Relay system, relay program, management system, and management program

Abstract

To provide a relay system, a relay program, a management system, and a management program capable of stopping start of execution of maintenance of an electronic device according to an instruction from a user of the relay system even when information of a task of the maintenance of the electronic device is registered in the management system.SOLUTION: The relay system can set a setting value of a maintenance execution propriety setting as a setting of the propriety of execution of maintenance of an image forming apparatus in response to an instruction from a user. In a case where information about a maintenance task is registered in a management system (YES in S303), when the execution of maintenance is a setting value of the maintenance execution propriety setting (YES in S301 or YES in S306), the relay system executes the task (S304), and when the execution of maintenance is not the setting value of the maintenance execution propriety setting (NO in S301 or NO in S306), the relay system does not execute maintenance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 22

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a relay system that relays communication between an electronic device and a management system that manages the electronic device, a relay program, a management system, and a management program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a system including an electronic device, a management system that manages the electronic device, and a relay system that relays communication between the electronic device and the management system (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This relay system executes a maintenance task for the electronic device when the task information is registered in the management system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-104050 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional relay systems, if information about a maintenance task for an electronic device is registered in the management system, the task is executed, which results in a problem that the execution of maintenance for the electronic device may be started against the will of the user of the relay system.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a relay system, a relay program, a management system, and a management program that can stop the start of execution of maintenance of an electronic device in response to an instruction from a user of the relay system, even if information on the maintenance task of the electronic device is registered in the management system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The relay system of the present invention is a relay system that relays communication between an electronic device and a management system that manages the electronic device, and is characterized in that a setting value for a maintenance execution setting as a setting for whether or not maintenance is performed on the electronic device can be set in response to instructions from a user, and when information on the maintenance task is registered in the management system, the task is executed when the setting value is to execute the maintenance, and the task is not executed when the setting value is not to execute the maintenance.

[0007] With this configuration, the relay system of the present invention can set the setting value of the maintenance execution feasibility setting for setting whether or not maintenance of the electronic device is to be performed in response to instructions from a user of the relay system, and when information about the task of maintaining the electronic device is registered in the management system, the task of maintaining the electronic device is performed when the setting value of the maintenance execution feasibility setting is to perform maintenance of the electronic device, and the task of maintaining the electronic device is not performed when the setting value of the maintenance execution feasibility setting is not to perform maintenance of the electronic device. Therefore, even when information about the task of maintaining the electronic device is registered in the management system, the start of the execution of maintenance of the electronic device can be stopped in response to instructions from a user of the relay system.

[0008] The relay system of the present invention may be configured such that the setting value cannot be changed according to an instruction from the management system.

[0009] With this configuration, the relay system of the present invention can set the setting value of the maintenance execution setting in response to instructions from a user of the relay system, but cannot change the setting value of the maintenance execution setting in response to instructions from the management system, so it is possible to prevent the execution of maintenance of electronic devices from being started against the will of the user of the relay system in response to instructions from the management system.

[0010] The relay program of the present invention is a relay program that causes a computer to function as a relay system that relays communication between an electronic device and a management system that manages the electronic device, and the relay system is capable of setting a setting value for a maintenance execution setting as a setting for whether or not maintenance is to be performed on the electronic device in response to instructions from a user, and when information on the maintenance task is registered in the management system, the relay system executes the task when the setting value is to perform the maintenance, and does not execute the task when the setting value is not to perform the maintenance.

[0011] With this configuration, the relay system as a computer executing the relay program of the present invention can set the setting value of the maintenance execution yes / no setting for whether or not maintenance of the electronic device is to be performed in response to instructions from a user of the relay system, and when information about the task of maintaining the electronic device is registered in the management system, the task of maintaining the electronic device is performed when the setting value of the maintenance execution yes / no setting is to perform maintenance of the electronic device, and the task of maintaining the electronic device is not performed when the setting value of the maintenance execution yes / no setting is not to perform maintenance of the electronic device. Therefore, even when information about the task of maintaining the electronic device is registered in the management system, the start of the execution of maintenance of the electronic device can be stopped in response to instructions from a user of the relay system.

[0012] The management system of the present invention is a management system for managing electronic devices, and is characterized in that when a relay program that causes a computer to function as a relay system that relays communication between the electronic device and the management system is installed on the computer, an initial value of the setting content to be reflected in the relay system can be set in response to instructions from a user, the relay system can set a setting value for a maintenance execution setting as a setting for whether or not maintenance is to be performed on the electronic device in response to instructions from the user, and when information on the maintenance task is registered in the management system, the task is executed when the setting value is to perform the maintenance, and the task is not executed when the setting value is not to perform the maintenance, and the setting content includes the setting value.

[0013] With this configuration, the management system of the present invention can set initial values ​​of the setting contents, including the setting value for the maintenance execution setting, which are reflected in the relay system when the relay program is installed on a computer, in response to instructions from a user of the management system, thereby improving convenience for users of the relay system.

[0014] The management system of the present invention may be unable to instruct the relay system to change the setting value.

[0015] With this configuration, the management system of the present invention cannot instruct the relay system to change the setting value of the maintenance execution setting, so it is possible to prevent the execution of maintenance on electronic devices from being started against the intention of the user of the relay system in response to an instruction from the management system.

[0016] The management system of the present invention may manage the initial value in association with a key code, and when the key code is notified from the computer, transmit the initial value associated with the key code to the computer.

[0017] With this configuration, when a key code is notified from a computer, the management system of the present invention transmits to the computer the initial values ​​of the settings to be reflected in the relay system, which are associated with the key code, so that the convenience for users of the relay system can be improved with a simple configuration.

[0018] The management system of the present invention may send an email including the key code when setting the initial value.

[0019] With this configuration, the management system of the present invention sends an e-mail including a key code when setting initial values ​​for the setting contents to be reflected in the relay system, thereby improving convenience for users of the relay system with a simple configuration.

[0020] The management program of the present invention is a management program that causes a first computer to function as a management system that manages electronic devices, and when a relay program that causes a second computer to function as a relay system that relays communication between the electronic device and the management system is installed on the second computer, an initial value of the setting content to be reflected in the relay system can be set in response to instructions from a user, and the relay system can set a setting value for a maintenance execution setting as a setting for whether or not maintenance is to be performed on the electronic device in response to instructions from a user, and when information on the maintenance task is registered in the management system, the task is executed when the setting value is to perform the maintenance, and the task is not executed when the setting value is not to perform the maintenance, and the setting content includes the setting value.

