JP6052039B2 - Information processing apparatus and network connection program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus connected to a network together with an image processing apparatus and a network connection program executed by the information processing apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for reducing a work load at the time of network connection.

In recent years, cloud services have become widespread in which, for example, videos and photos taken with e-mails and digital cameras are stored on a data server on the Internet, and can be viewed and retrieved from a personal computer or smartphone at any time.
An information processing device that relays and links between the cloud service and the printer in order to be able to print the browsed photos directly on the user's printer (image processing device) as one of the cloud services, Some provide a so-called relay device.

Such a relay device is provided to the user in an environment setting for connecting to the cloud service, and the user connects the relay device to the network to which the printer to be linked belongs, and thereby the printer via the relay device. And cloud services can be linked.
In such a relay device, a fixed IP address is usually set. If the IP address changes in the middle, there is a possibility that communication between the cloud service and the printer may be confused, which is to prevent it.

JP 2012-103972 A

However, since a relay device generally does not have a keyboard or display, to connect to a network, first connect a personal computer directly to the relay device and enter an IP address, etc. via the personal computer keyboard. Must be set. There is a problem that the workload for that is high.
At this time, it is necessary for the user to check the IP address range of the network to be connected and the IP addresses that can be used in the IP address range.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and provides an information processing apparatus capable of reducing a workload when connecting to a network and a network connection program executed by the information processing apparatus. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention connects to an image processing apparatus in which both a link local address and other non-link local addresses are set as IP addresses via a subnetwork. When it is first connected to the subnetwork, an address that is within the link local address range and is not used in the subnetwork is obtained as a first address, and the IP address of its own device A first address setting means for setting the image processing apparatus, an image processing apparatus detection means for detecting the image processing apparatus by broadcast communication using the first address, and the detected image processing apparatus. Network configuration including non-link local address and subnet mask The setting information acquisition means for acquiring information on the information, the address range of the subnetwork is obtained from the obtained non-link local address and subnet mask, and the second address that is not used in the subnetwork is obtained from the obtained address range. And a second address setting unit configured to acquire and set as an IP address of the own apparatus, and a communication unit configured to communicate with the image processing apparatus using the second address.

  Here, the second address setting means includes an address selection means for selecting addresses one by one from within the address range of the subnetwork, and a duplication determination means for determining whether or not the selected addresses are duplicated in the subnetwork. If it is determined by the duplication judgment means that the address is duplicated, another address is selected by the address selection means, and the address selection is repeated until the selected address is judged not to be duplicated. The second address acquisition unit may determine and acquire the selected address as a second address when the overlap determination unit determines that there is no duplication.

In addition, the image processing apparatus includes an image forming unit, and the communication unit transmits information related to network settings including the second address to the image processing apparatus to form an image. It is good also as a structure which has.
Furthermore, the image processing apparatus has data storage means for storing data, and the communication means transmits information relating to network settings including the second address to the image processing apparatus, and the data A data storage instruction unit that instructs the storage unit to store the data may be provided.

Here, the data storage means has a storage area provided for a specific administrator, and stores information related to the network setting including the second address in the storage area provided for the specific administrator. The data storage instruction unit may instruct the image processing apparatus to store the image processing apparatus.
The sub-network is connected with a data server including data sharing means for registering and sharing transmitted data, and the communication means includes information on network settings including the second address. It may be configured to have data registration instruction means for instructing to register as shared data by transmitting to the data server.

  Further, the sub-network is connected to an external cloud service, and the communication means connects to the cloud service after connecting to the cloud service, and then the image processing apparatus is connected to the cloud service. Communication between the cloud service and the image processing apparatus registered as the cooperation destination, by transmitting information related to the network settings of the cloud service and registering the image processing apparatus as the cooperation destination of the cloud service. It is good also as a structure provided with the relay means which relays.

  The image processing apparatus includes an image forming unit, and the cloud service has a function of transmitting test print data to the registered cooperation destination when the cooperation destination having the image forming unit is registered. The relay unit may be configured to transfer the test print data to the image processing apparatus to form an image when receiving the test print data addressed to the image processing apparatus from the cloud service.

The image processing device detection means stores in advance unique information of the image processing device to be detected, and the response destination is the image processing device based on the unique information of the device included in the response to the broadcast communication. It is good also as a structure which determines and determines whether there exists.
The link local address and the non-link local address may be IPv4 addresses, and AutoIP may be used as the first address acquisition unit.

