Information processing device and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing program capable of suppressing required memory capacity for managing a plurality of target devices using a virtual device as compared with the case where management information on all the target devices is registered so as to be always available.SOLUTION: A server 10 includes: an acquisition unit 11A which acquires management information on each target device, the information being required for managing a plurality of target devices using a virtual device; and a registration unit 11B which registers, on a storage unit 13, always-available information which is used regularly in an always-available state and timely use information which is used as necessary in a state where memory capacity is lower than that in the always-available state, out of the management information acquired by the acquisition unit 11A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] The following techniques have been applicable to a case where management of a plurality of target devices is performed using virtual devices of the target devices.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a client device that communicates with a management server in order to receive an instruction from the management server, with the aim of providing a mechanism that enables the client device to receive an instruction from the management server after the client device has shifted to the sleep state.

[0004] In this technique, after the power supply of the client device has shifted to the sleep state because the client device has not received a user operation for a certain period of time, the client device temporarily shifts to the normal state without receiving a user operation, and after communication with the management server, the power supply of the client device shifts from the normal state to the sleep state.

[0005] Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a network device including a detection unit that detects an event, with the aim of enabling the event detected within the device to be transmitted in a form that is easy to use in a service on a server while reducing the processing load of the device.

[0006] This network device includes a management means for managing notification settings, a determination means for determining whether or not to be a notification target for each content of the notification information according to the notification settings when there is notification information associated with an event detected by the detection unit, a creation means for creating a message for each content that was a notification target, and a transmission means for transmitting one or more created messages to a management server.

[0007] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a storage system connected to other storage systems via a network, which aims to achieve capacity savings for on-premises storage devices, high access performance for on-premises storage devices, and the ability to quickly and accurately resume operations using data in the cloud when on-premises resources fail.

[0008] This storage system comprises memory, a processor for executing programs, and a storage device for storing data, and includes a first volume for providing data to an external device and a journal volume for storing data to be transferred to the other storage system. Furthermore, the processor of this storage system receives write data from the external device relating to a write request to the first volume, holds the received write data within the storage system, creates a journal containing the write data and metadata, stores it in the journal volume, and responds to the write request from the external device. In addition, when this storage system receives a journal transfer request from the other storage system, it transfers the journal stored in the journal volume, and after the other storage system has stored the write data, it deletes the write data held by the storage system that is not intended for storage in the storage system. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-040413 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-052221 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 6811739 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] By the way, when using a virtual device to manage multiple target devices, there was a problem in that if all the management information required for that management was registered in a way that made it always available, the amount of memory capacity required would increase as the number of devices to be managed increased.

[0011] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an information processing device and an information processing program that can reduce the storage capacity required when managing multiple target devices using a virtual device, compared to registering management information for all target devices in a state where it is always available. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To achieve the above objective, the information processing device according to the first embodiment includes a processor, the processor acquires management information for each target device which is necessary when managing multiple target devices using a virtual device, and from the acquired management information, the constantly used The first piece of information that may be The following will be made available: At a pre-set time to be used 2nd information Each of these is registered in the storage unit as having less storage capacity than the aforementioned available state.

[0013] Furthermore, the information processing device according to the second embodiment is an information processing device according to the first embodiment in which the processor is used for a predetermined period of time during which use is expected. 2nd information This makes it available as described above.

[0014] Furthermore, the information processing device according to the third embodiment is, in the information processing device according to the second embodiment, the usage period is, 2nd information These are predetermined for each type.

[0015] Furthermore, the information processing device according to the fourth embodiment is an information processing device according to the third embodiment in which the type includes at least one of the following: information related to maintenance, information related to usage fees, and information related to analysis.

[0016] Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the processor performs the 1st information and the 2nd information synchronization with the corresponding target device at a predetermined timing.

[0017] Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, in the information processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the predetermined timing is predetermined for each type of the 1st information and the 2nd information .

[0018] Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the available state is an instantiated state.

[0019] Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, in the information processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the available state is a state available by a microservice.

[0020] Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, in the information processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the 2nd information is information used for each type of service related to the target device, and the usage period is a period determined according to the period for using the 2nd information to be targeted, which is specified in advance by a plurality of implementers who perform the service.

[0021] Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the tenth aspect, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the target device is an image forming apparatus.

