JP7338461B2 - Program, program group, and information processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a program or the like for transmitting a device request to a device via a device port.

As described in the following patent documents, recent devices such as printers and scanners incorporate a server, a so-called EWS (Embedded Web Server), and an information processing device such as a PC can be used to access the server. By accessing the server, it is possible to check the status of the device, setting information, and the like.

JP 2007-079940 A

In an information processing apparatus such as a PC, for example, a device request is output when accessing the EWS of the device. At this time, a device request is output via the device port. On the other hand, since the port information such as the port number of the device port is limited information, it is necessary to use the port information within the limited information to create the device port. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to create a device port by using port information within a limited range of information.

In order to solve the above problems, a program disclosed in an embodiment is a computer-readable program for an information processing apparatus having a first communication interface and a second communication interface, wherein the computer designates a device an acquiring means for acquiring designation information; and functioning as specifying means for specifying port information corresponding to a device specified by the device specifying information each time the device specifying information is acquired by the acquiring means, the port information. is information used for accepting a device request to the corresponding device, wherein the identifying means selects different port information as port information corresponding to the plurality of devices respectively designated by the plurality of device designation information. specifying a plurality of pieces of port information and functioning as first creating means for creating a device port corresponding to the port information specified by said specifying means, said port information being finite information in said information processing apparatus, said device The request is a request according to a first protocol, the first protocol is a protocol used in the first communication interface, the device port is a program installed in a computer in which the program is installed, and the program is a port for accepting a request from a program different from the above according to the first protocol without going through the first communication interface, and the computer receives the device request to the device port created by the first creating means. transmitting means for transmitting the device request to the device connected to the second communication interface according to a second protocol when the device request is accepted, and sending a reply to the device request transmitted by the transmitting means from the device to the second functioning as receiving means for receiving data via a communication interface, wherein the second protocol is a protocol used in the second communication interface, and the computer transmits a reply received by the receiving means to the device port whether or not the amount of port information specified by the first output means for outputting to the request source program of the request according to the first protocol and by the specifying means exceeds a predetermined range of the finite amount of information; and closing means for closing the device port created by the first creating means when the first determining means determines that the amount of the port information exceeds the predetermined range. and, after the device port is closed by the closing means, the identifying means identifies port information indicating the device port closed by the closing means as the port information indicating the device port. characterized by

A program disclosed in an embodiment identifies different port information as port information of a device port each time it acquires device designation information that designates a device, and creates a device port of the identified port information. Note that the port information is limited information. Therefore, when multiple device ports are created and the amount of port information specified for the device port exceeds a predetermined range of the finite amount of information, the created device port is closed. be done. Therefore, a new device port can be created using the port information of the closed device port. This makes it possible to create a device port using port information within a limited range of information.

1 is a block diagram of a communication system 1; FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing processing in the communication system 1; FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing processing in the communication system 1; FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing processing in the communication system 1; FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing processing in the communication system 1; FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing processing in the communication system 1; FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. It should be noted that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention. For example, the execution order of each process to be described later can be changed as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system 1 according to this embodiment. A communication system 1 shown in FIG. The MFPs 50 and 56 are devices capable of executing various types of processing such as scanning processing and printing processing. The MFP 50 incorporates an EWS 52 and the MFP 56 incorporates an EWS 58 . The EWSs 52 and 58 have functions equivalent to those of web servers, and the EWSs 52 and 58 contain information indicating the status of the MFPs 50 and 56 and information indicating HTML web pages regarding setting information (hereinafter referred to as "EWS information"). ) (an example of server information) is accumulated.

The PC 10 mainly includes a CPU (an example of a computer) 12, a memory 14, an LCD 16, an input I/F 18, a network I/F (an example of a first communication interface) 19, and a USB I/F (an example of a second communication interface) 20. I have. These components can communicate with each other via bus 22 .

The CPU 12 includes a control program (an example of a program and a first program) 30 in the memory 14, an application (an example of a separate program and a second program) 32, a setting tool (an example of a separate program and a second program) 34, a browser 36, Processing is executed according to the OS38. The control program 30 is an application program for acquiring server information from the EWS 52 of the MFP 50 . Also, the application 32 is an application program for executing various processes using the MFP 50 . The setting tool 34 is an application program for making various settings based on the EWS information accumulated in the EWSs 52, 58 of the MFPs 50, 56. FIG. Note that the application 32 includes a library 40 and the setting tool 34 includes a library 42. FIG. The library 40 and the library 42 are the same application program, and are used when server information is acquired from the EWS 52 of the MFP 50 by processing of the control program 30 . The browser 36 is an application program for acquiring HTML format data using HTTP via the network I/F 19 and displaying a web page on the LCD 16 . Also, the OS 38 is a program that provides basic functions used by the control program 30 and the like. In the following description, the CPU 12 that executes the control program 30 and the like may be simply referred to as a program name. For example, the statement "the control program 30" may mean "the CPU 12 that executes the control program 30".

