JP2009159391A - Communication apparatus, control method, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a communication apparatus (MFP or the like) to communicate with a plurality of different communicating parties by using a plurality of communication interfaces simultaneously. <P>SOLUTION: In the MFP 100, communication route information indicating a communication route to/from a management device 400 which transmits and receives information with an NRS module, that is the destination information of the management device 400 and respective pieces of information indicating an RAS server which is a specified gateway required for communicating with the management device 400 and a modem 102 which is a second communication interface, is stored in a nonvolatile memory beforehand. When the NRS module communicates with the management device 400, the communication route information is added to the routing table of an TCP/IP module as a static route. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a first communication interface (for example, NIC) connected to a first communication network (for example, the Internet) or a second communication network (for example, a public network) that is different from the first communication network. A communication device (network device) having first and second communication means for communicating with each communication destination using a communication interface (for example, a modem), a control method in the communication device, and a computer for controlling the communication device ( The present invention relates to a program executed by a CPU and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  Conventionally, image processing devices such as printers, facsimile (FAX) devices, digital copiers, scanner devices, digital multifunction peripherals with communication functions, network home appliances, vending machines, medical equipment, power supply devices, air conditioning systems, A communication device (electronic device) that has a communication function (communication means) in a metering system for gas, water, electricity, etc. is a managed device, and the management device of the service center (management center) is a public line network or the Internet. A remote management system for remotely managing these managed devices via a communication line has been proposed.

In such a remote management system, it is generally known to use managed devices as shown in the following (1) and (2).
(1) The managed device includes a plurality of communication interfaces.
(2) The managed device enables communication with the management device by using a specific communication interface according to the network environment (Internet, public line network) of the customer site in which it is installed, and its management Remote management by the device is realized.

In a remote management system that uses such a managed device, the OS (operating system) of the managed device is generally known as Linux (registered trademark), BSD (registered trademark), or Windows (registered). Like the trademark), communication path information indicating a communication path with a communication delivery destination (communication partner) is managed by a routing table.
Here, when a TCP / IP module in a generally known OS kernel has only one routing table and tries to send an IP packet (hereinafter also simply referred to as “packet”), the routing table is referred to. Then, it is determined to which router adjacent to itself the packet should be forwarded. The router that receives the packet repeats the same process and transfers the packets one after another to deliver the packet to the target network.

Examples of the technology related to the communication path include those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below.
In Patent Document 1, a machine (host) having a plurality of communication interfaces (network interfaces) is provided with a routing table for each communication interface, and an application (hereinafter also simply referred to as “app”) among the routing tables. Proposing a TCP / IP routing system that allows a communication interface to be switched when an application detects a failure in a communication path by providing means for selecting a communication path according to a routing table of a specified communication interface Has been.

In Patent Document 2, when a packet is received from the same segment as that having a plurality of communication interfaces, a static route is set according to the IP address of the transmission source of the packet (static routing according to the IP address is performed). There has been proposed a machine (network device) that is capable of performing efficient communication by providing a means for performing.
Japanese Patent No. 3467230 JP 2006-101344 A

In the managed device described above, the upper layer module such as a plurality of applications having a function of communicating with a plurality of different communication partners via the network using the communication interfaces respectively, stores the routing table of the TCP / IP module of the lower layer. When sharing and transmitting a packet to a communication partner via a network, the packet is transferred to a default gateway (relay route) defined in the routing table.
Therefore, even if a plurality of communication interfaces exist, for example, an NRS module (an NRS application that implements a function related to remote management by a management apparatus) that is a higher layer module and another module (print information received from outside and printed) The same communication interface is used for a printer application that realizes a function to perform the function and a scanner application that realizes a function of reading a document image by a scanner and transmitting it to the outside.

As described above, even if a plurality of communication interfaces exist, the OS of the managed device is one routing table that can be used when the TCP / IP module performs communication in the same manner as a generally known OS. Therefore, the NRS module, which is the upper layer module, and the other module use the same communication interface. When a plurality of modules of the upper layer communicate with each other at the same time, a plurality of communication interfaces are used. Cannot be used at the same time.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to enable a communication device (managed device or the like) to communicate with a plurality of different communication partners simultaneously using a plurality of communication interfaces. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a communication device, a control method in the communication device, a program executed by a computer that controls the communication device, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the program.

  The communication apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 uses a first communication interface connected to the first communication network or a second communication interface connected to a second communication network different from the first communication network. A communication apparatus having first and second communication means for communicating with respective communication destinations, and a routing table referred to when the first and second communication means perform communication, respectively, Prior to the communication with the communication partner by the second communication means, the storage means for storing the communication path information indicating the communication path with the communication partner to communicate with the communication means, and the communication path information stored in the storage means And a static route adding means for adding to the routing table as a static route.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the second communication interface and the second communication network are connected prior to communication with the communication partner by the second communication means. Connection establishment determination means for determining whether or not the connection has been established is provided, and the static route addition means determines that the connection between the second communication interface and the second communication network has been established by the connection establishment determination means. In this case, the communication path information stored in the storage means is added as a static route to the routing table.

