JP2002342041A - Printer, network i/f device, network setting method and program therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the overlap of the set values of a plurality of network I/F devices when network setting such as the setting of the IP address values of the network I/F devices is performed in a printer provided with the plurality of the network I/F devices. SOLUTION: The printer is provided with the plurality of the network I/F devices, holds the network setting information of the plurality of the network I/F devices in a table and is provided with a network setting management means for comparing a setting request value and the network setting information held in the table and confirming and answering whether they overlap in the case of receiving the setting request value of the network setting for the network I/F devices.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a network I / F apparatus, a network setting method for a network I / F apparatus, and a program therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing apparatus has often used a Centronics I / F as an interface (hereinafter referred to as an I / F) for receiving print data from outside. In recent years, printing apparatuses have begun to be used in a network environment such as a LAN. By providing a network I / F corresponding to a standard of a network to be connected to the printing apparatus, printing processing in a network environment becomes possible. As a method of connecting the printing apparatus to a network, particularly a LAN, a method of connecting a print server, which is an external device, to a Centronics I / F, and an optional LAN card that can be connected to an internal bus of a printer controller are used. There are various methods, and a network printing environment is provided by various methods.

When a printer is used in an environment connected to a network, it is necessary to first set an address for each network I / F. This configuration task
The operation is performed by an operation panel of each printing apparatus, dedicated management software operating on a PC connected to the same network, or the like.

[0004] Here, the "address" refers to an address corresponding to the network layer in the OSI reference model. For example, in an IP network, it is an IP address. This needs to be set uniquely without duplication in the target network.

For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 11-282644 discloses a "network device control apparatus and control method" relating to setting of IP addresses for a plurality of network devices connected to a network. This is because when the network device management software sets an IP address for a network device, the IP address already set for another device is set.
This prevents the same IP address as the address from being duplicated.

More specifically, the network device management software refers to a network device address table stored in advance and checks whether an address value to be newly set does not overlap with a default value in the table. In the case of overlapping, setting of the value is prohibited.

[0007] The environment surrounding a network is changing, and the transmission method is the same as that of the conventional Ethernet.
New transmission systems using not only (registered trademark) and TokenRing but also telephone lines and wireless (infrared and radio waves) have been put into practical use one after another. In printing devices,
Since it is desired to connect to these various network environments, a printing apparatus having a configuration including a plurality of types of network I / Fs corresponding to various network standards is provided.

[0008]

However, the same address value is redundantly set for each of the network I / Fs for a conventional printing apparatus having a plurality of network I / Fs built therein or mountable. It is possible. Therefore, when the setter sets the same address value, there is a problem that network communication is confused and network printing does not operate normally.

The reason why the duplicate address can be set for each of the network I / Fs is that the management and storage of the addresses are made independent for each network I / F.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to prohibit a printer having a plurality of network I / Fs from setting duplicate addresses for the plurality of network I / Fs. Printing device, network I / F device, network setting method,
And its programs.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 provides a plurality of network I / Os.
A printing apparatus having an F apparatus, the network setting information of a plurality of network I / F apparatuses being held in a table, and a setting request value for network setting for the network I / F apparatus being received; It is characterized by having network setting management means for comparing the network setting information held in the table and confirming whether or not there is any overlap, and responding.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus having a plurality of network I / F apparatuses, wherein setting information storage means for storing network setting information of the plurality of network I / F apparatuses in a table; When the setting request value of the network setting for the / F device is received, the setting request value is compared with the network setting values of the plurality of network I / F devices stored in the table to determine whether or not there is any overlap. Based on the result of the confirmation processing by the duplication confirmation means to be confirmed and the confirmation processing by the duplication confirmation means, the processing is performed to reflect the setting request value to the network setting of the network I / F device when the duplication does not occur, and when the duplication occurs, the reflection processing is not performed. Setting reflecting means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus having a plurality of network I / F apparatuses, wherein: a setting information storage unit for storing network setting information of the plurality of network I / F apparatuses in a table; When the setting request value of the network setting for the / F device is received, the setting request value is compared with the network setting values of the plurality of network I / F devices stored in the table to determine whether or not there is any overlap. Based on the result of the confirmation processing performed by the duplication checking means and the duplication checking means, if there is no duplication, an instruction to reflect the setting request value to the setting is issued to the network I / F device. And no reflection instructing means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus having a plurality of network I / F devices, wherein a network setting input means for receiving an input of network settings for the network I / F devices, and a plurality of network I / F devices. A setting information storage unit for storing the network setting information of the F device in a table, and a plurality of network setting setting request values for the network I / F device received from the network setting input unit. Duplicate confirmation means for comparing with a network setting value of the network I / F device to confirm whether there is no duplication. Based on the result of the confirmation processing by the duplication confirmation means, if there is no duplication, the setting request value is changed to the network I / F device. Settings that are reflected in the settings of the It is characterized by having, when.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the case of duplication, control is returned to the network setting inputting means, and the network setting inputting means sets the requested value to another of the printing apparatus. Network I / F
The present invention is characterized in that the fact that the setting is duplicated with the network setting value of the device is displayed to prompt re-input of the setting request value.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the setting information storage means acquires the network setting information from each of the network I / F devices at a predetermined timing. It is characterized in that a table is created.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the network setting information is stored in a network layer. It is characterized by including an address.

