JP2000115276A - Terminal, network system, method for building up shared system and storage medium storing program for the purpose - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily set an environment where shared resources such as image reader can effectively be utilized on a network. SOLUTION: A user machine 3a on a network is provided with a function 3b that discriminates whether or not an image reader that can be shared on the network is connected to locally to the user machine 3a, and a function 3d that informs a configuration/setting machine 3f of the discrimination result. The configuration/setting machine 3f is provided with a function 3j that discriminates whether or not a server function of the common share system is to be installed on the user machine 3a based on contents of the notice from the user machine 3a and a function 3i that installs the server function in response to the discrimination result. Thus, the server function of the shared system is automatically installed only to the user machine 3a that requires it so that devices having not been effectively utilized as resources because of their difficult installation can easily be installed as shared resources thereby allowing the users to relieve loads to install the shared system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal device, a network system, a sharing system construction method, and a storage medium storing a program therefor, and more particularly to a system in which a plurality of terminal devices on a network can share an image reading device and the like. Related to construction technology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, a system has been proposed in which a plurality of apparatuses connected on a network share an image reading apparatus and the like. In this type of system, in order to construct and configure the system, a network administrator or a user of the device goes to a physical location of each device and performs complicated installation and setting operations while taking security into consideration. Had to be done manually.

Also, by installing the functions (software) of the shared system on all the machines on the network, resources may be wasted on machines that originally do not need these functions. . Furthermore, even if the sharing setting has been made, some users on the network cannot easily know the contents of the sharing setting, so that some users cannot use the sharing setting.

[0004]

As described above, according to the above-mentioned conventional technology, even if there is a device to which an image reading device is connected among devices connected on a network, the device is located at a place where the device is located. Unless the user makes the appropriate settings, there is no way to share this, so that it may not be used effectively. In addition, there is also a problem that the resources of the shared system are installed in all the devices on the network, which may cause a waste of device resources.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional technology, and automatically establishes a sharing system for a device to which an image reading device is connected on a device on a network. A first object is to enable an environment in which the resources of a reading device can be effectively used to be easily set without waste.

Further, in order to construct a shared system of the image reading device desired by a user or an administrator of a device configuration on the network, it is possible to optimally construct the shared system using network management information. Is a second purpose. And if sharing settings are made,
A third object is to make available to many people effectively.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a terminal device comprising: a connection judging unit for judging whether a sharable device is connected on a network; and a server function installing unit for sharing the device. And a determination notifying unit for notifying the management apparatus having the above-described determination result via a network. An installation presence / absence determination unit that determines whether the server function is already installed may be further provided, and the determination notification unit may notify the management device of the determination result of the installation presence / absence.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises a permission setting means for allowing a user to set whether or not to permit installation of the server function from the management device.

In another aspect of the present invention, an installation means for installing a server function for sharing a device sharable on a network to another terminal device connected to the network, Notification obtaining means for obtaining a notification sent from the received other terminal device, and determining whether the server function needs to be installed in the other terminal device based on the obtained notification content. And an installation necessity determining unit.

[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sharing notification means for notifying the terminal device that the server function has been installed and the sharable device has been shared.

In another aspect of the present invention, a connection determination function for determining whether a device sharable on a network is connected to the other terminal device, and the server function for the other terminal device are already provided. An installation presence / absence determination function for determining whether or not the terminal device is installed; and a determination notification function for notifying a determination result of each of the determination functions from the other terminal device to the terminal device via a network, the other terminal device. The system further comprises means for installing on the server.

In another aspect of the present invention, a permission setting means for allowing a user to set, from among a plurality of other terminal devices connected on the network, a terminal device for permitting or denying installation of the server function. Is further provided.

Further, the network system of the present invention comprises:
A server function for sharing a device locally connected to a terminal device connected on the network on the network, and a device shared using the server function on another terminal device connected on the network In a network system capable of constructing a shared system with a client function for acquiring data from a network, the network system includes at least one or more terminal devices connected on the network, and a shared system.
A management device, wherein the terminal device is a connection determination unit that determines whether a device sharable on the network is connected, and determines whether a server function of the shared system is already installed. The installation / presence determination means, and determination notification means for notifying the construction / management apparatus of the result of the determination by the determination means via the network, wherein the construction / management apparatus comprises: A notification obtaining unit that obtains the notification of the determination result from the network via the network, and determines whether it is necessary to install the server function of the shared system in the terminal device based on the obtained notification content. An installation necessity determining unit, and a server function of the shared system according to a result of the determination by the installation necessity determining unit. Installation means for installing on the terminal device, setting means for setting sharing of the terminal device and enabling use of a server function of the shared system, and that the sharable device is shared by the terminal device. And a sharing notifying unit for notifying.

