JP2011215990A - Network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and appropriately control a device connected to an another information processor via a network.SOLUTION: A PC2 has: a print request receiving part 22 for receiving the designation of a printer 4 to designate processing to be performed and to perform the processing; a control data processing part 23 for generating control data to allow the printer 4 to perform the designated processing when the printer 4 is locally connected; a transmission packet generating part 24 for generating communication data including the control data; and a communication processing part 25 for transmitting the communication data to a server 3. The server 3 has: a communication processing part 32 for receiving the communication data; and a transfer processing part 33 for extracting the control data from the communication data and transferring the control data to the printer 4.

Description

  The present invention relates to a network system or the like that controls a device locally connected to another information processing apparatus to execute a predetermined process via a network.

  Conventionally, a printer is locally connected to a PC (Personal Computer) or the like, and the printer executes print processing under the control of the PC. In recent years, a printer locally connected to another information processing apparatus is caused to execute print processing using another information processing apparatus such as a server or a PC connected via a network.

  As a technique for executing print processing via another information processing apparatus, a technique that uses a proxy device outside the firewall to execute print processing from a client outside the firewall using a print server inside the firewall is known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-5859 A

  For example, in a case where a locally connected printer executes print processing using another information processing apparatus (server, PC, etc.) via a network from the PC, the PC requesting the processing receives other information. The processing device sends a print request in a format that can be interpreted by the processing device. The information processing device that receives the print request interprets the print request, creates a command to control the locally connected printer, and sends the created command to the printer. Print processing was executed in such a manner as to be transmitted to the printer.

  As described above, since the other information processing apparatus generates a command for the printer, there is a problem that a load is applied to the information processing apparatus. In addition, since a command to the printer created by the information processing apparatus depends on information included in a print request between the PC and the information processing apparatus, there is a possibility that the function of the printer cannot be fully exhibited.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a technique capable of easily and appropriately controlling a device connected to another information processing apparatus via a network. .

  In order to achieve the above object, a network system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus connected to the first information processing apparatus via a network. In the network system in which a device that executes a predetermined process is connected to the second information processing apparatus, the first information processing apparatus accepts a specification of a process to be executed and a specification of a device to execute the process. Receiving means, control data generating means for generating control data for causing the device to execute processing designated, communication data generating means for generating communication data including control data, and second communication data And a second information processing device for receiving the communication data and for extracting the control data from the communication data. And a transfer means for transferring means, the extracted control data to the device.

  According to such a network system, the first information processing apparatus generates control data for controlling the connected device, transmits communication data including the control data to the second information processing apparatus, and receives the second information. The processing apparatus transfers control data included in the communication data to the connected device. Thus, the device executes a predetermined process based on the control data. In this way, the first information processing apparatus can generate device control data and control the processing of the device, so that the processing intended on the first information processing apparatus side is appropriate for the device. Can be executed.

  In the network system, the communication data generating means generates communication data including information indicating that the control data is included, and the extracting means includes the control data in the communication data. Control information may be extracted from the communication data and transferred to the device. According to such a network system, control data can be appropriately transferred to the device.

  In the above network system, the first information processing apparatus requests the second information processing apparatus for device type specifying information that can specify the device type, and receives the device type specifying information from the second information processing apparatus. The device further includes a type specifying information acquiring unit to acquire, the control data generating unit generates control data for the device specified by the device type specifying information, and the second information processing apparatus issues a request for the device type specifying information. You may make it further have a kind specific information return means which receives and returns device kind specific information which can specify the kind of device connected to the 2nd information processor. According to such a network system, control data for the device of the second information processing apparatus can be appropriately generated and transferred to the device.

  In the network system, the first information processing apparatus further includes inquiry means for inquiring whether another information processing apparatus connected to the network has a transfer means, and acquires type specifying information. The means may request the device type specifying information from the information processing apparatus having the transfer means based on the result of the inquiry by the inquiry means. According to such a network system, it is possible to appropriately grasp the type of device locally connected to the information processing apparatus capable of transferring control data.

