Log information management system

Abstract

To transmit log information to an appropriate log information management server.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 2 comprises a location information transmission unit 201b for transmitting installation location information of the image forming apparatus 2, and a log information transmission unit 201c for transmitting the stored log information to a log information management server 1. The log information management server 1 comprises: a determination unit 111 for determining whether the current installation location information indicates the image forming apparatus is within a server area defined based on server location information; a server detection unit 112 for allowing registration of the log information if it is determined that the image forming apparatus 2 is within the server area, and detecting another log information management server within a predetermined area where the image forming apparatus 2 is located if it is determined that the image forming apparatus 2 is outside the server area; and a control unit 113 for requesting another log information management server to register the image forming apparatus and transmitting the address of another log information management server to the image forming apparatus 2 if another log information management server is detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a log information management system for managing log information. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Log information management systems are used to manage log information generated in image forming apparatuses such as digital copiers and printers.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a method for transmitting logs in a log information management system in which log information generated in an image forming apparatus is transmitted to a server and the logs are managed on the server. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-128995 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the method of sending logs in the log information management system described in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the location of the server to which the logs are sent, and if the product is used worldwide and incorrect settings are made, there is a possibility that the logs will be sent to a server in a different region than the product's installation location. This could violate laws such as the European e-Privacy Directive and the Vietnam Cybersecurity Law.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has an object to provide a log information management system that transmits log information to an appropriate log information management server. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the log information management system according to the present invention is characterized by: A log information management system including an image forming apparatus and a log information management server connected to the image forming apparatus via a network, The image forming apparatus includes: a location information transmitting unit that transmits information about a location where the image forming apparatus is installed; a log information transmission means for transmitting the stored log information to the log information management server; The log information management server includes: A determination means for determining whether or not the current installation location information is within a server area defined based on the server location information; a server detection means for allowing the registration of the log information when the determination means determines that the image forming apparatus is within a server region, and for detecting another log information management server within a predetermined region in which the image forming apparatus is located when the determination means determines that the image forming apparatus is outside the server region; a control means for, when the other log information management server is detected by the server detection means, requesting the other log information management server to register the image forming apparatus and transmitting an address of the other log information management server to the image forming apparatus; The reason is that it is equipped with the following features. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the log information management system of the present invention, it is possible to transmit log information to an appropriate log information management server. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a log information management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the processing contents of the log information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the processing contents of a log information management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the processing contents of a log information management system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent parts and components are designated by the same or equivalent reference numerals throughout the drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and may differ from the actual product. In addition, the drawings may include parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios.

[0011] The embodiments described below are merely examples of devices for embodying the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the technical idea of ​​the present invention does not limit the arrangement of each component to that described below. Various modifications can be made to the technical idea of ​​the present invention within the scope of the claims.

[0012] An embodiment of a log information management system according to the present invention will now be described.

[0013] <Example 1> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a log information management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] 1, a log information management system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a log information management server 1 and an image forming apparatus 2. The log information management servers 1A, 1B, and 1C are connected to the image forming apparatus 2 via a wired or wireless network 3. The log information management servers 1A, 1B, and 1C are set in different regions but have the same configuration, so the following description will be given taking the log information management server 1A as an example.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 2 includes a control unit 21 and a mechanical control unit 22 .

[0016] The mechanical control unit 22 controls a paper transport unit, a printing unit, and the like that are provided in the image forming apparatus 2 (not shown).

[0017] The control unit 21 includes a data communication unit 201 , a position information storage unit 202 , a log generation unit 203 , a log information storage unit 204 , a system control unit 205 , a mechanical control communication unit 206 , and a panel control unit 207 .

[0018] The data communication unit 201 establishes communication with the log information management servers 1A, 1B, and 1C via the network 3, and transmits and receives various data such as position information and log information to and from the log information management servers 1A, 1B, and 1C with which communication has been established.

[0019] The location information storage unit 202 stores installation location information, which is location information indicating the location where the image forming apparatus 2 is installed, as well as the URL of the default log information management server 1A.

[0020] The log generation unit 203 generates log information of the control by the system control unit 205 .

[0021] The log information storage unit 204 stores the log information generated by the log generation unit 204 .

