JP2006350752A - Information processing apparatus, data processing method, computer-readable storage medium storing program, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To create a device map by an operation in which a plurality of network devices are arranged in association with device identifiers. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 201 operates a network device management program to create a device map by creating on a RAM 203 device map data with device identifiers arranged in predetermined positions and arranging network devices classified by the CPU 201 in association with the identifiers on the created device map. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that searches for a network device and creates and displays a device map, a data processing method, a storage medium that stores a computer-readable program, and a program.

  Conventionally, various protocols have been adopted for communication between various peripheral devices and information processing devices on a network. For example, SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a protocol for managing networks such as LANs. Currently, it is not limited to networks based on TCP / IP protocols, but based on protocols other than TCP / IP. It is also widely used as a network management protocol for networks.

  Normally, network management based on SNMP performs management by accessing an information database having a tree structure called MIB (Management Information Base) using the SNMP protocol.

  On the other hand, what is called a directory service is provided as a method for efficiently discovering and using various resources (printers, servers, scanners, etc.) on the network.

  The directory service is a telephone directory related to the network, and is used for storing various information. Specific examples of the directory system include LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) defined by RFC1777 and Novell's NDS (NetWare Directory Service).

  LDAP is a protocol for accessing a directory database in a TCP / IP network such as the Internet or an intranet.

  Here, the directory service is a service that manages information on the mail address and environment of the user who uses the network, and can search for such information from the user name. Recently, there is an active movement to apply a directory service not only to simple user management but also to management of shared resources on a network such as a printer.

  In a conventional network device management system, for example, a network device connected to a network is searched by using SNMP / MIB (Management Information Base (MIB2 defined in RFC 1213)) or a directory service. And various information set in the network device can be displayed or changed (see Patent Document 1).

  In recent years, development of Web applications that can display a list of network devices connected to the network or display various information set in the network devices by using a Web browser on a PC has been active. It has become.

  In addition, a network device has been developed that provides a function for displaying the status of the network device and various information set in the network device from the web browser of the PC by bundling the web server inside the network device. Yes.

  As one function of such a Web application, there is a function of arranging and displaying a management target network device on a virtual map so that the installation location of the network device in the real world can be known.

Hereinafter, in the present invention, a map created by this function is referred to as a “device map”. This function allows you to specify the network device installation location when an error (for example, a paper jam or (out of paper) occurs that must be addressed directly to the device installation location on the managed network device. It is effective to confirm.
JP 2005-108115 A

  However, in the above conventional example, in order to use the device map function, the administrator of the network device management system arranges each network device on the device map according to the installation location of the managed network device. I had to do the work of doing it in advance.

  For this reason, as the number of network devices to be managed increases, the load on the administrator of the network device management system also increases.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to create device map data in which a device identifier is arranged at a predetermined position, and associate it with the identifier of the created device map. Information processing apparatus, data processing method, and computer-readable program capable of creating a device map by arranging a plurality of network devices associated with device identifiers by associating and arranging network devices to be classified And a storage medium storing the program.

  The information processing apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

  An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with one or more network devices connected to a network, wherein a device identifier is extracted from generated device map data, and a device type is associated with the extracted device identifier A device map is created by creating extracted data and arranging one or more network devices to be searched on the device map data based on the created device extracted data and the network devices classified by the device type Device map creating means for creating the device.

  The data processing method of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

  A data processing method in an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with one or more network devices connected to a network, wherein a device identifier is extracted from generated device map data, and a device type is assigned to the extracted device identifier The associated device extraction data is created, and one or more network devices to be searched are arranged on the device map data based on the created device extraction data and the network device classified by the device type. And a device map creating step of creating a device map.

  According to the present invention, a device map can be freely created by a simple operation in which a network administrator arranges a plurality of network devices associated with a device identifier.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Description of system configuration>
[First Embodiment]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network device management system to which the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a color printer, which is communicably connected to information processing apparatuses 111 and 112 via a LAN 100. Reference numeral 102 denotes a multi function peripheral, which is a copier, and is configured to be usable even with a scan function alone.