A communication apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the communication apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the second communication network is a communication network using a telephone line.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the communication method between the second communication interface and the second communication network uses PPP.
A communication device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the communication device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the static communication added to the routing table when the communication with the communication partner by the second communication means is completed. A static route deleting means for deleting a route is provided.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the communication apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the static route adding means sets the dummy static route when the first communication means or the second communication means is activated. Prior to communication between the means for adding to the routing table and the communication partner by the second communication means, the dummy static information added to the routing table as the correct static route for the communication path information stored in the storage means. When the communication with the communication partner by the second communication unit is completed and the overwritten static route is deleted by the static route deletion unit, the dummy static route is again written. And a means for adding a general route to the routing table.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus according to the sixth aspect, further comprising: refresh detection means for detecting that the routing table is refreshed, wherein the static route addition means is configured to perform the routing by the refresh detection means. When it is detected that the table is refreshed, a dummy static route is added again to the routing table.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, further comprising refresh means for refreshing the routing table, wherein the refresh means includes the first communication means and the second communication means. A refreshability inquiry means for inquiring whether or not the routing table can be refreshed to the communication means, and when the routing table refresh inhibition response is received in response to the inquiry by the refreshability inquiry means, the routing Means for prohibiting refresh of the table, and each of the first communication means and the second communication means is in communication with a communication partner in response to an inquiry by the refresh enable / disable inquiry means. , Routing table refresh prohibition response above Those having a means for transmitting to the fresh unit.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, further comprising refresh means for refreshing the routing table, wherein the refresh means includes the first communication means and the second communication means. A refreshability inquiry means for inquiring whether the routing table can be refreshed to the communication means, and when the routing table refresh permission response is received in response to the inquiry by the refreshability inquiry means, the routing Means for permitting refresh of the table, and each of the first communication means and the second communication means is in communication with a communication partner in response to an inquiry by the refresh enable / disable inquiry means. Means for forcibly blocking the communication line, and means for After the line in the communication is forced cutoff, in which a means for transmitting a refresh permission response in the routing table to said refresh means.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for a communication apparatus comprising: a first communication interface connected to a first communication network; or a second communication interface connected to a second communication network different from the first communication network. It is a control method in a communication apparatus having first and second communication means that are used to communicate with respective communication destinations and a routing table that is referred to when the first and second communication means communicate with each other. Communication path information indicating a communication path with a communication partner communicating with the second communication means is previously stored in a memory, and stored in the memory prior to communication with the communication partner by the second communication means. The communication path information is added as a static route to the routing table.

  The program according to the invention of claim 11 uses a first communication interface connected to the first communication network or a second communication interface connected to a second communication network different from the first communication network. First and second communication means for communicating with the communication destination, routing tables to be referred to when the first and second communication means perform communication, and a communication partner for communicating with the second communication means, The communication path stored in the storage means prior to communication with the communication partner by the second communication means in a computer that controls a communication device having storage means for storing communication path information indicating the communication path of the second communication means This is a program for realizing a static route addition function for adding information as a static route to the routing table.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program according to the eleventh aspect, in which the second communication means and the second communication network are connected to the computer prior to communication with the communication partner by the second communication means. A program for realizing a connection establishment determination function for determining whether or not a connection has been established, wherein the static route addition function includes the second communication interface and the second communication by the connection establishment determination function. When it is determined that a connection with the network has been established, the communication path information stored in the storage means is added to the routing table as a static route.

  A program according to a thirteenth aspect of the invention is the program according to the eleventh or twelfth aspect, wherein the static route added to the routing table when the communication with the communication partner by the second communication means is completed in the computer. This is a program for realizing a static route deletion function for deleting a route.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the thirteenth aspect, the static route addition function is configured such that a dummy static route is assigned to the routing table when the first communication unit or the second communication unit is activated. And a dummy static route in which the communication path information stored in the storage means is added to the routing table as a correct static route prior to communication with the communication partner by the second communication means. When the communication with the communication partner by the second communication means is completed and the overwritten static route is deleted by the static route deletion function, the dummy static route is again written. And the function of adding to the routing table.

A program according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the program according to the fourteenth aspect, wherein the computer also realizes a refresh detection function for detecting that the routing table has been refreshed. In this case, when the refresh detection function detects that the routing table is refreshed, a dummy static route is added to the routing table again.
A recording medium according to a sixteenth aspect of the invention is a computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to any one of the eleventh to fifteenth aspects is recorded.

  According to the present invention, the communication apparatus can obtain communication path information (for example, destination information of the communication partner and gateway information necessary for communicating with the communication partner) indicating a communication path with the communication partner communicating with the second communication unit. Since the communication path information stored in advance in the storage means (memory) and stored in the storage means is added to the routing table as a static route prior to communication with the communication partner by the second communication means. When the second communication means refers to the routing table, the second communication interface (for example, a modem) is used to communicate with the communication partner (for example, the management apparatus) via the designated gateway, and the first communication means. By using the first communication interface (for example, NIC) by referring to the routing table, the default gateway Can be via communicating with other communication party (for example, a network device other than the management device). That is, a plurality of communication interfaces can be used simultaneously to communicate with a plurality of different communication partners.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which an image forming apparatus management system using a digital multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) as a managed apparatus is used as the remote management system.

[Configuration example of image forming apparatus management system]
First, the configuration of an image forming apparatus management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This image forming apparatus management system is a remote management system in which the MFP 100 is a managed apparatus.
The MFP 100 includes a plurality of communication interfaces, and enables communication with the management apparatus 400 by using any one of the communication interfaces according to the customer's network environment in which the MFP 100 is installed. While realizing remote management by the apparatus 400, other communication interfaces can be used simultaneously (can coexist).

  For example, the network interface card (NIC) 101 is used to connect to the NIC 401 of the management apparatus 400 via a network 11 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a gateway 500 such as a router, the Internet 300, and the network 41. Alternatively, by using the modem 102 and connecting to the modem 402 of the management apparatus 400 via the public line (PSTN) network 200 which is a communication network using a telephone line, remote management by the management apparatus 400 is realized, Using a communication interface that is not used for remote management, image information (such as image information read by a scanner) and other data are transmitted / received to / from an external device (network device) such as a PC (personal computer) (not shown).

Here, a communication interface that is not used for remote management is a first communication interface, and a communication interface that is used for remote management is a second communication interface. In this embodiment, the first communication interface is the NIC 101, the second communication interface is the modem 102, the first communication network is the Internet 300, and the second communication network is the public line network 200.
Instead of the MFP 100, other image forming apparatuses such as a copying apparatus, a printer, and a facsimile apparatus can be used.

  In such an image forming apparatus management system, in order to realize remote management, it is possible to send and receive processing requests and responses to methods of applications (application programs) to be mounted on each apparatus by RPC (Remote Procedure Call). Yes. In order to realize RPC, protocols such as SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) can be used.

[Hardware configuration example of management device]
Next, the hardware configuration of the management apparatus 400 in FIG. 1 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the management apparatus 400 of FIG.
The management device 400 includes a NIC 401, a modem 402, a control device 411, a database 412, a communication terminal 416, a proxy server 417, and an operator terminal 418, and connects each part other than the modem 407 via a network 415 such as a LAN. .