The memory 14 also includes a data storage area (an example of memory) 46 . The data storage area 46 is an area for storing data necessary for executing the control program 30 and the like. The memory 14 is configured by combining a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an HDD, a portable storage medium such as a USB memory detachable from the PC 10, a buffer provided in the CPU 12, and the like.

Note that the memory 14 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, non-transitory media include recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. A non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electrical signal that carries a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium, which is a kind of computer-readable medium, but is a non-transitory computer-readable storage. Not included in media.

Also, the LCD 16 displays various information of the PC 10 . The display of the present application is not limited to a liquid crystal display, and may be a display of another display method such as an organic EL display. The input I/F 18 includes a keyboard, mouse, etc., and is an interface for inputting user operations. The input I/F 18 is not limited to a keyboard or the like, and may be a film-like touch sensor superimposed on the display screen of the LCD 16 .

The network I/F 19 is for communicating with devices using HTTP (an example of the first protocol), and is capable of communicating with the MFP 56 via the network 60 . The USB I/F 20 is for communicating with devices using a USB protocol (an example of a second protocol), and is capable of communicating with the MFP 50 .

Note that this specification basically shows the processing of the CPU 12 according to the instructions described in the program. That is, the processing such as “judgment”, “extraction”, “selection”, “calculation”, “decision”, “specification”, “acquisition”, “acceptance”, “control”, “setting” in the following description is performed by the CPU 12 represents the processing of Processing by CPU 12 also includes hardware control via OS 38 . Note that "acquisition" is used as a concept that does not require a request. That is, the process of receiving data without the CPU 12 requesting it is also included in the concept of "the CPU 12 acquires data." Also, "data" in this specification is represented by a computer-readable bit string. Data having substantially the same meaning and content but different formats are treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification. Processing such as "command", "response" and "request" is performed by communicating information indicating "command", "response", "request" and the like. Also, words such as "command", "response", "request", etc. may be described in the sense of information itself indicating "command", "response", "request", etc. Also, the process of judging by the CPU whether or not the information A indicates that the matter B is conceptually described as "judging whether or not the information A is the matter B". There is The process of judging whether information A indicates matter B or matter C by the CPU is referred to as "determining whether information A is matter B or matter C." It may be described conceptually as

In the communication system 1, according to the configuration described above, the browser 36 can acquire the EWS information from the MFP 56 that can communicate with the PC 10 via the network I/F 19, and display the web page on the LCD 16 based on the EWS information. It is possible. Such processing is conventionally performed, and the EWS information can be preferably obtained from the MFP 56 by the browser 36 using HTTP. On the other hand, the browser 36 cannot acquire the EWS information from the MFP 50 that is communicable with the PC 10 via the USB I/F 20, that is, from the MFP 50 that is USB-connected, using HTTP in the conventional method. In the communication system 1, the browser 36 can acquire EWS information from the USB-connected MFP 50 using HTTP. Processing of the control program 30 and the like when the browser 36 uses HTTP to acquire EWS information from the USB-connected MFP 50 will be described in detail below with reference to the sequence diagrams shown in FIGS.

Specifically, the control program 30 is activated by the processing of the library 40 of the application 32 (see FIG. 2: S100). The control program 30 then creates a reception port (S102). Subsequently, the control program 30 puts the acceptance port into a standby state with "Accept" (S104). That is, the control program 30 puts the receiving port into a state in which information can be received (hereinafter referred to as a "receivable state"). The port number of the reception port is 50000 according to HTTP. The control program 30 then communicates with the library 40 of the application 32 through the reception port. The control program 30, for example, creates a port, changes the state of the port, deletes the port, etc. according to the known Socket method.

