JP2017079031A - Apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the safety on acquisition of information from apparatuses when a seller or the like of the apparatuses collects information on each apparatus used in offices or the like in an integrated manner.SOLUTION: Each of some apparatuses of a plurality of apparatuses that are connected with each other via a network includes: an acquisition unit 121 that obtains apparatus information from each of the plurality of apparatuses, and stores the acquired apparatus information in an information storage unit 123; and an output unit 122 that outputs information output by the acquisition unit to an information processing device directly connected to the apparatus via communication by cable or radio or an external storage medium connected to the apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program.

  Information regarding each device used in an office or the like (for example, the state of consumables, etc., hereinafter referred to as “device information”) is collected by a seller of the device in a unified manner. The collected device information is used for, for example, providing a continuous service to a user (for example, replenishment of consumables).

  When such device information is individually collected from each device, the work cost of a worker such as a customer engineer is greatly increased. Thus, it is conceivable that each device uploads device information to a server device managed by the seller. A server device managed by a seller is usually installed in an external environment such as an office where a user uses a device. Therefore, in this method, it is necessary to directly connect each device to an external network such as the Internet. However, from the viewpoint of security, there are users who have resistance to connecting the device to the external network.

  Therefore, a method is conceivable in which a client device managed by a seller is installed in a user's office or the like, and the client device collects device information of each device and uploads it to the server device.

  However, there is a user who shows resistance from the viewpoint of security that a client device owned by an external person (here, a seller) is connected to the network in the office.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to improve safety related to acquisition of information from a device.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, some devices among a plurality of devices connected to each other via a network acquire an information on the device from each of the plurality of devices, And an output unit that outputs the information acquired by the acquisition unit by a predetermined method.

  Safety related to acquisition of information from the device can be improved.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information processing system in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the representative machine in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the representative machine in a 1st Embodiment, and a non-representative machine. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the setting method to each apparatus. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the setting method to each apparatus. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the 1st example of the process sequence of the collection process of the apparatus information in 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the 2nd example of the process sequence of the collection process of the apparatus information in 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating an example of the process sequence of the output process of the apparatus information in 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating an example of the process sequence of the output process of the apparatus information in 2nd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating an example of the process sequence of the output process of the apparatus information in 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes a plurality of devices such as devices 10 a to 10 f (hereinafter referred to as “device 10” when not distinguished from each other). Each device 10 is connected to be communicable with each other via a network N1 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) in the user environment. The user environment refers to a space where the user uses the device 10. For example, when the device 10 is used in a company, an office or a building is an example of a user environment. Further, when the device 10 is used in a school, a school building or the like is an example of a user environment.

  The device 10 is an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine, a copier, or a multifunction machine. However, other types of devices such as a projector, an electronic blackboard, or a video conference system may be mixed in the information processing system 1 as the device 10. Each device 10 is basically used for a purpose corresponding to each function. For example, each device 10 is used for a purpose corresponding to a function unique to each device, such as printing, copying, or fax transmission / reception.

  On the other hand, each device 10 has a function for aggregating information related to each device 10 (hereinafter referred to as “device information”) with respect to any one of the plurality of devices 10. In the present embodiment, the one device 10 is referred to as a “representative machine”. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the device 10a is a representative machine. Devices 10 other than the representative machine 10a are referred to as “non-representative machines 10x”. In the present embodiment, the devices 10b to 10f are non-representative machines 10x. For example, the device 10 having a higher hardware specification than the other devices 10 may be selected as the representative machine.

  The representative device 10a collects device information from each device 10 (representative device 10a and each non-representative device 10x), and outputs the collected device information by a predetermined method. The output device information is used, for example, by a seller (such as a store or a sales company) who sells the device 10 to the user to continuously provide the service to the user.

  The device information is information that can be different for each device 10. For example, the setting information, information that changes according to use or operation of the device 10, or information that indicates various states of the device 10 may be included in the device information. The information that changes according to the use or operation of the device 10 is, for example, a counter value. The counter is, for example, a cumulative value such as the number of printed sheets, and the count target varies depending on the function of the device 10. Further, the information indicating various states of the device 10 is information indicating the consumption states of consumables used by the device 10, for example. Examples of consumables include toner and printing paper.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the representative machine according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, the representative machine 10a includes hardware such as a controller 11, a scanner 12, a printer 13, a modem 14, an operation panel 15, a network interface 16, and a memory device interface 17.

