Information processing system, image forming apparatus and control method for the same, and program

Abstract

To solve a problem in which conventionally, a technique is known which installs a management client in the LAN in the office and setting the management client itself as a proxy when a device and a management server communicate with each other; however, the device side needs to set the proxy in response to a setting request from the management client.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes an image forming apparatus that has an output function to output operation information to a management server, and an information processing apparatus that is operable as a proxy of the output function. The image forming apparatus hosts a predetermined web service, and receives a request for setting the proxy of the output function through the predetermined web service. The information processing apparatus requests proxy settings for using the information processing apparatus as the proxy from, of apparatuses on a network, the image forming apparatus that provides the predetermined web service.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a remote monitoring system that performs maintenance via a network on devices (e.g., image forming devices) installed in an office, etc. By using such a remote monitoring system, for example, it is possible to detect via the network when a failure occurs in a device or when it is necessary to replenish consumables, and to respond promptly.

[0003] If there are multiple devices to be managed in an office, it is easier for the office system administrator to manage them if the communication paths when the devices communicate with a management server for remote monitoring are consolidated. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a technology is known in which a management client is installed in the office LAN and the management client itself is set up as a proxy when the devices communicate with the management server. With this technology, devices always communicate via the management client when performing remote monitoring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-128738 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, although Patent Document 1 describes that the management client sets a proxy in the image forming apparatus, it does not describe how to set the proxy in the image forming apparatus.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the prior art.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables an information processing device to set, for an image forming device, a proxy for a predetermined Web service provided by the image forming device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, an information processing system according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration: An information processing system including an image forming apparatus having an output function for outputting operation information to a management server, and an information processing apparatus operable as a proxy for the output function, the image forming apparatus, a means for hosting a given web service; a receiving means for receiving a request for proxy setting of the output function via the predetermined Web service, The information processing device includes: The image forming apparatus that provides the predetermined Web service among the apparatuses on the network is requested to set a proxy for using the information processing apparatus as a proxy. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, an information processing device can set a proxy for a predetermined Web service provided by an image forming device to an image forming device.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system including a management client, a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and a management server according to each embodiment of the present invention, and managing the image forming apparatuses; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating software modules of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a management client according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram illustrating the software configuration of the management client according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1A is a conceptual diagram of a table for managing the web services that an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment provides to devices on a LAN, and FIG. 1B is a conceptual diagram of a table for managing the functions that a remote monitoring I / F provides through the web services. [Figure 6] 6 is a flowchart illustrating a startup process of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process performed when the management client according to the first embodiment sets a proxy dedicated to the remote monitoring service in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 8] 8 is a flowchart for explaining a process for setting a proxy dedicated to a remote monitoring service (S709 in FIG. 7) in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment communicates using a remote monitoring service (transmits operation information to a management server). [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a table used by a management client according to the second embodiment to manage network devices. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing when the management client according to the second embodiment searches again for an image forming apparatus. [Figure 12]FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating software modules of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a proxy setting process that the image forming apparatus 102 performs on the image forming apparatuses 103 and 104 according to the third embodiment. [Figure 14] 10A is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for a remote monitoring service of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of a device management screen of a management client according to a third embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a case where a proxy setting dedicated to a remote monitoring service is distributed from a management client to an image forming apparatus on a LAN in an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0013] [Embodiment 1] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0014] 1 is a configuration diagram of an information processing system including a management client, multiple image forming apparatuses, and a management server according to each embodiment of the present invention, and managing the image forming apparatuses. In the information processing system according to the embodiment, a management client 101 and one or more image forming apparatuses 102 to 104, which are network devices, are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 105. A management server 108 is connected to a WAN (Wide Area Network) 107, and the LAN 105 and WAN 107 are connected via a firewall 106. Unless otherwise specified, the image forming apparatuses 102, 103, and 104 are assumed to have the same configuration.

[0015] The management client 101 corresponds to the information processing apparatus in the embodiment. When an image forming apparatus connected to a LAN 105 transmits operation information to a management server 108, the management client 101 can function as a proxy for the image forming apparatus by setting a proxy, which will be described later, in advance.

[0016] 2 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 102 is realized as a so-called MFP (multi-function peripheral) that integrates multiple functions, such as a scan function and a print function. Note that the image forming apparatuses 103 and 104 also have the same configuration, and the present embodiment will be described using the image forming apparatus 102 as an example.

[0017] The image forming apparatus 102 includes a controller unit (controller) 200 that controls the entire apparatus, an operation unit 206, a scanner 212, and a printer 214. The operation unit 206 includes a numeric keypad and various hard keys for receiving instructions such as job execution input from a user, and also includes a display panel that displays device information, job progress information, etc. to the user, or a setting screen for functions that the image forming apparatus 102 can execute. The scanner 212 is an image input device that optically reads an image on a set document. The printer 214 is an image output device that prints an image on a recording medium such as paper based on image data.

[0018] The operation unit 206 is connected to an operation unit interface (I / F) 205 included in the controller unit 200. The scanner 212 and printer 214 are connected to a scanner processing unit 211 and a printer processing unit 213 included in the controller unit 200, respectively. With this configuration, the operation unit 206, scanner 212, and printer 214 each operate under the control of the controller unit 200. Furthermore, an external storage device 216 such as a USB memory medium can be connected to the image forming apparatus 102 as needed. In this case, the external storage device 216 is connected via an external storage I / F 215 and operates under the control of the controller unit 200.