As described above, in the PC 10 , the control program 30 is activated by the processing of the library 40 to create a receiving port for communicating with the application 32 . On the other hand, the application 32 is activated by a user operation, and when the application 32 is activated, the library 40 included in the application 32 outputs information for confirming connection to the receiving port with port number 50000 (S106). The library 40 is programmed with a port number of 50000 for the communication target port. Then, when the connection confirmation information is input to the receiving port, the control program 30 returns "OK" to the library 40 (S108). If the connection confirmation information is not input to the reception port, "NG" is returned to the library 40. FIG. Incidentally, when the control program 30 cannot create a device port with port number 50000 (for example, when the port with port number 50000 is already in use by another program), According to the rule, a port number different from the port number 50000 is determined as the port number of the reception port, and the port with that port number is created as the reception port. In this case, even if the library 40 tries to input connection confirmation information to the port with port number 50000, it cannot be input. Therefore, the library 40 is also programmed with predetermined rules for determining reception ports. If the connection confirmation information could not be input, the library 40 inputs the connection confirmation information to a port with a different port number according to the rule. The library 40 uses the port number for which the connection confirmation information has been input as the acceptance port number. For the sake of convenience, in this embodiment, the port with port number 50000 is assumed to be the receiving port.

Also, as described above, the application 32 is an application program for executing various processes using a device such as the MFP 50, and uses the browser 36 to display a web page based on the EWS information of the device on the LCD 16. is also possible. Therefore, when the application 32 receives a user operation requesting to display a web page based on the EWS information, the library 40 outputs a request for port information to the receiving port with port number 50000 (S110). At this time, the library 40 outputs the device designation information to the receiving port together with the port information request. The device designation information is information that designates the device from which the EWS information is obtained. Here, the device designation information that designates the MFP 50 is output to the reception port. The device designation information is character string information used in the USB protocol. Specifically, for example, "VID/PID" is output to the reception port as the device designation information. Incidentally, VID is VenderID (manufacturer number), and PID is ProductID (product number). Therefore, the type (model) of the device can be specified by "VID/PID". Note that it is not common to use a plurality of printers of the same model connected to a single PC via USB. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present application, the device designation information "VID/PID" is also used as information for identifying individual devices. Of course, information other than "VID/PID", such as a serial number, is used as information for identifying the individual device. may be

Then, when the reception port receives the request for port information, the control program 30 sends a confirmation request to the OS 38 for the device designated by the device designation information included in the request (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "target device"). (S112). This confirmation request is for confirming whether or not the target device is a device that supports HTTP. If the target device is a device that supports HTTP, the OS 38 sends "true" to the control program 30. Output (S114). On the other hand, if the target device does not support HTTP, the OS 38 outputs "false" to the control program 30 (S114). The OS 38 stores USB device information in an area called registry, for example, and requests the OS to output the information in S112. The information of the USB device may be information obtained from a device USB-connected to the PC 10, information obtained from the data storage area 46 of the PC 10, or information obtained from a device manufacturer's server. Information indicating whether or not the target device supports HTTP may be information other than "true" and "false".

At this time, when receiving "true" from the OS 38, the control program 30 specifies the port number of the device port for communicating with the target device, and specifies the specified port number (hereinafter referred to as "specific port number"). exceeds "52000" (S118). Specifically, the port number of the device port for communicating with the device is a finite numerical value and is set to 51000-52000. Then, the control program 30 first identifies the port number of the device port as "51000" and then sequentially identifies numerical values incremented by "10". That is, the control program 30 specifies the port number of the first device port as "51000", and the port numbers of the second and subsequent device ports as "51010", "51020", "51030", "51040", and "51000". 51050” . . . When the port number of the device port is specified in this way, the port number of the device port is finally specified as "52000". Then, even if the port number "52010" is specified next to the port number "52000", the device port with the port number "52010" cannot be created. Therefore, the control program 30 identifies the specific port number and determines whether or not the specific port number exceeds "52000" (S118). Here, since the control program 30 identifies the first port number, the specific port number is identified as "51000" and is determined not to exceed "52000".

In this way, the port number of the device port is specified, and when it is determined that the specified port number does not exceed "52000" (S118: NO), the control program 30 sets the reset flag to OFF (S120). ). A reset flag is a flag for resetting the port number of the device port, and will be described later in detail. The control program 30 then creates a sub-thread (S122). A subthread is a thread for executing processing related to a device port, and is created for each device port. Therefore, when the specific port number is "51000", a sub-thread is created to execute the process related to the device port with the port number "51000". Note that the processing of the control program 30 described above is performed in the main thread.

