JP5153841B2 - Communication device and communication control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is connected to a network, to a communication device及beauty communications control method for transmitting and receiving data via the network.

  In a network environment that supports a business or office environment, the network often includes various types or different generations of network devices having different functions and capabilities, such as a printing device having a network function. As new technologies emerge and new models with improved functionality and next-generation network devices become available, the functionality available within that network will change significantly. However, a situation may occur in which a new printing apparatus that can support secure printing and an old type printing apparatus that does not support secure printing are mixed in one network. In such a state, it cannot be considered that the function of the entire network has improved.

  It is therefore desirable to implement new technologies and improvements throughout the network so that all network users can use the same functionality for all network devices. Otherwise, if the old type network devices assigned to some network users cannot support the new features supported by other new network devices, the users of those old type devices New useful features such as email and email printing are not available.

  One solution to this problem is simply to replace all old type network devices with new network devices with the desired new functions and capabilities. However, the effort and cost of implementing this solution is tremendous and is not practical when new enterprise applications that require new features and capabilities are frequently implemented.

  In addition, as another solution to this problem, there is a method of upgrading an old type network device by downloading new firmware to each old type network device (Patent Document 1). However, in this approach, a network administrator or service representative physically accesses each of the older network devices, downloads the appropriate version of firmware for each, and makes the network device a new network device. It must be able to support consistent functions and requires significant effort. In many cases, the old-type network device has hardware and design limitations, and therefore, there is a possibility that a new version of firmware for realizing a new function cannot be downloaded.

  As another solution, a method of using a network module that supports a desired additional function for an old type network device that can be connected to the old type network device through an interface is conceivable. A specific example of such a network module is an intelligent network card module that can be connected to a printing apparatus via an interface. This network card module is an intelligent module having its own CPU. Normally, this network card module is provided with a print server function for performing overall control of various print services via the network. As a result, the printing apparatus and the network card module communicate with each other via the interface to realize a desired service. Conversely, functions such as heavy image processing can be transferred from the printing apparatus to the network card module. As a result, the functions of the CPU of the printing apparatus main body and its peripheral circuits can be lowered, resulting in cost reduction of the printing apparatus main body.

JP 06-214929 A

  In such a network card module and a printing apparatus, each asynchronously uses a communication terminal such as a host computer on the network and a network protocol such as TCP / IP via a physical interface provided in the network card module. Communication. In this TCP / IP protocol, all terminals existing on the network have a network address (for example, an IP address) systematically given by the network administrator according to the network configuration, and a unique address given when the terminal is manufactured. And two physical addresses (for example, MAC address: Media Access Control). In the above case, the network card module and the printing apparatus use the same network address and the same physical address. This means that when viewed from other communication terminals on the network, the printing apparatus and the network card module are recognized as only one communication terminal existing on the network. As a result, services such as the print server function provided in the network card module can behave as if they were added / extended to the printing apparatus main body. In the TCP / IP protocol, when data is transmitted from any terminal existing on the network to another terminal, two addresses, a network address of the transmission destination and a physical address, are required. However, the physical address of the transmission destination terminal is often unknown at the time when transmission is started at the transmission source terminal. For this reason, the transmission source terminal acquires the physical address of the transmission destination terminal using an address resolution protocol (ARP). This address resolution protocol is a protocol used to know a specific physical address corresponding to a communication partner's network address from communication terminals on the network.

  In the Internet standardization organization IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force), RFC 826 “Ethernet (registered trademark) Address Resolution Protocol” defines address resolution protocol specifications. The outline of address resolution processing by the address resolution protocol will be briefly described below.