[0019] The controller unit 200 includes a CPU 201 that controls each block of the controller unit 200. The CPU 201 is connected to a RAM 202, a ROM 203, a hard disk drive (HDD) 204, an operation unit I / F 205, a network I / F 207, an image processing unit 209, a device I / F 210, and an external storage I / F 215 via a system bus 217. The RAM 202 is a general-purpose RAM and serves as memory for providing a work area for the CPU 201. The RAM 202 is also used as memory for temporarily storing parameters, setting values, etc., and as image memory for storing image data in predetermined units such as pages. The ROM 203 is a general-purpose ROM that stores, for example, a system boot program as a boot ROM. The HDD 204 stores system programs, history data, tables, etc. The functions of the image forming apparatus 102 are realized, for example, by the CPU 201 loading a program stored in the ROM 203 or HDD 204 into the RAM 202 and executing it. The operation unit I / F 205 is an interface for inputting and outputting information to and from the operation unit 206. In response to an instruction from the CPU 201, the operation unit I / F 205 outputs display data to the operation unit 206, and also transmits information input by the user via the operation unit 206 to the CPU 201.

[0020] The network I / F 207 is connected to the LAN 105, which is a wired or wireless medium, and enables input and output of information between the image forming apparatus 102 and devices on the LAN 105. The network I / F 207 has a configuration compatible with the LAN 105, and may have a configuration compatible with near field communication, for example, with a wireless distance of approximately several tens of centimeters. In this case, mutual communication is performed with a portable wireless terminal.

[0021] The image processing unit 209 performs general-purpose image processing. For example, it performs processes such as enlargement / reduction, rotation, and conversion on image data acquired from an external device via the LAN 105. The image processing unit 209 also performs a process of expanding PDL code received via the LAN 105 into a bitmap image. When printing on a printer 214 via a printer processing unit 213, the image processing unit 209 also performs a process of converting image data compressed and encoded and stored in the RAM 202 into a format processable by the printer processing unit 213. The device I / F 210 is connected to the scanner 212 and the printer 214 via the scanner processing unit 211 and the printer processing unit 213, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data and transmits setting values, adjustment values, and the like. The device I / F 210 also transmits status information from the scanner 212 and the printer 214 to the CPU 201. The status information includes, for example, error information such as a jam that has occurred in the scanner 212 or the printer 214.

[0022] The scanner processing unit 211 performs various processes corresponding to the scanning function, such as correction, processing, image area separation, magnification, and binarization, on the read data read and input by the scanner 212. The scanner 212 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) and a pressure plate reading device (not shown), and is capable of reading a document placed on a glass document table and double-sided reading of multiple documents. The scanner 212 is also provided with sensors that detect the opening and closing of a document feeder cover (not shown), the opening and closing of a document cover (not shown), the presence or absence of a document, and the document size. Detection signals from these sensors and status information of the scanner 212 are sent to the CPU 201 via the scanner processing unit 211 and the device I / F 210, and the CPU 201 recognizes the status of the scanner 212, such as the occurrence and cancellation of an error, etc.

[0023] The printer processing unit 213 performs processing corresponding to the printing function, such as output correction, resolution conversion, and image printing position adjustment, on image data to be printed out in accordance with the output characteristics of the printer 214. The printer 214 includes one or more paper feed cassettes (not shown) for storing printing paper, one or more toner trays (not shown) for storing toner, and a paper feed unit (not shown) that can sequentially feed recording media such as paper one sheet at a time from the paper feed cassette. The printer 214 also includes a marking unit (not shown) for printing with toner on the fed paper, and a fixing unit (not shown) for fixing the toner printed by the marking unit with heat and pressure. The printer 214 is provided with sensors that detect the open / close status of each paper feed cassette, the amount of paper remaining, the open / close status of the toner tray, the open / close status of the cover of the paper feed unit (not shown), the presence or absence of toner, the position of the recording media such as paper being fed, etc. Detection signals from the sensors and status information of the printer 214 are sent to the CPU 201 via the printer processing unit 213 and the device I / F 210, and the CPU 201 recognizes the status of the printer 214, such as the occurrence and resolution of an error.

[0024] When an external storage device 216 is connected, the external storage I / F 215 reads data stored in the external storage device 216 and writes data to the external storage device 216 in response to an instruction from the CPU 201 .

[0025] 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating software modules of the image forming apparatus 102 according to the first embodiment. The functions of the modules in FIG. 3 are realized by the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 102 executing a program loaded in the RAM 202.

[0026] The UI processing unit 301 performs processing related to the operation unit I / F 205 and operation unit 206. The UI processing unit 301 notifies other modules of operations performed by the user on the operation unit 206 as necessary, and displays a screen on the operation unit 206 in response to instructions from the other modules. The UI processing unit 301 also performs editing of drawing data to be displayed on the operation unit 206.

[0027] The network processing unit 302 performs communication processing with devices on the LAN 105 via the network I / F 207. When the network processing unit 302 receives control commands or data from devices on the LAN 105, it notifies the other modules of that information. Furthermore, the network processing unit 302 transmits control commands or data to devices on the LAN 105 in response to instructions from the other modules. It also plays a role in providing web services, which will be described later.

