Information processing device, management program, and management method

Abstract

To improve efficiency of data acquisition by a management device.SOLUTION: A second-type terminal device 5 is an information processing device of a management system 1 configured so that a master 2 and the second-type terminal device 5 may communicate with a cloud server 6, executes download processing, creation processing, and upload processing. The download processing downloads scheduled task instruction data including multiple pieces of regular processing instruction information for respectively instructing a plurality of scheduled tasks from the cloud server 6. The creation processing creates scheduled task execution result data by respectively replacing the pieces of regular processing instruction information in the scheduled task instruction data with multiple pieces of processing notification information. The upload processing uploads the scheduled task execution result data to the cloud server 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for managing a terminal device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes that a management device connected to a terminal device such as an image forming apparatus manages the terminal device by successively acquiring management data from the terminal device through data communication according to the SNMP protocol. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-296457 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When using data communication based on the SNMP protocol, the management device must sequentially obtain management data from the terminal device. Therefore, in order for the management device to obtain a large amount of management data from the terminal device, it is necessary to perform a large number of communications according to the number of pieces of management data.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to improve the efficiency of data acquisition by a management device in a management system that manages terminal devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device of a management system in which a management device and an information processing device are configured to be able to communicate with a storage device, and the information processing device is provided with a control unit, and the control unit is configured to perform a download process, a creation process, and an upload process.

[0007] The download process downloads, from the storage device, an instruction template including a plurality of pieces of process instruction information each of which instructs a plurality of processes to be executed by the information processing device. The creation process creates an update template in which each of the plurality of pieces of process instruction information in the instruction template is replaced with a plurality of pieces of process notification information for notifying the management device in correspondence with each of the plurality of pieces of process instruction information.

[0008] The upload process uploads the update template created by the create process to the storage device. The information processing device of the present disclosure configured in this manner can have the management device acquire multiple pieces of processing notification information at once by downloading an update template to the management device, thereby making it possible to efficiently acquire data by the management device.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a management program configured to cause a control unit provided in an information processing device of a management system in which the management device and the information processing device are configured to be able to communicate with a storage device to perform a download process, a creation process, and an upload process.

[0010] A computer controlled by the management program of the present disclosure can constitute a part of the information processing device of the present disclosure, and can obtain the same effects as the information processing device of the present disclosure. Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a management method executed by an information processing device of a management system in which the management device and the information processing device are configured to be able to communicate with a storage device, the management method including a downloading step, a creating step, and an uploading step.

[0011] The management method of the present disclosure is a method executed by the information processing device of the present disclosure, and by executing the method, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the information processing device of the present disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a management system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configurations of a master, a client, and a first type terminal device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a second type terminal device and a client server. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart showing a registration process. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing data to be registered and registered data. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing a periodic status task execution process. [Figure 7] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing status task instruction data and status task execution result data. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing a periodic log task execution process. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing an instant task execution process. [Figure 10] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing task instruction data, task execution data, and execution result data in an instant task. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart showing a connection setting process. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a connection setting image. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart showing an SNMP communication process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. (1) Overall structure A management system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is a network system configured to manage terminal devices 4 and 5 arranged at multiple locations via a cloud server 6 through cooperation between a master 2 and a client 3.

[0014] 1 is configured to be able to communicate with a terminal device 4 installed at a first base via a local area network. The master 2 is further configured to be able to communicate with a cloud server 6 via a wide area network.

[0015] The client 3 is configured to be able to communicate with a terminal device 4 installed at a second base via a local area network. The client 3 is further configured to be able to communicate with a cloud server 6 via a wide area network. The terminal device 5 installed at a third base is configured to be able to communicate with the cloud server 6 via the wide area network.

[0016] The local area network may include, for example, at least one of a wireless LAN and a wired LAN. The wide area network may include, for example, the Internet. A local area network may be constructed in the third location. In this case, the terminal device 5 may be connected to the wide area network via the local area network in the third location.

[0017] The terminal device 4 does not have the ability to use the cloud services provided by the cloud server 6. In other words, each terminal device 4 does not have the function of communicating with the cloud server 6. Hereinafter, this terminal device 4 is particularly referred to as a first type terminal device 4. On the other hand, the terminal device 5 is a terminal device that has the ability to use the cloud services provided by the cloud server 6. In other words, the terminal device 5 has the function of communicating with the cloud server 6. Hereinafter, this terminal device 5 is particularly referred to as a second type terminal device 5.

[0018] The first type terminal device 4 installed at the second base is managed by the master 2 via the client 3 and the cloud server 6. The second type terminal device 5 installed at the third base is managed by the master 2 via the cloud server 6 without going through the client 3.

[0019] The terminal devices 4 and 5 managed by the master 2 may be, for example, a group of terminal devices managed by an organization such as a company. In this case, each base may be an activity base of the organization. In one example, the first base where the master 2 exists may be an office having a management department of the organization. The other second and third bases may be branch offices of the organization that are distant from the first base.

[0020] Examples of the terminal devices 4 and 5 include a printer, a scanner, and a digital multifunction peripheral in which the functions of these are integrated, etc. The master 2 and the client 3 are configured, for example, by installing a dedicated computer program on a personal computer.

[0021] (2) Equipment configuration 2, the master 2 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, a display unit 13, an input unit 14, and a storage unit 15. The control unit 11 includes a CPU 21 and a memory 22. The CPU 21 as a processor executes processing in accordance with a computer program stored in the storage unit 15. The memory 22 is used as a work memory when executing the above processing.

