JP2007316985A - Device, event registration method and event notification system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device that can efficiently manage event registrations even when registering a plurality of events requested by the same information processing apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: When receiving an event registration notification from a host computer 21, a printer 10 retrieves an event registration table 121 stored in a RAM 103. If the source host computer 21 has not been registered, a new event ID is issued and the event is registered in the event registration table 121 (S5). If the host computer 21 has been registered, on the other hand, the new event type is added to registered events (S2). If the notified expiration date is later than the original expiration date, the expiration date of the registered events stored in the event registration table 121 is updated to the new expiration date (S4). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a device apparatus capable of registering an event notified to an information processing apparatus, an event registration method, and an event notification system.

  In recent years, when a device device such as a digital multifunction peripheral receives an event registration request from a host computer, it is generally performed to register the event in a memory inside the device device. There are various types of events such as “error occurrence” and “job end”.

Patent Document 1 discloses that when a port registered in a device apparatus exists, an event notified to the port is changed (redirected) and notified to the requesting client. Event control is performed on the host computer side.
JP 2003-131845 A

  However, the conventional device apparatus has the following problems. When event registration is performed on the device apparatus side, since there are many types of events, it is necessary to register a large number of events in one host computer in the device apparatus. In this case, if the device apparatus performs a plurality of different event registrations for one computer, the efficiency of managing event registration contents in the device apparatus deteriorates. For example, in general, a device device such as a digital multi-function peripheral has a limited memory resource, which may cause a shortage of memory that can be used for event registration.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a device apparatus, an event registration method, and an event notification system that can efficiently manage event registration contents even when registering a plurality of events requested from the same information processing apparatus. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, a device apparatus of the present invention is a device apparatus that is connected to an information processing apparatus and notifies the information processing apparatus of the generated event when a registered event occurs, Event registration means for registering an event to be notified to the information processing apparatus according to an event registration request from the information processing apparatus, response notification means for notifying information about the event as a response to the event registration request, and the notification When an event to be notified to the same information processing apparatus has already been registered, one event combining the type of the registered event and the type of the event for which the registration is requested is registered. And a registration / update means for updating the registered event to the integrated event. The features.

  The device apparatus of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a first event that occurs in the device apparatus in association with a notification destination of the event and an expiration date of the event notification, and a second event that occurs in the device apparatus A receiving means for receiving an event registration request relating to, a determining means for determining whether or not a notification destination designated by the event registration request received by the receiving means is stored in the storage means, and storing by the determining means An update means for updating the expiration date corresponding to the first event stored in the storage means to the expiration date specified by the event registration request received by the reception means, It is characterized by having.

  An event registration method of the present invention is an event registration method for registering an event that occurs in a device connected to an information processing apparatus and is notified to the information processing apparatus in the device apparatus. In accordance with an event registration request, an event registration step for registering an event to be notified to the information processing apparatus, a response notification step for notifying information related to the event as a response to the event registration request, and registering the notified event When an event to be notified to the same information processing apparatus has already been registered, the registered event type and the event type for which registration is requested are integrated into one event, and the registration is performed. And a registration update step for updating a registered event to the integrated event. To.

  An event registration method of the present invention is an event registration method for registering an event that occurs in a device device connected to an information processing apparatus and is notified to the information processing apparatus in the device apparatus, and that occurs in the device apparatus. A storage step of storing a first event in a storage medium in association with a notification destination of the event and an expiration date of the event notification; a receiving step of receiving an event registration request relating to a second event generated in the device device; , If it is determined that the notification destination specified by the event registration request received in the reception step is stored in the storage medium, and if it is determined that the notification destination is stored in the determination step, The expiration date corresponding to the first event stored in the storage medium is stored in the event received in the receiving step. An updating step of updating the specified expiration date by preparative registration request, and having a.

  The event notification system according to the present invention is an event notification system that, when an information processing apparatus and a device apparatus are connected to a network, and an event registered in the device apparatus occurs, notifies the information processing apparatus of the event that has occurred. In accordance with an event registration request from the information processing apparatus, event registration means for registering an event notified to the information processing apparatus in the device apparatus, and information on the event as the response to the event registration request When registering a response notification means for notifying a processing device and the notified event, if an event to be notified to the same information processing device has already been registered, the type of the registered event and the registration are Combine the requested event types into one event, Characterized in that a registered in vise assembly event and a registration update means for updating said integration event.

