U.S. patent application number 13/655079 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-25 for image forming apparatus, management system for managing the image forming apparatus, and information providing method of the image forming apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Sang-woo PARK.
Application Number | 20130104123 13/655079 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47594227 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130104123 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PARK; Sang-woo |
April 25, 2013 |
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR MANAGING THE IMAGE
FORMING APPARATUS, AND INFORMATION PROVIDING METHOD OF THE IMAGE
FORMING APPARATUS
Abstract
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming
apparatus includes a network interface unit which is connected to a
host device in which a manager program is stored, a printing unit
which performs a printing job, a storage unit which stores a
management information base (MIB), and an agent program, and a
control unit which communicates with the host device using a Simple
Network Management Protocol (SNMP). If an application is newly
installed, the control unit updates the MIB. Therefore, it is
possible to easily add, modify, or delete a management object
(MO).
Inventors: |
PARK; Sang-woo; (Suwon-si,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; |
Suwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
47594227 |
Appl. No.: |
13/655079 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
717/176 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 2201/0082 20130101;
H04N 2201/0093 20130101; H04N 2201/0094 20130101; H04N 1/00938
20130101; H04N 2201/0091 20130101; G06F 9/44505 20130101; H04N
1/00233 20130101; H04L 67/34 20130101; G06F 8/65 20130101; H04N
2201/0081 20130101; G06F 8/61 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
717/176 |
International
Class: |
G06F 9/445 20060101
G06F009/445 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 20, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0107617 |
Aug 9, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0087395 |
Claims
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a network interface unit
which is connected to a host device in which a manager program is
stored; a printing unit which performs a printing job; a storage
unit which stores information on the image forming apparatus, a
management information base (MIB), and an agent program
corresponding to the manager program; and a control unit which
communicates with the host device using a Simple Network Management
Protocol (SNMP), wherein if an application is newly installed, the
control unit updates the MIB using an object identifier (OID) of a
management object (MO) of the newly installed application, and
wherein if a request for information designating an OID included in
the updated MIB is input from the host device, the control unit
transmits information corresponding to the designated OID to the
host device by executing an application corresponding to the
designated OID using the agent program.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the
newly installed application has a new MO, the control unit adds an
OID of the new MO to the MIB.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the
newly installed application has a changed MO which changes an
existing MO, the control unit changes an OID of the existing MO
recorded in the MIB to an OID of the changed MO.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the
newly installed application is an application to delete an existing
MO, the control unit deletes an OID of the existing MO recorded in
the MIB.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
storage unit stores an embedded application having at least one MO
and an additional application to be installed later, and wherein if
the OID designated by the information request transmitted from the
host device is an OID of the MO of the embedded application, the
control unit provides the host device with information using the
embedded application, or if the designated OID is an OID of an MO
of the additional application, the control unit provides the host
device with information using the additional application.
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further
comprising: an interface unit which is connected to an external
source in which an application to newly install is stored; and a
user interface (UI) unit which receives a request to install an
application, wherein if the external source is connected to the
interface unit and if the request to install the application is
input, the control unit installs and stores the application stored
in the external source, in the storage unit.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
control unit comprises: an agent execution module which executes
the agent program; an application registration module which
verifies the application stored in the external source if the
request to install the application is input; an application storage
module which installs and stores the application in the storage
unit if the verification is completed; and an application control
module which executes the application newly installed in the
storage unit and registers object information for an MO which the
newly installed application has, in the agent program.
8. A management system comprising: a host device which stores a
manager program; and an image forming apparatus which stores an
agent program corresponding to the manager program, wherein the
image forming apparatus comprises: a network interface unit which
is connected to a host device; a printing unit which performs a
printing job; a storage unit which stores information on the image
forming apparatus, a first management information base (MIB), and
the agent program; and a control unit which communicates with the
host device using a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP),
wherein if an application is newly installed, the control unit
updates the first MIB using an object identifier (OID) of a
management object (MO) which the newly installed application has,
and if a request for information designating an OID included in the
updated first MIB is input from the host device, the control unit
transmits information corresponding to the designated OID to the
host device by executing an application corresponding to the
designated OID using the agent program, and wherein the host device
has a second MIB individually, transmits a request for information
to the image forming apparatus using the second MIB, and receives
the information, and wherein if the application is newly installed
in the image forming apparatus, the host device updates the second
MIB using an OID of an MO which the newly installed application
has.
9. The management system according to claim 8, wherein if the
application newly installed in the image forming apparatus has a
new MO, the control unit adds an OID of the new MO to the first
MIB, and wherein the host device adds the OID of the new MO and the
information on the image forming apparatus to the second MIB.
10. The management system according to claim 8, wherein if the
application newly installed in the image forming apparatus has a
changed MO which changes an existing MO, the control unit changes
an OID of the existing MO recorded in the first MIB to an OID of
the changed MO.
11. The management system according to claim 8, wherein if the
application newly installed in the image forming apparatus is an
application to delete an existing MO, the control unit deletes an
OID of the existing MO recorded in the first MIB.
12. The management system according to claim 8, wherein the storage
unit stores an embedded application having at least one MO and an
additional application to be installed later, and wherein if the
OID designated by the information request transmitted from the host
device is an OID of the MO of the embedded application, the control
unit provides the host device with information using the embedded
application, or if the designated OID is an OID of an MO of the
additional application, the control unit provides the host device
with information using the additional application.
13. The management system according to claim 12, wherein the image
forming apparatus further comprises: an interface unit which is
connected to an external source in which an application to newly
install is stored; and a user interface (UI) unit which receives a
request to install an application, and wherein if the external
source is connected to the image forming apparatus and if the
request to install the application is input, the control unit
installs and stores the application stored in the external source,
in the storage unit.