[0022] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the information processing program according to the eleventh aspect acquires management information for each target device required when managing a plurality of target devices using a virtual device, and for the management information obtained, it sets the information that is constantly used The first piece of information that may be to an available state, At a pre-set time and the information that is used 2nd information For each of these, the computer is instructed to perform the process of registering them in the storage unit as having less storage capacity than the aforementioned available state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the first and eleventh embodiments, the storage capacity required when managing multiple target devices using a virtual device can be reduced compared to registering management information for all target devices in a state where it is always available.

[0024] According to the second aspect, 2nd information It can be used for the required period.

[0025] According to the third aspect, 2nd information You can set the available period for each type of service.

[0026] According to the fourth aspect, for each type to which it is applied, 2nd information You can set the period during which it is available.

[0027] According to the fifth aspect, 1st information and 2nd information This can be updated with new information.

[0028] According to the sixth aspect, 1st information and 2nd information You can set the synchronization period for each type.

[0029] According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to accommodate a configuration in which the target device is managed using an instance.

[0030] According to the eighth aspect, it is possible to accommodate a configuration in which the target device is managed using microservices.

[0031] According to the ninth aspect, it is possible to enable the service to be provided by multiple service providers.

[0032] According to the tenth embodiment, the required memory capacity for the image forming apparatus can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0033] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing an example of a server hardware configuration according to this disclosure. [Figure 3] Block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal device according to the embodiments of this disclosure. [Figure 4] This block diagram shows an example of the functional configuration of a server according to the embodiments of this disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a registration information database according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a recovery and backup information database according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of a registration process according to the embodiments of this disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a front view showing an example of a registration screen according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows an example of a recovery backup information creation process according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 10] This flowchart shows an example of information processing according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0034] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the technology of this disclosure will be described in an information processing system that provides a cloud printing service using multiple image forming machines located in various places, including shared offices and on-site locations, as virtual printers. By using this service, printing from the image forming machine can be performed via the cloud even from terminal devices that cannot connect to the network where the image forming machine is installed while away from the office.

[0035] First, the configuration of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment includes a server 10 as an information processing device of the technology of this disclosure, a plurality of terminal devices 30A, 30B, ..., and a plurality of image forming apparatuses 50A, 50B, ... as target devices of the technology of this disclosure. In the following, when terminal devices 30A, 30B, ... are described without distinction, they will simply be referred to as "terminal device 30". Similarly, in the following, when image forming apparatuses 50A, 50B, ... are described without distinction, they will simply be referred to as "image forming apparatus 50".

[0037] Examples of server 10 and terminal device 30 include information processing devices such as personal computers and server computers. In this embodiment, a digital multifunction device having image printing, image reading, and image transmission functions is used as the image forming apparatus 50. However, this is not the only possible configuration, and other image forming apparatuses, such as an image forming apparatus with only an image printing function, or an image forming apparatus with only an image printing function and an image reading function, may be used as the image forming apparatus 50.

[0038] It goes without saying that the image forming apparatuses 50A, 50B, ... are not necessarily all identical in specifications, and may differ in the services they can perform, the configurable items for those services, and the optional equipment they are equipped with.

[0039] The server 10, the terminal device 30, and the image forming apparatus 50 are connected via a network N, and the server 10 is capable of communicating with the terminal device 30 and the image forming apparatus 50 via the network N.

[0040] In this embodiment, Network N is a combination of public communication lines such as the Internet and telephone networks, and corporate communication lines such as LANs (Local Area Networks) and WANs (Wide Area Networks). However, the embodiment is not limited to this configuration. For example, Network N may consist of only one of the above-mentioned public communication lines and corporate communication lines. Furthermore, in this embodiment, Network N consists of wired and wireless communication lines. However, the embodiment is not limited to this configuration, and Network N may consist of only one of the above-mentioned wireless communication lines and wired communication lines.

[0041] Next, the configuration of the server 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server 10 according to this embodiment.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2, the server 10 according to this embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 as a processor, a memory 12 as a temporary storage area, a non-volatile storage unit 13, an input unit 14 such as a keyboard and mouse, a display unit 15 such as a liquid crystal display, a media read / write (R / W) device 16, and a communication interface (I / F) unit 18. The CPU 11, memory 12, storage unit 13, input unit 14, display unit 15, media read / write device 16, and communication I / F unit 18 are connected to each other via bus B1. The media read / write device 16 reads information written to the recording medium 17 and writes information to the recording medium 17.