[0028] The job control unit 303 controls the other modules and performs overall control over the execution of each job generated by the image forming apparatus 102, such as copying, printing, and faxing. When a job is submitted from the UI processing unit 301 or network processing unit 302, the job control unit 303 determines the type of job and instructs an input processing unit appropriate for that type to execute processing to generate image data for printing. For example, if a copy job is submitted, the job control unit 303 issues an execution instruction to the scan input processing unit 306, and if a PDL job is submitted, the job control unit 303 issues an execution instruction to the PDL input processing unit 307. These input processing units 306 and 307 generate image data for each page and notify the job control unit 303 that they have been saved in the storage unit 305. Upon receiving this notification, the job control unit 303 instructs the output processing unit 308 to execute processing to print on a recording medium based on the image data. This series of controls is repeated the number of times equal to the number of pages in the job to print the image.

[0029] The image processing unit 304 performs processing related to the image processing unit 209 in Fig. 1. The image processing unit 304 performs image processing by software or image processing by hardware using the image processing unit 209 in response to instructions from the input processing units 306 and 307 and the output processing unit 308. The image processing unit 304 also performs image segmentation and handwriting determination in the second embodiment, which will be described later.

[0030] The storage unit 305 reads data from and writes data to the RAM 202 and HDD 204. The storage unit 305 saves various data in response to instructions from other modules.

[0031] The scan input processing unit 306 controls the scanner processing unit 211 and the scanner 212 in response to instructions from the job control unit 303, causing the scanner 212 to execute a reading process on a document placed on the scanner. The scan input processing unit 306 controls the scanner processing unit 211 to execute image processing on image data obtained by reading the document. The scan input processing unit 306 also acquires status information on the scanner processing unit 211 and the scanner 212 and notifies the job control unit 303. Furthermore, when the scan input processing unit 306 receives an instruction from the job control unit 303 to interrupt the processing, which will be described later, it can interrupt the document reading process and the image generation process.

[0032] In response to an instruction from the job control unit 303, the PDL input processing unit 307 analyzes the PDL data received via the network processing unit 302 and converts it into bitmap image data for each page. The bitmap image data thus converted is stored in a storage area by the storage unit 305. Furthermore, when the PDL input processing unit 307 receives an interrupt instruction (described later) from the job control unit 303, it can interrupt the PDL analysis processing and image generation processing.

[0033] The output processing unit 308 controls the image processing unit 304, printer processing unit 213, and printer 214 in response to instructions from the job control unit 303, performs appropriate image processing on the image data generated by each input processing unit, and prints the image data on a recording medium. The output processing unit 308 also acquires status information of the printer processing unit 213 and printer 214 and notifies the job control unit 303 of the status information.

[0034] The remote monitoring service processing unit 309 monitors the operation information of the scanner 212 and printer 214 via the scan input processing unit 306 and output processing unit 308, and instructs the network processing unit 302 to send the operation information to the management server 108 as necessary. The operation information may also be sent in response to instructions from the UI processing unit 301 or the remote monitoring I / F 310. The remote monitoring I / F 310 receives and processes instructions related to remote monitoring from the management client 101 via the network processing unit 302. Then, depending on the contents of the instructions, it instructs the storage unit 305 to store data or instructs the remote monitoring service processing unit 309 to send information.

[0035] FIG. 4A is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the management client 101 according to the first embodiment.

[0036] The communication I / F unit 401 is a network interface for communicating with external systems, devices, etc. The storage device 402 stores an OS (Operating System) and various data, etc. The various data are collected, for example, from internal programs and operation information, as well as from external systems, devices, etc. The CPU 403 loads and executes programs from the storage device 402 into the memory 404. In other words, the memory 404 is used as a working memory for the CPU 403. The input I / F unit 405 is connected to a keyboard, pointing device, etc., and accepts user operation input. The output I / F unit 406 is connected to an output device such as a display device, and outputs program execution results, etc.

[0037] FIG. 4B is a functional block diagram illustrating the software configuration of the management client 101 according to the first embodiment.

[0038] The device management unit 410 acquires and changes proxy setting information for the image forming apparatuses 102 to 104. The device management unit 410 also performs processes such as starting and stopping the remote monitoring function of the image forming apparatuses 102 to 104. The proxy server 411 relays data communication between the image forming apparatuses 102 to 104 and the management server 108. In addition to the proxy server 411, another proxy server may be provided on the communication path between the image forming apparatuses 102 to 104 and the management server 108.

[0039] 5A is a conceptual diagram of a table for managing Web services that the image forming apparatus 102 according to the first embodiment provides to devices on the LAN 105. In practice, information equivalent to this is stored in the storage unit 305 (FIG. 3). In the startup process of the image forming apparatus 102, which will be described later, each processing unit that wants to provide a Web service adds the service to this table, and then the network processing unit 302 provides the Web service to devices on the LAN 105.

[0040] In FIG. 5A, the Remote UI service and the Remote Monitoring service are registered as examples, but other services can also be registered. Web services are provided in accordance with standard HTTP (including HTTPs) and can be used by accessing a URL containing the IP address of the image forming apparatus 102. The Service Name column 501 indicates the name of the registered Web service. The Service Status column 502 indicates the enabled / disabled state of the registered Web service. The processing unit that added the Web service can change the service status at any time. The Service Path column 503 indicates a character string that a device on the LAN 105 adds to a URL to specify the desired Web service. For example, to use the Remote UI service, you would specify "http: / / {IP address of the image forming apparatus}," and to use the Remote Monitoring service, you would specify "http: / / {IP address of the image forming apparatus} / remote_monitor." Note that some services may have a function path table, as shown in FIG. 5B, for each function provided. In this case, you must specify an additional function path after the service path. The service notification destination 504 is a function address of a program on the image forming apparatus 102, which is the notification destination when the network processing unit 302 requests the registration source of the service to perform processing when the service is accessed.

