Data management system and program
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing data management systems fail to allow information processing systems to request processing from external devices when they cannot connect to their corresponding virtual systems.
The system enables information processing systems to connect to a server via another information processing system to request processing from external devices, utilizing communication management information to manage connections and synchronize data.
Ensures that processing requests can be fulfilled even when direct connections to virtual systems are unavailable, allowing access to other systems and maintaining data synchronization.
Smart Images
Figure 2026102379000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a data management system and a program.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a relay device that supports the use of services between service providing devices with different specifications and client devices with various resources.
Prior Art Document
Patent Document
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] A data management system has been proposed that includes a plurality of interconnected information processing systems, a server that is connected to these plurality of information processing systems and constructs a plurality of virtual systems corresponding to each of the plurality of information processing systems, and periodically synchronizes internal data between an information processing system and the virtual system corresponding to that information processing system.
[0005] In this data management system, each information processing system can request processing from an external device connected to the server via the virtual system corresponding to its own system.
[0006] However, if an information processing system cannot connect to the virtual system corresponding to its own system, it cannot request processing from an external device connected to the server.
[0007] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a data management system and program that can request processing from external devices connected to a server, even when the information processing system cannot connect to the virtual system corresponding to the information processing system. [Means for solving the problem]
[0008] The data management system in the first embodiment comprises a plurality of interconnected information processing systems, and a server connected to the plurality of information processing systems, which constructs a plurality of virtual systems corresponding to each of the plurality of information processing systems, and periodically synchronizes internal data between the information processing system and the virtual system corresponding to the information processing system, wherein each of the plurality of information processing systems is equipped with a processor, and the processor is capable of requesting processing from external devices connected to the server via the virtual system corresponding to its own system, and if it is not possible to connect to the virtual system corresponding to its own system, it connects to the server via another information processing system and requests processing from external devices connected to the server.
[0009] The data management system of the second embodiment, in the data management system of the first embodiment, generates first communication management information indicating the connection status between the plurality of information processing systems and the connection status between the plurality of information processing systems and the virtual system corresponding to each of the plurality of information processing systems, and distributes the generated first communication management information to the other information processing systems.
[0010] In the third embodiment of the data management system, the first communication management information includes update time information, in the data management system of the second embodiment.
[0011] The data management system of the fourth embodiment is a data management system of the first embodiment in which the processor collects history information indicating the history of processing requested via other information processing systems other than its own system.
[0012] The fifth data management system, in the fourth data management system, has the processor, after restoring connection to the virtual system corresponding to its own system, send the collected logs to the virtual system corresponding to its own system for synchronization.
[0013] The data management system of the sixth embodiment, in the data management system of the first embodiment, generates second communication management information indicating the connection status between the plurality of virtual systems and the connection status between the plurality of virtual systems and the external device, and distributes the generated second communication management information to the plurality of virtual systems.
[0014] The data management system of the seventh embodiment is a data management system of the sixth embodiment in which the second communication management information includes update time information.
[0015] The program of the eighth aspect is a program that controls each of the plurality of information processing systems in a data management system comprising a plurality of interconnected information processing systems and a server connected to the plurality of information processing systems, which constructs a plurality of virtual systems corresponding to each of the plurality of information processing systems and periodically synchronizes internal data between the information processing system and the virtual system corresponding to the information processing system, and is capable of requesting processing from an external device connected to the server via the virtual system corresponding to its own system, and, if it is not possible to connect to the virtual system corresponding to its own system, causes the computer to execute the step of connecting to the server via another information processing system and requesting processing from an external device connected to the server. [Effects of the Invention]
[0016] According to the data management system of the first embodiment, even if the information processing system cannot connect to the virtual system corresponding to the information processing system, it is possible to request processing from an external device connected to the server.
[0017] According to the data management system of the second aspect, in an information processing system, other information processing systems that can be accessed can be grasped.
[0018] According to the data management system of the third aspect, in an information processing system, the latest first communication management information can be grasped.
[0019] According to the data management system of the fourth aspect, history information of processing requested via another information processing system can be obtained.
[0020] According to the data management system of the fifth aspect, the log of processing requested via another information processing system can be shared with a virtual system corresponding to the self-system.
[0021] According to the data management system of the sixth aspect, in a virtual system, other virtual systems that can be accessed can be grasped.
