JP2009032277A - Agent device, and image forming apparatus management system, method and program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remotely manage an image forming apparatus by a management device by using a connection from an agent device side when there is a fire wall between the agent device connected to the same local area network as the image forming apparatus and the management device located in a remote place. <P>SOLUTION: The agent device connected with one or more image forming apparatuses in the local area network provided with a fire wall is provided with a functional part starting a connection with the management device remotely managing the image forming apparatuses in the local area network via the Internet and receiving a management command sent from the management device in response to the connection via the fire wall, a functional part receiving condition data of a corresponding image device in response to the received management command, and a functional part sending the received condition data to the management device via the Internet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a local network including an intermediary device connected to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, and a management apparatus that performs remote management of the image forming apparatus using an Internet connection from the local network. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus management system, an image forming apparatus management method, an image forming apparatus management program, and a recording medium.

  A conventional image forming apparatus management system maintains and manages a plurality of image forming apparatuses on the user side by operating a management apparatus at a remote location through a communication line such as a telephone line. When performing remote management using a telephone line connection, communication costs increase. In order to reduce the communication cost, it is conceivable to perform remote management using the Internet connection of the local network on the user side.

  On the other hand, in a local network of a company or the like, a firewall is often provided to prevent a third party from entering through an external network such as the Internet to steal, alter, or destroy data and programs. When a conventional image forming apparatus management system is applied, it is difficult to remotely manage the image forming apparatuses in the local network from the management apparatus connected via an external network such as the Internet due to the existence of a firewall.

  When connecting an image forming device in a local network provided with a firewall to a remote management device using the Internet connection of the local network, there is a case where a request on the management device side cannot be transmitted directly to the image forming device by the firewall. Many. This is set so that the firewall passes the request to the Internet from the system in the user's local network and the response to the request, but does not pass the request to the system in the local network from the Internet side. Because.

  In order to solve the above problem, a method of changing the firewall setting so that only a request from the management apparatus to the image forming apparatus passes through the firewall is conceivable. However, such a setting change lowers the security level of the firewall and is likely to increase the burden on the network administrator.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a method of allowing only a request from the management apparatus to the image forming apparatus through the firewall by introducing a VPN (Virtual_Private_Network) apparatus may be considered. However, the introduction of VPN devices requires a significant increase in equipment costs.

  Therefore, in the conventional image forming apparatus management system, it is difficult to remotely manage the image forming apparatuses in the local network from the management apparatus connected via the external network such as the Internet due to the existence of the firewall.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in an image forming apparatus management system that remotely manages image forming apparatuses in a local network provided with a firewall, without significantly increasing the equipment cost. An object of the present invention is to enable remote management of an image forming apparatus from the management apparatus side using a connection from a local network.

  In order to solve the above problems, an intermediary device according to the present invention is an intermediary device connected to one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses in a local network provided with a firewall, and the intermediary apparatus in the local network via the Internet. A management command receiving function unit that initiates a connection with a management device that remotely manages the image forming apparatus and receives a management command transmitted from the management device according to the connection via the firewall; and the management command In response to the management command received by the receiving function unit, the image forming apparatus communication function unit that receives status data of the corresponding image forming apparatus, and the status data received by the image forming apparatus communication function unit are transmitted to the Internet. A management command response transmission function unit for transmitting to the management device via The features. By configuring the mediating apparatus in this way, it is possible to perform remote management of the image forming apparatus from the management apparatus side without significantly increasing the cost.

  Here, “connection” refers to a connection procedure for confirming the presence or absence of a processing request (management command) transmitted from the management apparatus, and is executed by polling using an HTTP connection, for example. Here, “HTTP” is an abbreviation of “Hyper_Text_Transfer_Protocol”, and is a protocol used to transmit and receive data. The “status data” is internal information of the image forming apparatus, such as the current value of the internal sensor of the image forming apparatus, the past history, the operation setting of the apparatus, the operation history of the apparatus, and the like.

  In the mediation device according to the present invention, the management device is configured to execute remote management for each of the image forming devices connected to the mediation device by generating and holding a plurality of management commands corresponding to the mediation device. May be.

  The mediation apparatus according to the present invention may be configured to include a management command analysis unit that analyzes the management command received by the management command reception function unit.

  An intermediary device according to the present invention includes a request matrix holding unit that holds the management command received by the management command receiving function unit, and a management command analysis unit that analyzes the management command, wherein the management command analysis unit includes the management command analysis unit, The management command held in the request matrix holding unit may be acquired and the management command may be analyzed.

  In the mediating apparatus according to the present invention, the communication function unit for the image forming apparatus transmits a device message to the corresponding image forming device based on the management command received by the management command receiving function unit, and responds to the device message. As a response result, the status data of the corresponding image forming apparatus may be received.

  An intermediary device according to the present invention includes a status data storage unit that stores status data for each of the image forming apparatuses, and the management command response transmission function unit stores the status data in the status data storage unit based on the received management command. The status data of the corresponding image forming apparatus may be acquired, and the status data may be transmitted to the management apparatus.

  In the mediation device according to the present invention, the management command response transmission function unit may be configured to transmit a response signal to the management device when the management command reception function unit receives the management command.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention includes an intermediary apparatus connected to one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses in a local network provided with a firewall, and the local network via the Internet. An image forming apparatus management system including a management apparatus for remotely managing the image forming apparatus, wherein the mediation apparatus starts a connection with the management apparatus and is transmitted from the management apparatus in response to the connection. A management command receiving function unit that receives the management command via the firewall, and image forming apparatus that receives status data of the corresponding image forming apparatus according to the management command received by the management command receiving function unit The status data received by the apparatus communication function unit and the image forming apparatus communication function unit. The characterized in that it comprises a management command response transmission function unit to be transmitted to the management device through the Internet.

