Monitoring apparatus, control method for monitoring apparatus, and program

Abstract

To manage an image processing apparatus having a print function as a management target even if there are a plurality of image processing apparatuses having the same serial number.SOLUTION: A monitoring apparatus 101 for monitoring an image processing apparatus via a network, has: a search unit 107 for executing processing of searching for an image processing apparatus on a network; a confirmation unit 119 for if a plurality of image processing apparatuses having the same serial number but different IP addresses are found in the search, confirming whether it is an image processing apparatus for expanding image processing related to a print function; and a management unit 106 for managing, among the plurality of image processing apparatuses, the image processing apparatuses that are not the image processing apparatus for extending the image processing related to the print function as the image processing apparatus to be managed that have the print function.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a monitoring device, a control method for a monitoring device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a device management system that performs maintenance of devices such as image processing devices installed in an office or the like via a network. By using the device management system, for example, occurrence of a failure in a device or need for replenishment of consumables can be detected via the network and a quick response can be made. As a conventional device management system, there is a configuration in which each device connected to a network in an office is directly monitored by a monitoring device installed in the office. In addition, as a device management system, there is a configuration in which information on each device collected by a monitoring device installed in the office is transmitted to a device management server that centrally manages devices on an external network. Patent Document 1 discloses a management system that can deal with duplication of serial numbers by managing the data received from the device by associating it with an IP address when the device management server manages the data by linking it with the device identification number (serial number) of the device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-92821 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a configuration in which devices that function as controllers for the devices are connected to each other via network cables only, and the devices and the controllers are each connected to a LAN. In such a configuration, when the technology of Patent Document 1 searches for the IP addresses of the devices and the controller from a monitoring device connected to the same LAN, they may be recognized as different devices with the same serial number but different IP addresses. In this way, when there are multiple devices (devices and controllers) with the same serial number, the management client will not be able to correctly identify the devices.

[0005] The present invention manages image processing devices having a print function as the management target even when there are a plurality of image processing devices with the same serial number. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the monitoring device of the present invention is a monitoring device that monitors image processing devices via a network, and has a search unit that executes a process of searching for image processing devices on the network, a confirmation unit that, when multiple image processing devices with the same serial number but different IP addresses are found in the search, confirms whether the image processing device is for expanding image processing related to a print function, and a management unit that manages, among the multiple image processing devices, an image processing device that is not an image processing device for expanding image processing related to a print function as a managed image processing device with a print function. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, even when there are a plurality of image processing apparatuses with the same serial number, it is possible to manage only the image processing apparatuses having a print function as the object of management. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a device management system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a monitoring device. [Diagram 3] 1 is a flowchart showing a device search process in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of device information managed by the monitoring device according to the first embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a device management system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing a device search process in the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of device information managed by a monitoring device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing a process of acquiring a list of devices to be monitored in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of device information managed by a management server according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing a capability check process in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Example 1 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a device management system. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the device management system manages an image processing device 103 which is a network device. The device management system of this embodiment includes multiple image processing devices and a monitoring device 101. The multiple image processing devices include one or more image processing devices 103 to be managed, and an image processing device 102 which is connected to the image processing device 103 and operates as a print controller.

[0010] The image processing device 103 to be managed by the device management system is, for example, an image forming device such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) having a print function and a scan function. The image processing device 103 receives print data received via a network using the print function, and prints it on actual paper or the like using known printing technology such as electrophotography technology or inkjet technology. The image processing device 103 uses the scan function to read a paper document via a scanner and convert it into image data. The network device may be any device capable of performing image processing and capable of communicating, and may be, for example, a single-function printer having only a print function, a scanner, a 3D printer, a notebook computer, a smartphone, or the like.

[0011] The image processing device 102 is an image processing device (controller) for extending image processing related to a print function. In addition to the print function, the image processing device 102 may extend image processing such as a scan function executed by the image processing device 103. The image processing device 103 and the image processing device 102, which is a controller for extending the function, are connected to each other via a second network 105. The second network 105 is, for example, a local network. The second network 105 may be a network cable. The image processing device 102 and the image processing device 103 are connected to each other by the second network 105 through network communication represented by the TCP / IP method.

[0012] The monitoring device 101, the image processing device 102, and the image processing device 103 are connected to each other via a first network 104. The first network is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network). The monitoring device 101, the image processing device 102, and the image processing device 103 are connected to each other by network communication represented by the TCP / IP method. Note that the network may be configured to enable data transmission and reception, and any communication method may be used. For example, the network may be configured to be any one of a LAN, a WAN, a cellular network such as LTE or 5G, a wireless network, a telephone line, a dedicated digital line, and the like, or a combination of these.

[0013] The monitoring device 101 monitors and manages, via a first network 104, an image processing device 103 which is an image forming device connected to the first network 104. The monitoring device 101 collects data from the image processing device 103. On the other hand, the monitoring device 101 does not monitor the image processing device 102 which is a controller that extends the functions of the image processing device 102, and does not collect data for device management from the image processing device 103.

[0014] The monitoring device 101 has a management unit 106, a search unit 107, a screen control unit 108, and a connection unit 109. The management unit 106 manages information about the managed image processing devices 103. The management unit 106 also collects various data such as counter information, log information, and status alert information from the managed image processing devices 103 connected to the first network 104 via the connection unit 109.

[0015] Search unit 107 searches for image processing devices 102 and 103 connected to first network 104 via connection unit 109. Confirmation unit 119 confirms whether the devices searched for by search unit 107 are image processing devices for extending image processing related to a print function in order to confirm whether the devices are subject to management / non-management by monitoring device 101. In this embodiment, image processing device 102, which is a controller for extending the function of image processing device 103, is subject to management. Also, image processing device 103, which is an image forming device having a printer function (image forming unit 118), is subject to management by monitoring device 101.

