JP7476616B2 - MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a management program, an information processing device, and an information processing method.

A technology has been proposed for displaying a list of information about multiple printers in an information processing device that can communicate with multiple printers via a network (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The technology described in Patent Document 1 displays the presence or absence of a sorter, stapler, and double-sided printing function as options for each printer.

JP 2000-181641 A

However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 only displays whether the above-mentioned options are available, and does not allow users to know the status of the options (for example, whether the options can be used normally or not).

In one aspect of the present disclosure, it is desirable to provide a management program, an information processing device, and an information processing method that are capable of grasping the status of optional items attached to a managed device.

One aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing system including an information processing device having a processing unit, a display unit, and a communication unit, and at least one managed device, the managed device being configured to be able to mount at least one optional item, and the information processing device being configured to be able to communicate with the managed device via the communication unit. The information processing system includes a management program that causes the processing unit of the information processing device to execute a management process for managing the optional item, and is configured to cause the processing unit to execute an acquisition process, a specification process, and a display process. The acquisition process acquires optional item information related to the optional item from the managed device via the communication unit. The specification process specifies the status of the optional item based on the optional item information acquired by the acquisition process. The display process displays on the display unit a management screen in which a status object representing the status of the optional item specified by the specification process is displayed in association with the managed device.

When the management program configured in this manner causes the processing unit of the information processing device to execute management processing, the management screen displayed on the display unit displays a status object representing the status of the optional item in association with the managed device. Therefore, the user can see the status object displayed on the management screen and understand the status of the optional item attached to the managed device.

In addition, an information processing device configured to execute the above management process is also new and useful. An information processing method executed by the above information processing device in the above management process is also new and useful. An information processing system including the above information processing device and a managed device is also new and useful. A computer-readable non-transitive tangible recording medium storing the above management program is also new and useful.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information processing system. Fig. 2(A) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a device DB. Fig. 2(B) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an option DB. Fig. 2(C) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a device support DB by model number. Fig. 2(D) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a business DB. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the management process. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the device information update process. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the screen display update process. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the user mode management process. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the option management process. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example (part 1) of the management screen. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example (part 2) of the management screen. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example (part 3) of the management screen. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example (part 4) of the management screen.

Next, the above-mentioned management program, information processing device, and information processing method will be described with reference to exemplary embodiments.
[Configuration of Information Processing System]
1 is a configuration diagram of an information processing system including a personal computer 100, a multifunction device 200, and a mobile printer 210. Hereinafter, the personal computer 100 will be referred to as a PC 100, and the multifunction device 200 will be referred to as an MFP 200. Note that MFP is an abbreviation for Multi Function Peripheral. The PC 100 is a device (hereinafter also referred to as a management device) that executes processing based on a management program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The MFP 200 and the mobile printer 210 are communicably connected to the PC 100. The MFP 200 and the mobile printer 210 are devices (hereinafter also referred to as managed devices) that are managed by the PC 100, which is the management device.

The PC 100 comprises an operation unit 110, a display unit 120, an audio I/O 130, a CPU 140, a memory unit 150, and a communication IF unit 160. I/O is an abbreviation for Input/Output. CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. IF is an abbreviation for Interface.

The operation unit 110 typically includes a keyboard and a mouse.
The display unit 120 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, a drive circuit for driving the display device, and the like. A display device configured to allow input using a touch panel method may be used as the display unit 120. In this case, the user can perform input operations by pressing input buttons on the screen. In this case, a transparent touch panel arranged over the screen of the display device functions as the operation unit 110.

The audio I/O 130 is composed of a microphone, a speaker, an audio processing circuit, and the like.
The CPU 140 executes processes based on various application programs (hereinafter abbreviated as "applications") including the management program of this embodiment, and firmware.

The storage unit 150 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a SSD (Solid State Drive), and an optical disk drive. Firmware and various data are stored in the ROM. The RAM is used as a primary storage device that temporarily stores applications and data when the CPU 140 executes various processes.

The storage unit 150 stores an OS (Operating System), the management program of this embodiment, and various other applications and data.
Various applications can be downloaded from an external server (not shown) via the communication IF unit 160. Note that applications may also be downloaded from an external device (not shown) via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface (IF) provided in the PC 100.

The management program of this embodiment is an application that can display and manage the status of the functions (e.g., printer function, scanner function, and FAX function) of the MFP 200 and mobile printer 210 for each device.

The communication IF unit 160 is a device having a function of connecting the PC 100 to the communication network 300 and a function of connecting an external device to the PC 100. In this embodiment, the communication network 300 is assumed to be a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), so the communication IF unit 160 is a LANIF (Local Area Network Interface) or a WLANIF (Wireless LAN
Of course, there may be cases where a wired LAN and a wireless LAN exist simultaneously, in which case the communication IF unit 160 includes both a LAN IF and a WLAN IF. The communication network 300 is not limited to a LAN, and may be other types of networks such as the Internet. Also, the IF for directly connecting an external device to the PC 100 includes the above-mentioned USB IF and Bluetooth (registered trademark) IF. In this embodiment, a plurality of MFPs 200 and mobile printers 210 may be connected to the communication network 300.

