JP2001216243A - Server unit, client unit, device unit, data processing method for server unit, data processing method for client unit, data processing method for device unit, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately narrow down and present a device unit capable of effectively realizing a function processing requested by the user of a retrieving client unit of a retrieval side. SOLUTION: By referring to a retrieval condition for a device 30 or the like received from a client 10 by a retrieval request reception part 22 and attribute information including attributes based on intrinsic functions and the attributes for indicating inhibited combinations with respective functions acquired from the respective device units for management, a retrieval part 24 performs retrieval. A retrieved result transmission part 21 replies the device unit for satisfying the retrieval condition and not being the attribute for indicating the inhibited combination with the respective functions to the client 10 as a retrieved result.

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 Conventionally, a so-called directory service has been provided as a method for efficiently finding and using various resources (servers or devices such as printers and scanners) connected to a network. I have. 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
(Interhet Engineering Tas
RFC, which is a standard specification issued by K Force
(Request for Comments) 177
7.

[0004] As a manual of LDAP, for example, "LDAP Internet Directory Application Programming" was issued by Prentice Hall on November 1, 1997.

[0005] By using this directory service, for example, by searching for devices connected to the network, a list of network addresses indicating the locations of devices available on the network can be obtained.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, when a device is searched by specifying various attributes as search conditions, for example, if a network printer is taken as an example, the presence or absence of the staple function, When a search is performed by designating various attributes such as the presence or absence of a printing function, a device that completely matches a search condition including these various attributes is searched for and presented to the user.

[0007] However, in many cases, some of the plurality of functions of the device cannot be used simultaneously.

For example, there are printers in which the “color printing function” can be set only exclusively with the “double-sided printing function”. It is assumed that the search client specifies a search condition of “a printer class device having a color printing function and a double-sided printing function” while the printer is registered on the search server.

In the conventional search processing, the printer is selected as one that completely matches the search condition.

However, in actual use, the combination of functions specified by the search client cannot be set at the same time, so it can be said that the selected printer should not have been output as a search result. That is, there is a problem that it is not sufficient to simply search for the simple presence or absence of each attribute specified in the search condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a search condition of a device received from a client device and a unique search condition to be obtained and managed from each device. By referring to attribute information including an attribute based on a function and an attribute indicating a prohibited combination with each function, a device device that satisfies the search condition and does not become an attribute indicating a prohibited combination with each function as a search result By replying to the client device, the client device that matches the search condition and for which exclusive function execution is prohibited is excluded from the selection candidates, and the function processing requested by the user of the search source client device is enabled. Server device and client device that can freely construct a network environment in which device devices that can be realized accurately can be narrowed down and presented. And to provide a data processing method and storage medium of the data processing method and a client device of a server device.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server device capable of communicating with a plurality of device devices and a client device which execute a predetermined function process via a predetermined communication medium, An information management unit that stores and manages, as a database, identification information of each of the device devices, attribute information representing various attributes of each device device, and a combination prohibition attribute of an attribute for which simultaneous selection is prohibited (device information management unit 21 shown in FIG. 1). ), Storage means for storing device search conditions received from the client device (corresponding to the search condition storage unit 23 shown in FIG. 1), attribute information on the database, and device search stored in the storage means. A first search unit (corresponding to the search unit 24 shown in FIG. 1) for comparing and judging a condition to search for an effective device to be selected; Second search means for searching a searched device apparatus compared judged valid device device to be selected by a combination inhibitive attribute and device search conditions stored in the storage means of attributes for the search means (Fig. 1
And a reply unit that returns one or more device devices searched by the second search unit as a search result to the requesting client device (search result transmission shown in FIG. 1). (Corresponding to the portion 25).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the second search means searches for a device device searched by the first search means as a candidate based on search conditions stored in the storage means. It is.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a request for acquiring attribute information representing a combination of a plurality of functions which can be processed for each device and those which cannot function at the same time among the functions. Issuing means (not shown) for issuing to each device device, an attribute managed by the information management means by analyzing attribute information returned from each device device based on the acquisition request issued by the issuing means A registration unit (not shown) for registering in the database as a combination prohibition attribute of information and an attribute for which simultaneous selection is prohibited.

