JP2011044009A - Image forming system, image terminal device and program for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system, an image terminal device and a program for the same. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming system includes a plurality of networks, a server and a client. A network address is independently given to each of the networks at an arbitrary time point in each of the networks. An image forming device transmits the network address used for access and individual identification information in response to a request. A client stores information about each of the image forming devices having been accessed, makes a request to transmit the network address and an individual identification number by broadcast from the network connected with the image forming device when access using the stored information fails, and accesses the image forming device by use of the network address of the image forming device when the individual identification information included in a response indicates the desired image forming device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image terminal device, and a program thereof.

  For example, Patent Document 1 stores the MAC address information of a printer device at the time of driver installation, and detects the IP address of the printer whose IP address has been changed when the next printing is performed based on the information. A print control apparatus that automatically sets the IP address and performs printing is disclosed.

JP 2007-140957 A

  According to the present invention, even if the network address of the image forming apparatus is changed at any time by the network to which the image forming apparatus is connected, the image forming apparatus is connected to the image forming apparatus other than the network to which the image forming apparatus is connected. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system, an image terminal device, and a program thereof that can be accessed from an image terminal device connected to a network.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of networks, one or more image forming apparatuses included in each of the plurality of networks, and one or more images included in each of the plurality of networks are provided. An image forming system including a terminal device, wherein each of the plurality of networks includes one or more image forming devices for accessing the image forming device from the one or more image terminal devices. A network address used for the network is assigned at any time independently of other networks, and each of the image forming apparatuses identifies individual identification information for identifying each of the image forming apparatuses and the connected network. A network used for access from the image terminal apparatus to the connected image forming apparatus. In accordance with a request from the outside, the work identification information has information transmitting means for transmitting the individual identification information and the network address of the image forming apparatus to the request source, and each of the image terminal apparatuses has accessed Storage means for storing the network address, the individual identification information and the network identification information of each image forming apparatus, and an access means for accessing the image forming apparatus using the network identification information and the network address. The accessed image forming apparatus is connected to the accessed image forming apparatus other than when the accessed image forming apparatus can be accessed using the stored network identification information and network address. Network identification information Each of the image forming apparatuses connected to the network has information requesting means for requesting the network address and the individual identification information, and the access means can select any of the image forming apparatuses according to the request. The image forming system accesses the image forming apparatus using the network address of the image forming apparatus when the individual identifying information returned from the image matches the stored individual identifying information.

  In the invention according to claim 2 of the present application, each of the image terminal devices further includes identification information receiving means for receiving one or more pieces of the network identification information, and the information requesting means receives each of the received network identification information. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the network address, the individual identification information, and the apparatus identification information are requested to each of the image forming apparatuses connected to the network indicated by the network identification information.

  In the invention according to claim 3 of the present application, the identification information receiving means includes network identification information of a network that has been accessed by the image terminal device, and network identification information of a network that can be accessed by the image terminal device, or these The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein one or more of the network identification information is accepted.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, each of the image terminal apparatuses further includes a processing information transmitting unit that transmits information used for processing to the image forming apparatus that the access unit can access. The image forming system according to any one of the above.

  In the invention according to claim 5 of the present application, the image forming apparatus prints an image indicated by information sent from the image terminal apparatus, and the information used for the processing indicates an image printed by the printing apparatus. 5. The image forming system according to claim 4, which is information.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of networks, one or more image forming apparatuses included in each of the plurality of networks, and one or more images included in any of the plurality of networks, respectively. And a network address used for accessing the image forming apparatus from one or more image terminal apparatuses when each of the plurality of networks includes one or more image forming apparatuses. In each of the networks that are assigned at any time independently of the other networks, each of the image forming apparatuses identifies individual identification information for identifying each of the image forming apparatuses and the connected network, and is connected to the network. A network used for accessing the image forming apparatus from the image terminal apparatus In response to a request from the outside, the individual identification information and the network address of the image forming apparatus are transmitted to the request source, and each of the image terminal apparatuses has accessed the image identification information. Storage means for storing the network address of each forming apparatus, the individual identification information and the network identification information, an access means for accessing the image forming apparatus using the network identification information and the network address, and the access means However, using the stored network identification information and network address, the network identification to which the accessed image forming apparatus is connected other than when the accessed image forming apparatus can be accessed This network with information Each of the connected image forming apparatuses has information request means for requesting the network address and the individual identification information, and the access means is returned from any of the image forming apparatuses in response to the request. When the individual identification information matches the stored individual identification information, the image terminal apparatus accesses the image forming apparatus using the network address of the image forming apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 7 of the present application further includes identification information receiving means for receiving one or more of the network identification information, and the information requesting means uses each of the received network identification information to identify the network identification. The image terminal apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the network address and the individual identification information are requested to each of the image forming apparatuses connected to the network indicated by the information.

  In the invention according to claim 8 of the present application, the identification information receiving means includes network identification information of a network that has been accessed by the image terminal device, and network identification information of a network that can be accessed by the image terminal device, or these The image terminal device according to claim 7, wherein one or more of the network identification information is accepted.

  The invention according to claim 9 of the present application further includes processing information transmission means for transmitting information used for processing to the image forming apparatus that can be accessed by the access means. It is a terminal device.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus prints an image indicated by sent information, and the information used for the processing is information indicating an image printed by the printing apparatus. 9. The image terminal device according to 9.

