JP7192531B2 - Communication mediation system, mediation device and switching method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a communication intermediation system, an intermediary device, and a switching method, and more particularly to technology for switching to another intermediary device when trouble occurs in an intermediary device that is in operation.

In recent years, various application servers such as SaaS (Software as a Service) applications have been installed on the cloud of the Internet, and cloud services have been provided by the application servers via the Internet. Cloud services are highly convenient because they can be used anytime and anywhere as long as there is an environment that allows connection to the Internet. As one usage mode of the cloud service, for example, data such as documents are accumulated in an application server, and the data is transferred from the application server to an image processing apparatus provided in an in-house local network. Some image processing apparatuses perform print output based on received data.

However, there is a firewall between the local network and the Internet. Therefore, for example, even if a user uses an information processing terminal such as a smartphone to issue a print instruction to an application server, data cannot be transferred from the application server on the Internet to the image processing apparatus provided on the local network. Therefore, an image forming system capable of such data transfer is known (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200013). This image forming system includes an intermediary server that cooperates with an application server on the Internet, and an intermediary device on a local network such as an in-house LAN (Local Area Network). An intermediary device provided in the local network establishes a constant connection state with the intermediary server when it starts up. By using this connection state, the application server can transfer data to the image processing device provided on the local network.

By the way, in the above-described conventional image forming system, if trouble such as a failure occurs in an intermediary device provided in the local network, there is a possibility that communication via the intermediary device will not be possible. Conventionally, in order to avoid such a situation, an intermediary unit is known that includes an intermediary device for normal operation, an intermediary device for redundancy, and a switching device for switching between them (for example, Patent Document 2). Here, the intermediary device in normal operation is an intermediary device that mediates communication between networks until trouble occurs in its own device. Further, the redundant mediation device is a mediation device that mediates communication between networks in place of the mediation device in normal operation after trouble occurs in the mediation device in normal operation. When the switching device detects that a trouble has occurred in the intermediation device for normal operation, it switches the communication path established via the intermediation device for normal operation to the communication path established via the intermediation device for redundancy. to restore communication. Further, the intermediary unit disclosed in Patent Document 2 transmits information such as the IP (Internet Protocol) address and MAC (Media Access Control) address used by the intermediary device for normal operation to the redundant intermediary device at the time of switching. take over to As a result, the image processing apparatus, application server, and the like do not need to change information such as communication settings related to the intermediary unit set by themselves. Therefore, the intermediary unit can quickly restore communication with the image processing device, the application server, and the like.

JP 2015-162034 A JP-A-2005-333243

However, the prior art of Patent Document 2 is, as described above, an intermediary unit that includes an intermediary device for normal operation, an intermediary device for redundancy, and a switching device. For example, when installing such an intermediary unit for multiple local networks, it is necessary to install an intermediary device for each local network. Therefore, there is a problem that the introduction cost becomes large in a large company having a plurality of local networks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication intermediation system, an intermediary device, and a switching method that enable switching from an intermediation device to a redundant intermediation device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a communication mediation system , wherein a first network and a second network are connected via a firewall, and the firewall is connected to the second network. a network configuration configured to block access to said first network from and a first mediating device that mediates between the first mediating device and the first mediating device that is provided in the first network and can mediate communication between the first network and the second network. a second intermediary device that operates in a standby state when the is operating in an operational state; a switching server that performs remote control by transmitting a switching instruction to switch from the operating state to the second intermediary device , wherein the second intermediary device establishes a connection state with the switching server at startup, The switching server is configured to transmit the switching instruction to the second mediation device using the connection state established with the second mediation device .

The invention according to claim 2 is the communication mediation system according to claim 1, wherein the second mediation device takes over the setting information of the first mediation device and operates in an operational state based on the switching instruction. and initiating an operation to mediate communications between said network and said second network.

The invention according to claim 3 is the communication mediation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the switching server transmits the switching instruction to the second intermediary device, the second intermediary device responds to the switching instruction. An executable program is added, and by executing the program, the second intermediation device takes over the setting information of the first intermediation device and operates in an operational state.

The invention according to claim 4 is the communication mediation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein information storage is connected to the first network or the second network and is communicable with the first mediation device. wherein the first intermediation device transmits and backs up setting information to the information storage device when operating in an operational state, and the second intermediation device is operated from a standby state. The configuration is characterized in that, when switching to the state, the setting information of the first intermediate device is obtained from the information storage device and the setting information is handed over.

The invention according to claim 5 is the communication mediation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the setting information of the first mediating device includes an address, and the second mediating device The configuration is characterized in that, when switching from the state to the operating state, the address of the device itself is rewritten to the address of the first intermediary device.

The invention according to claim 6 is the communication mediation system according to claim 5, wherein the switching server, when transmitting the switching instruction to the second intermediary apparatus, includes the address of the first intermediary apparatus in the switching instruction. In addition, the second intermediary device includes storage means for storing its own address, address setting means for reading the address stored in the storage means at startup and setting its own address, and from the switching server to the and address rewriting means for rewriting the address stored in the storage means to the address included in the switching instruction and restarting the second intermediation device when the switching instruction is received. is.

The invention according to claim 7 is the communication mediation system according to claim 5, wherein the second intermediation device includes operation state management means for managing the operation state of the device itself, the address of the first intermediation device and the 2 storage means for storing the address of the intermediary device; and when the operation state managed by the operation state management means is the standby state at startup, the address of the second intermediary device is read from the storage means and the own address is obtained. address setting means for reading the address of the first intermediary device from the storage means and setting its own address if the operation state managed by the operation state management means is the operating state; The state management means is configured to change the operating state of its own device from the standby state to the operating state and restart the second intermediary device when the switching instruction is received from the switching server.

The invention according to claim 8 is the communication mediation system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when the second mediation device starts processing to switch from the standby state to the operation state, the first network or A communication restriction command is transmitted to another device connected to the second network, and a communication permission command is transmitted to the other device after the switching to the operating state is completed. Configuration.

The invention according to claim 9 is the communication mediation system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first mediating device periodically notifies the switching server of its operating state, and the switching server is a configuration characterized by detecting that a trouble has occurred in the first intermediation device based on a notification periodically received from the first intermediation device.

The invention according to claim 10 is the communication mediation system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second intermediation device shuts down the first intermediation device when switching from the standby state to the operation state. This is a characteristic configuration.

The invention according to claim 11 is the communication mediation system according to claim 10, wherein the first mediation device has an automatic activation function that automatically activates when power supply is started, The second intermediation device is configured to turn off the automatic start function when shutting down the first intermediation device.

The invention according to claim 12 is the communication mediation system according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising an energization control device for controlling energization states of the first mediation device and the second mediation device, The device is configured to shut down the first intermediate device via the energization control device.

The invention according to claim 13 is the communication mediation system according to claim 12, wherein the energization control device includes a first slot to which the first intermediation device can be attached and detached, and a second slot to which the second intermediation device can be attached and detached. and a slot.

The invention according to claim 14 is the communication mediation system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first mediation device includes a mounting unit to which an external storage device storing identification information is detachable, Activation for reading out the identification information from the external storage device attached to the attachment unit, determining whether to operate in an operating state or a standby state, and activating the first intermediary device based on the determination result and a control means.

The invention according to claim 15 is the communication mediation system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the switching server, when the first mediation device is operating in an operational state, causes the second mediation device to The configuration is characterized in that, when a trouble occurs in the second intermediary device, the process of switching the second intermediation device from the standby state to the operational state is not performed.

In the invention according to claim 16, a first network and a second network are connected via a firewall, and the firewall blocks access from the second network to the first network. In the formed network configuration, provided in said first network, capable of mediating communications conducted between said first network and said second network, another mediating device comprising said A mediating device that operates in a standby state while mediating communication between a first network and a second network, and is activated with a switching server provided in the second network when activated. a starting means for operating as a standby state in which a connection state is established between; and a switching instruction to switch from the standby state to the operating state in the standby state from the switching server by communication using the connection state, and the switching a switching instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction; and when the switching instruction is received by the switching instruction receiving means, switching from a standby state to an operating state is performed between the first network and the second network. and switching means for starting an operation to mediate communication.

In the invention according to claim 17, a first network and a second network are connected via a firewall, and the firewall blocks access from the second network to the first network. a first mediation device having a formed network configuration , provided in a first network, and mediating communication between the first network and the second network; and the first network. and is capable of mediating communication between the first network and the second network, and operates in a standby state when the first intermediary device operates in an operational state. and a switching server provided in the second network, wherein the switching method switches the mediation device to be operated in an operational state from the first mediation device to the second mediation device. establishing a connection state between the second mediation device and the switching server when the second mediation device is booted; and detecting in the switching server that a trouble has occurred in the first mediation device. and, when the switching server detects that a trouble has occurred in the first intermediary device, the switching server uses the connection state established with the second intermediation device to perform the second intermediary device . 2 a step of transmitting a switching instruction to an intermediation device; and based on the switching instruction, the second intermediation device takes over the setting information of the first intermediation device and operates in an operational state to establish a connection between the first network and the second intermediation device. and initiating an operation to mediate communications conducted with a network of the network.

According to the present invention, an operating mediation device can be switched to a backup mediation device without installing a switching device for switching from an operational mediation device to a backup mediation device in a local network. become.

It is a figure which shows the structural concept of a communication intermediate system. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration concept of the communication mediation system after completion of switching processing; It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware configuration and functional configuration of an intermediary unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration and a functional configuration of an intermediary device in a standby state; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration and a functional configuration of an intermediary device in an operational state; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration and functional configuration of a switching server; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of the flow of each process when the switching server detects that a trouble has occurred in the first mediation device and transmits a switching instruction to the second mediation device; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of the flow of each process when the second intermediary device receives a switching instruction and performs switching processing; 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of main processing by an intermediary device; FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of standby state processing by an intermediary device; FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of operation state processing by an intermediary device; FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of main processing by an energization control unit; FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure of processing periodically performed by a switching server; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of address setting processing by an intermediary device when first address information and second address information are stored in a storage unit; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of hardware configuration and functional configuration of an intermediary device and an external storage device that are activated for the first time after replacement; FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure of main processing by an intermediary device according to the second embodiment; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of detailed processing procedures of exchange processing by an intermediary device;

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Elements common to each other in the embodiments described below are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration concept of a communication mediation system 1 of the present invention. The communication mediation system 1 is a network system in which a local network NW1 such as an in-house LAN and the Internet NW2 are connected via a firewall (not shown). An application server 5 and a switching server 4 are provided in the Internet NW2, and an intermediate unit 2 and an image processing device 6 are provided in the local network NW1. In general, the firewall used in such a network system is such that when a connection state is established between a device provided on the local network NW1 and a server provided on the Internet NW2, mutual communication between the device and the server is established. Allow communication. On the other hand, the firewall blocks access from the server to the local network NW1 when a connection is not established between the device provided on the local network NW1 and the server provided on the Internet NW2. Therefore, the communication intermediation system 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that an intermediation unit 2 is arranged in the local network NW1, and the intermediation unit 2 mediates communication between the application server 5 and the image processing device 6. be.