[0041] 5B is a conceptual diagram of a table for managing functions provided by the web service by the remote monitoring I / F 310. In reality, information corresponding to this is stored in the storage unit 305 and is used in the proxy setting process dedicated to the remote monitoring service, which will be described later.

[0042] The function column 510 indicates the functions that the remote monitoring I / F 310 provides as Web services. The function path column 511 is a character string that a device on the LAN 105 adds to a URL to specify the remote monitoring service function that it wants to use. For example, if you want to use the proxy setting function, you would specify "http: / / {IP address of the image forming device} / remote_monitor / setting_proxy," and if you want to use the activation function, you would specify "http: / / {IP address of the image forming device} / remote_monitor / activate." The method column 512 indicates the HTTP methods supported by that function. Even if the URL here is correct, it will not work if the HTTP method is not supported.

[0043] 6 is a flowchart illustrating the startup process of the image forming apparatus 102 according to the first embodiment. The process shown in this flowchart is realized, for example, by the CPU 201 loading a program stored in the ROM 203 or the HDD 204 into the RAM 202 and executing the program.

[0044] First, in S601, the CPU 201 initializes various setting values. Next, in S602, the CPU 201 adds a remote monitoring service to the Web service management table shown in FIG. 5A. Note that other Web services are also added at this time, but as they are not relevant to the present invention, their description will be omitted. Next, in S603, the CPU 201 generates various threads. This enables the processing units shown in FIG. 3 to operate in parallel. From this point on, the user can use the functions provided by the processing units that have completed preparation in order. Therefore, the startup of the image forming apparatus 102 is completed here, but only the preparation of the particularly relevant network processing unit 302 will be described within the framework of the startup flowchart.

[0045] When a thread for the network processing unit 302 is generated in S604, the process proceeds to S605, where the CPU 201 functions as the network processing unit 302 and determines whether an IP address has been acquired. If it is determined that an IP address has been acquired, the process proceeds to S606, where the network processing unit 302 starts providing the Web service. On the other hand, if it is determined that an IP address has not been acquired, the process returns to S604. In this way, of the functions provided by the image forming apparatus 102, those related to the network cannot be used until an IP address has been acquired.

[0046] By performing the above-described processing, the image forming apparatus 102 can provide a Web service as soon as it is ready after it has started up.

[0047] 7 is a sequence diagram when the management client 101 according to the first embodiment sets a proxy dedicated to the remote monitoring service in the image forming apparatus 102. In this sequence diagram, communication between the apparatuses is performed in accordance with HTTP (including HTTPs).

[0048] First, in step S701, the management client 101 searches for image forming devices on the LAN 105. In the example of Fig. 7, only the image forming device 102 is shown, but in reality, the image forming devices 103 and 104 are also found at this time. The found image forming devices are added to the device management table of Fig. 10, which will be described later.

[0049] Next, in S702, the management client 101 requests a Web service address list from the found image forming apparatus 102. As a result, in S703, the image forming apparatus 102 generates a Web service address list based on the Web service management table shown in FIG. 5A. This Web service address list is a list of combinations of the name of each service registered in the Web service management table and an access URL (for example, "http: / / {IP address of image forming apparatus} / remote_monitor" for a remote monitoring service). Then, in S704, the image forming apparatus 102 returns the Web service address list to the management client 101.

[0050] As a result, in S705, the management client 101 checks whether a remote monitoring service exists in the Web service address list received from the image forming apparatus 102. This allows the management client 101 to determine whether the image forming apparatus 102 supports the remote monitoring service. If it is determined that the image forming apparatus 102 supports the remote monitoring service, then in S706 the management client 101 performs client authentication of the image forming apparatus 102. This client authentication may be performed by any means appropriate for the embodiment.

[0051] Next, in S707, the image forming apparatus 102 returns the result of the client authentication to the management client 101. If the authentication fails, the subsequent steps are not performed. If the authentication is successful, in S708, the management client 101 accesses "http: / / {IP address of the image forming apparatus} / remote_monitor / setting_proxy" to use the proxy setting function of the remote monitoring service. At this time, PUT is specified as the HTTP method, and information to be set as a proxy, such as the IP address and host name of the management client 101 itself, is added as a parameter. This parameter may be specified by any method depending on the embodiment. For example, this may be done as a URL query or as the body of an HTTP request. Also, if DELETE is specified as the HTTP method and no parameter is added, a request is made to delete the proxy setting dedicated to the remote monitoring service.

[0052] In this way, in step S709, the image forming apparatus 102 saves the received proxy information as proxy information dedicated to the remote monitoring service, or deletes the saved proxy information dedicated to the remote monitoring service if DELETE is specified. Details of this process will be described later. Then, in step S710, the image forming apparatus 102 returns a notification that the proxy settings have been completed to the management client 101.

[0053] This process enables the management client 101 to set a proxy dedicated to the remote monitoring service in the image forming apparatus found on the LAN 105 .

[0054] 8 is a flowchart illustrating the process of setting a proxy dedicated to the remote monitoring service in the image forming apparatus 102 according to the first embodiment (S709 in FIG. 7). The process shown in this flowchart is realized, for example, by the CPU 201 loading a program stored in the ROM 203 or the HDD 204 into the RAM 202 and executing the program.