[0021] With this configuration, the management system as the first computer that executes the management program of the present invention can set initial values ​​of the setting contents, including the setting value for the maintenance execution setting, which are reflected in the relay system when the relay program is installed on the second computer, in response to instructions from a user of the management system, thereby improving convenience for users of the relay system. Effect of the Invention

[0022] The relay system, relay program, management system, and management program of the present invention can stop the start of maintenance of an electronic device in response to an instruction from a user of the relay system, even if information on the maintenance task of the electronic device is registered in the management system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when it is an MFP. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the management system shown in FIG. 1 when configured by one computer. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of device management information shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a diagram showing an example of group management information shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of initial value information shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 4 is a diagram showing an example of maintenance task information shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of task history information illustrated in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the relay system shown in FIG. 1 when configured by one computer. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting information illustrated in FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing an example of device management information shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of task schedule information shown in FIG. [Figure 13] 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the management system shown in FIG. 3 when sending a download email. [Figure 14]FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a mail sending screen displayed in the operation shown in FIG. [Figure 15] 4 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the maintenance system shown in FIG. 1 when a relay program is installed in the relay system. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a download page provided by the management system shown in FIG. 15. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the relay system shown in FIG. 9 when the setting contents are changed. [Figure 18] 18 is a diagram showing an example of a setting content change screen displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 17. FIG. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the relay system shown in FIG. 9 when notifying a management system of various pieces of information about the image forming apparatus. [Figure 20] 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the management system shown in FIG. 3 when storing maintenance task information. [Figure 21] 21 is a diagram showing an example of a task information registration screen displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 20. FIG. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the relay system shown in FIG. 9 when scheduling a maintenance task. [Diagram 23] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the relay system shown in FIG. 9 when starting execution of a maintenance task. [Figure 24] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the relay system shown in FIG. 9 when executing a maintenance task. [Diagram 25] 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the management system shown in FIG. 3 when recording the status of the execution of a maintenance task. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] First, the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 includes an image forming apparatus 20 as an electronic device. The system 10 may include at least one image forming apparatus as an electronic device in a LAN (Local Area Network) 11 in which the image forming apparatus 20 is located, other than the image forming apparatus 20. The system 10 may include at least one image forming apparatus as an electronic device in each of at least one LAN different from the LAN 11. The image forming apparatus is configured by, for example, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) or a dedicated printer. The configurations of the image forming apparatuses in the system 10 other than the image forming apparatus 20 are the same as the configuration of the image forming apparatus 20.

[0028] The system 10 includes a maintenance system 30 for performing maintenance on the image forming apparatus.

[0029] The maintenance system 30 includes a management system 40 that manages the image forming apparatuses in the system 10. The management system 40 may be realized by one computer or may be realized by multiple computers. The management system 40 may be placed on the cloud.

[0030] The maintenance system 30 includes a relay system 50 in the LAN 11 that relays communication between the image forming apparatuses arranged in the LAN 11 and the management system 40. Similarly, the maintenance system 30 may include a relay system in a LAN different from the LAN 11 that relays communication between the image forming apparatuses arranged in the LAN 11 and the management system 40. Each relay system may be realized by one computer or multiple computers. The configurations of the relay systems in the system 10 other than the relay system 50 are the same as the configuration of the relay system 50.

[0031] The management system 40 and the relay system in the system 10 can be connected to each other via the Internet 12 .

[0032] System 10 includes a firewall 60 in LAN 11 that prohibits connections from outside LAN 11 to the inside of LAN 11 and allows connections from inside LAN 11 to the outside of LAN 11. Similarly, system 10 may include a firewall in a LAN different from LAN 11 that prohibits connections from outside LAN 11 to the inside of this LAN and allows connections from inside this LAN to the outside of this LAN.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus 20 when it is an MFP.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 20 is a computer that includes an operation unit 21 which is an operation device such as a button through which various operations are input, a display unit 22 which is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information, a printer 23 which is a printing device that prints images on a recording medium such as paper, a scanner 24 which is a reading device that reads images from a document, a communication unit 25 which is a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without using a network, a fax communication unit 26 which is a fax device that communicates by fax with an external facsimile machine (not shown) via a communication line such as a public telephone line, a memory unit 27 which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various information, and a control unit 28 which controls the entire image forming apparatus 20.

[0035] The control unit 28 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as a memory used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 28. The CPU of the control unit 28 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 27 or the ROM of the control unit 28.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a management system 40 configured by one computer.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the management system 40 includes an operation unit 41 which is an operating device such as a keyboard or mouse through which various operations are input, a display unit 42 which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information, a communication unit 43 which is a communication device that communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without going through a network, a memory unit 44 which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information, and a control unit 45 which controls the entire management system 40.

[0038] The storage unit 44 can store a management program 44a for managing the image forming apparatus in the system 10. The management program 44a may be installed in the management system 40 during the manufacturing stage of the management system 40, or may be additionally installed in the management system 40 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the management system 40 from a network.

[0039] The storage unit 44 is capable of storing device management information 44b for managing various information of the image forming device.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the device management information 44b.

[0041] The device management information 44b shown in FIG. 4 includes, for each image forming device, a device ID as identification information for the image forming device, the firmware version of the image forming device, network information such as the IP (Internet Protocol) address and host name of the image forming device, the number of printed sheets shown on the counter of the image forming device, the remaining amount of consumables such as toner in the image forming device, and error information such as jams that have occurred in the image forming device.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, the storage unit 44 stores group management information 44c for managing groups to which relay systems and image forming apparatuses belong.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the group management information 44c.

[0044] 5 includes, for each group, a group ID as identification information of the group to which the relay system and image forming apparatus belong, a device ID of the image forming apparatus, and a relay system ID as identification information of the relay system. The relay system and image forming apparatus belonging to the same group are arranged on the same LAN.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the storage unit 44 stores initial value information 44d that indicates initial values ​​of the setting contents that are reflected in the relay system.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the initial value information 44d.

[0047] 6 includes, for example, a key code consisting of a six-digit number, and an initial value of the setting contents associated with the key code for each key code. The setting contents include, for example, a setting value for whether or not maintenance of the image forming device is performed (hereinafter referred to as "maintenance execution setting"), a setting value for the time interval for notifying the management system 40 of various information of the image forming device (hereinafter referred to as "information notification interval setting"), a setting value for the image forming device to be relayed (hereinafter referred to as "target device setting"), and a setting value for the group ID of the group to which the relay system belongs (hereinafter referred to as "group setting").

[0048] The set value of the maintenance execution setting is either "execute", which indicates that maintenance of the image forming apparatus is to be executed, or "do not execute", which indicates that maintenance of the image forming apparatus is not to be executed.