[0043] The storage unit 13 in this embodiment is implemented by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, etc. The storage unit 13, as a storage medium, stores a recovery backup information creation processing program 13A and an information processing program 13B. The recovery backup information creation processing program 13A is stored (installed) in the storage unit 13 when the recording medium 17 on which the program is written is connected to the media read / write device 16, and the media read / write device 16 reads the program from the recording medium 17. Similarly, the information processing program 13B is stored (installed) in the storage unit 13 when the recording medium 17 on which the program is written is connected to the media read / write device 16, and the media read / write device 16 reads the program from the recording medium 17. The CPU 11 reads each of the recovery backup information creation processing program 13A and the information processing program 13B from the storage unit 13 as appropriate, expands them into memory 12, and sequentially executes the processes of each program.

[0044] Furthermore, the storage unit 13 stores the registration information database 13C and the recovery backup information database 13D. Details of the registration information database 13C and the recovery backup information database 13D will be described later.

[0045] Next, the configuration of the terminal device 30 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal device 30 according to this embodiment.

[0046] In addition to the cloud printing service described above, the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment is also capable of constructing a service (hereinafter referred to as the "management service") that manages each of the image forming apparatuses 50 using the cloud printing service. The management service according to this embodiment is to be implemented by a predetermined service provider (in this embodiment, an agent of the manufacturer of the image forming apparatuses 50), and the terminal device 30 according to this embodiment is to be used by the service provider.

[0047] As shown in Figure 3, the terminal device 30 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 31 as a processor, a memory 32 as a temporary storage area, a non-volatile storage unit 33, an input unit 34 such as a keyboard and mouse, a display unit 35 such as a liquid crystal display, a media read / write (R / W) device 36, and a communication I / F unit 38. The CPU 31, memory 32, storage unit 33, input unit 34, display unit 35, media read / write device 36, and communication I / F unit 38 are connected to each other via bus B2. The media read / write device 36 reads information written to the recording medium 37 and writes information to the recording medium 37.

[0048] The storage unit 33 in this embodiment is implemented by an HDD, SSD, flash memory, etc. The storage unit 33, as a storage medium, stores a registration processing program 33A. The registration processing program 33A is stored (installed) in the storage unit 33 when the recording medium 37 on which the program is written is connected to a media read / write device 36, and the media read / write device 36 reads the program from the recording medium 37. The CPU 31 reads the registration processing program 33A from the storage unit 33, loads it into memory 32, and sequentially executes the processes contained in the registration processing program 33A.

[0049] Next, the functional configuration of the server 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server 10 according to this embodiment.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, the server 10 includes an acquisition unit 11A and a registration unit 11B. The CPU 11 of the server 10 executes a recovery backup information creation processing program 13A and an information processing program 13B, thereby enabling the acquisition unit 11A and the registration unit 11B to function.

[0051] The acquisition unit 11A according to this embodiment acquires management information for each target device, which is necessary when managing multiple target devices (in this embodiment, image forming apparatus 50) using a virtual device (in this embodiment, virtual printer). The registration unit 11B according to this embodiment registers the management information acquired by the acquisition unit 11A, setting the constantly used information to an available state (hereinafter referred to as "available state"), and the timely used information, which is used as needed, to a state with less storage capacity than the available state, in the storage unit 13. The registration unit 11B according to this embodiment then sets the timely used information to an available state during a usage period predetermined as the period during which use is expected.

[0052] In this embodiment, the usage period is predetermined for each type of timely usage information. In particular, the types include, but are not limited to, maintenance-related information, usage fee-related information, and analysis-related information. For example, the above types may include only one of the maintenance-related information, usage fee-related information, and analysis-related information, or a combination of two of them.

[0053] Furthermore, the registration unit 11B according to this embodiment synchronizes continuously used information and timely used information with the corresponding target device at predetermined timings. In this embodiment, the predetermined timings are predetermined for each type of continuously used information and timely used information, but this is not limited to this. For example, the timings may be predetermined regardless of the type of continuously used information and timely used information.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned usable state is one in which an instance has been created and the state of usability by microservices is applied. Here, "instantiation" means creating a state in which the corresponding always-used information and timely-used information can be loaded into main memory and processed, and "instance" corresponds to "object" in object-oriented programming.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the timely usage information is defined as information used according to the type of service related to the target device (in this embodiment, the management service described above). Moreover, in this embodiment, the usage period is defined as a period determined in advance by multiple implementers (in this embodiment, the service provider (agent) described above) that perform the above service, according to the period during which the target timely usage information is used.

