JP2002297468A - Management system for equipment on network, management system for network printer and the printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extensively reduce SNMP (MIB access) communication in a management system for equipment on network utilized SNMP. SOLUTION: In a management system for equipment on network, expanded MIB objects (XXXprt Input Changes) are gotten (S1) to store values of the objects (S2). Next, all MIB objects of a paper supply group are gotten (S3), then the gotten information related to paper supply (S4). The information is displayed on a screen (S5) to wait up to an information-update time (S6). When the time has passed, XXXprt Input Changes are gotten (S7). If values of XXXprt Input Changes are the same as the stored values (YES in S8), XXXprt Input Changes are waited for being gotten up to the next information-update time (S6). If the values are different from the stored values (No in S8), described steps are repeated with returning to the step S2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for managing devices on a network, and more particularly, to an SNMP (Simple) system.
The present invention relates to a technique for managing devices on a network using a Network Management Protocol, for example, a technique suitable for managing a network printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art SNMP (Simple Network Management)
Management of devices on a network (information acquisition) using Internet Protocol (IAB)
ard), widely known by the RFC, a document on standards published by

In the prior art, a method of managing devices on a network using SNMP is to repeatedly (in a so-called polling) get a corresponding MIB object at an arbitrary period in order to obtain information that can change the devices. That is being done. Therefore, when there are a plurality of pieces of desired information (changing information), it is necessary to GET the MIB objects corresponding to all the pieces of information, and there is a problem that SNMP communication also increases.

[0004] Such a problem is particularly conspicuous as the amount of desired information (changing information) increases, or when the repetition cycle time is set short in order to grasp the change without delay. In both cases, the communication processing load increases, and a single management station (manager) intends to manage a plurality of agents.

