Patent Publication Number: US-7899902-B2

Title: Distributed system control method and information processing apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a distributed system control method capable of ascertaining an environment surrounding a user from a user terminal and an information processing apparatus for implementing such control method, in a distributed system in which a plurality of user terminals and peripheral devices or server devices are dispersed. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the conventionally employed work model, generally, organizations, such as companies, associations and public institutions, secure office space, in other words a workplace, for their employed workers (hereinafter “employees”) who are put to work on clerical, marketing or technical matters not requiring large-scale equipment. The office space may be either the organization&#39;s own buildings or may be secured by rental lease, and the employees arrive and gather at the office space by a work starting time using public transportation and/or private vehicles and perform collective labor within a predetermined work time. In that office space are provided a variety of equipment, such as telephones, copiers, fax machines, computers and computer networks, in an effort to make work more efficient. 
     The practice of collective work is a relatively new one, adopted with the industrial revolution in order to run factories efficiently. Recently, however, as the social ills created by collective work, such as “commuting hell”, as well as the air pollution attendant upon the increase in the number of automobiles, become more apparent, the creation of the internet and other such communications infrastructure and advances in a variety of communications technologies make it clear that collective work is not necessarily the only work model for either organizations or their employees. As a result, distributed work, which allows employees belonging to the same organization to work at home or at a place of their choosing but which controls them so as to accomplish the goals of the organization as a whole, is gaining attention as an alternative to the collective work model. 
     However, in order to implement distributed work in the context of an organization such as a company, it is necessary to tie together a plurality of home offices (and here a “home office” may be a room of the employee&#39;s home that is used as a work space) that are geographically dispersed so that employees can communicate with each other using in-home communications terminals and communications application systems. Public telephone networks, ISDN, internet-dedicated lines and the like are used as the communications lines, and electronic mail (e-mail) systems, World Wide Web (WWW) systems, videoconference systems and the like are used as the communications applications systems. 
     Moreover, employees sometimes use not a home office but a satellite office or tele-cottage and the like provided by the organization to which they belong or by local governments, or, in the case of marketing or maintenance, sometimes use a private automobile or the seat of a public transportation vehicle as a temporary work place (i.e., a mobile office). 
     An example of the structure of this type of distributed work is given below, using  FIGS. 23 and 24 .  FIG. 23  is a block diagram showing the structure of a home office in the conventional distributed work model.  FIG. 24  is a table showing typical communications applications systems used in the conventional distributed work model. 
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , in a distributed work home office  110   a  are provided a personal computer  102   a  loaded with communications application software  103   a  for communicating between a main office  109   a  and another home office  110   a  or  a  mobile office  111   a , a telephone  105   a , a facsimile machine  106   a  and an ISDN terminal adapter (hereinafter “TA”)  104   a . The TA  104   a  has a data port and two analog ports. The data port is connected to serial port of the personal computer  102   a . One of the analog ports of the TA  104   a  is connected to the telephone  105   a  and the other analog port is connected to the facsimile machine  106   a.    
     Moreover, the TA  104   a  is connected to a communications network  108   a  composed of an ISDN by a Digital Service Unit (DSU)  107   a , so that the home office  101   a  uses the communications network  108   a  to communicate with the main office  109   a  and the other home office  110   a  or the mobile office  111   a . It should be noted that instead of the ISDN a modem may be used to connect to an ordinary phone network so that the home office  101   a  uses the communications network  108   a  to communicate with the main office  109   a  and the other home office  110   a  or the mobile office  111   a.    
     As the communications application software  103   a  installed in the personal computer  102   a , as shown in  FIG. 24  there is e-mail/client software  21   a , group schedule manager  22   a , World Wide Web browser software  23   a , videoconferencing software  24   a  and collaboration software  25   a.    
     The e-mail/client software  21   a  is used to exchange electronic mail with workers in the main office  109   a  and the other home office  110   a  or the mobile office  111   a , and is software that enables the creation, transmission and reception, and reading of e-mail. The group schedule manager  22   a  is software that enables registration and checking of the worker&#39;s own work schedule as well as the checking of other work schedules as well. The World Wide Web browser  23   a  is software mainly for viewing the home page created by the organization to which the worker belongs as well as group member bulletin boards placed on the home page. 
     The videoconferencing software  24   a  is for enabling meetings and conferences to take place without actually going to another location, and enables voice and image data exchange with other workers via the communications network  108   a . The collaboration software  25   a  is software for allowing several workers to open a shared whiteboard or the same application software each on their own personal computers so as to enable them to collaborate thereon. The collaboration software  25   a  is sometimes included in the videoconferencing software  24   a.    
     Thus, as described above, conventionally, where a worker belonging to an organization works at a home office, that worker proceeds with a task while maintaining contact with other workers using the telephone  105   a , facsimile machine  106   a , personal computer  102   a  and the various communications application software installed in each of these apparatuses. 
     Moreover, recently, as networks have become more sophisticated, information at the terminals of workers in a distributed work environment can now be shared. In a network environment of this type there is a growing demand for the capability to check the status of other parties within the communications network, in an effort to make work more efficient by enabling each user to know the status of other users (i.e., sharing status information among users) using the terminal. 
     Given that the status information in question consists of work status information in an office, a work status management system has been proposed that enables a user to check the work status of other users by using the network to manage the work status information of users of each client terminal with a server and displaying said work status at each client terminal. 
     A specific example of distributed work using such a technology is described using  FIGS. 25 and 26 .  FIG. 25  is a diagram showing an example of the conventional distributed work office.  FIG. 26  is a diagram showing schematically the form of collective work carried out before the distributed work in  FIG. 25 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 25 , workers A, B and C each work at home offices  110   a , worker D works at a main office and worker E works at a mobile office, with workers A, B, C, D and E having the ability to communicate with each other through the communications network  108   a.    
     The form of work prior to the start of such type of distributed work is, for example, the collective work arrangement shown in  FIG. 26 . With such collective work, workers A-E work at desks provided for each of them. In the case of such collective work, worker A, for example, can easily ascertain the condition of workers B-E visually or aurally, and therefore worker A can sense when worker B appears to be not busy and can talk with worker B at an appropriate time. 
     In contrast to such collective work experience, in a distributed work arrangement, when for example worker A talks to worker B, typically that conversation is carried out using the telephone  105   a  or the videoconferencing software  24   a  (shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 ). However, when worker A calls worker B using the telephone  105   a  or the videoconferencing software  24   a , because worker A cannot check the status of worker B prior to calling, if, for example, worker B is in the middle of a call or on a break and cannot respond to the call, worker A has wasted the effort in calling worker B, degrading the efficiency of work. 
     In these circumstances, worker A can send a question to worker B by e-mail using the electronic mail/client software  21   a . However, with this method, if the question is such as to require an urgent answer it is unclear when a reply from worker B will arrive, and therefore creates a planning difficulty for worker A&#39;s work. 
     In order to avoid such a situation, worker A can check worker B&#39;s schedule using the group schedule manager  22   a . However, what is registered by the group schedule manager  22   a  is often limited to action plans and work schedules broken down into 1-hour time units, and usually break times are not registered. Moreover, what is registered by the group schedule manager  22   a  is at best only a schedule, and does not reflect the actual state of the worker. In other words, the group schedule manager  22   a  will never be a sure means of ascertaining the actual state of another party. 
     In order to solve the drawbacks described above, a system has been tried that uses the videoconferencing software  24   a  to display images of a plurality of workers simultaneously so that each worker can see the work status of all the other workers. As commercial implementations of this system there are enhanced CU-SeeMe and Reflector (Enhanced CU-SeeMe server software) developed and marketed by White Pine Software Inc. of the United States. 
     A description is given of such a system with reference to  FIG. 27 .  FIG. 27  is a diagram showing a sample screen of a personal computer in a home office according to a system that enables each worker to see the work status of all other workers using videoconferencing software. 
     With such a system, which uses videoconferencing software to enable each user to see the work status of all the other workers, by displaying images of the other workers not just during conferences but continuously during work time as shown in  FIG. 27 , it is possible to check if another worker is in the home office or not, for example, or is on the telephone. 
     In addition, recently, as improvements in personal computer computation processing capacities have made it possible to software-process such digital image compression and expansion processes, the spread of low-cost personal computer video capture devices (i.e., video cameras) and the spread of USB (Universal Serial Bus) interfaces that can easily connect video capture devices and personal computers, a so-called “video instant messenging system” has been commercialized that adds video images to the messenging system described above to provide information sharing among users of not only text messages but also video images, enabling business contacts among users dispersed in separate locations to proceed smoothly. 
     However, although a variety of small improvements have been made with respect to status acquisition among workers in distributed work models like that described above, or to messenger systems that provide messaging used in communication among workers not limited to distributed work models, nevertheless in ascertaining the status of office equipment used by workers a variety of unresolved drawbacks remain. 
     For example, with applications in which peripheral device information is obtained by the client computer (hereinafter called “peripheral device information display software”), generally, when acquiring peripheral device information, such information of the necessary application cannot be obtained without going through a large number of operations, such as activating the application, specifying such basic information needed to identify the peripheral device in question as the IP address and domain name, by which process the required information is finally displayed. 
     Moreover, where the condition of a working office is not known, as is the case with new employees or with a sudden reassignment of department or office, work cannot commence smoothly if information on peripheral devices that can be used in that office is not known, such as, for example, of the peripheral devices installed in the office, how many printers and copiers one is permitted to use, where these devices are located, and what their state of operation is. 
     Furthermore, when using a possible capability or fax capability at a portion of a copier, such as when scanning a document at one copier and designating another copier at which to print out the scanned document, often one does not know the status of the destination peripheral device that outputs the document, and therefore, if the destination peripheral device is not supplied with power or an error has occurred and the job cannot be executed, one might repeatedly transmit to a destination peripheral device that cannot accomplish the requested task, resulting in wasted time and effort. 
     Moreover, the information that the peripheral device information display software can obtain and provide the user is limited to items that can be detected by such peripheral devices&#39; own internal sensors. If, for example, a given user, because a paper jam error or the like is displayed by the peripheral device information display software, heads toward the location of the peripheral device in order to solve the problem, it is possible that another user might already be in the process of fixing the problem. However, the peripheral device information display software cannot obtain and display information such as whether or not someone is standing in front of the peripheral device in question, and therefore, although one can of course wait for another User to effect repairs and then print the document, by the peripheral device information display software alone it is not possible to know whether or not someone is attempting to solve the problem that is the cause of the error, be it a paper jam or something else. As a result, one might end up going to the location of the peripheral device in question and returning to one&#39;s seat for nothing, because some other user has already begun to effect repairs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has as its object to provide, in a distributed system comprised of user terminals and peripheral devices connected by a communications line with a server device, a distributed system control method information processing apparatus that enables a user to ascertain easily and in real time the environment around such user, that is, the status of other users and of peripheral devices, during use of the distributed system. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a distributed system control method and information processing apparatus that enables the user to obtain easily information on peripheral devices the user is permitted to use. 
     Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a distributed system according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the host server device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the host server device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the user terminal station shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing an example of equipment disposition in a home office comprised of a user terminal arrangement shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing the configuration of user terminal software installed in the user terminal station shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the peripheral device MFP shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of hardware resources for the controller shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the peripheral device LBP shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of hardware resources for the controller shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a server process S installed in the host server device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a client process X in the user terminal station shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the status acquisition unit and the user status recognition unit shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a peripheral device client process P in the peripheral devices shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram showing a sample office view screen displayed on the screen of a user terminal station of the distributed system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a flow chart showing an operating procedure of a server process S of the host server device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a flow chart showing an operating procedure of a peripheral device client process P of the peripheral devices shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a flow chart showing an operating procedure of a peripheral device client process P of the peripheral devices shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a diagram showing one example of a table storing information concerning use restrictions of peripheral devices that the server process S stores in a status information table; 
         FIG. 20  is a diagram showing a sample office view screen displayed on the screen of a user terminal station of the distributed system shown in  FIG. 1 , using the peripheral device use restriction information shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a diagram showing another example of a table storing information concerning use restrictions of peripheral devices that the server process S stores in a status information table; 
         FIG. 22  is a diagram showing a sample office view screen displayed on the screen of a user terminal station of the distributed system shown in  FIG. 1 , using the peripheral device use restriction information shown in  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a block diagram showing the layout of a home office in the conventional distributed work model; 
         FIG. 24  is a diagram showing a table showing typical communications applications systems used in the conventional distributed work model; 
         FIG. 25  is a diagram showing a configuration of an office in the conventional distributed work model; 
         FIG. 26  is a diagram showing schematically the form of collective work carried out before the distributed work model shown in  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a diagram showing a sample screen of a personal computer in a home office according to a system that enables each worker to see the work status of all other workers using videoconferencing software; 
         FIG. 28  is a block diagram showing another configuration of the distributed system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 29  is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the host server device shown in  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the host server device shown in  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the user terminal station shown in FIG.  28 ; 
         FIG. 32  is a diagram showing an example of group information data registered based on two layers; 
         FIG. 33  is a diagram showing a sample screen of the user terminal station according to a layered structure; 
         FIG. 34  is a diagram showing another sample screen of the user terminal station according to a layered structure; 
         FIG. 35  is a diagram showing yet another sample screen of the user terminal station according to a layered structure; 
         FIG. 36  is a flow chart showing yet another example of the operating procedure of the server process S of the host server device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 37  is a diagram showing another example of the hardware configuration of the peripheral device MFP; 
         FIG. 38  is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of hardware resources for the controller shown in  FIG. 37 ; 
         FIG. 39  is a diagram showing a sample screen of a user terminal station according to a layered structure; and 
         FIG. 40  is a flow chart showing another example of the operating procedures of the peripheral devices client process P of the peripheral devices shown in FIG. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail in accordance with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that although the distributed systems of the present embodiments are described in terms a centralized management configuration, in which the status of users and peripheral devices is managed at a host server device and displayed at user terminals, the present invention concerns a user ascertaining the status of other users and of peripheral devices, and therefore is not limited to centralized management by a host server device. Rather, an arrangement in which user and peripheral device status is managed through a configuration in which the user terminals or selected user terminals and peripheral devices are dispersed is also within the scope of the present invention. 
     -Embodiment of a Distributed Office System- 
     &lt;Example of a Distributed System Configuration in the Present Embodiment&gt; 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a distributed system according to one embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the present embodiment illustrates a distributed system but is not limited thereto. 
     The distributed system, as shown in  FIG. 1 , is comprised of a main office  10  which may be a main place of business, a home office  15  and mobile offices  16  and  17 . 
     In the main office are installed a host server device  11 , a plurality of user terminal stations  13  and  14 , a Multi-Function Peripheral device  27  (hereinafter abbreviated as “MFP”), a laser beam printer  28  (“LBP”, one type of single-function peripheral device), an internet server  24  and a router  25  connected to the internet  21 , all interconnected through a Local Area Network (“LAN”). 
     The host server device  11  is connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”) line  26  including an ISDN line. A server process S for sharing status information among users is installed in the host server device  11 . The server process S is designed to operate continuously. The server process S is connectible to a client process X (0&lt;X&lt;M+1) for sharing status information on users of user terminal stations  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17  to be described later that are included in the home office and mobile offices and a peripheral device client process P (0&lt;P&lt;N+1) for sharing status information on peripheral devices (MFP  27 , LBP  28 ), and stores status information tables in which status information on the users and the peripheral devices is stored. User status information, such as user name, presence or absence from the desk, status of work, address, location, contact information, can/cannot be contacted, the status of input to input devices, names of active applications and video/audio user status, as well as peripheral device status information, such as name of device, model, location, capabilities, operating status, job information, job processing status, error information and warning information, are included in the status information. The user terminal station  13  is comprised of a desk-top personal computer  18  connected to a LAN  12 , user terminal software  19  installed in the computer  18 , and a telephone  20  connected to the PSTN line  26 . The client process X described above is included in the user terminal software  19  installed on the user terminal stations  13 ,  14 . 
     The home office  15  is comprised of the desk-top personal computer  18  connectable to the host server device  11  over the internet  21 , user terminal software  19  installed on the computer  18 , and the telephone  20  connected to the PSTN line  26  as the user terminal station. In addition, the mobile office  16  is comprised of a notebook personal computer  22  connectable to the host server device  11  over the internet  21 , user terminal software  19  installed on the computer  22 , and a mobile telephone  23  connected to a mobile communications network or the PSTN line  26  as the user terminal station. Moreover, the mobile office  17  is comprised of a hand-held information terminal (with a built-in Web browser)  24  that is connectible to the host server device  11  over the internet  21  and a mobile telephone  23  connected to the mobile communications network or the PSTN line  26  as the user terminal station. 
     &lt;Example of Host Server Device Configuration&gt; 
     A description is now given of the configuration of the host server device  11 , using  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the host server device shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the host server device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The host server device  11 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , is comprised of a BP (Basic Platform)  31  that is a PC server device, an SPU (Signal Processing Unit)  32  that acts as a parallel DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and a CU (Call Unit)  33  that acts as a Computer Telephony Board. The BP  31  is connected to a LAN board, not shown, through the LAN  12 , and the CU  33  is connected to the PSTN line  26 . 
     The software installed on the host server device  11  includes software programs developed using C++ programming language as well as pre-existing software programs, with, for example, Windows (registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. of the United States) adopted as the OS (operating System). 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a variety of software is run on Windows NT51, with functional blocks such as a server manager  41 , a CU access library  42 , an SPU access library  43 , a CU access library  42  driver  44 , an SPU access library  43  driver  45 , an e-mail transmitter  46 , a DLL (Dynamic Link Library)  47 , its driver  48 , a dynamic web server  49 , a database connector  50  and a database  50  composed of such software. 
     &lt;Example of User Terminal Device Configuration&gt; 
     A description is now given of the configurations of the user terminal stations  13  and  14  and the home office  15 , using  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the user terminal stations  13  and  14  and the home office  15  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 5  is a diagram showing an example of equipment disposition in a home office  15  that is one of the user terminals shown in  FIG. 1 . It should be noted that the user terminal station  13  and  14  and the home office  15  have the same basic structure, and therefore a description is given only of the configuration of the user terminal station  13 . 
     The user terminal station  13 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , is comprised of a personal computer  18 , user terminal software  19  and a telephone  20 . The personal computer  18  is comprised of a PC main unit  61 , with corresponding peripheral devices connected to various input/output ports of the PC main unit  61 . In the present embodiment, a mouse  62 , a keyboard  63 , a display  64 , a speaker  67 , a microphone  68 , a modem  69 , a rear camera  65  and a front camera  66  for imaging the user are connected to the PC main unit  61 . Moreover, in the user terminal station  13 , a LAN card  70  for connecting to the LAN  12  is installed on the PC main unit  61 . It should be noted that, in the home office  15 , the LAN card  70  is not installed. 
     The equipment of the home office  15  may, for example, be disposed as shown in  FIG. 5 . The personal computer  18  is placed on a desk, the front camera  66  is placed in a position where a user operating the personal computer  18  can be seen from the front and the rear camera  65  is placed in a position where the user of the personal computer  18  can be seen from the rear. The user terminal stations  13  and  14  as well as the other equipment in the main office  11  are disposed in the same arrangement shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Next, a description is given of the user terminal software installed on the user terminal stations  13  and  14 , the home office  15  and the mobile office  16 , with reference to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing the configuration of user terminal software  19  installed in the user terminal stations  13  and  14 , the home office  15  and the mobile office  16  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The user terminal software  19  includes software programs developed using C++ programming language as well as pre-existing software programs, with Windows (registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. of the United States) adopted as the OS. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 6 , functions such as Window/Dialog  72 , program component  73 , HTML  75  and Web Browser (component)  76  are composed of various software run on the Windows OS. The program component  73  and the Web Browser (component)  76  are connected to the host server device  11  by a signal line  74 . 
     &lt;Example of MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) Configuration&gt; 
     Next, a description is given of the configuration of the MFP  27  using  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  FIG. 7  is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the MFP  27  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of hardware resources for the controller  701  shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     In  FIG. 7 ,  701  designates a controller for controlling the peripheral devices. The controller  701 , which is described in detail later, is equipped with hardware resources like those shown in  FIG. 8 . Reference numeral  702  designates a communications interface for external communications for the peripheral devices, and may, for example, be an Ethernet interface, and IEEE 1284 interface or some other communications interface. 
     Reference numeral  703  designates a scanner engine, which is controlled by the controller  701 . Reference numeral  704  designates a printer engine, which is controlled by the controller  701 . The printer engine  704  may, for example, be a laser beam printer, an ink jet printer, or some other type of printer. 
     Reference numeral  705  designates a facsimile board for providing a facsimile capability, such as communications control when sending and receiving images, and is controlled by the controller  701 . Reference numeral  706  designates a user interface, composed of a LCD display and a keyboard. The user interface  706  displays information from the controller  701  and sends instructions from the user to the controller  701 . 
