Remote repair system and method

Abstract

The goal is to improve the process of changing device settings. [Solution] A remote repair system for repairing a device by remotely changing its settings, comprising: setting history management means for managing a setting history which is a history of setting changes to the device; setting request receiving means for receiving setting requests that request changes to the device's settings; setting history search means for searching the setting history for the same setting item as the setting request received by the setting request receiving means from the setting history managed by the setting history management means; and display means for displaying the search results of the setting history search means.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , ,

[0005] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a remote repair system and method.

Background Art

[0002] Some information processing devices such as image forming apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as devices) are assumed to be shared and used by a plurality of users. In such a device, user authentication and user selection are generally performed at the start of use to identify the user who will use the device from now on. In addition, there are individual settings for each user and settings common to all users for the settings of the device. If a certain user changes the common settings and the behavior of the device changes, other users who are unaware that the settings have been changed may misinterpret the change in behavior as a failure or the like. Furthermore, there are cases where the changed settings are restored in an attempt to restore the behavior of the device.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, in order to cope with such a situation, a method has been proposed in which, after a common setting is changed by a certain user, the change content of the common setting is displayed when the user switches.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In Patent Document 1, although it is possible to present to other users that the common settings have been changed, in order to notify of the setting change at the time of user switching, there is a risk that other users may overlook the notification of the setting change and restore the changed settings. For this reason, conventionally, there has been room for improvement regarding the setting change of the device.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems and aims to improve the process of changing device settings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A remote repair system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a remote repair system that repairs a device by remotely changing the settings of the device, comprising: a setting history management means for managing a setting history which is a history of setting changes of the device; a setting request receiving means for receiving setting requests that request changes to the settings of the device; a setting history search means for searching the setting history for the same setting item as the setting request received by the setting request receiving means from the setting history managed by the setting history management means; and a display means for displaying the search results of the setting history search means. It is characterized by having the following features. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, improvements can be made regarding the changing of device settings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a remote repair system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the software configuration according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows the configuration change process for a remote configuration server according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is an example of a screen displayed during the setting change process according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is an example of a screen displayed during the setting change process according to a modified embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram showing the software configuration according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing the job execution process of a printer according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the configuration change search process for a remote configuration server according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, the following embodiments do not limit the present invention as claimed, and not all combinations of features described in these embodiments are essential to the solution of the present invention. In each drawing, the same member or element is given the same reference numeral, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified.

[0011] In embodiments of the present invention, for example, when changing common settings, the change history of the same setting item is displayed. That is, by notifying the user of the setting change history of the setting that the user is interested in, the risk of reverting other users' setting changes is reduced, and a method is provided to help the user determine whether it is necessary to coordinate with other users regarding setting changes.

[0012] <Embodiment 1> <System Configuration> Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a remote repair system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The remote repair system 10 is configured such that a remote configuration server 101, a printer 102, and a PC 103 can communicate via a network 100. PC is an abbreviation for Personal Computer. The network 100 is a so-called communication network realized by, for example, a LAN such as the Internet, a WAN, a telephone line, etc., and it is sufficient if it is capable of sending and receiving data. LAN is an abbreviation for Local Area Network. WAN is an abbreviation for Wide Area Network.

[0013] The remote setting server 101 manages the setting history, which is the history of setting changes of the printer 102, and the job history, which is the history of executed jobs. Also, in response to a request from the PC 103, it executes a setting change request to the printer 102 and a job history diagnosis.

[0014] The printer 102 is an example of an image forming apparatus such as a printer or an MFP, and has functions such as printing, FAX, copying, and scanning. MFP is an abbreviation for Multifunction Peripheral. FAX is an abbreviation for facsimile. The printer 102 is an example of a device to be remotely repaired in the remote repair system 10. When its own settings are changed, the printer 102 sends a setting change notification including device information to the remote setting server 101. Also, when it receives a setting request from the remote setting server 101, it changes its own settings. Note that the printer 102 may be configured with multiple units.