[0005] Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
There is an image forming method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 74132/1990, but this image forming method is to perform exclusive control by setting the device as offline while not accepting a request from another external device while setting is performed from the external device. During this time, the printing process cannot be performed. In addition, since the setting is also exclusively controlled by turning on / off the permission mode flag, when it is attempted to change the setting from a plurality of host devices at the same time, it is generally assumed that printing is performed after reflecting one of the settings. In such a use case, if a different setting request from another host device is interrupted between the completion of the setting and the printing request, there is a problem that an intended printing result may not be obtained.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances. (1) A plurality of responding MIB objects are arbitrarily grouped, and the values of the objects in the group are determined. Is provided with another MIB object that adds a value when there is a change in (2) The stored value of the MIB object that is added when there is a change in the grouped MIB objects is:
It is initialized by turning off or resetting the agent device so that the manager does not make an erroneous judgment when judging whether or not there is a change. (4) Objects can be arbitrarily registered and edited for information required by the agent device to enable efficient management. (5) SNMP A device on a network capable of greatly reducing SNMP (MIB access) communication by preventing a print result from an external device that does not have a print condition setting function from being affected by settings of a device that has previously executed printing. The purpose of this is to provide a management system.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a management station and a device are connected via a network, and a simple network management protocol (SNMP) is used.
, The management station issues a query to the device, and the device responds to the query by M
By notifying an IB (Management Information Base) object, in the device management system on the network in which the management station manages the device, the device divides the MIB object into a predetermined group, and An extended MIB object is provided correspondingly, and when the value of the MIB object changes, the value of the extended MIB object corresponding to the group to which the MIB object belongs is updated. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the management station transmits the extended M
Acquires the value of the IB object and, if the acquired value does not match the previously acquired value, corresponds to the extended MIB object whose acquired value does not match the previously acquired value The method is characterized in that a value of an MIB object in a group to be acquired is acquired, and a previously acquired value is updated with the acquired value.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the device has a nonvolatile extended MIB object nonvolatile storage means for storing the extended MIB object. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the device further comprises a volatile extended MIB object volatile storage means for storing the extended MIB object;
Another extended MIB object that adds a value when the extended MIB object volatile storage means is initialized;
And a nonvolatile extended MIB object nonvolatile storage means for storing the extended MIB object.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the management station transmits the extended M at a predetermined cycle.
Obtain the value of the IB object and / or the other extended MIB object, and if the obtained value does not match the previously obtained value, the obtained value is replaced with the previously obtained value. The method is characterized in that a value of an MIB object in a group corresponding to an extended MIB object that does not match and / or another extended MIB object is obtained, and a previously obtained value is updated with the obtained value. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the MIB objects divided into the predetermined group can be arbitrarily registered and edited.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, the MIB object for the required information is optimized and registered in a group, and the grouped MIB is registered.
MI added when the object changes
Only when the B object is acquired at an arbitrary cycle and compared with the value acquired before, it is determined that the MIB object in the group has changed.
It is characterized by acquiring the value of the IB object and updating the information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network interface for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external device serving as a host, a unit for developing print data from the external device into a print image, a unit for printing out the print image, A printer having means for acquiring and setting print conditions and the like from the external device by SNMP, and the external device for acquiring and setting print conditions and the like for the printer, transmitting print data, and issuing a print command. In the network printer management system, the setting instruction content from the external device is temporarily stored and held, and when the print data is received from the external device, the content is reflected on the network printer. is there.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the eighth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the external devices are provided, a plurality of setting instruction contents are managed for each external device, temporarily stored, and print data is received from the external device. At the time, only the setting instruction content from the same external device is actually reflected.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the manageable setting content reaches the upper limit of the capacity of the storage unit usable for temporary storage, the content already managed is , And a new instruction content is to be managed.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect of the present invention, only the setting contents from the external device registered in advance are to be stored and held.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from a plurality of external devices as a host, a unit for expanding print data from the external device into a print image, and a unit for printing out the print image. A printer having means for acquiring and setting print conditions and the like from the external device by SNMP, and the external device for acquiring and setting print conditions and the like for the printer and transmitting print data and issuing a print command The printer manages a plurality of setting instruction contents from the external device for each external device, temporarily stores and holds the setting instruction content from the same external device when print data is received from the external device. In the network printer management system that reflects the contents, the setting instruction contents for each of the external devices are different from the setting instruction contents for each of the external devices. No default settings stored and held, when printing data received, when there is no the setting instruction contents are stored and held to the requesting said external device,
It is characterized by setting the default setting contents and executing printing.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from a plurality of external devices serving as a host, a unit for developing print data from the external device into a print image, and a unit for printing out the print image. A printer having means for acquiring and setting print conditions and the like from the external device by SNMP, and the external device for acquiring and setting print conditions and the like for the printer and transmitting print data and issuing a print command The printer manages a plurality of setting instruction contents from the external device for each external device, temporarily stores and holds the setting instruction content from the same external device when print data is received from the external device. In the network printer management system that reflects the contents, the setting instruction contents for each of the external devices are different from the setting instruction contents for each of the external devices. No default setting content is stored and held, and when printing is performed, the stored setting instruction content for each external device is actually reflected, and after printing is completed, the default setting content is restored. Features.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in a network printer, a network interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device serving as a host, means for developing print data from the external device into a print image, and printing out the print image Means and SNM for printing conditions, etc.
Means for acquiring and setting from said external device by P,
The content of the setting instruction from the external device is temporarily stored and held, and the content is reflected when print data is received from the external device.

[0021]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a network printer management system showing an embodiment of a device management system on a network according to the present invention.
Is a printer, 3, 4, and 5 are personal computers, 6 is a server, 7
Is a network. FIG. 2 is a main block diagram for explaining one embodiment of the printer shown in FIG.
11 is a network interface, 12 is a power control unit, 13 is an MPU, 14 is a storage unit (non-volatile memory),
15 is a storage unit (control program storage memory), 16 is a print engine interface, 17 is a print engine, 1
8 is a storage unit (working memory), 19 is a timer, 20 is an operation panel interface, 21 is an operation panel, and 22 is an internal bus.

The printers (printing apparatuses) 1 and 2 are connected to the network 7 via the network interface 11 and exchange data with external devices. If the data is print data, the control program storage memory 15
Is a network printer whose main functions are to develop this in a print image frame memory by a control program stored in the printer engine, transfer a print image to a print engine 17 through a print engine interface 16, and print out.