  When transmitting data in the TCP / IP protocol, the source communication terminal first searches the address information table in the cache memory using the network address of the communication partner as a key, and whether the destination terminal is registered. If registered, the physical address is set as the destination address of the transmission data. If there is no corresponding registration information, an address resolution request message (ARP request) requesting a physical address corresponding to the network address is broadcast to all terminals on the network. Each terminal on the network that has received this address resolution request message determines whether or not the network address corresponding to the destination of the received address resolution request message matches the network address assigned to its own terminal. If it is determined, an address resolution response message (ARP reply) storing the physical address of the terminal itself is returned to the terminal that sent the address resolution request message. Upon receiving this address resolution response message, the transmission source terminal registers the correspondence between the network address and the physical address stored in the address resolution response message in its own address information table, and the subsequent terminal The address information is used when transmitting data to the. In the above processing, each terminal on the network that has received the address resolution request message, if the network address corresponding to the destination of the received address resolution request message does not match the network address assigned to the terminal itself, The received address resolution request message is discarded and no response is returned to the address resolution request message.

  In some cases, the network card module and the printing apparatus are independently provided with an address resolution processing unit that performs address resolution using the address resolution protocol as described above. In addition, an address information table for registering the correspondence between the network address and the physical address may be provided separately and separately. Therefore, for example, in a network card module, when data is transmitted to a client such as a host computer existing on the network via a physical interface provided in the network card module, the network card is first set using the network address of the client as a key. The address information table provided in the module itself is searched and address resolution is attempted. If the corresponding information is not registered in the address information table, an address resolution request message is broadcasted to all terminals on the network. When an address resolution response message is received from the client in response to the address resolution request message, the correspondence between the client network address and the physical address is registered in the address information table provided in the network card module itself. Similarly, in the printing apparatus, when data is transmitted to a client such as a host computer existing on the network via a physical interface provided in the network card module, the address information table provided in the printing apparatus itself is first searched. If address resolution is not obtained as a result, address resolution is attempted using an address resolution request message. When an address resolution response message for the address resolution request message is obtained, the correspondence between the client network address and the physical address is registered in an address information table provided in the printing apparatus itself.

  As described above, when the network card module and the printing apparatus have separate and independent address information tables, the printing apparatus can obtain a solution by searching the address information table provided in the printing apparatus itself. Even if there is no address information, there is a possibility that the address information is registered in the address information table provided in the network card module. In such a case, it is preferable that the address resolution request message generated by the printing apparatus be broadcasted on the network via the physical interface provided in the network card module, which increases the line load of the network. Absent. There is also a problem that it takes time for address resolution in the printing apparatus.

  In addition, when the network card module and the printing apparatus perform address resolution using an address resolution processing unit provided separately and separately, and an address information table provided separately separately, respectively, Each of the network card module and the printing device determines whether the address resolution request message is addressed to its own network address in the address resolution processing unit provided for each, and if it is addressed to itself, the address resolution response message is address resolved. If the request message is transmitted to the transmission source and is not addressed to itself, a series of address resolution processing of discarding the address resolution request message is performed. For this reason, when the address resolution request message is addressed to its own network address, the address resolution response message is redundantly transmitted from the address resolution processing unit provided in each of the network card module and the printing apparatus. Regardless of whether the address resolution request message is addressed to its own network address or not, the network card module and the printing device perform the same address resolution processing for the same address resolution request message in terms of overall network processing efficiency. It is not desirable even from the viewpoint of.

  The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

  Another feature of the present invention is to provide a communication device and a communication control method thereof that can reduce the work load required for address resolution processing.

A communication apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A communication device connected to a network and transmitting / receiving data via the network,
First interface means for connecting to the network;
A second interface means for connecting to the data processing terminal;
Registration means for registering a correspondence relationship between a network address and a physical address of a network terminal on the network;
When transmitting transmission data received from an application provided in the communication device via the first interface unit, a physical address corresponding to a network address specified as a destination of the transmission data is the registration unit First discriminating means for discriminating whether or not it is registered in
When it is determined that the physical address corresponding to the network address specified as the destination is registered in the registration unit as a result of the determination by the first determination unit, the registered physical address is transmitted If it is determined that the physical address corresponding to the network address designated as the destination is not registered in the registration means, the network address designated as the destination is set as an inquiry target. sending via said first interface means address resolution request message, causes registered in the registration unit physical address included in the reply address resolution response message in response to the address resolution request message, the physical address And the destination of the transmission data And setting means for setting Te,
A request message transferring means for transferring the data processing terminal or we received address resolution request message via the second interface means, to said network via said first interface means,
Transferring pre Symbol address resolution request message address resolution response message the network or we receive through the front Symbol first interface means as a response to, to the data processing terminal via the second interface means Response message transfer means for
It said registration means, characterized in that to register the correspondence between the physical address included in the address resolution response the received message the network address of the queried address resolution request message received from the data processing terminal.

