JP4416220B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a computer-readable storage medium, and is particularly suitable for use in searching for peripheral devices connected on a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a so-called directory service has been provided as a method for efficiently discovering and using various resources (servers or devices such as printers and scanners) connected to a network. The directory service is a telephone directory related to a network, and is used for storing various information regarding various resources.
[0003]
A specific example of a system using this directory service is, for example, LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol). The regulation of LDAP is described in RFC (Request for Comments) 1777 which is a standard specification issued by IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force). In addition, as an explanation manual of LDAP, for example, “LDAP Internet Directory Application Programming” is issued on November 1, 1997 by Prentice Hall Co., Ltd.
[0004]
By using this directory service to search for devices connected to the network, for example, it is possible to obtain a list of network addresses representing the locations of devices available on the network.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above conventional technique, only the network address of the device is obtained by the search, and the current state of the device is not known. That is, information such as whether the searched device is currently in operation or in an error occurrence state cannot be known at the time of searching, and it has not been known until the device is actually used. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time to find a device that can actually be used.
[0006]
  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily understand a state such as whether or not a searched peripheral device is currently usable.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that can communicate with a peripheral server and a search server that searches for a peripheral device that matches a search condition, and allows a user to input a static attribute indicating a function of the peripheral device. Based on the input means, the static attribute input by the user using the input means, a transmission means for transmitting a search condition for searching for a peripheral device to the search server, and based on the search condition Search results by searchFruitReceiving means for receiving from the search server;Based on the search result of the static attribute, a search result including a link address for acquiring and displaying information on the dynamic attribute of the peripheral device from the peripheral device satisfying the search condition is displayed in the first display area. Display means for displaying on,Inquires the peripheral device corresponding to the link address designated by the user among the peripheral devices included in the search result received by the receiving means without going through the search server, and information on dynamic attributes of the peripheral device Acquisition means for acquiring;The display means includesBased on the information acquired by the acquisition means, the dynamic attribute of the peripheral device included in the search result isIn the second display areaShowThe
[0008]
  An information processing method of the present invention includes an input step of inputting a static attribute indicating a function of a peripheral device based on a user operation, and a peripheral device based on the static attribute input by the input step. A transmission step of transmitting a search condition for searching to a search server that searches for peripheral devices that match the search condition, and a search result by a search based on the search condition.FruitReceiving from the search server;A first search result including a link address for acquiring and displaying information on the dynamic attribute of the peripheral device from the peripheral device satisfying the search condition based on the search result of the static attribute is displayed. A display step;Query the peripheral device corresponding to the link address designated by the user among the peripheral devices included in the search result received in the receiving step without going through the search server, and obtain information on the dynamic attributes of the peripheral device. Based on the acquisition step to acquire and the information acquired in the acquisition step, the dynamic attribute of the peripheral device included in the search result is displayed.SecondAnd a display step.
[0009]
  The computer-readable storage medium of the present invention is based on an input step of inputting a static attribute indicating a function of a peripheral device based on a user operation, and on the static attribute input by the input step. A transmission step of transmitting a search condition for searching for a peripheral device to a search server that searches for a peripheral device that matches the search condition, and a search result based on the search based on the search condition.FruitReceiving from the search server;A first search result including a link address for acquiring and displaying information on the dynamic attribute of the peripheral device from the peripheral device satisfying the search condition based on the search result of the static attribute is displayed. A display step;Query the peripheral device corresponding to the link address designated by the user among the peripheral devices included in the search result received in the receiving step without going through the search server, and obtain information on the dynamic attributes of the peripheral device. Based on the acquisition step to acquire and the information acquired in the acquisition step, the dynamic attribute of the peripheral device included in the search result is displayed.SecondA computer program for causing a computer to execute the display step is stored.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As will be described in detail below, the network system or device search system of this embodiment easily searches for a network device having an attribute desired by the user, and displays the search result in a format that is easy for the user to understand. Is. This is particularly effective when printing is performed by connecting a portable computer to a visited network. Details will be apparent from the following description.
[0025]
FIG. 1 is a functional configuration block diagram showing elemental features of the network system (device search system) according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, a network system according to the present embodiment includes a client terminal device (hereinafter referred to as a client) 10, a server terminal device (hereinafter referred to as a server) 20, various device terminal devices (hereinafter referred to as devices) such as a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner. ) 30 is connected to the network 40. Here, each of the terminal devices 10, 20, and 30 is shown one by one, but it is assumed that a plurality of devices 30 exist at least.
[0026]
The client 10 includes a search condition designation unit 11, a search condition storage unit 12, a static search request transmission unit 13, a static search result reception unit 14, a dynamic search request transmission unit 15, and a dynamic search result. A receiving unit 16, a comparison / determination unit 17, and a display unit 18 are provided. The static search request transmitting unit 13 constitutes a first search condition issuing unit of the present invention, and the dynamic search request transmitting unit 15 configures a second search condition issuing unit of the present invention. The static search result receiving unit 14, the comparison determination unit 17 and the display unit 18 constitute a first search result output unit of the present invention, and the dynamic search result reception unit 16, the comparison determination unit 17 and the display unit. 18 constitutes a second search result output means of the present invention. Hereinafter, each of these configurations will be described.
[0027]
The search condition specifying unit 11 is used by the user to specify search conditions when searching for various devices 30. The search conditions here include, for example, a network printer, static attributes such as the presence / absence of a color printing function, the presence / absence of a stapling function, and the presence / absence of a double screen printing function, and whether the printer is currently operating or waiting Alternatively, the remaining number of recording sheets is created by designating at least one of various attributes including semi-static and dynamic attributes such as several sheets. The search condition storage unit 12 stores the search conditions created by the search condition specifying unit 11.