The printers 1 and 2 are additionally provided with an SNM
An SNMP agent function is provided so that the setting can be performed by the P, and required setting information is managed as an MIB. When a request for acquisition / setting (GET, GETNEXT / SET) of an MIB object is received from the SNMP manager, Respond to this. In the printer of the present embodiment, conditions required for printing (number of copies, paper size, etc.) are extended MIBs (1.3.6.1.4.
This is an example in which an object is defined in (1) the object represented by the object identifier). Setting of printing conditions from a certain external device (host) is performed by a SET request to the corresponding MIB object.
Upon receiving these requests, the apparatus temporarily stores the contents in the storage unit for each external apparatus, and reflects the setting contents of the requesting external apparatus in the actual settings when the print request is received.

FIG. 3 shows a MIB of a printer in the network printer management system shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an object. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the MIB object of the printer in the network printer management system shown in FIG. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an extended MIB object of a printer in the network printer management system shown in FIG.

In the Printer MIB, objects corresponding to various types of information relating to the printer are defined, and a paper feed unit, a paper discharge unit, a cover, and the like are also grouped. In one example, this group is diverted as it is, and if any one of the values of the objects in the group changes, the value that increases (updates) the value is expanded M
Defined as an IB object. Taking a paper feed unit as an example, it is composed of objects as shown in FIG. Further, in a case where the object to which the management station should update the information in accordance with the change is fixed, a case where the information is grouped as shown in FIG. 4 may be considered.

The definition of these groupings is arbitrary.
The group is defined so that efficient communication can be expected in consideration of the processing of the corresponding management station regardless of the group in the Printer MIB. FIG. 5 shows an example of an extended MIB object definition that increases (updates) the value when the value of an object in the group changes. A plurality of groups may be defined. If a plurality of groups are defined, if the value of an object in the group changes in the extended MIB accordingly, an object for increasing the value is defined for each group. .

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining an embodiment of the operation of the management station in the network printer management system shown in FIG. First, XXXprtInputChanges is GET (S1), and the value of XXXprtInputChanges is stored (S2). next,
GET all the objects in the paper feed group (S3),
The GET-related sheet-related information is stored (S4). The information is displayed on the screen (S5), and waits until the information update time (S6).
When the information update time comes, GET of XXXprtInputChanges is performed (S7). That XXXprtInputChanges remembers
If it is the same as XXXprtInputChanges (YES in S8), the process waits until the next information update time (S6). Remember XXXprt
If it is different from InputChanges (does not match) (NO in S8), the process returns to step S2 to return to XXXprtInputChang.
es is stored (S2), all the objects of the paper feed group are GET (S3), and the GET-related paper feed related information is stored (S4).

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 assumes a case where the information of the above-mentioned paper-feeding-related group is displayed on a screen. The management station checks the change at an arbitrary cycle set in advance, and GETs the objects in the group only when it is determined that the change has occurred.

(Claim 3) An extension M for increasing (updating) the value when the value of the object in the group changes.
The storage unit for managing (storing) the objects of the IB in the agent device is not particularly defined in the invention of claim 1, but when a volatile memory such as a DRAM is adopted as the storage means, the power of the device itself is turned off. Or reset causes the value to be initialized. Depending on the interval at which the management station (manager) periodically checks the value, the presence or absence of a change may not be correctly determined. However, the use of a nonvolatile memory such as an NV-RAM solves the problem.

FIG. 7 shows a printer extension M in the network printer management system shown in FIG.
It is a figure showing other examples of an IB object. When a plurality of groups are defined and operated according to the method of the present invention, an object that increases (updates) the value of an object in the group when the value of the object in the group changes according to the number of groups is required. As in the third aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that all of these are managed (stored) by a non-volatile storage unit. However, there may be a case where the resources of the non-volatile storage unit are insufficient in terms of the configuration and cost of the apparatus. . In such a case, when the value of an object in the group changes, the object whose value is to be increased is managed by a volatile storage means, and another object which increases the value when these values are initialized is stored. An extended MIB is defined (see FIG. 7), and only this is managed by a non-volatile storage unit. This value is realized by increasing the value when the agent function is activated by reset or power ON.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining another embodiment of the operation of the management station in the network printer management system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a processing example of the manager). First, XXXChang
GET esChanges (S11) and its XXXChangesChang
The value of es is stored (S12). Then, XXXprtInputChang
es is GET (S13), and the value of XXXprtInputChanges is stored (S14). Next, all the objects of the paper feed group are GET (S15), and the GET-related paper feed related information is stored (S16). The information is displayed on the screen (S1
7) Wait until the information update time (S18).

