JP2007241990A - System, program and method for acquiring capability information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a capability information acquisition system suitable for acquiring capability information including required attributes. <P>SOLUTION: A printer management server 100, a plurality of printers 200 and a plurality of WWW servers 210 are connected to the Internet 199. The printer management server 100 acquires the capability information including attribute values of the printers 200 for each of a plurality of items from an object printer 200 and judges whether or not the acquired capability information includes the attribute values of the required items. As a result, when it is judged that the attribute values of the required items are not included, the capability information of the object printer 200 is acquired from the WWW servers 210, contents of the capability information acquired from the object printer 200 and the WWW servers 210 are coupled to generate a new piece of capability information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system, a program, and a method for acquiring device capability information, and more particularly to a capability information acquisition system and a capability information acquisition program suitable for acquiring capability information including required attributes. And a capability information acquisition method.

In a network system or the like, in order to cope with a new peripheral device, when the peripheral device is connected to the network, the capability information indicating the attribute of the peripheral device is acquired, and a system such as a device program is acquired based on the acquired capability information. Update the environment.
Conventionally, as a technique for acquiring capability information, for example, a technique described in Patent Document 1 is known.

The technique described in Patent Document 1 uses a capability descriptor when it is obtained from a peripheral device, and uses the information in the descriptor based on the model of the peripheral device when the capability descriptor is not obtained. Are automatically determined and set themselves from a set of driver modules.
JP 2002-199148 A

  However, since the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which a capability descriptor is simply acquired from a peripheral device, an attribute required by the network system or the like is necessarily obtained depending on the specifications of the peripheral device. Not necessarily. For example, the required attribute is resolution, but the capability information of the peripheral device does not include resolution. In this case, the system cannot be properly updated.

  In addition, a configuration is adopted in which the capability is automatically determined using information in the descriptor based on the peripheral device model when it cannot be obtained from the peripheral device. It does not necessarily match the actual attribute value. For example, the actual resolution of the peripheral device is 600 [dpi], whereas the result of automatic determination is 300 [dpi]. Even in this case, the system cannot be properly updated.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to such an unsolved problem of the conventional technology, and is a capability information acquisition system suitable for acquiring capability information including required attributes. It is an object to provide a capability information acquisition program and a capability information acquisition method.

[Mode 1] In order to achieve the above object, the capability information acquisition system of mode 1
A capability information acquisition system for acquiring device capability information,
The device and the information storage terminal that stores the capability information are communicably connected,
First capability information acquisition means for acquiring the capability information from the device, and capability information for determining whether or not the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition means includes a required attribute. When it is determined that the required attribute is not included in the evaluation unit and the capability information evaluation unit, the capability information of the device related to the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition unit is the information A second capability information acquisition unit that acquires from the storage terminal; and a coupling unit that combines the contents of the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition unit and the second capability information acquisition unit. And

  With such a configuration, whether the capability information is acquired from the device by the first capability information acquisition unit and whether the acquired capability information includes the required attribute is determined by the capability information evaluation unit. Determined. As a result, when it is determined that the requested attribute is not included, the capability information of the device related to the acquired capability information is acquired from the information storage terminal by the second capability information acquisition unit. Then, the contents of the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition unit and the second capability information acquisition unit are combined by the combining unit.

  Thus, even if the capability information of the device does not include the required attribute, if the capability information of the device stored by the information storage terminal includes the required attribute, the capability information including the required attribute As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that capability information including required attributes cannot be acquired as compared with the conventional case.

  Here, the capability information is information indicating device attributes. For example, it is determined whether or not the information indicates device specifications, and is a value that can be set when setting the device. Information for is included. The same applies to the capability information acquisition system of modes 6 and 7, the capability information acquisition program of modes 11, 16 and 17, and the capability information acquisition method of modes 21, 26 and 27.

  The device attributes include not only the attributes of the device itself but also the attributes of the device accessories or consumables. As the consumable item, for example, when the device is a printing apparatus, ink, toner, or paper is applicable. The same applies to the capability information acquisition system of modes 6 and 7, the capability information acquisition program of modes 11, 16 and 17, and the capability information acquisition method of modes 21, 26 and 27.

  Further, the present system may be realized as a single device, terminal, or other device, or may be realized as a network system in which a plurality of devices, terminals, or other devices are communicably connected. In the latter case, each component may belong to any one of a plurality of devices and the like as long as they are connected so as to communicate with each other. The same applies to the capability information acquisition systems of modes 6 and 7 below.

[Mode 2] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition system of mode 2 is the capability information acquisition system of mode 1,
The capability information includes an attribute value of the device for each of a plurality of items,
The capability information evaluation unit determines whether or not the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition unit includes an attribute value of a requested item.

  If it is such a structure, it will be determined by the capability information evaluation means whether the acquired capability information contains the attribute value of the item requested | required. As a result, if it is determined that the attribute value of the requested item is not included, the capability information of the device related to the acquired capability information is acquired from the information storage terminal by the second capability information acquisition means.

[Mode 3] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition system according to mode 3 is the capability information acquisition system according to any one of modes 1 and 2,
The information storage terminal is a WWW (World Wide Web) server.
If it is such a structure, capability information will be acquired from a WWW server by a 2nd capability information acquisition means.

[Mode 4] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition system of mode 4 is the capability information acquisition system of mode 3,
The second capability information acquisition means tries a procedure for acquiring the address of the WWW server from the device, a procedure for acquiring the address from an input device, and a procedure for acquiring the address from a predetermined search engine in that order. The WWW server is accessed based on the address acquired by the attempted acquisition procedure.

If it is such composition, the procedure which acquires the address of a WWW server from a device will be tried by the 2nd capability information acquisition means. As a result, when the address is acquired, the WWW server is accessed based on the acquired address.
If it cannot be obtained from the device, an attempt is made to obtain the address of the WWW server from the input device. As a result, when the address is acquired, the WWW server is accessed based on the acquired address.

If it cannot be obtained from the input device, a procedure for obtaining the address of the WWW server from a predetermined search engine is tried. As a result, when the address is acquired, the WWW server is accessed based on the acquired address.
As a result, trials are performed preferentially from a procedure with high certainty that the capability information exists, so that the possibility that the capability information cannot be acquired from the WWW server can be reduced.

[Mode 5] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition system according to mode 5 is the capability information acquisition system according to any one of modes 3 and 4,
The second capability information acquisition unit acquires the capability information by analyzing a page provided by the WWW server.
With this configuration, the second capability information acquisition unit analyzes the page provided by the WWW server and acquires capability information.

[Form 6] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition system of form 6 is
A capability information acquisition system for acquiring device capability information,
The device and the information storage terminal that stores the capability information are communicably connected,
Corresponding in the capability information storage means for storing the capability information, the capability information search means for searching the capability information of the required device from the capability information storage means, and the capability information search means When the capability information cannot be retrieved, a first capability information acquisition unit that acquires the capability information from the device and a capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition unit are requested. Capability information evaluation means for determining whether or not an attribute is included; and the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition means when the capability information evaluation means determines that the required attribute is not included The capability information of the device related to the information is A second capability information acquisition unit that acquires from the storage terminal; a combination unit that combines the contents of the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition unit and the second capability information acquisition unit; and Capability information registration means for registering the capability information of the combined contents in the capability information storage means is provided.

  With such a configuration, the capability information search unit searches the capability information storage unit for the requested device capability information. As a result, when the corresponding capability information cannot be retrieved, the capability information is acquired from the device by the first capability information acquisition means, and the acquired capability information is requested by the capability information evaluation means. It is determined whether or not the attribute is included. As a result, when it is determined that the requested attribute is not included, the capability information of the device related to the acquired capability information is acquired from the information storage terminal by the second capability information acquisition unit. Then, the content of the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition unit and the second capability information acquisition unit is combined by the combining unit, and the capability information of the combined content is combined by the capability information registration unit. Registered in the capability information storage means.

  Thus, even if the capability information of the requested device does not exist in the capability information storage means, if the device or the information storage terminal holds the corresponding capability information, the corresponding capability information is obtained. It is done. At this time, even if the capability information of the device does not include the required attribute, if the capability information of the device stored by the information storage terminal includes the required attribute, the capability information including the required attribute Is obtained. Therefore, as compared with the prior art, there is an effect that it is possible to reduce the possibility that the capability information including the required attribute cannot be acquired for the required device.

  Here, the capability information storage means stores the capability information by any means and at any time, and may store the capability information in advance or store the capability information in advance. Instead, the capability information may be stored by an external input or the like during operation of the system. The same applies to the capability information acquisition system according to aspect 7.

[Form 7] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition system of form 7
A capability information acquisition system for acquiring device capability information,
The device and the information storage terminal that stores the capability information are communicably connected,
Capability information storage means for storing the capability information, capability information search means for searching the requested capability information of the device from the capability information storage means, and search by the capability information search means When it is determined by the first capability information evaluation unit that determines whether or not the issued capability information includes the required attribute, and the first capability information evaluation unit does not include the required attribute First capability information acquisition means for acquiring the capability information from the device related to the capability information searched by the capability information search means, and capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition means Second capability for determining whether the required attribute is included When the information evaluation means and the second capability information evaluation means determine that the requested attribute is not included, the device capability information related to the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition means Second capability information acquisition means for acquiring the information from the information storage terminal, combining means for combining contents of the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition means and the second capability information acquisition means, Capability information registration means for registering capability information of contents combined by the combining means in the capability information storage means.