In another aspect of the present invention, the construction / management device includes the connection determination unit, the installation presence / absence determination unit,
And second installation presence / absence determination means for determining whether or not each function of the determination notification means is installed on the terminal device on the network; and, if the respective functions are not installed, on the terminal device. On the other hand, a second installation means for installing each of the above functions is provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, the construction / management device includes a management unit for managing information on each terminal device or a user on the network, and a terminal desired by an administrator using the management unit. Permission granting means for granting a device or a user permission to install and set the server function of the shared system.

In another aspect of the present invention, when each of the terminal devices on the network installs a server function of the shared system from the construction / management device, the terminal device notifies the terminal device of the installation when the server function is installed. It is characterized by comprising a user permission means for presenting to a user and deciding whether or not to permit installation.

Further, the method for constructing a shared system according to the present invention comprises:
A method for constructing a sharing system for sharing a device locally connected to a terminal device connected to a network on the network, wherein the device is connected in a terminal device connected to the network. Determining whether or not the server function of the shared system has already been installed; notifying the configuration / management device of the shared system of the determination result via a network; A step of determining whether or not the server function of the shared system needs to be installed in the terminal device based on the notification of the determination result from the terminal device in the shared system construction / management device; The server function of the shared system is installed on the terminal device according to the result of the necessity determination. Characterized by a step of.

Further, a computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention is characterized in that a program for causing a computer to function as each means according to any one of claims 1 to 15 is recorded. In another aspect of the invention,
A program for causing a computer to execute the processing procedure of the shared system construction method according to any one of claims 17 to 21 is recorded.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment (Description of Apparatus) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a terminal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1
Reference numeral b denotes a video RAM (VRAM) that expands and stores characters, images, and the like displayed on the screen of the CRT display device 1a. A bit move unit (BMU) 1c controls data transfer between memories or between a memory and each device.

Reference numeral 1d denotes a keyboard having various keys related to input, 1e denotes a pointing device (PD) used to indicate an icon or the like on a screen, and 1f.
Is a CPU, and controls each part of the apparatus based on a control program (programs for implementing the present invention described later, including programs and error processing programs according to the present invention) stored in a ROM 1g. Control.

Reference numeral 1h denotes a RAM, which is used as a work area when the above-described programs are executed by the CPU 1f and a temporary save area during error processing. Reference numeral 1i denotes a hard disk drive (HDD), and 1j denotes a floppy disk drive (FDD). Each disk is used for storing application programs, data, libraries, and the like described later. 1k is a printer (PR
N).

1l is a network interface (N
et-I / F), and performs data control and diagnosis on the network in order to transfer data with another device via the network. 1m is an image reader (Imag
e Reader), which indicates an image reading apparatus provided as a shared resource on the network of the present embodiment. 1
n is an I / O bus (consisting of an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus) connecting the above-described units.

In this embodiment, the program stored in the ROM 1g may be stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy disk (FD) directly connected to the apparatus. Further, it may be stored on another device (not shown) connected via a network. In addition, the program of the present invention is FD or H
D or the like, and can be supplied to a system or an apparatus via a network or a network.

(Example of Configuration for Realizing the Present Embodiment on Network) An example of a network configuration in the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, 2a
Indicates a network, and 2b indicates a machine for constructing / setting a shared system of the image reading apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a constructing / setting machine). Also, 2c, 2d,
Reference numerals 2e and 2f denote machines connected to the network 2a (hereinafter referred to as user machines). 2
g and 2h are image reading devices, and the user machine 2c
And 2e.

The user machines 2c and 2e connected to the network 2a have a server function of sharing the locally connected image reading apparatuses 2g and 2h on the network 2a (however, this is constructed as described later). / Installed from the setting machine 2b). Also, each user machine 2c connected on the network 2a
2 to 2f have a client function of acquiring image data from the image reading apparatuses 2g and 2h shared using the server function using a general-purpose network protocol. Hereinafter, such a system that shares an image reading device on a network is simply referred to as a “shared system”.

