JP4019699B2 - Centralized management system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a centralized management system that centrally manages an operation state of a managed device such as an image forming apparatus using a central management apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There has been proposed an image forming apparatus management system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as printers and copiers are connected to a central control apparatus, and the operation status of the printer and the like is centrally managed by the central control apparatus (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 11 -3005 publication).
[0003]
Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 4-7507 proposes a management system that tabulates the number of printed output sheets for each mode, for each user, and for each user department by connecting a central management device and a printer.
[0004]
In such a centralized management system, the recording management device provided for each printer manages the operation status of each printer and measures the number of output sheets for each category, and communicates from this recording management device to the central management device. The central management device makes it possible to aggregate and understand the operation status.
[0005]
On the other hand, the recording management device can collect supplies such as toner used in the printer, and can automatically report the usage status of the supplies based on the counting results and the statistical values obtained in advance. Some printers are capable of reporting malfunctions that have occurred in the printer. By using such a record management device, it becomes possible for the central management device to grasp the consumption status of supply supplies and whether or not a failure has occurred.
[0006]
This makes it possible, for example, to order relevant supplies before they run out, reducing printer downtime due to missing supplies and preventing them from going down. can do.
[0007]
In addition, this central management device can be connected to a service center server that accepts ordering and maintenance of supplies, for example, using a public line such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. By connecting the equipment to this server, not only can maintenance requests be automated, but it is also possible to automatically receive estimates, etc. when supplies are in short supply, making supply orders and maintenance requests even more efficient Is possible.
[0008]
By the way, when the central management apparatus is provided with a connection port for a public line, there is a possibility that a security problem such as leakage of data collected by the central management apparatus may occur.
[0009]
For this reason, users who do not connect the central management device to the service center may want to connect to the service center server, and from users who connect the central management device to the service center server, Detachment may be desired. In other words, it may be desired to switch between a closed network within the user and a network including a service center server.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the operation of connecting the central management device to the service center server via the public line network, or conversely, disconnecting the central management device from the public line network is limited to the operation between the central management device and the service center server. In addition, all the printers connected to the central management device and various setting changes in the recording management device provided in the printer are required, which requires a great amount of labor and work time.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and when performing centralized management of managed devices by a managed device such as an image forming apparatus and a central management device such as an aggregation server, a network closed within the user, It is an object of the present invention to provide a centralized management system that makes it easy to change according to the purpose of use, such as making it easy to change the network connected to the outside.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an operational status of a plurality of managed devices connected to a central management device. Gather Manage inside In addition, when the central management device is connected to the external management device, information corresponding to the operation status of the managed device can be output to the external management device. A centralized management system, An identification code providing means for providing an identification code that allows the central management device to identify the managed device for each managed device when the central management device is not connected to the external management device; When the central management device is connected to the external management device, the external management device can identify each of the managed devices connected to the central management device, and the identification code assigning means is managed. A device management means for providing an identification code different from the identification code provided for each device via a central management device, and an identification code provided to the managed device provided to the managed device Central management device By the identification code assigning means The identification code assigned to each managed device Whether or not Identification means for identifying whether or not the central management device is connected to the external management device When , The It is characterized by including.
[0013]
According to this invention, When the central management device is not connected to the external management device, the identification code assigning means of the central management device assigns an identification code to each managed device, and the central management device is connected to the external management device In addition, the device management means of the external management apparatus gives an identification code to each managed device. In addition, the identification code given by the identification code giving means is different from the identification code given by the device management means. The identification means provided in the managed device identifies whether or not the central management device is connected to the external management device based on the identification code assigned to the managed device from the central management device. be able to .
[0014]
In this way, by assigning an identification code that is set so that it is clear whether or not the central management device is connected to the external management device via the public network, the central management device Each managed device can easily recognize whether it is connected to a closed network or whether the central management device is connected to an open network connected to an external management device. Easy to change.
