JP7326887B2 - Program, communication system, and communication method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to technology for managing power off and on of a device.

A mobile device management system (hereinafter referred to as an MDM system) in which a management server on the Internet communicates with a mobile device to manage the mobile device is known (see Patent Document 1, for example). The mobile device is, for example, a terminal such as a mobile phone, a tablet, or a notebook personal computer that can connect to the Internet and communicate with the management server.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-536598

There is a demand for managing the power on/off of devices such as printers using an MDM system. However, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-100002 does not sufficiently disclose control of the power supply of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide means for controlling the power supply of a device.

Various disclosures are made herein. A program, which is an example of the disclosed example, is a program executed by a computer of an information processing device having a communication interface. The program acquires status information of the device through the communication interface, and screen data including the status information of the device and a designation object capable of designating power off and on of the device. A screen data transmission process for generating and transmitting the screen data to the terminal device through the communication interface, and acquiring on/off information indicating that off and on are designated for the designation object through the communication interface. and a command for generating a first command for turning off the power and a second command for turning on the power based on the on/off information obtained by the on/off obtaining process. The computer is caused to execute a generation process and a command transmission process of transmitting the first command and the second command through the communication interface.

According to this program, communication system, and communication method, it is possible to control the power of the device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 2A shows the detailed configuration of the printer 14, and FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing the detailed configuration of the terminal device 11. As shown in FIG. 3A shows the data structure of the database 510 of the management server 15 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the database 210 of the external intermediary device 12 of FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the database 310 of the internal mediation device 13 of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of device registration processing in the communication system 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of status registration processing in the communication system 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the first part of the procedure for power control of printer 14 in communication system 100 . FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a second portion of the procedure for power control of printer 14 in communication system 100 . FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the third part of the procedure for power control of printer 14 in communication system 100 . 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing screens of the display 67 of the terminal device 11, where (A) shows an initial screen 67A and (B) shows various setting screens 67B. 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams showing the screen of the display 67 of the terminal device 11, where (A) shows the detail setting screen 67C and (B) shows the time setting screen 67D. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the power control processing procedure of the printer 14 according to the modification, where (A) shows the first half and (B) shows the second half.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present disclosure, and it goes without saying that each embodiment can be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the present disclosure. For example, the execution order of each process described later can be changed as appropriate without changing the gist of the present disclosure.

[Configuration of communication system 100]
In FIG. 1 , the communication system 100 includes a management server 15 , an external mediation device 12 , an internal mediation device 13 , multiple printers 14 , multiple mobile terminal devices 95 , and a terminal device 11 .

In the communication system 100, the management server 15 manages mobile terminal devices 95 such as smartphones and tablets using a so-called mobile device management system (hereinafter referred to as an MDM system). Note that the mobile terminal device 95 based on the MDM system is not a main part of the present disclosure, so the description of the mobile terminal device 95 will be simplified. The management server 15 also manages each printer 14 through the external mediation device 12 and the internal mediation device 13 . Specifically, the operator of the terminal device 11 operates the browser 64 stored in the terminal device 11 to view various information about the printer 14 stored in the management server 15 . The operator makes settings for the management server 15 through the terminal device 11 regarding on/off of the power supply circuit 46 of the printer 14 . The management server 15 manages on/off of the power supply circuit 46 of the printer 14 through the external mediation device 12 and the internal mediation device 13 according to the settings.

The management server 15 is a server device connected to the Internet 16 . The management server 15 is managed by, for example, an MDM provider. An MDM provider is a company that provides a service for managing mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and printers using an MDM system.

The external intermediary device 12 is a server device connected to the Internet 16 via a firewall 18 . The external intermediary device 12 is managed by the MDM customer. An MDM customer is a company served by an MDM provider.

The management server 15 and the external intermediary device 12 can communicate with each other through the Internet 16 and firewall 18 . Specifically, the management server 15 and the external intermediary device 12 communicate with each other according to the Internet protocol using a pre-assigned global IP address.

The internal intermediary device 13 is a server device or personal computer connected to the Internet 16 via a firewall 19 . The internal mediation device 13 is installed, for example, at each MDM customer's branch office or business office (hereinafter simply referred to as a branch office).

The internal mediation device 13 and the external mediation device 12 can communicate with each other through the Internet 16, firewalls 18, 19, and the like. The internal mediating device 13 and the external mediating device 12 communicate with each other according to the Internet protocol using pre-assigned global IP addresses.

Note that the firewalls 18 and 19 perform packet filtering based on, for example, a predetermined firewall policy. This prevents unauthorized access to the internal mediation device 13 and the external mediation device 12 .

The internal intermediation device 13 is also connected to a local area network (hereinafter referred to as LAN) 17 constructed for each branch. A plurality of printers 14 are connected to the LAN 17 . A printer 14 is available to persons belonging to each branch office. Each printer 14 is connected to LAN 17 . Note that the number of printers 14 may be at least one.

The LAN 17 is an intranet, and is a wired LAN, wireless LAN, or WAN. LAN 17 may be a combination of at least two of a wired LAN, a wireless LAN and a WAN. The internal mediation device 13 and each printer 14 can communicate with each other according to the TCP/IP communication protocol. Specifically, the internal mediation device 13 and the printer 14 communicate with each other using private IP addresses and MAC addresses.

More specifically, the LAN 17 has gateway devices (not shown) such as routers and bridges. The gateway device has a pre-assigned global IP address. The internal intermediary device 13 is connected to the Internet 16 through a gateway device and firewall 19 . Note that the firewall 19 may be incorporated in the gateway device.

Due to the above network configuration, the printer 14 does not have a configuration for direct communication with the management server 15 . In the communication system 100, the first program 54, the second program 24, and the agent software 34 are installed in the management server 15, the external mediation device 12, and the internal mediation device 13, respectively, so that the management server 15 manages the printer 14. installed.

[Configuration of management server 15]
The management server 15 includes a CPU 51 , a memory 52 , a communication I/F (abbreviation for interface) 55 , a user I/F 56 , a display 511 and a communication bus 57 . The CPU 51 , memory 52 , communication I/F 55 , user I/F 56 and display 511 are connected to communication bus 57 .

The management server 15 is a first example of an information processing device. The CPU 51 is a first example of a computer. The CPU 51 and memory 52 are a first example of a controller, a first controller. Communication I/F 55 is an example of a first communication interface.

The memory 52 is a storage medium such as a ROM, a RAM, an EEPROM, an HDD, a USB memory, a buffer provided in the CPU 51, or the like. Memory 52 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, non-transitory media include recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. A non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electrical signal carrying a program downloaded from a server (not shown) on the Internet 16 is a computer-readable signal medium, which is a kind of computer-readable medium. It is not included in any computer-readable storage medium. This also applies to the memory 22 of the external mediation device 12, the memory 32 of the internal mediation device 13, and the memory 42 of the printer 14 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later.

The memory 52 has a program storage area 58 and a data storage area 59 . The program storage area 58 stores programs such as the OS 53 and the first program 54 .

OS 53 is a basic program of management server 15 . The OS 53 is, for example, an operating system such as MacOS (registered trademark), Windows (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), and Android (registered trademark) OS.

The first program 54 is a program that cooperates with the OS 53 to control communication between the management server 15 and the external intermediary device 12 through the communication I/F 55 . The first program 54 is a part or first example of a program.