  According to the image forming apparatus management system including the intermediary apparatus of the present invention, the intermediary apparatus that mediates communication between the image forming apparatus and the management apparatus in the local network periodically transmits a connection request as a response to the request. Polling to receive management commands from the management device. The mediation device acquires status data from the image forming apparatus in response to a management command received from the management device via a firewall of the local network, and transmits the status data to the management device. By configuring the mediating apparatus in this way, it is possible to perform remote management of the image forming apparatus from the management apparatus side without significantly increasing the cost.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus management method according to the present invention includes an intermediary apparatus connected to one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses in a local network provided with a firewall, and the local network via the Internet. An image forming apparatus management method using a management apparatus that remotely manages the image forming apparatus, wherein the mediation apparatus starts a connection with the management apparatus and transmits from the management apparatus in response to the connection Command receiving procedure for receiving a management command to be received via the firewall, and an image forming apparatus for receiving status data of the corresponding image forming apparatus according to the management command received in the management command receiving procedure A communication procedure and the status data received in the communication procedure with the image forming apparatus; And executes the management command response transmitting step of transmitting to said management apparatus via the Internet. By configuring the mediating apparatus in this way, it is possible to perform remote management of the image forming apparatus from the management apparatus side without significantly increasing the cost.

  In order to solve the above problem, an image forming apparatus management program according to the present invention includes an intermediary apparatus connected to one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses in a local network provided with a firewall, and the local network via the Internet. In order to execute remote management of the image forming apparatus by the management apparatus using a management apparatus that remotely manages the image forming apparatus, a connection with the management apparatus is started in the computer provided in the mediating apparatus And a management command reception procedure for receiving a management command transmitted from the management device according to the connection via the firewall, and a corresponding image according to the management command received in the management command reception procedure. Image forming apparatus communication procedure for receiving forming apparatus status data, and Characterized in that to execute a management command response transmitting step of transmitting the status data received in pairs image forming apparatus communication procedure to the management device through the Internet. By configuring the mediating apparatus in this way, it is possible to perform remote management of the image forming apparatus from the management apparatus side without significantly increasing the cost.

  In order to solve the above problems, a recording medium of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium, and an intermediary device connected to one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses in a local network provided with a firewall. In order to perform remote management of the image forming apparatus by the management apparatus using a management apparatus that remotely manages the image forming apparatus in the local network via the Internet, the computer provided in the mediating apparatus includes: Management command reception procedure for starting a connection with a management device and receiving a management command transmitted from the management device in response to the connection via the firewall, and the management command received in the management command reception procedure According to the status data of the corresponding image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus management program for executing an image forming apparatus communication procedure and a management command response transmission procedure for transmitting the status data received in the image forming apparatus communication procedure to the management apparatus via the Internet is recorded. It is characterized by that. By configuring the mediating apparatus in this way, it is possible to perform remote management of the image forming apparatus from the management apparatus side without significantly increasing the cost.

  According to the mediating apparatus of the present invention, the management command receiving function unit starts a connection with the management apparatus that remotely manages the image forming apparatus in the local network via the Internet, and is transmitted from the management apparatus according to the connection. Receive management commands through the firewall. The image forming apparatus communication function unit receives status data of the corresponding image forming apparatus in response to the received management command. The management command response transmission function unit transmits the received status data to the management device via the Internet. By configuring the mediating apparatus in this way, it is possible to perform remote management of the image forming apparatus from the management apparatus side without significantly increasing the cost.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus management system according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus management system includes a plurality of remotely managed image forming apparatuses 100, an intermediary apparatus 101 connected to the same local network 102 as the image forming apparatus 100, and a fire to the intermediary apparatus 101. A management device 105 connected to the wall 103 via the Internet 104 is provided. This management apparatus 105 remotely manages the image forming apparatus 100 connected on the same local network 102 as the mediation apparatus 101 via the Internet 104.

  Here, a plurality of firewalls 103 and management devices 105 may be installed. A case where a plurality of mediation apparatuses 101 are installed in one firewall 103 is also conceivable.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a firewall. For example, the firewall 103 includes a router 200 and an HTTP proxy (HTTP_PROXY) 201. The “HTTP proxy” refers to a computer that connects to the Internet 104 as a proxy instead of a computer in the local network 102 that cannot directly connect to the Internet 104. With the firewall 103 having such a function, only a specific type of connection can be permitted or unauthorized access from outside can be blocked.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the mediation apparatus in the image forming apparatus management system.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the mediation apparatus 101 includes a management command reception function unit 300, a request matrix holding unit 301, a management command analysis unit 302, a mediation device control unit 303, and an image forming apparatus communication function unit 304. A management command response transmission function unit 305, a timer 306, an image forming device search unit 307, a monitoring target device list unit 308, an image forming device state monitoring unit 309, and a status data storage unit 317.

  The management command receiving function unit 300 starts a connection to the management apparatus 105 and receives a management command transmitted from the management apparatus 105 based on the start of the connection. The image forming apparatus communication function unit 304 receives the state data transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100. The management command response transmission function unit 305 transmits status data corresponding to the management command to the management apparatus 105.

  The management command analysis unit 302 analyzes the management command. The request matrix holding unit 301 holds the management command received by the management command receiving function unit 300. The state data storage unit 317 stores state data. The mediation device control unit 303 executes the management command analyzed by the management command analysis unit 302.

  The timer 306 measures the connection start interval. Whether the image forming apparatus search unit 307 acquires apparatus information of some of the image forming apparatuses 100 or apparatus information of all the image forming apparatuses 100 when the mediating apparatus control unit 303 starts acquisition. To search for an image forming apparatus on the local network, and update the monitoring target apparatus list unit 308 based on the search result.