[0015]
In the present invention, the identification code to be given to each of the managed devices when the central management device is connected to the external management device is provided to the central management device. In the device management means Requesting ID code request means The Can be included.
[0016]
As a result, when the central management device is connected to the external management device, the identification code assigned to the managed device from the external management device can recognize that the central management device is connected to the external management device. When the device is not connected to the external management device, the managed device may recognize that the central management device is not connected to the external management device from the identification code given from the central management device to the managed device. it can.
[0017]
The present invention also provides ,in front For each managed device , Intermediate management device for connecting the central management device and the managed device The intermediate management device is used as the identification means. And a control unit that controls the operation of the managed device in accordance with the determination result of the identification unit.
[0018]
Thereby, it is possible to accurately control the managed device according to whether or not the central management device is connected to the external management device.
[0019]
Further, according to the present invention, when the identification code is changed, the identification means changed Any device that changes the identification result based on the identification code can be used to easily change from an open network to a closed network, or from a closed network to an open network. be able to.
[0020]
In the present invention, various image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile can be applied as managed devices.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a counting system 10 applied as a centralized management system to the present embodiment.
[0022]
The aggregation system 10 includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 12 such as printers, copiers, and facsimiles as examples of managed devices. Each of the image forming apparatuses 12 forms and outputs a predetermined image on a recording sheet having a size such as A3, A4, B4, and B5. The image forming apparatus 12 may be a so-called multi-function machine having a copier function and a facsimile function.
[0023]
Each of the image forming apparatuses 12 is provided with a recording management apparatus 14 as an intermediate management apparatus. The recording management apparatus 14 performs bidirectional communication with the image forming apparatus 12. Note that the image forming apparatus 12 and the recording management apparatus 14 may be any apparatuses that perform two-way communication using a conventionally known interface.
[0024]
Further, the totaling system 10 is provided with a totaling management host computer (hereinafter referred to as “totaling host 16”) as a central management apparatus. Each of the recording management devices 14 is connected to the aggregation host 16 by various communication means.
[0025]
As the communication means, any one of the wired communication means 18 and the wireless communication means 20 may be used, and different communication means may be used for each intermediate management device 14. Examples of the wired communication means 18 include a LAN 18A, an extension telephone line network 18B, and the like. Examples of the wireless communication means 20 include a wireless telephone line network 20B using a wireless LAN 20A, PHS, etc. However, various known communication methods (connection methods) such as a USB port and an IEEE 1394 port can be applied as long as bidirectional data communication is possible. In any communication system, a conventionally known interface or connection port corresponding to the applied communication system may be provided.
[0026]
In the aggregation system 10, the aggregation network 22 is formed by connecting the aggregation host 16 and the intermediate management device 14 provided in each of the image forming apparatuses 12 in this way. At this time, the aggregation host 16 can perform data communication by specifying the recording management device 14 using a known method such as assigning individual IP addresses to the recording management devices 14. .
[0027]
For example, when the operation mode such as the recording paper size, single color / color, single side / double side, the number of images to be formed on the recording paper (N-up) and the number of output sheets are set, the image forming apparatus 12 forms an image based on the settings. An operation is performed to form and output an image on a predetermined recording sheet. At this time, the recording management device 14 receives the number of recordings for each mode from the image forming device 12. The recording management device 14 counts and stores the number of recordings input from the image forming device 12.
[0028]
At this time, there may be provided a card for identifying the user who uses the image forming apparatus 12, the department to which the user belongs, and a code number collating means, whereby the image forming apparatus 12 for each user or department is provided. Are used in the record management device 14. Further, when a user who restricts use intends to use the image forming apparatus 12, it is possible to perform control such as prohibiting the operation. The items to be totaled by the recording management device 14 may be set arbitrarily.
[0029]
On the other hand, the aggregation host 16 and the record management device 14 are connected at a preset timing (for example, a predetermined time interval). When the aggregation host 16 is connected to the record management device 12, the recording host 16 records. The total information of each management device 14 is read, and the operation status for each image recording device 12 is totaled. The aggregation host 16 aggregates the usage status for each user and each department.