The control device 411 includes a microcomputer configured by a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like (not shown), and the CPU executes programs in the ROM and the database 412 as necessary to control the management device 400 as a whole. Various functions can be realized.
The database 412 stores various parameters, programs (management programs, etc.) used for management of the MFP 100, a parameter storage area 413 for storing data input from the operator terminal 418, and counter information (charging counter values, etc.) of the MFP 100. This is a storage means constituted by a counter storage area 414.

The communication terminal 416 performs communication control of the modem 402.
A modem 402 is communicably connected to the MFP 100 via the public line network 200, and modulates and demodulates data to be transmitted and received. The modem 402 and the communication terminal 416 serve as communication means.
The proxy server 417 uses the NIC 401 to communicate with the MFP 100 via the network 41 such as a LAN, the Internet 300, the gateway 500, and the network 11. This proxy server 417 also functions as a communication means.
The operator terminal 418 is an interface for inputting various data by the operator.

[Hardware configuration example of MFP]
Next, the hardware configuration of MFP 100 in FIG. 1 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the MFP 100 in FIG.

  The MFP 100 is an image forming apparatus capable of realizing various functions including a copying machine, a printer, a FAX (fax) apparatus, and a scanner apparatus (service), that is, a copy function, a printer function, a FAX function, and a scanner function. 3, a controller board 110, an operation panel 120, an FCU (fax control unit) 121, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) / I / F 122, an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394 / I / F 123, a plotter / The scanner engine 124 and the peripheral device 125 are configured. These configurations are hardware resources for performing image processing such as image reading, printing (image formation), and image information transmission of a document.

The controller board 110 comprehensively controls each part of the MFP 100. Various functions can be realized by the control.
Operation panel 120 is an interface for an operator who operates MFP 100, and displays various operation keys (also referred to as operation switches or operation buttons) for performing data input and job execution instructions, and various types of information. LCD or CRT character display.

The FCU 121 controls communication with an external device such as a FAX apparatus or an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine having a modem function (FAX communication function) or another MFP via the public line network 200.
The USB I / F 122 and the IEEE 1394 I / F 123 are USB standard and IEEE 1394 standard interfaces (direct interfaces) for directly connecting to an external device for communication.

  The plotter / scanner engine 124 prints the image information read by the scanner (image reading means) and the print information received from the external device as a visible image on paper (or other recording medium). This corresponds to a plotter (image forming means). If the print information received from an external device such as a PC (not shown) is not image information for printing but character code or drawing information, the controller board 110 converts them into image information for printing.

Peripheral machine 125 sorts (sorts), punches (perforates) paper that has been printed by automatic document feeder (ADF) that automatically feeds the document to the image reading position of the scanner or plotter / scanner engine 124. ), A post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing such as stapling.
The controller board 110 includes a CPU 111, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 112, SDRAM 113, flash memory 114, HDD 115, remote management system memory 116, NIC 101, modem 102, and the like.

The CPU 111 is arithmetic processing means that performs data processing (control of each function) via the ASIC 112. The CPU 111 executes a program in the SDRAM 113 and the flash memory 114 (or the HDD 115) as necessary, and controls the apparatus, whereby the first communication means and the second communication means that are functions related to the present invention. Various functions including functions as static route addition means, static route deletion means, connection establishment judgment means, refresh detection means, and refresh means can be realized.
The ASIC 112 is designed to share a device to be controlled by the CPU 111 and to support high efficiency of development of applications and the like from the viewpoint of architecture.
The SDRAM 113 is a memory used as a program memory for storing various programs, a work memory used by the CPU 111 during data processing, or the like.

The flash memory 114 is a non-volatile memory (NV-RAM) that stores various non-volatile data (management information such as model number and IP address) in addition to a boot program and an OS image.
The HDD 115 is a hard disk device (storage means) that is a nonvolatile storage medium, and can store programs such as update firmware and execution firmware.
The remote management system memory 116 is a non-volatile memory that stores various types of information for realizing each function (remote management function) in the remote management system. Information for realizing the remote management function includes information (communication path information) indicating a communication path with the management apparatus 400 including destination information of the management apparatus 400 described later.

The NIC 101 is an interface connected to communicate with the proxy server 417 of the management apparatus 400 via the network 11, the gateway 500, the Internet 300, and the network 41 of FIG.
The modem 102 is communicably connected to the modem 402 of the management apparatus 400 via the public line network 200.

[MFP software configuration example]
Next, the software configuration of the image processing apparatus will be specifically described with reference to FIG. Note that the processing by each program including the NRS application shown below is actually executed by the CPU 111 operating according to those programs. However, for the sake of explanation, these programs execute processing. Thereafter, the same applies to the case where the program is described as performing some processing. “App” is also referred to as “module”.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration example of the MFP 100 in FIG.
The software configuration of the MFP 100 includes an application module layer, a service module layer, and a general-purpose OS layer. Programs constituting these software are stored in the flash memory 114 (or HDD 115).
The CPU 111 activates (executes) the boot program in the flash memory 114 via the ASIC 112, reads the OS image, loads the SDRAM image into the SDRAM 113, expands the OS, and activates the expanded OS. After that, various functions can be realized by reading programs such as applications and services in the flash memory 114 as necessary, loading them in the SDRAM 113, expanding them, starting them, and controlling the apparatus.

  The software in the application module layer is configured by a program for causing a CPU (controller CPU) 111 on the controller board 110 to function as a plurality of application control units that operate hardware resources to realize a predetermined function. The layer software interposes the CPU 111 between the hardware resource and each application control unit, accepts an operation request for the hardware resource from a plurality of application control units, arbitrates the operation request, and performs the operation request. It is constituted by a program for functioning as service control means for performing execution control based on the operation.