The invention according to claim 8 is connected to a printing apparatus having a plurality of network I / F apparatuses and having means for holding and managing network setting values of the plurality of network I / F apparatuses in a table. A network I / F device, which receives, from a computer connected to a network, a setting request value of network setting for the network I / F device, and sets the setting request value and a plurality of networks which the setting request value has in the printing device. A request for an overlap confirmation process as to whether or not there is an overlap with the network setting value of the I / F device is transmitted to the printing device, a result response of the overlap confirmation process is obtained from the printing device, and the result response is sent to the computer. And a network setting control means for transmitting the data.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the printing apparatus is connected to a printing apparatus having a plurality of network I / F apparatuses and having means for holding and managing network setting values of the plurality of network I / F apparatuses in a table. A network I / F device, which receives, from a computer connected to a network, a setting request value of network setting for the network I / F device, and sets the setting request value and a plurality of networks which the setting request value has in the printing device. A request for an overlap confirmation process as to whether or not there is an overlap with the network setting value of the I / F device is transmitted to the printing device, a result response of the overlap confirmation process is obtained from the printing device, and the result response is sent to the computer. And a network setting control means for transmitting the data.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect of the invention, when the network setting control means obtains an overlapping result, the network setting control means sends the setting request value to the computer which has transmitted the setting request value. It is characterized by transmitting a response for input of another value.

[0021] The invention described in claim 11 is the invention according to claims 8 to 1
0, In the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the network setting control means is configured as a Web server program that receives network settings by network setting software running on a computer connected to the network.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention is the first aspect of the present invention.
In the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the network setting information includes a network layer address. It is characterized by.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus comprising: a plurality of network I / F devices, means for holding and managing network setting information of the plurality of network I / F devices in a table; Means for receiving a setting request value of the network setting, checking whether the setting request value does not overlap with the network setting value held in the table, and returning a result response. Is a network setting program for causing a computer connected to a computer to execute the following processing, in which a user specifies a network I / F device for which network setting is to be performed and inputs a setting request value; Network I / F
A process of transmitting to the device a setting request value and a request for an overlap confirmation process as to whether the setting request value does not overlap with a network setting value of a plurality of network I / F devices included in the printing device; If the received response is a response indicating that there is no duplication from the / F device, and the received response is a response indicating that there is no overlap, the setting request value is reflected in the setting of the network I / F device. A process of transmitting an instruction and prompting the user to input a value different from the setting request value if the response indicates that the request is duplicated;
Is executed by a computer.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus comprising: a plurality of network I / F devices, means for holding and managing network setting information of the plurality of network I / F devices in a table; When the setting request value of the network setting is received, it is checked whether the setting request value does not overlap with the network setting information held in the table. If the setting request value does not overlap, the setting request value is set to the network I / F device. A network setting program for causing a computer connected to a network to which the printing apparatus having the processing to perform the following processing to execute the following processing, the network I / O being a target for performing network setting by a user Processing for designating the F device and inputting the setting request value, and the designated network I / F Transmitting a setting request value and a request for an overlap confirmation process as to whether the setting request value does not overlap with a network setting value of a plurality of network I / F devices included in the printing apparatus. / F device, a process of receiving a result response of the duplication confirmation process and the setting reflection process by the printing device, and a result response indicating that the setting request value overlaps with the network setting value of the network I / F device of the printing device. When received, the computer is made to execute a process of prompting the user to input a value different from the setting request value.

