JP2002169735A - Office device network terminal and office device network information management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an office device network terminal and an office device network management system which gather the use states, etc., of office devices as to services provided through associative processing and manage charging information on the respective devices corresponding to the services. SOLUTION: This office device network terminal is equipped with a service selecting means for selecting the contents of services, a processing providing means which provides necessary processing according to the selected contents of services, and a processing information transmitting means which transmits information generated according to the processing of the processing providing means and needed to manage the respective terminals. The office device network information management system is comprised of the office device network terminal and an information managing server which computes specific management information according to the information sent from the terminal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an office equipment network terminal and an office equipment network information management system, and more particularly, to an office equipment network terminal that manages information of each office equipment according to a service provided by cooperative processing. And an office equipment network information management system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, office machines such as facsimile machines, printers, scanners, etc. are integrally formed for various reasons, such as facsimile machines, printers, scanners, etc., because of the commonality of components and operations, and convenience. Machine has appeared. The digital multifunction peripheral can be used to perform a variety of desired operations by itself, and is therefore installed in various places. Also, the user who uses the digital multi-function peripheral has an ID
Some digital cameras have a function of identifying (authenticating) with a card or the like to grasp the use status of the digital multifunction peripheral.

[0003] However, since the above-mentioned digital multifunction peripheral is formed as a single unit, it is necessary to expand a part of an existing function (for example, a scanner part) or add a new function according to the frequency of use. There is a problem that it is difficult.

On the other hand, with the spread of computers (personal computers), peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and fax modems can be connected to the computers to provide functions similar to those of the digital multifunction peripherals.

Further, a network for interconnecting the computers and the like can be introduced at a low cost, and the peripheral devices interconnected via each computer can be shared with other computers. I have.

As described above, the technology for sharing each peripheral device connected via a network is rapidly becoming familiar. At present, this is realized by some printers and the like, but the peripheral device is an office equipment network terminal having the basic function (for example, a scanning function in the case of a scanner) and a network function. It is also easily expected that the information will be shared by the user.

[0007] Against this background, office equipment will be independently connected to the network, and each office equipment will be linked in the future.
By realizing the functions of the digital multifunction peripheral, for example, it is possible to provide a distributed processing system using office equipment network terminals that solves the problem that it is not easy to extend existing functions or add new functions in the digital multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 5 shows an example of such an office equipment network.
Shown in In the office equipment network 501, each of the office equipment network terminals 502 to 505
07. Here, for example, when the copy function is used, a predetermined image is read from the scanner 502, and the predetermined image is transmitted to the image processing server 503 as electronic data. The image processing server performs a series of operations (services) such as converting the received electronic data of the predetermined image into an appropriate format and outputting the converted data to the printer 504. When using the facsimile function, a predetermined image is read from the scanner 502 and a telephone number of a target place is input. Subsequently, the scanner 502 transmits the predetermined image to the image processing server 503. The image processing server converts the received electronic data of the predetermined image into a facsimile transmission format, and transmits it to the fax modem 505. The fax modem 505 transmits the received data to a target terminal using the telephone line 506. As described above, the office equipment network terminal having only the basic function and the network function cooperates to realize one service.

[0009] The use form of the office equipment network described above is not generally used at the individual level, but is applied to, for example, a relatively large organization, and its effect is exhibited by being shared by a large number of users. It can be said.

As an example, there may be a case where there are a plurality of groups (or individuals) performing a series of projects in one office, and the groups use common office equipment. Such a case can be said to be an ordinary form in a general company. In this case, since the common office equipment can be shared, at least one office equipment is used for a series of operations.
One is enough. In addition, a bottleneck part, that is, a scanner is added when the processing of the scanner is slow, a printer is added when the printing speed of the printer is slow, or a new function (for example, a color printer) is provided. By introducing office equipment, it is possible to freely expand functions according to applications and usage frequencies.

Further, for example, a scanner is installed in each room at a hotel or the like, and a document read by the scanner is transmitted to a target facsimile or printer via a transmitting device (a fax modem or the like) installed at the front desk. Can be. That is, facsimile service and copy service can be provided only by installing an inexpensive device having only a scanner function and a network function in each room, and desired office equipment can be installed in each room according to customer needs. It is also possible to do.

[0012]

However, in the office equipment network, the group (or each individual)
Since there is no means for comprehensively grasping the usage status of each of the above-mentioned office equipment used, a problem that the information for identifying the bottleneck cannot be obtained can be expected. This is because, because the conventional digital multifunction peripheral is integrally formed, the expandability is poor and it is not necessary to specify a bottleneck. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned office equipment network, since each of the above-mentioned office equipment is independently connected to the network as an independent unit providing only basic functions, it is necessary to cooperate with each of the office equipment network terminals on the premise of the above-described function expansion. This also causes the control to be more complicated than that of a conventional multifunction digital multifunction peripheral.