[0028]
The static search request transmission unit 13 extracts only the attribute of the object class from the search conditions specified by the search condition specifying unit 11 and searches the device 30 using only the object class as a condition. A static search request using only the class as a search condition is transmitted to the server 20. The static search result receiving unit 14 displays a search result (information indicating presence / absence of each attribute of the searched device and the device as described later) sent from the server 20 as a response to the static search request. Receive.
[0029]
The dynamic search request transmitting unit 15 extracts semi-static and dynamic attributes from the search conditions specified by the search condition specifying unit 11 and searches the device 30 using the attributes as conditions. A dynamic search request using the semi-static and dynamic attributes as search conditions is transmitted to the device 30. The dynamic search result receiving unit 16 receives a search result (information representing the current state of the searched device as will be described later) sent from the device 30 as a response to the dynamic search request.
[0030]
The comparison determination unit 17 includes at least one search result based on the attribute condition of the object class received by the static search result reception unit 14 and one or more of the search conditions stored in the search condition storage unit 12. Are compared with each other, and it is determined for each device whether or not one or more devices indicated as a search result match the attributes of a certain reference number or more. Then, only the information related to the device whose attribute condition is equal to or greater than the reference number is supplied to the display unit 18.
[0031]
The comparison determination unit 17 also includes a search result based on the semi-static and dynamic attribute conditions received by the dynamic search result reception unit 16 and a search condition stored in the search condition storage unit 12. By comparing and collating with the semi-static and dynamic attributes included therein, a condition that can actually be operated in the searched device is determined based on the static search condition. Then, information regarding the operable condition obtained in this way is supplied to the display unit 18. As will be described later, the search results based on the semi-static and dynamic attribute conditions received by the dynamic search result receiving unit 16 may be supplied to the display unit 18 as they are.
[0032]
The display unit 18 displays an operation screen when the search condition specifying unit 11 specifies the search condition. Further, the display unit 18 is operable based on information on the final search result output from the comparison determination unit 17 and information indicating the presence or absence of each attribute of one or more searched devices and the devices. To display information that represents various conditions.
[0033]
The server 20 also includes a device information management unit 21, a static search request receiving unit 22, a search unit 23, and a static search result transmission unit 24. Here, the device information management unit 21 constitutes the information management means of the present invention. The search unit 23 and the search result transmission unit 24 constitute the search unit or the first search unit of the present invention.
[0034]
The device information management unit 21 stores and manages, as a database, identification information (for example, a device name and a network address) of the device 30 connected on the network 40 and attribute information representing various attributes of the device 30. The information managed here is information registered from various devices 30 via the network 40, for example.
[0035]
The static search request receiving unit 22 receives a static search request sent from the static search request transmitting unit 13 of the client 10 only on the condition of the object class. The search unit 23 searches for the device 30 using the device information managed by the device information management unit 21 based on the static search condition of the object class received by the static search request reception unit 22. Execute. The static search result transmission unit 24 returns, as a search result by the search unit 23, a device that satisfies at least the attribute of the object class and information on the presence / absence of the attribute of the device to the client 10 via the network 40.
[0036]
Further, the device 30 includes a dynamic search request receiving unit 31, a state examining unit 32, and a dynamic search result transmitting unit 33. The state search unit 32 and the dynamic search result transmission unit 33 constitute the second search means of the present invention.
[0037]
The dynamic search request receiving unit 31 receives a search request on the condition of semi-static and dynamic attributes sent from the dynamic search request transmitting unit 15 of the client 10. Based on the dynamic search condition received by the dynamic search request receiving unit 31, the state checking unit 32 checks the current state of the device itself. Further, the dynamic search result transmission unit 33 returns information representing the current state of the own device to the client 10 via the network 40 as a search result by the state investigation unit 32.
[0038]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network in which the device search system of this embodiment can operate.
In FIG. 2, 101 is a color printer, and 102 is an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral). The MFP 102 is a copier, but can also be used as a network printer. Reference numerals 103 and 104 denote monochrome printers, and 105 denotes a scanner connected to the network. Each of these network devices 101 to 105 corresponds to the device 30 of FIG.
[0039]
Reference numeral 111 denotes a desktop PC (personal computer), and 113 denotes a notebook PC. These PCs 111 and 113 are PCs that can execute a network device search client program, and correspond to the client 10 of FIG. These desktop PC 111 and notebook PC 113 (hereinafter also referred to collectively as a search client PC) are devices that satisfy a desired condition for the server 112 and the network devices 101 to 105 connected on the network, as will be described later. And a function for receiving and displaying a search result.
[0040]
Reference numeral 112 denotes a PC that can execute the network device search server program, and corresponds to the server 20 in FIG. As will be described later, the search server PC 112 stores and manages various information related to the network devices 101 to 105, receives device search inquiries from the search client PCs 111 and 113, executes search, and results thereof. It has a function to return. Reference numeral 120 denotes a proxy server having a firewall function for protecting the LAN (Local Area Network) 100 from unauthorized intrusion.
[0041]
Among these network devices 101 to 105, 111 to 113, 120, the color printer 101, the MFP 102, the monochrome printer 103, the desktop PC 111, the search server PC 112, and the proxy server 120 are installed on the second floor in a building, The monochrome printer 104 and the scanner 105 are installed on the first floor. The notebook PC 113 is currently connected to the LAN 100 from the first floor, but may be removed from this connection.
[0042]
Further, the LAN 100 that connects these network devices 101 to 105, 111 to 113, 120 is connected to the Internet 130 via the proxy server 120, and is also connected to other networks 140 via the Internet 130. Yes.
