JP2001306426A - Device controller, server device, method for controlling device, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To release a server device from load for monitoring the operation states of individual devices by regarding plural individual devices capable of executing the processing of an equivalent function as one virtual device from the server device. SOLUTION: A virtual printer 330 prepares virtual device information allowed to be registered as an equivalent single device on the basis of respective device information acquired by communicating with respective virtual printers 340, 350, registers and manages the prepared virtual device information and transmits and registers the managed virtual device information to/in a directory server 320.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device connected to a plurality of devices that execute various functional processes on a network and various computers that issue functional process requests to each device. The present invention relates to a device control device, a server device, a device control method, and a storage medium that can communicate with a server device that manages information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a network system in which a directory server, various devices and various computers are connected and device information is registered in the directory server, the device information is registered in the directory server for each single device. Was. A user who uses a device on a network searches a directory server and uses a single device based on the information.

[0003]

However, when there are a plurality of equivalent single devices on the network and some of the devices are available at the same time, the user uses the devices on the network. When trying to execute a large number of jobs by using a single device, the user waits a lot of time until the completion of JOB execution using one device, or the user divides the job to reduce the JOBs are distributed among the devices.

[0004] As described above, the user has to wait a long time until the job execution is completed, or the load of the job division processing is imposed, so that the data processing efficiency is extremely reduced. was there.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to issue a plurality of devices for executing various functional processes to a network and issue a functional process request to each device. And a device control device that can communicate with a server device that manages device information of the connected device, based on each device information acquired by communicating with the various devices. Create virtual device information that can be registered as a single device, register and manage the created virtual device information, send the managed virtual device information to the server device, and Obtain a virtual device job requested for the virtual device, analyze the obtained virtual device job,
By dividing the job into job processes for each virtual device, generating a divided job for each virtual device, and distributing and executing each of the generated divided jobs to each virtual device, a plurality of single jobs capable of executing equivalent function processes are created. A burden of managing one device as one virtual device, and assuming a plurality of single devices capable of executing equivalent function processing from the server device as one virtual device, and monitoring the operation status of each device , A network environment that can efficiently drive and control individual devices in a short period of time and efficiently process requests for functions requested by each computer. Control device and server device capable of freely constructing a single virtual device as a system And to provide a device control method and a storage medium.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of devices for executing various functional processes on a network and various computers for issuing a functional process request to each device are connected. A device control device that can communicate with a server device that manages device information of the connected device, and that can be registered as an equivalent single device based on each device information obtained by communicating with the various devices. Creating means (equivalent to the SNMP manager 331 shown in FIG. 3) for creating virtual device information, and managing means (virtual device registration manager 333 shown in FIG. 3) for registering and managing the virtual device information created by the creating means. And transmits the virtual device information managed by the management unit to the server device. Those having a signal means (corresponding to the SLP service agent 332 shown in FIG. 3).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an acquisition unit for acquiring a virtual device job for a virtual device from the computer in accordance with virtual device information acquired from the server device (the job management manager 33 shown in FIG. 3).
4) generating means for analyzing the virtual device job acquired by the acquiring means, dividing the job into job processing for each virtual device, and generating a divided job for each virtual device (job management manager 334 shown in FIG. 3)
And a job execution control unit (job management manager 334 shown in FIG. 3) for distributing and executing each divided job generated by the generation unit to each virtual device.

In a third aspect according to the present invention, the management means registers virtual device information in which a plurality of devices created by the creation means are to be virtually one high-performance virtual device. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the device includes a printer, a scanner, and a composite image processing apparatus capable of processing a print function and a scanner function in parallel or in combination.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of devices for executing various functional processes on a network,
A server device that is connected to various computers that issue function processing requests to each device, and manages device information of the connected devices, and is a server device specified by any one of the plurality of devices. Acquiring means (corresponding to the SLP directory agent 322 shown in FIG. 3) for acquiring virtual device information for causing a plurality of registered and managed devices to function as one virtual high-performance virtual device; Registration means for registering the acquired virtual device information (the SLP directory agent 322 shown in FIG.
(Corresponding to the configuration registered above).