When the information update time comes, XXXChangesChange
s is obtained (S19). The XXXChangesChanges,
If it is the same as the stored XXXChangesChanges (S20
YES), GET XXXprtInputChanges (S2
1). XXXprt that the XXXprtInputChanges remembers
If it is the same as InputChanges (YES in S22), the process waits until the next information update time (S18). In step S20, if it is different from the stored XXXChangesChanges (S
20), the process returns to step S12 and repeats the above steps. In step S22, the stored XXXp
If it is different from rtInputChanges (does not match) (S2
(NO in 2), returning to step S14 and repeating the above steps.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the information of the paper feed related group is displayed on the screen. The management station checks the change at an arbitrary cycle, and only obtains an object in the group when it determines that the change has occurred.

(Claim 6) In the inventions according to claims 1 and 2, if the grouping of MIB objects is determined in advance, information acquisition processing can be performed only based on the grouping. Therefore, the invention of claim 6 makes it possible to arbitrarily register and edit a plurality of MIB objects to be grouped.

Prin defined in RFC1759
The following describes an example in which a terMIB and an extended MIB arbitrarily defined by a vendor are adopted (the extended MIB is described in 1.3.6.1.4.
The part represented by the object identifier of 1.xxx.yy). FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a definition example of an MIB object mounted on a device serving as an agent such as a printer.
The definition example indicates that chkChangesId can be registered for grouping in a two-dimensional table as shown in Table 1. (N1,
n2 is an arbitrary numerical value, and is defined in consideration of the scale of grouping. The chkChangesId is an instance of a MIB object or a table or the like that is desired to be an element of the group. A group in which up to n2 components are allowed is n
This means that up to one can be defined.

[0036]

[Table 1]

Further, each channel is represented by a one-dimensional table as shown in Table 2.
It indicates that there is a counter called chkChangesCount corresponding to each kChangesGroupIndex.

[0038]

[Table 2]

In an agent that implements an MIB object, for example, in a table for grouping as shown in Table 1, the chkChangesId is NULL for all entries as an initial value. When writing here,
It is determined that a group is defined for each of the same chkChangesGroupIndex. Then, when there is a change in the value of the MIB object or the object below the table indicated by the chkChangesId configured (contains a value) for each group, chkChangesCoun for the same chkChangesGroupIndex shown in Table 2
Add the value of t.

(Claim 7) In the manager apparatus according to the invention of claim 6, a plurality of MIB objects or tables whose change is to be detected are registered in the group definition table of Table 1 in consideration of efficiency. Normally chkChangesCo in Table 2
Only the unt is monitored, and if the value has changed, the object in the group corresponding to the change has changed. Therefore, the contents of the individual MIB objects constituting the group or the objects below the table are acquired and the information is updated. .

(Claim 8) A printer according to claim 8, wherein the printer is connected to a network via a network interface to exchange data with a host device which is an external device. The printer has a network printer whose main functions are to develop it in a print image memory by a control program stored in the printer engine, transfer a print image to a print engine through a print engine interface, and print out. In addition to this, an SNMP agent function is provided to enable setting by SNMP, and necessary setting information is managed as an MIB object. Acquisition / setting of the MIB object from the SNMP manager (GET, GET NEXT / SE
T) If requested, respond to this. In the printer according to the present embodiment, objects necessary for printing (number of copies, paper size, etc.) are defined in an extended MIB arbitrarily defined by a vendor and are used.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the setting of printing conditions from a certain host device is performed by a SET request to the MIB object of the corresponding printer. When the printer receives these requests, it temporarily stores the contents in the storage unit. Then, when the print request is received, the content is reflected in the actual setting.

