JP2003348112A - Information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing system for enhancing the degree of freedom of the network configuration. <P>SOLUTION: At least one of information apparatuses receives an instruction from a user, recognizes logical address information defined independently of the type of a utilized communication interface as information for particularizing a destination of the received instruction, converts the recognized logical address information into unique physical address information defined in relation with the type of the utilized communication interface and transmits the received instruction to itself by a local loop back or other information apparatus particularized by the unique physical address obtained by the conversion. Each information apparatus executes prescribed processing on the basis of the instruction of the user from other information apparatuses or from itself by the local loop back. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing system including a plurality of information devices, wherein each information device is connected to a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a complex information processing system in which a plurality of information devices such as a printer, a scanner, and a computer are interconnected to perform various document processing such as printing and copying. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various physical transmission media for interconnecting each of these information devices constituting an information processing system have been used depending on the application.

For example, when connecting computers, Ethernet (registered trademark) is often used.
When connecting between a computer and peripheral devices such as a scanner, or between peripheral devices, a USB (Universal Serial B
us) and IEEE 1394 are often used. For this reason, as a form of connection of each information device, a network based on Ethernet (registered trademark) is built around a computer, and a peripheral device such as a printer or a scanner is additionally connected to the network. I can't get it.

However, in recent years, a technology has been developed which enables high-speed information transmission using the above-described serial communication line and using a normal network protocol. For example, a relatively lower layer protocol for transmitting IP protocol packets via a serial communication line has been developed. As such a protocol, specifically, there is a protocol called IP over IEEE1394 (RFC2734). When this IP over IEEE 1394 protocol is used, T over a signal line of IEEE 1394
Signal transmission using the CP / IP protocol can be performed. In this case, FTP (File Transfer Protocol), which is a protocol higher than the TCP layer, can be used as it is.

Therefore, a printer P having an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface is connected to a network to which a computer C and other printers Q are connected, and a scanner S is connected to the printer P via an IEEE 1394. It is expected that there is a demand for enabling a free network configuration such as transmitting the image data read by the S to the printer P via the IEEE 1394 for printing and transmitting the image data to the computer C on the network via the printer P. .

[0006]

However, according to the conventional network configuration method, the communication protocol between the information devices is different and it is difficult to achieve a free configuration. Also, since the communication protocol is different, when transmitting an instruction to another information device, it is necessary to create software that matches the instruction content, for example, created for one multifunction device, The printer software cannot control the printer of another multifunction device on the network as it is. This also prevents a free network configuration.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an information processing system capable of freely configuring a network.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems of the prior art is an information processing system including a plurality of information devices for mutually transmitting information, wherein at least one of the information devices is provided. One recognizes logical address information defined without depending on the type of communication interface to be used, as a means for receiving an instruction from a user, a communication interface, and information for specifying a destination of the received instruction. The logical address information is converted into unique physical address information, which is defined in relation to the type of communication interface to be used, and the received instruction is transmitted to itself by local loopback, or through the communication interface. Transmission means for transmitting to another information device specified by the unique physical address obtained by the conversion , Hints from other information device,
Alternatively, predetermined processing is executed based on an instruction from a user received from the user himself / herself by local loopback.

The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems of the prior art is an information device included in an information processing system including a plurality of information devices for mutually transmitting information, and is provided from a user. Means for receiving an instruction, a first communication interface, and logical address information defined independently of the type of communication interface to be used as information for specifying the destination of the received instruction. The information is converted into unique physical address information, which is defined in relation to the type of communication interface to be used, and the received instruction is transmitted to itself by local loopback or via the first communication interface. Transmission means for transmitting to another information device specified by the unique physical address obtained by the conversion, From another information device, or based on an instruction from the user received from oneself by a local loopback, it executes a predetermined process is characterized in that.

Further, the present invention for solving the problems of the above conventional example is an information processing system which includes a plurality of information devices for mutually transmitting information, and which executes server software. As the information for specifying the destination of the received instruction, logical address information defined without depending on the type of the communication interface to be used is recognized, and the recognized logical address information is recognized as the type of the communication interface to be used. Defined by the relationship
The received instruction is converted into unique physical address information, and the received instruction is specified by the local loopback to its own server software or via the first communication interface with the unique physical address obtained by the conversion. Transmission means for transmitting to server software of another information device to be transmitted, wherein the server software receives an instruction from a user received from another information device or from itself by local loopback. And processing of control software different from the server software.