14. An information providing method of an image forming apparatus,
the method comprising: if an application is newly installed,
storing the application; updating a management information base
(MIB) using an agent program based on an object identifier (OID) of
an MO which the application has; receiving an information request
from a host device in which a manager program corresponding to the
agent program is installed, using a Simple Network Management
Protocol (SNMP); searching the MIB for a management object (MO)
designated by the information request; and providing the host
device with information corresponding to the designated MO using an
application corresponding to the searched MO from among
pre-installed applications.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein in the updating of
the MIB, if the newly installed application has a new MO, an OID of
the new MO is added to the MIB, if the newly installed application
has a changed MO which changes an existing MO, an OID of the
existing MO recorded in the MIB is changed to an OID of the changed
MO, and if the newly installed application is an application to
delete an existing MO, an OID of the existing MO recorded in the
MIB is deleted.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 from Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2011-0107617 and
10-2012-0087395, filed on Oct. 20, 2011 and Aug. 9, 2012,
respectively, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments relate to an image forming apparatus, a
management system for managing the image forming apparatus, and an
information providing method of the image forming apparatus, and
more particularly, to an image forming apparatus capable of
updating one or more managed objects (MOs) by installing a new
application, a management system for managing the image forming
apparatus, and information providing method of the image forming
apparatus.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Due to recent developments in electronic technology, various
types of electronic devices have been developed and commercialized.
In particular, various image forming apparatuses, such as printers,
scanners, facsimile machines, copiers, and multifunctional
peripheral (MFP) devices, have been widely used in homes and
offices.
[0006] In an environment equipped with multiple devices, the
multiple devices may be connected to a network so that they can be
shared by multiple users. In this example, a manager may manage
each of the devices by using a manager program that is installed in
his or her terminal device. For example, when the manager executes
the manager program, the manager program may communicate with an
agent program that is installed in each of the devices, and may
thus be provided with information relating to each of the devices.
The manager program may display the information provided by each of
the devices on the screen of the terminal device of the
manager.
[0007] The agent program may provide information to the manager
program by using an embedded application that is embedded in
firmware. The information provided by the agent program may be
included in a managed object (MO) that is managed by the embedded
application.
[0008] It is also often necessary for an operator of equipment or a
maintenance/repair company for the equipment to add new MOs to or
modify existing MOs in the equipment.
[0009] To meet the needs of each client, the manufacturer of the
equipment may need to manufacture new software for adding new MOs
or modifying existing MOs. In this manner, however, it is not only
difficult but also costly to readily provide solutions for various
business demands.
SUMMARY
[0010] Embodiments address at least the above problems and/or
disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also,
embodiments are not required to overcome the disadvantages
described above, and an embodiment may not overcome any of the
problems described above.
[0011] Embodiments provide an image forming apparatus which can
install an application that provide necessary information, a
management system for managing the image forming apparatus, and an
information providing method of the image forming apparatus.
[0012] According to an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is
provided an image forming apparatus, including a network interface
unit which is connected to a host device in which a manager program
is stored, a printing unit which performs a printing job, a storage
unit which stores information on the image forming apparatus, a
management information base (MIB), and an agent program
corresponding to the manager program, and a control unit which
communicates with the host device using a Simple Network Management
Protocol (SNMP)
[0013] If an application is newly installed, the control unit may
update the MIB using an object identifier (OID) of a management
object (MO) which the newly installed application has, and if a
request for information designating an OID included in the updated
MIB is input from the host device, the control unit may transmit
information corresponding to the designated OID to the host device
by executing an application corresponding to the designated OID
using the agent program.
[0014] If the newly installed application has a new MO which
existing applications do not have, the control unit may add an OID
of the new MO to the MIB.
[0015] If the newly installed application has a changed MO which
changes an existing MO, the control unit may change an OID of the
existing MO recorded in the MIB to an OID of the changed MO.
[0016] If the newly installed application is an application to
delete an existing MO, the control unit may delete an OID of the
existing MO recorded in the MIB.
[0017] The storage unit may store an embedded application having at
least one MO and an additional application to be installed
later.
[0018] In this case, if the OID designated by the information
request transmitted from the host device is an OID of the MO which
the embedded application has, the control unit may provide the host
device with information using the embedded application, or if the
designated OID is an OID of an MO which the additional application
has, the control unit may provide the host device with information
using the additional application.
[0019] The image forming apparatus may further include an interface
unit which is connected to an external source in which an
application to newly install is stored, and a user interface (UI)
unit which receives a request to install an application.
[0020] In this case, if the external source is connected to the
interface unit and if the request to install the application is
input, the control unit may install and store the application
stored in the external source, in the storage unit.
[0021] The control unit may include an agent execution module which
executes the agent program, an application registration module
which verifies the application stored in the external source if the
request to install the application is input, an application storage
module which installs and stores the application in the storage
unit if the verification is completed, and an application control
module which executes the application newly installed in the
storage unit and registers object information for an MO which the
newly installed application has, in the agent program.
[0022] According to an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is
provided a management system including a host device which stores a
manager program, and an image forming apparatus which stores an
agent program corresponding to the manager program.
[0023] The image forming apparatus may include a network interface
unit which is connected to a host device, a printing unit which
performs a printing job, a storage unit which stores information on
the image forming apparatus, a first MIB, and the agent program,
and a control unit which communicates with the host device using an
SNMP.
[0024] If an application is newly installed, the control unit may
update the first MIB using an OID of an MO which the newly
installed application has, and if a request for information
designating an OID included in the updated first MIB is input from
the host device, the control unit may transmit information
corresponding to the designated OID to the host device by executing
an application corresponding to the designated OID using the agent
program.
[0025] In addition, the host device may have a second MIB
individually, transmit a request for information to the image
forming apparatus using the second MIB, and receive the
information, and if the application is newly installed in the image
forming apparatus, the host device may update the second MIB using
an OID of an MO which the newly installed application has.
[0026] If the application newly installed in the image forming
apparatus has a new MO which existing applications do not have, the
control unit may add an OID of the new MO to the first MIB, and the
host device may add the OID of the new MO and the information on
the image forming apparatus to the second MIB.
[0027] Alternatively, if the application newly installed in the
image forming apparatus has a changed MO which changes an existing
MO, the control unit may change an OID of the existing MO recorded
in the first MIB to an OID of the changed MO.