     A peripheral device having a configuration like that described above makes it possible to select the printer engine  704  using the controller  701  and to issue a print job. Moreover, such a configuration makes it possible to select the printer engine  704  and the scanner engine  703  and to issue a copy job. Moreover, such a configuration makes it possible to select the printer engine  704 , the scanner engine  703  and the facsimile board  705  and to issue a facsimile reception job and a facsimile transmission job. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the controller  701  is comprised of a CPU  801 , a RAM  802 , an LCD  803 , a keyboard  804 , a ROM  805 , a communications interface  806 , a scanner engine  807 , a printer engine  808 , a facsimile board  809  and a disk  810 , each connected to the others through a system bus  811 . A program for controlling the controller  701  shown in  FIG. 7  is stored on the ROM  805  or the disk  810 , and read to the RAM  802  and executed by the CPU  801  as necessary. 
     In addition to the control program, attribute information indicating the capabilities and status of the peripheral devices and the jobs processed by the peripheral devices, as well as job data to be output, are stored on the ROM  805  and the disk  810 . Further, the CPU  801  displays information via the LCD  803  and receives instructions from the user through the keyboard  804 . The CPU  801  communicates externally through the communications interface  806 . 
     In the present embodiment, unless specifically prohibited, of the peripheral devices in  FIG. 7 , the CPU  801  receives user input from the keyboard  804  through the system bus  811 , and controls the RAM  802 , the LCD  803 , the keyboard  804 , the ROM  805 , the communications interface  806 , the scanner  807  the printer engine  808 , the facsimile board  809  and the disk  810  so as to execute a job. 
     &lt;Example of LBP (Laser Beam Printer) Configuration&gt; 
     Next, a description is given of the configuration of the LBP  28 , using  FIGS. 9 and 10 .  FIG. 9  is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the LBP  28  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of hardware resources for a controller  901  shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     In  FIG. 9 ,  901  designates a controller for controlling the peripheral devices. The controller  901 , which is described in detail later, is provided with hardware resources like those shown in  FIG. 9 . Reference numeral  902  designates a communications interface to enable the controller  901  to communicate externally with the peripheral devices. The communications interface  902  may, for example, be an Ethernet interface, an IEEE 1284 interface or some other type of interface. Reference numeral  904  designates a printer engine, which is controlled by the controller  901 . The printer engine  904  may, for example, be a laser beam printer, an ink jet printer or some other type of printer. 
     A peripheral device having a configuration like that described above makes it possible to select the printer engine  904  through the controller  901  and to issue a print job. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the controller  901  is comprised of a CPU  1001 , a RAM  1002 , an LCD  1003 , a keyboard  1004 , a ROM  1005 , a communications interface  1006 , a printer engine  1008  and a Disk  1010 , each connected to the others by a system bus  1011 . 
     A program for controlling the controller  901  shown in  FIG. 9  is stored on the ROM  1005  or the disk  1010 , and read to the RAM  1002  and executed by the CPU  1001  as necessary. In addition to the control program, attribute information indicating the capabilities and status of the peripheral devices and the jobs processed by the peripheral devices, as well as job data to be output, are stored on the ROM  1005  and the disk  1010 . 
     Further, the CPU  1001  displays information via the LCD  1003  and receives instructions from the user through the keyboard  1004 . The CPU  1001  communicates externally through the communications interface  1006 . 
     In the present embodiment, unless specifically prohibited, of the peripheral devices in  FIG. 9 , the CPU  1001  receives user input from the keyboard  1004  through the system bus  1011 , and controls the RAM  1002 , the LCD  1003 , the keyboard  1004 , the ROM  1005 , the communications interface  1006 , the scanner  1007 , the printer engine  1008 , the facsimile board  1009  and the disk  1010  so as to execute a job. 
     &lt;Example of Server Process S Installed on Host Server Device&gt; 
     The server process S manages both status information of users of the user terminal stations  13 ,  14 , the home office  15  and the mobile offices  16 ,  17  connected by a network such as the LAN  12 , the PSTN line  26  or the Internet  21  as well as status information of peripheral devices (MFP  27 , LBP  28 ), and transmits the latest information to the user terminal stations  13 ,  14 , the home office  15  and the mobile offices  16 ,  17 . The server process S, as shown in  FIG. 11 , includes a schedule information storage unit  1101 , a schedule information manager  1102 , a status information generator  1103 , a status information update unit  1104 , a status information table  1105 , a status information input unit  1106 , a status information display  1107 , a status information transmitter  1108  and a status information receiver  1109 . 
     Schedule information for each user is stored in the schedule information storage unit  1101  and managed by the schedule information manager  1102 . The schedule information manager  1102  writes user schedule information to, and reads and deletes user schedule information from, the schedule information storage unit  1101  according to requests (status information update unit  1104 ) from the user. Moreover, the schedule information manager  1102  changes schedule information read from the schedule information storage unit  1101  into status information. 
     The status information input unit  1106  inputs commands for manipulating the user terminal station  13 ,  14  status information and schedule information as well as peripheral device (MFP  27 , LBP  28 ) status information, and also inputs commands for manipulating the server process S. The input information is provided to the status information generator  1103 . The status information generator  1103  generates status information signals composed of the commands for manipulating the user terminal station ( 13 ,  14 ) status information and schedule information as well as peripheral device (MFP  27 , LBP  28 ) status information, and of the commands for manipulating the server process S. The status information signals thus generated are input to the status information update unit  1104 . 
     The status information receiver  1109  receives status information signals sent from the home office  15  and mobile offices  16 ,  17  indicating the status of the user as well as status information signals indicting the status of the peripheral devices sent from the peripheral devices (MFP  27 , LBP  28 ). The status information signals contain commands for manipulating the status information and schedule information for the home office  15  and the mobile offices  16 ,  17 , commands for manipulating the status information and schedule information for the peripheral devices (MFP  27 , LBP  28 ), and commands for manipulating the server process S. The status information signals thus generated are input to the status information update unit  1104 . 
     The status information update unit  1104  proceeds with processing based on user status information signals input from the status information generator  1103  and the status information receiver  1109 . For example, where a status information update command is contained in the status information signal as a status information manipulation command, the status information update unit  1104  updates the information stored in the status information table  1105  based on the status information contained in the input status information signals. Where a status information acquisition command is contained in the input status information signal as a status information manipulation command, the status information update unit  1104  issues a command to transmit to the user terminal stations designated the latest information in the status information table  1105  in accordance with the input status information acquisition command. 
     The status information table  1105  is a table in which is recorded personal information relating to the status information of users, such as user names, presence and absence information, work status, address, location, contact information, contactable/not contactable, status of input to input devices, names of applications running, and video and audio, as well as information relating to the status information of the peripheral devices, such as the names of the peripheral devices, models, locations, capabilities, operating status, job information, job processing status, error information and warning information. The status information recorded in the table is read out in accordance with instructions from the status information update unit  1104 , sent to the status information display  1107  or the status information transmitter  1108 , or updated as appropriate. It should be noted that, when the status information is sent to the status information transmitter  1108 , a transmit command containing the parties to which the status information is to be distributed and the like is sent from the status information update unit  1104  to the status information transmitter  1108 . 
     The status information display  1107  displays the status information from the status information table  1105 . The status information transmitter  1108  transmits status information to the parties designated in accordance with the transmit command from the status information update unit  1104 . 
     &lt;Example of Client Process X Installed on User Terminal Devices, Including Home Office and Mobile Offices&gt; 
     Next, a description is given of the configuration of the client process X in the user terminal station  13 ,  14 , home office  15  and mobile offices  16 ,  17 , using  FIGS. 12 and 13 .  FIG. 12  is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a client process X in the user terminal stations  13 ,  14 , the home office  15  and the mobile offices  16 ,  17  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 13  is a block diagram showing the configuration of a status acquisition unit  1201  and the user status recognition unit  1202  shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     The client process X is comprised of an interface for displaying status information. The client process X displays the latest status information relating to other users and the user operating the client process X, as well as updates status information in response to instructions to update status information of such users. Moreover, the client process X works with the server process S to provide status information among users. 
     The client process X is processed mainly by the program component  73  shown in  FIG. 6 . The program component  73 , as shown in  FIG. 12 , includes the status acquisition unit  1201 , the user status recognition unit  1202 , a status information generator  1203 , a status information update unit  1204 , a status information table  1205 , a status information input unit  1206 , a status information display  1207 , a status information transmitter  1208  and a status information receiver  1209 . 
     The status acquisition unit  1201  obtains the status of a user operating the client process X. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 13 , the status acquisition unit  1201  is comprised of an input status acquisition unit  1301  for acquiring the status of input by such user to an input device such as a keyboard, a terminal operations acquisition unit  1302  for checking use applications running on a user terminal station of such user in order to obtain the operating status at the user terminal station of such user, and a video image acquisition unit  1303  for acquiring image data (still images or moving images) of the user as imaged by the cameras. Accordingly, the status acquisition unit obtains a variety of status information regarding the user, such as input status, terminal operating status and video images, which is then input to the user status recognition unit  1202 . 
     The user status recognition unit  1202  activates the status acquisition unit  1201  periodically or as instructed to do so by the status information generator  1203  in order to obtain the status of the user. In addition, the user status recognition unit  1202  also checks whether the user is present or absent from the variety of information relating to the user that is input from the status acquisition unit  1201 . Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 13 , the user status recognition unit  1202  is comprised of an input status recognition unit  1304 , a terminal operations recognition unit  1305 , an image recognition unit  1306  and a user status recognition unit  1307 . Using the input status obtained by the input status acquisition unit  1301 , the input status recognition unit  1304  checks such status as whether or not the user is present and how busy such user is. Using the user application and terminal operations status obtained by the terminal operations acquisition unit  1302 , the terminal operations recognition unit  1305  checks such status as the user work status and how busy such user is. Using user images (still images or moving images) obtained by the video image acquisition unit  1303 , the image recognition unit  1306  checks whether or not the user is in the vicinity of the user terminal station and checks such status as the user work status and how busy such user is. 
     The results of the checks performed by the input status recognition unit  1304 , the terminal operations recognition unit  1305  and the image recognition unit  1306  are input to the user status recognition unit  1307 . Using the results of the individual checks thus input, the user status recognition unit  1307  identifies the presence or absence status of the user, the user&#39;s work status and how busy the user is and thus checks the status of the user. The user status detected as described in the foregoing is input to the status information generator  1203 . 
     The status information input unit  1206  inputs commands for manipulating the user terminal station status information and the contents of the schedule information storage unit  1101 , as well as command for manipulating the server process S. The information thus input is provided to the status information generator  1203 . Based on the information input from the status information input unit  1206  and the user status input from the user status recognition unit  1202 , the status information generator  1203  generates status information signals composed of commands for manipulating the user status information and schedule information as well as commands for manipulating the server process S. The status information signals thus generated are then input to the status information update unit  1204 . 