[0022] The system control unit 205 controls the entire system of the image forming apparatus 2 .

[0023] The mechanical control communication unit 206 communicates with the mechanical control unit 22 and transmits various commands to the mechanical control unit 22 .

[0024] The panel control unit 207 controls a display panel (not shown) to display various screens, such as an operation screen and a setting screen, on the display panel.

[0025] The data communication unit 201 functionally comprises a position information transmission unit 201b and a log information transmission unit 201c.

[0026] The location information transmission unit 201b transmits information on the location where the image forming apparatus 2, which is the image forming apparatus itself, is installed to the log information management server 1A via the network 3.

[0027] The log information transmission unit 201c transmits the log information stored in the log information storage unit 204 to the log information management server 1A.

[0028] The log information management server 1 includes a data communication unit 101, a log holding unit 102, a log management unit 103, a log analysis unit 104, a determination unit 111, a server detection unit 112, a control unit 113, and a storage unit 114.

[0029] The data communication unit 101 establishes communication with the image forming apparatus 2 via the network 3, and transmits and receives various data such as position information and log information to and from the image forming apparatus 2 with which communication has been established.

[0030] The log storage unit 102 stores the log information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2 via the network 3 .

[0031] The log management unit 103 manages the log information when the registration of the log information of the image forming apparatus 2 is permitted by the server detection unit 112 described later. Specifically, the log management unit 103 causes the log holding unit 102 to store the log information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2 via the network 3, and causes the log analysis unit 104 to analyze the log information stored in the log holding unit 102.

[0032] The log analysis unit 104 analyzes the log information stored in the log storage unit 102 .

[0033] The determination unit 111 determines whether or not installation location information, which is location information where the image forming device 2 is currently installed, is within a server area that is determined based on server location information indicating the location of the log information management server 1A stored in the storage unit 114. Within the server area is an area under the jurisdiction of the log information management server 1A, and is preset, for example, on a national basis, or within the EU / Asia region.

[0034] When the determination unit 111 determines that the installation location information of the image forming device 2 is within the server area, the server detection unit 112 allows the log information of the image forming device 2 to be registered.

[0035] On the other hand, if the determination unit 111 determines that the server is outside the server area, the server detection unit 112 detects other log information management servers within the predetermined area where the image forming device 2 is located. In the example shown in Fig. 1, if the log information management server 1B is within the predetermined area where the image forming device 2 is located and the log information management servers 1A and 1C are outside the predetermined area where the image forming device 2 is located, the server detection unit 112 detects the log information management server 1B as a log information management server within the predetermined area where the image forming device 2 is located.

[0036] When another log information management server is detected by server detection unit 112, control unit 113 requests the other log information management server to register image forming device 2, and transmits the address of the other log information management server to the image forming device. Here, log information management server 1B is detected as a log information management server in the specified area where image forming device 2 is located, so control unit 113 requests log information management server 1B to register image forming device 2, and transmits the address of log information management server 1B to image forming device 2.

[0037] The storage unit 114 stores information about the image forming apparatus 2, installation location information, and server location information, which is location information about the log information management server 1A, which is the apparatus itself.

[0038] Next, the operation of the log information management system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the process of the log information management system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] In step S101, the image forming apparatus 2 initiates an HTTPS connection request to the log information management server 1A via the network 3, and notifies the image forming apparatus 2 of its machine number for identifying the image forming apparatus 2.

[0041] In step S103, the log information management server 1A determines, based on the machine information stored in the storage unit 114, whether the machine information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2 is registered machine information.

[0042] If it is determined that the device information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2 is not registered device information (step S103; not registered), the log information management server 1A disconnects the connection in step S105.

[0043] On the other hand, if it is determined that the device information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2 is registered device information (step S103; registered), the log information management server 1A permits the connection in step S107.

[0044] In step S109, the image forming apparatus 2 transmits the installation location information of the image forming apparatus 2 to the log information management server 1A via the network 3.

[0045] In step S111, the determination unit 111 determines whether the transmitted installation location information is within a server area determined based on the server location information stored in the storage unit 114 and indicating the location of the log information management server 1A.