[0043]
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of a general personal computer. The internal configuration of the desktop PC 111, search server PC 112, and notebook PC 113 in FIG. 2 is as shown in FIG.
[0044]
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 200 denotes a PC on which client software or server software for searching for a network device (hereinafter collectively referred to as network device search software) operates. The desktop PC 111, search server PC 112, and notebook PC 113 in FIG. Is equivalent to
[0045]
The PC 200 includes a CPU 201 that executes network device search software stored in the ROM 202 or the hard disk (HD) 211 or supplied from the floppy disk (FD) 212, and each processing device in the PC 200 connected to the system bus 204. Control overall. The hard disk 211 includes the device information management unit 21 shown in FIG.
[0046]
Reference numeral 203 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, work area, and the like of the CPU 201. The RAM 203 includes the search condition storage unit 12 shown in FIG. A keyboard controller (KBC) 205 controls instruction input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device (not shown). Reference numeral 206 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC), which controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 210.
[0047]
A disk controller (DKC) 207 controls access to a hard disk (HD) 211 and a floppy disk (FD) 212 that store a boot program, various applications, edit files, user files, a network management program, and the like.
[0048]
Reference numeral 208 denotes a network interface card (NIC), which is used for bidirectionally exchanging data with a network printer, another network device, or another PC via the LAN 220.
In the present embodiment, the LAN 220 is the same as the LAN 100 in FIG.
[0049]
Next, the configuration and operation of the search server PC 112 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a table representing data including static attributes relating to each network device stored in the search server 112 (data stored in the device information management unit 21 in FIG. 1) in a table format. The device information in the database shown in FIG. 4 is registered from each network device via the network, for example, and is physically stored in the hard disk 211 in FIG.
[0050]
In the database 300 related to the network device shown in FIG. 4, the data in each row indicates the data related to one device. The data in each column includes a device name 301, a device network address 302, an object class 303, a device type 304, whether the device supports the color printing function 305, and a duplex printing function. A distinction 306 on whether or not there is a distinction 307 on whether or not the staple function is supported is shown.
[0051]
The object class 303 indicates the function type of the device. For example, if a certain device has a print function, even if the device is an MFP, it may be registered as a printer class device. The device type 304 indicates the overall function of the device, and is distinguished from a single printer and MFP. In the data of each attribute shown in the above 305 to 307, “1” indicates that the function of the attribute is supported, and “0” indicates that the function of the attribute is not supported. Further, NA indicates that information regarding the attribute is not stored.
[0052]
The registered device information database 300 shown in FIG. 4 will be described in detail by taking, for example, the device registered in the first row of the table as an example. The device named “Color-kun” has the network address “192.168.16.131”. The device has a print function. It can be seen that the printer is a single printer and supports the color printing function and the stapling function as attributes, but does not support the duplex printing function.
[0053]
In the present embodiment, the devices in the first to fifth lines shown in FIG. 4 correspond to the color printer 101, MFP 102, monochrome printer 103, monochrome printer 104, and scanner 105 in FIG.
Note that the data shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and it goes without saying that the data stored in the search server PC 112 may include other additional information (for example, information such as the installation location).
[0054]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the overall device search operation performed by the search server PC 112. Note that the determination and execution in the series of processes are performed by the CPU 201 in the search server PC 112 in terms of hardware. The search server PC 112 operates according to an event-driven program. That is, when an event occurs, the event is analyzed and a corresponding process is executed. In the following example, a case will be described in which operation is performed in response to a device search request sent from the search client PC 111.
[0055]
When the search server PC 112 is activated, first, in step S401, a reception port is opened to accept a device search request from the search client PCs 111 and 113. With this operation, for example, when a device search request is received from the search client PC 111, the operating system of the search server PC 112 issues a reception event, and the device search program is notified that the device search request has been received.
[0056]
Next, the process proceeds to step S402 and waits for some event to be notified from the operating system. If any event is notified, the event is acquired and the process proceeds to the next step S403. In step S403, it is determined whether or not the acquired event is an end command, that is, whether or not it is a system shutdown event by the user. As a result of this determination, if the acquired event is a shutdown event, the reception port is closed in step S408, and then the device search program process is terminated.
[0057]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S403 that the acquired event is not a shutdown event, the process advances to step S404 to determine whether it is an inquiry reception event from the search client PC. If the acquired event is an inquiry reception event, the process proceeds to step S405.
[0058]
In step S405, an appropriate device is selected by comparing the database 300 shown in FIG. 4 with the static search condition inquired from the search client PC 111. Details of the device search process using the database 300 will be described later with reference to FIG. In the subsequent step S406, the search result obtained by the database search process in step S405 is returned to the search client PC 111.
[0059]
If it is determined in step S404 that the acquired event is not an inquiry reception event, the process proceeds to step S407, and other processes other than the shutdown event and the inquiry reception event, such as a screen update process, a network device, etc. Processing for registering device network address information, attribute information, etc. received from 101 to 105 on the database 300 shown in FIG.
[0060]
Next, the device search process performed in step S405 of FIG. 5 by the search server PC 112 will be described in more detail using the flowchart of FIG. First, the outline of the overall operation will be described. In the device search processing of this embodiment, for example, when the search client PCs 111 and 113 specify a plurality of static search conditions, the search conditions are processed one by one. I have to. That is the outer loop determined in step S501. The inner loop determined in step S505 is for scanning all registered device information in the database 300 for a certain search condition.
[0061]
In the device search process of this embodiment, first, in step S501, it is determined whether or not all given search conditions have been processed. If it is determined that all the search conditions have been processed as a result of the determination, the process proceeds to step S502, and the search result obtained at that time is returned to the upper program.