  Reference numerals 103 and 104 denote monochrome printers that are communicably connected to the information processing apparatuses 111 and 112 via the LAN 100. A scanner 105 functions as a network scanner by installing drivers conforming to a predetermined standard in the information processing apparatuses 111 and 112.

  These are network devices that can execute all or part of the program of the network device management system according to the present embodiment.

  Reference numerals 111 and 112 denote information processing apparatuses each including a desktop PC and a notebook PC. These are also PCs that can execute the program of the network device management system according to the present embodiment, and a storage device that stores electronic data of a device map, which will be described later, and arrangement information of network devices arranged on the device map It has. The information processing apparatuses 111 and 112 store information about the device map in the storage device, and provide a device map function on the Web browser of the user's PC in response to a request from the user.

  In the network device management system, the space where the printer 101, the MFP 102, the printer 103, and the information processing apparatus 111 are arranged is physically separated from the space where the printer 104, the scanner 105, and the information processing apparatus 112 are arranged. For example, the printer 101, the MFP 102, the printer 103, and the information processing device 111 are arranged on the second floor of a building consisting of a plurality of floors, and the printer 104, the scanner 105, and the information processing device 112 are arranged on the first floor of a building consisting of a plurality of floors. It shall be. These devices are all network-connected by the LAN 100.

  2 is a block diagram for explaining the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus is configured by a general personal computer.

  Further, it is assumed that the information processing apparatus 111 is a desktop PC and the information processing apparatus 112 is a notebook PC. In the information processing apparatuses 111 and 112, a network device management program is stored in a storage medium or the like to be described later, and device map display processing is executed by executing the network device management program.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU that executes a network device management program stored in a ROM 202 or a hard disk (HD) 211 or supplied from a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive (FD) 212. The CPU 201 comprehensively controls each network device connected to the system bus 204.

  A RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. A keyboard controller (KBC) 205 controls input of instructions from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device (not shown).

  Reference numeral 206 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC), which controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 210.

  A disk controller (DKC) 207 controls access to storage devices such as a CD-ROM (not shown), a hard disk (HD) 211, and a floppy (registered trademark) disk controller (FD) 212.

  The hard disk (HD) 211, the floppy (registered trademark) disk controller (FD) 212, and the like store a boot program, an operating system, various applications, an edit file, a user file, a network device management program, and the like.

  A network interface card (NIC) 208 is a communication device for bidirectionally exchanging data with a network device or another PC via the LAN 100.

  The information processing apparatuses 111 and 112 configured as described above are configured to be able to communicate with one or a plurality of network devices (for example, the printers 101 and 104, the scanner 105, and the MFP 102) connected to the LAN 100, and the CPU 201 generates The device identifier (for example, color information, graphic information, and character information as described later and arranged at a predetermined position in the device map data) is extracted from the device map data. In this extraction process, device map data developed in the RAM 203 is extracted by full scanning, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  In this way, device extraction data in which the device type is associated with the extracted device identifier is created in the data format shown in FIG. 7, for example, and the created device extraction data and the data format as shown in FIG. One or a plurality of network devices 8 to be searched for by the CPU 201 executing a network device management program stored in the hard disk 211 or the like based on the network devices classified by the device type, and the scanner 105 , MFP 102) is arranged on the device map data to create a device map.

  The device identifier that can be used in the present embodiment is any of color information, shape information, and character information, and these may be combined.

  As a result, the network devices to be classified and the device identifiers are associated with each other, so that the intended network devices can be arranged in the identifiers on the device map data. It is possible to arrange an intended network device by a simple device selection operation without being conscious of whether the device is a scanner or a scanner, and the burden of creating a device map on the network administrator is reduced.

  In addition, the CPU 201 executes a network device management program stored in the hard disk 211 or the like to generate a device map. For example, a device map document is generated by reading a device map document from a scanner device included in any network device. To do.

  Further, as a process for generating a device map by executing a network device management program stored in the hard disk 211 or the like, the CPU 201 also generates device map data based on image data input from an external device. This is an application example.