In these information devices, a second communication interface different from the first communication interface and means for executing a routing process between the first communication interface and the second communication interface are further provided. It is also preferable to include them.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system including a plurality of information devices for mutually transmitting information, a method for controlling an information device including a communication interface, A step of receiving an instruction from a user, and a transmission step of transmitting the received instruction to itself by local loopback or to another information device via the communication interface, and from another information device, Alternatively, predetermined processing is executed based on an instruction from a user received from the user himself / herself through local loopback.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, an information processing system including a plurality of information devices for mutually transmitting information is provided, and an instruction from a user is transmitted to an information device having a communication interface. A receiving procedure, a transmission procedure for transmitting the received instruction to itself by a local loopback or to another information device via the communication interface, and another information device, or a local loopback from itself. A procedure for executing a predetermined process based on the received instruction from the user, and a control program for executing the procedure.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises two multifunction peripherals 1a and 1 as shown in FIG.
b and a personal computer 2 which are connected to each other via Ethernet (registered trademark). Each multifunction device 1 has a network scanner 1
0 and a device control unit 20, which are connected to each other via an IEEE 1394 interface. Here, the network scanner unit 1 of the MFP 1
0, the device control unit 20, and the personal computer 2 each correspond to an information device of the present invention.

The network scanner unit 10 includes a CPU 1
1, a storage unit 12, a scanner unit 13, and a clock 14
, A display unit 15, an operation unit 16, and a serial communication interface unit 17. These units are mutually connected via a system bus BUS. In the following description, when it is necessary to distinguish between the multifunction peripheral 1a, "a" is added to each reference numeral of the multifunction peripheral 1a, and the CPU 11a is described. Description will be made with "b" appended.

The device control unit 20 includes a CPU 21 and
It includes a storage unit 22, a printer unit 23, a clock 24, a display unit 25, an operation unit 26, a serial communication interface unit 27, and an Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 28. These components are also interconnected via a system bus BUS. here,
The serial communication interface units 17 and 27 and the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 28 correspond to the communication interface of the present invention.

[Network Scanner Unit] The CPU 11 of the network scanner unit 10 operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 12, and performs at least address resolution processing and transmission processing (transmission processing and reception processing). . The specific operation of the CPU 11 will be described later in detail. The storage unit 12 is a random access memory (RAM) that operates as a work memory for the CPU 11.
And a ROM (Read O
nly Memory), a storage device for holding programs such as a hard disk and NVRAM (non-volatile RAM),
Contains.

The scanner unit 13 scans a document according to an instruction input from the CPU 11, converts the document into image data, and outputs the image data to the CPU 11. The clock 14 includes a clock chip and outputs time information (information on year, month, day, hour, minute, and second) to the CPU 11. The clock 14 is provided with a backup power supply so that time information is not lost when the system power supply is cut off or a power failure occurs, and keeps time even when the apparatus is turned off.

The display unit 15 is a display and has a CP
The information is displayed according to the instruction input from U11. The operation unit 16 is, for example, a transparent touch panel that is disposed so as to overlap the display unit 15, and receives an operation from a user and outputs the content of the operation to the CPU 11. Specifically, the user uses the operation unit 16 to make scan settings, issue a scan instruction, and specify a transmission destination of image data.

The serial communication interface unit 17 is, for example, an IEEE 1394 interface,
1 receives the input of the serial bus address of the IEEE 1394 as the transmission destination and the data to be transmitted, and transmits the serial bus address and the data to be transmitted to the transmission destination via the IEEE 1394 cable. Further, this serial communication interface unit 17 is based on IEEE139
The information arriving via the four cables is output to the CPU 11.

Here, the specific operation of the CPU 11 will be described. As described above, the CPU 11 performs at least the address resolution processing and the transmission processing, and will be described separately.

[Address Resolution Process] The CPU 11 executes a physical address (IEEE1 as a serial bus address in this case) assigned in advance in the information transmission system.
394 address), an IP address and a port number are associated with each other, and an ARP (Address Resoluti
on Protocol) table and stored in the storage unit 12. This ARP table is set in advance by, for example, an administrator. Note that this IP address corresponds to the logical address of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, for example, the multifunction machine 1
"129.249.11.2" and "12.249.11.2" as the IP addresses in the serial communication interface units 17a and 27a of "a" respectively.
9.249.11.3 "one by one. The physical address is, for example, the port number “104” for the serial communication interface unit 17a (129.249.11.2).
"0xFFC0F" for each of "5", "21", and "20"
FFFFF00415 "," 0xFFC0FFFFFF00015 "," 0xFFC0FFFFF
F00014 ", and a plurality of serial communication interface units 27a are similarly set.