[0049] The setting value of the information notification interval setting can be specified in units of, for example, one hour.

[0050] The set value of the target device setting may be specified as all image forming devices in the same LAN as the relay system, or the IP address of the image forming device to be relayed may be specified individually.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3, the storage unit 44 stores an installer for a relay program (hereinafter, referred to as a "relay program installer") 44e, which will be described later.

[0052] The storage unit 44 can store information (hereinafter referred to as "maintenance task information") 44f on a maintenance task (hereinafter referred to as "maintenance task") for the image forming apparatus. The storage unit 44 can store at least one other piece of maintenance task information other than the maintenance task information 44f.

[0053] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the maintenance task information 44f.

[0054] The maintenance task information 44f shown in FIG. 7 includes a maintenance task ID as identification information for the maintenance task, the group to be maintained, the image forming device to be maintained, the type of maintenance, the content of the maintenance, the scheduled date and time for performing the maintenance, and settings for retrying the maintenance.

[0055] The group to be maintained is specified by the group ID.

[0056] The image forming apparatuses to be subjected to maintenance may be specified as, for example, all image forming apparatuses belonging to the same group, or may be specified by device ID among the image forming apparatuses belonging to the same group.

[0057] The types of maintenance include, for example, updating the firmware of the image forming apparatus, restarting the image forming apparatus, and changing the settings of the image forming apparatus.

[0058] The content of the maintenance includes, for example, a link to download new firmware if the type of maintenance is a firmware update for the image forming device, and includes, for example, the changed settings if the type of maintenance is a change in the settings of the image forming device.

[0059] The maintenance retry settings include the time interval between retries and the number of allowed retries.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 3, the storage unit 44 can store task history information 44g that indicates the history of the execution of a maintenance task.

[0061] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the task history information 44g.

[0062] Task history information 44g shown in FIG. 8 includes, for each maintenance task, a maintenance task ID, the status of the execution of the maintenance task, the start date and time of the execution of the maintenance task, the completion date and time of the execution of the maintenance task, and the execution result of the maintenance task.

[0063] 3 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM as a memory used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 45. The CPU of the control unit 45 executes a program stored in the storage unit 44 or the ROM of the control unit 45.

[0064] By executing the management program 44a, the control unit 45 realizes an email sending unit 45a that sends an email (hereinafter referred to as a "download email") for downloading the relay program installer 44e, an installer sending unit 45b that sends the relay program installer 44e, an information updating unit 45c that updates the device management information 44b and the group management information 44c, a task information management unit 45d that manages maintenance task information, and an execution status management unit 45e that manages the status of maintenance task execution.

[0065] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a relay system 50 configured by one computer.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 9, relay system 50 includes an operation unit 51 which is an operation device such as a keyboard or a mouse through which various operations are input, a display unit 52 which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information, a communication unit 53 which is a communication device that communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without using a network, a memory unit 54 which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or a HDD that stores various information, and a control unit 55 which controls relay system 50 as a whole.

[0067] The storage unit 54 can store a relay program 54a for relaying communication between the image forming apparatus and the management system 40. The relay program 54a is installed in the relay system 50 from the network.

[0068] The storage unit 54 is capable of storing setting information 54b indicating the setting contents of the relay system 50.

[0069] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the setting information 54b.

[0070] The setting information 54b shown in FIG. 10 includes, for example, a setting value for maintenance execution setting, a setting value for information notification interval setting, a setting value for target device setting, and a setting value for group setting.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 9, the storage unit 54 can store device management information 54c for managing various information about the image forming device.

[0072] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the device management information 54c.

[0073] The device management information 54c shown in FIG. 11 includes, for each image forming device, for example, the serial number of the image forming device, the device ID of the image forming device, the firmware version of the image forming device, network information such as the IP address and host name of the image forming device, the number of printed sheets shown on the counter of the image forming device, the remaining amount of consumables such as toner in the image forming device, and error information such as a jam that has occurred in the image forming device.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 9, the storage unit 54 is capable of storing task schedule information 54d that indicates a schedule of a maintenance task.

[0075] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the task schedule information 54d.

[0076] Task schedule information 54d shown in FIG. 12 includes, for each maintenance task, the scheduled date and time for performing the maintenance, the maintenance task ID of the maintenance task, the image forming device to be maintained, the type of maintenance, the contents of the maintenance, and a setting for retrying the maintenance.

[0077] 9 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM storing programs and various data, and a RAM serving as a memory used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 55. The CPU of the control unit 55 executes a program stored in the storage unit 54 or the ROM of the control unit 55.

[0078] The control unit 55 executes a program stored in the storage unit 54 or the ROM of the control unit 55, thereby realizing a relay program installation unit 55a that installs the relay program 54a.

[0079] The control unit 55 executes the relay program 54a to realize a setting content change unit 55b that changes the setting content of the relay system 50, a device information notification unit 55c that notifies the management system 40 of various information about the image forming device, and a task execution unit 55d that executes maintenance tasks.

[0080] The operation of the system 10 will now be described.

[0081] First, the operation of the management system 40 when sending a download email will be described.

[0082] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the management system 40 when sending a download email.

[0083] A user of the management system 40 can instruct the management system 40 to display a screen for sending a download email (hereinafter referred to as an "email sending screen") via the operation unit 41. For example, the user of the management system 40 may be a person who belongs to a sales company or a dealer of the image forming device. When an instruction to display the email sending screen is given via the operation unit 41, the email sending unit 45a of the management system 40 executes the operation shown in FIG. 13.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 13, the mail sending unit 45a displays a mail sending screen 100 (see FIG. 14) on the display unit 42 (S201).

[0085] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the email sending screen 100. As shown in FIG.

[0086] As shown in Figure 14, the email sending screen 100 includes a text box 101, which is a widget for inputting the email address of the destination of the download email, a check box 102, which is a widget for setting whether or not maintenance is performed, a drop-down list 103, which is a widget for setting the information notification interval, a target device setting section 104 for setting the target device, a text box 105, which is a widget for setting a group, a cancel button 106, which is a widget for canceling the sending of the download email, and a send button 107, which is a widget for sending the download email.

[0087] The target device setting section 104 includes a radio button 104a, which is a widget for selecting all image forming devices located on the LAN on which the relay system is located as targets for relay, a radio button 104b, which is a widget for selecting an image forming device specified by an IP address among the image forming devices located on the LAN on which the relay system is located as targets for relay, and a text box 104c, which is a widget for specifying the IP address of the image forming device to be the target for relay. Only one of the radio buttons 104a and 104b is always selected.