  In addition, as processing for generating a device map by executing a network device management program stored in the hard disk 211 or the like, the CPU 201 may generate device map data based on drawing data drawn based on input device information. It is an example of application of this embodiment.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. This processing corresponds to the procedure of the network device management program that operates on the information processing apparatuses 111 and 112 shown in FIG. Note that S301 to S308 indicate each step, and determination and execution of a series of these processes are realized by being executed by the CPU 201 inside the PC 200 in terms of hardware.

  In the present embodiment, the operation of the information processing apparatuses 111 and 112 will be mainly described. However, it is needless to say that this flowchart can be applied to a network device having the same configuration as the information processing apparatuses 111 and 112. .

  When the administrator of the network device management system executes the network device management program on any of the information processing apparatuses 111, 112, etc., the network device management program selects a network device connected to the LAN 100 as a network in step S301. Search and create a device list.

  In this embodiment, as a network device search method, (1) a search using SNMP and (2) a search using a directory service are assumed, but not limited thereto. Absent.

  Next, in step S <b> 302, the network device management program creates a correspondence table (for example, see FIG. 4) of device types (network device types are printers, multifunction devices, scanners, etc.) and device identifiers on the RAM 203. .

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a device list table created on the RAM 203 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 400 denotes a device list table, which includes a network device name 401, a MAC address 402, an IP address 403, a device type 404, an installation location 405, and the like.

  Various information of the MAC address 402, the IP address 403, the device type 404, and the installation location 405 is stored from the printer 101 as the network device indicated by the network device name 401 to the scanner 105.

  Note that the information shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and it is needless to say that the information displayed as a list in the device list table 400 may further include additional information such as the product name of the network device.

  Here, the device identifier refers to an identifier defined for each type of network device described in the electronic data of the device map captured in the information processing apparatuses 111 and 112 by means described later. .

  In the present embodiment, assumed identifiers include (1) color information such as blue, red, and yellow, (2) shape information such as ○, Δ, □, and (3) product name, network device name, and IP address. Character information such as a MAC address can be considered.

  In the present embodiment, description will be made using the color information (1).

  As a method of associating the device type 404 with the device identifier, (a) the user operates the KB 209 to input. (B) It is conceivable to import information associated outside the information processing apparatuses 111 and 112 into the information processing apparatuses 111 and 112 via the NIC 208, the FD 212, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, description will be made using the method (a).

  In the network device management system using the identifier (1) and the association method (a), the user creates a device type / device identifier correspondence table from the KB 209 according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. This processing corresponds to a procedure for creating a correspondence table between device types and device identifiers by the network device management program operating on the information processing apparatuses 111 and 112 shown in FIG. Note that S501 to S505 indicate each step, and the determination and execution of the series of processes are realized by being executed by the CPU 201 inside the information processing apparatuses 111 and 1120 in terms of hardware.

  This operation will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 5 and an example of the device type / device identifier correspondence table of FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a device type / device identifier correspondence table created on the RAM 203 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 600 denotes a device type / device identifier correspondence table. The device type / device identifier correspondence table 600 includes a correspondence table row number 601, a device type 602, and a device identifier 603.

  Note that the device type of the row number N input by the user is stored in the Nth row of the device type 602 in the device type / device identifier correspondence table 600.

  In the present embodiment, the input device type can be a network device such as “printer”, “multifunction device”, “scanner”, but is not limited thereto.

  First, in step S501, the user who creates the device list table 400 presses a key assigned to the correspondence table creation key in the KB 209, and starts creating the device type / device identifier correspondence table 600.

  In step S502, a line number N corresponding to the correspondence table line number 601 in the device type / device identifier correspondence table 600 shown in FIG. 6 is initialized to “1”.

  Next, in step S503, the device type of the row number N input by the user is stored in the Nth row of the device type 602 of the device type / device identifier correspondence table 600.

  In the present embodiment, the input device type may be a network device such as “printer”, “multifunction device”, “scanner”, but is not limited thereto.

  In step S504, the device identifier of the row number N input by the user is stored in the Nth row of the device identifier 603 of the device type / device identifier correspondence table 600.