  The invention according to claim 11 of the present application is included in any of the plurality of networks, each of the plurality of networks, one or more image forming apparatuses having a computer, and each of the plurality of networks. A program in an image forming system having one or more image terminal devices having a computer, wherein each of the plurality of networks includes one or more of the image forming devices, and one or more for the image forming device A network address used for access from the image terminal device is assigned at an arbitrary time independently of other networks, and each of the image forming devices is connected to individual identification information for identifying each of the image forming devices. Identifying the network being connected and forming the image connected to the network Network identification information used for access from the image terminal device to the device, and in response to a request from the outside, the computer of the image forming device can request the individual of the image forming device. The step of transmitting the identification information and the network address is executed, and the network address, the individual identification information, and the network identification information of each of the image forming apparatuses that have been accessed are stored in the computer of each of the image terminal apparatuses. Using the storage means, accessing the image forming apparatus using the network identification information and the network address; and accessing the image forming apparatus using the stored network identification information and network address. There is an image forming device The network address and the individual identification are assigned to each image forming apparatus connected to the network using the network identification information to which the image forming apparatus that has been accessed is connected. The step of requesting information is performed, and the step of accessing stores the individual identification information returned from any of the image forming apparatuses in response to the request in the computer of the image terminal apparatus. A program for accessing the image forming apparatus using the network address of the image forming apparatus when it matches the individual identification information.

  The invention according to claim 12 includes a plurality of networks, one or more image forming apparatuses included in each of the plurality of networks, and a computer included in each of the plurality of networks. One or more image terminal devices, and each of the plurality of networks includes one or more image forming devices for accessing the image forming device from the one or more image terminal devices. A network program for assigning a network address to be used at an arbitrary time independently of other networks, each of the image forming apparatuses being connected to individual identification information used to identify the image forming apparatus Identifying the network being connected and forming the image connected to this network In response to a request from the outside, the individual identification information and the network address of the image forming apparatus are transmitted to the request source in response to an external request. Storing the network address, the individual identification information, and the network identification information of each image forming apparatus that has accessed the computer of each of the image terminal apparatuses, and using the network identification information and the network address. The access to the image forming apparatus, and the access means uses the stored network identification information and network address to access the image forming apparatus that has been accessed. The picture which has been done Using the network identification information to which the forming apparatus was connected, causing each of the image forming apparatuses connected to the network to execute the step of requesting the network address and the individual identification information, and the step of accessing When the individual identification information returned from any of the image forming apparatuses in response to the request matches the stored individual identification information, the computer of the image terminal apparatus This is a program for accessing the image forming apparatus using a network address.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the network address of the image forming apparatus is changed at an arbitrary time by the network to which the image forming apparatus is connected, the image forming apparatus is connected to the image forming apparatus. Provided is an image forming system that can be accessed from an image terminal device connected to a network other than the connected network.

  According to the invention of claim 2 of the present application, even if the network to which the image forming apparatus to be connected is connected is further changed, the network other than the network to which the image forming apparatus is connected is connected to the image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 1, which can be accessed from an image terminal device connected to a network.

  According to the invention of claim 3 of the present application, a network to which an image forming apparatus that has been accessed by the image terminal apparatus is connected, a network that can be accessed from the image terminal apparatus, or any one of these. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the printer apparatus can be used.

  According to the invention of claim 4 of the present application, information used for processing can be transmitted from the image terminal apparatus to the accessible image forming apparatus. A system is provided.

  According to the invention of claim 5 of the present application, an image forming system according to claim 4 suitable for network printing is provided.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, even if the network address of the image forming apparatus is changed at an arbitrary time by the network to which the image forming apparatus is connected, the image forming apparatus is connected to the image forming apparatus. An image terminal device that can be accessed from an image terminal device connected to a network other than the connected network is provided.

  According to the invention of claim 7 of the present application, even if the network to which the image forming apparatus to be connected is connected is further changed, the network other than the network to which the image forming apparatus is connected is connected to the image forming apparatus. The image terminal device according to claim 6, which can be accessed from an image terminal device connected to a network.

  According to the invention of claim 8 of the present application, the image terminal according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein information used for processing can be transmitted from the image terminal apparatus to an accessible image forming apparatus. An apparatus is provided.

  According to the invention of claim 9 of the present application, an image terminal device according to claim 7 suitable for image formation via a network is provided.

  According to the invention of claim 10 of the present application, a network to which an image forming apparatus that has been accessed by the image terminal apparatus is connected, a network that can be accessed from the image terminal apparatus, or any of these. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the printer apparatus can be used.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, even if the network address of the image forming apparatus is changed at any time by the network to which the image forming apparatus is connected, the image forming apparatus is connected to the image forming apparatus. An image forming system program that can be accessed from an image terminal device connected to a network other than the connected network is provided.

  According to the invention of the twelfth aspect, even if the network address of the image forming apparatus is changed at an arbitrary time by the network to which the image forming apparatus is connected, the image forming apparatus is connected to the image forming apparatus. Provided is a program for an image terminal device that can be accessed from an image terminal device connected to a network other than the connected network.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a first image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present application. It is a figure which shows the structure of the printer apparatus program run on the printer apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the image terminal program run on the image terminal computer shown in FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a first initial setting operation (S10) of a print port in an image terminal computer by the image terminal program shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the 1st print output operation | movement (S14) to the printer apparatus (FIG. 1, FIG. 2) by the image terminal program shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a first communication sequence diagram showing a first overall operation (S18) of the image forming system shown in FIG. 1 and the like. It is a figure which illustrates the structure of the 2nd image forming system of 2nd Embodiment of this application. 4 is a flowchart showing a second initial setting operation (S20) of a print port in an image terminal computer by the image terminal program 16 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the 2nd print output operation | movement (S22) to a printer apparatus (FIG. 7) by the image terminal program shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a second communication sequence diagram showing a second overall operation (S24) of the image forming system shown in FIG. 7 and the like.

[Background to the embodiment of the present application]
Before explaining the embodiment of the present application, in order to help understanding thereof, the background of the embodiment of the present application will be described.