[0056] Next, the registration information database 13C according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the registration information database 13C according to this embodiment.

[0057] The registration information database 13C according to this embodiment is a database in which information set by the service provider described above in order to provide management services is registered. As an example, as shown in Figure 5, group, service, frequency, start date and time, end date and time, data type, synchronization, and usage type information are stored in association with each other.

[0058] In the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, multiple image forming apparatuses 50 scattered in various locations are grouped according to predetermined criteria. In this embodiment, the groups are based on prefectures, regions, or other geographical locations, but are not limited to these. For example, the groups may be based on the functions of the image forming apparatuses 50, the price range of the image forming apparatuses 50, or the model number.

[0059] The group in the registration information database 13C is information indicating the regional groups mentioned above. The service is information indicating the type of service registered by the service provider, and the frequency is information indicating how often the service provider refers to the management information required to perform the corresponding service. The start date and end date and time are information indicating the start date and end date and time when the corresponding management information becomes accessible, respectively, and the data type is information indicating the type of the corresponding management information. The synchronization is information indicating the timing for synchronizing the corresponding management information with the corresponding image forming apparatus 50, and the usage type is information indicating whether the corresponding management information is the continuously used information or the timely used information mentioned above.

[0060] In the example shown in Figure 5, the "Fault Recovery Service" belonging to Group A is registered as occurring when a fault occurs. In this case, the "Usage Type" of the corresponding management information is always available, and therefore, no start and end dates and times are set for making the corresponding management information accessible. Also, in the example shown in Figure 5, the data type of the management information is set to system failure, and the timing for synchronizing the management information is set to every 10 seconds.

[0061] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 5, the "consumables delivery service" belonging to Group A is registered as having a frequency of every weekday. In this case, the "usage type" of the corresponding management information becomes timely usage information, and a start date and end date are set to make the corresponding management information accessible. Also, in the example shown in Figure 5, two types of data are registered as the data types of the management information: remaining consumables and number of printed pages. The timing for synchronizing these is set to 0:00 and 20:00 every day.

[0062] Next, with reference to Figure 6, the recovery and backup information database 13D according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the recovery and backup information database 13D according to this embodiment.

[0063] The recovery and backup information database 13D according to this embodiment is a database in which information indicating the period during which management information designated as timely use information is made available is registered. As an example, as shown in Figure 6, group, data type, next recovery date and time, and next backup date and time are stored in association with each other.

[0064] The above groups and data types are the same as the groups and data types in the registration information database 13C, respectively. The above next recovery date and time indicates the date and time when the timely use information of the corresponding data type will be recovered in the near future, that is, when it will be instantiated and registered. The above next backup date and time indicates the date and time when the timely use information of the corresponding data type will be backed up in the near future, that is, when the timely use information that has been instantiated and registered will be de-instantiated, compressed, and re-registered.

[0065] In this embodiment, for each corresponding group, the start date and end date and time information for the timely use information of the corresponding data type is extracted from the registration information database 13C. Then, in this embodiment, information indicating the most recent date (time period) encompassing all of the extracted start and end dates and times is set as the next recovery date and time and the next backup date and time.

[0066] In the example shown in Figure 6, the information indicating the billing meter belonging to group A is shown to be instantiated from 9:00 to 18:00 on June 15, 2022.

[0067] Next, the operation of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 7 to 10.

[0068] First, the operation of the terminal device 30 when performing the registration process will be explained with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the registration process according to this embodiment.

[0069] When a user of terminal device 30 (in this embodiment, a representative of the service provider company, hereinafter referred to as the "target user") starts a new management service, they input an instruction to start the registration process via the input unit 34 of terminal device 30 in order to register information about the management service in the registration information database 13C. When this instruction is input, the CPU 31 of terminal device 30 executes the registration process program 33A, thereby executing the registration process shown in Figure 7. In the following description, in order to avoid confusion, we will explain the case where each virtual printer for the image forming apparatus 50 has already been configured on the server 10.