[0028] Alternatively, if the application newly installed in the
image forming apparatus is an application to delete an existing MO,
the control unit may delete an OID of the existing MO recorded in
the first MIB.
[0029] The storage unit may store an embedded application having at
least one MO and an additional application to be installed
later.
[0030] If the OID designated by the information request transmitted
from the host device is an OID of the MO which the embedded
application has, the control unit may provide the host device with
information using the embedded application, or if the designated
OID is an OID of an MO which the additional application has, the
control unit may provide the host device with information using the
additional application.
[0031] The image forming apparatus may further include an interface
unit which is connected to an external source in which an
application to newly install is stored, and a user interface (UI)
unit which receives a request to install an application.
[0032] If the external source is connected to the image forming
apparatus and if the request to install the application is input,
the control unit may install and store the application stored in
the external source, in the storage unit.
[0033] According to an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is
provided an information providing method of an image forming
apparatus, the method including if an application is newly
installed, storing the application, updating an MIB using an agent
program based on an OID of an MO which the application has,
receiving an information request from a host device in which a
manager program corresponding to the agent program is installed,
using an SNMP, searching the MIB for an MO designated by the
information request, and providing the host device with information
corresponding to the designated MO using an application
corresponding to the searched MO from among pre-installed
applications.
[0034] In the updating of the MIB, if the newly installed
application has a new MO which existing applications do not have,
an OID of the new MO may be added to the MIB, if the newly
installed application has a changed MO which changes an existing
MO, an OID of the existing MO recorded in the MIB may be changed to
an OID of the changed MO, and if the newly installed application is
an application to delete an existing MO, an OID of the existing MO
recorded in the MIB may be deleted.
[0035] According to the above-mentioned one or more embodiments, it
is possible to directly install an application that provides
necessary information in an image forming apparatus. Therefore, it
is possible to easily add information to and delete information
from an image forming apparatus. In addition, it is also possible
to easily modify information in the image forming apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] These and/or other aspects will be more apparent by
describing embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0037] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a management system
according to an embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming
apparatus according to an embodiment;
[0039] FIGS. 3 and 4 are block diagrams illustrating image forming
apparatuses according to one or more embodiments;
[0040] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an install
process for installing an application in an image forming
apparatus, according to an embodiment;
[0041] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
registration process for registering a managed object (MO) with an
image forming apparatus, according to an embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
modification process for modifying an MO in an image forming
apparatus, according to an embodiment;
[0043] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a deletion
process for deleting an MO from an image forming apparatus,
according to an embodiment;
[0044] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an information providing
method of an image forming apparatus, according to an
embodiment;
[0045] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed
composition of a management system,
[0046] FIG. 11 is a view specifically illustrating a communication
method among apparatuses in the management system of FIG. 10;
[0047] FIG. 12, parts (a)-(e) are views illustrating a format of an
SNMP message;
[0048] FIGS. 13 and 14 are views illustrating a management
information base; and
[0049] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an information provision
method of an image forming apparatus according to another exemplary
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements
throughout. Embodiments are described below to explain the
disclosure by referring to the figures.
[0051] In the following description, the same drawing reference
numerals are used for the same elements even in different drawings.
The matters defined in the description, such as detailed
construction and elements, are provided to assist in a
comprehensive understanding of embodiments. Thus, it is apparent
that embodiments can be carried out without those specifically
defined matters. Also, well-known functions or constructions are
not described in detail since they would obscure embodiments with
unnecessary detail.
[0052] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a management system
according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the management
system includes a plurality of apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, . . . ,
and 100-n and a host device 200. The apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, . .
. , and 100-n and the host device 200 may be connected to one
another via a network. The apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, . . . , and
100-n may be implemented as various types of devices. For example,
the apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, . . . , and 100-n may be implemented
as various types of image forming devices such as a printer, a
scanner, a facsimile machine, a copier, a multifunctional
peripheral (MFP) device, and the like. For example, the host device
200 may be implemented as a personal computer (PC).
[0053] The host device 200 may manage each of the apparatuses
100-1, 100-2, . . . , and 100-n by using a Simple Network
Management Protocol (SNMP), which is a application layer standard
protocol defined based on User Datagram Protocol (UDP) for managing
and monitoring multiple devices on the network. The SNMP may be
used by general operating systems (OS), network equipments such as
routers, switches and server, image forming apparatuses, etc.
[0054] The SNMP defines the communication between a manager program
that is installed in the host device 200 and an agent program
installed in each of the apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, . . . , and
100-n. The manager program and the agent program may also be
referred to as an SNMP manager and an SNMP agent. Each agent
program may collect and store information relating to the
corresponding apparatus. The manager program may collect
information relating to each agent program from the network and may
manage the network.
[0055] The host device 200 may execute the manager program, and may
thus transmit a request message to each of the apparatuses 100-1,
100-2, . . . , and 100-n. The apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, . . . , and
100-n may execute their agent programs, and each of the agent
programs of the apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, . . . , and 100-n may
transmit a response message including information relating to the
corresponding apparatus to the host device 200. The host device 200
may periodically monitor the remaining amount of expendable
supplies of each image forming apparatus remotely using the manager
program or may directly change diverse setting values of each image
forming apparatuses. A communication process between the host
device and each image forming apparatus using the SNMP will be
explained in greater detail below.
[0056] A set of standards that describe the types of information
that need to be collected by each agent program may be referred to
as a Management Information Base (MIB).
[0057] The MIB, which is a management schema for the SNMP, defines
one or more managed objects (MOs) that are managed by the SNMP. The
MIB is as defined by the International Telecommunication
Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). The MOs may
include, but are not limited to, network resources that are
managed, that is, data variables. The MOs may be a piece of
information provided from a managed device using the SNMP. For
example, the MOs may include various information relating to an
image forming apparatus such as the state of the device, settings
of the device, the amount of expendable supplies used, a page
count, a dot count, the remaining amount of expendable supplies,
the amount of paper, charging information, and the like. The MO may
also be referred to as an MIB object or an object.