However, in order to fully utilize the advantage of the office equipment network that the function can be extended freely, it is necessary to obtain information for identifying the bottleneck. It can be said that efficient function expansion can be performed only by specifying the bottleneck.

Further, when calculating expenses for each project, a group (or an individual) performing which project uses which office equipment and how much is used, and running costs and the like (for each project) are managed. For example, it is necessary to calculate paper cost, toner cost, etc. for a printer. This can be said to be a natural need in a business structure that has been spun off in recent years.

However, even when the expenses are calculated for each of the above-mentioned projects, since each of the above-mentioned office equipment is independently connected to the network, furthermore, unlike the integrated equipment, various kinds of office work are required depending on the service. Because there is a usage form (selection type) of the device network terminal,
There is a problem that it is not possible to grasp which office equipment and how much is used, that is, it is not possible to calculate expenses.

Further, when providing a facsimile service and a copy service to each room of the above-mentioned hotel, it is necessary to charge each of the above-mentioned service charges in addition to the room fee. It's just that.

Therefore, the present invention provides an office equipment network terminal and an office equipment network terminal for collecting the usage status of each office equipment by the service provided by the cooperative processing and managing the billing information of each office equipment according to the service. It is intended to provide a network management system.

[0018]

The present invention has the following means to achieve the above object.

That is, office equipment that transmits and receives data between office equipment network terminals having different functions via a network and provides a specific service by cooperative processing with the office equipment network terminals having the different functions. In the network terminal, a service selecting means for selecting the content of the service, a process providing means for providing a necessary process based on the content of the selected service, and a terminal for each terminal generated based on the process of the process providing means It comprises processing information transmitting means for transmitting service content information necessary for management.

Further, the service selecting means determines a service that can be provided based on a list of types of office equipment network terminals required for providing a service and information on office equipment network terminals connected to the network. Configuration.

[0021] Further, a configuration having a user input means for receiving an input of a user who uses the office equipment network terminal, and information (including service contents) of a specific process processed by a different office equipment network terminal are collectively provided. There is a configuration to manage.

The office equipment network information management system includes the office equipment network terminal and an information management server that calculates predetermined management information based on information transmitted from the office equipment network terminal. .

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings to provide an understanding of the present invention.
It should be noted that the following embodiments are examples embodying the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Here, the office equipment network terminal is, for example, a scanner, a printer, a fax modem (communication device), a facsimile, a digital multifunction peripheral, a personal computer, an image processing server, a storage device, etc., and has basic functions and network functions. Refers to a terminal that can independently provide the above basic functions.

[Embodiment 1] First, FIGS. 1 and 2
The configuration of the office equipment network terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described using FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an office equipment network terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an office equipment network.

In FIG. 1, an office equipment network terminal 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention
02, service selection means 103, user input means 10
4. Processing information management means 105, processing information transmission means 107
The processing information management means 105 further includes a processing information storage means 106.

The processing providing means 102 provides basic functions of office equipment, such as a printing function for a printer, a scanning function for a scanner, and an image processing function for a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for an image processing server. Point.

The service selecting means 103 provides a function for the user using the office equipment network terminal 101 to select which service provided on the office equipment network is to be used. The service differs depending on the office equipment network to which the office equipment network terminal is connected, and includes, for example, a black and white copy service, a color copy service, a facsimile service, and the like.
Further, when there are a plurality of office equipment network terminals capable of providing the selected service, a function of selecting which terminal is to be used is provided by displaying the processing capability, usage status, and the like. However, the service selection means 10
Reference numeral 3 is an office equipment that is not always necessary and does not require direct operation by the user, for example, the image processing server 503.
Not necessary for The user input unit 104 is for inputting a user who uses the office equipment network terminal 101. For example, the user inputs a user name and a password, or inserts an ID card into a predetermined unit, and the like. Perform authentication. However, the user input means 104 is not necessarily required in the office equipment network terminal in which the user does not directly operate, similarly to the service selection means 103. Descriptions of other components will be described later as necessary.

In FIG. 2, office equipment network terminals 101 a to 101 c and an information management server 201 are connected via a network 202. The network 202 is specifically a LAN (Local Area Network).
rk) and WAN (Wide Area Network). The office equipment network terminals 101a to 101c are the office equipment network terminals 101 shown in FIG. 1 described above. However, the office equipment network terminals 101b and 101c assume that the user does not directly operate the user input means 1
04 and the service selection means 103 are not provided. Examples of the office equipment network terminals 101b and 101c include a printer, a fax modem, and an image processing server.

