Device management system, device management program, and information processing system

Abstract

To provide a device management system, a device management program, and an information processing system for improving convenience.SOLUTION: A device management system manages a plurality of image processing devices and associate an image processing device licensed under an application program agreement with a backup device as a backup image processing device. When a user cannot use the application program on the image processing device with the license contract, the system automatically transfers the license from the contracted image processing device to the backup device (S241-S247).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 19

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device management system for managing electronic devices, a device management program, and an information processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an information processing system in which a service provider that can use an external server corresponding to the functions possessed by the MFP is installed, and when an error occurs in a first MFP that has a license contract with this service provider, if a second MFP that has the same service provider as the first MFP installed but does not have a license contract with this service provider is selected by a user, the license is transferred from the first MFP to the second MFP, and the service provider is used in the second MFP (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-138389 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional information processing systems, the user must select the transferee of the license each time, which is inconvenient.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device management system, a device management program, and an information processing system that can improve convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The device management system of the present invention is characterized by managing multiple electronic devices, associating a backup device as a backup electronic device with an electronic device that has contracted for a license to an application program, and automatically transferring the license from the electronic device that has contracted for the license to the backup device if a user is unable to use the application program on the electronic device that has contracted for the license.

[0007] With this configuration, the device management system of the present invention associates a backup device with an electronic device that has contracted for a license to an application program, and if a user is unable to use the application program on the licensed electronic device, the license is automatically transferred from the licensed electronic device to the backup device, eliminating the need for the user to select the license transfer destination each time, thereby improving convenience.

[0008] The device management program of the present invention is characterized in that it allows a computer to manage multiple electronic devices, associates a backup device as a backup electronic device for an electronic device that has contracted a license for an application program with the computer, and automatically transfers the license from the electronic device that has contracted the license to the backup device when a user is unable to use the application program on the electronic device that has contracted the license.

[0009] With this configuration, a computer executing the device management program of the present invention associates a backup device with an electronic device that has a license for an application program, and if the user cannot use the application program on the licensed electronic device, the license is automatically transferred from the licensed electronic device to the backup device, eliminating the need for the user to select the license transfer destination each time, thereby improving convenience.

[0010] The information processing system of the present invention comprises a plurality of electronic devices and a device management system that manages the electronic devices, wherein the device management system associates a backup device as the electronic device for backup with the electronic device for which a license for an application program has been contracted, and wherein the device management system automatically transfers the license from the electronic device for which the license has been contracted to the backup device when a user is unable to use the application program on the electronic device for which the license has been contracted.

[0011] With this configuration, the information processing system of the present invention associates a backup device with an electronic device that has contracted a license for an application program, and if the user is unable to use the application program on the licensed electronic device, the license is automatically transferred from the licensed electronic device to the backup device, eliminating the need for the user to select the license transfer destination each time, thereby improving convenience.

[0012] In the information processing system of the present invention, the electronic device that has contracted the license may notify the user of the backup device when the license is automatically transferred from the electronic device itself to the backup device.

[0013] With this configuration, in the information processing system of the present invention, when a license is automatically transferred from an electronic device that has a license contract to a backup device, the electronic device that has a license contract notifies the user of the backup device, thereby enabling the user to smoothly use the application program on the backup device.

[0014] In the information processing system of the present invention, the electronic device that has contracted the license may notify the user of the backup device when the user instructs the electronic device itself to use the application program, if the license has been automatically transferred from the electronic device itself to the backup device.

[0015] With this configuration, in the information processing system of the present invention, when a license is automatically transferred from the licensed electronic device to the backup device, when a user instructs the licensed electronic device to use an application program, the licensed electronic device notifies the user of the backup device, thereby enabling the user to smoothly use the application program on the backup device.

[0016] In the information processing system of the present invention, the electronic device that has entered into the license contract may determine whether the user is unable to use the application program on the electronic device itself based on the type of error that has occurred on the electronic device itself, and if the user is unable to use the application program on the electronic device itself, may notify the device management system that the user is unable to use the application program on the electronic device itself.

[0017] With this configuration, the information processing system of the present invention allows the electronic device itself to determine whether or not a user is unable to use an application program on a licensed electronic device based on the type of error that has occurred on the electronic device itself, and if the user is unable to use the application program on the electronic device itself, the electronic device itself notifies the device management system that the user is unable to use the application program on the electronic device itself, thereby improving convenience. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The device management system, the device management program, and the information processing system of the present invention can improve convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of the user terminal shown in FIG. 1 when configured as a PC. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram of an example of the image processing device shown in FIG. 1 when configured as an MFP. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of application management information illustrated in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of the device management system shown in FIG. 1 when configured with one computer. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of user management information shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of device management information shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 1 when registering an image processing device in the device management system. FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system shown in FIG. 1 when an application program is installed in the image processing device. [Figure 10] 1 when registering a license for an application program of the image processing apparatus. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system shown in FIG. 1 when a backup device for an application program of the image processing apparatus is registered. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a top screen of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the image processing device shown in FIG. 1 when an application operates in response to an instruction from a user. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an application list screen displayed by the operation shown in FIG. [Figure 15] 15 is a diagram showing an example of the application list screen shown in FIG. 14 on which a temporary license transfer destination notification message is displayed. FIG. [Figure 16] 4A is a diagram showing an example of a screen for the application shown in FIG. 3 in a state where a license has not been temporarily transferred from another image processing device, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of a screen for the application shown in FIG. 3 in a state where a license has been temporarily transferred from another image processing device. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the image processing device shown in FIG. 3 when an error code is notified to an application. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the image processing device shown in FIG. 3 when notifying the device management system whether or not an application can be operated in response to an instruction from a user. [Figure 19] 1 when an unusable notification is sent from the image processing apparatus to the device management system. FIG. [Figure 20] 1 when a notification that the image processing apparatus is available is sent to the device management system. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] First, the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0023] 1, the information processing system 10 includes a user terminal 20 used by a user. The information processing system 10 may include at least one other user terminal having a similar configuration to the user terminal 20. The user terminal may be configured, for example, by a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, or a tablet terminal.