  The monitoring target apparatus list unit 308 holds the apparatus information of the image forming apparatus 100 received by the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304 for each image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus state monitoring unit 309 determines whether the state of the image forming apparatus 100 specified based on the apparatus information held in the monitoring target apparatus list unit 308 satisfies a certain monitoring condition.

  Here, “apparatus information” refers to information such as an identifier for identifying the image forming apparatus and a network address of the image forming apparatus. The “monitoring condition” is “device stop time due to failure: within 10 minutes” or the like. That is, when 10 minutes have elapsed since the image forming apparatus 100 stopped due to a failure, it is determined that the monitoring condition is not satisfied. Further, the intermediary device 101 includes a CPU that executes processing performed by each unit, excluding the request matrix holding unit 301, the monitoring target device list unit 308, and the state data storage unit 317, which are realized on a memory.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a device message receiving unit 310, a message analysis & execution unit 311, an HDD 312, a system control unit 313, an NV-RAM 314, an image forming engine unit 315, A conveyance control sensor 316.

  The apparatus message receiving unit 310 receives a management command transmitted from the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304. The message analysis & execution unit 311 analyzes the management command received by the device message reception unit 310. The HDD 312 and the NV-RAM 314 are means for storing analysis, execution data, and the like. Here, “HDD” is an abbreviation for “Hard_Disk_Drive” and means a magnetic storage device. “NV-RAM” is an abbreviation of “Non-Volatile_RAM” and means a nonvolatile storage device.

  The system control unit 313 executes the message analyzed by the message analysis & execution unit 311. The image forming engine unit 315 detects an image forming failure of the image forming apparatus using a sensor. The conveyance control unit 316 detects a conveyance failure of the image forming apparatus using a sensor. Remote management of the image forming apparatus 100 becomes possible by detecting failure of sensors included in the image forming engine unit 315 and the conveyance control unit 316.

  In the image forming apparatus management system of FIG. 3, the management command receiving function unit 300 may receive a plurality of management commands transmitted from the management apparatus 105. The plurality of management commands may include both commands for the image forming apparatus 100 and those for the mediation apparatus 101, or may be addressed to only one of them. That is, the management command receiving function unit 300 may receive two management commands, one of which is a management command for the image forming apparatus 100 and the other is a management command for the mediation apparatus 101. In addition, a single management command may include a plurality of identifiers of devices to be managed, or a plurality of processing requests.

  In addition, the management command receiving function unit 300 starts a connection at regular connection start intervals. For example, the connection start interval is set to 5 minutes in advance, and the connection to the management apparatus 105 is started every 5 minutes by the timer 306. Here, “periodic connection start” refers to starting a connection at regular time intervals (connection start interval).

  The request matrix holding unit 301 is a volatile memory such as a RAM. Further, the management command held by the request matrix holding unit 301 is, for example, held in the request matrix holding unit 301 in the order in which the management command receiving function unit 300 received management commands transmitted from the management apparatus 105, or the target It is held in the request matrix holding unit 301 for each device.

  For example, the management command analysis unit 302 acquires management commands in the order in which they are held in the request matrix holding unit 301, analyzes them, and distributes the management commands to the mediation device control unit 303 or the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304. Alternatively, the management command analysis unit 302 preferentially acquires only management commands for a specific target device from among the management commands held in the request matrix holding unit 301 for each target device, and the mediation device control unit 303 or the counter image The management command is distributed to the forming apparatus communication function unit 304.

  Specifically, when the content of the management command acquired from the request matrix holding unit 301 is a request for a process of “setting the heater temperature to 50 degrees” for two specific image forming apparatuses 100, The management command analysis unit 302 distributes the acquired management command to the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304 for the two specific image forming apparatuses 100.

  In order to perform this distribution, for example, a management command acquired from the request matrix holding unit 301 is attached with a target device identifier or the like for specifying two specific image forming apparatuses 100.

  The mediation device control unit 303 executes the management command distributed to the mediation device 101 by the management command analysis unit 302. For example, the distributed management command includes a request for “reading the connection start interval” that has been set. The mediation device control unit 303 changes the connection start interval. For example, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the preset connection start interval of 5 minutes is changed to, for example, 3 minutes (or 7 minutes).

  For example, the image forming apparatus status monitoring unit 309 determines that the status of the image forming apparatus 100 specified based on the apparatus information of the image forming apparatus 100 held in the monitoring target apparatus list unit 308 does not satisfy a certain monitoring condition. If it is determined, the intermediary device control unit 303 is requested to change the connection start interval. It is also conceivable to change the connection start interval according to this request.

  The mediation device control unit 303 changes the connection start interval in response to a request from the management device 105. For example, consider a case where the connection start interval is set to 5 minutes in advance. The mediation device control unit 303 changes the connection start interval from 5 minutes to 3 minutes in response to a request from the management device 105 to change the connection start interval to 3 minutes.

  For example, when the management command is for a specific two image forming apparatuses 100, the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304 transmits the management command to the two specific image forming apparatuses 100. The image forming apparatus communication function unit 304 receives status data as a response result to the management command from the specific two image forming apparatuses 100 to which the management command is transmitted.

  The management command response transmission function unit 305 transmits a response signal indicating that the management command has been received to the management device 105 when the management command reception function unit 300 receives the management command from the management device 105. For example, a response signal indicating that a management command to be transmitted to the management apparatus 105 has been received is “accept OK” or the like.

  The management command response transmission function unit 305 receives the management command response received from the management apparatus 105 when the management command response to the image forming apparatus 100 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 by the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304. Send. For example, the management command response transmitted to the management device 105 is “heater temperature 50 ° setting OK”.

  The status data storage unit 317 stores status data transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100. For example, it is stored corresponding to the management command.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the management apparatus.