  The event notification system according to the present invention is an event notification system that, when an information processing apparatus and a device apparatus are connected to a network, and an event registered in the device apparatus occurs, notifies the information processing apparatus of the event that has occurred. Storage means for storing a first event generated in the device device in association with a notification destination of the event and an expiration date of the event notification, and an event registration request relating to a second event generated in the device device Receiving means, determining means for determining whether or not the notification destination specified by the event registration request received by the receiving means is stored in the storage means, and stored by the determining means If determined, the expiration date corresponding to the first event stored in the storage means And having updating means for updating the specified expiration date, the by event registration request received by the receiving means.

  The device apparatus according to the present invention can efficiently manage event registration contents when registering a plurality of events requested from the same information processing apparatus. Thereby, for example, when the number of event registrations exceeds or when duplicate events are registered, it is possible to eliminate wasteful transmission of a plurality of similar events to the same information processing apparatus.

  Embodiments of a device device, an event registration method, and an event notification system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The device apparatus of this embodiment is applied to a printing apparatus that constructs a network printing system. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network printing system according to an embodiment.

  This network printing system has a configuration in which host computers 21 and 22 and a printing apparatus 10 as a device apparatus are connected via a network 50 such as a LAN. The number of host computers and device devices connected to the network 50 is not particularly limited.

  The host computers 21 and 22 request event registration from the printing apparatus 10 via the network 50, respectively. When an event occurs, the printing apparatus 10 notifies the event to the host computers 21 and 22 via the network 50.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 10. The CPU 101 executes a control program and controls the entire printing apparatus. The ROM 102 stores a boot program, fixed parameters, a control program including an event registration processing program described later, and the like. The RAM 103 is used for temporarily storing data when the CPU 101 executes a control program. The RAM 103 stores an event registration table 121 described later. A hard disk drive (HDD) 108 is used for storing various data such as print data. The timer 112 manages the elapsed time in the timer process.

  The printer I / F control unit 104 controls the printer unit 110. A non-volatile memory (NVRAM) 105 holds various setting values of the printing apparatus. The panel control unit 106 controls the operation panel 109 to display various information on the operation panel 109 and to input instructions from the user. The network I / F control unit 107 controls data transmission / reception via the LAN 50.

  CPU 101, ROM 102, RAM 103, HDD 108, timer 112, printer I / F control unit 104, NVRAM 105, panel control unit 106 and network I / F control unit 107 are connected to bus 115. Control signals from the CPU 101 and data signals between the devices are transmitted and received via the bus 115.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a message sequence between the host computer 21 and the printing apparatus 10. Although the host computer 21 is shown here, the same applies to the host computer 22. The host computer 21 has “http://172.24.160.230:1024/event” as its event registration URL.

  First, the host computer 21 transmits a “Subscribe” message to the printing apparatus 10 which is a device apparatus, and requests registration of an error event (T1). In response to this, the printing apparatus 10 sends a “Subscribe Response” message to the host computer 21, and the event ID (here, ID = 5) and the expiration date (here, 2005/12/15). Notify (T2).

  When an error event occurs in the printing apparatus 10 (T3), the printing apparatus 10 notifies the host computer 21 of a “Notification” message (T4). In this “Notification” message, ID = 5 and expiration date (2005/12/15) are set. The host computer 21 transmits a “Notification Response” message as a response to the “Notification” message (T5). This “Notification Response” message includes “OK”.

  Next, the host computer 21 transmits a “Subscribe” message to the printing apparatus 10 and requests registration of a job end event (T6). The printing apparatus 10 transmits a “Subscribe Response” message to the host computer 21 and notifies the event ID = 5 and the expiration date (2005/12/30) (T7). The event ID notified here is an ID already registered for the error event. The printing apparatus 10 detects that the event of the host computer 21 has already been registered, and notifies ID = 5, which is the same as the already registered ID.

  When an error event occurs in the printing apparatus 10 (T8), a “Notification” message is notified to the host computer 21 (T9). In this “Notification” message, ID = 5 and a new expiration date (2005/12/30) notified in step T7 is set.

  The host computer 21 transmits a “Notification Response” message as a response to the “Notification” message (T10). This “Notification Response” message includes “OK”.