[0024] The information processing system 10 includes an image processing device 30 as an electronic device used by a user. The information processing system 10 may include at least one other image processing device having a similar configuration to the image processing device 30. The image processing device may be configured, for example, by an image forming device such as a dedicated printer or an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), or by an image reading device such as a dedicated scanner or an MFP.

[0025] The information processing system 10 includes a device management system 40 that manages image processing devices. The device management system 40 may be configured with a single computer such as a PC, or may be configured with multiple computers. For example, the device management system 40 may be configured on a cloud.

[0026] The user terminal and the device management system 40 can communicate with each other via a network 11 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The image processing device and the device management system 40 can communicate with each other via the network 11.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of the user terminal 20 when configured as a PC.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the user terminal 20 comprises an operation unit 21, which is an operation device such as a keyboard or mouse 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 communication unit 23, which is a communication device that communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection without using a network; a memory unit 24, 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 25 that controls the entire user terminal 20.

[0029] The storage unit 24 can store a program for a web browser (hereinafter referred to as the "web browser program") 24a. The web browser program 24a may be installed in the user terminal 20 during the manufacturing stage of the user terminal 20, or may be additionally installed in the user terminal 20 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or may be additionally installed in the user terminal 20 from a network.

[0030] The control unit 25 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 work area for the CPU of the control unit 25. The CPU of the control unit 25 executes programs stored in the storage unit 24 or the ROM of the control unit 25.

[0031] The control unit 25 executes the web browser program 24a to implement a web browser 25a.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example of the image processing device 30 when configured as an MFP.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the image processing device 30 is a computer that includes an operation unit 31, which is an operation device such as a button through which various operations are input; a display unit 32, which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information; a printer 33, which is a printing device that prints images on a recording medium such as paper; a scanner 34, which is a reading device that reads images from a document; a communication unit 35, which is a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection without using a network; a fax communication unit 36, which is a fax device that communicates with an external facsimile machine (not shown) via a communication line such as a public telephone line; a memory unit 37, which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information; and a control unit 38 that controls the entire image processing device 30.

[0034] The storage unit 37 stores a main operation control program 37a for controlling the main operations of the image processing device 30. The main operation control program 37a may be installed in the image processing device 30 during the manufacturing stage of the image processing device 30, or may be additionally installed in the image processing device 30 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the image processing device 30 from a network.

[0035] The storage unit 37 stores a system linkage program 37b for controlling linkage with the device management system 40. The system linkage program 37b may be installed in the image processing device 30 during the manufacturing stage of the image processing device 30, or may be additionally installed in the image processing device 30 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the image processing device 30 from a network.

[0036] The storage unit 37 can store an application program 37c. The storage unit 37 can store application programs other than the application program 37c. The application program may be, for example, one that operates in cooperation with the device management system 40. The application program may be, for example, installed in the image processing device 30 during the manufacturing stage of the image processing device 30, or may be additionally installed in the image processing device 30 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the image processing device 30 from a network.

[0037] The storage unit 37 can store application management information 37d for managing application programs installed in the image processing device 30.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the application management information 37d.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, the application management information 37d includes, for each application program installed in the image processing device 30, the name of the application program (hereinafter referred to as the “application name”), license agreement information indicating whether the application program is licensed, license status information indicating the license status of the application program, the name of a backup image processing device (hereinafter referred to as the “backup device”) if the application program is licensed (hereinafter referred to as the “backup device name”), and unusable error code information indicating an error code that prevents the user from using the application program. The license status information includes values ​​such as “temporarily assigned,” which indicates that the license has been temporarily assigned to another image processing device, and “temporarily assigned,” which indicates that the license has been temporarily assigned from another image processing device. For example, the unusable error code information for an application program that performs printing includes an error code indicating a malfunction in the drum of the printer 33. However, the unusable error code information for an application program that does not perform printing, such as a scanning application program, does not include an error code indicating a malfunction in the drum of the printer 33. The application management information 37d shown in FIG. 4 is partially omitted.

[0040] 3 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM that serves as a memory used as a work area for the CPU of control unit 38. The CPU of control unit 38 executes programs stored in storage unit 37 or the ROM of control unit 38.

[0041] The control unit 38 executes the main operation control program 37a to implement a main operation control unit 38a that controls the main operation of the image processing device 30.

[0042] The control unit 38 executes the system cooperation program 37b to implement a system cooperation unit 38b that controls cooperation with the device management system 40.

[0043] The control unit 38 executes the application program 37c to realize the application 38c. Similarly, the control unit 38 executes each of the application programs other than the application program 37c to realize each of the applications.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example of device management system 40 configured by one computer.