[0022] The memory unit 15 includes storage such as a solid state drive and a hard disk drive, and stores various computer programs and data. A main management program 15a is stored in the memory unit 15. The main management program 15a is a computer program for causing the CPU 21 to realize the management functions to be realized by the master 2. It may be understood that the processing mainly performed by the control unit 11 described below is realized by the processing executed by the CPU 21 in accordance with the computer program.

[0023] The communication unit 12 is connected to a local area network of a base where the master 2 exists, and is further connected to a wide area network. The communication unit 12 may be connected to the wide area network via a router (not shown). The display unit 13 is configured to display various screens for a user who operates the master 2. An example of the display unit 13 is a liquid crystal display. Examples of the various screens include a screen for displaying log information and status information of the terminal devices 4 and 5 to be managed, and a screen for remotely operating the terminal devices 4 and 5 according to an operation signal from the user.

[0024] The input unit 14 includes one or more input devices, such as a keyboard and a pointing device, for inputting an operation signal from a user who operates the master 2. The control unit 11 operates in accordance with the operation signal input through the input unit 14.

[0025] The client 3 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, a display unit 33, an input unit 34, and a storage unit 35. The control unit 31 includes a CPU 41 and a memory 42. The CPU 41 as a processor executes processing in accordance with a computer program stored in the storage unit 35.

[0026] A sub-management program 35a is stored in the storage unit 35. The sub-management program 35a is a computer program for causing the CPU 41 to realize functions related to the management function of the master 2 to be realized by the client 3. It may be understood that the processing mainly performed by the control unit 31 described below is realized by processing executed by the CPU 41 in accordance with the computer program.

[0027] The communication unit 32 is connected to a local area network of a base where the client 3 exists, and is further connected to a wide area network. The communication unit 32 may be connected to the wide area network via a router (not shown). The display unit 33 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, and is configured to display various screens for a user who operates the client 3. The input unit 34 includes one or more input devices for inputting an operation signal from a user who operates the client 3. The control unit 31 operates according to the operation signal input through the input unit 34.

[0028] The first type terminal device 4 includes a control unit 51, a communication unit 52, a display unit 53, and an input unit 54. When the first type terminal device 4 is a digital multifunction peripheral, the first type terminal device 4 may further include a printing unit 55 and a reading unit 56. The first type terminal device 4 may include only one of the printing unit 55 and the reading unit 56.

[0029] The control unit 51 includes a CPU 61 and a memory 62. The memory 62 can include a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory in addition to a RAM, and can store computer programs, setting data, and the like in the non-volatile memory.

[0030] The CPU 61 as a processor generally controls the entire first type terminal device by executing processes according to a computer program stored in the memory 62. It may be understood that the processes mainly performed by the control unit 51 described below are realized by the processes executed by the CPU 61 according to the computer program.

[0031] The communication unit 52 is connected to the local area network of the base where the first type terminal device 4 exists so as to be able to communicate with the master 2 or the client 3 present there. The display unit 53 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, and is configured to display various screens for a user who operates the first type terminal device 4. The input unit 54 includes one or more input devices, such as a touch panel on a liquid crystal display, for inputting an operation signal from the user.

[0032] The printing unit 55 is configured to be controlled by the control unit 51 and to print an image on a sheet. Examples of the printing unit 55 include an inkjet printer and a laser printer. According to this embodiment, status information such as the remaining amount of coloring material and log information such as the number of printed sheets are provided to the master 2 from the first type terminal device 4 through the client 3 and the cloud server 6 in a manner to be described later. The reading unit 56 is configured to be controlled by the control unit 51 and to read a reading target such as a printed matter.

[0033] 3, the second type terminal device 5 includes a control unit 71, a communication unit 72, a display unit 73, and an input unit 74. When the second type terminal device 5 is a digital multifunction peripheral, the second type terminal device 5 can further include a printing unit 75 and a reading unit 76. The second type terminal device 5 may include only one of the printing unit 75 and the reading unit 76.

[0034] The control unit 71 includes a CPU 81 and a memory 82. The memory 82 can include a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and can store computer programs, setting data, and the like in the non-volatile memory.

[0035] The CPU 81 as a processor generally controls the entire device by executing processes according to computer programs stored in the memory 82. A communication program 82a is stored in the memory 82. The communication program 82a is a program for using a cloud service provided by the cloud server 6. The control unit described below It may be understood that the processing mainly performed by 71 is realized by processing executed by the CPU 81 in accordance with a computer program.

[0036] The communication unit 72 is connected to a wide area network so as to be able to communicate with the cloud server 6. If a local area network is constructed in the third base, the communication unit 72 may be connected to the wide area network via the local area network. The display unit 73 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input unit 74 includes one or more input devices for inputting an operation signal from a user.

[0037] The printing unit 75 is configured to print an image on a sheet under the control of the control unit 71. According to this embodiment, status information such as the remaining amount of coloring material and log information such as the number of printed sheets are provided to the master 2 from the second type terminal device 5 through the cloud server 6 in a manner to be described later. The reading unit 76 is configured to read a reading target such as a printed matter under the control of the control unit 71.

[0038] The cloud server 6 includes a control unit 91, a communication unit 92, a first storage 93, and a second storage 94. The control unit 91 includes a CPU 101 and a memory . CPU 101 as a processor executes processing in accordance with a computer program stored in memory 102. The processing executed by CPU 101 includes processing for making cloud server 6 function as cloud storage. It may be understood that the processing mainly performed by control unit 91 described below is realized by processing executed by CPU 101 in accordance with the computer program.