(Functional Configuration of User Machine on Network and Functional Configuration of Shared System Construction / Setting Machine in the Present Embodiment) Each user machine connected to network 2a in the configuration example shown in FIG. 2c-2f,
FIG. 3 shows each internal configuration of the construction / setting machine 2b of the shared system.

In FIG. 3, 3a corresponds to 2c to 2c in FIG.
One user machine on the network indicated by 2f. The user machine 3a has a function 3b for determining whether or not there is an image reading device locally connected,
A function 3c for determining whether or not the server function of the shared system of the image reading apparatus has already been set; controlling these functions 3b and 3c to notify the contents of these determinations to the shared system construction / setting machine 3f; A function 3d for acquiring information from the construction / setting machine 3f, and
A function 3e for performing communication and control to the network is provided.

Next, reference numeral 3f denotes a construction / setting machine of the shared system of the image reading apparatus indicated by 2b in FIG. This construction / setting machine 3f is a 3g described below.
To 31 are provided. 3g management of shared system /
A function for controlling all functions as a main processing of the setting is a function for holding an installer such as a server function for each user machine 3a. The means for holding the installer may be an HD or other storage media, and is not particularly limited here. In addition, the holding location may not be in the present machine as long as access is possible.

A function 3i is a function for automatically installing and setting the installer held in the holding means 3h on the user machine 3a connected to the network (the method of installation is not particularly limited. And a known method may be used). Further, 3j acquires information notified by the information notification / acquisition function 3d in each user machine 3a on the network, and determines whether or not it is necessary to install a server function in each user machine 3a. Function.

In the case of 3k, when the installation process of the server function is performed and the environment on the network changes (for example, the sharing of the image reading device increases),
This function notifies the user machines 3a on the network of the change. Reference numeral 31 denotes a function for performing communication and control to the network, similarly to the function 3e in the user machine 3a.

(Processing Procedure) FIG. 4 is a flowchart in the present embodiment showing the internal processing of the user machine 3a on the network in FIG. It should be noted that the activation of the flowchart processing may be a periodic one or a processing in response to a request from the construction / setting machine 3f of the shared system, and is not particularly limited.

When this processing is started, it is determined in step S401 whether or not an image reading device is locally connected in each user machine 3a. When the image reading device is not connected, the server function of the shared system is unnecessary in the user machine 3a, and therefore, in step S402, the server function need not be installed in the construction / setting machine 3f of the shared system. Notify that.

On the other hand, if an image reading device is connected to a certain user machine 3a, it is determined in step S403 whether or not the server function of the shared system has already been installed and set in the user machine 3a. If the installation and setting have already been performed, there is no need to re-install, so step S4
No installation required in 02 build / setting machine 3f
Notify. On the other hand, if the server function of the shared system does not exist, in step S404 the shared system
The setting machine 3f is notified that the server function needs to be installed and set.

The above processing is performed, and the processing is terminated. Note that the message notification method in steps S402 and S404 described above may use a general-purpose network protocol, and is not particularly limited.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart in the present embodiment showing the internal processing of the construction / setting machine 3f on the network in FIG. First, the notification acquisition function 3j in FIG. 3 acquires the notification of necessity / unnecessity for the installation of the server function, which is sent by the information notification / acquisition function 3d in each user machine 3a on the network. The processing related to the exchange of the notification may be performed by the construction / setting machine 3f by requesting the information notification / acquisition function 3d in each user machine 3a. Alternatively, each user machine 3a may use the information notification / acquisition function 3d. It may be a method of receiving what is notified spontaneously and is not limited.

When the notification acquisition / judgment function 3j in FIG. 3 acquires the notification from the user machine 3a in step S501 in FIG. 5, it is determined in step S502 whether the server function needs to be installed and set based on the content of the notification. Is determined. If the installation and setting of the server function are unnecessary, the user machine 3a that has obtained the notification
The processing for is ended. On the other hand, when the installation and setting of the server function are necessary, the entire management function 3g shown in FIG.
Give this information to In step S503, the installation and setting function 3i of FIG. 3 is called from the overall management function 3g in accordance with this information, and performs the installation and setting processing of the server function.

Then, in step S504, it is determined whether the installation and setting have been successful. If this succeeds, in step S505, the information communication function 3k shown in FIG. 3 is used to notify each user machine 3a on the network that the image reading device has been newly shared.