  In the network system, the device may be an image forming apparatus that forms an image on an image forming medium. According to such a network system, an image can be formed on the image forming medium by the image forming apparatus locally connected to the second information processing apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, a device control method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a first information processing apparatus, and a second information processing apparatus connected to the first information processing apparatus via a network. The second information processing apparatus is a device control method in a network system to which a device that executes a predetermined process is connected, and the process executed by the reception unit of the first information processing apparatus A step of accepting designation of a device for executing the designation and processing, and control for causing the control data generation means of the first information processing apparatus to execute processing designated by the device when the device is connected A step of generating data, a step of generating communication data including control data by the communication data generating means of the first information processing device, and the first information processing device A step of transmitting the communication data to the second information processing device, a step of receiving the communication data by the second information processing device, and a step of receiving the communication data by the second information processing device. And extracting the control data from the device and transferring the control data to the device.

  According to the device control method, the first information processing apparatus generates control data for controlling the connected device, transmits communication data including the control data to the second information processing apparatus, The information processing apparatus transfers control data included in the communication data to the connected device. Thus, the device executes a predetermined process based on the control data. In this way, the first information processing apparatus can generate device control data and control the processing of the device, so that the processing intended on the first information processing apparatus side is appropriate for the device. Can be executed.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention causes a device connected to another information processing apparatus connected via a network to execute a predetermined process. An information processing apparatus that accepts a request for processing to be executed by a device, control data generation means for generating control data for executing processing specified by the device, control data, and control data Communication data generating means for generating communication data including information indicating that it is included, and transmitting means for transmitting the communication data to another information processing apparatus.

  According to the information processing apparatus, it is possible to appropriately transmit control data of a device connected to the information processing apparatus to another information processing apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, a processing control program according to the fourth aspect of the present invention causes a device connected to another information processing apparatus connected via a network to execute a predetermined process. A processing control program for causing a computer to execute, a receiving means for accepting a request for a process for causing the computer to execute the device, and a control data generating means for generating control data for causing the device to execute the specified process And communication data generating means for generating communication data including control data and information indicating that the control data is included, and transmitting means for transmitting the communication data to another information processing apparatus .

  According to the computer that executes the processing control program, control data of a device connected to the information processing apparatus can be appropriately transmitted to another information processing apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that can be connected to a network and that is connected to a device that executes predetermined processing. Via the receiving means for receiving the communication data, and when the communication data includes information indicating that the control data for causing the device to execute a predetermined process is included. And transfer means for extracting control data from the device and transferring it to the device.

  According to the information processing apparatus, when the communication data includes information indicating that the control data for causing the device to execute a predetermined process is included, the control data is extracted from the communication data. Can be properly transferred to the device. Therefore, the device can appropriately execute the process according to the control data.

  In order to achieve the above object, a device management program according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a device management program that can be connected to a network and that is executed by a computer to which a device that executes a predetermined process is connected. The computer includes a receiving means for receiving communication data via a network, and information indicating that the communication data includes control data for causing the device to execute a predetermined process. If the control data is stored, the control data is extracted from the communication data and the control data is transferred to the device.

  According to the computer that executes the device management program, control is performed from the communication data when the communication data includes information indicating that the control data for causing the device to execute a predetermined process is included. Data can be extracted and properly transferred to the device. Therefore, the device can appropriately execute the process according to the control data.

It is a block diagram of an example of the network system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the network control processing which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all the elements and combinations described in the embodiments are essential for the solution of the invention. Is not limited.

  First, a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the network system 1, a personal computer (PC) 2 as an example of a first information processing apparatus, a server 3 as an example of a second information processing apparatus, and a printer 4 as an example of a device and an image forming apparatus have. The PC 2 and the server 3 are connected via the network 5. The network 5 may include a wired line or a wireless line, and may include the Internet. The printer 4 is locally connected to the server 3, that is, the printer 4 is connected to the server 3 via a local cable (for example, USB cable) 6. The printer 4 performs image forming processing according to the local printing control data transmitted by the local cable 6. The control data for local printing includes, for example, control data in a printer control language, and specific examples include control data in EJL (Epson Job Control Language: Epson is a registered trademark).

  The PC 2 is a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc., and is an example of an inquiry unit and a type specifying information acquisition unit. A printer information collection unit 21, a print request reception unit 22 as an example of a reception unit, a control data processing unit 23 as an example of a control data generation unit, and a communication packet processing unit 24 as an example of a communication data generation unit. The communication processing unit 25, the printer information storage unit 26, and the driver program storage unit 27 as an example of a transmission unit are included. The printer information collection unit 21, print request reception unit 22, control data processing unit 23, transmission packet processing unit 24, and communication processing unit 25 execute a ROM program or a program (processing control program, etc.) installed in the HDD. It is constituted by doing. The HDD is installed from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM in which a program is stored. The printer information storage unit 26 and the driver program storage unit 27 are configured by HDDs.