The intermediary unit 2 is a device that mediates communication between the local network NW1 and the Internet NW2. Specifically, the mediation unit 2 manages the image processing device 6 provided in the local network NW1 as a management target, and the image processing device 6 and the application server 5 are managed. mediate communications; This mediation unit 2 comprises a plurality of mediation devices 3 . FIG. 1 illustrates a case where the mediation unit 2 includes two mediation devices 3, a first mediation device 3a and a second mediation device 3b. Of these two mediation devices 3, the first mediation device 3a operates in an operational state in order to perform operations for mediating communication between the network NW1 and the Internet NW2. The operating state is an operating state in which an operation to mediate communication between the network NW1 and the Internet NW2 is performed. On the other hand, the second mediation device 3b has the same configuration as the first mediation device 3a, and is provided as a backup for the first mediation device 3a. Therefore, the second mediation device 3b can mediate communication between the network NW1 and the Internet NW2, and operates in a standby state when the first mediation device 3a operates in an operational state. The standby state is a state of waiting for a switching instruction from the switching server 4 without performing an operation to mediate communication between the network NW1 and the Internet NW2. The second intermediation device 3b receives a switching instruction from the switching server 4 when a trouble occurs in the first intermediation device 3a and the communication intermediation operation cannot be performed while the second intermediation device 3b is operating in a standby state. When received, the state is switched from the standby state to the operating state, and an operation to mediate communication between the network NW1 and the Internet NW2 is performed. In this embodiment, the first mediation device 3a and the second mediation device 3b are simply referred to as the mediation device 3 when there is no particular need to distinguish between them.

The application server 5 is provided in the Internet NW2 and is a server that provides various application services (cloud services) such as SaaS applications. Note that the example of FIG. 1 shows a case where there is one application server 5 . However, generally, the Internet NW 2 is provided with a plurality of application servers 5, and different services are provided for each server. Therefore, a plurality of application servers 5 may be provided in the Internet NW2.

The switching server 4 is a server provided in the Internet NW2. The switching server 4 has a connection mediation function for establishing a connection state between the mediation unit 2 and the application server 5 in response to a request from the application server 5, and a first mediation device 3a operating in the mediation unit 2 in an operational state. and a function of switching the intermediation device 3 operating in the operating state to the second intermediation device 3b when a trouble occurs in the second intermediation device 3b.

The image processing device 6 is configured by, for example, a multi-function device, a printer, or the like, and is a device capable of printing out based on data input via the local network NW1. Although the example of FIG. 1 illustrates the case where there is one image processing device 6, the number of image processing devices 6 provided in the local network NW1 may be plural.

In the communication mediation system 1 described above, the mediation unit 2 establishes a constant connection state with the switching server 4 provided in the Internet NW 2 via the firewall at the time of power-on activation. More specifically, the first intermediation device 3a establishes a connection state 110a with the switching server 4 when activated in the operational state. As a result, the switching server 4 can always communicate with the first intermediate device 3a provided in the local network NW1 over the firewall. The first intermediation device 3a communicates with the switching server 4 using this connection state 110a. Also, the second intermediation device 3b establishes a connection state 110b with the switching server 4 when it starts up in the standby state. As a result, the switching server 4 can transmit a switching instruction to the second intermediary device 3b at any time through the firewall.

When the switching server 4 establishes the connection states 110a and 110b with the first mediation device 3a and the second mediation device 3b, respectively, the connection states 110a and 110b are used to identify the address information such as the IP address and the mediation unit 2. Setting information including management information registered by the image processing apparatus 6 to be managed is acquired. The switching server 4 stores and manages the setting information acquired from the mediation unit 2 in a predetermined storage area. As a result, the switching server 4 can manage the address information of the first mediation device 3a and the second mediation device 3b, and the image processing device 6 with which the mediation unit 2 mediates communication.

In the communication mediation system 1, for example, a user connects to the application server 5 using an information processing terminal such as a smart phone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer, selects document data held in the application server 5, and then accesses the local network. In some cases, the image processing device 6 in the NW 1 is designated to issue a print instruction or the like. In this case, the application server 5 transmits a communication start request D1 to the switching server 4. FIG. The communication start request D1 transmitted at this time includes information for specifying the image processing device 6 designated by the user. When the switching server 4 receives the communication start request D1 from the application server 5, the switching server 4 identifies the intermediation unit 2 that manages the image processing device 6 specified in the communication start request D1, and activates the image processing device 6 in the intermediation unit 2 in an operating state. A connection request D2 is transmitted to the operating first intermediary device 3a. The connection request D2 includes address information for connecting to the application server 5 and the like. Upon receiving the connection request D2 from the switching server 4, the first mediation device 3a of the mediation unit 2 connects to the application server 5 based on the address information and the like included in the connection request D2. As a result, the application server 5 can transmit print target data such as document data to the local network NW1 using the connection state with the first intermediary device 3a. The first intermediary device 3 a mediates communication between the application server 5 and the image processing device 6 and transfers data received from the application server 5 to the designated image processing device 6 . When the data transfer process by the first intermediary device 3a is completed, the image processing device 6 starts printout based on the data to be printed.

On the other hand, when a trouble occurs in the first intermediary device 3a operating in the operational state and a situation occurs in which the above intermediary operation cannot be performed, the switching server 4 detects such a trouble. For example, the first intermediation device 3a periodically transmits an operating status notification to the switching server 4 when operating normally in the operational status. This operating state notification includes information indicating that the device is in a state of trouble or not. Similarly, the second intermediation device 3b also periodically transmits an operating status notification to the switching server 4 when operating normally in the standby state. The switching server 4 confirms whether or not trouble has occurred in the first mediation device 3a or the second mediation device 3b based on the operating status notifications received from the first mediation device 3a and the second mediation device 3b. do. As a result, the switching server 4 can detect that a trouble has occurred in the first intermediary device 3a operating in the operating state based on the operating state notification.

When the switching server 4 detects that a trouble has occurred in the first intermediation device 3a operating in the operating state, it uses the connection state 110b to transmit a switching instruction D3 to the second intermediation device 3b. At this time, the switching server 4 adds a switching program such as a script for causing the second intermediary device 3b to execute the switching process to the switching instruction D3 and transmits the same. Further, when the switching server 4 transmits the switching instruction D3 to the second intermediation device 3b, the address information including the IP address of the first intermediation device 3a (hereinafter referred to as "first address information") and the intermediation The setting information including the management information of the image processing device 6 managed by the unit 2 is read from a predetermined storage area, and the setting information including the first address information and the management information is added to the switching instruction D3 and transmitted.

Upon receiving the switching instruction D3, the second intermediation device 3b executes the switching program added to the instruction. The second intermediation device 3b starts the switching process by executing the switching program. When the second intermediary device 3b starts the switching process, it shifts its operating state from the standby state to the operational state. At this time, if the first mediation device 3a is still activated, the second mediation device 3b first shuts down the first mediation device 3a. After that, the second intermediary device 3b takes over the setting information added to the switching instruction D3 and sets up itself. Specifically, first, the second intermediary device 3b stores management information included in the setting information in a predetermined storage area. Next, the second mediating device 3b sets its own IP address to be the same address as the first mediating device 3a based on the first address information included in the setting information. Then, the second mediation device 3b switches the operation state from the standby state to the operation state, thereby starting the operation of mediating communication between the network NW1 and the Internet NW2 instead of the first mediation device 3a.

Until the switching process as described above is completed, the second intermediary device 3b changes the address, etc., and therefore cannot mediate communication between the local network NW1 and the Internet NW2. Therefore, the second intermediation device 3b imposes communication restriction on the switching server 4 and the image processing device 6 in order to restrict the communication intermediation operation until the switching process is completed. That is, the second intermediation device 3b transmits information indicating that communication is restricted to the switching server 4 and the image processing device 6. FIG. By transmitting such information in advance, the switching server 4 and the image processing device 6 can prevent communication requiring mediation by the mediation unit 2 until the communication restriction is lifted.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration concept of the communication mediation system 1 after the second mediation device 3b has completed the switching process. In the example of FIG. 2, the first intermediary device 3a in which trouble has occurred is shut down. On the other hand, the second intermediation device 3b has transitioned to the operating state. At this time, the IP address of the second intermediation device 3b is changed to the previous IP address of the first intermediation device 3a. Further, the second intermediation device 3b manages the image processing device 6 as a communication intermediation target device based on the management information added to the switching instruction D3. Therefore, upon receiving the connection request D2 from the switching server 4 via the connection state 110b, the second intermediary device 3b connects to the application server 5 based on the connection request D2, and connects the application server 5 and the image processing device 6. It can mediate communication. At this time, the image processing device 6 applies the communication settings used when communicating with the application server 5 via the first intermediary device 3a as they are, and communicates with the application server 5 via the second intermediary device 3b. It can be performed. That is, the communication mediation system 1 of the present embodiment allows the backup second mediation device 3b to take over the mediation operation without changing the communication settings related to the first mediation device 3a set in the image processing device 6. work efficiency. Specific configurations and operations of the intermediation unit 2 and switching server 4 that implement such functions will be described in detail below.

First, the intermediation unit 2 will be explained. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration and functional configuration of the mediation unit 2. As shown in FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 3( a ), the mediation unit 2 is configured such that the first mediation device 3 a and the second mediation device 3 b can be attached to and detached from the unit main body 210 . The unit main body 210 has a first slot 211 for mounting the first mediation device 3a and a second slot 212 for mounting the second mediation device 3b. The first intermediary device 3a and the second intermediary device 3b have external shapes that can be attached to the first slot 211 and the second slot 212. As indicated by arrows F in FIG. It is attached to the unit body 210 by being inserted into 211 and 212 . A connection port 510 for connecting a LAN cable is provided in the first mediation device 3a and the second mediation device 3b.