[0016] The screen control unit 108 controls a screen provided by the monitoring device 101. For example, the screen control unit 108 controls a WebUI that can be operated from other information devices connected to the first network 104 through the connection unit 109. The connection unit 109 is a network interface for connecting the monitoring device 101 to the first network 104. The monitoring device 101 may be connected to a WAN (Wide Area Network) via a firewall, and connected to a management server that provides services such as device management services.

[0017] The image processing device 102 has a first connection unit 110, a second connection unit 111, an image processing unit 112, and a communication processing unit 113. The first connection unit 110 is a network interface for connecting the image processing device 102 to a first network 104. The second connection unit 111 is an interface for connecting the image processing device 102 to a second network 105.

[0018] The image processing unit 112 processes a print job received by the image processing device 102 from another information device on the first network 104, and transfers image data to the image processing device 103 via the second network 105. The communication processing unit 113 returns a response to a search or information acquisition request from the monitoring device 101 via the first connection unit 110. The communication processing unit 113 also transfers image data, etc. to the image processing device 103 and acquires data from the image processing device 103 via the second connection unit 111. Note that the image processing device 102 does not have an image forming unit that executes print processing.

[0019] The image processing device 103 has a first connection unit 114, a second connection unit 115, an image processing unit 116, a communication processing unit 117, and an image forming unit 118. The first connection unit 114 is a network interface for connecting the image processing device 103 to a first network 104. The second connection unit 115 is a network interface for connecting the image processing device 103 to a second network 105.

[0020] The image processing unit 116 processes a print job received by the image processing device 103 from the first network, and generates image data. The image processing unit 116 also processes an image read by the reader, and generates image data. The image processing unit 116 outputs the generated image data to the image forming unit 118. The communication processing unit 117 responds to a data acquisition request from the monitoring device 101 through the first connection unit 114. The communication processing unit 117 also receives image data and the like from the image processing device 102 through the second connection unit 115, and responds to a data acquisition request. The image forming unit 118 prints image data sent from the image processing unit 112 of the image processing device 102 or the image processing unit 116 of the image processing device 103.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the monitoring device 101. The monitoring device 101 includes a CPU 213, a memory 214, a storage device 212, an operation I / F 215, and a communication I / F 211. The CPU 213 of the monitoring device 101 controls the entire monitoring device 101. The CPU 213 loads a program from the storage device 212 into the memory 214 and executes it to realize various controls. The storage device 212 stores an operating system (OS), programs, management data, data collected from external systems and devices, and the like. The memory 214 functions as a work area for the CPU 213, and the like. The operation I / F 215 outputs various data, execution results of programs, and the like to an output device such as a connected display, and receives input from a connected input device. The communication I / F 211 is a network interface for communicating with external systems and devices.

[0022] 3 is a flowchart showing device search processing by the monitoring device 101 in the first embodiment. In the device search processing of this embodiment, the monitoring device 101 searches for devices (image processing device 102, image processing device 103) on the first network 104, and stores device information if the device is an image forming device with a print function. On the other hand, if the device is an image processing device (controller) for expanding the print function of the image forming device, the device information is not stored. Also, in this processing, if the device is not an image processing device (controller) for expanding the print function of the image forming device, the device is determined to be an image forming device for which device information is to be stored.

[0023] The device search process may be performed at any timing based on a user operation received by the screen control unit 108, or may be performed periodically based on a schedule previously set by the screen control unit 108 or a configuration file. Each process performed by the monitoring device 101 in the device search process is realized by the CPU 213 of the monitoring device 101 executing a program stored in the storage device 212.

[0024] In S201, the search unit 107 searches for devices connected to the first network 104 via the connection unit 109. As a search method, the screen control unit 108 may search for an IP address input by the user as a search range, or the network to which the monitoring device 101 belongs may be searched by multicast. Here, it is assumed that a request to obtain the printer MIB (Management Information Base) is sent by unicast to a network address using SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol).

[0025] In S202, the search unit 107 checks whether the equipment returning a response to the search in S201 is a device. The search unit 107 determines whether it is a device based on whether it has acquired a printer MIB. If the search unit 107 has acquired the printer MIB from the device, it determines that it is a device, and performs processing in S203 to acquire more detailed information. On the other hand, if the search unit 107 cannot acquire the printer MIB from the device, it ends the search for that address. In this embodiment, the communication processing unit 113 of the image processing device 102 and the communication processing unit 117 of the image processing device 103 return the printer MIB to the monitoring device 101, so that the image processing device 102 and the image processing device 103 are determined to be devices.

[0026] In S203, the search unit 107 acquires device information from the equipment determined to be a device in S202. Here, the device information managed by the monitoring device 101 will be described. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of device information in the first embodiment. In the device information managed by the monitoring device 101, device information of an image processing device having a print function that is a monitoring target of the monitoring device 101 is managed, and device information of an image processing device (controller) for extending image processing related to the print function is not included.

[0027] The device information includes, for example, a device ID 301, a serial number 302, an IP address 303, a MAC address 304, a product name 305, and a manufacturer name 306. The device ID 301 is information for uniquely identifying a device within the monitoring device 101. The serial number 302 is fixed identification information added by the device manufacturer to identify the device. The image processing device 103, which is an image forming device, has a serial number in advance at the time of manufacture. On the other hand, the image processing device 102, which is a controller for extending the function of the image processing device 103, acquires and holds the serial number of the image processing device 103, the function of which is to be extended. Specifically, the communication processing unit 113 of the image processing device 102 acquires and stores the serial number of the image processing device 103 via the second network 105. Therefore, the serial number held by the image processing device 102, which is a controller for extending the function of the image processing device 103, is the serial number of the image processing device 103. When the image processing device 102 receives a request to acquire device information from the monitoring device 101 , the image processing device 102 returns device information including the same serial number as the image processing device 103 as the device information of the image processing device 102 to the monitoring device 101 .