  The outline of the present invention does not enumerate all necessary features, and therefore, a sub-combination of these feature groups can also be an invention.

  According to the present invention, the workload required for address resolution processing can be reduced. In addition, the network load can be reduced.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus (printer) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration in a control program stored in each storage device of a network print server and a printer controller that are control devices in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the data structural example of the address information table with which the network print server which concerns on this Embodiment was equipped. It is a figure which shows the data structural example of the address information table with which the printer controller based on this Embodiment was equipped. It is a flowchart explaining the reception process of the address resolution message by the address resolution process part which operate | moves on the network print server which concerns on this Embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining address resolution message reception processing by an address resolution processing unit operating on the network print server according to the present embodiment, and shows processing when an address resolution request message is received from a printer controller. It is a flowchart explaining the transmission process of the address resolution request message by the address resolution process part which operate | moves on the network print server which concerns on this Embodiment. 7 is a flowchart for explaining address resolution message reception processing by an address resolution processing unit operating on the printer controller according to the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining address resolution request message transmission processing by an address resolution processing unit operating on the printer controller according to the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the scope of claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus (printer) 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer 1000 is roughly divided into internal devices that control a control system including a network printer server 1500 and a printer controller 1600.

  First, the configuration of the network print server 1500 will be described. The network print server CPU 1 controls the operation of each unit connected to the system bus 4 based on a control program stored in a rewritable flash memory (Flash ROM) 3. The flash memory 3 also stores a program for performing address resolution processing as shown in flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 described later. The network controller (LANC) 5 uses a predetermined network communication protocol with a plurality of external devices (not shown) such as a host computer connected to the local area network (LAN) 2000, and print data and printers sent from the external device. Sends and receives various data such as control commands. An extended interface controller (EXPC) 7 transmits and receives data to and from the printer controller 1600 connected via the interface 17. The RAM 2 is used as a main memory of the CPU 1 and is used as a temporary storage area such as a work area during control processing by the CPU 1. The LED 6 is used as a display unit that indicates an operation state of the network print server 1500. For example, an electrical connection state (LINK) between the network controller (LANC) 5 and the local area network (LAN) 2000, a network communication mode ( Various operating states such as 10Base, 100Base, full-duplex, and half-duplex) can be displayed by the blinking pattern and color of the LED 6. Further, the expansion interface 17 that connects the network print server 1500 and the printer controller 1600 is configured by a connector (not shown). Only the network print server 1500 is attached and detached, and the network print server 1500 is connected to another printer 1000 having the same configuration. It can also be attached.

  Next, the configuration of the printer controller 1600 will be described. The printer controller CPU 8 is based on a control program stored in the ROM 9 or a control program or resource data (resource information) stored in the external memory 10 connected via the disk controller (DKC) 15. Access to various devices connected to the bus 11 is comprehensively controlled. The extended interface controller (EXPC) 13 receives print data supplied from the network print server 1500 via the interface 17. The raster controller 12 generates image information based on the print data and outputs an image signal to the print engine 16. The RAM 14 that functions as the main memory, work area, and the like of the CPU 8 is configured such that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The operation panel (operation unit) 18 has buttons for performing operations such as setting the operation mode of the printer 1000 and canceling print data, and a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel and an LED indicating the operation state of the printer 1000. ing. The printer engine 16 uses a known printing technique, and examples of suitable implementation systems include an electrophotographic system (laser beam system), an ink jet system, and a sublimation (thermal transfer) system.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration in a control program stored in each storage device of the network print server 1500 and the printer controller 1600 that are control devices in the printer 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention. These control programs are analyzed and processed by the CPU (1, 8) of each control device.