According to a fifteenth aspect, in the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, the network setting information includes a network layer address.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the network I / F in a system including a printing apparatus having a plurality of network I / F apparatuses, a network to which the printing apparatuses are connected, and a computer connected to the network. A method for setting a network I / F device, wherein the user specifies on the computer the network I / F device for which a network setting is to be performed and inputs a setting request value; Network I / F device
A transmitting step in which the setting request value is transmitted, wherein the designated network I / F device receives the setting request value, and wherein the setting request value and the setting request value are the plurality of network I / F devices. A request for a duplication confirmation process as to whether or not the duplication does not overlap with the network setting value of the duplication confirmation requesting step of transmitting to the printing device;
Receiving the setting request value and the duplication confirmation processing request from the network I / F device,
/ F device refers to a table holding the network setting information, compares the network setting value stored in the table with the setting request value, and checks whether there is no duplication. To the network I /
A duplicate confirmation step to be transmitted to the F apparatus, a result transmission step in which the network I / F apparatus receives a result response of the duplicate confirmation processing from the printing apparatus, and transmits the result response to the computer. And a result displaying step in which the computer receives a response result of the duplication confirmation processing from the network I / F device and displays the result on the screen.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the sixteenth aspect, a user inputs a reflection instruction to the setting of the setting request value on a computer, and sends the instruction to the network I / F device. A reflection instruction step of transmitting a reflection instruction to the setting of the setting request value; and the network I / F device receives the setting reflection instruction from the computer and performs a reflection process of the setting request value to the setting. And a setting reflecting step.

[0028] The invention according to claim 18 is the network I / F in a system comprising a printing device having a plurality of network I / F devices, a network connected to the printing device, and a computer connected to the network. A method for setting a network I / F device, wherein the user specifies on the computer the network I / F device for which a network setting is to be performed and inputs a setting request value; Network I / F device
A transmitting step in which the setting request value is transmitted, wherein the designated network I / F device receives the setting request value, and wherein the setting request value and the setting request value are the plurality of network I / F devices. A request for a duplication confirmation process as to whether or not the duplication does not overlap with the network setting value of the duplication confirmation requesting step of transmitting to the printing device;
Receiving the setting request value and the duplication confirmation processing request from the network I / F device,
/ F device refers to a table holding the network setting information, compares the network setting value stored in the table with the setting request value, and checks whether there is no duplication. To the network I /
And F. when the network I / F device receives a result response of the duplication confirmation processing from the printing device, based on the result response, and A process of reflecting the setting request value in the setting is performed, and if the result is an overlap, the setting reflecting step in which the setting reflecting process is not performed, and the network I / F device transmits the processing result in the setting reflecting step to the computer. A reflection result transmitting step of transmitting the setting result to the computer and a reflection result displaying step of the computer receiving the result of the setting reflection process from the network I / F device and displaying the result on a screen.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network setting method for a network I / F device in a printing device having a plurality of network I / F devices, wherein the user performs network setting via an operation panel. A setting input step of designating the target network I / F device and inputting a setting request value of network setting for the network I / F device, and holding network setting information of the plurality of network I / F devices With reference to the table being, the setting request value input in the setting input step,
A duplication check step of comparing with a network setting value of the plurality of network I / F devices and checking whether there is no duplication, and a duplication check result display in which the result of the check processing in the duplication check step is displayed on the operation panel And a reflection instruction input step in which, when the duplication does not occur, a reflection instruction for setting the setting request value is input by the user via the operation panel, and the setting reflection input in the reflection instruction input step is performed. A setting reflecting step of performing a process of reflecting the setting request value to the setting of the specified network I / F device based on the instruction.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with any one of the sixteenth to nineteenth aspects, the network setting information of the network I / F device is obtained from a plurality of network I / F devices and the setting information is obtained. Is further included in a setting information acquisition step of storing the setting information in a table.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the sixteenth to twentieth aspects, if the result of the duplication confirmation step is not duplicated, the setting request value is reflected in the table. The method further comprises the step of updating the network setting information by using

[0032] The invention according to claim 22 is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of claims 16 to 20, the network setting information includes a network layer address.

[0033]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing device 10
Network 30 (wired LAN) by LAN I / F6
Connected to. Network components including a PC (personal computer) 20 are connected to the network 30. Further, as described later, the printing apparatus 10
Is also connected to a network 50 (wireless LAN) by a LAN I / F card 40 attachable to the option I / F 7 (FIG. 2).

The printing apparatus 10 includes a CPU 1, a ROM 2, an R
AM3, EEPROM4, operation panel 5, LAN I / F
6, an option I / F 7, an engine 8, an internal bus 9, and the like. The CPU 1 performs main control of the printing device 10. The ROM 2 stores various control programs. R
AM3 temporarily stores data during the printing process. E
EPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable RO
M) 4 is a storage medium that stores each setting information of the printing apparatus 10. The LAN I / F 6 is an I / F for connecting to the network 30. The operation panel 5 receives input of various control instructions to the printing device 10. The engine 8 performs a process of printing image data on paper. The option I / F 7 is an I / F for connecting an optional network I / F, and includes a connector for directly connecting to the internal bus 9. These components are connected by an internal bus 9.