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the function processing request from each computer includes a print job, a scan job, and a copy job.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of devices for executing various functional processes on a network and various computers for issuing a functional process request to each device are connected, and the connected devices are connected. A device control method in a device control device that can communicate with a server device that manages device information of a virtual device that can be registered as an equivalent single device based on each device information acquired by communicating with the various devices. Creation process for creating device information (steps S701 to S7 shown in FIG. 7)
07) and a management step of registering and managing the virtual device information created in the creation step (steps S806 shown in FIG. 8, steps S901 to S906 shown in FIG. 9).
And a transmitting step of transmitting the virtual device information managed by the managing step to the server device (steps S801 to S808 shown in FIG. 8).

An eighth invention according to the present invention is an acquisition step of acquiring a virtual device job for a virtual device from the computer according to the virtual device information acquired from the server device (step S1002 shown in FIG. 10).
A generation step of analyzing the virtual device job acquired in the acquisition step and dividing the job processing into job processing for each virtual device to generate a divided job for each virtual device (step S1004 in FIG. 10); And a job execution control step (steps S1002 to S1006 in FIG. 10) for distributing and executing the divided jobs generated by the above-described processes to the respective virtual devices.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the management step, virtual device information for registering a plurality of devices created in the creation step as one virtual high-performance virtual device is registered. .

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the device includes a printer, a scanner, and a composite image processing apparatus capable of processing a print function and a scanner function in parallel or in combination.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of devices for executing various functional processes on a network and various computers for issuing functional process requests to the devices are connected to each other. A device control method in a server device that manages device information of a device, wherein a plurality of devices registered and managed by any one specific device specified among the plurality of devices is a virtual high-performance device. An acquisition step of acquiring virtual device information for functioning as a virtual device (step S602 shown in FIG. 6) and a registration step of registering virtual device information acquired by the acquisition step (step S603 shown in FIG. 6). Have

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the function processing request from each computer includes a print job, a scan job, and a copy job.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of devices that execute various functional processes on a network and various computers that issue functional process requests to each device are connected, and the connected devices are connected to each other. Creating virtual device information that can be registered as an equivalent single device based on each device information obtained by communicating with the various devices in a device control device that can communicate with a server device that manages the device information A process (steps S701 to S707 shown in FIG. 7), a management process for registering and managing the virtual device information created by the creation process (step S806 shown in FIG. 8, steps S901 to S906 shown in FIG. 9); A transmitting step of transmitting the virtual device information managed by the managing step to the server device (FIG. 8) Step S801~S808 shown)
Are recorded on a computer-readable storage medium.

A fourteenth invention according to the present invention is an acquisition step of acquiring a virtual device job for a virtual device from the computer according to the virtual device information acquired from the server device (step S1002 shown in FIG. 10).
A generation step of analyzing the virtual device job acquired in the acquisition step and dividing the job processing into job processing for each virtual device to generate a divided job for each virtual device (step S1004 in FIG. 10); A program for executing a job execution control step (steps S1002 to S1006 in FIG. 10) for distributing and executing the divided jobs generated by the virtual devices to the respective virtual devices is recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. is there.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the management step, virtual device information for registering a plurality of devices created in the creation step as one virtual high-performance virtual device is registered. .

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the device includes a printer, a scanner, and a composite image processing apparatus capable of processing a print function and a scanner function in parallel or in combination.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of devices that execute various functional processes on a network and various computers that issue functional process requests to the devices are connected to each other. In order for a server device that manages device information of a device to function as a virtual high-performance virtual device, a plurality of devices registered and managed by any one specific device specified among the plurality of devices An acquisition step (Step S602 shown in FIG. 6) of acquiring virtual device information of
A program for executing a registration step (step S603 shown in FIG. 6) of registering the virtual device information acquired in the acquisition step is recorded on a computer-readable storage medium.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the function processing request from each computer includes a print job, a scanner job, and a copy job.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network system to which a device control device and a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied, and corresponds to a network system in which a network virtual device can operate.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 112 denotes a desktop (or notebook) personal computer (PC);
113 is an MFP (Multi Function Pe).
ripheral: a copy machine that can also be used as a network printer);
Reference numeral 15 denotes a firewall, and 116 denotes a file server, all of which are network compatible devices.

Each of the network virtual printers 121, 122 and 123, when combined, operates as one high-performance network virtual printer (the area indicated by the broken line in the figure).

These devices are connected via a network 100, and their device information is registered in a personal computer 111 having a directory server function by an agent function of each device.

Each device can transmit and receive data via the network 100 and provides various services.