  In such a configuration, the capability information search unit searches for capability information of the requested device from the capability information storage unit, and the first capability information evaluation unit searches for the capability. It is determined whether the information includes the required attributes. As a result, if it is determined that the requested attribute is not included, the capability information is acquired from the device related to the retrieved capability information by the first capability information acquisition unit, and the second capability information evaluation unit Thus, it is determined whether or not the acquired capability information includes the required attribute. As a result, when it is determined that the requested attribute is not included, the capability information of the device related to the acquired capability information is acquired from the information storage terminal by the second capability information acquisition unit. Then, the content of the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition unit and the second capability information acquisition unit is combined by the combining unit, and the capability information of the combined content is combined by the capability information registration unit. Registered in the capability information storage means.

  Thereby, even if the capability information storage means and the capability information of the device are not included in the required attributes, it is required if the capability information of the device stored in the information storage terminal includes the required attributes. Since capability information including attributes can be obtained, it is possible to reduce the possibility that capability information including required attributes cannot be acquired for a required device as compared with the related art.

[Mode 8] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition system of mode 8 is the capability information acquisition system of mode 7,
The capability information includes, for each of a plurality of items, an attribute value of the device and whether or not acquisition is necessary,
The first capability information evaluation unit determines whether or not the capability information searched by the capability information search unit includes an attribute value of a requested item;
Further, when the first capability information evaluation unit determines that the attribute value of the requested item is included, a third capability that determines whether or not the attribute value of the requested item needs to be acquired. Be equipped with an information evaluation means,
The first capability information acquisition unit acquires the capability information from the device when the third capability information evaluation unit determines that the acquisition is necessary.

If it is such a structure, it will be determined by the 1st capability information evaluation means whether the searched capability information contains the attribute value of the item requested | required. As a result, when it is determined that the attribute value of the requested item is included, the third capability information evaluation unit determines whether or not the attribute value of the requested item needs to be acquired. As a result, when it is determined that acquisition is necessary, the capability information is acquired from the device by the first capability information acquisition means. Thereafter, similarly, evaluation by the second capability information evaluation unit, acquisition by the second capability information acquisition unit, combination by the combination unit, and registration by the capability information registration unit are performed.
As a result, even if the capability information includes the attribute value of the item for which the capability information is requested, the capability information is acquired from the device or the information storage terminal and updated if the attribute value is set to be acquired. As a result, it is possible to obtain capability information including the latest attribute value.

[Mode 9] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition system of mode 9 is the capability information acquisition system of any one of modes 7 and 8,
The capability information includes an attribute value of the device for each of a plurality of items, a validity period of the attribute value for any of the plurality of items,
The first capability information evaluation unit determines whether or not the capability information searched by the capability information search unit includes an attribute value of a requested item;
Further, when the first capability information evaluation unit determines that the attribute value of the requested item is included, the fourth capability information evaluation unit determines whether the validity period has passed for the attribute value of the requested item. With capability information evaluation means,
The first capability information acquisition unit acquires the capability information from the device when the fourth capability information evaluation unit determines that the valid period has elapsed.

If it is such a structure, it will be determined by the 1st capability information evaluation means whether the searched capability information contains the attribute value of the item requested | required. As a result, when it is determined that the attribute value of the requested item is included, the fourth capability information evaluation unit determines whether or not the validity period has passed for the attribute value of the requested item. As a result, when it is determined that the valid period has elapsed, the capability information is acquired from the device by the first capability information acquisition means. Thereafter, similarly, evaluation by the second capability information evaluation unit, acquisition by the second capability information acquisition unit, combination by the combination unit, and registration by the capability information registration unit are performed.
As a result, even if the capability information includes the attribute value of the item for which the capability information is required, the capability information is received from the device or the information storage terminal if the effective period has passed for the attribute value for which the effective period is set. Since it is acquired and updated, it is possible to acquire capability information including the latest attribute value.

[Mode 10] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition system of mode 10 is the capability information acquisition system of any one of modes 7 to 9,
The capability information includes an attribute value of the device for each of a plurality of items, an acquisition condition based on the status of the device for any of the plurality of items,
The first capability information evaluation unit determines whether or not the capability information searched by the capability information search unit includes an attribute value of a requested item;
Further, when the first capability information evaluation unit determines that the attribute value of the requested item is included, the fifth capability information evaluation unit determines whether the status of the device satisfies the acquisition condition. With
The first capability information acquisition unit acquires the capability information from the device when the fifth capability information evaluation unit determines that the acquisition condition is satisfied.

  If it is such a structure, it will be determined by the 1st capability information evaluation means whether the searched capability information contains the attribute value of the item requested | required. As a result, if it is determined that the attribute value of the requested item is included, the fifth capability information evaluation unit determines whether the device status satisfies the acquisition condition. As a result, when it is determined that the acquisition condition is satisfied, the capability information is acquired from the device by the first capability information acquisition unit. Thereafter, similarly, evaluation by the second capability information evaluation unit, acquisition by the second capability information acquisition unit, combination by the combination unit, and registration by the capability information registration unit are performed.

  As a result, even if the capability information includes the attribute value of the item for which the capability information is required, if the device status satisfies the acquisition condition for the attribute value for which the acquisition condition is set, the capability information from the device or the information storage terminal Therefore, it is possible to obtain capability information including necessary attribute values as the status changes.

[Mode 11] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the capability information acquisition program of mode 11
A capability information acquisition program for acquiring device capability information,
For a computer that is communicably connected to the device and an information storage terminal that stores the capability information,
Capability information for determining whether or not the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step for acquiring the capability information from the device and the first capability information acquisition step includes a required attribute. When it is determined that the requested attribute is not included in the evaluation step and the capability information evaluation step, the device capability information related to the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step is the information. A process consisting of a second capability information acquisition step acquired from the storage terminal, and a combining step for combining the contents of the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step and the second capability information acquisition step is executed. Including a program to And wherein the door.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the capability information acquisition system according to aspect 1 are obtained.

[Mode 12] Further, the capability information acquisition program of mode 12 is the capability information acquisition program of mode 11,
The capability information includes an attribute value of the device for each of a plurality of items,
In the capability information evaluation step, it is determined whether or not the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step includes an attribute value of a requested item.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the capability information acquisition system of mode 2 can be obtained.

[Mode 13] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition program of mode 13 is the capability information acquisition program of any one of modes 11 and 12,
The information storage terminal is a WWW server.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the capability information acquisition system of mode 3 can be obtained.

[Mode 14] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition program of mode 14 is the capability information acquisition program of mode 13,
In the second capability information acquisition step, a procedure for acquiring the address of the WWW server from the device, a procedure for acquiring the address from an input device, and a procedure for acquiring the address from a predetermined search engine are tried in that order. The WWW server is accessed based on the address acquired by the attempted acquisition procedure.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the capability information acquisition system according to mode 4 can be obtained.

[Mode 15] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition program according to mode 15 is the capability information acquisition program according to any one of modes 13 and 14,
In the second capability information acquisition step, the capability information is acquired by analyzing a page provided by the WWW server.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the capability information acquisition system according to mode 5 can be obtained.

[Mode 16] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition program of mode 16 is
A capability information acquisition program for acquiring device capability information,
For a computer that is communicably connected to the device and an information storage terminal that stores the capability information,
From the capability information storage means for storing the capability information, a capability information search step for searching the required capability information of the device, and the capability information search step searches for the capability information in the capability information search step. If the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step and the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step include the required attribute, When it is determined in the capability information evaluation step that is determined that the required attribute is not included in the capability information evaluation step, the capability of the device related to the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step Information A second capability information acquisition step acquired from the terminal, a combination step of combining the contents of the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step and the second capability information acquisition step, and a combination in the combination step And a capability information registration step for registering the capability information having the contents described above in the capability information storage means.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the capability information acquisition system of mode 6 are obtained.

[Mode 17] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition program of mode 17 is
A capability information acquisition program for acquiring device capability information,
For a computer that is communicably connected to the device and an information storage terminal that stores the capability information,
Capability information search step for searching the capability information of the required device from the capability information storage means for storing the capability information, and the capability information searched in the capability information search step, A first capability information evaluation step for determining whether or not the required attribute is included; and when the first capability information evaluation step determines that the required attribute is not included, the capability information search step A first capability information acquisition step of acquiring the capability information from the device related to the capability information retrieved in step 1; and the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step includes the required attribute. Second capability information to determine whether or not When it is determined that the requested attribute is not included in the price step and the second capability information evaluation step, the device capability information related to the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step is A second capability information acquisition step acquired from the information storage terminal; a combination step of combining contents of the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step and the second capability information acquisition step; and the combination And a capability information registration step of registering capability information of contents combined in steps in the capability information storage means.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the capability information acquisition system of mode 7 can be obtained.

[Mode 18] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition program of mode 18 is the capability information acquisition program of mode 17,
The capability information includes, for each of a plurality of items, an attribute value of the device and whether or not acquisition is necessary,
The first capability information evaluation step determines whether or not the capability information searched in the capability information search step includes an attribute value of a requested item;
Further, when it is determined in the first capability information evaluation step that the attribute value of the requested item is included, a third capability that determines whether or not the attribute value of the requested item needs to be acquired. A program for causing the computer to execute a process consisting of a capability information evaluation step,
In the first capability information acquisition step, the capability information is acquired from the device when it is determined in the third capability information evaluation step that acquisition is necessary.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the capability information acquisition system according to mode 8 are obtained.