Further, inside the unit main body 210, an energization control section 21 (see FIG. 3B) is provided for supplying electric power to each of the first intermediation device 3a and the second intermediation device 3b. Therefore, the first intermediation device 3a and the second intermediation device 3b are supplied with power by being attached to the unit main body 210, and operate in the operating state or the standby state as described above. Further, the energization control unit 21 can control the energization state of each of the first mediation device 3a and the second mediation device 3b. Therefore, the mediation unit 2 functions as an energization control device 8 that controls the energization state of the first mediation device 3a and the second mediation device 3b.

In this way, since the mediation unit 2 is detachable from the first mediation device 3a and the second mediation device 3b, for example, when a trouble occurs in the first mediation device 3a, the first mediation device 3a can be replaced separately. can be replaced by an intermediary device.

FIG. 3(b) shows the functional configuration of the mediation unit 2. As shown in FIG. The mediation unit 2 includes a first mediation device 3a that operates in an operational state, a second mediation device 3b that operates in a standby state, and an energization control unit 21 that controls the energization states of the first mediation device 3a and the second mediation device 3b. and a storage unit 22 configured by a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or the like. A power setting 23 is stored in the storage unit 22 . The power setting 23 records information indicating whether or not each of the first intermediation device 3a and the second intermediation device 3b is activated when the intermediary unit 2 is powered on. When the mediation unit 2 is powered on, the power supply control unit 21 reads the power setting 23 from the storage unit 22 and controls the power supply to the first mediation device 3a and the second mediation device 3b. Normally, the power setting 23 is set to automatically activate both the first mediation device 3a and the second mediation device 3b when the power of the mediation unit 2 is turned on. Therefore, when the mediation unit 2 is powered on, the energization control unit 21 activates both the first mediation device 3a and the second mediation device 3b. On the other hand, when trouble occurs in the first mediation device 3a, the power setting 23 may be rewritten to a setting that does not supply power to the first mediation device 3a. In this case, even if the mediation unit 2 is powered on, the energization control unit 21 does not supply power to the first mediation device 3a, and supplies power only to the second mediation device 3b. .

Next, the intermediary device 3 attached to the intermediary unit 2 will be described in detail. As described above, in this embodiment, the first mediation device 3a and the second mediation device 3b have the same hardware configuration. On the other hand, functions that operate when the intermediary device 3 operates in the operational state differ from those that operate in the standby state. Therefore, in the following description, the case where the intermediary device 3 operates in the standby state and the case where it operates in the operational state are described separately.

First, the intermediate device 3 in the standby state will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the intermediary device 3 in the standby state. The intermediary device 3 includes a communication interface 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33 as its hardware configuration. This point also applies to the intermediary device 3 in the operating state.

The communication interface 31 is provided in the connection port 510 described above, and is an interface for connecting the intermediary device 3 to the local network NW1. The intermediary device 3 communicates with the application server 5 and switching server 4 provided on the Internet NW2 and the image processing device 6 provided on the local network NW1 via the communication interface 31 .

The storage unit 32 is non-volatile storage means configured by, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 32 stores, for example, an intermediary program 90, second address information 91b, server information 93, and operation settings 94. FIG. The mediation program 90 is a program executed by the CPU of the control unit 33, for example. The storage unit 32 can also store management information 92 received from the switching server 4 .

The second address information 91b is address information such as an IP address set in the intermediation device 3 (second intermediation device 3b) operating in the standby state. When the operation state of the mediation device 3 is the standby state, the mediation device 3 sets its own address based on the second address information 91b. The server information 93 is information such as the IP address of the switching server 4 and a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). The intermediary device 3 in the standby state establishes a connection state 110b with the switching server 4 based on the server information 93, and performs communication. The server information 93 may include information such as the IP address and URL of the application server 5 . The operation setting 94 is a setting for determining whether the operation state of the intermediary device 3 is the operating state or the standby state. The operational settings 94 of the present embodiment use operational status flags to indicate operational settings. In the example of FIG. 4, since the intermediary device 3 operates in the standby state, the operating state flag set in the operation setting 94 is preset as OFF. On the other hand, when the operating state flag set in the operation setting 94 is ON, the intermediary device 3 operates in the operating state.

The control unit 33 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like (not shown). The CPU is for executing the mediation program 90, and the memory is for storing temporary data generated when the CPU executes the mediation program 90 and the like. The CPU reads the mediation program 90 from the storage unit 32 and executes it when the mediation device 3 is powered on. Thereby, the control unit 33 functions as an address setting unit 310 , an operation operation unit 320 , a standby operation unit 330 and a switching processing unit 340 . Details of these units will be described below.

The address setting unit 310 is a processing unit that sets an IP address based on the address information stored in the storage unit 32 when the intermediary device 3 is activated. When the intermediary device 3 is activated, the address setting unit 310 reads the address information from the storage unit 32 and sets its own address. In the example of FIG. 4, the second address information 91b is stored in the storage unit 32 of the intermediary device 3 in the standby state. Therefore, the address setting unit 310 sets the address of its own device based on the second address information 91b.

The operating unit 320 is a processing unit that functions when the intermediary device 3 is in the operating state. In the example of FIG. 4, the intermediary device 3 operates in a standby state, so the operation operating unit 320 does not function. Details of the operation/operation unit 320 will be described later.

The standby operation unit 330 is a processing unit that functions when the intermediary device 3 is in a standby state. In the example of FIG. 4, the intermediary device 3 operates in a standby state, so the standby operation unit 330 functions. The connection state 110b with the switching server 4 is established by the standby operation unit 330 functioning. That is, the intermediary device 3 causes the standby operation unit 330 to function upon activation. Then, the standby operation unit 330 establishes the connection state 110b with the switching server 4 by referring to the server information 93 and automatically connecting to the switching server 4 . The standby operation section 330 has an operation state notification section 331 and a switching instruction reception section 332 . Details of these units will be described below.

The operating state notification unit 331 is a processing unit that periodically notifies the switching server 4 of the operating state of its own device. The operating status notification unit 331 periodically checks for troubles such as hardware anomalies and signs of failure, and notifies the switching server 4 of the results of the checks. When a trouble occurs in the intermediation device 3, the switching server 4 detects that the trouble occurs in the intermediary device 3 based on this notification. For example, when an operating status notification indicating that a hardware abnormality or sign of failure has been confirmed is received from the operating status notification unit 331, or when the operating status notification is not received within a predetermined period, the switching server 4 detects that a trouble has occurred in the intermediary device 3 .

The switching instruction receiving unit 332 receives the switching instruction D3 transmitted from the switching server 4 when the other intermediary apparatus 3 (the first intermediary apparatus 3a) in the operating state cannot operate normally due to trouble or the like. 110b. Upon receiving the switching instruction D3 transmitted from the switching server 4, the switching instruction receiving section 332 of the present embodiment causes the CPU of the control section 33 to execute the switching program added to the switching instruction D3. The switching program is executed by the CPU of the control section 33 so that the control section 33 functions as the switching processing section 340 .

The switching processing unit 340 is a processing unit that performs switching processing when switching the operation state of the intermediary device 3 from the standby state to the operating state. The switching processing section 340 functions as an operation setting management section 341 , a shutdown section 342 , a setting information acquisition section 343 , a communication regulation section 344 and an address rewriting section 345 . Details of these units will be described below.

The operation setting management section 341 is a processing section that manages the operation settings 94 stored in the storage section 32 . When the switching processing unit 340 starts the switching process for switching the operation state of the intermediation device 3 from the standby state to the operating state, the operation setting management unit 341 changes the operation setting 94 of its own device based on the instruction from the switching server 4. change. Specifically, the operation setting management unit 341 changes the operating state flag of the operation setting 94 from OFF to ON. For example, an instruction to change the operation status flag from OFF to ON is described in the switching program, and the operation setting management unit 341 performs processing based on the switching program to change the operation status flag from OFF to ON. do.

The shutdown unit 342 is a processing unit that shuts down another intermediation device 3 (first intermediation device 3a) in the operating state when trouble occurs. When the switching processing unit 340 starts the switching process for switching the operation state of the intermediary device 3 from the standby state to the operating state, the shutdown unit 342 notifies the energization control unit 21 of the intermediary unit 2 An instruction to shut down the mediation device 3 is output. As described above, after the completion of the switching process for shifting the operating state of the intermediary device 3 from the standby state to the operational state, the intermediary device 3 (second intermediary device 3b) that was in the standby state It takes over the address of the device 3 (first intermediary device 3a) and starts operating in an operational state. If the troubled intermediary device 3 is not shut down and is kept running, the addresses of the self device and the troubled intermediation device 3 are duplicated. In order to avoid such a situation, the shutdown section 342 shuts down in advance the other intermediary device 3 in which trouble has occurred. The shutdown unit 342 also outputs an instruction to change the power supply setting 23 to the energization control unit 21 . Specifically, the shutdown unit 342 then outputs an instruction to change the power setting 23 so as not to supply power to the other intermediary device 3 in which trouble has occurred. Upon receiving this instruction, the power supply control unit 21 changes the power setting 23 based on the instruction from the shutdown unit 342 . As a result, even if power is turned on to the mediation unit 2 when the mediation unit 2 is restarted afterward, the mediation unit 2 does not supply power to the other mediation device 3 in which trouble has occurred. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the other intermediary device 3 in which trouble has occurred from being started. By rewriting the power supply settings 23 in this way, for example, even if the intermediary unit 2 is powered on again due to restoration after a power outage, the other intermediary device 3 in which the trouble occurred will be started. can be prevented.

The setting information acquisition unit 343 acquires address information (first address information) of another intermediary device 3 (first intermediary device 3a) in which trouble has occurred, and management information 92 related to the image processing device 6 managed by the intermediary unit 2. It is a processing unit that acquires setting information including In this embodiment, the setting information including the address information of the other intermediary device 3 in which trouble has occurred and the management information 92 is added to the switching instruction D3 by the switching server 4 and transmitted. Therefore, the setting information acquisition section 343 acquires the setting information added to the switching instruction D3 and stores the acquired management information 92 in the storage section 32 . The setting information acquisition unit 343 also outputs the acquired address information to the address rewriting unit 345, which will be described later.