[General image forming method via network]
In order to use one printer from a plurality of image terminal computers, a printer having a network interface is generally connected to a LAN (local network), and the printers are used from a plurality of image terminal computers via the LAN. (Network printing method) is used.
When this method is adopted, it is necessary for the image terminal computer to know in advance the address of the connection destination in order to establish an IP connection to the printer device connected to the LAN.

In order to assign an address to a printer device via a network, a statically fixed IP address is assigned to the printer device in advance (fixed address), or DHCP (Dynamic A method of dynamically assigning an address (dynamic address) is used in response to an address assignment request from a printer connected to the LAN using a Host Configuration Protocol server.
In the fixed address method, since the IP address of the printer device is fixed, once the IP address is set on the image terminal computer side, the printer device can be used without changing the IP address thereafter.

On the other hand, in the dynamic address method, the IP address assigned to the printer device is, for example, when the printer device is turned off and the IP address set in the printer device is no longer used and becomes unnecessary. There is a possibility that this IP address may be reassigned to another node connected to the network (hereinafter, a device that can be a subject of information processing / information communication may be collectively referred to as “node”).
In such a case, even when the printer apparatus is turned on again, there is a possibility that an IP address different from that before the power is turned off is assigned to the printer apparatus.

In such a case, the image terminal computer cannot use the printer apparatus unless the IP address of the printer apparatus before the power is turned off is changed to the IP address after the power is turned on again.
In a printer device connected to an IP network, when the assigned IP address changes, a method for automatically setting a printer address at a print port set on an image terminal computer is, for example, the above-mentioned patent document Further, as products using the same method, there are “Bonjour (registered trademark)” of Apple Inc. and “WS-Discovery (registered trademark)” of Microsoft et al.
In the method disclosed in the above document, the address (MAC address) in the physical layer of the network port of the printer device is stored on the image terminal computer side, and when connecting to the printer device, the image terminal computer stores this MAC address. The printer device is searched as a key and an address is acquired.
Also, the above “Bonjour” and “WS-Discovery”. Each uses a unique LAN protocol, and is configured to manage IP addresses among a plurality of networks.

[problem]
In general, the image terminal computer and the printer device are generally connected, for example, in the same LAN used in one department, that is, in the same lower network. A printer device can be used from a terminal computer.
However, for example, when the department scale increases or the network configuration is complicated, the image terminal computer prints using a printer device connected to a lower network different from the lower network to which the image terminal computer is connected. May need to be made, or such a setting may be made between lower networks.

In addition, for example, the image terminal computer and the printer device may be installed on different floors.
Even in such a case, according to the above-described method, the IP address is managed by being closed to the lower network, so that it is not possible to cope with it for the following reasons, or it becomes difficult to cope with it.
Since the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses the MAC address when the connection between the image terminal computer and the printer device is confirmed, it cannot be applied when they are connected across lower networks.
In addition, the above “Bonjour” and “WS-Discovery” are basically configured to discover service devices within the same subordinate network, and search for nodes across multiple subordinate networks. When connecting, “Bonjour” requires a “DDNS” service, and “WS-Discovery” requires a server that provides a “WS-Discovery Proxy” service, which complicates network management.

[Outline of the embodiment of the present application]
The present embodiment is
(1) When the image terminal computer manages the port of the printer device, the individual identification information (model number and serial number) of the printer device when the printer device was last used and the lower level network to which the printer device is connected Printer information (MIB), including the network address, is obtained by SNMP, associated with the print port information, and recorded;
(2) When the image terminal computer prints using the printer device, the last used IP address cannot be connected, or the connected node is an individual different from the last used printer device. Is found, the last used printer device is searched in the lower level network to which the last used printer device is connected using the IP address;
(3) It is determined whether or not the individual identification information of the printer device obtained as a result of the search matches the individual identification information stored for the last used printer device. Using the address, the print port of the image terminal computer is reset and printing is continued.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present application will be described.
In the first embodiment of the present application, when the image terminal computer 10 and the printer device 12 are connected to the same LAN 118, the image terminal computer 10 automatically prints out the printer for the sake of specific description and clarification. The case of obtaining the address information of the device 12 is a specific example.

[Image forming system 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a first image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present application.
As shown in FIG. 1, the first image forming system 1 includes two LANs (Local Area Networks) 118-1 and 118-2 that are communicably connected to each other via a wide area network 120. The
A plurality of image terminal computers 10-1 to 10-n (n ≧ 1, where n does not always indicate the same number; n = 2 in FIG. 1) is connected to the LAN 118-1. 2, one image terminal computer 10-3 and the printer device 12 are connected to each other via the LAN 118 and the network 120 so as to be able to communicate with other nodes.

In the image forming system 1, the image terminal computer 10 connected to the LAN 118-1 performs printing using the printer device 12 connected to another lower network (subnetwork; LAN 118-2) using these components. .
Note that a DNS (not shown) is actually connected to the LANs 118-1 and 118-2, and the IP address of each node connected to the LAN 118-2, such as the image terminal computer 10-3 and the printer device 12, is It can be changed at any time unrelated to the operation of the LAN 118-1.
In addition, each node can obtain the address information of an arbitrary node of the LAN 118 connected to the same node by making an inquiry to the DNS connected to the same LAN 118, and can establish a communication connection.

In the following, in each figure, substantially the same components and processes are denoted by the same reference numerals.
In addition, the number of components shown in each drawing is an exemplification, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention, and an increase or decrease in the number of components does not affect the technical scope of the present invention.
Also, a plurality of components that may exist, such as “LAN 118-1 and 118-2”, may be simply abbreviated as “LAN 118” or the like.
The functions of the image terminal computer 10 and the printer device 12 can be realized by software processing executed on the computer, by dedicated hardware, or by a combination of general-purpose hardware. For the sake of concreteness and clarification, a case in which the functions of the image terminal computer 10 and the printer device 12 are realized by software processing executed on the computer is taken as a specific example.