[0055] First, in S801, the CPU 201 functions as the network processing unit 302 and receives a proxy setting request dedicated to the remote monitoring service from the management client 101, transmitted in S708. Next, the process proceeds to S802, where the CPU 201 functions as the network processing unit 302, extracts the service path from the accessed URL, and searches the Web service management table (FIG. 5A). If there is a Web service registered here that matches the service path of the remote monitoring service, the process proceeds to S803; if not, the process proceeds to S809. In S803, the CPU 201 functions as the network processing unit 302 and requests processing from the notification destination of the service with the matching service path. In this case, since this is a proxy setting request for the remote monitoring service, the process requests the remote monitoring I / F 310 to process.

[0056] In S804, the CPU 201 functions as the remote monitoring I / F 310, extracts a function path from the accessed URL, and searches the function path table for the remote monitoring service shown in FIG. 5B. If the function path matches the proxy setting, the process proceeds to S805; if it matches another function, the process proceeds to S807; and if it does not match any of the functions, the process proceeds to S808. In S805, the CPU 201 functions as the remote monitoring I / F 310 and determines whether the parameters including the HTTP method received from the management client 101 are correct. If the parameters are correct, the process proceeds to S806; if the parameters are invalid, the process proceeds to S808. In S806, the remote monitoring I / F 310 stores the received proxy information in the proxy information area dedicated to the remote monitoring service in the storage unit 305 and proceeds to S808. If the HTTP method was DELETE, the stored proxy information dedicated to the remote monitoring service is deleted and the process proceeds to S808. Meanwhile, in step S807, the remote monitoring I / F 310 performs processing corresponding to the function searched for in step 804, but a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0057] In step S808, the remote monitoring I / F 310 requests the network processing unit 302 to return the processing result to the management client 101. As a result, in step S809, the CPU 210 functions as the network processing unit 302 and returns the processing result to the management client 101.

[0058] Through the above-described processing, the management client 101 can set a proxy for communication using the remote monitoring service with the image forming apparatus 102. Also, a registered proxy for the remote monitoring service can be deleted.

[0059] 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing when the image forming apparatus 102 according to the first embodiment communicates using the remote monitoring service (transmitting operation information to the management server 108). Note that the processing shown in this flowchart is realized, for example, by the CPU 201 loading a program stored in the ROM 203 or the HDD 204 into the RAM 202 and executing the program.

[0060] First, in S901, it is determined whether an event that triggers transmission of operation information occurs within the image forming apparatus 102. If an event occurs, the process proceeds to S902; if not, the process waits in S901. This operation information transmission event occurs, for example, when a self-monitoring function of the image forming apparatus 102 detects a failure in the scanner 212 or printer 214, or when a scheduled transmission time is detected. In S902, the CPU 201 functions as the remote monitoring service processing unit 309 and accepts the operation information transmission event. Next, the process proceeds to S903, where the CPU 201 functions as the remote monitoring service processing unit 309 and generates operation data to be transmitted to the management server 108 based on the accepted operation information transmission event.

[0061] Next, the process proceeds to S904, where the CPU 201 functions as the remote monitoring service processing unit 309, reads the proxy information area dedicated to the remote monitoring service via the storage unit 305, and determines whether a proxy dedicated to the remote monitoring service has been set. If a proxy dedicated to the remote monitoring service has been set, the process proceeds to S905; if not, the process proceeds to S907. In S905, the CPU 201 functions as the remote monitoring service processing unit 309, and requests the network processing unit 302 to send operational data. At this time, proxy information dedicated to the remote monitoring service is specified as a parameter. The process then proceeds to S906, where the CPU 201 functions as the network processing unit 302, and sends the operational data via the proxy specified in the parameter, and this process ends.

[0062] Meanwhile, in S907, the CPU 201 functions as the remote monitoring service processing unit 309 and requests the network processing unit 302 to send operational data. At this time, proxy information is not specified in the parameters. Then, the process proceeds to S908, where the CPU 201 functions as the network processing unit 302, reads a generic proxy information area via the storage unit 305, and determines whether a generic proxy is set. If a generic proxy is set, the process proceeds to S909; if not, the process proceeds to S910. In S909, the CPU 201 functions as the network processing unit 302 and sends the operational data via the generic proxy, and this process ends. On the other hand, in S910, the CPU 201 functions as the network processing unit 302 and sends the operational data without going through any particular proxy, and this process ends.

[0063] As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 102 performs communication using the remote monitoring service, it can switch the proxy through which communication is performed depending on the settings.

[0064] Note that the first embodiment is not limited to the remote monitoring function. For example, if you want to route a function that transmits data scanned by an image forming apparatus to an external cloud service via a dedicated proxy, you can do so by providing a dedicated proxy information area for each function and a web service for proxy settings, and setting the proxy from the management client, just like the first embodiment.

[0065] [Embodiment 2] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which, when the management client 101 searches for an image forming apparatus on the LAN 105 in step S701, the image forming apparatus is not found because the image forming apparatus is not turned on, for example, and then the image forming apparatus is connected to the LAN 105. Note that the system configuration and the hardware configurations of the image forming apparatus and management client 101 according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0066] 10 is a conceptual diagram of a table used by the management client 101 according to the second embodiment to manage network devices. In practice, information corresponding to this is stored in the storage device 402.

[0067] The device ID column 1001 contains an ID assigned to an image forming device found during a search when it is added to the device management table. The serial number column 1002 contains a serial number assigned to the image forming device when it is manufactured. The IP address column 1003 contains an IP address assigned to identify the device within the LAN 105.