  The printer information storage unit 26 stores information (printer information) of printers connected to other devices. In the present embodiment, as the printer information, the address information (for example, IP address) of the server 3 to which the printer is connected is associated with the printer ID (device type specifying information) that can specify the type of printer. Remember.

  The driver program storage unit 27 stores a plurality of driver programs for generating control data for a plurality of types of printers. In the present embodiment, the driver program storage unit 27 stores the printer ID of the printer 4 and the driver program for the printer in association with each other.

  The printer information collection unit 21 collects printer IDs locally connected to the server 3 and the like connected to the network 5 via the communication processing unit 25, and connects the printer ID and the printer. Printer information in association with the IP address of a device such as a server is stored in the printer information storage unit 26. In the present embodiment, the printer information collection unit 21 uses a service location protocol (SLP) to transfer functions to other devices such as the server 3 connected to the network 5 to locally connected devices. In response to the inquiry, that is, a device having a transfer function to a locally connected device, the printer of the locally connected The printer ID is collected by requesting information and obtaining a response to the request.

  The print request receiving unit 22 specifies a target to be printed (print target: for example, document, image, etc.) and a printer to be printed (which printer (server 3 etc.) is connected to which printer. Designation) and notifies the control data processing unit 23 of the designated content.

  The control data processing unit 23 acquires a driver program corresponding to the printer ID of the designated printer from the driver program storage unit 27, and executes the driver program, so that the control data for local printing is obtained from the data to be printed. That is, control data to be transmitted when the designated printer is locally connected to the PC 2 is generated and passed to the communication packet processing unit 24. Further, when receiving the response information from the communication packet processing unit 24, the control data processing unit 23 displays a response result based on the response information (for example, printing end, printing error, etc.) on a display device (not shown).

  The communication packet processing unit 24 generates a communication packet (communication packet) with the IP address of the server 3 to which the designated printer is connected as the transmission destination for the control data received from the control data processing unit 23. To the communication processing unit 25. In the present embodiment, the communication packet processing unit 24 generates a SOAP (soap) packet, and information indicating that the packet is control data to be transmitted to the locally connected printer 4 (for example, A transfer designation command) and a printer ID indicating the designated printer are stored inside the packet. Further, the communication packet processing unit 24 acquires response information from the communication packet passed from the communication processing unit 25, and passes the response information to the control data processing unit 23.

  The communication processing unit 25 transmits the communication packet passed from the communication packet processing unit 24 to the network 5. In addition, the communication processing unit 25 receives a communication packet in response to the transmitted communication packet via the network 5 and passes it to the communication packet processing unit 24.

  The server 3 is a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and the like, and printer information as an example of the type specific information return means. The response unit 31 includes a communication processing unit 32 as an example of a receiving unit, a transfer processing unit 33 as an example of a transfer unit, and a local printer information storage unit 34. The printer information response unit 31, the communication processing unit 32, and the transfer processing unit 33 are configured by the CPU executing a ROM program or a program (processing control program or the like) installed in the HDD. The HDD is installed from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM in which a program is stored. The local printer information storage unit 34 includes an HDD.

  The local printer information storage unit 34 stores local printer information regarding the printer 4 locally connected to the server 3. In this embodiment, as local printer information, a printer ID and a port number corresponding to the printer are stored.

  The printer information response unit 31 responds to the printer ID stored in the local printer information storage unit 34 in response to the printer ID request from the PC 2. In this embodiment, the printer information response unit 31 uses the SLP and receives a query as to whether or not it has a transfer function to a locally connected device. In response to a subsequent printer ID request from the PC 2, the printer ID stored in the local printer information storage unit 34 is responded.

  The communication processing unit 32 transmits and receives communication packets via the network 5. If the communication packet received from the network 5 includes a transfer designation command indicating that this packet is control data to be transmitted to a locally connected printer, the communication processing unit 32 The data is transferred to the transfer processing unit 33. When a communication packet is received from the transfer processing unit 33, the communication packet is transmitted to the network 5.