The first program 54 may be a single program or an aggregate of multiple program modules. This point similarly applies to the second program 24 , the agent software 34 and the control program 44 .

The data storage area 59 stores data necessary for program execution. The data storage area 59 also stores a database 510 shown in FIG. 3(A).

Database 510 has a plurality of records. Each record has multiple fields that can record multiple items. The plurality of items are items “device ID”, “GID”, “status information”, “possibility information”, and “action”.

Identification information for identifying the printer 14 is recorded in the field of the item “device ID”. The device ID is, for example, the MAC address, IP address or serial number of the printer 14 . Each record is distinguished by a device ID. That is, one record is generated for one printer 14 . The printer 14 corresponding to each record is hereinafter referred to as the target printer 14 .

In the field of the item "GID", identification information indicating the internal intermediary device 13 with which the target printer 14 can communicate is recorded. The target printer 14 is the printer 14 indicated by the device ID recorded in the same record. The “GID” may be numbers, letters, or any other GID as long as it can identify the internal mediation device 13 . In this regard, the device ID is similar.

Status information indicating the status of the target printer 14 is recorded in the item "status information" field. The status is, for example, one of "online", "offline", "paper jam" and "out of paper". “Online” indicates that the target printer 14 is connected to the LAN 17 . “Offline” indicates that the target printer 14 is not connected to the LAN 17 . "Paper Jam" indicates that the target printer 14 is jammed with paper. "No paper" indicates that the target printer 14 is out of paper.

In the field of the item “availability information”, availability information indicating whether or not the target printer 14 can control on/off of the internal power supply circuit 46 is recorded.

In the field of the item "action", on/off information indicating turning off/on control of the power supply circuit 46 provided in the target printer 14 and turning on time is recorded.

The database 510 can store not only items related to the printer 14 but also items related to the mobile terminal device 95 managed by the MDM system. One record is generated for one mobile terminal device 95 . In each record, identification information (MAC address, IP address, serial number, etc.) for identifying the mobile terminal device 95 is recorded in the item “device ID” field. Status information indicating the state of the mobile terminal device 95 is recorded in the field of the item “status information”. The status is, for example, either "online" or "offline".

In FIG. 1 , the communication I/F 55 communicates various information or various data with the external intermediary device 12 through the Internet 16 and the firewall 18 . A communication I/F 55 is a wired LAN I/F or a wireless LAN I/F.

A user I/F 56 is a keyboard and a mouse. A user I/F 56 accepts input by an operator. The display 511 displays images based on various screen data received from the CPU 51 .

[Configuration of External Intermediary Device 12]
The external intermediary device 12 includes a CPU 21 , a memory 22 , a communication I/F 25 , a user I/F 26 and a display 211 that can communicate with each other via a communication bus 27 .

The external intermediary device 12 is a second example of an information processing device. The CPU 21 is a second example of a computer and controller. The CPU 21 and the memory 22 are a second example of a controller and an example of a second controller. Communication I/F is an example of a second communication interface.

The memory 22 is a storage medium similar to the memory 52 and a buffer included in the CPU 21 . The memory 22 has a program storage area 28 and a data storage area 29 . The program storage area 28 stores programs such as the OS 23 and the second program 24 .

The OS 23 is the basic program of the external intermediary device 12 . The second program 24 is a program that cooperates with the OS 23 to control communication between the external mediation device 12 and the management server 15 or the internal mediation device 13 . The second program 24 is a part of a program or a second example of a program.

The data storage area 29 stores data necessary for program execution. The data storage area 29 also stores a database 210 shown in FIG. 3(B). Database 210 has a data structure similar to database 510 .

In FIG. 1, the communication I/F 25 is a communication interface that communicates various information or data with the management server 15 or the internal mediation device 13 through the firewall 18 and the Internet 16 .

User I/F 26 receives input from the operator of external mediation device 12 . The display 211 displays images based on various screen data received from the CPU 51 .

[Configuration of internal mediation device 13]
The internal mediation device 13 includes a CPU 31 , a memory 32 , a communication I/F 35 , a user I/F 36 and a display 311 that can communicate with each other via a communication bus 37 .

The internal mediation device 13 is a third example of an information processing device. The CPU 31 is a third example of a computer. The CPU 31 and memory 32 are a third example of a controller and an example of a fourth controller. Communication I/F is an example of a fourth communication interface.

The memory 32 is a storage medium similar to the memory 52 and a buffer included in the CPU 31 . The memory 32 has a program storage area 38 and a data storage area 39 . The program storage area 38 stores programs such as the OS 33 and agent software 34 .

The OS 33 is an operating system and a basic program of the internal mediation device 13 . The agent software 34 is a program that cooperates with the OS 33 to control communication between the internal mediation device 13 and the external mediation device 12 through the communication I/F 35 . The agent software 34 is also a program for controlling communication between the internal mediation device 13 and each printer 14 connected to the LAN 17 to which the internal mediation device 13 belongs. Agent software 34 is part of a program or a third example of a program.

The data storage area 39 stores data necessary for program execution. The data storage area 39 also stores the database 310 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 4, database 310 has multiple records for each printer 14 that can communicate with internal mediation device 13 through LAN 17 . Database 310 may not include a field for the item "GID" in each record.

In FIG. 1, the communication I/F 35 is a communication interface, and communicates various information or various data with the external mediation device 12 through the firewall 19 and the Internet 16 . The communication I/F further communicates various information or data with each printer 14 connected to the LAN 17 .

A user I/F 36 is a keyboard and mouse, and receives input from the operator of the internal mediation device 13 . The display 311 displays images based on various screen data generated by the CPU 31 .

[Configuration of Printer 14]
As shown in FIG. 2A, each printer 14 has a portable size and includes a CPU 41, a memory 42, a communication I/F 45, a power supply circuit 46, and a CPU 41, which are communicably connected to each other via a communication bus 48. and an image recording engine 47 .

Printer 14 is an example of a device. The CPU 41 and memory 42 are an example of a third controller. Communication I/F 45 is an example of a third communication interface.

The memory 42 has a program storage area 49 and a data storage area 410 . The program storage area 49 stores programs such as the OS 43 and the control program 44 . The data storage area 410 stores data necessary for program execution. The data storage area 410 also stores device IDs.

OS 43 is the basic program of printer 14 . The control program 44 cooperates with the OS 43 to cause the image recording engine 47 to perform image recording. The control program 44 is also a program that controls communication with the internal mediation device 13 through the communication I/F 45 . The control program 44 is a single program or a collection of multiple program modules.

The communication I/F 45 communicates various information or various data with the internal mediation device 13 via the LAN 17 .

The power supply circuit 46 converts the voltage output by the battery (not shown) provided in the printer 14 into a voltage (for example, 24 V) suitable for the operation of the image recording engine 47 and supplies it to the image recording engine 47 . The CPU 41 can turn on and off the voltage supply from the power supply circuit 46 to the image recording engine 47 . If the voltage supply can be turned on or off, the data storage area 39 stores "possibility information" indicating that power supply control is possible. On the other hand, when the voltage supply cannot be turned on or off, the data storage area 39 stores "possibility information" indicating that power supply control is impossible. Note that the power supply circuit 46 is an example of a power supply.