[0070] In step 100 of Figure 7, the CPU 31 controls the display unit 35 to display a registration screen with a predetermined configuration. In step 102, the CPU 31 waits until predetermined information is entered. Figure 8 shows an example of the registration screen according to this embodiment.

[0071] As shown in Figure 8, the registration screen according to this embodiment displays a message prompting the user to enter information about the management service to be registered. The registration screen according to this embodiment also displays an input area 35A for entering the group, service, frequency, start date and time, end date and time, data type, synchronization, and usage type information mentioned above.

[0072] When the registration screen shown in Figure 8 is displayed, the target user uses the input unit 34 to input the group, service, frequency, start date and time, end date and time, data type, synchronization, and usage type into the corresponding input area 35A, and then selects the exit button 35B. When the target user selects the exit button 35B, step 102 is determined to be positive and the process proceeds to step 104.

[0073] As described above, in this embodiment, the target user is required to input all information, including group, service, frequency, start date and time, end date and time, data type, synchronization, and usage type, but this is not limited to this. For example, if the target user inputs the start date and time and end date and time, the usage type may be automatically set to "timely usage information" without requiring the target user to input information indicating the usage type. Also, for example, information indicating synchronization may be set as appropriate by the administrator of the information processing system 1.

[0074] In step 104, the CPU 31 sends the information entered by the target user on the registration screen (hereinafter referred to as "registration information") to the server 10, and then terminates the registration process. When the CPU 11 of the server 10 receives registration information from any terminal device 30, it newly stores (registers) the registration information in the registration information database 13C. This creates the registration information database 13C shown in Figure 5 as an example.

[0075] In the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, when any management service is terminated, the service provider or other entity performing the management service will delete the corresponding registration information from the registration information database 13C. However, the process for doing so will not be explained.

[0076] Next, referring to Figure 9, the operation of the server 10 when executing the recovery backup information creation process will be explained. Figure 9 is a flowchart of an example of the recovery backup information creation process according to this embodiment.

[0077] In this embodiment, the CPU 11 of the server 10 executes the recovery backup information creation process 13A at predetermined timings (in this embodiment, the timing when new registration information is registered in the registration information database 13C, the timing when any registration information is deleted from the registration information database 13C, and the timing when any of the next backup dates and times have ended), thereby executing the recovery backup information creation process shown in Figure 9.

[0078] In step 200 of Figure 9, the CPU 11 reads all registered timely usage information that has not yet been instantiated from the registration information database 13C. In step 202, the CPU 11 classifies the read registration information by group and by data type.

[0079] In step 204, CPU 11 extracts the start date and end date information for each classification category. Then, CPU 11 derives information indicating the most recent date (time period) encompassing all the extracted start and end dates and times, which is used as the information indicating the next recovery date and next evacuation date and time for the corresponding classification category.

[0080] In step 206, the CPU 11 stores (updates) the information indicating the next recovery date and time and the next backup date and time for each derived classification category in the corresponding memory area of ​​the recovery backup information database 13D, and then terminates the recovery backup information creation process. As a result, the recovery backup information database 13D, as shown in Figure 6 as an example, is sequentially updated to the latest version.

[0081] Next, referring to Figure 10, the operation of the server 10 when performing information processing will be explained. Figure 10 is a flowchart of an example of information processing according to this embodiment.

[0082] In this embodiment, when an instruction input is made by the administrator of the server 10 via the input unit 14 to instruct the execution of information processing, the CPU 11 of the server 10 executes the information processing program 13B, thereby executing the information processing shown in Figure 10.

[0083] In step 300 of Figure 10, the CPU 11 reads all registration information from the registration information database 13C, and in step 302, the CPU 11 reads all information (hereinafter referred to as "recovery backup information") from the recovery backup information database 13D.

[0084] Incidentally, if any system failure occurs in the image forming apparatus 50 according to this embodiment, it sends information indicating the system failure to the server 10 as management information to be set in its virtual printer. Furthermore, at a predetermined timing (in this embodiment, 6pm on weekdays), the image forming apparatus 50 according to this embodiment sends information indicating the remaining amount of consumables such as toner, and information indicating the number of printed pages in the past day, as management information to the server 10. Similarly, at the predetermined timing, the image forming apparatus 50 according to this embodiment sends information such as the billing meter, copy job data, and user operation data mentioned above to the server 10 as management information.