  First, the software configuration of the network print server 1500 will be described. An operating system 1501 is an operating system (OS) that controls basic data input / output control of the network print server 1500. The operating system 1501 further includes a file system 1505 that performs input / output control with the program / data storage unit 1509, an expansion interface driver 1506 that performs communication control via the printer controller 1600 and the expansion interface 17, and a local area network (LAN). A network interface driver 1507 that communicates with an external device such as a host computer (not shown) via a 2000 communication medium and an address resolution processing unit 1510 that controls an address information table 1511 and performs address resolution processing are included.

  The address resolution processing unit 1510 is characterized by including both of the address resolution processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. Details of the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described later.

  An application program interface (API) 1502 provides various functions of the operating system 1501 to application programs such as a user application 1503 that operates on the network print server 1500, a printer 1000, and a management application that registers and manages user applications. To do. Functions provided by the application program interface 1502 include a data transfer API 1520 that provides a print data transmission / reception function, a resource control API 1521 that performs input / output control of resource data such as bitmap images and display messages, and restart of the printer 1000. Printer control API 1522 for controlling initialization and setting of setting values, job control API 1523 for controlling cancellation and reprinting of print jobs, restart of network print server 1500, initialization and setting of setting values, and application There is a print server control API 1524 for starting, registering, and deleting programs.

  Next, the software configuration of the printer controller 1600 will be described. An operating system 1601 that controls various processing controls of the printer controller 1600 includes a print engine control unit 1603 that performs communication control with the print engine 16 therein, and depends on a model such as a bitmap image and an error message that are referred to from the network print server 1500. A file system 1604 that performs input / output control with a model-dependent resource / program storage unit 1610 that stores a resource and a model-dependent application program that runs on the printer controller 1600, and an address that performs address resolution processing by controlling the address information table 1611 A solution processing unit 1606 is included.

  The extension interface control unit 1602 performs communication control with the network print server 1500 via the extension interface 17. Further, the extended interface control unit 1602 has a data transfer logic interface 1620 for controlling input / output of print data for each control type, and a resource control logic for controlling input / output of various data stored in the model-dependent resource / program storage unit 1610. An interface 1621; a printer control logic interface 1622 for controlling restart of the printer 1000, initialization of setting values, settings, and the like; and a job control logic interface 1623 for controlling cancellation of a print job and a reprint instruction. A command requested from the network print server 1500 is transferred to the operating system 1601 via the logical interface, and the processing result is returned to the network print server 1500.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of the address information table 1511 according to the present embodiment. This address information table 1511 is secured in the RAM 2 of the server 1500, and the network address of an external device such as a host computer (not shown) connected to the LAN 2000, obtained by address resolution processing, is associated with the physical address. Stored. Here, the IP address is stored as a network address, and the MAC address is stored as a physical address.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of the address information table 1611 according to the present embodiment. This address information table 1611 is secured in the RAM 14 of the printer controller 1600. The network address of an external device such as a host computer (not shown) connected to the LAN 2000, obtained by address resolution processing, corresponds to the physical address. It is stored with. Here, the IP address is stored as a network address, and the MAC address is stored as a physical address.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining address resolution message reception processing by the address resolution processing unit 1510 operating on the network print server 1500 according to the present embodiment. Steps S401 to S411 indicate each processing step. In the network print server 1500 when an address resolution message for the printer 1000 is received from an external device such as a host computer (not shown) connected to the LAN 2000, This is described in the processing flow of the address resolution processing unit 1510. The control procedure corresponding to each step is stored in the flash memory 3 of the network print server 1500.

