JP2003131784A - Network device, control method and control program thereof, and computer readable recording medium recording the same program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network device which displays other devices on a network by means of icons so as to understand the spatial relationship of other devices easily and intuitively. SOLUTION: A personal computer 1a obtains attribute information of each device on the network, compares the positional information of the devices corresponding to a search condition (for example digital copy machines 2a and 2b) with the positional information of the personal computer 1a, and shows the device placed near the personal computer 1a (the digital copy machine 2a) and the device placed far (the digital copy machine 2b) in different shaped icons on the display.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network device for displaying other devices on a network with icons,
The present invention relates to a control method for the network device, a control program for the network device, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, not only a computer, but also a scanner, a printer, a facsimile, a digital copying machine, or a multifunctional peripheral device (MFP: M) combining these functions.
ulti function peripheral)
A network system in which the etc. are connected via a network has been constructed, and for example, it has become easy to import image data from a scanner on the network into a personal computer, process the image, and output to a printer on the network. .

In a network device used in such a network system, a GUI (Graphic) is used.
It is known that in the al User Interface environment, other devices on the network are displayed by icons on the display unit to transmit / receive data to / from the device associated with the icon selected by the user. It is possible to simply and quickly select the device. However, when such a network device is used, the user cannot know the installation location of the selected device, and therefore, a scanner in an unintended location may be used or a printer in an unintended location may output.

In order to solve such a problem, there has been proposed a network device in which, when an icon representing a device on the network is displayed on the display unit, the icon is superimposed and displayed on the layout drawing ( Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-34
561 publication). In the network device, it is possible to change the shape of the icon and display event information and status information of each device. However, in the network device, it is necessary to create and input a layout drawing in advance, which requires considerable time and cannot be applied to a network device in an environment where it is difficult to obtain a layout drawing, such as a mobile environment. Had a problem with.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a network device for displaying other devices on the network with icons. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a network device capable of easily and intuitively grasping the positional relationship of the other device.

[0006]

The above objects of the present invention can be achieved by the following means.

(1) A network device having display means for displaying another device on the network by an icon, wherein the display means has a different display form depending on a positional relationship between the network device and the other device. A network device characterized by displaying the icon.

(2) The network device according to (1), further including a selection unit that selects the icon, and a communication unit that communicates with another device associated with the icon selected by the selection unit.

(3) Search condition setting means for setting a condition for searching for the other device, and search means for searching for the other device according to the condition set by the search condition setting means. The display device displays the other device searched by the search device, and the network device according to (1) or (2).

(4) Location information storage means for storing location information of the network equipment, location information acquisition means for obtaining location information of the other equipment, location information of the network equipment and location of the other equipment. The network device according to any one of (1) to (3), further including: a positional relationship specifying unit that specifies the positional relationship based on information.

(5) The positional relationship is the distance between the network device and the other device (1) to
The network device according to any one of (4).

(6) The network device according to (5), wherein the display means displays an icon that is reduced stepwise or steplessly in proportion to the distance.

(7) A method of controlling a network device having a step of displaying another device on a network with an icon, wherein the step is a different display depending on a positional relationship between the network device and the other device. A method for controlling a network device, wherein a form icon is displayed.

(8) A control program for a network device, characterized by causing a network device to execute a procedure of displaying another device on the network by an icon, wherein the procedure is the network device and the other device. A control program for a network device, which displays icons having different display forms in accordance with the positional relationship with.

(9) A computer-readable recording medium recording the control program for the network device according to (8).