  The present invention also provides a network executed by an information processing apparatus connected via a sub-network to an image processing apparatus in which both a link local address and other non-link local addresses are set as IP addresses. It may be a connection program, and when the device is first connected to the subnetwork, the network connection program obtains a first address that is in the link local address range and is not used in the subnetwork. A first address acquisition step, a first address setting step for setting the first address as an IP address of the own device, and an image processing device detection step for detecting the image processing device by broadcast communication using the first address. And after the detection of the image processing apparatus, A setting information acquisition step for acquiring information relating to network settings including a non-link local address and a subnet mask of the image processing apparatus, and obtaining an address range of the network from the acquired non-link local address and subnet mask, and within the determined address range A second address acquisition step of acquiring a second address that is not used in the sub-network, and a second address setting step of setting the second address as an IP address of the own device, To do.

  The information processing apparatus having the above configuration first establishes a connection with the sub-network and the image processing apparatus using a link local address in which an address range is defined, and then, from the connected image processing apparatus, a non-link local address and a subnet mask. The information regarding the network setting including is acquired, and the non-link local address set in the device itself is automatically acquired.

As a result, when connecting the information processing apparatus to the sub-network, the user is saved the trouble of confirming the IP address that can be used in advance, and does not need to input the IP address. be able to.
In particular, in the past, when a personal computer connection was required to input an IP address, the work load can be greatly reduced because the personal computer connection is unnecessary.

It is a figure which shows the structure of LAN (subnetwork) to which the relay apparatus concerning this Embodiment was connected. (A) is a block diagram showing a configuration of the relay device, (b) is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication protocol implemented in the relay device. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the "fixed IP address automatic setting process" performed by a control part. 5 is a subroutine showing MFP detection and network setting information acquisition processing. It is a subroutine showing acquisition and setting processing of the second address. (A), (b) is a diagram for explaining a response state by broadcasting a search message (device-specific information request message) for detecting an MFP. (A), (b) is a figure explaining the state of the response which transmits the message which requests | requires network setting information with respect to the detected MFP. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the "cooperation destination registration process" to the cloud service performed by a control part. It is a figure for demonstrating the information processing apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a figure for demonstrating the information processing apparatus which concerns on a modification.

(1) Description of Outline An embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a relay apparatus that links a digital color multifunction peripheral (MFP) and a cloud service.
Hereinafter, in this specification, the digital color multifunction peripheral is simply referred to as “MFP”.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a LAN (subnetwork) 4 to which a relay device 1 according to the present embodiment is connected.

An MFP 2 and a plurality of personal computers (Personal Computers) 51 to 53 are connected to the LAN 4 shown in FIG.
The MFP 2 has functions such as a printer, a copy, a facsimile, and a scanner. For example, when the MFP 2 receives a print job execution instruction from the personal computers 51 to 53, the MFP 2 is configured to execute print processing based on the instruction. ing. In the scan process, scan data can be transmitted to a destination registered in advance.

Further, a firewall 6 is installed in the LAN 4 and is connected to the Internet 7 through the firewall 6.
The cloud service 3 is a service on the Internet 7. For example, a user can print out to the MFP 2 via the Internet 7 using a portable terminal such as a laptop computer from the outside, or conversely, data scanned by the MFP 2. A function (service) is provided that allows the mobile terminal to import the data via the Internet 7.

The relay device 1 is rented from a provider that provides the cloud service 3 as a device for relaying and linking communication between the cloud service 3 and the MFP 2.
In the present embodiment, a fixed private address (non-link local address) and a link local address are set in the MFP 2 by the IP alias function.
(2) Configuration of Relay Device FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the relay device 1.

As shown in the figure, the relay device 1 includes a control unit 10, an error lamp 11, a communication interface (I / F) unit 12, and the like.
The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a cloud service information storage unit 104, a cooperation destination MFP information storage unit 105, a transmission / reception data storage unit 106, and the like. Is provided.

The CPU 101 executes a program for controlling communication with the MFP 2 and the cloud service 3.
The ROM 102 is a storage that stores various programs executed by the CPU 101. For example, specifically, a communication protocol (see FIG. 2B), AutoIP (APIPA: Automatic Private IP Addressing) for automatically setting a link local address, a program for automatically setting a private address, and the like are stored. Has been.

The RAM 103 is a work area when the CPU 101 executes a program.
The cloud service information storage unit 104 stores connection information (URL, ID, password, etc.) to the cloud service 3 and device specific information (manufacturer ID, model ID, etc.) of the MFP to be supported by the cloud service 3. The connection information and MFP information are registered in advance by the provider.

Cooperation destination MFP information storage unit 105 stores device-specific information and network setting information (IP address, subnet mask, default gateway address, etc.) acquired from MFP 2.
The transmission / reception data storage unit 106 stores data transmitted / received via the communication I / F unit 12.