  When a job end event occurs in the printing apparatus 10 (T11), the printing apparatus 10 notifies the host computer 21 of a “Notification” message (T12). In this “Notification” message, the data (ID = 5, expiration date 2005/12/30) notified by the “Subscription Response” message in step T7 is set. In response to the “Notification” message, the host computer 21 transmits a “Notification Response” message (T13). This “Notification Response” message includes “OK”.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a “Subscribe” packet. The “Subscribe” packet is an event registration request sent from the host computer to the device apparatus, and is described in the XML format in this embodiment. The URL of the host computer 21 is set in the portion specified by the <wsa: Address> tag. In the present embodiment, “http://172.24.160.230:1024/event” is set. An event type is set in the portion specified by the <wsa: Type> tag. In the present embodiment, “error” indicating an error event is set. The expiration date of the event notification is set in the portion specified by the <we: Expires> tag. That is, an expiration date to be notified to the host computer when an error occurs in the device is set. In the present embodiment, “2005/12/15” is set. The event type and expiration date information may be input by the user through the operation unit of the host computer. As for information on the expiration date, an operating system operating on the host computer may automatically set a predetermined expiration date.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a “Subscribe Response” packet. The “Subscribe Response” packet is a response to the event registration request sent from the host computer, and is sent from the device apparatus to the host computer. In this embodiment, the “Subscribe Response” packet is described in the XML format. An event ID is set in a portion specified by the <wse: Id> tag. In this embodiment, “5” is set. An expiration date is set in the portion specified by the <wse: Expires> tag. In the present embodiment, “2005/12/15” is set.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a “Notification” packet. The “Notification” packet is an event notification sent from the device apparatus to the host computer, and is described in the XML format in this embodiment. An event ID is set in a portion specified by the <wse: Id> tag. In this embodiment, “5” is set. The event type is set in the portion specified by the <wse: Type> tag. In the present embodiment, “error” indicating an error event is set. An expiration date is set in the portion specified by the <wse: Expires> tag. In the present embodiment, “2005/12/15” is set.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a “Notification Response” packet. The “Notification Response” packet is a response to the event notification sent from the device apparatus, and is sent from the host computer to the device apparatus. An event reception status is set in a portion specified by a <wse: Status> tag. In the present embodiment, “OK” is set.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an event registration processing procedure in the printing apparatus 10 as a device apparatus. This processing program is stored in the ROM 102 and executed by the CPU 101. When the printing apparatus 10 receives an event registration notification from the host computer 21, this event registration process is started.

  First, the event registration table 121 stored in the RAM 103 is searched to determine whether or not the host computer 21 that is the transmission source of the received event registration notification has already been registered (step S1). If the host computer 21 that is the transmission source of the event registration notification has not been registered, a new event ID is issued and the event is registered in the event registration table 121 (step S5). Thereafter, this process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the host computer 21 has already been registered in step S1, a new event type is added to the already registered event (step S2). In other words, the registered event type and the new event type are combined into one event. Further, it is determined whether or not the expiration date notified from the host computer is longer than the original expiration date (step S3). Specifically, the expiration date specified by the “Subscribe” packet transmitted from the host computer is determined by comparing the expiration date corresponding to the event of the same notification destination stored in the event registration table 121. To do. When the notified expiration date is longer than the original expiration date, the expiration date of the already registered event existing in the event registration table 121 is replaced with a new expiration date (step S4). Thereafter, this process is terminated. On the other hand, when the notified expiration date is the same as or shorter than the original expiration date, this process is terminated without updating the expiration date. In this way, when integrating event registration, the event registration expiration date can be maintained longer by matching the event registration expiration date to a longer expiration date.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the event registration table 121. This event registration table 121 is provided with input items (entries) of event ID, URL, expiration date, and event type. In the event registration table 121, for each event ID, a URL indicating a notification destination when an event occurs, an expiration date of the event notification, and an event type for event notification are stored in association with each other. Also, events for the same URL are registered as the same entry. In the present embodiment, an “error” indicating an error event and a “job-end” event type indicating a job end notification are registered in the event ID 5 entry.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an event deletion processing procedure. This processing program is stored in the ROM 102 in the printing apparatus 10 and is executed by the CPU 101 at predetermined intervals. First, the event registration table 121 is referred to (step S11), and it is determined whether or not an expired event is registered (step S12). When an event whose expiration date has expired is registered, the entry in which this event is registered is deleted from the event registration table 121 (step S13). Thereafter, this process is terminated. On the other hand, if an event whose expiration date has expired is not registered in step S12, the present process ends.