  The management apparatus 105 is registered by the management application unit 400 that generates a command for the image forming apparatus 100 or the intermediary apparatus 101, the request management unit 401 that registers the command generated by the management application unit 400, and the request management unit 401. A request queue transmission waiting unit 402 that holds the received command, a command intermediary device communication function unit 403 that transmits the command held in the request queue transmission waiting unit 402 to the mediation device 101 and receives a response result to this transmission, It comprises a request queue reply waiting unit 404 that holds a command transmitted to the mediation device 101 by the mediation device communication function unit 403.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the format of the management command. As shown in FIG. 6, in the management command using the command entry format 600, a target device identifier for identifying the target device is arranged at the head, and then a device message that is a message for the target device is arranged.

  According to the command entry example 601 of FIG. 6, the target device identifier is “07AA54BD”, and the device message is “setParameter (heater temperature, 50)”. For example, the target device identifier “07AA54BD” is the serial number of the target image forming device, and the device message “setParameter (heater temperature, 50)” means a request to “set the heater temperature to 50 degrees”. .

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a holding form of commands held in the request queue transmission waiting section and the request queue reply waiting section. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, when there are a plurality of mediation devices 101, the request queue transmission waiting unit 402 of the management device 105 is configured for each identifier of the mediation device 101, and a command entry is sent to each mediation device 101. A management command is attached. The request queue reply waiting unit 404 is the same.

  7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating an example of a communication procedure for transmitting a management command from the management apparatus to the mediation apparatus and receiving a response in the management apparatus. FIG. 7 shows a communication procedure from steps s1 to s6, and FIG. 8 shows a communication procedure from steps s7 to s12. Steps s13 and s14 are procedures common to the communication procedures of FIGS.

  In the communication procedure of FIG. 7, first, in step s <b> 1, the management command reception function unit 300 of the mediation apparatus 101 starts confirming commands to the management apparatus 105. In step s2, the management apparatus 105 transmits a management command “empty” to the mediation apparatus 101 in response to the command confirmation. This management command “empty” indicates “no request”. That is, the management apparatus 105 does not request the image forming apparatus 100 or the mediation apparatus 101.

  Next, in step s 3, the management command reception function unit 300 of the mediation apparatus 101 starts confirming the command to the management apparatus 105 again after a predetermined command confirmation interval. In step s4, the management apparatus 105 transmits a management command “empty” to the mediation apparatus 101 in response to the command confirmation. This management command is also “empty”. As described above, the management command reception function unit 300 of the mediation apparatus 101 repeats command confirmation with respect to the management apparatus 105.

  Next, in step s5, the management command reception function unit 300 of the mediation apparatus 101 starts command confirmation. In step s 6, the management apparatus 105 transmits a management command for the image forming apparatus 100 to the mediation apparatus 101.

  In the communication procedure from steps s 7 to s 10 in FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304 of the mediation apparatus 101 transmits a message included in the management command received from the management apparatus 105 to the image forming apparatus 100.

  The management command response transmission function unit 305 of the mediation apparatus 101 transmits the response result received from the image forming apparatus 100 in the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304 of the mediation apparatus 101 to the management apparatus 105. The management apparatus 105 transmits “OK” to the effect that the response result has been received to the management command reception function unit 300 of the mediation apparatus 101. At that time, a series of processing for the management command is completed. Each unit described above is realized by program processing of the CPU.

  Next, in steps s11 to s12, the mediation apparatus 101 starts command confirmation with respect to the management apparatus 105. In step s12, the management apparatus 105 requests the mediation apparatus 101 to change the interval for starting command confirmation. Therefore, the mediation apparatus 101 changes the command confirmation interval. As shown in FIG. 8, after the connection start interval is changed, it is longer than the connection start interval before the change.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a communication procedure for transmitting a management command from the management apparatus to the mediation apparatus and receiving a response in the management apparatus. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the communication procedure of FIGS. 7 and 8 in more detail, and shows a flow for changing the connection start interval.

  In the communication procedure of FIG. 9, first, in steps r1 to r2, the management command receiving function unit 300 starts command confirmation with respect to the management apparatus 105 via HTTP_Client.

  In response to the confirmation of the command from the mediation device, in steps r3 to r4, the management device 105 sends the management command “{mediation device, setParameter (command confirmation interval, 120 sec)}” to the management command reception function unit via HTTP_Client. To 300. This management command is a request “set the command confirmation interval to 120 sec for the mediation apparatus 101”.

  Next, in step r5, the request matrix holding unit 301 records and holds the management command received by the management command receiving function unit 300.

  Next, in step r6, the management command analysis unit 302 requests the request matrix holding unit 301 to retrieve the held management command. In step r <b> 7, the management command analysis unit 302 acquires a management command from the request matrix holding unit 301. In step r8, the management command analysis unit 302 determines that the management command is a request for the mediation device 101, and transmits the management command to the mediation device control unit 303.

  Next, in steps r9 and r10, the mediation device control unit 303 executes the received management command, changes the command confirmation interval of the mediation device 101 to 120 sec, and sends a management command response “{success ( Interval = 120 sec)} ”is transmitted to the management command response transmission function unit 305 via the management command analysis unit 302.

  Next, in steps r11 and r12, the management command response transmission function unit 305 transmits a management command response to the management apparatus 105 via HTTP_Client.

  Next, in steps r <b> 13 to r <b> 14, the management command reception function unit 300 receives a signal “OK” indicating that a management command response has been received from the management apparatus 105. In this way, the procedure for changing the command confirmation interval in FIG. 9 ends. Each unit described above is realized by program processing of the CPU.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a communication procedure for transmitting a management command from the management apparatus to the image forming apparatus and receiving a response in the management apparatus. The communication procedure in FIG. 10 shows a writing flow of the heater temperature of the image forming apparatus 100.

