JP2008217211A - Printer information setting system, terminal device, printer information setting method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer information setting system, a terminal device and a printer information setting method, for setting a printer allowing a user to automatically set a printer usable with high possibility of using the terminal device. <P>SOLUTION: A provision part 24a provides subnet information showing a subnet after a change to a communication part 24b and a control part 24c when the subnet of a user terminal 2 is changed. The communication part 24b receives recommendation information and printer information from a position information DB server 1 by use of the subnet information. The control part 24c sets the printer information of the printer shown by use information of the printer information from the position information DB server 1 for print execution when the printer shown by the use information is present in the printers corresponding to the printer information, and sets the printer information of the printer shown as a recommendation printer by the recommendation information of the printer information from the position information DB server 1 when the printer is absent. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer information setting system, a terminal device, a printer information setting method, and a program.

  In recent years, user terminals such as portable computers have become widespread. For example, such a user terminal is moved by a user, connected to a network at the destination, and uses a printer or the like connected to the network. In order for a user terminal to use a printer, the driver of the printer must be set in the user terminal for printing.

Patent Document 1 describes a user terminal that obtains a printer driver that can be used in a subnet to which it is connected, registers it in itself, and uses that driver as a driver for executing printing.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-228093

  For example, a plurality of printers are connected to one subnet, and among these printers, there are printers that are easy for the user to use (for example, printers that the user has used before and are used to operating). In some cases, the user may have a request to use an easy-to-use printer.

  Since the user terminal described in Patent Literature 1 cannot recognize a printer that is easy for the user to use, the user terminal cannot meet the demand for using a printer that is easy for the user to use.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a printer information setting system, a terminal device, a printer information setting method, and a program for automatically setting a printer that is likely to be used by a user using a terminal device so that the terminal device can be used. It is to be.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printer information setting system of the present invention is a printer information setting system including a management device that manages printers, and a terminal device that can communicate with the management device via a network. The management device, for each printer, specifies subnet identification information for identifying a subnet to which the printer is connected, printer information necessary for using the printer, and a recommendation indicating whether the printer is a recommended printer in the subnet. A storage unit that stores information in association with each other, and when the subnet information for identifying the subnet to which the terminal device is connected is received from the terminal device, the subnet information is referred to by referring to the storage unit A management unit that transmits the printer information and the recommendation information corresponding to the subnet specified by the terminal device; The terminal device includes a storage unit that stores usage information indicating a printer used by the terminal device in the past, and transmits the subnet information to the management device. The printer information and the recommendation information are transmitted from the management device. If there is a printer indicated by the usage information among the communication unit that receives the printer and the printer corresponding to the received printer information, the printer information of the printer indicated by the usage information is set for print execution, A control unit configured to set the printer information of the printer indicated as the recommended printer in the recommended information for execution of printing when no printer exists.

  Further, when receiving the subnet information for specifying the subnet, the terminal device of the present invention receives the printer information necessary for using the printer connected to the subnet specified by the subnet information, and the printer A management unit that sends back recommended information indicating whether it is a recommended printer in a subnet, and a storage unit that is a terminal device that can communicate via a network and that stores usage information indicating printers that the terminal device has used in the past And a communication unit that transmits the connected subnet information for identifying the subnet to which the terminal device is connected as the subnet information to the management device, and receives the printer information and the recommendation information from the management device; If there is a printer indicated by the usage information among the printers corresponding to the received printer information, the usage information A controller configured to set the printer information of the printer indicated by the printer to be used for printing execution, and if the printer does not exist, set the printer information of the printer indicated by the recommended information as the recommended printer for printing execution; Including.

  The printer information setting method of the present invention, when receiving subnet information for specifying a subnet, printer information necessary for using a printer connected to the subnet specified by the subnet information, and the printer Is a printer information setting method performed by a management device that sends back recommended information indicating whether or not the printer is a recommended printer in the subnet, and a terminal device that can communicate via the network. A storage step for storing the usage information to be indicated; a transmission step for transmitting, as the subnet information, connected subnet information for identifying a subnet to which the own terminal device is connected to the management device; and from the management device to the printer A receiving step for receiving information and the recommended information, and a printer corresponding to the received printer information. If the printer indicated by the usage information is present in the printer, the printer information of the printer indicated by the usage information is set for printing execution. If the printer does not exist, the printer is indicated as the recommended printer by the recommended information. And a control step of setting the printer information of the indicated printer for printing execution.