Of these devices, reference numerals 111, 1
Reference numerals 12, 113, 114, 115, and 116 are provided on the first floor in a building (not shown), and reference numerals 121, 122, and 123 are provided on the second floor in the building (not shown). Also, a network 100 for connecting these devices to each other.
Is the Internet 1 through the firewall 115
30, and further communicably connected to another network 140 via the Internet 130.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the internal configuration of a general personal computer connectable to the network system shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 200 denotes a personal computer (PC), which is equivalent to the PC 112 and the directory server 111 in FIG. PC 200
It has a CPU 201 and executes network device control software stored in a ROM 202 or a hard disk (HD) 211 or supplied from a floppy disk (FD) 212 to comprehensively control each device connected to a system bus 204. I do.

Reference numeral 203 denotes a RAM to which the option RAM can be extended and connected, and functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 201. 205 is a keyboard controller (K
BC) controls input of instructions from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device (not shown).

Reference numeral 206 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC)
Controls the display on the CRT display (CRT) 210. A disk controller (DKC) 207 controls access to a hard disk (HD) 211 and a floppy disk (FD) 212 that store a boot program, various applications, edit files, user files, a network management program, and the like.

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

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a module configuration of a network system to which the data processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied, and corresponds to each device function module example of the network system including the network virtual device.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 310 denotes a personal computer (PC), which corresponds to the PC 112 shown in FIG. The PC 310 has a function of the print application 311 and a function of the SLP user agent 312.

Reference numeral 320 denotes a directory server.
Corresponds to the directory server PC 111 shown in FIG. The directory server 320 is a database (DB) 32
1 and the function of the SLP directory agent 322. 330 is a virtual printer,
This corresponds to the virtual printer 121 shown in FIG.

The virtual printer 330 has the function of the SNMP manager 331 and the SLP service agent 3
32 functions and virtual device registration manager 333
And the job management manager 334 function.

A virtual device 340 is also shown in FIG.
Corresponds to the virtual printer 122 shown in FIG. The virtual printer 340 has a function of the SNMP agent 341 and a function of the JOB execution agent 342. A virtual device 350 corresponds to the virtual printer 123 shown in FIG.

The virtual printer 350 has a function of the SNMP agent 351 and a job execution agent 35.
It has two functions. Reference numeral 360 denotes a file server, which corresponds to the file server 116 shown in FIG. The file server 360 stores various files such as a print data file and the like, and stores the virtual printers 330 and 34.
File access from 0 and 350 is possible.

Each virtual printer 330,
The virtual printers 340 and 350 are registered as one high-performance virtual printer in the directory server 320 and operate.

These devices are connected to a network 300 corresponding to the network 100 in FIG. 1, and perform data communication by mutual functions. In the present embodiment, registration, update, and search of device information by the SLP protocol, monitoring of the device status by the SNMP protocol, and execution and management of a job can be performed.

In a network system to which the device control device configured as described above can be applied, in a network system in which a directory server, various devices, and various computers are connected and device information is registered in the directory server, equivalent When there are a plurality of single devices, registration of device information in the directory server and JOB execution of the device are processed as follows.

[Registration of Device Information in Directory Server] When there are a plurality of equivalent single devices, instead of individually registering device information, a plurality of devices are registered virtually as one high-performance virtual device. . For example, a pull print function that acquires specified print data from a hard disk and prints it
If three printers with (Page Per Minute) output function are connected on the network, a virtual printer is created as if there are 150 ppm printers with pull print function and registered in the directory server. I do.

At this time, one of the three printers has a registration manager for managing the registration information of the three printers.

[Device JOB Execution Process] When a job is input to a virtual device registered in the device information registration process in the directory server, the job is distributed to a plurality of devices managed as virtual devices and executed.

For example, when a job is input to the registered virtual printer, the job is distributed to three printers and executed. At this time, the job of three printers
A job manager that manages execution exists in one out of three units. Hereinafter, the function of each device shown in FIG. 3 will be sequentially described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to a print application processing procedure by the function of the print application 311 of the PC 310 shown in FIG. . S401 to S408 indicate each step.

First, the print application 311 of the PC 310 first performs preprocessing such as opening a port for transmitting and receiving data and messages to and from other devices, acquiring necessary memory, and initializing other variables (S40).
1).