[0045] As shown in Figure 5, the equipment management system 40 includes an operation unit 41, which is an operation 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 via a wired or wireless connection without using 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 that controls the entire equipment management system 40.

[0046] The storage unit 44 can store a device management program 44a for managing the image processing device. The device management program 44a may be installed in the device management system 40 during the manufacturing stage of the device management system 40, or may be additionally installed in the device management system 40 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the device management system 40 from a network.

[0047] The storage unit 44 can store user management information 44b for managing users.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the user management information 44b.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 6, the user management information 44b includes a user ID as user identification information, a user password, and a user role, which are associated with each user. The user ID and password are used to log in to the device management system 40. User roles include, for example, an administrator and a general user. Some information is omitted from the user management information 44b shown in Fig. 6.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, the storage unit 44 can store device management information 44c for managing the image processing device.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the device management information 44c.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 7, the device management information 44c includes, for each image processing device, a device ID as identification information for the image processing device, the name of the image processing device (hereinafter referred to as the "device name"), information for accessing the image processing device (hereinafter referred to as the "access information"), the application name of the application program installed in the image processing device, license contract information indicating whether the application program installed in the image processing device is licensed, license status information indicating the license status of the application program installed in the image processing device, and the device ID of a backup device (hereinafter referred to as the "backup device ID") if the application program installed in the image processing device is licensed. The license status information can have values ​​such as "temporarily assigned," which indicates that the license has been temporarily assigned to another image processing device, and "temporarily assigned," which indicates that the license has been temporarily assigned from another image processing device. Some information is omitted from the device management information 44c shown in FIG. 7.

[0053] 5 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM that serves as a memory used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 45. The CPU of the control unit 45 executes programs stored in the storage unit 44 or the ROM of the control unit 45.

[0054] The control unit 45 executes the device management program 44a to implement a device management unit 45a that manages the image processing device.

[0055] Next, the operation of the information processing system 10 will be described.

[0056] First, the operation of the information processing system 10 when the image processing device 30 is registered in the device management system 40 will be described.

[0057] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system 10 when the image processing device 30 is registered in the device management system 40.

[0058] After logging in to the device management system 40 via the operation unit 21 of the user terminal 20, the user can instruct the user terminal 20 via the operation unit 21 of the user terminal 20 to register the image processing device 30 in the device management system 40. Of the users, only the administrator may be able to instruct the user terminal 20 to register the image processing device 30 in the device management system 40. Note that communication between the user terminal 20 and the device management system 40 is realized via the web browser 25a of the user terminal 20 and a web page provided by the device management system 40.

[0059] When the web browser 25a of the user terminal 20 is instructed to register the image processing device 30, it sends an instruction to register the image processing device 30 (hereinafter referred to as a "device registration instruction") to the device management system 40 (S101), as shown in Fig. 8. The web browser 25a includes the device ID, device name, and access information of the image processing device 30 input via the operation unit 21 in the device registration instruction.

[0060] When the device management unit 45a of the device management system 40 receives the device registration instruction sent in S101, it adds the combination of the device ID, device name, and access information included in the device registration instruction to the device management information 44c (S102).

[0061] The above describes the case where a user registers an image processing device 30 via the user terminal 20. However, the user can also register the image processing device 30 via a user terminal other than the user terminal 20, or can register the image processing device 30 itself via the image processing device 30.

[0062] The above describes the operation of the information processing system 10 when the image processing device 30 is registered in the device management system 40. However, the operation of the information processing system 10 when an image processing device other than the image processing device 30 is registered in the device management system 40 is also similar.

[0063] Next, the operation of the information processing system 10 when the application program 37c is installed in the image processing device 30 will be described.

[0064] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system 10 when the application program 37c is installed in the image processing device 30. In FIG.

[0065] The user can instruct the image processing device 30 via the operation unit 31 of the image processing device 30 to install the application program 37c.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 9, when an instruction to install the application program 37c is received, the system cooperation unit 38b of the image processing device 30 installs the application program 37c in the image processing device 30 (S121).

[0067] When the installation in S121 is completed, the system collaboration unit 38b adds the application name, license agreement information, and unusable error code information of the application program 37c installed in S121 to the application management information 37d (S122). The system collaboration unit 38b may also acquire the application name and unusable error code information of the application program 37c from the application program 37c. The system collaboration unit 38b sets the value of the license agreement information of the application program 37c to "not contracted."

[0068] When the process of S122 ends, the system collaboration unit 38b transmits a notification (hereinafter referred to as an "installation notification") to the device management system 40 to notify that the application program 37c has been installed in the image processing device 30 (S123). The system collaboration unit 38b includes in the installation notification of S123 the device ID of the image processing device 30, and the application name and license agreement information of the application program 37c added to the application management information 37d in S122.

[0069] When the device management unit 45a of the device management system 40 receives the installation notification sent in S123, it adds the combination of the application name and license agreement information included in the installation notification to the device management information 44c in association with the device ID included in the installation notification (S124).

[0070] The above describes the operation of information processing system 10 when application program 37c is installed in image processing device 30. However, the operation of information processing system 10 when an application program other than application program 37c is installed in image processing device 30 and the operation of information processing system 10 when an application program is installed in an image processing device other than image processing device 30 are similar.

[0071] Next, the operation of the information processing system 10 when registering a license for an application program of the image processing device 30 will be described.