The information management server 201 includes a transmission / reception unit 203, a user information management unit 204, a management information storage unit 205, a management information calculation unit 206, and an information output unit 207.
Is provided. The user information management unit 204 performs a process of determining whether or not the user is appropriate for providing a service on the office equipment network based on the user information input by the user input unit 104 of the office equipment network terminal 101a. The management information storage means 205 stores predetermined information, which will be described later, transmitted from the office equipment network terminals 101a to 101c, and is specifically constituted by a memory such as a hard disk. The management information calculation means 206 is provided with the management information storage means 2
Various information described later is calculated based on the information stored in 05. Further, the information output means 207 is a means for printing and displaying the calculated information.

Note that, in order to display the processing capability and usage status of each office equipment network terminal, it is necessary to exchange information on the processing capability and usage status via the network.

A representative example of such an agreement is JINI (TM). The JINI is Sun
This is an agreement proposed by Microsystems. The mechanism of information exchange using JINI is briefly described below, and details are described in detail on a homepage provided by Sun Microsystems.

At the time of startup, each terminal supporting the JINI searches for a server called a lookup server on the network by using broadcast. When each terminal finds the lookup server, each terminal transmits information describing its own function / performance to the lookup server. The lookup server registers and stores the received information in an internal database. As described above, the lookup server
Information describing the performance is collected.

Next, a terminal that needs to acquire function / performance information of an available terminal first searches for a lookup server on the network on a broadcast basis.
When the terminal finds the lookup server, the terminal sends inquiry information describing the function / performance information required by the terminal to the lookup server. The lookup server compares the received inquiry information with information registered in the internal database, and returns information of a corresponding terminal. The terminal that has received the information of the terminal displays the content on, for example, a display unit. As described above, a terminal that needs the function / performance information of an available terminal can acquire the function / performance information using the lookup server.

Here, each of the office equipment network terminals is connected to the network 202, for example, the JINI.
It is assumed that the information of the other office equipment network terminals has already been obtained using the above-mentioned method. The information obtained by the JINI or the like is stored in, for example, the device ID 802, the holding department 804, the charging rule ID 805, and the function table 901 shown in the device information management table 801 shown in FIG. Here, the function ID 901 is a table serving as a key for referring to the function table, and a function type 903, a performance index 904, an optional function 905, and the like are assigned to the function ID 902. In the function type 903, the performance index 904 stores the performance of each device, and the optional function stores an optional function assigned to each device. The details of each process will be described in order.

Next, the details of the process of managing the information of the service provided by the office equipment network according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 6 to 12. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the office equipment network according to the first embodiment.

First, in the first embodiment, a case where a copy service provided by the office equipment network is used will be described. In FIG. 3, the scanner 30
1 is an office equipment network terminal 101a in FIG.
The image processing server 302 is connected to the office equipment network terminal 10
1b, Printer 303 is Office Equipment Network Terminal 10
1c. Also, “S” in FIG.
Means a step.

First, a user who uses the copy service inserts, for example, an ID card with the scanner 301 and inputs a password (FIG. 3: S301).
The information and password of the ID card are read by the user input unit 104 of the scanner 301 and transmitted to the information management server 201 via the processing information management unit 105 and the processing information transmission unit 107 of the scanner 301. . In the information management server 201, the transmitting / receiving means 2
When the user information management means 204 receives the ID card information and the password via 03, the user information management unit 204 performs a user authentication process with reference to the user management table shown in FIG. 6 (FIG. 3: S302). That is, the user management table 601
Is the user ID 602, password 603, department 6
04, issued user handle 605.
The user ID 602 is information corresponding to the information of the ID card. The password 603, department 604, and issued user handle 605 will be described later.

If the user ID 602 and password registered in the user management table 601 in advance match the ID card information and password transmitted from the scanner 301, the fact and the user handle are matched. If not, the fact is transmitted to the user input means 104 via the processing information management means 105 of the scanner 301 (FIG. 3: S303). Here, the user handle is a unique identification number issued to each user at any time. Here, when it is confirmed that the user is a valid user by user authentication, the user information management unit 204 sets the user handle to the user handle. Issue The issued user handle is stored in the issued user handle 605. However, the user handle may be assigned to each user in advance, or may be substituted by a user ID.

User input means 10 of scanner 301
In step 4, the result of the user authentication is determined, and it is determined whether to provide a copy service to the user. It should be noted that the user handle may be provided with an expiration date. In this case, when performing the user authentication process (S302), the user information management unit 204 performs user authentication using the expiration date information of the user handle stored in the user information management unit 204 in advance. . As described above, it is possible to prevent the service from being illegally used for a long time.