Thereafter, a command is transmitted to the SLP user agent 312 for virtual printer inspection (S402), and the address of the virtual printer is obtained (S403).

Next, the file server 360 is accessed to search for a print file (S404), and a print file name is determined (S405). With these, specify the virtual printer address and file name, and print JOB
Is input (S406).

Thereafter, the process returns to step S402 and repeats the above processing until a request to stop the print application 311 is received (S407).

On the other hand, in step S407, when a request to stop the printing application 311 is received, post-processing of the printing application such as closing a port or opening a memory is performed (S408), and the process ends.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure of the SLP user agent 312 of the PC 310 shown in FIG. In addition, S501-
S508 shows each step.

First, the SLP user agent 312 of the PC 310 first performs preprocessing such as opening a port for transmitting and receiving data and messages to and from other devices using the SLP protocol, acquiring necessary memory, and initializing other variables. The process is executed (S501), and the directory server 320 on the network is searched (S502). This search is performed by a service request of the SLP packet.

Next, it is determined whether or not the directory server 320 exists on the network (S503). When it is determined that the directory server 320 exists on the network, a response is made to the service request,
The SLP user agent of the PC 310 can obtain the network address of the directory server.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S503 that there is no response to the service request of the SLP packet, the directory server 320 cannot search yet, and the process returns to step S502 for directory server search processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S503 that the directory server 320 has been found,
The program enters a state of waiting for reception of an SLP command from the print application 311 which is another function of C (S504).

Then, upon receiving the SLP command from the print application 311, a search process or the like is performed according to the command (S 505), and the processing result is returned to the print application 311 (S 506).

Thereafter, until the stop request of the SLP user agent 312 is received (S507), the process returns to step S504, and the above processing is repeated.

On the other hand, in step S507, when a request to stop the SLP user agent 312 is received, post-processing of the SLP user agent such as closing a port or opening a memory is performed (S508), and the process ends.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in another data processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the SLP directory agent processing procedure of directory server 320 shown in FIG.
S601 to S610 indicate each step.

First, the SLP of the directory server 320
The directory agent 322 first performs preprocessing such as opening a port for transmitting and receiving data and messages to and from other devices using the SLP protocol, acquiring necessary memory, and initializing other variables (S601). When a packet message is received, the process branches depending on the content of the message (S602). If the message is a data registration request, an information registration process of writing the information into the DB 321 is performed (S603).
An information search process for searching for information registered in the DB 321 is performed (S604).

In the case of a data update (deletion) request, it is checked whether or not the information to be updated (deleted) has an access right (S605). DB to update (delete)
321 is updated (deleted) (S606), and when it is determined that there is no access right, the information update (deletion) process is skipped.

Access to these pieces of information can be made for all or some (individual attributes). If the received packet message is a message other than the above, the corresponding message processing is performed (S607).

Then, when the processing of the received packet message ends, the result is transmitted (S608). Hereinafter, until a directory server stop request is received (S609),
Returning to the packet message reception (S602), the above processing is repeated.

On the other hand, if a request to stop the directory server is received in step S609, post-SLP directory agent processing such as port closing and memory opening is performed (S610), and the processing is terminated.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the first data processing procedure in the virtual printer according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure of the SNMP manager 331 of the virtual printer 330 shown in FIG. S701 to S707 indicate each step.

First, the SNM of the virtual printer 330
First, the P manager 331 performs preprocessing such as opening a port for transmitting and receiving data and messages to and from another device using the SNMP protocol, acquiring necessary memory, and initializing other variables (S701). A virtual device is searched (S702). Based on the search result, virtual device information is created (S70
3) In order to have it registered with the directory server,
The event is transmitted to the virtual device registration manager 333 (S704). Thereafter, the wait is performed as an interval for searching for the next virtual device (S70).
5).

Thereafter, the process returns to step S702 until a stop request of the SNMP manager 331 is received (S706).
The above process is repeated.

On the other hand, if the stop request of the SNMP manager 331 is received in step S706, post-processing of the SNMP manager such as closing of the port and opening of the memory is performed (step S706).
707), the process ends.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the virtual printer according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure of the SLP service agent 332 of the virtual printer 330 shown in FIG. Note that S801 to S808 indicate each step.