A fourth invention according to the present invention is a client device capable of communicating with a plurality of device units for executing predetermined function processing via a predetermined communication medium and a server unit for managing the plurality of device units. A search condition issuing unit (see FIG. 1) 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. The search condition specifying unit 11 and the search request transmitting unit 12 shown in FIG. 1) and the search condition issued by the search condition issuing unit are retrieved based on a search result returned from the server device. Search result output means for outputting information indicating the presence or absence of each attribute for at least one device device (the search result storage unit 14, the display unit 15, etc. shown in FIG. 1) Equivalent) and those having a.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for executing a predetermined function process by communicating with a client device and a server device via a predetermined communication medium. A storage unit (not shown) for storing, as attribute information, a combination of functions that cannot function simultaneously, and the attribute information stored in the storage unit based on an acquisition request from the server device (Not shown).

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing method in a server device capable of communicating with a plurality of device devices and a client device for executing a predetermined function process via a predetermined communication medium, An information management step (step S406 shown in FIG. 5) of storing and managing, as a database, identification information of device devices, attribute information representing various attributes of each device device, and a combination prohibition attribute of an attribute for which simultaneous selection is prohibited; A storage step of storing device search conditions received from the apparatus (step S405 shown in FIG. 5), and comparing the attribute information on the database with the stored device search conditions to search for an effective device to be selected. The first search step (steps S503 and S504 shown in FIG. 6) A second search step (step S505 shown in FIG. 6) for comparing and determining the combination prohibition attribute of the searched device device with the stored device search condition to search for an effective device device to be selected; And a reply step (step S407 shown in FIG. 5) of returning one or more device devices searched by the second search process to the requesting client device as a search result.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the second search step, the device searched in the first search step is searched as a candidate based on the stored search conditions.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a request for acquiring a plurality of functions which can be processed for each device and a combination attribute information of combinations of functions which cannot function at the same time among the functions is transmitted to each device. An issuance step (not shown) for issuing to the device device; and attribute information managed by the information management step by analyzing attribute information returned from each device device based on the acquisition request issued in the issuance step. Registration step (not shown) of registering in the database as a combination prohibition attribute of an attribute for which simultaneous selection is prohibited
And

According to a ninth 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).

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing method for a device which communicates with a client device and a server device via a predetermined communication medium to execute a predetermined function process. Based on the acquisition request of
It has a response step (not shown) for replying back attribute information composed of a combination of a plurality of functions that can be processed and stored, which cannot function at the same time.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of device units for executing a predetermined function process via a predetermined communication medium and a server unit capable of communicating with a client unit are provided with identification information of each device unit and each of the server units. An information management step (step S406 shown in FIG. 5) of storing and managing, as a database, attribute information representing various attributes possessed by the device device and a combination prohibition attribute of an attribute for which simultaneous selection is prohibited, and a device search condition received from the client device And a first step of comparing and determining attribute information on the database with device search conditions stored in the storage unit to search for an effective device to be selected. (Steps S503 and S504 shown in FIG. 6) and the device searched in the first search step. A second search step (step S505 shown in FIG. 6) of comparing and determining the combination prohibition attribute of the device with the stored device search condition and searching for a valid device to be selected; A computer-readable program can be read on a recording medium to execute a return step (step S407 shown in FIG. 5) of returning one or more device devices searched in the process to the requesting client device as a search result. Is recorded.

In a twelfth aspect according to the present invention, in the second search step, the device searched in the first search step is searched as a candidate based on the stored search conditions.

A thirteenth invention according to the present invention further provides attribute information representing a combination of a plurality of functions which can be processed for each device and those which cannot function simultaneously among the functions. An issuance step (not shown) for issuing an acquisition request to each device, and based on the acquisition request issued in the issuance step, attribute information returned from each device is analyzed and managed by the information management step. A registration step (not shown) of registering in the database as a combination prohibition attribute of attribute information and an attribute of which simultaneous selection is prohibited.

According to a fourteenth 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; 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. And a search result output step (not shown) for outputting a program. Than it is.