[0028] The IP address 303 is information indicating the IP address of the device. Here, an example will be described in which an IP address is used as an example of access information to a device, but a host name or URL may also be used. The MAC address 304 is fixed identification information possessed by the network interface of the device. The product name 305 is the product name of the device set by the device manufacturer when manufacturing the device. The manufacturer name 306 is the manufacturer name of the device set by the device manufacturer when manufacturing the device. Note that the IP address 303, MAC address 304, product name 305, and manufacturer name 306, which are device information of the image processing device 102 other than the serial number, are unique to the image processing device 102.

[0029] In S203, the search unit 107 acquires information from the device determined to be a device in S202, from among the device information shown in Fig. 4, other than the device ID assigned by the monitoring device 101. Therefore, the device information acquired in S203 includes a serial number, an IP address, a MAC address, a product name, and a manufacturer name. In S203, the device information acquired by the search unit 107 from the image processing device 102 and the image processing device 103 has different IP addresses and the like, but the same serial number. Note that the device information acquired in S203 may include information acquired by a manufacturer-specific communication protocol defined by the manufacturer of the image processing device, in addition to the device information shown in Fig. 4.

[0030] In S204, the confirmation unit 119 confirms whether the device is the image processing device 103 having a print function or the image processing device 102 for extending image processing related to the print function of the image forming device. Specifically, the confirmation unit 119 confirms whether the device is the image processing device 102 (controller) for extending image processing related to the print function of the image forming device based on the information acquired in S203. For example, the confirmation unit 119 determines that the device is the image processing device 102 when a specific character string is present in the information such as the product name 305 and the manufacturer name 306 acquired in S203. In addition, the confirmation unit 119 may determine that the device is the image processing device 102 when the manufacturer name is a specific character string and information cannot be acquired by a communication protocol unique to the manufacturer. In addition, the confirmation unit 119 may determine that the device is the image processing device 102 when the manufacturer's name is a specific character string and information cannot be acquired by a communication protocol unique to the manufacturer. In addition, the confirmation unit 119 may determine that the device is the image processing device 102 when the manufacturer's private MIB (extended MIB) can be acquired but information cannot be acquired by a communication protocol unique to the manufacturer. In this way, the confirmation unit 119 confirms whether the device is an image processing device for expanding image processing related to the print function of the image forming device based on at least one of the product name, manufacturer name, and whether information can be acquired using a communication protocol unique to the manufacturer. If it is determined that the device is not the image processing device 102, the monitoring device 101 proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, if it is determined that the device is the image processing device 102, the monitoring device 101 ends the process.

[0031] In S205, the management unit 106 saves the device information acquired in S203 of the device confirmed to be the image processing device 103. More specifically, if a device with a duplicate MAC address 304 already exists, the management unit 106 overwrites and saves the information in the corresponding device. If there is a device with an unknown MAC address 304 and a duplicate serial number, the management unit 106 overwrites and saves the information in the corresponding device, and if there is no device with an unknown MAC address 304 and a duplicate serial number, the management unit 106 newly saves the information. On the other hand, the device information acquired in S203 of the device confirmed to be the image processing device 102 (controller) for expanding image processing related to the print function of the image processing device 103 is discarded without being saved because the process of S205 is not performed. Even if the serial numbers of the image processing device 102 and the image processing device 103 are duplicated, only the device information of the image processing device 103 is managed by the monitoring device 101, so that it is possible to manage only the image processing device 103.

[0032] Through the above process, even if a search finds multiple image processing devices with the same serial number but different IP addresses, the monitoring device 101 checks whether the image processing device is an image processing device for extending image processing related to a print function. Depending on the check result, the monitoring device 101 can manage the image processing device 103, which is not the image processing device 102 for extending image processing related to a print function, as an image processing device to be managed that has a print function.

[0033] As described above, when the monitoring device 101 detects a device by device search, it identifies whether it is the image processing device 103 with a print function or the image processing device 102 (controller) for extending image processing related to the print function. If it is the image processing device 103, the acquired information is saved, and if it is the image processing device 102, the acquired information is discarded, so that even if the serial numbers of the image processing device 102 and the image processing device 103 are the same, it becomes possible to manage only the image processing device 103.

[0034] Example 2 In the first embodiment, in the case where the monitoring device 101 centrally manages devices, a method for managing only the image processing device 103 has been shown even if the serial numbers of multiple image processing devices (the image processing device 103 and the image processing device 102 that extends the function of the image processing device 103) are duplicated. In order to manage only the image processing device 103 in the first embodiment, a process for storing only the information of the image processing device 103 is performed without storing the information of the image processing device 102 detected during a search.

[0035] On the other hand, there is also a configuration in which devices are centrally managed by a management server 403 on an external network, and the monitoring device 101 collects information about devices on the internal network and transmits the information to the management server on the external network. In this configuration, it is possible for the monitoring device 101 to manage both the image processing device 102 and the image processing device 103, and transmit only data from the image processing device 103 that is the object of monitoring to the management server, while not transmitting data from the image processing device 102 that is not the object of monitoring. Thus, in this embodiment, a mechanism will be described in which the monitoring device 101 manages both the image processing device 102 and the image processing device 103 that have the same serial number, and transmits information only to the image processing device 103 that is the object of monitoring to the management server.

[0036] 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a device management system in a second embodiment. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the device management system manages an image processing device 103 that is a network device. The device management system of this embodiment includes a management server 403 that provides device management services, one or more image processing devices 103 to be managed, an image processing device 102 that is connected to the image processing device 103 and operates as a print controller, and a monitoring device 101. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their explanation will be omitted.

[0037] The management server 403 is an information processing device that provides a device management service. The target of the device management service is the image processing device 103, which is an image forming device having a print function. The management server 403 collects device information of the image processing device 103 to be managed from the monitoring device 101. The management server 403 is connected to a WAN 402. The WAN 402 is connected to the first network 104 via a firewall 401. Therefore, the management server 403 is connected to the monitoring device 101 via the WAN 402, the firewall 401, and the first network 104. For example, the first network 104 is an in-house network, and the WAN 402 is an external network. The firewall 401 is provided between the WAN 402 and the first network 104.