[0058] The MOs may be defined by the Abstract Syntax Notation One
(ASN.1) grammar. Each of the MOs may have a name, grammar, and an
encoding rule for being transmitted to another system. The MOs may
be identified by their unique identification information, i.e.,
object identifiers (OIDs). The MIB will be explained in greater
detail below.
[0059] In response to the receipt of a request for particular
information from the manager program of the host device 200, each
of the agent programs of the apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, . . . , and
100-n may search for an OID of an MO corresponding to the
particular information from the MIB, and may transmit information
relating to the searched MO to the host device 200.
[0060] An application for managing the MOs may be installed in each
of the apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, . . . , and 100-n. The application
may be implemented as an embedded application embedded in the
firmware of each of the apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, . . . , and
100-n. The embedded application may provide information relating to
the MOs that are managed by the embedded application to the agent
programs of the apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, . . . , and 100-n, and
may thus allow the apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, . . . , and 100-n to
transmit the information relating to the MOs to the host device 200
upon the request of the host device 200.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, . . . ,
and 100-n may be configured to install not only the embedded
application but also a new application therein. For example, a
manager may install an application for adding a new MO, which is
different from the existing MOs managed by the embedded
application, an application for modifying at least one of the
existing MOs, or an application for deleting at least one of the
existing MOs in any one of the apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, . . . ,
and 100-n.
[0062] In response to the installation of a new application for
adding a new MO or modifying or deleting an existing MO in one of
the apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, . . . , and 100-n, the apparatus
where the new application is installed may register a new MO with
the MIB, or may modify or delete the OID of an existing MO present
in the MIB, and the agent program of the corresponding apparatus
may respond to a request from the manager program of the host
device 200 based on the updated MIB.
[0063] That is, in response to the receipt of a request for
information relating to a new MO, the agent program may transfer
the received request to a new application that has registered the
new MO, and the new application may provide the information
relating to the new MO to the agent program. The information
relating to the new MO may be transmitted to the host device 200.
Alternatively, if an existing MO is modified and a request for
information relating to the modified existing MO is received, the
information relating to the modified MO may be identified by using
a new application, instead of using the embedded application, and
may be transmitted to the host device 200. Alternatively, if an
existing MO is deleted and a request for information relating to
the deleted existing MO is received, a message indicating that the
information relating to the existing MO cannot be provided may be
transmitted to the host device 200.
[0064] In general, information on the image forming apparatus is
used when the host PC or the server operates diverse solutions
using the image forming apparatus. A third party or a
maintenance/repair company which manages a printer may need
implementation of an additional MO for operating solutions or
modification of an OID provided by the printer. In the past, if
there was a need for an additional MO or modification of an OID,
the third party or the maintenance/repair company requested new
device software added with a corresponding function from the vendor
of the printer, which caused difficulty in providing prompt
solutions.
[0065] However, the management system illustrated in FIG. 1 may
configure an application for providing information requested by a
third party or a maintenance/repair company and install the
application in the apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, . . . , and 100-n.
Therefore, it is possible to provide solutions for various business
demands. For example, in the case of information on expendable
supplies in the MIB of the printer, let's suppose that there is a
third party which manages image forming apparatuses using the SNMP,
and that the third party provides information on a consumed amount
of expendable supply only for toner. If the third part wishes to
manage an consumed amount of an imaging unit, which has not been
provided by the printer, other than the information on the consumed
amount of toner, the third party may use the information on a
consumed amount of the imaging unit by installing an SNMP
application implementing an MO providing the information on the
consumed amount of the imaging unit without help of a vendor.
[0066] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an operation between
an apparatus 100 and the host device 200, according to an
embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, an agent program 10, an embedded
application 20, and application 1 (30) and application 2 (40) are
installed in the apparatus 100, and a manager program 60 and a host
solution 70 are installed in the host device 200.
[0067] The embedded application 20 may be embedded in the firmware
of the apparatus 100, and may manage MOs 1, 2, and 3.
[0068] Application 1 (30) may be a new application for adding new
MO 4. Application 2 (40) may be a new application for modifying MO
3. In response to the installation of application 1 (30) by a
manager, application 1 (30) may notify the agent program 10 of the
presence of MO 4 in application 1 (30) by registering MO 4 with the
agent program 10. If an SNMP request with an OID of MO 4 is
received from the manager program 60 of the host device 200, the
agent program 10 may transmit the received SNMP request to
application 1 (30), may receive information from application 1 (30)
based on the received SNMP request, and may transmit the received
information to the host device 200.
[0069] In response to the installation of application 2 (40),
application 2 (40) may receive reference information relating to MO
3, which is already registered in the agent program 10, and may
modify MO 3 based on the received reference information, thereby
generating modified MO 3'. Application 2 (40) may notify the agent
program 10 of the presence of modified MO 3' in application 2 (40)
by registering modified MO 3' with the agent program 10. If an SNMP
request with an OID corresponding to MO 3 is received from the host
device 200, the agent program 10 may transmit the received SNMP
request to the embedded application 20 that has registered MO 3 in
the agent program 10 and application 2 (40) that has registered
modified MO 3' in the agent program 10, may receive information
from the embedded application 20 and application 2 (40) based on
the received SNMP request, and may transmit the received
information to the host device 200.
[0070] The manager program 60 of the host device 200 may detect
necessary information from the information provided by the agent
program 10, and may provide the detected information to the host
solution 70. The host solution 70 may display the information
provided by the manager program 60 on a User Interface (UI) or may
use the corresponding information for a solution for managing
network equipment.
[0071] Only application 1 (30) for adding an MO and application 2
(40) for modifying an MO are illustrated in FIG. 2 as being
installed in the apparatus 100. In another example, a new
application for deleting one of MOs 1, 2, and 3 may also be
installed in the apparatus 100. This example will be described
later in detail.
[0072] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the
apparatus 100, i.e., an image forming apparatus according to an
embodiment. The structure of the apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG.