By the above processing, automatic installation of the server function in the shared system of the image reading device,
And it becomes possible to make settings. Thereby, regarding the construction of a system that can share an image reading device on a network, a difficult installation process for the user can be omitted, and the sharing system can be automatically constructed / set without putting a burden on the user. It can be used comfortably.

Further, the server function of the shared system is installed and set only on the user machine 3a to which the image reading device is connected, and is not set for the user machine 3a to which no image reading device is connected. Therefore, installation or the like can be performed only on the minimum user machine 3a that requires the server function, and waste of resources on a machine that does not originally require the server function can be eliminated.

Further, a means is provided for notifying each user machine 3a of the fact that the image reading apparatus has been shared on the network after the installation and setting processing has been executed. The contents can be easily known, and more users can efficiently use the system in which sharing is set.

<Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the user machine 3a on the network is
Although the installation process of the server function has been described on the assumption that the functions indicated by 3b to 3d have been installed from the beginning, in the present embodiment, the above-described 3b to 3d
A description will be given of a case where the installation process is automatically performed for the function (1) so that the user is completely unaware of the installation process and the installation process is performed in a format in which the waste of resources is minimized.

First, in FIG. 6, reference numeral 6a (corresponding to 3a in FIG. 3) denotes a user machine on the network. This user machine 6a has only a network communication function 6e (corresponding to 3e in FIG. 3). Here, the functions of 3b to 3d provided in the user machine 3a in FIG. 3 are transferred to the holding unit 6h (corresponding to the holding unit 3h in FIG. 3) in the construction / setting machine 6f in FIG. It is held in a form that can be installed on each of the above user machines 6a.

Then, the construction / setting machine 6 f
The system further includes a function 6m for determining whether the functions b to 3d are already installed in the user machine 6a. If the functions are not installed, the installation / setting function 6i (the installation / setting function 3i in FIG. Applicable)
3b through 3d are installed. Other functions are the same as the outline of FIG. 3, and 6f is 3f,
6g is a function corresponding to 3g, 6j is a function corresponding to 3j, 6k is a function corresponding to 3k, and 61 is a function corresponding to 31.

In the flowchart in the second embodiment, regarding the processing of the user machine 6a on each network, the functions of the above 3b to 3d are automatically performed by the construction / setting machine 6f which constructs the shared system of the image reading apparatus. An installation process is added at the beginning of FIG.
After that, the same processing as in FIG. 4 is performed, and thus detailed description is omitted here.

Also, a shared system construction / setting machine 6
Regarding the processing of f, as shown in FIG. 7, in addition to the flowchart of FIG. 5, a processing of installing each function of 3b to 3d of FIG. 3 on the user machine 6a is added. In FIG. 7, first, in step S701, the determination function 6m
The functions of 3b to 3d in FIG.
It is determined whether or not it has already been installed.

Here, if it has already been installed, the process is terminated, and if it has not been installed, in step S702, the above-mentioned 3 stored in the storage unit 6h is read.
The installation / setting function 6i performs the installation using the installer having the functions b to 3d. Since the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is constructed by this flowchart, the description of the subsequent processing (the flowchart of FIG. 5) will be omitted.

<Third Embodiment> In the third embodiment,
In the above-described embodiment, a description will be given of a process in which a network administrator designates a user machine on which a server function can be installed, thereby automatically configuring a shared system of a desired image reading device without making the user aware of the shared system. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing each internal configuration of the user machine and the construction / setting machine in the present embodiment.

In FIG. 8, the functions 8a to 8l correspond to the functions 3a to 3l shown in FIG. 3, respectively, and a description thereof will be omitted. 8m is a function for acquiring and managing machine information and user information from the network. Reference numeral 8n denotes a function in which the administrator uses the management function 8m to specify a machine on which a server function is to be installed for a desired user or machine.

By adding these functions 8m and 8n, the network administrator can use the designated function 8n to allow the installation of the server function based on the machine and user information managed by the management function 8m. Can be set. As a result, it becomes possible to automatically construct a sharing system of the image reading device on the network desired by the administrator.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart according to the present embodiment. The processing in the user machine 8a on the network is described in FIG.
Since it may be the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. On the other hand, the processing in the construction / setting machine 8f of the shared system of the image reading apparatus will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The administrator of the construction / setting machine 8f of the shared system of the image reading device is configured as shown in FIG.
It is assumed that a machine to which installation is permitted is set in advance using the function n, and this is held as some information.