     The status information receiver  1209  receives status information signals indicating the user status that are transmitted from the server process S. The status information signals contain commands for updating the status information of the user terminal station  13 ,  14 , the home office  15  and the mobile offices  16 ,  17  as well as the contents of the status information table  1205 . The status information signals are input to the status information update unit  1204 . 
     The status information update unit  1204  proceeds with processing based on user status information signals input from the status information generator  1203  and the status information receiver  1209 . For example, where a status information update command is included in the input status information signals as a status information manipulation command, the status information update unit  1204  updates the status information table  1205  stored information based on the status information contained in the input status information signals. 
     The status information table  1205  is a table in which is recorded personal information relating to the status information of users, such as user names, presence and absence information, work status, address, location, contact information, contactable/not contactable, status of input to input devices, names of applications running, and video and audio. The status information table  1205  status information is read out in accordance with instructions from the status information update unit  1204  and sent to the status information display  1207 , or synchronized with the status information table  1105  on the server process S and updated as appropriate so as always to match the contents of that status information table  1105 . 
     The status information display  1207  displays status information read out from the status information table  1205 . The status information transmitter  1208  transmits the status information signals generated by the status information generator  1203  to the server process S in accordance with a transmit command from the status information update unit  1204 . 
     &lt;Example of Peripheral Device Client Process P Installed on Peripheral Devices&gt; 
     Next, a description is given of the configuration of a peripheral device client process P in the peripheral devices (MFP  27 , LBP  28 ), using  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 14  is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the peripheral device client process P in the peripheral devices shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The peripheral device client process P is comprised of an interface for displaying status information and for updating status information according to instructions to update user status information. Moreover, the peripheral device client process P works with the server process S to share peripheral device status information. 
     The peripheral device client process P, like the client process X, is processed mainly by the program component  73  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The program component  73 , as shown in  FIG. 14  includes a status information generator  1403 , a status information update unit  1404 , a status information table  1405 , a status information input unit  1406 , a status information display  1407 , a status information transmitter  1408  and a status information receiver  1409 . 
     The status information input unit  1406  inputs peripheral device status information as well as commands for manipulating the server process S. The information thus input is provided to the status information generator  1403 . Based on the information and peripheral device status input from the status information input unit  1406 , the status information generator  1403  generates status information signals composed of user status information as well as commands for manipulating the server process, with the status information signals thus generated input to the status information update unit  1404 . 
     The status information receiver  1409  receives status information signals indicating user status transmitted from the server process S. The status information signals contain commands for updating the contents of the status information table  1405  as well as peripheral device (MFP  27 , LBP  28 ) status information. The status information signals thus received are input to the status information update unit. 
     The status information update unit  1404  proceeds with processing based on the peripheral device status information signals input from the status information generator  1403  or the status information receiver  1409 . For example, where a status information update command is contained in an input status information signal as a status information manipulation command, the information stored in the status information update unit  1404  updates the status information table  1405  based on the status information included in the input status information signal. Where a status information request command is contained in the input status information signal as the status information manipulation command, the status information update unit  1404  issues a command to transmit the status information generated by the status information generator  1403  in accordance with the input status information request command to the server process S. 
     The status information table  1105  is a table in which is recorded information relating to the status information of the peripheral devices, such as the names of the peripheral devices, models, locations, capabilities, operating status, job information, job processing status, error information and warning information. The status information recorded in the status information table  1405  is read out in accordance with instructions from the status information update unit  1404 , and sent to the status information display  1407  or synchronized with the status information table  1105  on the server process S and updated as appropriate so as always to match the contents of that status information table  1105 . 
     The status information transmitter  1408  transmits status information signals generated by the status information generator  1403  in accordance with a command to transmit from the status information update unit  1404 . 
     &lt;Example of Operation of the Distributed System of the Present Embodiment&gt; 
     Next, a description is given of an example of operation of the distributed system of the present embodiment, with reference to  FIGS. 15 to 18 .  FIG. 15  is a diagram showing a sample office view screen displayed on the screen of a user terminal station, including home office and mobile offices, of the distributed system shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 16  is a flow chart showing an operating procedure of a server process S of the host server device  11  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 17  is a flow chart showing an operating procedure of a peripheral device client process P of the user terminal stations  13 - 17  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 18  is a flow chart showing an operating procedure of a peripheral device client process P of the peripheral devices  27 ,  28  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     (Sample of Office View Screen) 
     When a user is working, an office view screen showing the work status of other users is displayed on the display screen of the user terminal station. 
     In the present example, six private offices  1503  and two peripheral device areas  1506 ,  1507  are displayed in a private area  1504 , while office organizational structure, user message history and the like are displayed in a shared area  1505 . A user image  1501  photographed by cameras  65 ,  66  (see  FIG. 5 ) and work status data  1502  indicating work status can be displayed in each of the private offices  1503 . Where a user is absent because of a meeting or a break, an icon indicating absence can also be displayed instead of the image photographed by the cameras  65 ,  66 . 
     Information such as peripheral device name  1508 , operating status  1509 , model name  1510 , location  1511  and peripheral device still image  1512  can be displayed in the peripheral device area  1506 . Detailed information on the operating status may be displayed in the space below the model name  1510 . Moreover, a moving image photographed by a video camera installed so as to image the peripheral devices may be displayed instead of the still image  1512  of the peripheral devices. 
     Information such as peripheral device name  1513 , operating status  1514 , model name  1515 , location  1516 , operating status detailed information  1517  and peripheral device still image  1518  can be displayed in peripheral device area  1507 . Information such as error information and warning information may be displayed in the operating status detailed information  1517 . Moreover, a moving image photographed by a video camera installed so as to photograph the peripheral devices may be displayed instead of the still image  1518  of the peripheral devices. 
     It should be noted that the office view screen described above is not limited to that which is shown in  FIG. 15 , and it is to be understood that the number of private offices displayed and the layout of such display can be set as desired. 
     (Example of Processes of Sharing Status Information) 
     Next, a description is given of the process of sharing status information performed by the server process S 1  the client process X and the peripheral device process P, using  FIGS. 16 and 17 .  FIG. 16  is a flow chart showing an operating procedure of a server process S of the host server device shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 17  is a flow chart showing an operating procedure of a peripheral device client process P of the peripheral devices shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     (Example of Server Process S Operating Procedure) 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , in step S 1601 , the server process S awaits the arrival of status information signals from the client process X or the peripheral device client process P. When the status information signals arrive, processing proceeds to a step S 1602  and the status information receiver  1109  receives the status information signals. Processing then proceeds to a step S 1603 , where the status information update unit  1104  determines whether or not an update command is contained in the received status information signals. When an update command is not included, processing proceeds to a step S 1605 , where the status information update unit  1104  determines whether or not a status information command is contained in the received status information signals. When a status acquisition command is not included, processing returns to step S 1601 . 
     If in step S 1603  it is determined that an update command is included in the received status information signals, then processing proceeds to a step S 1604 , where the status information update unit  1104  updates the information in the status information table  1105  based on the status information included in the received status information signals. Processing then proceeds to a step S 1606 , where the status information update unit  1104  reads the updated status information out from the status information table  1105  and transmits the information to the user terminal stations using the status information transmitter  1108 . 
     If in step S 1605  it is determined that a status information acquisition command is included in the received status information signals, then processing proceeds to step S 1606  and the status information update unit  1104  reads the corresponding latest status information from the status information table  1105  in accordance with the status information acquisition command and transmits the information to the designated user terminal stations (the client process X or the peripheral device client process P) via the status information transmitter  1108 . 
     (Example of Client Process X Operating Procedure) 
     Next, a description is given of the operation of the client process X using  FIG. 17 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , the client process X first determines in a step S 1701  whether or not a status information signal from the server process S has arrived. If a status information signal has arrived from the server process S, then processing proceeds to a step S 1706 . When a status information signal has not arrived, processing proceeds to a step S 1702 . 
     In step S 1706 , the status information receiver  1209  receives the status information signal from the server process. S. Then, in a step S 1707 , the status information update unit  1204  determines whether or not a status information update command is included in the status information signal received from the server process S as a status information manipulation command. When a status information update command is not included, processing proceeds to step S 1702 . When a status information update command is included, processing proceeds to a step S 1708  and the status information update unit  1204  updates the status information table  1205  information based on the received status information signal. Processing then proceeds to step S 1701 . 
     In step S 1702 , it is determined whether or not there is status information input from the status information to the status information input unit  1206 . If there is status information input from the user to the status information input unit  1206 , then processing proceeds to a step S 1711 , where the status information generator  1203  reads the status information from the user and generates status information signals containing status information manipulation commands and status information from the user. Processing then proceeds to a step S 1709 , where the status information update unit  1204  updates the status information table  1205  information based on the status information signal thus generated. Then, processing proceeds to a step S 1710 , where the status information update unit  1204  reads the updated status information from the status information table  1205  and transmits the updated status information to the server process S using the status information transmitter  1208 . Processing then returns to step S 1701 . 
     If in step S 1702  it is determined that there is no status information input from the user to the status information input unit  1206 , in order periodically to update the user status information processing proceeds to a step S 1703 , where the status information generator  1203  activates the status acquisition unit  1201 . Processing proceeds to a step S 1704 , where the status acquisition unit acquires the status of, for example, input of a user to an input device such as a keyboard from the input status acquisition unit  1301 , the user&#39;s application name and terminal operating status from the terminal operations acquisition unit  1302 , or an image (still image or moving image) of the user from the video image acquisition unit  1303 . The status data thus acquired are input to the user status recognition unit  1202 . Then, processing proceeds to a step S 1705 , where the user status recognition unit  1202  recognizes the status of the user, such as whether present or absent, based on the various input status. For example, the user status recognition unit  1202 , when provided with input to an input device such as a user keyboard from the input status acquisition unit  1301  for example, depending on the input status, recognizes such status as presence or absence of the user and how busy the user is. Moreover, if the user&#39;s application and terminal operating status as acquired by the terminal operations acquisition unit  1302  are input, the user status recognition unit  1202  recognizes such status as the user&#39;s work status and how busy the user is, depending on the user application and terminal operating status. Further, using the user&#39;s image (still image or moving image) as photographed by the video image acquisition unit  1303 , depending on the user image the user status recognition unit  1202  recognizes such status as whether or not the user is present in the vicinity of the user terminal station, or the user&#39;s work status and how busy the user is. The user status information thus recognized is then sent to the status information generator  1203 , which generates the user status information and the status information signals containing status information update commands described above. 