  In the communication procedure of FIG. 10, first, in steps p1 and p2, the management command reception function unit 300 starts command confirmation with respect to the management apparatus 105 via HTTP_Client.

  In response to the command confirmation from the mediation apparatus, in steps p3 and p4, the management apparatus 105 transmits the management command “{07AA54BD, setParameter (heater temperature, 50)}” to the management command receiving function unit 300 via HTTP_Client. . This management command indicates that “the heater temperature is set to 50 degrees for the target device 07AA54BD”.

  Next, in step p5, the request matrix holding unit 301 records and holds the management command received by the management command receiving function unit 300.

  Next, in step p6, the management command analysis unit 302 requests the request matrix holding unit 301 to retrieve the held management command. In step p <b> 7, the management command analysis unit 302 acquires a management command from the request matrix holding unit 301. In step p8, the management command analysis unit 302 determines that the management command is a request for the image forming apparatus 100, and transmits the management command to the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304.

  Next, in step p9, since it is a management command for the image forming apparatus 100, the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304 receives an apparatus message “{setParameter (heater temperature, 50)}” from the image forming apparatus 100. To the unit 310.

  Next, in step p10, the device message receiving unit 310 transmits the device message to the system control unit 313. In step p11, the system control unit 313 writes the heater temperature of 50 degrees in the NV-RAM 314. In step p12, the system control unit 313 transmits a response “{success, heater temperature = 50 degrees}” to the device message reception unit 310.

  In step p <b> 13, the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304 receives a response “{success, heater temperature = 50 degrees}” from the image forming apparatus 100.

  Next, in steps p14 to p15, the management command analysis unit 302 uses the response “{success, heater temperature = 50 degrees}” transferred from the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304 as a response to the management command, and returns a management command response. Transmit to the transmission function unit 305.

  Next, in steps p16 to p17, the management command response transmission function unit 305 transmits the management command response “{success, heater temperature = 50 degrees}” to the management apparatus 105 via HTTP_Client.

  Next, in steps p18 to p19, the management command receiving function unit 300 receives a signal “OK” indicating that a management command response “{success, heater temperature = 50 degrees}” has been received from the management apparatus 105 via HTTP_Client. Receive. Thus, the heater temperature writing procedure of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 10 is completed. Each unit described above is realized by program processing of the CPU.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a communication procedure for transmitting a management command from the management apparatus to the image forming apparatus and receiving a response in the management apparatus. The communication procedure of FIG. 11 shows a toner density reading flow of the image forming apparatus 100.

  In the communication procedure of FIG. 11, first, in steps q1 to q2, the management command receiving function unit 300 starts a connection for command confirmation with respect to the management apparatus 105 via HTTP_Client.

  In steps q3 to q4, the management apparatus 105 transmits a management command “{07AA54BD, readParameter (toner density)}” to the management command reception function unit 300 via HTTP_Client in accordance with the connection from the mediation apparatus. This management command indicates a request “read the toner density to the target device 07AA54BD”.

  Next, in step q5, the request matrix holding unit 301 records and holds the management command received by the management command receiving function unit 300.

  Next, in step q 6, the management command analysis unit 302 transmits a request to retrieve the held management command to the request matrix holding unit 301. In step q 7, the management command analysis unit 302 acquires a management command from the request matrix holding unit 301. In step q 8, the management command analysis unit 302 determines that the management command is a request for the image forming apparatus 100, and transmits the management command to the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304.

  Next, in step q9, since the communication function unit 304 for the image forming apparatus is a management command for the image forming apparatus 100, the apparatus message “{readParameter (toner density)}” is sent to the apparatus message receiving unit 310 of the image forming apparatus 100. Send to.

  Next, in step q10, the device message receiving unit 310 transmits a device message to the system control unit 313. In step q11, the system control unit 313 transmits a toner density reading request to the sensor (toner density) 1100. In step q12, the system control unit 313 reads the toner density from the sensor (toner density) 1100.

  Next, in step q <b> 14, the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304 receives a response “{success, toner density = 60}” from the image forming apparatus 100.

  Next, in steps q15 to q16, the management command analysis unit 302 uses the response “{success, toner density = 60}” transferred from the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304 as a management command response, and sends a management command response transmission function. Transition to section 305.

  Next, in steps q17 to q18, the management command response transmission function unit 305 transmits a management command response “{success, toner density = 60}” to the management apparatus 105 via HTTP_Client.

  Next, in steps q19 to q20, the management command reception function unit 300 receives a signal “OK” indicating that the management command response “{success, toner density = 60}” has been received from the management apparatus 105. In this way, the toner density reading procedure in FIG. 11 is completed. Each unit described above is realized by program processing of the CPU.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a communication procedure for transmitting a management command and receiving a response in the management apparatus. FIG. 13 shows an example of a management command used in the communication procedure of FIG.

  In the communication of FIG. 12, first, in steps x1 to x2, the request management unit 401 registers the command generated from the management application unit 400 in the request queue transmission waiting unit 402.

  Next, in steps x3 to x5, the intermediary device communication function unit 403 receives a command confirmation from the mediation device 101, acquires the first registered command from the request queue transmission waiting unit 402, and receives the request queue transmission waiting unit. The command acquired from 402 is deleted.

  Next, in steps x6 to x8, the intermediary device communication function unit 403 registers the acquired command in the request queue reply waiting unit 404 and transmits the command to the mediation device 101.

  Next, in steps x9 to x11, the intermediary device communication function unit 403 receives a response to the command from the mediation device 101, and shifts to the request management unit 401.

  Next, in step x12, the request management 401 confirms whether the command registered in the request queue reply waiting unit 404 and the command transferred from the intermediary device communication function unit 403 are the same issue source commands. To do. When it is confirmed that the commands are the same issuer, the request management 401 transmits a command response to the management application unit 400 in step x13. Each unit described above is realized by program processing of the CPU.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13, the command confirmation (HTTP) example 1300 is an example of the command confirmation transmitted from the mediation device 101 to the intermediary device communication function unit 403 in step x3. This example shows that the mediation apparatus 101 that has transmitted the command confirmation has “identifier 467AB”.