A fifteenth invention according to the present invention is directed to a device which communicates with a client device and a server device via a predetermined communication medium and executes a predetermined function process, based on an acquisition request from the server device. A storage medium storing a program for executing a response step (not shown) for returning a response of attribute information including a combination of a plurality of stored processable functions and one of the functions that cannot function simultaneously. In a computer readable form.

[0027]

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 terminal devices (hereinafter, 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.

[0031] The search request transmitting unit 12 includes the search condition specifying unit 1
A search request is transmitted to the server 20 so as to perform a search for the device 30 under the search condition specified by 1.

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

The display unit 15 displays an operation screen when the search condition is specified by the search condition specifying unit 11. Further, the display unit 15 displays, as a list, one or more devices searched and information indicating the presence or absence of each attribute of the devices based on the information of the search result stored in the search result storage unit 14. .

The server 20 includes a device information management unit 21, a search request receiving unit 22, and a search condition storage unit 23.
, A search unit 24, and a search result transmission unit 25. The device information management unit 21 constitutes an information management unit of the present invention, and the search condition storage unit 23 constitutes a storage unit 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 identifies the device 30 connected to the network 40 (for example,
Attribute information indicating various attributes of the device 30 is stored and managed as a database. The information managed here is, for example, information registered from various devices 30 via the network 40.

The search request receiving section 22
The search request transmitted from the search request transmitting unit 12 is received. 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 using the device information managed by the device information management unit 21 based on the search conditions stored in the device 30.

At this time, the search unit 24 performs a search process in accordance with the search condition itself stored in the search condition storage unit 23. That is, a device that satisfies the conditions related to all the attributes included in the given search condition is searched. If the device is found, the one or more searched devices are further registered as combination prohibition attributes. It is determined whether or not a set of a plurality of attributes is included in the search condition, and a device determined not to be included 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 on the presence or absence of the attribute is returned to the client 10 via the network 40.

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

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 101 denotes a color printer,
Reference numeral 102 denotes an MFP (Multi Function Pe).
ripheral). The MFP 102 is a copy machine, but can also be used as a network printer. 103 and 104 are monochrome printers, and 105 is a scanner connected to a network.

Reference numerals 101 to 105 (hereinafter collectively referred to as network devices (network devices))
), Each network device
Each corresponds 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 search client program.
This corresponds to the client 10 shown in FIG.

The desktop PC 111 and the notebook PC 113 (hereinafter collectively referred to as a search client PC) satisfy desired conditions with respect to a search server 112 connected to a 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.
Corresponds to the server 20 shown in FIG. This search server 112
Are network devices 101 to 105, as described later.
And has a function of receiving device search inquiries from the PCs 111 and 113 as search clients, executing the search, and returning the results.

Reference numeral 120 denotes a LAN (Local Ar).
ea Network) 100 is a proxy server having a firewall function of protecting the network 100 from unauthorized intrusion.

In this embodiment, of the network devices 101 to 105, the 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.

Further, 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 configurations 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 a network device (hereinafter collectively referred to as network device search software) runs. It is equivalent to the server 112 and the notebook PC 113.

A PC 201 executes network device search software stored in a ROM 202 or a hard disk (HD) 211 or supplied from a floppy disk (FD) 212.
And generally controls each processing device in the PC 200 connected to the system bus 204. 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 or a pointing device (not shown). 20
Reference numeral 6 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC), which controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 210.

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, another PC, or the like via the LAN 220. Note that, in the present embodiment, the LAN 220
It is the same as the LAN 100 in FIG.

Next, the configuration and operation of the search server 112 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a table showing data (data stored in the device information management unit 21 in FIG. 1) relating to each network device stored in the search server 112 shown in FIG. 2 in a table format. . The device information in the database shown in FIG. 4 is, for example, registered from each network device via a network, and is physically stored in the hard disk 211 shown in FIG.

(Device Information Database) In the database 300 relating to the network devices shown in FIG. 4, each row of data indicates data relating to one device. The data in each column is a device name 301, a device network address 302, an object class 303, and a device type 3 respectively.
04, an attribute 305 indicating whether the device supports the color printing function, an attribute 306 indicating whether the device supports the double-sided printing function, an attribute 307 indicating whether the device supports the stapling function, a combination prohibition attribute 308 is shown.