[0085] Therefore, in step 304, the CPU 11 determines whether any of the management information has been received from any of the image forming apparatuses 50. If the determination is negative, the CPU proceeds to step 314, which will be described later. If the determination is positive, the CPU proceeds to step 306.

[0086] In step 306, the CPU 11 refers to the read registration information and determines whether the type of use of the received management information is always-on information. If the determination is negative, the CPU 11 assumes that the type of use of the received management information is timely information and proceeds to step 308. In step 308, the CPU 11 compresses the received management information in a predetermined compression format and then proceeds to step 312.

[0087] On the other hand, if the result in step 306 is positive, the process moves to step 310, where the received management information is instantiated in a state where it can be used by the microservice, and then the process moves to step 312.

[0088] In step 312, the CPU 11 stores (registers) the management information, which has been compressed by the processing in step 308 or instantiated by the processing in step 310, in the storage unit 13 as management information corresponding to the corresponding virtual printer.

[0089] In step 314, the CPU 11 determines whether the synchronization information in the read registration information contains information that matches the current time (hereinafter referred to as "target synchronization information"). If the determination is negative, the CPU proceeds to step 318, which will be described later. If the determination is positive, the CPU proceeds to step 316.

[0090] In step 316, the CPU 11 sends an instruction to the corresponding image forming apparatus 50 to update the management information corresponding to the target synchronization information, which is set for the constructed virtual printer. Upon receiving this instruction, the image forming apparatus 50 sends the management information indicated by the received instruction to the server 10 from among the management information registered to it. Upon receiving this management information from the image forming apparatus 50, the CPU 11 synchronizes the management information by updating the management information of the corresponding virtual printer to reflect the received management information.

[0091] In this case, if the received management information is information used at all times, the CPU 11 instantiates the management information and then performs the above update. If the received management information is information used at any given time, the CPU 11 compresses the management information in the above compression format and then performs the above update.

[0092] In step 318, the CPU 11 determines whether there is a next recovery date and time that matches the current time in the read recovery backup information. If the determination is negative, it proceeds to step 326, which will be described later; if the determination is positive, it proceeds to step 320.

[0093] In step 320, the CPU 11 reads the compressed timely usage information corresponding to the group and data type corresponding to the next recovery date and time determined to match this point in time, and decompresses the read timely usage information in a decompression format corresponding to the compression format of the compression process.

[0094] In step 322, the CPU 11 instantiates the expanded timely usage information, and in step 324, the CPU 11 stores (registers) the instantiated timely usage information as management information corresponding to the corresponding virtual printer.

[0095] In step 326, the CPU 11 determines whether there is a next backup date and time that matches the current time in the read recovery backup information. If the determination is negative, it proceeds to step 334, which will be described later; if the determination is positive, it proceeds to step 328.

[0096] In step 328, CPU 11 reads the instantiated timely usage information corresponding to the group and data type corresponding to the next evacuation date and time determined to match this point in time, and restores the read timely usage information to its state before it was instantiated.

[0097] In step 330, the CPU 11 compresses the timely usage information, which has been restored to its state before instantiation, using the above compression format. In step 332, the CPU 11 stores (registers) the compressed timely usage information as management information corresponding to the corresponding virtual printer.

[0098] In step 334, the CPU 11 determines whether a predetermined termination timing has arrived to end the information processing. If the determination is negative, the CPU returns to step 304; if the determination is positive, the information processing is terminated. In this embodiment, the termination timing is set to the timing when the administrator of the server 10 or the like issues an instruction to terminate the execution of the information processing via the input unit 14, but this is not the only option. For example, the termination timing may be set to the timing when all management services have been completed.

[0099] While the above embodiments describe the application of the technology disclosed to a cloud printing service, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the technology disclosed may be applied to a printing service that does not use a cloud server, such as a network server within an organization.

[0100] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a case in which the registration information database 13C and the recovery backup information database 13D are registered in the server 10, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, these databases may be registered in any of the image forming apparatuses 50 or in other devices accessible from any of the image forming apparatuses 50.

[0101] Furthermore, although the above embodiments describe the case in which an image forming apparatus is applied as the subject device of this disclosure, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, other image processing devices such as an image reading device having only an image reading function, or an image transmission device having an image transmission function in addition to an image reading function, may also be applied as the subject device of this disclosure.