[0015] The PC 103 is an example of an information processing device, and a predetermined OS (not shown) is installed. OS is an abbreviation for Operating System. Also, a browser 331 (see FIG. 3) described later is installed on the PC 103. The PC 103 sends a request to obtain a list of job execution histories of the printer 102 to the remote setting server 101 via the browser 331, receives a list of job execution histories from the remote setting server 101, and displays it on the GUI. GUI is an abbreviation for Graphical User Interface. Further, the PC 103 sends a diagnosis execution request or a treatment execution request to the remote setting server 101 via the browser 331, receives a diagnosis result or a treatment result from the remote setting server 101, and displays it on the GUI. That is, the remote setting server 101 also functions as a remote repair server.

[0016] <Hardware Configuration>[[ID=—13]] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2(A) is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the remote setting server 101 and the PC 103 in FIG. 1. In the figure, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU that directly or indirectly controls each device (such as a ROM and a RAM described later) connected by an internal bus and executes a program for realizing the present invention. ROM is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory. RAM is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory. CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit.

[0017] Reference numeral 202 denotes a ROM in which the BIOS is stored. BIOS is an abbreviation for Basic Input Output System. Reference numeral 203 denotes a RAM (direct storage device) that is used as a work area of the CPU 201 or as a temporary storage for loading software modules for realizing the present invention.

[0018] Reference numeral 204 denotes an indirect storage device such as an HDD (hard disk drive) or an SSD (solid state drive) in which the basic software such as an OS and software modules are stored. Reference numeral 205 denotes an input device, such as a keyboard or a pointing device. Reference numeral 206 denotes an output device, such as a display. Reference numeral 207 denotes an I / F for connecting to the network 100. I / F is an abbreviation for interface.

[0019] In these hardware components, after startup, the BIOS is executed by the CPU 201, and the OS is loaded from the HDD 204 to the RAM 203 so that it can be executed. The CPU 201 loads various software modules described later from the HDD 204 to the RAM 203 so that they can be executed at any time according to the operation of the OS. The various software modules operate by executing programs by the CPU 201 through the cooperation of the above-mentioned hardware components. Further, the I / F 207 is connected to the Internet 100 or a local network and is controlled by the CPU 201 according to the operation of the OS, thereby realizing communication by the above-described communication means.

[0020] Figure 2(B) is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of printer 102. The components of the configuration shown in Figure 2(B), excluding the print engine 238, are sometimes referred to as the controller that manages the printer's control system. Each hardware component is connected to the system bus 230.

[0021] The CPU 231 controls the entire system and provides comprehensive control over access to various devices connected to the system bus 230. This control is based on control programs stored in the ROM 232 or on control programs and resource data (resource information) stored in the external memory 236 connected via the DKC 235. DKC stands for Disk Controller.

[0022] RAM233 functions as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU231, and is configured to allow expansion of memory capacity by optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). Storage device 240 is an external storage means that functions as a large-capacity memory. The operation panel 239 displays a screen and accepts user operation instructions via the screen. The operation panel 239 also includes buttons and a display unit such as an LCD panel for operations such as setting the operating mode of the printer 102, displaying the operating status of the printer 102, and specifying content data to print. The operation panel 239 is an example of an operation unit.

[0023] The network controller 234 is, for example, a network interface card (NIC). The printer 102 exchanges data with external devices via the network controller 234.

[0024] The raster controller 237 is a controller that converts print data described in, for example, the PDL language into image data. PDL is an abbreviation for page description language. The print engine 238 uses known printing technology to form an image on the sheet based on the image data input from the raster controller 237. Examples of print engines for the print engine 238 include electrophotographic (laser beam), inkjet, and sublimation (thermal transfer) methods.

[0025] Device I / F241 is a connection interface for external devices that can be connected via USB, etc. USB is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus.