  The controller 11 includes a CPU 111, a RAM 112, a ROM 113, an HDD 114, an NVRAM 115, and the like. The ROM 113 stores various programs and data used by the programs. The RAM 112 is used as a storage area for loading a program, a work area for the loaded program, and the like. The CPU 111 realizes various functions by processing a program loaded in the RAM 112. The HDD 114 stores a program and various data used by the program. The NVRAM 115 stores various setting information and the like.

  The scanner 12 is hardware (image reading means) for reading image data from a document. The printer 13 is hardware (printing means) for printing print data on printing paper. The modem 14 is hardware for connecting to a telephone line, and is used to execute transmission / reception of image data by FAX communication. The operation panel 15 is hardware including input means such as buttons for accepting input from the user, display means such as a liquid crystal panel, and the like. The liquid crystal panel may have a touch panel function. In this case, the liquid crystal panel also functions as an input unit. The network interface 16 is hardware for connecting to a network such as a LAN (whether wired or wireless). The memory device interface 17 is an interface for connecting the external storage medium 80. The external storage medium 80 is, for example, an SD card, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a CD, or a DVD.

  The non-representative machine 10x may also have the same hardware configuration as that in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a representative machine and a non-representative machine in the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the representative machine 10a includes an information acquisition unit 121, an information output unit 122, and the like. Each of these units is realized by processing that one or more programs installed in the representative machine 10a cause the CPU 111 to execute. The representative machine 10a also uses the information storage unit 123. The information storage unit 123 can be realized using, for example, the HDD 114 or a storage device that can be connected to the representative machine 10a via a network.

  The information acquisition unit 121 acquires device information from each device 10. The information acquisition unit 121 stores the acquired device information in the information storage unit 123. The information output unit 122 outputs the device information stored in the information storage unit 123 by a predetermined method. In the first embodiment, device information is output (transmitted) to an information processing apparatus that is directly connected to the representative machine 10a via wired or wireless communication. Examples of such an information processing apparatus include smart devices such as notebook PCs, tablet terminals, and smartphones.

  An example of a wired network is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. As an example of a wireless network, a wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or infrared communication, and the like can be given.

  According to such an output form, not only the non-representative machine 10x but also the representative machine 10a can transmit device information to the seller without being connected to a network outside the user environment.

  On the other hand, the non-representative machine 10x includes an information transmission unit 131. The information transmission unit 131 is realized by a process in which one or more programs installed in the non-representative machine 10x are executed by the CPU of the non-representative machine 10x. The information transmission unit 131 transmits device information to the information acquisition unit 121 of the representative machine 10a.

  An example of a setting method for causing each device 10 to function as the representative machine 10a or the non-representative machine 10x as illustrated in FIG. 3 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a setting method for each device. FIG. 4 shows an example in which a representative machine program is installed in the representative machine 10a, and a non-representative machine program is installed in the non-representative machine 10x. The program for the representative machine is a program that causes the device 10 to function as the information acquisition unit 121 and the information output unit 122. The program for the non-representative machine is a program that causes the device 10 to function as the information transmission unit 131. That is, FIG. 4 is an example in which whether the device 10 is a representative device or a non-representative device is determined by a program installed in the device 10.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a setting method for each device. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the representative machine 10a is set as a representative machine after a common program is installed for each device. In other words, the program functions as the information acquisition unit 121 and the information output unit 122 for the device 10 set as the representative machine, and the information transmission unit 131 for the device 10 for which the setting is not performed. To function as. The non-representative machine 10x may be set as a non-representative machine.

  4 and 5 show an example in which the program is installed in each device 10 from a PC via a network. However, a memory device (external storage medium 80) such as an SD card or a USB memory is shown. The program may be installed from.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure executed in the information processing system 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining a first example of a processing procedure of device information collection processing according to the first embodiment.

  When the preset time arrives, the information acquisition unit 121 of the representative machine 10a transmits a device information notification request to the non-representative machines 10x all at once (S101 to S103). The transmission of the notification request may be realized by broadcasting. In FIG. 6, for convenience, the devices 10 b to 10 d are shown as the non-representative machine 10 x, but similarly, a device information notification request is transmitted for the devices 10 e and 10 f.

  Upon receiving the device information notification request, the information transmission unit 131 of each non-representative device 10x acquires or collects device information from each device 10 and transmits the device information to the representative device 10a (S104 to S104). S106).

  The information acquisition unit 121 of the representative machine 10a stores the received device information in the information storage unit 123 (S107). In addition, the information acquisition unit 121 acquires or collects device information of the representative machine 10 a itself, and stores the device information in the information storage unit 123.

  According to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6, the device information of each device 10 can be collected in a lump.

  Note that the time set as the transmission timing of the device information notification request may be regular or a specific date and time. Alternatively, the device information notification request may be transmitted at a timing when an instruction is manually input by the user.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for explaining a second example of the processing procedure of the device information collection processing according to the first embodiment.