[0039] The cloud storage includes a table storage and an object storage. When the control unit 91 executes the above process, the first storage 93 functions as a table storage, and the second storage 94 functions as an object storage.

[0040] The exemplary first storage 93 functions as a NoSQL data store and is configured to store tables that are made up of a collection of schema-less entities, each of which is made up of a set of properties.

[0041] The exemplary second storage 94 functions as an object storage that can read and write any text file and binary file as an object from the outside using the HTTP / HTTPS protocol.

[0042] Azure from Microsoft is known as a cloud service that provides the above-mentioned table storage and object storage. The cloud server 6 can operate in the same manner as such a cloud service. Azure is a registered trademark.

[0043] (3) Scheduled Tasks Next, there will be described the procedure of the registration process executed by the control unit 71 of the second type terminal device 5. The registration process is executed only once immediately after the second type terminal device 5 is started up. When the registration process is executed, the CPU 81 of the control unit 71 first determines in S10 whether or not an activation flag F1 provided in the memory 82 is set, as shown in Fig. 4. The activation flag F1 is set or cleared in a connection setup process described later. Note that setting a flag means setting the value of the flag to 1, and clearing a flag means setting the value of the flag to 0.

[0044] If the validation flag F1 is cleared, the CPU 81 ends the registration process. On the other hand, if the validation flag F1 is set, the CPU 81 returns to S20. Then, registered data of the second type terminal device 5 (hereinafter, its own device) is downloaded from the first storage 93 of the cloud server 6, which will be described later.

[0045] Then, in S30, the CPU 81 determines whether or not registered data of the own device exists in the first storage 93 of the cloud server 6. Here, if registered data of the own device exists, the CPU 81 sets a registered flag F2 provided in the memory 82 in S40 and ends the registration process.

[0046] On the other hand, if there is no registered data of the own device, the CPU 81 downloads registration data, which will be described later, from the first storage 93 of the cloud server 6 in S50.

[0047] Next, the CPU 81 creates registered data (to be described later) in S60, and uploads the registered data created in S60 to the first storage 93 of the cloud server 6 in S70.

[0048] Furthermore, the CPU 81 sets the registered flag F2 in S80, and ends the registration process. As shown in registration data D1 in FIG. 5, the registration data is a template made up of a plurality of properties, and a character string is stored in each of the plurality of properties.

[0049] In the registration data D1 shown in FIG. 5, "PartitionKey", "RowKey", "DeviceId", "NotifyParameter", "Progress", and "Source" are set as properties.

[0050] The property "PartitionKey" stores a character string indicating the type of task. In the registration data D1 shown in Fig. 5, the property "PartitionKey" stores "registration", which is a character string indicating that the registration task is for registering device information among the schedule tasks.

[0051] The property "RowKey" stores the string "%CUSTOM(DEVICEID)%". The property "DeviceId" stores the string "%CUSTOM(DEVICEID)%".

[0052] The property "NotifyParameter" stores a string written in JSON format to indicate the instructions for the registered task. In the property "NotifyParameter" of the registration data D1 shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of instructions that differ from one another are described on each line from the second line onwards.

[0053] The instruction on the second line is “”xxxx···”: “%MIB(xxxx···)%””.

[0054] The "xxxx..." above is the MIB object ID, and is an abbreviated version of the actual object ID. MIB stands for Management Information Base. If the above "xxxx..." is written as Oid1, the instruction on the second line is ""Oid1": "%MIB(Oid1)%". And "%MIB(Oid1)%" is an instruction to get the value corresponding to Oid1, which is the object ID, and overwrite the obtained value to "%MIB(Oid1)%". Therefore, if the value corresponding to Oid1 is "XXX If you enter "XXXX", then in the registered data, ""Oid1": "%MIB(Oid1)%"" will be rewritten to ""Oid1": "XXXXXXX".

[0055] Similarly, the instruction on the third line is ""Oid2": "%MIB(Oid2)%"" when the object ID "yyyy..." is written as Oid2.

[0056] Moreover, the instruction on the fourth line is ""Oid3": "%MIB(Oid3)%"" when the object ID "zzzz..." is written as Oid3.

[0057] The property "Progress" stores the string "%CUSTOM(PROGRESS)%". The property "Source" stores the string "%CUSTOM(SOURCE)%".

[0058] As shown in registered data D2 in FIG. 5, the registered data has properties set as "PartitionKey", "RowKey", "DeviceId", "NotifyParameter", "Progress" and "Source" in the same manner as the registration data.

[0059] The registered data is created by rewriting the character strings in the property "DeviceId", the property "NotifyParameter", the property "Progress" and the property "Source" in the registration data.

[0060] The property "DeviceId" stores the device ID of the own device. In the property "NotifyParameter", "%MIB(Oid)%" is replaced with the value corresponding to Oid. "12345..." and "0" in the property "NotifyParameter" in the registered data D2 are the replaced values.

[0061] The property "Progress" stores the string "request". In the property "Source", a character string "device" indicating that the device is a second type terminal device 5 is stored.

[0062] Next, there will be described the procedure of periodic status task execution processing executed by the control unit 71 of the second type terminal device 5. The periodic status task execution processing is processing that is repeatedly executed while the second type terminal device 5 is in operation.