[0046] When the determination unit 111 determines that the transmitted installation location information is within the server area (step S111; within area), the log information management server 1A permits the connection in step S113.

[0047] In step S115, the image forming apparatus 2 that has been permitted to connect transmits log data to the log information management server 1A via the network 3. In step S117, the log information management server 1A receives the log data and stores it in the log storage unit .

[0048] On the other hand, if it is determined that the transmitted installation location information is outside the server area (step S111; outside area), in step S119, the log information management server 1A detects other log information management servers in the predetermined area where the image forming device 2 is located, and requests the other log information management servers to register the device. Here, it is assumed that the log information management server 1B is detected.

[0049] In step S121, the log information management server 1B executes a registration process of the machine number.

[0050] In step S123, the log information management server 1A transmits the address of the log information management server 1B to the image forming apparatus 2.

[0051] In step S125, the image forming apparatus 2 initiates an HTTPS connection request to the log information management server 1B via the network 3, and notifies the installation location information of the image forming apparatus 2 and the machine number for identifying the image forming apparatus 2.

[0052] In step S127, the log information management server 1B determines whether the machine information transmitted from the image forming device 2 is registered machine information, based on the machine information stored in the storage unit 114. After that, the log information management server 1B executes the same process as the process following step S103.

[0053] As described above, according to the log information management system 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention, the determination unit 111 determines whether or not the installation location information of the image forming device 2 is within a server area defined based on the server location information indicating the location of the log information management server 1A stored in the memory unit 114. If it is determined that the installation location information of the image forming device 2 is outside the server area, the server detection unit 112 detects other log information management servers within the specified area where the image forming device 2 is located. If the other log information management servers are detected, the control unit 113 requests the other log information management servers to register the image forming device 2, and transmits the addresses of the other log information management servers to the image forming device.

[0054] This allows log information to be sent to the log information management server after taking into consideration the installation location of the log information management server, which is the destination of the log information.Therefore, in the case of an image forming device used around the world, even if an incorrect setting is made as the destination for sending log information, it is possible to prevent logs from being mistakenly sent to a server in an area other than the installation location, and log information can be sent to the appropriate log information management server.

[0055] <Example 2> The operation of the log information management system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the log information management system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the log information management system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 1, so the description will be omitted.

[0056] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the process of the log information management system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] In step S201, the image forming apparatus 2 initiates an HTTPS connection request to the log information management server 1A via the network 3, and notifies the installation location information of the image forming apparatus 2 and a machine number for identifying the image forming apparatus 2.

[0058] In step S203, the determination unit 111 of the log information management server 1A determines whether the transmitted installation location information is within a server area defined based on the server location information stored in the memory unit 114 indicating the location of the log information management server 1A.

[0059] When the determination unit 111 determines that the transmitted installation location information is within the server area (step S203; within area), the log information management server 1A permits the connection in step S207.

[0060] In step S209, the image forming apparatus 2 that has been permitted to connect transmits log data to the log information management server 1A via the network 3. In step S211, the log information management server 1A receives the log data and stores it in the log storage unit .

[0061] On the other hand, if it is determined that the transmitted installation location information is outside the server area (step S203; outside area), in step S213, the log information management server 1A detects other log information management servers within the specified area where the image forming device 2 is located, and transmits the address of the detected log information management server 1B to the image forming device 2.

[0062] In step S215, the image forming apparatus 2 initiates an HTTPS connection request to the log information management server 1B via the network 3, and notifies the installation location information of the image forming apparatus 2 and the machine number for identifying the image forming apparatus 2.

[0063] In step S217, the log information management server 1B determines whether the machine information transmitted from the image forming device 2 is registered machine information, based on the machine information stored in the storage unit 114. After that, the log information management server 1B executes the same process as the process following step S203.

[0064] <Example 3> The operation of the log information management system 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the log information management system 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the log information management system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, so the description will be omitted.

[0065] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the process of the log information management system 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] In step S301, the image forming apparatus 2 initiates an HTTPS connection request to the log information management server 1A via the network 3, and notifies the installation location information of the image forming apparatus 2 and a machine number for identifying the image forming apparatus 2.