  As described above, according to the device apparatus of the present embodiment, when registering a plurality of events requested from the same host computer, the RAM 103 that is the internal memory of the printing apparatus 10 is efficiently integrated by integrating the events into one event. Can be used well.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and any configuration can be used as long as the functions shown in the claims or the functions of the configuration of the present embodiment can be achieved. Is also applicable.

  For example, in the above embodiment, when a new event type is added to an already registered event, it is replaced when the notified expiration date is longer than the original expiration date, but may be replaced when it is shorter. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an event registration processing procedure in another embodiment. The same step processes as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  When adding a new event type to the event already registered in step S2, it is determined whether or not the notified expiration date is shorter than the original expiration date (step S3A). If the notified expiration date is shorter than the original expiration date, the expiration date of the already registered event existing in the event registration table 121 is replaced with a new expiration date in step S4. In this way, by matching the shortest validity period among a plurality of event types, the validity period of the registered event can be shortened. Thereby, the usage amount of the RAM 103 can be suppressed.

  In the above-described embodiment, when a new event type is added to an already registered event, it is determined whether the notified expiration date is longer or shorter than the original expiration date, and any expiration date is matched. However, without making this determination, the validity period of an already registered event existing in the event registration table 121 may be replaced with a new validity period regardless of whether the new validity period is longer or shorter than the original validity period. .

  In the above embodiment, when the registered event and the new event are integrated, the printing apparatus 10 does not obtain approval from the host computer 21, but may obtain approval. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a message sequence between the host computer 40 and the printing apparatus 10 according to another embodiment. Here, the host computer 40 has “http://172.24.160.231:1024/event” as its event registration URL.

  First, the host computer 40 transmits a “Subscribe” message to the printing apparatus 10 which is a device apparatus, and requests registration of an error event (T21). In response to this, the printing apparatus 10 transmits a “Subscribe Response” message to the host computer 40, and the event ID (here, ID = 5) and the expiration date (here, 2005/11/15). Notification is made (T22).

  Further, the host computer 40 transmits a “Subscribe” message to the printing apparatus 10 and requests registration of a job end event (T23). The printing apparatus 10 transmits a “Subscribe Response” message to the host computer 40 and notifies the event ID = 5 and the expiration date (2005/11/30) (T24). The event ID notified here is an ID already registered for the error event.

  Then, the printing apparatus 10 collectively integrates (merges) the event types into one event. Then, a “Notification” message is notified to the host computer 40, and the approval of event integration is requested (T25). In this “Notification” message, ID = 5, event type: error, job end, expiration date (2005/11/30) are set.

  The host computer 40 transmits a “Notification Response” message as a response to the “Notification” message (T26). This “Notification Response” message includes “OK” when the host computer 40 approves, and “NG” when it does not approve. Specifically, when the host computer 40 receives a “Notification” message at T25, a screen prompting the user to make a determination is displayed on the display screen of the host computer 40. For example, a message “Do you want to integrate events?” Is displayed and the user operating the host computer is prompted to make an OK or NG decision. The host computer 40 transmits “Notification Response” including OK when the user selects OK, and transmits “Notification Response” including NG when the user selects NG. When “Notification Response” including NG is received from the host computer 40, the printing apparatus 10 re-registers it as a separate event.

  Thereby, the user who operates the host computer 40 can grasp the registration state of the event, and can select whether or not to integrate the event. Here, the printing apparatus 10 obtains approval from the host computer 40 after integrating the events. However, the event may be integrated after obtaining approval.

  In the above embodiment, a printing apparatus is used as the device apparatus. However, the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing apparatus, and may be a facsimile apparatus, a scanner apparatus, a multifunction machine, a copying machine, or the like. Further, the information processing apparatus to which the event is notified is not limited to the host computer, and may have the same configuration as the device apparatus.

  The object of the present invention is also achieved by the following. That is, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus. The computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

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

  Further, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, or a CD-RW can be used as a storage medium for supplying the program code. Further, an optical disc such as a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, a DVD-RW, a DVD + RW, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used. Alternatively, the program code may be downloaded via a network.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the following cases are included. That is, based on the instruction of the program code, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing. The case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by such processing is also included.