[0063] When the periodic status task execution process is started, the CPU 81 of the control unit 71 first determines in S110 whether or not the validation flag F1 is set, as shown in FIG. If the validation flag F1 is cleared, the CPU 81 ends the periodic status task execution process.

[0064] On the other hand, if the activation flag F1 is set, the CPU 81 determines in S120 whether or not the registered flag F2 is set. If the registered flag F2 is cleared, the CPU 81 ends the periodic status task execution process. On the other hand, if the registered flag F2 is set, the CPU 81 determines in S130 whether or not a preset status execution period has elapsed.

[0065] If the status execution period has not elapsed, the CPU 81 ends the periodic status task execution process. On the other hand, if the status execution period has elapsed, the CPU 8 In S140, the master 1 downloads status task instruction data, which will be described later, from the first storage 93 of the cloud server 6. The status task instruction data is uploaded to the first storage 93 of the cloud server 6 by the master 2.

[0066] Then, in S150, the CPU 81 executes the schedule task designated in the status task instruction data, and creates status task execution result data indicating the result of executing the schedule task.

[0067] Then, in S160, the CPU 81 uploads the status task execution result data created in S150 to the first storage 93 of the cloud server 6, and ends the periodic status task execution process.

[0068] As shown in the status task instruction data D3 of FIG. 7, the status task instruction data is a template made up of a plurality of properties, and a character string is stored in each of the plurality of properties.

[0069] The status task instruction data D3 shown in FIG. 7 has the following properties set: "PartitionKey", "RowKey", "DeviceId", "NotifyParameter", "Progress", and "Source".

[0070] The property "PartitionKey" stores a character string indicating the type of task. In the status task instruction data D3 shown in Fig. 7, the property "PartitionKey" stores "status", which is a character string indicating that the status task is a status task that notifies status information among schedule tasks.

[0071] The property "RowKey" stores the string "%CUSTOM(DEVICEID)%". The property "DeviceId" stores the string "%CUSTOM(DEVICEID)%".

[0072] The property "NotifyParameter" stores a string written in JSON format to indicate the instructions for the registered task. In the property "NotifyParameter" of the status task instruction data D3 shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of instructions that differ from one another are described on each line from the second line onwards.

[0073] The instruction on the second line is “”xxxx···”: “%MIB(xxxx···)%””.

[0074] The "xxxx..." above is the MIB object ID. The instruction on the third line is “”yyyy···”: “%MIB(yyyy···)%””.

[0075] The "yyyy..." above is the MIB object ID. The property "Progress" stores the string "%CUSTOM(PROGRESS)%".

[0076] The property "Source" stores the string "%CUSTOM(SOURCE)%". As shown in the status task execution result data D4 in FIG. 7, the status task execution result data has a property "Partiti "onKey", "RowKey", "DeviceId", "NotifyParameter", "Progress" and "Source" are set.

[0077] The status task execution result data is created by rewriting the character strings in the property "DeviceId", the property "NotifyParameter", the property "Progress" and the property "Source" in the status task instruction data.

[0078] The property "DeviceId" stores the device ID of the own device. In the property "NotifyParameter", "%MIB(Oid)%" is replaced with the value corresponding to Oid. "9876...", "40000", and "Sleep" in the property "NotifyParameter" in the status task execution result data D4 are the replaced values.

[0079] The property "Progress" stores the string "%CUSTOM(done)%" which indicates that the task has been completed. In the property "Source", a character string "device" indicating that the device is a second type terminal device 5 is stored.

[0080] Next, there will be described the procedure of the periodic log task execution process executed by the control unit 71 of the second type terminal device 5. The periodic log task execution process is a process that is repeatedly executed while the second type terminal device 5 is in operation.

[0081] When the periodic log task execution process is executed, the CPU 81 of the control unit 71 first determines whether or not the activation flag F1 is set in S210, as shown in Fig. 8. If the activation flag F1 is cleared, the CPU 81 ends the periodic log task execution process.

[0082] On the other hand, if the activation flag F1 is set, the CPU 81 determines in S220 whether or not the registered flag F2 is set. If the registered flag F2 is cleared, the CPU 81 ends the periodic log task execution process. On the other hand, if the registered flag F2 is set, the CPU 81 determines in S230 whether or not a preset log execution period has elapsed.

[0083] Here, if the log execution period has not elapsed, the CPU 81 ends the periodic log task execution process. On the other hand, if the log execution period has elapsed, the CPU 81 downloads log task instruction data, which will be described later, from the first storage 93 of the cloud server 6 in S240. The log task instruction data is uploaded to the first storage 93 of the cloud server 6 by the master 2.

[0084] Then, in S250, the CPU 81 executes the schedule task designated in the log task instruction data, and creates log task execution result data indicating the result of executing the log task.

[0085] Then, in S260, the CPU 81 uploads the log task execution result data created in S250 to the first storage 93 of the cloud server 6, and ends the periodic log task execution process.

[0086] The log task instruction data and the log task execution result data are the same as those in the previous example, except that "log" is stored instead of "status" in the property "PartitionKey". , are the same as the status task instruction data and the status task execution result data, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0087] Also, the control unit 31 of the client 3 executes periodic status task execution processing and periodic log task execution processing in the same manner as the control unit 71 of the second type terminal device 5. However, the instruction format of the instruction content stored in the property “NotifyParameter” of the status task instruction data and the log task instruction data is different from that of the second type terminal device 5.