[0102] Furthermore, the devices covered by this disclosure are not limited to image processing devices like those described above, but can also be various devices connected to the server 10 that can acquire management information. Examples of such devices include medical devices and cameras. When a medical device is applied as the device covered by this disclosure, an example similar to the above embodiment can be given. Also, when a camera is applied as the device covered by this disclosure, an example of an embodiment that manages captured data obtained by multiple surveillance cameras can be given.

[0103] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a case in which timely usage information is compressed before registration, it is not limited to this. For example, the timely usage information may be registered in the form it is received from the target device without compression. In particular, this form is effective when the timely usage information is registered not in the server 10, but in an external device such as a storage device that is provided separately from the server 10 and has less limitation on storage capacity, because there is no need to decompress the timely usage information when making it available.

[0104] Furthermore, while the above embodiment describes a case where management information is grouped and handled for each group, it is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to handle each piece of management information without grouping it. In this case, information indicating the group in the registration information database 13C and the recovery backup information database 13D becomes unnecessary.

[0105] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a case where the synchronization of management information between the image forming apparatus 50 and the virtual printer is performed from the virtual printer side (server 10 side), it is not limited to this. For example, the synchronization of management information may be performed from both the image forming apparatus 50 and the virtual printer, or the synchronization of management information may be performed from the image forming apparatus 50. In the case where the synchronization is performed from the image forming apparatus 50, the processing in steps 314 to 316 in the information processing becomes unnecessary.

[0106] Although embodiments have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention, and such modified or improved forms are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0107] Furthermore, the above embodiments do not limit the invention claimed, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential for solving the problem of the invention. The embodiments described above include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by combining the multiple constituent elements disclosed. Even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments, the configuration with these deleted elements can be extracted as an invention, as long as the effect is obtained.

[0108] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPUs, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPUs: Graphics Processing Units, ASICs: Application Specific Integrated Circuits, FPGAs: Field Programmable Gate Arrays, programmable logic devices, etc.).

[0109] Furthermore, while the above embodiments described a case in which various processes are realized by a software configuration using a computer by executing a program, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, various processes may also be realized by a hardware configuration or a combination of a hardware configuration and a software configuration.

[0110] Furthermore, the configurations of the server 10 and terminal device 30 described in the above embodiments are merely examples, and it goes without saying that unnecessary parts may be deleted or new parts added without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0111] Furthermore, the various processing flows described in the above embodiments are merely examples, and it goes without saying that unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps added, or the processing order rearranged, as long as the invention does not depart from its spirit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1. Information Processing System 10 servers 11 CPU 11A Acquisition Department 11B Registration Department 12 memory 13 Storage section 13A Recovery and Evacuation Information Creation Processing Program 13B Information Processing Programs 13C Registration Information Database 13D Recovery and Evacuation Information Database 14 Input section 15 Display 16. Media reading / writing device 17 Recording media 18 Communication I / F Section 30 Terminal devices 31 CPU 32 memory 33 Storage section 33A Registration Processing Program 34 Input section 35 Display section 36 Media reading / writing device 37 Recording media 38 Communication I / F Section 50 Image forming apparatus N Network

Claims

1. Equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, When managing multiple target devices using a virtual device, management information for each of the target devices is acquired. Of the acquired management information, the first information that can be used at all times is registered in the storage unit in an available state, while the second information that is used at a predetermined timing is registered in a state with less storage capacity than the available state. Information processing device.

2. The aforementioned processor, The second information is made available for use during a predetermined usage period, which is the period during which it is expected to be used. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The usage period is predetermined for each type of the second information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned categories include at least one of the following: information related to maintenance, information related to usage fees, and information related to analysis. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned processor, At a predetermined timing, the first information and the second information are synchronized with the corresponding target device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The predetermined timing is predetermined for each type of the first information and the second information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned available state is an instantiated state. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

8. The aforementioned available state is the state available through microservices. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The second piece of information is information used for each type of service related to the target device, The aforementioned usage period is a period determined in advance by multiple service providers performing the service, according to the period during which the target second information is used. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

10. The aforementioned device is an image forming apparatus. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. When managing multiple target devices using a virtual device, management information for each of the target devices is acquired. Of the acquired management information, the first information that can be used at all times is registered in the storage unit in an available state, while the second information that is used at a predetermined timing is registered in a state with less storage capacity than the available state. An information processing program that causes a computer to perform a task.

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