JP2006221456A - Network image input/output device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network image input/output device for enabling even any printer to confirm the status and location of an output terminal from a map application, and to designate and print print destinations by a simple operation. <P>SOLUTION: The statuses of a network image input/output device 14(printer) and equipment are displayed at a map application. The destination of the printer 14 is managed by an SIP server 10, and the map application is supposed to know the destination. The destination of the printer 14 is set as an SIP address(SIP-URI), and the printer 14 is able to know the SIP-URL from the map application. The SIP-URI enables the SIP server 10 to acquire transport address information for performing SIP call connection to the printer 14 such as an IP address, port number and transport. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a network image input / output device that performs real-time communication in accordance with a communication procedure of a session initiation protocol and presence (SIMPLE: SIP extended function) communication means in an IP network, particularly a VoIP network environment.

In recent years, a system in which a PC (personal computer) and a printer or server are connected via a network to perform printing efficiently has become widespread. Conventionally, the designation of the print destination in such an environment has been set in advance by a PC port monitor, and there has been little change in the normal setting.
The following techniques can be given as an image forming apparatus or communication apparatus compatible with such a network.
JP20003-273998 JP 7-319650 A JP 2004-187262 A

By the way, unlike desktop PCs, for example, when printing is instructed on a notebook PC, the user is not necessarily on the set printing device side.
Conventionally, when a printer is set, it is performed regardless of whether it is online, offline, or printing.
Further, conventionally, when setting and printing a new printer, it is necessary to know the IP address or host name of the printer, and it is also necessary to install a printer driver.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to make it possible to check the status and location of an output terminal from a map application and specify a printing destination and perform printing with a simple operation, even if the printer is not normally set. An image input / output device is provided.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a network image input / output device that enables setting of a printer while monitoring the state of a device.
A third object of the present invention is to provide a network image input / output device that enables simultaneous designation and printing of a printer by simply dragging and dropping a print file without installing a printer driver. is there.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a network image input / output device having an interface for connecting to a LAN line in an IP network environment, call connection means for connecting to the network (Voice over IP), and the network Presence information exchanging means for exchanging presence information via the network, presence display means for displaying presence information of the image input / output device on the network, and designation of a print destination (SIP) corresponding to the display of the presence display means The first object is achieved by performing printing processing at a printing destination designation obtaining unit that obtains (-URI) and a designated printing destination obtained by the printing destination designation obtaining unit.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the presence information displayed by the presence display means includes at least online, offline, and printing information, thereby achieving the second object.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the print destination designation acquisition by the print destination designation acquisition means is performed by specifying a print destination by dragging and dropping a print file to the presence display means. The third object is achieved by acquiring.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the location of the printer can be visually recognized by the map application, printing can be performed without network setting or transport address information.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since at least information indicating whether printing is possible can be exchanged, it is possible to recognize in advance which printer can perform printing.
According to the third aspect of the invention, the print destination can be specified and the print request can be made only by the drag-and-drop procedure. Therefore, the print request can be made by a simple procedure.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, a SIP server 10, a PC (personal computer) 12, and a network image input / output device 14 are network-connected by a LAN (local area network) 20.
As shown in this figure, it is assumed that a SIP server that performs address resolution, access control, bandwidth management, registration processing, presence information management, and the like is connected to the IP network environment. Further, a VoIP gateway that mediates between the network and the PSTN may be connected. It is assumed that the PC 12 and the network image input / output device 14 are connected to the IP network environment (VoIP network environment).

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a seating chart (map application) that can be referred to on the IP network.
The map application displays the status of the network image input / output device 14 (hereinafter referred to as a printer) and devices in this embodiment. It is assumed that the destination of the printer 14 is managed by the SIP server 10 and the map application knows the destination. The destination of the printer 14 is a SIP address (SIP-URI), and the printer 14 can know the SIP-URI from the map application.
In the SIP-URI, the SIP server 10 can acquire transport address information such as an IP address, a port number, and a transport for making a SIP call connection with the printer 14.

  In the present embodiment, the location of the printer 14 and the session establishment information for transferring the print data are acquired from the above-described means using the SIP call connection, and after the session is established, the print data can be transferred and printed. . For the protocol for starting a session, refer to SIP: RFC3261.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for confirming the state of the printer 14 from the PC 12. This figure shows a state in which the printer 14 can notify the SIP server 10 or PC (SIP user agent) 12. In the present embodiment, a print request can be made after knowing whether the network image input / output device 14 is in a printable state.
As shown in this figure, after receiving a response to REGISTER, the printer 14 notifies the SIP server 10 of the status. An example of this notification is shown in FIG. Specific states that can be notified include online, offline, printing, and the like.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing for establishing a print data session with the printer 14 from the PC 12.

  In the third embodiment, the printer SIP-URI is acquired by the means shown in the above embodiment by dragging and dropping the print file to the map application. Information necessary for printing is acquired and printed.

It is the figure which showed the whole structure in a present Example. It is the figure which showed the state of the printer and apparatus in the map application shown on the IP network. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for checking the status of a printer from a PC. It is the figure which showed the example of the state in which presence notification is possible. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing for establishing a print data session with a printer from a PC.

Explanation of symbols

10 SIP server 12 PC
14 Network image input / output device (printer)
20 LAN

Claims (3)

In a network image input / output device having an interface for connecting to a LAN line in an IP network environment,
Call connection means for connecting to the network;
Presence information exchanging means for exchanging presence information via the network;
Presence display means for displaying presence information of the image input / output device on the network;
A printing destination designation obtaining unit for obtaining a printing destination designation (SIP-URI) corresponding to the display of the presence display unit;
A network image input / output apparatus that performs a printing process at a designated printing destination acquired by the printing destination designation acquisition unit. 2. The network image input / output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the presence information displayed by the presence display means includes at least information on-line, off-line, and printing. 3. The network image input / output according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the printing destination designation acquisition by the printing destination designation acquisition unit is performed by specific acquisition of a printing destination by drag and drop of a print file to the presence display unit. apparatus.

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