JP6008009B2 - Electronics - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic device that is communicably connected to a plurality of information terminals via a network.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a network printer system in which a plurality of host devices such as a personal computer and a printer are connected so as to communicate with each other via a network. In such a network printer system, a printer constituting a part of the network printer system usually implements a network management protocol such as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) in order to manage network traffic. As a result, when the printer state changes, the printer can spontaneously notify (TRAP) the changed state as status information. As the destination to be notified, the address information (IP address, etc.) of the host device which is one or a plurality of destinations is statically registered (stored) in the printer in advance by setting in the printer.

  In such a printer management method, it is necessary to statically register a destination (for example, address information of a personal computer or the like) for notification of changed status information in advance in the printer. In order to monitor the status, it is necessary to inquire (polling) the status of the printer from the host device at regular intervals and detect the status (status information) at that time.

  In addition, a technique is disclosed in which the address information of the host device that has inquired the status of the printer can be dynamically determined as the TRAP notification destination by causing the printer to hold the address information for a certain period of time (for example, (See Patent Document 1). According to this, the frequency of polling can be reduced, and network traffic to the printer can be reduced.

JP 2001-43038 A

  However, in the conventional technique, when the status inquiry to the printer is not performed for a predetermined time, the TRAP transmission destination is deleted from the printer, so that it is necessary to perform polling again. For this reason, when a host device having a printer monitor process for monitoring the status of the printer is connected to a network with a plurality of printers, polling for one printer is executed for the number of the host devices. As a result, there was a problem that the network traffic to the printer would be excessive.

  Also, if there are multiple host devices connected to the network and there is a factor that restarts or updates the printer monitor process of the host device, such as restarting the host device, the occurrence of that factor Each time, each host device tries to acquire SNMP information. Under these circumstances, that is, when the printer restarts the host device once it has sent status information and the printer status has not changed before and after the restart, However, there is a problem in that the transmission of the SNMP information is redundant and is wasted.

  In such cases, a server device for monitoring the status of the printer is provided, and this server device can reduce polling of the printer by constructing a system that collectively manages status requests from each host device. Although possible, it is necessary to newly prepare a special server device for collectively managing printer status monitoring, and there is a problem that the entire system becomes complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an electronic device capable of suppressing congestion of network traffic to an electronic device even when a plurality of information terminals confirm the state of the electronic device . The purpose is to provide.

An electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device that is communicably connected to a plurality of information terminals via a network, and the state of the electronic device is changed from any one of the plurality of information terminals to the first information terminal. Means for storing the identification information of the first information terminal as predetermined storage information and replying the state of the electronic device to the first information terminal when there is an inquiry, and the state of the electronic device When there is an inquiry as a second information terminal from any one of the plurality of information terminals, means for transmitting the predetermined storage information as an inquiry destination of the state of the electronic device, and the predetermined storage information Means for setting, as the first information terminal, an information terminal that inquires about the state of the electronic device when none of the identification information of a plurality of information terminals is stored; When the information terminal has detected that the shutdown is characterized by comprising, a means for deleting the identification information stored as the predetermined storage information.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if it is a case where a some information terminal confirms the state of an electronic device, the congestion of the network traffic with respect to an electronic device can be suppressed.

It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of this invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a hardware configuration of a printer. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a hardware configuration of a host device 2. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of the printer 1. 3 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of a host device 2. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of printer status monitoring processing executed in the host device 2. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of host device list response processing executed in the printer 1. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of printer status response processing executed in the printer 1. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of printer status management processing executed in the host device 2. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of TRAP processing executed in the host device 2.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, an outline of an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a network printer system 4 to which the present invention is applied includes a single printer 1 and a plurality of host devices 2 such as personal computers (PCs), for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local The network is configured to be communicable with each other via a network 3 such as an area network.

  In the network printer system 4 configured as described above, when any one of the plurality of host devices 2 inquires about the status of the printer 1 (printer status information), the printer 1 The address information of the host device 2 that inquired about the printer status state, for example, the IP address is stored in the memory. Thereafter, when another host device 2 that is different from the host device 2 that inquired about the status inquires about the status of the printer 1, the printer 1 uses the address information stored in the memory as the other information. Transmit to the host device 2. Then, the other host device 2 inquires of the status of the printer 1 not to the printer 1 but to the host device 2 corresponding to the address information.

  That is, the printer 1 substitutes the host device 2 to which the printer status information has already been sent for the reply to the inquiry about the printer status information from the host device 2.