The cloud service information storage unit 104, the cooperation destination MFP information storage unit 105, and the transmission / reception data storage unit 106 are configured by a nonvolatile memory.
The error lamp 11 is blinked by the control unit 10 when an error occurs in the relay device 1.
The communication I / F unit 12 is an interface such as a LAN card or a LAN board for connecting to the LAN 4. The communication I / F unit 12 is provided with a cable connection detection switch 122 that detects the connection of the LAN cable 41. The cable connection detection switch 122 includes, for example, a known mechanical switch that is turned on when the LAN cable 41 is plugged in.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication protocol implemented in the relay device 1.
As shown in the figure, the relay apparatus 1 is equipped with TCP / IP, ARP, and SNMP / HTTPS / FTP / LPR based on TCP / IP. The IP used here is IPv4.
LPR (Line PRinter daemon protocol) is an example of a printing protocol used when print data is transmitted from the cloud service 3 to the MFP 2, and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is data (for example, scan) from the MFP 2 to the cloud service 3. It is an example of the transfer protocol used when transmitting data.

  In addition, in order to ensure security between the relay apparatus 1 and the cloud service 3, an LPR or FTP protocol is encapsulated with HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol over Secure Socket Layer) and passed through the firewall 6 by tunneling. Yes. Thereby, since it is not necessary to make a special setting such as permitting a protocol such as LPR in the firewall 6, security can be ensured and time and effort of the user can be reduced.

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a protocol for managing devices connected to a network such as a personal computer or an MFP via the network. A device to be managed has a management information database (device specific information, network setting information, etc.) called MIB (Management information base).
The control unit 10 (relay device 1) operates as an SNMP manager and the MFP 2 is managed as an SNMP agent. The control unit 10 receives device specific information and network setting information from the management information database (MIB 21) of the MFP 2 through SNMP communication. Can be acquired.

ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is a protocol for obtaining the MAC address of a device using an IP address, and is used for duplication confirmation when setting the IP address.
When the relay device 1 is first connected to the LAN 4, the control unit 10 first sets a link local address acquired by AutoIP as the IP address 121 of the communication I / F unit 12. Establish communication. Specifically, SNMP communication is performed. Thereby, the network setting information of the MFP 2 is acquired, and a fixed private address is automatically set based on the information. Hereinafter, this series of processes is referred to as “fixed IP address automatic setting process”.

A link local address is an address that allows communication within a single LAN. Since it is not routed, it cannot be used for communication outside the LAN, but since the address range is specified (in the case of IPv4, the range of “169.254.0.0 to 169.254.255.255”), AutoIP etc. The automatic setting used can be easily performed.
In addition, after the “fixed IP address automatic setting process”, the control unit 10 accesses the cloud service 3 and transmits the device-specific information and network setting information of the MFP 2, whereby the MFP 2 is linked to the cloud service 3. "Cooperation destination registration process" is registered.

The “fixed IP address automatic setting process” and “cooperation destination registration process” will be described in detail below.
(2-1) Fixed IP Address Automatic Setting Process FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the “fixed IP address automatic setting process” executed by the control unit 10.

This control is performed when the relay device 1 rented from the provider is first connected to the LAN 4 and is implemented as a subroutine of a main flowchart (not shown) for controlling the entire relay device 1. .
Here, the initial value of IP address 121 of relay device 1 (at the time of provider shipment) is Null. The private address set in the MFP 2 is “172.16.xxx.10”, and the link local address is “169.254.xxx.20”. Incidentally, it is assumed that fixed private addresses “172.16.xxx.11” to “172.16.xxx.13” are set in the personal computers 51 to 53 (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the IP address 121 = Null (step S1: Yes) and the cable connection detection switch 122 is turned on (step S2: Yes), the control unit 10 determines that the relay device 1 is First, it is determined that the LAN 4 is connected, and a first address (link local address) is acquired by AutoIP (step S3) and set to the IP address 121 (step S4).

  In AutoIP, one link local address is randomly selected from the address range defined as the link local address (“169.254.0.0 to 169.254.255.255”), and the selected link local address is selected. Is not duplicated in the LAN 4 by broadcasting an ARP request. If there is a response to the ARP request (if the MAC address is returned), the selected link local address is already used (duplicates), so the link local address is selected again at random until there is no response to the ARP. Repeat the link local address selection and duplication check.

Here, since it is unlikely that all link local addresses within the above address range are used, it is assumed that one link local address can always be acquired.
After step S4, the control unit 10 performs “MFP detection and network setting information acquisition processing” by communication using the link local address (step S5).

FIG. 4 is a subroutine showing the “MFP detection and network setting information acquisition process”.
As shown in the figure, the control unit 10 first broadcasts a search message (device specific information request message) for detecting the MFP 2 by SNMP communication (step S11).

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 6A, the broadcast from the relay apparatus 1 in which the link local address (for example, “169.254.xxx.30”) is set reaches the MFP 2 having the same link local address. However, the personal computers 51 to 53 having no link local address are not reached. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, a broadcast response (device-specific information) is returned only from the MFP 2. Here, the MFP 2 reads out the device unique information (manufacturer ID, model ID, etc.) from the MIB 21 and responds.

