JP2001216107A - Server device, client device, device equipment, data processing methods for server device, client device and device equipment, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a retrieved result based on the newest attribute information of a device equipment obtained when a retrieval request is generated from a client device, to a user. SOLUTION: A retrieval part 24 returns a device equipment satisfying a device equipment retrieving condition received from a client 10 to the client 10 as a retrieved result by referring to the retrieving condition and attribute information managed so as to be updated by a device equipment information management part 21 by acquiring each device 30 or the like and displays the retrieved result on a display part 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plurality of device apparatuses for executing a predetermined function process via a predetermined communication medium,
The present invention relates to a network system in which a client device and a server device can communicate with each other, wherein the server device searches for a device device in response to a request from the client device, the client device, the device device, the data processing method of the server device, and the client. The present invention relates to an apparatus data processing method, a device apparatus data processing method, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A so-called directory service has been provided as a method for efficiently finding and using various resources (servers or device devices such as printers and scanners) connected to a network. ing. The directory service is, so to speak, a telephone directory relating to a network, and stores various information relating to various resources.

As a specific example of a system using this directory service, for example, an LDAP (Lightw
right Directory Access Pr
otocol). LDAP is regulated by IETF
(Internet Engineering Tas
RFC, which is a standard specification issued by K Force
(Request for Comments) 177
7. In addition, as an explanation of LDAP, for example, "LDAP" from Prentice Hall Co., Ltd.
Internet Directory Application Programming "was published on November 1, 1997.

[0004] Using this directory service, for example, by searching for devices connected to the network, a list of network addresses representing the locations of device devices available on the network can be obtained. In this technology, when a device is searched for by specifying various attributes as search conditions, for example, in the case of a network printer, various attributes such as the presence / absence of a staple function and the presence / absence of a two-screen printing function are specified. In such a case, a device that completely matches the search condition including these various attributes is searched for and presented to the user.

[0005]

Such a search is performed based on various attribute data registered in the search server from each device. The various attribute data of such a device is information as to whether or not the device has a specific function or what type of device is. Such information has been treated as so-called "static" information in which the content is not updated after the device has once registered in the search server.

However, the device actually transitions to various states during operation. For example, a printer may be in a state where a paper jam has occurred and is waiting for the user to remove paper, or a copier may be in a job involving a large amount of copying and a new job may not be accepted for a while. There.

[0007] Device devices in such a state are listed as search results, and even if a user attempts to submit a job to the device devices obtained by the search, it takes a very long time to execute the job, or There is a possibility that inconveniences such as the inability to use the expected function of the device due to the failure may occur.

That is, in the conventional retrieval system, information which may change depending on the operation state of the device is uniformly treated as "static" information, and therefore, the current state of the device is reflected. Search based on attribute information could not be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to manage search conditions of device devices received from a client device and to obtain from each device device and update them. Refer to the attribute information
A device that satisfies the search condition is returned to the client device as a search result, and displayed on the client device, so that each device has a certain function in the search server, Not only does the type have information, but also requests the search server to update information dynamically according to the operating status of the device itself, the attachment / detachment of optional units, job processing status, etc. What you can do,
The search server updates the device device attribute information database in response to a request from the device device,
A device device search based on real-time attribute information of a device device can be performed, and a user can obtain a search result based on the latest attribute information of the device device at the time of the search, and a highly accurate device device can be obtained. Server device, client device, device device, data processing method of server device, data processing method of client device, data processing method of device device, and storage medium that can freely construct a network environment in which a search system can be used It is to provide.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of device units (including a plurality of devices including the device 30 shown in FIG. 1) for executing a predetermined function process via a predetermined communication medium. Device), a server device that can communicate with a client device (corresponding to the client device 10 shown in FIG. 1), and stores and manages identification information of each device device and attribute information representing various attributes of each device device as a database. Information management means (corresponding to the device information management unit 21 shown in FIG. 1), and updating means for rewriting attribute information stored in the database based on an attribute rewrite request from each device (device information shown in FIG. 1). A storage unit for storing device device search conditions received from the client device (a search condition shown in FIG. 1). Search means for comparing the latest attribute information stored on the database with the device search conditions stored in the storage means to search for an effective device to be selected. (Figure 1
And a reply unit that returns one or more device devices searched by the search unit to the requesting client device as a search result (to the search result transmitting unit 25 illustrated in FIG. 1). (Equivalent).