  When receiving the communication packet from the communication processing unit 32, the transfer processing unit 33 extracts control data from the communication packet, and transmits the control data to the printer 4 corresponding to the printer ID included in the communication packet. The control data is transmitted via the local cable 6. The printer 4 corresponding to the printer ID is specified by, for example, a port number. Thereby, in the printer 4, an image forming process is executed according to the control data. Further, the transfer processing unit 33 receives a response to the control data from the printer 4, generates a communication packet (communication packet to the PC 2) including the response to the transmission source of the control data, and passes it to the communication processing unit 32. .

  Next, a processing operation in the network system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating network control processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the printer information collection unit 21 of the PC 2 makes an inquiry to other devices such as the server 3 connected to the network 5 as to whether or not the device has a transfer function to the locally connected device (step). S1). In response to this, the printer information response unit 31 of the server 3 having a transfer function to the locally connected device sends a response to the PC 2 that there is a transfer function (step S2).

  Next, the printer information collection unit 21 of the PC 2 requests information on the locally connected printer (local printer information) from the server 3 that has responded (step S3).

  Next, the printer information response unit 31 of the server 3 transmits local printer information (printer ID, etc.) stored in the local printer information storage unit 34 in response to a request for local printer information (printer ID, etc.) from the PC 2. (Step S4).

  The printer information collection unit 21 receives a printer ID locally connected to the server 3 or the like connected to the network 5 via the communication processing unit 25, and connects the printer ID and the printer. The printer information associated with the IP address of the device such as the server 3 is stored in the printer information storage unit 26 (step S5). If there is a response from a plurality of servers or the like that there is a transfer function to a locally connected device, the processing of steps S3 to S5 is performed for each device. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately collect printer information of a printer connected locally to a server or the like connected to the network 5 that has a function of transferring to a device.

  After that, the print request receiving unit 22 designates a target to be printed (print target: for example, document, image, etc.), designates a printer to be printed (designates which printer is connected to which server 3), and Is received (step S10), and the designated content is notified to the control data processing unit 23.

  Upon receiving the notification, the control data processing unit 23 acquires a driver program corresponding to the printer ID of the designated printer from the driver program storage unit 27, and executes the driver program to execute local processing from the data to be printed. Control data for printing, that is, control data to be transmitted when the designated printer is locally connected to the PC 2 is generated and passed to the communication packet processing unit 24 (step S11).

  The communication packet processing unit 24 internally stores control data received from the control data processing unit 23, a transfer designation command, a printer ID indicating a designated printer, an IP address of a server connected to the printer, and the like. Packet is generated and passed to the communication processing unit 25 (step S12). The communication processing unit 25 transmits the communication packet passed from the communication packet processing unit 24 to the network 5 (step S13).

  In the server 3, the communication processing unit 32 receives a communication packet via the network 5, and passes the packet to the transfer processing unit 33 when the received communication packet includes a transfer designation command. When the transfer processing unit 33 receives the communication packet from the communication processing unit 32, the transfer processing unit 33 extracts control data from the communication packet (step S14), and transmits the control data to the printer 4 corresponding to the printer ID included in the communication packet. Control data is transmitted via the local cable 6 (step S15). Thereby, in the printer 4, an image forming process (printing process) is executed according to the control data (step S16).

  When the image forming process is completed, the printer 4 transmits a response indicating that to the server 3 via the local cable 6 (step S17). When the transfer processing unit 33 of the server 3 receives a response to the control data from the printer 4, the transfer processing unit 33 generates a communication packet to the PC 2 including this response, and passes the communication packet to the communication processing unit 32 (step S18).

  When receiving the communication packet from the transfer processing unit 33, the communication processing unit 32 transmits the communication packet to the network 5 (step S19). In the PC 2, the communication processing unit 25 receives the response communication packet via the network 5 and passes it to the communication packet processing unit 24. The communication packet processing unit 24 acquires response information from the communication packet passed from the communication processing unit 25, and passes the response information to the control data processing unit 23. When the control data processing unit 23 receives the response information, the control data processing unit 23 displays a response result (for example, printing end) based on the response information on a display device (not shown) (step S20).

  According to the above processing, control data for local printing can be appropriately transmitted from the PC 2 to the printer 4 locally connected to the server 3 connected via the network 5. Further, in the server 3, it is not necessary to execute complicated analysis processing such as processing for extracting and transferring control data for local printing, so that the processing load on the server 3 is reduced.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be applied to various other modes.