[hardware]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image terminal computer 10 includes a main body 100, an input / output device 106, a communication device 110, an HDD, a CD device, a DVD device, and the like, and stores data in a storage medium 114. -It is comprised from the memory | storage device 112 which performs reproduction | regeneration.
The main body 100 includes a CPU 102, a memory 104, and peripheral circuits thereof.
The input / output device 106 including a display device, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like includes a display device, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like.
The communication device 110 is used for communication with nodes connected via the same LAN 118 as the image terminal computer 10 and other nodes via the network 120 and other LAN 118.

In the printer device 12, a print processing unit 116 that performs print processing is further added to the image terminal computer 10.
That is, the image terminal computer 10 has a component as a computer that can communicate with other nodes via a network, for example, by TCP / IP.
In addition, the printer device 12 includes a component as a computer capable of printing image data, text data, and the like received from another node via TCP / IP, for example.

[software]
Hereinafter, software operating on the image terminal computer 10 and the printer device 12 will be described.

[Printer device program 122]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the printer device program 122 executed on the printer device 12 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the printer device program 122 includes a communication processing unit 124, a printer information transmission unit 126, a storage unit 128, and a print processing unit 130.
The printer device program 122 is supplied to the printer device 12 via the storage medium 114 (FIG. 1) or the network 120 and the LAN 118, loaded into the memory 104, and operates on the printer device 12 (Windows (registered trademark)). ), MacOS (registered trademark), etc. (not shown), which is executed by specifically using hardware resources of the printer device 12 (the same applies to the following programs).
The printer device program 122 receives these image data from the image terminal computer 10 and prints them out by these components, and requests individual identification information of the printer device 12 in response to a request from the image terminal computer 10. Send back to the original.

In the printer device program 122, the communication processing unit 124 controls the communication device 110 (FIG. 1) and performs processing for communication with other nodes via the LAN 118 and the network 120.
That is, the communication processing unit 124 outputs this request to the communication processing unit 124 when the image terminal computer 10 requests individual identification information and the like.
In addition, the communication processing unit 124 outputs data indicating an image to be printed by the print processing unit 116, such as image data transmitted from the image terminal computer 10, to the print processing unit 130.

The storage unit 128 stores individual identification information used for individual identification of each printer device 12 such as the product type name and serial number of each printer device 12.
In addition, the storage unit 128 is used for access to the printer apparatus 12 from other nodes, such as LAN information indicating the LAN 118 to which the printer apparatus 12 is connected, such as an IP address given from the DNS (not shown) of the LAN 118. (The LAN information and the network address are treated as a unit in an IP address, for example, and are hereinafter collectively referred to as “address information”).

In response to a request from the image terminal computer 10 or the like, the printer information transmission unit 126 reads the individual identification information, the LAN information, and the network address information from the storage unit 128 and transmits them to the request source via the communication processing unit 124. return.
The print processing unit 130 controls the print processing unit 116 (FIG. 1) to print out the image data sent from the image terminal computer 10.

[Image terminal program 16]
Next, the image terminal program 16 executed on the image terminal computer 10 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image terminal program 16 executed on the image terminal computer 10 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the image terminal program 16 includes a communication processing unit 124, a storage unit 128, a printer information search unit 162, a printer information acquisition unit 164, a printer information management unit 166, a print port setting unit 170, a user interface unit ( UI) 172, a printing processing unit 174, and a printing port 176.
The OS generally used currently operating on the image terminal computer 10 is incorporated with the print processing unit 174 and connected to the printer apparatus 12 (print port 176) for connection to the printer apparatus 12. And setting.
With these components, the image terminal program 16 accesses the printer device 12 via the LAN 118 and the network 120 to print out image data and the like.

In the image terminal program 16, the communication processing unit 124 controls the print processing unit 116 in the same way as in the printer device program 122 (FIG. 2), and communicates with each node connected via the network 120 and the LAN 118. Process for.
Further, the communication processing unit 124 receives image data and the like for causing the printer device 12 to print out the print data from the print processing unit 174 via the print port 176 and transmits the image data to the printer device 12.

The storage unit 128 associates the individual identification information and the address information obtained at the time of the last print output among the individual identification information and the address information of all the printer apparatuses 12 for which the image terminal computer 10 has performed the print output. And remember.
The print port setting unit 170 uses the information stored in the storage unit 128 to control each component of the image terminal program 16, and between the image terminal computer 10 and the printer device 12 that prints out image data and the like. Connect.

The printer information search unit 162 uses the address information stored in the storage unit 128 to print the printer device 12 at the time of the last print output when the print port setting unit 170 fails to connect to the desired printer device 12. A signal for requesting transmission of the individual identification information and the address information is transmitted in a broadcast (BC) format to the node connected to the LAN 118-2 to which is connected.
Further, the printer information search unit 162 receives the individual identification information and the address information returned from the node connected to the LAN 118 in response to the transmission request, and outputs them to the printer information acquisition unit 164.

The printer information acquisition unit 164 compares the individual identification information input from the printer information search unit 162 with the individual identification information stored in the storage unit 128, and uses the address information of the printer device 12 that matches these as the printer information. The data is output to the management unit 166 and the print port setting unit 170.
The printer information management unit 166 stores the address information input from the printer information acquisition unit 164 in the storage unit 128 as the address information of the printer device 12 determined by the printer information acquisition unit 164 to match the individual identification information. .

The UI 172 displays a GUI image (not shown) on the display device of the input / output device 106 (FIG. 1), accepts a user operation input in accordance with the GUI image, and transmits information indicated by this operation to other information. Output to component part.
The print processing unit 174 converts image data or the like generated by an image generation device (not shown) into a format that can be printed by the printer device 12, and when the image terminal computer 10 and the printer device 12 are connected. The data is transmitted to the printer device 12 via the LAN 118 and the network 120.
The print port 176 accepts image data or the like to be printed out by the printer device 12 from the print processing unit 174, outputs it to the communication processing unit 124, and transmits image data or the like to the printer device 12. To control.