  First, in step S401, when an address resolution message transmitted to the printer 1000 is received from an external device such as a host computer connected to the LAN 2000, header information of the received address resolution message is acquired in step S402. , It is determined whether the address resolution message is an address resolution request message (ARP request). If it is not an address resolution request message, the process advances to step S403 to determine whether it is an address resolution response message (ARP reply). If it is not an address resolution response message, it is determined that the address resolution message received in step S401 is an invalid message, the process proceeds to step S411, the received address resolution message is discarded, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S403 that the message is an address resolution response message, the process proceeds to step S404, and the network address and physical address of the transmission source terminal are acquired from the received address resolution response message. Next, the acquired network address and physical address are registered in association with each other in the address information table 1511 provided in the network print server 1500. In step S405, the received address resolution response message is transferred to the printer controller 1600 via the extension interface 17, and the process ends.

  If it is determined in step S402 that the address resolution message received in step S401 is an address resolution request message, the process proceeds to step S406, and the network address of the inquiry destination of the received address resolution request message is acquired. Next, in step S407, it is determined whether or not the acquired inquiry destination network address matches the own network address. If they do not coincide with each other, it is determined that the address resolution request message is not addressed to itself, and the process proceeds to step S411. After the received address resolution request message is discarded, the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S407 that the inquiry destination network address matches the own network address, an address resolution response message storing the physical address of the network print server 1500 is created in step S408. In step S409, an address resolution response message is transmitted to the terminal that has transmitted the address resolution request message via the LAN 2000. In step S410, the network address and physical address of the transmission source terminal are acquired from the received address resolution request message and registered in the address information table 1511 provided in the network print server 1500. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S411, where the received address resolution request message is discarded and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining address resolution message reception processing by the address resolution processing unit 1510 operating on the network print server 1500 according to the present embodiment. Steps S501 to S506 indicate processing steps. Here, the address resolution processing unit 1510 in the network print server 1500 when the address resolution request message (ARP request) is transferred from the printer controller 1600 via the extension interface 17 is shown. This is described in the process flow. The control procedure corresponding to each step is stored in the flash memory 3 of the network print server 1500.

  First, in step S501, the network address of the inquiry destination of the address resolution request message transferred from the printer controller 1600 via the extension interface 17 is acquired. In step S502, the address information table 1511 provided in the network print server 1500 is searched to determine whether a physical address corresponding to the inquiry destination network address is registered. If not registered, the process proceeds to step S503, and the address resolution request message transferred from the printer controller 1600 via the expansion interface 17 exists on the LAN 2000 in the same manner as in the case of transmission of a normal address resolution request message. After broadcast transmission to an external device such as a host computer (not shown), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the corresponding physical address is registered in the address information table 1511 provided in the network print server 1500 in step S502, the process proceeds to step S504, where the physical address corresponding to the inquiry destination network address is stored. Create a resolution response message. In step S 505, the address resolution response message created in step S 504 is transferred to the printer controller 1600 via the extension interface 17. In step S506, the address resolution request message transferred from the printer controller 1600 via the extension interface 17 is discarded, and the process ends.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an address resolution request message (ARP request) transmission process by the address resolution processing unit 1510 operating on the network print server 1500 according to the present embodiment. Steps S601 to S610 indicate respective processing steps. Here, transmission from a user application 1503 or the like operating on the network print server 1500 to an external device such as a host computer (not shown) existing on the local area network (LAN) 2000 is performed. This is described in the processing flow of the address resolution processing unit 1510 in the network print server 1500 when data is transferred. The control procedure corresponding to each step is stored in the flash memory 3 of the network print server 1500.