[0068] 11 is a flowchart illustrating the processing performed when the management client 101 according to the second embodiment searches again for an image forming device. Note that the processing shown in this flowchart is realized, for example, by the CPU 403 of the management client 101 loading a program stored in the storage device 402 into the memory 404 and executing the program.

[0069] In S1101, the CPU 403 starts timing by a re-search timer. Next, the process proceeds to S1102, where the CPU 403 searches for an image forming apparatus on the LAN 105. If an image forming apparatus is found, the process proceeds to S1103. If the re-search timer counts down beyond a predetermined time, the process ends the search and proceeds to S1106. In S1103, the CPU 403 determines whether the image forming apparatus is registered in the device management table of FIG. 10 based on the serial number of the discovered image forming apparatus. If it is determined that the image forming apparatus is registered, the process returns to S1102 and searches for the next image forming apparatus. On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus is not registered, the process proceeds to S1104. In S1104, the CPU 403 additionally registers information about the image forming apparatus in the device management table (FIG. 10) and proceeds to S1105. In S1105, the CPU 403 performs processing to set up a proxy dedicated to the remote monitoring service for the image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 7. Thereafter, the process returns to S1102 and searches for the next image forming apparatus. In step S1106, the CPU 403 sets a timer for the next re-search at an arbitrary interval, and then ends this process.

[0070] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the management client 101 can set up a proxy dedicated to the remote monitoring service for a newly discovered image forming apparatus regardless of when the image forming apparatus is connected to the LAN 105.

[0071] [Embodiment 3] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, an example will be described in which the management client 101 does not exist on the LAN 105, and one of a plurality of image forming apparatuses (here, the image forming apparatus 102) operates as a proxy server like the management client 101. Note that the system configuration and the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0072] Fig. 12 is a functional block diagram illustrating software modules of the image forming apparatus 102 according to the third embodiment. Each module in Fig. 12 is realized by the CPU 201 executing a program. In Fig. 12, parts common to those in Fig. 3 according to the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0073] The device management unit 1201 acquires and changes proxy setting information of the other image forming apparatuses 103 and 104. The device management unit 1201 also performs processes such as starting and stopping the remote monitoring service function of the image forming apparatuses 103 and 104. The device management table shown in FIG. 10 is stored in the HDD 204 of the image forming apparatus 102.

[0074] The proxy server 1202 relays data communication between the image forming apparatuses 103 and 104 and the management server 108. In addition to the proxy server 1202, another proxy server may be provided on the communication path between the image forming apparatuses 103 and 104 and the management server 108.

[0075] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a proxy setting process that the image forming apparatus 102 according to the third embodiment performs for the image forming apparatuses 103 and 104. The process of this flowchart is realized, for example, by the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 102 loading a program stored in the ROM 203 or HDD 204 into the RAM 202 and executing the program.

[0076] This process starts in S1301 when the image forming apparatus 102 is connected to the LAN 105. Next, the process proceeds to S1302, where a search timer starts timing. Next, the process proceeds to S1303, where the CPU 201 functions as the device management unit 1201 and searches for other image forming apparatuses on the LAN 105. If another image forming apparatus is discovered, the process proceeds to S1304, and if the timer reaches a predetermined time and the search ends, the process proceeds to S1307. In S1304, the CPU 201 functions as the device management unit 1201 and obtains proxy settings dedicated to the remote monitoring service of the discovered image forming apparatus and determines whether they have been set. If it is determined that they have been set, this means that one of the other image forming apparatuses is already operating as a proxy, and a proxy will be set in the image forming apparatus 102 when that image forming apparatus is searched for again, and this process ends.

[0077] On the other hand, if it has not been set, the process proceeds to S1305. In S1305, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 102 functions as the device management unit 1201 and adds the discovered image forming apparatus to the device management table. The process then proceeds to S1306, where the CPU 201 performs the remote monitoring service dedicated proxy setting process shown in Fig. 7 for the discovered image forming apparatus. Thereafter, the process returns to S1303 and searches for the next image forming apparatus.

[0078] In step S1307, the CPU 201 functions as the device management unit 1201 and sets a timer for the next re-search at an arbitrary interval. At this time, the IP address of the image forming apparatus 102 is written to a proxy information area dedicated to the remote monitoring service in the image forming apparatus 102, so that when the image forming apparatus 102 is searched for by another image forming apparatus, the IP address is determined to have been set.

[0079] As described above, according to the third embodiment, a specific image forming apparatus can be set as a proxy for remote monitoring communication and used without installing a management client.

[0080] <Screen configuration common to embodiments 1 to 3> FIG. 14A is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for the remote monitoring service of the image forming apparatus 102 according to the embodiment.

[0081] Registration status 1401 indicates whether the remote monitoring service has been registered. Here, the user can touch registration status 1401 to transition to a registration execution screen (not shown) if the service is not registered, or to a deregistration execution screen (not shown) if the service is registered. Web service setting 1402 indicates whether the Web service of the remote monitoring service is provided. According to this setting, the status of the remote monitoring service in service status column 502 in FIG. 5(A) changes.

[0082] FIG. 14B is a diagram showing an example of a device management screen of the management client 101 according to the third embodiment.