  According to the above-described invention, a printer that is highly likely to be used by a user in a subnet to which the terminal device is connected, specifically, a setting that enables the terminal device to use a printer previously used in the subnet. Done automatically.

  Therefore, even when the subnet to which the terminal device is connected changes, the user can easily use a printer that is easy to use when using the terminal device.

  The terminal device has an address storage unit that stores the IP address and subnet mask of the terminal device itself, and a changed subnet when the subnet specified by the IP address and subnet mask in the address storage unit is changed. And a providing unit that provides subnet information for specifying a subnet. The communication unit preferably transmits the provided subnet information to the management apparatus.

  According to the above-described invention, it is possible to automatically install an easy-to-use printer in near real time when the terminal device is moved.

  When the program of the present invention receives the subnet information for specifying the subnet, the program information necessary for using the printer connected to the subnet specified by the subnet information and the printer in the subnet A management apparatus that sends back recommended information indicating whether it is a recommended printer, a storage procedure for storing usage information indicating a printer used by the terminal device in the past in a computer that can communicate via a network, and the subnet information. A transmission procedure for transmitting connected subnet information for identifying a subnet to which the terminal device is connected to the management device, a reception procedure for receiving the printer information and the recommended information from the management device, and the reception If there is a printer indicated by the use information among the printers corresponding to the printer information, Control procedure for setting the printer information of the printer indicated by the use information for printing execution, and setting the printer information of the printer indicated by the recommended information as the recommended printer for printing execution when the printer does not exist And execute.

  According to the invention, it is possible to cause a computer to execute the printer information setting method.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically set a printer that is highly likely to be used by a user using a terminal device to a state where the terminal device can be used.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a printer information setting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the printer information setting system includes a position information DB server 1 and a user terminal 2. The user terminal 2 is connected to a position information DB server 1 and a printer server (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) 4 via a network 3. In FIG. 1, only one printer 4 is shown, but the number of printers 4 can be changed as appropriate.

  The position information DB server 1 is an example of a management device and manages printers. The location information DB server 1 includes a storage unit 11 and a management unit 12.

  The storage unit 11 stores a position information DB.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the position information DB.

  In FIG. 2, in the position information DB 11A, for each printer, subnet specifying information 11a, printer information 11b, and recommended information 11c are associated with each other.

  The subnet specifying information 11a is information for specifying the subnet to which the printer is connected, and includes the printer IP address 11a1 and the subnet mask 11a2. Note that the subnet to which the printer is connected is identified from the IP address 11a1 and the subnet mask 11a2.

  The printer information 11b includes information necessary for the user terminal 2 to use the printer (for example, a printer name, a printer driver, a printer IP address, and a subnet mask). In FIG. 2, only the printer name is shown as the printer information 11b. However, the printer information 11b includes other information (for example, the printer driver, the IP address of the printer, and the subnet mask).

  The recommended information 11c indicates whether the printer is a recommended printer in the subnet. In this embodiment, “◯” indicates that the printer is a recommended printer in the subnet, and no mark indicates that the printer is not a recommended printer in the subnet.

  The location information DB 11A is constructed, for example, by the administrator of the location information DB server 1 obtaining the subnet and printer information of each base and registering the information in the storage unit 11 in advance.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the management unit 12 manages the location information DB server 1.

  For example, when the management unit 12 receives from the user terminal 2 subnet information (for example, a subnet address or an IP address and a subnet mask) for specifying the subnet to which the user terminal 2 is connected, the position information DB 11A , The printer information 11b and the recommended information 11c corresponding to the subnet specified by the subnet information are transmitted to the user terminal 2.

  The user terminal 2 is an example of a terminal device, and is a general information terminal such as a personal computer.

  The user terminal 2 includes a storage unit 21, an address storage unit 22, a printer information storage unit 23, and an agent 24. The agent 24 includes a providing unit 24a, a communication unit 24b, and a control unit 24c.