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a network system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The network system according to the present embodiment includes personal computers 1a and 1b as network devices, digital copying machines 2a and 2b, a scanner 3 and a printer 4, which can communicate with each other via communication networks 5a, 5b and 5c. It is connected. That is, in the present embodiment, a personal computer 1a (device name "tanaka") and a digital copying machine 2a (device name "soumu") are installed on the first floor of the head office building, a scanner 3 (device name "keiri") and Printers 4 (device name “kouhou”) are installed, and these are connected by a communication network 5a. Further, a personal computer 1b (device name "yamada") and a digital copying machine 2b (device name "eigyou") are installed on the first floor of the branch office building, and these are connected by a communication network 5b. The personal computer 1b is a portable notebook personal computer, and FIG. 1 shows a state in which the user connects the portable personal computer 1b to the communication network 5b of the branch office to which the user is traveling. Furthermore, the communication network 5a and the communication network 5
b is connected via the communication network 5c.
The types and the number of devices connected to the communication networks 5a, 5b and 5c are not limited to the example shown in FIG.

Next, the configuration of each of the above-mentioned devices will be described. For the parts having the same function in each device, the description will be given only for the first time in order to avoid duplication of the description, and the description for the second and subsequent times will be omitted. .

FIG. 2 shows a personal computer 1a according to this embodiment.
It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of 1b. Figure 2
In the personal computers 1a and 1b, the CPU 11 and R
It has an OM 12, a RAM 13, a hard disk 14, a display 15, an input device 16, a network interface 17, and a bus 18.

The CPU 11 performs various control and calculation processes. The ROM 12 stores various programs, and the RAM 13
Temporarily stores data as a work area, and the hard disk 14 stores various programs and data. The display 15 performs various displays. The input device 16 is a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and is used for performing various inputs. The network interface 17 is an interface for connecting to a communication network and communicating with other devices on the network. The above units are connected to each other by a bus 18 for exchanging signals.

In this embodiment, the personal computers 1a and 1b perform a predetermined operation described later, and a program for controlling the operation of the personal computer 1 for this purpose is stored in the ROM 12 or the hard disk 14.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the digital copying machines 2a and 2b in this embodiment. In FIG. 3, the digital copying machines 2a and 2b are
CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, operation panel unit 2
4, a document reading unit 25, a printing unit 26, a network interface 27, and a bus 28.

The operation panel unit 24 is composed of a touch panel, fixed keys outside the touch panel, a display lamp, etc., and is used for performing various inputs and displays. The document reading unit 25 reads a document set at a predetermined position and captures it as image data. The printing unit 26 prints the image data according to the set conditions.

The digital copying machines 2a and 2b have a function as a normal copying machine for copying an original,
When connected to a communication network, it functions as a scanner that scans documents and sends image data to other devices on the network, and as a printer that prints based on print jobs received from other devices on the network. It also functions as a scan service and a print service for other devices on the network.

The scanner 3 has the same structure as the digital copying machines 2a and 2b except that it does not have the printing unit 26 in FIG. 3, and like the digital copying machines 2a and 2b, it can be used for other devices on the network. Functions as a scan service. Further, the printer 4 has the digital copying machines 2a and 2b except that it does not have the document reading section 25 in FIG.
It has the same configuration as the above and functions as a print service to other devices on the network like the digital copying machines 2a and 2b.

Communication networks 5a, 5b and 5c
Includes a computer network such as LAN, WAN, the Internet, and a public network such as a telephone network, a mobile communication network, ISDN, a packet switching network.

Next, an outline of the operation of the network system in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the network device search process of the personal computer 1a in this embodiment. In FIG. 4, the personal computer 1a first waits until a search condition is input (NO in S101). The user uses the input device 16 to input the search conditions for the devices on the network from the search condition input screen (not shown) displayed on the display 15. Here, in order to search for a scan service for fetching image data into the personal computer 1a, "scan service" is input as the search condition.

When the personal computer 1a receives the input of the search condition (YES in S101), the personal computer 1a sends a transfer request for the attribute information to all other devices on the network (S).
102). Then, when the attribute information is not received from any of the devices within the predetermined time (NO in S103), it is displayed on the display 15 that the corresponding device does not exist on the network (S104).

On the other hand, if the attribute information is received from another device on the network within the predetermined time (Y in S103).
S), an attribute list recording all the received devices and their own attributes is created (S105). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a device attribute list created by the personal computer 1a. In the device attribute list 61 in FIG. 5, the device name, the type of service that can be provided, the location information such as the installation location, the IP, etc.
Address information such as addresses, functional information such as color / monochrome distinction, processing speed, and the like are recorded. Here, in this embodiment, the name of the building and the floor of the installation location of each device are shown as the position information in the attribute information.