Here, IEEE1 is used as the physical address.
394 addresses are used. The IEEE 1394 address is 64 bits and has a 16-bit node_ID (10
Bus_ID of 6 bits, physical_ID of 6 bits), 4
Consists of 8 bits (initial memory space, private space, register space, etc.) (See IEEE Std 1394-1995 for details.)
See). Therefore, in the above ARP table, the first half 16
Bits “0xFFC0” and “0xFFC1” are defined in association with the IP address, and the latter 48 bits are defined in association with the port number.

The CPU 11 performs an address resolution process shown in FIG. 3 using the ARP table. CPU11
Receives the input of the IP address and port number to be addressed, starts the address resolution processing shown in FIG. 3, and first, the physical address corresponding to the input IP address and port number is stored in the ARP of the storage unit 12. It is checked whether it is registered in the table (S1). Here, if the corresponding physical address is not registered in the ARP table (N
If it is o), an ARP packet including the IP address and the port number to be solved is generated and transmitted (S2). This ARP packet contains the IP to be resolved.
The address is received by the interface to which the address is assigned, the address resolution processing is performed in a device provided with the interface, and the result is returned.

The CPU 11 checks the result of the address processing as to whether a physical address has been received within a preset period (S3). If the physical address has not been received (time out or an error is received) If it has been done (that is, if No), an error is output (S4) and the process ends. On the other hand, in step S3, if the physical address has been received (if Yes), the received physical address is set as the resolution result, and the IP address and the port number to be resolved are set as the physical address of the resolution result. The information is associated and registered in the ARP table (S5). And
The physical address of the solution is output (S6), and the process ends.

In step S1, if the corresponding physical address is registered in the ARP table, the process proceeds to step S6 with the physical address as a solution result, outputs the physical address of the solution result, and ends the process. .

Further, in the present embodiment, the CPU
When receiving the ARP request including the IP address and the port number from the outside, 11 executes the above-described address resolution process in response to the ARP request and returns the corresponding physical address.

[Transmission Process] Next, the transmission process of the CPU 11 will be described. The CPU 11 receives a scan instruction from a user via the operation unit 16 and sends the scan instruction to an IP address assigned to itself (the network scanner unit 10 itself) in a predetermined protocol (for example, FTP). To be transmitted. This transmission process is processed as a so-called local loopback (communication addressed to itself). Then, as part of the processing of the FTP server program, the CPU 11 receives an instruction addressed to itself by local loopback, instructs the scanner unit 13 to scan the original according to the instruction, and stores the image data obtained by reading. Stored in the unit 12.

The CPU 11 receives an instruction to print image data from a user via the operation unit 16 and an IP address for specifying a printer (apparatus control unit) to which the image data is to be printed. To the input IP address by a specific protocol (for example, FTP),
The print instruction is transmitted.

At this time, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the transmission destination specified by the input IP address belongs to the same network as the network to which the transmission destination belongs.
Perform address resolution processing. The port number is a port number of a specific protocol (for FTP, "2
1)). Then, it instructs the serial communication interface unit 17 to transmit the image data to the physical address obtained by the address resolution.

On the other hand, if the CPU 11 determines that the transmission destination specified by the input IP address does not belong to the same network as the network to which the transmission destination belongs, the CPU 11 determines the IP address of the predetermined router (this embodiment). In the case of the form (1), an address resolution process is executed for the IP address assigned to the serial communication interface unit 27 of the device control unit 20 which is directly connected to the network scanner unit 10. Here, a port number of a specific protocol (“21” in the case of FTP) is used as the port number. Then, the CPU 11 instructs the serial communication interface unit 17 to transmit the image data and the input IP address to the physical address obtained by the address resolution processing.

In any case, regardless of whether the transmission destination belongs to the same network, the structure of the data transmitted through the serial communication interface unit 17 is as follows.
As shown in FIG. 4, the packet includes an address part (A) including a physical address and a data part (D) including transmission target data. In the present embodiment, the address portion (A) includes a portion reflecting an IP address as a node address and a portion reflecting a port number as an element identifier.