When one or more broadcast responses are received in this manner (step S12: Yes), the control unit 10 checks device-specific information included in each response and detects an MFP that is supported by the cloud service 3 (step S12). S13).
Here, for the detection of the MFP to be supported by the cloud service 3, the device-specific information (manufacturer ID, model ID, etc.) of the response is stored in the device-specific information of the MFP to be supported (stored in the cloud service information storage unit 104 ( If it is included in the manufacturer ID, model ID, etc., it can be determined that it is a support target, and if it is not included, it can be determined that it is not a support target.

Here, for example, about 2 to 10 seconds is set as the reception standby time in step S12.
When no response is received within the reception waiting time (step S12: No), the control unit 10 sets the detection flag F1 = 0 (step S18) and blinks the error lamp 11 ( Step S19), the process returns to FIG. The user can detect the occurrence of an error by blinking the error lamp 11. In this case, the user can turn off the error lamp 11 by temporarily turning off the power of the relay device 1.

When a supported MFP is detected in step S13 (Yes), the control unit 10 transmits a message requesting network setting information such as a private address to the detected MFP (step S14) (FIG. 7A). )reference).
Upon receiving the message, the MFP 2 reads out the network setting information (private address, subnet mask, default gateway address, etc.) from the MIB 21 and responds as shown in FIG. 7B.

When the response from the MFP 2 is received (step S15: Yes), the control unit 10 stores the device specific information received in step S12 together with the received network setting information in the cooperation destination MFP information storage unit 105 (step S16). ). Then, the detection flag F1 = 1 is set (step S17), and the process returns to FIG.
For example, about 2 to 10 seconds is set as the reception standby time in step S15. If there is no response to the network setting information within the reception standby time (step S15: No), the control unit 10 sets the detection flag F1 = 0 (step S18) and blinks the error lamp 11 ( Step S19), the process returns to FIG.

  Here, if a plurality of MFPs that are supported by the cloud service 3 and set with link local addresses are connected to the LAN 4, the first supported MFP is detected in step S13. The process proceeds to step S14. This is because if one device can be detected, network setting information necessary for setting a fixed IP address in the relay apparatus 1 can be acquired.

  Returning to FIG. 3, after the detection of the MFP and the network setting information acquisition processing in step S5, if the detection flag F1 is not 1 (step S6: No), the MFP has not been detected or the detected MFP is not detected. Since this means that the network setting information could not be acquired, the automatic setting process of the fixed IP address is interrupted and the IP address 121 in which the link local address is set is initialized (= Null) (step S10). Return to the main flowchart (not shown).

When the detection flag F1 = 1 (step S6: Yes), the second address (here, the private address) that can be used in the LAN 4 is acquired based on the network setting information acquired from the MFP 2. Acquisition and setting process "(step S7).
FIG. 5 is a subroutine showing the “second address acquisition and setting process”.

As shown in the figure, the control unit 10 first acquires the address range (private address) of the LAN 4 from the private address and subnet mask of the network setting information of the MFP 2 (step S21).
Next, the control unit 10 calculates the number of addresses within the address range of the LAN 4 (excluding the trailing “0” and “255”) and sets the calculated number of addresses in the counter CNT1, while the counter CNT2 has 0. Is set (step S22).

Here, the number of addresses is excluded from the end “0” and “255” because the IP address at the end “0” represents the network itself and is not normally set. The end “255” This is because it is used as a cast address.
Thereafter, even if the value of the counter CNT2 is incremented (step S23), if the value of the counter CNT2 is equal to or smaller than the value of the counter CNT1 (step S24: Yes), one private address is randomly selected from the LAN4 address range. (Step S25), and it is confirmed by broadcasting the ARP whether the selected private address is duplicated in the LAN 4 (Step S26). If there is a response to the ARP (if the MAC address is returned), the selected private address is already used (duplicate) (step S27: Yes), so the process returns to step S23, and the subsequent steps S23 to S23 S26 is repeated.

If the incremented counter CNT2 is less than or equal to the counter CNT1 (step S24: Yes), a private address is selected again at random, and duplication of the selected private address is confirmed (steps S25 and S26).
In the random selection of the address in step S25, programming is performed so that the addresses are randomly selected from the LAN4 address range (within the range excluding the tail 0 and 255) without overlapping.

If it is determined in step S27 that there is no response to the ARP and there is no duplication (No), the control unit 10 determines the selected private address as the second address and sets it as the IP address 121 of the relay device 1 fixedly ( Step S28).
Here, the control unit 10 uses the private address (here, “172.16.xxx.50”) (see FIG. 1) from the link local address (“169.254.xxx.30”) already set as the IP address 121. Update to)).