First, the SLP of the virtual printer 330
The service agent 332 first performs preprocessing such as opening a port for transmitting and receiving data and messages to and from other devices using the SLP protocol, acquiring necessary memory, and initializing other variables (S801). Search the directory server 320 (S80)
2). This search is performed by a service request of the SLP packet. If there is a directory server 320 on the network, there is a response to the service request, and the SLP service agent 332 of the virtual printer 330
A network address of 0 can be obtained.

In step S803, it is determined whether or not the directory server 320 has been found from the response state to the service request of the SLP packet.
If it is determined that there is no response to the service request of the LP packet, the directory server has not been searched yet, and the process returns to step S802 to search the directory server.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 803 that a directory server has been found, the virtual device registration manager 3 acquires information to be registered in the database 321 of the directory server 320.
An event is waited for from S33 (S804). When the event is received, the virtual printer information is acquired (S80).
5) The virtual printer information is registered or updated in the directory server 320 (S806).

Hereinafter, the SLP service agent 332 will be described.
Until the stop request of (S807) is received, step S804
Return to

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S807 that a request to stop the SLP service agent 332 has been received, post-processing of the SLP service agent such as closing a port or opening a memory is performed (S808), and the process ends.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the third data processing procedure in the virtual printer according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing procedure of the virtual device registration manager 333 of the virtual printer 330 shown in FIG. In addition, S901 to S906 indicate each step.

First, the virtual device registration manager 333 of the virtual printer 330 first performs preprocessing such as opening a port for transmitting and receiving data and messages to and from other devices, acquiring necessary memory, and initializing other variables. Perform (S901). Thereafter, an event from the SNMP manager 331 is waited for to acquire virtual printer information to be registered in the directory server 320 (S902). And when the event comes, S
The virtual printer information is obtained from the NMP manager 331 (S903).

Next, after registering the obtained information, a registration request event is transmitted to the SLP service agent 322 together with the registration information (S904).

Thereafter, until a request to stop the virtual device registration manager 334 is received (S905), step S905 is performed.
Returning to 902, the above processing is repeated.

On the other hand, in step S905, when a request to stop the virtual device registration manager 334 is received, post-processing of the virtual device registration manager such as closing a port or opening a memory is performed (S906), and the process ends.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the fourth data processing procedure in the virtual printer according to the present invention.
Corresponds to the data processing procedure of the job management manager 334. In addition, S1001 to S1007 indicate each step.

First, the job management manager 334 of the virtual printer first performs pre-processing such as opening a port for transmitting and receiving data and messages to and from other devices, acquiring necessary memory, and initializing other variables. Do (S
1001).

After that, the printer waits for a job from the print application 311 (S1002), and upon receiving the job, acquires virtual printer information from the SNMP manager 331 (S1003). The job from the print application 311 is divided and the job is transmitted to each virtual printer (S1004).

Wait for the end of the job transmitted to each virtual device (S1005).
It returns to step S1004.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1005 that all jobs from the print application 311 have been completed, the flow advances to step S1006.

Then, the following describes JOB management management and 33
Step S1 until the stop request of Step 4 comes (S1006).
Returning to 002, the above processing is repeated.

On the other hand, in step S1006, when a request to stop the job management manager 334 is received, post-processing of the virtual device registration manager, such as closing a port or opening a memory, is performed (S1007), and the process ends.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in another virtual printer according to the present invention. The virtual printer 3 shown in FIG.
40 and 350 correspond to the SNMP agent processing procedure. In addition, S1101 to S1105 indicate each step.

First, the SNMP agent 341 of the virtual printer first performs preprocessing such as opening a port for transmitting and receiving data and messages to and from other devices by the SNMP protocol, acquiring necessary memory, and initializing other variables. The operation is performed (S1101), and a state of waiting for reception of an SNMP message from the SNMP manager 331 or the like is entered (S1102). When the SNMP message is received, a response message such as device information is transmitted to the request (S1103).

Thereafter, until the stop request of the SNMP agent 341 is received (S1104), the process returns to step S1102, and the above processing is repeated.

On the other hand, when the stop request of the SNMP agent 341 is received in step S1104, post-processing of the SNMP agent such as closing of the port and opening of the memory is performed (S1105), and the processing is ended.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in another virtual printer according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing job execution agent processing at 40 and 350, and corresponds to the processing procedure of job execution agent 342 in FIG. Note that S120
1 to S1206 indicate each step.