Under the control of the CPU 41, the image recording engine 47 operates with the voltage supplied by the power supply circuit 46 and executes image recording. Specifically, the image recording engine 47 records an image on a sheet by inkjet recording technology, thermal transfer technology, electrophotographic technology, or the like.

[Configuration of terminal device 11]
As shown in FIG. 2B, the terminal device 11 includes a CPU 61, a memory 62, a communication I/F 65, a user I/F 66, and a display 67 that can communicate with each other via a communication bus 68. FIG.

The memory 62 is a storage medium similar to the memory 52 and a buffer provided by the CPU 61 . The memory 62 has a program storage area 69 and a data storage area 610 . The program storage area 69 stores programs such as the OS 63 and browser 64 .

The OS 63 is an operating system and a basic program of the terminal device 11 . The browser 64 is a program which cooperates with OS63 and controls communication with the management server 15 through communication I/F65. The browser 64 further requests the management server 15 on the Internet 16 to transmit screen data in HTML format, and receives the screen data from the management server 15 . The browser 64 causes the display 67 to display an image based on the received screen data (see FIGS. 10 and 11). Screen data includes various objects. An “object” is an image that can be selected by the operator operating the user I/F 66 .

In FIG. 1, the communication I/F 65 is a communication interface, and communicates various information or various data with the management server 15 via the Internet 16 .

A user I/F 66 is a keyboard and a mouse, and receives input operations by the operator of the terminal device 11 . The display 67 displays images based on various screen data generated by the CPU 61 .

[Definition of wording]
This specification basically describes the processing of the CPU according to the instructions written in the program. That is, the processes such as "judgment", "extraction", "selection", "calculation", "determination", "specification", "acquisition", "acceptance", "control", "setting", etc. in the following description are It represents the processing of the CPU. Processing by the CPU also includes hardware control via a controller such as an OS. Note that "acquisition" is used as a concept that does not require a request. That is, the concept of "the CPU acquires data" includes the process of receiving data without the CPU requesting it. Also, "data" in this specification is represented by a computer-readable bit string. Data having substantially the same meaning and content but different formats are treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification. Processing such as "command", "response", "request", etc. is performed by communicating information indicating "command", "response", "request", etc. Also, words such as "command", "response", "request", etc. may be described in the sense of information itself indicating "command", "response", "request", etc.

Also, the processing of the CPU according to the instructions written in the program may be described in abbreviated terms. For example, "performed by the CPU 51", "performed by the program 54", and "performed by the management server 15" may be described. The same applies to the CPUs 21, 31 and the like. In addition, abbreviated terms may be used to indicate that the program inputs and outputs information through the communication I/F and the user I/F. For example, it may be described as "received by the CPU 51", "transmitted by the program 54", and "obtained by the management server 15".

Also, the process of judging by the CPU whether or not the information A indicates that the matter B is conceptually described as "judging whether or not the information A is the matter B". There is The process of judging whether information A indicates matter B or matter C by the CPU is referred to as "determining whether information A is matter B or matter C." It may be described conceptually as

Also, "data" and "information" in this specification are common in that they are bits or bit strings that can be handled by a computer. "Data" refers to anything that can be handled by a computer without considering the semantic content indicated by each bit. On the other hand, "information" indicates that the operation of the computer branches depending on the meaning indicated by each bit. Furthermore, the "instruction" is a control signal for prompting the destination device to perform the next operation, and may contain information, and itself has the property of information. There is also

In addition, "data" and "information" are the same data and information as long as they are recognized as having the same meaning and content, even if the format (for example, text format, binary format, flag format, etc.) is changed for each computer. treated as For example, information indicating "two" is stored as text format information "0x32" in ASCII code on one computer, and stored as binary format information "10" in binary notation on another computer. may be

However, the above distinction between "data" and "information" is not strict, and exceptional handling is permitted. For example, data may be temporarily treated as information, or information may be temporarily treated as data. Also, what is handled as data in one device may be handled as information in another device. Furthermore, information may be extracted from data, and data may be extracted from information.

In addition, "depending on" in this specification indicates that the processing described after the character string is executed when the condition described before the character string is satisfied. Note that the timing at which the process is executed may be after the condition is satisfied, and does not necessarily have to be immediately after the condition is satisfied.

[Communication in communication system 100]
Processing based on the first program 54, the second program 24, the agent software 34, the control program 44 and the browser 64 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[Device registration process]
Processing for registering the device ID of the printer 14 in the databases 510 and 210 (hereinafter referred to as device registration processing) will be described with reference to FIG. By completing the device registration process, the management server 15 can start managing the printer 14 .

First, in the internal intermediary device 13, the agent software 34 transmits a request RQ11 to all the printers 14 connected to the LAN 17 (S11). The request RQ11 is a command that instructs the printer 14 to return the device ID and the availability information.

For example, the agent software 34 executes S11 according to the registration instruction input by the person in charge of the internal mediation device 13 in response to the initial setting being executed when the agent software 34 is first activated. The registration instruction is an instruction for registering the managed printer 14 in the communication system 100 . Alternatively, the agent software 34 may execute S11 in response to receiving a registration instruction transmitted from the first program 54 or the second program 24. FIG. Note that the registration instruction may be an instruction to add and register the device ID in the already operating communication system 100 . The “person in charge” is, for example, a person who manages the printer 14 at each branch office and is different from the operator who operates the terminal device 11 . The external intermediary device 12 includes various information and various data in responses (specifically, HTTP responses) to requests (specifically, HTTP requests) received from the internal intermediary device 13. Send to 13.

Each printer 14 connected to the LAN 17 receives the request RQ11 (S11). In each printer 14, the control program 44 acquires the device ID and availability information of the printer 14 from the data storage area 410, and generates a response RS11 including these (S12). The control program 44 transmits the generated response RS11 to the internal mediation device 13 (S13).

Upon receiving the response RS11 from each printer 14, the agent software 34 executes DB update processing (S14). At S14, the agent software 34 creates a record in the database 310 for each device ID included in each response RS11. The agent software 34 records the device ID and availability information included in the response RS11 in the device ID and availability information fields of the created record, respectively (see FIG. 4).

Next, the agent software 34 determines whether or not a transmission instruction has been input (S15). Specifically, the agent software 34 causes the display 211 to display the device ID in each response RS11 in response to receiving each response RS11. The person in charge refers to the screen of the display 311 and recognizes the device ID of the printer 14 to be managed. After selecting the device ID of the printer 14 to be managed using the user I/F 36 , the person in charge inputs a transmission instruction to the internal intermediary device 13 . On the other hand, if the person in charge determines that all the device IDs being displayed are not the printers 14 to be managed, he or she operates the user I/F 35 to input a termination instruction to the internal intermediary device 13 .

When the agent software 34 determines that an end instruction has been input (S15: No), it ends the device registration process. On the other hand, when the agent software 34 determines that a transmission instruction has been input (S15: Yes), the agent software 34 transmits a request RQ12 including the selected device ID and availability information, and the GID in the memory 32 to the external intermediary device 12 ( S16).

Note that when a plurality of device IDs are selected, the request RQ12 including one set of the selected device ID, availability information, and GID may be repeatedly transmitted for the number of selected device IDs. Alternatively, one request RQ12 including all selected device IDs, availability information corresponding to each device ID, and a GID may be sent to the external mediation device 12 . In this regard, the same applies to other requirements as well.