[0067] In step S303, the determination unit 111 of the log information management server 1A determines whether the transmitted installation location information is within a server area defined based on the server location information indicating the location of the log information management server 1A stored in the memory unit 114.

[0068] When the determination unit 111 determines that the transmitted installation location information is within the server area (step S303; within area), the log information management server 1A permits the connection in step S305.

[0069] In step S307, the image forming apparatus 2 that has been permitted to connect transmits log data to the log information management server 1A via the network 3. In step S309, the log information management server 1A receives the log data and stores it in the log storage unit .

[0070] On the other hand, if it is determined that the transmitted installation location information is outside the server area (step S303; outside area), in step S311, the log information management server 1A determines whether there are other log information management servers within the specified area in which the image forming device 2 is located.

[0071] If it is determined that there are no other log information management servers within the specified area (step S311; No), in step S313, the log information management server 1A deploys the log information management server application in the region (cloud data center) of the specified area where the image forming device 2 is located.

[0072] In step S315, a log information management server application is deployed in a predetermined region (cloud data center) where the image forming apparatus 2 exists.

[0073] In step S317, the log information management server 1A transmits to the image forming apparatus 2 the address of the log information management server arranged as an application.

[0074] In step S319, the image forming apparatus 2 initiates an HTTPS connection request to the log information management server deployed as an application in the image forming apparatus 2, and notifies the installation location information of the image forming apparatus 2 and the machine number for identifying the image forming apparatus 2.

[0075] In step S321, the log information management server deployed as an application determines, based on the device information, whether the device information transmitted from the image forming device 2 is registered device information. After that, the log information management server deployed as an application executes the same process as that following step S303.

[0076] (Additional Note) This application discloses the following inventions.

[0077] (Appendix 1) A log information management system including an image forming apparatus and a log information management server connected to the image forming apparatus via a network, The image forming apparatus includes: a location information transmitting unit that transmits information about a location where the image forming apparatus is installed; a log information transmission means for transmitting the stored log information to the log information management server; The log information management server includes: A determination means for determining whether or not the current installation location information is within a server area defined based on the server location information; a server detection means for allowing the registration of the log information when the determination means determines that the image forming apparatus is within a server region, and for detecting another log information management server within a predetermined region in which the image forming apparatus is located when the determination means determines that the image forming apparatus is outside the server region; a control means for, when the other log information management server is detected by the server detection means, requesting the other log information management server to register the image forming apparatus and transmitting an address of the other log information management server to the image forming apparatus; A log information management system comprising:

[0078] This allows log information to be sent to the log information management server after taking into consideration the installation location of the log information management server, which is the destination of the log information.Therefore, in the case of an image forming device used around the world, even if an incorrect setting is made as the destination for sending log information, it is possible to prevent logs from being mistakenly sent to a server in an area other than the installation location, and log information can be sent to the appropriate log information management server. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C Log information management server 2. Image forming device 3. Network 21 Control section 22 Mechanical control section 100 Log information management system 101 Data Communications Department 102 Log storage unit 103 Log Management Department 104 Log Analysis Unit 111 Judgment section 112 Server Detector 113 Control Unit 114 Storage section 201 Data Communications Department 201b Location information transmission unit 201c Log information transmission section 202 Location information storage unit 203 Log Generation Unit 204 Log information storage unit 205 System Control Unit 206 Mechanical Control and Communication Department 207 Panel control section

Claims

[Claim 1] A log information management system including an image forming apparatus and a log information management server connected to the image forming apparatus via a network, The image forming apparatus includes: a location information transmitting unit that transmits information about a location where the image forming apparatus is installed; a log information transmission means for transmitting the stored log information to the log information management server; The log information management server includes: A determination means for determining whether or not the current installation location information is within a server area defined based on the server location information; a server detection means for allowing the registration of the log information when the determination means determines that the image forming apparatus is within a server region, and for detecting another log information management server within a predetermined region in which the image forming apparatus is located when the determination means determines that the image forming apparatus is outside the server region; a control means for, when the other log information management server is detected by the server detection means, requesting the other log information management server to register the image forming apparatus and transmitting an address of the other log information management server to the image forming apparatus; A log information management system comprising:

Images