In the data of each attribute indicated by reference numerals 305 to 307 in the drawing, “1” indicates that the function of the attribute is supported, and “0” does not support the function of the attribute. Indicates that “NA” indicates that information on the attribute is not stored. The attributes indicated by the attributes 305 to 307 can be a key to the device search condition.

(Object Class) The object class 303 indicates the function type of the device. For example, if a 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.
A single printer and an MFP are distinguished.

(Combination prohibition attribute) In FIG.
Reference numeral 8 denotes a combination prohibition attribute, which indicates a combination of functions of the devices that do not function simultaneously.
If at least two functions (attributes) cannot be operated at the same time, a set of them is held as a combination. Generally, a certain device holds a plurality of combinations.

The database 300 of the registered device information shown in FIG. 4 will be specifically described by taking, for example, the device registered in the first row of the table as an example.
92.168.16.131 ", and the device has a print function. It can be seen that the printer is a single printer and supports the color printing function, the staple function, and the duplex printing function as attributes.

It can be seen from the contents of the combination prohibition attribute 308 that the color printing and the stapling function cannot be used at the same time, and the duplex printing and the color printing function cannot be used at the same time.

In this embodiment, the devices from the first line to the sixth line shown in FIG. 4 are the color printer 101, the MFP 102, the monochrome printer 103, the monochrome printer 104, and the scanner 10 shown in FIG.
5 is assumed.

The data shown in FIG. 4 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).
There may be.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention, and corresponds to the entire operation procedure of device search performed by the search server 112 shown in FIG. S401 to S409
Indicates each step. The determination and execution in these series of processes are performed by the CPU 201 inside the search server 112 in terms of hardware. This search server 1
12 operates according to an event-driven program, that is, when an event occurs, analyzes the event and executes a corresponding process.

In the following example, a case will be described in which operation is performed in response to a device search request sent from the search client PC 111 that is the search request source.

When the search server 112 is started, first,
In step S401, the search client PCs 111, 1
The receiving port is opened to receive a device search request from. By this operation, for example, when a device search request is received from the search client PC 111, the operating system (OS) of the search server 112 issues a reception event, and the device search program is notified that the device search request has been received.

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.

In step S403, 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. If it is determined that the acquired event is a shutdown event, the receiving port is closed in step S409, and the process of the 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 the acquired event is an inquiry reception event from the search client PC 111 or the like. Here, if it is determined that the acquired event is an inquiry receiving event,
In step S405, 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, where the database 300 shown in FIG.
An appropriate device is selected based on the search conditions inquired from 11.

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

In the following step S407, step S40
The search result obtained in the database search processing of No. 6 is returned to the search client PC 111 which is the search request source.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S404 that the acquired event is not the inquiry reception event, the flow advances to step S408 to execute other processing other than the shutdown event and the inquiry reception event, for example, the screen update processing In addition, processing such as registering the network address information and attribute information of the devices received from the network devices 101 to 105 in the database 300 shown in FIG. 4 is performed, and the process returns to step S402.

(Database Search Process of Search Server) Next, the search server 112 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The device search process performed in step S406 of FIG. 5 will be described in more detail.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention, and corresponds to the detailed procedure of the device search processing performed in step S406 in FIG. In addition, S501 to S507 indicate each step.

First, an outline of the overall operation will be described. In the device search processing of the present embodiment, for example, when the search client PCs 111 and 113 specify a plurality of search conditions, devices in the database are specified one by one. Is performed to determine whether or not a plurality of search conditions are met. That is the outer loop determined in step S501.

In step S504, a plurality of search conditions specified for one device are checked, and in step S505, it is checked whether a combination prohibition attribute is included in the attributes specified in the search conditions. .

In the device search process 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. If it is determined that all the devices in the storage device have been processed, the process proceeds to step S502, in which the search result obtained at that time is returned to the higher-level program, 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, one specific device in the database 300 shown in FIG. Proceeding to step S503, the search condition stored in the storage device is extracted. Then, 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.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 504 that they match, the flow advances to step S 505 to set the combination prohibition attribute 3 of the currently selected device.
It is determined whether the set of attributes listed in 08 is included in the search condition extracted in step S503.