[Mode 19] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition program of mode 19 is the capability information acquisition program of any one of modes 17 and 18,
The capability information includes an attribute value of the device for each of a plurality of items, a validity period of the attribute value for any of the plurality of items,
The first capability information evaluation step determines whether or not the capability information searched in the capability information search step includes an attribute value of a requested item;
Further, when it is determined in the first capability information evaluation step that the attribute value of the requested item is included, a fourth determination is made as to whether or not the validity period has passed for the attribute value of the requested item. Including a program for causing a computer to execute processing consisting of capability information evaluation steps;
In the first capability information acquisition step, when it is determined in the fourth capability information evaluation step that the valid period has elapsed, the capability information is acquired from the device.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the capability information acquisition system according to mode 9 are obtained.

[Mode 20] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition program according to mode 20 is the capability information acquisition program according to any one of modes 17 to 19,
The capability information includes an attribute value of the device for each of a plurality of items, an acquisition condition based on the status of the device for any of the plurality of items,
The first capability information evaluation step determines whether or not the capability information searched in the capability information search step includes an attribute value of a requested item;
Further, when it is determined in the first capability information evaluation step that the attribute value of the requested item is included, a fifth capability information evaluation step of determining whether or not the status of the device satisfies the acquisition condition Including a program for causing a computer to execute a process comprising:
In the first capability information acquisition step, when it is determined in the fifth capability information evaluation step that the acquisition condition is satisfied, the capability information is acquired from the device.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as those of the capability information acquisition system according to mode 10 can be obtained.

[Mode 21] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the capability information acquisition method of mode 21
A capability information acquisition method for acquiring device capability information,
The device and the information storage terminal that stores the capability information are communicably connected,
Capability information for determining whether or not the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step for acquiring the capability information from the device and the first capability information acquisition step includes a required attribute. When it is determined that the requested attribute is not included in the evaluation step and the capability information evaluation step, the device capability information related to the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step is the information. A second capability information acquisition step acquired from the storage terminal; and a combining step of combining contents of the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step and the second capability information acquisition step. And
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the capability information acquisition system of aspect 1 is obtained.

[Mode 22] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition method of mode 22 is the capability information acquisition method of mode 21,
The capability information includes an attribute value of the device for each of a plurality of items,
In the capability information evaluation step, it is determined whether or not the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step includes an attribute value of a requested item.
Thereby, the same effect as the capability information acquisition system of form 2 is acquired.

[Form 23] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition method of form 23 is the capability information acquisition method of any one of forms 21 and 22,
The information storage terminal is a WWW server.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the capability information acquisition system according to mode 3 is obtained.

[Mode 24] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition method of mode 24 is the capability information acquisition method of mode 23,
In the second capability information acquisition step, a procedure for acquiring the address of the WWW server from the device, a procedure for acquiring the address from an input device, and a procedure for acquiring the address from a predetermined search engine are tried in that order. The WWW server is accessed based on the address acquired by the attempted acquisition procedure.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the capability information acquisition system according to mode 4 is obtained.

[Mode 25] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition method of mode 25 is the capability information acquisition method of any one of modes 23 and 24.
In the second capability information acquisition step, the capability information is acquired by analyzing a page provided by the WWW server.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the capability information acquisition system according to mode 5 is obtained.

[Form 26] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition method of form 26 is
A capability information acquisition method for acquiring device capability information,
The device and the information storage terminal that stores the capability information are communicably connected,
From the capability information storage means for storing the capability information, a capability information search step for searching the required capability information of the device, and the capability information search step searches for the capability information in the capability information search step. If the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step and the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step include the required attribute, When it is determined in the capability information evaluation step that is determined that the required attribute is not included in the capability information evaluation step, the capability of the device related to the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step Information A second capability information acquisition step acquired from the terminal, a combination step of combining contents of the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step and the second capability information acquisition step, and a combination in the combination step And a capability information registration step of registering the capability information having the above contents in the capability information storage means.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the capability information acquisition system according to mode 6 is obtained.

[Form 27] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition method of form 27 is:
A capability information acquisition method for acquiring device capability information,
The device and the information storage terminal that stores the capability information are communicably connected,
Capability information search step for searching the capability information of the required device from the capability information storage means for storing the capability information, and the capability information searched in the capability information search step, A first capability information evaluation step for determining whether or not the required attribute is included; and when the first capability information evaluation step determines that the required attribute is not included, the capability information search step A first capability information acquisition step of acquiring the capability information from the device related to the capability information retrieved in step 1; and the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step includes the required attribute. Second capability information to determine whether or not When it is determined that the requested attribute is not included in the price step and the second capability information evaluation step, the device capability information related to the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step is A second capability information acquisition step acquired from the information storage terminal; a combination step of combining contents of the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step and the second capability information acquisition step; and the combination A capability information registration step of registering capability information of the contents combined in the step in the capability information storage means.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the capability information acquisition system according to mode 7 is obtained.

[Mode 28] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition method of mode 28 is the same as the capability information acquisition method of mode 27,
The capability information includes, for each of a plurality of items, an attribute value of the device and whether or not acquisition is necessary,
The first capability information evaluation step determines whether or not the capability information searched in the capability information search step includes an attribute value of a requested item;
Further, when it is determined in the first capability information evaluation step that the attribute value of the requested item is included, a third capability that determines whether or not the attribute value of the requested item needs to be acquired. A step for assessing
In the first capability information acquisition step, the capability information is acquired from the device when it is determined in the third capability information evaluation step that acquisition is necessary.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the capability information acquisition system according to mode 8 is obtained.

[Mode 29] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition method of mode 29 is the capability information acquisition method of any one of modes 27 and 28,
The capability information includes an attribute value of the device for each of a plurality of items, a validity period of the attribute value for any of the plurality of items,
The first capability information evaluation step determines whether or not the capability information searched in the capability information search step includes an attribute value of a requested item;
Further, when it is determined in the first capability information evaluation step that the attribute value of the requested item is included, a fourth determination is made as to whether or not the validity period has passed for the attribute value of the requested item. Including capability information evaluation step,
In the first capability information acquisition step, when it is determined in the fourth capability information evaluation step that the valid period has elapsed, the capability information is acquired from the device.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the capability information acquisition system according to mode 9 is obtained.

[Mode 30] Furthermore, the capability information acquisition method of mode 30 is the capability information acquisition method of any one of modes 27 to 29,
The capability information includes an attribute value of the device for each of a plurality of items, an acquisition condition based on the status of the device for any of the plurality of items,
The first capability information evaluation step determines whether or not the capability information searched in the capability information search step includes an attribute value of a requested item;
Further, when it is determined in the first capability information evaluation step that the attribute value of the requested item is included, a fifth capability information evaluation step of determining whether or not the status of the device satisfies the acquisition condition Including
In the first capability information acquisition step, when it is determined in the fifth capability information evaluation step that the acquisition condition is satisfied, the capability information is acquired from the device.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the capability information acquisition system according to mode 10 is obtained.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 to FIG. 8 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of a capability information acquisition system, capability information acquisition program, and capability information acquisition method according to the present invention.
In this embodiment, the capability information acquisition system, the capability information acquisition program, and the capability information acquisition method according to the present invention are applied to the case of acquiring the capability information of the printer 200 as shown in FIG. Is.

First, an outline of functions of a network system to which the present invention is applied will be described.
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of functions of a network system.
As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of printers 200, a plurality of WWW servers 210, a search engine (server) 220, and a printer management server 100 that manages the printers 200 are connected to the Internet 199. The printer management server 100 and each printer 200 may be connected to a private network that can be connected to the Internet 199.

In response to an acquisition request from the printer management unit 10 that manages the printer 200 and the printer management unit 10, the printer management server 100 receives capability information from the printer 200 related to the acquisition request (hereinafter referred to as the target printer 200). It has a capability information acquisition unit 12 to acquire.
The printer management server 100 further determines whether or not the capability information acquired by the capability information acquisition unit 12 includes an attribute value of an item requested from the printer management unit 10 (hereinafter referred to as a request item). The capability information evaluation unit 14 and the capability information acquisition unit 16 that acquires the capability information of the target printer 200 from the WWW server 210 when the capability information evaluation unit 14 determines that the attribute value of the request item is not included. It is comprised.

The printer management server 100 further includes a capability information generation unit 18 that combines the contents of the capability information acquired by the capability information acquisition units 12 and 16 to generate new capability information. .
The printer management unit 10 sets a new printer 200 or the like connected to the managed network as the target printer 200, outputs a capability information acquisition request for the target printer 200, and acquires the capability information acquired accordingly. The system environment such as the device program is updated based on the above.

When the capability information evaluation unit 14 determines that the attribute value of the request item is included, the capability information evaluation unit 14 outputs the capability information acquired by the capability information acquisition unit 12 to the printer management unit 10.
The capability information generation unit 18 outputs the generated capability information to the printer management unit 10.