The communication restriction unit 344 is a processing unit that restricts communication with other devices connected to the local network NW1. As described above, the mediation device 3 cannot mediate communication between the local network NW1 and the Internet NW2 until the switching process is completed. Therefore, the communication restriction unit 344 refers to the management information 92 added to the switching instruction D3 to identify the image processing device 6 with which the other intermediary device 3 in which the trouble occurred mediated communication. Then, the communication restriction unit 344 transmits information indicating that communication restriction is being applied to the specified image processing device 6 . In addition, the communication restriction unit 334 transmits information indicating that communication restriction is in progress to the switching server 4 . When the image processing device 6 receives this information, it does not accept processing that requires mediation of communication by the mediation device 3 . For example, the image processing device 6 needs to perform communication via the intermediary device 3 for a job such as sending scanned image data to the application server 5 even when the user performs a job setting operation. Do not accept execution instructions for jobs that When the communication restriction is performed, the communication restriction unit 344 saves the communication restriction information indicating that the communication restriction is performed in the storage unit 32 . Information regarding the image processing device 6 that has transmitted information indicating that communication is being restricted is recorded in the communication restriction information.

The address rewriting unit 345 is a processing unit that rewrites the address information stored in the storage unit 32 based on the address information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit 343 and restarts itself. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the address rewriting unit 345 rewrites the second address information 91b stored in the storage unit 32 based on the address information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit 343, and restarts the intermediary device 3. . Therefore, an address such as an IP address set in the intermediary device 3 at the time of restarting becomes an address based on the rewritten second address information 91b. As a result, the intermediary device 3 is restarted with the same address as the address of the other intermediary device 3 in which trouble has occurred.

As a result of the above-described switching processing being performed by the switching processing unit 340, the intermediary device 3 operating in the standby state takes over the address information and the management information 92 of the other intermediary device 3 in which trouble has occurred, and shifts to the operating state. It is possible.

Next, the intermediary device 3 in the operating state will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the intermediary device 3 in an operational state. The intermediation device 3 in the operating state includes a communication interface 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33 as the hardware configuration, like the intermediation device 3 in the standby state.

The storage unit 32 of the intermediary device 3 in the operational state stores, for example, an intermediary program 90, first address information 91a, management information 92, server information 93, operation settings 94, and communication restriction information 95. FIG.

The first address information 91a is address information such as an IP address set in the intermediary device 3 that is in operation. The intermediary device 3 sets its own address based on the first address information 91a when its operating state is the operating state. The management information 92 is information in which information relating to the image processing device 6 with which the intermediation device 3 (intermediation unit 2) mediates communication is registered.

The communication restriction information 95 is information stored in the storage unit 32 when the intermediary device 3 in the standby state transitions to the operating state. That is, the communication restriction information 95 records information about the image processing device 6 that has transmitted the information indicating that communication restriction is in progress. When the communication restriction information 95 exists in the storage unit 32, a communication permission command is transmitted by the communication permission unit 322, which will be described later, to the image processing device 6 and the switching server 4 subject to the communication restriction. The communication restriction is lifted when the communication permission command is transmitted by the communication permission unit 322 . After that, the communication restriction information 95 is deleted from the storage section 32 by the communication permission section 322 .

The control unit 33 of the intermediation device 3 operating in the operating state functions as an address setting unit 310 , an operation operation unit 320 and a standby operation unit 330 by executing the intermediation program 90 . Here, the address setting section 310 and the standby operating section 330 are the same as those described above. However, the standby operation unit 330 does not function when the intermediary device 3 operates in the operating state. Further, when the intermediation device 3 operates in the operating state, the operation operation unit 320 functions in the control unit 33 as the intermediation device 3 is activated. When the operation unit 320 functions, the intermediary device 3 establishes a connection state 110a with the switching server 4 . This operation/operation unit 320 functions as an intermediary unit 321 , a communication permission unit 322 , a management information transmission unit 323 and an operation status notification unit 324 . Details of these units will be described below.

The intermediary unit 321 is a processing unit that mediates communication between the application server 5 and the image processing device 6 designated as the data output destination. The intermediary unit 321 receives the connection request D2 from the switching server 4 via the connection state 110a. The intermediary unit 321 identifies the application server 5 as the connection destination based on this connection request D2 and establishes a connection state with the application server 5 . After that, upon receiving the data transmitted from the application server 5, the intermediary section 321 transfers the received data to the image processing device 6 designated as the output destination by the connection request D2. In this manner, the mediation unit 321 mediates communication between the application server 5 and the image processing device 6 . Then, when the process of transferring the data transmitted from the application server 5 to the image processing device 6 is completed, the intermediary section 321 disconnects the connection with the application server 5 .

The communication permitting unit 322 is a processing unit that cancels the communication restrictions imposed on the image processing device 6 and switching server 4 connected to the local network NW1. When the connection state 110a with the switching server 4 is established by the operation/operation unit 320, the communication permission unit 322 checks whether or not the communication restriction information 95 is stored in the storage unit 32. FIG. When the storage unit 32 stores the communication restriction information 95, it indicates that the image processing device 6 and the switching server 4 are restricted in communication. In this case, the communication permitting unit 322 refers to the communication restriction information 95 to identify the image processing device 6 subject to communication restriction. Then, the communication permission unit 322 cancels the communication restriction by transmitting a communication permission command to the specified image processing device 6 . The communication permission unit 322 also transmits a communication permission command to the switching server 4 to release the communication restriction. As a result, the image processing device 6 and the switching server 4 recognize that the communication with the mediation unit 2 has been restored. Therefore, the image processing device 6 can again accept processing that requires communication mediation by the mediation device 3 . The communication permission unit 322 deletes the communication restriction information 95 from the storage unit 32 after transmitting the communication permission command.

The management information transmission unit 323 is a processing unit that periodically transmits the management information 92 to the switching server 4 and backs it up. By backing up and storing the management information 92 in such a switching server 4, the intermediary device 3 in the operating state can be used for other standby devices when a trouble occurs in the intermediary device 3 in the operational state. The mediating device 3 (second mediating device 3 b ) can acquire the management information 92 from the switching server 4 . Also, in the present embodiment, the switching server 4 is the backup storage destination of the management information 92, but it is not limited to this. For example, if an information storage device capable of communicating with the intermediary device 3 is connected to the local network NW1 or the Internet NW2, the management information transmission unit 323 periodically transmits the management information 92 to such information storage device. By doing so, the management information 92 may be backed up and saved. In this case, when the intermediate device 3 (second intermediate device 3b) in the standby state switches to the operational state, the management information 92 is acquired from the information storage device. For example, when a new image processing device 6 is added to the local network NW1, the management information transmission section 323 updates the management information 92 stored in the storage section 32. FIG. Then, the management information transmission unit 323 backs up and saves the updated management information 92 by transmitting it to the information storage device.

The operating state notification unit 324 is a processing unit that performs the same processing as the above-described operating state notification unit 331 (see FIG. 4), so description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the switching server 4 provided in the Internet NW2 will be explained. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the switching server 4. As shown in FIG. The switching server 4 includes the application server 5, a communication interface 41 for communicating with the intermediary unit 2 provided in the local network NW1, a storage unit 42, and a control unit 43 composed of a CPU and a memory. there is The storage unit 42 is composed of a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or the like. The storage unit 42 stores a switching instruction program 96, first address information 91a, second address information 91b, management information 92, and a switching program 97 executed by the CPU of the control unit 43. FIG. The switching program 97 is a program such as a script that is added to the switching instruction D3 and executed by the control unit 33 of the intermediary device 3 in the standby state described above.

The control unit 43 reads out and executes the switching instruction program 96 stored in the storage unit 42 by the CPU, so that the intermediary unit 430, the management information reception unit 431, the operating state notification reception unit 432, the trouble detection unit 433, and the switching instruction. It functions as a transmitter 434 . Details of these units will be described below.

The mediation unit 430 is a processing unit that communicates with the mediation device 3 using the connection states 110 a and 110 b established with the mediation device 3 . The intermediation unit 430 mediates communication between the application server 5 and the intermediation device 3 using the connection states 110a and 110b established with the intermediation device 3 in the operating state. At this time, the intermediary unit 430 identifies the intermediary device 3 (intermediary unit 2) that manages the image processing device 6 designated as the output destination by the application server 5 based on the management information 92 stored in the storage unit 42. .

The management information reception unit 431 is a processing unit that receives the management information 92 transmitted from the mediation device 3 . The management information receiving section 431 stores the received management information 92 in the storage section 42 . When the management information 92 held by the intermediary device 3 is updated, the management information receiving section 431 receives the updated management information 92 . In this case, the management information receiving unit 431 updates the management information 92 stored in the storage unit 32 to the newly received management information 92 and saves it.

The operating state notification receiving unit 432 is a processing unit that receives the operating state notification transmitted from the intermediary device 3 . The operating state notification receiving section 432 outputs the received operating state notification to the trouble detecting section 433 .

The trouble detection unit 433 is a processing unit that detects that a trouble has occurred in the intermediary device 3 based on the operating state notification input from the operating state notification receiving unit 432 . When it is notified by the operation status notification that a hardware abnormality or a sign of failure of the intermediation device 3 has been confirmed, the trouble detection unit 433 detects that trouble has occurred in the intermediation device 3 . The trouble detection unit 433 also detects that a trouble has occurred in the intermediary device 3 even when the operating state notification is not received for a predetermined period of time. For example, when receiving an operating state notification indicating that a trouble has occurred in the intermediation device 3 in the operating state, the trouble detection unit 433 determines that it is necessary to transmit the switching instruction D3 to the intermediary device 3 in the standby state.

Further, the trouble detection unit 433 may detect that a trouble has occurred in the intermediate device 3 in the standby state before detecting that a trouble has occurred in the intermediate device 3 in the operating state. In this case, the trouble detection unit 433 may determine that there is no need to transmit the switching instruction D3 to the intermediary device 3 in the standby state. When the trouble detection unit 433 determines that it is necessary to transmit the switching instruction D3 to the intermediate device 3 in the standby state, it outputs a switching instruction transmission command to the switching instruction transmission unit 434 .