[First operation of image terminal program 16]
Hereinafter, the first operation of the image terminal program 16 will be described.
First, a first initial setting operation in the image terminal computer 10 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a first initial setting operation (S10) of the print port 176 in the image terminal computer 10 by the image terminal program 16 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, each component of the image terminal program 16 starts processing in accordance with the control of the print port setting unit 170 according to a user operation on the UI 172.
In step 104 (S104), the print port setting unit 170 refers to the individual identification information of the desired printer device 12 stored in the storage unit 128 and the address information (LAN information) of the LAN 118-2. The LAN 118 to be searched by the device 12 is determined.
In step 106 (S106), the print port setting unit 170 controls the printer information search unit 162, and for all nodes of the LAN 118-2 indicated by the LAN information to which the desired printer 12 is connected, Individual identification information and address information are requested (searched) in a broadcast format.
Upon receiving this request, the node (printer device 12; FIGS. 1 and 2) returns the requested individual identification information and address information to the image terminal computer 10.

In step 108 (S108), the print port setting unit 170 determines whether or not there is a response to the request for the individual identification information and the address information within a predetermined time.
The image terminal program 16 proceeds to the process of S108 when there is a response to the request for the individual identification information and the address information within a predetermined time, and proceeds to the process of S124 otherwise.
In step 110 (S110), the printer information search unit 162 outputs the received individual identification information and address information of each node to the printer information acquisition unit 164.

The printer information acquisition unit 164 compares the individual identification information input from the printer information search unit 162 with the individual identification information stored in the storage unit 128.
In step 112 (S112), the printer information acquisition unit 164 determines whether or not individual identification information that matches the individual identification information input from the printer information search unit 162 is stored in the storage unit 128.
The image terminal program 16 proceeds to the process of S114 when the individual identification information that matches the individual identification information input from the printer information search unit 162 is stored in the storage unit 128, and proceeds to the process of S124 otherwise. .

In step 114 (S114), the print port setting unit 170 lists printer devices (N printers) 12 having individual identification information that matches the individual identification information input from the printer information search unit 162.
In step 116 (S116), the print port setting unit 170 selects the printer device 12 to be used for print output.
In step 118 (S 118), the print port setting unit 170 acquires the individual identification information of the selected printer device 12 and outputs it to the printer information management unit 166.

In step 120 (S120), the print port setting unit 170 selects the print port 176 and the print processing unit 174 suitable for the printer device 12 selected in the process of S116, and performs various initial settings required for print output. Then start.
In the initial setting, for example, information (communication protocol or the like) necessary for the operation of the print port 176 is set as a parameter of the print port 176 and registered in the OS (not shown).
In step 122 (S122), the printer information management unit 166 associates the individual identification information and the address information input from the print port setting unit 170 with each other and the entry for the printer device 12 used for the print output of the storage unit 128. Remember me.
In step 124 (S124), the print port setting unit 170 displays an error on the UI 172 or the like, and stops the initial setting.

Next, a first operation in which the image terminal program 16 causes the printer device 12 to print out image data and the like will be described.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first print output operation (S14) to the printer device 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2) by the image terminal program 16 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, in step 140 (S140), the print port setting unit 170 of the image terminal program 16 performs individual identification information and network information (collectively referred to as “port information”) stored in the storage unit 128. Is set in the print port 176 and the print processing unit 174, the printer device 12 corresponding to this port information is accessed, and connection is attempted.
The port information includes parameters used for control by the print port 176, such as communication protocols (for example, lpr (Line PRinter), ipp (Internet Printing Protocol), socket), and parameters for these communication protocols.

In step 142 (S142), the print port setting unit 170 determines whether the access to the printer device 12 has been successful.
The image terminal program 16 proceeds to the process of S144 when the access to the printer device 12 is successful, and proceeds to the process of S150 otherwise.
In step 144 (S144), the print port setting unit 170 communicatively connects the accessed printer device 12 and the image terminal computer 10, and acquires individual identification information (such as model name and serial number) from the printer device 12.

In step 146 (S146), the print port setting unit 170 outputs the individual identification information to the printer information acquisition unit 164. The printer information acquisition unit 164 refers to the storage unit 128 and the print port setting unit 170 The individual identification information corresponding to the address information used for accessing the printer device 12 is compared with the individual identification information acquired by the print port setting unit 170.
In step 148 (S148), the printer information acquisition unit 164 includes the individual identification information corresponding to the address information used by the print port setting unit 170 to access the printer device 12, and the individual identification information acquired by the print port setting unit 170. Whether or not matches is determined.
The image terminal program 16 proceeds to the process of S160 if these pieces of individual identification information match, and proceeds to the process of S150 otherwise.

In step 150 (S150), the print port setting unit 170, with respect to the LAN 118 indicated by the address information (LAN information) used for accessing the printer device 12, the individual identification information and the node connected to the LAN 118, Address information is requested in broadcast (BC) format.
Upon receiving this request, the node (printer device 12; FIGS. 1 and 2) returns the requested individual identification information and address information to the image terminal computer 10.

In step 152 (S152), the print port setting unit 170 determines whether or not there is a response to the request for the individual identification information and the address information within a predetermined time.
The image terminal program 16 proceeds to the processing of S158 when there is a response to the request for the individual identification information and the address information within a predetermined time, and proceeds to the processing of S162 otherwise.
In step 154 (S154), the print port setting unit 170 outputs the received individual identification information and address information of each node to the printer information acquisition unit 164 and the printer information management unit 166.
The printer information acquisition unit 164 refers to the storage unit 128 and compares the individual identification information of the printer device 12 input from the print port setting unit 170 with the individual identification information of the desired printer device 12.
In step 156 (S156), the printer information acquisition unit 164 determines whether the individual identification information matches.
The image terminal program 16 proceeds to the process of S158 when the individual identification information matches, and proceeds to the process of S162 otherwise.