In the external mediation device 12, the second program 24 executes DB update processing in response to receiving the request RQ12 (S17). At S<b>17 , the second program 24 determines whether or not the device ID, availability information and GID in the received request RQ<b>12 are already registered in the database 210 . When the second program 24 determines that the device is unregistered, it creates a record in the database 210 for each unregistered device ID. The second program 24 records the device ID, GID, and availability information in the request RQ12 in the device ID, GID, and availability information fields of the created record, respectively (see FIG. 3B).

Although not shown in FIG. 5, the second program 24 sends a response to the internal mediation device 13 indicating that it has received the request RQ12. Alternatively, the second program 24 may send a response including the device ID registered in the database 210 to the internal mediation device 13 as a response to the request RQ12. The agent software 34 causes the display 311 to display the device ID included in the response to the request RQ12. This allows the person in charge to confirm that the device ID has been registered in the database 210 on the external mediation device 12 side.

In the record added in S17, "standby state" (not shown) indicating that management of the printer 14 has not started is registered in the status information field. In the example of FIG. 3B, the record indicating the printer 14 with the device ID "008" is the newly added record. If “standby state” (not shown) is registered in the record, the printer 14 corresponding to the record is not registered in the database 510 of the management server 15 and is out of the management target of the communication system 100 . Note that when the printer 14 becomes a management target, the "status information" of the corresponding record is changed from "waiting state" to "management state" (not shown).

Also, when the second program 24 determines in S17 that the device ID and the like in the request RQ12 have been registered, it transmits a response to that effect to the internal mediation device 13 .

Next, the second program 24 generates a request RQ13 and transmits the generated request RQ13 to the management server 15 (S19). The request RQ13 includes each device ID added to the database 210, availability information corresponding to the device ID, and a GID. The request RQ13 is a command that instructs the management server 15 to update the database 510 .

In the management server 15, the first program 54 executes DB update processing in response to receiving the request RQ13 (S20). At S20, the first program 54 creates a record in the database 510 for each device ID in the received request RQ13. The first program 54 registers the device ID, GID, and availability information in the request RQ13 in the device ID, GID, and availability information fields of each created record (see FIG. 3A).

Next, the first program 54 executes start notification processing (S21). In S21, the first program 54 generates a response RS13 indicating that registration of the device ID, etc. in the request RQ13 has been completed and management of the printer 14 has started. The first program 54 transmits the response RS13 to the external mediation device 12 through the Internet 16 (S22).

In the external mediation device 12, the second program 24 executes management start processing in response to receiving the response RS13 (S23). Specifically, in S23, the second program 24 changes the status information field from "standby" to "under management" (not shown) in the database 210 of FIG. 3(B).

Next, the second program 24 includes a device ID whose status information field is "under management" in the database 210 and a GUI corresponding to the device ID in response to a request periodically transmitted by the internal mediation device 13. A response RS12 is generated and transmitted to the internal mediation device 13 (S24).

[Status registration process]
Processing for registering the status information of the printer 14 in the databases 510 and 210 (hereinafter referred to as status registration processing) will be described with reference to FIG. The status registration process is divided into a process of registering status information in databases 310 and 210 (see FIG. 6A) and a process of registering status information in database 510 (see FIG. 6B). .

In FIG. 6, the agent software 34 of the internal intermediary device 13 waits for a periodical status acquisition timing (S31: No). The status acquisition timing is, for example, every 60 minutes. However, the status acquisition timing is not limited to this, and may be every 12 hours, every 24 hours, or the like. The status acquisition timing is appropriately determined in consideration of the power consumption of the battery of the printer 14 and the like.

When the agent software 34 determines that it is time to acquire the status (S31 in FIG. 6A: Yes), it transmits a request RQ32 to the printer 14 connected to the LAN 17 (S32). Note that the request RQ32 is a command for instructing the printer 14 to return status information. Note that the request RQ32 may contain one device ID. In this case, only the printer 14 identified by the device ID will respond to the request RQ32. Also, in this case, the agent software 34 repeatedly transmits the request RQ32 while changing the device ID. Also, the request RQ32 may be a broadcast command. In this case, all printers 14 connected to LAN 17 respond to request RQ32.

In each printer 14, the control program 44 executes response generation processing in response to receiving the request RQ32 (S33). In S33, the control program 44 generates a response RS32 including at least one of "online", "paper jam" and "out of paper" as status information. It should be noted that each printer 14 has a sensor that detects when a sheet is jammed within the printer 14 and when there is no sheet within the printer 14 . The control program 44 generates a response RS32 containing "paper jam" or "no paper" based on the output signals of these sensors. The control program 44 includes the status information of "online" in the response RS32 when the status information is not "paper jam" or "no paper". Note that if the request RQ32 includes the device ID, the response RS32 does not necessarily include the device ID of the printer 14. FIG.

The control program 44 transmits the response RS32 to the internal mediation device 13 through the LAN 17 (S34). It should be noted that the control program 44 cannot send the response RS32 to the request RQ32 when the main power supply of the printer 14 is off or when the printer 14 is not connected to the LAN 17 .

In the internal intermediary device 13, the agent software 34 executes DB update processing after a predetermined time has passed since the request RQ32 was sent (S35). The agent software 34 obtains status information from each response RS 32 received from the printer 14 until the predetermined time has passed. The agent software 34 registers the acquired status information in the status information field in the database 310, which is the field corresponding to the printer 14 that is the sender of the response RS32. On the other hand, the agent software 34 registers "offline" status information in the status information field corresponding to the printer 14 that did not send the response RS32 in the database 310 .

Next, the agent software 34 determines whether or not it is time to send a request to the external intermediary device 12 (S36). When the agent software 34 determines that the transmission timing has not come (S36: No), the process returns to S31. On the other hand, when the agent software 34 determines that the transmission timing has come (S36: Yes), it executes request generation processing (S37). At S37, the agent software 34 acquires a set of device ID and status information from each record of the database 310 (see FIG. 4). Further at S37, the agent software 34 generates a request RQ33 containing a set of its own GID, device ID and status information. Request RQ33 is a command requesting that the status information included in request RQ33 be registered in database 210 .

Next, the agent software 34 transmits the request RQ33 generated in S37 to the external intermediary device 12 (S38).

In the external intermediary device 12, the second program 24 executes status acquisition processing and DB update processing in response to receiving the request RQ33 (S39). In the status acquisition process, the second program 24 acquires a set of GID, device ID, and status information from each received request RQ33. In the DB update process, the second program 24 identifies a record that matches the acquired GID and device ID from the database 210, and registers the status information in the field of the identified record and in the status information field.

Next, the second program 24 generates a response RS33 indicating that the status information has been registered in the database 210, and transmits it to the internal mediation device 13 (S310).

In FIG. 6, the first program 54 of the management server 15 waits for a periodical status acquisition timing (S41: No). The status acquisition timing is, for example, every 30 minutes. However, the status acquisition timing is not limited to this, and may be every hour, every two hours, or the like. Since the management server 15 and the external intermediary device 12 are not battery-powered, the status acquisition timing may be a shorter time interval than the status acquisition timing in S31.

When the first program 54 determines that it is time to acquire the status (S41 in FIG. 6B: Yes), it transmits a request RQ41 to the external intermediary device 12 (S42). The request RQ41 is a command that instructs the external intermediary device 12 to return status information.