[0030]
At this time, for example, a use amount limit value is provided for each user and each department, and the use of the image forming apparatus 12 is restricted to the user or department whose use amount has reached the limit value based on the total result. As described above, the information may be output to the recording management device 14. At this time, the recording management device 14 restricts the use of the image forming apparatus 12 to the users and departments whose use of the image forming apparatus 12 is restricted, or provides the image forming apparatus 12 that the limit value has been reached. It is possible to take measures such as displaying on a display panel (not shown).
[0031]
In addition, the recording management device 14 manages the usage status of the supplies such as toners, toner cartridges, and recording paper of each color used in the image forming device 12 from the integrated value of the number of processed sheets of the image forming device 12 and the like. The usage status is output to the aggregation host 16.
[0032]
As a result, the aggregation host 16 can create an order list for supply supplies that are predicted to be in shortage or make an order request.
[0033]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2A, the aggregation host 16 provided in the aggregation system 10 is a service provided in a service center or the like as an external management device using a public line network 24 such as a telephone line or the Internet. It can be connected to a computer (hereinafter referred to as “center host 26”). The connection between the aggregation host 16 and the public line network 24 (center host 26) can use a conventionally known configuration, and detailed description thereof is omitted in the present embodiment.
[0034]
That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, the aggregation system 10 becomes an open network in which the aggregation network 22 is connected to the public line network 24 by connecting the aggregation host 16 to the public line network 24. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2B, the aggregation system 10 is configured such that when the aggregation host 16 is not connected to the public line network 24, the aggregation network 22 becomes a closed network separated from the public line network, thereby ensuring reliable security. Is secured.
[0035]
The center host 26 is connected to the aggregation host 16 via the public network 24 (see FIG. 2A), so that, for example, the aggregation host 16 is set at a predetermined timing such as every predetermined time or every predetermined time. 16 Between Data communication is to be performed.
[0036]
By connecting to the center host 26, for example, when there is a supply that is predicted to be in shortage, the aggregation host 16 makes an estimate request for the corresponding supply or inquires about inventory.
[0037]
When an estimate request is input from the aggregation host 16, the center host 26 creates an estimate according to the request and sends it to the aggregation host 16. Further, when the center host 26 receives an inquiry about the inventory and delivery date of the supplies from the aggregation host 16, the center host 26 sends the presence / absence of the inventory and the delivery date.
[0038]
As a result, the totaling system 10 can place an order for appropriate supplies according to the operation information of the image forming apparatus 12, and the downtime (stop time) of the image forming apparatus 12 can be reduced or generated due to a shortage of supplies. Prevention becomes possible.
[0039]
On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 12 can detect a failure or the like, and outputs a detection result to the recording management device 14 when a failure or the like is detected. Further, when a failure occurrence is input from the image forming device 12, the recording management device 14 transmits the failure occurrence of the image forming device 12 to the aggregation host 16.
[0040]
As a result, when the aggregation host 16 is connected to the center host 26 via the public line network 24, the aggregation host 16 requests the center host 26 to perform maintenance on the image forming apparatus 12 in which the failure has occurred.
[0041]
Further, when the aggregation host 16 is connected to the center host 26, the recording management apparatus 14 determines that the aggregation host 16 is making a maintenance request for the center host 26 and displays it on a display panel (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 12. Indication of failure occurrence and maintenance request.
[0042]
Note that when the aggregation host 16 is not connected to the center host 26, the intermediate management device 14 displays on the display panel (not shown) of the image forming device 12 that a failure has occurred and a request for maintenance. Thus, a user or administrator of the image forming apparatus 12 can make a maintenance request based on this display.