In FIG. 9, first, in step S901, a notification from each user machine 8a on the network is obtained by the notification obtaining / determining function 8j. Next, in step S902, it is determined whether or not the content of the acquired notification is a request to install a server function. If the request is not an installation request, the process ends. on the other hand,
In the case of an installation request, in step S903, the user machine 8a that has made the installation request
It is determined whether or not the machine managed by the management function 8m is a machine that is permitted to be installed by the administrator.

If the installation is not permitted, the process is terminated. If the installation is permitted, the installation process is performed on the requested machine in step S904. In the next step S905, it is determined whether or not the installation has succeeded. If the installation has not succeeded, the process is terminated. If the installation has succeeded, in step S906, each user machine 8a on the network is provided with the shared system of the image reading device. Notify that new servers have been added and their contents.

With the above processing, it becomes possible for the network administrator to automatically construct / set the shared system of the image reading device as desired.

<Fourth Embodiment> In the first to third embodiments, the process of automatically performing installation in order not to load a general user has been described. When the server function is automatically installed from the above-described image reading apparatus shared system construction / setting machine, there is no consideration for the user using the installation destination machine.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the server function is automatically installed, a notification for confirming is sent to the user using the installation destination machine so that the user can determine whether or not to install the server function. Be able to decide. As a result, security can be considered, and the automatic installation process can be performed with a more established management system. Hereinafter, this will be described.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of each machine in this embodiment. In FIG.
The functions of 10n correspond to the functions of 8a to 8n shown in FIG.

When the installation processing is performed from the construction / setting machine 10f of the shared system to the user machine 10a, when a notification to the effect that the installation is performed by the information notification function 10k is sent, the content 10o is transmitted. Is displayed in the user machine 10a, and the user is prompted to input whether to permit it. If the user permits the installation, the construction / setting machine 10f performs the server function installation processing. If the user does not permit installation, the construction / setting machine 10f
The rejection notification is sent to the overall management function 10g in the server, and the installation process is canceled.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the processing in the present embodiment in each user machine 10a on the network. 11, the processing in steps S1101 to S1104 is performed in step S4 in FIG.
Since the processing is the same as the processing of 01 to S404, the description is omitted.

When the construction / setting machine 10f of the shared system of the image reading apparatus receives the notification issued in step S1104, the construction / setting machine 10f notifies the user machine 10a that the installation processing is to be performed. . In step S1105, the user machine 10
The function 10o in a obtains this notification. Then, in step S1106, the fact that the construction / setting machine 10f of the shared system is to perform the installation process is displayed on the screen, and the user is prompted for permission.

In step S1107, when the installation is permitted based on the user's judgment, the installation / setting machine 10f is notified of the content of the permitted installation in step S1108.
Perform the installation process. On the other hand, if the installation is not permitted, a cancellation of the installation processing is notified to the construction / setting machine 10f in step S1109.

Next, the shared system construction / setting machine 1
FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of the process performed by 0f. FIG.
In 2, in step 1201, a notification from each user machine 10a is obtained. Next, step S
In step 1202, it is determined whether or not the content of the obtained notification is a request to install a server function. If the request is not an installation request, the process ends. On the other hand, if the request is an installation request, in step S1203, the shared machine administrator
It is determined whether or not the installation permission has been issued for 0a.

Here, if the installation has been refused by the administrator, the process is terminated. However, if the installation has been permitted, in step S1204, the user machine 10a which has issued the installation request is instructed to perform the installation process. Notify the user and prompt for permission. Then, in step S1205, step S12
The result of the permission input inquired in 04 is acquired to determine the content. That is, in the next step S1206, it is determined whether or not the user has permitted the installation on the user machine 10a.

At this time, if the installation has been refused by the user of the user machine 10a, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the user has permitted the installation process on the user machine 10a, the next step S1207
Execute the installation process. In step S1208, it is determined whether the installation process has been completed successfully.
In step 9, the user machine 10a on the network is notified that a newly shared image reading apparatus has been created on the network and the contents thereof, and the process ends.

<Other Embodiments of the Present Invention> In the above embodiment, an example in which an image reading device such as a scanner is connected to each user machine on the network and a sharing system for the image reading device is constructed. However, the sharing device is not limited to this image reading device. For example, devices such as interface devices, printers, copiers, and facsimile machines may be used. Further, a public line such as a telephone line may be used instead of the network.