[0062]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S501 that all the search conditions have not been processed yet, the process proceeds to step S503, and one unprocessed search condition is extracted from the received packets received from the search client PC 111. . As described later with respect to the operation of the search client PCs 111 and 113, the search condition to be extracted here is to extract only the attribute of the object class from the search conditions issued by designating one or more attributes. Is replaced only with the conditions of this object class.
[0063]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which search conditions are described according to the notation of RFC (Request for Comments) 1960 issued by IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force). For example, as shown in the search condition 601, it is assumed that in the search client PC 111, an object class is a printer, and a device capable of color printing, double-sided printing, and stapling is specified as a search condition as an attribute. In this case, only the object class is extracted from the search condition 601 on the search client PC 111, and the relaxed search condition 602 is created so that the object class is a printer.
[0064]
Next, the process proceeds to step S504, and it is determined whether or not all registered device information in the database 300 shown in FIG. 4 has been searched for the object class search condition 602 acquired in step S503. If all the registered device information has been searched as a result of this determination, the process returns to step S501 to process the next search condition.
[0065]
If it is determined in step S504 that all registered device information in the database 300 of FIG. 4 has not been searched yet, the process proceeds to step S505. In step S505, the registered device information for one nth device is extracted from the database 300. In the subsequent step S506, it is determined whether or not the extracted registered device information matches the search condition of the object class that is currently targeted.
[0066]
As a result of this determination, if the retrieved registered device information does not match the object class search condition, the process returns to step S504 (at this time the value of n is incremented), and the next registered in the database 300 is returned. Continue the search process for device information. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S506 that the extracted registered device information matches the object class search condition, the process advances to step S507.
[0067]
In step S507, among the registered device information determined to match the object class search condition in step S506, the color printing function attribute specified as the search attribute in addition to the device name 301, the network address 302, and the device type 304. Each information of 305, duplex printing function attribute 306 and stapling function attribute 307 is acquired. In step S508, the acquired information is added to the search result information. When the process of step S508 is completed, the process returns to step S504, and the search process for the next device information registered in the database 300 is continued.
[0068]
In this way, when all the registered device information in the database 300 shown in FIG. 4 is searched for the search condition that uses only the attribute of the object class sent from the search client PC 111 as a condition, it matches each object class. All device information is detected for each search condition. Then, as described above, this search result is returned to the upper program in step S502, and is returned to the search client PC 111 that has sent the device search request in step S407 of FIG.
[0069]
Regarding the flowchart showing the search operation in the search server PC 112 shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, it is assumed that, for example, the search client PC 111 issues a search condition 601 shown in FIG. In this case, only the object class is extracted from the requested search condition 601 to create a new search condition 602, and the search server PC 112 searches the database 300 shown in FIG. 4 according to the relaxed search condition 602. Is done.
[0070]
In this case, a search result as shown in FIG. 8 is obtained. In the search result shown in FIG. 8, there are four devices that match the search condition 602 that the object class is a printer. For each of the devices, a device name 801, a network address 802, a device type 803, and the original search condition 601 are included. The information regarding each attribute of the presence / absence 804 of the color printing function, the presence / absence 805 of the double-sided printing function, and the presence / absence 806 of the stapling function specified in FIG.
[0071]
Next, a screen display example of the search client PCs 111 and 113 will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen display example of the search client PCs 111 and 113 before performing device search.
[0072]
In FIG. 9, various types of information are displayed in a window 700. A combo box 701 designates an object class of a device to be searched. By operating this combo box 701, the object class of the device to be searched can be set to “printer”, “scanner”, or the like. At this time, if the setting of the object class is changed, each search attribute condition in the area 703 for designating a static search attribute is changed to an attribute corresponding to the set object class.
[0073]
In the area 703 for designating a static search attribute, a printer is selected as an object class in the combo box 701 in the example of FIG. It is shown. That is, the search attribute is determined by a check box 703a indicating the presence / absence of a monochrome printing function, a check box 703b indicating the presence / absence of a color printing function, a check box 703c indicating the presence / absence of a duplex printing function, a check box 703d indicating the presence / absence of a stapling function, It can be specified.
[0074]
In the example shown in FIG. 9, since the check box 703b indicating the presence / absence of the color printing function, the check box 703c indicating the presence / absence of the duplex printing function, and the check box 703d indicating the presence / absence of the stapling function are respectively checked, color printing is possible. In addition, a search for a device capable of duplex printing and capable of stapling is requested. In the present embodiment, the search condition specified in the static search attribute specifying area 703 is temporarily stored in the RAM 203 in FIG.
[0075]
Reference numeral 702a denotes a search processing start button that uses a static attribute as a condition. When the user presses the button using the keyboard 209 in FIG. 3 or a pointing device (not shown), the search server PC 112 is statically pressed. An inquiry is made as to whether there is a device that matches the search condition specified in the target search attribute specification area 703. Reference numeral 704 denotes an area for displaying a search result, which includes a device name display area 704a, an IP address display area 704b, and a condition display area 704c.
[0076]
Reference numeral 702b denotes a search processing start button that uses semi-static and dynamic attributes as conditions. In other words, the dynamic search start button 702b further narrows down the network devices displayed in the search result display area 704 as a result of searching according to the static attribute condition with the semi-static and dynamic attribute conditions. This button is pressed when performing a search. Reference numeral 702c denotes an automatic search start button. When the user presses this button, the search process based on the dynamic search attribute is automatically performed after the search process based on the static search attribute is executed.
[0077]
Reference numeral 705 denotes an area for designating semi-static and dynamic search attributes. Also in this area 705, when the setting of the object class is changed by operating the combo box 701, the semi-static and dynamic search attribute conditions are changed to attributes according to the set object class. In the example of FIG. 9, since a printer is selected as an object class in the combo box 701, in this area 705, semi-static and dynamic attributes relating to the printer are indicated by several check boxes and the like.