First, the job execution agent 342 of the virtual printer first performs preprocessing such as opening a port for transmitting and receiving data and messages to and from other devices, acquiring necessary memory, and initializing other variables ( (S1201), and waits for a job from the virtual device management manager 334 (S120).
2) When the job is received, the job is
Is executed (S1203).

In this embodiment, the file server 3
A pull print for acquiring a file from the server 60 and performing printing is executed. Here, the pull print means that a printer device or the like acquires and prints print data existing in a storage device or the like via a network or the like.

When the job is completed, a job completion notification is transmitted to the job management manager 334 (S12).
04).

Thereafter, until a request to stop the job execution agent 342 is received (S1205), step S1202 is performed.
And the above processing is repeated.

On the other hand, if a stop request for the job execution agent 342 is received in step S1205, post-job execution agent post-processing such as closing a port or opening a memory is performed (S1206), and the process ends.

The network device control program according to the present invention described above can be stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or a floppy disk, or from an external storage medium via a network such as electronic mail or personal computer communication. Alternatively, it may be loaded and executed on a device equivalent thereto. The present invention is applied to these cases.

According to the above embodiment, when there are a plurality of equivalent single devices on the network, the plurality of devices are virtually registered as one virtual device in the directory server, so that a high-performance virtual device is registered on the network. Devices can be created.

Thus, when a user tries to execute a large number of jobs using devices on the network,
The user does not have to wait a lot of time until the execution of the job is completed using one device, and the user divides the job and executes the job by distributing the job to a plurality of devices in order to reduce the time required for the completion of the job. There is no need to make it.

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

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs that can be read by a network system to which the device control device and 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, etc. 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. 4 to 12 in this embodiment are executed by a program installed from the outside.
It may be performed by a host computer. 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 codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment 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.

Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk,
D-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, etc. 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.

In the above embodiment, the example of the virtual device, which mainly has the printer function as the device, has been described. However, the virtual device may be a printer, a scanner, or a combination of the print function and the scanner function in parallel or in combination. Including a compound image processing device capable of processing,
As a job, the function processing request from each computer is
This includes print jobs, scan jobs, and copy jobs.

[0115]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the eighteenth aspect, a plurality of devices that execute various functional processes on the network and various computers that issue functional process requests to the respective devices are connected, and device information of the connected devices is stored. In a device control device capable of communicating with a managing server device, virtual device information that can be registered as an equivalent single device is created based on each device information acquired by communicating with the various devices, and the created virtual device information is created. Register and manage virtual device information, send the managed virtual device information to the server device, and obtain a virtual device job requested from the server device to a virtual device,
Since the obtained virtual device job is analyzed and divided into job processing for each virtual device to generate a divided job for each virtual device, and the generated divided jobs are distributed to each virtual device and executed. A plurality of single devices capable of executing equivalent function processing are managed as one virtual device, and a plurality of single devices capable of executing equivalent function processing are regarded as one virtual device from the server device. It is possible to free the server device from the burden of monitoring the device operation status, and to freely construct a network environment that can efficiently drive and control individual devices in a short time in response to a function processing request requested from each computer. At the same time, it is possible to freely construct a single high-performance virtual device combining multiple devices as a system. It achieves the effect that.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a device control apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention,
It is a block diagram showing a network system to which a server device can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a general personal computer connectable to the network system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a module configuration of a network system to which the data processing device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the data processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the data processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a first example of another data processing apparatus according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.

FIG. 7 shows a first example of the virtual printer according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.

FIG. 8 shows a second example of the virtual printer according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.

FIG. 9 shows a third example of the virtual printer according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the virtual printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in another virtual printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in another virtual printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 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 the device control device and the server device according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 100 network 111 directory server 112, 113, 114, 115, 116 network device 121, 122.123 network virtual device 130 internet 140 other network