In the external intermediary device 12, the second program 24 executes response generation processing in response to receiving the request RQ41 (S43). Specifically, the second program 24 acquires a set of GID, device ID, and status information from each record in the database 210 . The second program 24 also generates a response RS41.

Response RS41 may contain only one set of GID, device ID and status information, or may contain the entire set of GID, device ID and status information. If only one set is included in the response RS41, the second program 24 generates response RS41 for the number of sets of GID, device ID and status information. Note that this point applies to other responses as well.

The second program 24 transmits the response RS41 generated in S43 to the management server 15 (S44).

In the management server 15, the first program 54 executes status acquisition processing and DB update processing in response to receiving the response RS41 (S45). In the status acquisition process, the first program 54 acquires a set of GID, device ID, and status information from each response RS 41 received. In the DB update process, the first program 54 identifies a record that matches the acquired GID and device ID from the database 510, and registers the status information in the status information field. Here, the status information field is specifically a field in the specified record.

Status information of each printer 14 that can communicate with each internal mediation device 13 is registered in the database 210 of the external mediation device 12 and the database 510 of the management server 15 by the status registration process.

[Power Control of Printer 14]
Power control of the printer 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG.

In FIG. 7, the terminal device 11 is operated by an operator. The operator is the person who manages each printer 14 used at each branch of the MDM customer. The operator operates the user I/F 65 while referring to the displayed image on the display 67 while the CPU 61 is executing the browser 64 to specify the URL assigned in advance to the management server 15 .

The browser 64 accepts the designated URL (S51). The URL is information specifying screen data (HTML data) indicating the management screen of each printer 14 . The browser 64 then generates a request RQ51. The request RQ51 is a command including a specified URL and instructing transmission of screen data specified by the URL. Next, the browser 64 sends a request RQ51 to the management server 15 (S52).

In the management server 15, the first program 54 transmits the screen data specified by the request RQ51 to the terminal device 11 as a response RS51 to the request RQ51 (S53).

In the terminal device 11, in response to receiving the response RS51, the browser 64 displays an initial screen 67A based on the screen data on the display 67 as shown in FIG. 10A (S54). In FIG. 10A, the initial screen 67A includes a plurality of records 81. In FIG. Each record includes a device ID, availability information, status information, action fields 82, and the like. For ease of understanding by the operator, the initial screen 67A can also include fields 82 for the model number and device name of the device associated with the device ID. The device model number indicates the model number of the printer 14 , and the device name is a name arbitrarily assigned to the printer 14 . The initial screen 67A further includes a designation object 83 associated with each device ID. The designation object 83 is arranged in an area surrounding the device ID, device model number, and device name shown in each record 81 on the initial screen 67A. Note that only one designation object 83 is virtually shown by a broken line in FIG. 10(A).

In FIG. 10A, the initial screen 67A further includes multiple filtering conditions. The screen further includes specification objects that can specify filtering conditions. The specification object is a check box arranged next to each filtering condition. In response to the operator's manipulation of the designation object, the browser 64 displays records that match the corresponding filtering conditions.

When the browser 64 accepts that the operator has operated one of the designation objects 83 , the browser 64 displays on the display 67 a various setting screen 67 B (see FIG. 10B) for the printer 14 . In FIG. 10B, the various setting screen 67B includes information 84 regarding the printer 14 having the device ID corresponding to the designation object 85 and a designation object 85 regarding power on/off setting. In response to the operator's operation of the designation object 85, the browser 64 displays a power on/off detailed setting screen 67C (see FIG. 11A).

In FIG. 11A, the detailed setting screen 67C includes "power off mode" and "power on mode" and two designation objects 91 and 92 as a plurality of items. The designation object 91 is arranged next to the item "power off mode" on the detailed setting screen 67C. When it is accepted that the operator has operated the designation object 91, the power off mode can be set. The designation object 92 is arranged next to the item "power on mode" on the detailed setting screen 67C. When it is accepted that the operator has operated the designation object 92, the power-on mode can be set, and the time setting screen 67D shown in FIG. 11B is displayed. In FIG. 11B, the time setting screen 67D includes a designation object 93 that can designate the time to turn on the power.

The operator refers to the initial screen 67A (see FIG. 10A) displayed on the display 67 and selects the device ID of the printer 14 to be controlled using the user I/F 66 . The operator refers to various setting screens 67B (see FIG. 10B) displayed on the display 67 and selects the designation object 85 for the selected printer 14 . The operator refers to the detailed setting screen 67C and the time setting screen 67D (see FIGS. 11A and 11B) displayed on the display 67 to turn the selected printer 14 on and off. The user I/F 66 is used to set the time to turn on the power and the time to turn on the power (hereinafter referred to as "on time").

7, the browser 64 of the terminal device 11 receives the device ID, the GID corresponding to the device ID, the ON/OFF information, and the ON time (S55). The on/off information is information indicating that the power of the printer 14 has been specified by the specifying objects 91 and 92 . Further in S55, the browser 64 generates a request RQ52 (specifically, an HTTP request). The request RQ52 is a command requesting generation of the first command and the second command, including the device ID, GID and ON time. The first command is a command to turn off the power supply circuit 46 of the printer 14 having the device ID, and the second command is a command to turn on the power supply circuit 46 .

Next, the browser 64 transmits the request RQ52 generated in S55 to the management server 15 (S56).

In the management server 15, the first program 54 acquires the request RQ52, that is, the ON/OFF information (S57). After that, the first program 54 generates a response RS52 indicating that the request RQ52 has been obtained, and transmits it to the terminal device 11 (S58). Next, the first program 54 generates a first command and a second command (S59), and transmits a request RQ53 to the external mediation device 12 (S510). The request RQ53 is a command that includes a device ID, GID, ON time, first command, and second command, and instructs transmission of these to the external intermediary device 12 .

In the external mediation device 12, the second program 24 executes DB update processing in response to receiving the request RQ53 (S511). In S511, the second program 24 acquires the device ID, GID, ON time, first command, and second command from the request RQ53. The second program 24 further identifies a record in the database 210 that matches the acquired GID and device ID. The second program 24 stores the ON time, the first command, and the second command in the action field of the specified record.

Next, the second program 24 generates a response RS53 indicating that the first command etc. have been stored in the database 210, and transmits it to the management server 15 (S512).

In FIG. 8, the agent software 34 of the internal intermediary device 13 determines whether or not it is time to send a request to the external intermediary device 12 (S61). When the agent software 34 determines that the transmission timing has not come (S61: No), the process returns to S61. On the other hand, when the agent software 34 determines that the transmission timing has come (S61: Yes), it generates a request RQ61 (HTTP request) and transmits it to the external intermediary device 12 (S62). The request RQ61 is a command requesting the external intermediary device 12 to send the first command stored in the item “action” of the database 210 .

In the external mediation device 12, the second program 24 executes S63 in response to receiving the request RQ61. The second program 24 acquires the GID included in the request RQ61. The second program 24 determines whether the first command or the like is recorded in the field of the item "action" of the record with the matching GID (S63).

When the second program 24 determines that the first command or the like is not stored in the database 210, the second program 24 transmits a response RS61A to that effect to the internal mediation device 13 (S64). On the other hand, when the second program 24 determines that the first command and the like are stored in the database 210, the second program 24 retrieves the device ID, the ON time, the first command, the second A set of commands is obtained (S65), and a response RS 61B is generated (S66). The response RS 61B is a command that includes a combination of the device ID, the ON time, the first command, and the second command, and instructs transmission of these to the printer 14 .