[0088] (4) Instant Tasks Next, there will be described the procedure of the instant task execution process executed by the control unit 71 of the second type terminal device 5. The instant task execution process is a process that is repeatedly executed while the second type terminal device 5 is in operation.

[0089] When the instant task execution process is executed, the CPU 81 of the control unit 71 first determines whether or not the activation flag F1 is set in S310, as shown in Fig. 9. If the activation flag F1 is cleared, the CPU 81 ends the instant task execution process.

[0090] On the other hand, if the activation flag F1 is set, the CPU 81 determines in S320 whether or not the registered flag F2 is set. Here, if the registered flag F2 is cleared, the CPU 81 ends the instant task execution process. On the other hand, if the registered flag F2 is set, the CPU 81 accesses the cloud server 6 in S330. Then, the CPU 81 determines in S340 whether or not the instant task instruction data has been uploaded to the first storage 93. The instant task instruction data is uploaded to the first storage 93 of the cloud server 6 by the master 2.

[0091] Here, if the instant task instruction data has not been uploaded, the CPU 81 proceeds to S330. On the other hand, if the instant task instruction data has been uploaded, the CPU 81 determines in S350 whether the uploaded instant task instruction data is an instruction addressed to the second type terminal device 5 and is an instruction that has not been executed by the second type terminal device 5.

[0092] Here, if the uploaded instant task instruction data is not an instruction addressed to the second type terminal device 5, or is an instruction executed by the second type terminal device 5, the CPU 81 proceeds to S330.

[0093] On the other hand, if the uploaded instant task instruction data is an instruction addressed to the second type terminal device 5 and is an instruction that has not been executed by the second type terminal device 5, the CPU 81 downloads the task instruction data uploaded to the first storage 93 at S360.

[0094] Furthermore, the CPU 81 checks the contents of the downloaded instant task instruction data in S370, and then, in S380, the CPU 81 determines, based on the result of the check in S370, whether or not the downloaded task instruction data is an instruction that requires the downloading of file data.

[0095] Here, if the instruction does not require file data, the CPU 81 proceeds to S400. On the other hand, if the instruction requires file data, the CPU 81, in S390, downloads the file data to the second storage device of the cloud server 6 based on the confirmation result in S370. Download from Storage 94 and transfer to S400.

[0096] When the process proceeds to S400, the CPU 81 uploads instant task execution data (described later) indicating that the instant task is being executed, to the first storage 93 of the cloud server 6. Note that the CPU 81 uploads the instant task execution data by overwriting the instant task instruction data stored in the first storage 93 with the instant task execution data.

[0097] Furthermore, in S410, the CPU 81 executes the instant task specified by the downloaded instant task instruction data. Then, in S420, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the executed instant task is a task that requires uploading file data.

[0098] Here, if the task does not require uploading of file data, the CPU 81 proceeds to S440. On the other hand, if the task requires uploading of file data, the CPU 81 uploads the file data generated by executing the instant task in S430 to the second storage 94 of the cloud server 6, and proceeds to S440.

[0099] When the process proceeds to S440, the CPU 81 creates instant task execution result data (described later) that indicates the result of execution of the instant task by the second type terminal device 5. Furthermore, in S450, the CPU 81 uploads the created instant task execution result data to the first storage 93 of the cloud server 6, and ends the instant task execution process. Note that the CPU 81 uploads the instant task execution result data by overwriting the instant task in-progress data stored in the first storage 93 with the instant task execution result data.

[0100] As shown in instant task instruction data D11 in FIG. 10, the instant task instruction data is a template made up of a plurality of properties, and a character string is stored in each of the plurality of properties.

[0101] In the instant task instruction data D11 shown in FIG. 10, "PartitionKey", "RowKey", "DeviceId", "NotifyParameter", "Progress", and "Source" are set as properties.

[0102] The property "PartitionKey" stores a character string indicating the type of the task. In the instant task instruction data D11 shown in Fig. 10, the property "PartitionKey" stores "instanttask", which is a character string indicating that the task is an instant task.

[0103] The property "RowKey" stores a transaction ID for identifying each instant task instruction data. The property "DeviceId" stores a device ID for identifying the first type terminal device 4 or the second type terminal device 5 that is the destination of the instruction.

[0104] The property "NotifyParameter" stores a string written in JSON format to indicate the instructions of the instant task. The property "Progress" stores a character string indicating the progress of the instruction. In the instant task instruction data D11 shown in FIG. 10, the property "Progress" stores "%CUSTOM(request)%", which indicates that the instruction is being requested to be executed. It will be delivered.

[0105] The property "Source" is not used and is left blank. The task in progress data is created by replacing "%CUSTOM(request)%" in the property "Progress" of the instant task instruction data with "%CUSTOM(processing)%", as shown in task in progress data D12 in Fig. 10. "%CUSTOM(processing)%" is a character string indicating that the task is being executed.

[0106] The instant task execution result data is created by replacing "%CUSTOM(request)%" in the property "Progress" of the instant task instruction data with "%CUSTOM(done)%" or "%CUSTOM(error)%", as shown in the instant task execution result data D13 in FIG. 10. "%CUSTOM(done)%" is a character string indicating that the task execution has been completed. "%CUSTOM(error)%" is a character string indicating that an error has occurred during the task execution.