A second invention according to the present invention is directed to a plurality of device units for executing predetermined function processing via a predetermined communication medium, and a client device capable of communicating with a server unit for managing the plurality of device units (FIG. 1), and a search condition including one or more attributes for specifying a device capable of executing a desired function from among the plurality of devices is transmitted to the server. Search condition issuing means to be issued (corresponding to the search condition designating unit 11, search request transmitting unit 12, etc. shown in FIG. 1) and the server apparatus responds to the search conditions issued by the search condition issuing means. A search result output unit (FIG. 1) that outputs, based on the search result, one or more searched device devices and information indicating the presence or absence of each attribute for the device device. To the search result receiving unit 13, the search result storage unit 14, and has considerable) and the display unit 15 or the like.

A third invention according to the present invention is a device for executing a predetermined function process by communicating with a client device and a server device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a plurality of processable function attributes are provided. Storage means (not shown) for storing information; detection means (by a device controller (not shown)) for detecting operating states of a plurality of functions; and attributes stored in the storage means based on detection results by the detection means. Managing means for updating information (by a device controller not shown), determining means for determining whether the attribute information stored in the storage means has been updated by the managing means (by a device controller not shown), If the determining means determines that any of the functions has changed, the server device needs to rewrite the attribute information. And notification means for notifying (by not illustrated device device controller), the one in which a transmission means for transmitting the most recent attribute information to the server apparatus (by not illustrated device device controller).

A fourth invention according to the present invention is a data processing method for a server device capable of communicating with a plurality of device devices and a client device for executing a predetermined function processing via a predetermined communication medium, and An information management step (step S410 shown in FIG. 6) for storing and managing, as a database, device identification information and attribute information representing various attributes of each device, and storing the information in the database based on an attribute rewriting request from each device. Update process of rewriting the attribute information to be rewritten (step S408 shown in FIG. 6,
S409), a storage step of storing device device search conditions received from the client device (step S405 shown in FIG. 6), and the latest attribute information stored in the database and the device device search conditions stored therein. (Step S406 shown in FIG. 6, specifically, Steps S501 to S506 shown in FIG. 7) for searching for a valid device to be selected, and 1 And a reply step (step S407 shown in FIG. 6) of returning one or more device devices as a search result to the requesting client device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of device units for executing a predetermined function process via a predetermined communication medium, and a client device capable of communicating with a server unit for managing the plurality of device units. Processing method,
A search condition issuing step (not shown) for issuing a search condition including one or more attributes for specifying a device device capable of executing a desired function from the plurality of device devices to the server device; Information indicating one or more device devices searched and the presence or absence of each attribute for the device devices searched based on a search result returned from the server device in response to the search condition issued in the search condition issuing step. Is output (not shown).

[0015] A sixth invention according to the present invention is a data processing method for a device device for executing predetermined function processing by communicating with a client device and a server device via a predetermined communication medium. A detecting step (not shown) for detecting an operation state; and a managing step (not shown) for updating attribute information stored in a storage unit for storing attribute information of a plurality of processable functions based on a detection result of the detecting step. ), A judging step (not shown) for judging whether or not the attribute information stored in the storage means has been updated by the managing step, and a case where it is judged that any of the functions has changed by the judging step. Notification step of notifying the server device of a request for rewriting attribute information (not shown)
And transmitting a latest attribute information to the server device (not shown).

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server device capable of communicating with a plurality of device units and a client device which execute a predetermined function process via a predetermined communication medium. An information management step (step S410 shown in FIG. 6) of storing and managing attribute information representing various attributes of the device as a database, and rewriting attribute information stored in the database based on an attribute rewriting request from each device. Update process (steps S408 and S409 shown in FIG. 6), storage process for storing device device search conditions received from the client device (step S405 shown in FIG. 6), and latest attribute information stored on the database An effective device to be selected by comparing and judging the device device search condition marked A search step for searching (step S406 shown in FIG. 6, specifically, steps S501 to S506 shown in FIG. 7), and one or more device devices searched in the search step as a search result as a requesting client A program for executing a replying step (step S407 shown in FIG. 6) for replying to the apparatus is recorded in a recording medium in a computer-readable manner.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of device units for executing predetermined function processing via a predetermined communication medium, and a client unit capable of communicating with a server unit for managing the plurality of device units. A search condition issuing step (not shown) for issuing a search condition including one or more attributes for specifying a device device capable of executing a desired function from the plurality of device devices to the server device.
A table showing one or more device devices searched and the presence / absence of each attribute for the device devices based on search results returned from the server device in response to the search conditions issued in the search condition issuing step. A program for executing a search result output step (not shown) for outputting the obtained information is recorded on a recording medium in a computer-readable manner.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a device for communicating with a client device and a server device via a predetermined communication medium and executing a predetermined function process detects a state of operation of a plurality of functions. A step (not shown), a management step (not shown) of updating attribute information stored in storage means for storing attribute information of a plurality of functions that can be processed based on a detection result of the detection step, A determination step (not shown) for determining whether or not the attribute information stored in the storage means has been updated, and, if it is determined that any of the functions has changed in the determination step, the attribute information is stored in the server device. A program for executing a notification step (not shown) for notifying a request for information rewriting and a transmission step (not shown) for transmitting the latest attribute information to the server device. The beam on a recording medium in which the computer was recorded readably.