Hereinafter, description will be made assuming that there is no problem in the user authentication. When the user authentication is completed, the processing information management unit 105 of the scanner 301 replaces the user handle transmitted from the user information management unit 204 with the user handle.
The information is stored in the processing information storage unit 106 of the scanner 301. Subsequently, the processing information management unit 1 of the scanner 301
05 denotes a service selection unit 103 of the scanner 301
To display the services currently provided on the office equipment network. The service selection means 103 is a list of services currently provided (can be provided) to the user based on, for example, the function / performance information of another office equipment network terminal already acquired using the above-mentioned JINI or the like. Is displayed. Here, the provided (provided) service is determined by the service selecting means 103 as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the service selecting means 103 includes a provided service table 701. The provided service table 701 has a provided service name 702 and office equipment network terminal types 1 to 4 (702 to 706), and the equipment required to provide the service indicated by the provided service name 702 is the office equipment network Terminal types 1-4 (702
706). The provided service table 701 also includes the meaning that the processing is executed based on the order of the office equipment network terminal types 1 to 4 (702 to 706).

Here, for example, when a monochrome scanner, an image processing server, and a monochrome printer are connected to the information of the office equipment network terminal connected to the network obtained from the lookup server or the like in the above JINI or the like. Determines that the service selecting means 103 can provide the service of "copy (black and white)". The same applies to other services.

Next, it is assumed that the user has selected, for example, a copy service from the services displayed by the service selecting means 103 (FIG. 3: S304). When a copy service is selected, the service selecting means 103
For example, among a plurality of printers connected to the office equipment network, a color printer, a black and white printer, a printing unit price, location information, and the like of the printer are displayed, and the user selects a desired printer. Similarly, the selection of the image processing server is performed. However, the printer or the image processing server may automatically select an appropriate one. In particular, as the number of office equipment network terminals on the network increases, the combination also increases exponentially, so that it can be foreseen that it will not be an easy task for the user to determine the combination and the order of cooperation. Further, since the configuration of the terminal connected to the network may change, the above decision needs to be made promptly. Therefore, the selection of the office equipment network terminal is desirably performed by the service selection unit 103 based on the function / performance information or the like and the location information where the terminal is installed.

When the selection of the printer and the image processing server is completed, the information is passed to the processing information management means 105, and based on the information, the processing information management means 105 selects the selected image processing server 302 and printer 303. , The operation status is confirmed (FIG. 3: S305). The confirmation of the operation status is to confirm whether or not the service can be provided, such as a busy state due to the provision of another process (service) or running out of paper. The confirmation of the operation status may be performed before the display of the service selection.

If there is no problem in checking the operation status, upon completion of the service selection, the processing order for providing a series of services in the office equipment network is determined based on the provided service table 701.
The determined processing order is stored in the processing information storage means 106 by the processing information management means 105 as processing order information.

Subsequently, the user scans the original to be copied by the processing providing means 102 of the scanner 301 (FIG. 3: S306). After the completion of the scan, the processing information management means 105
6 based on the processing order information stored in the processing information storage unit 106, the processing order information, the command for each office equipment network terminal, and the image data created by the scanning. The image is transmitted to the image processing server 302 (FIG. 3: S30).
7). The processing information management means 105 is the image processing server 3
FIG. 11A shows an example of the composite processing request packet 1101 to be transmitted to No. 02. That is, the composite processing request packet 1
101 is a user handle 1102, processing order information 11
03, image processing command 1104, print command 1
105. The user handle 1102,
The processing order information is stored in the processing information storage unit 106.

Here, the processing order information 1103 includes:
The ID of each terminal for providing the service selected by the user is stored in the processing order of the office equipment network terminals. Here, the processing order information 1103 stores the ID of the image processing server 302 and the ID of the printer 303 in order.

The image processing command 1104 includes an image processing apparatus ID 110 as shown in FIG.
6, a command 1107 is stored. The command 1107 stores a detailed command based on the processing content selected (input) by the service providing unit 103 by the user. Here, the command is “4in
1 "processing. The “4in1” process is a process of performing layout conversion in order to lay out four pages of data on one page.

The data to be processed and created by the above-described scanning may be added to a predetermined portion of the composite processing request packet 1101 when transmitted from the scanner 301 to the image processing server 302, or may be separately provided. It may be sent.

As described above, the data to be processed read by the scanner 301 is transmitted to the image processing server 302 together with the user handle, the processing order information and the like.

Further, the processing information management means 105 of the scanner 301 transmits a user handle, a device ID (a unique ID given to the scanner 301), and service contents to the information management server 201 (FIG. 3: S3
08). Here, the service content specifically includes the time, time, number of scans, and time when the scanner 301 was used.
This is information generated based on the processing of the scan function, which is a processing providing unit, such as the resolution of the scan, the total size of the created image data, the type of service, and the amount of processing. FIG. 12A shows a configuration of a packet including scanner use information transmitted from the scanner 301 to the information management server 201. Scanner usage information 120
1 includes a user handle 1202, a device ID 1203,
And the service content 1204, and the device ID 12
03 is a device ID of the scanner 301 specifically. Further, in this example, the service resolution 1204 stores the scan resolution and the number of scans (the number of pages).