The ROM 2 stores a program for controlling the entire printing apparatus for processing and printing the print data received from the host apparatus. Further, it stores control drivers and protocols necessary for controlling the network I / F, and programs for various printing processes.

The ROM 2 stores a network setting management program (network setting management means) including a setting information acquisition program, a duplication check program, and the like.

The setting information acquisition program is executed by the printing apparatus 10
The network setting information of a plurality of network I / Fs built in or connected to the server is acquired, stored in a table, and managed. The duplication check program receives the setting request value for the network setting, compares it with the setting values of the other network I / Fs held in the table, and performs a duplication check process to determine whether there is any duplication.

The network setting information table stores information on network settings such as an IP address and a network I / F name (host name) for each network I / F of the printing apparatus 10 in each network I / F.
The memory is stored separately from the memory of F, and is created and stored in a storage medium (EEPROM 4 or RAM 3) of the printing apparatus 10 by the network setting management unit.

When the printing apparatus 10 is powered on and detects that the LAN I / F card 40 has been attached to the option I / F 7, the printing apparatus 10 acquires the network setting information of the LAN I / F card 40, and obtains the network setting information table. Create Alternatively, this is not the case when the latest network setting information table is created and held in advance.

The network setting information table has an EEP
The information may be stored only in the ROM 4, or a copy of the information may be expanded on the RAM 3.

Next, the LAN I / F 6 will be described.
The LAN I / F 6 has Ethernet (registered trademark) as a physical layer and TCP / IP (Tr
ansmissionControlProtocol / InternetProtocol). In addition, it has a printing protocol lpr as a network application protocol. Also,
An HTTP protocol and a Web server function (Web server program) are provided as network setting control means.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, a LAN I / F card 40 attachable to the option I / F 7 of the printing apparatus 10 will be described.
Will be described. The LAN I / F card 40 is
It is an I / F with a network 50 (wireless LAN), and can communicate with a PC 60 via the network 50. The LAN I / F card 40 is a LAN I / F card 4
0, a ROM 41 for storing a control program, and a RAM 4 for temporarily storing print data.
3. an EEPROM 44 for storing network setting information such as the IP address of the LAN I / F card 40;
And LA which is a wireless communication I / F with the network 50
An NI / F 46 is provided. Similarly to the LAN I / F 6, the ROM 42 of the LAN I / F card 40 stores
It stores a control driver and protocol necessary for controlling the / F card 40, various printing programs, and the like, and includes a network setting control unit according to the present invention.

The physical layer of the network to which the LAN I / F card 40 corresponds is a wireless LAN IEEE802.
11b, and the network protocol is TCP / IP. Also, as a print application protocol,
pr, and P as a network setting tool
The dedicated network setting software that operates on the C20 or the like has a function capable of performing various network settings of the LAN I / F card 40 using a unique protocol that operates on TCP / IP. This is the LA
It has a function similar to the network setting made using the Web server function of the NI / F 6.

The network setting control means provided in the LAN I / F 6 and the LAN I / F card 40 receives a setting request and a setting request value for the network setting received from the PC 20 or the like via the network, and performs network setting of the printing apparatus 10. A request is made to the management means for a duplication confirmation process for the set request value. Then, a result response of the duplication confirmation processing is received from the network setting management means, and based on the result response, the setting request value is reflected in the setting, and the processing result is transmitted to the PC which has issued the network setting request.

As described above, the printing apparatus 10 has a plurality of network I / Fs (LAN I / F 6 and LAN I / F 6 in this example).
/ F card 40), and network setting such as setting of an IP address is performed on each network I / F, whereby each network I / F is recognized as a communication host on the network.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a network connection form of the printing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The printing apparatus has a plurality of network I / Fs and is connected to a corresponding network. In this embodiment, the printing device 10
Has two networks I / FA and B and is connected to two networks A and B. Network A is a wired LAN, and network B is a wireless LAN.
The network A and the network B are connected via a router or a gateway, and both use the TCP / IP protocol to form an IP network. The network setting of the network I / F is performed by the above-described Web server function as the network setting control means provided in each network I / F, or the network setting input means provided in the printing apparatus, or the PC connected to the network. This is performed by the network setting software running on the above. The printing apparatus manages network setting information including a program for managing network setting information of a plurality of network I / Fs of the printing apparatus in a table, and a program for performing duplication confirmation processing in response to a request from a network setting control unit or the like. Means.