[0072] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system 10 when registering a license for an application program of the image processing device 30. In FIG.

[0073] After logging in to the device management system 40 via the operation unit 21 of the user terminal 20, the user can instruct the user terminal 20 via the operation unit 21 of the user terminal 20 to start the process of registering a license for an application program of the image processing device 30. Of the users, only the administrator may be able to instruct the user terminal 20 to start the process of registering a license for an application program of the image processing device 30. Note that communication between the user terminal 20 and the device management system 40 is realized via the web browser 25a of the user terminal 20 and a web page provided by the device management system 40.

[0074] When the web browser 25a of the user terminal 20 is instructed to start the license registration process for the application program of the image processing device 30, the web browser 25a transmits an instruction to start the license registration process for the application program of the image processing device 30 (hereinafter referred to as a "license registration process start instruction") to the device management system 40 (S141), as shown in Fig. 10. The web browser 25a includes the device ID of the image processing device 30 input via the operation unit 21 in the license registration process start instruction in S141.

[0075] When the device management unit 45a of the device management system 40 receives the license registration process start instruction transmitted in S141, it provides the web browser 25a with a web page for selecting an application program for which a license is to be registered (S142). The device management unit 45a includes, in the web page provided in S142, the app names of application programs whose license agreement information has a value of "not contracted" among the application programs associated in the device management information 44c with the device ID included in the license registration process start instruction.

[0076] When the web page is provided in S142, the web browser 25a of the user terminal 20 displays the web page provided in S142 on the display unit 22 (S143). Therefore, the user can select the application name of the application program for which a license is to be registered from among the application names included in the web page displayed in S143.

[0077] When the application name of the application program for which a license is to be registered is selected on the web page displayed in S143, the web browser 25a notifies the device management system 40 of the selected application name (S144).

[0078] When the device management unit 45a of the device management system 40 receives the notification in S144, it sets the value of the license contract information associated in the device management information 44c with the combination of the device ID included in the license registration process start instruction and the application name notified in S144 to "contracted" (S145).

[0079] Upon receiving the notification in S144, the device management unit 45a transmits an instruction to register the license of the application program (hereinafter referred to as a "license registration instruction") to the image processing device 30 identified by the device ID included in the license registration process start instruction (S146). The device management unit 45a accesses the image processing device 30 using the access information associated with the image processing device 30 in the device management information 44c. The device management unit 45a includes the application name notified in S144 in the license registration instruction.

[0080] When the system collaboration unit 38b of the image processing device 30 receives the license registration instruction sent in S146, it sets the value of the license contract information associated with the application name included in the license registration instruction in the application management information 37d to "contracted" (S147).

[0081] The above describes the case where a user registers a license for an application program of the image processing device 30 via the user terminal 20. However, the user can also register a license for an application program of the image processing device 30 via a user terminal other than the user terminal 20, or can register a license for the application program of the image processing device 30 itself via the image processing device 30.

[0082] The above describes the operation of the information processing system 10 when registering a license for an application program for the image processing device 30. However, the operation of the information processing system 10 when registering a license for an application program for an image processing device other than the image processing device 30 is similar.

[0083] Next, the operation of the information processing system 10 when a backup device for an application program of the image processing device 30 is registered will be described.

[0084] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system 10 when a backup device for an application program of the image processing device 30 is registered.

[0085] After logging in to the device management system 40 via the operation unit 21 of the user terminal 20, the user can instruct the user terminal 20 via the operation unit 21 of the user terminal 20 to start the process of registering a backup device for the application program of the image processing device 30. Of the users, only the administrator may be able to instruct the user terminal 20 to start the process of registering a backup device for the application program of the image processing device 30. Note that communication between the user terminal 20 and the device management system 40 is realized via the web browser 25a of the user terminal 20 and a web page provided by the device management system 40.

[0086] When the web browser 25a of the user terminal 20 is instructed to start the process of registering a backup device for the application program of the image processing device 30, the web browser 25a transmits an instruction to start the process of registering a backup device for the application program of the image processing device 30 (hereinafter referred to as a "backup device registration process start instruction") to the device management system 40 (S161), as shown in Fig. 11. The web browser 25a includes the device ID of the image processing device 30 input via the operation unit 21 in the backup device registration process start instruction in S161.

[0087] When the device management unit 45a of the device management system 40 receives the backup device registration process start instruction transmitted in S161, it provides the web browser 25a with a web page for selecting an application program for which a backup device is to be registered (S162). The device management unit 45a includes in the web page provided in S162 the app name of the application program that is associated in the device management information 44c with the device ID included in the backup device registration process start instruction.

[0088] When the web page is provided in S162, the web browser 25a of the user terminal 20 displays the web page provided in S162 on the display unit 22 (S163). Therefore, the user can select the application name of the application program for which a backup device is to be registered from among the application names included in the web page displayed in S163.

[0089] When the application name of the application program for which a backup device is to be registered is selected on the web page displayed in S163, the web browser 25a notifies the device management system 40 of the selected application name (S164).

[0090] Upon receiving the notification in S164, the device management unit 45a of the device management system 40 provides the web browser 25a with a web page for selecting a backup device (S165). The device management unit 45a identifies, in the device management information 44c, the device IDs of image processing devices that have installed thereon the application program having the app name notified in S164 and that do not have a license for this application program, and includes the identified device IDs in the web page provided in S165.