As a result, which combination prohibition attribute 308
If it is determined that the set is not included in the search condition, the device satisfies all the attributes specified as the search condition, and it is determined that those attributes are not mutually exclusive. It will remain in the results as the searched device.

If the determination in step S505 is No, this device does not satisfy the search condition, so the process returns to step S501 to select the next device.

In step S506, the device name 30
1, network address 302, device type 30
Acquire 4. Then, in subsequent step S507, the obtained information is added to the information of the search result. Upon completion of the process in step S507, the process proceeds to step S501.
Then, the search process is continued for the next device information registered in the database 300.

As described above, for the search condition stored in the storage device, all the registered device information in the database 300 shown in FIG. 4 is searched, and the search result is returned to the upper-level program in step S502. Is returned to the search client PC 111 that sent the device search request in step S407.

Next, the search processing of the search server will be described with reference to the device information shown in FIG. 4 and the search condition examples shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of search conditions specified by the search client shown in FIG.
ETF (Internet Engineering)
RFC (Request) issued by Task Force
This is an example of describing search conditions according to the notation of “st for Comments” 1960.

Now, the search condition 7 shown in FIG.
Suppose 01 is specified by the search client. That is, a search is made for a device whose object class is "printer" and which can use the color printing function and the stapling function.

First, in step S501 of FIG. 6, "color-kun" is selected as an inspection target. In step S504, since the attributes of the color printing function and the staple function are both "1", the process proceeds to Yes.

Then, the combination prohibition attribute 3 in the device information of the database 300 shown in FIG.
In the column of 08, "Color printing" and "Staple" are registered as a set, indicating that these two functions cannot be performed at the same time, and that both attributes are included in the search condition. Therefore, in step S505, N
The determination of o is made. As a result, "color-kun" will not be selected.

Then, returning to step S501, the next device "second floor high-speed machine" is selected and the same inspection is performed.

Similarly, since the "second floor high-speed machine", "development printer", and "first floor printer" do not have the "color printing" function, "scan" is performed because the object class is not "printer". It is determined that each device is not a target device.

Also, "colored you" is determined in step S5.
In the determination in step 04, the object class is "printer" and the "color printing" and "staple" functions are provided, so that the determination is "Yes". Although the “color printing” and “double-sided printing” functions have been set up, the “staple function” of the search condition is not included in the combination prohibition attribute.

As a result, among the devices in FIG. 4, the only device that completely satisfies the search condition shown in FIG. 7 is “colored-kun”, and as shown in the search result in FIG. 8, the device name 801 of “colored-kun” The network address 802 and the like are returned to the search client as a search result.

Next, the search client PCs 111, 11
A screen display example of No. 3 will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen display example of the search client PCs 111 and 113 shown in FIG. 2, and corresponds to a display screen example before a device search is performed.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 900 denotes a window, in which various information is displayed.
A component box 901 specifies the object class of the device to be searched. Although the search server does not need an object class, the search client PC 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, if you change the setting of this object class,
It is assumed that each search attribute condition in the area 903 for specifying a search attribute changes to an attribute according 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 specifying this search attribute
In the example of FIG. 9, since the printer is selected as the object class in the combo box 901, attributes related to the printer are indicated by six icons.

That is, an icon 903a representing the presence or absence of the color printing function, an icon 903b representing the presence or absence of the stapling function, and the icon 903 representing the presence or absence of the duplex printing function.
c, an icon 903d indicating presence / absence of a sorter function, an icon 903e indicating a mailbox output function, and an icon 903f indicating a Z-fold output function can be used to specify search attributes.

When the icons 903a to 903f are selected on the screen, the selected icons are shaded to indicate that they have been selected.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, an icon 903a representing the presence or absence of the color printing function, an icon 903b representing the presence or absence of the stapling function, and an icon 903c representing the presence or absence of the double-sided printing function are respectively designated (shaded). In this case, a search is made for a device capable of simultaneously performing color printing and stapling.