[0107] Also, the control unit 31 of the client 3 executes the instant task execution process in the same manner as the control unit 71 of the second type terminal device 5. However, the instruction format of the instruction content stored in the property "NotifyParameter" of the instant task instruction data is different from that of the second type terminal device 5. Also, the instant task execution process executed by the control unit 31 of the client 3 differs from the instant task execution process executed by the control unit 71 of the second type terminal device 5 in that the instant task execution process causes the first type terminal device 4 connected to the client 3 to execute an instant task.

[0108] (5) Connection settings Next, there will be described the procedure of the connection setup process executed by the control unit 71 of the second type terminal device 5. The connection setup process is a process that is repeatedly executed while the second type terminal device 5 is in operation.

[0109] 11, when the connection setting process is executed, the CPU 81 of the control unit 71 first determines in S510 whether or not a connection setting start operation has been performed on the second type terminal device 5. Specifically, the CPU 81 determines whether or not an operation signal indicating a connection setting start operation has been input from the input unit 64. Then, when an operation signal indicating a connection setting start operation has been input, the CPU 81 determines that a connection setting start operation has been performed.

[0110] Here, if the connection setting start operation has not been performed, the CPU 81 ends the connection setting process. On the other hand, if the connection setting start operation has been performed, the CPU 81 displays a connection setting image on the display screen of the display unit 73 in S520.

[0111] The connection setting image includes an enable check box C1, a disable check box C2, an OK button B1, and a cancel button B2, as shown in Fig. 12. The enable check box C1 and the disable check box C2 are configured so that one of them can be alternatively selected.

[0112] The enable check box C1 is selected when communication is to be enabled between the second type terminal device 5 and the cloud server 6. The disable check box C2 is selected when communication is to be disabled between the second type terminal device 5 and the cloud server 6.

[0113] Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 81 determines in S530 whether or not the cancel button B2 has been operated. If so, the CPU 81 ends the connection setting process. On the other hand, if the cancel button B2 has not been operated, the CPU 81 determines in S540 whether or not the OK button B1 has been operated.

[0114] Here, if the OK button B1 has not been operated, the CPU 81 proceeds to S530. On the other hand, if the OK button B1 has been operated, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the enable check box C1 has been selected in S550. If the enable check box C1 has been selected, the CPU 81 performs communication settings for the communication unit 72 of the second type terminal device 5 in S560 so as to perform communication using the HTTP protocol. Then, the CPU 81 sets the enable flag F1 in S570 and ends the connection setting process.

[0115] On the other hand, if the enable check box C1 is not selected, the CPU 81 performs communication settings for communicating with the communication unit 72 of the second type terminal device 5 using the SNMP protocol in S580. Then, the CPU 81 clears the enable flag F1 in S590 and ends the connection setting process.

[0116] Next, there will be described the procedure of the SNMP communication processing executed by the control unit 71 of the second type terminal device 5. The SNMP communication processing is a processing that is repeatedly executed while the second type terminal device 5 is in operation.

[0117] When the SNMP communication process is executed, the CPU 81 of the control unit 71 first determines whether or not the validation flag F1 is set in S710, as shown in Fig. 13. If the validation flag F1 is set, the CPU 81 ends the SNMP communication process.

[0118] On the other hand, if the validation flag F1 is cleared, the CPU 81 receives a message by communicating using the SNMP protocol in S720. Then, the CPU 81 determines in S730 whether or not a message has been received in the processing of S720.

[0119] If no message has been received, the CPU 81 ends the SNMP communication process. On the other hand, if a message has been received, the CPU 81 executes, in S740, the instruction requested in the message received in S720, and ends the SNMP communication process.

[0120] (6) Effects The second type terminal device 5 configured in this manner is an information processing device of the management system 1 in which the master 2 and the second type terminal device 5 are configured to be able to communicate with the cloud server 6, and is equipped with a control unit 71, which is configured to execute a download process, a creation process, and an upload process.

[0121] In the download process, registration data, status task instruction data, and log task instruction data, each including a plurality of periodic processing instruction information instructing each of a plurality of schedule tasks to be executed by the second type terminal device 5, are downloaded from the cloud server 6. Hereinafter, the registration data, status task instruction data, and log task instruction data are collectively referred to as schedule task instruction data.

[0122] The multiple pieces of periodic processing instruction information in the registration data are, for example, "%MIB(xxxx···)%" and "%MIB(yyyy···)%" shown in FIG.

[0123] The status task instruction data may include, for example, the following periodic processing instruction information: "%MIB(xxxx···)%" and "%MIB(yyyy···)%".

[0124] The creation process creates registered data, status task execution result data, and log task execution result data by replacing each of the multiple periodic processing instruction information in the schedule task instruction data with multiple processing notification information corresponding to each of the multiple periodic processing instruction information for notifying the master 2. Hereinafter, the registered data, status task execution result data, and log task execution result data are collectively referred to as schedule task execution result data.

[0125] The multiple pieces of processing notification information in the registered data are, for example, “12345···” and “0” as shown in FIG. The multiple pieces of processing notification information in the status task execution result data are, for example, “9876···” and “40000” as shown in FIG.

[0126] The upload process uploads the schedule task execution result data created in the creation process to the cloud server 6. As a result, the second type terminal device 5 can have the master 2 acquire multiple pieces of processing notification information in a lump by having the master 2 download the scheduled task execution result data, thereby making it possible to efficiently acquire data by the master 2.