Then, a device matching the search condition input in step S101 is searched for from the device attribute list created in step S105 (S106). If the corresponding device is not found (NO in S107),
The display 15 displays that there is no corresponding device on the network (S104). On the other hand, if a corresponding device is found (YES in S107), an icon having a different size is selected for each searched device according to the positional relationship with the personal computer 1a by the following procedure (S).
108). Then, the icons for all the searched devices are displayed on the display 15 as search results (S109).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the icon selection process performed by the personal computer 1a for each searched device. Here, the icon in the present invention means GU
In the I environment, it refers to another device on the network represented by an icon, and a character string indicating the name, position information, status information, etc. of the device added to the icon is also included in this. In the present embodiment, an image representing the service type of the device, that is, an icon in which the name of the device is added to the printer graphic for the print service and the scanner graphic for the scan service is used. In FIG. 6, the personal computer 1a compares the positional information of the retrieved device with that of the personal computer 1a, and when the building and the floor related to the positional information are all the same (Y in S201).
ES), the maximum size (standard size) of the icons representing the service type of the device is selected for the device (S202). On the other hand, if the position information does not match (NO in S201), if the buildings in the position information are the same but only the floors are different (YES in S203), the intermediate size of the icon indicating the service type of the device for the device is displayed. Select a (semi-reduced size) (S204),
If the location information is different even in the building (N in S203)
O), the smallest size (smallest size) of the icons representing the service type of the device is selected for the device (S205).

FIG. 7 shows a personal computer 1a in this embodiment.
7 shows an example of a search result display screen displayed on the display 15 of FIG. In the search result display screen 71 of FIG. 7, the digital copying machine 2b (eigyou), the scanner 3 (keiri), and the digital copying machine 2a (which have been searched from the device attribute list 61 as devices corresponding to the "scan service" of the search condition. is displayed with an icon representing the scan service.
Since the digital copying machine 2b (eigyou) is located in a building (branch building) different from that of the personal computer 1a, it has the smallest size icon, and the scanner 3 (keiri).
Is an intermediate size icon because the installation location is on a different floor of the same building as the personal computer 1a (the second floor of the head office building), and the digital copying machine 2a (soumu) is on the same floor of the same building as the personal computer 1a ( Headquarters building 1
Since it is a floor, it is displayed with the maximum size icon. Note that, here, the search result icons are displayed sorted by the device name together with the device name. The user selects an icon related to a desired scan service from the icons displayed on the search result display screen 71 by using the input device 16 such as a mouse or a keyboard to read image data from the device related to the selection. It can be loaded into the personal computer 1a. As described above, in the present embodiment, for each found device, the icon representing the service type of the device is located near the personal computer 1a by changing its size according to the positional relationship with the personal computer 1a. Since the device is displayed large and the device far away is displayed small, the user can intuitively understand the positional relationship between the searched device and the personal computer 1a, and can easily and quickly select the device suitable for the purpose. You can

FIG. 8 shows an example of a search result screen displayed on the operation panel of the scanner 3 when the print service for outputting the read image data is searched for in the scanner 3 according to the present embodiment. It is a thing. In the search result display screen 72 of FIG. 8, the digital copying machine 2b (eig) searched from the device attribute list 61 as a device corresponding to the search condition “print service”.
You), the printer 4 (kouhou), and the digital copying machine 2a (soumu) are all displayed with an icon representing the print service. Since the digital copying machine 2b (eigyou) is installed in a building (branch building) different from the scanner 3, it has the smallest size icon, and the printer 4 (kouhou) is the same floor as the scanner 3 (head office building). 2nd floor)
Since it is installed in the same size as the maximum size icon, the digital copier 2a (soumu) is displayed on a different floor of the same building as the scanner 3 (the first floor of the head office building), so it is displayed as an intermediate size icon. ing.