[0091] When the web page is provided in S165, the web browser 25a of the user terminal 20 displays the web page provided in S165 on the display unit 22 (S166). Therefore, the user can select the device ID of the image processing device to be registered as a backup device from the device IDs included in the web page displayed in S166.

[0092] When the device ID of the image processing device to be registered as a backup device is selected on the web page displayed in S166, the web browser 25a notifies the device management system 40 of the selected device ID (S167).

[0093] When the device management unit 45a of the device management system 40 receives the notification in S167, it sets the device ID notified in S167 as the backup device ID associated in the device management information 44c with the combination of the device ID included in the backup device registration process start instruction and the app name notified in S164 (S168).

[0094] Upon receiving the notification in S167, the device management unit 45a transmits an instruction to register a backup device for the application program (hereinafter referred to as a "backup device registration instruction") to the image processing device 30 identified by the device ID included in the backup device registration process start instruction (S169). The device management unit 45a accesses the image processing device 30 using the access information associated with the image processing device 30 in the device management information 44c. The device management unit 45a identifies the device name of the image processing device identified by the device ID notified in S167 in the device management information 44c, and includes the identified device name and the application name notified in S164 in the backup device registration instruction.

[0095] When the system collaboration unit 38b of the image processing device 30 receives the backup device registration instruction sent in S169, it sets the device name included in the backup device registration instruction as the value of the backup device name associated in the application management information 37d with the application name included in the backup device registration instruction (S170).

[0096] A user who instructs the user terminal 20 to register a backup device for an application program of the image processing device 30 may notify other users of the registered backup device by electronic notification means such as e-mail or non-electronic notification means such as a notice.

[0097] The above describes the case where a user registers a backup device for an application program of the image processing device 30 via the user terminal 20. However, the user can also register a backup device for an application program of the image processing device 30 via a user terminal other than the user terminal 20, or can register a backup device for an application program of the image processing device 30 via the image processing device 30.

[0098] The above describes the operation of the information processing system 10 when registering a backup device for an application program of the image processing device 30. However, the operation of the information processing system 10 when registering a backup device for an application program of an image processing device other than the image processing device 30 is similar.

[0099] Next, the operation of the image processing device 30 when an application runs in response to an instruction from a user will be described.

[0100] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the top screen 50 of the image processing device 30.

[0101] The main operation control unit 38a of the image processing device 30 displays a top screen 50 as shown in FIG. 12 on the display unit 32 at a specific timing, such as immediately after the image processing device 30 is started up.

[0102] The top screen 50 shown in Figure 12 includes a copy button 51 for causing the image processing device 30 to perform a copy operation, which involves reading an image from a document using the scanner 34 and printing the image on a recording medium using the printer 33, a scan button 52 for causing the image processing device 30 to perform a scan operation, which involves reading an image from a document using the scanner 34, and an application button 53 for causing the image processing device 30 to execute an application program.

[0103] The user can press the copy button 51, the scan button 52, or the application button 53 via the operation unit 31. When the application button 53 is pressed, the system cooperation unit 38b of the image processing device 30 executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0104] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image processing device 30 when an application operates in response to an instruction from a user.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 13, the system cooperation unit 38b of the image processing device 30 determines whether or not there is an application program installed in the image processing device 30 based on the application management information 37d (S181).

[0106] If the system cooperation unit 38b determines in S181 that there is no application program installed in the image processing device 30, it displays a message on the display unit 32 for a specific period of time to that effect (S182), and then ends the operation shown in Fig. 13. After the display in S182 ends, the main operation control unit 38a displays the top screen 50 (see Fig. 12).

[0107] As shown in FIG. 13, when the system collaboration unit 38b determines in S181 that there is an application program installed in the image processing device 30, it displays an application list screen 60 (see FIG. 14) showing a list of application programs installed in the image processing device 30 on the display unit 32 (S183).

[0108] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the application list screen 60. As shown in FIG.

[0109] The application list screen 60 shown in FIG. 14 includes a button 61 for executing an application program named "Application A," a button 62 for executing an application program named "Application B," a button 63 for executing an application program named "Application C," and a button 64 for executing an application program named "Application D."

[0110] The system collaboration unit 38b adds a character string "License temporarily transferred," such as character string 62a of button 62, to a button for executing an application program for which a license has been contracted but the license has been temporarily transferred to another image processing apparatus. The system collaboration unit 38b adds a character string "License temporarily transferred," such as character string 63a of button 63, to a button for executing an application program for which a license has not been contracted but the license has been temporarily transferred from another image processing apparatus. The system collaboration unit 38b grays out, as in button 64, a button for executing an application program for which a license has not been contracted or the license has not been temporarily transferred from another image processing apparatus, making it inoperable. The system collaboration unit 38b determines whether a license has been contracted for an application program based on the license contract information in the application management information 37d. The system collaboration unit 38b determines whether the license of the application program has been temporarily transferred to another image processing apparatus or whether the license of the application program has been temporarily transferred from another image processing apparatus based on the license status information in the application management information 37d.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 13, when the process of S183 ends, the system cooperation unit 38b determines whether or not a button on the application list screen 60 has been pressed (S184).

[0112] When the system collaboration unit 38b determines in S184 that a button on the application list screen 60 has been pressed, it determines whether the license of the application program corresponding to the pressed button on the application list screen 60 has been temporarily transferred to another image processing device based on the license status information in the application management information 37d (S185).