In the internal intermediation device 13, the agent software 34 determines whether or not the response received from the external intermediation device 12 (ie, the responses RS61A and RS61B) includes the first command and the like (S68).

If the agent software 34 determines that the first command or the like is not included, it terminates power control of the printer. On the other hand, when the agent software 34 determines that the first command etc. is included, it generates a reception notification NT11 indicating that the first command etc. has been received and transmits it to the external intermediary device 12 (S69).

Next, the agent software 34 acquires the device ID, ON time, first command and second command from the response RS 61B received in S67 (S610). A request RQ62 is generated (S611). The request RQ62 is a command for turning off or on the power supply circuit 46 of the printer 14, including the device ID, on-time, first command, and second command acquired in S610. The agent software 34 transmits the generated request RQ62 to the printer 14 through the LAN 17 (S612 in FIG. 9).

In the printer 14, the control program 44 acquires the first command, the second command, and the ON time in response to receiving the request RQ62 including its own device ID, and stores the second command and the ON time in the data storage area. 410 (S613). Next, the control program 44 sends a response RS62, which confirms receipt of the request RQ62, to the internal mediation device 13 (S614).

Next, the control program 44 executes the first command acquired in S612, and turns off the power supply from the power supply circuit 46 to the image recording engine 47 (S615). In addition, in S615, power supply to the CPU 41, the memory 42, and the communication I/F 45 is not turned off.

Next, the control program 44 periodically acquires time information from the real-time clock built into the CPU 41 . The real-time clock may be an integrated circuit mounted on the circuit board on which the CPU 41 is mounted. The control program 44 determines whether or not the time information indicates the ON time of the data storage area 410 (S616).

If the control program 44 does not determine that the time information indicates the ON time (S616: No), the process returns to S616. On the other hand, if the control program 44 determines that the time information indicates the ON time (S616: Yes), the control program 44 executes the second command stored in the data storage area 410 to transfer the power supply circuit 46 to the image recording engine 47. Power supply is turned on (S617).

Next, the control program 44 generates a request RQ63 and transmits it to the internal mediation device 13 via the LAN 17 (S618). Request RQ63 contains the device ID that printer 14 has and is a command to update the field of item "status information" in database 310 to "online".

In the internal mediation device 13, in response to receiving the request RQ63, the agent software 34 updates the "status information" field of the record matching the device ID in the request RQ63 to "online" in the database 310 ( S619). Next, the agent software 34 generates a request RQ64 and transmits it to the external agent device 12 via the Internet 16 (S620). Request RQ64 is a command for updating the status information field in database 210 to "online", including the GID possessed by internal mediation device 13 and the device ID included in request RQ63.

In the external intermediary device 12, in response to receiving the request RQ64, the second program 24 identifies a record in the database 210 that matches the GID and device ID included in the request RQ64, and the status information in the identified record. The field is updated to "online" (S621). Next, the second program 24 generates a request RQ65 similar to the request RQ64 and transmits it to the management server 15 via the Internet 16 (S622).

In the management server 15, in response to receiving the request RQ65, the first program 54 identifies a record in the database 510 that matches the GID and device ID included in the request RQ65, and updates the status information field in the identified record. is updated to "online" (S623).

[Effect of communication system 100]
The first program 54 acquires on/off information (S57). The first program 54 further generates a first command and a second command based on the on/off information (S59). The second program 24 transmits the first command and the second command to the printer 14 through the internal mediation device 13 (S67 in FIG. 8). This makes it possible to manage turning off and on of the power supply circuit 46 of each printer 14 .

Further, according to the first program 54 and the second program 24, the first program 54 transmits the screen data as the response RS51 to the terminal device 11 (S53 in FIG. 7). This facilitates the management of turning off and on the power supply circuit 46 of each printer 14 .

The designation object 93 (see FIG. 11B) can designate the time to turn on the power supply circuit 46 . The first program 54 acquires the time information specified by the specifying object 93 (S57 in FIG. 7). The first program 54 generates a request containing time information and a second command (S59). Therefore, the first program 54 does not need to determine the transmission timing of the second command. As a result, the processing load on the CPU 51 is reduced.

The first program 54 identifies a record that matches the GID and device ID based on the request RQ65, and updates the status information field in the identified record to "online" (S623 in FIG. 9). After S623, the first program 54 also transmits the screen data in S53 of FIG. 7 in response to the request RQ51 from the browser 64. FIG. When the browser 64 of the terminal device 11 executes S54, the status information updated in S623 based on the screen data is displayed. In other words, on the display 67 of the terminal device 11, the fact that the power supply circuit 46 has been turned on based on the second command is visually displayed by the operator.

The first program 54 acquires status information from the external mediation device 12 that can communicate with the printer 14 (S45 in FIG. 6B), and transmits the first command and the second command to the external mediation device 12 (FIG. 6B). 7 S510). Since the first program 54 acquires the status information of the printer 14 through the external intermediary device 12 , the first program 54 can acquire the status information even if the first program 54 cannot directly communicate with the printer 14 . This enables the first program 54 to manage the printer 14 appropriately.

[Modification]
In the power control of the printer 14 of the above embodiment, the control program 44 determines whether or not the time information indicates the ON time (S616 in FIG. 9). However, the agent software 34 can also determine whether or not the time information indicates the ON time, as will be described in the modification below.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the power control processing procedure of the printer 14 according to the modification. FIG. 12A differs from the flowchart of FIG. 8 in that S610 and S611 are replaced with S71 and S72. FIG. 12B differs from the flowchart of FIG. 9 in that S612 to S616 are replaced with S73 to S79. Differences will be described below.

After S69, the agent software 34 acquires the device ID and the first command from the response RS61B received in S67 (S71 in FIG. 12A), and generates a request RQ71 (S72). The request RQ71 is a command including the device ID acquired in S71 and a first command, and instructing to turn off the power supply circuit 46 of the printer 14 . The agent software 34 transmits the generated request RQ71 to the printer 14 through the LAN 17 (S73 in FIG. 12B).

In the printer 14, the control program 44 sends a response RS71, which confirms receipt of the request RQ71, to the internal intermediary device 13 (S74). Next, the control program 44 executes the first command acquired in S612, and turns off the power supply from the power supply circuit 46 to the image recording engine 47 (S75).

After S<b>73 , the agent software 34 periodically acquires time information from the real-time clock built in the CPU 31 . The real-time clock may be an integrated circuit mounted on the circuit board on which the CPU 31 is mounted. The agent software 34 determines whether or not the time information indicates the ON time recorded in the database 310 (S76).

If the agent software 34 does not determine that the time information indicates the ON time (S76: No), the process returns to S76. On the other hand, when the control program 44 determines that the time information indicates the ON time (S76: Yes), it acquires the device ID and the second command from the response RS61B received in S67 (S77), and generates a request RQ72. (S78). The request RQ72 includes the device ID acquired in S77 and a second command, and is a command to turn on the power supply circuit 46 of the printer 14 . The agent software 34 transmits the generated request RQ72 to the printer 14 through the LAN 17 (S79).