Reference numeral 902 denotes a search start button. When the user presses the search start button 902 using the keyboard 209 shown in FIG. 3 or a pointing device (not shown), the search server 112 specifies search attributes. An inquiry is made as to whether or not there is a device that completely matches the search condition specified in the area 903.

Reference numeral 904 denotes a search result display area, which includes a device name display area 905 and an IP address display area 906.

FIG. 10 shows the search client PCs 111 and 1 after the search server 112 completes the device search process.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of a screen display of search results displayed on a screen 13. As described above, in the present embodiment, a search is performed for a device whose object class is a printer, which has both a color printing function and a staple function, and whose specified search condition does not have a combination prohibition attribute. As a result, a device that completely matches the search condition is found in the device search processing shown in FIG. 6, and a device search result as shown in FIG. 8 is obtained.

Therefore, in this case, as shown in an area 904 in FIG. 10, a device that satisfies the search condition that the color printing function and the stapling function are possible and whose search condition is not the combination prohibition attribute is a device You can see that the name is "colored you".

As described above, in the present embodiment, only devices that have a specified search condition as a function and that completely match a plurality of search conditions, each of which is not a combination prohibition attribute, are displayed. At this time, even if there is no one of the search conditions or there is an attribute of the search condition,
Since the device for which the combination of the respective attributes is prohibited is not displayed, the user can recognize the device completely matching the desired condition from the screen display.

The above-described network device search control according to the present embodiment may be executed by the PC 200 in FIG. 3 according to a program installed from the outside. In that case, the program is CD-RO
To load a group of information including a program onto the PC 200 supplied to the PC 200 through a storage medium such as a flash memory, a floppy disk, or the like, or from an external storage medium via a network such as electronic mail or personal computer communication. The present invention applies even when supplied by

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.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.) or an integrated device, or may be applied to a device composed of one device. .

The present invention can also be applied to a 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. .

According to the above-described embodiment, when searching for a device that satisfies the search condition, not only is the presence or absence of the attribute indicating the function specified as the condition checked, but also the presence or absence of the support is checked. Since the device that matches the search condition is searched for while checking the content of the prohibited attribute, the device search accuracy can be improved as compared with the related art.

Hereinafter, 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 with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium storing various data processing programs that 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. 5 and 6 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 provided.
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.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) 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 a 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. .

[0127]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the fifteenth aspect, an attribute including a search condition of a device received from a client device, an attribute based on a unique function acquired and managed from each device, and an attribute indicating a prohibited combination of each function. By referring to the information, a device device that satisfies the search condition and does not become an attribute indicating a prohibited combination with each function is returned to the client device as a search result. Exclude client devices whose function execution is prohibited from the selection candidates, and freely build a network environment that can accurately narrow down and present device devices that can effectively realize the function processing requested by the user of the client device of the search source. It has the effect that it can be done.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing elemental features of a network 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 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 showing data on each network device stored in a search server shown in FIG. 2 in a table format.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention.

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

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search condition specified by the search client illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search result based on a search condition specified by the search client illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display of the search client PC shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen display example of the search client PC shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 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]

 Reference Signs List 10 client 11 search condition specifying unit 12 search request transmission unit 13 search result reception unit 14 search result storage unit 15 display unit 20 server 21 device information management unit 22 search request reception unit 23 search condition storage unit 24 search unit 25 search result transmission unit Reference Signs 30 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

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiko Sasaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Canon Inc. (reference) 5B021 BB01 BB10 EE04 5B075 KK02 ND04 PP03 PP13 5B089 GA13 GA16 JA35 JB15 KB03 KB06 KC23 KC45 LB14

Claims (15)