[0113] When the system cooperation unit 38b determines in S185 that the license of the application program corresponding to the pressed button on the application list screen 60 has been temporarily transferred to another image processing device, the system cooperation unit 38b displays a message (hereinafter referred to as a "license temporary transfer destination notification message") 65 (see FIG. 15) for notifying the image processing device to which the license of the application program corresponding to the pressed button on the application list screen 60 is temporarily transferred on the application list screen 60 for a specific period of time (S186). The system cooperation unit 38b identifies the temporary transfer destination of the license of the application program corresponding to the pressed button on the application list screen 60 based on the backup device name in the application management information 37d.

[0114] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the application list screen 60 on which a temporary license transfer destination notification message 65 is displayed.

[0115] The temporary license transfer destination notification message 65 shown in FIG. 15 notifies the image processing device with the device name "MFP(B)" as the backup device.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 13, when the system collaboration unit 38b determines in S184 that no button on the application list screen 60 has been pressed, or when the processing of SS186 ends, it determines whether an operation to end the display of the application list screen 60 has been input to the operation unit 31 (S187).

[0117] If the system cooperation unit 38b determines in S187 that an operation to terminate the display of the application list screen 60 has not been input to the operation unit 31, the system cooperation unit 38b executes the process of S184.

[0118] When the system cooperation unit 38b determines in S187 that an operation to end the display of the application list screen 60 has been input to the operation unit 31, the system cooperation unit 38b ends the display of the application list screen 60 (S188) and ends the operation shown in Fig. 13. After the operation in S188 ends, the main operation control unit 38a displays the top screen 50 (see Fig. 12).

[0119] As shown in FIG. 13, when the system collaboration unit 38b determines in S185 that the license for the application program corresponding to the pressed button on the application list screen 60 has not been temporarily transferred to another image processing device, the system collaboration unit 38b terminates the display of the application list screen 60 (S189).

[0120] When the process of S189 ends, the system cooperation unit 38b instructs the application corresponding to the pressed button on the application list screen 60 to start operation (S190), and ends the operation shown in Fig. 13. Therefore, the application corresponding to the pressed button on the application list screen 60 starts operation in cooperation with the device management system 40.

[0121] Fig. 16(a) is a diagram showing an example of an application screen 70 in a state where a license has not been temporarily transferred from another image processing device, and Fig. 16(b) is a diagram showing an example of an application screen 70 in a state where a license has been temporarily transferred from another image processing device.

[0122] When the app has not temporarily acquired a license from another image processing device, the app displays, for example, a screen 70 as shown in FIG. 16(a) on the display unit 32. On the other hand, when the app has temporarily acquired a license from another image processing device, the app displays, for example, a screen 70 as shown in FIG. 16(b) on the display unit 32. The screen 70 shown in FIG. 16(b) displays "Backup in use" in the lower right corner. Although the screen 70 shown in FIG. 16(b) displays "Backup in use" in the lower right corner, "Backup in use" may be displayed in a location other than the lower right corner.

[0123] The above describes the operation of the image processing device 30 when an application operates in response to an instruction from a user. However, the same applies to the operation of image processing devices other than the image processing device 30 when an application operates in response to an instruction from a user.

[0124] Next, the operation of the image processing device 30 when notifying an error code to an application will be described.

[0125] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image processing device 30 when notifying an error code to an application.

[0126] When the image processing device 30 is started up, it executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 17, the main operation control unit 38a of the image processing device 30 determines whether an error has occurred in the image processing device 30 until it determines that an error has occurred in the image processing device 30 (S201).

[0128] When the main operation control unit 38a determines in S201 that an error has occurred in the image processing device 30, it determines whether or not there is an error among the errors occurring in the image processing device 30 for which an error code notification process has not been executed, which notifies all apps in the image processing device 30 of an error code at specific time intervals, such as every 10 seconds (S202).

[0129] If the main operation control unit 38a determines in S202 that there is an error for which the error code notification process has not been executed among the errors that have occurred in the image processing device 30, the main operation control unit 38a starts executing the error code notification process for each of the errors for which the error code notification process has not been executed among the errors that have occurred in the image processing device 30 (S203). For example, if a malfunction occurs in the drum of the printer 33, the main operation control unit 38a starts executing the error code notification process to notify an error code indicating that a malfunction has occurred in the drum of the printer 33.

[0130] When the main operation control unit 38a determines in S202 that there is no error for which an error code notification process has not been executed among the errors that have occurred in the image processing device 30, or when the process of S203 ends, the main operation control unit 38a determines (S204) whether there is any error code notification process that is being executed and that does not correspond to the error that has occurred in the image processing device 30. For example, when the cause of the error that has occurred in the image processing device 30 is removed, there will be any error code notification process that is being executed and does not correspond to the error that has occurred in the image processing device 30.

[0131] If the main operation control unit 38a determines in S204 that there is an error code notification process being executed that does not correspond to the error that has occurred in the image processing device 30, it terminates the execution of the error code notification process being executed that does not correspond to the error that has occurred in the image processing device 30 (S205).

[0132] When the main operation control unit 38a determines in S204 that there is no error code notification process that does not correspond to the error that has occurred in the image processing device 30 among the error code notification processes that are being executed, or when the processing of S205 is completed, it executes the processing of S201.

[0133] Next, the operation of the image processing device 30 when notifying the device management system 40 whether or not the application can be operated in response to an instruction from the user will be described.