[0038] The management server 403 has a management unit 405, an authentication unit 406, a collection unit 407, a screen control unit 408, and a connection unit 409. The management unit 405, the authentication unit 406, the collection unit 407, and the screen control unit 408 may each be configured as a separate server connected via a WAN 402. The functions of the management server 403 may be realized by one or more information processing devices, a virtual machine (cloud service) using resources provided by a data center including information processing devices, or a combination of these.

[0039] The management unit 405 manages information on the image processing device 103 that is the target of various services of the device management system and the monitoring device 101 that monitors the image processing device 103. The authentication unit 406 provides an authentication and authorization function for securely connecting the image processing device 103 and the monitoring device 101. Here, a general OAuth mechanism is used to register each device (the image processing device 103, the monitoring device 101) as a client linked to a specific tenant. A tenant is a management unit assigned to each customer who has signed a service contract. The authentication unit 406 manages data on a tenant basis. A token is issued to these clients. By using this token, the managed devices (the image processing device 103, the monitoring device 101) can access each function of the management server 403.

[0040] The collection unit 407 manages information collected from the image processing device 102. The screen control unit 408 controls the screen provided by the management server 403. For example, the screen control unit 408 controls a WebUI that can be operated from other information devices connected to the WAN 402 via the connection unit 409. The screen control unit 408 provides various services such as a maintenance service and a reporting service, and a service for registering information on the image processing device 103 and the monitoring device 101 in the management unit 405 based on various information on the image processing device 103 managed by the collection unit 407. Information on the image processing device 103 and the monitoring device 101 registered in the management unit 405 by a user from the WebUI can be acquired as a monitoring target device list described later. The connection unit 409 is a network interface for connecting the management server to the WAN 402.

[0041] In this embodiment, the management server 403 registers the devices to be monitored by the monitoring device 101 installed in the in-house network from other information devices on the external network, and provides various services on the external network, but is not limited to this. For example, the devices to be monitored may be specified by the screen control unit 108 of the monitoring device 101, rather than by the management server 403. In this configuration, the overall system configuration diagram is the same as that of FIG. 1.

[0042] The monitoring device 101 of this embodiment is connected to the management server 403 via the first network 104, the firewall 401, and the WAN 402. The monitoring device 101 includes a server communication unit 404 in addition to the management unit 106, the search unit 107, the screen control unit 108, the connection unit 109, and the confirmation unit 119. The server communication unit 404 transmits information on the image processing device 103 collected by the management unit 106 to the management unit 405 of the management server 403. The server communication unit 404 also acquires a monitoring target device list (to be described later) from the management unit 405 of the management server 403. When communicating with the management server 403, the server communication unit 404 registers the monitoring device 101 and the device in the authentication unit 406 of the management server 403, and acquires and manages an access token from the authentication unit 406. The server communication unit 404 communicates with the management server using the acquired access token. The hardware configuration of the monitoring device 101 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0043] 6 is a flowchart showing a device search process of the monitoring device 101 in the embodiment 2. In this embodiment, when saving device information, different device type information is stored for an image forming device having a print function and an image processing device (controller) for expanding the print function of the image forming device, so that they can be distinguished from each other.

[0044] The device search process may be performed at any timing based on a user operation received by the screen control unit 108, or may be performed periodically based on a schedule previously set by the screen control unit 108 or a configuration file. Each process performed by the monitoring device 101 in the device search process is realized by the CPU 213 of the monitoring device 101 executing a program stored in the storage device 212.

[0045] S201 to S204 are the same processes as those in the first embodiment. In S204, the confirmation unit 119 confirms whether the device is an image processing device 103 having a print function or an image processing device 102 for extending image processing related to the print function of the image forming device, thereby confirming whether the device is a management target. Specifically, the confirmation unit 119 confirms whether the device is an image processing device 102 (controller) for extending image processing related to the print function of the image forming device, based on the information acquired in S203. For example, the confirmation unit 119 determines that the device is the image processing device 102 when a specific character string is present in the information such as the product name 305 and the manufacturer name 306 acquired in S203. In addition, the confirmation unit 119 may determine that the device is the image processing device 102 when the manufacturer name is a specific character string and information cannot be acquired by a communication protocol unique to the manufacturer. In addition, the confirmation unit 119 may determine that the device is the image processing device 102 when the manufacturer's name is a specific character string and information cannot be acquired by a communication protocol unique to the manufacturer. In addition, the confirmation unit 119 may determine that the device is the image processing device 102 when the manufacturer's private MIB can be acquired but information cannot be acquired by a communication protocol unique to the manufacturer. If it is determined that the image processing device 102 is not a controller, that is, that the image forming device has a printer function, the monitoring device 101 performs the process in S501. On the other hand, if the image processing device 102 is a controller, the monitoring device 101 performs the process in S502.

[0046] In S501, the management unit 106 adds information indicating that the device is an image forming device having a print function, saves the device information, and ends this process. Here, the device information managed by the monitoring device 101 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of device information in the second embodiment. The device information in this embodiment includes, for example, a device ID 301, a serial number 302, an IP address 303, a MAC address 304, a product name 305, and a manufacturer name 306, as well as a device type 601, monitoring target information 602, and capabilities 603.

[0047] The device type 601 is information indicating whether the device is an image forming device having a print function or an image processing device (controller) for expanding image processing related to the print function of the image forming device. In the device type 601, a value indicating "printer" is stored if the device is an image forming device having a print function, and a value indicating "controller" is stored if the device is an image processing device (controller) for expanding image processing related to the print function of the image forming device.