The PC 100 is configured to be able to access a database 400. In the following description, the database is abbreviated as DB. The DB 400 is a data storage area that can be accessed via the communication network 300. The DB 400 is, for example, a network attached storage (NAS).
Information can be registered in DB 400 from various devices that can access DB 400 via communication network 300, and the information registered in DB 400 can be obtained by various devices that can access DB 400 via communication network 300.

DB400 includes a device DB as exemplified in FIG. 2(A), an optional item DB as exemplified in FIG. 2(B), a device support DB by model number as exemplified in FIG. 2(C), and a business DB as exemplified in FIG. 2(D). These DBs as exemplified in FIG. 2(A) to FIG. 2(D) are used in the processing described below.

[Management process]
Next, the management process executed by the PC 100 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of Figures 3 to 7. When the management process is started, as shown in Figure 3, the PC 100 judges whether or not there is a device DB (S101). The device DB is a DB in which multiple items of information, such as those shown in Figure 2 (A), are registered for each managed device. If it is judged in S101 that there is a device DB (S101: YES), the PC 100 reads out device information of the managed device from the device DB (S103). In S103, a list of managed devices (hereinafter also referred to as a device list) under the management of the management device (PC 100) is read out. The device information read out in S103 includes user information indicating the user of each managed device. After S103 is completed, the process proceeds to S111.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S101 that there is no device DB (S101: NO), the PC 100 searches for devices (S105), creates a device list based on the search results (S107), and registers the created device list in the device DB (S109). That is, when the management process is executed for the first time or if there is no device DB for some reason, S105-S109 are executed to create a list of managed devices (device list) under the management of the management device (PC 100). The device list created here includes user information indicating the user of each managed device. After S109 is completed, the process proceeds to S111.

When the process proceeds from S103 or S109 to S111, the PC 100 executes a device information update process (S111). Details of the device information update process (S111) are shown in FIG. 4. When the device information update process starts, as shown in FIG. 4, the PC 100 judges whether it is the timer start time (S201). The timer start time is a time set to execute subsequent processing steps every time a predetermined time has elapsed. In the case of this embodiment, for example, five minutes is set as the timer start time. In this case, S201 is judged as YES every time five minutes have elapsed. As a result, the processing steps from S203 onwards are executed every time five minutes have elapsed. If it is judged in S201 that it is not the timer start time (S201: NO), the process returns to S201. As a result, the process remains in S201 until the timer start time arrives.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S201 that the timer has started (S201: YES), PC 100 acquires device information from the managed devices (S203). In S203, basic information of the managed devices (e.g., IP address, serial number, etc.), status of the managed devices (e.g., normal, warning error, abnormal error, etc.), and information on optional items attached to the managed devices (e.g., name of optional item, model number of optional item, status of optional item, etc.) are acquired from each managed device.

Next, PC 100 calculates the remaining amount estimates for optional items (S205). In S205, the remaining amount estimates are calculated for optional items whose remaining amount varies (e.g., rechargeable batteries, roll paper, etc.). Next, PC 100 acquires inventory information (S207). In S207, inventory information for optional items (e.g., the presence and quantity of spare rechargeable batteries and roll paper) is acquired from an optional item DB accessible via communication network 300. Next, PC 100 saves the device information in the device DB (S209) and ends the device information update process shown in FIG. 4.

When the device information update process shown in Figure 4 is completed, the process proceeds from S111 to S113 in Figure 3, and a screen display update process is executed (S113). Details of the screen display update process (S113) are shown in Figure 5. When the screen display update process starts, as shown in Figure 5, PC 100 determines whether or not it is in "user mode" (S301). Details will be described later, but when management processing is executed in PC 100, a management screen 501 such as that shown in Figures 8 to 11 is displayed on display unit 120 of PC 100.

On the management screen 501, a number of display objects including an information update button 505 and a mode selection field 507 are arranged. When the user operates the operation unit 110 to press the information update button 505, the information on the management screen 501 is updated to the latest information. Also, when the user operates the operation unit 110 to press the mode selection field 507, the display mode of the management screen 501 can be switched to one of "user mode (see Figures 8 and 9)" and "options (see Figures 10 and 11)."

In S301, it is determined whether or not "user mode" is selected in the mode selection field 507. If it is determined in S301 that "user mode" is selected (S301: YES), the PC 100 executes a user mode management process (S303). When S303 is executed, the above-mentioned management screen 501 displays a user mode information table 511, as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

The user mode information table 511 includes a plurality of display columns, which are arranged to form the same number of rows as the number of managed devices and the same number of columns as the number of display items related to the managed devices. In Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, "Device status", "User Name", "Node Name", "Check all options", "Option 1", "Option 2", and "Option 3" are shown as examples of the plurality of display items, but other display items may be included.