[0078]
Reference numeral 705a denotes a check box for designating that the printer is in a normal state and is in an operation state in which a print operation is currently being performed. Reference numeral 705b denotes a check box for designating that the printer is in a normal state and is in a standby state where no printing operation is currently performed. Therefore, when this standby check box 705b is checked, a device that is not turned on, is offline, or has an error such as a paper jam, or a device that is currently performing a printing operation, Not subject to search. When a search is performed without checking the check box 705 b in standby, the above-described state is displayed in the condition display area 704 c in the search result display area 704.
[0079]
705c is an area for designating the number of pages to be printed, and 705d is an area for designating the number of copies to be printed. From the conditions for the number of printed pages and the number of copies designated in these areas 705c and 705d and the conditions for the duplex printing function and the stapling function designated by the check boxes 703c and 703d in the static search attribute designation area 703 , Printing 20 copies of 30-page data on both sides and requesting a search for a printer capable of stapling. At the time of this search, a printer having a sufficient number of remaining paper sheets, 20 empty staple sorter bins, and a capacity of 15 or more for each bin is searched.
[0080]
Next, the operation of the search client PCs 111 and 113 will be described.
The search client PCs 111 and 113 operate according to an event-driven program. When any event occurs, the search client PCs 111 and 113 analyze the event and perform corresponding processing. Until the system operation is completed, the event is sequentially acquired and the loop is processed. Main events to be processed are a system end event, a device search request event, and a device search result reception event.
[0081]
First, the overall operation of the search client PCs 111 and 113 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.
When the search client PCs 111 and 113 are activated, first, the process waits for an event to occur in step S901. If any event occurs, the event is acquired and the process proceeds to the next step S902.
[0082]
In step S902, it is determined whether or not the acquired event is an end command, that is, whether or not the user has issued a system end command using the keyboard 209 in FIG. 3 or a pointing device (not shown). As a result of the determination, if the acquired event is an end command event, the device search program processing is ended as it is.
[0083]
On the other hand, if it is determined that the acquired event is not an end command issue event, the process advances to step S903. In step S903, whether or not the acquired event is a search command issue event, that is, when the user presses the static search start button 702a or the automatic search start button 702c shown in FIG. It is further determined whether the event is a result of issuing a device search command based on the attribute.
[0084]
As a result of the determination, if the acquired event is an event by issuing a search command, the process proceeds to step S904, and a device search request is transmitted to the search server PC 112. Details of the search request transmission process will be described later with reference to FIG. Thereafter, the process returns to step S901, and the search client PCs 111 and 113 enter a state of waiting for the next event occurrence.
[0085]
If it is determined in step S903 that the acquired event is not an event generated by issuing a search command, the process advances to step S905. In step S905, whether or not the acquired event is a search result reception event, that is, whether or not the event is a reception result of a search result returned from the search server PC 112 as a response to the device search request transmitted in step S904. Determine further.
[0086]
If it is determined that the acquired event is a search result reception event, the process advances to step S906 to display the received search result in the window 700 of FIG. Details of the search result display process in step S906 will be described later with reference to FIG. Thereafter, when the process of step S906 is completed, the process returns to step S901 to wait for the next event to occur.
[0087]
If it is determined in step S905 that the acquired event is not a search result reception event, the process advances to step S907 to perform other processing. The other processing is, for example, processing for redrawing the screen when the program is started or when the user moves a window on the screen. When the process of step S906 is completed, the process returns to step S901 to wait for the next event to occur.
[0088]
Next, the search request transmission process in step S904 of FIG. 10 will be described in more detail using the flowchart of FIG. The search request transmission process shown in FIG. 11 is performed when a search condition specifying a static attribute is transmitted to the search server PC 112.
[0089]
In the search request transmission process shown in FIG. 11, first, in step S1001, the RAM 203 is accessed to obtain the search condition input on the search condition input screen as shown in FIG. In the subsequent step S1002, only the conditions relating to the object class are extracted from the search conditions acquired in step S1001, and a search request packet is generated and transmitted to the search server PC 112 to request a search for a network device.
[0090]
In the present embodiment, the address of the search server PC 112 is known in advance by, for example, writing a value input by the user using the keyboard 209 of FIG. 3 into the hard disk 211 and reading it. However, it is not limited to this.
[0091]
As another method, for example, it may be acquired from the network using a technique such as a double space in the programming language Linda. There are various papers and explanations about Linda, but for example, it is described in the following paper.
D. Gelernter: “Generative Communication in Linda”, ACM Transactions on Programming Languages and Systems, volume7, number1, pp80-112, 1985
[0092]
Next, the search result display process based on the static attribute condition in step S906 in FIG. 10 will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
In the search result display process shown in FIG. 12, first, in step S1101, the search client PC 111 examines the search result received from the search server PC 112, thereby temporarily storing the static data stored in the RAM 203 in FIG. It is determined whether there is a device that completely matches the search condition (for example, search condition 601 in FIG. 7), that is, a device that satisfies all the search attributes specified in the static search attribute specifying area 703 in FIG. If there is even one device that completely matches the static search condition in the RAM 203, the process advances to step S1102.
[0093]
In step S1102, the display screen of the CRT 210 is rewritten by operating the CRTC 206 of FIG. 3 to display that the searched device completely matches the static search condition. In the subsequent step S1103, “TRUE” is substituted into a temporary variable fExist that indicates whether or not there is a complete match in order to store that the match was complete. Then, when the process of step S1103 is completed, the process proceeds to step S1106.