  First, in step S601, transmission data to an external device such as a host computer (not shown) existing on the local area network (LAN) 2000 passed from the user application 1503 or the like operating on the network print server 1500 is received and the transmission data is received. The network address that is the destination of the transmission data included in the is acquired. In step S602, the address information table 1511 provided in the network print server 1500 is searched to determine whether a physical address corresponding to the acquired network address is registered. If registered, the process proceeds to step S608, and the physical address is stored in the header of the transmission data. Thereafter, in step S609, the transmission data is transmitted to an external device such as a host computer (not shown) existing on the LAN 2000, and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the corresponding physical address is not registered in the address information table 1511 provided in the network print server 1500 in step S602, the process proceeds to step S603, and an address resolution request message for inquiring the corresponding physical address is created. To do. In step S604, the address resolution request message created in step S603 is broadcasted to an external device such as a host computer (not shown) on the LAN 2000. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S605, and waits for reception of an address resolution response message (ARP reply) for the address resolution request message transmitted in step S604. If it is determined in step S605 that there is no address resolution response message even after a predetermined time has passed, the process proceeds to step S610, and a transmission error is notified to the user application 1503 or the like operating on the network print server 1500 that is the transmission request source of the transmission data. To end the process.

  In step S605, when the address resolution response message for the address resolution request message transmitted in step S604 is received, the process proceeds to step S606, where the address resolution processing unit 1510 operating on the network print server 1500 performs address resolution message reception processing. Specifically, each processing step shown in steps S401 to S411 of FIG. 5 is executed. In step S607, the address information table 1511 provided in the network print server 1500 is searched to acquire a physical address corresponding to the network address acquired in step S601. In step S608, the acquired physical address is stored in the header of the transmission data. Thereafter, in step S609, the transmission data is transmitted to an external device such as a host computer (not shown) existing on the LAN 2000, and the process ends.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the reception processing of the address resolution message by the address resolution processing unit 1606 operating on the printer controller 1600 according to the present embodiment. Steps S701 to S704 indicate each processing step. Here, the processing flow of the address resolution processing unit 1606 in the printer controller 1600 when the address resolution message is transferred from the network print server 1500 via the extension interface 17 is shown. Explains. The control procedure corresponding to each step is stored in the ROM 9 of the printer controller 1600.

  First, in step S701, when an address resolution message is received from the network print server 1500 via the extended interface 17, the process proceeds to step S702, where header information of the received address resolution message is acquired, and the address resolution message is an address resolution response message. (ARP reply) is determined. If it is not an address resolution response message, it is determined that the address resolution message received in step S701 is an invalid message, the process proceeds to step S704, the received address resolution message is discarded, and the process ends. As described above with reference to FIG. 5, an address resolution request message (ARP request) transmitted from the external device such as a host computer connected to the LAN 2000 to the printer 1000 is transmitted on the network print server 1500. Since it is processed by the operating address resolution processing unit 1510, it is not transferred to the address resolution processing unit 1606 operating on the printer controller 1600.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S702 that the message is an address resolution response message, the process proceeds to step S703, and the network address and physical address of the transmission source terminal are acquired from the received address resolution response message. Next, the acquired network address and physical address are registered in the address information table 1611 provided in the printer controller 1600 in association with each other. In step S704, the received address resolution response message is discarded, and the process ends.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an address resolution request message (ARP request) transmission process by the address resolution processing unit 1606 operating on the printer controller 1600 according to the present embodiment. Steps S801 to S810 indicate respective processing steps. Here, a model-dependent application program or the like operating on the printer controller 1600 is used to connect an external device such as a host computer (not shown) existing on the local area network (LAN) 2000. The processing flow of the address resolution processing unit 1606 in the printer controller 1600 when transmission data is transferred will be described. The control procedure corresponding to each step is stored in the ROM 9 of the printer controller 1600.