[0022] According to the data management system of the seventh aspect, in a virtual system, the latest second communication management information can be grasped.
[0023] According to the program of the eighth aspect, even when it is impossible to connect from an information processing system to a virtual system corresponding to the information processing system, processing can be requested to an external device connected to a server.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0024] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing the system configuration of the data management system of an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It is a diagram for explaining the operation state of the above data management system. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus of an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a server of an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5]This figure shows a first communication management information table, which is an example of the first communication management information. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of logs in the data management system described above. [Figure 7] This figure shows a second communication management information table, which is an example of second communication management information. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the processing flow of the data management system in this embodiment. [Figure 9] This diagram illustrates the processing flow of the data management system in this embodiment. [Figure 10] This diagram illustrates the processing flow of the data management system in this embodiment. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of logs in the data management system described above. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0025] Hereinafter, examples of embodiments for carrying out the technology of this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of a data management system of one embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the operational state of the above data management system.
[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the data management system of this embodiment comprises multiple image forming apparatuses RD1, RD2, and RD3, a management server 20, and service provision servers 30 and 40.
[0027] The image forming apparatuses RD1, RD2, and RD3 are so-called multifunction devices that have multiple functions such as copying, printing, faxing, and scanning. The image forming apparatuses RD1, RD2, and RD3 are interconnected via a local network 55. The local network 55 is connected to the Internet 50. The image forming apparatuses RD1, RD2, and RD3 are examples of information processing systems in the technology of this disclosure.
[0028] Although Figure 1 shows three image forming apparatuses, RD1, RD2, and RD3, in the following explanation, unless it is necessary to distinguish between individual apparatuses, they will be referred to simply as "image forming apparatus RD."
[0029] The management server 20 is connected to the Internet 50 and can communicate with the image forming apparatuses RD1, RD2, and RD3. As shown in Figure 2, the management server 20 constructs virtual devices VD1, VD2, and VD3 corresponding to each of the image forming apparatuses RD1, RD2, and RD3, and is a server that periodically synchronizes internal data between the image forming apparatuses RD1, RD2, and RD3 and the virtual devices VD1, VD2, and VD3.
[0030] Management server 20 is an example of a server in the technology of this disclosure. Virtual devices VD1, VD2, and VD3 are examples of virtual systems in the technology of this disclosure.
[0031] Note that Figure 2 shows three virtual devices, VD1, VD2, and VD3. However, in the following explanation, unless it is necessary to distinguish between individual devices, they will be referred to simply as "virtual device VD".
[0032] Service servers 30 and 40 are servers that provide various services over the Internet 50. In this embodiment, as an example, service server 30 provides an OCR service. Service server 40 provides a translation service.
[0033] Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus RD of this embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus RD.
[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the image forming apparatus RD comprises a control unit 11, a communication interface (abbreviated as communication IF) 12, a user interface device (abbreviated as UI device) 13, a print engine 14, and a scanner 15. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 16.
[0035] The control unit 11 comprises a processor 11a, a memory 11b, and a storage unit 11c. The processor 11a executes predetermined processing based on a program read from the storage unit 11c and expanded into the memory 11b. The storage unit 11c is composed of, for example, a ROM, HDD, or SSD. Various programs and data are stored in the storage unit 11c.
[0036] In this embodiment, the processor 11a is described as reading and executing a program stored in the memory unit 11c, but it is not limited to this. This program may be provided in the form of a computer-readable recording medium as described above. Alternatively, this program may be obtained from an external device via a communication line.
[0037] The communication interface 12 transmits and receives data to and from external devices. The user interface device 13 is a device for the user to receive and input information, such as a touch panel and / or buttons. The print engine 14 prints an image onto a recording medium such as printing paper through processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing. The scanner 15 reads the original document loaded into the image forming apparatus RD as image data.
[0038] Next, the hardware configuration of the management server 20 in this embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the management server 20.
[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the management server 20 comprises a control unit 21, a communication interface 22, and a user interface device 23. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 24.
[0040] The control unit 21 comprises a processor 21a, a memory 21b, and a storage unit 21c. The processor 21a executes predetermined processing based on a control program read from the storage unit 21c and expanded into the memory 21b. The storage unit 21c is composed of, for example, a ROM, HDD, or SSD. Various programs and data are stored in the storage unit 21c.