     Next, processing proceeds to step S 1709 , where the status information update unit  1204  updates the status information table  1205  based on the status information signals thus generated. The processing proceeds to step S 1710 , where the status information update unit  1204  reads the updated status information from the status information table  1205  and transmits the updated information to the server process S through the status information transmitter  1208 . Processing then returns to step S 1701 . 
     As described above, the server process S status information table  1105  and the client process X status information table  1205  are serially updated so as always to have the same information, with the user status information displayed at the user terminals serially updated. 
     (Example of Peripheral Device Client Process P Processing Procedure) 
     Next, a description is given of the operation of the peripheral device client process P using  FIG. 18 .  FIG. 18  is a flow chart showing an operating procedure of a peripheral device client process P of the peripheral devices shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     With the peripheral device client process P, as shown in  FIG. 18 , in a step S 1802  it is determined whether or not there is input of status information from the user to the status information input unit  1406 . If there is input of status information from the user to the status information input unit  1406 , then processing proceeds to a step S 1811 , where the status information generator  1403  reads the status information input from the user and generates status information signals containing status information manipulation command and the status information from the user. Next, processing proceeds to a step S 1809 , where the status information update unit  1404  updates the information in the status information table  1405  based on the status information signals thus generated. Then, processing proceeds to a step S 1810 , where the status information update unit  1404  reads the updated status information from the status information table  1405  and transmits the updated information to the server process S using the status information transmitter  1408 . Processing then returns to step S 1801 . 
     If it is determined in step S 1802  that there is no input of status information from the user to the status information input unit  1406 , then processing proceeds to a step S 1803  in order to update the peripheral devices status information periodically, where the status information generator  1403  acquires peripheral device internal status information. The peripheral device status information is then sent to the status information generator  1403 , which generates status information signals containing the user status information as well as status information update commands. 
     Next, processing proceeds to step S 1809 , where the status information update unit  1404  updates the information in the status information table  1405  based on the status information signals thus generated. Then, processing proceeds to step S 1810 , where the status information update unit  1404  reads the updated status information from the status information table  1405  and transmits the updated information to the server process S using the status information transmitter  1408 . Processing then returns to step S 1801 . 
     With the present embodiment, in a distributed system in which each user can see the status of all other users, it is assumed that the distributed system is permanently stationed at the client computer and the display screen used for long periods of time in a state in which the status can be easily checked thereby, and therefore, since peripheral device information is also similarly displayed on the user status display screen of the distributed system, the state of the peripheral devices can be quickly checked using fewer operations to do so. 
     Moreover, by displaying peripheral device information on the distributed system, the state of peripheral devices in other offices and remote locations can be checked. Accordingly, where it is known that a job that could be executed at such other office or remote location cannot be executed, the convenience of operating in a distributed work state can be improved because the user can select another, effective part to complete the job. 
     &lt;Example of User Peripheral Device Use Restriction&gt; 
     Next, a description is given of a user peripheral device use restriction. 
     In the present embodiment, the server process S stores in the status information table  1105  information relating to user peripheral device use restrictions that the distributed system manager registers, such that, where the user requests peripheral device status information from the server process S, the status information update unit  1104  generates status information signals to be sent to the user or not depending on a determination made according to the peripheral device use restrictions. It should be noted that the present embodiment has the same configuration as the embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof is omitted. 
     (Example of Information Relating to Peripheral Device Use Restriction) 
     Using  FIG. 19 , a description is given of an example of information relating to users&#39; peripheral device use restrictions that the server process S described above stores in the status information table  1105 . 
     Reference numeral  2401  designates a peripheral device use restriction table storing use restrictions on the users&#39; peripheral device MFP  27  and peripheral device LBP  28  in the present embodiment. For example, according to the peripheral device use restriction table  2401 , user α is registered as being able to use peripheral device MFP  27  and peripheral device LBP  28 , user β as able to use peripheral device MFP  27  and user γ is able to use peripheral device LBP  28 . The information in question is registered by the manager of the distributed system. As for the method of registration, the users may register the information in the server process S using the status information input unit  1406  of the peripheral device client process P, but they are not required to do so. 
     Next, a description is given of an example of processing performed by the status information update unit  1104  using the status information table shown in  FIG. 19  in a case in which the user has requested status information on the peripheral devices from the server process S. 
     Where a status information signal received by the status information receiver  1109  contains status information acquisition command, the status information update unit  1104  generates status information signals to be used to reply to the user who sent the status information signal, using the data in the status information table  1105 . For example, if user α transmits a status information signal containing a status information acquisition command requesting status information on a peripheral device, by checking the peripheral device use restriction table  2401  in the status information table  1105  the status information update unit  1104  can determine that user α can use the peripheral device MFP  27  and the peripheral device LBP  28 , and generates a status information signal containing status information on the peripheral device MFP  27  and the peripheral device LBP  28 . At this time, the office view screen displayed on the user terminal station of the user α who receives this status information signal becomes that shown in  FIG. 15 , displaying status information  1506  for the peripheral device MFP  27  and status information  1507  for the peripheral device LBP  28 . Moreover, where user β has requested peripheral device status information, by checking the peripheral device use restriction table  2401  in the status information table  1105  the status information update unit  1104  can determine that user β can use the peripheral device MFP  27  but cannot use the peripheral device LBP  28 , and generates a status information signal containing status information only for the peripheral device MFP  27 . At this time, the office view screen displayed on the user terminal station of the user β who receives this status information signal becomes that shown in  FIG. 20 , displaying only status information  2501  for the peripheral device MFP  27 . 
     (Another Example of Information Relating to Peripheral Device Use Restrictions) 
     The peripheral device use restriction table that the server process S stores in the status information table  1105  may be like that shown in  FIG. 21 . An example of information relating to user peripheral device use restrictions is described using  FIG. 21 . 
     Reference numeral  2601  designates a peripheral device use restriction table that holds use restrictions on the peripheral device MFP  27  and the peripheral device LBP  28  for users in the present embodiment. In the peripheral device use restriction table  2601 , reference numeral  2602  designates an upper limit on the number of pages each user prints from each peripheral device and  2603  indicates how many pages each user has currently printed from each peripheral device. For example, according to the peripheral device use restriction table  2601 , the upper limit on the number of pages that user α may print from the peripheral device MFP  27  is 100 pages, and that 97 pages have already been printed. Moreover, the upper limit on the number of pages that user α may print from the peripheral device LBP  28  is 400 pages, and that 157 pages have already been printed. Moreover, the upper limit on the number of pages that user β may print from the peripheral device MFP  27  is 50 pages, that 22 pages have already been printed, that the upper limit on the number of pages that user β may print from the peripheral device LBP  28  is 400 pages, and that 400 pages have already been printed. Moreover, the upper limit on the number of pages that user γ may print from the peripheral device MFP  27  is 50 pages, that 10 pages have already been printed, that the upper limit on the number of pages that user γ may print from the peripheral device LBP  28  is 200 pages, and that 75 pages have already been printed. Here, the upper limit on the number of printed pages 2602 is registered by the distributed system manager. As for the method of registration, the users may register the information in the server process S using the status information input unit  1406  of the peripheral device client process P, or they may not. The number of printed pages  2603  may be calculated from status information indicating the number of printed pages transmitted to the server process S from the peripheral device client process P of each peripheral device, but it is not necessary to do so. Moreover, the upper limit on the number of printed pages may, for example, be valid for a predetermined period of time such as one month, so that when one month passes the number of pages already printed is rest to 0 pages. Moreover, although in the present embodiment the use restriction is implemented by the number of pages printed, alternatively the use restriction criteria may be the amount of time the peripheral device (MFP  27 , LBP  28 ) has been monopolized, the amount of electric power consumed, the amount of ink consumed, the amount of toner consumed, and so forth. 
     Next, a description is given of processing performed by the status information update unit  1104  using the status information table shown in  FIG. 21 , in a case in which the user has requested status information from the server process S. 
     Where a status information signal received by the status information receiver  1109  contains a status information acquisition command, the status information update unit  1104  checks the status information table  1105  and generates a status information signal for replying to the user who transmitted the status information signal. For example, if user α transmits a status information signal containing a status information acquisition command and requests peripheral device status information, by checking the peripheral device use restriction table  2601  in the status information table the status information update unit  1104  can determine that the upper limit on the number of pages to be printed from the peripheral device MFP  27  is 100, that the number of pages already printed is 97, that the upper limit on the number of pages to be printed from the peripheral device LBP  28  is 400 and that the number of pages already printed is 157. The status information update unit  1104  can calculate that the number of remaining pages that user α can print from the peripheral device MFP  27  is 3, and the status information update unit  1104  generates a status information signal containing such information. A sample office view screen displayed on the user terminal station of user α who receives this status information signal becomes like that shown in  FIG. 22 , with information indicating that the number of pages remaining that can be printed is 3 displayed in the area  2701  that displays status information for the peripheral device MFP  27 . 
     Thus, as described above, in the present embodiment, the server process S stores in the status information table  1105  information relating to user peripheral device use restrictions that the distributed system manager registers, such that, where the user requests peripheral device status information from the server process S, the status information update unit  1104  generates status information signals to be sent to the user or not depending on a determination made according to the peripheral device use restrictions, thereby enabling even a user with no background knowledge of the peripheral devices, simply by using that user&#39;s own ID as designated by the distributed system manager to log on to the distributed system, to easily acquire information on the peripheral devices being used in the office to which that user belongs and which that user is permitted to use. 
     In addition, it is also possible to provide even more detailed peripheral device (MFP  27 , LBP  28 ) use restriction management and status display on user screens using the length of time a peripheral device is monopolized, the amount of electric power consumed, the amount of ink consumed, the amount of toner consumed, the amount of paper consumed, and so forth. 
     -Embodiment of Shared Office Distributed System- 
     The foregoing embodiments are described using the example of a distributed system in which the work office is dispersed. By contrast, the present embodiment is described using a distributed system in which the office, though shared, is, for example, spread over different floors of the same building. 
     &lt;Example of Distributed System Configuration&gt; 
       FIG. 28  is a block diagram showing the configuration of a distributed system according to the present embodiment. In  FIG. 28 , there are two floors in an office, with user terminals and peripheral devices located on each floor. 
     On a first floor ( 1 F)  101 , a host server device  102 , a plurality of user terminal stations  103 ,  104 ,  105 ,  106 , a multi-function peripheral device (hereinafter MFP: Multi-Function Peripheral)  107 , a LBP (Laser Beam Printer)  108  and a router  110  connected to the Internet are provided, with each device connected to the others by a LAN (Local Area Network)  111 . 