Next, the configuration of the printer management server 100 will be described in detail.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printer management server 100.
As shown in FIG. 2, the printer management server 100 reads out from the CPU 50 that controls the calculation and the entire system based on the control program, the ROM 52 that stores the control program of the CPU 50 in a predetermined area, and the ROM 52. It is composed of a RAM 54 for storing data and calculation results required in the calculation process of the CPU 50, and an I / F 58 that mediates input / output of data to / from an external device. Data signals are connected to each other via a bus 59 which is a signal line.

The I / F 58 includes, as external devices, an input device 60 such as a keyboard and a mouse that can input data as a human interface, a storage device 62 that stores data, tables, and the like as files, and a screen based on image signals. Is connected to a signal line for connecting to the Internet 199.
Next, the data structure of capability information will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of capability information.
As shown in FIG. 3, the capability information includes an attribute value of the printer 200 for each of a plurality of items. The attribute items include, for example, printer ID, printer 200 name, compatible print paper size, minimum paper width, maximum paper width, minimum paper length, maximum paper length, compatible print paper types, There is the possibility of double-sided printing and the printing speed.

Next, the data structure of the storage device 62 will be described.
The storage device 62 stores a synonym table 400 for registering synonyms used for Web page analysis.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the synonym table 400.
In the synonym table 400, as shown in FIG. 4, one record is registered for each attribute item. Each record includes fields for registering attribute item names and synonyms corresponding to the items.

  In the example of FIG. 4, “printing speed” is registered as the attribute item name, and “printing speed”, “printing speed”, and “printing time” are registered as synonyms in the first row record. If “printing speed”, “printing speed” or “printing time” is included as an item name in the table of the Web page, the character string of the row or column corresponding to the item name is displayed in the capability information. It indicates that it is acquired as an analysis target character string.

The storage device 62 further stores a conversion formula table 420 that registers conversion formulas for optimizing attribute values acquired from Web pages.
FIG. 5 shows the data structure of the conversion formula table 420.
In the conversion formula table 420, as shown in FIG. 5, one or more records are registered for one attribute value. Each record includes a feed for registering a search condition for an analysis target character string and a conversion formula for attribute values included in the analysis target character string.

  In the example of FIG. 5, “xPPM” is registered as a search condition and “x” is registered as a conversion formula in the first record. Here, “x” represents an arbitrary numerical value. That is, when a numerical value, “PPM” and an analysis target character string continuous in that order are acquired from the Web page, the numerical value is acquired from the analysis target character string based on the search condition, and the acquired numerical value is converted to “x” To calculate the attribute value. In this case, since the conversion formula is “x”, the acquired numerical value itself is the attribute value of the printing speed.

  In the second-stage record, “x minutes y seconds” is registered as a search condition, and “60 / (60 * x + y)” is registered as a conversion formula. Here, “x” and “y” indicate arbitrary numerical values. That is, when an analysis target character string that is consecutive in the order of a numerical value, “minute”, numerical value, “second” and the like is acquired from the Web page, two sets of numerical values are acquired from the analysis target character string based on the search condition, The attribute value is calculated by substituting the acquired numerical value into “x” and “y” of the conversion formula. For example, when the analysis target character string is “1 minute 20 seconds”, the attribute value is 60 / (60 * 1 + 20) = 0.75 [ppm].

Next, processing executed by the CPU 50 will be described.
The CPU 50 includes a microprocessing unit and the like, starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 52, and executes capability information acquisition processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 according to the program.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the capability information acquisition process.

The capability information acquisition process is a process of acquiring capability information in response to an acquisition request from the printer management unit 10. When the CPU 50 executes the capability information, first, as shown in FIG. 6, the process proceeds to step S100. .
In step S100, it is determined whether or not a capability information acquisition request has been input. When it is determined that an acquisition request has been input (Yes), the process proceeds to step S102, but when it is determined that this is not the case (No). Waits in step S100 until an acquisition request is input.

  In step S102, the target printer 200 is specified by the printer ID or the name of the printer 200, the capability information is acquired from the target printer 200, and the process proceeds to step S104. The acquired capability information includes all the attribute values of the request items. If it is determined whether or not any of the attribute values of the request item is included (No), the process proceeds to step S106.

In step S106, an external acquisition process for acquiring the capability information including the attribute value of the request item for the target printer 200 from the WWW server 210 is executed, the process proceeds to step S108, and the capability information acquired in steps S102 and S106 The contents are combined to generate new capability information, and the process proceeds to step S110.
In step S110, the capability information acquired or generated in steps S102 and S108 is output to the printer management unit 10, and a series of processes is terminated to return to the original process.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S104 that all attribute values of the request item are included (Yes), the process proceeds to step S110.
Next, the external acquisition process in step S108 will be described in detail.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the external acquisition process.
When the external acquisition process is executed in step S108, the process first proceeds to step S200 as shown in FIG.

  In step S200, an attempt is made to acquire the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the WWW server 210 from the target printer 200 or the printer driver. If the target printer 200 holds a URL, the URL can be acquired by this trial. On the other hand, if the target printer 200 does not hold a URL, the URL cannot be acquired.

Next, the process proceeds to step S202, where it is determined whether a URL has been acquired from the target printer 200. When it is determined that the URL cannot be acquired (No), the process proceeds to step S204.
In step S204, an attempt is made to acquire the URL of the WWW server 210 from the input device 60. For example, when the URL input screen is displayed on the display device 64 and the user inputs the URL to the input device 60, the URL can be acquired by this trial. On the other hand, when the input of the URL is canceled, the URL cannot be acquired.

Next, the process proceeds to step S206, where it is determined whether or not the URL can be acquired from the input device 60. When it is determined that the URL cannot be acquired (No), the process proceeds to step S208.
In step S <b> 208, the URL of the WWW server 210 is acquired from the search engine 220 by transmitting the name and model number of the target printer 200, the keyword “specification” and the like as a search keyword to the search engine 220 together with the search request. Since some search engines 220 disclose APIs for search, this API can be used for operations of the search engine 220.

Next, the process proceeds to step S210, the WWW server 210 is accessed based on the URL acquired in steps S200, S204, and S210, the process proceeds to step S212, the web page is acquired from the WWW server 210, and the process proceeds to step S214. To do.
In step S214, the Web page is analyzed to acquire the attribute value of the request item. As a technique for analyzing a Web page, for example, a technique disclosed in JP-A-2004-62446 can be employed.

  Since the capability information is stored in the form of a table in an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) file constituting the Web page, the table is extracted by analyzing the HTML. Next, for example, when acquiring an attribute value of printing speed, if a synonym corresponding to the printing speed is read from the synonym table 400 and an item name that matches the read synonym is included in the extracted table, the item name The character string of the row or column corresponding to is acquired as the analysis target character string. Then, the search condition and the conversion expression are read from the conversion expression table 420, a numerical value is acquired from the analysis target character string based on the read search condition, and the attribute value is calculated by substituting the acquired numerical value into the conversion expression. As a result, the attribute value can be acquired even if there is a change in notation or a difference in units.

When the process of step S214 ends, the series of processes ends and the original process is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S206 that the URL has been acquired (Yes) and when it is determined in step S202 that the URL has been acquired (Yes), the process proceeds to step S210.
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

In the printer management server 100, when a capability information acquisition request is input from the printer management unit 10, the capability information is acquired from the target printer 200 through steps S102 and S104, and the acquired capability information is the request item. It is determined whether or not all of the attribute values are included.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of capability information acquired from the target printer 200.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the capability information including the size of the printing paper, the minimum paper width, the maximum paper width, the minimum paper length, the maximum paper length, the type of the printing paper, and whether double-sided printing is possible is acquired. To do. At this time, if the print speed is set as a request item, the capability information in FIG. 8 does not include the attribute value of the print speed, and therefore, any of the attribute values of the request item is not included in step S104. It is determined.

  If it is determined that the attribute value is not included, the capability information including the attribute value of the request item for the target printer 200 is acquired from the WWW server 210 and acquired from the target printer 200 and the WWW server 210 through steps S106 and S108. The pieces of capability information thus combined are combined to generate new capability information. In step S110, the generated capability information is output to the printer management unit 10.

  In this way, in the present embodiment, capability information is acquired from the target printer 200, it is determined whether or not the acquired capability information includes the attribute value of the request item, and the attribute value of the request item is not included. Is determined, the capability information of the target printer 200 is acquired from the WWW server 210, and the capability information acquired from the target printer 200 and the WWW server 210 is combined to generate new capability information.

  Accordingly, even if the capability information of the target printer 200 does not include the attribute value of the request item, if the capability information stored in the WWW server 210 includes the attribute value of the request item, the capability including the attribute value of the request item is included. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the capability information including the attribute value of the request item cannot be acquired for the target printer 200 as compared with the conventional case.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the procedure for acquiring the URL of the WWW server 210 from the target printer 200, the procedure for acquiring the URL from the input device 60, and the procedure for acquiring the URL from the search engine 220 are tried in that order. Based on the URL, the WWW server 210 is accessed.
As a result, priority is given to a procedure with high certainty that the capability information exists, so that the possibility that the capability information cannot be acquired from the WWW server 210 can be reduced.

  In the first embodiment, the printer 200 corresponds to the device in the form 1, 2, 4, 11, 12, 14, 21, 22, or 24, and the WWW server 210 is in the form 1, 3, 11, 13 , 21 or 23, the capability information acquisition unit 12 and step S102 correspond to the first capability information acquisition means of mode 1 or 2. Step S102 corresponds to the first capability information acquisition step of the form 11, 12, 21 or 22, and the capability information evaluation unit 14 and step S104 correspond to the capability information evaluation means of the form 1 or 2. Step S104 corresponds to the capability information evaluation step of the form 11, 12, 21 or 22.