Details of the user mode management process (S305) are shown in FIG. 6. When the user mode management process starts, as shown in FIG. 6, the PC 100 judges whether or not there is mobile information (S401). In S401, the "Node Name" of each managed device is used as a key to search the device DB shown in FIG. 2(A) to identify the "Model Name" of each managed device. Then, the identified "Model Name" is used as a key to search the model number device support DB shown in FIG. 2(C) to determine whether or not each managed device is a mobile product. If the result of this judgment is that no mobile product is included in the managed devices, it is judged in S401 that there is no mobile information (S401: NO), and in that case the user mode management process shown in FIG. 6 is terminated.

On the other hand, if the managed devices include a mobile product, it is determined in S401 that mobile information is present (S401: YES), and in this case, the PC 100 displays information that can be displayed (S403). In S403, information that can be displayed without making the determinations of S407, S411, and S413 described later (for example, "Device
status,""UserName,""NodeName," etc.

Next, PC 100 determines whether there is a problem with the options used for business (S407). In S407, if the options used for business are in an error state or if the options used for business are insufficient, it is determined that there is a problem. In S407, if there is no problem with the options used for business (S407: NO), PC 100 displays user feedback information (S409) and ends the user mode management process shown in FIG. 6. When the user mode management process shown in FIG. 6 ends, S303 in FIG. 5 ends. Details of the user feedback information will be described later.

On the other hand, if there is a problem with the option used for business in S407 of FIG. 6 (S407: YES), PC 100 judges whether the option is in an error state (S411). If it is determined in S411 that the option is not in an error state (S411: NO), PC 100 judges whether the option is missing (S413). If it is determined in S413 that the option is not missing (S413: NO), PC 100 executes S409 described above and then ends the user mode management process shown in FIG. 6. When the user mode management process shown in FIG. 6 ends, S303 of FIG. 5 ends.

If it is determined in S411 of FIG. 6 that the option is in an error state (S411: YES), PC 100 displays the replaceable options on management screen 501 (S415) and proceeds to S413 described above. Also, if it is determined in S413 that the option is missing (S413: NO), PC 100 displays the missing option (S417), executes S409 described above, and then ends the user mode management process shown in FIG. 6. When the user mode management process shown in FIG. 6 ends, S303 of FIG. 5 ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S301 of FIG. 5 that the mode is not "user mode" (S301: NO), the PC 100 executes option management processing (S305). When S305 is executed, the option information table 513 is displayed on the above-mentioned management screen 501, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

The option information table 513 includes a plurality of display columns, which are arranged to form the same number of rows as the number of option items and the same number of columns as the number of display items related to the option items. In Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, "Check all options", "Option name", "Installed device", "Option details (see Fig. 10)", and "Compatible device (see Fig. 11)" are shown as examples of the plurality of display items, but other display items may also be included.

Details of the option management process (S305) are shown in FIG. 7. When the option management process starts, as shown in FIG. 7, the PC 100 displays information that can be displayed (S503). In S503, of the multiple items of information shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, information that can be displayed without making the judgment in S503 described below (for example, information other than the status of a long-term unused item) is displayed.

Next, the PC 100 judges whether the optional items include an optional item that has not been used for a certain period of time (S503). If it is judged in S503 that the optional items include an optional item that has not been used for a certain period of time (S503: YES), the status of the optional item that has not been used for a long period of time is displayed for that optional item (S505). After S505 ends, the process proceeds to S507. If it is judged in S503 that the optional items do not include an optional item that has not been used for a certain period of time (S503: NO), the process proceeds to S507. When the process proceeds from S503 or S505 to S507, the PC 100 displays user feedback information (S507) and ends the option management process shown in FIG. 7. After the option management process shown in FIG. 7 ends, S305 in FIG. 5 ends. Details of the user feedback information will be described later.

When S303 or S305 in FIG. 5 is completed, the screen display update process shown in FIG. 5 is completed. When the screen display update process shown in FIG. 5 is completed, S113 in FIG. 3 is completed, and the PC 100 executes mouse over process (S115). Next, the PC 100 judges whether or not the management program is to be terminated (S117). In S117, it is judged whether or not an end instruction has been input by user operation on the operation unit 110. If it is judged in S117 that the management program is not to be terminated (S117: NO), the process returns to S111. As a result, the process steps from S111 onwards are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if it is judged in S117 that the management program is to be terminated (S117: YES), the management process shown in FIG. 3 is terminated.