By transmitting the scanner use information to the information management server 201, all the processes related to the provision of the copy service of the scanner 301 are completed.
The f-line (that is, power saving) becomes possible (FIG. 3: S30).
9).

The management information calculating means 206 of the information management server 201 which has received the user handle, the device ID, and the service content stores the information in the management information storage means 205.
And charge calculation is performed as necessary, and the result is output to the information output unit 207. The details of this process will be described later (FIG. 3: S310).

Subsequently, the processing information management means 105 of the image processing server 302 which has received the user handle, the processing order information, the command for each office equipment network terminal, and the image data created by the scanning.
Saves the user handle and the processing order information in the processing information storage means 106. Further, the processing providing means 102 performs processing based on the command for the office equipment network terminal (FIG. 3: S311). Here, the processing based on the command for the office equipment network terminal is the 4in1 included in the command 1107.
Processing (data conversion processing). Here, the processing providing means 102 is a data converting means incorporated in the CPU as a program.

Next, the processing information management means 105 of the image processing server 302 transmits the user handle, the processing order information and the processed image data stored in the processing information storage means 106 to the printer 303 (FIG. 3:
S312).

The image processing server 302 is connected to the printer 30
3 shows an example of the composite processing request packet 1108 transmitted to
This is shown in FIG. That is, the composite processing request packet 11
08 is the user handle 1109 and the processing order information 111
0, a print command 1111. The composite processing request packet 1108 is transmitted to the image processing server 302.
At (101b), the command related to the image processing server from the composite processing request packet 1101 and the image processing apparatus I
D is deleted.

That is, the processing order information 1110 stores the ID of the printer 303. The print command 1111 includes a printer ID 1112, commands 1113 and 1114 as shown in FIG.
Is stored. The command 1113 stores a detailed command based on the processing content selected (input) by the user in the service providing unit 103. Here, it is assumed that the command indicates “ten copies” and “staple processing”.

As described above, the image data subjected to the data conversion processing in the image processing server 302 is transmitted to the printer 303 together with a print command such as a user handle and processing order information.

Further, the processing information management means 105 of the image processing server 302 transmits the user handle, the device ID (here, the image processing device ID), and the service contents to the information management server 201 (FIG. 3: S313). Here, the service content is, specifically, a CPU serving as a processing providing means such as a time and a time when the image processing server 302 is used, a total size of the processed image data, a service type, and a processing amount. This is information generated based on the processing of.

FIG. 12B shows the structure of a packet including image processing apparatus usage information transmitted from the image processing server 302 to the information management server 201. The image processing device usage information 1205 includes a user handle 1206 and a device ID.
1207 and a service content 1208, and the device ID 1207 is specifically the device ID of the image processing server 302. Further, in this example, the service content 1208 includes a 4-in-1 process and the CPU involved in the process.
The usage time (here, 100 ms) is stored.

By transmitting the image processing apparatus use information to the information management server 201, the image processing server 302
All the processes related to the provision of the copy service are completed, and the Off line becomes possible thereafter (FIG. 3: S31).
4).

The management information calculating means 206 of the information management server 201 which has received the user handle, the device ID, and the service content performs the same processing as when it is received from the scanner 301 (FIG. 3: S315).

Subsequently, the processing information management means 10 of the printer 303 which has received the user handle, the processing order information, and the processed (data conversion processed) image data.
5 stores the user handle and the processing order information in the processing information storage means 106,
Prints the processed image data (FIG. 3:
S316). Next, the processing information management means 105 of the printer 303 stores the user handle, the device ID (the printer 3
03 and the service contents are transmitted to the information management server 201 (FIG. 3: S31).
7). Here, the service contents include, specifically, the time and time at which the printer 303 was used, the size of the printed paper, the number of used papers, the amount of toner consumed, the type of service, the amount of processing, and the like. This is information generated based on the processing of the printing function as the processing providing means.

From the printer 303 to the information management server 2
FIG. 12C shows the configuration of the packet including the printer usage information transmitted to No. 01. The printer usage information 1209 includes a user handle 1210, a device ID 1211, a service content 1212, and processing end information 1213.
The device ID 1207 is specifically the device ID of the printer 303. Further, in this example, "600 dpi" and "10 copies" (the number of prints) are stored in the service content 1212.

By transmitting the printer use information to the information management server 201, all the processes related to the provision of the copy service by the printer 303 are completed.
The f line becomes possible (FIG. 3: S318). The user information management unit of the information management server 201 that has received the processing end information 1213 sets the issued user handle of the user management table 601 to an initial state (not issued or blank).

With the above processing, the copy service provided on the office equipment network is completed.