[0043]
By the way, as shown in FIG. 2A, the center host 26 is provided with device management means 28. The device management unit 28 generates a host ID as an identification code for the aggregation host 16 connected to the center host 26 via the public line network 24, and for each of the image forming apparatuses 12 connected to the aggregation host 16. A device ID is assigned as an identification code, and the aggregation host 16 and the image forming apparatus 12 are managed based on the host ID and the device ID.
[0044]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the aggregation host 16 is provided with an ID requesting unit 30 together with an ID requesting unit 32. The ID requesting means 30 is connected to the device management means 28 (see FIG. 2A) of the center host 26 when the counting host 26 is connected to the center host 26 via the public line network 24. A request is made to assign a host ID and a device ID to each of the image forming apparatuses 12 connected to the aggregation host 16.
[0045]
Thus, when the device management unit 28 generates the host ID and the device ID, the center host 26 sends the host ID and the device ID to the aggregation host 16.
[0046]
Further, the ID assigning means 32 (see FIG. 1) provided in the aggregation host 16 is self-registered when the aggregation host 16 is not connected to the center host 26, that is, when the aggregation network 22 is a closed network. A host ID to be an ID is generated and a device ID for each of the image forming apparatuses 12 is generated.
[0047]
At this time, the ID assigning unit 32 generates at least the device ID with a code that makes it clear that the device ID is different from the device ID generated by the device management unit 28 of the center host 26.
[0048]
The aggregation host 16 registers the host ID assigned from the center host 26 or the host ID generated by the ID assigning means 32 as a self ID, and also generated by the device ID given from the center host 26 or the ID assigning means 32. The device ID is sent (assigned) to the record management device 14.
[0049]
When the recording management device 14 receives the device ID assigned to each image forming device 12, the recording management device 14 registers the device ID of the image forming device 12 as a self ID.
[0050]
Thereby, in the totalization system 10, the totalization host 16 can manage the image forming apparatus 12 and the recording management apparatus 14 based on the device ID.
[0051]
On the other hand, the record management device 14 is provided with an ID identification unit 34 and an operation control unit 36.
[0052]
In the aggregation host 16, the ID assigning unit 32 generates a device ID having a code different from the device ID generated by the device management unit 28 of the center host 26. The ID identification unit 34 of the recording management device 14 It is configured to identify whether the device ID given from the totaling host 16 is given from the center host 26 or from the totaling host 16. That is, the device management apparatus 14 recognizes whether or not the aggregation host 16 is connected to the center host 26 by the ID identification means 34.
[0053]
Note that the host ID and device ID generated by the device management unit 28 and the ID assigning unit 32 may have any code configuration as long as they can be identified by the ID identifying unit 34.
[0054]
The operation control unit 36 provided in the recording management apparatus 14 controls its own operation and the operation of the image forming apparatus 12 based on the determination result (recognition result) of the ID identification unit 34.
[0055]
For example, in the recording management apparatus 14, if the aggregation host 16 is connected to the center host 26 when a failure occurs in the image forming apparatus 12, the maintenance of the image forming apparatus 12 is performed via the aggregation host 16 to the center host 26. A request is issued (alert issuance), and a display indicating that a maintenance request is made is displayed on a display panel (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 12.
[0056]
On the other hand, if the aggregation host 16 is not connected to the center host 26, the recording management apparatus 14 notifies the aggregation host 16 of the occurrence of a failure in the image forming apparatus 12 and the image forming apparatus. A display requesting maintenance is displayed on a display panel (not shown) provided in FIG. Note that any method, configuration, and character string can be applied to the display method, the configuration of the display panel, and the character string to be displayed at this time, and detailed description thereof is omitted in this embodiment.
[0057]
Next, as an operation of the present embodiment, an outline of construction of the aggregation network 22 in the aggregation system 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.
[0058]
FIG. 3 shows the flow of processing when a closed network is formed. In this procedure diagram, first, the host ID is generated by the ID assigning means 32 in the aggregation host 16 (step 100), and this host ID is assigned as a self ID (step 102).