[0048] The monitoring target information 602 is information indicating whether or not a device is to be monitored. When a device is included in the list of devices to be monitored that the monitoring apparatus 101 acquires from the management server 403, the device is subject to monitoring. The process of determining whether a device is subject to monitoring will be described later. The monitoring target information 602 stores a value indicating "subject" if the device is subject to monitoring, and a value indicating "not subject" if the device is not subject to monitoring. Note that the image processing apparatus 102, which is an image processing apparatus (controller) for expanding image processing related to the print function of the image forming apparatus, is not registered in the list of devices to be monitored, and is not subject to monitoring.

[0049] The capability 603 is information indicating whether the device has a self-monitoring capability. After completing the device search, the management unit 106 checks whether the device has a capability to acquire monitoring information, and stores information indicating whether the device has the monitoring capability in the capability 603. A device for which the monitoring target information 602 is “target” and the capability 603 is “yes” becomes a target for registration in the authentication unit 406 of the management server 403, and becomes capable of monitoring when the registration in the authentication unit 406 is completed. A device capable of monitoring itself that is registered in the authentication unit 406 of the management server 403 can transmit data collected by self-monitoring to the management server 403 using the proxy server of the monitoring apparatus 101. On the other hand, data of a device for which the monitoring target information 602 is “target” and the capability 603 is “no” is collected by the monitoring apparatus 101 through polling, and the monitoring apparatus 101 transmits the collected data to the management server 403. In addition, when it is unknown whether the device has the monitoring capability, a value indicating “unknown” is stored in the capability 603.

[0050] When the device information is saved in S501, the device type 601 is set as "printer" in order to assign information that is the image processing device 103. At this time, the monitoring target information 602 is not changed. More specifically, if a device with a duplicate MAC address 304 already exists, it is determined to be the same device, and the information is overwritten and saved on the relevant device. If an existing device with a duplicate serial number 302 and an unacquired MAC address exists, it is also determined to be a newly saved device when the monitoring target device list described below is acquired, and the information is overwritten and saved on the relevant device. In all other cases, it is determined to be a newly discovered device, and new device information is saved with the monitoring target information 602 set to "not targeted."

[0051] In S502, the management unit 106 adds information indicating that the device is an image processing device for expanding image processing related to the print function of the image forming device and information indicating that the device is not subject to management, saves the device information, and ends this process. The management unit 106 saves the device information with the device type 601 set to "controller" and the monitoring target information 602 set to "not subject." If a device with a duplicate MAC address 304 already exists, it is determined to be the same device, and the information on the relevant device is overwritten and saved. If a device with a duplicate MAC address does not exist, it is determined to be a newly discovered device, and new device information is saved.

[0052] Through the above processing, information indicating whether the device is an image forming device (printer) or an image processing device (controller) for expanding image processing related to the print function of the image forming device can be included in the device information and saved. As a result, even if the serial numbers of the image processing device 102 and the image processing device 103 are the same, it is possible to identify and manage the image forming device (printer) or image processing device (controller) by referring to the device type 601.

[0053] Next, a process in which the monitoring device 101 acquires the list of devices to be monitored from the management server 403 will be described. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the process of acquiring the list of devices to be monitored. In this process, the monitoring device 101 acquires the list of devices to be monitored from the management server 403, compares it with the list of image processing devices 103 managed by the monitoring device 101, and updates the monitoring target information 602 of the image processing device 103. Each process executed by the monitoring device 101 in the process of acquiring the list of devices to be monitored is realized by the CPU 213 of the monitoring device 101 executing a program stored in the storage device 212.

[0054] In S701, the server communication unit 404 acquires a monitoring target device list from the management unit 405 of the management server 403. The monitoring target device list will now be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the monitoring target device list. The monitoring target device list is device management information of the management server 403 managed by the management unit 405 of the management server 403. The management server 403 manages, in the monitoring target device list, device information registered by a user as a device for which device management services are provided.

[0055] The monitored device list includes, for example, a management server device ID 801, a serial number 802, and an agent ID 805. The monitored device list may also include an IP address 803 and a MAC address 804. The management server device ID 801 is information that allows the management server 403 to uniquely identify a device to be managed. The serial number 802 is fixed identification information that is added by the device manufacturer to identify the device.

[0056] The IP address 803 is information indicating the IP address of the device. The IP address 803 is information that the user inputs at will when registering device information with the screen control unit 408. The MAC address 804 is fixed identification information that the network interface of the device has. The MAC address 804 is information that the user inputs at will when registering device information with the screen control unit 408. The agent ID 805 is information that identifies an agent (e.g., the monitoring apparatus 101) that is linked to the device. The timing at which device information is registered in the monitored device list is the timing at which the user specifies and registers a target device for providing a service. As a method for specifying the target device, for example, a registration operation may be performed from a WebUI that the screen control unit 408 has, or a registration operation may be performed using a WebAPI of the connection unit 409.

[0057] The monitored device list that the server communication unit 404 of the monitoring device 101 acquires from the management server 403 is a list of devices linked to the monitoring device 101, among the monitored device lists managed by the management server 403. When the management server 403 accepts a request to acquire the monitored device list in S701 from the monitoring device 101, it identifies device information linked to the monitoring device 101 based on the agent ID 805 from the monitored device list, and transmits the device information to the monitoring device 101. As a result, the monitoring device 101 acquires from the management server 403 the monitored device list that the monitoring device 101 will monitor.

[0058] Returning to the description of the flowchart, the monitoring apparatus 101 updates the device information, such as whether a device is a monitoring target, by comparing the monitoring target device list acquired from the management server 403 with the device information (FIG. 6) managed by the monitoring apparatus 101. Since the monitoring target device list specifies the devices to be monitored by their serial numbers, the monitoring apparatus 101 needs to perform processing to exclude the image processing apparatus 102 having a serial number that overlaps with that of the image processing apparatus 103 from being a monitoring target. Therefore, the monitoring apparatus 101 creates a list of only image forming apparatuses having a print function, excluding image processing apparatuses (controllers) for expanding image processing related to the print function of the image forming apparatus. In S702, the management unit 106 creates a list of image forming apparatuses having a print function based on the device information (FIG. 6) managed by the monitoring apparatus 101. The management unit 106 reads devices other than those having the device type 601 of "controller" to generate the list. By the processing of S702, the image processing apparatus 102 can be excluded from the monitoring target by not comparing devices having the device type 601 of "controller".