  A command transmission (HTTP) example 1301 in FIG. 13 is an example of a command that the intermediary device communication function unit 403 transmits to the intermediary device 101 in step x7 in response to the command confirmation received from the intermediary device 101. In this example, it is indicated that the image forming apparatus to be commanded has “apparatus identifier 07AA54BD” and the command content is “set heater temperature to 50 degrees”.

  A command response (HTTP) example 1302 in FIG. 13 is an example of a command response that the mediation apparatus 101 transmits to the management apparatus 105 in step x9. In this example, the mediation apparatus 101 that has transmitted the command response has “identifier 467AB”, the image forming apparatus that is the target of the command has “apparatus identifier 07AA54BD”, and the command content “sets the heater temperature to 50 degrees. ”Has been completed.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus management system of the present embodiment, even if a firewall exists between the intermediary apparatus connected on the same local network as the image forming apparatus and the management apparatus at a remote location, It is possible to perform remote management of the image forming apparatus in the local network by the management apparatus using the connection from the mediation apparatus side without increasing the cost.

  In addition, the management apparatus can execute remote management for each image forming apparatus connected to the mediation apparatus by generating and holding a plurality of management commands corresponding to the mediation apparatus.

  In addition, since the mediation apparatus has a management command analysis unit that analyzes the management command, the image forming apparatus that is the target of the management command can be specified.

  Further, the intermediary device has a request matrix holding unit that holds the management command received by the management command receiving function unit, and the management command analysis unit acquires the management command held in the request matrix holding unit, and the management command It is possible to determine whether the management command is a command for the image forming apparatus or a command for the mediation apparatus.

  Further, the communication function unit for the image forming apparatus transmits a device message to the image forming apparatus by the management command received by the management command response transmission function unit, and receives the status data as a response result corresponding to the device message. The image forming apparatus can be remotely managed based on the status data.

  The intermediary device has a state data storage unit that stores state data, and the management command response transmission function unit transmits the state data stored in the state data storage unit according to the received management command to the management device. Thus, it is possible to remotely manage the image forming apparatus based on the status data.

  Further, the management command receiving function unit can receive a management command from the management apparatus by starting a connection at a regular connection start interval.

  Further, the mediation device has a mediation device control unit that executes the management command analyzed by the management command analysis unit, and the management command analysis unit sends the management command to the mediation device control unit or the communication function unit for the image forming apparatus. Thus, remote management by the management device can be performed for both the image forming apparatus and the mediation apparatus.

  Further, the mediation device control unit can make a connection according to the situation in addition to the regular connection to the management device by changing the connection start interval.

  Further, the mediation device control unit can perform a connection that satisfies the request on the management device side by changing the connection start interval in response to the request from the management device.

  Further, either or both of the time point when the management command receiving function unit receives the management command and the time point when the response result to the transmission of the management command by the image forming apparatus communication function unit is received by the image forming apparatus communication function unit The management command response transmission function unit transmits a response signal to the management device, so that a processing result for the management command can be acquired and a transmission error can be prevented.

  Also, a management command receiving function unit that starts a connection to the management apparatus and receives a management command transmitted from the management apparatus based on the start of the connection, and a counter-image forming apparatus that receives status data transmitted from the image forming apparatus By configuring the mediation device from the communication function unit and the management command response transmission function unit that transmits status data corresponding to the management command to the management device, the image forming apparatus can be remotely managed.

  Next, another embodiment of the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Note that, in the above-described embodiment, the communication procedure for transmitting the management command from the management apparatus to the mediating apparatus and the response reception in the management apparatus are the same from step s1 to step s12, and therefore description of these procedures is omitted. .

  In the communication procedure of FIG. 7, in step s5, the management command reception function unit 300 of the mediation apparatus 101 starts command confirmation. In step s 6, the management apparatus 105 transmits a management command to the image forming apparatus 100.

  In the communication procedure of FIG. 8, in steps s <b> 7 to s <b> 10, the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304 of the mediation apparatus 101 transmits a message included in the management command received from the management apparatus 105 to the image forming apparatus 100.

  Before performing step s7 in FIG. 8, in step s13, the management command response transmission function unit 305 of the mediation apparatus 101 sends a receipt confirmation response to the management apparatus 105 indicating that the management command transmitted from the management apparatus 105 has been received. Send.

  In step s <b> 14, the management apparatus 105 transmits “OK” to the effect that the receipt confirmation response has been received, to the management command reception function unit 300 of the mediation apparatus 101. When the management command reception function unit 300 of the intermediary device 101 receives “OK” for the receipt confirmation of the management device 105, step s7 and the subsequent steps are performed. Each unit described above is realized by program processing of the CPU.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the remote management of the image forming apparatus of the above-described embodiment, it is possible to further prevent a management command transmission error transmitted from the management apparatus to the mediation apparatus.

  Next, another embodiment of the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of an automatic generation flow of a list of image forming apparatuses to be monitored in the mediating apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in step y <b> 1, the mediation device control unit 303 activates a search process for acquiring device information of the image forming device 100 to the image forming device search unit 307.

  Next, in step y <b> 2, the image forming apparatus search unit 307 determines the image forming apparatus 100 from which the apparatus information is acquired in response to the activation of the mediation apparatus control unit 303.

  Next, in steps y3 to y4, the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304 receives the apparatus information of the image forming apparatus 100 to be acquired as a device identifier by multicast. Here, the apparatus information of the image forming apparatus 100 may be acquired by broadcasting.