Here, the control unit 10 sets not only the private address but also the subnet mask, the default gateway address, and the like based on the network setting information acquired from the MFP 2. As a result, communication not only within the LAN 4 but also outside the LAN 4 can be performed.
Thereafter, the acquisition flag F2 = 1 is set (step S29), and the process returns to FIG.

  When the counter CNT2 exceeds the counter CNT1 in step S24 (step S24: No), all private addresses within the LAN4 address range have already been used, and the private address is set in the relay device 1. Therefore, the control unit 10 sets the acquisition flag F2 = 0 (step S30), blinks the error lamp 11 (step S31), and returns to FIG.

Although the blinking of the error lamp 11 is not particularly limited, it is preferable that the blinking cycle is changed according to the type of error that has occurred, and that the user knows the type of error from the blinking cycle.
Returning to FIG. 3, after the acquisition and setting processing of the second address in step S7, if the acquisition flag F2 is not 1 (step S8: No), the IP address 121 is initialized (= Null). (Step S10), the process returns to the main flowchart (not shown).

  When the acquisition flag F2 = 1 (step S8: Yes), the control unit 10 generates print data for printing the network setting information such as the set private address and transmits it to the MFP 2 (step S9). The MFP 2 is instructed to perform test print output for connection confirmation. The user can know that the connection is completed and the set contents through the test printing.

The above is the fixed IP address automatic setting process.
When the automatic setting process of the fixed IP address is completed, the relay device 1 can be accessed from the personal computers 51 to 53 via the LAN 4.
Therefore, for example, when a user who has viewed the network setting information printed by test printing desires to change the setting contents, the user can access the relay apparatus 1 from the personal computer to change the setting contents. In this case, it goes without saying that the access right is set by the ID and password.

(2-2) Cooperation Destination Registration Process FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control content of the “cooperation destination registration process” for the cloud service 3 executed by the control unit 10.
This control is performed after the “automatic setting process of the fixed IP address” in FIG. 3, and is performed as a subroutine of a main flowchart (not shown) for controlling the entire relay apparatus 1.

As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 10 first reads connection information (URL, ID, password, etc.) to the cloud service 3 stored in the cloud service information storage unit 104 (step S31), Access and login (connect) to the cloud service 3 through authentication by ID and password (step S32).
If the connection to the cloud service 3 cannot be established (step S33: No), the error lamp 11 is blinked (step S38), and the process returns to the main flowchart (not shown).

If it is possible to connect to the cloud service 3 (step S33: Yes), the control unit 10 reads the device specific information and network setting information of the MFP 2 stored in the cooperation destination MFP information storage unit 105 (step S34), and the read information is It transmits to the cloud service 3 (step S35).
The cloud service 3 here has a cooperation destination information database 31 for managing information of cooperation destinations such as MFPs (see FIG. 2), and the device specific information and network setting information of the MFP 2 that has been transmitted are stored in the cooperation destination information database 31. Register with. The cloud service 3 is configured to transmit test print data to the MFP 2 via the relay device 1 for confirmation of cooperation after registering the MFP 2 as a cooperation destination.

Therefore, after receiving the test print data from the cloud service 3 after step S35 (step S36: Yes), the control unit 10 transfers the received test print data to the MFP 2 (step S37). Instructs test print output.
By outputting this test print from the MFP 2, the user can confirm that the MFP 2 has been successfully registered in the cloud service 3 via the relay device 1.

  Note that if the test print is not output from the MFP 2 indefinitely, there is a possibility that some error has occurred on the cloud service 3 side or on the Internet 7, so the “cooperation destination registration process” is performed after a while. For example, the execution program of the “cooperation destination registration process” may be activated from the personal computers 51 to 53 connected to the LAN 4 so as to be able to be executed again.

The above is the cooperation destination registration process.
The relay apparatus 1 having the above configuration first establishes a connection with the LAN 4 and the MFP 2 using a link local address in which an address range is defined, and then receives information related to network settings including a private address and a subnet mask from the connected MFP 2. The private address that is acquired and set in the apparatus itself is automatically acquired.

This eliminates the need for the user to confirm the private address that can be used in advance when connecting the relay device 1 to the LAN 4 and does not require the input of the private address. There is no need to connect a personal computer, and the workload can be greatly reduced.
Further, since the relay apparatus 1 automatically acquires a private address that can be connected to the LAN 4 based on information related to the network settings of the MFP 2, it can be reliably connected to the MFP 2 by communication using the acquired private address.

In the present embodiment, the private address is a “non-link local address” in the present invention.
Moreover, when the control part 10 performs the applicable step of the said FIGS. 3-5, it functions as each means in this invention. For example, when the control unit 10 executes step S3 of FIG. 3, it functions as the “first address acquisition unit” in the present invention, and when it executes step S4 of FIG. 3, as the “first address setting unit”. Function.