Next, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The operation of this embodiment will be described in detail. In the first embodiment, the network setting of the network I / F is performed by network setting software running on a computer connected to the network. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation on the network I / F side, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation on the printing apparatus side.

FIG. 6 is an example of a network setting information table. Here, item 1 represents an IP address, item 2 represents a network I / F name (host name), and item “LAN”.
“I / F1” is LANI / F6, item “LANI / F”
2 ”is the LAN I / F attached to the option I / F 7
The network setting values of the card 40 are shown.

First, the user (network administrator)
A network I / F for which network setting is to be performed is designated by network setting software (using a Web browser) operating on the PC 10. Here, L
The case where the ANI / F6 is set will be described as an example. The user performs necessary input to access a Web server program which is a network setting control means mounted on the LAN I / F 6, and changes the IP address of the LAN I / F 6 to "
Request to change to 123.123.123.123 ".

In FIG. 4, the network setting control means of the LAN I / F 6 receives a setting request and a setting request value (step S41), and controls the Web server.
The above setting request value "123.1
23.123.123 "and an IP address change instruction are issued. The network setting control means sets the setting request value of" 1 ".
Before writing 23.123.123.123 "in the EEPROM 4 and reflecting the setting in the setting, the network setting management unit of the printing apparatus 10 sends the setting request value to another network I / F (here, a LAN I / F card) of the printing apparatus 10. 4
(Step S42).

In FIG. 5, the network setting management means of the printing apparatus 10 sends network setting information, here setting I, from the network setting control means of the LAN I / F 6.
When D = 1 and the setting request value "123.123.123.123" are received (step S51), the network setting information table is referred to (step S52). The network setting management means is provided for each network I / F stored in the table.
With reference to the item of ID = 1, that is, in this case, the IP addresses “123.123.123.1” and “123.123.123.2”, it is compared whether or not the setting request value overlaps with these values (step S53).

In this case, since the target of the network setting is the LAN I / F 6, the network I / F other than the set value "123.123.123.1" of the item of the LAN I / F 6 is set.
Perform the process of comparing with the set value of the item. (Alternatively, a processing configuration may be adopted in which the comparison is performed including the setting of the LAN I / F 6 itself. However, in this case, if a setting request is made for the same value as the value already set to the LAN I / F 6, the result will be duplicated. .)

The network setting management means of the printing apparatus 10 determines that the setting request value is usable because the setting request IP address value "123.123.123.123" does not overlap with the IP address value "123.123.123.2". Is returned (step S54). If the setting request value has already been used, a negative response indicating that the request setting value cannot be used is returned, and the process ends (step S55).

In FIG. 4, the network setting control means of the LAN I / F 6 receives a result response from the duplication confirmation processing from the printing apparatus 10 (step S43). When the result response is an affirmative response, the above-described setting request value is written in its own EEPROM to update the network setting (step S44). Then, when the TCP / IP protocol module is restarted, the newly set IP address is set.
The operation starts at the address (step S45). In addition,
If necessary, processing such as updating the network setting information table by writing a new IP address value to the EEPROM 4 of the printing apparatus 10 may be performed.

When the network setting control means of the LAN I / F 6 receives a negative response from the printing apparatus 10, it does not reflect the setting request value in the setting. In this case, the Web
In response from the server program to the PC, the PC 20
A response to the above network setting software that the setting request value cannot be used because the setting value is duplicated with the setting value of another network I / F of the printing apparatus 10 or another value is re-input. And send a response prompting the user.

Note that the network setting control means of the LAN I / F 6 receives the result of the duplication confirmation processing from the network setting management means of the printing apparatus 10 once,
A processing configuration may be adopted in which a response to the result of the duplication confirmation processing is transmitted to C20 to prompt the determination. In that case, PC2
From 0, the LAN I / F 6 is again instructed to set an IP address. PC20 is LANI / F6
When an affirmative response is received from, an instruction is made to reflect the setting request value to the setting. Upon receiving the setting reflection instruction from the PC 20, the network setting control means of the LAN I / F 6 writes the new IP address value into its own EEPROM to update the setting. As a result, the TCP / IP protocol module is restarted and the newly set IP
Operation starts at the address. When the PC 20 receives a negative response from the LAN I / F 6 as a result of the duplication confirmation processing, the PC 20 returns the control to the setting value input screen, and returns to the printing apparatus 1.
A process such as inputting an IP address that does not overlap with other network I / Fs of 0 or prompting the user to reconfirm is performed.

The above operation is the same for the LAN I / F card 40 connected to the option I / F 7.
In the above embodiment, the IP of the TCP / IP protocol is used.
The network and the IP address have been described as examples, but the same applies to other protocols.