  When the user terminal 2 is a computer (computer with a storage unit), the computer executes a program that defines the operation of the user terminal 2, thereby storing the storage unit 21, the address storage unit 22, and the printer information storage unit 23. , And may function as the agent 24.

  The storage unit 21 stores a profile DB.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the profile DB.

  In FIG. 3, in the profile DB 21A, subnet specifying information 21a for specifying a subnet and usage information 21b are associated with each subnet.

  The subnet specifying information 21a includes an IP address 21a1 and a subnet mask 21a2.

  The usage information 21b indicates a printer (for example, a printer name) used in the past by the own terminal in the subnet specified by the corresponding subnet specifying information 21a.

  The profile DB 21A is constructed by the control unit 24c.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the address storage unit 22 stores the IP address and subnet mask assigned to the user terminal 2.

  The printer information storage unit 23 stores the printer information provided from the position information DB server 1 and print execution information indicating print execution added to the printer information corresponding to the printer that actually executes printing. Is stored. Note that the user terminal 2 executes print processing using a printer corresponding to the printer information to which the print execution information is added.

  The agent 24 monitors the change of the IP address (subnet) of the user terminal 2 and notifies the location information DB server 1 of the IP address / subnet information (subnet information) of the user terminal 2 when changing the IP address. Then, a process of obtaining a list of printers in the subnet to which the terminal belongs (the list of printers in the subnet to which the terminal belongs (printer information 11b) and the default printer (recommended printer) in the subnet) from the position information DB server 1 is performed.

  The agent 24 also performs printer registration processing on the user terminal 2 and processing for registering the printer used by the user in the profile DB 21A as usage information 21b.

  Registration of information in the profile DB 21A is executed by the agent 24 registering the printer name of the printer after the change in the profile DB 21A as usage information 21b in the background when the user actually changes the printer to be used. Is done.

  The providing unit 24a identifies a subnet from the IP address and subnet mask in the address storage unit 22, and monitors the change of the subnet.

  When detecting the change of the subnet, the providing unit 24a uses the connected subnet information (for example, the subnet address or the IP address and the subnet mask) for specifying the changed subnet as the subnet information, and the communication unit 24b and the control unit 24c. To provide.

  The communication unit 24 b transmits the subnet information from the providing unit 24 a to the position information DB server 1 and receives printer information and recommendation information from the position information DB server 1.

  When the usage information corresponding to the subnet specified by the subnet information from the providing unit 24c exists in the storage unit 21, in other words, the control unit 24c includes the printer corresponding to the printer information received by the communication unit 24b. When there is a printer indicated by the usage information, the printer information of the printer indicated by the usage information is set for execution of printing out of the printer information from the position information DB server 1.

  For example, the control unit 24c stores all of the printer information received by the communication unit 24b in the printer information storage unit 23, and prints so that the print execution information is added to the printer information of the printer indicated by the usage information. The execution information is stored in the printer information storage unit 23.

  When the usage information corresponding to the subnet specified by the subnet information from the providing unit 24c does not exist in the storage unit 21, in other words, the control unit 24c, in other words, the printer corresponding to the printer information received by the communication unit 24b. If the printer indicated by the usage information does not exist, the printer information of the printer whose recommended information is the recommended printer among the printer information from the position information DB server 1 is set for printing execution.

  For example, the control unit 24c stores all of the printer information received by the communication unit 24b in the printer information storage unit 23, and print execution information is added to the printer information of the printer indicated by the recommended information. Information is stored in the printer information storage unit 23.

  The printer 4 is connected to the same subnet as the user terminal 2. There are printers (not shown) that are not connected to the same subnet as the user terminal 2.

  Next, the operation will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the printer information setting system. Hereinafter, the operation of the printer information setting system will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the agent 24 (specifically, the providing unit 24a) of the user terminal 2 monitors the change of the IP address in the address storage unit 22, and does not particularly operate until the change is detected. The providing unit 24a calculates a subnet from the IP address and subnet mask set in the address storage unit 22, and stores the calculated subnet.

  When the IP address is changed, the agent 24 (specifically, the providing unit 24a) checks whether the subnet of the IP address after the change is the same subnet as the previous subnet (subnet in the providing unit 24a). If they are the same, no particular processing is performed (step A1).