  In this embodiment, since color information is assumed as an identifier to be input, the device identifier to be input is information representing colors such as “blue”, “red”, and “yellow”.

  Next, in step S505, it is determined whether or not the input of the device type and device identifier by the user has been completed. If it is determined that the input has not ended, the process proceeds to step S506, and the line number N is incremented by one. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S505 that the input has been completed, this flowchart ends.

  Here, when step S302 illustrated in FIG. 3 ends, the network device management program proceeds to step S303.

  In step S303, the device map document in which the device identifier defined in step S302 is arranged is stored as electronic data of the device map in a storage area such as the RAM 203 or the HD 211 in the information processing apparatuses 111 and 112.

  As the device map manuscript, a photo printed on a sheet of paper or a seating chart may be scanned by the multi-function peripheral 102 and the scanner 105 and then stored in the information processing apparatuses 111 and 112. Bitmaps created with arbitrary drawing software, image data taken with a digital camera, or the like, or data created using an editing function of the network device management program may be used.

  In this embodiment, since the device identifier is set as “blue”, “red”, “yellow”, etc., for example, the above “blue”, “red”, “yellow” is displayed on the document of the device map. An identification color gamut marked with exists.

  Then, the device type shown in FIG. 6 is assigned to the coordinates whose identification color gamut is recognized in the image extraction process described later, and a network device group as described later is classified as shown in FIG.

  When the graphic element and the character element are device identifiers, the device identifier is extracted by pattern recognition or OCR.

  And by arranging devices that are uniquely determined from the device candidates based on this classification on the device map display screen, even if there are multiple devices of the same device type, the administrator can perform a simple selection operation. The device map can be completed and registered in the hard disk 211 or the like. In addition, the registered device map can be updated and registered by the administrator by changing the arrangement of devices according to a system change or the like.

  Next, in step S304, the device identifier defined in step S302 is extracted from the electronic data of the device map converted into electronic data in step S303. For example, the extracted data in the data format shown in FIG. Store in the area.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a data structure of extracted data stored in a storage area such as the RAM 203 and the HD 211 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 700 denotes extracted data itself. Reference numeral 701 denotes an extraction number, which is an identification number uniquely assigned to the extracted data. Usually, a continuous positive number starting from “1” is assigned as the identification number, but is not limited thereto.

  The extracted identifier 702 is an area for storing the device identifier extracted in step S304.

  A coordinate 703 is an area for storing the coordinate position on the device map when the device identifier is extracted in step S304 shown in FIG.

  The device type 704 is an area for storing a device type corresponding to the device identifier extracted in step S304 shown in FIG.

  The network device name 705 is an area for storing a network device name selected from a plurality of network device names corresponding to the device identifier extracted in step S304 shown in FIG.

  Here, returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, in step S305, the CPU 201 determines whether one or more of the extracted data extracted in step S304 is present in a storage area such as the RAM 203 or the HD 211, and the CPU 201 has the extracted data. If it is determined that the extracted data does not exist, this flowchart is terminated.

  In step S306, the device type is specified from the device identifier extracted in step S304. The details of this step will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. This processing corresponds to the procedure of the network device management program that operates on the information processing apparatuses 111 and 112 shown in FIG. Note that S801 to S805 indicate each step, and the determination and execution of the series of processes are realized by being executed by the CPU 201 in the information processing apparatuses 111 and 1120 in terms of hardware.

  First, in step S <b> 801, the CPU 201 initializes a counter i secured in the RAM 203 to “0”. In step S802, the counter i is compared with the CNT, and if the CPU 201 determines that i <CNT, the process proceeds to step S803. If the CPU 201 determines that i> CNT or i = CNT, this flowchart ends.

Here, CNT is the total number of data listed in the extracted data 700.

In the example of the extracted data 700 in FIG. 7, CNT = 4.

  In step S803, the device type 704 is determined from the extraction identifier 702 of the extraction data 700 using the device type / device identifier correspondence table 600 created in step S302 shown in FIG.