In the management process described above, when the management screen 501 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit 120, the information displayed in the user mode information table 511 is initially displayed in a state sorted using "User Name" as a key. This makes it easier to grasp information corresponding to a specific user without overlooking anything, compared to when the information is displayed in an order unrelated to the user. However, the item used for sorting can be changed by the user, for example, by clicking on each item name with the mouse.

Status objects 521, 522, 523 that indicate the status of optional items are displayed in the display fields of the "All options checked" column, "Option 1" column, "Option 2" column, and "Option 3" column. In addition to status objects 521, 522, 523, optional item objects are displayed in the display fields of the "Option 1" column, "Option 2" column, and "Option 3" column. In this embodiment, the names of the optional items attached to the managed device are listed as optional item objects. If there are multiple optional items with the same name, a number is added after the name. That is, in this embodiment, text objects are displayed as optional item objects.

The status object 521 is an icon indicating that the optional item is in a normal state. The status object 522 is an icon indicating that the optional item is in a warning state. For example, as in the case of "rechargeable battery 2" illustrated in FIG. 8, when the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery is low or the rechargeable battery is significantly deteriorated, the status object 522 is displayed if the optional item is not unusable but has some problems. The status object 523 is an icon indicating that the optional item is in an abnormal state. For example, as in the case of "wireless LAN unit 1" illustrated in FIG. 8, when the device is broken, the status object 523 is displayed. The status objects 521, 522, and 523 displayed in the "all options checked" column correspond to the most problematic status objects 521, 522, and 523 displayed in the "option 1" column, the "option 2" column, and the "option 3" column.

The options displayed in the "Option 1" column, the "Option 2" column, and the "Option 3" column are displayed in the order of the option with the highest priority, "Option 1," "Option 2," and "Option 3." This order is determined according to the priority obtained from the option DB shown in FIG. 2 (B).

When the managed device is a stationary device, as shown in FIG. 8, display column 525 of the "Check all options" column is left blank. That is, when the managed device is a mobile device, status objects 521, 522, and 523 are displayed in association with the managed device, but when the managed device is a stationary device, the status objects are not displayed. Whether the managed device is a stationary device or a mobile device is determined by referring to the model number-specific device support DB exemplified in FIG. 2(C). By displaying in this manner, it becomes easier to grasp the status of options attached to a mobile device since the status objects corresponding to stationary devices are not displayed.

Additional options may be displayed as in display field 531 shown in FIG. 8. Additional options are options that are recommended for the user to have in addition to the installed options already installed in the managed device. When the user looks at the display in display field 531 and sees status objects 521, 522, and 523 displayed, the user can determine that the option is an installed option, and when status objects 521, 522, and 523 are not displayed, the user can determine that the option is an additional option.

For example, when "User1"'s task for the day is "Task B," information about optional items required for "Task B" is obtained from the task DB illustrated in FIG. 2(D). The obtained information includes information that the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery required for "Task B" is 80%. In this case, if PC 100 obtains information that the remaining charge of "Battery 1" installed in "PT2" is 70% via communication network 300, information indicating that "Battery 4" is also recommended in addition to "Battery 1" is displayed in display field 531. If a user who sees this carries "Battery 4" in addition to "Battery 1" and performs "Task B," he or she will be able to carry out "Task B" without any problems.

These additional optional items may be displayed based on conditions other than the work of "User1" today, for example, based on the usage history of the installed optional items. Specifically, the degree of deterioration and useful life of the installed optional items may be calculated based on the usage history of the installed optional items, and the additional optional items may be displayed if the degree of deterioration is greater than a predetermined threshold value, or if the degree of deterioration has exceeded the predetermined threshold value and is approaching the end of its useful life.

When a user has some information regarding an optional item, the information can be registered as user feedback information in the optional item DB illustrated in Fig. 2(B). An example of "user feedback information" is, for example, "information that the user wants to convey to the administrator" or "information that the user wants to share with other users." A more specific example would be information that only the user who actually uses the managed device knows, such as "It was difficult to connect the managed device and the optional item this time."

If such information is registered in the optional item DB as user feedback information, for example, an administrator who sees the user feedback information can take action such as inspecting the managed device or optional item. Furthermore, if the inspection reveals that there is no problem with the managed device or optional item, there may be a problem with the user's usage, in which case the administrator can take action such as informing the user of the appropriate usage method. If the user feedback information is registered in the optional item DB, the user feedback information is displayed in S409 described above. In this case, as shown in display field 533 in FIG. 8, the display form of the optional item corresponding to the user feedback information (barcode reader 2 in FIG. 8) will be different from that of other optional items.

In the case of FIG. 8, for convenience of illustration, the display form has diagonal lines around the periphery of the display field. However, the display form of the optional item corresponding to the user feedback information is not limited to the display form exemplified in FIG. 8, as long as the user can identify that it is a display form different from other optional items. Specific examples include display forms with different background colors, display forms with different character colors, display forms with different character sizes or fonts, display forms with or without blinking, and display forms with or without underlining or frames. Two or more display forms selected from these display forms may be different.