  Next, in steps y5 to y6, the image forming apparatus search unit 307 acquires the apparatus identifier received by the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304 and the corresponding network address of the image forming apparatus 100, and monitors the list of devices to be monitored. Registered in the unit 308. A list of image forming apparatuses 100 to be monitored is automatically generated by the communication procedure described above. By using the monitoring target device list unit 308, the connection start interval for the management device 105 can be changed.

  Next, in steps y7 to y14, the management apparatus 105 can acquire the apparatus information of the image forming apparatus 100 registered in the monitoring target apparatus list unit 308. The management apparatus 105 can also add a new image forming apparatus 100 to be monitored to the monitoring target apparatus list unit 308. Each unit described above is realized by program processing of the CPU.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of a change flow of the connection start interval by monitoring the target device in the mediation device.

  As illustrated in FIG. 15, in step z <b> 1, the mediation apparatus control unit 303 sets monitoring conditions for the image forming apparatus state monitoring unit 309 and starts monitoring.

  Next, in steps z <b> 2 to z <b> 3, the image forming apparatus state monitoring unit 309 reads the target device held in the monitoring target device list unit 308 and moves to the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304.

  Next, in step z <b> 4, the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304 transmits a command for acquiring the state of the target image forming apparatus 100 to the apparatus message receiving unit 310.

  Next, in steps z <b> 5 to z <b> 7, the apparatus message receiving unit 310 transmits the status data of the image forming apparatus 100 to the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304.

  Next, in step z <b> 8, the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304 transmits the state data of the image forming apparatus 100 to the image forming apparatus state monitoring unit 309. If the status data received by the image forming apparatus communication function unit 304 does not satisfy the monitoring condition, the image forming apparatus status monitoring unit 309 proceeds to step z9.

  In step z <b> 9, the image forming apparatus state monitoring unit 309 transmits an apparatus state change notification to the mediation apparatus control unit 303.

  Next, in step z <b> 10, the mediation apparatus control unit 303 changes the connection start interval for the management command reception function unit 300. Each unit described above is realized by program processing of the CPU.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the remote management of the image forming apparatus of the above-described embodiment, a list of image forming apparatuses to be monitored is automatically generated, and the image forming apparatus 100 to be monitored. The connection start interval can be changed when the status does not satisfy the monitoring condition.

  Next, another embodiment of the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of a communication procedure for acquiring the status data of the image forming apparatus accumulated in the mediating apparatus. In FIG. 16, the procedure from step w1 to step w8 is the same as the procedure from step z1 to step z8 in FIG.

  In the communication procedure of FIG. 16, in step w9, the status data of the image forming apparatus 100 acquired by the mediation apparatus 101 is stored in the status data storage unit 317.

  Next, in steps w10 to w11, the management command receiving function unit 300 transmits a command confirmation to the management apparatus 105.

  Next, in steps w12 to w13, the management apparatus 105 transmits a management command for acquiring the heater temperature of the image forming apparatus 100 “apparatus identifier 07AA54BD” from the state data storage unit 317 to the management command receiving function unit 300. .

  Next, in step w14, the management command is held in the request matrix holding unit 301. Next, in step w15, the management command analysis unit 302 takes out the management command from the request matrix holding unit 301 and analyzes to which device the command is directed.

  Next, in steps w16 to w17, the mediation device control unit 303 determines the status data based on the management command determined by the management command analysis unit 302 to acquire the status data stored in the status data storage unit 317. Status data is acquired from the storage unit 317.

  Next, in step w18, the acquired state data is transferred to the management command response transmission function unit 305.

  Next, in steps w19 to w22, the management apparatus 105 receives the status data stored in the status data storage unit 317 and transmits a response signal “OK” to the management command reception function unit 300. Each unit described above is realized by program processing of the CPU.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the status data of the image forming apparatus 100 is accumulated in the status data storage unit 317 in addition to the remote management of the image forming apparatus of the above-described embodiment, past image formation is performed. Data such as the history of the device 100 can be quickly acquired.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus management system of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a firewall. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an intermediary device in the image forming apparatus management system of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a management apparatus in an image forming apparatus management system of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the holding | maintenance form of the command hold | maintained at a request queue transmission waiting part and a request queue reply waiting part. It is a figure which shows an example of the format of a management command. It is a figure which shows an example of the communication procedure of transmission of the management command from a management apparatus to a mediation apparatus, and the response reception in a management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the communication procedure of transmission of the management command from a management apparatus to a mediation apparatus, and the response reception in a management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the communication procedure of transmission of the management command from a management apparatus to a mediation apparatus, and the response reception in a management apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication procedure for transmitting a management command from the management apparatus to the image forming apparatus and receiving a response in the management apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication procedure for transmitting a management command from the management apparatus to the image forming apparatus and receiving a response in the management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the communication procedure of transmission of the management command in a management apparatus, and reception of a response. It is a figure which shows an example of the management command used for the communication procedure of FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an automatic generation procedure of a list of image forming apparatuses to be monitored in the mediating apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for changing a connection start interval of an image forming apparatus to be monitored in an intermediary apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication procedure for acquiring state data of an image forming apparatus accumulated in a mediating apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Mediation apparatus 102 Local network 103 Firewall 104 Internet 105 Management apparatus 200 Router 201 HTTP_PROXY
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 300 Management command reception function part 301 Request matrix holding part 302 Management command analysis part 303 Mediation apparatus control part 304 To image forming apparatus communication function part 305 Management command response transmission function part 306 Timer 307 Image forming apparatus search part 308 Monitoring object apparatus list part 309 Image forming apparatus state monitoring unit 310 Device message receiving unit 311 Message analysis and execution unit 312 HDD
313 System control unit 314 NV-RAM
315 Image creation engine unit 316 Transport control unit 317 Status data storage unit 400 Management application unit 401 Request management unit 402 Request queue transmission waiting unit 403 Intermediary device communication function unit 404 Request queue reply waiting unit 600 Command entry format 601 Command entry example 1100 Sensor (toner density)
1300 Command confirmation (HTTP) example 1301 Command transmission (HTTP) example 1302 Command response (HTTP) example