[0088] The send button 107 is grayed out and cannot be pressed when no characters are entered in the text box 101. The send button 107 is grayed out and cannot be pressed when no characters are entered in the text box 104c while the radio button 104b is selected.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 13, when the process of S201 ends, the mail transmission unit 45a judges whether or not the cancel button 106 has been pressed (S202).

[0090] If the mail sending unit 45a determines in S202 that the cancel button 106 has not been pressed, it determines whether or not the send button 107 has been pressed (S203).

[0091] If the mail sending unit 45a determines in S203 that the send button 107 has not been pressed, it executes the process of S202.

[0092] When the mail sending unit 45a determines in S203 that the send button 107 has been pressed, the mail sending unit 45a generates any one of the key codes not included in the initial value information 44d (S204). For example, the mail sending unit 45a randomly generates any one of the key codes not included in the initial value information 44d.

[0093] When the processing of S204 is completed, the mail sending unit 45a writes the key code generated in S204 in association with the setting contents specified on the mail sending screen 100 at the time the send button 107 was pressed, into the initial value information 44d (S205).

[0094] When the process of S205 is completed, the mail sending unit 45a generates an e-mail, i.e., a download mail, which includes in its body a link for downloading the relay program installer 44e (hereinafter referred to as the "download link") and the key code generated in S204 and is addressed to the e-mail address entered in the text box 101 at the time the send button 107 was pressed (S206). Here, the download link is the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a Web page (hereinafter referred to as the "download page") provided by the management system 40 for downloading the relay program installer 44e.

[0095] When the process of S206 ends, the mail sending unit 45a sends the download mail generated in S206 (S207).

[0096] When the mail sending unit 45a determines in S202 that the cancel button 106 has been pressed, or when the process of S207 ends, it terminates the display of the mail sending screen 100 on the display unit 42 (S208), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0097] In the above, the user of the management system 40 inputs various instructions to the management system 40 via the operation unit 41. However, the user of the management system 40 may input various instructions to the management system 40 via the operation unit of a computer (not shown) connected to the management system 40. When the user of the management system 40 inputs various instructions to the management system 40 via the operation unit of a computer (not shown) connected to the management system 40, the email sending screen generated by the management system 40 is output to the display unit of this computer.

[0098] Next, the operation of the maintenance system 30 when the relay program 54a is installed in the relay system 50 will be described.

[0099] FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the maintenance system 30 when the relay program 54a is installed in the relay system 50. As shown in FIG.

[0100] When the user of the relay system 50 receives the download email, the user can instruct the relay system 50 to access the download link described in the received download email via the operation unit 51. For example, the user of the relay system 50 may be an administrator of the image forming device on the user side of the image forming device. When the user is instructed to access the download link via the operation unit 51, the relay program installation unit 55a of the relay system 50 executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0101] 15, the relay program installing unit 55a accesses the download link (S221). That is, the relay program installing unit 55a accesses the download page provided by the management system 40.

[0102] When the relay system 50 accesses the download link in S221, the installer transmitting unit 45b of the management system 40 transmits data of the download page to the relay system 50 (S222).

[0103] When the relay program installer 55a of the relay system 50 receives the data transmitted by the management system 40 in S222, it displays the download page 110 (see FIG. 16) on the display unit 52 based on the received data (S223).

[0104] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a download page 110 provided by the management system 40. As shown in FIG.

[0105] A download page 110 shown in FIG. 16 includes a text box 111, which is a widget for inputting a key code, and a download button 112, which is a widget for starting the download of the relay program installer 44e.

[0106] 15, after the process of S223 ends, if the download button 112 is pressed and no key code is entered in the text box 111, the relay program installation unit 55a of the relay system 50 transmits a notification that an instruction to download the relay program installer 44e has been issued (hereinafter referred to as a "download instruction notification") to the management system 40 (S224). The download instruction notification transmitted in S224 does not include a key code.

[0107] When the installer transmitting unit 45b of the management system 40 receives the download instruction notification transmitted by the relay system 50 in S224, it transmits a relay program installer, which is a copy of the relay program installer 44e, to the relay system 50 (S225).

[0108] When the relay program installer 55a of the relay system 50 receives the relay program installer transmitted by the management system 40 in S225, it installs the relay program 54a using the received relay program installer (S226).

[0109] After the processing of S223 is completed, when the download button 112 is pressed and a key code has been entered in the text box 111, the relay program installer 55a sends a download instruction notification including the key code entered in the text box 111 to the management system 40 (S227).

[0110] When the installer sending unit 45b of the management system 40 receives the download instruction notification sent by the relay system 50 in S227, if the key code included in the received download instruction notification is not included in the initial value information 44d, the installer sending unit 45b sends a relay program installer, which is a copy of the relay program installer 44e, to the relay system 50 (S228).

[0111] When the relay program installer 55a of the relay system 50 receives the relay program installer transmitted by the management system 40 in S228, it installs the relay program 54a using the received relay program installer (S229).

[0112] When the installer sending unit 45b of the management system 40 receives the download instruction notification sent by the relay system 50 in S227, if the key code included in the received download instruction notification is included in the initial value information 44d, the installer sending unit 45b sends to the relay system 50 a relay program installer that is a copy of the relay program installer 44e and the initial values ​​of the setting contents that are associated in the initial value information 44d with the key code included in the download instruction notification (S230).

[0113] When the relay program installer 55a of the relay system 50 receives the relay program installer and the initial values ​​transmitted by the management system 40 in S230, it installs the relay program 54a using the received relay program installer (S231).

[0114] When the process of S231 is completed, the relay program installer 55a reflects the initial value transmitted from the management system 40 in S230 in the setting information 54b (S232). That is, the relay program installer 55a executes the setup of the relay program 54a.

[0115] Next, the operation of the relay system 50 when the setting contents are changed will be described.

[0116] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the relay system 50 when the setting contents are changed.

[0117] A user of the relay system 50 can instruct the relay system 50 to display a screen for changing the settings of the relay system 50 (hereinafter referred to as a "settings change screen") via the operation unit 51. When the display of the settings change screen is instructed via the operation unit 51, the settings change unit 55b of the relay system 50 executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 17, the setting content change section 55b displays the setting content change screen 120 (see FIG. 18) on the display section 52 (S241).

[0119] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the setting content change screen 120. As shown in FIG.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 18 , setting content change screen 120 includes check box 121, which is a widget for setting whether maintenance is performed, drop-down list 122, which is a widget for setting an information notification interval, target device setting section 123 for setting the target device, cancel button 124, which is a widget for canceling the change to the setting content of the relay system 50, and change button 125, which is a widget for changing the setting content of the relay system 50.