  First, in step S801, the destination network is transmitted from the transmission data to the external device such as a host computer (not shown) existing on the local area network (LAN) 2000, which is passed from the model-dependent application program operating on the printer controller 1600. Get the address. In step S802, the address information table 1611 provided in the printer controller 1600 is searched to determine whether a physical address corresponding to the acquired network address is registered. If registered, the process proceeds to step S808, and the physical address is stored in the header of the transmission data. Thereafter, in step S809, the transmission data is transferred to the network print server 1500 via the extension interface 17, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the corresponding physical address is not registered in the address information table 1611 provided in the printer controller 1600 in step S802, the process proceeds to step S803, and an address resolution request message for inquiring the corresponding physical address is created. . In step S804, the address resolution request message created in step S803 is transferred to the network print server 1500 via the extension interface 17. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S805 to wait for an address resolution response message (ARP reply) for the address resolution request message transferred in step S804. If it is determined in step S805 that there is no address resolution response message even after a predetermined time has passed, the process proceeds to step S810, where a transmission error is notified to the model-dependent application program or the like operating on the printer controller 1600 that is the transmission request source of the transmission data. Then, the process ends.

  In step S805, it is determined whether or not an address resolution response message for the address resolution request message transferred in step S804 has been received. An address resolution message reception process is executed by the processing unit 1606. This processing is executed in each processing step of steps S701 to S704 in FIG. In step S807, the address information table 1511 provided in the network print server 1500 is searched, and a physical address corresponding to the network address acquired in step S601 is acquired. In step S808, the physical address is stored in the header of the transmission data. Thereafter, in step S809, the transmission data is transferred to the network print server 1500 via the extension interface 17, and the process ends.

  When the transmission data is transferred from the printer controller 1600 via the extension interface 17, the network print server 1500 transmits the transmission data to an external device such as a host computer (not shown) existing on the LAN 2000.

[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment, the network printer server 1500 may be a separate device that is physically separated from the printer 1000. In this case, the printer 1000 includes a control unit that controls a control system including a printer controller 1600.

  In the network printer server 1500, the extended interface controller (EXPC) 7 shown in FIG. 1 is a second network controller connected to the system bus 4, and the extended interface driver 1506 shown in FIG. A second network interface driver may be used.

  In the printer controller 1600, an extended interface controller (EXPC) 13 shown in FIG. 1 is a network controller connected to the system bus 11, and an extended interface 17 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a second local area. The network print server 1500 and the printer controller 1600 may be connected to the second local area network.

  In the present invention, a software program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied directly or remotely to a system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus reads and executes the supplied program code. In some cases, it can be achieved by In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, the form does not need to be a program. Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention. In this case, the program may be in any form as long as it has a program function, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like. As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a storage medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who satisfy predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program may be part of the actual processing or The functions of the above-described embodiment can also be realized by performing all the processing and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in 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.

Claims (11)