  For example, in the above embodiment, a printer is described as an example of a device. However, the device is not limited to this, and may be a scanner, an external hard disk drive, a CD drive, a DVD drive, or the like. Any device that can be locally connected to the apparatus may be used.

1 network system, 2 PC, 3 server, 4 printer, 5 network, 6 local cable, 21 printer information collection unit, 22 print request reception unit, 23 control data processing unit, 24 communication packet processing unit, 25 communication processing unit, 26 Printer information storage unit, 27 Driver program storage unit, 31 Printer information response unit, 32 Communication processing unit, 33 Transfer processing unit, 34 Local printer information storage unit

Claims (10)

A first information processing apparatus; and a second information processing apparatus connected to the first information processing apparatus via a network, wherein the second information processing apparatus executes a predetermined process. In the network system to which the device is connected,
The first information processing apparatus includes:
Accepting means for accepting designation of a process to be executed and designation of a device for executing the process;
Control data generating means for generating control data for causing the device to execute the specified processing;
Communication data generating means for generating communication data including the control data;
Transmission means for transmitting the communication data to the second information processing apparatus,
The second information processing apparatus
Receiving means for receiving the communication data;
A network system comprising transfer means for extracting the control data from the communication data and transferring it to the device. The communication data generation means generates communication data including information indicating that the control data is included,
2. The extraction unit according to claim 1, wherein, when the communication data includes information indicating that the control data is included, the extraction unit extracts and transfers the control data from the communication data. Network system. The first information processing apparatus includes:
The device further includes type specifying information acquisition means for requesting device type specifying information that can specify the type of the device from the second information processing apparatus and acquiring the device type specifying information from the second information processing apparatus. ,
The control data generating means generates control data for a device specified by the device type specifying information,
The second information processing apparatus
The device according to claim 1, further comprising: a type specification information return unit that receives a request for the device type specification information and returns device type specification information that can specify a type of a device connected to the second information processing apparatus. 2. The network system according to 2. The first information processing apparatus includes:
Inquiry means for inquiring whether the other information processing apparatus connected to the network has the transfer means,
The network system according to claim 3, wherein the type specifying information acquisition unit requests device type specifying information from an information processing apparatus having the transfer unit based on a result of an inquiry by the inquiry unit. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the device is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on an image forming medium. A first information processing apparatus; and a second information processing apparatus connected to the first information processing apparatus via a network, wherein the second information processing apparatus executes a predetermined process. A device control method in a network system to which devices are connected,
A step of receiving a designation of a process to be executed and a designation of a device for executing the process;
A step of generating control data for causing the device to execute the designated processing when the control data generating means of the first information processing apparatus is connected to the device;
The communication data generating means of the first information processing apparatus generates communication data including the control data;
The first information processing apparatus transmitting the communication data to the second information processing apparatus; and the receiving means of the second information processing apparatus receiving the communication data;
A device control method comprising: a transfer unit of the second information processing apparatus extracting the control data from the communication data and transferring the control data to the device. An information processing apparatus for causing a device connected to another information processing apparatus connected via a network to execute a predetermined process,
Accepting means for accepting a request for processing to be executed by the device;
Control data generating means for generating control data for causing the device to execute the specified processing;
Communication data generating means for generating communication data including the control data and information indicating that the control data is included;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the communication data to the other information processing apparatus. A process control program for causing a computer connected to another information processing apparatus connected via a network to execute a predetermined process on a computer,
The computer,
Accepting means for accepting a request for processing to be executed by the device;
Control data generating means for generating control data for causing the device to execute the specified processing;
Communication data generating means for generating communication data including the control data and information indicating that the control data is included;
A processing control program for causing the communication data to function as transmission means for transmitting to the other information processing apparatus. An information processing apparatus that can be connected to a network and that is connected to a device that executes predetermined processing.
Receiving means for receiving data for communication via the network;
When the communication data includes information indicating that control data for causing the device to execute a predetermined process is included, the control data is extracted from the communication data, and the control is performed. An information processing apparatus comprising transfer means for transferring data to the device. A device management program for causing a computer that can be connected to a network and connected to a device that executes predetermined processing to be executed.
The computer,
Receiving means for receiving data for communication via the network;
When the communication data includes information indicating that control data for causing the device to execute a predetermined process is included, the control data is extracted from the communication data, and the control is performed. A device management program that functions as transfer means for transferring data to the device.

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