The control unit 10 functions as an “image processing device detection unit” when executing steps S11 to S13 in FIG. 4, and functions as a “setting information acquisition unit” when executing steps S14 to S16 in FIG.
Further, the control unit 10 functions as a “second address acquisition unit” when executing steps S21 to S27 in FIG. 5, and functions as a “second address setting unit” when executing step S28 in FIG. .

Further, the communication I / F unit 12 and the control unit 10 when transmitting print data to the MFP 2 in step S9 in FIG. 3 function as “communication means” that communicates with the image processing apparatus using the second address.
<Modification>
As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following modifications may be considered.

(1) In the above-described embodiment, the information processing apparatus has been described using the relay apparatus that links the MFP and the cloud service. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the configuration of the present invention can be applied to an IC card authentication apparatus 200 as shown in FIG.
The IC card authentication apparatus 200 performs output management using the IC card 201. The print job sent to the MFP 2 is not printed until it is authenticated by the IC card authentication apparatus 200. Thereby, for example, it is possible to prevent the printed matter from being left on the paper discharge tray until the printed output by an outsider who does not have the IC card 201 or until the printed person comes to pick up the printed matter. It becomes like this.

  Since such an IC card authentication apparatus 200 always communicates with the MFP 2, a fixed IP address is set. Therefore, by applying the configuration of the present invention, it is not necessary to confirm an IP address that can be used in advance when the IC card authenticating apparatus 200 is connected to the network, and a PC is purposely connected to input the IP address. Therefore, as in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to obtain an effect that the workload such as input can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional embodiment. In addition, there is an effect that communication between the IC card authenticating apparatus 200 and the MFP 2 can be performed reliably.

In this case, instead of the cloud service information storage unit 104 in FIG. 2A, for example, an authentication support target MFP storage unit is provided, and a device of an MFP that is supported by the manufacturer in the authentication support target MFP storage unit. It is desirable to store unique information (manufacturer ID, model ID, etc.) in advance.
(2) The configuration of the present invention can also be applied to a print server 300 as shown in FIG.

  Since the print server 300 is also set with a fixed IP address in the same manner as other servers, it is necessary to confirm an IP address that can be used in advance when connecting to the network by applying the configuration of the present invention. There is no need to input an IP address, and it is not necessary to connect a keyboard or a display. Like the above-described embodiment, the workload of input and the like can be greatly reduced compared to the prior art. There is an effect that communication between the print server 300 and the MFP 2 can be performed reliably.

In this case, instead of the cloud service information storage unit 104 in FIG. 2A, for example, a supported MFP storage unit is provided, and the device-specific information of the MFP that the manufacturer supports (in the support target MFP storage unit) It is desirable to store the manufacturer ID, model ID, etc.) in advance.
In addition to the print server 300 and the IC card authenticating apparatus 200, the information processing apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus via the LAN may have a fixed IP address. The configuration can be applied.

Accordingly, when connecting to the network, it is not necessary to confirm an IP address that can be used in advance, and it is not necessary to input an IP address. Can be reduced, and communication with the image processing apparatus can be reliably performed.
(3) In the embodiment and the modifications (1) and (2), the information processing apparatus such as the relay apparatus 1, the IC card authentication apparatus 200, and the print server 300 has the device-specific information to be supported. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, if communication between an information processing device and an image processing device is only a standard protocol such as LPR, it is likely that most image processing devices are compatible and can communicate with each other. It does not have to have the target device specific information. If the image processing apparatus does not support the communication, the error lamp 11 may be blinked to notify the user when a communication error occurs.

In this case, in step S13 in FIG. 4, it is not necessary to determine whether the broadcast response destination is a support target, but it is detected by determining whether the response destination is an image processing apparatus such as a printer or MFP. It is desirable to configure so as to.
Whether or not the image processing apparatus is used can be determined by, for example, checking the device type of the printer MIB or the host resource MIB.

(4) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which one MFP 2 connected to the LAN 4 is the cooperation destination of the cloud service 3 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of MFPs are connected to the cloud service 3. It may be configured to be a cooperation destination.
For example, when a monochrome MFP and a color MFP are connected to the LAN 4, each of the monochrome MFP and the color MFP is registered as the cooperation destination of the cloud service 3, and the MFP is selected depending on whether the print target is a photo or text with only characters. It is desirable to use them properly.

  In this case, when a broadcast response (device-specific information) is received (step S12 in FIG. 4), steps S13 to S16 are repeated as many times as received. If the response is from the supported MFP (step S13: Yes), a message requesting network setting information is transmitted to the responding MFP (step S14), and the response is received again (step S14). (Step S15: Yes), it stores in the cooperation destination MFP information storage unit 105 (step S16).