[0026] The operation of each device in the remote repair system according to Embodiment 1 will be described below. These operations are achieved by the CPU of each device executing a program stored in the memory of each device. Note that the schema and data in the table described below are merely examples, and the schema of the table and the format of various data are not limited to these examples.

[0027] <Software Configuration> Figure 3 is a software configuration diagram of the remote repair system according to Embodiment 1. The remote configuration server 101 includes a configuration history management unit 311, a configuration result receiving unit 312, a configuration request unit 313, and a user authentication unit 314. The remote configuration server 101 further includes a device information management unit 315, a job history management unit 316, a job execution result receiving unit 317, a job history diagnostic unit 318, and a remote configuration display unit 319.

[0028] The setting history management unit 311 maintains a setting history for each printer 102. The setting history includes the device ID of the device whose settings were changed, the setting item that was changed, the value applied by the setting change, the user ID of the user who performed the setting change, and the date and time when the setting change was applied. The setting history management unit 311 is an example of a setting history management means for managing the setting history, which is a history of setting changes for the printer 102.

[0029] The setting result receiving unit 312 receives the setting result from the setting result transmitting unit 324 of the printer 102. The setting result includes information similar to the setting history. The setting request unit 313 sends a setting request to the setting request receiving unit 325 of the printer 102. The setting request includes the setting item to be changed, the value to be applied by the setting change, and the user ID of the user who requested the setting change. The user authentication unit 314 holds user information and performs user authentication in response to a user authentication request. The user authentication request includes the user ID and password.

[0030] The device information management unit 315 stores the device information of the printer 102. The device information includes the device ID, device name, and organization ID. The job history management unit 316 stores the job history of the printer 102. The job history includes the job ID, the device ID of the device executing the job, the user ID of the user who instructed the job, the date and time the job was executed, the error code of the job execution result, and the job type. The job execution result receiving unit 317 receives the job execution result from the printer 102 and passes it to the job history management unit. The job execution result includes the same information as the job history. The job history diagnosis unit 318 performs a job history diagnosis in response to a job history diagnosis request. The job history diagnosis request includes the job ID and the diagnosis content. The job history diagnosis is a process that estimates the action to resolve the specified job history and diagnosis content. The remote setting display unit 319 accepts user operations via the browser 331 of the PC 103 and displays a screen according to the user operation.

[0031] The printer 102 includes a job execution unit 321, a job execution result transmission unit 322, a setting management unit 323, a setting result transmission unit 324, and a setting request reception unit 325. The job execution unit 321 performs functions such as printing, faxing, copying, and scanning. The job execution result transmission unit 322 transmits the job execution results to the job execution result reception unit 317 of the remote setting server 101.

[0032] The settings management unit 323 maintains and modifies the settings of the printer 102. When the settings request receiving unit 325 receives a settings request, the settings management unit 323 changes the specified settings item to the specified value. The settings management unit 323 may perform the settings change immediately after receiving the settings request, or it may perform the settings change after the user has performed an approval operation from the printer 102's operation panel 239. Furthermore, this approval operation for performing the settings change may be controlled so that only users with administrator privileges can perform it.

[0033] The setting result transmission unit 324 transmits the setting result to the setting result receiving unit 312 of the remote setting server 101. If the user performed an approval operation before the setting change, the setting result may include the user IDs of the approver and the approval requester. The setting request receiving unit 325 receives a setting request from the setting request unit 313 of the remote setting server 101.

[0034] <Flowchart for configuration change process> Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the configuration change process of the remote configuration server 101. The configuration change process proceeds by receiving a request from the browser 331 of the PC 103 operated by the user at the remote configuration display unit 319 of the remote configuration server 101 and displaying the response on the screen.

[0035] In step S401, the user authentication unit 314 performs user authentication in response to a user authentication request received by the remote setting display unit 319. The user is, for example, an operator of the sales or maintenance company of the printer 102. The user, for example, receives a notification from the user of the printer 102, operates the PC 103, and sends a user authentication request to the remote setting display unit 319.