  In the first embodiment, the capability information acquisition unit 16 and step S106 correspond to the second capability information acquisition unit of the first, fourth, or fifth mode, and the step S106 includes the mode 11, 14, 15 , 21, 24 or 25 corresponds to the second capability information acquisition step. Further, the capability information generation unit 18 and step S108 correspond to the combining means of form 1, step S108 corresponds to the combining step of form 11 or 21, and the URL corresponds to the address of form 4, 14 or 24. is doing.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 9 to 11 are diagrams showing a second embodiment of the capability information acquisition system, capability information acquisition program, and capability information acquisition method according to the present invention.
In the present embodiment, in contrast to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the capability information is searched from the capability information storage unit 20, and the corresponding capability information does not exist. The difference is that the capability information is acquired from the WWW server 210. Hereinafter, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described, and the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

First, an outline of functions of a network system to which the present invention is applied will be described.
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of functions of the network system.
As shown in FIG. 9, the printer management server 100 includes a printer management unit 10, a capability information acquisition unit 12, a capability information evaluation unit 14, a capability information acquisition unit 16, and a capability information generation unit 18. Has been.

  The printer management server 100 further includes a capability information storage unit 20 that stores capability information, and capability information of the target printer 200 in the capability information storage unit 20 in response to an acquisition request from the printer management unit 10. A capability information search unit 22 for searching, and a capability information registration unit 24 for registering capability information generated by the capability information generation unit 18 in the capability information storage unit 20 are configured.

The capability information acquisition unit 12 acquires capability information from the target printer 200 when the capability information search unit 22 cannot find the corresponding capability information.
Next, the data structure of the storage device 62 will be described.
The storage device 62 is configured as the capability information storage unit 20 and stores a plurality of capability information.

Next, processing executed by the CPU 50 will be described.
The CPU 50 activates a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 52, and executes capability information registration processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 according to the program. Further, in place of the capability acquisition processing of FIG. 6, the capability information acquisition processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is executed. These processes are executed in parallel.

First, capability information registration processing will be described.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the capability information registration process.
When the capability information registration process is executed by the CPU 50, the process first proceeds to step S300 as shown in FIG.
In step S300, it is determined whether or not a new printer 200 is connected to the Internet 199. When it is determined that the new printer 200 is connected (Yes), the process proceeds to step S302. (No) stands by in step S300 until a new printer 200 is connected. The new printer 200 is detected by, for example, notifying the printer management server 100 of the connection when the printer 200 is connected for the first time and receiving the notification, or by the printer management server 100 periodically for a predetermined range of IP addresses. Polling and receiving a response to the polling.

In step S302, a new printer 200 is set as the target printer 200, capability information is acquired from the target printer 200, the process proceeds to steps S304 to S308, and the same processing as in steps S104 to S108 is executed.
Next, the process proceeds to step S310, where the generated capability information is registered in the storage device 62, and a series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.

Next, capability acquisition processing will be described.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing capability information acquisition processing.
When the capability information acquisition process is executed by the CPU 50, as shown in FIG. 11, first, the process proceeds to step S400.
In step S400, the same processing as in step S100 is executed, the process proceeds to step S402, the capability information of the target printer 200 is searched from the storage device 62, and the process proceeds to step S404.

In step S404, it is determined whether or not the corresponding capability information has been searched. When it is determined that the corresponding capability information cannot be searched (No), the process proceeds to steps S406 to S416, and steps S102 to S108 are performed. , S310 and S110 are executed, a series of processes are terminated, and the process returns to the original process.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S404 that the corresponding capability information has been searched (Yes), the process proceeds to step S416.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
In the printer management server 100, when a new printer 200 is connected to the Internet 199, the new printer 200 is set as the target printer 200 through step S302, and capability information is acquired from the target printer 200. Next, through step S304, it is determined whether or not the acquired capability information includes all the attribute values of the request items. As a result, if it is determined that the attribute value of the request item is not included, the capability information of the target printer 200 is acquired from the WWW server 210 through steps S306 and S308, and the contents of the acquired capability information are combined. As a result, new capability information is generated. Then, through step S310, the generated capability information is registered in the storage device 62.

  Further, in the printer management server 100, when a capability information acquisition request is input from the printer management unit 10, the capability information of the target printer 200 is searched from the storage device 62 through step S402. As a result, when the corresponding capability information cannot be retrieved, the capability information is acquired from the target printer 200 through steps S406 and S408, and whether or not the acquired capability information includes all the attribute values of the request items. Is determined. As a result, when it is determined that the attribute value of the request item is not included, the capability information of the target printer 200 is acquired from the WWW server 210 through steps S410 and S412 and the content of the acquired capability information is combined. As a result, new capability information is generated. Then, through steps S414 and S416, the generated capability information is registered in the storage device 62 and output to the printer management unit 10.

  In this manner, in the present embodiment, the capability information of the target printer 200 is searched from the storage device 62, and when the corresponding capability information cannot be searched, the capability information is acquired from the target printer 200. Then, it is determined whether or not the acquired capability information includes the attribute value of the request item. When it is determined that the acquired capability information does not include the attribute value of the request item, the capability information of the target printer 200 is acquired from the WWW server 210, The capability information acquired from the target printer 200 and the WWW server 210 is combined to generate new capability information, and the generated capability information is registered in the storage device 62.

  Thus, even if the capability information of the target printer 200 does not exist in the storage device 62, if the target printer 200 or the WWW server 210 holds the corresponding capability information, the corresponding capability information is obtained. . At this time, even if the capability information of the target printer 200 does not include the attribute value of the request item, if the capability information stored in the WWW server 210 includes the attribute value of the request item, the capability including the attribute value of the request item is included. Information. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the capability information including the attribute value of the request item cannot be acquired for the target printer 200 as compared with the related art.

  In the second embodiment, the printer 200 corresponds to the device of form 6, 16 or 26, the WWW server 210 corresponds to the information storage terminal of form 6, 16 or 26, and the capability information storage unit 20 The storage device 62 corresponds to the capability information storage means of the sixth, sixteenth or twenty-sixth form. Capability information search unit 22 and step S402 correspond to capability information search means of form 6, and step S402 corresponds to capability information search step of form 16 or 26. Step S406 corresponds to the first capability information acquisition unit of mode 6.

  In the second embodiment, step S406 corresponds to the first capability information acquisition step of form 16 or 26, and the capability information evaluation unit 14 and step S408 are the capability information evaluation unit of form 6. Step S408 corresponds to the capability information evaluation step of form 16 or 26. The capability information acquisition unit 16 and step S410 correspond to the second capability information acquisition unit of mode 6, and step S410 corresponds to the second capability information acquisition step of mode 16 or 26. The generation unit 18 and step S412 correspond to the combination means of mode 6.

Further, in the second embodiment, step S412 corresponds to the combination step of form 16 or 26, and the capability information registration unit 24 and step S414 correspond to the capability information registration unit of form 6, and step S414 corresponds to the capability information registration step of form 16 or 26.
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 12 to 14 are diagrams showing a third embodiment of the capability information acquisition system, capability information acquisition program, and capability information acquisition method according to the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the capability information is searched from the capability information storage unit 20 and the retrieved capability information is the request item as compared with the first embodiment. The difference is that the capability information is acquired from the WWW server 210 when the attribute value is not included. Hereinafter, only the parts different from the first and second embodiments will be described, and the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

First, an outline of functions of a network system to which the present invention is applied will be described.
FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of functions of the network system.
As shown in FIG. 12, the printer management server 100 includes a printer management unit 10, a capability information acquisition unit 12, a capability information evaluation unit 14, a capability information acquisition unit 16, a capability information generation unit 18, and a capability information storage. Unit 20, capability information search unit 22, and capability information registration unit 24.

  The printer management server 100 further includes a capability information evaluation unit 26 that determines whether or not the capability information retrieved by the capability information search unit 22 includes the attribute value of the request item, and the capability information evaluation unit 26. When it is determined that the attribute value of the request item is included, the capability information evaluation unit 28 is configured to determine whether or not the request item needs to be acquired.

When the capability information evaluation unit 26 determines that the attribute value of the requested item is not included, and when the capability information evaluation unit 28 determines that the acquisition is necessary, the capability information acquisition unit 12 Is acquired from the target printer 200.
When the capability information evaluation unit 28 determines that there is no need to acquire the requested item, the capability information evaluation unit 28 outputs the capability information retrieved by the capability information search unit 22 to the printer management unit 10.

Next, the data structure of capability information will be described.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of capability information.
As shown in FIG. 13, the capability information is configured to include an attribute value of the printer 200 and whether or not it is necessary to acquire each of a plurality of items. The attribute items include, for example, the size of the printing paper set in the paper tray 1 and the size of the printing paper set in the paper tray 2 in addition to the items shown in FIG.

  The attribute values of the items in FIG. 3 are attribute values that are determined by the specifications of the printer 200 and are not changed. Therefore, whether or not acquisition is necessary is set to “No”. On the other hand, since the attribute values of the paper tray 1 and the paper tray 2 change depending on the usage status of the printer 200, it is preferable that the attribute values are acquired from the printer 200 each time a capability information acquisition request is made. For this reason, the necessity of acquisition is set to “Yes”.