[0134] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image processing device 30 when notifying the device management system 40 whether or not an application can be operated in response to an instruction from a user.

[0135] The image processing device 30 starts all application programs installed in the image processing device 30. When an application program is started, the app corresponding to the started application program executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 18, the application determines whether or not an error code has been notified from the main operation control unit 38a until it determines that an error code has been notified from the main operation control unit 38a (S221).

[0137] When the app determines in S221 that an error code has been notified from the main operation control unit 38a, it determines whether the app itself can operate in accordance with the user's instructions based on all error codes notified from the main operation control unit 38a within a specific time period immediately preceding the error code notification, such as 20 seconds, and the unusable error code information for the app itself in the app management information 37d (S222).

[0138] If the application determines in S222 that it can operate in response to the user's instruction, it executes the process of S221.

[0139] If the app determines in S222 that it cannot operate in response to the user's instruction, it transmits a notification indicating that it cannot operate in response to the user's instruction (hereinafter referred to as an "unavailable notification") to the device management system 40 (S223). The app includes the device ID of the image processing device 30 and the app name corresponding to the app itself in the unavailable notification.

[0140] When the processing of S223 is completed, the app determines whether or not the app itself can operate in accordance with the user's instructions based on all error codes notified by the main operation control unit 38a within a specific time period, such as the previous 20 seconds, and the unusable error code information for the app itself in the app management information 37d (S224).

[0141] If the application determines in S224 that it cannot operate in response to the user's instruction, it executes the process of S224.

[0142] If the app determines in S224 that it can operate in response to the user's instruction, it transmits a notification indicating that it can operate in response to the user's instruction (hereinafter referred to as a "usability notification") to the device management system 40 (S225). The app includes in the usability notification the device ID of the image processing device 30 and the app name corresponding to the app itself.

[0143] When the process of S225 ends, the application executes the process of S221.

[0144] Next, the operation of the information processing system 10 when an unusable notification is sent from the image processing device 30 to the device management system 40 will be described.

[0145] FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system 10 when the image processing device 30 sends an unavailable notification to the device management system 40. In FIG.

[0146] As shown in FIG. 19, the application of the image processing device 30 transmits a notice of unavailability (hereinafter referred to as a "target unavailability notice") to the device management system 40 in S223 (see FIG. 18) (S241).

[0147] When the device management unit 45a of the device management system 40 receives the target unusable notification sent from the image processing device 30 in S241, it identifies a backup device (S242). Specifically, the device management unit 45a identifies a backup device ID that is associated in the device management information 44c with a combination of a device ID and an application name included in the target unusable notification, and identifies, as the backup device name, a device name that is associated in the device management information 44c with the same device ID as this backup device ID.

[0148] When the processing of S242 is completed, the device management unit 45a sets "temporarily transferred" as the value of the license status information associated in the device management information 44c with the combination of the device ID and the application name included in the target unusable notification, and sets "temporarily transferred" as the value of the license status information associated in the device management information 44c with the combination of the device ID that is the same as the backup device ID identified in S242 and the application name included in the target unusable notification (S243).

[0149] When the process of S243 is completed, the device management unit 45a transmits an instruction to suspend the license of the application program that is the target of the target unusable notification in the image processing device 30 (hereinafter referred to as the "temporary transferor license suspension instruction") to the image processing device 30 (S244). The device management unit 45a includes the application name included in the target unusable notification and the backup device name identified in S242 in the temporary transferor license suspension instruction.

[0150] When the system cooperation unit 38b of the image processing device 30 receives the temporary transferor's license suspension instruction transmitted from the device management system 40 in S244, it sets "temporarily transferred" as the value of the license status information in the application management information 37d for the application program whose application name is included in the received temporary transferor's license suspension instruction (S245). Furthermore, the system cooperation unit 38b sets the backup device name included in the temporary transferor's license suspension instruction as the backup device name in the application management information 37d for the application program whose application name is included in the received temporary transferor's license suspension instruction.

[0151] When the process of S243 is completed, the device management unit 45a of the device management system 40 transmits an instruction to activate the license of the application program that is the target of the target unusable notification on the backup device identified in S242 (hereinafter referred to as the "temporary transferee license activation instruction") to the backup device identified in S242 (S246). The device management unit 45a includes the application name included in the target unusable notification in the temporary transferee license activation instruction. The device management unit 45a accesses the backup device identified in S242 by using access information associated with the backup device identified in S242 in the device management information 44c.

[0152] When the system collaboration unit of the backup device receives the temporary transferee license start instruction sent from the device management system 40 in S246, it sets the value of the license status information in the application management information to "temporarily transferred" for the application program whose application name is included in the received temporary transferee license start instruction (S247).

[0153] Next, the operation of the information processing system 10 when a usage permission notice is sent from the image processing device 30 to the device management system 40 will be described.

[0154] FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system 10 when the image processing device 30 transmits a notice that the device is available to the device management system 40. In FIG.

[0155] As shown in FIG. 20, the application of the image processing device 30 transmits a notice of availability (hereinafter referred to as a "target availability notice") to the device management system 40 in S225 (see FIG. 18) (S261).

[0156] When the device management unit 45a of the device management system 40 receives the target availability notification transmitted from the image processing device 30 in S261, the device management unit 45a identifies a backup device (S262). Specifically, the device management unit 45a identifies a backup device ID that is associated in the device management information 44c with the combination of the device ID and the application name included in the target availability notification.