[0019]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the elementary features of a network system (device search system) to which an information processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, a network system according to the present embodiment includes a client terminal device (hereinafter, a client) 10, a server terminal device (hereinafter, a server) 20,
Various device device terminals (hereinafter, device devices) 30 such as a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner are connected to a network 40. Although each client 10, server 20, and device 30 are shown one by one in the drawing, it is assumed that a plurality of devices 30 exist at least.

In FIG. 1, the client 10 includes a search condition specifying unit 11, a search request transmitting unit 12, a search result receiving unit 13, a search result storage unit 14, and a display unit 15. The search condition specifying unit 11, the search request transmitting unit 12, and the display unit 15 constitute a search condition issuing unit of the present invention. The search result receiving unit 13, the search result storage unit 14, and the display unit 15 constitute a search result output unit of the present invention. Hereinafter, each of these components will be described.

The search condition designating section 11 includes various devices 30
This is for the user to specify search conditions when performing a search for. Here, for example, in the case of a network printer, the search condition is created by designating at least one attribute such as the presence or absence of a color printing function, the presence or absence of a staple function, and the presence or absence of a double-sided printing function.

The search request transmitting unit 12 transmits a search request to the server 20 so as to search for the device 30 under the search condition specified by the search condition specifying unit 11.

The search result receiving unit 13 receives a search result sent from the server 20 as a response to the search request (as described later, information indicating the searched device device and the presence / absence of each attribute of the device device). To receive. The search result storage unit 14 stores the search results sent from the server 20.

The display section 15 displays an operation screen when the search condition specifying section 11 specifies a search condition. In addition, the display unit 15 lists, based on the information of the search result stored in the search result storage unit 14, one or more device devices searched and information indicating the presence or absence of each attribute for the device devices as a list. indicate.

The server 20 includes a device information management unit 21, a search request reception unit 22, and a search condition storage unit 2.
3, a search unit 24, and a search result transmission unit 25.
The device management section 21 constitutes an information management section of the present invention, and the search condition storage section 23 constitutes a storage section of the present invention. The search unit 24 and the search result transmission unit 25 constitute a search unit of the present invention.

The device information management unit 21 stores, as a database, identification information (for example, a device name and a network address) of the device 30 connected to the network 40 and attribute information representing various attributes of the device 30. to manage. The information managed here is, for example, information registered from various devices 30 via the network 40.

The search request receiving section 22 receives the search request sent from the search request transmitting section 12 of the client 10. The search condition storage unit 23 stores search conditions included in the search request.

The search unit 24 includes a search condition storage unit 23
The device 30 searches for the device 30 by using the device information managed by the device information management unit 21 based on the search condition stored in the.

At this time, the search unit 24 performs a search process in accordance with the search conditions stored in the search condition storage unit 23. In other words, a search is made for a device that satisfies the conditions for all the attributes included in the given search condition, and if the device is found, the device is returned as a search result.

The search result transmitting unit 25 includes, as a search result by the search unit 24, a device that completely matches the given search condition or a device that satisfies at least the attribute of the object class extracted from the search condition, Information regarding the presence or absence of the attribute of the device is returned to the client 10 via the network 40.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a network in which the device search system according to the present embodiment can operate.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 101 denotes a color printer,
102 is an MFP (MultiFunctionPeriph)
eral). MFP 102 is a copy machine,
It can also be used as a network printer. 103
And 104, a monochrome printer, and 105, a scanner connected to a network.

Reference numerals 101 to 105 (hereinafter collectively referred to as network devices (network devices))
) May correspond to the device 30 in FIG.

Reference numeral 111 denotes a desktop PC (personal computer), and reference numeral 113 denotes a notebook PC. These PCs 111 and 113 are PCs that can execute a network device device search client program, and correspond to the client 10 shown in FIG.