[0083] The serial number column 1410 is the serial number acquired from the image forming apparatus. The IP address column 1411 is the IP address acquired from the image forming apparatus. The registration status column 1412 is the registration status of the remote monitoring service settings acquired from the image forming apparatus. The proxy setting column 1413 is the setting status of the proxy dedicated to the remote monitoring service acquired from the image forming apparatus. The batch proxy setting button 1414 is used when setting proxies for multiple image forming apparatuses on the LAN 105 at once. This button is also used when changing settings for an image forming apparatus that has already been set. Note that it is also possible to wait for automatic setting according to the second embodiment for image forming apparatuses that have not yet been set. The batch registration button 1415 is used when registering the remote monitoring service for multiple image forming apparatuses on the LAN 105 at once.

[0084] FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram showing how proxy settings dedicated to the remote monitoring service are distributed from the management client 101 to the image forming apparatus on the LAN 105 in this embodiment.

[0085] Each image forming device provides a Web service, and the management client 101 collects information on whether the image forming device supports or is enabled for the remote monitoring service, and sets up a proxy for the target image forming device using the process shown in FIG.

[0086] 15, the remote monitoring service is set for the image forming device 102, and the service status is enabled, so a proxy dedicated to the remote monitoring service is set from the management client 101 to the image forming device 102. Note that the remote monitoring service is set for the image forming device 103, but the remote monitoring service status is disabled, so a proxy dedicated to the remote monitoring service is not set. Also, the remote monitoring service is not set for the image forming device 104, so a proxy dedicated to the remote monitoring service is not set.

[0087] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0088] [Item 1] An information processing system including an image forming apparatus having an output function for outputting operation information to a management server, and an information processing apparatus operable as a proxy for the output function, the image forming apparatus, a means for hosting a given web service; a receiving means for receiving a request for proxy setting of the output function via the predetermined Web service, The information processing device includes: An information processing system, comprising: a request for proxy setting for using the information processing device as a proxy to the image forming device that provides the predetermined Web service among devices on a network;

[0089] [Item 2] The image forming apparatus further comprises: a storage means for storing the proxy settings accepted by the accepting means; a transmitting means for transmitting the operation information to the management server via the proxy based on the proxy setting stored in the storage means when a transmission event of the operation information occurs; 2. The information processing system according to item 1, comprising:

[0090] [Item 3] The image forming apparatus further comprises: The information processing system described in item 1 or 2 is characterized by having a registration means for registering information including the name of the specified Web service, a status indicating whether it is valid or invalid, and a path for specifying the specified Web service.

[0091] [Item 4] 4. The information processing system according to item 3, wherein the request for proxy setting includes the path corresponding to the predetermined Web service and a path for setting the proxy.

[0092] [Item 5] 5. The information processing system according to item 4, wherein the proxy setting request further includes the IP address of the image forming apparatus.

[0093] [Item 6] 6. The information processing system according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the transmission event is generated based on detection by a self-monitoring function of the image forming apparatus.

[0094] [Item 7] 3. The information processing system according to item 2, wherein the storage means further stores the requested proxy settings in response to successful authentication of the information processing device.

[0095] [Item 8] 3. The information processing system according to item 2, wherein the transmission means, if there is no proxy setting stored in the storage means, transmits via a general-purpose proxy if there is one.

[0096] [Item 9] The information processing device includes: a search unit for searching for an image forming apparatus connected via a network; and an acquisition unit that acquires information about a Web service provided by the image forming device found by the search unit. An information processing system described in any one of items 1 to 8, characterized in that if the information of the Web service acquired by the acquisition means includes the specified Web service, a request for proxy setting of the specified Web service is sent to the image forming device.

[0097] [Item 10] 10. The information processing system according to item 9, wherein the information processing device further comprises means for collectively registering the predetermined Web service in a plurality of image forming devices found by the search means.

[0098] [Item 11] 10. The information processing system according to item 9, wherein the information processing device further comprises means for collectively transmitting the proxy setting request to a plurality of image forming devices found by the search means.

[0099] [Item 12] An information processing system having a plurality of image forming apparatuses each having an output function for outputting operation information to a management server, a first image forming device of the plurality of image forming devices; a means for hosting a given web service; means for receiving a request for proxy setting of the output function via the predetermined Web service; a transmitting means for transmitting a proxy setting request to a second image forming apparatus of the plurality of image forming apparatuses for using the first image forming apparatus as a proxy for the output function; An information processing system comprising:

[0100] [Item 13] An image forming apparatus having an output function for outputting operation information to a management server, a means for hosting a given web service; means for receiving a request for proxy setting of the output function via the predetermined Web service; a transmitting means for transmitting the operation information to the management server via the proxy set in the proxy setting in response to a transmission event of the operation information; An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0101] [Item 14] An image forming apparatus having an output function for outputting operation information to a management server, a means for hosting a given web service; means for receiving a request for proxy setting of the output function via the predetermined Web service; a transmitting means for transmitting a proxy setting request to a first image forming apparatus connected via a network and having the output function, for using the image forming apparatus as a proxy for the output function; An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0102] [Item 15] A control method for an image forming apparatus having an output function for outputting operation information to a management server, comprising: hosting a given web service; receiving a request for proxy setting of the output function via the predetermined Web service; a transmission step of transmitting the operation information to the management server via the proxy set in the proxy setting in response to the transmission event of the operation information; A control method comprising:

[0103] [Item 16] A control method for an image forming apparatus having an output function for outputting operation information to a management server, comprising: hosting a given web service; receiving a request for proxy setting of the output function via the predetermined Web service; a sending step of sending a proxy setting request to a first image forming apparatus connected via a network and having the output function, for using the image forming apparatus as a proxy for the output function; A control method comprising:

[0104] [Item 17] 17. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to item 15 or 16.