[0094]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1101 that no device completely matches the static search condition, the process advances to step S1104. In step S1104, the CRTC 206 of FIG. 3 is operated to rewrite the display screen of the CRT 210, and display that the searched device is an incomplete match with the static search condition. In the subsequent step S1105, “FALSE” is substituted into the temporary variable fExist in order to store the fact that the match is incomplete. Then, when the process of step S1105 is completed, the process proceeds to step S1106.
[0095]
The loop starting from step S1106 is a loop for sequentially processing all device information included in the received search result one by one.
That is, in step S1106, it is determined whether or not all device information included in the received search result has been processed. If it is determined that all device information has been processed, the search result display processing is terminated.
[0096]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1106 that all the device information included in the received search result has not been processed yet, the process proceeds to step S1107, and one of the received one or more device information is not yet processed. Extract one piece of processing information. In the subsequent step S1108, it is determined whether or not the value of the temporary variable fExist substituted in the previous step S1103 or step S1105 is “TRUE”.
[0097]
If the value of the temporary variable fExist is “TRUE”, that is, if there is at least one device that completely matches the static search condition, the process advances to step S1109. Even if the value of the temporary variable fExist is “TRUE”, one or more pieces of device information received as a search result may not completely match the static search condition. Select only device information that matches completely. The selection is performed in step S1109.
[0098]
In step S1109, it is determined whether the device information acquired in step S1107 matches completely with the static search condition temporarily stored in the RAM 203. Here, if it is determined that the static search condition completely matches, the process proceeds to step S1110. In step S1110, the CRTC 206 in FIG. 3 is controlled to rewrite the screen of the CRT 210, and the device name, the network address, and the fact that they are completely matched are displayed in the areas 704a to 704c in the search result display area 704, respectively. When the process of step S1110 is completed, the process returns to step S1106 to process the next device information.
[0099]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1109 that the device information acquired from the search result is not completely consistent with the static search condition, the display process in step S1110 is not performed and the step is promptly performed. Returning to S1106, the next device information is processed.
[0100]
In step S1108, if the value of the temporary variable fExist is “FALSE”, that is, if no device completely matches the static search condition, the process proceeds to step S1111. In this case, the received search results include various information from device information that does not match the search conditions at all, except that the object class matches, to device information that is one step before the complete match. include. It is desirable for the user to select and display only as important information as possible from the device information. It is step S1111 that performs the determination for that purpose.
[0101]
In other words, in step S1111, the device information acquired in step S1107 matches the attribute more than a certain reference number out of one or more attributes included in the search condition temporarily stored in the RAM 203. Determine if there is. In the present embodiment, when there are three designated attribute conditions (with color printing function, duplex printing function, and stapling function) as in the search condition 601 shown in FIG. 7, two or more of them are included. Those that match the attribute condition are determined to be “matched above a certain standard”.
[0102]
If it is determined that the acquired device information satisfies an attribute that exceeds a certain standard, the process advances to step S1112. In step S1112, the attribute that the device information does not satisfy among the attributes in the static search condition is checked.
[0103]
In subsequent step S1113, the CRTC 206 of FIG. 3 is controlled to update the screen of the CRT 210, and the device name and network address are displayed from the device information acquired in step S1107 in each of the areas 704a to 704c in the search result display area 704. At the same time, the inconsistent conditions (attributes) checked in step S1112 are displayed. When the process of step S1110 is completed, the process returns to step S1106 to process the next device information.
[0104]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1111 that the device information acquired from the search result does not satisfy the attribute in the static search condition more than a certain standard, the display processing in steps S1112 and S1113 is performed. Without performing the process, the process immediately returns to step S1106 to process the next device information.
[0105]
As a result of the above processing, when there is a device that completely matches the static search condition, only information related to the device is displayed as a search result. In addition, even if there is no device that completely matches the static search criteria, if there is a device that has more attributes than the reference number, information about that device (including attributes that did not match) is displayed as the search results. The Rukoto.
[0106]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of a screen display of search results displayed on the search client PCs 111 and 113 after the device search process based on the static search condition is completed in the search server PC 112. As described above, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the device class is a printer and a device having a color printing function, a duplex printing function, and a table function is searched.
[0107]
As a result, a device search result as shown in FIG. 8 is obtained by performing a device search in the search server PC 112 based only on the condition that the object class is a printer. Of the four device information included in the search results shown in FIG. 8 above, those that match two or more of the three specified attribute conditions are “Color-kun” and “Second-floor high-speed machine”. Only.
[0108]
Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 13, the device names “color-kun” and “second-floor high-speed machine” are the devices that do not completely match the specified search condition but satisfy the conditions nearly similar to the specified search conditions. In addition to being displayed in the name display area 704a, the network address of each searched device is displayed in the IP address display area 704b. Further, for each device displayed as a search result, a condition that does not match among the attribute conditions designated in the static search attribute designation area 703 is displayed in the condition display area 704c.
[0109]
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display example when there is a device that completely matches the search condition.
In the example of FIG. 14, the device class is a printer, and a device having a duplex printing function and a stapling function is searched. In this case, there is a device named “2nd floor high-speed machine” as a device that completely matches the search condition. Therefore, information about the device is displayed in the device name display area 704a and the IP address display area 704b, and the condition display area 704c displays that the static search conditions are completely matched.
[0110]
As described above, in this embodiment, if there is a device that completely matches the specified static search condition, it is displayed correctly as a search result, and there is no such device. However, if there is a device that matches an attribute condition above a certain standard, all of them are displayed as search results. At this time, since the attributes that are not included among the attributes specified as the static search conditions are also displayed for the searched device, the user can check which attribute is not satisfied in each device. It is possible to easily determine from the display. Thus, the device desired by the user can be easily understood without re-specifying the search condition with relaxed search attribute conditions and performing the search process again.