The desktop PC 111 and the notebook PC 113 (hereinafter collectively referred to as search client PCs) satisfy desired conditions with respect to the search server 112 connected to the network, as described later. It has a function of issuing an inquiry about a device and receiving and displaying a search result.

The search server 112 is a PC that can execute the program of the network device search server.
This corresponds to the server 20 shown in FIG. This search server 1
Reference numeral 12 denotes network devices 101 to 1 as described later.
It stores and manages various information related to the client device 05, has a function of receiving a device device search inquiry from the PCs 111 and 113 as search clients, executing the search, and returning the result.

Reference numeral 120 denotes a LAN (Local A)
The proxy server has a firewall function that protects the rear network 100 from unauthorized intrusion.

In this embodiment, among the network devices 101 to 105, PCs 111 to 113, and the proxy server 120, the color printer 101, the MFP 10
2. Monochrome printer 103, desktop PC1
11. Search server 112 and proxy server 120
Is installed on the second floor in a certain building, and the monochrome printer 104 and scanner 105 are installed on the first floor.

Furthermore, the notebook PC 113 is currently connected to the LAN 100 from the first floor, but may be disconnected from this connection.

Further, these network devices 101
, 105, PC 111-113, proxy server 120
Is connected to the proxy server 12
0 and is connected to another network 140 via the Internet 130.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of a general personal computer, which corresponds to the internal configuration of the desktop PC 111, the search server 112, and the notebook PC 113 in FIG.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 200 denotes a PC on which client software or server software for searching for network device devices (hereinafter collectively referred to as network device device search software) runs, and the desktop PC 11 shown in FIG.
1. It is equivalent to the search server 112 and the notebook PC 113.

The PC 200 executes network device search software stored in the ROM 202 or the hard disk (HD) 211 or supplied from the floppy disk (FD) 212.
01 connected to the system bus 204
Each of the processing device devices within 0 is generally controlled. The hard disk 211 includes the device information management unit 21 shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 203 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 201. This RAM2
Reference numeral 03 includes the search result storage unit 14 and the search condition storage unit 23 shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 205 denotes a keyboard controller (KB
C), and controls input of instructions from a keyboard (KB) 209, a pointing device (not shown), or the like.
Reference numeral 206 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC),
The display of the T display (CRT) 210 is controlled.

Reference numeral 207 denotes a disk controller (DKC)
Boot programs, various applications,
It controls access to a hard disk (HD) 211 and a floppy disk (FD) 212 that store edited files, user files, network management programs, and the like.

Reference numeral 208 denotes a network interface card (NIC) for bidirectionally exchanging data with a network printer, another network device, or another PC via the LAN 220. In the present embodiment, the LAN 220
Is the same as the LAN 100 in FIG.

(Device Information Database) FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of device device information managed by the search server illustrated in FIG.

4 and 5, reference numeral 300 denotes a database relating to the network device. In the database 300, each row of data represents data relating to one device.

The data in each column includes a device name 301, a device network address 302, an object class 303, a device type 304, and an attribute 305 indicating whether or not the device supports the color printing function. , An attribute 306 indicating whether the staple function is supported, and an attribute 307 indicating whether the duplex printing function is supported.
An attribute 308 indicating the number of copies per minute of the printing speed of the device is shown.

In the data of the attributes 305 to 307, "1" indicates that the function of the attribute is supported, and "0" indicates that the function of the attribute is not supported. NA indicates that information on the attribute is not stored.

(Object Class) The object class 303 indicates the function type of the device. For example, if a certain device has a printing function (even if the device is an MFP), it may be registered as a printer-class device.

(Device Type) The device type 304 indicates the overall function of the device, and is distinguished from a single printer and MFP.

(Change of Attribute) Attribute 30 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5
5 to 308 are information whose contents change depending on the status of each device. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, each of the device devices 301 is in a standby state, and the attribute information in that state is shown.

However, in the example of FIG. 5, in the device names “color-kun”, “high-speed machine on the second floor”, and “printer in the development room”, each device is changed according to the change of the operation state and the operation state of the device. This is an example in which some attribute information is changed (colored portion).

As described above, each time the status of each device changes, the device information management unit 2 in the server 20 changes.
The attribute information 305 to 308 stored in No. 1 is changed.

Referring to the registered device information database 300 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example, the device registered in the first row of the tabular data shown in FIGS. The device device with the device name “Kimi” has the network address “19”.
2.168.16.131 ", and the device has a print function.