(Claim 9) In the invention of claim 9, according to the invention of claim 8, a plurality of host devices are provided, and when the content of the setting request by the host device is temporarily stored in the storage unit, the request source host device is The information is stored in association with information to be specified (for example, a MAC address extracted from a communication packet at the time of request). At the time when the print request is received, the request source host device is similarly specified, and if the content of the setting request associated with the specified host device is stored, the content is reflected in the actual setting. Then, when the upper limit of the capacity available for temporary storage is reached, a failure is notified to a new setting request, so that the host device can know the state.

(Claim 10) When the invention of claim 9 operates, a request is received from a plurality of host devices, the capacity of the storage unit available for temporary storage is reached, and a new setting request is issued. When the information is received, for example, the last request reception time for each host device is also stored at the time of storage, the information associated with the host having the oldest reception time is deleted, and new setting contents are stored. The capacity for temporary storage is sufficiently secured, but the capacity calculated from the capacity required to store all printing conditions and the upper limit of the number of host devices is the upper limit of the capacity of the storage unit that can be used for temporary storage. If it exceeds, the operation described above is performed.

(Claim 11) When the operation of the invention of claim 9 is performed, only the host device which is registered in advance when storing and storing is targeted. The registration of the host device may be performed by an input from the operation panel, or the MIB object for registration itself is prepared.
The request may be made by SNMP. The upper limit of the host device that can be registered is calculated and set based on the capacity of the storage unit that can be used for temporary storage and the capacity required to store all printing conditions.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the setting of printing conditions is performed by a certain host (external device) by a SET request to the MIB object. Upon receiving these requests, the printer temporarily stores the contents in a storage unit for each host. Then, when the print request is received, the setting contents of the request source host are reflected in the actual settings.
In addition, this printer, apart from the setting instruction contents for each host,
Stores default settings that are not related to the host. When receiving print data, if there is a check to determine whether there is a setting instruction stored and held for the requesting host, set it to that instruction; otherwise, set it to the default setting And execute printing.

(Claim 13) The printer according to the invention of claim 13 stores and holds default setting contents irrespective of the host, separately from the setting instruction contents for each host (external device). At the time of receiving the print data, if there is a check as to whether or not there is a setting instruction content stored and held for the requesting host, the instruction content is set and the printing is executed.
When printing is completed, the setting is returned to the default setting contents. If there is no setting instruction content stored and held for the requesting host at the time of receiving the print data, the setting is executed as it is.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, a printer is connected to a network via a network interface to exchange data with a host device as an external device. If the data is print data, the program storage memory The main function is to develop this in a print image memory by a control program stored in the print engine, transfer a print image to a print engine through a print engine interface, and print out. The setting instruction content of the printer received from the host device is temporarily stored and held, and when the print data is received from the host device, the setting instruction content is reflected.

[0049]

(1) Effects of the Inventions of Claims 1 and 2 A plurality of responding MIB objects are arbitrarily divided into groups, and the values are added (updated) when the values of the objects in the groups change. Since there is another MIB object, SNMP (MIB access) communication can be greatly reduced, and efficient operation can be achieved.

(2) Effects on the Invention of Claim 3 When there is a change in the MIB objects grouped in the invention of Claims 1 and 2, the MIB objects that are added (updated) are stored and managed. If the storage means is volatile, this value is initialized due to power-off or reset of the agent device, and the manager may make an erroneous determination when determining whether or not there is a change. According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the storage means is non-volatile, the storage value is not initialized, and the manager does not make a mistake in determination.

(3) Effects of the Inventions of Claims 4 and 5 MIB objects that are added (updated) when there is a change in the MIB objects grouped in claim 3 are stored in nonvolatile storage means. And manage,
If there is a lot of desired information and there are a plurality of groups, an MIB object that detects a change for each group is necessary.
Due to the cost and the configuration of the apparatus, there is a possibility that a problem occurs that the resources of the non-volatile storage means become insufficient. According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the MIB objects that are added (updated) when there is a change in the grouped MIB objects are stored and managed in the volatile storage unit, and the volatile objects are stored in the volatile storage unit. By storing and managing another MIB object that is added (updated) when the storage unit is initialized in the non-volatile storage unit, the above-described problem can be solved.