[0127] Furthermore, the master 2 uploads instant task instruction data including on-demand processing instruction information that instructs an instant task to the cloud server 6 at any time. The on-demand processing instruction information is a character string stored in the property “NotifyParameter” of the instant task instruction data D11 shown in FIG.

[0128] The control unit 71 of the second type terminal device 5 is further configured to execute an occasional download process, an occasional creation process, and an occasional upload process. The occasional download process downloads instant task instruction data from the cloud server 6.

[0129] The on-demand creation process creates instant task execution result data by adding on-demand notification information for notifying the master 2 about the instant task indicated by the on-demand processing instruction information included in the instant task instruction data to the instant task instruction data. The on-demand notification information is "%CUSTOM(done)%" and "%CUSTOM(error)%" stored in the property "Progress" of the instant task execution result data D13 shown in FIG.

[0130] The on-demand upload process uploads the instant task execution result data created by the on-demand creation process to the cloud server 6. This allows the second type terminal device 5 to execute tasks using templates for both schedule tasks and instant tasks.

[0131] The scheduled task instruction data is intended for all the terminal devices 4, 5 managed by the master 2. The instant task instruction data is intended for a specific terminal device 4, 5 that is to execute an instant task.

[0132] The upload process is a process of uploading the schedule task instruction data stored in the cloud server 6 without overwriting the schedule task execution result data. The execution result data is uploaded to the cloud server 6.

[0133] The occasional upload process uploads the instant task execution result data to the cloud server 6 by overwriting the instant task instruction data stored in the cloud server 6 with the instant task execution result data.

[0134] In addition, the control unit 71 of the second type terminal device 5 is configured to execute a setting process to set whether to enable or disable the function of the communication unit 72 configured to perform data communication with the cloud server 6, based on the input operation information output from the input unit 74.

[0135] This allows the second type terminal device 5 to be switched into a device capable of communicating with the cloud server 6 or into a device incapable of communicating with the cloud server 6, by a user's operation.

[0136] The control unit 71 of the second type terminal device 5 is configured to execute a prohibition process and an acquisition process. The prohibition process prohibits the execution of a download process, a creation process, and an upload process when the function of the communication unit 72 is disabled. The acquisition process acquires a plurality of pieces of processing instruction information from the client 3 by the SNMP protocol when the function of the communication unit 72 is disabled.

[0137] In the embodiment described above, the master 2 corresponds to a management device, the second type terminal device 5 corresponds to an information processing device, the cloud server 6 corresponds to a storage device, and the communication program 82a corresponds to a management program.

[0138] Moreover, S50, S140, and S240 correspond to a download process and a download step, S60, S150, and S250 correspond to a creation process and a creation step, and S70, S160, and S260 correspond to an upload process and an upload step.

[0139] Furthermore, the registration data, the status task instruction data, and the log task instruction data correspond to the instruction template and the periodic instruction template, and the schedule task corresponds to the periodic processing.

[0140] Additionally, "%MIB(xxxx···)%" and "%MIB(yyyy···)%" correspond to processing instruction information and periodic processing instruction information.

[0141] Also, the registered data, the status task execution result data, and the log task execution result data correspond to the update template and the regular update template. Additionally, "12345···" and "9876···" correspond to processing notification information.

[0142] Moreover, S360 corresponds to an on-demand download process, S440 corresponds to an on-demand creation process, and S450 corresponds to an on-demand upload process. Additionally, an instant task corresponds to an on-demand process, instant task instruction data corresponds to an on-demand instruction template, and instant task execution result data corresponds to an on-demand update template.

[0143] Moreover, S510 to S590 correspond to the setting process, S10, S110, and S210 correspond to the prohibition process, S710 and S720 correspond to the acquisition process, and the client 3 corresponds to the secondary management device. Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0144] For example, in the above embodiment, the connection setting process is used to display a connection setting image on the display unit 83 to enable or disable communication between the second type terminal device 5 and the cloud server 6, but the setting may be made by EWS. EWS is an abbreviation for Embedded Web Server.

[0145] In the above embodiments, multiple functions of one component may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments.

[0146] In addition to the above-mentioned second type terminal device 5, the present disclosure can also be realized in various forms, such as a system including the second type terminal device 5 as a component, a program for causing a computer to function as the second type terminal device 5, a non-transient physical recording medium such as a semiconductor memory on which this program is recorded, and a management method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] 1... management system, 2... master, 3... client, 4... first type terminal device, 5... second type terminal device, 6... cloud server, 71... control unit, 82a... communication program

Claims

1. An information processing device of a management system configured so that a management device and an information processing device can communicate with a storage device, A control unit is provided, The control unit is a download process of downloading from the storage device an instruction template including a plurality of pieces of process instruction information each of which instructs a plurality of processes to be executed by the information processing device; a creation process for creating an update template in which each of the plurality of pieces of processing instruction information in the instruction template is replaced with a plurality of pieces of processing notification information for notifying the management device in correspondence with each of the plurality of pieces of processing instruction information; an upload process of uploading the update template created by the creation process to the storage device; configured to run The process to be periodically executed is defined as a periodic process, and the management device periodically uploads to the storage device a periodic instruction template that is the instruction template including a plurality of periodic process instruction information that is the process instruction information for a plurality of the periodic processes; The management device sets the process to be executed whenever necessary as an on-demand process, and uploads to the storage device an on-demand instruction template that is the instruction template including on-demand processing instruction information that is the processing instruction information instructing the on-demand processing, The download process downloads the periodic instruction template as the instruction template, the creation process creates an update template in which the periodic processing instruction information is replaced with the processing notification information in the periodic instruction template as a periodic update template; The upload process uploads the created periodic update template to the storage device; The control unit further an on-demand download process for downloading the on-demand instruction template from the storage device; an on-demand creation process for creating an on-demand update template by adding on-demand notification information to the on-demand instruction template, the on-demand notification information being used to notify the management device of the on-demand processing indicated by the on-demand processing instruction information included in the on-demand instruction template; an on-demand upload process for uploading the on-demand update template created by the on-demand creation process to the storage device; 23. An information processing device configured to execute the above-mentioned procedure.