[0059] In S703, the management unit 106 compares the list of devices to be monitored acquired in S701 with the list generated in S702 to check whether there is a new device to be monitored. Specifically, the management unit 106 first compares the serial number 802 in the list of devices to be monitored with the serial number 302 in the list generated in S702 to check whether the serial numbers match. Then, the management unit 106 checks whether there is a device whose monitoring target information 602 is "not targeted" in the device information of the device whose serial number matches. If the serial numbers match and there is a device whose monitoring target information 602 is "not targeted" in the list of S702, it is determined that the device is an existing device to be newly monitored, and the management unit 106 performs the process of S704. On the other hand, if there is no device whose serial numbers match and there is no device whose monitoring target information 602 is "not targeted" in the list of S702, it is determined that there is no existing device to be newly monitored, and the management unit 106 performs the process of S705. In S704, the management unit 106 sets the monitoring target information 602 of the existing device to be newly monitored determined in S703 to "target." Here, since the image processing device 102, which is the controller, was excluded from the comparison targets in S702, the image processing device 102 with the monitoring target information 602 set to "not target" will not become a monitoring target.

[0060] In S705, the management unit 106 compares the monitoring target device list acquired in S701 with the list generated in S702 to check whether there is a device to be excluded from monitoring targets. Specifically, the management unit 106 checks whether there is a device with the monitoring target information 602 set to "target" among devices having a serial number that is not in the monitoring target device list but is in the list generated in S702. If there is a device with the monitoring target information 602 set to "target" among devices having a serial number that is not in the monitoring target device list but is in the list generated in S702, it is determined that the device is an existing device to be excluded from monitoring targets, and the process of S706 is performed. On the other hand, if there is no device with the monitoring target information 602 set to "target" among devices having a serial number that is not in the monitoring target device list but is in the list generated in S702, it is determined that there is no device to be excluded from monitoring targets, and the process of S707 is performed. In S706, the management unit 106 sets the monitoring target information 602 of the device determined in S705 to be an existing device to be excluded from monitoring targets to "not target." This makes it possible to exclude the device excluded from the targets of the management service in the monitoring target device list from the monitoring targets of the monitoring apparatus 101.

[0061] In S707, the management unit 106 checks whether there is a device that needs to be newly searched. The device that needs to be newly searched is an image forming device having a print function that should be monitored by the monitoring device 101. Specifically, the management unit 106 compares the monitored device list with the list generated in S702, and checks whether a device having a serial number that is in the monitored device list but not in the list generated in S702 is present in the monitored device list. If a device having a serial number that is in the monitored device list but not in the list generated in S702 is present in the monitored device list, it is determined that the device needs to be newly searched, and the management unit 106 performs the process of S708. On the other hand, if a device having a serial number that is in the monitored device list but not in the list generated in S702 is not present in the monitored device list, this process is terminated. Note that, by excluding the image processing device 102 from the comparison target in S702, it is possible to determine a device that needs to be newly searched even if an image processing device whose device type 601 is "controller" that matches the serial number in the monitored device list is present.

[0062] In S708, the management unit 106 newly saves information about the device that needs to be newly searched for, as determined in S707, in the device information managed by the monitoring apparatus 101. From now on, the management unit 106 saves the monitoring target information 602 in the device information as a "target". By excluding the image processing device 102 from the comparison targets in S702, in S709, it is possible to save and manage the device information of the image processing device 103, which has a serial number matching that of the image processing device 102, separately from the image processing device 102.

[0063] In S709, the search unit 107 performs the device search process shown in FIG. 6 for the IP address 803 in the monitored device list saved in S708. If the IP address 803 is not set in the monitored device list and the user has set an IP address or a host name for search in advance in the screen control unit 108, the search may be performed for them. Instead of automatically performing the search process in S709, the screen control unit 108 may notify the user of a message that a device search is required. Then, when an instruction for device search is received from the user, the monitoring apparatus 101 executes the process of S709. If the only device with a matching serial number is a device whose device type 601 is "controller", the screen control unit 108 may notify the user of a message that a search for the image processing apparatus 103 is required.

[0064] In addition, when the device to be monitored is specified by the screen control unit 108 of the monitoring device 101, rather than by the management server 403, the process of FIG. 8 may not be performed, and the monitoring target information 602 of any discovered device may be manually set as the “target” in the screen control unit 108.

[0065] As described above, in this embodiment, the monitoring device 101 saves information on whether the image processing device 102 (controller) or the image processing device 103 (printer) is detected during device search, and manages both sets of device information. By not excluding the image processing device 102 during search by the monitoring device 101 and managing it in the management unit 106, the user can check the device information of the image processing device from the screen control unit 108. By excluding the image processing device 102 from the monitoring target when acquiring the list of devices to be monitored, it becomes possible to monitor only the image processing device 103 even if the serial numbers of the image processing device 102 and the image processing device 103 are the same. This allows the monitoring device 101 to manage both the image processing device 102 and the image processing device 103, while collecting data only from the image processing device 103 that is the monitoring target, and to transmit the data to the management server 403. On the other hand, it is possible not to collect data from the image processing device 102 that is not the monitoring target, and not to transmit data to the management server 403. Also, in a situation where the image processing device 102 has been found but the image processing device 103 having the same serial number has not been found, the user can be notified of this.