When a status object 523 indicating that an optional item is in an abnormal state is displayed, as illustrated in FIG. 8, moving the mouse cursor 535 to the area in which the status object 523 is displayed executes the mouse-over process of S115 described above. This mouse-over process causes a substitute object 537 to be displayed. The substitute object 537 displays information indicating a spare, replaceable optional item ("Wireless LAN unit 2" in the example shown in FIG. 8). Therefore, by looking at the substitute object 537, the user can know that there is another optional item that can be used as a substitute for the optional item in the abnormal state.

The management screen 501 illustrated in FIG. 9 is a different example from the management screen 501 illustrated in FIG. 8. In this example, optional item objects are not displayed in display fields 541, 542, 543, and 544. This is because, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the optional items corresponding to display fields 541, 542, 543, and 544 are all hidden because they are in a normal state. In this way, by hiding optional items when they are all in a normal state, when optional item objects are displayed, it is clear that the status of the optional item is in a warning state or an abnormal state. Therefore, it is easy to identify optional items that may be problematic.

In addition, in the management process described above, when the management screen 501 as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 120, the information displayed in the option information table 513 is initially displayed in a state sorted using "option name" as a key. This makes it easier to grasp information corresponding to a specific option item without overlooking anything, compared to when the information is displayed in an order unrelated to the option name. However, the item used for sorting can be changed by the user, for example, by clicking each item name with the mouse.

In the option information table 513, for installed options, the name of the managed device is displayed in the display field of the "Installed device" column. On the other hand, for uninstalled options, the name of the managed device is not displayed in the display field of the "Installed device" column. However, for uninstalled options that have not been used for a certain period of time (e.g., more than six months), status information indicating that the option has not been used for a long time (e.g., the text object "Unused for a long time" as shown in FIG. 10) is displayed by S505 above.

By displaying the options in this way, the user can look at the option information table 513 and understand which options are installed in the managed device and which are not installed in the managed device. In addition, if there are any unused options for a certain period of time among the unused options, the user can also identify these options. Therefore, for items that have not been used for a long time, the user can take a different approach than for unused items that have been used recently, such as by checking their operation before use just to be sure.

The management screen 501 illustrated in FIG. 11 is a different example from the management screen 501 illustrated in FIG. 10. In this example, a "Corresponding Device" column is provided instead of the "Option Details" column. The "Corresponding Device" column lists the names of the managed devices that correspond to the optional items. For example, "PT1, PT2, PT3" are listed by a text object as the managed devices that correspond to "Barcode Reader 2."

However, among the listed text objects, "PT3" (i.e., text object 551) is displayed in a different display mode from the other text objects "PT1" and "PT2". This indicates that user feedback information is registered in the optional item DB illustrated in FIG. 2(B). If user feedback information is registered in the optional item DB, the user feedback information is displayed in S507 described above. In this case, as in the text object 551 shown in FIG. 11, the display mode of the managed device corresponding to the user feedback information (PT3 in FIG. 11) is different from that of the other optional items.

In the case of FIG. 11, for convenience of illustration, the display form is shown with a dashed line around the edge of the text object 551. However, the display form of the optional item corresponding to the user feedback information is not limited to the display form exemplified in FIG. 8, as long as the user can identify that it is a display form different from other optional items. Specific examples include display forms with different background colors, display forms with different character colors, display forms with different character sizes or fonts, display forms with or without blinking, and display forms with or without underlining or frames. Two or more display forms selected from these display forms may be different.

[effect]
As described above, according to the PC 100, status objects 521, 522, and 523 indicating the status of optional items are displayed in association with the managed device on the management screen 501 displayed on the display unit 120 in the example shown in Fig. 8. Therefore, the user can see the status objects 521, 522, and 523 displayed on the management screen 501 and grasp the status of the optional items attached to the managed device.

In addition, in the case of this embodiment, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the management screen 501 displays the user name (i.e., user object) of the managed device in association with the managed device. Therefore, the user can understand the user of the managed device by looking at the user object displayed on the management screen 501.

8, the information displayed on the management screen 501 is displayed in an order that uses the user as a key. Therefore, compared to a case where the information displayed on the management screen 501 is displayed in an order that is unrelated to the user, it is possible to easily grasp information corresponding to a specific user without overlooking it.

In the case of this embodiment, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, when the managed device is a mobile device, status objects 521, 522, and 523 are displayed in association with the managed device on the management screen 501. On the other hand, when the managed device is a stationary device, no status objects are displayed. Therefore, when it is desired to know the status of an optional item attached to a mobile device, the information can be easily understood since no status object corresponding to the stationary device is displayed.