When a subthread for executing processing related to the device port is created, as shown in FIG. 3, the control program 30 creates a device port corresponding to the specific port number, that is, the port number "51000", in the subthread. device port is created (S152). The port number of the device port also conforms to HTTP, and the control program 30 communicates with the browser 36 using the device port. Then, the control program 30 associates information indicating the port number of the created device port (hereinafter referred to as "port information") with the device designation information received in S110, and stores the information in the data storage area 46. (S154). Next, the control program 30 determines whether or not the reset flag is set to ON (S156). Here, since the reset flag is set to OFF in S120, it is determined that the reset flag is not set to ON (S156: NO), and the control program 30 accepts the device port created in S152. A standby state is set (S158). In other words, the control program 30 puts the device port into an acceptable state.

Note that when a device port is created in a subthread and the device port is placed in a receivable state, the control program 30, as shown in FIG. The indicated port information is output to the library 40 (S124). At this time, the control program 30 outputs HTTP format port information to the library 40 . Specifically, for example, when the port number of the device port is 51000, the control program 30 outputs port information “http://localhost:51000/” to the library 40 .

When receiving the port information from the control program 30, the library 40 activates the browser 36 (S126). The library 40 then outputs the port information "http://localhost:51000/" received from the control program 30 to the browser 36 (S128). This allows the browser 36 to access the device port with port number 51000. FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the browser 36 uses the port information received from the library 40 to output the EWS information request information to the device port with the port number "51000" by HTTP (S160). At this time, when the control program 30 receives the EWS information request information in HTTP to the device port with the port number 51000, the control program 30 receives the device corresponding to the device designation information stored in association with the port information of the port number, that is, The request information for the EWS information is output to the MFP 50 using the USB protocol (S162). At this time, the control program 30 transmits the request information received by HTTP to the device port to the MFP 50 by the USB protocol without converting it. That is, the request information that the MFP 50 receives from the control program 30 and the request information that the MFP 50 receives via HTTP, assuming that the MFP 50 receives directly from the browser 36 via HTTP, are the same request information. Therefore, the MFP 50 basically does not need to change the processing for the request information depending on whether the request information is received from the control program 30 or via HTTP.

Next, when the MFP 50 receives the request information for the EWS information, it returns the EWS information to the control program 30 using the USB protocol (S164). The control program 30 then outputs the received EWS information to the browser 36 via HTTP (S166). In this way, in the PC 10, the browser 36 can acquire the EWS information using HTTP through the control program 30. FIG. The browser 36 then displays the web page on the LCD 16 based on the acquired EWS information (S168). Note that the EWS information returned by the MFP 50 to the control program 30 and the EWS information returned by the MFP 50 via HTTP, assuming that the MFP 50 directly replies to the browser 36 via HTTP, are the same EWS information. Also, the control program 30 outputs the EWS information received by the USB protocol to the browser 36 by HTTP without conversion. Therefore, the browser 36 basically does not need to change the processing of the EWS information depending on whether it receives it from the control program 30 or via HTTP.

When the device port receives the information, it enters a state in which it cannot receive the next information, that is, cannot receive the next information. Therefore, the control program 30 outputs the device port that received the EWS information request information from the browser and the EWS information corresponding to the request information to the browser 36 (S166), and then returns to S156. As a result, the control program 30 puts the device port in the receivable state via the process of S156 (S158). As a result, when the browser 36 again outputs the EWS information request information to the device port by HTTP (S160), the device port can receive the EWS information request information. It should be noted that subsequent processing (S162 to S168) is the same as the processing described above.

Also, in the main thread of the control program 30, as shown in FIG. 2, when the control program 30 outputs the port information to the library 40, the process returns to S110. For this reason, the control program 30 executes the processing from S112 onward each time a request for port information is received from the library 40. FIG. That is, when the control program 30 receives the request for the second port information from the library 40 (S110), the port number of the second device port is specified as "51010" (S118). At this time, it is determined that the specific port number '51010' does not exceed '52000' (S118: NO), and a sub-thread is created to execute the process related to the device port with the port number '51010' (S122). ). Then, in that subthread, as shown in FIG. 3, processing (S152 to S168) relating to the device port with port number "51010" is executed.

Further, when the control program 30 receives a request for the third port information from the library 40 (see FIG. 2: S110), the port number of the third device port is specified as "51020" (S118). At this time, it is determined that the specific port number '51020' does not exceed '52000' (S118: NO), and a sub-thread is created to execute the process related to the device port with the port number '51020' (S122). ). Then, in that subthread, the process for the device port with the port number "51020" (see FIG. 3: S152 to S168) is executed.