[0066] Example 3 In the first and second embodiments, during device search of the monitoring device 101, it is determined whether the device is the image processing device 102 (controller) or the image processing device 103 (printer). However, if a process for determining whether the device is the image processing device 102 during search is performed, the load of the search process increases, and there is a risk that it will take more time to search a wide range of IP addresses. Therefore, in this embodiment, after device search, device information is stored and then a process for determining whether the device is the image processing device 102 (controller) is performed, thereby reducing the load of device search. In this case, it is necessary to perform a process that takes into consideration the presence of a device that is not known to be the image processing device 102 or the image processing device 103 from the time search is completed until the determination process is performed.

[0067] The hardware configuration and software configuration of this embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, the process of determining whether the device is the image processing device 102 (controller) or the image processing device 103 (printer) during device search is not performed. Therefore, the device search process by the monitoring device 101 in this embodiment is the same as the device search process of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3, except that after acquiring information in S203, all information searched for is saved in S205, and S204 is not performed.

[0068] When the device search process of this embodiment is executed in S709 of the monitoring target device setting process, the image processing device 102 and the image processing device 103 are not distinguished from each other during the search, so the device searched first becomes the device of the monitoring target information 602 as the "target". Then, the device searched later is newly saved as a device of the monitoring target information 602 as the "non-target". More specifically, first, in S708, the device information is saved as the "target" in the monitoring target information 602, and an unsearched device is searched for in S709. If the MAC address 804 of the monitoring device list is input, the MAC address is used as a key, and when a device with the same MAC address is searched, the device information is overwritten. On the other hand, when the MAC address 804 of the monitoring device list is not set, when a device having the same serial number as the serial number 802 of the monitoring device list is searched, the device information is overwritten. At this time, the search does not distinguish between the image processing device 102 (controller) and the image processing device 103 (printer), so the device that is searched first is saved in the device information managed by the monitoring device 101 as the “target” device in the monitoring target information 602.

[0069] Also, when saving the device information of the device searched in S205 in the device search process, the device information acquired in S203 may be compared with the existing device information, and the device information may be saved according to the comparison result. For example, if a device having the same serial number as the searched device and a device type of "controller" already exists and has a different MAC address from the searched device, the searched device may be determined to be an image forming device, and the information of the corresponding device may be overwritten. At this time, the capability 603 may be returned to "unknown". Also, if a device having the same serial number as the searched device and a device type of "printer" already exists and has a different MAC address from the searched device, the searched device may be determined to be an image processing device, and the process may end without saving the searched information. In this way, although the process of confirming whether the device is the image processing device 102 in order to discard the information of the image processing device 102 in S204 is not performed, the process of saving according to the above comparison when saving in S205 can reduce the load of subsequent processes. Specifically, the process of identifying the image processing device 102 in the process of the capability check described later and the process of transferring the management state are not required, and the process of the capability check can be reduced.

[0070] The monitoring target device setting process by the monitoring apparatus 101 in this embodiment is similar to that in the second embodiment (FIG. 7), and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, the device type is not identified in the search process and stored in the device type 601 of the device information. Therefore, in creating the list in S702, if a device other than "controller" is read in the device type 601 and the list is generated, the device type identification is not completed and the device is also included in the list. Then, if the serial numbers of the devices included in the list match in S703, they are set as monitoring targets in S704.

[0071] In this embodiment, since the exclusion of image forming locations and distinction of device types are not performed during device search, the capability check process involves determining the device type and transferring the management status of the image processing device 102 to the image processing device 103. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the capability check process. In the capability check process, when the monitoring device 101 checks whether the device has the capability to acquire information required for monitoring from the device, it determines whether the device is the image processing device 102 (controller), and if it is the image processing device 102, it determines that it does not have the capability. Furthermore, if there is an existing device with the same serial number, the management information is transferred to the existing device. This makes it possible to exclude the image processing device 102 from the monitoring targets.

[0072] The capability check process may be performed after the search for the monitoring device is completed, or may be performed periodically, or may be performed at any timing in response to an instruction from the user via the operation of the screen control unit 108. Each process performed by the monitoring device 101 in the capability check process is realized by the CPU 213 of the monitoring device 101 executing a program stored in the storage device 212.

[0073] In S901, the management unit 106 acquires information from the device. The information acquired here includes device information (FIG. 4) managed by the monitoring apparatus 101, similar to the information acquired in S203. In addition, the information may include information acquired by a manufacturer-specific communication protocol defined by the manufacturer of the image processing apparatus, and information on whether counter information, log information, status alert information, etc. acquired from the device during monitoring can be acquired.

[0074] In S902, the confirmation unit 119 confirms whether the device is an image processing device (controller) for expanding image processing related to the print function of the image forming device based on the information acquired in S901. The management unit 106 determines that the device is the image processing device 102 when a specific character string is present in the information such as the product name 305 and the manufacturer name 306 acquired in S901. In addition, the management unit 106 may determine that the device is the image processing device 102 when the manufacturer name is a specific character string and information cannot be acquired by a communication protocol unique to the manufacturer. In addition, the management unit 106 may determine that the device is the image processing device 102 when the manufacturer's private MIB can be acquired but information cannot be acquired by a communication protocol unique to the manufacturer. If the device is determined to be an image processing device (controller) for expanding image processing related to the print function of the image forming device, the monitoring device 101 performs the process of S903. On the other hand, if the device is determined to not be an image processing device (controller) for expanding image processing related to the print function of the image forming device, the monitoring device 101 performs the process of S906.

[0075] In S903, the management unit 106 determines that the device is an image processing device (controller) and does not have monitoring capability, and stores the device information with capability 603 set to "none." In S904, the management unit 106 determines whether or not an existing device having the same serial number as the device determined to be an image processing device (controller) is already being managed. If an existing device having the same serial number is already being managed by the monitoring device, the process of S905 is performed.

[0076] On the other hand, if an existing device having the same serial number as the image processing device (controller) is not being managed, this process ends. Here, if an existing device having the same serial number as the image processing device (controller) is not being managed, the screen control unit 108 may notify the user that it is necessary to search for an image processing device 103 having the corresponding serial number. The screen control unit 408 may notify the user by sending information from the server communication unit 404 to the collection unit 407 of the management server 403, or the user may be notified by email via an external email server.