As an example, an example in which the first host device 2 and the second host device 2 inquire about the status of the printer 1 will be described.
Here, the first host device 2 and the second host device 2 include a printer monitor system for monitoring the printer 1. This printer monitor system is software that can constantly monitor the status of the printer 1 to be connected and display the status on a display monitor, and is a conventional system.

  First, the first host device 2 is activated, and the printer monitor system process on the first host device 2 is started. In this printer monitor system, the first request by polling using a network management protocol such as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), the address information of the first host device 2 that is the inquiry source, for example, the IP address “192.168.”. .172.1 ”is stored in the printer 1. The address information stored at this time is only the address information of the first host device 2, but in view of the possibility of storing the address information of a plurality of host devices 2, it becomes a list format.

  As a response to the access from the first host device 2, the printer 1 transmits a list of stored address information of the host device 2 to the first host device 2 that is an inquiry source. At this time, since the first host device 2 is the first host device 2, the list of address information includes only the address information of the first host device 2 itself.

  When the first host device 2 that has received the list of address information from the printer 1 does not have address information of other host devices 2 other than the first host device 2 in the received list, the processing of the printer monitor system is performed. The normal polling process is executed, and the status (printer status information) of the printer 1 is requested and acquired. The acquired printer status information is displayed on a display monitor provided in the first host device 2.

  Thereafter, the first host device 2 updates the printer status information by performing polling at regular intervals. Alternatively, an SNMP trap from the printer 1 is received and the printer status information is updated.

Next, the second host device 2 which is the second host device 2 is activated, and the process of the printer monitor system on the second host device 2 is started.
Similarly to the first host device 2, the second host device 2 stores the address information of the second host device 2 that is the inquiry source, for example, the IP address “192.168.172.2” in the printer 1. Let As with the first host device 2, the second host device 2 receives a list of address information from the printer 1. The list includes the address information “192.168.172.1” of the first host device 2 that has already been stored, and the second host device 2 that has received this information receives the inquiry destination of the printer status information. Is not the printer 1 but the first host device 2 that has already acquired the printer status information, and requests the printer status information from the first host device 2.

  Then, the printer monitor system operating on the first host device 2 acquires the printer status information of the printer 1 unless the first host device 2 is in a state where communication is not possible, such as when the first host device 2 is shut down. Therefore, the first host device 2 responds to the inquiry from the second host device 2 with the printer status information acquired by the first host device 2. At this time, the first host device 2 can store the address information of the second host device 2 so that it can notify the second host device 2 when the printer status information changes later. Keep it.

  Next, when the second host device 2 can acquire the printer status information from the first host device 2, the second host device 2 displays the acquired printer status information on the display monitor provided in the second host device 2. .

  Further, the first host device 2 transfers the printer status information to the second host device 2 when acquiring the change of the printer status information. The second host device 2 also performs polling for obtaining printer status information to the first host device 2 instead of the printer 1.

  On the other hand, if the inquiry of the printer status state to the first host device 2 fails due to an incommunicable state such as the first host device 2 being shut down, the second host device 2 stores in the memory. A list of address information of the host device 2 that inquired about the stored printer status is acquired from the printer 1 again. Then, the printer status information is acquired from the host device 2 already registered in the list, or the printer status information is directly acquired from the printer 1 if no address information of the host device 2 is registered in the list. get.

Thereby, congestion of network traffic for the printer 1 on the network 3 can be prevented.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the hardware configuration of the printer 1.

  In FIG. 2, the printer 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 12 as a computer. The CPU 12 includes a ROM 13 that stores a control program for controlling and executing each function of the printer 1. A RAM 14 is connected via the bus 11. Further, the CPU 12 controls an input unit such as operation buttons for inputting various data and signals, an instruction from the user, a printing unit for executing a printing process, and a display monitor for displaying printer status information. The input / output control unit 15 is also connected via the bus 11. Further, a memory control unit 16 for controlling the memory 17 such as a hard disk and a communication I / F (interface) 18 for controlling communication with the host device 2 are connected to the CPU 12.

  The CPU 12 controls the operation of each unit of the printer 1 by using the RAM 14 as a working memory in accordance with a control program stored in advance in the ROM 13, and is a host received via a key input signal from the input unit or the communication I / F 18. The control program is activated and executed in response to a status inquiry signal, print data, and the like from the device 2.

  The memory 17 stores a list of address information of the host device 2 that has accessed the printer 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of the hardware configuration of the host device 2.