     On a second floor ( 2 F)  112 , although there is no host server device, as with the first floor  101  there are a plurality of user terminal stations  113 ,  114 ,  115 ,  116 , a MFP  117  and a LBP  118 , each connected to the others by a LAN  119 , the LAN  119  being further connected through a router  120  to a trunk LAN  121 , which in turn is connected through a router  110  to the devices on the first floor  101  or to the Internet  109 . 
     A server process S for sharing status information among users is installed on the host server device  102 . The host server device  102  is designed to operate continuously. The server process S is connectible to a client process X (0&lt;X&lt;M+1) for sharing status information on users of user terminal stations  103 ,  104 ,  105 ,  106 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115 ,  116  to be described later and which include the user terminal station on the first and second floors  101  and  112 , and a peripheral device client process P (0&lt;P&lt;N+1) for sharing status information on peripheral devices (MFP  107 ,  117 , LBP  108 ,  118 ), and stores status information tables in which status information on the users and on the peripheral devices is stored. User status information, such as user name, presence or absence from the desk, status of work, address, location, contact information, can/cannot be contacted, the status of input to input devices, names of active applications and video/audio user status, as well as peripheral device status information, such as name of device, model, location, capabilities, operating status, job information, job processing status, error information and warning information, are included in the status information. 
     The user terminal station is comprised of a desk-top personal computer  121  connected to LAN  111 ,  119  and user terminal software  122  installed in the computer  121 . The remaining user terminal-stations are the same, with the client process X described above contained in the user terminal software. 
     &lt;Example of Host Server Device Configuration&gt; 
     A description is given of the configuration of the host server device  102  using  FIGS. 29 and 30 .  FIG. 29  is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the host server device  102  shown in  FIG. 28 .  FIG. 30  is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the host server device  102  shown in  FIG. 28 . 
     The host server device  102 , as shown in  FIG. 29  is essentially comprised of a PC server device  201  and host server device software  202 , and is connected to the LAN  111 . 
     The software installed on the host server device  102  includes software programs developed using C++ programming language as well as pre-existing software programs, with Windows (registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. of the United States) adopted as the OS (Operating System). 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 30 , a variety of software is run on Windows Server  301 , with functional blocks such as a server manager  302 , an e-mail transmitter  303 , a DLL (Dynamic Link Library)  304 , its driver  305 , a dynamic web server  306 , a database connector  307  and a database  308  composed of such software. 
     &lt;Example of User Terminal Device Configuration&gt; 
     A description is now given of the configurations of the user terminal stations  103 - 106  and  113 - 116 , using  FIG. 31 .  FIG. 31  is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the user terminal stations  103 - 106  and  113 - 116  shown in  FIG. 28 . 
     The user terminal stations  103 - 106  and  113 - 116 , as shown in  FIG. 31 , are comprised of a personal computer  121  and user terminal software  122 . The personal computer  121  is comprised of a PC main unit  401 , with corresponding peripheral device connected to input/output terminals provided on the PC main unit  401 . In the present embodiment, a mouse  402 , a keyboard  403 , a display  404 , a speaker  405 , a microphone  406  and a video camera  407  for acquiring an image of the user are connected to the PC main unit  401 . 
     The user terminal software installed on the user terminal stations  103 - 106  and  113 - 116  is the same as that shown in  FIG. 6  described above, and therefore a description thereof is omitted here. 
     &lt;Examples of MFP/LBP Configurations&gt; 
     The configuration of the MFP is the same as that shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , and the configuration of the LBP is the same as that shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , and therefore a description thereof is omitted. 
     &lt;Examples of the Server Process S, the Client Process X and the Peripheral Device Client Process P&gt; 
     The configurations of the server process S, the client process X and the peripheral device client process P are the same as those shown in  FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  14 , and therefore a description thereof is omitted here. 
     &lt;Example of the Distributed System Operation in the Present Embodiment 
     The system of the present embodiment and the distributed office system described above differ depending on whether the host server device and the user terminal stations are in a shared office or separate offices. Their operating procedures are identical. In other words, the operating procedure of the server process S, the operating procedure of the client process X and the operating procedure of the peripheral device client process P are the same as those shown in  FIGS. 16-18 , and therefore a description thereof is omitted. 
     -First Other Example of the Distributed system of the Present Embodiment- 
     Below, a description is given of a first other example of a distributed system of the present embodiment. It should be noted that the following description is limited to those portions that differ from the preceding embodiments described above. It is to be understood that all other configurations, operations and processes are the same as in previous embodiments, and therefore a description thereof is omitted. 
       FIG. 15 , which shows one example of a screen of a user terminal station in the preceding embodiment, indicates that each of the six users (that is, users of the user terminal stations) can use two peripheral devices, and that each user displayed on the screen can check the work status of the other five users as well as the status of the two peripheral devices the user can use by checking the user terminal station display screen. In order to achieve this effect, the preceding embodiments stored data relating to a correlation between each user and two peripheral devices in the case of the example shown in  FIG. 15  in the host server device database, such that the user terminal stations and the peripheral devices registered in such data could display the results of the exchange of status information and the like between the above-described server process S, client process X and peripheral device client process P. 
     However, in the present embodiment, the data relating to the correlation between users and peripheral devices is registered in the host server device  11  database as group information data registered according to two layers, parent group and child group. 
     (Example of Group Information Data in the Present Embodiment) 
       FIG. 32  is a diagram showing an example of group information data registered according to the two layers described above. 
     The group information data has two layers, a parent group layer and a child group layer. Although it is possible to register a plurality of child groups for a single parent group, in the example shown in  FIG. 32  two child groups are registered. Moreover, although it is possible to register a plurality of users and a plurality of peripheral devices for a single child group, in the example shown in  FIG. 32  four users and two peripheral devices are registered for a single child group. 
     &lt;Example of the Distributed System Operation in the Present Embodiment&gt; 
       FIG. 33  is a diagram showing a sample screen of the user terminal station according to the layered structure of the present embodiment. 
     A private office area  2401  including four private offices and two peripheral device areas  2402  containing two peripheral devices are displayed. Work status data indicating user work status and a user image photographed by cameras are displayed in the private offices and the name, operating status and model of the peripheral devices are displayed in the peripheral device area. These are the same as that of the previous embodiments. 
       FIG. 33  shows an example of a display on the user terminal station in which the group information data shown in  FIG. 32  is registered in the host server device database, displayed on the user terminal station of a user registered in a “Planning Section  1 ” that is one of the child groups. The status of the four users and the two peripheral devices belonging to “Planning Section  1 ” is displayed here. 
     By contrast,  FIG. 34  similarly shows an example of a display at a user terminal station, but one which is displayed on the user terminal station of users registered in a “Planning Section  2 ” that is another of the child groups. The status of the four users and the two peripheral devices belonging to “Planning Section  2 ” is displayed here. 
     As shown in  FIG. 33 , an organizational information display area  2403  showing the organizational structure of the office (group) is provided on the display screen of the user terminal station. That “Planning Section  1 ” is highlighted means that, currently, the user terminal station is displaying the status of the users and the peripheral devices of “Planning Section  1 ”. 
     With a click of the mouse, a user belonging to “Planning Section  1 ” can designate “Planning Section  2 ”, which is displayed in the organizational information display area and which is a group different from the group to which the user belongs, at which point such user can get the display screen shown in  FIG. 35 . In the present embodiment, this operation is called an “office visit”. 
     The screen of a user terminal station of a user who performs an office visit is displayed in  FIG. 35 . 
     In  FIG. 35 , a user status  2601  of users in the office visited (that is, users belonging to a group other than one&#39;s own) and a peripheral device status  2602  of peripheral devices used mainly by the child group visited are displayed. It should be noted that the status of the “visitor” is displayed in a visitor area  2603  (that is, both the visitor as well as the users in the child group visited are displayed). 
     A description is now given of a relation between the above-described displays and the disposition of the devices in the distributed system of the present embodiment, using an example in which the users and the peripheral devices that belong to a “Planning Department” of the parent group shown in  FIG. 32  are in actuality dispersed over the first floor  101  and the second floor  112  shown in  FIG. 28 . 
     The child group “Planning Section  1 ” shown in  FIG. 32  uses the first floor  101 , with four user terminal stations  103 - 106  located thereon, the status of each of the users displayed in the private office area of the screen shown in  FIG. 33 , the MFP  107  and the LBP  108  located on the first floor  101  as well and the status of these two peripheral devices displayed in the peripheral devices area  2402  of the screen shown in  FIG. 33 . 
     By contrast, the child group “Planning Section  2 ” shown in  FIG. 32  uses the second floor  112 , with four user terminal stations  113 - 116  located thereon, the status of each of the users displayed in the private office area of the screen shown in  FIG. 34 , the MFP  117  and the LBP  118  located on the second floor  112  as well and the status of these two peripheral devices displayed in the peripheral devices area  2502  of the screen shown in  FIG. 34 . 
     As described above, by looking at the screen shown in  FIG. 33  a user belonging to “Planning Section  1 ” normally can view the status of other users in the same “Planning Section  1 ” group as well as the status of the MFP  107  and the LBP  108  located on the first floor  101  and used mainly by the “Planning Section  1 ”. However, if for some reason the user wishes to know the status of the peripheral devices MFP  117  and LBP  118  located on the second floor  112  and used mainly by “Planning Section  2 ” (for example, if it is clear from a check of the display screen that one or both of the peripheral devices MFP  107  and LBP  108  are broken, or if no peripheral device suited to one&#39;s purpose is located in the group to which one belongs, i.e., “Planning Section  1 ”, but such a peripheral device is found the second floor  112 ), it is possible to do so by designating “Planning Section  2 ” displayed in the organizational information display area  2403  on the user&#39;s own user terminal station and shifting to the display screen shown in  FIG. 34 . 
     Accordingly, in the foregoing example, a user belonging to “Planning Section  1 ” can easily determine not only which devices the users in the group to which one belongs normally use as well as the current status of these devices but can also easily determine which peripheral devices the users in another group “Planning Section  2 ” normally use as well as the current status of those devices. 
     Moreover, because such a user can not only ascertain the status of the peripheral devices located on the second floor but also the status of the users belonging to the “Planning Second  2 ” group located on the second floor P, such a user can also utilize such user status information to determine such things as, for example, that the present is an appropriate time to use the peripheral devices normally used by another group (here, “Planning Section  2 ”) to output one&#39;s own work. Thus, as an example thereof, such a user might refrain from visiting “Planning Section  2 ” because the majority of its users are present at their desks and appear to be busy. 