[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, comprising: identification information of each of the device devices; Information management means for storing and managing, as a database, attribute information representing attributes and a combination prohibition attribute of attributes for which simultaneous selection is prohibited; storage means for storing device search conditions received from the client device; and attribute information on the database. And a device search condition stored in the storage unit. The first search unit searches for an effective device to be selected, and a combination of attributes for the device searched by the first search unit. A valid device to be selected by comparing and determining the prohibited attribute with the device search condition stored in the storage means. A second search unit for searching for a device; and a reply unit for returning one or more device devices searched by the second search unit to the requesting client device as a search result. Server device. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second search unit searches the device searched by the first search unit as a candidate based on the search condition stored in the storage unit. Server device. 3. An issue request for issuing to each device device a request to acquire attribute information indicating a combination of a plurality of functions that can be processed for each device device and those functions that cannot function simultaneously. Means, based on the acquisition request issued by the issuing means,
Registering means for analyzing attribute information returned from each device device and registering in the database as a prohibited attribute representing a combination of attribute information managed by the information management means and an attribute for which simultaneous selection is prohibited. The server device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. A client device capable of communicating with a plurality of device devices executing predetermined function processing via a predetermined communication medium, and a server device managing the plurality of device devices, wherein 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: 5. A device device which communicates with a client device and a server device via a predetermined communication medium to execute a predetermined function process, wherein a plurality of processable functions and each of the functions function simultaneously. A storage unit that stores a combination of things that cannot be performed as attribute information, and a response unit that replies the attribute information stored in the storage unit based on an acquisition request from the server device.
A device device comprising: 6. A data processing method in a server device capable of communicating with a plurality of device devices and a client device that execute 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, as a database, attribute information indicating various attributes possessed by the combination and a combination prohibition attribute of an attribute for which simultaneous selection is prohibited; a storage step of storing device search conditions received from the client device; A first search step of comparing and determining the attribute information of the device and the device search condition stored in the storage means to search for an effective device to be selected; A valid device to be selected by comparing and determining the combination prohibition attribute of the attribute with the stored device search condition. A second search step of searching for a client apparatus, and a reply step of returning one or more device apparatuses searched in the second search step as a search result to the requesting client apparatus. Characteristic data processing method for a server device. 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein in the second search step, the device searched in the first search step is searched as a candidate based on the stored search condition.
The data processing method of the server device described in the above. 8. An issue request for issuing to each device device a request for acquiring attribute information indicating a combination of a plurality of functions that can be processed for each device device and those functions that cannot function simultaneously. Based on the acquisition request issued by the issuing step,
A registration step of analyzing attribute information returned from each device and registering the attribute information in the database as a combination prohibition attribute of the attribute information managed in the information management step and the attribute of which simultaneous selection is prohibited. 7. The data processing method for a server device according to claim 6, wherein: 9. 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. 10. A data processing method for a device which communicates with a client device and a server device via a predetermined communication medium to execute a predetermined function process, wherein the data processing method is performed based on an acquisition request from the server device. A data processing method for a device apparatus, comprising: a response step of returning attribute information including a combination of a plurality of functions that can be processed and functions that cannot function simultaneously among the functions. 11. 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 a combination prohibition attribute of attribute information and an attribute for which simultaneous selection is prohibited as a database; a storage step of storing device search conditions received from the client device; A first search step of comparing and judging the device search conditions stored in the means to search for an effective device to be selected; and a combination prohibition attribute of an attribute for the device searched in the first search step. A second search for comparing and determining the stored device search conditions to search for an effective device to be selected. A computer readable program recording a program for executing a search step and a reply step of returning one or more device devices searched in the second search step to a client device of a request source as a search result; Storage media. 12. The storage medium according to claim 11, wherein in the second search step, the device searched in the first search step is searched as a candidate based on the stored search condition. 13. A request for acquiring attribute information representing a combination of a plurality of functions that can be processed for each device and a function that cannot function simultaneously among the functions is issued to each device. Issue step, and based on the acquisition request issued in the issue step,
A registration step of analyzing attribute information returned from each device and registering the attribute information in the database as a combination prohibition attribute of the attribute information managed in the information management step and an attribute of which simultaneous selection is prohibited. The storage medium according to claim 11, wherein 14. 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 / absence of each attribute for the device device based on the search result returned from the server device. A computer-readable storage medium recording the above program. 15. A device which communicates with a client device and a server device via a predetermined communication medium to execute a predetermined function process, based on an acquisition request from the server device, stores a plurality of processable data. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a response step of returning attribute information including a combination of functions and functions that cannot function at the same time among the functions.