It can be seen that the form is a single printer. The device name “color-kun” has the attribute 3 that the color printing function, the staple function, and the double-sided printing function are supported as attributes in the device status shown in FIG.
From 05 to 307, it can be seen from the contents of the attribute 308 that the printing speed is 20 copies / min.

Next, “color-kun” shown in FIG. 5 indicates print speed information from the contents of the attributes 305 and 307 that the color printing function and the double-sided printing function are supported as attributes, as in FIG. It can be seen that the attribute 308 is “20 copies / minute”, but it can be seen that the stapling function has been changed to unsupportable from the attribute 306 due to a change in the operation status.

In the present embodiment, the device devices from the first line to the sixth line shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 correspond to the color printer 101, the MFP 102, the monochrome printer 103, the monochrome printer 104, and the scanner 105 in FIG. Shall be equivalent to

The data shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is merely an example, and the data stored in the search server 112 may include other additional information (for example, information such as an installation location).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the server apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the entire operation procedure of the device search performed by the search server PC 112 shown in FIG. In addition, S401-
S411 shows each step.

The determination and execution in the series of processing are performed by the CP in the search server 112 in terms of hardware.
This is performed by U201. This search server 112
Operates according to an event-driven program. That is, when an event occurs, the event is analyzed and a corresponding process is executed. In the following example, a case will be described in which the device operates in response to a device device search request sent from the search client PC 111.

When the search server 112 is started, first, in step S401, the search client PCs 111, 11
3 to open a receiving port to accept a device search request.

By this operation, for example, when a device search request is received from the search client PC 111, the operating system of the search server 112 issues a reception event and notifies the device search program that the device search request has been received. Is done.

Next, the flow advances to step S402 to wait for notification of some event from the operating system. If any event is notified, the event is acquired and the process proceeds to the next step S403. Step S
In 403, it is determined whether or not the acquired event is an end command, that is, whether or not the event is a system shutdown event by the user. As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the acquired event is a shutdown event, the receiving port is closed in step S411, and the processing of the device device search program ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S403 that the acquired event is not a shutdown event, the flow advances to step S404 to determine whether or not the event is an inquiry reception event from the search client PC.

If it is determined that the acquired event is an inquiry receiving event, the process proceeds to step S4.
In step 05, the search condition is extracted from the received packet and stored in a storage device such as the RAM 203 shown in FIG.

Further, the process proceeds to step S406, and FIG.
An appropriate device is selected by comparing the database 300 shown in FIG. 5 with the search condition inquired from the search client PC 111.

The details of the device device search processing using the database 300 will be described later with reference to FIG.

In step S407, the search result obtained in the database search process in step S406 is returned to the search client PC 111, and the process returns to step S402.

If it is determined in step S404 that the acquired event is not an inquiry reception event, the process proceeds to step S408, where the acquired event is a database (DB) change request event (rewrite request event) from the device. Is determined. Here, if the acquired event is a DB change request event from the device, the process proceeds to step S409, and the attribute information change process (update process) on the database 300 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is performed. Later, step S40
Return to 2.

If it is determined in step S408 that the acquired event is not a DB change request event from the device, the process advances to step S410 to execute a shutdown event, an inquiry reception event, and a DB change request from the device. After performing other processes other than the event, for example, a screen updating process, a process of changing the network address information of the device received from the network devices 101 to 105, and the like, step S
Return to 402.

(Database Search Process of Search Server) Next, the search server 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
The device search processing performed in step S406 of FIG. 6 in step S12 will be described in more detail.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the server apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the device apparatus search processing procedure performed by the search server 112 shown in FIG. In addition, S501 to S506 indicate each step.

In the device search process of the present embodiment, for example, when the search client PCs 111 and 113 specify search conditions, all registered device devices match devices in the database with the specified search conditions. Processing to determine whether the That is the loop determined in step S501. In step S504, a specified search condition is checked for one device.

In the device search processing of this embodiment, first, in step S501, it is determined whether all registered device information stored in a storage device such as the RAM 203 has been processed. As a result of this decision,
If it is determined that all the devices in the storage device have been processed, the search result is returned to the host program in step S502, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S501 that all the devices in the storage device have not been processed, the database 30 shown in FIG.
One specific device in 0 is selected, and the process proceeds to step S503 to retrieve the search condition stored in the storage device. The process advances to step S504 to determine whether the registered device information of the currently selected device matches the search condition with respect to the extracted search condition. If it is determined that they do not match, the process returns to step S501 to select the next device.