[0059]
Thereafter, in step 104, for example, by polling communication or the like, the recording management device 14 sequentially connects to the recording management device 14 provided in each of the image forming devices 12 and connected to the aggregation host 16, and the recording management device 14 makes a registration request. Thus, the registration requests are accepted in order (step 106).
[0060]
When a registration request is received from the recording management device 14, a device ID is generated for each of the image recording devices 12 in the next step 108. At the same time, in step 110, a regular notification time is set for each image forming apparatus 12.
[0061]
Thereafter, in step 112, the generated device ID and the periodic notification time are notified to the recording management device 14.
[0062]
When the record management device 14 receives the notification of the device ID from the aggregation host 16, in step 114, the record management device 14 registers the device ID as a self ID, and sets the regular notification time with the aggregation host 16 (step 116). . In step 118, the ID identifying unit 34 recognizes whether the aggregation host 16 is connected to the center host 26 from the registered self ID.
[0063]
Here, the self ID of the record management device 14 is generated by the ID assigning means 32 of the summary host 16, and the summary system 10 forms a closed summary network 22 between the summary host 16 and the record management device 14. In step 120, the image forming apparatus 12 is set so as to correspond to the closed aggregation network 22.
[0064]
Accordingly, in step 122, the image forming apparatus 12 is prohibited from issuing an alert when a failure or the like occurs, and operation setting is performed so that display according to the closed aggregation network 22 is performed. .
[0065]
On the other hand, FIG. 4 shows a processing flow when an open network is formed. In FIG. 4, the step numbers in FIG. 3 are also shown for the same processing as in FIG. 3.
[0066]
This procedure diagram is executed when the aggregation host 16 is connected to the center host 26 via the public line network 24 or the like. In the first step 130, the aggregation host 16 first sends the aggregation host 16 to the center host 26. Make your own registration request.
[0067]
When the center host 26 receives the registration request from the aggregation host 16, in step 132, the device management means 28 generates a host ID for the aggregation host 16 and assigns a periodic notification time (step 134). Register. Thereafter, in step 136, the generated host ID and the periodic notification time are notified to the aggregation host 16 that has made the registration request.
[0068]
When receiving the host ID and the periodic notification time, the aggregation host 16 registers the host ID as a self ID and sets the periodic notification time with the center host 26 in step 138 (step 140).
[0069]
Thereafter, when the registration host 16 makes a registration request in step 142 from the recording management apparatus 14 provided in each of the image forming apparatuses 12 and connected to the aggregation host 16 by, for example, polling communication or the like, this registration is performed. Requests are received in order (step 144).
[0070]
When the aggregation host 16 receives the registration request from the record management device 14, it makes an additional registration request for the record management device 14 to the center host 26 in the next step 146. That is, the aggregation host 16 relays the registration request from the record management device 14 to the center host 26.
[0071]
As a result, when the center host 26 receives a registration request from the recording management device 14, the device management means 28 generates a device ID for each recording management device 14 and registers the recording management device 14 in step 148. Then, the generated device ID is notified to the aggregation host 16 (step 150).
[0072]
When the aggregation host 16 receives the device ID of the recording management device 14 that has made the registration request, in step 152, the aggregation host 16 assigns a regular notification time to the recording management device 14 to the aggregation host 16, and the device ID and periodic notification are assigned. The time is notified to the recording management device 14 (step 154).
[0073]
When the record management device 14 receives the notification of the device ID and the regular notification time from the totaling host 16, it registers the device ID as its own ID (step 156) and sets the regular notification time (step 158). In step 160, the ID identification unit 34 recognizes whether or not the aggregation host 16 is connected to the center host 26 from the registered self ID.
[0074]
Here, since the self ID of the record management device 14 is generated by the device management means 28 of the center host 26, the counting system 10 connects the counting host 16 and the center host 26 and opens the counting network. It is recognized that 22 is formed. As a result, in step 162, the image forming apparatus 12 is set so as to correspond to the opened aggregation network 22.