  3, the host device 2 includes a CPU 22 as a computer, an input unit for inputting various data and signals, and an input / output control unit 25 for controlling a display unit for displaying information such as images. In addition to a printer monitor system that can constantly monitor the status of the connected printer 1 and display the status on a display monitor, a control program for controlling and executing each function of the host device 2 is stored. A ROM 23, a RAM 24, a memory control unit 26 for controlling a memory 27 for recording various information including image data and communication data, a communication I / O for controlling communication with the printer 1 and other host devices 2. F28 is configured to be connected to the bus 21. The CPU 22 controls these units.

  The memory 27 stores a list of printer status information received from the printer 1 and other host devices 2 and address information of the host device 2 that has accessed the printer 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of the printer 1.
In FIG. 4, the printer 1 includes a first inquiry request signal reception unit 101, a first printer status information transmission unit 102, an inquiry host information storage unit 103, an address information request signal reception unit 104, and an address information transmission unit 105. Prepare.

  The first inquiry request signal receiving unit 101 receives a printer state inquiry request signal for inquiring about the state of the printer 1. For example, by SNMP polling, data is received from any one of the plurality of host devices 2 via a network 3 such as WAN or LAN.

  When the first inquiry request signal receiving means 101 receives the printer status inquiry request signal, the first printer status information transmission means 102 transmits printer status information indicating the status of the printer 1. For example, printer status information such as “printable status”, “printing status”, “toner shortage status”, “paper jam status”, etc. is sent to the host device 2 that has transmitted the printer status inquiry request signal. Send through.

  The inquiry host information storage unit 103 stores address information of the host device 2 that has transmitted the printer status inquiry request signal. For example, the IP address “192.168.172.1” of the host device 2 is stored in a list format. When there are a plurality of the host devices 2 that have transmitted the printer status inquiry request signal, the inquiry host information storage means 103 may store the address information in addition to the address information list. It may be overwritten and stored.

  The inquiry host information storage means 103 corresponds to the memory 17 shown in FIG. 2, and by detecting that the host device 2 is shut down, the address information of the shut down host device 2 is deleted or stored. It is also possible to delete the address information of the corresponding host device 2 when a predetermined time has passed since the start.

  The address information request signal receiving unit 104 sends an address information request signal for requesting a list of address information stored in the inquiry host information storage unit 103 to any one of the plurality of host devices 2. From the network 3.

  When the address information request signal is received by the address information request signal receiving means 104, the address information transmitting means 105 displays the address information list stored in the inquiry host information storage means 103 as the address information request signal. It transmits via the network 3 to the host device 2 that has transmitted the signal.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of the host device 2.
In FIG. 5, the host device 2 includes an address information request signal transmission unit 201, an address information reception unit 202, a first inquiry request signal transmission unit 203, a first printer status information reception unit 204, a status information storage unit 205, Second inquiry request signal transmission means 206, second printer status information reception means 207, second inquiry request signal reception means 208, and second printer status information transmission means 209.

  The address information request signal transmission unit 201 sends an address information request signal for requesting a list of address information stored in the inquiry host information storage unit 103 included in the printer 1 to the printer 1 via the network 3. To send.

  The address information receiving unit 202 receives the list of address information from the printer 1 that has received the address information request signal transmitted by the address information request signal transmitting unit 201 via the network 3.

  When there is no address information other than the host device 2 itself in the list of the address information received by the address information receiving unit 202, that is, the first host request device 2 transmits the address information. When the address information request signal is first transmitted by the information request signal transmitting means 201, the host device 2 sends the printer status inquiry request signal for inquiring the printer status to the printer 1 to the printer 1 in the network. 3 to transmit.

  The first printer status information receiving unit 204 receives printer status information indicating the status of the printer 1, for example, printer status information such as “printable status”, from the printer 1 via the network 3.

  The status information storage unit 205 corresponds to the memory 27 shown in FIG. 3 and stores the printer status information received by the first printer status information receiving unit 204.

  The second inquiry request signal transmission means 206 is provided when the address information of another host device 2 other than the own host device 2 exists in the list of address information received by the address information receiving means 202, that is, the own host If the other host device 2 has transmitted the address information request signal before the device 2 has transmitted the address information request signal by the address information request signal transmission means 201, the printer status inquiry request signal is It transmits to the other host device 2 via the network 3.

  The second printer status information receiving unit 207 receives printer status information indicating the state of the printer 1 from the other host device 2 via the network 3. The status information storage unit 205 also stores the printer status information received by the second printer status information receiving unit 207.