The switching instruction transmission unit 434 is a processing unit that transmits a switching instruction D3 for switching the operating state of the second intermediary device 3b from the standby state to the operational state to the second intermediary device 3b in the standby state. When the switching instruction transmission unit 434 receives the switching instruction transmission command from the trouble detection unit 433, the switching instruction transmission unit 434 generates the switching instruction D3. Then, the switching instruction transmission unit 434 transmits setting information including the switching program 97 for causing the second intermediary device 3b to perform switching processing, the first address information 91a stored in the storage unit 42, and the management information 92, It is added to the switching instruction D3. The switching instruction transmission unit 434 transmits the generated switching instruction D3 to the second intermediary device 3b using the connection state 110b.

Next, the operations of the first intermediation device 3a in operation state, the second intermediation device 3b in standby state, power supply control unit 21, switching server 4, and image processing device 6, which constitute communication intermediation system 1, will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an overview of the flow of each process when the switching server 4 detects that a trouble has occurred in the first intermediation device 3a and transmits a switching instruction D3 to the second intermediation device 3b. .

First, power is turned on to the energization control section 21 in the intermediate unit 2 (process P1). The energization control unit 21 confirms the power setting 23 when the power is turned on. When the power supply settings 23 are set to activate both the first intermediation device 3a and the second intermediation device 3b, the power supply control unit 21 sets power to both the first intermediation device 3a and the second intermediation device 3b. is supplied to establish an energized state (process P2). The first intermediary device 3a and the second intermediary device 3b are activated by the start of energization (process P3), and address setting is performed in each device (process P4). The first intermediation device 3a performs address setting based on first address information 91a stored in its own storage unit 32, and the second intermediation device 3b stores second address information 91b in its own storage unit 32. Address setting based on After setting the addresses, the first intermediary device 3a establishes a connection state 110a with the switching server 4, and the second intermediary device 3b also establishes a connection state 110b with the switching server 4 (process P5).

Next, the first intermediary device 3a operating in the operating state transmits the management information 92 to the switching server 4 via the Internet NW2 (process P6). In some cases, the first intermediary device 3a has transmitted the management information 92 to the switching server 4 in the past, and the management information 92 has not been changed. In such a case, the first intermediary device 3a does not need to send the management information 92 to the switching server 4 again. Upon receiving the management information 92, the switching server 4 stores the received management information 92 (process P7). Next, the first mediation device 3a and the second mediation device 3b transmit operating status notifications to the switching server 4 (process P8). Upon receiving the operating status notification, the switching server 4 confirms the received operating status notification. Here, assume that the received operating status notification is a notification indicating that trouble has occurred in the first intermediary device 3a. In this case, the switching server 4 detects that a trouble has occurred in the first intermediary device 3a based on the received operating status notification (process P9). Then, the switching server 4 determines that it is necessary to transmit the switching instruction D3 to the second intermediation device 3b, and transmits the switching instruction D3 to the second intermediary device 3b (process P10). A switching program 97 for causing the second intermediary device 3b to perform the switching process, and setting information including the first address information 91a and the management information 92 are added to the switching instruction D3. The second intermediation device 3b receives the switching instruction D3 transmitted from the switching server 4 (process P11).

Next, the operation when the switching process is performed after the second intermediary device 3b receives the switching instruction D3 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an overview of the flow of each process when the second intermediary device 3b receives the switching instruction D3 and performs switching processing.

When the second intermediary device 3b receives the switching instruction D3, it starts switching processing (process P20). That is, the second intermediary device 3b executes the switching process by executing the switching program 97 included in the switching instruction D3. When the switching process is started, the second intermediary device 3b edits the operation setting 94 to change the standby state to the operating state (process P21). Next, the second intermediation device 3b instructs the energization control unit 21 to shut down the first intermediation device 3a (process P22). Upon receiving this instruction, the energization control unit 21 shuts down the first intermediation device 3a and cuts off the energization of the first intermediation device 3a (process P23). At this time, the energization control unit 21 edits the power supply setting 23 and changes the setting so that the first intermediary device 3a is not activated when the power of the intermediary unit 2 is turned on. Next, the second intermediary device 3b transmits a communication restriction command to the image processing device 6 (process P24). At this time, the second intermediary device 3b may similarly transmit a communication restriction command to the switching server 4 as well. The image processing device 6 that has received the communication restriction order will not accept the process of mediating communication with the second mediation device 3b until the communication restriction is lifted.

Next, the second intermediary device 3b rewrites the second address information 91b stored in the storage unit 32 based on the first address information 91a added to the switching instruction D3 (process P25). As the second intermediation device 3b rewrites the address, the address information stored in the storage unit 32 of the second intermediation device 3b is rewritten to the first address information 91a of the first intermediation device 3a. Then, the second intermediary device 3b is restarted (process P26), and performs address setting based on the first address information 91a stored in the storage unit 32 (process P27). The second intermediation device 3b is activated while taking over the address of the first intermediation device 3a by setting the address based on the first address information 91a. Then, the second mediation device 3b, which has taken over the address of the first mediation device 3a, establishes the connection state 110b with the switching server 4 (process P28). The second intermediate device 3b then transmits a communication permission command to the image processing device 6 of the local network NW1 (process P29). At this time, the second intermediation device 3b also transmits a communication permission command to the switching server 4 as well.

Next, an example of a specific operation in the intermediary device 3 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure of main processing performed in the intermediary device 3 . This processing is executed when the mediation unit 2 is powered on and the mediation device 3 is activated. As described above, the intermediary device 3 reads the operation settings 94 at the time of startup and performs startup processing according to the operation settings 94, thereby operating in the operating state or the standby state. A detailed description will be given below.

When starting this process, the intermediary device 3 causes the address setting unit 310 to function to perform the address setting process (step S11). The address setting unit 310 sets the address of its own device based on the address information stored in the storage unit 32 . For example, if the first address information 91a is stored in the storage unit 32, the address of the device is set based on the first address information 91a, and if the second address information 91b is stored in the storage unit 32, the second Based on the address information 91b, it sets its own address. Next, the intermediary device 3 confirms the operation setting 94 to grasp the operating state of itself. If the operation status flag of the operation setting 94 is ON (YES in step S12), the intermediary device 3 causes the operation operation unit 320 to function and performs operation status processing (step S14). On the other hand, if the operating state flag is not ON (NO in step S12), the intermediary device 3 causes the standby operating unit 330 to function and performs standby state processing (step S13). The intermediation device 3 performs standby state processing (step S13) or operation state processing (step S14) according to the operation setting 94 of the intermediation device 3, and ends the processing.

Next, the standby state processing executed when the mediation device 3 operates as the mediation device 3 in the standby state will be described. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of a detailed processing procedure of the standby state processing (step S13). When the standby state process is started, the intermediary device 3 causes the standby operation unit 330 to function and establishes the connection state 110b with the switching server 4 (step S21). Next, the intermediary device 3 causes the operating state notification unit 331 to function. The operating state notification unit 331 checks whether there are troubles such as hardware abnormalities and signs of failure, and transmits the result as an operating state notification to the switching server 4 (step S22). Next, the intermediary device 3 checks whether or not the switching instruction D3 is accepted by the switching instruction accepting unit 332 (step S23). If the switching instruction D3 is not accepted by the switching instruction accepting unit 332 (NO in step S23), the process returns to step S22. On the other hand, when the switching instruction D3 is accepted by the switching instruction accepting unit 332 (YES in step S23), the control unit 33 executes the switching program 97 added to the switching instruction D3 (step S24). The control unit 33 functions as a switching processing unit 340 by executing the switching program 97 .

Next, the intermediary device 3 causes the operation setting management section 341 to function. The operation setting management unit 341 edits the operation setting 94 stored in the storage unit 32 and changes the setting of the operation state of the device itself from the standby state to the operation state (step S25). Specifically, the operation setting management unit 341 turns on the operation state flag of the operation setting 94 to change the setting of the operation state of the device itself. Next, the intermediary device 3 causes the shutdown unit 342 to function. The shutdown unit 342 transmits, to the energization control unit 21, an instruction to shut down the intermediary device 3 in which trouble has occurred, and an instruction to change the power supply setting 23 (step S26). Then, the intermediary device 3 causes the communication restriction unit 344 to function. The communication regulation unit 344 refers to the management information 92 and the server information 93 added to the switching instruction D3, and identifies the image processing device 6 whose communication mediation is managed by the mediating device 3 in which the trouble has occurred. Communication restriction is applied to the image processing device 6 and the switching server 4 (step S27). Then, when the communication restriction is performed, the communication restriction unit 344 stores the communication restriction information 95 including information for identifying the image processing device 6 subject to the communication restriction and the communication restriction in the storage unit 32. Save (step S28). Next, the intermediary device 3 causes the setting information acquisition unit 343 to function. The setting information acquisition unit 343 of the present embodiment acquires setting information including the first address information 91a added to the switching instruction D3 and the management information 92 (step S29). The setting information acquiring unit 343 stores the acquired management information 92 in the storage unit 32 and outputs the acquired first address information 91 a to the address rewriting unit 345 . The address rewriting unit 345 rewrites the second address information 91b stored in the storage unit 32 based on the first address information 91a acquired by the setting information acquiring unit 343 (step S30). Then, the address rewriting unit 345 restarts the intermediation device 3 (step S31), and ends the standby state processing.

Next, operation state processing executed when the mediation device 3 operates as the mediation device 3 in the operation state will be described. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of a detailed processing procedure of the operation status process (step S14). When the operation state processing is started, the intermediary device 3 causes the operation operation unit 320 to function, and establishes the connection state 110a with the switching server 4 (step S41). After that, the intermediary unit 321 functions to mediate communication between the application server 5 and the image processing device 6 using the connection state 110a. For example, communication mediation processing by the mediation unit 321 is performed in parallel with the processing illustrated in FIG. 11 . Therefore, when the processing shown in FIG. 11 is performed in the mediation apparatus 3, trouble may occur in the mediation unit 32, and a situation may occur in which the communication mediation processing cannot be performed normally.

Next, the intermediary device 3 causes the communication permitting unit 322 to function. The communication permission unit 322 confirms whether or not the communication restriction information 95 is stored in the storage unit 32 (step S42). As a result of confirmation, if the communication restriction information 95 is not stored in the storage unit 32 (NO in step S42), the process proceeds to step S45. On the other hand, if the communication restriction information 95 is stored in the storage unit 32 (YES in step S42), the communication permission unit 322 refers to the communication restriction information 95 and selects the image processing device 6 subject to communication restriction. A communication permission command is transmitted to the identified image processing device 6 (step S43). At this time, the intermediary device 3 also transmits a communication permission command to the switching server 4 . After releasing the communication restriction by transmitting the communication permission command, the communication permission unit 322 deletes the communication restriction information 95 from the storage unit 32 (step S44).