The management information calculating means 206 of the information management server 201 which has received the user handle, the device ID, and the service content performs the same processing as when it is received from the scanner 301 or the image processing server 302 (FIG. 3: S)
319). That is, the management information calculation unit 206 of the information management server 201 stores the service contents of each of the office equipment network terminals stored in the management information storage unit 205 and the user information (for example, the user information) stored in the user information management unit 203. For example, based on the group to which the group belongs, the project to which the group belongs, etc.), for example, the usage status of each of the above-mentioned office equipment network terminals, the amount of money related to the service used by the user (ie, billing information), the calculation of the expenses for each project, Various management information can be calculated.

An example of a method for calculating management information in the information management server will be described. The calculation of the amount of money (charging information) generated by using the scanner 301, which will be described below, is a process performed in S310.
5, S319. That is, when receiving the scanner use information 1201, the management information calculation unit 206 first refers to the user handle 1202 and selects the corresponding user ID 602 and department 604 from the issued user handle 505 of the user management table 601.

The device ID (scanner device ID 120)
Referring to 3), the device information management table 80 shown in FIG.
A corresponding function ID 803, holding department 804, and charging rule ID 805 are selected from one device ID 802.
Here, the function ID 803 is used when referring to the function table 901 shown in FIG. In addition, holding department 804
Indicates the name of the department that owns (manages) the device, and the charging rule ID 805 is used when referring to a charging rule table 1001 shown in FIG. 10 described later.

The management information calculating means 206 uses the selected charging rule ID 805 to
Select the corresponding charging rule in 01. Also, the selected department 604 and the selected holding department 8
It is verified whether or not 04 matches. Here, if the holding department 804 and the belonging department 604 match, the charging rule ID 100 selected from the charging rule table 1001 is used.
2, the amount of the holding department member 1003 is
Applies to D602. The application is, for example, adding the above-mentioned amount to a field corresponding to the above-mentioned user ID 106 in a charging database (not shown).

If the holding department 804 and the belonging department 604 do not match, the amount of the member 1004 outside the holding department of the charging rule ID 1002 selected from the charging rule table 1001 is applied to the user ID 602.
When the user ID is, for example, a guest (user ID used by a person outside the company), the amount of the guest 1005 of the charging rule ID 1002 selected from the charging rule table 1001 is applied to the user ID 602. As described above, the fee for using the scanner 301 is
This can be done by a scanner (each office equipment network terminal). In addition, it is possible to flexibly cope with the use of the equipment of the department to which the user belongs, such as lowering the charge and increasing the charge to the users of other departments.

The above charging is performed on a service basis.
As a matter of course, it is also possible to charge based on each service content such as the number of prints, CPU usage time, and resolution.
Furthermore, by summing up the operation time of each office equipment network terminal, including the time and time when the office equipment network terminal was used in the service content, it is easy to determine which office equipment network terminal is used and how much. It is possible to

As described above, the information on the processing performed by each of the office equipment network terminals 301 to 303 is centrally managed by the information management server 201, so that the usage status of the office equipment network terminals, that is, Since it is possible to easily understand how much the printer is being used, it is possible to obtain clear information such as a shortage of printers or frequent congestion of scanners in the office equipment network. Such information is very effective in fully utilizing the advantage of the office equipment network that the function can be extended freely. Furthermore, unlike the device configured as a single unit, there are various types of use of office equipment network terminals (selection types) depending on the service, so it is very difficult to grasp the cost of a series of services. By managing the information as described above, an accurate cost for each service can be calculated. This is effective as a billing method in the case where a facsimile service is provided to each room of a hotel, for example, as described in the related art, that is, as a billing method in a case where each office equipment network terminal is used for a commercial purpose. It is.

In the first embodiment, for example, the printer 303 is replaced with a fax modem, and the service contents transmitted by the fax modem to the information management server 201 include telephone charges (talk time information, etc.). Facsimile service can be provided easily.

In the first embodiment, the user is authenticated. For example, if it is not necessary to calculate the expense for each project and only want to know the usage status of each office equipment network terminal, In particular, user authentication is not required.

Further, the above service contents are limited to only the amount of the processing as required, and each office equipment network terminal is provided with a function of calculating the amount of the processing. Since only information can be obtained, processing in the information management server is reduced.

Further, when the service is provided at the hotel,
The device ID may be set instead of the user ID, and the user may input the room number instead of the password. Alternatively, the room number may be set instead of the password.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a configuration of an office equipment network terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the office equipment network in the second embodiment. Since the second embodiment has many points in common with the first embodiment, only the points different from the first embodiment will be described. In FIG. 4, the scanner 401 is connected to the office equipment network terminal 10 shown in FIG.
1a, the image processing server 402 corresponds to the office equipment network terminal 101b, and the printer 403 corresponds to the office equipment network terminal 101c. Further, in order to clarify the difference from FIG. 3, the same processes are given the same numbers, and the corresponding processes are given the same last two digits.
Here, “S” in FIG. 4 means a step.