As described above, in the CPU 11 of the present embodiment, any control instruction is transmitted using a specific protocol, and regardless of what communication interface is used as a physical layer at the time of this transmission. , Communication using an IP address can be performed, and no overhead such as packet encapsulation is involved.

[Device Control Unit] Next, each unit of the device control unit 20 according to the present embodiment will be described. The CPU 21 of the device control unit 20 performs an address resolution process and a transmission process (transmission process and reception process) according to a program stored in the storage unit 22. The CPU 21 also operates as a router. Here, the address resolution process is different between the case where transmission is performed via the serial communication interface unit 27 and the case where transmission is performed via the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 28. 10 CPUs
11 is slightly different from the address resolution processing in FIG. 11, and will be described later in detail.

The storage unit 22 includes a RAM that operates as a work memory of the CPU 21, a ROM that is referred to when the CPU 21 is started, a storage device that stores programs such as a hard disk and an NVRAM (non-volatile RAM),
Comprising. The printer unit 23 prints image data according to an instruction input from the CPU 21.

The clock 24 has a clock chip and outputs time information (information on year, month, day, hour, minute, second) to the CPU 21. The clock 24 has a backup power supply so that time information is not lost when the system power is cut off or a power failure occurs, and keeps time even when the power of the apparatus is turned off.

The display unit 25 is a display and has a CP
The information is displayed according to the instruction input from U21. The operation unit 26 is, for example, a transparent touch panel disposed so as to overlap the display unit 25, and receives an operation from a user and outputs the content of the operation to the CPU 21. Specifically, the user uses the operation unit 26 to make print settings, give a print instruction, and specify a transmission destination of image data.

The serial communication interface unit 27 is, for example, an IEEE 1394 interface,
1 receives the input of the serial bus address of the IEEE 1394 as the transmission destination and the data to be transmitted, and transmits the serial bus address and the data to be transmitted to the transmission destination via the IEEE 1394 cable. Further, this serial communication interface unit 27 is based on IEEE139
The information arriving via the four cables is output to the CPU 21. Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 2
8 receives the designation of the transmission destination and the data to be transmitted from the CPU 21, and transmits the data to be transmitted to the designated transmission destination via Ethernet (registered trademark). Further, the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 28 outputs information arriving via the Ethernet (registered trademark) cable to the CPU 21.

[Address Resolution Processing] Here, the CPU 21
Will be described. CPU
5, a physical address (MA) unique to each Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 28 in association with the IP address and the port number, as shown in FIG.
C address) and serial communication interface 1
It manages an ARP table in which physical addresses (serial bus addresses) assigned to 7, 27 are associated. In the ARP table shown in FIG. 5, for example, the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 28
If the address “129.249.10.2” is assigned, there is no corresponding serial bus address, so “0” is temporarily registered in the corresponding column on the table. This value may be any value as long as it cannot be a physical address. Similarly,
IP address "129.249.11.2" is assigned,
In the serial communication interface unit 17, since there is no MAC address in the Ethernet (registered trademark) card, "0" is temporarily registered in the corresponding column. This value may be any value that is impossible as a physical address.

In the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 28, since one MAC address is determined for one IP address (in the case of Ethernet (registered trademark), a plurality of IP addresses and MAC addresses are assigned to one interface). For example, for the IP address “129.249.10.2” of the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 28, the same MAC address “aa” is used regardless of the port number.
aa "is set.

The CPU 21 starts the processing shown in FIG. 6 upon receiving the input of the IP address and port number for which the address is to be solved, and first stores the physical address corresponding to the input IP address and port number. The part 22 (see FIG.
(S11). Here, if the corresponding physical address is not registered in the ARP table (if No), the serial communication interface unit 27 is referred to the routing table (not shown) to the transmission destination specified by the specified IP address. A routing process is performed to determine whether the transmission should be performed with the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 28 (S12). Since this routing process is widely known, detailed description will be omitted.

In this process S12, the CPU 21
When it is determined that transmission is to be performed via the serial communication interface unit 27, an ARP packet including an IP address and a port number to be solved is generated and transmitted through the serial communication interface unit 27 (S
13).

When the CPU 21 determines in the step S12 that the data should be transmitted through the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 28, the I to be solved is set to the I / O.
An ARP packet including the P address is generated and transmitted via the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 28 (S14).