[0121] The target device setting section 123 includes a radio button 123a, which is a widget for selecting all image forming devices located on the LAN on which the relay system is located as targets for relay, a radio button 123b, which is a widget for selecting an image forming device specified by an IP address among the image forming devices located on the LAN on which the relay system is located as targets for relay, and a text box 123c, which is a widget for specifying the IP address of the image forming device to be the target for relay. Only one of the radio buttons 123a and 123b is always selected.

[0122] When the setting content change section 55b displays the setting content change screen 120 on the display section 42 in S241, the setting content change section 55b reflects the setting content indicated in the setting information 54b on the setting content change screen 120.

[0123] When the radio button 123b is selected and no characters are entered in the text box 123c, the change button 125 is grayed out and cannot be pressed.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 17, when the process of S241 ends, the setting content change section 55b judges whether or not the cancel button 124 has been pressed (S242).

[0125] If it is determined in S242 that the cancel button 124 has not been pressed, the setting content change section 55b determines whether or not the change button 125 has been pressed (S243).

[0126] If the setting content change section 55b determines in S243 that the change button 125 has not been pressed, it executes the process of S242.

[0127] If the setting content change section 55b determines in S243 that the change button 125 has been pressed, it reflects in the setting information 54b the setting content designated on the setting content change screen 120 at the time the change button 125 was pressed (S244).

[0128] When the setting content change section 55b determines in S242 that the cancel button 124 has been pressed, or when the processing of S244 ends, it stops displaying the setting content change screen 120 on the display section 42 (S245), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0129] In the above, the user of the relay system 50 inputs various instructions to the relay system 50 via the operation unit 51. However, the user of the relay system 50 may input various instructions to the relay system 50 via the operation unit of a computer (not shown) connected to the relay system 50. When the user of the relay system 50 inputs various instructions to the relay system 50 via the operation unit of a computer (not shown) connected to the relay system 50, the setting content change screen generated by the relay system 50 is output to the display unit of this computer.

[0130] Next, the operation of the relay system 50 when notifying various information of the image forming apparatus to the management system 40 will be described.

[0131] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the relay system 50 when notifying the management system 40 of various information about the image forming apparatus.

[0132] The device information notifying unit 55c of the relay system 50 executes the operation shown in FIG. 19 at each time interval indicated by the setting value of the information notification interval setting in the setting information 54b.

[0133] 19, the device information notification unit 55c acquires various information from the image forming device indicated by the setting value of the target device setting in the setting information 54b (S261). The information acquired in S261 includes, for example, the serial number of the image forming device, the firmware version of the image forming device, the IP address of the image forming device, network information such as the host name, the number of printed sheets indicated on the counter of the image forming device, the remaining amount of consumables such as toner of the image forming device, and error information such as a jam that has occurred in the image forming device.

[0134] When the process of S261 is completed, the device information notification unit 55c updates the device management information 54c based on the information acquired in S261 (S262). Here, the device information notification unit 55c generates a device ID of the image forming device according to a specific rule based on the serial number acquired in S261.

[0135] When the process of S262 is completed, the device information notifying unit 55c notifies the management system 40 of the information based on the device management information 54c updated in S262 and the group ID indicated in the setting information 54b (S263), and terminates the operation shown in Fig. 19. The information based on the device management information 54c notified in S263 includes, for example, the device ID of the image forming device, the firmware version of the image forming device, network information such as the IP address and host name of the image forming device, the number of printed sheets indicated on the counter of the image forming device, the remaining amount of consumables such as toner in the image forming device, and error information such as a jam that has occurred in the image forming device.

[0136] When the information update unit 45c of the management system 40 receives the information transmitted from the relay system 50 in S263, it updates the device management information 44b and the group management information 44c based on the received information. Here, the information update unit 45c adopts the group ID transmitted from the relay system 50 in S263 as the group ID to be associated with the device ID transmitted from the relay system 50 in S263.

[0137] Next, the operation of the management system 40 when storing maintenance task information will be described.

[0138] FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the operation of the management system 40 when storing maintenance task information.

[0139] A user of the management system 40 can instruct the management system 40 to display a screen for registering maintenance task information (hereinafter referred to as a "task information registration screen") via the operation unit 41. When the display of the task information registration screen is instructed via the operation unit 41, the task information management unit 45d of the management system 40 executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0140] As shown in FIG. 20, the task information management unit 45d displays the task information registration screen 130 (see FIG. 21) on the display unit 42 (S281).

[0141] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the task information registration screen 130. As shown in FIG.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 21, task information registration screen 130 includes text box 131, which is a widget for inputting the group ID of the group to be maintained, target device setting section 132 for specifying the image forming device to be maintained, drop-down list 133, which is a widget for selecting the type of maintenance, text box 134, which is a widget for inputting the contents of the maintenance, drop-down lists 135a, 135b, 135c, 135d, and 135e, which are widgets for inputting the scheduled date and time for performing the maintenance, drop-down list 136a, which is a widget for inputting the time interval between maintenance retries, drop-down list 136b, which is a widget for inputting the allowable number of maintenance retries, cancel button 137, which is a widget for canceling the registration of maintenance task information, and register button 138, which is a widget for registering maintenance task information.

[0143] The group IDs that can be specified in the text box 131 are the group IDs included in the group management information 44c.

[0144] The target device setting section 132 includes a radio button 132a, which is a widget for selecting all image forming devices belonging to a group specified by a group ID shown in a text box 131 as targets for maintenance, a radio button 132b, which is a widget for selecting an image forming device specified by an IP address among the image forming devices belonging to a group specified by a group ID shown in a text box 131 as targets for maintenance, and a text box 132c, which is a widget for specifying the IP address of the image forming device to be the target for maintenance. Only one of the radio buttons 132a and 132b is always selected. The device ID that can be specified in the text box 132c is the device ID associated with the group ID shown in the text box 131 in the group management information 44c.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 20, when the process of S281 ends, the task information management section 45d determines whether or not the cancel button 137 has been pressed (S282).

[0146] If the task information management unit 45d determines in S282 that the cancel button 137 has not been pressed, it determines whether or not the register button 138 has been pressed (S283).

[0147] If the task information management unit 45d determines in S283 that the registration button 138 has not been pressed, it executes the process of S282.

[0148] When the task information management unit 45d determines in S283 that the registration button 138 has been pressed, it writes into the storage unit 44 the maintenance task information indicating the content specified on the task information registration screen 130 at the time the registration button 138 was pressed (S284).