Claims (17)

An intermediary device connected to one or a plurality of image forming devices in a local network provided with a firewall,
Management for starting a connection with a management apparatus that remotely manages the image forming apparatus in the local network via the Internet, and receiving a management command transmitted from the management apparatus according to the connection via the firewall A command receiving function unit;
In response to the management command received by the management command receiving function unit, a communication function unit for image forming apparatus that receives status data of the corresponding image forming apparatus;
An intermediary device comprising: a management command response transmission function unit configured to transmit the status data received by the image forming apparatus communication function unit to the management device via the Internet.   2. The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management apparatus executes remote management for each of the image forming apparatuses connected to the mediation apparatus by generating and holding a plurality of management commands corresponding to the mediation apparatus. Intermediary device.   The mediation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a management command analysis unit that analyzes the management command received by the management command reception function unit.   The intermediary device includes a request matrix holding unit that holds the management command received by the management command receiving function unit, and a management command analysis unit that analyzes the management command, and the management command analysis unit includes the request matrix The intermediary device according to claim 1, wherein the management command held in the holding unit is acquired and the management command is analyzed.   The communication function unit for image forming apparatus transmits a device message to the corresponding image forming device based on the management command received by the management command receiving function unit, and the corresponding image as a response result according to the device message. The intermediary device according to claim 1, wherein the status data of the forming device is received.   The intermediary device includes a state data storage unit that stores state data for each of the image forming apparatuses, and the management command response transmission function unit is stored in the state data storage unit based on the received management command. The mediation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein status data of the corresponding image forming apparatus is acquired and the status data is transmitted to the management apparatus.   The intermediary device according to claim 1, wherein the management command response transmission function unit transmits a response signal to the management device when the management command reception function unit receives the management command. An image forming apparatus management system including an intermediary apparatus connected to one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses in a local network provided with a firewall, and a management apparatus that remotely manages the image forming apparatuses in the local network via the Internet In the above, the intermediary device,
A management command receiving function unit for starting a connection with the management device and receiving a management command transmitted from the management device according to the connection via the firewall;
In response to the management command received by the management command receiving function unit, a communication function unit for image forming apparatus that receives status data of the corresponding image forming apparatus;
An image forming apparatus management system comprising: a management command response transmission function unit configured to transmit the status data received by the image forming apparatus communication function unit to the management apparatus via the Internet.   9. The management apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the management apparatus executes remote management for each of the image forming apparatuses connected to the mediation apparatus by generating and holding a plurality of management commands corresponding to the mediation apparatus. Image forming apparatus management system.   The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 8, wherein the mediation apparatus includes a management command analysis unit that analyzes the management command received by the management command reception function unit.   The intermediary device includes a request matrix holding unit that holds the management command received by the management command receiving function unit, and a management command analysis unit that analyzes the management command, and the management command analysis unit includes the request matrix The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 8, wherein the management command held in a holding unit is acquired and the management command is analyzed.   The communication function unit for image forming apparatus transmits a device message to the corresponding image forming device based on the management command received by the management command receiving function unit, and the corresponding image as a response result according to the device message. 9. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 8, wherein the status data of the forming apparatus is received.   The intermediary device includes a state data storage unit that stores state data for each of the image forming apparatuses, and the management command response transmission function unit is stored in the state data storage unit based on the received management command. 9. The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 8, wherein status data of the corresponding image forming apparatus is acquired and the status data is transmitted to the management apparatus.   The image forming apparatus management system according to claim 8, wherein the management command response transmission function unit transmits a response signal to the management apparatus when the management command reception function unit receives the management command. Image forming apparatus management using an intermediary apparatus connected to one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses in a local network provided with a firewall, and a management apparatus for remotely managing the image forming apparatuses in the local network via the Internet In the method, the mediating device comprises:
A management command reception procedure for starting a connection with the management device and receiving a management command transmitted from the management device according to the connection via the firewall;
In response to the management command received in the management command reception procedure, a communication procedure for image forming apparatus that receives status data of the corresponding image forming apparatus;
And a management command response transmission procedure for transmitting the status data received in the communication procedure with the image forming apparatus to the management apparatus via the Internet. The management apparatus using an intermediary apparatus connected to one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses in a local network provided with a firewall, and a management apparatus for remotely managing the image forming apparatuses in the local network via the Internet In order to execute remote management of the image forming apparatus by the computer, the computer provided in the mediating apparatus,
A management command reception procedure for starting a connection with the management device, and receiving a management command transmitted from the management device according to the connection via the firewall;
In response to the management command received in the management command reception procedure, a communication procedure for image forming apparatus that receives status data of the corresponding image forming apparatus;
An image forming apparatus management program for executing a management command response transmission procedure for transmitting the status data received in the communication process with the image forming apparatus to the management apparatus via the Internet. The management apparatus using an intermediary apparatus connected to one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses in a local network provided with a firewall, and a management apparatus for remotely managing the image forming apparatuses in the local network via the Internet In order to execute remote management of the image forming apparatus by the computer, the computer provided in the mediating apparatus,
A management command reception procedure for starting a connection with the management device, and receiving a management command transmitted from the management device according to the connection via the firewall;
In response to the management command received in the management command reception procedure, a communication procedure for image forming apparatus that receives status data of the corresponding image forming apparatus;
A computer-readable recording medium recording an image forming apparatus management program for executing a management command response transmission procedure for transmitting the status data received in the communication process with the image forming apparatus to the management apparatus via the Internet.

Images