  Taking the extracted data 700 shown in FIG. 7 as an example, the device type 704 is determined to be “printer” because the extraction identifier 702 of the row whose extraction number 701 is “1” is “blue”.

  Next, in step S804, the device type determined in step S803 is written in the device type 704 of the extracted data 700 stored in the storage area such as the RAM 203 or the HD 211.

  Thereafter, in step S805, the counter i is incremented by “1”, and the process returns to step S802.

  By repeating steps S 802 to S 805, the device type 704 of the extraction number 701 in the second row, the third row, and the fourth row is also determined as “multifunction device”, “scanner”, and “printer”. This flowchart is complete | finished above.

  Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S307, the network device included in the device type 704 of the extracted data 700 stored in the storage area such as the RAM 203 or the HD 211 is extracted.

  Thereafter, in step S301, the network devices in the created device list 400 are reclassified by device type.

  Since the extracted data 700 of this embodiment includes “printer”, “multifunction device”, and “scanner” as network device types, when the device list 1000 is classified into these three types, FIG. The classification table shown in FIG.

  The network device group classified as shown in FIG. 9 is arranged on the device map as an “arrangement candidate” in the next step.

  Finally, in step S308, the placement candidates classified in step S307 are placed on the electronic data of the device map, and this process is terminated.

  Note that the placement position of the placement candidate follows the value of the coordinate 703 in the extracted data 700.

  In this embodiment, 101, 103, 104 included in the classification “printer” are arranged on the coordinates (10, 20), and 102 included in the classification “multifunction machine” are arranged on the coordinates (11, 22). Then, 105 included in the classification “scanner” is arranged on the coordinates (12, 24), and 101, 103, 104 included in the classification “printer” are arranged on the coordinates (13, 26).

  When a network device administrator executes a network device management program on the information processing apparatuses 111 and 112 via a web browser and displays a device map on the CRT 210 on the web browser, the above placement candidates are placed on the device map. The

  When an arrangement candidate including a plurality of network devices is arranged on the device map like the classification “printer”, the network device administrator selects one of the network devices by using a pointing device or the like, so that the network The management program selects one of the network devices, registers the selected device in the column of the network device name 705 in FIG. 7, and displays a device map from the information in FIG. 7 and the information in FIG. In this way, each network device can be placed at an appropriate position.

  Needless to say, if the classification is subdivided so that the number of placement candidates is always one, the selection procedure by the administrator is not necessary.

  Examples of such classification include classification by IP address and classification by MAC address.

  According to the above embodiment, when the administrator of the network device management system uses the device map function, it is not necessary to perform the operation of arranging one network device and one device on the device map. Even if the number of target network devices increases, there is an effect that the load on the administrator does not increase.

  In addition, paper data that has already been created, such as an existing seating chart, can be used as the electronic data for the device map. This also has the effect of reducing the load for creating the electronic data for the device map.

[Second Embodiment]
In the embodiment described above, for example, the case where the electronic data of the device map is created by reading the device map original with a scanner has been described. However, when the electronic data of the device map is created by the administrator using a predetermined drawing application program, Configured so that the extracted data described above can be created with a simple operation of assigning an icon assigned to a device identifier and specifying a color or shape to the device map. May be.

  Thereby, a device map in which icons and devices are associated can be freely created. At that time, even if the icon is a printer, create a device map that can recognize the attributes of each device at the same time by making the shape and color different depending on whether the optional device is connected, color / monochrome / function Can do.

[Third Embodiment]
In the above embodiment, the case where only the device map is created has been described. However, the user information processing apparatus and devices (printers, scanners, multifunction devices, etc.) locally connected to the information processing apparatus are registered in the device map. As possible, the identifier may be increased so that a composite device map in which network and local devices are arranged can be created.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where only the device map is created has been described. However, the identifier may be further increased for each processing capability or resource of the device so that the processing capability or the resource can be created.

[Fifth Embodiment]
In the above embodiment, the case of creating only a device map has been described. However, when investigating a network device, information on the consumables consumed by each device is acquired, and the usage amount of consumables is displayed on the device map. By controlling the display, the administrator may be able to confirm the status of the device.