In the case of this embodiment, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the management screen 501 displays an option object (see the "Option 1" column, the "Option 2" column, and the "Option 3" column) representing at least one option attached to the managed device in association with the managed device. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the options attached to the managed device.

In addition, in the case of this embodiment, for example in the example shown in FIG. 9, when the status of the optional item is in a warning state or an abnormal state, the optional item object is displayed in association with the managed device. On the other hand, when the status of the optional item is in a normal state, the optional item object is not displayed. Therefore, if the optional item object is displayed, it is possible to know that the status of the optional item is in a warning state or an abnormal state, and it is easy to identify optional items that may be problematic.

In addition, in the case of this embodiment, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, when feedback information regarding optional items is provided by the user, the management screen 501 displays the optional item object in association with the managed device in a display mode (see display field 533) that is different from when feedback information is not provided. Therefore, the presence or absence of feedback information regarding optional items can be ascertained from the difference in the display mode of the optional item object.

In addition, in this embodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, when a user operation is received to specify an optional item object corresponding to an optional item in an abnormal state on the management screen 501, a substitute object 537 is displayed. Therefore, by looking at the substitute object 537, the user can know that there is another optional item that can be used as a substitute for the optional item in an abnormal state.

In addition, in the case of this embodiment, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 10, a list screen (option information table 513) can be displayed that displays a list of optional items including optional items that are already installed in the managed device and optional items that are not yet installed in the managed device. Therefore, by looking at the list screen (option information table 513), the user can understand the optional items that are already installed in the managed device and the optional items that are not yet installed in the managed device.

In the case of this embodiment, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the list screen (option information table 513) displays managed devices that correspond to optional items in association with the optional items. Therefore, it is easy to know which managed devices correspond to an optional item based on the optional item.

In the present embodiment, for example, in the example shown in Fig. 11, if a managed device for which feedback information on the managed device has been provided by a user is included among the managed devices displayed in association with optional items, the managed device is displayed in association with the optional items in a display form different from that of a managed device for which feedback information has not been provided. Therefore, the presence or absence of feedback information on the managed device can be grasped from the difference in the display form of the managed device.

[Other embodiments]
Although the management program, the information processing device, and the information processing method have been described above using exemplary embodiments, the above-mentioned embodiments are merely exemplified as one aspect of the present disclosure. In other words, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the technical concept of the present disclosure.

For example, in the above embodiment, the MFP 200 and the mobile printer 210 are given as examples of the managed device, but the managed device is not limited to the MFP 200 and the mobile printer 210. Various devices configured to be able to mount optional items can be considered as the managed device. Specific examples include printing devices such as printers, FAXes, and MFPs, image input devices such as scanners, network cameras, and MFPs, image communication devices such as facsimiles and MFPs, communication devices such as smartphones, tablet terminals, mobile phones, and network routers, information server devices such as network storage, and various network devices such as cutting plotters (cutting machines). Alternatively, it may be a home appliance with the ability to communicate over a network (a device known as a network home appliance), such as a sewing machine, a video deck, a HDD/DVD recorder, a home game console, a radio, a washing machine, a clothes dryer, a microwave oven, an oven, a refrigerator, a rice cooker, an electric kettle, a dishwasher/dryer, an air conditioner, a heater, a dehumidifier, a humidifier, an air purifier, a lighting fixture, or a washlet.

In the above embodiment, DB400 is described as a data storage area accessible via communication network 300, but a part or all of the storage area equivalent to DB400 may be configured as a storage area provided in PC100. In this case, PC100 can access the storage area equivalent to DB400 without going through communication network 300. In addition, when a storage area equivalent to DB400 is provided in PC100, if a file server function is provided in PC100, devices outside PC100 (e.g., MFP200 and mobile printer 210) can access the storage area in PC100 via communication network 300.

Note that multiple functions realized by one component exemplified in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components. One function realized by one component exemplified in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components. Multiple functions realized by multiple components exemplified in the above embodiments may be realized by one component. One function realized by multiple components exemplified in the above embodiments may be realized by one component. Part of the configuration exemplified in the above embodiments may be omitted. At least part of the configuration exemplified in one of the above embodiments may be added to or replaced with the configuration exemplified in the above embodiments other than that one embodiment.

[supplement]
As is apparent from the exemplary embodiment described above, the management program of the present disclosure may further include the following configuration.

(A) In the display process, the management screen may be configured so that a user object representing a user of the managed device is displayed in association with the managed device.
When the management program configured in this way causes a processing unit of the information processing device to execute management processing, a user object representing a user of the managed device is displayed in association with the managed device on the management screen displayed on the display unit. Therefore, the user can understand the user of the managed device by looking at the user object displayed on the management screen.