[0075]
As a result, the image forming apparatus 12 is permitted to issue an alert when a failure or the like occurs, and the operation setting is performed so that display according to the opened aggregation network 22 is performed.
[0076]
As described above, in the counting system 10, it is very easy to construct an open network as well as a closed network.
[0077]
By the way, a change from an open network to a closed network or a change from a close network to an open network may be required.
[0078]
Here, the change from the open network to the closed network will be described with reference to FIG. 5, and the change from the closed network to the open network will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, communication is performed between the aggregation host 16 and the record management device 14 based on the host ID, device ID, and periodic notification time that have already been set.
[0079]
As shown in FIG. 5, since the center host 26 manages the aggregation host 16 and the recording management apparatus 14 (image forming apparatus 12), the change from the open network to the closed network is started from the aggregation host 16 in step 170. A disconnection request is sent to the center host 26.
[0080]
As a result, the center host 26 deletes (withdraws) the host ID of the aggregation host 16 that has made the disconnection request and the device ID of the recording management device 14 connected to the aggregation host 16, and deletes the registration (step 172). . When the center host 26 deletes the registration, the center host 26 notifies the aggregation host 16 of withdrawal (step 174).
[0081]
When the aggregation host 16 receives the withdrawal notification from the center host 26, in step 176, the ID assigning means 32 generates a host ID, and registers the generated host ID as a self ID, thereby changing the self ID. (Step 178).
[0082]
Next, in step 180, the ID assigning means 32 generates a device ID for each of the recording management devices 14 (image forming devices 12) connected to the aggregation host 16, and the generated device ID is already set. Notification is made to each of the recording management devices 14 in accordance with the set regular notification time (step 182).
[0083]
When a new device ID is notified from the aggregation host 16, the record management device 14 changes the self ID by registering the device ID as a self ID (step 184). At the same time, in step 186, the ID identifying means 34 recognizes whether or not the aggregation host 16 is connected to the center host 26 from the registered self ID.
[0084]
Here, since the newly registered self ID is generated by the ID assigning means 32 of the aggregation host 16, the aggregation system 10 recognizes that it has been changed to the closed network, and the image forming apparatus 12 is closed. The network setting is changed so as to correspond to the total network 22 (step 188).
[0085]
As a result, the image forming apparatus 12 is configured to set the operation of the image forming apparatus 12 so that an alert is not issued when a failure or the like occurs, and display according to the closed aggregation network 22 is performed. (Step 190).
[0086]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the change from the closed network to the open network is performed when the aggregation host 16 manages the public line network 24 from the state where the aggregation host 16 manages the recording management apparatus 14 (image forming apparatus 12). In the first step 200, the registration host 16 and the registration request of all the record management devices 14 connected to the aggregation host 16 are batched from the aggregation host 16 to the center host 26 in the first step 200. Do it.
[0087]
When the center host 26 receives the registration request from the aggregation host 16, the device management means 28 generates a host ID for the aggregation host 16 (step 202) and all the record management devices connected to the aggregation host 16. A device ID is generated for each of 14 (step 204). At the same time, a regular notification time with the aggregation host 16 is set (step 206), and the aggregation host 16 and the record management apparatus 14 are collectively registered.
[0088]
Thereafter, in step 208, the center host 26 sends the host ID and the device ID together with the regular notification time to the totaling host 16 to perform registration notification.
[0089]
Upon receiving the registration notification, the aggregation host 16 changes the self ID by registering the host ID as a new self ID (step 210), and sets the regular notification time with the center host 26 (step 212). Further, the aggregation host 16 changes the device ID set for each recording management device 14 to the device ID notified from the center host 26 (step 214).
[0090]
Thereafter, the aggregation host 16 notifies the device ID assigned from the center host 26 at the regular notification time set for each of the recording management devices 14 (step 216).