[Sixth Embodiment]
The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs readable by the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS is not limited.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is stored on the recording medium such as a hard disk from the homepage. It can also be supplied by downloading. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

  Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention to the specific description in the present specification.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the network device management system which can apply the information processing apparatus which shows 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 1st data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the device list table produced on RAM shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 2nd data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a device type / device identifier correspondence table created on the RAM shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of extracted data stored in a storage area such as a RAM or an HD illustrated in FIG. 2. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 3rd data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium which stores the various data processing program which can be read by the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

111, 112 Information processing apparatus 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
211 HD

Claims (20)

An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with one or more network devices connected to a network,
A device identifier is extracted from the generated device map data, device extraction data in which a device type is associated with the extracted device identifier is created, and the network device classified by the created device extraction data and the device type And an apparatus for creating a device map by arranging one or a plurality of network devices to be searched on the device map data. An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with one or more network devices connected to a network,
Generating means for generating device map data in which a device identifier of the network device is assigned to a predetermined position;
First creating means for creating a table associating device types and device identifiers of network devices searched on the network;
Second creation means for creating device extraction data from the device identifier extracted from the device map data generated by the generation means, the coordinates from which the device identifier is extracted, and the device type specified by the device identifier When,
Classifying means for classifying network devices to be searched on the network by the device type;
Third creation for creating a device map by arranging any network device classified by device type by the classification means in the device map data based on the device extraction data created by the second creation means Means,
An information processing apparatus comprising:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device identifier is any one of color information, shape information, and character information.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates device map data by reading a device map document from any network device.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates device map data based on image data input from an external device.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates device map data based on drawing data drawn based on input device information.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second creating unit performs a full scan of the device map data to extract a device identifier. A data processing method in an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with one or more network devices connected to a network,
A device identifier is extracted from the generated device map data, device extraction data in which a device type is associated with the extracted device identifier is created, and the network device classified by the created device extraction data and the device type And a device map creating step of creating a device map by placing one or more network devices to be searched on the device map data based on the data processing method. A data processing method in an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with one or more network devices connected to a network,
Generating device map data in which a device identifier of the network device is assigned to a predetermined position;
A first creation step of creating a table associating device types and device identifiers of network devices searched for on the network;
Second creation step of creating device extraction data from the device identifier extracted from the device map data generated by the generation step, the coordinates from which the device identifier is extracted, and the device type specified by the device identifier When,
A classification step of classifying network devices to be searched in the network according to the device type;
Based on the device extraction data created in the second creation step, a third creation for creating a device map by arranging any network device classified by device type in the classification step in the device map data Steps,
A data processing method characterized by comprising:   The data processing method according to claim 7, wherein the device identifier is any one of color information, shape information, and character information.   8. The data processing method according to claim 7, wherein the generation step generates device map data by reading a device map document from any network device.   The data processing method according to claim 7, wherein the generation step generates device map data based on image data input from an external device.   8. The data processing method according to claim 7, wherein the generation step generates device map data based on drawing data drawn based on input device information.   8. The data processing method according to claim 7, wherein in the second creation step, device identifiers are extracted by performing a full scan of device map data.   A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the data processing method according to claim 8.   A program for causing a computer to execute the data processing method according to claim 8. An extracting means for extracting the identifier and its coordinate information from the information input by scanning the device map to which the identifier is added;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a display unit configured to display a model corresponding to the identifier extracted by the extraction unit based on the coordinate information extracted by the extraction unit. Selecting means for selecting one model from a plurality of models displayed on the display means;
18. The information processing apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising registration means for registering the model selected by the selection means in device map information. An extraction step of extracting the identifier and its coordinate information from the input information by scanning the device map to which the identifier is added;
A display step for displaying a model corresponding to the identifier extracted in the extraction step based on the coordinate information extracted in the extraction step. A selection step of selecting one model from a plurality of models displayed in the display step;
The data processing method according to claim 19, further comprising a registration step of registering the model selected in the selection step in device map information.

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