  If it is different from the previous subnet, the agent 24 (specifically, the communication unit 24b) transmits the current IP address and subnet mask to the location information DB server 1 as a change notification (subnet information) (step S1). A2).

  When the location information DB server 1 (specifically, the management unit 12) receives the change notification transmitted in step A2, the location information DB server 1 compares the change notification with the location information DB 11A (step A3).

  The position information DB server 1 (specifically, the management unit 12), as a result of comparison in step A3, lists the printers corresponding to the subnet of the user terminal 2 that has transmitted the change notification (printer information 11b and recommended information 11c). Is returned to the agent 24 (specifically, the communication unit 24b) (step A4).

  The agent 24 (specifically, the control unit 24c) refers to the profile DB 21A stored in the storage unit 21 as the next process (step A5).

  In this process, if there is a history of printers used in the past (usage information 21b) in the same subnet as the current subnet, the usage information 21b is stored in the agent 24 (specifically, from the profile DB 21A). The data is read by the control unit 24c) (step A6).

  Next, when the agent 24 (specifically, the control unit 24c) includes a printer indicated by the usage information among the printers corresponding to the printer information received by the communication unit 24b, the printer accepted by the communication unit 24b. All of the information is stored in the printer information storage unit 23, and the print execution information is stored in the printer information storage unit 23 so that the print execution information is added to the printer information of the printer indicated by the usage information (step A7, A8).

  In addition, when there is no printer indicated by the usage information in the printer corresponding to the printer information received by the communication unit 24b, the control unit 24c stores all the printer information received by the communication unit 24b in the printer information storage unit 23. The print execution information is stored in the printer information storage unit 23 so that the print execution information is added to the printer information of the printer indicated by the recommended information (steps A7 and A8).

  By performing this processing, even when there are a plurality of printers in the same subnet, it is possible to use printers other than those defined by the administrator in the position information DB 11A. Therefore, since the printer to be actually used is set based on the information used by the user, it is easy to use.

  Further, the agent 24 (specifically, the control unit 24c) monitors the change of the printer for executing printing, and if there is a change, registers the subnet information and the printer name (use information) in the profile DB 21A. carry out.

  According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  When the user moves the user terminal (moves to another subnet), the user can automatically prepare the printer where it can be used without manually performing printer registration again.

  Also, by having profile information on the user terminal side, the printer previously used by the user can be registered as the default printer (ordinary printer: printer used for actual printing). Printers can be set not only according to information (definition in the position information DB) but also according to the usage status of the user, and personalization that does not require user awareness is possible.

  In the present embodiment, the providing unit 24a provides subnet information for specifying the changed subnet when the subnet specified by the IP address and the subnet mask in the address storage unit 22 is changed. .

  In this case, it is possible to automatically install an easy-to-use printer in near real time when the terminal device is moved.

  In the embodiment described above, the illustrated configuration is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration.

  For example, by disclosing the location information DB 11A on the Internet and combining subnet identification information with DNS (FQDN name), it is possible to target printers all over the world.

  Further, the location information DB 11A is not particularly arranged at one place, and the registration of subnet specifying information as one information of the DHCP service can be performed to eliminate the dedicated location information DB server 1 itself.

  The information registered in the position information DB 11A is not limited to printer information, but can be personalized by the same mechanism as long as there are a plurality of devices in the subnet.

  Further, by applying this embodiment to the intranet, it is possible to reduce the load on the information system unit and the load on the user side.

  In addition, for the system administrator, man-hours can be reduced by saving the trouble of registering the printer when the terminal is introduced.