[0091]
When a new device ID is notified from the aggregation host 16, the record management device 14 registers this device ID as a self ID (step 218). At the same time, in step 220, the ID identifying means 34 recognizes whether or not the aggregation host 16 is connected to the center host 26 from the registered self ID.
[0092]
Here, since the newly registered self ID has been notified from the center host 26, the counting system 10 recognizes that it has been changed to an open network, and the counting network 22 in which the image forming apparatus 12 is opened. (Step 222).
[0093]
As a result, the image forming apparatus 12 is permitted to issue an alert when a failure or the like occurs, and the operation setting is performed so that display according to the opened aggregation network 22 is performed (step 224).
[0094]
As described above, in this embodiment, not only the change from the open network to the closed network but also the change from the closed network to the open network can be performed very easily.
[0095]
That is, the settings of the recording management apparatus 14 connected to the totaling host 16 and the image forming apparatus 12 connected to the recording management apparatus 14 can be changed only by an operation on the totaling host 16. The network can be changed in a short time.
[0096]
In addition, this Embodiment demonstrated above does not limit the structure of this invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 12 such as a printer, a copier, or a facsimile has been described as an example of the managed device. However, the managed device is not limited to this, and can be managed by the central management device. Various devices and apparatuses can be applied, and various apparatuses including the image forming apparatus 12 may be mixed as long as the central management apparatus can perform centralized management.
[0097]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the identification code varies depending on whether the central management device is connected to or disconnected from the external management device via a public network or the like. But Granted to managed devices To be , identification Means Check the connection status between the central management unit and the external management unit. Accurate judgment can do. As a result, an excellent effect is obtained that the change of the network becomes extremely easy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a counting system applied to the present embodiment.
2A is a schematic configuration diagram when the aggregation system is connected to the center host, and FIG. 2B is a schematic configuration diagram when the aggregation system is separated from the center host.
FIG. 3 is a procedure diagram showing an example when a closed network is formed by a counting system.
FIG. 4 is a procedure diagram showing an example when a network opened by a totaling system is formed.
FIG. 5 is a procedure diagram showing an example when changing from a network opened by a counting system to a closed network;
FIG. 6 is a procedure diagram showing an example when changing from a closed network to an open network in the aggregation system;
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Total system (centralized management system)
12 Image forming device (managed device)
14 Record management device (intermediate management device)
16 Aggregation host (central management unit)
24 Public network
26 Center host (external management device)
28 Device management means
30 ID request means
32 ID assignment means
34 ID identification means
36 Operation control means

Claims (6)

A plurality of connecting to the central management apparatus operation status of the managed equipment as well as centrally manage, the external management device information corresponding to the operation conditions of said managed devices by the central management apparatus that are connected to the external management device A centralized management system that enables output to
An identification code providing means for providing an identification code that allows the central management device to identify the managed device for each managed device when the central management device is not connected to the external management device;
When the central management device is connected to the external management device, the external management device can identify each of the managed devices connected to the central management device, and the identification code assigning means Device management means for providing an identification code different from the identification code provided for each management device via a central management device;
The central management device determines whether the identification code provided to the managed device and assigned to the own device is the identification code assigned to each managed device by the identification code providing means of the central management device. and identifying means for identifying whether or not connected to an external management apparatus,
Centralized management system characterized by including The central management device includes an identification code requesting unit that requests the device management unit for the identification code to be given to each of the managed devices when the central management device is connected to the external management device. The centralized management system according to claim 1. The respective front Symbol the managed equipment, claims the when the central management unit and the intermediate management device that connects the managed equipment is provided, characterized in that it provided the identification means to the intermediate management device The centralized management system of Claim 1 or Claim 2.   The centralized management system according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls an operation of the managed device according to a determination result of the identification unit. The centralized management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the identification code is changed, the identification unit changes the identification result based on the changed identification code. The centralized management system according to claim 1, wherein the managed device is an image forming apparatus.

Images