Upon receiving the request RQ72, the control program 44 executes the second command in the request RQ72 to turn on the power supply from the power supply circuit 46 to the image recording engine 47 (S710). After that, the control program 44 advances the process to S618.

According to the modified example, the processing load on the printer 14 is reduced compared to the embodiment.

[Other Modifications]
In the above embodiments, the status information did not include information on whether the power supply circuit 46 was on or off. However, the status information is not limited to this, and may include information indicating whether the power supply circuit 46 is on or off. In this case, since the ON and OFF states of the power supply circuit 46 can be recorded in the database 510, the operator of the terminal device 11 selects the printer 14 to be power controlled in steps S51 to S55 of FIG. becomes easier.

In the embodiment, the first program 54 and the second program 24 were executed on different server devices. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first program 54 and the second program 24 may be executed by either the management server 15 or the external intermediary device 12 .

In the embodiment, the second program 24 and the agent software 34 are executed by the external mediation device 12 or the internal mediation device 13, respectively. However, not limited to this, the second program 24 and the agent software 34 may be executed by either the external mediation device 12 or the internal mediation device 13 .

In the embodiment, S51, S52, S54 to S56 in FIG. 7 were executed by the terminal device 11. FIG. However, without being limited to this, the browsers installed in the management server 15, the external mediation device 12, and the internal mediation device 13 may execute S51, S52, and S54 to S56.

In the embodiment, the printer 14 is exemplified as a device. However, without being limited to this, the communication system 100 may include a scanner as another example of the device.

In the embodiment, the propriety information was stored in advance in the data storage area 39 . However, not limited to this, the availability information may be set by the terminal device 11 and acquired by the management server 15 .

In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the first program 54 executed S20 and S21 in response to receiving the request RQ13 from the external mediation device 12. FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first program 54 may transmit a request, which is a command instructing transmission of information updated in S17 in the database 210, to the external intermediary device 12. FIG. In this case, the first program 54 may execute S<b>20 upon receiving a response to this request from the external mediation device 12 .

In the embodiment, the power supply to the CPU 41, memory 42, and communication I/F 45 is not turned off in S615, and the control program 44 determines whether or not the time information from the real-time clock indicates the ON time ( S616). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in S615, power supply to all components of the printer 14 other than the real-time clock and memory 42 may be turned off. In this case, the real-time clock activates the CPU 41 at the ON time. After that, the OS 43 and the control program 44 may be activated in order.

In the modified example, the agent software 34 executes S71 to S73 and S76 to S78 of FIG. However, not limited to this, S71 to S73 and S76 to S78 can also be executed by the second program 24 .

Specifically, after S69, the second program 24 periodically acquires time information from the real-time clock built in the CPU 21 . The real-time clock may be an integrated circuit mounted on the circuit board on which the CPU 21 is mounted. The second program 24 acquires the device ID and the second command from the database 210 in response to the turn-on time when the time information is recorded in the database 210 and the request from the agent software 34 is received. After that, the second program 24 generates a response to the request from the agent software 34 and transmits it to the internal intermediary device 13 . This response includes the obtained device ID and the second command, and is a command to turn on the power supply circuit 46 of the printer 14 . The agent software 34 sends to the printer 14 a request including the second command received as a response from the external intermediary device 12 .

Note that S71 to S73 and S76 to S78 can also be executed by the first program 54 . However, the number of printers 14 connected to the internal management device 13 is less than the number of printers 14 managed by the management server 15 or the external mediation device 12 . Therefore, from the viewpoint of processing load, it is preferable that the agent software 34 executes S71 to S73 and S76 to S78.

100... Communication system 15... Management server (information processing device)
51 CPU (computer, controller, first controller)
52... Memory (controller, first controller)
54 First program (program)
55... communication interface (first communication interface)
12 External Intermediation Device (Information Processing Device, Intermediation Device, First Intermediation Device)
21 CPU (computer, controller, first controller)
22... Memory (controller, first controller)
24 Second program (program)
25... communication interface (second communication interface)
13... Internal mediating device (information processing device, mediating device, second mediating device)
31 CPU (computer, controller, fourth controller)
32 Memory (controller, fourth controller)
34... Agent software (program)
35 Communication interface 14 Printer (device)
41 CPU (third controller)
42 Memory (third controller)
45... communication interface (third communication interface)
15 Terminal device

Claims (15)