Next, the intermediary device 3 causes the management information transmission unit 323 to function. The management information transmission unit 323 confirms whether or not the management information 92 stored in the storage unit 32 has been changed (step S45). If the management information 92 has not been changed (NO in step S45), the process proceeds to step S47. On the other hand, if the management information 92 has been changed (YES in step S45), the management information transmitting unit 323 transmits the management information 92 to the switching server 4 (step S46). Next, the intermediary device 3 causes the operating state notification unit 324 to function. The operating state notification unit 324 checks whether there are troubles such as hardware abnormalities and signs of failure, and transmits the result as an operating state notification to the switching server 4 (step S47). Then, the intermediary device 3 repeats the processing of steps S45 to S47 until it is shut down. When the intermediary device 3 is shut down (YES in step S48), it terminates the operational status process.

Next, an example of a specific operation of the energization control unit 21 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of main processing performed in the energization control unit 21. As shown in FIG. This process is performed when the mediation unit 2 is powered on. When this process is started, the energization control unit 21 confirms the power setting 23 stored in the storage unit 22 (step S51). If the power setting 23 is set to activate the first intermediary device 3a (YES in step S52), the energization control unit 21 activates the first intermediary device 3a (step S53). On the other hand, if the power setting 23 is set not to activate the first intermediary device 3a (NO in step S52), the process proceeds to step S54. If the power setting 23 is set to activate the second intermediary device 3b (YES in step S54), the energization control unit 21 activates the second intermediary device 3b (step S55). On the other hand, if the power setting 23 is set not to activate the second intermediary device 3b (NO in step S54), the process proceeds to step S56. After activating the mediation device 3, the energization control unit 21 waits until receiving a shutdown instruction transmitted from the mediation device 3 (second mediation device 3b) in the standby state (step S56). If a shutdown instruction has been received (YES in step S56), the power supply control unit 21 edits the power supply setting 23 and changes the settings so that the troubled mediation device 3 (first mediation device 3a) is not activated (step S57). ). After changing the power supply setting 23, the energization control unit 21 shuts down the intermediary device 3 (first intermediary device 3a) in which the trouble occurred (step S58) based on the shutdown instruction received in step S56, and executes the process. finish.

Next, an example of specific operations in the switching server 4 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure of processing periodically performed in the switching server 4 . This process is a process that is regularly and repeatedly executed in the switching server 4 . When the switching server 4 starts this process, the management information receiving unit 431 checks whether or not the management information 92 has been received from the intermediary device 3 (step S61). If the management information 92 has been received (YES in step S61), the management information receiving section 431 saves the management information 92 in the storage section 42 (step S62). On the other hand, if the management information 92 has not been received (NO in step S61), the process proceeds to step S63.

Next, the switching server 4 checks whether or not the operating state notification reception unit 432 has received an operating state notification regarding the intermediate device 3 in the standby state (step S63). If no operation status notification regarding the intermediary device 3 in the standby state has been received (NO in step S63), the trouble detection unit 433 checks whether or not a predetermined period has passed without receiving an operation status notification. (Step S65). If the predetermined period has not passed (NO in step S65), the process proceeds to step S68. On the other hand, if the predetermined period has passed (YES in step S65), the trouble detection unit 433 determines that a trouble has occurred in the intermediate device 3 in the standby state, and the process proceeds to step S67. In step S<b>63 , when the operating state notification regarding the intermediate device 3 in the standby state is received (YES in step S<b>63 ), the operating state notification receiving unit 432 sends the received operating state notification regarding the intermediate device 3 in the standby state to the trouble detection unit 433 . output to The trouble detection unit 433 checks the operation state notification output from the operation state notification reception unit 432 (step S64), and determines whether or not a trouble has occurred in the intermediate device 3 in the standby state (step S66). . If the operating status notification does not indicate the occurrence of trouble (NO in step S66), the process proceeds to step S68. On the other hand, if the operating status notification indicates that a trouble has occurred in the intermediation device 3 in the standby state (YES in step S66), the trouble detection unit 433 detects that trouble has occurred in the intermediation device 3 in the standby state. do. The trouble detection unit 433 stores in the memory that a trouble has occurred in the intermediate device 3 in the standby state (step S67). In this case, the switching server 4 may notify the information processing device or the like owned by the administrator of the mediation unit 2 that the mediation device 3 in the standby state is in trouble.

Next, the switching server 4 checks whether or not the operating status notification reception unit 432 has received an operating status notification regarding the intermediary device 3 in the operating status (step S68). If no operating status notification regarding the intermediary device 3 in the operating status has been received (NO in step S68), the trouble detection unit 433 checks whether a predetermined period has passed without receiving an operating status notification. (Step S70). If the predetermined period has not passed (NO in step S70), the process ends. On the other hand, if the predetermined period has passed (YES in step S70), the trouble detection unit 433 determines that a trouble has occurred in the intermediary device 3 in the operating state, and the process proceeds to step S72. In step S68, if the operation status notification regarding the intermediary device 3 in the operating state is received (YES in step S68), the operation state notification receiving unit 432 sends the received operation state notification regarding the intermediary device 3 in the operating state to the trouble detection unit 433. output to The trouble detection unit 433 checks the operating state notification output from the operating state notification receiving unit 432 (step S69), and determines whether or not a trouble has occurred in the intermediary device 3 that is in the operating state (step S71). . If the operating status notification does not indicate that a trouble has occurred in the intermediary device 3 in the operating status (NO in step S71), the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the operation status notification indicates that a trouble has occurred in the intermediary device 3 in the operational state (YES in step S71), the trouble detection unit 433 detects that a trouble has occurred in the intermediary device 3 in the operational state. do.

When the trouble detection unit 433 detects that a trouble has occurred in the intermediation device 3 in the operating state, it confirms whether or not the intermediary device 3 in the standby state is trouble free and is operating normally (step S72). Specifically, the trouble detection unit 433 checks whether or not the memory stores information indicating that a trouble has occurred in the intermediate device 3 in the standby state. As a result of the confirmation, if the intermediary device 3 in the standby state is not operating normally (NO in step S72), the process is terminated. In this case, the switching server 4 notifies the information processing device or the like owned by the administrator of the mediation unit 2 that trouble has occurred in both the mediation device 3 in the operating state and the mediation device 3 in the standby state. can be On the other hand, if the intermediation device 3 in the standby state is operating normally (YES in step S72), the trouble detection unit 433 determines that it is necessary to transmit the switching instruction D3 to the intermediation device 3 in the standby state. In this case, the switching server 4 causes the switching instruction transmission section 434 to function. Then, the switching instruction transmission unit 434 generates the switching instruction D3, and transmits the generated switching instruction D3 to the intermediate device 3 in the standby state using the connection state 110b (step S73). The switching server 4 then terminates the process.

As described above, in the communication mediation system 1 of the present embodiment, when a trouble occurs in the mediation device 3 that is in operation in the local network NW1, the switching server 4 provided in the Internet NW2 is in a standby state in the local network NW1. A switching instruction D<b>3 is transmitted to the intermediary device 3 . Upon receiving the switching instruction D3, the intermediary device 3 in the standby state takes over the first address information 91a and the management information 92 of the intermediary device 3 in the operating state and shifts to the operating state. In other words, the communication mediation system 1 of the present embodiment does not need to provide a switching device in the local network NW1 for shifting the mediation device 3 in the standby state to the operational state. The switching server 4, without being installed in the local network NW1, causes the intermediate device 3 in the standby state to take over the setting information of the intermediate device 3 in the operational state by remote control from the Internet NW2, and the intermediate device 3 in the standby state. can be shifted to the operating state. Therefore, the communication brokering system 1 of this embodiment does not need to install a switching unit including a switching device in its configuration for each local network NW1, unlike the conventional system. Therefore, the communication mediation system 1 can reduce introduction costs compared to the case where a switching unit including a switching device is introduced for each local network NW1.

In the present embodiment, the first address information 91a is stored in the storage unit 32 of the intermediate device 3 in the operating state, and the second address information 91b is stored in the storage unit 32 of the intermediate device 3 in the standby state. exemplified. However, it is not limited to this. Both the first address information 91a and the second address information 91b may be stored in advance in the storage units 32 of the mediation device 3 in the operating state and the mediation device 3 in the standby state. When both the first address information 91a and the second address information 91b are stored in advance in the storage units 32 of the intermediate device 3 in the operating state and the intermediate device 3 in the standby state, the switching server 4 sends the switching instruction D3 to the first address. It becomes unnecessary to add the information 91a. Address processing when the first address information 91a and the second address information 91b are stored in advance in the storage units 32 of the intermediation device 3 in the operating state and the intermediation device 3 in the standby state will be described below.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed processing procedure of the address setting process (step S11) when the storage unit 32 stores the first address information 91a and the second address information 91b. When starting the address setting process, the address setting unit 310 checks the operation setting 94 of the own device by referring to the operation setting 94 stored in the storage unit 32 (step S75). As a result of referring to the operation setting 94, if the operation status flag is ON (YES in step S76), the address setting unit 310 reads out the first address information 91a from the storage unit 32, and based on the first address information 91a. to set the address (step S77). After setting the address, the address setting unit 310 ends the address setting process. When the operation setting 94 is referred to and the operation status flag is not ON (NO in step S76), the address setting unit 310 reads out the second address information 91b from the storage unit 32, and reads the second address information 91b. Address setting is performed based on (step S78). After setting the address, the address setting unit 310 ends the address setting process.

As described above, the first address information 91a and the second address information 91b are stored in advance in the storage units 32 of the intermediation device 3 in the operating state and the intermediation device 3 in the standby state. selects the address information according to and reads out the selected address information. By setting the address based on the read address information, the intermediary device 3 does not need to acquire the first address information 91a from the switching server 4 .