[0111]
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a specific example of a screen display of search results displayed on the search client PCs 111 and 113 after the device search processing based on the semi-static and dynamic search conditions is completed. Here, with respect to the “second floor high speed machine” selected in the search process based on the static search condition shown in FIG. 14, the printer is in a standby state and prints 20 copies of 30 pages of data. Searches based on static and dynamic search conditions. In the present embodiment, the dynamic search condition specified in the dynamic search attribute specifying area 705 is also temporarily stored in the RAM 203 in FIG.
[0112]
In this search process, for example, the search client PC 111 issues a request for checking the current state of the device to the “second floor high-speed machine” device. In response to this request, the device of the “second floor high-speed machine” investigates the state of its own device and returns the state information obtained as a result of the investigation to the search client PC 111. In the search client PC 111, the current status information sent from the device can be actually used by the device by comparing the search conditions based on the semi-static and dynamic search attributes stored in the RAM 203. Examine the conditions.
[0113]
As a result of performing such a search process, in the example shown in FIG. 15, the condition display area 704c indicates that the apparatus status is in a standby state, and up to 10 copies of 30 pages of data can be printed. . Further, it is also shown in the condition display area 704c that the limitation on the number of copies to be printed is that the number of bins of the staple sorter is 10. If all the dynamic search conditions match, “dynamic condition match” is displayed in the condition display area 704c.
[0114]
As described above, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the device searched by the device search process based on the static search condition is further searched based on the semi-static and dynamic search conditions. Depending on the semi-static and dynamic attributes of the device that can change over time, the currently available state for that device will be displayed. Therefore, the user can easily determine the currently available range for the device searched based on the static search condition from this screen display.
[0115]
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example in which link information for displaying semi-static and dynamic attributes is displayed on a result display of a device search based on a static search condition. In FIG. 16, a dynamic search start button 702b, an automatic search start button 702c for specifying a semi-dynamic and dynamic attribute, and a dynamic attribute as shown in FIGS. The designated area 705 is not provided. Instead of the dynamic attribute designation area 705, a dynamic attribute display area 706 for displaying semi-static and dynamic attributes of the searched device is provided.
[0116]
As for the search result display area 704, a link address display area 704d is provided instead of the condition display area 704c as shown in FIGS. The “second floor high-speed machine attribute” portion shown in the link address display area 704d indicates a link address for obtaining and displaying semi-static and dynamic attribute information. By clicking this with a pointing device or the like (not shown), the semi-static and dynamic attribute information at that time of the second floor high-speed machine is obtained and displayed in the dynamic attribute display area 706.
[0117]
That is, when the “second-floor high-speed machine attribute” portion shown in the link address display area 704d is clicked, the search client PC 111 requests to check the current state of the device of the “second-floor high-speed machine”. Issue. The device of the “second floor high-speed machine” that has received this status search request checks the status of its own device, and returns status information obtained as a result of the search to the search client PC 111. The search client PC 111 displays the current status information sent from the device in the dynamic attribute display area 706 as it is.
[0118]
In the example of FIG. 16, the second floor high speed machine is currently on standby and 20 bins can be used. The upper cassette has 200 sheets of A4 recording paper, the middle cassette has 120 sheets of B4 recording paper, and the lower cassette has It can be seen that 100 sheets of A3 recording paper are set.
[0119]
As described above, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the device searched by the device search process based on the static search condition is examined and displayed at that time by displaying the semi-static and dynamic attributes. The current semi-static and dynamic attributes of the device that may change with will be displayed. Therefore, the user can easily determine from the screen display whether or not the device searched based on the static search condition is actually usable at present.
[0120]
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating another example of a result display obtained by performing a device search based on a static search condition. In the example shown in FIG. 17, whether or not the driver necessary for outputting data to the “second floor high speed machine” displayed as the search result is installed on the search client PCs 111 and 113, Whether the driver can be obtained or not, and if the driver can be obtained, information on where to obtain the driver is displayed.
[0121]
In the present embodiment, a link address display area 704d and a driver information display area 704e are provided in the search result display area 704. In the driver information display area 704e, whether or not a necessary driver is already installed is displayed, and if it is not installed, whether or not the driver is available is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 17, a necessary driver is not installed, but “available” is displayed because it is available.
[0122]
Further, in the present embodiment, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating a place where the driver can be obtained is displayed in the driver obtaining place display area 707 as an address. By clicking this URL, it is possible to install drivers continuously.
Note that the determination and execution in a series of processing relating to such a driver are performed by the CPU 201 in the search client PCs 111 and 113 in terms of hardware.
[0123]
Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the current semi-static and dynamic attributes of the device that can change over time are displayed, so that the user can It is easy to determine whether the searched device is actually usable based on the general search condition. In addition to this, whether or not the necessary driver has been installed is displayed, and if it is not installed, the location of the driver is also displayed, so that the user can find the device searched based on the static search condition. If it is not possible to use it because there is no driver, it can be easily determined from this screen display whether it can be used at present.
[0124]
The network device search control according to the present embodiment described above may be performed by the PC 200 of FIG. 3 according to a program installed from the outside. In that case, the program is supplied to the PC 200 by a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, a floppy disk, or the information group including the program from an external storage medium via a network such as e-mail or personal computer communication. The present invention can be applied even when supplied by loading on the PC 200.
[0125]
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a memory map of a CD-ROM which is an example of a storage medium. In FIG. 18, 9999 is an area in which directory information is stored, and indicates the position of an area 9998 in which subsequent installation programs are stored and an area 9997 in which network device control programs are stored.