[0036] If user authentication is successful, in step S402 the device information management unit 315 displays a list of devices on the remote settings display unit 319. The user selects the printer 102 that was reported by the user from the list of devices displayed on the browser 331. The browser 331 sends a request to the remote settings display unit 319 to retrieve the job history list for the selected printer 102. In step S403 the job history management unit 316 displays the job history list on the remote settings display unit 319 in response to the job history list retrieval request received by the remote settings display unit 319.

[0037] The user selects a job that was reported by the user from the job history list displayed in the browser 331. The browser 331 sends a job history diagnosis request for the selected job to the remote setting display unit 319. In step S404, the job history diagnosis unit 318 performs a job history diagnosis in response to the job history diagnosis request received by the remote setting display unit 319 and displays a list of diagnosis results on the remote setting display unit 319.

[0038] The user selects an action corresponding to the user's report from the list of diagnostic results displayed in the browser 331. The browser 331 sends a setting request for the selected action to the remote setting display unit 319. This process is an example of a setting request transmission means in which a user sends a setting request to request a change in the settings of the printer 102 remotely. In step S405, the setting history management unit 311 searches the setting history for the same setting item as the setting request received by the remote setting display unit 319. The setting request reception process by the remote setting display unit 319 is an example of a setting request receiving means that receives a setting request to change the settings of the printer 102. Note that there may be other search conditions for searching the setting history. Examples of search conditions include a mismatch between the user ID specified in the setting request and the user ID included in the setting history, or that the date and time on which the setting change included in the setting history was applied is within a predetermined period. The process in step S405 is an example of a setting history search means that searches the setting history for the same setting item as the setting request received by the setting request receiving means.

[0039] In step S406, the setting history management unit 311 determines whether or not a setting history matching the search in step S405 exists. If the setting history management unit 311 determines that a matching setting history exists, the process in step S407 is executed. If the setting history management unit 311 determines that no matching setting history exists, the process in step S409 is executed.

[0040] In step S407, the remote setting display unit 319 displays a confirmation screen for the execution of the procedure. The display on the remote setting display unit 319 is shown on the PC 103 via the browser 331. The process in step S407 is an example of a display means for displaying the search results of the setting history search means. The confirmation screen for the procedure includes the setting details, a list of the relevant setting history, an apply button, and a cancel button. In some systems, common settings for all users and individual settings for each user coexist for the same setting item, with the individual settings taking precedence. In this case, the apply button on the confirmation screen for the procedure may include two buttons: one to apply the value to the common setting and another to apply the value to the individual setting.

[0041] In step S408, the remote setting display unit 319 accepts a user confirmation operation and determines whether or not to apply the setting change. If the remote setting display unit 319 accepts the user pressing the Apply button as a confirmation operation, it determines to apply the setting change. If the remote setting display unit 319 accepts the user pressing the Cancel button as a confirmation operation, it determines not to apply the setting change. If the remote setting display unit 319 determines to apply the setting change, the process in step S409 is executed. If the remote setting display unit 319 determines not to apply the setting change, the process is terminated.

[0042] In step S409, the setting request unit 313 sends a setting request to the printer 102, and the remote setting display unit 319 displays that the setting request has been completed.

[0043] <Screen during configuration change processing (job with error)> Figure 5 is an example of a screen displayed by the remote setting display unit 319 to the browser 331 during the setting change process. Figure 5(A) shows the job history list screen 500. The job history list screen 500 is a screen displayed during the process of step S403. The job history list screen 500 includes a job history list 501, diagnostic execution buttons 502 to 504, and a normal completion display toggle checkbox 505.

[0044] The diagnostic execution buttons 502, 503, and 504 correspond to the job history of each row in the job history list 501. When any of the diagnostic execution buttons 502, 503, or 504 are pressed, the browser 331 sends a job history diagnostic request for the job history corresponding to the pressed button.