In step 158 (S158), the print port setting unit 170 controls the printer information management unit 166 to store the individual identification information of the printer device 12 and the address information in association with each other in the storage unit 128, and store these pieces of information. Update.
In step 160 (S160), the print port setting unit 170 controls the print processing unit 174 and the communication processing unit 124 to cause the printer device 12 to transmit image data and the like suitable for this, and to print out.
In step 162 (S162), the print port setting unit 170 displays an error and stops the printing process.

[First overall operation]
Hereinafter, a first overall operation of the image forming system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 and the like will be described.
FIG. 6 is a first communication sequence diagram showing a first overall operation (S18) of the image forming system 1 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, in step 180 (S180), the image terminal computer (CC) 10-3 connected to the LAN 118-2 performs a desired operation on the LAN 118-2 to which the printer device 12 is connected. An inquiry is made as to whether the printer device 12 exists (FIGS. 4 and 5; S106, S150).
In step 182 (S182), the image terminal computer 10-3 receives the response of the individual identification information and the address information from the node connected to the LAN 118-2.

In step 184 (S184), the image terminal computer 10-3 receives the individual identification information of the printer device 12 stored in the storage unit 128 (FIG. 3) and the individual identification information of the printer device 12 received from the LAN 118-2. Are compared, and it is confirmed that the desired printer device 12 exists in the LAN 118-2 (FIGS. 4 and 5; S108, S110, S154, and S156).
In step 186 (S186), the image terminal computer 10-3 transmits image data and the like to the printer device 12 for printing.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present application will be described.
As described above, in the first embodiment of the present application, the case where the image terminal computer 10 and the printer device 12 are connected to the same LAN 118 is a specific example. However, in the second embodiment of the present application, Assuming a situation in which the printer device 12 is moved between floors and connected to different LANs 118 before and after the movement, there is a possibility that the image terminal computer 10 and the printer device 12 are connected to different LANs 118 respectively. There is a specific case.

[Second image forming system 2]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the second image forming system 2 according to the second embodiment of the present application.
As shown in FIG. 7, in the image forming system 2, n LANs 118-1 to 118-n are communicably connected to a network 120, and one or more image terminal computers 10 and one or more LANs 118 are connected to the LAN 118. The printer device 12 or any one of them is connected.
In order to clarify and clarify the description, FIG. 7 illustrates the case where n = 3, the printer device 12-1 is connected to the LAN 118-1, and the printer device 12-2 is connected to the LAN 118-2. A case where only the printer device 12-n is connected to the LAN 118-n is illustrated.

[First operation of image terminal program 16]
First, a first initial setting operation in the image terminal computer 10 will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a second initial setting operation (S20) of the print port 176 in the image terminal computer 10 by the image terminal program 16 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, the second initial setting operation is performed by changing the processing contents of the print port setting unit 170 of the image terminal program 16 (FIG. 3) executed in the image terminal computer 10 (FIG. 7). This is realized by adding the processes of S200 to S208 to the processes of S106 to 124 of the first initial setting operation shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, in step 200 (S200), for example, the print port setting unit of the image terminal program 16 (FIG. 4) operating on the image terminal computer 10-1 connected to the LAN 118-1 (FIG. 7). 170 refers to the information stored in the storage unit 128 and determines whether the desired printer device 12 is connected to the same LAN 118-1.
The image terminal program 16 proceeds to the process of S202 when the desired printer device 12 is connected to the same LAN 118, and proceeds to the process of S204 otherwise.

In step 202 (S202), the print port setting unit 170 obtains network information of the printer device 12-1 from the DNS (not shown) of the same LAN 118-1, and proceeds to the process of S114.
In step 204 (S204), the print port setting unit 170, for example, connects the LANs 118-2 and 118-3 connectable to the UI 172 from the LAN 118-1 via the display device of the input / output device 106 (FIG. 7). Displayed to the user and receives designation of the LAN 118 to be searched by the printer device 12.
As will be described later with reference to FIG. 9, the storage unit 128 of the image terminal computer 10 stores a history of address information (LAN information) of the LAN 118 to which the desired printer device 12 is connected. The print port setting unit 170 may search all LANs 118 included in this history without waiting for the user's designation.
In step 206 (S206), the print port setting unit 170 determines, from the LAN 118 designated in the process of S204, one that is not yet a search target, as the next search target.
The print port setting unit 170 refers to the storage unit 128, obtains the address information (LAN information) of the LAN 118 determined as the search target, and proceeds to the process of S106.

When it is determined in step S108 that there is no response from a node connected to the search target LAN 118 within a predetermined time, or in step S112, it is determined that the desired printer device 12 does not exist in the search target LAN 118. In step 208 (S208), the print port setting unit 170 displays on the UI 172 that the desired printer device 12 does not exist in the LAN 118 that is the search target at that time.
In step 210 (S210), the print port setting unit 170 determines whether or not the search of the printer device 12 for all the LANs 118 specified in the process of S204 has been completed.
The image terminal program 16 proceeds to the process of S124 when the search of the printer device 12 for all the designated LANs 118 is completed, and returns to the process of S206 in other cases.

Next, a second operation in which the image terminal program 16 causes the printer device 12 to print out image data and the like will be described.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second print output operation (S22) to the printer device 12 (FIG. 7) by the image terminal program 16 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, in the second printout operation, the address information (LAN information) of the LAN 118 where the printer device 12 exists is associated with the individual identification information of the desired printer device 12 in the storage unit 128. ) Is stored, and further, the processes of S220 to S232 are combined with the processes of S140 to S148, S152 to S156, S160, and S162 shown in FIG.