[0041] In this embodiment, the processor 21a is described as reading and executing a program stored in the memory unit 21c, but it is not limited to this. This program may be provided in the form of a computer-readable recording medium as described above. Alternatively, this program may be obtained from an external device via a communication line.
[0042] The communication interface 22 transmits and receives data to and from external devices. The UI device 23 is a device for the user to input information, such as a mouse and / or keyboard.
[0043] In the data management system of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, each image forming apparatus RD is configured to request processing from service provision servers 30 and 40 connected to the management server 20 via a virtual device VD corresponding to its own apparatus.
[0044] In this case, each image forming apparatus RD cannot request processing from the service provision servers 30 and 40 unless it can connect to the virtual device VD corresponding to its own apparatus.
[0045] To resolve these issues, in the data management system of this embodiment, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus RD, when unable to connect to the virtual device VD corresponding to its own apparatus, connects to the management server 20 via another image forming apparatus RD and requests processing from the service provision servers 30 and 40 connected to the management server 20.
[0046] In the data management system of this embodiment, the control unit 11 of any one of the image forming apparatus RD1, RD2, and RD3 may generate first communication management information indicating the connection status between the image forming apparatuses RD1, RD2, and RD3, and the connection status between the image forming apparatuses RD1, RD2, and RD3 and the virtual devices VD1, VD2, and VD3, and distribute the generated first communication management information to the other image forming apparatus RDs.
[0047] In this case, the first communication management information may include update time information.
[0048] Figure 5 shows a first communication management information table, which is an example of the first communication management information. As shown in Figure 5, the first communication management information table includes the connection status between image forming apparatuses RD1, RD2, and RD3, the connection status between image forming apparatuses RD1, RD2, and RD3 and virtual devices VD1, VD2, and VD3, and update time information.
[0049] The first communication management information table may be generated periodically at set time intervals. Alternatively, it may be generated at a set time. Furthermore, the first communication management information table may be generated in conjunction with any event occurring within the image forming apparatus RD, such as a change in settings, a change in hardware configuration, or the occurrence of an error.
[0050] Furthermore, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus RD may collect history information as a log showing the history of processing requested via other image forming apparatus RDs other than its own.
[0051] In this case, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus RD may, after the connection with the virtual device VD corresponding to itself is restored, send the collected logs to the virtual device VD corresponding to itself to synchronize them.
[0052] Figure 6 shows an example of a log in the data management system. For example, as shown in Figure 6, if a translation process requested by image forming apparatus RD2 is sent to the service provision server 40 via image forming apparatus RD3, virtual device VD3, and virtual device VD2, logs related to the requested process are obtained from all image forming apparatus RDs and virtual devices VD that the request passed through.
[0053] The logs in each image forming apparatus RD and each virtual device VD include information such as the processing ID, processing type, proxy information, and the recipient of the proxy request.
[0054] Furthermore, the management server 20 may generate second communication management information indicating the connection status between virtual devices VD1, VD2, and VD3, and the connection status between virtual devices VD1, VD2, and VD3 and service provision servers 30 and 40, and distribute the generated second communication management information to virtual devices VD1, VD2, and VD3.
[0055] In this case, the second communication management information may include update time information.
[0056] Figure 7 shows a second communication management information table, which is an example of the second communication management information. As shown in Figure 7, the second communication management information table includes the connection status between virtual devices VD1, VD2, and VD3, the connection status between virtual devices VD1, VD2, and VD3 and service provision servers 30 and 40, and update time information.
[0057] The second communication management information table may be generated periodically at set time intervals. Alternatively, it may be generated at a set time. Furthermore, the second communication management information table may be generated in conjunction with any event occurring within the management server 20, such as a change in settings, a change in hardware configuration, or the occurrence of an error.
[0058] Next, an example of the processing flow of the data management system of this embodiment will be described. The operation of the image forming apparatuses RD1, RD2, and RD3 is performed by the control unit 11 of each image forming apparatus RD. In addition, the operation of the virtual devices VD1, VD2, and VD3 is performed by the control unit 21 of the management server 20.
[0059] In this example, the image forming apparatus RD1 generates a first communication management information table and distributes the generated first communication management information table to the image forming apparatuses RD2 and RD3. The management server 20 generates a second communication management information table and distributes the generated second communication management information to the virtual devices VD1, VD2, and VD3.