  In the application module layer, an NRS application (hereinafter also simply referred to as “NRS”) 151, a copy application 152, a fax application 153, a printer application 154, a scanner application 155, a net file application 156, and a web application 157 are mounted. The service module layer includes an operation control service (OCS) 160, an engine control service (ECS) 161, a memory control service (MCS) 162, a network control service (NCS) 163, a fax control service (FCS) 164, and a system control. A service (SCS) 165, a system resource manager (SRM) 170, an image memory handler (IMH) 171, a delivery control service (DCS) 166, and a user control service (UCS) 167 are implemented. Furthermore, a general-purpose OS 172 is mounted on the general-purpose OS layer.

These will be described in further detail.
The NRS 151 is an application that implements functions related to remote management via the network 11 or the gateway 500 and a scheduler function, such as conversion of data when data is transmitted / received via the network 11 or the gateway 500. It is also an application that performs modem control and implements functions related to remote management via the public network 200 using PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol).
The copy application 152, the fax application 153, the printer application 154, the scanner application 155, the net file application 156, and the web application 157 are applications for realizing the services according to their names.

The OCS 160 is a module that controls the operation panel 120.
The ECS 161 is a module that controls the plotter / scanner engine 124.
The MCS 162 is a module that performs memory control.
The NCS 163 is a module that performs mediation processing between the network 11 and each application in the application module layer.
The FCS 164 is a module that realizes a facsimile function.

The SCS 165 is a module that performs startup management and termination management of each application in the application module layer according to the content of the command, and arbitration of the operation of each application.
The SRM 170 is a module that controls the system and manages resources.
The IMH 171 is a module that manages a memory for temporarily storing image data (image information).
The DCS 166 is a module for transmitting / receiving an image file or the like stored in a memory on the HDD 115 or the controller board 110 using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) or FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

The UCS 167 is a module that manages destination information and user information of a communication partner (except for the management apparatus 400) registered by a device user (user).
The general-purpose OS 172 can use an operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), or Windows (registered trademark). Among them, if UNIX or Linux is used, the safety due to open source is ensured, and there are advantages such as easy source code acquisition. These operating systems are responsible for processing for executing programs in the service module layer and application module layer.

The kernel of the general-purpose OS 172 includes a modem driver 173, a PPP driver 174, and a TCP / IP module 175.
The modem driver 173 and the PPP driver 174 are device control modules that perform PPP communication using the modem 102.
The TCP / IP module 175 has only one routing table. When sending a packet, the TCP / IP module 175 refers to the routing table to determine which router adjacent to the TCP / IP module 175 should transfer the packet. The router that receives the packet repeats the same process and transfers the packets one after another to deliver the packet to the target network.

Hereinafter, each embodiment of the control related to the present invention in the image forming apparatus management system configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
Here, prior to the description of the embodiments of the characteristic portions related to the present invention, the conventional problems will be described with reference to FIG. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 4 is used.
5A and 5B are diagrams showing the contents of the routing table of the TCP / IP module 175 of FIG. 4 in comparison with the conventional one.

(A) of FIG. 5 is communication path information which is information indicating each communication path between the management apparatus 400 and other communication partners set in the routing table.
Conventionally, when an upper layer module NRS 151 and other modules (each upper layer application such as the scanner application 155) specify a destination of a communication partner and request transmission of an IP packet, information on the specified destination ( The communication request to which the IP address is added as a parameter is transmitted to the general-purpose OS 172, and the TCP / IP module 175 of the general-purpose OS 172 that receives the transmission request follows the NIC 101 in accordance with the routing setting shown in FIG. Is selected as a communication interface (communication I / F) for packet transmission.

And according to routing setting, it communicates with a communicating party via the gateway 500 which is a default gateway.
Therefore, even if there are a plurality of communication interfaces (NIC 101 and modem 102), the NRS 151 module (remote management function), which is a higher layer module, and other modules such as the printer application 154 and the scanner application 155 have the same communication interface. Therefore, when communicating with each other at the same time, a plurality of communication interfaces cannot be used at the same time.

  FIG. 5B is obtained by adding a static route to the communication path information shown in FIG. In this case, the above-described communication path information is set in the routing table, and a dummy static route or a correct static route is added (or overwritten) at a predetermined timing.

  In the following embodiment, information indicating a new communication path with the management apparatus 400 (hereinafter referred to as “new communication path information”), that is, destination information of the management apparatus 400 exchanged with the NRS 151 and necessary for communicating with the management apparatus 400 Each information indicating the RAS (Remote Access Service) server, which is the designated gateway, and the modem 102, which is the second communication interface, is stored in advance in the remote management system memory 116, and the NRS 151, which is the upper layer module, When communicating with the management apparatus 400, the new communication path information is added as a static route (correct static route) to the routing table as shown in FIG.

That is, when the management apparatus 400 is designated as the destination of the communication partner and transmission of an IP packet is requested, a dial-up connection request (including a static route addition request) with the information of the designated management apparatus 400 added as a parameter Is transmitted to the modem driver 173, and after the modem driver 173 performs dial-up connection, the static route is added to the routing table.
The TCP / IP module 175 selects the modem 102 (second communication interface) as a communication interface for packet transmission according to the routing setting (static route) as shown in FIG.

And according to routing setting (static route), it communicates with the management apparatus 400 via the RAS server which is a designated gateway.
At this time, according to the routing setting, another module selects the NIC 101 (first communication interface) as a communication interface for packet transmission, uses the NIC 101, and other than the management apparatus 400 via the gateway 500 which is a default gateway. Can communicate with other network devices (external devices such as PCs). That is, a plurality of communication interfaces can be used simultaneously to communicate with a plurality of different communication partners.

  As described above, when there are a plurality of communication interfaces (NIC 101 and modem 102), the module (remote management function) of the NRS 151 which is an upper layer module is the modem 102, and other modules such as the printer application 154 and the scanner application 155 are included. Each NIC 101 is used, and a plurality of communication interfaces can be used simultaneously when communicating with each communication partner at the same time.

[First embodiment]
First, the first embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first example of processing and communication sequence when MFP 100 in FIG. 1 communicates with management apparatus 400.
When the NRS 151 (FIG. 4) of the MFP 100 communicates with the management apparatus 400 which is a communication partner with which it communicates with itself, the new communication path information including the destination information (IP address) is read from the remote management system memory 116 in step S1. . The new communication path information is stored and held in advance in the remote management system memory 116.