3 may be applied to any one of the apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, . . .
, and 100-n illustrated in FIG. 1 or 2. Referring to FIG. 3, the
image forming apparatus 100 includes a network interface unit 110,
a control unit 120, a storage unit 130, and a printing unit
140.
[0073] The network interface unit 110 may be connected to the host
device 200 in accordance with a predetermined network communication
standard.
[0074] The storage unit 130 may store various data and programs.
For example, the storage unit 130 may store an OS, an MIB, an agent
program, an embedded application, and various other
applications.
[0075] The printing unit 140 is an element to perform a printing
job.
[0076] In a case in which the image forming apparatus 100 is a
laser printer, the printing unit 140 may include various units such
as, for example, a photosensitive element, a charge unit, an
exposure unit, a developer unit, a transfer unit, a fusing unit and
the like. The printing unit 140 performs an image forming job using
these units. Specifically, paper is fed from a paper feeder, the
surface of a photoconductive object is charged, and light exposure,
developing, transferring, and fusing are performed in order, so
that an image is printed on paper. If the image forming apparatus
100 has a scanning function, the image forming apparatus 100 may
further include a scanning unit (not illustrated), but illustration
and description thereof are omitted here. However, paper is only
one type of print medium and other types of print media may be
substituted for paper.
[0077] The control unit 120 generally manages the operation of the
image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, in response to the
receipt of a print command, the control unit 120 controls the
printing unit 140 to perform an image forming job. The control unit
120 may store various information such as, for example, the amount
of expendable supplies consumed in the course of the image forming
job, the remaining amount of expendable supplies, the number of
pages printed, a dot count, the duration of the use of the image
forming apparatus 100 for the image forming job, information on a
user of the image forming apparatus 100, and the like, in the
storage unit 130.
[0078] The control unit 120 may execute the embedded application or
the agent program present in the storage unit 130, and may thus
control the information stored in the storage unit 130 to be
transmitted to the host device 200 upon the request of the host
device 200.
[0079] In response to the installation of a new application in the
image forming apparatus 100, the control unit 120 may store the new
application in the storage unit 130, and may update the MIB present
in the storage unit 130 with information relating to an MO of the
new application.
[0080] In response to the receipt of a request for information from
the host device 200, the control unit 120 may acquire the requested
information by using the embedded application or the new
application, and may transmit the acquired information to the host
device 200 via the network interface unit 110.
[0081] For example, in response to the installation of a new
application for modifying an existing MO of the embedded
application, the control unit 120 may update information relating
to the existing MO with information relating to a modified MO that
is obtained by modifying the existing MO, and may store the
information relating to the modified MO in the storage unit 130. In
this example, in response to the receipt of a request for the
information relating to the existing MO from the host device 200,
the control unit 120 may provide the information relating to the
modified MO to the host device 200 by using the new application.
Alternatively, in response to the installation of a new application
for deleting an existing MO of the embedded application, the
control unit 120 may execute the new application, and may thus
delete the existing MO from the storage unit 130.
[0082] FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram illustrating an example
of the image forming apparatus 100, according to an embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 100 includes the
network interface unit 110, the control unit 120, the storage unit
130, the printing unit 140, a UI unit 150, and an interface unit
160.
[0083] The network interface unit 110 may communicate with the host
device 200 by using the SNMP.
[0084] The storage unit 130 may store various data and programs for
operating the image forming apparatus 100.
[0085] The printing unit 140 is an element to perform an image
forming job as described above.
[0086] The UI unit 150 may receive various user commands. For
example, the UI unit 150 may be implemented as a touch screen, and
may provide various UI windows for a user.
[0087] The interface unit 160 is an element to be connected to
diverse external sources such as universal serial bus (USB) memory
sticks, memory cards, other storage media, and diverse terminal
devices. The interface unit 160 may include a plurality of
connection ports.
[0088] The user may install a new application in the image forming
apparatus 100 using the interface unit 160 and the UI unit 150.
[0089] Specifically, the user connects the image forming apparatus
100 and an external source in which a new application is stored,
through the interface unit 160, and inputs an application
installation request through the UI unit 150. In response to the
application installation request, the control unit 120 installs and
stores the new application in storage unit 130.
[0090] Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 100 may download
a new application from an external source connected thereto via a
network with the aid of the network interface unit 110. In response
to the provision of a new application, the user may enter a request
for the installation of the new application to the image forming
apparatus 100 via the UI unit 140.
[0091] The control unit 120 includes an application registration
module 121, an application storage module 122, an application
control module 123, and an agent execution module 124. The
application registration module 121, the application storage module
122, the application control module 123, and the agent execution
module 124 may perform the above-mentioned functions of the control
unit 120 by executing the relevant programs in the storage unit
130. The operations of the application registration module 121, the
application storage module 122, the application control module 123,
and the agent execution module 124 will hereinafter be described
with reference to FIG. 5.
[0092] Referring to FIG. 5, in operation S510, in response to the
receipt of a request for the installation of a new application from
a manager, the application registration module 121 may verify
whether the new application is operable in connection with an agent
program of the image forming apparatus 100 and whether the new
application includes all required functions.
[0093] In operation S520, the application registration module 121
may provide the new application to the application storage module
122 in a case in which the new application has been successfully
verified.
[0094] In operation S530, the application storage module 122 may
store the new application in the storage unit 130 by executing an
installation file of the new application.
[0095] In operation S540, in response to the storing of the new
application, the application registration module 121 may transmit
information relating to the new application to the application
control module 123.
[0096] In operation S550, the application control module 123 may
readily execute the new application.
[0097] In operation S560, the application control module 123 may
provide an MO of the new application to the agent execution module
124 and may register the MO of the new application in the agent
program of the image forming apparatus 100.
[0098] The MO of the new application may be provided to the host
device 200 only when the new application is being executed.
Accordingly, the application control module 123 may execute the new
application so that the new application continues to be activated
until the user terminates the execution of the new application. For
example, the application control module 123 may execute the new
application whenever the image forming apparatus 100 is reset.