First, a user using the copy service inserts, for example, an ID card with the scanner 401, and
Further, the process from the process of inputting the password (FIG. 4: S301) to the time when the user is authenticated, the service is selected, and scanning is performed by the scanner 401 (FIG. 4: S306) is the same as in the first embodiment.

After the completion of the scan, the scanner 40
The first processing information management unit 105 stores the processing information storage unit 106 of the scanner 401 based on the processing order information stored in the processing information storage unit 106 of the scanner 401.
Is transmitted to the image processing server 402 (FIG. 4: S407). That is, what is transmitted here is the same as the composite processing request packet 1101 shown in FIG. However, the difference from the first embodiment is that the processing information management unit 105 of the scanner 401 does not transmit the user handle, the device ID, and the service content to the information management server 201.

Subsequently, the processing information management means 1 of the image processing server 402 which has received the user handle, the processing order information, and the image data created by the scanning.
05 stores the user handle and the processing order information in the processing information storage means 106,
In S2, a process based on the command (for example, the “4in1” process) stored in the composite process request packet 1101 is performed on the received image data (FIG. 4: S
411).

Next, the processing information management means 105 of the image processing server 402 transmits the user handle, the processing order information and the processed image data stored in the processing information storage means 106 to the printer 403 (FIG. 4:
S412). That is, what is transmitted here is FIG.
This is the same as the composite processing request packet 1102 shown in (b).

Further, the processing information management means 105 of the image processing server 402 transmits a user handle, an apparatus ID (a unique ID given to the image processing server 402), and service contents to the scanner 401 (FIG. 9). 4: S413). Note that the information transmitted here is the same as the image processing device usage information 1205 in the first embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the service content is the same as in the first embodiment.

As described above, the image processing server 402
Differs from the first embodiment in that the user handle, the device ID, and the service content are transmitted to the scanner 401.

The processing information management means 105 of the scanner 401 that has received the user handle, the device ID, and the service content stores the user handle, the device ID, and the service content in the processing information storage unit 1 of the scanner 401.
06.

Subsequently, the processing information management unit 105 of the printer 403 that has received the user handle, the processing order information, and the converted image data stores the user handle and the processing order information in the processing information storage unit 106. At the same time, the process providing means 102 prints the converted image data (FIG. 4: S416). Next, the processing information management unit 105 of the printer 403 stores the user handle, the device ID (unique ID given to the printer 403), and the service contents in the scanner 401.
(S41 in FIG. 4).
6). Note that the information transmitted here is the same as in the first embodiment.
(The processing end 1213 is not always necessary). Further, this point is also different from the first embodiment. However, the service content is the same as in the first embodiment.

The processing information management means 105 of the scanner 401 which has received the user handle, the device ID, and the service content, stores the user handle, the device ID, and the service content in the processing information storage means 1 of the scanner 401.
06.

With the above processing, the copy service provided on the office equipment network is completed.

The scanner 4 that has received the user handle, the device ID, the service content, and the processing end information 1213
01 of the scanner 401
Of the scanner 401, the image processing server 402, and the device ID of the printer 403 stored in the processing information storage unit 106, and the service contents together with the user handle obtained at the time of user authentication (FIG. 4: S420).

The information transmitted here is, for example, as shown in FIG.
3 is total usage information 1301. The total usage information 1
Reference numeral 301 denotes a user handle 1302 and a scanner device ID.
1303, service information 1304, (image processing) device I
D1305, service information 1306, (printing) device ID 1307, and service information 1308.
(1206, 1210), (scanner) device ID 120
3, service information 1204, (image processing) device ID 12
07, service information 1208, (print) device ID 1
211, the same as the service information 1212.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the information of the services provided by the scanner 401, the image processing server 402, and the printer 403, which are the office equipment network terminals, is individually transmitted to each office equipment network terminal. Instead of transmitting the information to the information management server 201, a predetermined office equipment network terminal (in this case, the scanner 401)
After that, the information is collectively transmitted to the information management server 201.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, a specific office equipment is provided by causing the office equipment network terminal (here, scanner 401), which is expected to be used most frequently by the user, to perform various processes. Only network terminals can be used as high-capacity devices, while other office equipment network terminals need only have a minimum control function, and the introduction cost of the entire office equipment network can be reduced. .

Subsequently, the management information calculation means 206 of the information management server 201 stores the received user handle, the device ID of the scanner 401, the image processing server 402, and the printer 403 in the management information storage means 205. . Further, the information management server 201 stores the service contents of each of the office equipment network terminals and the user information management means 203 stored in the management information storage means 205 as necessary, as in the first embodiment. Based on the user information, for example, the usage status of each office equipment network terminal, the amount of money (ie, billing information) relating to the service used by the user, the calculation of the expense for each project, and the like are performed (FIG. 4: S419). The processing of the management information calculation means 206 may be the same as that of the first embodiment except that each information is obtained from the total usage information 1301 and processed.