These ARP packets are received by an interface to which an IP address to be resolved is assigned, and are subjected to address resolution processing in a device having the interface, and the result is returned.

The CPU 21 checks the result of the address processing as to whether a physical address has been received within a preset period (S15). If the physical address has not been received (time out or an error is received) If done,
That is, if No), an error is output (S16),
The process ends. On the other hand, in step S3, if the physical address has been received (if Yes), the received physical address is set as the resolution result, and the IP address and the port number to be resolved are set as the physical address of the resolution result. The information is associated and registered in the ARP table (S17). Then, the physical address of the solution is output (S1
8), end the process.

In step S11, if the corresponding physical address is registered in the ARP table, the process goes to step S18 in which the physical address is set as a solution result, and the physical address of the solution result is output to end the process. .

[Transmission Processing] Accordingly, the transmission processing performed by the CPU 21 is substantially the same as that performed by the CPU 11, except that the routing processing is performed. That is, when it is determined that transmission should be performed via the serial communication interface unit 27 by the address resolution processing based on the IP address and port number of the transmission destination,
The image data or the like to be transmitted is transmitted with respect to the physical address obtained by the address resolution processing. However, the address resolution processing determines that the data should be transmitted via the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 28. In some cases, a TCP packet including a port number is generated based on image data to be transmitted, and transmitted to a physical address obtained by the address resolution processing. That is, when it is determined that transmission is to be performed via the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 28 as the second communication interface of the present invention, the CPU 21 uses the IP address ( Node address) is converted to the physical address of the destination Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface, and data is transmitted to the converted physical address together with the port number as an element identifier.

In this case, the data structure is a packet including an address part (A) including a physical address and a data part (D) including data to be transmitted, as in the case of FIG.

Further, the serial communication interface unit 27
When this data is received via the
Retrieves the address part of the data from the ARP table and extracts its IP address and port number. If the IP address is assigned to the serial communication interface unit 27, the received data is output to an information transmission element (such as an upper layer FTP or HTTP) corresponding to the port number by further referring to the port number. I do.

The data transmitted via the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 28 is a general TCP / IP packet, and the receiving process is widely known. Is omitted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when a plurality of communication interfaces exist, address resolution is performed in the same manner, a communication interface is determined, and data is appropriately transmitted. You do not need to be aware of the distinction. If a physical address including an IP address as a node address and a port number as an element identifier can be set as in the case of IEEE 1394, communication performed via the interface is performed between protocol layers. Performance degradation due to overhead can be prevented.

[Personal Computer] The personal computer 2 is connected to the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 28 of the device control unit 20 via an Ethernet (registered trademark) network. Is used to transmit information to and from the device control unit 20.

[Operation] Next, the operation of the information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, specifically, in the system shown in FIG.
“129.249.11.2” and “129.249.
Suppose that each one such as "11.3" is set.

First, the scanned image data is transferred to the FTP server.
A description will be given of a case where the data is transmitted from the network scanner unit 10a of the multifunction peripheral 1a to the device control unit 20a of the multifunction peripheral 1a and printed by (port number 21). In this case, the user inputs a scan instruction on the operation unit 16a,
The image data as a result of the scan is transmitted to the same multifunction peripheral 1a.
(The transmission destination IP address is “129.249.11.3” and the port number is “21”). Then, the CPU 11a receives a scan instruction via the local loopback, scans the original by the scanner unit 13a, and generates image data.

From the IP address of the designated transmission destination, it is determined that they belong to the same network (note that the netmask is separately defined as "255.255.255.0"). The CPU 11a
Address resolution processing is executed based on the specified transmission destination IP address “129.249.11.3” and the port number “21”. Then, the physical address “0xFFC1FFFF” is associated with these IP addresses and port numbers in the ARP table.
Since “FF00015” is set, the generated image data is transmitted to the physical address via the serial communication interface unit 17.

In other words, here, not only the IP address which is the node address information on the network but also the port number which is the logical address information within the node, the IEEE
Since it is synthesized and converted into an E1394 serial bus address, it can replace the conventional processing of the port number in the TCP / IP layer, and can prevent performance degradation due to overhead between protocol layers.

Further, a case where image data scanned by the network scanner unit 10 of the multifunction peripheral 1a is printed by the device control unit 20 of the multifunction peripheral 1b will be described. In addition,
Each of the serial communication interface units 17b and 27b included in the multifunction peripheral 1b has "12
9.249.12.1 "and" 129.249.12.2 "are set, and" 129.249.10.3 "is set as the IP address in the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 28b of the multifunction peripheral 1b.