(B) The information displayed on the management screen may be configured to be displayed in an order based on the user represented by the user object.
By causing a processing unit of an information processing device to execute a management process using the management program configured in this way, information displayed on the management screen is displayed in an order that uses the user as a key. Therefore, compared to a case where the information displayed on the management screen is displayed in an order that is unrelated to the user, information corresponding to a specific user can be easily grasped without overlooking it.

(C) In the display process, the management screen may be configured such that, if the managed device is a mobile managed device, the status object is displayed in association with the managed device, and, if the managed device is a stationary managed device, the status object is not displayed.

By causing a processing unit provided in an information processing device to execute a management process using a management program configured in this way, if the managed device is a mobile managed device, a status object is displayed in association with the managed device. On the other hand, if the managed device is a stationary managed device, the status object is not displayed. Therefore, when one wishes to know the status of an option attached to a mobile managed device, the information can be easily understood since a status object corresponding to a stationary managed device is not displayed.

(D) In the display process, the management screen may be configured to display an optional item object representing at least one optional item attached to the managed device in association with the managed device.

By causing a processing unit of an information processing device to execute a management process using a management program configured in this way, the optional item object is displayed in association with the managed device. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the optional items attached to the managed device.

(E) In the display process, the management screen may be configured to display an optional item object in association with the managed device when the optional item is in a warning state or an abnormal state, and not to display the optional item object when the optional item is in a normal state.

By causing a processing unit of an information processing device to execute management processing using a management program configured in this manner, when an optional item is in a warning state or an abnormal state, an optional item object is displayed in association with the managed device. On the other hand, when an optional item is in a normal state, the optional item object is not displayed. Therefore, when the optional item object is displayed, it is clear that the optional item is in a warning state or an abnormal state, and it is easy to identify optional items that may be problematic.

(F) In the display process, the management screen may be configured to display optional item objects associated with the managed devices in a different display format when feedback information about optional items is provided by the user compared to when feedback information is not provided.

By causing a processing unit of an information processing device to execute a management process by the management program configured in this way, when feedback information on an optional item is provided by a user, the optional item object is displayed in association with the managed device in a display manner different from that in the case where feedback information is not provided. Therefore, the presence or absence of feedback information on an optional item can be grasped from the difference in the display manner of the optional item object.

(G) In the display process, when a user operation is received to specify an optional item object on the management screen that corresponds to an optional item in an abnormal state, a substitute object representing another optional item that can be used as a substitute for the optional item in an abnormal state may be displayed.

By causing a processing unit provided in an information processing device to execute management processing using a management program configured in this manner, a substitute object is displayed when a user operation is received to specify an optional item object on the management screen that corresponds to an optional item in an abnormal state. Therefore, the user can see the substitute object and know that there is another optional item that can be used as a substitute for the optional item in an abnormal state.

(H) The display process may be configured to display a list screen that displays a list of optional items including optional items that are installed on the managed device and optional items that are not installed on the managed device.

By causing a processing unit provided in an information processing device to execute a management process using a management program configured in this manner, a list screen can be displayed that shows a list of optional items including optional items that have been installed in the managed device and optional items that have not been installed in the managed device. Therefore, by looking at the list screen, a user can understand which optional items have been installed in the managed device and which optional items have not been installed in the managed device.

(I) In the display process, the list screen may be configured to display managed devices that correspond to optional items in association with the optional items.
By causing a processing unit of an information processing device to execute a management process by the management program configured in this way, the managed devices corresponding to the optional items are displayed on the list screen in association with the optional items. Therefore, it is easy to know which managed devices correspond to which optional items based on the optional items.

(J) In the display process, if a managed device for which feedback information about the managed device has been provided by a user is included among the managed devices displayed in association with optional items, the managed device may be configured to be displayed in association with the optional items in a display mode different from that of a managed device for which feedback information has not been provided.

By causing a processing unit of an information processing device to execute a management process using a management program configured in this manner, if the managed devices displayed in association with optional items include a managed device for which feedback information about the managed device has been provided by a user, the managed device is displayed in association with the optional item in a different display mode from that of a managed device for which feedback information has not been provided. Therefore, the presence or absence of feedback information about the managed device can be ascertained from the difference in the display mode of the managed device.

(K) The information processing device of the present disclosure may have configurations corresponding to the above (A) to (J). The information processing method of the present disclosure may have configurations corresponding to the above (A) to (J).

100...personal computer, 110...operation unit, 120...display unit, 130...audio I/O, 140...CPU, 150...storage unit, 160...communication IF unit, 200...multifunction device, 210...mobile printer, 300...communication network, 400...database, 501...management screen, 505...information update button, 507...mode selection field, 511...user mode information table, 513...option information table, 521, 522, 523...status object, 525, 531, 533, 541, 542, 543, 544...display field, 535...mouse cursor, 537...substitute object, 551...text object.