In the communication mediation system 1 of the present embodiment, after the second mediation device 3b, which was in the standby state, starts operating in the operational state as described above, work is performed to replace the troubled first mediation device 3a. will be That is, by removing the troubled first intermediation device 3a from the first slot 211 of the intermediation unit 2 and inserting a new intermediation device 3 into the first slot 211, the troubled first intermediation device 3a can be replaced with a new one. It can be replaced by an intermediary device. After replacing the intermediation device 3, the intermediation unit 2 is restarted and the new intermediation device 3 is operated in the standby state, thereby operating one of the two intermediation devices 3 in the operational state and the other in the standby state. It can be restored to a working state.

In this embodiment, the second intermediary device 3b mediates communication between the local network NW1 and the Internet NW2 during the period from when a trouble occurs in the first intermediation device 3a to when the replacement work is started. is possible, there is an advantage that downtime in the communication mediation system 1 can be minimized.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, after a trouble occurs in the first intermediary device 3a that was in the operating state and the second intermediation device 3b that was in the standby state starts to operate in the operational state, the first intermediation device 3a is used as a new An embodiment will be described in which, when the device 3 is replaced, the new intermediation device 3 is put into operation and the second intermediation device 3b is returned to the original standby state. In the following description, a new intermediary device 3 to be replaced with a troubled first intermediary device 3a will be described as a third intermediary device 3c. Also in this embodiment, when there is no need to distinguish between the first to third intermediation devices 3a, 3b, and 3c, they are collectively referred to as the intermediation device 3. FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the intermediary device 3 according to the second embodiment. The intermediary device 3 in this embodiment includes a communication interface 31 , a storage unit 32 , a control unit 33 and an input/output interface 39 . The input/output interface 39 is a mounting section to which a portable external storage device 9 such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory can be attached and detached.

The external storage device 9 is a rewritable non-volatile storage means such as a flash memory. Information stored in the storage unit 32 in the first embodiment is stored in the external storage device 9 . Further, identification information 98 is stored in the external storage device 9 . On the other hand, the identification information 98 is also stored in the storage unit 32 of the intermediary device 3 . This identification information 98 is information for identifying the intermediary device 3, and is device-specific information such as a serial number, for example.

The intermediary device 3 reads out the identification information 98 stored in the storage unit 32 and saves it in the external storage device 9 when the start-up process associated with power-on is completed and the mediation device 3 starts operating in the operating state or the standby state. Therefore, the identification information 98 stored in the external storage device 9 is the same information as the identification information 98 of the intermediate device 3 to which the external storage device 9 is attached. Therefore, when the first intermediation device 3a is operating in the operational state, the external storage device 9 attached to the first intermediation device 3a stores the identification information 98a of the first intermediation device 3a. .

When a trouble occurs in the first intermediation device 3a, the second intermediation device 3b starts operating in the operational state in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Then, while the second intermediation device 3b is operating in the operating state, work is performed to replace the first intermediation device 3a with the third intermediation device 3c. At this time, in this embodiment, the external storage device 9 attached to the first intermediate device 3a is removed, and the external storage device 9 is attached to the third intermediate device 3c. When the mediation unit 2 is restarted with the third mediation device 3c attached to the first slot 211, the third mediation device 3c starts activation processing. In the activation process, the third intermediation device 3c causes the exchange determining unit 350 and the exchange processing unit 360 in the control unit 33 to function.

The replacement determination unit 350 is a processing unit that determines whether or not the device itself has been replaced when the third mediation device 3c is activated. After judging whether or not the intermediary device 3 is a device that has been replaced when it is activated, the intermediary device 3 of the present embodiment performs subsequent processing such as address setting. The replacement determination unit 350 compares the identification information 98 stored in the storage unit 32 and the identification information 98 stored in the external storage device 9 to determine whether or not the own device has been replaced. do. That is, when the identification information 98 stored in the storage unit 32 and the identification information 98 stored in the external storage device 9 do not match, the replacement determination unit 350 determines that the device has been replaced. For example, when the third mediation device 3c is first activated after being replaced with the troubled first mediation device 3a, the external storage device 9 stores the identification information 98a corresponding to the troubled first mediation device 3a. is stored. On the other hand, the storage unit 32 of the third intermediation device 3c stores identification information 98c corresponding to the third intermediation device 3c. Therefore, since the identification information 98c stored in the storage unit 32 of the third intermediation device 3c does not match the identification information 98a stored in the external storage device 9, the third intermediation device 3c is replaced. device. When the replacement determination unit 350 determines that the device has been replaced, the replacement determination unit 350 notifies the replacement processing unit 360 that the device has been replaced. On the other hand, when the replacement determination unit 350 determines that the device itself is not the replaced device, the replacement determination unit 350 causes the address setting unit 310 to function to perform the address setting process.

The replacement processing unit 360 functions when the replacement determination unit 350 determines that the device has been replaced. The exchange processing unit 360 includes an identification information rewriting unit 361 , a management information acquiring unit 362 and a switching instruction requesting unit 363 .

The identification information rewriting unit 361 is a processing unit that rewrites the identification information 98 a stored in the external storage device 9 to the identification information 98 c stored in the storage unit 32 . As a result, the replacement determining unit 350 will not determine that the device has been replaced when the device is started next time. After rewriting the identification information 98 stored in the external storage device 9, the identification information rewriting section 361 causes the management information acquiring section 362 to function.

The management information acquisition unit 362 is a processing unit that acquires the management information 92 from the switching server 4 when the operation setting of its own device is in the operating state. The management information acquisition unit 362 confirms the operating state of its own device by confirming the operation settings 94 stored in the external storage device 9 . As a result, when the operating state of the device itself is the operating state, the management information acquisition unit 362 acquires the management information 92 by referring to the server information 93 and accessing the switching server 4 . The operation settings 94 stored in the external storage device 9 are the operation settings of the first intermediary device 3a in which trouble has occurred. Since the first intermediary device 3a was operating in the operating state when the trouble occurred, the operation setting 94 stored in the external storage device 9 is the setting of the operating state. Therefore, the management information acquisition unit 362 acquires the management information 92 from the switching server 4 . After acquiring the management information 92, the management information acquiring unit 362 causes the switching instruction requesting unit 363 to function. On the other hand, if the operating state of the device itself is not the operational state, the management information acquisition unit 362 does not acquire the management information 92 . For example, when the operating state of the device itself is in the standby state, the intermediation device 3 does not mediate communication between the application server 5 and the image processing device 6, so the management information 92 is not required. When the operating state of the device itself is the standby state, the management information acquisition unit 362 causes the address setting unit 310 to function to perform the address setting process.

The switching instruction requesting unit 363 causes the switching server to transmit a switching instruction D4 for switching the operating state of the second intermediary device 3b in the operating state from the operating state to the standby state to the second intermediary device 3b in the operating state. 4 is a request processor. Before the third intermediary device 3c starts operating in the operating state, it is necessary to return the operating state of the second intermediary device 3b operating in the operating state from the operating state to the standby state. Therefore, the switching instruction requesting unit 363 causes the switching server 4 to transmit the switching instruction D4 to the second intermediary apparatus 3b operating in the operating state before the third intermediary apparatus 3c starts operating in the operating state. be.

Next, an example of a specific operation in the intermediary device 3 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure of main processing performed in the intermediary device 3 of this embodiment. This processing is executed when the mediation unit 2 is powered on and the mediation device 3 is activated. Incidentally, since each process of steps S11 to S14 has been explained in the first embodiment, the explanation thereof will be omitted. When this process is started, the intermediary device 3 causes the exchange determination unit 350 to function. The replacement determination unit 350 determines whether or not the device itself has been replaced (step S81). Specifically, the replacement determination unit 350 compares the identification information 98 stored in the storage unit 32 and the identification information 98 stored in the external storage device 9, and determines whether or not the information matches. is a replaced device. When the identification information 98 stored in the storage unit 32 and the identification information 98 stored in the external storage device 9 match as a result of the determination, the replacement determination unit 350 determines that the own device is not a replaced device. (YES in step S82). In this case, the process proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, if the identification information 98 stored in the storage unit 32 and the identification information 98 stored in the external storage device 9 do not match as a result of determination, the replacement determination unit 350 determines that the device has been replaced. (NO in step S82). When the replacement determination unit 350 determines that the device has been replaced, the replacement determination unit 350 notifies the replacement processing unit 360 that the device has been replaced. The replacement processing unit 360, upon receiving notification from the replacement determination unit 350 that the device itself is the replaced device, performs replacement processing (step S83).

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing an example of a detailed processing procedure of the replacement process (step S83). Upon starting the exchange process, the exchange processing section 360 causes the identification information rewriting section 361 to function. The identification information rewriting unit 361 rewrites the identification information 98 stored in the external storage device 9 with the identification information 98 stored in the storage unit 32 (step S91). Next, the exchange processing unit 360 causes the management information acquisition unit 362 to function. The management information acquisition unit 362 checks the operation settings 94 stored in the external storage device 9 (step S92). As a result of the confirmation, if the operation state flag is OFF and the setting indicates the standby state (NO in step S93), the replacement process is terminated. On the other hand, as a result of the confirmation, if the operation status flag is ON and the setting indicates the operation status (YES in step S93), the management information acquisition unit 362 accesses the switching server 4 by referring to the server information 93. Then, the management information 92 is acquired from the switching server 4 (step S94). The management information acquisition unit 362 saves the acquired management information 92 in the external storage device 9 . Note that the management information acquisition unit 362 may store the management information 92 in the storage unit 32 . After saving the management information 92, the management information acquisition unit 362 causes the switching instruction request unit 363 to function. The switching instruction requesting unit 363 requests the switching server 4 to transmit the switching instruction D4 to the second intermediary device 3b in operation (step S95), and ends the switching process. This switching instruction D4 is an instruction for shifting the operating state of the second intermediary device 3b in the operating state from the operating state to the standby state.

Upon receiving the transmission request for the switching instruction D4, the switching server 4 uses the connection state 110b to transmit the switching instruction D4 for shifting the operating state of the second intermediary device 3b in the operating state from the operating state to the standby state. It is transmitted to the second intermediary device 3b. Upon receiving the switching instruction D4, the second intermediary device 3b edits the operation setting 94 to change its operating state from the operational state to the standby state. Then, the second intermediation device 3b acquires the second address information 91b from the switching server 4, and rewrites the first address information 91a stored in itself with the second address information 91b. After that, the second intermediary device 3b restarts, performs address setting based on the second address information 91b, and re-establishes the connection state 110b with the switching server 4, thereby switching from the operating state to the standby state. complete. In this way, the exchange processing is performed in the exchanged third intermediation device 3c, and the switching processing is performed in the second intermediation device 3b in the operating state, whereby the communication intermediation system 1 changes from the state shown in FIG. It returns to the state shown in FIG. That is, after this, the replaced third mediation device 3c operates in the same manner as the first mediation device 3a before the trouble occurred in the first embodiment.