In this case, the user gives a scan instruction on the operation unit 16a of the multifunction peripheral 1a, and transmits the image data as a result of the scan to the device control unit 2 of the other multifunction peripheral 1b.
0b (the transmission destination IP address is “129.249.
12.2 "and port number" 21 "), the CPU 11a receives a scan instruction via a local loopback, scans a document by the scanner unit 13a, and generates image data.

Since the IP address of the designated transmission destination is "129.249.10.3" and is on a network different from "192.249.12", the information of the destination, the image data, and the image data should be printed. An instruction is transmitted to a predetermined router address “192.249.12.2” using FTP (port number “21”). At this time, resolution to the physical address is performed, and the physical address "0xFFC1FFFFFF0001
5) is transmitted via the serial communication interface 17a.

The device control section 20a of the multifunction device 1a sends the image data and the print instruction together with the I
In response to the input of the P address “129.249.10.3”, this I
An address resolution process is performed on the P address and the port number, a MAC address “bbbb” is obtained, and image data and a print instruction are sent to the physical address via the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 28a. Send out. Then, the device control unit 20b of the multifunction peripheral 1b receives the image data and the print instruction, and prints the image data according to the instruction.

As described above, in the present embodiment, an instruction from an application to a device is transmitted via communication software and hardware regardless of whether it is addressed to itself or another information device. Therefore, even if the network configuration is changed, there is no need to change the processing program. Further, by the address conversion processing, efficient communication can be performed regardless of the type of the communication interface as the physical layer.
These make it possible to freely configure a network.

Here, the network scanner unit 1
Although transmission (push) from 0 has been described as an example, transmission from the network scanner unit 10 to the device control unit 20 may be realized by acquiring (pulling) from the device control unit 20.

Further, although the IEEE 1394 interface is used as a serial communication interface here, the present invention may be realized by using another interface such as a USB or another serial interface or a parallel interface.

[Another Example of Address Specification] In the present embodiment, when 129.249.10.2 is assigned as an IP address to the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit 28 of the device control unit 20, http : // 12
9.249.10.2/ipp as transmission destination and transmission method (IPP; Inter
It is also preferable to be able to specify the netPrinting Protocol (for details, see RFC2565, RFC2566, etc.).
That is, the CPU 21 of the device control unit 20
(Web server). Upon receiving this access, http: //129.24 designated as the transmission destination
From 9.10.2 / ipp, it is determined that printing is performed using IPP by referring to the “ipp” portion.

[Modification] In addition to the IPP, each information device such as the network scanner unit 10, the device control unit 20, and the personal computer 2 operates as a web server, and receives an instruction from a user as a destination. (Eg, C
Transmission may be performed using a GI (Common Gateway Interface). In this case, each web server receives the instruction content as a CGI query, and starts a program for controlling the apparatus according to the instruction.

Further, although the web server has been described here, any other server program may be in any form as long as it accepts an instruction via a communication interface and performs processing in accordance with the instruction. It does not matter.

[Search for Destination Device] Further, the CPU of each information device such as the network scanner unit 10, the device control unit 20, and the personal computer 2 performs a search process and a search response process, and the user designates a destination. You may make it serve for the flight in the case of doing. That is, each CPU
Execute a program that implements P (Service Location Protocol). In the SLP, a process using a service is defined as a user agent, and a process for providing a service is defined as a service agent. When the user agent requests service information, the service agent provides the service information in response to the request. . Since the SLP is disclosed in detail in RFC No. 2165, the detailed mounting contents here will be omitted.

Specifically, the user operates the operation unit 16 of the network scanner unit 10 together with a scan instruction.
The image data as a result of the scan is stored in the device control unit 20.
If the user does not know the IP address of the device control unit 20 to which the instruction is to be transmitted when performing the instruction to print, the user issues an instruction to search for the device control unit 20 to which the instruction is to be transmitted to the operation unit. Do through. Then, the CPU 11 requests service information within a predetermined network range (scope). The CPU 21 of the device control unit 20 performs processing as a service agent, receives a request for service information via a network, and returns service information in response to the request. Here, the service information includes the type of the device providing the service (“printer”,
Character string information such as “scanner”), name, IP address, and expiration date of the service, and preferably further include the type of protocol to be used in communication with the service and the type of data to be transmitted. And are included. CPU1
1 stores the information in the storage unit 12 in a manner as shown in FIG. At this time, it is also preferable to store information indicating the time at which the search was performed (obtained with reference to the clock 14) in the list in association with the list.