     Further, matters are arranged so that, in response to a malfunction of a peripheral device, peripheral devices that can be used and which are located in another office are automatically displayed. For example, if the host server device receives information indicating that a photocopier machine that is one of the peripheral devices of “Planning Section  1 ” is malfunctioning, the host server device automatically displays on the user terminal stations of “Planning Section  1 ” a corresponding “Planning Section  2 ” copier. For example, in  FIG. 35 , although an office view is displayed in which a Suzuki Ichiro of “Planning Section  1 ” is visiting “Planning Section  2 ”, since the color printer of “Planning Section  2 ” is malfunctioning, the color printer of “Planning Section  1 ” is displayed as an alternative. Such a display is also similarly performed for  FIGS. 33 and 34 . 
     (Example of a Process for Implementing the Present Embodiment) 
     A description is now given of an example of a process procedure of the present embodiment. It should be noted that the procedures performed by the client process X and the peripheral device client process P are the same as those shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18  and a description thereof is omitted. 
     (Example of Server Process S Procedure) 
       FIG. 36  is a flow chart showing an example of the operating procedure of the server process S of the present embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 36 , in a step S 3601 , the server process S first awaits the arrival of status information signals from the client process X or the peripheral device client process P. When the status information signals arrive, processing proceeds to a step S 3602  and the status information receiver  1109  receives the status information signals. Processing then proceeds to a step S 3603 , where the status information update unit  1104  determines whether or not an update command is contained in the received status information signals. When an update command is not included, processing proceeds to a step S 3605 , where the status information update unit  1104  determines whether or not a status information command is contained in the received status information signals. When a status acquisition command is not included, processing returns to step S 3601 . 
     If in step S 3603  it is determined that an update command is included in the received status information signals, then processing proceeds to a step S 3604 , where the status information update unit  1104  updates the information in the status information table  1105  based on the status information included in the received status information signals. Processing then proceeds to a step S 3609 , where the status information update unit  1104  reads the updated status information out from the status information table  1105  and transmits the information to the designated user terminal stations (the client process X or the peripheral device client process P) through the status information transmitter  1108 . 
     If in step S 1605  it is determined that a status information acquisition command is included in the received status information signals, then processing proceeds to step S 3606  and the status information update unit  1104  checks the acquisition group (in the present example, “Planning Section  1 ” group, “Planning Section  2 ” group, “Planning Department”, etc.) contained in the status information acquisition command selected using the user terminal display screen. In the next step, S 3607 , the status information update unit  1104  determines from the status information of the peripheral devices (copiers, printers, etc.) in the acquisition group whether or not there is a malfunctioning device, and, if there is no malfunctioning device, reads the corresponding status information from the status information table  1105  in accordance with the status information acquisition command and in step S 3609  transmits the information to the designated user terminal stations (the client process X or the peripheral device client process P) via the status information transmitter  1108 . 
     By contrast, if in step S 3607  it is determined that a peripheral device of the acquisition group is malfunctioning, then in a step S 3608  the status information update unit  1104  adds to the acquisition group status information on corresponding peripheral devices of other groups, and in step S 3609  transmits the additional information to the designated user terminal station the client process X or the peripheral device client process P) via the status information transmitter  1108 . For example, if the copier in Planning Section  1  is malfunctioning, the status information update unit  1104  adds status information on the copier in Planning Section  2  and transmits that additional information to the user terminal station client process X. 
     It should be noted that, as shown in  FIG. 35 , when transmitting status information to other groups as well, the transmission is such that information on the user terminal requesting status information with a status information acquisition command can also be displayed on the same screen. 
     As described above, the server process S status information table  1105  and the client process X status information table  1205  are serially updated so as always to have the same information, with the user status information displayed at the user terminals serially updated. At the same time, when acquiring status information on other groups or when a peripheral device within the group malfunctions, status information on corresponding peripheral devices in other groups can be dynamically ascertained. 
     -Second Other Example of a Distributed System of the Present Embodiment- 
     A description is now given of a second other example of a distributed system of the present embodiment. It should be noted that, in the following description, only that which is different from the preceding embodiments is described. It is to be understood that all other configurations, operations and processes are the same as in previous embodiments, and therefore a description thereof is omitted. 
     &lt;Example of the MFP Configuration in the Present Embodiment&gt; 
     The internal configuration of the MFP in the present embodiment differs from that of the embodiments described above, as shown in  FIG. 37 . 
     A controller  2701 , communications interface  2702 , scanner engine  2703 , printer engine  2704  and user interface  2706  has the same internal configuration as the MFP shown in  FIG. 7  in the foregoing embodiments, and therefore a description thereof is omitted. 
     A video capture board  2705  digitally compresses video signals input from an external video camera or the like and transfers the compressed video signals to the controller  2701 , and is controlled by the controller  2701 . The video camera or the like may be the same as the video cameras  407  used by the user terminal stations. 
     As shown in  FIG. 38 , the controller  2701  is comprised of a CPU  2801 , a RAM  2802 , an LCD  2803 , a keyboard  2804 , a ROM  2805 , a communications interface  2806 , a scanner engine  2807 , a printer engine  2808 , a video capture board  2809  and a disk  2810 , with each component connected to the others by a system bus  2811 . It should be noted that a program for controlling the controller  2701  shown in  FIG. 38  is stored in the ROM  2805  or on the disk  2810 , and is read to the RAM  2802  as needed and executed by the CPU  2801 . 
     In addition to the control program, attribute information indicating the capabilities and status of the peripheral devices and the jobs processed by the peripheral devices, as well as job data to be output, are stored on the ROM  2805  and the disk  2810 . Further, the CPU  2801  displays information via the LCD  2803  and receives instructions from the user through the keyboard  2804 . The CPU  2801  communicates externally through the communications interface  2806 . 
     In the present embodiment, unless specifically prohibited, of the peripheral devices in  FIG. 38 , the CPU  2801  receives user input from the keyboard  2804  through the system bus  2811 , and controls the RAM  2802 , the LCD  2803 , the keyboard  2804 , the ROM  2805 , the communications interface  2806 , the scanner  2807  the printer engine  2808 , the video capture board  2809  and the disk  2810  so as to execute a job. 
     &lt;Example of the Distributed System Operation in the Present Embodiment&gt; 
     The operations of the server process S and the client process X installed on the user terminal station are the same as those of the preceding embodiments. 
     (Example of Peripheral Device Client Process P) 
     A description is now given of the portions of the peripheral device client process P installed on the peripheral devices (MFP  27 , LBP  28 ) that are different from those of the previous embodiments. 
     Through the operation of the controller  2701 , the video capture board  2705  periodically (for example, once every 10 seconds) acquires a photographic image of the vicinity of the peripheral device and stores the resulting compressed photographic images in the status information table  1405 . (see  FIG. 14 ). It should be noted that any previously acquired photographic images stored in the status information table  1405  are overwritten with the newly acquired photographic images, thus updating the status information. In addition to photographic images of the vicinity of the peripheral devices, the status information in the status information table  1505  also contains peripheral device job information, job processing status, error information, warning information and the like, as described in the foregoing embodiments. This information is transmitted to the server process S by the status information transmitter  1408  in accordance with instructions from the status information update unit  1404 . 
     The server process S transmits status information containing the compressed photographic information to the user terminals  103 - 106  and  113 - 116 . In the client process X, in a method that is the same as that used to process images transmitted from other user terminals, the photographic images of the vicinity of the peripheral devices are displayed as peripheral device images ( 1512 ,  1518  of  FIG. 15 ) on the display screen of the user terminal station. 
     As described above, whereas the images displayed on  1512 ,  1518  shown in  FIG. 15  in the previous embodiments are still images, in the present embodiment these images are displayed as moving images showing the actual, latest state of the vicinity of the peripheral devices. 
     Through the operations described above, users of the user terminals can ascertain not only the external appearance of the peripheral devices and the current job, error and warning information, but can also ascertain the actual state of the peripheral devices through images of the vicinity of the peripheral devices. Accordingly, the users can ascertain, for example, not only that a peripheral device is experiencing a paper jam but can also ascertain, for example, that someone is standing in front of that peripheral device and is reading a user&#39;s manual, or opening the cover of the peripheral device and looking inside in an effort to remove the paper jam, and therefore can wait in the expectation that the problem will be resolved. ( FIG. 39  shows an image of the actual state of a peripheral device and a state in which that image is displayed on the screen of a user terminal.) Moreover, such an arrangement allows the prevention of wasted effort stemming from a situation in which, although the user could just as well have waited for repairs to be completed before issuing an instruction to print, such user goes to the location of the peripheral device in order to ascertain the cause of the malfunction and returns to his or her seat having done nothing (because another user has already begun repairs). 
     -Third Other Example of a Distributed System of the Present Embodiment- 
     The preceding embodiments show examples in which moving images showing the latest status of a vicinity of a peripheral device is continuously displayed on the display screen of the user terminal station. In the present embodiment, however, the distributed system may be configured so as to achieve not only the foregoing continuous moving picture display, but also to detect based on information from the peripheral device that the peripheral device is under certain conditions, such as, for example, when an error occurs at the peripheral device, and when detecting error conditions, transmit to a camera a request of changing transmitted information from still images to moving images in order to show the latest status of the vicinity of the error detected peripheral device. 
     &lt;Example of the Distributed System Operation in the Present Embodiment&gt; 
     (Example of Peripheral Device Client Process P) 
     Where implementing the present embodiment, when reading the status information table  1405  the status information update unit  1404  shown in  FIG. 14  transmits compressed photographic images to the server process S through the status information transmitter  1408  only if error information or warning information exists in the information so read. 
       FIG. 40  is a flow chart showing another example of the operating procedures of the peripheral devices client process P. 
     As shown in  FIG. 40 , first, in a step S 4102 , the peripheral device client process P determines whether or not there is input of status information from the user to the status information input unit  1406 . If there is input of status information from the user to the status information input unit  1406 , processing then proceeds to a step S 4113  and the status information generator  1403  reads the status information input from the user and generates status information signals containing a status information acquisition command and the status information from the user. Next, processing proceeds to a step S 4109 , where the status information update unit  1404  updates the information in the status information table  1405  based on the status information signals thus generated. 
     In a step S 4110 , it is determined whether or not there is error or warning information in the status information. If there is error or warning information in the status information, processing proceeds to a step S 4111 , where information in which moving images of the peripheral devices are photographed and compressed is acquired. Then, proceeding to a step S 4112 , the status information update unit  1404  reads the updated information from the status information table  1405  and transmits the information to the server process S through the status information transmitter  1408 , after which processing returns to step S 4102 . 
     If in step S 4102  it is determined that there is no input of status information from the user to the status information input unit  1406 , then in order periodically to update the peripheral device status information processing proceeds to a step S 4103 , where the status information generator  1403  acquires peripheral device internal status information. The peripheral device status information is then sent to the status information generator  140 . The status information generator  1403  generates status information signals containing the above-described user status information and status information update command. 