If it is determined in step S142 that the access to the printer device 12 is unsuccessful, in step 220 (S220), the print port setting unit 170 stores the address of the desired printer device 12 stored in the storage unit 128. By referring to the information (LAN information), the address information (LAN information) of the LAN 118 used when the access to the printer device 12 was successful last time (last) is obtained, and the LAN 118 indicated by the address information (LAN information). Is a request for transmission (search) of individual identification information and address information.
If the printer information management unit 166 determines in the processing of S148 that the individual identification information does not match, the print port setting unit 170, in step 222 (S222), displays the display device of the input / output device 106 via the UI 172. For example, the address information (LAN) information of the LAN 118 to which the desired printer device 12 stored in the storage unit 128 has been connected, or the address information (LAN information) of all the LANs 118 that can be connected from the LAN 118-1. Is displayed on the GUI image that prompts the user to select.

In step 224 (S224), the print port setting unit 170 determines whether or not a certain time has elapsed for allowing the user to select address information (LAN information).
The image terminal program 16 proceeds to the process of S162 when a certain time has elapsed, and proceeds to the process of S226 otherwise.
In step 226 (S226), the print port setting unit 170 determines whether the user has specified the address information (LAN information) of the LAN 118, and further, the specification is completed.
The image terminal program 16 proceeds to the process of S228 when the designation of the address information (LAN information) is completed, and returns to the process of S222 otherwise.

In step 228 (S228), the print port setting unit 170 receives the address information (LAN information) of the LAN 118 specified by the user via the UI 172, and the LAN 118 corresponding to the address information (LAN information) of the LAN 118 specified by the user. Any one of these is set as the LAN 118 to be searched.
In step 230 (S230), the print port setting unit 170 transmits the individual identification information and the address information to all the nodes connected to the LAN 118 that is the search target in the process of S228, in the broadcast (BC) format. And the process proceeds to S152.
In the process of S156, when it is determined in step 232 (S232) that the desired printer device 12 is present in the LAN 118 that is the transmission destination of the individual identification information and the address information, in step 232 (S232), the print port setting unit 170. The address information (LAN information) of the LAN 118 to which the desired printer device 12 is connected is associated with the individual identification information, and the address information (LAN information of the LAN 118 to which the desired printer device 12 has been connected so far). Information) is stored and used as a history of address information (LAN information) of the LAN 118 to which the desired printer 12 is connected, and the process proceeds to S160.

[Second overall operation]
Hereinafter, the second overall operation of the image forming system 2 shown in FIG. 7 and the like will be described.
FIG. 10 is a second communication sequence diagram showing a second overall operation (S24) of the image forming system 2 shown in FIG.
In the description of FIG. 10, a specific example is a case where the printer device 12 desired by the image terminal computer 10 connected to the LAN 118-1 is connected to the LAN 118-n.

As shown in FIG. 6, in step 180-1 (S180-1), the image terminal computer (CC) 10-1 connected to the LAN 118-1 has a desired printer device 12 connected to the LAN 118-1. An inquiry is made as to whether or not it exists (FIGS. 8 and 9; S106, S230).
In step 182-1 (S182-1), the image terminal computer (CC) 10-1 connected to the LAN 118-1 receives a response from the LAN 118. In step 184 (S184), the image terminal computer (CC) 10-1 It is determined that the printer device 12 does not exist (FIGS. 8 and 9; S108 to S112, S152 to S156).
Thereafter, the image terminal computer 10-1 sequentially repeats the same processing as S180-1 and 182-1 for the LANs 118-2 to 118- (n-1) (S180-2 to S180- (n-). 1), S1822-2 to S182- (n-1))

In step 180-n (S180-n), the image terminal computer 10-1 inquires of the LAN 118-n whether or not the desired printer device 12 exists.
In step 182-n (S182), the image terminal computer 10-1 receives the response of the individual identification information and the address information from the node connected to the LAN 118-n.
In step 240 (S240), the image terminal computer 10-1 confirms that the desired printer device 12 exists in the LAN 118-n and stores it (FIGS. 8 and 9; S112, S114, S156, S232).
In step 242 (S242), the image terminal computer 10-1 transmits image data suitable for the printer device 12 to the desired printer device 12 connected to the LAN 118-n, and prints it out.

1, 2 ... Image forming system,
118 ... LAN,
120 ... network,
10: Image terminal computer,
100 ... body,
102 ... CPU,
104 ... memory,
106: I / O device,
110: Communication device,
112... Storage device,
114... Storage medium,
16: Image terminal program,
162... Printer information search unit,
164... Printer information acquisition unit,
166... Printer information management unit,
170 ... print port setting section,
172 ... UI,
174... Print processing unit,
176: Print port,
12 ... Printer device,
122... Printer device program,
124... Communication processing unit,
126... Printer information transmission unit,
128... Storage unit,
130: Print processing unit,

Claims (12)