A program executed by a computer of an information processing device having a communication interface,
Said program
status acquisition processing for acquiring device status information through the communication interface;
Screen data transmission processing for generating screen data including the status information of the device and a designating object capable of designating power off and on of the device, and transmitting the screen data to the terminal device through the communication interface. and,
an on/off acquisition process for acquiring, through the communication interface, on/off information indicating that off and on have been specified for the specifying object;
a command generation process for generating a first command for turning off the power and a second command for turning on the power based on the on/off information acquired by the on/off acquisition process;
causing the computer to execute a command transmission process of transmitting the first command and the second command through the communication interface ;
The designation object is an object capable of designating the time to turn on the power,
Said program
In the on/off acquisition process, time information specified by the specification object is acquired through the communication interface,
A program for transmitting the second command in the command transmission process based on determining that it is time according to the time information after transmitting the first command. The program generates the screen data indicating that the power of the device is set to be turned on based on the transmission of the second command, and transmits the screen data to the terminal through the communication interface. 2. The program according to claim 1 , causing said computer to execute a process of transmitting to an apparatus. A program executed by a computer of an information processing device having a communication interface,
Said program
status acquisition processing for acquiring device status information through the communication interface;
Screen data transmission processing for generating screen data including the status information of the device and a designating object capable of designating power off and on of the device, and transmitting the screen data to the terminal device through the communication interface. and,
an on/off acquisition process for acquiring, through the communication interface, on/off information indicating that off and on have been specified for the specifying object;
a command generation process for generating a first command for turning off the power and a second command for turning on the power based on the on/off information acquired by the on/off acquisition process;
causing the computer to execute a command transmission process of transmitting the first command and the second command through the communication interface;
Said program
in the status acquisition process, acquiring the status information through the communication interface from an intermediary device capable of communicating with the device;
A program for transmitting the first command and the second command to the intermediary device through the communication interface in the command transmission process. The designation object is an object capable of designating the time to turn on the power,
Said program
In the on/off acquisition process, time information specified by the specification object is acquired through the communication interface,
4. The program according to claim 3 , wherein, in said command generation processing, said second command including said time information is generated. 5. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein in the status acquisition process, the program acquires the status information including information indicating whether the power of the device is off or on through the communication interface. A program executed by a computer of an information processing device having a communication interface and capable of communicating with a device,
Said program
a status acquisition process for acquiring status information of the device through the communication interface;
a status transmission process for transmitting the status information acquired by the status acquisition process through the communication interface;
an on/off acquisition process for acquiring, through the communication interface, on/off information indicating that the power of the device is specified to be turned off and on;
a command generation process for generating a first command for turning off the power and a second command for turning on the power based on the on/off information acquired by the on/off acquisition process;
causing the computer to execute a command transmission process of transmitting the first command and the second command to the device through the communication interface ;
Said program
in the on/off acquisition process, acquiring time information for turning on the power through the communication interface;
A program for transmitting the second command in the command transmission process based on determining that it is time according to the time information after transmitting the first command. A program executed by a computer of an information processing device having a communication interface and capable of communicating with a device,
Said program
a status acquisition process for acquiring status information of the device through the communication interface;
a status transmission process for transmitting the status information acquired by the status acquisition process through the communication interface;
an on/off acquisition process for acquiring, through the communication interface, on/off information indicating that the power of the device is specified to be turned off and on;
a command generation process for generating a first command for turning off the power and a second command for turning on the power based on the on/off information acquired by the on/off acquisition process;
causing the computer to execute a command transmission process of transmitting the first command and the second command to the device through the communication interface;
Said program
a notification acquisition process for acquiring, through the communication interface, notification information indicating that the power has been turned on based on the second command;
A program for causing the computer to execute notification transmission processing for transmitting the notification information acquired by the notification acquisition processing through the communication interface. Said program
in the on/off acquisition process, acquiring time information for turning on the power through the communication interface;
8. The program according to claim 7 , wherein, in said command generation processing, said second command including said time information is generated. Said program
in the status acquisition process, acquiring the status information through the communication interface from an intermediary device capable of communicating with the device;
9. The program according to any one of claims 6 to 8 , wherein in said command transmission processing, said first command and said second command are transmitted to said intermediary device through said communication interface. A program executed by a computer of an information processing device having a communication interface and capable of communicating with a device,
Said program
a status acquisition process for acquiring status information of the device through the communication interface;
a status transmission process for transmitting the status information acquired by the status acquisition process through the communication interface;
an on/off acquisition process for acquiring, through the communication interface, on/off information indicating that the power of the device is specified to be turned off and on;
a command generation process for generating a first command for turning off the power and a second command for turning on the power based on the on/off information acquired by the on/off acquisition process;
causing the computer to execute a command transmission process of transmitting the first command and the second command to the device through the communication interface;
Said program
in the status acquisition process, acquiring the status information through the communication interface from an intermediary device capable of communicating with the device;
A program for transmitting the first command and the second command to the intermediary device through the communication interface in the command transmission process. Said program
in the on/off acquisition process, acquiring time information for turning on the power through the communication interface;
11. The program according to claim 10, wherein said command generating process generates said second command including said time information. A communication system comprising a management server, a device and an intermediary device,
the management server comprises a first communication interface and a first controller;
the intermediary device comprises a second communication interface and a second controller;
each said device comprising a power supply, a third communication interface and a third controller;
The first controller is
a status acquisition process for acquiring status information of the device through the first communication interface;
generating screen data including the status information acquired in the status acquisition process and a designation object capable of designating power off and on of the device, and transmitting the screen data to the terminal device through the first communication interface; screen data transmission processing to be transmitted;
an on/off acquisition process for acquiring through the first communication interface on/off information indicating that off and on have been designated for the designation object;
a command generation process for generating a first command for turning off the power and a second command for turning on the power based on the on/off information acquired by the on/off acquisition process;
a first command transmission process for transmitting the first command and the second command through the first communication interface;
The second controller receives the first command and the second command transmitted in the first command transmission process through the second communication interface, and transmits the first command to the device through the second communication interface. a second command transmission process for transmitting the command and the second command;
The third controller receives the first command and the second command transmitted in the second command transmission process through the third communication interface, turns off the power based on the first command, an on/off process for turning on the power based on the second command ;
The designation object is an object capable of designating the time to turn on the power,
The first controller is
In the on/off acquisition process, time information specified by the specification object is acquired through the first communication interface,
In the first command transmission process, the communication system transmits the second command based on determining that the time corresponds to the time information after the transmission of the first command. A communication system comprising a management server, a device and an intermediary device,
the management server comprises a first communication interface and a first controller;
the intermediary device comprises a second communication interface and a second controller;
each said device comprising a power supply, a third communication interface and a third controller;
The first controller is
a status acquisition process for acquiring status information of the device through the first communication interface;
generating screen data including the status information acquired in the status acquisition process and a designation object capable of designating power off and on of the device, and transmitting the screen data to the terminal device through the first communication interface; screen data transmission processing to be transmitted;
an on/off acquisition process for acquiring through the first communication interface on/off information indicating that off and on have been designated for the designation object;
a command generation process for generating a first command for turning off the power and a second command for turning on the power based on the on/off information acquired by the on/off acquisition process;
a first command transmission process for transmitting the first command and the second command through the first communication interface;
The second controller receives the first command and the second command transmitted in the first command transmission process through the second communication interface, and transmits the first command to the device through the second communication interface. a second command transmission process for transmitting the command and the second command;
The third controller receives the first command and the second command transmitted in the second command transmission process through the third communication interface, turns off the power based on the first command, an on/off process for turning on the power based on the second command;
The first controller is
In the status acquisition process, the status information is acquired through the first communication interface from the intermediary device capable of communicating with the device;
A communication system configured to transmit the first command and the second command to the intermediate device through the first communication interface in the first command transmission process. A communication method between a management server having a first communication interface and a first controller, an intermediary device having a second communication interface and a second controller, and a device having a power source, a third communication interface and a third controller There is
The first controller is
obtaining status information of the device from the intermediary device through the first communication interface;
generating screen data including the status information obtained through the first communication interface and a designation object capable of designating power off and on of the device, and transmitting the screen data to the terminal through the first communication interface; send to the device,
executing on/off acquisition processing for acquiring on/off information indicating that off and on are specified for the specifying object from the terminal device through the first communication interface;
generating a first command to turn off the power and a second command to turn on the power based on the on/off information obtained through the first communication interface;
executing a command transmission process for transmitting the first command and the second command to the intermediary device through the first communication interface;
The second controller is
receiving the first command and the second command transmitted from the management server through the second communication interface, and transmitting the received first command and the second command to the device through the second communication interface; death,
The third controller is
receiving the first command and the second command transmitted from the intermediate device through the third communication interface, turning off the power based on the first command, and turning on the power based on the second command turn on,
The designation object is an object capable of designating the time to turn on the power,
The first controller is
In the on/off acquisition process, time information specified by the specification object is acquired through the first communication interface,
The communication method, wherein in the command transmission process, after transmitting the first command, the second command is transmitted on the basis of determining that the time corresponds to the time information. A communication method between a management server having a first communication interface and a first controller, an intermediary device having a second communication interface and a second controller, and a device having a power source, a third communication interface and a third controller There is
The first controller is
executing a status acquisition process for acquiring status information of the device from the intermediary device through the first communication interface;
generating screen data including the status information obtained through the first communication interface and a designation object capable of designating power off and on of the device, and transmitting the screen data to the terminal through the first communication interface; send to the device,
acquiring on/off information indicating that off and on are specified for the specifying object from the terminal device through the first communication interface;
generating a first command to turn off the power and a second command to turn on the power based on the on/off information obtained through the first communication interface;
executing a command transmission process for transmitting the first command and the second command to the intermediary device through the first communication interface;
The second controller is
receiving the first command and the second command transmitted from the management server through the second communication interface, and transmitting the received first command and the second command to the device through the second communication interface; death,
The third controller is
receiving the first command and the second command transmitted from the intermediate device through the third communication interface, turning off the power based on the first command, and turning on the power based on the second command turn on,
The first controller is
In the status acquisition process, the status information is acquired through the first communication interface from the intermediary device capable of communicating with the device;
A communication method, wherein in the command transmission process, the first command and the second command are transmitted to the intermediate device through the first communication interface.

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