Note that the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be realized as long as the external device can communicate with the network setting management means of the printing apparatus 10. For example, in a print server connected to the printing apparatus 10 via the Centronics I / F 11, if the print server can exchange information bidirectionally with the network setting management means via the Centronics I / F 11, The same processing as that of the embodiment can be realized.

Next, a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
In the second embodiment, the network setting of the network I / F is performed by the network setting input means of the printing apparatus 10. The network setting input means specifically includes the operation panel 5 and a program for processing input of network settings.

In the first embodiment, before the network setting control means of the network I / F stores the setting request value in the storage medium and reflects it in the setting, the network setting control means of the printing apparatus 10 The request of the duplication confirmation processing of the setting request value was made. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, an input regarding network settings (designation of a network I / F to be set, input of items to be set, setting request values, etc.) is received from the user via the network setting input means, First, a request for an overlap confirmation process as to whether or not the input setting request value does not overlap with the network setting value of another network I / F of the printing apparatus 10 is made to the network management unit.

In FIG. 7, when a user inputs a network setting request value such as an IP address for a designated network I / F via a network setting inputting means (step S71), the network setting managing means starts. Then, a confirmation request is made as to whether the setting request values are not duplicated (step S72).

The network setting management means receives the setting request value, performs the duplication confirmation process and outputs a confirmation result response as in the first embodiment (step S7).
3). If the result response is an affirmative response indicating that the setting values do not overlap, the network setting control unit of the specified network I / F is instructed to reflect the setting request value on the setting, and the specified network The network setting of the I / F is updated (step S74). If the result response is a negative response indicating that the set values are duplicated, the control is returned to the network setting input means. The network setting input means displays a message indicating that the setting request value cannot be used because the setting request value overlaps with a setting value of another network I / F of the printing apparatus 10 or prompts the user to input another value. Is performed (step S75).

As the network setting input means, specifically, the user inputs the network setting via the operation panel 5 as shown in FIG. When a user selects a network I / F to be set from a plurality of network I / Fs and inputs an IP address value, the input value is passed to the network setting management means, and a setting request value is set. A duplicate confirmation process is performed to determine whether or not there are duplicates. After selecting and inputting a unique value, the user can instruct the setting with the setting button 62.

In the second embodiment, before the setting request value input via the operation panel 5 is reflected on the setting, the setting request value is transmitted to another network I / F of the printing apparatus 10.
By confirming whether the setting request value has already been used, if the setting request value has already been used, the user can promptly prompt the user to input another value.

The embodiment described above is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is possible.

[0067]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, in a printing apparatus having a plurality of network I / Fs, when the network setting of each network I / F is performed, other printing apparatuses which the printing apparatus has It is possible to prevent the network setting value of the network I / F from being set in duplicate.

When setting the network of the network I / F from the network setting software operating on a PC or the like connected to the network, the setting value is already used in another network I / F of the printing apparatus. It is possible to prevent the setting value from being duplicated.

Further, when the network setting of the network I / F is performed from the operation panel of the printing apparatus, the setting value is duplicated with the setting value already used in another network I / F of the printing apparatus. Can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a LAN I / F card 40 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a network connection configuration of the printing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the network setting control unit of the network I / F requests the network setting management unit of the printing apparatus to confirm a duplicated setting request value.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a network setting management unit of the printing apparatus performs a setting request value overlap confirmation process.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network setting information table.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when network setting is performed by a network setting input unit of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an operation panel 5.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 printing device 20 PC 30 network (wired LAN) 40 LAN I / F card 50 network (wireless LAN) 60 PC 1 CPU 2 ROM 3 RAM 4 EEPROM 5 operation panel 6 LAN I / F 7 option I / F 8 engine 9 internal bus 11 Centronics I / F 41 CPU 42 ROM 43 RAM 44 EEPROM 45 Connector 46 LAN I / F 47 Internal bus