In the cooperation destination registration process of FIG. 8, by transmitting all of the cooperation destination MFP information stored in this way to the cloud service 3, a plurality of detected MFPs can be registered as cooperation destinations.
(5) It is desirable to provide the relay device 1 of the above embodiment with a reset button for returning the value of the IP address 121 set by the fixed IP address automatic setting process (FIG. 3) to the initial value (= Null). .

This is because the fixed IP address automatic setting process can be re-executed by returning the value of the IP address 121 to the initial value.
For example, when the connection destination of the relay device 1 is changed from the LAN 4 once connected to another LAN (hereinafter referred to as “LAN 9”), if the IP address 121 can be returned to the initial value by the reset button, the connection to the LAN 9 is performed. When first connected, a fixed IP address automatic setting process is executed, and a fixed IP address corresponding to the address range of the LAN 9 can be set in the relay device 1.

In the case of the above-described embodiment in which the reset button is not provided, for example, in the state of being connected to the LAN 4 before changing the connection destination, the relay device 1 is accessed from the personal computer, and the value of the IP address 121 is initialized. Return to the value.
(6) In the above-described embodiment, information managed by the MIB is used to detect a supported MFP and acquire network setting information of the MFP. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the manufacturer name (ID) and model name (ID) are acquired from the area where the system information of the MFP is stored, or the network setting information is directly acquired from the network setting area of the communication I / F unit. It doesn't matter.
(7) In the above embodiment, the IP address, the subnet mask, and the default gateway address are shown as the network setting information. However, the present invention is not limited to these. For example, it is configured to include the DNS server address. desirable.

In this case, after connecting the relay device 1 to the LAN 4, it is not necessary to access the relay device 1 from the personal computer via the LAN 4 and set the DNS server address, so that the input load can be further reduced. .
(8) Although the above embodiment has been described on the assumption of an environment without DHCP, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of the present invention can also be applied to a DHCP environment.

Note that, in the DHCP environment, in the fixed IP address automatic setting process, an address within the DHCP assigned address range may be set as the fixed IP address of the relay device 1.
In this case, as described in the above embodiment, after the automatic setting process of the fixed IP address is completed, the network setting information test-printed from the MFP 2 is viewed, and the set fixed IP address is within the DHCP allocation range. If it is a thing, it will suffice to access the relay device 1 from a personal computer and change it to an unused address outside the DHCP allocation range.

(9) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the IP version is IPv4 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and IPv6 may be used.
In IPv6, since a global address and a link local address are respectively set, the relay apparatus 1 has two IP addresses 121 to be set. For example, one is an IP address 121a and the other is an IP address 121b. Then, in step S4 of FIG. 3, a link local address is set to the IP address 121a, and in step S28 of FIG. 5, the second address (global address) is fixedly set to the IP address 121b.

Further, in IPv6, since the link local address is generated from the MAC address, step S3 in FIG. 3 has a configuration of “generate link local address from MAC address” instead of “acquisition of link local address by AutoIP”. To do.
(10) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the acquisition of the second address is randomly selected from the LAN 4 address range has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the sequence may be selected in ascending order from the end “1” in the address range of the LAN 4 or in the descending order from the end “254”.
(11) In the above embodiment, after the fixed IP address is set, print data for printing the network setting information such as the set private address is generated and transmitted to the MFP 2 (step S9 in FIG. 3). Although the configuration in which the test print output for confirming the connection is instructed to the MFP 2 is shown, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the print data is transmitted to the storage box 22 for the administrator provided in the MFP 2 (see FIG. 2A), and the administrator sends the print data sent to the storage box 22 to the operation panel 23. It may be displayed and confirmed. In this case, whether or not to perform printing is determined by the administrator, and printing may not be performed. Therefore, useless printing can be omitted.
The storage box 22 described above functions as a data storage unit that temporarily stores print data.

(12) Further, the data to be transmitted to the storage box unit 22 may not be generated as print data, and the network setting information may be transmitted as text information.
Further, the transmission destination is not limited to the MFP 2 and may be a data sharing server connected to the LAN 4 or may be uploaded as shared data. Then, the network setting information of the relay device 1 can be confirmed from a personal computer connected to the LAN 4.

(13) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the connection of the relay device 1 to the LAN 4 is detected using the cable connection detection switch 122 including a known mechanical switch is described, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the cable connection detection switch 122 may be configured by a reflective or transmissive photoelectric sensor that detects a plug of the LAN cable 41 inserted into the communication I / F unit 12.

  Further, instead of physical detection of the LAN cable 41, a configuration may be adopted in which detection is performed using an electrical signal (communication signal). Specifically, for example, in an Ethernet (registered trademark) LAN, when devices are connected, first, the communication speed between devices (10 Mbps / 100 Mbps / 1 Gbps) and the communication mode (half duplex / full duplex) are set. Since auto-negotiation (function) for automatic adjustment is executed, the connection of the relay device 1 to the LAN 4 can be detected by detecting this auto-negotiation communication.