Then, communication with the management apparatus 400 is started in step S2, and a dial-up connection request is transmitted to the modem driver 173 in step S3. In the dial-up connection request, new communication path information read from the remote management system memory 116 is added as a parameter.
When the modem driver 173 receives the dial-up connection request, the modem driver 173 performs a dial-up connection for connecting to the modem 402 of the management apparatus 400 using the modem 102 in step S4. At this time, access to the RAS server is performed.

In step S5, it is determined that the dial-up connection is completed (established). Immediately thereafter, the process proceeds to step S6, and the new communication path information added to the received dial-up connection request is set as a static route in FIG. It is added to the routing table of the TCP / IP module 175 as shown in FIG. The additional processing is performed at the time of a dial-up connection request from the NRS 151. Therefore, the NRS 151 performs indirectly, but the NRS 151 may directly perform it according to an instruction from the modem driver 173.
After adding the new communication path information as a static route to the routing table of the TCP / IP module 175, the modem driver 173 returns a dial-up connection response as a response to the dial-up connection request to the NRS 151 in step S7.

  After receiving the dial-up connection response (connection OK response), the NRS 151 performs TCP / IP communication with the management apparatus 400 using the modem driver 173, the PPP driver 174, and the TCP / IP module 175 in steps S8 to S12. Do. At this time, since there is a static route (new communication path information) related to the management apparatus 400 in the routing table of the TCP / IP module 175, the TCP / IP module 175 adopts the modem 102 in step S8 according to the static route. In step S12, the modem driver 173 uses the modem 102 to perform TCP / IP communication with the management apparatus 400 via the RAS server.

  Accordingly, while the NRS 151 is performing TCP / IP communication with the management apparatus 400, the communication path information is not changed in the routing table as shown in FIG. Other modules using the NIC 101 can communicate with a network device other than the management apparatus 400 via the default gateway (gateway 500).

When the TCP / IP communication with the management apparatus 400 is completed in step S13, the NRS 151 transmits a dial-up disconnection request to the modem driver 173 in step S14.
When the modem driver 17 receives the dial-up disconnection request, the modem driver 17 disconnects the dial-up in step S15. If the modem driver 17 determines that the dial-up disconnection is completed in step S16, the modem driver 17 adds it to the routing table of the TCP / IP module 175 in step S17. After the static route is deleted, a dial-up disconnection response that is a response to the dial-up disconnection request is returned to the NRS 151 in step S18.

  According to the first embodiment, the MFP (managed device) is required to communicate with the new communication path information (the management apparatus destination information and the management apparatus) indicating the communication path with the management apparatus that communicates with the NRS module in advance. Each information indicating the designated gateway and the second communication interface) is stored in a nonvolatile memory, and when the NRS module communicates with the management apparatus, the new communication path information is set as a static route in the TCP / IP module. Since it is added to the routing table, by referring to the routing table, the second communication interface (modem) is used to communicate with the management apparatus via the designated gateway (RAS server). By using the first communication interface (NIC) by referring to the routing table, It may communicate with the network device other than the management apparatus 400 via the default gateway. That is, a plurality of communication interfaces can be used simultaneously to communicate with a plurality of different communication partners.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the second embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIG. Since the second embodiment is slightly different from the first embodiment, the description will focus on the differences.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a process and a communication sequence when MFP 100 in FIG. 1 communicates with management apparatus 400.

The NRS 151 (FIG. 4) of the MFP 100 sequentially performs the same processes as steps S1 to S3 in FIG. 6 in steps S21 to S23.
When the modem driver 173 receives the dial-up connection request from the NRS 151, the modem driver 173 performs dial-up connection (PPP connection) for connecting to the modem 402 of the management apparatus 400 using the modem 102 in step S24, and the dial is connected in step S25. Determine whether the up connection succeeded (established) or failed.

  If the dial-up connection is successful (OK), the process proceeds to step S26, and the routing table of the TCP / IP module 175 uses the new communication path information added to the received dial-up connection request as a static route. In step S27, a dial-up connection response (OK) indicating that the dial-up connection is successful, which is a response to the dial-up connection request, is returned to the NRS 151. If the dial-up connection has failed (NG), a static route is not added, and a dial-up connection response (NG indicating that the dial-up connection as a response to the dial-up connection request has failed in step S28. ) To NRS 151.

  When the NRS 151 receives the dial-up connection response (NG) or the dial-up connection response (OK), the NRS 151 determines whether the received dial-up connection response indicates success or failure in step S29. If it indicates success (OK), each process including TCP / IP communication with the management apparatus 400 is sequentially performed in steps S30 to S40 in the same manner as steps S8 to S18 in FIG. 6, indicating failure (NG). If it is, TCP / IP communication with the management apparatus 400 is not performed, and the same processes as steps S13 to S18 of FIG. 6 are sequentially performed in steps S35 to S40.

  According to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, the NRS module transmits a dial-up connection request to the modem driver to communicate with the management apparatus, and the modem driver (dial-up control module) receiving the request uses the modem (second communication interface). If the dial-up connection for connecting to the modem of the management device is performed and the dial-up connection fails, the static route is not added, so that the additional processing is not wasted. Processing efficiency is improved.

[Third embodiment]
Next, the third embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, the control described with reference to FIG. 8 is added to the control of the first embodiment described above, but the control may be added to the control of the second embodiment described above.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a third example of a process and a communication sequence when MFP 100 in FIG. 1 communicates with management apparatus 400.

The NRS 151 (FIG. 4) of the MFP 100 creates dummy communication path information based on the destination of the communication partner in step S41 when a network function for communicating with a network device (a program for realizing a function related to communication) is started. And temporarily stored in the SDRAM 113.
Next, a dial-up connection request is transmitted to the modem driver 173 in step S42. In the dial-up connection request, dummy communication path information is added as a parameter.