As described above, by centrally managing the information of the processing performed by each of the office equipment network terminals 401 to 403 in the information management server 201, the same effect as that obtained in the first embodiment can be obtained. The effect of can be obtained.

As in the first embodiment, for example, the printer 403 is replaced by a facsimile modem, and the service contents transmitted to the scanner 401 by the facsimile modem include a facsimile by including telephone charges (such as call time information). Service can be provided.

Further, the user authentication is performed in the second embodiment, but the user authentication is not necessarily required as in the first embodiment. In addition, the above service contents are reduced to only the amount of money required for the processing as necessary, and each office equipment network terminal is provided with a function of calculating the amount of money required for the processing, so that only the charging information of the provided service can be obtained. What can be obtained is the same as in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the scanner 40
1 transmits total usage information to the information management server 201, but transmits each usage information to the office equipment network terminal that performs the final processing, that is, the printer 403 in this case, and the printer 403 transmits the total usage information to the information management server 201. The total usage information may be transmitted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an office equipment network terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an office equipment network.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a processing flow of an office equipment network in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow of an office equipment network according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration example of a distributed processing system using an office equipment network.

FIG. 6 is an example of a user management table.

FIG. 7 is an example of a provided service table.

FIG. 8 is an example of a device information management table.

FIG. 9 is an example of a function table.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a charging rule table.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a packet structure.

FIG. 12 is a structural example of usage information.

FIG. 13 is a structural example of total use information.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101-Office equipment network terminal 102-Process providing means 103-Service selecting means 104-User input means 105-Processing information managing means 106-Processing information storing means 107-Processing information transmitting means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kenji Hisatomi 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5B089 GA11 GA26 GB02 JA35 JB14 KA13 KB04 MA07

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An office equipment for transmitting and receiving data via a network between office equipment network terminals having different functions and providing a specific service by cooperative processing with the office equipment network terminals having the different functions. In the network terminal, a service selecting means for providing a function of selecting the content of the service; and a process required for providing the specific service based on the content of the service selected by the service selecting means. Office equipment, comprising: a process providing unit that performs processing to transmit service content information necessary for managing each terminal generated based on the process of the process providing unit to a target terminal. Network terminal. 2. The service selecting means determines a service that can be provided based on a list of types of office equipment network terminals required for providing a service and information on office equipment network terminals connected to the network. The office equipment network terminal according to claim 1, wherein 3. The office equipment network terminal according to claim 2, further comprising user input means for receiving an input of a user using the office equipment network terminal. 4. The office equipment network terminal according to claim 1, wherein the service content information includes information necessary for charging for the specific service. 5. The office work according to claim 4, further comprising processing information management means for collectively managing processing information provided by the office equipment network terminal having the different functions and belonging to the series of the cooperative processing. Equipment network terminal. 6. The office equipment network terminal according to claim 4, wherein the target terminal is an information management server that calculates predetermined management information based on the service content information. 7. The office equipment network terminal which collectively manages information of the processing provided by the office equipment network terminal having the different functions, which belongs to the series of the cooperative processing. 5. The office equipment network terminal according to 4. 8. An office equipment for transmitting and receiving data via a network between office equipment network terminals having different functions and providing a specific service by cooperative processing with the office equipment network terminal having the different functions. In the network information management system, the office equipment network terminal includes: a service selecting unit that provides a function of selecting the content of the service; and the specific service based on the content of the service selected by the service selecting unit. Processing providing means for providing processing necessary for providing; and processing information transmission for transmitting, to a predetermined information management server, service content information generated based on the processing of the processing providing means and required for managing each terminal. Means, and the information management server receives from the office equipment network terminal An office equipment network information management system, comprising: management information calculation means for calculating predetermined management information based on the service content information. 9. The service selecting means determines a service that can be provided based on a list of types of office equipment network terminals required for providing a service and information on office equipment network terminals connected to the network. The office equipment network information management system according to claim 8, wherein 10. The office equipment network information management system according to claim 9, wherein said office equipment network terminal further comprises user input means for receiving an input of a user who uses said office equipment network terminal. 11. The office equipment network information management system according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined management information includes a use status of the office equipment network terminal. 12. The office equipment network information management system according to claim 9, wherein said predetermined management information is charging information for said office equipment network terminal. 13. The office equipment network information management system according to claim 9, wherein said information management server further comprises user information management means for authenticating a user who uses said service. 14. The office equipment network information management system according to claim 13, wherein said user management means authenticates the user including an expiration date when said user can use a service.