The functions of the above-described embodiments are the same as those shown in FIG.
It has been described that the control program is realized by a control program stored in a ROM 1g or a hard disk or a floppy disk (not shown). In this case, the control program itself or means for supplying the control program to a computer (CPU or MPU) in the machine is included in the scope of the present invention.

Means for supplying the control program to the computer, for example, a storage medium storing the program include an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM,
A magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the supplied program, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other application software running on the computer. It goes without saying that such a program is also included in the embodiment of the present invention when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with the above.

Further, after the supplied program is stored in the memory provided on the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program is provided on the function expansion board or the function expansion unit based on the instruction of the program. It is needless to say that the present invention also includes a case where the CPU or the like performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is determined whether or not a device that can be shared on a network is connected to a terminal device. Since the server function is performed, a server function for sharing a device that can be shared on a network can be automatically installed and used only in a terminal device that needs it. As a result, it is possible to easily share a device that has not been effectively used as a resource because of difficult installation and setting so far, and it is possible to significantly reduce a load for a user to set a shared system. . In addition, since installation is not performed when unnecessary, waste of resources of the terminal device can be prevented.

Further, according to another feature of the present invention, there is further provided a means for installing each function for executing the above-described determination processing and notification processing in the terminal device from the management device to the terminal device. With the provision, the environment of the server function of the shared system can be automatically constructed / set without the user of the terminal device being completely conscious, and the burden on the user can be further reduced. Further, according to another feature of the present invention, a means for notifying a terminal device on the network that the device has been shared is provided, so that many users using the terminal device on the network can effectively use the shared system. can do.

According to another feature of the present invention, there is provided means for allowing a user to set whether or not to permit installation of a server function from a management device, and a method for controlling a plurality of terminal devices connected to a network. Since the system further includes means for allowing the user to set a terminal device from which the installation of the server function is permitted, a shared system can be constructed / set in consideration of the security of each terminal device and the like. Optimum construction / setting can be performed. As described above, according to the present invention, the information of the user and each terminal device at the time of installation is managed, and the installation process is easily performed while connecting them, so that the installation process is automatically performed in consideration of security. Since the processing can be performed and the processing can be centrally managed by the management apparatus, the burden on the administrator can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an internal functional configuration of each machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing in a user machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing in a construction / setting machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an internal functional configuration of each machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing in a construction / setting machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an internal functional configuration of each machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing in a construction / setting machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an internal functional configuration of each machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing in a user machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing in a construction / setting machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

3a User machine 3b Function to determine whether or not there is an image reading device 3c Function to determine whether there is a server function of the shared system 3d Information notification / acquisition function to the construction / setting machine 3e Network communication function 3f Construction / setting machine 3g Overall management function 3h Installer holding means 3i Installation / setting function 3j Notification acquisition / determination function from user machine 3k Information notification function to user machine 31 Network communication function 6m Installation / non-installation determination function 8m Network device and user management function 8n Machine specification function 10o Notification acquisition / display / control function from construction / setting machine