Next, processing executed by the CPU 50 will be described.
The CPU 50 activates a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 52, and executes capability information acquisition processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14 in accordance with the program, instead of the capability acquisition processing of FIG.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the capability information acquisition process.

When the capability information acquisition process is executed by the CPU 50, the process first proceeds to step S500 as shown in FIG.
In steps S500 and S502, processing similar to that in steps S100 and S402 is executed, and the process proceeds to step S504 to determine whether or not the retrieved capability information includes all the attribute values of the request item. When it is determined that any of the attribute values is not included (No), the process proceeds to step S506.

In steps S506 to S516, processing similar to that in steps S102 to S108, S310, and S110 is executed, a series of processing is terminated, and the original processing is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S504 that all the attribute values of the request item are included (Yes), the process proceeds to step S518 to determine whether or not the attribute value of the request item needs to be acquired. When it is determined that it is necessary (Yes), the process proceeds to step S506. When it is determined that it is not necessary (No), the process proceeds to step S516.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
In the printer management server 100, when a capability information acquisition request is input from the printer management unit 10, through steps S 502 and S 504, the capability information of the target printer 200 is searched from the storage device 62 and searched. It is determined whether the capability information includes all the attribute values of the request item. As a result, if it is determined that the attribute value of the request item is not included, the capability information is acquired from the target printer 200 through steps S506 and S508, and the acquired capability information includes all the attribute values of the request item. Whether or not it is included is determined. As a result, if it is determined that the attribute value of the request item is not included, the capability information of the target printer 200 is acquired from the WWW server 210 through steps S510 and S512, and the contents of the acquired capability information are combined. As a result, new capability information is generated. Then, through steps S514 and S516, the generated capability information is registered in the storage device 62 and output to the printer management unit 10.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the retrieved capability information includes all the attribute values of the request item, it is determined through step S518 whether or not it is necessary to acquire the attribute value of the request item. As a result, if it is determined that acquisition is necessary, the same processing as described above is executed through steps S506 to S516.
Thus, in the present embodiment, the capability information of the target printer 200 is searched from the storage device 62, and it is determined whether or not the retrieved capability information includes the attribute value of the request item. When it is determined that the item attribute value is not included, the capability information is acquired from the target printer 200, it is determined whether or not the acquired capability information includes the attribute value of the request item, and the attribute value of the request item is set. When it is determined that the information is not included, the capability information of the target printer 200 is acquired from the WWW server 210, and the capability information acquired from the target printer 200 and the WWW server 210 is combined to generate new capability information. The generated capability information is registered in the storage device 62.

  Thus, even if the capability information of the storage device 62 and the target printer 200 does not include the attribute value of the request item, if the capability information stored in the WWW server 210 includes the attribute value of the request item, the attribute of the request item Since capability information including a value can be obtained, it is possible to reduce the possibility that capability information including an attribute value of a request item cannot be acquired for the target printer 200 as compared with the conventional case.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when it is determined that the retrieved capability information includes the attribute value of the request item, it is determined whether or not the attribute value of the request item needs to be acquired, and the acquisition is necessary. If it is determined that there is, capability information is acquired from the target printer 200.
Accordingly, even if the capability information includes the attribute value of the request item, if the attribute value is set to be acquired, the capability information is acquired from the target printer 200 or the WWW server 210 and updated. Therefore, capability information including the latest attribute value can be acquired.

  In the third embodiment, the printer 200 corresponds to a device of form 7, 8, 17, 18, 27 or 28, and the WWW server 210 corresponds to an information storage terminal of form 7, 17 or 27. The capability information storage unit 20 and the storage device 62 correspond to capability information storage means in the seventh, seventeenth, or twenty-seventh aspect. Capability information search unit 22 and step S502 correspond to capability information search means of form 7 or 8, and step S502 corresponds to capability information search step of form 17, 18, 27 or 28. The capability information evaluation unit 26 and step S504 correspond to the first capability information evaluation unit of the form 7 or 8.

  In the third embodiment, step S504 corresponds to the first capability information evaluation step of mode 17, 18, 27 or 28, and capability information acquisition unit 12 and step S506 are of mode 7 or 8. Step S506 corresponds to the first capability information acquisition step of the form 17, 18, 27, or 28. The capability information evaluation unit 14 and step S508 correspond to the second capability information evaluation means of form 7, and step S508 corresponds to the second capability information evaluation step of form 17 or 27. The acquisition unit 16 and step S510 correspond to the second capability information acquisition unit of the seventh aspect.

  In the third embodiment, step S510 corresponds to the second capability information acquisition step of form 17 or 27, and capability information generation unit 18 and step S512 correspond to the combination means of form 7. Step S512 corresponds to the combining step of the form 17 or 27. The capability information registration unit 24 and step S514 correspond to the capability information registration unit of mode 7, and step S514 corresponds to the capability information registration step of mode 17 or 27. Step S518 corresponds to the third capability information evaluation unit of the eighth mode.

In the third embodiment, step S518 corresponds to the third capability information evaluation step of form 18 or 28.
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 15 and 16 are diagrams showing a fourth embodiment of the capability information acquisition system, capability information acquisition program, and capability information acquisition method according to the present invention.

  Compared to the third embodiment, the present embodiment sets the effective period of the attribute value for any of the items of capability information, and the capability when the effective period of the attribute value of the request item has passed. The difference is that information is acquired. Hereinafter, only the parts different from the third embodiment will be described, and the same parts as those in the third embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

First, the data structure of capability information will be described.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of capability information.
As shown in FIG. 15, the capability information is configured to include the attribute value of the printer 200 for each of a plurality of items, and the validity period and the last acquisition date and time of the attribute value for any of the plurality of items. The attribute item includes, for example, the size of the printing paper set on the manual feed tray in addition to the items shown in FIG.

  The attribute values of the items in FIG. 3 are attribute values that are determined by the specifications of the printer 200 and are not changed. On the other hand, since the attribute values of duplex printing, manual feed tray, paper tray 1 and paper tray 2 change depending on the usage status of the printer 200, when an effective period is set and a request for acquiring capability information is made. When the valid period has elapsed, it is preferable to acquire the valid period from the printer 200. Therefore, each valid period is set. Note that “0” as the value of the effective period indicates that acquisition is always required every time there is an acquisition request, and “−” indicates that acquisition is not necessary.

Next, processing executed by the CPU 50 will be described.
The CPU 50 activates a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 52, and executes capability information acquisition processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 16 in accordance with the program, instead of the capability acquisition processing of FIG.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing capability information acquisition processing.

The capability information acquisition process is different from the capability acquisition process of FIG. 14 in that the process of step S600 is performed between steps S514 and S516, and the process of step S602 is replaced with the process of step S518 as shown in FIG. It is added.
In step S600, the date and time corresponding to the attribute value of the acquired request item in the last acquisition date and time of the registered capability information is updated to the current date and time.

In step S602, for the attribute value of the request item, it is determined whether or not the effective period has elapsed by determining whether or not the period from the last acquisition date to the present is equal to or longer than the effective period, and the effective period has elapsed. If it is determined (Yes), the process proceeds to step S506. If not (No), the process proceeds to step S516.
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

  In the printer management server 100, when a capability information acquisition request is input from the printer management unit 10, the capability information of the target printer 200 is retrieved from the storage device 62 and searched through steps S502 and S504. It is determined whether the capability information includes all the attribute values of the request item. As a result, when it is determined that the attribute value of the request item is not included, the capability information is acquired from the target printer 200 through steps S506 and S508, and the acquired capability information includes all the attribute values of the request item. Whether or not it is included is determined. As a result, if it is determined that the attribute value of the request item is not included, the capability information of the target printer 200 is acquired from the WWW server 210 through steps S510 and S512, and the contents of the acquired capability information are combined. As a result, new capability information is generated. Then, through steps S514, S600, and S516, the generated capability information is registered in the storage device 62 and output to the printer management unit 10. At this time, the last acquisition date is updated through step S600.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the retrieved capability information includes all the attribute values of the request item, it is determined through step S602 whether the validity period has passed for the attribute value of the request item. As a result, if it is determined that the valid period has elapsed, the same processing as described above is executed through steps S506 to S514, S600, and S516.
In this way, in this embodiment, when it is determined that the capability information includes the attribute value of the request item, it is determined whether or not the effective period has passed for the attribute value of the request item, and the effective period has elapsed. When it is determined that it has been performed, capability information is acquired from the target printer 200.

As a result, even if the capability information includes the attribute value of the request item, if the effective period has passed for the attribute value for which the effective period is set, the capability information is received from the target printer 200 or the WWW server 210. Since it is acquired and updated, capability information including the latest attribute value can be acquired.
In the fourth embodiment, the printer 200 corresponds to a device of form 7, 9, 17, 19, 27 or 29, and the WWW server 210 corresponds to an information storage terminal of form 7, 17 or 27. The capability information storage unit 20 and the storage device 62 correspond to capability information storage means in the seventh, seventeenth, or twenty-seventh aspect. Capability information search unit 22 and step S502 correspond to capability information search means of form 7 or 9, and step S502 corresponds to capability information search step of form 17, 19, 27, or 29. The capability information evaluation unit 26 and step S504 correspond to the first capability information evaluation unit of the form 7 or 9.