[0099] The agent execution module 124 may execute an agent program
corresponding to the manager program of the host device 200. For
example, the agent execution module 124 may execute the agent
program whenever the image forming apparatus 100 is reset, so that
the agent program continues to be activated.
[0100] If information relating to a new MO is provided in response
to the installation of a new application having the new MO, the
agent execution module 124 may add an OID of the new MO to an MIB.
In response to the receipt of a request for the information
relating to the new MO from the host device 200, the agent
execution module 124 may search the MIB for the information
relating to the new MO, acquires the information relating to the
new MO by using at least one of an embedded application of the
image forming apparatus 100 and the new application, and may
provide the acquired information to the host device 200.
[0101] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of registering a
new MO, according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, in
operation S610, in response to the installation and execution of
application 1 (30), application 1 (30) may generate a new MO. In
operation S620, application 1 (30) may transmit information
relating to the new MO, including an OID of the new MO, to the
agent program 10, and may request the agent program 10 to register
the new MO.
[0102] In operation S630, the agent program 10 may register the new
MO in an MIB by adding the OID of the new MO to the MIB. In
operation S640, the agent program 10 may transmit a response signal
indicating whether the new MO has been successfully registered to
application 1 (30).
[0103] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of modifying an
existing MO, according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, in
operation S710, in response to the installation and execution of
application 1 (30), application 2 (40) may request reference
information relating to an existing MO from the agent program 10.
The reference information may include an OID of the existing MO and
information indicating the properties of the existing MO. In
operation S720, the agent program 10 may provide the reference
information to application 2 (40).
[0104] In operation S730, application 2 (40) may modify the
existing MO based on the reference information, thereby generating
a modified MO. In operation S740, application 2 (40) may provide
information relating to the modified MO to the agent program 10,
and may request the agent program 10 to register the modified
MO.
[0105] In operation S750, the agent program 10 may register the
modified MO by updating the OID of the original existing MO with
the OID of the modified MO. In operation S760, the agent program 10
may transmit a response signal indicating whether the modified MO
has been successfully registered to application 2 (40).
[0106] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of deleting an
existing MO, according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, in
operation S810, in response to the installation and execution of
new application 3 (50), which is an application for deleting an
existing MO, new application 3 (50) may request reference
information relating to the existing MO from the agent program 10.
In operation S820, the agent program 10 may provide the reference
information relating to the existing MO to new application 3 (50).
In operation S830, new application 3 (50) may request the agent
program 10 to deregister the existing MO. In operation S840, the
agent program 10 may deregister the existing MO by deleting
information relating to the existing MO from an MIB. In operation
S850, the agent program 10 may transmit a response signal
indicating whether the existing MO has been successfully
deregistered to new application 3 (50).
[0107] Once the existing MO is deregistered from the MIB, no
information relating to the existing MO may be provided to the host
device 100 even when requested.
[0108] The operations of application 1 (30), application 2 (40),
and new application 3 (50) may be executed by the application
control module 123, and the operation of the agent program 10 may
be executed by the agent execution module 124.
[0109] Not only the MO managed by an embedded application but also
the MO managed by application 1 (30) may be subject to the
above-mentioned MO modification or deletion operation.
[0110] In a case in which a new application having a new MO having
the same OID as an existing MO in the MIB is installed and
executed, the application control module 123 may request the agent
execution module 124 to deregister the existing MO from the MIB and
register the new MO in the MIB. Alternatively, the application
control module 123 may store the new MO in the storage unit 130,
and may selectively provide the new MO or the existing MO in
accordance with the policy of the image forming apparatus 100.
[0111] In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the image
forming apparatus 100 may use an application present in the storage
unit 130 of the image forming apparatus 100. In another
non-limiting example, the image forming apparatus 100 may use an
application that is stored in a remote location.
[0112] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an image providing method
of an image forming apparatus, according to an embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 9, in operation S910, a new application may be
installed. In operation S920, the new application may be stored and
executed. In operation S930, the image forming apparatus updates
the MIB using information on a new MO of the new application. In a
case in which the new application is for modifying or deleting an
existing MO in an MIB, an MO modification operation or an MO
deletion operation may be performed. The MO modification operation
or the MO deletion operation has already been described above with
reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, and thus, detailed descriptions and
illustrations thereof will be omitted.
[0113] In operation S940, the manager program of a host device may
request information. In operation S950, the agent program may
search through the MIB. In operation S960, the agent program may
determine whether the requested information is information relating
to the new MO. In operation S970, in a case in which the requested
information is the information relating to the new MO, the
requested information may be acquired by using the new application,
and the acquired information may be transmitted to the host device.
Alternatively, in operation S980, in a case in which the requested
information is information relating to the existing MO, the
requested information may be acquired by using an embedded
application, and the acquired information may be transmitted to the
host device.
[0114] The information providing method illustrated in FIG. 9 may
also include: in response to the installation and execution of a
new application for modifying the existing MO, providing reference
information relating to the existing MO to the new application;
generating a modified MO by modifying the existing MO based on the
reference information with the use of the new application;
registering the modified MO in the MIB by updating an OID of the
existing MO with an OID of the modified MO; and providing
information relating to the modified MO to the host device upon the
request of the host device by using the new application.
[0115] The information providing method illustrated in FIG. 9 may
also include: in response to the installation and execution of a
new application for deleting the existing MO, deleting the existing
MO from the MIB by using the agent program; and in response to the
installation and execution of a new application having a new MO
having the same OID as the existing MO, deregistering the existing
MO from the MIB and registering the new MO in the MIB.
[0116] As described above, it is possible to add, modify, or delete
an MO by installing a new application according to a user's needs
while using the SNMP. Therefore, it is possible to effectively
respond to a request for various types of information.
[0117] As described above, the host device is connected to and
manages a plurality of image forming apparatuses. The host device
and the image forming apparatuses may communicate with one another
using diverse protocols. Hereinbelow, embodiments of a management
system including the host device which manages each of the image
forming apparatuses using the SNMP, and communication mechanism
within the management system are described in detail.