Multiple networks,
One or more image forming apparatuses each included in any of the plurality of networks;
One or more image terminal devices each included in any of the plurality of networks,
When each of the plurality of networks includes one or more image forming apparatuses, a network address used for accessing the image forming apparatus from one or more image terminal apparatuses is independent of other networks. To grant at any time,
Each of the image forming apparatuses
Individual identification information for identifying each,
Network identification information used to identify the connected network and to be used for access from the image terminal device to the image forming apparatus connected to the network;
In response to a request from the outside, the request source has information transmitting means for transmitting the individual identification information of the image forming apparatus and the network address.
Each of the image terminal devices
Storage means for storing each network address of the image forming apparatus that has been accessed, the individual identification information, and the network identification information;
Access means for accessing the image forming apparatus using the network identification information and the network address;
The accessed image forming apparatus is connected to the accessed image forming apparatus other than when the accessed image forming apparatus can be accessed using the stored network identification information and network address. Information request means for requesting the network address and the individual identification information to each of the image forming apparatuses connected to the network using the network identification information,
The access means uses the network address of the image forming apparatus when the individual identification information returned from any of the image forming apparatuses in response to the request matches the stored individual identification information. An image forming system for accessing the image forming apparatus. Each of the image terminal devices
Further comprising identification information accepting means for accepting one or more of the network identification information,
The information requesting unit uses each of the received network identification information to each of the image forming apparatuses connected to the network indicated by the network identification information, the network address, the individual identification information, and the apparatus identification information. The image forming system according to claim 1. The identification information receiving means includes network identification information of a network that has been accessed by the image terminal device, and network identification information of a network that can be accessed by the image terminal device, or one or more of these. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the image forming system accepts network identification information. Each of the image terminal devices
The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising processing information transmission means for transmitting information used for processing to an image forming apparatus accessible by the access means. The image forming apparatus prints an image indicated by information sent from the image terminal apparatus,
The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the information used for the processing is information indicating an image printed by the printing apparatus. A plurality of networks, one or more image forming apparatuses each included in any of the plurality of networks, and one or more image terminal apparatuses each included in any of the plurality of networks. When each of the networks includes one or more of the image forming apparatuses, a network address used for accessing the image forming apparatus from the one or more image terminal apparatuses is independent of other networks. In the network to be given at an arbitrary time point, each of the image forming apparatuses identifies individual identification information for identifying each of the image forming apparatuses and the connected network, and the image to the image forming apparatus connected to the network. The network identification information used for access from the terminal device Depending on the demanded, the requester transmits said individual identification information and the network address of the image forming apparatus,
Each of the image terminal devices
Storage means for storing the network address of each of the image forming apparatuses that have been accessed, the individual identification information, and the network identification information;
Access means for accessing the image forming apparatus using the network identification information and the network address;
The accessed image forming apparatus is connected to the accessed image forming apparatus other than when the accessed image forming apparatus can be accessed using the stored network identification information and network address. Information request means for requesting the network address and the individual identification information to each image forming apparatus connected to the network using the network identification information,
The access means uses the network address of the image forming apparatus when the individual identification information returned from any of the image forming apparatuses in response to the request matches the stored individual identification information. An image terminal device for accessing the image forming apparatus. Further comprising identification information accepting means for accepting one or more of the network identification information,
The information requesting unit requests the network address and the individual identification information from each of the image forming apparatuses connected to the network indicated by the network identification information using each of the accepted network identification information. 6. The image terminal device according to 6. The identification information receiving means includes network identification information of a network that has been accessed by the image terminal device, and network identification information of a network that can be accessed by the image terminal device, or one or more of these. The image terminal device according to claim 7, which accepts network identification information. The image terminal device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising processing information transmission means for transmitting information used for processing to an image forming apparatus accessible by the access means. The image forming apparatus prints an image indicated by the sent information,
The image terminal device according to claim 9, wherein the information used for the processing is information indicating an image printed by the printing device. Multiple networks,
An image having one or more image forming apparatuses each having a computer included in any of the plurality of networks and one or more image terminal apparatuses having a computer each included in any of the plurality of networks. A program in a forming system,
When each of the plurality of networks includes one or more image forming apparatuses, a network address used for accessing the image forming apparatus from one or more image terminal apparatuses is independent of other networks. To grant at any time,
Each of the image forming apparatuses
Individual identification information for identifying each,
Network identification information used to identify the connected network and to be used for access from the image terminal apparatus to the image forming apparatus connected to the network;
In the computer of the image forming apparatus,
In response to a request from the outside, the request source executes the step of transmitting with the individual identification information and the network address of the image forming apparatus,
In each image terminal device computer,
Storage means for storing the network address of each of the image forming apparatuses that have been accessed, the individual identification information, and the network identification information;
Using the network identification information and the network address to access the image forming apparatus;
The accessed image forming apparatus is connected to the accessed image forming apparatus other than when the accessed image forming apparatus can be accessed using the stored network identification information and network address. Requesting the network address and the individual identification information to each of the image forming apparatuses connected to the network using the network identification information,
The accessing step is performed on the computer of the image terminal device,
When the individual identification information returned from any one of the image forming apparatuses in response to the request matches the stored individual identification information, the image forming apparatus uses the network address of the image forming apparatus. A program that allows access to a device. A plurality of networks; one or more image forming apparatuses included in each of the plurality of networks; and one or more image terminal apparatuses each including a computer and included in any of the plurality of networks. When each of the plurality of networks includes one or more image forming apparatuses, a network address used for accessing the image forming apparatus from one or more image terminal apparatuses is assigned to another network. Independently in a network program that grants at any time,
Each of the image forming apparatuses identifies individual identification information used for identifying the image forming apparatus and the connected network, and the image terminal apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus connected to the network In response to a request from the outside, the individual identification information and the network address of the image forming apparatus are transmitted to the request source in response to an external request.
In each image terminal device computer,
Storing the network address of each of the image forming apparatuses that have been accessed, the individual identification information, and the network identification information;
Using the network identification information and the network address to access the image forming apparatus;
The accessed image forming apparatus is connected to the accessed image forming apparatus other than when the accessed image forming apparatus can be accessed using the stored network identification information and network address. Requesting the network address and the individual identification information to each of the image forming apparatuses connected to the network using the network identification information,
The accessing step is performed on the computer of the image terminal device,
When the individual identification information returned from any one of the image forming apparatuses in response to the request matches the stored individual identification information, the image forming apparatus uses the network address of the image forming apparatus. A program that allows access to a device.

Images