  In the fourth embodiment, step S504 corresponds to the first capability information evaluation step of mode 17, 19, 27, or 29, and capability information acquisition unit 12 and step S506 are of mode 7 or 9. Step S506 corresponds to the first capability information acquisition step of the form 17, 19, 27, or 29. The capability information evaluation unit 14 and step S508 correspond to the second capability information evaluation means of form 7, and step S508 corresponds to the second capability information evaluation step of form 17 or 27. The acquisition unit 16 and step S510 correspond to the second capability information acquisition unit of the seventh aspect.

  In the fourth embodiment, step S510 corresponds to the second capability information acquisition step of form 17 or 27, and capability information generation unit 18 and step S512 correspond to the combination means of form 7. Step S512 corresponds to the combining step of the form 17 or 27. The capability information registration unit 24 and step S514 correspond to capability information registration means of form 7, step S514 corresponds to capability information registration step of form 17 or 27, and step S602 corresponds to form 9 of form 9. This corresponds to the fourth capability information evaluation means or the fourth capability information evaluation step of the form 19 or 29.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 17 and 18 are diagrams showing a fifth embodiment of the capability information acquisition system, capability information acquisition program, and capability information acquisition method according to the present invention.
In the present embodiment, an acquisition condition based on the status of the printer 200 is set for any of the capability information items, and the status of the printer 200 satisfies the acquisition condition, as compared to the third embodiment. The difference is that the capability information is acquired. Hereinafter, only the parts different from the third embodiment will be described, and the same parts as those in the third embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

First, the data structure of capability information will be described.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of capability information.
As shown in FIG. 17, the capability information includes an attribute value of the printer 200 for each of a plurality of items and an acquisition condition based on the status of the printer 200 for any of the plurality of items. The attribute items include, for example, the size of the printing paper set on the manual feed tray and the printing speed for duplex printing in addition to the items in FIG.

  The attribute values of the items in FIG. 3 are attribute values that are determined by the specifications of the printer 200 and are not changed. On the other hand, since the attribute value of the printing speed at the time of double-sided printing is necessary due to a status change such as function expansion of the printer 200, an acquisition condition based on the status of the printer 200 is set, and an acquisition request for capability information is made. If the status of the printer 200 satisfies the acquisition condition, it is preferable to acquire from the printer 200. Therefore, acquisition conditions are set.

Next, processing executed by the CPU 50 will be described.
The CPU 50 activates a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 52, and executes capability information acquisition processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 18 in accordance with the program, instead of the capability acquisition processing of FIG.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the capability information acquisition process.

In the capability information acquisition process, as shown in FIG. 18, the process of step S700 is added to the capability acquisition process of FIG. 14 instead of the process of step S518.
In step S700, it is determined whether or not the status of the target printer 200 satisfies the acquisition condition. When it is determined that the acquisition condition is satisfied (Yes), the process proceeds to step S506, but when it is determined that it is not (No). Proceeds to step S516. The status can be recognized by acquiring capability information and other status information from the target printer 200, for example.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
In the printer management server 100, when a capability information acquisition request is input from the printer management unit 10, through steps S 502 and S 504, the capability information of the target printer 200 is searched from the storage device 62 and searched. It is determined whether the capability information includes all the attribute values of the request item. As a result, if it is determined that the attribute value of the request item is not included, the capability information is acquired from the target printer 200 through steps S506 and S508, and the acquired capability information includes all the attribute values of the request item. Whether or not it is included is determined. As a result, if it is determined that the attribute value of the request item is not included, the capability information of the target printer 200 is acquired from the WWW server 210 through steps S510 and S512, and the contents of the acquired capability information are combined. As a result, new capability information is generated. Then, through steps S514 and S516, the generated capability information is registered in the storage device 62 and output to the printer management unit 10.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the retrieved capability information includes all the attribute values of the request items, it is determined through step S700 whether the status of the target printer 200 satisfies the acquisition condition. As a result, if it is determined that the acquisition condition is satisfied, the same processing as described above is executed through steps S506 to S516. In the example of FIG. 17, when the double-sided printing function is expanded as a function of the target printer 200, the printing speed at the time of double-sided printing is acquired accordingly. In addition, since it is not necessary before expansion, it is not acquired.

Thus, in this embodiment, when it is determined that the capability information includes the attribute value of the request item, it is determined whether the status of the target printer 200 satisfies the acquisition condition, and if the acquisition condition is satisfied. When the determination is made, the capability information is acquired from the target printer 200.
As a result, even if the capability information includes the attribute value of the request item, if the status of the target printer 200 satisfies the acquisition condition for the attribute value for which the acquisition condition is set, the target printer 200 or the WWW server 210 may receive the capability. Since capability information is acquired, capability information including necessary attribute values can be acquired with a status change.

  In the fifth embodiment, the printer 200 corresponds to a device of form 7, 10, 17, 20, 27, or 30, and the WWW server 210 corresponds to an information storage terminal of form 7, 17, or 27. The capability information storage unit 20 and the storage device 62 correspond to capability information storage means in the seventh, seventeenth, or twenty-seventh aspect. Capability information search unit 22 and step S502 correspond to capability information search means of form 7 or 10, and step S502 corresponds to capability information search step of form 17, 20, 27, or 30. The capability information evaluation unit 26 and step S504 correspond to the first capability information evaluation unit of the form 7 or 10.

  In the fifth embodiment, step S504 corresponds to the first capability information evaluation step of mode 17, 20, 27 or 30, and capability information acquisition unit 12 and step S506 are of mode 7 or 10. Step S506 corresponds to the first capability information acquisition step of the form 17, 20, 27, or 30. The capability information evaluation unit 14 and step S508 correspond to the second capability information evaluation means of form 7, and step S508 corresponds to the second capability information evaluation step of form 17 or 27. The acquisition unit 16 and step S510 correspond to the second capability information acquisition unit of the seventh aspect.

  In the fifth embodiment, step S510 corresponds to the second capability information acquisition step of form 17 or 27, and capability information generation unit 18 and step S512 correspond to the combination means of form 7. Step S512 corresponds to the combining step of the form 17 or 27. Capability information registration unit 24 and step S514 correspond to capability information registration means of form 7, step S514 corresponds to capability information registration step of form 17 or 27, and step S518 corresponds to form 10 of form 10. This corresponds to the fifth capability information evaluation means or the fifth capability information evaluation step of form 20 or 30.

  In the first to fifth embodiments, the capability information including the attribute value of the request item for the target printer 200 is obtained from the target printer 200 and the WWW server 210. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The printer 200 and necessary items can be designated by the user, and the capability information including the attribute value of the designated item for the designated printer 200 can be acquired from the target printer 200 and the WWW server 210.

In the first to fifth embodiments, the capability information is acquired from the WWW server 210. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a database server that manages capability information is connected to the Internet 199. The capability information can be acquired from the database server.
In the fifth embodiment, when it is determined that the retrieved capability information does not include any of the attribute values of the request items, the capability information is acquired. Not limited to this, the second embodiment may be combined. That is, when it is determined that the capability information cannot be retrieved, and when it is determined that the retrieved capability information does not include any of the attribute values of the request items, the capability information is acquired.

In the fifth embodiment, the generated capability information is registered in the storage device 62. At this time, the old capability information in the storage device 62 is overwritten and registered. It can also be configured.
In the third to fifth embodiments, the configuration is such that the capability information is acquired based on the necessity of acquisition, the validity period, or the acquisition condition. The capability information may be acquired based on a combination of any two or more of presence / absence, effective period, and acquisition condition.

  In the first to fifth embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to a network system including the Internet 199 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be. Of course, the present invention is not limited to a network that performs communication using the same method as the Internet 199, and can be applied to a network of any communication method.

  In the first to fifth embodiments, any of the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, 16, and 18 is executed in advance in the ROM 52. Although the case where the stored control program is executed has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the program may be read from the storage medium storing the program showing these procedures into the RAM 54 and executed.

  Here, the storage medium is a semiconductor storage medium such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic storage type storage medium such as FD or HD, an optical reading type storage medium such as CD, CDV, LD, or DVD, or a magnetic storage type such as MO. / Optical reading type storage media, including any storage media that can be read by a computer regardless of electronic, magnetic, optical, or other reading methods.