(4) Effects of the Inventions of Claims 6 and 7 In a device management system on a network, more efficient management is achieved by optimizing and registering objects for information required by a management agent into groups. It becomes possible.

(5) Effects of the Inventions of Claims 8 and 14 Setting contents from the host device are temporarily stored and held, and when print data is received from the host device, the contents are reflected on the printer. Accordingly, it is possible to perform a printing process from another host device even while the setting is being performed from the host device.

(6) Effect of the invention of claim 9 In the invention of claim 8, when setting is performed from a certain host device and printing is performed after reflecting the setting, from the completion of the setting to the print request Thus, even if a different setting request from another host device is interrupted, it is possible to perform printing reflecting the setting request from the other host device.

(7) Effects of the invention of claim 10 In the invention of claim 8, when the settable contents that can be managed reach the upper limit of the capacity of the storage unit that can be used for temporary storage, the contents already managed are 10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein any one of the host devices is deleted, and a new instruction content is set as a management target, so long as the number of host devices simultaneously used does not exceed the upper limit.
It is possible to obtain the same effect as the effect of the present invention.

(8) Advantageous Effects of the Invention of Claim 11 By setting only the contents of settings from the host device registered in advance as objects to be stored, the cost for temporary storage can be reduced. Further, it is possible to surely obtain the same effect as the ninth aspect of the present invention.

(9) Effect of the Invention of Claim 12 In order for the printer to print the print data from the host device and obtain a desired print result, it is premised that the printer has transmitted the setting contents in advance. According to the invention of item 12, S
This solves the problem that the print result from the host device that does not have the print condition setting function by NMP is affected by the setting of the previously executed print, and the print condition setting by SNMP is not performed, or the setting contents are not changed. It is possible to maintain a certain quality even for a print result from a host device that is not a storage target.

(10) Effects of the Invention of Claim 13 According to the invention of claim 13, if there is a change in the condition setting that requires time due to, for example, a mechanical operation of the printer, the change of the condition setting must be performed in advance. Since the default settings are restored after the previous printing, when printing is performed with the default settings next, the printing completion time can be shortened as compared with the network printer management system according to the twelfth aspect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a network printer management system showing an embodiment of a device management system on a network according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a main part block diagram for explaining an embodiment of the printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a MIB object of a printer in the network printer management system illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the MIB object of the printer in the network printer management system shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing an example of an extended MIB object of a printer in the network printer management system shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an embodiment of the operation of the management station in the network printer management system shown in FIG.

7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the extended MIB object of the printer in the network printer management system illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining another embodiment of the operation of the management station in the network printer management system shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a definition example of an MIB object mounted on a network printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2, printer, 3, 4, 5 personal computer, 6 server, 7 network, 11 network interface, 12 power control unit, 13 MPU, 14 storage unit (non-volatile memory), 15 storage Section (control program storage memory), 16 print engine interface,
17 print engine, 18 storage unit (work memory),
19: timer, 20: operation panel interface, 21: operation panel, 22: internal bus.