[0045] The remote settings display unit 319 can switch between displaying and hiding the history of jobs that have completed successfully by pressing the normal completion display toggle checkbox 505. In the initial state, the normal completion display toggle checkbox 505 is not checked, and the history of jobs that have completed successfully is hidden. The job history list screen 500 in Figure 5(A) is a screen that does not display the history of jobs that have completed successfully.

[0046] Figure 5(B) shows the job history diagnostic results list screen 510 that is displayed when the diagnostic execution button 502 in Figure 5(A) is pressed. The job history diagnostic results list screen 510 is the screen displayed in the process of step S404. The job history diagnostic results list screen 510 includes the diagnostic results list 511 and the action execution buttons 512 to 513.

[0047] The action execution buttons 512 and 513 correspond to the diagnostic results of each row in the diagnostic result list 511. When either action execution button 512 or 513 is pressed, the browser 331 sends an action execution request for the diagnostic result corresponding to the pressed button.

[0048] Figure 5(C) shows the action execution confirmation screen 520 that is displayed when the action execution button 512 in Figure 5(B) is pressed. The action execution confirmation screen 520 is the screen displayed in the process of step S407. The action execution confirmation screen 520 includes the setting details 521, the setting history list 522, the apply button 523, and the cancel button 524.

[0049] Figures 5(B) and 5(C) show examples of screens displayed when the diagnostic execution button 502 corresponding to a job history with an error is pressed on the job history list screen 500. Below are examples of screens displayed when the display normal completion history checkbox 505 is pressed on the job history list screen 500 and a diagnostic is executed for a job history that completed normally.

[0050] As explained above, the user can check the job history of the printer 102 on the job history list screen 500. When the diagnostic execution button 502 is pressed on the job history list screen 500, the remote repair system 10 performs a diagnosis to resolve the error in that job. As a result of the diagnosis, the remote repair system 10 displays the job history diagnostic result list screen 510 and indicates that the error can be resolved by changing the settings. When the action execution button 512 is pressed on the job history diagnostic result list screen 510, the remote repair system 10 displays the action execution confirmation screen 520. The action execution confirmation screen 520 displays the history of setting changes related to resolving the error and asks the user whether or not to apply the setting changes. If the remote repair system 10 receives an instruction from the user to apply the setting changes, it performs the remote repair by executing the setting changes.

[0051] According to this embodiment, the user can be presented with a history of setting changes related to error resolution, and the user can be confirmed in advance whether or not to apply the setting changes. Therefore, setting changes made by other users will not be overlooked, and the risk of reverting settings changed by other users can be reduced.

[0052] <Screen during configuration change process (job completed successfully)> Figure 6 is an example of a screen displayed when diagnosing a job that has completed successfully. Figure 6 is an example of a screen displayed by the remote configuration display unit 319 to the browser 331. Figure 6(A) shows the job history list screen 600. The job history list screen 600 is displayed when the successfully completed job display toggle checkbox 505 is pressed on the job history list screen 500. The job history list screen 600 is displayed with the successfully completed job history included in the job history list 611 because the successfully completed job history checkbox 605 is checked.

[0053] Figure 6(B) shows the diagnostic content selection screen 610 that is displayed when the diagnostic execution button 604 in Figure 6(A) is pressed. The diagnostic content selection screen 610 includes the diagnostic content list 611 and the diagnostic execution buttons 612 to 617. Since the job history corresponding to the diagnostic execution button 604 is retained as having completed successfully, it is necessary to select the diagnostic content before executing the diagnosis.

[0054] The diagnostic execution buttons 612, 613, 614, 615, 616, and 617 correspond to the diagnostic content of each row in the diagnostic content list 611. When any of the diagnostic execution buttons 612, 613, 614, 615, 616, and 617 are pressed, the diagnostic is executed for the diagnostic content corresponding to the pressed button.