[0118] Referring to FIG. 10, a management system 1000 may include
an image forming apparatus 100 and a host device 200. For
convenience of explanation, only a single image forming apparatus
100 is illustrated in FIG. 10, but a plurality of image forming
apparatuses may be provided.
[0119] The image forming apparatus 100 may include a network
interface unit 110, a control unit 120, a storage unit 130, and a
printing unit 140. Detailed description of operation of these
elements has been provided with reference to FIG. 3, and is thus
not repeated here.
[0120] The storage unit 130 stores diverse information on the image
forming apparatus 100, an agent program, diverse applications, a
first MIB 131, and so forth.
[0121] The control unit 120 executes diverse programs stored in the
storage unit 1 and communicates with the host device 200 using the
SNMP. Specifically, if an application is newly installed, the
control unit 120 updates a first MIB 131 using an OID of a MO which
the installed application. Subsequently, if an information request
is received from the host device 200, the control unit 120 provides
information using the updated first MIB 131. The control unit 120
identifies an OID which is designated in the information request,
from the updated first MIB. The control unit 120 executes an
application corresponding to the identified OID and transmits
information corresponding to the designated OID to the host device
200. This operation of the control unit 120 may be performed by
executing the agent program stored in the storage unit 130.
[0122] The host device 200 may include a network interface unit
210, a control unit 220, and a storage unit 230.
[0123] The network interface unit 210 is an element to communicate
with diverse external devices including the image forming apparatus
100 through a network.
[0124] The storage unit 230 stores diverse programs and data to
operate the host device 200. In particular, the storage unit 230
may include a second MIB. The second MIB may be managed by a
manager program of the host device 200 which recognizes and manages
the image forming apparatus 100.
[0125] The control unit 220 transmits a request for information to
the image forming apparatus 100 through the network interface unit
210, receives the information, and provides the user with the
information.
[0126] That is, the user may execute the manager program through
diverse types of input provided in the host device 200, such as a
mouse or a keyboard. If the manager program is executed, the
control unit 220 may display a management screen through a display
(not illustrated) provided in the host device 200. The user may
select a menu to identify information on the management screen. If
the menu is selected, the control unit 220 executes the manager
program and transmits a request for information to the agent
program of the image forming apparatus 100.
[0127] If an application is newly installed as described above with
reference to the image forming apparatus 100, the control unit 220
may update the second MIB 231 using an OID of a MO which the newly
installed application has. The updating of the second MIB 231 may
be manually performed on the management screen. Specifically, the
user connects the image forming apparatus 100 to a storage medium
such as a USB memory stick, installs an application in the image
forming apparatus 100, and inputs an OID list for MOs managed by
the application to the host device 200, so that the second MIB 231
may be updated. Alternatively, the control unit 220 of the host
device 200 may receive information about a newly installed
application and MOs managed by the application from the image
forming apparatus 100, and automatically update the second MIB 231
based on the received information. These operations may be
performed by executing the manager program installed in the host
device 200.
[0128] If the second MIB 231 is updated, the control unit 220 of
the host device 200 may constitute the management screen based on
the updated second MIB 231. Specifically, if there is a newly added
MO, a menu for the new MO is additionally displayed, and if an
existing MO is changed or deleted, a menu may be changed or deleted
accordingly.
[0129] The image forming apparatus 100 and the host device 200 may
communicate with each other using the SNMP as described above.
[0130] FIG. 11 is a view specifically illustrating a communication
method among apparatuses in the management system using the
SNMP.
[0131] As illustrated in FIG. 11, an agent program 10 is installed
in the image forming apparatus 100, and a manager program 60 is
installed in the host device 200. The image forming apparatus 100
and the host device 200 perform SNMP communication by executing the
agent program 10 and the manager program 60.
[0132] Specifically, in operation S1110, if a predetermined menu is
selected on the management screen of the host device 200, the
manager program 60 transmits a get-request PDU (Protocol Data Unit)
to the agent program 10 in order to read a value of a MO
corresponding to the selected menu. In operation S1130, the manager
program 60 transmits a get-next-request PDU to the agent program 10
in order to bring a value of a next object of the designated object
or a value of a next index if the designated object is a table. In
operations S1120 and S1140, in response to a receipt of the
get-request PDU or the get-next-request PDU from the manager
program 60, the agent program 10 transmits a get-response PDU
including the value of the corresponding MO to the manager program
60.
[0133] Alternatively, in operation S1150, the manager program 60
may transmit a set-request PDU to the agent program 10 in order to
change a value of a MO of the agent program 10. In operation S1160,
in response to the set-request PDU, the agent program 10 may
transmit a get-response PDU to the manager program 60.
[0134] In operation S1170, if a predetermined situation occurs, the
agent program 10 may notify the manager program 60 of occurrence of
the situation using a trap PDU.
[0135] The manager program 60 may display diverse information on
the management screen using each PDU transmitted from the agent
program 10.
[0136] FIGS. 12A-12E are views illustrating a format of an SNMP
message.
[0137] FIG. 12A illustrates a basic format of an SNMP message. An
SNMP message consists of a Version, a Community, and a SNMP PDU.
The Version indicates the number of an SNMP version. For example,
in a case of SNMPv1, 0 is written for the Version. The Community
indicates a password between the manager program 60 and the agent
program 10. PDU may contain diverse SNMP messages as illustrated in
FIGS. 12B through 12D of FIG. 12. FIG. 12B illustrates a format of
a Get-request, a Get-Next-Request, or a Set-Request PDU. With
reference to FIG. 12B, PDU contains a PDU type, a Request ID, and
Variable bindings. The PDU type indicates what the PDU is. For
example, if a PDU type is 0, the PDU type indicates a Get-request,
if a PDU type is 1, the PDU type indicates a Get-Next-request, if a
PDU type is 2, the PDU type indicates a Set-request PDU, if a PDU
type is 3, the PDU type indicates a Get-response, and if a PDU type
is 4, the PDU type indicates a trap. The Request ID indicates an ID
of an SNMP request packet. The Variable bindings indicate an OID
which is information that the user of the host device, that is, the
manager wishes to obtain. FIG. 12E illustrates the structure of
Variable bindings. As illustrated in FIG. 12E, the Variable
bindings may include a set of names of a plurality of OID and their
values. FIG. 12C illustrates a format of a Get-response PDU. In the
format, the Error status indicates an integer value which the agent
program 10 enters to inform an error status. The Error index
indicates that an error occurs in the umteenth OID of the variable
bindings. FIG. 12D illustrates a format of a Trap PDU. The Trap PDU
is a PDU which the agent program 10 transmits to the manager
program 60. The Trap PDU includes diverse information to inform the
state of the agent program 10, but detailed description thereof is
omitted here.