2. An information processing device according to claim 1, the periodic instruction template targets all of the information processing devices managed by the management device, The on-demand instruction template is directed to a specific information processing device that is to execute the on-demand process.

3. An information processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, the upload process uploads the periodic update template to the storage device without overwriting the periodic update template with respect to the periodic instruction template stored in the storage device; The on-demand upload process is an information processing apparatus that uploads the on-demand update template to the storage device by overwriting the on-demand instruction template stored in the storage device with the on-demand update template.

4. An information processing device of a management system configured so that a management device and an information processing device can communicate with a storage device, A control unit is provided, The control unit is a download process of downloading from the storage device an instruction template including a plurality of pieces of process instruction information each of which instructs a plurality of processes to be executed by the information processing device; a creation process for creating an update template in which each of the plurality of pieces of processing instruction information in the instruction template is replaced with a plurality of pieces of processing notification information for notifying the management device in correspondence with each of the plurality of pieces of processing instruction information; an upload process of uploading the update template created by the creation process to the storage device; configured to run A communication unit configured to perform data communication with the storage device; an input unit configured to output input operation information for identifying an input operation performed by a user; The control unit is a setting process for setting whether to enable or disable a function of the communication unit based on the input operation information output from the input unit, The control unit is a prohibition process for prohibiting execution of the download process, the creation process, and the upload process when the function of the communication unit is disabled; an acquisition process for acquiring the plurality of pieces of processing instruction information by an SNMP protocol from a sub-management device communicably connected to the storage device and communicably connected to the information processing device when the function of the communication unit is disabled; 23. An information processing device configured to execute the above-mentioned procedure.

5. A control unit of an information processing device of a management system in which a management device and an information processing device are configured to be able to communicate with a storage device, a download process of downloading from the storage device an instruction template including a plurality of pieces of process instruction information each of which instructs a plurality of processes to be executed by the information processing device; a creation process for creating an update template in which each of the plurality of pieces of processing instruction information in the instruction template is replaced with a plurality of pieces of processing notification information for notifying the management device in correspondence with each of the plurality of pieces of processing instruction information; an upload process of uploading the update template created by the creation process to the storage device; configured to execute The process to be periodically executed is defined as a periodic process, and the management device periodically uploads to the storage device a periodic instruction template that is the instruction template including a plurality of periodic process instruction information that is the process instruction information for a plurality of the periodic processes; The management device sets the process to be executed whenever necessary as an on-demand process, and uploads to the storage device an on-demand instruction template that is the instruction template including on-demand processing instruction information that is the processing instruction information instructing the on-demand processing, The download process downloads the periodic instruction template as the instruction template, the creation process creates an update template in which the periodic processing instruction information is replaced with the processing notification information in the periodic instruction template as a periodic update template; The upload process uploads the created periodic update template to the storage device; The control unit further includes: an on-demand download process for downloading the on-demand instruction template from the storage device; an on-demand creation process for creating an on-demand update template by adding on-demand notification information to the on-demand instruction template, the on-demand notification information being used to notify the management device of the on-demand processing indicated by the on-demand processing instruction information included in the on-demand instruction template; an on-demand upload process for uploading the on-demand update template created by the on-demand creation process to the storage device; A management program that is configured to run

6. A management method executed by an information processing device in a management system configured so that a management device and an information processing device can communicate with a storage device, comprising: a downloading step of downloading from the storage device an instruction template including a plurality of pieces of process instruction information each of which instructs a plurality of processes to be executed by the information processing device; creating an update template in which each of the plurality of pieces of processing instruction information in the instruction template is replaced with a plurality of pieces of processing notification information for notifying the management device in correspondence with each of the plurality of pieces of processing instruction information; an uploading step of uploading the update template created by the creating step to the storage device; Equipped with The process to be periodically executed is defined as a periodic process, and the management device periodically uploads to the storage device a periodic instruction template that is the instruction template including a plurality of periodic process instruction information that is the process instruction information for a plurality of the periodic processes; The management device sets the process to be executed whenever necessary as an on-demand process, and uploads to the storage device an on-demand instruction template that is the instruction template including on-demand processing instruction information that is the processing instruction information instructing the on-demand processing, The downloading step includes downloading the periodic instruction template as the instruction template, the creating step includes creating an update template in which the periodic instruction information is replaced with the processing notification information in the periodic instruction template as a periodic update template; The uploading step uploads the created periodic update template to the storage device; Furthermore, an on-demand downloading step of downloading the on-demand instruction template from the storage device; an on-demand creation step of creating an on-demand update template by adding on-demand notification information to the on-demand instruction template, the on-demand notification information being used to notify the management device of the on-demand processing indicated by the on-demand processing instruction information included in the on-demand instruction template; an on-demand uploading step of uploading the on-demand updating template created by the on-demand creating step to the storage device; A management method comprising:

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