If it is determined in step S504 that they match, the flow advances to step S505, and in step S505, the device name 301
Network address 302, device type 30
Acquire 4.

Then, in subsequent step S506, the obtained information is added to the information of the search result. When the process in step S506 is completed, the process returns to step S501, and the search process is continued for the next device information registered in the database 300.

As described above, all the registered device information in the database 300 shown in FIG. 5 is searched for the search conditions stored in the storage device, and the search result is returned to the upper program in step S502. 6
Is returned to the search client PC 111 that has issued the device device search request in step S407.

Next, the search processing of the search server will be described with reference to the device information of FIG.

Now, it is assumed that the conditions shown in FIG. 8 are specified by the search client as the search conditions.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a description example of search conditions specified by the search client shown in FIG.
ETF (Internet Engineering)
RFC (Requests) issued by TaskForce
This is an example in which search conditions are described in accordance with the notation “t for Comments” 1960.

That is, a search is made for a device device whose object class is "printer" and which supports the color printing function and the stapling function. FIG.
First, in step S501, “color-kun” is selected as the inspection target. In step S504, if the device status at the time of the search is shown in FIG. 5, the attribute of the color printing function is “1”, Has been changed to "0", the process proceeds to No, and "color-kun" is not searched. Then, the process returns to step S501, where the next device “the second floor high-speed machine” is selected and the same inspection is performed.

Similarly, the “second floor high-speed machine” and the “developing room printer” do not have the “color printing” function, and the “first floor printer” does not have both the “color printing” and “staple processing” functions. Therefore, it is determined that “scan” is not a target device because the object class is not “printer”.

On the other hand, "colored you" is determined in step S5.
In the determination in step 04, the object class is "printer", and "color printing" and "staple processing"
Yes because you are in a device situation where you can provide the function
Is determined.

As a result, among the device devices in FIG. 5, the device device that completely satisfies the search condition in FIG. 8 is only “colored-kun” as shown in FIG. The address or the like is returned to the search client as a search result (in the example of FIG. 9, the search result is configured from the device name 801, the network address 802, and the like).

Next, the search client PCs 111, 11
A screen display example of No. 3 will be described.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a screen display example of the search client PCs 111 and 113 shown in FIG.
Search client P before performing device device search
This corresponds to a screen display example of C111 and C111.

In FIG. 10, a window 900 displays various information. A combo box 901 is used to specify an object class of a device to be searched. Although the search server does not require an object class, the search client first selects the object class because the user must display an icon indicating the search condition.

By operating the combo box 901, the object class of the device to be searched can be set to “printer”, “scanner” or the like. At this time, when the setting of the object class is changed, each search attribute condition in the area 903 for specifying the search attribute changes to an attribute corresponding to the set object class.

Further, "all classes" can be provided in the options of the combo box 901. In this case, the icons displayed in the area 903 must display all the icons representing the search attributes and prompt the user to select search conditions.

Area 903 for designating this search attribute
In FIG. 10, since the printer is selected as the object class in the combo box 901, the attributes related to the printer are indicated by six icons.
That is, the icon 903 indicating the presence or absence of the color printing function
a, an icon 903b representing the presence or absence of the staple function, an icon 903c representing the presence or absence of the duplex printing function, an icon 903d representing the presence or absence of the sorter function, an icon 903e representing the mailbox output function, and an icon 903f representing the Z-fold output function. Attributes can be specified.

When the icons 903a to 903f are selected on the screen, the selected icons are shaded,
Indicates that a selection has been made.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, an icon 903a indicating the presence or absence of the color printing function and an icon 903b indicating the presence or absence of the staple processing function are designated (shaded), so that color printing and stapling processing are performed. A search for a possible device device will be requested.

Reference numeral 902 denotes a search start button. When the user presses this button using the keyboard 209 shown in FIG. 3 or a pointing device (not shown), the search attribute designation area 903 is displayed on the search server 112. An inquiry is made as to whether or not there is a device that completely matches the search condition specified by.
Reference numeral 904 denotes a search result display area, which includes a device device name display area 905 and a 1P address display area 906.

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining a screen display example of the search client PCs 111 and 113 shown in FIG.
Search client PC 11 after device device search
1, 113 corresponding to screen display examples.

As described above, in this embodiment, a search is made for a device having an object class of printer and color printing and stapling processing functions. as a result,
In the device device search process shown in FIG. 7, a device device completely matching the search condition is found, and a device device search result as shown in FIG. 9 is obtained.