[0149] When the task information management unit 45d determines in S282 that the cancel button 137 has been pressed or when the processing of S284 ends, it terminates the display of the task information registration screen 130 on the display unit 42 (S285) and ends the operation shown in FIG. 20.

[0150] In the above, the user of the management system 40 inputs various instructions to the management system 40 via the operation unit 41. However, the user of the management system 40 may input various instructions to the management system 40 via the operation unit of a computer (not shown) connected to the management system 40. When the user of the management system 40 inputs various instructions to the management system 40 via the operation unit of a computer (not shown) connected to the management system 40, the task information registration screen generated by the management system 40 is output to the display unit of this computer.

[0151] Next, the operation of the relay system 50 when scheduling a maintenance task will be described.

[0152] FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the operation of the relay system 50 when scheduling a maintenance task.

[0153] As shown in FIG. 22, the task execution unit 55d of the relay system 50 determines whether the setting value of the maintenance execution setting in the setting information 54b is “execute” or not until it determines that the setting value of the maintenance execution setting is “execute” (S301).

[0154] When the task execution unit 55d determines that the setting value of the maintenance execution setting is "execute," it inquires of the management system 40 whether or not unnotified maintenance task information for an image forming device under the management of the relay system 50, i.e., unnotified maintenance task information for a group identified by the group ID indicated in the setting information 54b, has been registered (S302). When maintenance task information for a group identified by the group ID included in the inquiry in S302 is stored in the storage unit 44 and no record yet exists in the task history information 44g, the task information management unit 45d of the management system 40 notifies the relay system 50 of the maintenance task indicated in the maintenance task information, i.e., the maintenance task ID, the target image forming device, the type, the content, the scheduled date and time, and the retry setting, and adds a record of the maintenance task information to the task history information 44g. On the other hand, if maintenance task information targeted at the group identified by the group ID included in the inquiry in 302 and for which no record yet exists in the task history information 44g is stored in the memory unit 44, the task information management unit 45d notifies the relay system 50 that the corresponding maintenance task information has not been registered.

[0155] When the process of S302 ends, the task executing unit 55d determines whether or not a maintenance task for an image forming device under the management of the relay system 50, i.e., the maintenance task ID, the target image forming device, the type, the content, the scheduled date and time, and the retry settings, have been notified from the management system 40 (S303). Here, if the task executing unit 55d is notified by the management system 40 that the corresponding maintenance task information has not been registered, it determines that a maintenance task for an image forming device under the management of the relay system 50 has not been notified from the management system 40.

[0156] When the task execution unit 55d determines in S303 that a maintenance task for an image forming apparatus under the management of the relay system 50 has been notified from the management system 40, the task execution unit 55d schedules the maintenance task notified from the management system 40 (S304). That is, the task execution unit 55d registers the maintenance task notified from the management system 40 in the task schedule information 54d.

[0157] When the task execution unit 55d determines in S303 that a maintenance task targeted at an image forming apparatus under the management of the relay system 50 has not been notified from the management system 40, or when the processing of S304 is completed, the task execution unit 55d determines whether a specific period of time, e.g., three hours, has elapsed since the processing of the immediately preceding S302 was executed (S305).

[0158] If the task executing unit 55d determines in S305 that a specific period has not elapsed since the immediately preceding process of S302 was executed, it determines whether the setting value of the maintenance execution setting in the setting information 54b is "execute" (S306).

[0159] When the task executing unit 55d determines in S306 that the setting value of the maintenance execution setting is "execute," the task executing unit 55d executes the process of S305.

[0160] If the task execution unit 55d determines in S306 that the setting value of the maintenance execution setting is not "execute", it executes the process of S301.

[0161] If the task executing section 55d determines in S305 that a specific period of time has elapsed since the immediately preceding process of S302 was executed, the task executing section 55d executes the process of S302.

[0162] Next, the operation of the relay system 50 when executing a maintenance task will be described.

[0163] FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the operation of the relay system 50 when starting the execution of a maintenance task.

[0164] As shown in FIG. 23, the task execution unit 55d of the relay system 50 determines whether or not there is any maintenance task whose scheduled date and time of maintenance execution is before the current time in the task schedule information 54d that has not yet started execution, until it determines that there is any maintenance task whose scheduled date and time of maintenance execution is before the current time in the task schedule information 54d that has not yet started execution (S321).

[0165] When the task execution unit 55d determines in S321 that there is a maintenance task that has not yet started execution among the maintenance tasks whose scheduled date and time of execution in the task schedule information 54d is before the current time, the task execution unit 55d starts execution of the maintenance task that has not yet started execution among the maintenance tasks whose scheduled date and time of execution in the task schedule information 54d is before the current time (S322), and executes the process of S321.

[0166] FIG. 24 is a flowchart of the operation of the relay system 50 when executing a maintenance task.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 24, the task executing unit 55d starts executing the target maintenance of the target maintenance task (hereinafter, simply referred to as "target maintenance") (S341). That is, the task executing unit 55d accesses the target image forming device of the target maintenance task using an IP address associated in the device management information 54c with the device ID of the target image forming device of the target maintenance task in the task schedule information 54d, and instructs the target image forming device of the target maintenance task to execute the target maintenance. Note that, when the type of the target maintenance is a firmware update for the image forming device, the task executing unit 55d downloads a new firmware file using a link included in the target maintenance task, and then instructs the target image forming device of the target maintenance task to execute the target maintenance.

[0168] When the process of S341 ends, the task execution unit 55d notifies the management system 40 that the execution of the target maintenance has started (S342). The task execution unit 55d includes the maintenance task ID of the target maintenance in the notification in S342.

[0169] When the image forming device is instructed by the relay system 50 to perform maintenance, the image forming device performs the maintenance instructed by the relay system 50. When the type of maintenance instructed by the relay system 50 is an update of the firmware of the image forming device, the image forming device downloads a new firmware file for the update from the relay system 50 and uses the downloaded file to update the firmware of the image forming device itself. When the image forming device completes the maintenance instructed by the relay system 50, the image forming device notifies the relay system 50 of the completion of the maintenance.

[0170] When the process of S342 ends, the task executing unit 55d determines whether or not the execution of the target maintenance has been completed (S343).

[0171] When the task executing unit 55d determines in S343 that the execution of the target maintenance is not completed, the task executing unit 55d determines whether or not a specific period of time has elapsed since the execution of the target maintenance was started (S344). The specific period of time in S344 may be, for example, one minute.