[0060] This section describes a scenario where a user uses the RD2 image forming apparatus to scan document data, converts it into text data using a cloud-based OCR service, and then performs translation using a cloud-based translation service. This series of processes is implemented using a function called an "instruction sheet." The instruction sheet defines the processing order of multiple processes and the content of each process.
[0061] In this case, as shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus RD2 typically requests processing from service providers 30 and 40 connected to the management server 20 via the virtual device VD2.
[0062] However, as shown in Figure 8, if a communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus RD2 and the virtual device VD2, the image forming apparatus RD2 refers to the first communication management information table and requests processing from the service provision servers 30 and 40 via another image forming apparatus RD that can connect to the virtual device VD, and further via the virtual device VD corresponding to the image forming apparatus RD that it has passed through.
[0063] In the example shown in Figure 8, the image forming apparatus RD2 requests processing from the service provision servers 30 and 40 via the virtual device VD3 from the image forming apparatus RD3.
[0064] The virtual device VD3 refers to the second communication management information table to determine whether it can connect to the service provider server 30 that provides the OCR service.
[0065] If the virtual device VD3 can connect to the service provider server 30 that provides OCR services, it will request the service provider server 30 to perform OCR processing on the document data.
[0066] After the virtual device VD3 obtains character data, which is the result of OCR processing of document data, from the service provider server 30, it refers to the second communication management information table to determine whether or not it can connect to the service provider server 40 that provides the translation service.
[0067] If it is not possible to connect to the service provider server 40 that provides translation services, as shown in Figure 9, the virtual device VD3 requests the service provider server 40 to translate the text data via another virtual device VD that is able to connect to the service provider server 40.
[0068] After the virtual device VD3 obtains the translation data, which is the result of the character data translation process, from the service provider server 40, it transmits the translation data to the image forming apparatus RD2 via the image forming apparatus RD3.
[0069] As shown in Figure 10, after receiving translation data from virtual device VD3, the image forming apparatus RD2 transmits the instruction data executed via image forming apparatus RD3 to virtual device VD2 at the time the communication failure between image forming apparatus RD2 and virtual device VD2 is resolved.
[0070] As shown in Figure 11, the instruction data sent to the virtual device VD2 includes the processing order of multiple processes and the content of each process, as well as log information obtained from all image forming apparatus RD and virtual device VD that the process passed through during execution, attached as a history.
[0071] [Differentiation] The above describes a data management system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate.
[0072] In the above embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).
[0073] Furthermore, the operation of the processor in the above embodiments may not be performed by a single processor, but may be performed by multiple processors located in physically separate locations working together. Also, the order of the processor operations is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, but may be changed as appropriate.
[0074] Furthermore, in the technology of this disclosure, a system includes both systems composed of multiple devices and systems composed of a single device.
[0075] Furthermore, the technology disclosed herein can also be applied to programs and program products.
[0076] [Note] With regard to the embodiments described above, the following additional information is disclosed.
[0077] (((1))) Multiple interconnected information processing systems, The system includes a server connected to the aforementioned multiple information processing systems, which constructs multiple virtual systems corresponding to each of the aforementioned multiple information processing systems, and which periodically synchronizes internal data between the information processing systems and the virtual systems corresponding to those information processing systems. Each of the aforementioned information processing systems is: Equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, It is possible to request processing from external devices connected to the server via a virtual system corresponding to the system itself, and if it is not possible to connect to the virtual system corresponding to the system itself, it is possible to connect to the server via another information processing system and request processing from external devices connected to the server. Data management system.
[0078] (((2))) The processor of any one of the above-mentioned multiple information processing systems is: First communication management information is generated that shows the connection status between the plurality of information processing systems and the connection status between the plurality of information processing systems and the virtual systems corresponding to each of the plurality of information processing systems. The generated first communication management information is distributed to other information processing systems. The data management system described in (((1))).
[0079] (((3))) The first communication management information includes update time information. The data management system described in (((2))).
[0080] (((4))) The aforementioned processor, Collects historical information showing the history of processing requests made via information processing systems other than its own. A data management system as described in any one of items (((1))) through (((3))).
[0081] (((5))) The aforementioned processor, After the connection to the virtual system corresponding to the local system is restored, the collected logs are sent to the virtual system corresponding to the local system for synchronization. The data management system described in (((4))).