Accordingly, in the case of the device status of the device that has performed this search, as shown in an area 904 of FIG. You ".

As described above, in this embodiment, instead of each device having function information as fixed information in the database, each time the operation status of the device changes,
Change the database information for each function information. Therefore, the user can recognize, from the screen display, a device having a function of the designated desired search condition and which function is valid at the time of the search.

The above-described network device search control according to the present embodiment may be executed by the PC 200 shown in FIG. 3 according to a program installed from the outside. In that case, the program is CD-R
An information group including a program may be supplied to the PC 200 via a storage medium such as an OM, a flash memory, a floppy disk, or the like, or may be transmitted from an external storage medium via a network such as e-mail or personal computer communication.
The invention applies even if supplied by loading on top.

When the network control program of the present embodiment is installed in the PC 200, the installation program stored in the first area is
00 and executed by the CPU 201.
Next, the installation program executed by the CPU 201 reads the network device control program from the second area and stores it on the hard disk 211.

According to the above embodiment, the attribute information of the device itself is already registered in the search server in response to the dynamic change of the operation state, the attachment / detachment of the optional unit, the processing status of the job, and the like. When a change occurs or is expected to change, the search server requests the search server to update the attribute information, and the search server updates the device device attribute information database in response to a request from the device. Thus, it becomes possible to reflect the dynamic change of the attribute information of the device in the device search.

Further, since the database of the search server is updated in response to dynamic changes such as the operation state of device devices, attachment / detachment of optional units, and job processing status, the latest device device at the time of search is updated. A search that reflects the status can be performed. That is, the user of the device can obtain a more accurate search result than the conventional search system.

The configuration of a data processing program readable by a network system to which the server device according to the present invention can be applied will be described below with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by a network system to which the server device according to the present invention can be applied.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator and the like are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is stored in the storage medium. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in this embodiment may be executed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. And in that case, CD-ROM, flash memory, FD
The present invention can be applied to a case in which a group of information including a program is supplied to an output device from a storage medium such as the above or from an external storage medium via a network.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the readout program codes, and the OS (Operating System) running on the computer is executed based on the instructions of the program codes. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

The present invention can also be applied to the case where the program is delivered to a requester via a communication line such as a personal computer communication from a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments. .

[0118]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the ninth to ninth aspects, by referring to the search condition of the device received from the client device and the attribute information acquired from each device and managed in an updatable manner, the device that satisfies the search condition is searched for. To the client device and display it on the client device.
Each device device has information in the search server as to whether or not it has a specific function, or what type of device device is, as well as the operation state of the device device itself,
It is possible to request the search server to dynamically update information in response to the attachment / detachment of the optional unit, the processing status of the job, and the like.

Further, the search server updates the device attribute information database in response to a request from the device, so that the device can be searched based on the real-time attribute information of the device.

Therefore, the user can obtain a search result based on the latest attribute information of the device managed by the server at the time when the search is performed, and can use a highly accurate device search system. This has the effect that a network environment capable of being constructed can be freely constructed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional configuration block diagram showing elemental features of a network system (device device search system) to which an information processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network that can operate the device device search system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an internal configuration of a general personal computer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of device device information managed by the search server illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of device device information managed by the search server illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention.

8 is a diagram showing a description example of a search condition specified by the search client shown in FIG. 2;

9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search result notified from a search server illustrated in FIG. 2 to a search client.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a screen display example of the search client PC shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a screen display example of the search client PC shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a network system to which a server device according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Client 11 Search condition specification part 12 Search request transmission part 13 Search result reception part 14 Search result storage part 15 Display part 20 Server 21 Device information management part 22 Search request reception part 23 Search condition storage part 24 Search part 25 Search result transmission Unit 30 device device 40 network 101 to 105 network device 111, 113 search client PC 112 search server 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 211 hard disk

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) 9A001 (72) Inventor Yasuhiko Sasaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Canon Inc. 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AR01 AR03 HQ01 HQ12 HQ17 HR07 2H027 EJ13 EJ15 5B021 AA01 AA02 BB01 BB04 EE04 5B085 AA04 BG07 CA04 5B089 GA11 JA35 JB15 KA13 KB04 KC44 LB12 9A001 BB04 CC11