  The second inquiry request signal receiving unit 208 receives the printer status inquiry request signal from the other host device 2 via the network 3. That is, the other host device 2 receives the printer status inquiry request signal transmitted by the second inquiry request signal transmission unit 206 provided in the other host device 2.

  When the second printer status information transmission unit 209 receives the printer status inquiry request signal by the second inquiry request signal reception unit 208, the second printer status information transmission unit 209 uses the printer status information stored in the status information storage unit 205 as the printer status inquiry request signal. It transmits to the other host device 2 via the network 3.

  When the first printer status information receiving unit 204 receives the printer status information from the printer 1 that has not received the first inquiry request signal transmitting unit 203, the second printer status information transmitting unit 209 transmits the printer status information stored in the status information storage unit 205 to the other host device 2 via the network 3. That is, the host device 2 transfers (TRAP) the printer status information to the other host device 2 when the printer status information is updated without receiving the printer status inquiry request signal from the other host device 2.

The host device 2 further includes a status information display unit 210.
The status information display unit 210 displays the printer status information received by the first printer status information receiving unit 204. Alternatively, the status information display unit 210 displays the printer status information received by the second printer status information reception unit 207.

  The network printer system 4 in which the printer 1 having the above functions and the plurality of host devices 2 are connected to be communicable with each other via the network 3 prevents congestion of network traffic to the printer 1 on the network 3. Can do.

Next, the flow of each process executed in the printer 1 and each host device 2 will be described using a flowchart.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of printer status monitoring processing executed in the host device 2.

  First, when an address information request signal is transmitted to the printer 1 in order to request a list of address information held by the printer 1 in step S601, a list of address information transmitted from the printer 1 is received in step S602. To do. Note that the printer 1 that is the destination of the address information request signal transmitted in step S601 executes host device list response processing as described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S603, it is determined whether address information is stored in the list received in step S602. Here, the fact that the address information is stored in the list means that there is a host device 2 that holds the printer status information of the printer 1.

  If it is determined in step S603 that the address information is not stored in the list, that is, it is determined that there is no host device 2 that holds the printer status information (step S603: NO), the printer 1 in step S604 A printer status inquiry request signal for inquiring about the printer status is transmitted to the printer 1 and a request is made to register the address information of the host device 2 in the list held by the printer 1. Note that the printer 1 that is the destination of the printer status inquiry request signal or the like transmitted in step S604 executes printer status response processing as described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S605, the printer status information of the printer 1 is received from the printer 1 and stored in the status information storage unit 205. In step S606, the printer status information is displayed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S603 that the address information is stored in the list, that is, it is determined that there is a host device 2 that holds the printer status information (step S603: YES), in step S607, step 602 is performed. The printer status information of the printer 1 is inquired of the host device 2 in the list received in step S2. Note that the host device 2 that is the inquiry destination of the printer status information in step S607 executes printer status management processing as will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, in step S608, it is determined whether there is a response from the host device 2 that inquired about the printer status information. Here, as a case where there is no response, a case where the host device 2 is already shut down can be considered. The reason, that is, why there is a possibility of shutting down despite the address information being stored in the list, is that the host device 2 acquires the printer status information of the printer 1 and then the printer. This is because there is a time lag before receiving an inquiry about status information.

  If it is determined in step S608 that there is no response (step S608: NO), the printer status information cannot be acquired from the host device 2 in the list, and the printer 1 is directly connected to the printer 1 in step S604. Get status information.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S608 that there is a response (step S608: YES), the printer status information received from the host device 2 inquired in step S607 is stored in the status information storage means 205. In step S606, the printer status information is stored. Display printer status information.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of host device list response processing executed in the printer 1.
When the address information request signal is transmitted from the host device 2 in step S601 in FIG. 6, the printer 1 receives the address information request signal in step S701. In step S702, the printer 1 receives a list of stored address information. Transmit to the host device 2.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of printer status response processing executed in the printer 1.
When a printer status inquiry request signal or the like is transmitted from the host device 2 in step S604 in FIG. 6, the printer 1 receives the printer status inquiry request signal in step S801, and adds the address information of the host device 2 to the list. Receive a request to register.

In step S802, the printer status information is transmitted to the host device 2 that has transmitted the printer status inquiry request signal.
In step S803, it is determined whether the host device 2 has already been registered in the address information list.

  If it is determined in step S803 that it has been registered (step S803: YES), the printer status response process is terminated. If it is determined that it has not been registered (step S803: NO), in step S804, The address information of the host device 2 is registered in the list.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of printer status management processing executed in the host device 2.
The host device 2 that is the inquiry destination of the printer status information in step S607 in FIG. 6 receives the request for the printer status information in step S901, and whether or not the received printer status information is held in step S902. Judging.