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A server device connected to a plurality of devices for executing various function processes on a network and various computers for issuing function processing requests to the respective devices, and managing device information of the connected devices. A device control device capable of communicating with the various devices, creating means for creating virtual device information that can be registered as an equivalent single device based on each device information acquired by communicating with the various devices; A device control unit that registers and manages virtual device information created by the management unit, and a transmission unit that transmits the virtual device information managed by the management unit to the server device. . 2. An acquisition unit for acquiring a virtual device job for a virtual device from the computer in accordance with virtual device information acquired from the server device, and analyzing the virtual device job acquired by the acquisition unit to acquire each virtual device. Generating a divided job for each virtual device by dividing the job processing into job processing for each virtual device; and a job execution control unit for distributing and executing each divided job generated by the generating unit to each virtual device. The device control device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the management unit registers virtual device information in which the plurality of devices created by the creation unit should be virtual one high-performance virtual device. Control device. 4. The device control device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes a printer device, a scanner device, and a composite image processing device capable of processing a print function and a scanner function in parallel or in combination. 5. A server that is connected to a plurality of devices that execute various function processes on a network and various computers that issue function processing requests to the devices, and manages device information of the connected devices. An apparatus, wherein virtual device information for causing a plurality of devices registered and managed by any one specific device specified among the plurality of devices to function as one virtual high-performance virtual device is obtained. And a registration unit for registering virtual device information acquired by the acquisition unit. 6. The function processing request from each computer is:
6. The server device according to claim 5, wherein the server device includes a print job, a scanner job, and a copy job. 7. A server device connected to a plurality of devices that execute various function processes on a network and various computers that issue function processing requests to the devices, and managing device information of the connected devices. A device control method in a device control device capable of communicating with the device control device, based on each device information obtained by communicating with the various devices, creating a virtual device information that can be registered as an equivalent single device, A management step of registering and managing virtual device information created in the creation step; and a sending step of sending the virtual device information managed in the management step to the server device. Device control method. 8. An acquiring step of acquiring a virtual device job for a virtual device from the computer in accordance with virtual device information acquired from the server device, analyzing the virtual device job acquired in the acquiring step, and analyzing each virtual device Generating a divided job for each virtual device by dividing the job processing into job processing for each virtual device; and a job execution controlling step of distributing and executing each divided job generated by the generating step to each virtual device. The device control method according to claim 7, wherein: 9. The device according to claim 7, wherein in the management step, virtual device information in which the plurality of devices created in the creation step are to be virtually one high-performance virtual device is registered. Control method. 10. The device control method according to claim 7, wherein said device includes a printer, a scanner, and a composite image processing apparatus capable of processing a print function and a scanner function in parallel or in combination. 11. A plurality of devices that execute various function processes on a network and various computers that issue function processing requests to the devices are connected.
A device control method in a server device that manages device information of a connected device, wherein a plurality of devices registered and managed by any one specific device specified among the plurality of devices is a virtual one. A device control method, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring virtual device information for functioning as a plurality of advanced virtual devices; and a registration step of registering virtual device information acquired in the acquisition step. 12. The device control method according to claim 11, wherein the function processing request from each computer includes a print job, a scanner job, and a copy job. 13. A server device connected to a plurality of devices that execute various function processes on a network and various computers that issue function processing requests to the devices, and managing device information of the connected devices. Creating a virtual device information that can be registered as an equivalent single device based on each device information obtained by communicating with the various devices in a device control device capable of communicating with the device control device; A computer that records a program for executing a management step of registering and managing virtual device information to be registered and a transmission step of transmitting the virtual device information managed by the management step to the server device. Storage media. 14. An acquisition step of acquiring a virtual device job for a virtual device from the computer in accordance with virtual device information acquired from the server device, and analyzing the virtual device job acquired in the acquisition step to obtain each virtual device. Generating a divided job for each virtual device by dividing the job into job processing for each virtual device; and a job execution controlling step of distributing and executing each divided job generated by the generating step to each virtual device. 14. The storage medium according to claim 13, wherein: 15. The storage according to claim 13, wherein said management step registers virtual device information in which a plurality of devices created in said creation step are to be virtually one high-performance virtual device. Medium. 16. The storage medium according to claim 13, wherein said device includes a printer, a scanner, and a composite image processing apparatus capable of processing a print function and a scanner function in parallel or in combination. 17. A plurality of devices for executing various function processes on a network, and various computers for issuing function process requests to each device are connected,
A server device that manages device information of the connected device, a plurality of devices registered and managed by any one of the specified devices specified in the plurality of devices, and a virtual high-performance virtual device. An acquisition step of acquiring virtual device information for functioning as a computer; and a registration step of registering virtual device information acquired in the acquisition step. 18. The storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the function processing request from each computer includes a print job, a scanner job, and a copy job.