When receiving the dial-up connection request, the modem driver 173 performs dial-up connection using the modem 102 in step S43. At this time, access to the RAS server is performed.
Then, after determining that the dial-up connection is completed in step S44, the process proceeds to step S45, where the dummy communication path information added to the received dial-up connection request is used as a static route for routing of the TCP / IP module 175. In step S46, a dial-up connection response, which is a response to the dial-up connection request, is returned to the NRS 151.

  Thereafter, if another application (module) instead of NRS 151 attempts to perform TCP / IP communication with the management apparatus 400 using the modem driver 173, the PPP driver 174, and the TCP / IP module 175 in step S47, the TCP / IP Since there is a dummy static route (communication path information) in the routing table of the IP module 175, the dummy static route is used in step S48. The TCP / IP communication with the management apparatus 400 is performed according to the static route. In step S49, a communication error is transmitted to another application that tried to communicate.

  On the other hand, when communicating with the management apparatus 400, the NRS 151 reads the new communication path information including the destination information from the remote management system memory 116 in step S50, and starts communication with the management apparatus 400 in step S51. In step S52, a dial-up connection request to which the read new communication path information is added as a parameter is transmitted to the modem driver 173.

When receiving the dial-up connection request, the modem driver 173 performs a dial-up connection for connecting to the modem 402 of the management apparatus 400 using the modem 102 in step S53.
In step S54, it is determined that the dial-up connection is completed. Immediately thereafter, the process proceeds to step S55, and the TCP / IP module 175 uses the new communication path information added to the received dial-up connection request as a static route. After overwriting the dummy static route on the routing table, a dial-up connection response, which is a response to the dial-up connection request, is returned to the NRS 151 in step S56.

  After receiving the dial-up connection response, the NRS 151 performs TCP / IP communication with the management apparatus 400 using the modem driver 173, the PPP driver 174, and the TCP / IP module 175 in steps S57 to S61, and in step S62 When the TCP / IP communication is completed, a dial-up disconnection request is transmitted to the modem driver 173 in step S63.

When the modem driver 173 receives the dial-up disconnection request, the modem driver 173 disconnects the dial-up in step S64. If the modem driver 173 determines that the dial-up disconnection is completed in step S65, the modem driver 173 dummy in the routing table of the TCP / IP module 175 in step S66. After the static route overwritten on the static route is deleted, a dial-up disconnection response that is a response to the dial-up disconnection request is returned to the NRS 151 in step S67.
When the NRS 151 receives the dial-up disconnection response, the NRS 151 performs the same processing as that in steps S42 to S46 described above in steps S68 to S72, thereby again using the dummy communication path information as a static route for routing of the TCP / IP module 175. Add to table.

  According to the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment or the second embodiment can be obtained. In addition, since the NRS module adds a dummy static route to the routing table of the TCP / IP module by the modem driver when the network function is activated, the other modules cannot communicate with the management apparatus and are unwilling. It is possible to prevent a packet from being transmitted via an unintended communication interface (modem).

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, the fourth embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, the control described with reference to FIG. 9 is added to the control of the third embodiment described above, but the control may be added to the control of the first embodiment or the second embodiment described above. Good.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a fourth example of a process and a communication sequence when MFP 100 in FIG. 1 communicates with management apparatus 400.
The NRS 151, the modem driver 173, the TCP / IP module 175, and the PPP driver 174 of the MFP 100 sequentially perform the same processes as steps S41 to S46 and S50 to S61 of FIG. 8 in steps S81 to S98.

On the other hand, when the routing table of the TCP / IP module 175 is refreshed (updated) during communication with the management device 400 by the NRS 151 (S98), the SCS 165 detects the refresh in step S100, Report to NRS 151 in S101.
When the NRS 151 receives a notification of refresh of the routing table, the NRS 151 performs the same processing as the steps S68 to S72 in FIG. 8 in the steps S102 to S106, and again sets the dummy communication path information as the static route to the TCP / IP module. 175 is added to the routing table.

  According to the fourth embodiment, the same effects as those of the third embodiment can be obtained. Further, when the NRS module detects that the routing table is refreshed by the SCS module, the modem driver again adds a dummy static route to the routing table of the TCP / IP module so that the routing table is refreshed. Unintentional packets can be prevented from being transmitted via an unintended communication interface (modem).

[Fifth embodiment]
Next, the fifth embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIG. This fifth embodiment
The control described with reference to FIG. 10 is added to the control according to the third embodiment described with reference to FIG. 8, and the control is described with reference to the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and FIG. You may add to the control in any of 4th Example.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fifth example of a process and a communication sequence when MFP 100 in FIG. 1 communicates with management apparatus 400.
Although not shown, the NRS 151, modem driver 173, TCP / IP module 175, and PPP driver 174 of the MFP 100 sequentially perform the same processes as steps S41 to S46 in FIG.
Thereafter, when the NRS 151 communicates with the management apparatus 400, the same processes as in steps S50 to S72 of FIG. 8 are sequentially performed in steps S111 to S133.

On the other hand, when the NCS 163 wants to refresh the routing table of the TCP / IP module 175 in response to a request from the OCS 160 that controls the operation panel 120, the NCS 163 transmits a routing table refresh request to the SCS 165 in step S141. In this example, the request is transmitted during communication with the management apparatus 400 by the NRS 151 (S122).
Upon receiving the routing table refresh request, the SCS 165 inquires of all applications including the NRS 151 whether or not the routing table can be refreshed in step S142. For convenience of illustration, inquiries to applications other than the NRS 151 are omitted in FIG.

  When all the applications including the NRS 151 receive an inquiry as to whether or not the routing table can be refreshed, the following processing is performed in step S143. In other words, a routing table refresh permission response is transmitted to the SCS 165 if communication is not being performed, and a routing table refresh inhibition response is transmitted to the SCS 165 if communication is being performed with the communication partner. In this example, since the NRS 151 is in communication with the management apparatus 400, a routing table refresh prohibition response is transmitted to the SCS 165.