As described above, the intermediary device 3 of this embodiment determines whether or not it is a replaced device based on the identification information 98 stored in the external storage device 9 . If the intermediary device 3 determines that the device has been replaced, the intermediary device 3 confirms the operation setting 94 stored in the external storage device 9 to confirm the operating state when the device itself operates. Then, when the device itself operates in the operating state, the intermediary device 3 automatically performs the replacement process. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly replace the troubled first intermediation device 3a with the new third intermediation device 3c, and to efficiently restore the state before the trouble occurred.

In this embodiment, the operation state of the replaced third intermediary device 3c is determined based on the operation settings 94 stored in the external storage device 9 as an example. However, it is not limited to this. For example, regardless of the setting of the operation setting 94 stored in the external storage device 9, the operation setting 94 of the replaced third intermediary device 3c may be set to the standby state in advance. For example, an operation setting 94 indicating a standby state is stored in advance in the storage unit 32 of the third intermediary device 3c. In this case, the third intermediary device 3c confirms the operation settings 94 pre-stored in the storage unit 32 and starts operating in the standby state. When the third intermediary device 3c starts operating in the standby state, it is not necessary to switch the operating state of the second intermediary device 3b that is operating in the operational state, which makes it possible to perform more efficient processing.

Also, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the troubled first mediation device 3a is replaced with a new third mediation device 3c, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the troubled first mediation device 3a is repaired, it becomes possible to operate normally, and when the repaired first mediation device 3a is started for the first time after the repair, the replacement process described above is performed. It doesn't matter if it is. In this case, by attaching the same external storage device 9 to the first intermediary device 3a before and after the repair, it is possible to start normal operation.

Since this embodiment is the same as that described in the first embodiment except for the points described above, detailed description will be omitted.

(Modification)
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the above embodiment, and various modifications are applicable.

For example, in the above embodiment, the switching server 4 is provided in the Internet NW2. However, the switching server 4 is not limited to being provided in the Internet NW2. That is, the switching server 4 is provided in a network different from the local network NW1 in which the mediation unit 2 is provided, and is placed in a standby state when a trouble occurs in the first mediation device 3a operating in the mediation unit 2 in an operational state. Any device may be used as long as it can remotely control the switching operation for switching the operating second intermediary device 3b to the operating state.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the switch server 4 detects that a trouble has occurred in the intermediary device 3 based on the operation status notification periodically received from the intermediary device 3 . However, it is not limited to this. The intermediary device 3 does not have to periodically notify the switching server 4 of its operating state. For example, a user who notices that a trouble has occurred in the intermediary device 3 in the operational state informs the management team that manages the switching server 4 by telephone or e-mail that the trouble has occurred in the intermediary device 3 in the operational state. It may be informing you. In this case, the management team informed of the occurrence of the trouble in the intermediary device 3 in the operating state operates the switching server 4 to transmit a switching instruction D3 from the switching server 4 to the intermediary device 3 in the standby state.

1 Communication mediation system (communication mediation system)
2 mediation unit 3 mediation device (mediation device)
3a First mediation device (first mediation device)
3b Second mediation device (second mediation device)
3c third intermediate device 4 switching server (information storage device)
5 application server 6 image processing device 8 energization control device 9 external storage device 21 energization control unit 23 power supply setting (automatic activation function)
31 communication interface 32 storage unit (storage means)
33 control unit 41 communication interface
42 storage unit (information storage device)
43 control unit 90 mediation program 91a first setting address (setting information)
92b Second setting address 92 Management information (setting information)
94 Operation setting 96 Switching instruction program 97 Switching program (program)
98 identification information 310 address setting unit (address setting means) (activation control means)
322 Communication permitting unit 324 Operating state notification unit 332 Switching instruction receiving unit (switching instruction receiving means)
340 switching processing unit (switching means)
341 operation setting management unit (operation state management means)
342 shutdown unit 343 setting information acquisition unit 344 communication regulation unit 345 address rewriting unit (address rewriting means)
350 replacement determination unit (activation control means)
360 exchange processing unit (activation control means)
D3 Switching instruction (switching instruction)

Claims (17)

A network configuration in which a first network and a second network are connected via a firewall, and the firewall is configured to block access from the second network to the first network. ,
a first mediation device provided in the first network and mediating communication between the first network and the second network ;
when the first intermediary device is provided in the first network and is capable of mediating communication between the first network and the second network, and is operating in an operational state; a second intermediary device that operates in a standby state during
Provided in the second network, when a trouble occurs in the first intermediation device, a switching instruction for switching the second intermediation device from a standby state to an operation state is transmitted to the second intermediation device to perform remote control. a switching server;
with
the second intermediation device establishes a connection state with the switching server at startup;
The communication mediation system , wherein the switching server transmits the switching instruction to the second mediation device using the connection state established with the second mediation device . The second intermediation device takes over the setting information of the first intermediation device and operates in an operational state based on the switching instruction, and mediates communication between the first network and the second network. 2. The communication mediation system according to claim 1, wherein the operation of performing is initiated. When the switching server transmits the switching instruction to the second intermediation device, the switching server adds a program executable by the second intermediary device to the switching instruction,
3. The communication mediation system according to claim 1 , wherein the second mediation device takes over the setting information of the first mediation device and operates in an operational state by executing the program. an information storage device connected to the first network or the second network and communicable with the first intermediary device;
further comprising
the first intermediary device, when operating in an operational state, transmits and backs up setting information to the information storage device;
4. The second intermediation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when switching from a standby state to an operation state, the second intermediation device acquires the setting information of the first intermediation device from the information storage device and takes over the setting information. The communication mediation system according to any one of the above. The setting information of the first intermediary device includes an address,
5. The communication mediation system according to claim 2 , wherein the second mediation device rewrites its own address to the address of the first mediation device when switching from the standby state to the operational state. the switching server, when transmitting the switching instruction to the second intermediate device, adds an address of the first intermediate device to the switching instruction;
The second intermediary device,
storage means for storing its own address;
address setting means for reading the address stored in the storage means at startup and setting its own address;
address rewriting means for, when receiving the switching instruction from the switching server, rewriting the address stored in the storage means to the address included in the switching instruction and restarting the second intermediate device;
6. The communication mediation system according to claim 5, comprising: The second intermediary device,
operating state management means for managing the operating state of the device;
storage means for storing the address of the first mediation device and the address of the second mediation device;
At startup, if the operating state managed by the operating state managing means is the standby state, the address of the second intermediary device is read from the storage means and its own address is set, and managed by the operating state managing means. address setting means for reading the address of the first intermediary device from the storage means and setting its own address if the operating state is the operating state;
with
4. The operating state management means, when receiving the switching instruction from the switching server, changes the operating state of the device itself from a standby state to an operating state, and restarts the second intermediary device. 5. The communication mediation system according to 5. When the second intermediary device starts the process of switching from the standby state to the operational state, it transmits a communication restriction command to other devices connected to the first network or the second network, and operates. 8. The communication mediation system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a communication authorization command is transmitted to said another device after the switching to the state is completed. The first intermediary device periodically notifies the switching server of the operating state of its own device,
9. The switching server according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the switching server detects that a trouble has occurred in the first intermediation device based on a notification periodically received from the first intermediation device. Communication mediation system. 10. The communication mediation system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said second mediation device shuts down said first mediation device when switching from a standby state to an operational state. The first intermediary device has an automatic activation function that automatically activates when power supply is started,
11. The communication mediation system according to claim 10, wherein the second mediation device turns off the automatic startup function when shutting down the first mediation device. an energization control device that controls energization states for the first mediation device and the second mediation device;
further comprising
12. The communication mediation system according to claim 10, wherein the second mediation device shuts down the first mediation device via the energization control device. The energization control device is
a first slot to which the first intermediary device is attachable and detachable;
a second slot to which the second intermediary device is attachable and detachable;
13. The communication mediation system according to claim 12, comprising: The first intermediary device,
a mounting section to which an external storage device storing identification information is detachable;
At startup, the identification information is read from the external storage device attached to the attachment unit to determine whether to operate in an operating state or a standby state, and based on the determination result, the first intermediary device is activated. a start control means for causing
14. The communication mediation system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising: The switching server does not switch the second intermediary device from the standby state to the operational state when a trouble occurs in the second intermediation device while the first intermediation device is operating in the operational state. 15. The communication mediation system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that: In a network configuration in which a first network and a second network are connected via a firewall, and the firewall is configured to block access from the second network to the first network, provided in a first network and capable of mediating communications conducted between said first network and said second network; A mediating device that operates in a standby state when mediating communication performed with a network of
a starting means for operating in a standby state in which a connection state is established with a switching server provided in the second network at the time of startup;
a switching instruction reception means for receiving, in a standby state, a switching instruction for switching from the standby state to the operating state from the switching server through communication using the connection state, and for accepting the switching instruction;
When the switching instruction receiving means receives the switching instruction, the switching starts an operation of mediating communication between the first network and the second network by switching from a standby state to an operating state. means and
An intermediary device comprising: A network configuration in which a first network and a second network are connected via a firewall, and the firewall is configured to block access from the second network to the first network. ,
a first mediation device provided in a first network and mediating communication between the first network and the second network;
when the first intermediary device is provided in the first network and is capable of mediating communication between the first network and the second network, and is operating in an operational state; a second intermediary device that operates in a standby state during
a switching server provided in the second network;
A switching method for switching a mediation device to be operated in an operational state from the first mediation device to the second mediation device in a communication mediation system comprising
establishing a connection state with the switching server by the second intermediation device when the second intermediation device starts up;
detecting in the switching server that a trouble has occurred in the first intermediate device;
When the switching server detects that a trouble has occurred in the first mediating device, the switching server uses the connection state established between the switching server and the second mediating device to communicate with the second mediating device . sending a switching instruction;
Based on the switching instruction, the second intermediation device takes over the setting information of the first intermediation device and operates in an operational state to mediate communication between the first network and the second network. initiating an operation;
A switching method, comprising:

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