request contents and sends a print processing request to the printing apparatus C in response to the print request (S32).

  First, in the case shown in (CASE: 1), the receiver B receives the print end signal from the printing apparatus C (S33), and the process end signal for the print request data (S31) transmitted from the sender A to the receiver B is received. The case where it received within the scheduled end time is shown. In the case of (CASE: 1), automatic call (S35) is not performed and this system is terminated.

  Next, in the case of (CASE: 2), the receiver B receives the print end signal for the print request (S32) to the printing apparatus (S36), and the process end signal from the receiver B to the sender A is received. Shows a case where the message is not received within the scheduled end time. In the case of (CASE: 2), after the scheduled end time, which is before the sender A receives the processing end signal, the automatic call is made immediately (S35).

  As a result, an automatic call can be made depending on whether or not the processing end signal has been received within the scheduled end time.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a monitoring table of the communication management system according to the present invention.

  FIG. 4 is a table for monitoring reception of a process end signal for each individual user when a print request is transmitted to a plurality of users (recipients).

  Normally, the monitoring table is created in a temporary area, and when a series of print request processing is completed depending on whether a process end signal has been received for all users or an automatic call has been made, the entire table is deleted. .

  For example, the monitoring ID 40-1, which is the primary key for each destination of the monitoring table 40, the start time 40-2 when the print process is requested, the scheduled end time 40-3 until the end of the process, and the external key for identifying the transmitted data. A transmission data ID 40-4 is included. In addition, the data table 41 whose primary key is the transmission data ID 40-4, which is the external key of the monitoring table, is the transmission data ID 41-1, which is the primary key, the storage location 41-2 in which the data requested to be printed is stored, and the print request. It has a data size 41-3 indicating the data size.

  With such a table configuration, the data size “1240 bytes” stored in “c: \ temp \ free” with respect to “254.12.xxx.xxx”, which is the IP (Internet Protocol) address indicated as the destination, is used. It is shown that the print request is started at the start time “13:55:24” and “245 seconds” is required until the end time.

  FIG. 5 is a view showing a screen for notifying automatic call of the communication management system according to the present invention.

  FIG. 5 shows a screen displayed when a processing end signal has not been received within the scheduled end time, and indicates that an automatic call is made to a designated number.

  In the example shown here, when a call is made to “03-XXXX-XXXX” (52) registered in advance after 15 seconds (51), which is a designated time, and the other party answers the call, the receiver is taken to meet the requirements. Tell.

  On the other hand, when the automatic call is not made within the designated time (51), the automatic call can be stopped by pressing the cancel button 54.

  FIG. 6 is a screen for monitoring the communication management system according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 6, the content of the print request at the moment when this screen is opened can be referred to. Here, the moment when the screen is opened indicates the content of the print request at the display time 61 that is the moment when the screen is opened.

  In addition, the content up to 15 minutes before (68) from the moment the screen is opened is displayed.

  The displayed contents include a monitoring ID 62, a destination 63, a start time 64, a scheduled end time 65, an elapsed time 66, and presence / absence 67 of an end signal.

  For example, for a record whose monitoring ID 62 is “1”, a print request is made to the destination 63 “USER99 (192.168.2.253)” at the start time 64 “13:32:19”, and the scheduled end time 65 “1221”. Is doing something. Further, at the moment when this screen is opened, the elapsed time 66 is not displayed because the processing of the print request is completed, and the presence / absence 67 of the end signal is “existent” because the end signal is received. Is displayed.

  Further, since the elapsed time 66 is displayed as “245” in the record whose monitoring ID 63 is “2”, the estimated remaining time until the end of printing at the display time 61 that is the moment when the screen is opened is 245 seconds. In addition, as can be seen from the fact that the elapsed time is displayed, the fact that the end signal indicating the end of printing has not been delivered is indicated as “none” in the presence / absence 67 of the end signal.

  Since the monitoring destination list of these monitoring screens is a reference-only screen, only the close button 69 is displayed.

  Next, the monitoring flow of this system will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing on the transmission side of the communication management system according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 7, processing is started when a print request is made, data for which a print request is made is created (S70-1), a data size in the created data is calculated (S70-2), and based on the calculated data size. The scheduled time from the start of printing to the end of printing is calculated (S70-3). Control is performed for associating the calculated data size and estimated end time with the data requested for printing (S70-4), and the associated data is saved (S70-5). The print request data is transmitted to the receiver side (70-6), and processing is performed by the receiver system (S70-7).

  When the transmission destination to which the print request data has been transmitted is constantly monitored (S70-8), whether or not the end signal is received within the scheduled end time (S70-9), and the end signal is received within the scheduled end time In (YES in S70-9), the stored data is updated, and the process ends. On the other hand, when the end signal is not received within the scheduled end time (NO in S70-9), an automatic call is made to a number designated in advance (S70-11).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing on the receiving side of the communication management system according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 8, when print request data is received, the process is started, the content of the received data is analyzed (S80-1), and if the analysis result is a print request, the print request data is output by the printer based on the print request. (S80-2).

  A print result from the printer is received (S80-3), and an end signal to be sent to the sender of the print request is generated based on the print result (S80-4). The generated end signal is sent to the sender who sent the print request (S80-5).

  By the processing according to the configuration as in the above embodiment, in the communication management system of the present invention, it is possible to prevent non-transmission of information due to a failure such as a communication line between the sender side and the receiver side.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the present system can ensure information transmission when performing immediate communication.