[0157] When the processing of S262 is completed, the device management unit 45a deletes the value of the license status information associated in the device management information 44c with the combination of the device ID and the application name included in the target usage notification, and deletes the value of the license status information associated in the device management information 44c with the combination of the device ID that is the same as the backup device ID identified in S262 and the application name included in the target usage unavailability notification (S263).

[0158] When the process of S263 ends, the device management unit 45a transmits an instruction to suspend the license of the application program that is the target of the target availability notification in the backup device identified in S262 (hereinafter referred to as a "temporary transferee license suspension instruction") to the backup device identified in S262 (S264). The device management unit 45a accesses the backup device identified in S262 by using the access information associated with the backup device identified in S262 in the device management information 44c.

[0159] When the system collaboration unit of the backup device receives the temporary transferee license suspension instruction sent from the device management system 40 in S264, it deletes the value of the license status information in the application management information for the application program whose application name is included in the received temporary transferee license suspension instruction (S265).

[0160] When the process of S263 is completed, the device management unit 45a of the device management system 40 transmits an instruction to activate the license of the application program that is the target of the target availability notification in the image processing device 30 (hereinafter referred to as the "temporary transferor license activation instruction") to the image processing device 30 (S266). The device management unit 45a includes the application name included in the target availability notification in the temporary transferor license activation instruction.

[0161] When the system cooperation unit 38b of the image processing device 30 receives the temporary transferor license start instruction transmitted from the device management system 40 in S266, the system cooperation unit 38b deletes the value of the license status information in the application management information 37d for the application program whose application name is included in the received temporary transferor license start instruction (S267). Furthermore, the system cooperation unit 38b deletes the value of the backup device name in the application management information 37d for the application program whose application name is included in the received temporary transferor license start instruction.

[0162] As described above, the information processing system 10 associates a backup device with an image processing device that has a license for an application program (see FIG. 7), and if the user cannot use the application program on the image processing device that has the license (NO in S222), the license is automatically transferred from the image processing device that has the license to the backup device (S241 to S247). This eliminates the need for the user to select the destination of the license each time, thereby improving convenience.

[0163] The information processing system 10 automatically transfers the license from the image processing device under contract to the backup device, so that even if a user other than the administrator uses the image processing device, the license can be transferred from the image processing device under contract to the backup device.

[0164] The information processing system 10 associates a backup device with an image processing device that has a license for an application program (see FIG. 7), so it is possible to notify many users in advance of the destination of the license transfer.

[0165] In the information processing system 10, when the license has been automatically transferred from the licensed image processing device to the backup device (YES in S185), and when the user instructs the licensed image processing device to use the application program (YES in S184), the licensed image processing device notifies the user of the backup device (S186), thereby enabling the user to smoothly use the application program on the backup device. Note that the information processing system 10 may be configured such that, when the license has been automatically transferred from the licensed image processing device to the backup device, the licensed image processing device notifies the user of the backup device regardless of whether the user instructs the licensed image processing device to use the application program.

[0166] In the information processing system 10, the image processing device itself determines whether or not the user cannot use the application program on the licensed image processing device based on the type of error that has occurred in the image processing device itself (S222), and if the user cannot use the application program on the image processing device itself (NO in S222), the image processing device itself notifies the device management system 40 that the user cannot use the application program on the image processing device itself (S223), thereby improving convenience.

[0167] In this embodiment, the electronic device of the present invention is an image processing device, but it may be an electronic device other than an image processing device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0168] 10 Information Processing Systems 30 Image processing device (electronic device) 37c Application Program 40 Equipment Management System 44a Equipment Management Program

Claims

1. Manage multiple electronic devices Associating a backup device as the electronic device for backup with the electronic device with which a license for the application program has been contracted; An equipment management system characterized by automatically transferring the license from the electronic device for which the license has been contracted to the backup device when a user is unable to use the application program on the electronic device for which the license has been contracted.

2. Letting a computer manage multiple electronic devices, a backup device serving as a backup electronic device for the electronic device with which a license for the application program has been contracted is associated with the computer; An equipment management program characterized by automatically transferring the license from the electronic device with which the license has been contracted to the backup device to the computer when the user is unable to use the application program on the electronic device with which the license has been contracted.

3. Multiple electronic devices, a device management system that manages the electronic devices; Equipped with the device management system associates a backup device as the electronic device for backup with the electronic device for which a license for the application program has been contracted; The device management system is an information processing system characterized in that, when a user is unable to use the application program on the electronic device for which the license has been contracted, the license is automatically transferred from the electronic device for which the license has been contracted to the backup device.

4. The information processing system according to claim 3, characterized in that the electronic device that has contracted the license notifies the user of the backup device when the license is automatically transferred from the electronic device itself to the backup device.

5. The information processing system described in claim 4, characterized in that the electronic device that has contracted the license notifies the user of the backup device when the user instructs the electronic device itself to use the application program, if the license is automatically transferred from the electronic device itself to the backup device.

6. The information processing system described in claim 3, characterized in that the electronic device that has signed the license determines whether the user cannot use the application program on the electronic device itself based on the type of error that has occurred on the electronic device itself, and if the user cannot use the application program on the electronic device itself, notifies the device management system that the user cannot use the application program on the electronic device itself.

Images