[0055] Figure 6(C) shows the job history diagnostic results list screen 620 that is displayed when the diagnostic execution button 615 in Figure 6(B) is pressed. The job history diagnostic results list screen 620 includes the diagnostic results list 621 and the action execution button 622.

[0056] The action execution button 622 corresponds to the diagnostic result of each row in the diagnostic result list 621. When the action execution button 622 is pressed, the browser 331 sends an action execution request for the diagnostic result corresponding to the pressed button.

[0057] Figure 6(D) shows the action execution confirmation screen 630 that is displayed when the action execution button 622 in Figure 6(C) is pressed. The action execution confirmation screen 630 includes the settings details 631, the setting history list 632, the apply button 633, and the cancel button 634.

[0058] As explained above, even if a job on printer 102 completes successfully, the user can request a diagnosis regarding the quality of the job execution results, etc., via the diagnostic content selection screen 610. When the diagnostic execution button 615 is pressed on the diagnostic content selection screen 610, the remote repair system 10 performs a diagnosis aimed at resolving the diagnosis. As a result of the diagnosis, the remote repair system 10 displays the job history diagnostic result list screen 620 and indicates that the diagnosis can be resolved by changing the settings. When the action execution button 622 is pressed on the job history diagnostic result list screen 620, the remote repair system 10 displays the action execution confirmation screen 630. The action execution confirmation screen 630 displays the history of setting changes related to resolving the diagnosis and asks the user whether or not to apply the setting changes. If the remote repair system 10 receives an instruction from the user to apply the setting changes, it performs the remote repair by executing the setting changes.

[0059] According to this embodiment, even if a job completes successfully, the system can diagnose the quality of the job execution results, present the user with a history of configuration changes related to resolving the diagnosis, and allow the user to confirm whether or not to apply the configuration changes. This prevents overlooking configuration changes made by other users and reduces the risk of reverting settings changed by other users.

[0060] <Embodiment 2> In Embodiment 1 described above, when changing the settings of the same setting item as another user's setting change, notification of the setting change was given before the change was made. In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, notification of the setting change is given before the execution of a job related to another user's setting change.

[0061] <Software Configuration> The operation of each device in Embodiment 2 will be described below using a configuration diagram of the remote repair system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In Embodiment 2, components common to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0062] Figure 7 is a software configuration diagram of the remote repair system according to Embodiment 2. The remote setting server 101 includes a setting history management unit 311, a user authentication unit 314, a job history management unit 316, a job execution result receiving unit 317, a related setting item information management unit 711, and a setting change search unit 712.

[0063] The related setting item information management unit 711 stores related setting item information. Related setting item information is information that records which setting items are associated with each job type of job executed by the printer 102. The setting change search unit 712 receives a setting change search request from the printer 102's setting change search request unit 723 and performs a setting change search. The setting change search request includes the device ID, user ID, and job type. The setting change search will be described later.

[0064] The printer 102 includes a job execution unit 321, a job execution result transmission unit 322, a display unit 721, a user authentication request unit 722, and a setting change search request unit 723. The display unit 721 receives user operations for job execution, etc., and displays the operating status, etc., in cooperation with other components. The user authentication request unit 722 sends a user authentication request to the user authentication unit 314 of the remote configuration server 101 and receives the result. The setting change search request unit 723 sends a setting change search request to the setting change search unit 712 of the remote configuration server 101 and receives the result.

[0065] <Flowchart of the job execution process> Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the job execution process of printer 102. The job execution process proceeds by inputting and outputting user operations and displays to the user from the display unit 721 of printer 102.

[0066] In step S801, the display unit 721 receives user authentication information from the user. Also in step S801, the user authentication request unit 722 sends a user authentication request containing the user authentication information received from the user to the remote configuration server 101 to perform user authentication.

[0067] In step S802, the display unit 721 displays a screen for selecting the job type. In step S803, the display unit 721 accepts the user's selection of the job type and displays a screen for entering the job details.