FIG. 9 shows a personal computer 1b according to this embodiment.
When the user searches for a print service for color printing the image data stored in the hard disk 14 of the personal computer 1b carried by the user at a branch office on a business trip, a search result screen displayed on the operation panel unit of the personal computer 1b. It shows an example of. In the search result display screen 73 of FIG. 9, the digital copying machine 2b (ei) detected from the device attribute list 61 as a device corresponding to the search conditions “color output possible” and “print service”.
gyou) and the printer 4 (kouhou) are both displayed with an icon representing the print service. Then, the digital copying machine 2b (eigyou)
Is the largest size icon because it is installed on the same floor of the same building as the PC 1b (1st floor of the branch office building), and the printer 4 (kouhou) is installed in a different building (headquarters building) from the PC 1b. Therefore, they are displayed as icons of the smallest size.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a network system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The network system according to the present embodiment includes a personal computer 1c (device name “pc #
1 ") and digital copying machine 2c (device name" copi "
er # 1 ”), digital copying machine 2d (device name“ copi ”
er # 2 ”) and digital copying machine 2e (device name“ co
pier # 3 "), these are communication networks 5
They are communicatively connected to each other via d. here,
The personal computer 1c is a portable notebook personal computer, as shown in FIG.
0 indicates that the user connects the portable personal computer 1c to the communication network 5d such as the Internet at the destination. Here, a case of searching for the nearest print service for printing the image data stored in the hard disk 14 of the personal computer 1c will be described. The types and the number of devices connected to the communication network 5d are not limited to the example shown in FIG.

The personal computer 1c has the same structure as the personal computers 1a and 1b in the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the personal computer 1c is equipped with a global positioning system (GPS) through an expansion interface such as a PC card slot. The digital copying machines 2c, 2d and 2e have the same configuration as the digital copying machines 2a and 2b in the first embodiment, and the communication network 5d is the communication network 5a in the first embodiment. 5b and 5c.

The operation of the personal computer 1c in this embodiment is different from the operation of the personal computer 1a in the first embodiment. First, in the attribute information recorded in the device attribute list created in step S105 of FIG.
The point is that latitude and longitude are used as position information. Figure 11
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a device attribute list created by the personal computer 1c in step S105. In FIG. 11, the device attribute list 62 records the received attribute information of other devices and the device itself, and shows the latitude and longitude of each device as position information. Here, PC 1c (pc # 1)
For the location information of the personal computer 1c measured by GPS
The latitude and longitude of the current position of is shown.

Further, in the present embodiment, the personal computer 1c is searched for each searched device in step S108.
Select icons with different shapes depending on the distance from. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the icon selection process performed by the personal computer 1c for each found device. In FIG. 12, the personal computer 1c calculates the distance between each of the retrieved devices from the position information (longitude) of the device and the personal computer 1c (S301). And personal computer 1
If the distance from c is less than the predetermined value (YE in S302
S), selecting an icon without a shadow among the icons representing the service type of the device for the device (S303), and if the distance to the personal computer 1c is equal to or more than the predetermined value (S3).
No of 02), the shaded icon is selected from the icons representing the service types of the device (S30).
4). The predetermined value of the distance may be a value stored in advance in the hard disk 14 or the like as a default value, or may be a value specified by the user in the search condition input procedure in step S101. I don't mind.