  In the first to fifth embodiments, the capability information acquisition system, the capability information acquisition program, and the capability information acquisition method according to the present invention are used for acquiring capability information of the printer 200. Although applied, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to other cases without departing from the gist of the present invention. Instead of the printer 200, for example, a projector, electronic paper, home gateway, personal computer, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), network storage, audio equipment, mobile phone, PHS (registered trademark) (Personal Handyphone System), watch type PDA, STB It can be applied to (Set Top Box), POS (Point Of Sale) terminals, FAX machines, copiers, telephones (including IP telephones), and other devices.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the function outline | summary of a network system. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a printer management server 100. FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of capability information. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a synonym table 400. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a conversion formula table 420. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a capability information acquisition process. It is a flowchart which shows an external acquisition process. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of capability information acquired from a target printer 200. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function outline | summary of a network system. It is a flowchart which shows a capability information registration process. It is a flowchart which shows a capability information acquisition process. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function outline | summary of a network system. It is a figure which shows the data structure of capability information. It is a flowchart which shows a capability information acquisition process. It is a figure which shows the data structure of capability information. It is a flowchart which shows a capability information acquisition process. It is a figure which shows the data structure of capability information. It is a flowchart which shows a capability information acquisition process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Printer management server, 10 ... Printer management part, 12, 16 ... Capability information acquisition part, 14, 26, 28 ... Capability information evaluation part, 18 ... Capability information generation part, 20 ... Capability information storage part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Capability information storage part, 22 ... Capability information search part, 24 ... Capability information registration part, 50 ... CPU, 52 ... ROM, 54 ... RAM, 58 ... I / F, 60 ... Input device, 62 ... Memory Device, 64 ... display device, 400 ... synonym table, 420 ... conversion table, 200 ... printer, 210 ... WWW server, 220 ... search engine, 199 ... Internet

Claims (16)

A capability information acquisition system for acquiring device capability information,
The device and the information storage terminal that stores the capability information are communicably connected,
First capability information acquisition means for acquiring the capability information from the device, and capability information for determining whether or not the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition means includes a required attribute. When it is determined that the requested attribute is not included in the evaluation means and the capability information evaluation means, the capability information of the device related to the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition means is the information A second capability information acquiring unit that acquires from the storage terminal; and a combining unit that combines the contents of the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquiring unit and the second capability information acquiring unit. Capability information acquisition system. In claim 1,
The capability information includes an attribute value of the device for each of a plurality of items,
The capability information acquisition system, wherein the capability information evaluation unit determines whether or not the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition unit includes an attribute value of a requested item. In any one of Claim 1 and 2,
The capability information acquisition system, wherein the information storage terminal is a WWW server. In claim 3,
The second capability information acquisition means tries a procedure for acquiring the address of the WWW server from the device, a procedure for acquiring the address from an input device, and a procedure for acquiring the address from a predetermined search engine in that order. Then, the capability information acquisition system is configured to access the WWW server based on the address acquired by the attempted acquisition procedure. In any one of Claims 3 and 4,
The capability information acquisition system, wherein the second capability information acquisition unit acquires the capability information by analyzing a page provided by the WWW server. A capability information acquisition system for acquiring device capability information,
The device and the information storage terminal that stores the capability information are communicably connected,
Corresponding in the capability information storage means for storing the capability information, the capability information search means for searching the capability information of the required device from the capability information storage means, and the capability information search means When the capability information cannot be retrieved, a first capability information acquisition unit that acquires the capability information from the device and a capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition unit are requested. Capability information evaluation means for determining whether or not an attribute is included; and the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition means when the capability information evaluation means determines that the required attribute is not included The capability information of the device related to the information. A second capability information acquisition unit that acquires from the storage terminal; a combination unit that combines the contents of the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition unit and the second capability information acquisition unit; and A capability information acquisition system comprising capability information registration means for registering capability information of combined contents in the capability information storage means. A capability information acquisition system for acquiring device capability information,
The device and the information storage terminal that stores the capability information are communicably connected,
Capability information storage means for storing the capability information, capability information search means for searching the requested capability information of the device from the capability information storage means, and search by the capability information search means When it is determined by the first capability information evaluation unit that determines whether or not the issued capability information includes the required attribute, and the first capability information evaluation unit does not include the required attribute First capability information acquisition means for acquiring the capability information from the device related to the capability information searched by the capability information search means, and capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition means Second capability for determining whether the required attribute is included When the information evaluation means and the second capability information evaluation means determine that the requested attribute is not included, the device capability information related to the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition means Second capability information acquisition means for acquiring the information from the information storage terminal, combining means for combining contents of the capability information acquired by the first capability information acquisition means and the second capability information acquisition means, A capability information acquisition system comprising capability information registration means for registering capability information of contents combined by the combining means in the capability information storage means. In claim 7,
The capability information includes, for each of a plurality of items, an attribute value of the device and whether or not acquisition is necessary,
The first capability information evaluation unit determines whether or not the capability information searched by the capability information search unit includes an attribute value of a requested item;
Furthermore, when the first capability information evaluation unit determines that the attribute value of the requested item is included, a third capability that determines whether or not the attribute value of the requested item needs to be acquired. Be equipped with an information evaluation means,
The capability information acquisition system, wherein the first capability information acquisition unit acquires the capability information from the device when it is determined that the third capability information evaluation unit needs to acquire the first capability information acquisition unit. . In any one of Claims 7 and 8,
The capability information includes an attribute value of the device for each of a plurality of items, a validity period of the attribute value for any of the plurality of items,
The first capability information evaluation unit determines whether or not the capability information searched by the capability information search unit includes an attribute value of a requested item;
Further, when the first capability information evaluation unit determines that the attribute value of the requested item is included, a fourth determination is made as to whether or not the validity period has passed for the attribute value of the requested item. With capability information evaluation means,
The first capability information acquisition unit acquires the capability information from the device when the fourth capability information evaluation unit determines that the valid period has elapsed. system. In any one of Claims 7 thru | or 9,
The capability information includes an attribute value of the device for each of a plurality of items, an acquisition condition based on the status of the device for any of the plurality of items,
The first capability information evaluation unit determines whether or not the capability information searched by the capability information search unit includes an attribute value of a requested item;
Further, when the first capability information evaluation unit determines that the attribute value of the requested item is included, the fifth capability information evaluation unit determines whether the status of the device satisfies the acquisition condition. With
The capability information acquisition system, wherein the first capability information acquisition unit acquires the capability information from the device when the fifth capability information evaluation unit determines that the acquisition condition is satisfied. . A capability information acquisition program for acquiring device capability information,
For a computer that is communicably connected to the device and an information storage terminal that stores the capability information,
Capability information for determining whether or not the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step for acquiring the capability information from the device and the first capability information acquisition step includes a required attribute. When it is determined that the requested attribute is not included in the evaluation step and the capability information evaluation step, the device capability information related to the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step is the information. A process consisting of a second capability information acquisition step acquired from the storage terminal, and a combining step for combining the contents of the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step and the second capability information acquisition step is executed. Including a program to Capability information acquisition program characterized and. A capability information acquisition program for acquiring device capability information,
For a computer that is communicably connected to the device and an information storage terminal that stores the capability information,
From the capability information storage means for storing the capability information, a capability information search step for searching for the required capability information of the device, and the capability information search in the capability information search step. If the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step and the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step include the required attribute, When it is determined in the capability information evaluation step that is determined that the required attribute is not included in the capability information evaluation step, the capability of the device related to the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step Information A second capability information acquisition step acquired from the terminal, a combination step of combining the contents of the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step and the second capability information acquisition step, and a combination in the combination step A capability information acquisition program comprising: a program for executing a process comprising a capability information registration step for registering capability information having the contents described above in capability information storage means. A capability information acquisition program for acquiring device capability information,
For a computer that is communicably connected to the device and an information storage terminal that stores the capability information,
Capability information search step for searching the capability information of the required device from the capability information storage means for storing the capability information, and the capability information searched in the capability information search step, A first capability information evaluation step for determining whether or not the required attribute is included; and when the first capability information evaluation step determines that the required attribute is not included, the capability information search step A first capability information acquisition step of acquiring the capability information from the device related to the capability information searched in step 1; and the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step includes the required attribute. Second capability information to determine whether or not When it is determined that the required attribute is not included in the price step and the second capability information evaluation step, the device capability information related to the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step is A second capability information acquisition step acquired from the information storage terminal; a combination step of combining contents of the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step and the second capability information acquisition step; and the combination A capability information acquisition program comprising: a program for executing a process comprising a capability information registration step of registering capability information of contents combined in steps in the capability information storage means. A capability information acquisition method for acquiring device capability information,
The device and the information storage terminal that stores the capability information are communicably connected,
Capability information for determining whether or not the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step for acquiring the capability information from the device and the first capability information acquisition step includes a required attribute. When it is determined that the requested attribute is not included in the evaluation step and the capability information evaluation step, the device capability information related to the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step is the information. A second capability information acquisition step acquired from the storage terminal; and a combining step of combining the contents of the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step and the second capability information acquisition step. Capability information acquisition method . A capability information acquisition method for acquiring device capability information,
The device and the information storage terminal that stores the capability information are communicably connected,
From the capability information storage means for storing the capability information, a capability information search step for searching for the required capability information of the device, and the capability information search in the capability information search step. If the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step and the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step include the required attribute, When it is determined in the capability information evaluation step that is determined that the required attribute is not included in the capability information evaluation step, the capability of the device related to the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step Information A second capability information acquisition step acquired from the terminal, a combination step of combining the contents of the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step and the second capability information acquisition step, and a combination in the combination step A capability information acquisition method comprising: a capability information registration step of registering capability information having the contents described above in capability information storage means. A capability information acquisition method for acquiring device capability information,
The device and the information storage terminal that stores the capability information are communicably connected,
Capability information search step for searching the capability information of the required device from the capability information storage means for storing the capability information, and the capability information searched in the capability information search step, A first capability information evaluation step for determining whether or not the required attribute is included; and when the first capability information evaluation step determines that the required attribute is not included, the capability information search step A first capability information acquisition step of acquiring the capability information from the device related to the capability information searched in step 1; and the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step includes the required attribute. Second capability information to determine whether or not When it is determined that the required attribute is not included in the price step and the second capability information evaluation step, the device capability information related to the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step is A second capability information acquisition step acquired from the information storage terminal; a combination step of combining contents of the capability information acquired in the first capability information acquisition step and the second capability information acquisition step; and the combination A capability information acquisition method comprising: a capability information registration step of registering capability information of contents combined in steps in the capability information storage means.

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