  For the user side, when the terminal is moved, secret information is unintentionally output to the printer before the transfer, and there is no physical recovery distance, so that it cannot be recovered immediately.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a printer information setting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of position information DB. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of profile DB. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of a printer information setting system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Location information DB server 11 Storage part 11A Location information DB
12 management unit 2 user terminal 21 storage unit 21A profile DB
22 address storage unit 23 printer information storage unit 24 agent 24a providing unit 24b communication unit 24c control unit 3 network 4 printer server

Claims (7)

A printer information setting system comprising: a management device that manages a printer; and a terminal device that can communicate with the management device via a network,
The management device
For each printer, it corresponds to subnet identification information for identifying the subnet to which the printer is connected, printer information necessary for using the printer, and recommended information indicating whether the printer is a recommended printer in the subnet. A storage unit for storing
When receiving, from the terminal device, subnet information for specifying the subnet to which the terminal device is connected, the printer information corresponding to the subnet specified by the subnet information is referred to the storage unit, and A management unit that transmits the recommendation information to the terminal device,
The terminal device
A storage unit for storing usage information indicating a printer used by the terminal device in the past;
A communication unit that transmits the subnet information to the management device and receives the printer information and the recommendation information from the management device;
When there is a printer indicated by the usage information among the printers corresponding to the received printer information, the printer information of the printer indicated by the usage information is set for print execution, and when the printer does not exist, A control unit that sets the printer information of the printer indicated by the recommended information as the recommended printer for printing execution. The printer information setting system according to claim 1,
The terminal device
An address storage unit for storing the IP address and subnet mask of the terminal device;
A provision unit for providing subnet information for identifying the changed subnet when the subnet specified by the IP address and the subnet mask in the address storage unit is changed; and
The printer information setting system, wherein the communication unit transmits the provided subnet information to the management device. When subnet information for identifying a subnet is received, printer information necessary for using the printer connected to the subnet specified by the subnet information, and a recommendation indicating whether the printer is a recommended printer for the subnet A management device that returns information, and a terminal device that can communicate via a network,
A storage unit for storing usage information indicating a printer used by the terminal device in the past;
As the subnet information, a communication unit for transmitting the connected subnet information for identifying the subnet to which the own terminal device is connected to the management device, and receiving the printer information and the recommended information from the management device;
When there is a printer indicated by the usage information among the printers corresponding to the received printer information, the printer information of the printer indicated by the usage information is set for print execution, and when the printer does not exist, A control unit configured to set the printer information of the printer indicated as the recommended printer in the recommended information for execution of printing. The terminal device according to claim 3,
An address storage unit for storing the IP address and subnet mask of the terminal device;
A providing unit that provides connected subnet information for specifying the changed subnet when the subnet specified by the IP address and the subnet mask in the address storage unit is changed; and
The communication unit is a terminal device that transmits the provided connected subnet information to the management device. When subnet information for identifying a subnet is received, printer information necessary for using the printer connected to the subnet specified by the subnet information, and a recommendation indicating whether the printer is a recommended printer for the subnet A printer information setting method performed by a management device that returns information and a terminal device capable of communicating via a network,
A storage step for storing usage information indicating a printer used by the terminal device in the past;
As the subnet information, a transmitting step of transmitting connected subnet information for identifying a subnet to which the own terminal device is connected to the management device;
Receiving the printer information and the recommended information from the management device;
When there is a printer indicated by the usage information among the printers corresponding to the received printer information, the printer information of the printer indicated by the usage information is set for print execution, and when the printer does not exist, And a control step of setting the printer information of the printer indicated by the recommended information as the recommended printer for printing execution. The printer information setting method according to claim 5, wherein
An address storing step for storing the IP address and subnet mask of the terminal device;
Providing a connected subnet information for specifying the changed subnet when the subnet specified by the IP address and the subnet mask is changed; and
In the transmission step, a printer information setting method of transmitting the provided connected subnet information to the management apparatus. When subnet information for identifying a subnet is received, printer information necessary for using the printer connected to the subnet specified by the subnet information, and a recommendation indicating whether the printer is a recommended printer for the subnet To a computer that can communicate via a network with a management device that returns information,
A storage procedure for storing usage information indicating a printer used by the terminal device in the past;
As the subnet information, a transmission procedure for transmitting connected subnet information for identifying a subnet to which the own terminal device is connected to the management device;
A receiving procedure for receiving the printer information and the recommended information from the management device;
When there is a printer indicated by the usage information among the printers corresponding to the received printer information, the printer information of the printer indicated by the usage information is set for print execution, and when the printer does not exist, And a control procedure for setting the printer information of the printer indicated as the recommended printer in the recommended information for execution of printing.

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