When the SCS 165 receives the routing table refresh permission response or the routing table refresh prohibition response from all the applications including the NRS 151, the SCS 165 delivers the received response to the NCS 163 in step S144.
Upon receiving the response from the SCS 165, the NCS 163 determines whether or not to refresh the routing table of the TCP / IP module 175 based on the content of the response in step S145. In this example, since the routing table refresh prohibition response is received from the NRS 151 via the SCS 165, the routing table of the TCP / IP module 175 is not refreshed (prohibited), but the routing table is refreshed from any application. When the permission response is received, the routing table of the TCP / IP module 175 is refreshed.

  According to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as any one of the first to fourth embodiments. In addition, the NCS module inquires of all applications (upper layer modules) including the NRS 151 whether or not the routing table can be refreshed via the SCS module. When a refresh prohibition response is received, the routing table of the TCP / IP module 175 is prohibited from being refreshed, so that the routing table is not refreshed during communication of an upper layer module (such as an NRS module), and is transmitted. It is possible to prevent the packet from being leaked outside via an unintended communication interface (modem).

[Sixth embodiment]
Next, the sixth embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIG. In the sixth embodiment, the control described with reference to FIG. 11 is added to the control of the third embodiment described with reference to FIG. 8, and the control is described with reference to FIGS. You may add to control in any of 1st Example, 2nd Example, and 4th Example.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a sixth example of a process and a communication sequence when MFP 100 in FIG. 1 communicates with management apparatus 400.
Although not shown, the NRS 151, modem driver 173, TCP / IP module 175, and PPP driver 174 of the MFP 100 sequentially perform the same processes as steps S41 to S46 in FIG.
Thereafter, when the NRS 151 communicates with the management apparatus 400, the same processes as in steps S50 to S61 in FIG. 8 are sequentially performed in steps S151 to S162.

On the other hand, when the NCS 163 wants to refresh the routing table of the TCP / IP module 175 in response to a request from the OCS 160 that controls the operation panel 120, the NCS 163 transmits a routing table refresh request to the SCS 165 in step S163. In this example, the request is transmitted during communication with the management apparatus 400 by the NRS 151 (S162).
Upon receiving the routing table refresh request, the SCS 165 inquires of all applications including the NRS 151 whether or not the routing table can be refreshed in step S164. For convenience of illustration, inquiries to applications other than the NRS 151 are omitted in FIG.

  All applications including the NRS 151 perform the following processing when receiving an inquiry as to whether or not the routing table can be refreshed. That is, when communication is not performed, a routing table refresh permission response is transmitted to the SCS 165 although illustration is omitted. The subsequent control is as described with reference to FIG. As in this example, when communication with the communication partner (in this example, the management device 400) is in progress, the communication with the management device 400 is forcibly terminated (communication in the application layer is stopped) in step S165, and step S166 is performed. The line forced disconnection request is transmitted to the modem driver 173.

  Upon receiving the line forced disconnection request, the modem driver 173 immediately disconnects the dial-up (line) in step S167. If the modem driver 173 determines that the dial-up disconnection is completed in step S168, the modem driver 173 determines in step S169 that the TCP / IP module 175 After deleting the static route added to the routing table, a dial-up disconnection response is returned to the NRS 151 in step S170.

When receiving the dial-up disconnection response, the NRS 151 transmits a routing table refresh permission response to the SCS 165 in step S171.
When the SCS 165 receives the routing table refresh permission response from the NRS 151, the SCS 165 passes the received response to the NCS 163 in step S172.
Upon receiving the routing table refresh permission response from the SCS 165, the NCS 163 refreshes the routing table of the TCP / IP module 175 in step S173.

  According to the sixth embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as any one of the first to fourth embodiments. In addition, the NCS module inquires of all applications (upper layer modules) including the NRS 151 whether or not the routing table can be refreshed via the SCS module. If communication is forcibly terminated, the NCS module refreshes the routing table of the TCP / IP module 175 so that the routing table is refreshed during communication of the higher layer module (such as the NRS module). Therefore, it is possible to prevent a packet to be transmitted from being leaked outside via an unintended communication interface (modem).

  In the above embodiment, the MFP having the communication function has been described as an example of the communication apparatus (managed apparatus) according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming apparatus other than the MFP having the communication function is described. Network equipment that has communication functions, vending machines, medical equipment, power supply equipment, air-conditioning systems, gas / water / electricity metering systems, AV equipment, amusement equipment And various electronic devices (communication devices) having a communication function, including computers that can be connected to a network. Even when these communication devices are managed devices, the remote management system can be operated in the same manner as described above.

[Program related to this invention]
This program is provided to a computer (CPU) that controls a communication device, in which first communication means, second communication means, static route addition means, static route deletion means, connection establishment determination means, refresh detection means, and refresh This is a program for realizing functions as means, and by causing a computer to execute such a program, the above-described effects can be obtained.

Such a program may be stored in a storage means such as a ROM or an HDD (hard disk device) provided in the communication device from the beginning, but is a CD-ROM or flexible disk as a recording medium, MO, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD + R, DVD + RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, or DVD-RAM, an EEPROM, a non-volatile recording medium (memory) such as a memory card, and the like can also be provided. The program recorded on the non-volatile recording medium can be installed in the communication device and executed by the CPU, or the CPU can read out and execute the program from the non-volatile recording medium to execute the above-described procedures. it can.
Furthermore, it is also possible to download and execute an external device that is connected to a network and includes a recording medium that records the program, or an external device that stores the program in the storage unit.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a communication device can communicate with a plurality of different communication partners simultaneously using a plurality of communication interfaces. Therefore, it is possible to provide a communication device that can communicate using a plurality of communication interfaces efficiently.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the management apparatus 400 of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an MFP 100 in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which similarly shows a software structural example. It is a figure which shows the content of the routing table of the TCP / IP module 175 of FIG. 4 compared with the past.

2 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a process and a communication sequence when MFP 100 in FIG. 1 communicates with management apparatus 400. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second example of processing and a communication sequence when MFP 100 communicates with management apparatus 400. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a third example of a process and a communication sequence when MFP 100 communicates with management apparatus 400. FIG.