Claims (13)

In an information processing system including an information processing device having a processing unit, a display unit, and a communication unit, and at least one managed device, the managed device being configured to be able to mount at least one optional item, and the information processing device being configured to be able to communicate with the managed device via the communication unit, a management program that causes the processing unit included in the information processing device to execute a management process for managing the optional item,
The processing unit includes:
an acquisition process of acquiring option item information related to the option item from the managed device via the communication unit;
A process of identifying a state of the optional item based on the optional item information acquired by the acquisition process;
a display process for displaying, on the display unit, a management screen on which a status object representing a status of the option item identified by the identification process is displayed in association with the managed device;
is configured to execute
In the display process, when the managed device is a mobile managed device, the status object is displayed in association with the managed device on the management screen, and when the managed device is a stationary managed device, the status object is not displayed.
Management program. 2. The management program according to claim 1 ,
the display process is configured to be capable of displaying a list screen on which a list of the optional items including the optional items already installed in the managed device and the optional items not yet installed in the managed device is displayed.
Management program. In an information processing system including an information processing device having a processing unit, a display unit, and a communication unit, and at least one managed device, the managed device being configured to be able to mount at least one optional item, and the information processing device being configured to be able to communicate with the managed device via the communication unit, a management program that causes the processing unit included in the information processing device to execute a management process for managing the optional item,
The processing unit includes:
an acquisition process of acquiring option item information related to the option item from the managed device via the communication unit;
A process of identifying a state of the optional item based on the optional item information acquired by the acquisition process;
a display process for displaying, on the display unit, a management screen on which a status object representing a status of the option item identified by the identification process is displayed in association with the managed device;
is configured to execute
the display process is configured to be capable of displaying a list screen on which a list of the optional items including the optional items already installed in the managed device and the optional items not yet installed in the managed device is displayed.
Management program. The management program according to claim 2 or 3 ,
In the display process, the list screen is configured to display the managed devices corresponding to the optional items in association with the optional items.
Management program. 5. The management program according to claim 4 ,
In the display process, when a managed device for which feedback information on the managed device is provided by a user is included among the managed devices displayed in association with the optional items, the managed device is displayed in association with the optional items in a display mode different from that of a managed device for which the feedback information is not provided.
Management program. The management program according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
In the display process, a user object representing a user of the managed device is displayed on the management screen in association with the managed device.
Management program. 7. The management program according to claim 6 ,
In the display process, the information displayed on the management screen is displayed in an order based on the user represented by the user object.
Management program. The management program according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
In the display process, an option object representing at least one of the option items attached to the managed device is displayed on the management screen in association with the managed device.
Management program. The management program according to claim 8 ,
In the display process, when the status of the optional item is in a warning status or an abnormal status, the optional item object is displayed in association with the managed device on the management screen, and when the status of the optional item is in a normal status, the optional item object is not displayed.
Management program. The management program according to claim 8 or 9 ,
In the display process, when feedback information on the optional item is provided by a user, the management screen is configured to display the optional item object in association with the managed device in a display mode different from that when the feedback information is not provided.
Management program. The management program according to any one of claims 8 to 10 ,
In the display process, when a user operation to specify the optional item object corresponding to the optional item in an abnormal state on the management screen is accepted, a substitute object representing another optional item that can be used as a substitute for the optional item in an abnormal state is displayed.
Management program. An information processing system includes an information processing device having a processing unit, a display unit, and a communication unit, and at least one managed device, the managed device being configured to be able to mount at least one optional item, and the information processing device being configured to be able to communicate with the managed device via the communication unit, the information processing device being configured to execute a management process for managing the optional item,
The processing unit includes:
an acquisition process of acquiring option item information related to the option item from the managed device via the communication unit;
A process of identifying a state of the optional item based on the optional item information acquired by the acquisition process;
a display process for displaying, on the display unit, a management screen on which a status object representing a status of the option item identified by the identification process is displayed in association with the managed device;
is configured to run
the display process is configured to be capable of displaying a list screen on which a list of the optional items including the optional items already installed in the managed device and the optional items not yet installed in the managed device is displayed.
Information processing device. An information processing method for an information processing system including an information processing device having a processing unit, a display unit, and a communication unit, and at least one managed device, the managed device being configured to be able to mount at least one optional item, and the information processing device being configured to be able to communicate with the managed device via the communication unit, the information processing method being executed by the processing unit in a management process for managing the optional item,
an acquisition process of acquiring option item information related to the option item from the managed device via the communication unit;
A process of identifying a state of the optional item based on the optional item information acquired by the acquisition process;
a display process for displaying, on the display unit, a management screen on which a status object representing a status of the option item identified by the identification process is displayed in association with the managed device;
is configured to include
the display process is configured to be capable of displaying a list screen on which a list of the optional items including the optional items already installed in the managed device and the optional items not yet installed in the managed device is displayed.
Information processing methods.

Images