  When the preset time arrives, the information acquisition unit 121 of the representative machine 10a transmits a device information notification request to the non-representative machine 10x that is set as the acquisition target of the device information regarding the time (S111). ). Upon receiving the device information notification request, the information transmission unit 131 of the non-representative machine 10x acquires or collects device information from the non-representative machine 10x and transmits the device information to the representative machine 10a ( S112). The information acquisition unit 121 of the representative machine 10a stores the received device information in the information storage unit 123 (S113).

  Subsequently, the same processing as steps S111 to S113 is executed in series with respect to the other non-representative machine 10x (S114 to S119).

  In addition, the information acquisition unit 121 of the representative machine 10a acquires or collects device information of the representative machine 10a itself, and stores the device information in the information storage unit 123.

  Similar to FIG. 6, the transmission of the device information notification request may be performed in response to a user's manual instruction input.

  According to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 7, device information from each device 10 can be acquired at different timings.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a processing procedure of device information output processing according to the first embodiment. It is assumed that the processing procedure described in FIG. 6 or 7 has already been performed once or more at the start of FIG.

  When the information output unit 122 of the representative machine 10a receives a connection request from the information processing apparatus via wired communication or wireless communication (S201), the information output unit 122 responds to permit connection (S202). The information processing apparatus is, for example, an information processing apparatus brought by a service person of the seller of the device 10.

  The information output unit 122 may display a screen for requesting input of authentication information (hereinafter referred to as “authentication screen”) on the operation panel 15 of the representative machine 10a in response to reception of the connection request. The information output unit 122 may respond to permission of connection when correct authentication information (such as a password or a personal identification number) is input to the authentication screen. In other words, when correct authentication information is not input to the authentication screen, the information output unit 122 does not need to perform subsequent processing in response to connection rejection. The correct authentication information is, for example, authentication information stored in advance in a representative machine 10a or a computer that can be connected to the representative machine 10a via a network as authentication information to be input when device information is output.

  Subsequently, when the information output unit 122 receives a device information acquisition request from the information processing device that has received the connection permission response (S203), the information output unit 122 displays the device information stored in the information storage unit 123 as the information processing device. (S204). Note that the information output unit 122 may display a screen on the operation panel 15 of the representative machine 10a for accepting an input of conditions for the device information to be transmitted in response to reception of the device information acquisition request. The information output unit 122 may transmit device information that matches a condition input via the screen to the information processing apparatus. Alternatively, the condition may be specified in the device information acquisition request in step S203. The conditions include, for example, designation of the type of device information (setting information, status information, counter, etc.), designation of a period for the time when the device information is acquired, and the like. In addition to the specification of the condition, the data format in which the device information is transmitted (output) may be specified.

  Subsequently, when the information output unit 122 receives a connection termination request from the information processing apparatus (S205), the information output unit 122 terminates the connection with the information processing apparatus (S206).

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, acquisition of device information from each device 10 is performed by any device 10 (representative machine 10a) selected from each device 10. The device information is output from the representative machine 10a to the information processing apparatus directly connected to the representative machine 10a.

  Therefore, it is possible to reduce the necessity of installing a dedicated device for collecting device information from each device 10 in the user environment. Further, it is possible to reduce the necessity for each device 10 to be directly connected to an external network. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the safety related to the acquisition of information from the device 10.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. Therefore, points not particularly mentioned may be the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the output destination of device information by the information output unit 122 of the representative machine 10a is different from that of the first embodiment. Specifically, in the second embodiment, device information is output to the external storage medium 80 connected to the representative machine 10a.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a processing procedure of device information output processing according to the second embodiment. Assume that at the start of FIG. 9, the processing procedure described in FIG. 6 or 7 has already been performed once or more.

  When the external storage medium 80 is connected to the representative machine 10a (S211), the information output unit 122 of the representative machine 10a records the device information stored in the information storage unit 123 in the external storage medium 80 ( Transfer) (S212). The external storage medium 80 is, for example, the external storage medium 80 brought by the service person of the seller of the device 10. The connection of the external storage medium 80 to the representative machine 10a means that information can be written to the external storage medium 80 by the representative machine 10a by inserting or connecting the external storage medium 80 to the memory device interface 17. The state that becomes.

  The information output unit 122 may display an authentication screen on the operation panel 15 of the representative machine 10a according to the connection of the external storage medium 80. The information output unit 122 may transfer the device information when correct authentication information is input on the authentication screen. In other words, the information output unit 122 does not need to transfer the device information when correct authentication information is not input to the authentication screen.