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus having a plurality of network I / F devices, wherein network setting information of the plurality of network I / F devices is held in a table, and network setting settings for the network I / F devices are provided. When a request value is received, a network setting management unit that compares the setting request value with the network setting information stored in the table to confirm whether or not there is an overlap and responds is provided. Printing device. 2. A printing apparatus having a plurality of network I / F devices, comprising: setting information storage means for storing network setting information of the plurality of network I / F devices in a table; When receiving the setting request value of the network setting, the setting request value and the plurality of network I / Os held in the table are received.
And a network setting value of the F-apparatus. The duplication confirmation means for confirming whether there is no duplication. Based on the result of the confirmation processing by the duplication confirmation means, if there is no duplication, the setting request value is transmitted to the network I / O. And a setting reflection unit that performs processing for reflecting on the network setting of the F apparatus and does not perform the reflection processing when the processing is duplicated. 3. A printing apparatus having a plurality of network I / F devices, comprising: setting information storage means for storing network setting information of the plurality of network I / F devices in a table; When receiving the setting request value of the network setting, the setting request value and the plurality of network I / Os held in the table are received.
A duplication confirmation unit that compares the network setting value of the F device with the network setting value to confirm whether there is no duplication; and based on the result of the confirmation processing by the duplication confirmation unit, if the duplication does not occur, reflect the setting request value to the setting. And a reflection instructing unit that issues an instruction to the network I / F device and does not issue the reflection instruction when the instruction is duplicated. 4. A printing apparatus having a plurality of network I / F devices, a network setting input means for receiving an input of network settings for the network I / F devices, and a network of the plurality of network I / F devices. Setting information storage means for storing setting information in a table; and
Receiving the setting request value of the network setting for the / F device, and comparing the setting request value with the network setting value of the plurality of network I / F devices held in the table to confirm whether there is no duplication. Based on the result of the confirmation processing by the duplication checking means, if the duplication does not occur, processing is performed to reflect the setting request value to the setting of the network I / F device. If duplication is performed, the reflection processing is performed. And a setting reflecting means. 5. In the case of the duplication, control is returned to the network setting input means, and the network setting input means duplicates the setting request value with a network setting value of another network I / F device of the printing apparatus. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a message to the effect that the setting request value is input is displayed to prompt the user to input the setting request value again. 6. The table according to claim 1, wherein the setting information storage unit acquires network setting information from each of the network I / F devices at a predetermined timing and creates the table. The printing device according to claim 1. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the network setting information includes a network layer address.
The printing device according to claim 1. 8. It has a plurality of network I / F devices,
A network I / F device connected to a printing device having means for holding and managing the network setting values of the plurality of network I / F devices in a table, wherein the network I / F is provided by a computer connected to the network. Receiving a setting request value of network setting for the device, and confirming whether the setting request value overlaps with a network setting value of the plurality of network I / F devices of the printing apparatus; And a network setting control unit for transmitting a request for processing to the printing apparatus, obtaining a result response of the duplication confirmation processing from the printing apparatus, and transmitting the result response to the computer. Network I / F device. 9. It has a plurality of network I / F devices,
A network I / F device connected to a printing device having means for holding and managing the network setting values of the plurality of network I / F devices in a table, wherein the network I / F is provided by a computer connected to the network. Receiving a request for a network setting and a setting request value for the apparatus, wherein the setting request value and the plurality of network I / Os of the printing device are
A request for an overlap confirmation process as to whether or not there is any overlap with the network setting value of the F device to the printing device, obtain a result response of the overlap confirmation process from the printing device, and obtain a non-overlapping result In this case, the network I / F device includes a network setting control unit that performs a process of reflecting the setting request value to the setting, and does not perform the reflecting process when an overlapping result is obtained. 10. The network setting control means, when acquiring the duplicated result, transmits a response to the computer which has transmitted the setting request value, requesting input of a value different from the setting request value. The network I / F device according to claim 8, wherein: 11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said network setting control means is configured as a Web server program for receiving network settings by network setting software running on a computer connected to said network. The network I / F device according to claim 1. 12. The network I / F device according to claim 8, wherein the network setting information includes a network layer address. 13. A means having a plurality of network I / F devices, holding and managing network setting information of the plurality of network I / F devices in a table, and setting network settings from the network I / F devices. Means for receiving a request value, checking whether the setting request value does not overlap with the network setting value held in the table, and returning a result response. A network setting program for causing a specified computer to execute the following processing, wherein the user specifies the network I / F device for which network setting is to be performed and inputs a setting request value; The setting request value and the setting request value before the printing device has Sending a request for an overlap confirmation process as to whether or not there is any overlap with the network setting values of the plurality of network I / F devices; and sending a response from the network I / F device to the result of the overlap confirmation process by the printing device. When the received response is a response indicating that there is no duplication, an instruction to reflect the setting request value to the setting is transmitted to the network I / F device, and a response indicating that duplication is made A network setting program for causing the computer to execute a process of prompting a user to input a value different from the setting request value. 