[0105] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 101... management client, 102, 103, 104... image forming apparatus, 108... management server, 201... CPU (image forming apparatus), 301... UI processing unit, 302... network processing unit, 303... job processing unit, 305... storage unit, 309... remote monitoring service processing unit, 310... remote monitoring I / F, 403... CPU (management client), 410... device management unit, 411... proxy server

Claims

1. An information processing system including an image forming apparatus having an output function for outputting operation information to a management server, and an information processing apparatus operable as a proxy for the output function, The image forming apparatus includes: A means for hosting a given web service; a receiving means for receiving a request for setting a proxy for the output function via the predetermined Web service; a storage means for storing the proxy settings accepted by the accepting means; a transmission means for transmitting the operation information to the management server via the proxy based on the proxy setting stored in the storage means when a transmission event of the operation information occurs; a registration means for registering information including a name of the predetermined Web service, a status indicating whether the service is valid or invalid, and a path for designating the predetermined Web service; The information processing device includes: An information processing system, comprising: a request for setting a proxy for using the information processing apparatus as a proxy to the image forming apparatus that provides the predetermined Web service among the apparatuses on a network.

2. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the request for setting the proxy includes the path corresponding to the predetermined Web service and a path for setting the proxy.

3. 3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the request for setting the proxy further includes an IP address of the image forming apparatus.

4. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission event is generated based on detection by a self-monitoring function of the image forming apparatus.

5. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the storage means further stores the requested proxy setting in response to successful authentication of the information processing device.

6. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein said transmission means, when there is no proxy setting stored in said storage means, transmits the data via a general-purpose proxy if there is a general-purpose proxy.

7. The information processing device includes: A searching means for searching for an image forming apparatus connected via a network; and an acquisition unit for acquiring information on a Web service provided by the image forming device found by the search unit.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein when the Web service information acquired by the acquisition means includes the predetermined Web service, a request for setting a proxy for the predetermined Web service is transmitted to the image forming apparatus.

8. 8. The information processing system according to claim 7, wherein the information processing apparatus further comprises means for collectively registering the predetermined Web service in a plurality of image forming apparatuses found by the search means.

9. 8. The information processing system according to claim 7, wherein the information processing apparatus further comprises means for collectively transmitting the proxy setting request to a plurality of image forming apparatuses found by the search means.

10. An information processing system having a plurality of image forming apparatuses each having an output function for outputting operation information to a management server, a first image forming device of the plurality of image forming devices; A means for hosting a given web service; a means for receiving a request for setting a proxy for the output function via the predetermined Web service; a storage means for storing the proxy settings accepted by the accepting means; a means for transmitting the operation information to the management server via the proxy based on a setting of the proxy stored in the storage means when a transmission event of the operation information occurs; a registration means for registering information including a name of the predetermined Web service, a status indicating whether the service is valid or invalid, and a path for designating the predetermined Web service; a transmission unit for transmitting a proxy setting request for using the first image forming apparatus as a proxy for the output function to a second image forming apparatus of the plurality of image forming apparatuses; An information processing system comprising:

11. An image forming apparatus having an output function for outputting operation information to a management server, A means for hosting a given web service; a means for receiving a request for setting a proxy for the output function via the predetermined Web service; a storage means for storing the proxy settings accepted by the accepting means; a transmission means for transmitting the operation information to the management server via a proxy set in the proxy setting in response to a transmission event of the operation information; a registration means for registering information including a name of the predetermined Web service, a status indicating whether the service is valid or invalid, and a path for designating the predetermined Web service; An image forming apparatus comprising:

12. An image forming apparatus having an output function for outputting operation information to a management server, A means for hosting a given web service; a means for receiving a request for setting a proxy for the output function via the predetermined Web service; a storage means for storing the proxy settings accepted by the accepting means; a means for transmitting the operation information to the management server via the proxy based on a setting of the proxy stored in the storage means when a transmission event of the operation information occurs; a registration means for registering information including a name of the predetermined Web service, a status indicating whether the service is valid or invalid, and a path for designating the predetermined Web service; a transmission means for transmitting a request for setting a proxy to a first image forming apparatus connected via a network and having the output function, for using the first image forming apparatus as a proxy for the output function; An image forming apparatus comprising:

13. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus having an output function for outputting operation information to a management server, comprising: hosting a given web service; receiving a request for setting a proxy for the output function via the predetermined Web service; a storage step of storing the proxy setting received in the receiving step; a transmission step of transmitting the operation information to the management server via the proxy set in the proxy setting in response to the transmission event of the operation information; a registration step of registering information including a name of the predetermined Web service, a status indicating whether the service is valid or invalid, and a path for designating the predetermined Web service; A control method comprising the steps of:

14. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus having an output function for outputting operation information to a management server, comprising: hosting a given web service; receiving a request for setting a proxy for the output function via the predetermined Web service; a storage step of storing the proxy setting received in the receiving step; a registration step of registering information including a name of the predetermined Web service, a status indicating whether the service is valid or invalid, and a path for designating the predetermined Web service; a sending step of sending a proxy setting request to a first image forming apparatus connected via a network and having the output function, for using the image forming apparatus as a proxy for the output function; A control method comprising the steps of:

15. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 13 or 14.

Images