Device management system, management client, controller server, method for managing usage context of device, and recording medium which records the method
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process controlling unit included in a multifunction-device controller sends an acquired ID number and a request for identifying the user corresponding to the ID number, to a controller server. The controller server searches a user management file for user information corresponding to the ID number. The controller server sends, to the multifunction-device controller, information representing that user verification is successfully made when user information is acquired. Upon reception of such information, the process controlling unit permits the verified user to operate a copier making copies of documents. Upon completion of the copying operation, the process controlling unit acquires information representing the number of copies made by the user. Then, the process controlling unit creates usage information of the copier, and sends the created usage information to the controller server. The controller server stores the received usage information into a usage-information management file.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1-6. -6. (canceled)
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7. A software control system for driving a terminal controlling a networked device, comprising:
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storage means for storing driver software for driving the terminal, selection means for selecting a device to be controlled by the terminal, correspondence information storage means for storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence between the software stored in the storage means and the selected device, specification means for specifying driver software for driving the selected device in accordance with the correspondence information stored in the correspondence information storage means, and installation means for providing the terminal with software specified by the specification means via a network and installing the software in the terminal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A system comprising:
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a networked target device, and a management device, wherein the management device stores user information specifying a user permitted to operate the target device, the target device sends identification information identifying a user operating the target device to the management device, the management device receives the identification information, verifies the user in accordance with the stored user information and the received identification information, and informs the target device of a verification result, the target device permits a user verified by the management device to operate the target device, retrieves a usage amount of the target device used by the user, and informs the management device of the retrieved usage amount, and the management device stores, in association with each other, information corresponding to the informed usage amount, the user, and the used device. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A management client for communicating with a controller server that controls a networked target device, comprising:
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information input means for inputting identification information identifying a user operating the target device, verification means for sending the identification information to the controller server and verifying the user operating the target device in accordance with response information sent from the controller server, counting means for counting an amount of usage of the target device made by a user operating the target device, and information sending means for sending device usage information, comprising the amount of usage of the target device counted by the counting means, to the controller server.
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13. A controller server for controlling a networked target device through a management client, comprising:
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storage means for storing user information specifying a user permitted to operate the target device, identification information acquisition means for acquiring, from the management client via a network, identification information identifying a user operating the target device, verification means for verifying a user operating the target device, in accordance with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means and the user information stored in the user information storage means, information acquisition means for acquiring usage information of the target device, comprising an amount of usage of the target device made by a verified user operating the target device, and information storage means for sequentially storing the usage information acquired by the information acquisition means.
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14-15. -15. (canceled)
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16. A method for controlling software for driving a control terminal that controls a networked device, comprising:
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storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence between driver software for driving the control terminal and the device, selecting a device to be controlled by the control terminal, specifying, in accordance with the stored correspondence information, driver software for driving the selected device, providing the control terminal with the specified driver software via a network, and installing the driver software in the control terminal. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. (canceled)
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19. A computer program for controlling software for driving a control terminal that controls a networked device, comprising:
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storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence between driver software for driving the control terminal and the device, selecting a device to be controlled by the control terminal, specifying, in accordance with the stored correspondence information, driver software for driving the selected device, providing the control terminal with the specified driver software via a network, and installing the driver software in the control terminal.
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20. (canceled)
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21. A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave for making a computer execute software for driving a terminal which controls a networked device, comprising:
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storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence between driver software for driving the control terminal and the device, selecting a device to be controlled by the control terminal, specifying, in accordance with the stored correspondence information, driver software for driving the selected device, providing the control terminal with the specified driver software via a network, and installing the driver software in the control terminal.
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Specification