[0126]
When the network control program of the present embodiment is installed in the PC 200, the installation program stored in the area 9998 is first loaded into the PC 200 and executed by the CPU 201. Next, the installation program executed by the CPU 201 reads the network device control program from the area 9997 and stores it in the hard disk 211.
[0127]
Note that the present invention may be applied to a system or an integrated apparatus configured by a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, and the like) or an apparatus configured from a single device.
[0128]
In addition, in order to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, a storage medium in which a program code of software is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program code stored in the storage medium. What is implemented by reading and executing is also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0129]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0130]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer based on an instruction of the program code or Needless to say, the present invention includes a case where other application software or the like performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0131]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is stored in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the present invention includes a case where the CPU or the like provided in the expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0132]
Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a case where the program is distributed to a requester via a communication line such as personal computer communication from a storage medium that records a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. .
[0133]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently acquire and display dynamic attributes of peripheral devices. As a result, the user can easily understand the state of the searched peripheral device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing elemental features of a network system (device search system) according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a network in which the device search system of the present embodiment can operate.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a general personal computer.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of device information held by a search server.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the search server.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of a database search process performed by a search server.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a static search condition issued from a search client and a new search condition extracted therefrom.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search result based on a static search condition.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display of a search client at a time before device search.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the search client.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a search request transmission process performed by a search client.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of a search result display process performed by a search client.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display of a search client at a time after a device search based on a static search condition.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another example of the screen display of the search client at the time after the device search based on the static search condition.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display of a search client at a time after a device search based on semi-static and dynamic search conditions.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of a screen display of the search client at the time after the device search based on the semi-static and dynamic search conditions.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing still another example of the screen display of the search client at the time after the device search based on the semi-static and dynamic search conditions.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a memory map in the storage medium of the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 clients
11 Search condition specification part
12 Search condition storage
13 Static search request transmitter
14 Static search result receiver
15 Dynamic search request transmitter
16 Dynamic search result receiver
17 Comparison judgment part
18 Display section
20 servers
21 Device Information Management Department
22 Static search request receiver
23 Search part
24 Static search result transmitter
30 devices
31 Dynamic search request receiver
32 State Survey Department
33 Dynamic search result transmitter
40 network
101-105 devices
111,113 Search client PC
112 Search server PC
201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
211 hard disk

Claims (9)

An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a search server that searches for a peripheral device and a peripheral device that matches the search condition,
An input means for allowing the user to input a static attribute indicating the function of the peripheral device;
Transmitting means for transmitting a search condition for searching for a peripheral device to the search server based on the static attribute input by a user using the input means;
Receiving means for receiving the search results by the search based on the search conditions from the search server,
Based on the search result of the static attribute, a search result including a link address for acquiring and displaying information on the dynamic attribute of the peripheral device from the peripheral device satisfying the search condition is displayed in the first display area. Display means for displaying on,
Inquires the peripheral device corresponding to the link address designated by the user among the peripheral devices included in the search result received by the receiving means without going through the search server, and information on dynamic attributes of the peripheral device Obtaining means for obtaining ,
The display means, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, the search result of dynamic attributes of the peripheral device included in the second display information that displays the area processing unit.   2. The information according to claim 1, wherein the static attribute includes at least one of the presence / absence of a color printing function of a peripheral device, the presence / absence of a double-sided printing function, and whether stapling is possible. Processing equipment.   3. The dynamic attribute according to claim 1, wherein the dynamic attribute includes at least one of a peripheral device operating, a peripheral device waiting, and a number of owned sheets. Information processing device.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a dynamic attribute of the peripheral device and a name of the peripheral device together. An input step for inputting a static attribute indicating the function of the peripheral device based on a user operation;
A transmission step of transmitting a search condition for searching for a peripheral device based on the static attribute input in the input step to a search server that searches for a peripheral device that matches the search condition;
A receiving step of receiving a search result by the search based on the search conditions from the search server,
A first search result including a link address for acquiring and displaying information on the dynamic attribute of the peripheral device from the peripheral device satisfying the search condition based on the search result of the static attribute is displayed. A display step;
Query the peripheral device corresponding to the link address designated by the user among the peripheral devices included in the search result received in the receiving step without going through the search server, and obtain information on the dynamic attributes of the peripheral device. An acquisition step to acquire;
A second display step of displaying dynamic attributes of peripheral devices included in the search result based on the information acquired in the acquisition step;
An information processing method characterized by comprising: 6. The information according to claim 5 , wherein the static attribute includes at least one of the presence / absence of a color printing function of a peripheral device, the presence / absence of a duplex printing function, and whether or not stapling is possible. Processing method. The dynamic attribute, it peripheral device is in operation, it peripheral device is waiting, and according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one of ownership number of sheets Information processing method. The second display step, the dynamic attributes of the peripheral device, information processing method according to any one of claims 5-7, characterized in that the displayed together with the name of the peripheral device . An input step for inputting a static attribute indicating the function of the peripheral device based on a user operation;
A transmission step of transmitting a search condition for searching for a peripheral device based on the static attribute input in the input step to a search server that searches for a peripheral device that matches the search condition;
A receiving step of receiving a search result by the search based on the search conditions from the search server,
A first search result including a link address for acquiring and displaying information on the dynamic attribute of the peripheral device from the peripheral device satisfying the search condition based on the search result of the static attribute is displayed. A display step;
Query the peripheral device corresponding to the link address designated by the user among the peripheral devices included in the search result received in the receiving step without going through the search server, and obtain information on the dynamic attributes of the peripheral device. An acquisition step to acquire;
A second display step of displaying dynamic attributes of peripheral devices included in the search result based on the information acquired in the acquisition step;
A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to execute the program.

Images