  The processing shown in the flowchart can also be realized by a communication management program that can be executed by a computer.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within a range not changing the gist thereof.

  The present invention can be applied to a communication management system, a transmission device, a reception device, a control method, and a program for constantly monitoring a processing result processed by a receiver processing device in response to a processing request from a sender. When the processing end signal indicating the end of processing is not received within the scheduled time until the end of processing in the processing device based on the data size after calculating the data size for which the processing request is made, automatic call is made to the number registered in advance Useful to do.

1 is an overall view showing the overall system structure of a communication management system according to the present invention. The figure which shows the system configuration | structure of the communication management system concerning this invention. The sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process of the communication management system concerning this invention. The figure which shows the table structure which monitors the communication management system concerning this invention. The figure which shows the automatic call notification screen which performs the automatic call of the communication management system concerning this invention. The figure which shows the process completion screen which notifies the process end of the communication management system concerning this invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the transmission side of the communication management system concerning this invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the receiving side of the communication management system concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Sender network 2 PC
3 router 4 server 5 receiver network 6 router 7 PC
8 Print Server 9 Printer 10 Communication Line 11 Telephone 12 Telephone 20 Sender System 20-1 Interface 20-2 Input Unit 20-3 Data Generation Unit 20-4 Data Size Calculation Unit 20-5 End Time Calculation Unit 20-6 Control Unit 20-7 Storage Unit 20-8 Request Unit 20-9 End Signal Control Unit 20-10 Calling Unit 20-11 Monitoring Unit 20-12 Display Unit 21 Receiver System 21-1 Interface 21-2 Analysis Unit 21-3 Output Control unit 21-4 Printer 21-5 Signal generation unit 21-6 Signal transmission unit

Claims (3)

In a communication management system for managing communication contents when a processing request is made from a transmitting device to a receiving device connected via a communication line,
The transmitter is
Transmitting means for transmitting the processing request to the receiving device;
Data size calculating means for calculating the data size of the processing request transmitted by the transmitting means ;
A transmission time required for transmitting the processing request having the data size calculated by the data size calculating means to the receiving device via the communication line, and a processing end signal indicating that the processing is completed at the receiving device; A transmission time calculating means for calculating a transmission time required for reception via a communication line based on a bandwidth of the communication line and a transmission loss rate of the communication line;
Transmission time required for transmitting the processing request calculated by the transmission time calculation means to the receiving device, transmission time required for receiving the processing end signal via the communication line, and processing performed by the receiving device A scheduled time calculation means for calculating a scheduled time from the processing time required to receive the processing end signal from the transmission start of the processing request ;
Monitoring means for monitoring whether the processing end signal is received within the scheduled time calculated by the scheduled time calculating means;
Comprising an automatic calling means for automatically calling the telephone number registered in advance corresponding to the receiving device when not receiving the process end signal by monitoring that due to said monitoring means within said predetermined time,
The receiving device is:
Receiving means for receiving the processing request transmitted by the transmitting means;
Processing execution means for executing processing according to the request content of the processing request received by the receiving means;
Signal generating means for generating the process end signal indicating the end of the process performed by the process executing means;
Signal transmission means for transmitting the processing end signal generated by the signal generation means to the transmission device . In a transmitting device that transmits a processing request to a receiving device connected via a communication line,
Transmitting means for transmitting the processing request to the receiving device;
Data size calculating means for calculating the data size of the processing request transmitted by the transmitting means ;
A transmission time required for transmitting the processing request having the data size calculated by the data size calculating means to the receiving device via the communication line, and a processing end signal indicating that the processing is completed at the receiving device; A transmission time calculating means for calculating a transmission time required for reception via a communication line based on a bandwidth of the communication line and a transmission loss rate of the communication line;
Transmission time required for transmitting the processing request calculated by the transmission time calculation means to the receiving device, transmission time required for receiving the processing end signal via the communication line, and processing performed by the receiving device A scheduled time calculating means for calculating a scheduled time from the start of transmission of the processing request to reception of the processing end signal from the processing time required for
Monitoring means for monitoring whether the processing end signal is received within the scheduled time calculated by the scheduled time calculating means;
By comprising an automatic calling means for automatically calling the telephone number registered in advance corresponding to the receiving device when not receiving the process end signal by monitoring that due to said monitoring means within said expected time A transmitting device characterized. Computer
A transmitting means for transmitting the processing request to a receiving apparatus connected via a communication line;
Data size calculating means for calculating the data size of the processing request transmitted by the transmitting means ;
A transmission time required for transmitting the processing request having the data size calculated by the data size calculating means to the receiving device via the communication line, and a processing end signal indicating that the processing is completed at the receiving device; A transmission time calculating means for calculating a transmission time required for reception through a communication line based on a bandwidth of the communication line and a transmission loss rate of the communication line;
Transmission time required for transmitting the processing request calculated by the transmission time calculation means to the receiving device, transmission time required for receiving the processing end signal via the communication line, and processing performed by the receiving device A scheduled time calculation means for calculating a scheduled time from the start of transmission of the processing request to reception of the processing end signal from the processing time required for
Monitoring means for monitoring whether the processing end signal is received within the scheduled time calculated by the scheduled time calculating means;
Communications manager program to function as an automatic calling means for automatically calling the previously registered telephone number the processing end signal by monitoring that by the said monitoring means in response to the reception apparatus when not received within the expected time .

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