  Further, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, based on an instruction of the program code, a CPU or the like provided with the extension function in the extension board or the extension unit performs part or all of the actual processing. The case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by such processing is also included.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the network printing system in embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 10. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a message sequence between a host computer 21 and a printing apparatus 10. FIG. It is a figure which shows a "Subscribe" packet. It is a figure which shows a "Subscribe Response" packet. It is a figure which shows a "Notification" packet. It is a figure which shows a "Notification Response" packet. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an event registration processing procedure in the printing apparatus 10 which is a device apparatus. It is a figure which shows the event registration table. It is a flowchart which shows an event deletion process procedure. It is a flowchart which shows the event registration process sequence in other embodiment. It is a figure which shows the message sequence between the host computer 40 and the printing apparatus 10 in other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Printing device 21, 22, 40 Host computer 50 Network 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
121 Event registration table

Claims (11)

A device device that is connected to an information processing apparatus and notifies the information processing apparatus of the event that has occurred when a registered event occurs,
Event registration means for registering an event to be notified to the information processing device according to an event registration request from the information processing device;
As a response to the event registration request, response notification means for notifying information about the event;
When an event to be notified to the same information processing apparatus has already been registered when registering the notified event, the registered event type and the event type for which registration is requested are combined 1 A device apparatus comprising: a registration updating unit that integrates the event into one event and updates the registered event to the integrated event. The response notifying means notifies the event identification information, the event type and the expiration date as information related to the event,
The device according to claim 1, wherein the registration updating unit sets the expiration date according to a type of the longest event when updating the registered event. The response notifying means notifies the event identification information, the event type and the expiration date as information related to the event,
2. The device apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the registered event is updated, the registration update unit sets the expiration date according to a type of the shortest event.   4. The device apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a deletion unit that deletes the registered event when the expiration date has expired.   The device apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an approval notification unit that notifies the information processing apparatus that the information has been integrated into the one event in order to obtain approval. A device device,
Storage means for storing a first event generated in the device device in association with a notification destination of the event and an expiration date of the event notification;
Receiving means for receiving an event registration request relating to a second event occurring in the device device;
Determining means for determining whether the notification destination specified by the event registration request received by the receiving means is stored in the storage means;
When it is determined that the information is stored by the determination unit, the expiration date corresponding to the first event stored in the storage unit is updated to the expiration date specified by the event registration request received by the reception unit. Updating means to
A device apparatus comprising: An event registration method for registering an event that occurs in a device device connected to an information processing device and is notified to the information processing device in the device device,
In accordance with an event registration request from the information processing device, an event registration step of registering an event to be notified to the information processing device;
As a response to the event registration request, a response notification step for notifying information about the event;
When an event to be notified to the same information processing apparatus has already been registered when registering the notified event, the registered event type and the event type for which registration is requested are combined 1 And a registration update step of updating the registered event to the integrated event. An event registration method for registering an event that occurs in a device device connected to an information processing device and is notified to the information processing device in the device device,
Storing a first event generated in the device device in a storage medium in association with a notification destination of the event and an expiration date of the event notification;
A receiving step of receiving an event registration request relating to a second event occurring in the device device;
A determination step of determining whether the notification destination specified by the event registration request received in the reception step is stored in the storage medium;
When it is determined that it is stored in the determination step, the expiration date corresponding to the first event stored in the storage medium is updated to the expiration date specified by the event registration request received in the reception step. An update step to
An event registration method characterized by comprising: When an information processing apparatus and a device apparatus are connected to a network and an event registered in the device apparatus occurs, the event notification system notifies the information processing apparatus of the event that has occurred,
Event registration means for registering an event notified to the information processing apparatus in the device apparatus in accordance with an event registration request from the information processing apparatus;
As a response to the event registration request, response notification means for notifying the information processing apparatus of information related to the event;
When an event to be notified to the same information processing apparatus has already been registered when registering the notified event, the registered event type and the event type for which registration is requested are combined 1 An event notification system, comprising: a registration updating unit that integrates an event registered into the device device and updates the event registered in the device device into the integrated event. When an information processing apparatus and a device apparatus are connected to a network and an event registered in the device apparatus occurs, the event notification system notifies the information processing apparatus of the event that has occurred,
Storage means for storing a first event generated in the device device in association with a notification destination of the event and an expiration date of the event notification;
Receiving means for receiving an event registration request relating to a second event occurring in the device device;
Determining means for determining whether the notification destination specified by the event registration request received by the receiving means is stored in the storage means;
When it is determined that the information is stored by the determination unit, the expiration date corresponding to the first event stored in the storage unit is updated to the expiration date specified by the event registration request received by the reception unit. Updating means to
An event notification system comprising:   The program which has a computer-readable program code for implement | achieving the device apparatus in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6.

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