The configuration for detecting the LAN 4 connection of the relay device 1 can be appropriately selected according to the specifications of the communication I / F unit 12.
(14) In the above embodiment, the digital color multifunction peripheral has been described as an example of the image processing apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
The configuration of the present invention can also be applied to connection with a monochrome copying machine, a tandem color printer, a monochrome printer, a facsimile machine, a scanner device, and the like.

  The contents of the above embodiment and the above modification may be combined.

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus connected to a network together with an image processing apparatus, and is particularly suitable as a technique for reducing the work load when connecting to a network.

1 Relay device 2 MFP
3 Cloud service 4 LAN
6 Firewall 7 Internet 10 Control unit 12 Communication I / F unit 21 MIB
31 Cooperation destination information database 51-53 PC 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Cloud Service Information Storage Unit 105 Cooperation Destination MFP Information Storage Unit 121 IP Address

Claims (11)

An information processing apparatus connected via a sub-network to an image processing apparatus in which both a link local address and other non-link local addresses are set as IP addresses,
When first connected to the subnetwork, a first address setting that acquires an address that is in the link local address range and is not used in the subnetwork as a first address and sets it as the IP address of its own device Means,
Image processing device detection means for detecting the image processing device by broadcast communication using the first address;
From the detected image processing apparatus, setting information acquisition means for acquiring information related to network settings including a non-link local address and a subnet mask set in the image processing apparatus;
An address range of the subnetwork is obtained from the obtained non-link local address and subnet mask, a second address that is not used in the subnetwork is obtained from the obtained address range, and is set as an IP address of the own device. Second address setting means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a communication unit that communicates with the image processing apparatus using the second address. The second address setting means includes
Address selecting means for selecting addresses one by one from within the address range of the subnetwork;
Duplication determination means for determining whether or not the selected address is duplicated in the sub-network;
If it is determined by the duplication determination means that the address is duplicated, the address selection means selects another address, and the address selection is repeated until the selected address is determined not to be duplicated, 2. The information according to claim 1, further comprising: a second address acquisition unit that determines and acquires the selected address as a second address when it is determined by the duplication determination unit that there is no duplication. Processing equipment. The image processing apparatus includes an image forming unit,
3. The information processing according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit includes an image formation instruction unit that transmits information about the network setting including the second address to the image processing apparatus to form an image. apparatus. The image processing apparatus has data storage means for storing data,
The communication unit includes a data storage instruction unit that transmits information about the network setting including the second address to the image processing apparatus and instructs the data storage unit to store the information. Item 4. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3. The data storage means has a storage area provided for a specific administrator,
The data storage instructing unit instructs the image processing apparatus to store information relating to network settings including the second address in a storage area provided for the specific administrator. Item 5. The information processing apparatus according to Item 4. Connected to the subnetwork is a data server provided with data sharing means for registering and sharing the transmitted data,
The communication means includes data registration instruction means for instructing to register information relating to network settings including the second address to the data server and registering it as shared data. 6. The information processing apparatus according to any one of 5 above. The subnetwork is connected to an external cloud service,
The communication means includes
Cloud service connection means for connecting to the cloud service;
After connecting to the cloud service, sending information related to the network settings of the image processing apparatus to the cloud service, and registering the image processing apparatus as a cooperation destination of the cloud service;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a relay unit that relays communication between the cloud service and the image processing apparatus registered as a cooperation destination. The image processing apparatus includes an image forming unit,
The cloud service has a function of transmitting test print data to the registered cooperation destination when the cooperation destination having the image forming unit is registered,
8. The information according to claim 7, wherein when the relay unit receives test print data addressed to the image processing apparatus from the cloud service, the relay unit transfers the test print data to the image processing apparatus to form an image. Processing equipment. The image processing device detection means stores in advance unique information of the image processing device to be detected, and the response destination is the image processing device based on the unique information of the device included in the response to the broadcast communication. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein whether or not there is present is detected and detected. The link local address and the non-link local address are IPv4 addresses;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein AutoIP is used as the first address acquisition unit. A network connection program executed by an information processing apparatus connected via a sub-network to an image processing apparatus in which both a link local address and other non-link local addresses are set as IP addresses,
A first address acquisition step of acquiring a first address that is within a link local address range and is not used in the subnetwork when a device is first connected to the subnetwork;
A first address setting step of setting the first address as an IP address of the own device;
An image processing device detection step of detecting the image processing device by broadcast communication using the first address;
After detecting the image processing apparatus, a setting information acquisition step for acquiring information relating to network settings including a non-link local address and a subnet mask of the image processing apparatus;
A second address obtaining step of obtaining an address range of the network from the obtained non-link local address and subnet mask, and obtaining a second address that is not used in the subnetwork from the obtained address range;
And a second address setting step of setting the second address as an IP address of the own device.

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