[0068] In step S804, the display unit 721 accepts that the user has pressed the job execution button. Also in step S804, the setting change search request unit 723 sends a setting change search request to the remote setting server 101 in response to the job execution button being pressed. The process in step S804 is an example of a job acceptance means for accepting jobs for the printer 102. Upon receiving the setting change search request from the printer 102, the remote setting server 101 executes the setting change search process shown in Figure 9 and sends the result of the setting change search to the printer 102.

[0069] In step S805, the configuration change search request unit 723 receives the result of the configuration change search from the remote configuration server 101 and determines whether a configuration history was found in the configuration change search. If the configuration change search request unit 723 determines that a configuration history was found in the configuration change search, the process in step S806 is executed. If the configuration change search request unit 723 determines that no configuration history was found in the configuration change search, the process in step S808 is executed.

[0070] In step S806, the display unit 721 displays a job execution confirmation screen. The job execution confirmation screen includes a setting history list, which is the search result of the setting change search; an execute button to instruct the execution of the job; and a cancel button to instruct the cancellation of the job. The process in step S806 is an example of a second display means that displays the search results of the second setting history search means, which will be described later.

[0071] In step S807, the display unit 721 determines whether the user's confirmation operation on the job execution confirmation screen instructs the execution of the job. If the display unit 721 determines that the user's confirmation operation instructs the execution of the job, the process in step S808 is executed. If the display unit 721 determines that the user's confirmation operation does not instruct the execution of the job, the process is terminated.

[0072] In step S808, the job execution unit 321 executes the job. Also in step S808, the job execution result transmission unit 322 transmits the job execution result to the remote configuration server 101.

[0073] <Flowchart for setting change search process> Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the configuration change search process of the remote configuration server 101. The configuration change search process starts when the configuration change search unit 712 receives the configuration change search request sent by the printer 102 configuration change search request unit 723 in step S804. The configuration change search process is an example of a second configuration history search means that searches the configuration history managed by the configuration history management means for the same configuration items as the configuration items related to the job received by the job acceptance means. The configuration change search process proceeds with the configuration change search unit 712 coordinating with the configuration history management unit 311, the job history management unit 316, and the related configuration item information management unit 711.

[0074] In step S901, the job history management unit 316 retrieves the job history for the same device ID, user ID, and job type specified in the configuration change search request, and determines whether a corresponding job history exists. If the job history management unit 316 determines that a corresponding job history exists, the process in step S902 is executed. If the job history management unit 316 determines that a corresponding job history does not exist, the process in step S906 is executed.

[0075] In step S902, the setting history management unit 311 retrieves the setting history applied after the last execution date and time of the job history that matched in step S901, and determines whether a matching setting history exists. If the setting history management unit 311 determines that a matching setting history exists, the process in step S903 is executed. If the setting history management unit 311 determines that a matching setting history does not exist, the process in step S906 is executed.

[0076] In step S903, the configuration change search unit 712 determines whether the configuration history found in step S902 includes configuration history for configuration items related to the job. The determination of whether a configuration item is related to a job is made by referring to the related configuration item information held by the related configuration item information management unit 711 for the job type specified in the configuration change search request. If the configuration change search unit 712 determines that the relevant configuration history is included, the process in step S904 is executed. If the configuration change search unit 712 determines that the relevant configuration history is not included, the process in step S906 is executed.

[0077] In step S904, the configuration change search unit 712 determines whether the configuration history found in step S903 includes configuration history made by another user. The determination of whether it is configuration history made by another user is made if the user ID specified in the configuration change search request and the user ID in the configuration history are different. If the configuration change search unit 712 determines that the relevant configuration history is included, the process in step S905 is executed. If the configuration change search unit 712 determines that the relevant configuration history is not included, the process in step S906 is executed.

[0078] In step S905, the setting change search unit 712 determines that a setting history has been found and sends the search results, along with the list of matching setting histories from step S904, to the printer 102.