14. A means having a plurality of network I / F devices, for holding and managing network setting information of the plurality of network I / F devices in a table, and setting network settings from the network I / F devices. When the request value is received, it is checked whether the setting request value does not overlap with the network setting information held in the table. If not, the setting request value is used for setting the network I / F device. A network setting program for causing a computer connected to a network to which the printing apparatus is connected to execute a process described below, the network I being a target for performing network setting by a user. / F device designation and setting request value input, and the designated network Requesting the I / F device the setting request value and a request for an overlap confirmation process to determine whether the setting request value does not overlap with the network setting values of the plurality of network I / F devices of the printing device. A process of transmitting; a process of receiving from the network I / F device a result response of the duplication confirmation process and the setting reflection process by the printing device;
And / or causing the computer to execute a process of prompting the user to input a value different from the setting request value when receiving a result response indicating that the setting request value is duplicated with the network setting value of the / F device. Network configuration program to do. 15. The network setting program according to claim 13, wherein the network setting information includes a network layer address. 16. A network setting for a network I / F device in a system including a printing device having a plurality of network I / F devices, a network to which the printing device is connected, and a computer connected to the network. A setting input step in which, on the computer, a user designates the network I / F device for which a network setting is to be performed and inputs a setting request value; and the designated network I / F. A transmission step in which the setting request value is transmitted to the device; and the designated network I / F device receives the setting request value, and the setting request value and the setting request value are transmitted to the plurality of networks. And a request for an overlap confirmation process to determine whether or not it overlaps with the network setting value of the I / F device. A duplication confirmation requesting step to be transmitted to a printing apparatus; and the printing apparatus receives the setting request value and the duplication confirmation processing request from the network I / F apparatus, and sets network setting information of the plurality of network I / F apparatuses. Is referred to a table, and a network setting value stored in the table is compared with the setting request value to confirm whether there is no duplication, and a result response is sent to the network I / F device. And a result transmitting step in which the network I / F device receives a result response of the duplication confirmation process from the printing device, and transmits the result response to the computer. A computer displays a result display step of receiving a response result of the duplication confirmation processing from the network I / F device and displaying the response on the screen. Network setting method characterized by having, when. 17. A user inputs an instruction to reflect the setting request value on the setting on the computer, and transmits an instruction to reflect the setting request value to the setting to the network I / F device. A reflection instruction step; and a setting reflection step in which the network I / F device receives the setting reflection instruction from the computer and performs a reflection process on the setting of the setting request value. The network setting method according to claim 16. 18. Network settings for a network I / F device in a system including a printing device having a plurality of network I / F devices, a network to which the printing device is connected, and a computer connected to the network. A setting input step in which, on the computer, a user designates the network I / F device for which a network setting is to be performed and inputs a setting request value; and the designated network I / F. A transmission step in which the setting request value is transmitted to the device; and the designated network I / F device receives the setting request value, and the setting request value and the setting request value are transmitted to the plurality of networks. And a request for an overlap confirmation process to determine whether or not it overlaps with the network setting value of the I / F device. A duplication confirmation requesting step to be transmitted to a printing apparatus; and the printing apparatus receives the setting request value and the duplication confirmation processing request from the network I / F apparatus, and sets network setting information of the plurality of network I / F apparatuses. Is referred to a table, and a network setting value stored in the table is compared with the setting request value to confirm whether there is no duplication, and a result response is sent to the network I / F device. The network I / F device receives a result response of the duplication confirmation process from the printing device, and if the result is a non-overlapping result based on the result response, the setting request A setting reflection step in which the processing for reflecting the value in the setting is performed, and if the result is a duplicate, the setting reflection step in which the setting reflection processing is not performed; A reflection result transmission step in which the device F transmits the processing result in the setting reflection step to the computer; and the computer receives the result of the setting reflection process from the network I / F device and displays the result on a screen. And a result display step. 19. A network setting method for a network I / F device in a printing device having a plurality of network I / F devices, wherein the user sets a network I / F device via an operation panel. A setting input step of designating a / F device and inputting a setting request value of a network setting for the network I / F device, and referring to a table holding network setting information of the plurality of network I / F devices. Comparing the setting request value input in the setting input step with the network setting values of the plurality of network I / F devices, and confirming whether or not there is any duplication; The result of processing is displayed on the operation panel. A display step; a reflection instruction input step of inputting a reflection instruction to the setting of the setting request value by the user via the operation panel if the duplication does not occur; and the setting input in the reflection instruction input step A setting reflection step of performing a process of reflecting the setting request value to the setting of the specified network I / F device based on a reflection instruction. 20. A setting information obtaining step of obtaining network setting information of the network I / F device from the plurality of network I / F devices at a predetermined timing and storing the setting information in a table. The network setting method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein: 21. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of updating the network setting information by reflecting the setting request value in the table when the result of the duplication check is not duplicated.
The network setting method according to any one of the above items. 22. The network setting method according to claim 16, wherein the network setting information includes a network layer address.