[0172] If the task executing unit 55d determines in S344 that the specific period has not elapsed since the start of the execution of the target maintenance, the task executing unit 55d executes the process of S343.

[0173] When the task executing unit 55d determines in S344 that a specific period has elapsed after starting the execution of the target maintenance, it notifies the management system 40 that the target maintenance is being executed (S345). The task executing unit 55d includes a maintenance task ID of the target maintenance in the notification in S345.

[0174] When the process of S345 ends, the task executing unit 55d determines whether or not the execution of the target maintenance has been completed (S346).

[0175] When the task executing unit 55d determines in S346 that the execution of the target maintenance is not completed, the task executing unit 55d determines whether or not a specific period of time has elapsed since the previous execution of the process of S345 (S347). The specific period of time in S347 is the same as the specific period of time in S344.

[0176] If the task executing section 55d determines in S347 that a specific period has not elapsed since the previous execution of the process of S345, it executes the process of S346.

[0177] If the task executing section 55d determines in S347 that a specific period has elapsed since the previous execution of the process of S345, it executes the process of S345.

[0178] When the task execution unit 55d determines in S343 or S346 that the execution of the target maintenance has been completed, it notifies the management system 40 of the completion of the execution of the target maintenance and the execution result of the target maintenance (S348). The execution result of the maintenance includes, for example, successful execution and failure. The execution failure in the execution result of the maintenance includes the reason for the execution failure. The reason for the execution failure includes, for example, that communication between the image forming apparatus that is the target of the maintenance of the maintenance task and the relay system 50 has been cut off, and that an error has been notified to the relay system 50 from the image forming apparatus that is the target of the maintenance of the maintenance task. The task execution unit 55d includes the maintenance task ID of the target maintenance in the notification in S348.

[0179] When the process of S348 ends, the task executing unit 55d determines whether or not the execution of the target maintenance has been successful (S349).

[0180] If the task execution unit 55d determines in S349 that the target maintenance task has not been successfully executed, it determines whether the allowable number of retries set for the target maintenance task in the task schedule information 54d is equal to or greater than one (S350).

[0181] When the task execution unit 55d determines in S350 that the allowable number of retries set for the target maintenance task in the task schedule information 54d is one or more, it advances the scheduled date and time set for the target maintenance task in the task schedule information 54d by the retry time interval set for the target maintenance task in the task schedule information 54d (S351).

[0182] When the process of S351 ends, the task executing unit 55d decrements by one the allowable number of retries set for the target maintenance task in the task schedule information 54d (S352), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0183] When the task execution unit 55d determines in S349 that the target maintenance task has been successfully executed, or determines in S351 that the allowable number of retries set for the target maintenance task in the task schedule information 54d is not one or more, it deletes the target maintenance task from the task schedule information 54d (S353) and terminates the operation shown in FIG. 24.

[0184] Next, the operation of the management system 40 when recording the status of the execution of a maintenance task will be described.

[0185] FIG. 25 is a flowchart of the operation of the management system 40 when recording the status of the execution of a maintenance task.

[0186] As shown in FIG. 25, the execution status management unit 45e of the management system 40 judges whether or not the relay system 50 has notified the management system 40 that the execution of maintenance has started (S361).

[0187] When the execution status management unit 45e determines in S361 that it has been notified by the relay system 50 that the execution of maintenance has started, it determines whether or not there is a record in the task history information 44g in which the execution status of the maintenance whose execution has been notified by the relay system 50 has not been recorded (S362).

[0188] When the execution status management unit 45e determines in S362 that there is no record in the task history information 44g in which the execution status of the maintenance whose execution has been started is notified by the relay system 50, the execution status management unit 45e adds the latest record for the maintenance whose execution has been started by the relay system 50 to the task history information 44g (S363).

[0189] When the execution status management unit 45e determines in S362 that a record in which the execution status is not recorded exists in the task history information 44g for the maintenance whose execution has been started and which has been notified by the relay system 50, or when the processing of S363 ends, the execution status management unit 45e records “Execution started” in the “Status” field of the latest record in the task history information 44g for the maintenance whose execution has been started and which has been notified by the relay system 50 (S364).

[0190] When the process of S364 ends, the execution status management unit 45e records the current date and time in the “start date and time” of the latest record in the task history information 44g for the maintenance whose execution has been notified by the relay system 50 (S365).

[0191] The execution status management unit 45e determines in S361 that the relay system 50 has not notified it that the execution of maintenance has started, or, upon completion of the processing of S365, determines whether the relay system 50 has notified it that the maintenance is being executed (S366).

[0192] When the execution status management unit 45e determines in S366 that it has been notified by the relay system 50 that the maintenance is being performed, it records “in execution” in the “status” of the latest record in the task history information 44g for the maintenance whose execution has been notified by the relay system 50 and whose execution has started as “in execution” (S367).

[0193] If the execution status management unit 45e determines in S366 that the relay system 50 has not notified it that the maintenance is being performed, or if the processing of S367 is completed, it determines whether the relay system 50 has notified it that the maintenance has been completed and the result of the maintenance (S368).

[0194] When the execution status management unit 45e determines in S368 that the execution of the maintenance has been completed and that the relay system 50 has notified it of the execution result of the maintenance, the execution status management unit 45e records “Execution completed” in the “Status” of the latest record in the task history information 44g for the maintenance whose execution has been notified by the relay system 50 as being completed (S369).

[0195] When the process of S369 ends, the execution status management unit 45e records the current date and time in the “completion date and time” of the latest record in the task history information 44g for the maintenance whose execution has been notified by the relay system 50 (S370).

[0196] When the processing of S370 is completed, the execution status management unit 45e records the execution result notified by the relay system 50 in the “execution result” of the latest record in the task history information 44g for the maintenance whose execution has been notified by the relay system 50 of its completion (S371).

[0197] When the execution status management unit 45e determines in S368 that the execution of the maintenance has been completed and that the execution result of the target maintenance has not been notified from the relay system 50, or when the processing of S371 ends, the execution status management unit 45e executes the processing of S361.

[0198] A user of the management system 40 can instruct the management system 40 to display the task history information 44g via the operation unit 41. When the display of the task history information 44g is instructed via the operation unit 41, the execution status management unit 45e of the management system 40 displays the task history information 44g on the display unit 42. In addition, a user of the management system 40 can instruct the management system 40 to display the task history information 44g via the operation unit of a computer (not shown) connected to the management system 40. When the display of the task history information 44g is instructed via the operation unit of a computer (not shown) connected to the management system 40, the execution status management unit 45e of the management system 40 transmits display data of the task history information 44g to the computer that instructed to display the task history information 44g. Therefore, the task history information 44g is displayed on the display unit of the computer that instructed to display the task history information 44g. Therefore, a user of the management system 40 can recognize the execution status of the maintenance task by checking the task history information 44g displayed on the display unit 42 or the display unit of a computer (not shown) connected to the management system 40.