  If it is determined in step S902 that the received printer status information is not held (step S902: NO), the printer status management process is terminated, and it is determined that the received printer status information is held. (Step S902: YES), in step S903, the printer status information that is held is transmitted to the inquiring host device 2.

In step S904, the address information of the host device 2 that has inquired about the printer status information is also saved.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of TRAP processing executed in the host device 2.

  This TRAP process is a process performed when the printer status information is updated in the host device 2 on which the printer status monitoring process described with reference to FIG. 6 is executed.

  When the printer status monitoring process is executed, when new printer status information is directly received from the printer 1 or printer status information is received from another host device 2, in step S <b> 1001, the display is performed in step S <b> 606 of FIG. 6. The updated printer status information is updated to the received printer status information.

  In step S1002, it is determined whether there is address information stored in step S904 in FIG. 9, that is, whether there is another host device 2 that has inquired printer status information in the past.

  If it is determined that there is no other host device 2 inquired in step S1002 (step S1002: NO), this TRAP process is terminated, and if it is determined that there is (step S1002: YES), in step S1003 Then, the printer status information stored in the status information storage unit 205 is transferred (TRAP) to the host device 2 corresponding to the address information.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the above-described embodiments of the present invention are not limited to hardware, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) board, or a CPU as a function of the information processing apparatus. It can be realized by firmware or software on the board.

  In addition, the network printer system to which the present invention is applied is realized by a system including a CPU connected to a bus, a ROM or RAM memory, an input device, an output device, an external recording device, a medium driving device, and a network connection device. it can. That is, a ROM or RAM memory, an external recording device, or a portable recording medium that records a software program for realizing the system of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the information processing device, and the computer of the information processing device is programmed. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing.

  In this case, the program itself read from the portable recording medium or the like realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the portable recording medium or the like on which the program is recorded constitutes the present invention.

  Examples of portable recording media for supplying the program include flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, DVD-ROMs, DVD-RAMs, magnetic tapes, and nonvolatile memory cards. Various recording media recorded via a network connection device (in other words, a communication line) such as a ROM card, electronic mail or personal computer communication can be used.

  In addition, the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by executing the program read by the information processing device on the memory, and an OS or the like operating on the information processing device based on an instruction of the program. Some or all of the actual processing is performed, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are also realized by the processing.

  Further, a function expansion board in which a program read from a portable recording medium or a program (data) provided by a program (data) provider is inserted into the information processing apparatus or a function expansion unit connected to the information processing apparatus After the data is written in the memory provided in the memory, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program. A function can be realized.

  That is, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can take various configurations or shapes without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 Printer 2 Host Device 3 Network 4 Network Printer System 11 Bus 12 CPU
13 ROM
14 RAM
15 I / O control unit 16 Memory control unit 17 Memory 18 Communication I / F
21 bus 22 CPU
23 ROM
24 RAM
25 I / O control unit 26 Memory control unit 27 Memory 28 Communication I / F
101 First inquiry request signal receiving means 102 First printer status information sending means 103 Inquiry host information storage means 104 Address information request signal receiving means 105 Address information sending means 201 Address information request signal sending means 202 Address information receiving means 203 First 1 inquiry request signal transmission means 204 first printer status information reception means 205 status information storage means 206 second inquiry request signal transmission means 207 second printer status information reception means 208 second inquiry request signal reception means 209 first 2 printer status information transmission means 210 status information display means

Claims (2)

An electronic device communicably connected to a plurality of information terminals via a network,
When there is an inquiry as a first information terminal from any of the plurality of information terminals regarding the state of the electronic device, the identification information of the first information terminal is stored as predetermined storage information and the first information Means for replying the status of the electronic device to the terminal;
Means for transmitting the predetermined storage information as an inquiry destination of the state of the electronic device when there is an inquiry as a second information terminal from any of the plurality of information terminals about the state of the electronic device;
Means for setting, as the first information terminal, an information terminal that inquires about the state of the electronic device when none of the identification information of the plurality of information terminals is stored as the predetermined storage information;
Means for deleting the identification information stored as the predetermined storage information when detecting that the first information terminal is shut down;
An electronic device characterized by comprising: And means for setting, as the second information terminal, an information terminal that inquires about the state of the electronic device when identification information of any of the plurality of information terminals is stored as the predetermined storage information. The electronic device according to claim 1.