     Next, processing proceeds to step S 4109 , where the status information update unit  1404  updates the information in the status information table  1405  based on the status information signals thus generated. 
     With the present embodiment, in a distributed system in which each user can see the status of all other users, it is assumed that the distributed system is permanently stationed at the client computer and the display screen used for long periods of time in a state in which the status can be easily checked thereby, and therefore, since peripheral device information is also similarly displayed on the user status display screen of the distributed system, the state of the peripheral devices can be quickly checked using fewer operations to do so. 
     Accordingly, users of the user terminal stations can view moving images showing the latest status of the vicinity of the peripheral devices only when an error or other problem occurs at the peripheral devices, in other words, when there is strong possibility that users wish to ascertain the state of the vicinity of the peripheral device. At the same time, since images of the vicinity of the peripheral devices are not transmitted to the host server device or to the user terminal stations from the peripheral devices when there are no errors or other problems, transmission of unneeded images can be prevented and traffic on the network can be reduced. 
     -Forth Other Example of a Distributed System of the Present Embodiment- 
     The preceding embodiments show examples in which a camera private to sense images of the area around the location of the peripheral device is prepared. In the present embodiment, the camera  407  used by the user terminal near to the peripheral device may be used to sense images of the area around the location of the peripheral device. In this case, it is necessary to enable the camera to be panned, tilted and zoomed. In this embodiment, when the status is detected from the peripheral device in which the print command is issued to the peripheral device or an error occurs in the peripheral device, the user terminal near to the error detected peripheral device reads preset information already stored in a memory and then controls sensing direction and width of the camera  407  to sense images of the area around the location of the peripheral device. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to remove a camera only for the peripheral device which is not used usually. 
     -Further Embodiments- 
     In the foregoing embodiments, a plurality of user terminal stations and peripheral devices, etc., are each connected to a host server device, with data (including status information) being exchanged between the host server device and the user terminal stations as well as between the host server device and the peripheral devices. Such a configuration is known as a client-server model, and in the preceding embodiments the user terminal stations and the peripheral devices correspond to the client and the host server device corresponds to the server, in a star-type connection configuration with the server at the center. 
     In contrast to and different from the client-server model there is the peer-to-peer model. Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented according to such a peer-to-peer network. 
     In such a case, the server device may be configured so as to hold information indicating the addresses of a plurality of user terminals and information indicating the addresses of peripheral devices, and transmitting this address information in response to requests from the user terminals, with the user terminals and the peripheral devices serially transmitting information indicating the current status of a user using the user terminal and information indicating the current status of the peripheral devices to other multiple user terminals based on the address information received from the server device, and the server device transmitting layout information for displaying on the same screen the current status of users using other user terminals and the current status of the peripheral devices based on the stored address information in response to requests from the user terminals. Such an arrangement is a variation for the purpose of converting the client-server model into a peer-to-peer model, and since the art for such is well known a detailed description thereof is omitted herein. 
     As described in the above preferred embodiments, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus for controlling a distributed system in which a plurality of user terminals and peripheral devices are dispersed, comprising reception means for serially receiving information indicating the current status of users using the plurality of user terminals transmitted from the plurality of user terminals and information indicating the current status of the peripheral devices transmitted from the peripheral devices, retention means for retaining the information indicating the current status of the users using the plurality of user terminals and the information indicating the current status of the peripheral devices that is so received, update means for updating the information retained in the retention means in response to changes in status, and response means for replying so as to enable display on the same screen of the current status of other users using user terminals other than one&#39;s own and the current status of the peripheral devices in response to requests from each of the plurality of user terminals. 
     Here, the retention means further retains information indicating a relation between peripheral device and user, with the response means replying so as to enable peripheral devices usable by such user selected based on such information to be displayed on the display screen. The users are grouped into a group and the information indicating the relation between the user and the peripheral devices is set for that group. The group includes a parent group and a child group, the parent group being composed of a plurality of child groups. The peripheral devices and the user belong to a child group, and peripheral devices usable by such user selected based on such information are displayed on the display screen. When the response means receives input indicating that the user has operated the system so as to visit a child group to which that user does not belong, replies so as to enable information indicating the current status of such user, information indicting the current status of users belonging to the child group being visited, and information indicating the current status of peripheral devices belonging to the child group being visited to be displayed on the same display screen. The response means replies so as to enable a corresponding peripheral device belonging to another child group to be displayed on the same display screen when it is determined that a malfunction (that is, an error and/or warning) has occurred at a peripheral device of the selected child group. The information indicating the relation between peripheral device and user includes use restriction information for the peripheral device for such user, with the use restriction information including information indicating whether the peripheral device is usable or unusable, and/or information indicating a resource use upper limit for the peripheral device of such user. Users are grouped into a group and the use restriction information is set for that group. The use restriction information is calculated based on peripheral device monopoly time, electric power consumption, amount of ink consumed, amount of toner consumed and number of sheets of paper consumed. 
     Moreover, the information indicating the current status of the peripheral devices includes static information and dynamic information, the static information includes the name, model name, location and capabilities of the peripheral device, and the dynamic information includes status information, such as whether or not the peripheral device power is turned on, which of the peripheral device&#39;s functions are usable, whether the peripheral device is processing a job or on standby, what type of job the peripheral device is processing, what type of job is queuing in the peripheral device and how many jobs are queuing in the peripheral device, as well as peripheral device error information or warning information. The peripheral devices have a print function and the peripheral device error information or warning information includes status information such as paper jam, no ink, no toner, no paper, no appropriate paper, no hard disk space, ink low, toner low, paper low, hard disk space low, document left, control key not inserted and service call requested (maintenance required). The information processing apparatus further comprises image acquisition means together with the user terminal, wherein the user information includes still images or moving images obtained by the image acquisition means as information indicating the current status of the user. The information processing apparatus further comprises image acquisition means together with the peripheral device, wherein the current status of the peripheral device includes still images or moving images of the area around the location of the peripheral device obtained by the image acquisition means as information indicating the current status of the peripheral device. The information processing apparatus further comprises image acquisition means together with the peripheral device, wherein the current status of the peripheral device includes still images or moving images of the area around the location of the peripheral device obtained by the image acquisition means, with the response means replying so as to enable the still images or moving images of the area around the location of the peripheral device to be displayed on the same display screen when the peripheral device issues error information or warning information. 
     Moreover, the present invention provides a peripheral device in a distributed system in which a plurality of user terminals and peripheral devices are dispersed, comprising storage means having image sensing means disposed together with the peripheral device, the storage means storing still images or moving images of the location of the peripheral device obtained by the image acquisition means as information indicating the current status of the peripheral device, and transmission means for transmitting to the information processing apparatus controlling such distributed system when the peripheral device issues error information or warning information. 
     Moreover, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus control method for controlling a distributed system in which a plurality of user terminals and peripheral devices are dispersed, the control method comprising a reception step of serially receiving information indicating the current status of users using the plurality of user terminals transmitted from the plurality of user terminals and information indicating the current status of the peripheral devices transmitted from the peripheral devices, a retention step of retaining the information indicating the current status of the users using the plurality of user terminals and the information indicating the current status of the peripheral devices received in the reception step, an update step of updating the information retained in the retention step in response to changes in status, and a response step of replying so as to enable display on the same screen of the current status of other users using user terminals other than one&#39;s own and the current status of the peripheral devices in response to requests from each of the plurality of user terminals. 
     Here, information indicating a relation between peripheral device and user is further retained in the retention step, with the response means replying so as to enable peripheral devices usable by such user selected based on such information to be displayed on the display screen. Moreover, when the response means receives input indicating that the user has operated the system so as to visit a child group to which that user does not belong, it replies so as to enable information indicating the current status of such user, information indicting the current status of users belonging to the child group being visited, and information indicating the current status of peripheral devices belonging to the child group being visited to be displayed on the same display screen. 
     Further, the present invention provides a computer-executable control program for controlling a distributed system in which a plurality of user terminals and peripheral devices are dispersed, the control program comprising code for causing a computer to execute the steps of serially receiving information indicating the current status of users using the plurality of user terminals transmitted from the plurality of user terminals and information indicating the current status of the peripheral devices transmitted from the peripheral devices, retaining the information indicating the current status of the users using the plurality of user terminals and the information indicating the current status of the peripheral devices received, updating the information retained in the retention step in response to changes in status, and replying so as to enable display on the same screen of the current status of other users using user terminals other than one&#39;s own and the current status of the peripheral devices in response to requests from each of the plurality of user terminals. The step of retaining further retains information indicating a relation between peripheral device and user, with the step of replying enabling peripheral devices usable by such user selected based on such information to be displayed on the display screen. When the code for replying receives input indicating that the user has operated the system so as to visit a child group to which that user does not belong, the program code replies so as to enable information indicating the current status of such user, information indicting the current status of users belonging to the child group being visited, and information indicating the current status of peripheral devices belonging to the child group being visited to be displayed on the same display screen. 
     Moreover, the present invention provides a program for implementing the information processing apparatus control method described above, and a computer-readable storage medium storing such program. 
     It should be noted that the present invention can be applied to an apparatus comprising a single device (e.g. copying machine, facsimile machine) as well as to a system or integrated apparatus composed of a plurality of devices (e.g. host computer, interface, scanner, printer, etc.). 
     Moreover, it is to be understood that the objects of the present invention can be achieved by supplying a storage medium (or a recording medium) storing a software program that implements the functions of the foregoing embodiments, to a system or apparatus, reading the supplied program code with a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus, and then executing the program code. In this case, since the program code read from the storage medium itself implements the functions of the foregoing embodiments, the program code itself and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the invention. Moreover, it is to be understood that not only cases in which the functions of the foregoing embodiments are implemented by a computer executing the read-out program code but also cases in which, based on the instructions of that program code, an operating system (OS) or the like running on the computer performs all or a part of the actual processing, so that the functions of the foregoing embodiments are implemented by this processing, are also included within the scope of the present invention. 
     Furthermore, it is to be understood that a case in which, after the program read from the storage medium is written to a function expansion board inserted into the computer or to a memory provided in a function expansion unit connected to the computer, a CPU or the like mounted on the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs all or a part of the actual processing so that the functions of the foregoing embodiments can be implemented by this processing, is also included within the scope of the present invention. 
     In adapting the present invention to the above-described storage medium, program code corresponding to the flow charts described above is stored on the storage medium. 
     As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific preferred embodiments described above thereof except as defined in the claims. 
     CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims priorities from Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-355382 filed on Oct. 15, 2003, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-293073 filed on Oct. 5, 2004, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.