FIG. 13 shows a personal computer 1 in this embodiment.
The example of the search result display screen displayed on the display 15 of c is shown. In the search result display screen 74 of FIG. 13, the digital copying machine 2c (copier # 1) and the digital copying machine 2d that have been searched from the device attribute list 62 as the devices corresponding to the “print service” of the search condition.
(Copier # 2) and digital copying machine 2e (co
Pier # 3) is displayed with an icon representing the print service. Since the digital copying machine 2c (copier # 1) has a distance from the personal computer 1c (pc # 1) calculated from the position information (latitude and longitude) of less than a predetermined value, the digital copying machine 2c (copier # 1) has an icon without a shadow. (Copier # 2) and digital copying machine 2e
(Copier # 3) is displayed as a shaded icon because the distance from the personal computer 1c (pc # 1) is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The user displays the search result display screen 72
The nearest print service (digital copying machine 2c) can be intuitively selected by selecting, for example, an icon without a shadow from the icons of the search results displayed on the personal computer 1c from the nearest device. The image data stored in the hard disk can be output easily and quickly.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the icon displayed on the display means such as a display as a search result can be selected by using the input device such as a mouse or keyboard to select the device associated with the icon. Although possible, in the present invention, the icon has only to be for displaying other devices on the network, and does not necessarily have the selection function.

In each of the above embodiments, the size of the icon and the presence / absence of a shadow are changed according to the positional relationship with other devices on the network. Is not limited to
For example, the color, pattern, or shape of the icon, the color or pattern of the background, the color of the shadow, the pattern, shape, or size, or the color, size, typeface, or character decoration of a character string added to represent the device name, etc. , May be changed according to the positional relationship. Further, the display form of the icon may be changed stepwise according to the positional relationship, or may be configured to change steplessly, for example, continuously in proportion to the distance or the like.

In each of the above-described embodiments, when the search condition is input, the attribute information is acquired from other devices on the network to create the device attribute list. However, the attribute information of the devices on the network is managed. It is also possible to install a server to be installed, acquire attribute information of other devices from the server, and create a device attribute list. Further, instead of making a device attribute list every time the search condition is input, a device attribute list created in advance may be stored and used. Furthermore, the attribute information may not be acquired from all the devices on the network, but the search condition may be transmitted and the attribute information may be acquired only from the device that matches the search condition.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the building name or the like of the installation location of each device or the latitude and longitude are used as the position information included in the attribute information. However, the position information used in the present invention is The present invention is not limited to this, and for example, it is possible to use, for example, a display of the residence at the installation location, a display of the location at the installation location from various reference points using various coordinate systems, and the like.

In each of the above embodiments, the method for displaying network devices according to the present invention is used for displaying the search result in the device searching process on the network, but the method for using the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, for example, it can be used for displaying and selecting a communication destination device when performing data communication such as data transmission / reception, displaying a network configuration, and displaying status information of other devices on the network.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the network system of the present invention has been described by taking a personal computer, a digital copying machine, a scanner and a printer as network devices as an example. However, the network device according to the present invention is connected to a network to form a network. It goes without saying that the device is not particularly limited to the above example as long as it is a device capable of communicating with the above other devices.

The control method of the network device and the network device according to the present invention is performed by a dedicated hardware circuit for executing each of the above-mentioned steps, or by the CPU executing a predetermined program describing each of the above-mentioned steps. Can also be realized. When the present invention is realized by the latter, the predetermined program for operating the network device is a floppy (registered trademark) disk or C
It may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a D-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. in this case,
The program recorded on a computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred to and stored in a ROM, a hard disk, or the like. Further, this program may be provided as, for example, independent application software, or may be incorporated into the software of the network device as one function of the network device.

The embodiments of the present invention described above include the inventions as shown in the following supplementary notes 1 to 11, in addition to the inventions described in claims 1 to 9 of the claims.

[Supplementary Note 1] The method of controlling a network device according to claim 7, further comprising the step of selecting the icon and the step of communicating with another device associated with the selected icon.

[Supplementary Note 2] The method further comprises the steps of setting a condition for searching the other device, and searching the other device according to the set condition, and displaying the other device by an icon. The method for controlling a network device according to claim 7 or claim 1, wherein the other device is displayed in the step of searching for the other device.

[Supplementary Note 3] Based on the steps of storing the position information of the network device, obtaining the position information of the other device, and based on the position information of the network device and the position information of the other device. The method of controlling a network device according to claim 7, or 1 or 2, further comprising: specifying the positional relationship.

[Supplementary Note 4] The positional relationship is a distance between the network device and the other device.
Alternatively, the method of controlling the network device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3.