[0082] (((6))) The server generates second communication management information indicating the connection status between the multiple virtual systems and the connection status between the multiple virtual systems and the external device. The generated second communication management information is distributed to the multiple virtual systems. A data management system as described in any one of items (((1))) through (((5))).
[0083] (((7))) The second communication management information includes update time information. The data management system described in (((6))).
[0084] (((8))) A program for controlling each of the multiple information processing systems in a data management system comprising: multiple interconnected information processing systems; and a server connected to the multiple information processing systems, which constructs multiple virtual systems corresponding to each of the multiple information processing systems, and periodically synchronizes internal data between the information processing systems and the corresponding virtual systems, The system can request processing from external devices connected to the server via a virtual system corresponding to its own system. If it is not possible to connect to the virtual system corresponding to its own system, the system can connect to the server via another information processing system and request processing from external devices connected to the server. A program that causes a computer to execute something.
[0085] The effects of the configuration described below are explained below.
[0086] According to the data management system (((1))), even if the information processing system cannot connect to the virtual system corresponding to that information processing system, it is possible to request processing from an external device connected to the server.
[0087] According to the data management system in (((2))), the information processing system can identify other information processing systems that can be accessed via it.
[0088] According to the data management system of (((3))), the latest first communication management information can be obtained in the information processing system.
[0089] According to the data management system (((4))), it is possible to obtain historical information of the processing requested via other information processing systems.
[0090] According to the data management system in (((5))), logs of processes requested via other information processing systems can be shared with the virtual system corresponding to the system itself.
[0091] According to the data management system in (((6))), it is possible to identify other virtual systems that can be accessed within a virtual system.
[0092] According to the data management system (((7))), the latest second communication management information can be obtained in the virtual system.
[0093] According to the program in (((8))), even if the information processing system cannot connect to the virtual system corresponding to that information processing system, it can request processing from an external device connected to the server. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0094] 11 Control Unit 11a processor 11b memory 11c storage section 12 Communication Interfaces 13. User Interface Device 14 Print Engines 15 Scanners 16 Control bus 20 Management Server 21 Control Unit 21a Processor 21b Memory 21c storage section 22 Communication Interfaces 23 User Interface Device 24 control bus 30 Service Provider Servers 40 Service Provider Servers 50 Internet 55 Local Network RD1, RD2, RD3 Image Forming Apparatus VD1, VD2, VD3 virtual devices
Claims
1. Multiple interconnected information processing systems, The system includes a server connected to the aforementioned multiple information processing systems, which constructs multiple virtual systems corresponding to each of the aforementioned multiple information processing systems, and which periodically synchronizes internal data between the information processing systems and the virtual systems corresponding to those information processing systems. Each of the aforementioned information processing systems is: Equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, It is possible to request processing from external devices connected to the server via a virtual system corresponding to the system itself, and if it is not possible to connect to the virtual system corresponding to the system itself, it is possible to connect to the server via another information processing system and request processing from external devices connected to the server. Data management system.
2. The processor of any one of the above-mentioned information processing systems is First communication management information is generated that shows the connection status between the multiple information processing systems and the connection status between the multiple information processing systems and the virtual systems corresponding to each of the multiple information processing systems. The generated first communication management information is distributed to other information processing systems. The data management system according to claim 1.
3. The first communication management information includes update time information. The data management system according to claim 2.
4. The aforementioned processor, Collects historical information showing the history of processing requests made via information processing systems other than its own. The data management system according to claim 1.
5. The aforementioned processor, After the connection to the virtual system corresponding to the local system is restored, the collected logs are sent to the virtual system corresponding to the local system for synchronization. The data management system according to claim 4.
6. The server generates second communication management information indicating the connection status between the multiple virtual systems and the connection status between the multiple virtual systems and the external device. The generated second communication management information is distributed to the multiple virtual systems. The data management system according to claim 1.
7. The second communication management information includes update time information. The data management system according to claim 6.
8. A program for controlling each of the multiple information processing systems in a data management system comprising: multiple interconnected information processing systems; and a server connected to the multiple information processing systems, which constructs multiple virtual systems corresponding to each of the multiple information processing systems, and periodically synchronizes internal data between the information processing systems and the corresponding virtual systems, The system can request processing from external devices connected to the server via a virtual system corresponding to its own system. If it is not possible to connect to the virtual system corresponding to its own system, the system can connect to the server via another information processing system and request processing from external devices connected to the server. A program that causes a computer to execute something.