[0199] As described above, in system 10, the relay system performs maintenance on the image forming device that is set by the user of management system 40, so there is no need for a service person to visit the location where the image forming device is installed, and as a result, the cost of maintaining the image forming device can be reduced.

[0200] The management system 40 cannot directly operate the image forming device due to the presence of a firewall. However, even if the image forming device cannot be operated from the management system 40, the relay system of the system 10 can perform maintenance on the image forming device that is set by the user of the management system 40.

[0201] In a configuration in which the management system 40 and the image forming device are constantly connected and the image forming device periodically checks the management system 40 that the management system 40 and the image forming device are connected, the amount of communication between the management system 40 and the image forming device may increase, or the communication monitoring device installed in the LAN to which the image forming device belongs may determine that the number of communications is high. Therefore, the user of the image forming device may wish that the management system 40 and the image forming device are not constantly connected. In the system 10, even if the management system 40 and the image forming device are not constantly connected, the relay system can perform maintenance set by the user of the management system 40 on the image forming device.

[0202] The relay system 50 can set the setting value of the maintenance execution permission setting as the setting of whether or not to execute the maintenance of the image forming apparatus in response to an instruction from the user of the relay system 50 (S241 to S245). When the information of the maintenance task of the image forming apparatus is registered in the management system 40 (YES in S303), if the setting value of the maintenance execution permission setting is to execute the maintenance of the image forming apparatus (YES in S301 or YES in S306), the maintenance task of the image forming apparatus is executed (S304, YES in S321, and S322), and when the setting value of the maintenance execution permission setting is not to execute the maintenance of the image forming apparatus (NO in S301 or NO in S306), the maintenance of the image forming apparatus is not executed. Therefore, even when the information of the maintenance task of the image forming apparatus is registered in the management system 40, the start of the execution of the maintenance of the image forming apparatus can be stopped in response to an instruction from the user of the relay system 50. Therefore, the relay system 50 can reduce the possibility that the downtime of the image forming apparatus caused by the execution of the maintenance of the image forming apparatus occurs against the intention of the user of the relay system 50.

[0203] Since the management system 40 cannot instruct the relay system 50 to change the setting value of the maintenance execution setting, it is possible to prevent the execution of maintenance of the image forming device from being started against the intention of the user of the relay system 50 in response to an instruction from the management system 40. Furthermore, the relay system 50 can set the setting value of the maintenance execution setting in response to an instruction from the user of the relay system 50, but cannot change the setting value of the maintenance execution setting in response to an instruction from the management system 40, so it is possible to prevent the execution of maintenance of the image forming device from being started against the intention of the user of the relay system 50 in response to an instruction from the management system 40.

[0204] The management system 40 can set initial values ​​of the setting contents, including the setting value for whether or not maintenance is performed, which are reflected in the relay system 50 when the relay program 54a is installed in a computer, in response to instructions from the user of the management system 40 (S201 to S208). Therefore, convenience for the user of the relay system 50 can be improved, for example, when the user of the relay system 50 does not understand the setting contents or setting method of the relay system 50.

[0205] When the management system 40 is notified of a key code from the computer, it transmits to the computer (S230) the initial values ​​of the settings to be reflected in the relay system 50, which are associated with the key code, so that the convenience for users of the relay system 50 can be improved with a simple configuration.

[0206] The management system 40 transmits an e-mail including a key code when setting the initial values ​​of the setting contents to be reflected in the relay system 50 (S206), so that the convenience for the user of the relay system 50 can be improved with a simple configuration.

[0207] In the present embodiment, the electronic device of the present invention is an image forming apparatus, but may be an electronic device other than an image forming apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0208] 20 Image forming equipment (electronic equipment) 40 Management System (First Computer) 44a Management Program 50 Relay system (computer, second computer) 54a Broadcast Program

Claims

1. A relay system that relays communication between an electronic device and a management system that manages the electronic device, comprising: a setting value of a maintenance execution setting as a setting of whether or not maintenance of the electronic device can be performed can be set in response to an instruction from a user, A relay system characterized in that, when information on the maintenance task is registered in the management system, the task is executed when performing the maintenance is the set value, and the task is not executed when performing the maintenance is not the set value.

2. 3. The relay system according to claim 2, wherein the setting value cannot be changed according to an instruction from the management system.

3. A relay program that causes a computer to function as a relay system that relays communication between an electronic device and a management system that manages the electronic device, The relay system includes: a setting value of a maintenance execution setting as a setting of whether or not maintenance of the electronic device can be performed can be set in response to an instruction from a user, A relay program characterized by executing the task when performing the maintenance is the set value, and not executing the task when performing the maintenance is not the set value, when information on the maintenance task is registered in the management system.

4. A management system for managing electronic devices, When a relay program that causes a computer to function as a relay system that relays communication between the electronic device and the management system is installed on the computer, an initial value of a setting content that is reflected in the relay system can be set according to an instruction from a user, The relay system includes: a setting value of a maintenance execution setting as a setting of whether or not maintenance of the electronic device can be performed can be set in response to an instruction from a user, When information on the maintenance task is registered in the management system, the task is executed when the execution of the maintenance is the set value, and the task is not executed when the execution of the maintenance is not the set value; The management system according to claim 1, wherein the setting contents include the setting values.

5. 5. The management system according to claim 4, wherein the change of the set value cannot be instructed to the relay system.

6. managing the initial value in association with a key code; 6. The management system according to claim 4, wherein when the key code is notified from the computer, the initial value associated with the key code is transmitted to the computer.

7. 7. The management system according to claim 6, wherein an email including the key code is sent when the initial value is set.

8. A management program that causes a first computer to function as a management system for managing an electronic device, When a relay program that causes a second computer to function as a relay system that relays communication between the electronic device and the management system is installed in the second computer, an initial value of a setting content that is reflected in the relay system can be set in response to an instruction from a user; The relay system includes: a setting value of a maintenance execution setting as a setting of whether or not maintenance of the electronic device can be performed can be set in response to an instruction from a user, When information on the maintenance task is registered in the management system, the task is executed when the execution of the maintenance is the set value, and the task is not executed when the execution of the maintenance is not the set value; The management program, wherein the setting contents include the setting values.

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