[Supplementary Note 5] The step of displaying the other device by an icon is to display an icon that is reduced stepwise or steplessly in proportion to the distance. Control method.

[Supplementary Note 6] The network device according to claim 8, further comprising causing the network device to execute a procedure of selecting the icon and a procedure of communicating with another device associated with the selected icon. Control program.

[Supplementary Note 7] The network device is caused to further execute a procedure for setting a condition for searching for the other device and a procedure for searching for the other device according to the set condition. The control program for the network device according to claim 8 or claim 6, wherein the procedure of displaying the icon with an icon displays the other device searched for in the procedure of searching for the other device.

[Supplementary Note 8] Based on the procedure of storing the position information of the network device, the procedure of acquiring the position information of the other device, the position information of the network device and the position information of the other device. The network device control program according to claim 8 or claim 1 or 2, further comprising causing the network device to execute the procedure of specifying the positional relationship.

[Supplementary Note 9] The positional relationship is a distance between the network device and the other device.
Alternatively, the control program for the network device according to any one of appendices 6 to 8.

[Supplementary Note 10] The procedure for displaying the other device by an icon is to display an icon that is reduced stepwise or steplessly in proportion to the distance. Control program.

[Supplementary Note 11] Any one of Supplementary Notes 6 to 10
A computer-readable recording medium recording the communication program described in 1.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention, a network device that displays other devices on the network by icons, and which can easily and intuitively grasp the positional relationship of the other devices. Equipment is provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a network system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of personal computers 1a and 1b.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of digital copying machines 2a and 2b.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of network device search processing of the personal computer 1a.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a device attribute list created by the personal computer 1a.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of icon selection processing performed by the personal computer 1a for each searched device.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a search result display screen displayed on the display 15 of the personal computer 1a.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a search result screen displayed on the operation panel unit of the scanner 3.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a search result screen displayed on the operation panel unit of the personal computer 1b.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a network system according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a device attribute list created by the personal computer 1c.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure of icon selection processing performed by the personal computer 1c for each found device.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a search result display screen displayed on the display 15 of the personal computer 1c.

[Explanation of symbols]

1a, 1b, 1c ... PC, 11, 21 ... CPU, 12, 22 ... ROM, 13, 23 ... RAM, 14 ... Hard disk, 15 ... Display, 16 ... Input device, 17, 27 ... Network interface, 18, 28 ... bus, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e ... Digital copying machine, 24 ... Operation panel section, 25 ... Original reading section, 26 ... Printing department 3 ... Scanner, 4 ... printer, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d ... Communication network.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A network device having a display means for displaying another device on the network by an icon, wherein the display means has a different display form depending on a positional relationship between the network device and the other device. A network device that displays an icon. 2. The network device according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit that selects the icon, and a communication unit that communicates with another device associated with the icon selected by the selection unit. 3. The display device further comprises search condition setting means for setting a condition for searching the other device, and search means for searching for the other device according to the condition set by the search condition setting device. The network device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the means displays another device retrieved by the retrieval means. 4. A position information storage unit for storing the position information of the network device, a position information acquisition unit for acquiring the position information of the other device, a position information of the network device and a position information of the other device. The network device according to claim 1, further comprising: a positional relationship specifying unit that specifies the positional relationship based on 5. The network device according to claim 1, wherein the positional relationship is a distance between the network device and the other device. 6. The network device according to claim 5, wherein the display unit displays an icon that is reduced stepwise or steplessly in proportion to the distance. 7. A method of controlling a network device, comprising the step of displaying another device on the network with an icon, the step comprising a different display form depending on a positional relationship between the network device and the other device. A method for controlling a network device, characterized by displaying the icon. 8. A network device control program for causing a network device to execute a procedure for displaying another device on a network by an icon, wherein the procedure includes the network device and the other device. A control program for a network device, which displays icons having different display forms according to the positional relationship of 9. A computer-readable recording medium recording the control program for the network device according to claim 8.