  Further, the information output unit 122 may display a screen for accepting an input of conditions for the device information to be transmitted on the operation panel 15 of the representative machine 10a according to the connection of the external storage medium 80. The information output unit 122 may record device information that matches a condition input via the screen in the external storage medium 80. When authentication is performed, the screen may be displayed when a correct password or the like is input to the authentication screen.

  Alternatively, conditions for device information to be transmitted may be stored in the external storage medium 80, and the information output unit 122 may read the conditions from the external storage medium 80.

  Subsequently, the information output unit 122 displays a message indicating the completion of the transfer of the device information and an instruction to disconnect the external storage medium 80 on the operation panel 15 of the representative machine 10a (S213). Subsequently, the external storage medium 80 is disconnected by a user (such as a seller's serviceman) who refers to the message (S214).

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the device information is output from the representative machine 10a to the external storage medium 80 directly connected to the representative machine 10a. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the necessity for each device 10 to be directly connected to an external network. That is, according to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, differences from the first or second embodiment will be described. Accordingly, the points not particularly mentioned may be the same as those in the first or second embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, the output destination of device information by the information output unit 122 of the representative machine 10a is different from that of the first embodiment. Specifically, in the third embodiment, device information is transmitted to a mail address preset in the representative machine 10a.

  FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a processing procedure of device information output processing according to the third embodiment.

  For example, when the preset time arrives, the information output unit 122 of the representative machine 10a generates an e-mail including the device information stored in the information storage unit 123 (S221). The destination address of the electronic mail is a preset mail address. For example, an e-mail address for an external server device used by the seller is set. The conditions for the device information to be transmitted are also set in advance. Note that step S221 may be started in response to a transmission instruction input by the user. In this case, an e-mail address, conditions, etc. may be input along with the transmission instruction.

  Subsequently, the information output unit 122 transmits the generated electronic mail (S222). As a result, the e-mail is transferred to, for example, an external server device used by the seller by a mail server or the like.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the device information is output from the representative machine 10a by sending an e-mail. Here, the e-mail is first received by a mail server in the user environment and transferred from the mail server to an external mail server. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the necessity for each device 10 to be directly connected to an external network. That is, according to the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above description, an example in which one of the plurality of devices 10 is the representative device has been described. However, two or more devices 10 (that is, some devices 10 of the plurality of devices 10) are the representative devices. May be. For example, in the case of a company, a representative machine may be selected for each department, each office, or each building.

  In each of the above embodiments, the information acquisition unit 121 is an example of an acquisition unit. The information output unit 122 is an example of an output unit.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing system 10a-10f Device 10a Representative machine 10x Non-representative machine 11 Controller 12 Scanner 13 Printer 14 Modem 15 Operation panel 16 Network interface 17 Memory device interface 80 External storage medium 111 CPU
112 RAM
113 ROM
114 HDD
115 NVRAM
121 Information Acquisition Unit 122 Information Output Unit 123 Information Storage Unit 131 Information Transmission Unit

JP 2013-98861 A

Claims (9)

A part of a plurality of devices connected to each other via a network,
An acquisition unit that acquires information about the device from each of the plurality of devices;
An output unit for outputting the information acquired by the acquisition unit by a predetermined method;
A device characterized by comprising: The output unit transmits the information output by the acquisition unit to an information processing apparatus directly connected to the device via wired or wireless communication.
The device according to claim 1. The output unit displays a screen requesting input of authentication information in response to the information acquisition request from the information processing device, and when correct authentication information is input to the screen, the information processing device Sending the information,
The device according to claim 2. The output unit records the information acquired by the acquisition unit in an external storage medium connected to the device;
The device according to claim 1. The output unit displays a screen requesting input of authentication information in response to the connection of the external storage medium to the device. When correct authentication information is input to the screen, the information is stored in the external storage medium. Record,
The device according to claim 4. The output unit transmits an e-mail including the information acquired by the acquisition unit;
The device according to claim 1. An information processing system including a plurality of devices connected to each other via a network,
Some of the plurality of devices are
An acquisition unit that acquires information about the device from each of the plurality of devices;
An output unit for outputting the information acquired by the acquisition unit by a predetermined method;
An information processing system comprising: Some of the multiple devices connected to each other via the network
An acquisition procedure for acquiring information about the device from each of the plurality of devices;
An output procedure for outputting the information acquired in the acquisition procedure by a predetermined method;
The information processing method characterized by performing. Some of the devices connected to each other via a network
An acquisition procedure for acquiring information about the device from each of the plurality of devices;
An output procedure for outputting the information acquired in the acquisition procedure by a predetermined method;
A program characterized by having executed.

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