Then, the CPU 11 presents the information as a list on the display unit 15 and, when the user gives an instruction to select one of them, transmits the instruction to the selected destination. Note that the CPU 11 receives a search instruction,
When a list is stored with reference to the storage unit 12, it is also preferable to display the list on the display unit 15 (using the list stored in the storage unit 12 as a cache). In this case, for each item of the service information on the list, information on its expiration date, information on the time at which the search associated with the list was performed, and
By referring to the current time, those whose expiration date has passed are deleted from the list and presented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an information transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an ARP table held in a storage unit 12.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an address resolution process performed by a CPU 11;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data structure transmitted via a serial communication interface.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an ARP table held in a storage unit 22.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an address resolution process by a CPU 21.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a storage example of a search result of a transmission destination device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 MFP, 2 personal computer, 10 network scanner section, 11, 21 CPU, 12, 22
Storage unit, 13 scanner unit, 14, 24 clocks,
15, 25 display unit, 16, 26 operation unit, 17, 27
Serial communication interface unit, 20 device control unit,
23 printer unit, 28 Ethernet (registered trademark) communication interface unit.

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    F term (reference) 5B021 AA01 BB01                 5B077 NN02 NN07                 5C062 AA05 AA14 AA35 AB38 AB41                       AB42 AB53 AC38 AE15 AF01                       AF02                 5K033 AA09 CB09 DB12 DB16 EC03

Claims (6)

[Claims] An information processing system including a plurality of information devices that mutually transmit information, wherein at least one of the information devices receives a command from a user, a communication interface, and the received command. Recognize logical address information defined without depending on the type of communication interface to be used as information specifying the destination of the communication interface, and define the recognized logical address information in relation to the type of communication interface to be used. Converted to unique physical address information, the received instruction to itself by local loopback, or through the communication interface,
To another information device specified by the unique physical address obtained by the conversion, a transmission means for transmitting, including, from the other information device, or from an instruction from the user received from itself by local loopback And performing a predetermined process based on the information processing system. 2. An information device included in an information processing system including a plurality of information devices for mutually transmitting information, a unit for receiving an instruction from a user, a first communication interface, and the reception Recognizes logical address information defined independently of the type of communication interface to be used as information for specifying the destination of the specified instruction, and defines the recognized logical address information in relation to the type of communication interface to be used. The received instruction is converted into unique physical address information, and the received instruction is specified by the unique physical address obtained by the conversion to itself by local loopback or through the first communication interface. And transmission means for transmitting to other information devices, from other information devices or to local loopbacks. Ri based on an instruction from the user received from oneself, executes predetermined processing, information equipment, characterized in that. 3. An information device that is included in an information processing system including a plurality of information devices that mutually transmit information and executes server software, wherein the information for specifying a destination of the received instruction includes: Recognizes logical address information defined without depending on the type of communication interface used, and converts the recognized logical address information into unique physical address information defined in relation to the type of communication interface used. And transmitting the received instruction to its own server software by local loopback, or to the server of another information device specified by the unique physical address obtained by the conversion via the first communication interface. Transmission means for transmitting to software, the server software, from another information device, Alternatively, the information device performs a process of control software different from the server software based on an instruction from a user received from the self by local loopback. 4. The information device according to claim 2, wherein a routing process between the first communication interface and the second communication interface, the second communication interface being different from the first communication interface, is performed. An information device, further comprising: 5. An information processing system including a plurality of information devices that mutually transmit information, a step of receiving an instruction from a user using an information device having a communication interface, and a step of receiving the received instruction. A transmission step of transmitting the information to itself by local loopback or to another information device via the communication interface.The instruction from the user received from another information device or from itself by local loopback And performing a predetermined process based on the information processing method. 6. A procedure for receiving an instruction from a user using an information device having a communication interface and being included in an information processing system including a plurality of information devices for mutually transmitting information; A transmission procedure for transmitting to another information device via the communication interface to itself or by the local loopback, based on an instruction from the user received from another information device or from the user by the local loopback, A program for executing a predetermined process, and a program for controlling an information device.