10 is a diagram illustrating a fourth example of processing and a communication sequence when MFP 100 communicates with management apparatus 400. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fifth example of a process and a communication sequence when MFP 100 communicates with management apparatus 400. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a sixth example of a process and a communication sequence when MFP 100 communicates with management apparatus 400. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

11, 41, 415: Network 100: MFP 101, 401: NIC
102, 402: Modem 110: Controller board 111: CPU
112: ASIC 113: SDRAM 114: Flash memory 115: HDD 116: Memory for remote management system 120: Operation panel 121: FCU 122: USB • I / F 123: IEEE1394 • I / F
124: Plotter / scanner engine 125: Peripheral device 151: NRS application 152: Copy application 153: Fax application 154: Printer application 155: Scanner application 156: Net file application 157: Web application 160: Operation control service 161: Engine control service 162 : Memory control service 163: Network control service 164: Fax control service 165: System control service 166: Delivery control service 167: User control service 170: System resource manager 171: Image memory handler 172: General-purpose OS 173: Modem driver 174: PPP Driver 175: TCP / IP module 2 0: public network 300: Internet 400: management apparatus 411: control unit 412: database 413: parameter storing area 414: counter storage area 416, the communication terminal 417: the proxy server 418: the operator terminal 500: Gateway

Claims (16)

A first communication interface that communicates with each communication destination using a first communication interface connected to a first communication network or a second communication interface connected to a second communication network different from the first communication network. A communication device having a second communication unit and a routing table to be referred to when the first and second communication units communicate with each other;
Storage means for storing communication path information indicating a communication path with a communication partner communicating with the second communication means;
Prior to communication with the communication partner by the second communication means, there is provided static route addition means for adding the communication path information stored in the storage means to the routing table as a static route. A communication device. The communication device according to claim 1.
Prior to communication with the communication partner by the second communication means, provided is a connection establishment determination means for determining whether or not a connection between the second communication interface and the second communication network has been established,
The static route adding means stores the communication stored in the storage means when the connection establishment determining means determines that the connection between the second communication interface and the second communication network is established. A communication apparatus that adds route information as a static route to the routing table. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2,
The communication apparatus, wherein the second communication network is a communication network using a telephone line. The communication device according to claim 3.
A communication apparatus between the second communication interface and the second communication network uses PPP. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A communication apparatus, comprising: a static route deletion unit that deletes a static route added to the routing table when communication with a communication partner by the second communication unit is completed. The communication device according to claim 5.
The static route adding means includes means for adding a dummy static route to the routing table when the first communication means or the second communication means is activated, and a communication partner by the second communication means. Prior to communication, a means for overwriting the dummy static route added to the routing table as a correct static route with the communication path information stored in the storage means, and a communication partner by the second communication means And the means for adding the dummy static route to the routing table again when the overwritten static route is deleted by the static route deleting means. A communication device. The communication device according to claim 6.
Providing a refresh detection means for detecting that the routing table is refreshed;
The static route adding unit adds a dummy static route to the routing table again when the refresh detection unit detects that the routing table is refreshed. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Providing a refresh means for refreshing the routing table;
The refresh means includes a refresh availability inquiry means for inquiring whether the routing table can be refreshed to the first communication means and the second communication means, and in response to an inquiry by the refresh availability inquiry means. And a means for prohibiting refresh of the routing table when receiving a refresh prohibition response of the routing table,
Each of the first communication means and the second communication means sends a refresh prohibition response of a routing table when the communication with the communication partner is in response to the inquiry by the refresh permission / inquiry means. A communication device comprising means for transmitting to a communication device. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Providing a refresh means for refreshing the routing table;
The refresh means includes a refresh availability inquiry means for inquiring whether the routing table can be refreshed to the first communication means and the second communication means, and in response to an inquiry by the refresh availability inquiry means. And a means for permitting refresh of the routing table when receiving a refresh permission response of the routing table,
Each of the first communication means and the second communication means forcibly cuts off the line in communication when the refresh communication inquiry means is in communication with a communication partner. And a means for transmitting a refresh permission response of a routing table to the refresh means after the communication line is forcibly cut off by the means. A first communication interface that communicates with each communication destination using a first communication interface connected to a first communication network or a second communication interface connected to a second communication network different from the first communication network. A control method in a communication device having a second communication unit and a routing table to be referred to when the first and second communication units communicate with each other,
Communication path information indicating a communication path with a communication partner communicating with the second communication means is stored in advance in a memory, and stored in the memory prior to communication with the communication partner by the second communication means. And adding the communication path information as a static route to the routing table. A first communication interface that communicates with each communication destination using a first communication interface connected to a first communication network or a second communication interface connected to a second communication network different from the first communication network. Communication path information indicating a communication path between a second communication means, a routing table referred to when the first and second communication means perform communication, and a communication partner communicating with the second communication means; A computer for controlling a communication device having storage means for storing;
A program for realizing a static route addition function of adding the communication path information stored in the storage unit as a static route to the routing table prior to communication with a communication partner by the second communication unit. The program according to claim 11, wherein
The computer has a connection establishment determination function for determining whether or not a connection between the second communication unit and the second communication network is established prior to communication with the communication partner by the second communication unit. It is a program to realize,
The static route addition function is configured to store the communication stored in the storage unit when the connection establishment determination function determines that the connection between the second communication interface and the second communication network is established. A program that adds route information as a static route to the routing table. The program according to claim 11 or 12,
A program for realizing, in the computer, a static route deletion function for deleting a static route added to the routing table when communication with a communication partner by the second communication unit is completed. The program according to claim 13, wherein
The static route addition function includes a function of adding a dummy static route to the routing table when the first communication unit or the second communication unit is activated, and a communication partner by the second communication unit. Prior to communication, the function of overwriting the dummy static route added to the routing table as a correct static route with the communication path information stored in the storage means, and the communication partner by the second communication means And when the overwritten static route is deleted by the static route deletion function, the dummy static route is added to the routing table again. A featured program. The program according to claim 14, wherein
The computer is a program for realizing a refresh detection function for detecting that the routing table is refreshed,
The program according to claim 1, wherein the static route addition function adds a dummy static route to the routing table again when it is detected that the routing table is refreshed by the refresh detection function.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program as described in any one of Claims 11 thru | or 15.

Images