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A management station and a device are connected via a network, and an SNMP (Simple Network Manag.
The management station issues an inquiry to the device using an ement protocol, and the device responds to the inquiry by using the Management Information Base (MIB).
e) In the device management system on the network in which the management station manages the devices by notifying the objects, the devices are provided in such a manner that MIB objects are divided into predetermined groups and corresponding to the respective groups. The extended MIB object
A management system for devices on a network, wherein when a value of an object changes, the value of an extended MIB object corresponding to a group to which the MIB object belongs is updated. 2. The management system for devices on a network according to claim 1, wherein the management station acquires a value of the extended MIB object at a predetermined cycle.
If the obtained value does not match the previously obtained value, the value of the MIB object in the group corresponding to the extended MIB object whose obtained value does not match the previously obtained value And updating the previously acquired value with the acquired value. 3. The management system for devices on a network according to claim 1, wherein the device is a nonvolatile extended MIB that stores the extended MIB object.
A management system for a device on a network, comprising an object nonvolatile storage unit. 4. The management system for devices on a network according to claim 1, wherein the devices are connected to the extended MIB.
Volatile extended MIB object volatile storage means for storing an object, and another extended M for adding a value when the extended MIB object volatile storage means is initialized
A management system for a device on a network, comprising: an IB object; and a non-volatile extended MIB object nonvolatile storage unit that stores the extended MIB object. 5. The management system for devices on a network according to claim 4, wherein the management station acquires a value of the extended MIB object and / or the other extended MIB object at a predetermined cycle, and acquires the value. If the obtained value does not match the previously obtained value, the extended MIB object and / or other extension M in which the obtained value does not match the previously obtained value
A management system for devices on a network, wherein a value of an MIB object in a group corresponding to an IB object is obtained and a previously obtained value is updated with the obtained value. 6. The management system for devices on a network according to claim 1, wherein the MIB objects divided into the predetermined group can be arbitrarily registered and edited. Equipment management system. 7. The management system for devices on a network according to claim 6, wherein the MI for the required information is
By optimizing the B object and registering it as a group, an MIB object that is added when there is a change in the grouped MIB object is obtained at an arbitrary cycle, and is compared with a previously obtained value. A management system for devices on a network, wherein a value of an MIB object in a group is acquired and information is updated only when it is determined that a MIB object in the group has changed. 8. A network interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device serving as a host, means for developing print data from the external device into a print image, means for printing out the print image,
A network printer management system comprising a printer having means for obtaining and setting from the external device by the MP, and obtaining and setting printing conditions and the like for the printer, and transmitting the print data and issuing a print command; 3. The network printer management system according to claim 1, wherein the content of the setting instruction from said external device is temporarily stored and stored, and when the print data is received from said external device, the content is reflected on said network printer. 9. The network printer management system according to claim 8, comprising a plurality of said external devices, managing a plurality of setting instructions for each of the external devices, temporarily storing, and receiving print data from said external device. A network printer management system wherein only a setting instruction content from the same external device is actually reflected at a point in time. 10. The network printer management system according to claim 9, wherein when the settable contents that can be managed reach the upper limit of the capacity of the storage unit that can be used for temporary storage, the contents already managed are included. A network printer management system characterized in that an arbitrary item is deleted from the list and a new instruction content is managed. 11. The network printer management system according to claim 9, wherein only the setting contents from the external device registered in advance are to be stored and held. 12. A network interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from a plurality of external devices serving as a host, a unit for expanding print data from the external device into a print image, a unit for printing out the print image, a print condition, and the like. A printer provided with means for acquiring and setting from the external device by SNMP, and the external device for acquiring and setting print conditions and the like for the printer, transmitting print data and issuing a print command, and Is a network that manages a plurality of setting instructions from the external device for each external device, temporarily stores and holds the setting instructions, and reflects the setting instruction from the same external device when print data is received from the external device. In the printer management system, apart from the setting instruction content for each of the external devices, a default When the setting contents are stored and held, and when there is no setting instruction content stored and held for the requesting external device at the time of receiving the print data, it is set to the default setting contents and the printing is executed. Characterized network printer management system. 13. A network interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from a plurality of external devices as a host, a unit for developing print data from the external device into a print image, a unit for printing out the print image, a print condition, and the like. A printer provided with means for acquiring and setting from the external device by SNMP, and the external device for acquiring and setting print conditions and the like for the printer, transmitting print data and issuing a print command, and Is a network that manages a plurality of setting instructions from the external device for each external device, temporarily stores and holds the setting instructions, and reflects the setting instruction from the same external device when print data is received from the external device. In the printer management system, apart from the setting instruction content for each of the external devices, a default The setting contents are stored and held, and when the printing is performed, the setting instruction contents for each of the external devices stored and held are actually reflected, and after the printing is completed, the setting contents are returned to the default setting contents. Network printer management system. 14. A network interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device serving as a host, a unit for expanding print data from the external device into a print image, a unit for printing out the print image, and printing conditions and the like.
Means for obtaining and setting from the external device by NMP, temporarily storing and holding the setting instruction content from the external device, and reflecting the content when print data is received from the external device. And a network printer.