A communication device connected to a network and transmitting / receiving data via the network,
First interface means for connecting to the network;
A second interface means for connecting to the data processing terminal;
Registration means for registering a correspondence relationship between a network address and a physical address of a network terminal on the network;
When transmitting transmission data received from an application provided in the communication device via the first interface unit, a physical address corresponding to a network address specified as a destination of the transmission data is the registration unit First discriminating means for discriminating whether or not it is registered in
When it is determined that the physical address corresponding to the network address specified as the destination is registered in the registration unit as a result of the determination by the first determination unit, the registered physical address is transmitted If it is determined that the physical address corresponding to the network address designated as the destination is not registered in the registration means, the network address designated as the destination is set as an inquiry target. sending via said first interface means address resolution request message, causes registered in the registration unit physical address included in the reply address resolution response message in response to the address resolution request message, the physical address And the destination of the transmission data And setting means for setting Te,
A request message transferring means for transferring the data processing terminal or we received address resolution request message via the second interface means, to said network via said first interface means,
Transferring pre Symbol address resolution request message address resolution response message the network or we receive through the front Symbol first interface means as a response to, to the data processing terminal via the second interface means Response message transfer means for
It said registering means, the communication apparatus characterized by register the correspondence between the physical address included in the queried network address and address resolution response message the received address resolution request message received from the data processing terminal . A communication device connected to a network and transmitting / receiving data via the network,
First interface means for connecting to the network;
A second interface means for connecting to the data processing terminal;
Registration means for registering a correspondence relationship between a network address and a physical address of a network terminal on the network;
Transmitting means for transmitting an address resolution request message for obtaining a physical address to the network via the first interface means;
Response message transfer means for transferring an address resolution response message received from the network via the first interface means to the data processing terminal via the second interface means as a response to the address resolution request message. Have
The communication device registers a correspondence relationship between a network address to be inquired of the address resolution request message and a physical address included in the received address resolution response message. The transmission means transmits the address resolution request message received from the data processing terminal via the second interface means to the network via the first interface means. The communication device described. When receiving an address resolution request message from the network via the first interface means, determination means for determining whether or not the network address to be queried of the address resolution request message is the network address of the communication device When,
As a result of the determination by the determination means, if it is determined that the network address to be queried in the address resolution request message received from the network is the network address of the communication device, an address resolution response including the physical address of the communication device 4. Response means for transmitting a message to the network terminal that is the transmission source of the address resolution request message received from the network via the first interface means . The communication apparatus of any one of Claims . Data received from the data processing terminal via the second interface means is transferred to the network via the first interface means, and data received from the network via the first interface means the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a transfer means for transferring said data processing terminal via said second interface means. A communication control method in a communication device that is connected to a network via a first interface means and connected to a data processing terminal via a second interface means, and transmits and receives data via the network,
A registration step of registering in a memory a correspondence between a network address and a physical address of a network terminal on the network;
When transmitting transmission data received from an application provided in the communication device via the first interface means, a physical address corresponding to a network address specified as a destination of the transmission data is stored in the memory. A first discriminating step for discriminating whether it is registered;
As a result of determination in the first determination step, when it is determined that a physical address corresponding to the network address specified as the destination is registered in the memory, the registered physical address is used as the transmission data. Address resolution that targets the network address specified as the destination when it is determined that the physical address corresponding to the network address specified as the destination is not registered in the memory. the request message transmitted via said first interface means, causes registered physical address included in the reply address resolution response message in response to the address resolution request message in said memory, said transmit the physical address As data destination A setting step of constant to,
The data processing terminal or we received address resolution request message via the second interface means, a request message transfer process via the first interface means for transferring to said network,
Response message transfers the address resolution request message address resolution response message the network or we receive via the first interface means in response to, in the data processing terminal via said second interface means A transfer process,
And wherein the registration step registers the correspondence between the physical address included in the queried network address and the received address resolution response message of the address resolution request message received from the data processing terminal before Symbol memory Communication control method. A communication control method in a communication apparatus having first interface means for connecting to a network and second interface means for connecting to a data processing terminal, and transmitting and receiving data via the network,
A registration step of registering a correspondence relationship between a network address and a physical address of a network terminal on the network;
A transmission step of transmitting an address resolution request message for obtaining a physical address to the network via the second interface means;
A response message transfer step of transferring an address resolution response message received from the network via the first interface means to the data processing terminal via the second interface means as a response to the address resolution request message; Have
The communication control method characterized in that the registration step registers a correspondence relationship between a network address to be inquired of the address resolution request message and a physical address included in the received address resolution response message. When receiving an address resolution request message from the network via the first interface means, a determination step of determining whether or not the network address to be queried of the address resolution request message is the network address of the communication device When,
As a result of the determination in the determination step, when it is determined that the network address to be queried of the address resolution request message received from the network is the network address of the communication apparatus, an address resolution response including the physical address of the communication apparatus message, via said first interface means, in claim 6 or 7, further comprising a response step of transmitting the transmission source of the network terminal of the address resolution request message received from the network The communication control method described. Data received from the data processing terminal via the second interface means is transferred to the network via the first interface means, and data received from the network via the first interface means The communication control method according to claim 6 , further comprising a transfer step of transferring the data to the data processing terminal via the second interface means. A program for causing a computer to execute the communication control method according to any one of claims 6 to 9 . A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 10 .

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