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. A management apparatus comprising: a connection determination unit that determines whether a sharable device is connected on a network; and a server function installation unit that shares the device. Terminal notification means for notifying the result of the above via a network. 2. When the sharable device is determined to be connected, the determination notification unit issues a notification requesting installation of the server function, and determines that the sharable device is not connected. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined, the terminal device is notified that installation of the server function is unnecessary. 3. An installation presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not the server function has already been installed, wherein the determination notifying means transmits the determination result of the installation presence / absence to the management device via a network. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device notifies the terminal device. 4. When the server function is determined not to be installed yet, the determination notification means issues a notification requesting installation of the server function, and determines that the server function is already installed. 4. The terminal device according to claim 3, wherein a notification that installation of the server function is unnecessary is performed when the terminal function has been installed. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising permission setting means for allowing a user to set whether to permit installation of said server function from said management apparatus.
The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. An installation means for installing a server function for sharing a device sharable on a network in another terminal device connected to the network, and another terminal device connected to the network. Notification obtaining means for obtaining a notification sent from the server, and installation necessity determining means for determining whether or not it is necessary to install the server function on the other terminal device based on the obtained notification content. A terminal device comprising: 7. The installation means installs the server function when the notification content from the other terminal device is a notification requesting the installation of the server function, and the installation of the server function is unnecessary. The terminal device according to claim 6, wherein installation of the server function is not performed when the notification is to the effect. 8. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a sharing notification unit that notifies the terminal device that the server function has been installed and the sharable device has been shared. Network system. 9. A connection judging function for judging whether or not a device sharable on a network is connected to the other terminal device, and whether or not the server function is already installed in the other terminal device. Means for installing, on the other terminal device, an installation presence / absence determining function for determining whether the terminal device has been installed, and a determination notification function for notifying the terminal device of the determination result of each of the determination functions from the other terminal device to the terminal device via a network. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:
9. The terminal device according to claim 8. 10. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a permission setting means for allowing a user to set, out of the plurality of other terminal devices connected to the network, a terminal device that permits or denies installation of the server function. The terminal device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein: 11. A server function for sharing a device locally connected to a terminal device connected on a network on the network, and using the server function on another terminal device connected on the network. A network system capable of constructing a shared system with a client function of acquiring data from a shared device, comprising: at least one terminal device connected to the network; The terminal device is configured to determine whether or not a device sharable on the network is connected, and determine whether or not the server function of the shared system is already installed. The installation presence / absence determination means for determining and the construction / management device Determination / notification means for notifying the result of the determination by each determination means via the network, wherein the construction / management device obtains a notification of the determination result from the terminal device via the network Means, installation necessity judging means for judging whether or not it is necessary to install the server function of the shared system in the terminal device based on the acquired notification content, and judgment by the installation necessity judging means Installing means for installing the server function of the shared system on the terminal device in accordance with the result of the above; setting means for setting sharing of the terminal device and enabling use of the server function of the shared system; A sharing notifying means for notifying the terminal device that a possible device has been shared. Click system. 12. The determination notification means of the terminal device requests installation of the server function when it is determined that the sharable device is connected and the server function is not yet installed. Notify,
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein when it is determined that the sharable device is not connected or the server function is already installed, a notification that installation of the server function is unnecessary is sent. The described network system. 13. The construction / management device according to claim 2, wherein each of the functions of the connection determination unit, the installation presence / absence determination unit, and the determination notification unit is determined to be installed in a terminal device on the network. 12. An installation presence / absence determination unit, and a second installation unit that installs each of the functions in the terminal device when the function is not installed.
Or the network system according to 12. 14. The construction / management device includes: a management unit that manages information on each terminal device or user on the network; and a terminal device or user desired by an administrator using the management unit. 14. The network system according to claim 11, further comprising permission granting means for granting permission to install and set a server function of the shared system. 15. The terminal device on the network,
When the server function of the shared system is installed from the construction / management device, a user permission means for presenting the notification to the user when notified of the installation and for determining whether to permit the installation or not. The network system according to any one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising: 16. The network system according to claim 11, wherein said network is a public line. 17. A method for constructing a shared system for sharing a device locally connected to a terminal device connected to a network on the network, wherein the terminal device connected to the network includes:
Determining whether or not the device is connected and whether or not the server function of the shared system is already installed; and transmitting the result of the determination to the construction / management device of the shared system via a network. In the shared system construction / management device, based on the notification of the determination result from the terminal device, determines whether the server function of the shared system needs to be installed in the terminal device. A method for constructing a shared system, comprising: a step of determining; and a step of installing a server function of the shared system in the terminal device according to a result of the determination of the necessity of installation. 18. When it is determined in the terminal device that the device is connected and the server function is not yet installed, a notification requesting installation of the server function is issued, and the terminal device is notified. 18. The shared system construction according to claim 17, wherein when it is determined that the server function is not connected or the server function is already installed, the server function is notified that installation of the server function is unnecessary. Method. 19. In the construction / management device, a step of determining whether or not a function for executing each step in the terminal device on the network is installed in the terminal device; 19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of installing each of the functions in the terminal device when the function is not installed. 20. A step of giving a permission to install a server function of the shared system to a terminal device or a user desired by an administrator in the construction / management device; 20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: determining whether to install a server function of the system in the terminal device. 21. In the terminal device on the network, when the construction / management device notifies the user that the server function of the shared system is to be installed, presents the notification to the user and determines whether to permit the installation. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, further comprising: a step of determining whether or not the permission is granted, and a step of notifying the configuration / management apparatus via a network of the permission / inhibition. How to build a shared system. 22. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means according to claim 1. Description: 23. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute the processing procedure of the shared system construction method according to claim 17.