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A server device capable of communicating with a plurality of device devices and a client device that execute a predetermined function process via a predetermined communication medium, the identification information of each device device and various attributes of each device device Information management means for storing and managing attribute information representing a database as a database, updating means for rewriting attribute information stored in the database based on an attribute rewriting request from each device, and device device search conditions received from the client device A search unit that compares and determines the latest attribute information stored on the database with device search conditions stored in the storage unit and searches for an effective device to be selected. And requesting at least one device device searched by the search means as a search result. Server apparatus characterized by comprising: a returning means for replying to cement device. 2. A client device capable of communicating with a plurality of device devices that execute predetermined function processing via a predetermined communication medium, and a server device that manages the plurality of device devices. Search condition issuing means for issuing, to the server device, a search condition including one or more attributes for specifying a device device capable of executing a desired function from the server, and a search issued by the search condition issuing device A search result output unit that outputs, based on a search result returned from the server device with respect to a condition, information indicating one or more searched device devices and the presence or absence of each attribute of the device device; A client device comprising: 3. A device device that communicates with a client device and a server device via a predetermined communication medium to execute a predetermined function process, wherein the storage unit stores attribute information of a plurality of functions that can be processed. Detecting means for detecting operating states of a plurality of functions; managing means for updating attribute information stored in the storage means based on detection results by the detecting means; attributes stored in the storage means by the managing means Determining means for determining whether information has been updated; notifying means for notifying the server device of a request for rewriting attribute information when the determining means determines that any of the functions has changed; and A transmission unit for transmitting the latest attribute information to the device. 4. A data processing method for a server device capable of communicating with a plurality of device devices and a client device for executing predetermined function processing via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: identification information of each device device and each device device. An information management step of storing and managing attribute information representing various attributes of the device as a database; an updating step of rewriting attribute information stored in the database based on an attribute rewriting request from each device; and receiving from the client device A storage step of storing device device search conditions; and a search step of comparing and determining the latest attribute information stored on the database and the stored device device search conditions to search for valid device devices to be selected. The one or more device devices searched in the search process are used as a search result as a request source client. Data processing method of a server apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a return step of replying to Ant device. 5. A data processing method for a client device capable of communicating with a plurality of device units executing predetermined function processing via a predetermined communication medium and a server unit managing the plurality of device units, wherein A search condition issuing step for issuing to the server a search condition including one or more attributes for specifying a device device capable of executing a desired function from among the device devices; Search result output for outputting information indicating one or more searched device devices and the presence or absence of each attribute for the device device based on a search result returned from the server device with respect to the issued search condition. And a data processing method for a client device. 6. A data processing method for a device device that communicates with a client device and a server device via a predetermined communication medium to execute a predetermined function process, comprising: a detecting step of detecting operating states of a plurality of functions. A management step of updating attribute information stored in storage means for storing attribute information of a plurality of functions that can be processed based on a detection result of the detection step; and attribute information stored in the storage means by the management step. A determining step of determining whether or not the information has been updated; and a notifying step of notifying the server device of a request for rewriting attribute information when determining that any of the functions has changed in the determining step; And transmitting a latest attribute information to the device. 7. A plurality of device devices that execute predetermined function processing via a predetermined communication medium, and a server device that can communicate with a client device, represent identification information of each device device and various attributes of each device device. An information management step of storing and managing attribute information as a database; an updating step of rewriting attribute information stored in the database based on an attribute rewrite request from each device; and storing a device search condition received from the client. A search step of comparing and determining the latest attribute information stored on the database with a stored device search condition to search for an effective device to be selected; and searching by the search step. One or more device devices returned as a search result to the requesting client device Recorded computer-readable storage medium a program for implementing a return step, the to. 8. A plurality of device devices that execute predetermined function processing via a predetermined communication medium and a client device that can communicate with a server device that manages the plurality of device devices. A search condition issuing step of issuing a search condition including one or more attributes for specifying a device device capable of executing the function to the server device; and a search condition issued by the search condition issuing process. A search result output step of outputting information indicating one or more searched device devices and the presence or absence of each attribute of the device device based on the search result returned from the server device. A computer-readable storage medium recording the above program. 9. A detecting step of detecting operating states of a plurality of functions in a device device which executes predetermined processing by communicating with a client apparatus and a server apparatus via a predetermined communication medium; A management step of updating attribute information stored in storage means for storing attribute information of a plurality of functions that can be processed based on the result; and determining whether the attribute information stored in the storage means has been updated by the management step. A judging step of judging, a notifying step of notifying the server device of a request for rewriting attribute information when it is judged that any of the functions has changed by the judging step, and updating the latest attribute information to the server device. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a transmitting step of transmitting.