[0079] In step S906, the setting change search unit 712 sends the search results to the printer 102, indicating that no setting history was found.

[0080] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0081] Although 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 its essence.

[0082] This embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Composition 1) A remote repair system that repairs a device by remotely changing the device's settings, A setting history management means for managing the setting history, which is a history of setting changes to the aforementioned device, A configuration request receiving means that receives a configuration request requesting a change in the settings of the aforementioned device, A setting history search means that searches the setting history managed by the setting history management means for setting items that are the same as the setting request received by the setting request receiving means, A display means for displaying the search results of the setting history search means, A remote repair system characterized by having the following features. (Configuration 2) A job receiving means for receiving jobs for the aforementioned device, A second setting history search means searches the setting history managed by the setting history management means for setting items that are the same as the setting items related to the job received by the job receiving means, A second display means for displaying the search results of the second setting history search means, The remote repair system according to configuration 1, characterized by having the following features. (Composition 3) The setting history managed by the setting history management means includes the user ID of the user who performed the setting change. The setting request received by the setting request receiving means includes the user ID of the user who requested the setting change. The setting history search means searches the setting history managed by the setting history management means for setting IDs that do not match the setting requests received by the setting request receiving means. A remote repair system according to configuration 1 or configuration 2, characterized by the above. (Composition 4) The setting history managed by the setting history management means includes the date and time when the setting change was applied. The setting history search means searches the setting history managed by the setting history management means for setting history where the date and time the setting change was applied falls within a predetermined period, for setting items that match the setting request received by the setting request receiving means. A remote repair system according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized by the features described above. (Method 1) A control method for a remote repair system that repairs a device by remotely changing the device's settings, A setting history management process for managing the setting history, which is a history of setting changes for the aforementioned device, A setting request receiving step, which receives a setting request that requests a change in the settings of the device, A setting history search step, which searches the setting history managed in the setting history management step for setting items that are the same as the setting request received in the setting request reception step, A display step that displays the search results of the setting history search step, A method characterized by having the following: [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 100 Networks 101 Remote Configuration Server 102 Printers 103 PC

Claims

1. A remote repair system that repairs a device by remotely changing the device's settings, A setting history management means for managing the setting history, which is a history of setting changes to the aforementioned device, A configuration request receiving means that receives a configuration request requesting a change in the settings of the aforementioned device, A setting history search means that searches the setting history managed by the setting history management means for setting items that are the same as the setting request received by the setting request receiving means, A display means for displaying the search results of the setting history search means, A remote repair system characterized by having the following features.

2. A job receiving means for receiving jobs for the aforementioned device, A second setting history search means searches the setting history managed by the setting history management means for setting items that are the same as the setting items related to the job received by the job receiving means, A second display means for displaying the search results of the second setting history search means, The remote repair system according to claim 1, characterized by having the following features.

3. The setting history managed by the setting history management means includes the user ID of the user who performed the setting change. The setting request received by the setting request receiving means includes the user ID of the user who requested the setting change. The setting history search means searches the setting history managed by the setting history management means for setting IDs that do not match the setting request received by the setting request receiving means. The remote repair system according to claim 1.

4. The setting history managed by the setting history management means includes the date and time when the setting change was applied. The setting history search means searches the setting history managed by the setting history management means for setting history where the date and time the setting change was applied falls within a predetermined period, for setting items that match the setting request received by the setting request receiving means. The remote repair system according to claim 1.

5. A control method for a remote repair system that repairs a device by remotely changing the device's settings, A setting history management process for managing the setting history, which is a history of setting changes for the aforementioned device, A setting request receiving step, which receives a setting request that requests a change in the settings of the device, A setting history search step, which searches the setting history managed in the setting history management step for setting items that are the same as the setting request received in the setting request reception step, A display step that displays the search results of the setting history search step, A method characterized by having the following:

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