[0138] The manager program 60 collects diverse information on the
image forming apparatus 100 in the SNMP method described with
reference to FIGS. 11-12E, and provides the user, i.e. the manager,
with the information through the management screen. In response to
a request from the manager program 60, the agent program 10
transmits an MO and its value to the manager program 60 using an
existing embedded application or a newly installed application.
[0139] As described above, the agent program 10 generates and
manages an MIB in order to provide an MO requested by the manager
program 60.
[0140] The MIB includes diverse information on MOs. The MIB is
constituted in a tree structure. In general, a standard MIB defined
by Request For Comments (RFC) is referred to as a public MIB, and a
MIB defined by necessity of each vendor is referred to as a private
MIB.
[0141] For example, a printer MIB defined by RFC-3805 defines an MO
of prtMarkerSuppliesLevel. An OID of prtMarkerSuppliesLevel is
1.3.6.1.2.1.43.11.1.1.9, and this MO has current level values of
expendable supplies. Accordingly, an image forming apparatus
implementing the printer MIB may support the prtMarkerSuppliesLevel
MO. If there is a host device which wishes to monitor an expendable
supply of such an image forming apparatus, the host device may
transmit a request for a value of the prtMarkerSuppliesLevel MO to
an agent program of the image forming apparatus using the SNMP, and
may receive and identify a result value.
[0142] For example, a tree of the printer MIB may be displayed on
an MIB browser as illustrated in FIG. 13.
[0143] With reference to FIG. 13, the printer MIB may include
diverse MOs such as prtMarkerSuppliesIndex,
prtMarkerSuppliesMarkerIndex, prtMarkerSuppliesColorantIndex,
prtMarkerSuppliesClass, prtMarkerSuppliesType,
prtMarkerSuppliesDescription, prtMarkerSuppliesSupplyUnit, and
prtMarkerSuppliesMaxCapacity, as well as
prtMarkerSuppliesLevel.
[0144] Among these MOs, the prtMarkerSuppliesLevel MO may be
defined as illustrated in FIG. 14.
[0145] With reference to FIG. 14, an OID of the
prtMarkerSuppliesLevel MO is 1.3.6.1.2.1.43.11.1.1.9, indicating an
MO to provide a manager program with a current level value of an
expendable supply. Other MOs may be identified through the MIB
browser, but illustration and description thereof is omitted here.
Each MO recorded in the MIB may be obtained according to an SNMP
Get command or may be modified according to an SNMP Set
command.
[0146] The above-mentioned embodiments have been described taking
an image forming apparatus as an example. However, there is no
restriction to the type of device to which the present inventive
step can be applied. That is, the present inventive step can be
applied to nearly all types of devices that provide device
information by using the SNMP and have an open platform
architecture.
[0147] In the above-mentioned embodiments, a new application is
installed in an image forming apparatus in which an embedded
application has been already installed, but this is merely an
example. An image forming apparatus which does not include an
embedded application may be manufactured according to model or
performance.
[0148] Whenever a new application is installed, the agent program
10 updates the MIB using information on the new application and
information on a MO of the new application.
[0149] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an information provision
method of an image forming apparatus which does not include an
embedded application according to another exemplary embodiment.
[0150] As illustrated in FIG. 15, in operation S1510, an
application is newly installed in the image forming apparatus. In
operation S1520, the image forming apparatus stores the new
application. In operation S1530, the image forming apparatus
updates an MIB using an OID of an MO included in the new
application.
[0151] In operation S1540, the image forming apparatus receives a
request for information from a host device. In operation S1550, the
image forming apparatus searches the MIB for an MO designated by
the information request. Subsequently, in operation S1560, the
image forming apparatus provides the host device with information
corresponding to the designated MO using an application
corresponding to the searched MO. Receipt of the information
request and response thereto may be performed as described above
using the SNMP.
[0152] Operation S1530 of updating the MIB may be implemented in
diverse methods according to characteristics of the installed
application. For example, if a newly installed application has a
new MO which is not included in the existing applications, the
image forming apparatus may update the MIB by adding an OID of the
new MO to the MIB.
[0153] Alternatively, if a newly installed application has a
changed MO to change an existing MO, the image forming apparatus
may update the MIB by changing an OID of the existing MO recorded
in the MIB into an OID of the changed MO.
[0154] Alternatively, if a newly installed application has an
application to delete an existing MO, the image forming apparatus
may update the MIB by deleting an OID of the existing MO from the
MIB. As described above, the MIB may be updated by freely
installing an application so that it is possible to implement a
system without an embedded application.
[0155] The programs to perform the methods introduced in the
above-mentioned embodiments may be stored in one or more
non-transitory computer-readable media.
[0156] The non-transitory computer-readable media are not media
that store data for a short period of time such as registers,
cashes, memories, etc, but that store data semi-permanently and are
readable by devices. Specifically, diverse applications or programs
as described above may be stored and provided in non-transitory
computer-readable media such as compact disks (CDs), digital
versatile disks (DVDs), hard disks, Blu-ray disks, USBs, memory
cards, read-only memories (ROMs), etc.
[0157] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely
exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting. The present
teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses.
Also, the description of embodiments is intended to be
illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many
alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
[0158] Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it
would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may
be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles
and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the
claims and their equivalents.
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