[0077] In S905, the management unit 106 transfers the management status of the image processing device (controller) to an existing device having the same serial number as the image processing device (controller). Specifically, if the management status (monitoring target information 602) of the image processing device (controller) is a managed device, the management status of the image processing device (controller) is changed to an unmanaged device, and the management status of the existing device having the same serial number is changed to a managed device.

[0078] In S906, the management unit 106 determines whether the device has self-monitoring capability based on the information acquired in S901. The determination whether the device has monitoring capability is made based on information on whether counter information, log information, status alert information, etc. can be acquired from the device. Then, the management unit 106 stores information on whether the device has self-monitoring capability in the capability 603.

[0079] Assume that the only device found is the image processing device 102 (controller), and the image processing device 103 (printer) having the same serial number has not been found. In this state, if the capability check process has not been performed on the device, it is not possible to determine whether the device is the image processing device 102 or the image processing device 103, and the monitoring target information 602 of the device temporarily becomes "target" in the process of acquiring the monitoring target device list. In this state, in S904, an existing device having the same serial number as the image processing device 102 is no longer being managed, so the monitoring target information 602 ends with "target". Thereafter, when the image processing device 103 having the same serial number is found and the capability check process is performed again, the monitoring target information of the image processing device 103 becomes "target" in S905.

[0080] As described above, according to this embodiment, the monitoring apparatus 101 does not perform a process of determining the device type during a device search, but performs a process of determining the device type and transferring the management status of the image processing apparatus 102 to the image processing apparatus 103 during a capability check process performed after the search. This makes it possible to monitor only the image processing apparatus 103 while reducing the load during device search.

[0081] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration of a monitoring device. (Configuration 1) A monitoring device for monitoring an image processing device via a network, a search unit that executes a process of searching the network for an image processing device; a confirmation unit that, when a plurality of image processing devices having the same serial number but different IP addresses are found in the search, confirms whether the image processing device is for expanding image processing related to a print function; A monitoring device characterized by having a management unit that manages, among the plurality of image processing devices, image processing devices that are not image processing devices for expanding image processing related to a print function as managed image processing devices having a print function. (Configuration 2) The monitoring device according to configuration 1, wherein the management unit does not store device information of an image processing device that is an image processing device for extending image processing related to a print function among the plurality of image processing devices. (Configuration 3) The monitoring device described in configuration 1, wherein the management unit manages, among the plurality of image processing devices, image processing devices that are image processing devices for expanding image processing related to a print function and image processing devices that are not image processing devices for expanding image processing related to a print function. (Configuration 4) The monitoring device according to configuration 3, wherein the management unit manages an image processing device that is an image processing device for extending image processing related to a print function as an image processing device outside the scope of management. (Configuration 5) The monitoring device described in configuration 3 or 4, wherein the management unit obtains a device list indicating the image processing devices to be monitored by the monitoring device from a device management service, compares the device list with a list of image processing devices that are not image processing devices for extending image processing related to print functions, and manages image processing devices having the same serial numbers as those in the device list as image processing devices to be managed. (Configuration 6) the management unit manages the searched image processing devices without performing a confirmation by the confirmation unit as to whether the searched image processing devices are image processing devices for extending image processing related to a print function; The monitoring device according to configuration 1, characterized in that when checking the self-monitoring capability corresponding to the device management service possessed by the image processing device, it is checked whether the image processing device is for extending image processing related to a print function. (Configuration 7) A monitoring device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that whether an image processing device is for expanding image processing related to a print function is confirmed based on at least one of the product name, manufacturer name, and whether information can be obtained by a specific protocol of the image processing device.

[0082] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0083] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

Claims

1. A monitoring device for monitoring an image processing device via a network, a search unit that executes a process of searching the network for an image processing device; a confirmation unit that, when a plurality of image processing devices having the same serial number but different IP addresses are found in the search, confirms whether the image processing device is for extending image processing related to a print function; a management unit that manages, among the plurality of image processing devices, image processing devices that are not image processing devices for extending image processing related to a print function as image processing devices to be managed that have a print function.

2. 2. The monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the management unit does not store device information of an image processing device that is an image processing device for expanding image processing related to a print function among the plurality of image processing devices.

3. The monitoring device described in claim 1, characterized in that the management unit manages, among the multiple image processing devices, image processing devices that are image processing devices for expanding image processing related to print functions and image processing devices that are not image processing devices for expanding image processing related to print functions.

4. 4. The monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein the management section manages an image processing device that is an image processing device for expanding image processing related to a print function as an image processing device outside the management area.

5. The monitoring device according to claim 3, characterized in that the management unit obtains a device list indicating the image processing devices to be monitored by the monitoring device from a device management service, compares the device list with a list of image processing devices that are not image processing devices for expanding image processing related to print functions, and manages image processing devices with serial numbers that match the device list as image processing devices to be managed.

6. the management unit manages the searched image processing devices without performing a confirmation by the confirmation unit as to whether the searched image processing devices are image processing devices for extending image processing related to a print function; The monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein when checking the self-monitoring capability corresponding to the device management service possessed by the image processing device, it is checked whether the image processing device is for extending image processing related to a print function.

7. The monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that whether an image processing device is for expanding image processing related to a print function is confirmed based on at least one of the product name, manufacturer name, and whether information can be obtained using a specific protocol of the image processing device.

8. A method for controlling a monitoring device that monitors an image processing device via a network, comprising: executing a process of searching the network for an image processing device; a step of confirming, when a plurality of image processing devices having the same serial number but different IP addresses are found in the search, whether the image processing device is for expanding image processing related to a print function; and managing, among the plurality of image processing devices, an image processing device that is not an image processing device for extending image processing related to a print function as a managed image processing device having a print function.

9. A program for causing a computer of a monitoring device to execute each step according to claim 8.

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