In this way, the control program 30 identifies a different port number each time it receives a request for port information from the library 40, and creates a subthread for executing processing related to the device port of that port number. Then, in each subthread, processing relating to the device port with the port number corresponding to the subthread is executed. However, the port number of the device port is 51000 to 52000 as described above, which is a finite number. Therefore, when the control program 30 receives a port information request from the library 40 after the device port with the port number "52000" is created (see FIG. 2: S110), the port number of the device port is changed to "52010". However, it is determined that the specific port number "52010" exceeds "52000" (S118: YES). Therefore, since the control program 30 cannot create a device port, it outputs error information to the library 40 as a reply to the port information request (S170). Then, the control program 30 sets the reset flag to ON (S172). This reset flag is monitored in a subthread that executes processing related to device ports, and is used when closing a device port created in the subthread. Also, the control program 30 resets the port number specified in S118 (S174). That is, the specific port number counted up to "52000" is reset to "51000".

Also, in the sub-thread that executes processing related to the device port, the reset flag is monitored as described above. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when a device port is created in a subthread (S152) and the port information and the device designation information are associated and stored in the data storage area 46, the control program 30 resets the reset flag. is set to ON (S156). At this time, if the reset flag is set to OFF (S156: NO), as described above, the control program 30 puts the device port in the receivable state (S158), and executes the processing from S160 onwards. On the other hand, if the reset flag is set to ON (S156: YES), the control program 30 closes the device port (S180). In other words, the control program 30 closes the device port before making the device port available for reception. Therefore, it is possible to close the device port in a state in which request information for EWS information is not received from the browser 36, and the device port can be closed safely. Even if the reset flag is set to ON after the control program 30 receives the EWS information request information from the browser 36 (S160), the reply to the EWS information request information, that is, the EWS information is output to the browser 36, it is determined in S156 whether or not the reset flag is set to ON. Therefore, even if request information for EWS information is received from the browser 36, the device port is closed after processing for the request information is completed. As a result, the device port is not closed in the middle of processing the request information, and the device port can be safely closed. Then, when the device port is closed, the processing by the subthread ends. Thus, in a subthread, when the port number of a device port is reset, the device port with the reset port number is closed. Since the device port monitoring process described above is executed in all created subthreads, the device ports are closed in all subthreads when the port numbers are reset.

When the device ports are closed in all subthreads in this way, the port numbers of the closed device ports can be used again. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, after the specific port number is reset (S174), when the control program 30 receives the EWS information request information from the library 40 (S110), the port number of the device port is changed to "51000." ” (S118). Accordingly, it is determined that the port number "51000" does not exceed "52000" (S118: NO), and the control program 30 sets the reset flag to OFF (S120). Then, the control program 30 creates a sub-thread for executing processing related to the device port with the port number "51000" (S122). As a result, in that subthread, as shown in FIG. 3, processing (S152 to S168, 180) relating to the device port with port number "51000" is executed.

In this way, in the PC 10, all device ports that have been created are closed when all of the numbers within the range (51000 to 52000) that can be used as device port numbers are used as device port numbers. , the port number is reset. This allows the control program 30 to permanently create device ports in response to requests from the library 40 .

Also, in the application 32, by suppressing requests for port information, usage of port numbers of device ports is suppressed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the application 32 is activated by user operation (S200). Also, as described above, the application 32 is an application program for executing various processes using a device such as the MFP 50, and uses the browser 36 to display a web page based on the EWS information of the device on the LCD 16. is also possible. Therefore, when the application 32 receives a user operation specifying a device and a web page display request based on the EWS information of the specified device via the input I/F 18 (S202), the application 32 receives the port An information request is output to the library 40 (S204). The request for port information includes device designation information of the device designated by the user operation received in S202.

Upon receiving the request, the library 40 determines whether communication information is stored in the data storage area 46 (S206). The communication information is information indicating a device indicating an acquisition source of EWS information and a device port for communicating with the device. The communication information will be described in detail later. Not yet stored in data storage area 46 . Therefore, it is determined that communication information is not stored in the data storage area 46 (S206: NO), and the library 40 outputs a request for port information to the control program 30 (S208). This processing is the same processing as S110 in FIG. 2 described above, and the request for port information output by this processing includes the device designation information included in the request for port information in S204. . Therefore, the library 40 outputs a port information request to the reception port created by the control program 30 . 2 are executed, and the library 40 receives the port information output by the control program 30 (S210). That is, for example, when the device designation information designating the MFP 50 is included in the request for port information in S208, the subthread for executing processing related to the device port for communicating with the MFP 50 in S122 of FIG. is created. Then, in that subthread, a device port for communicating with the MFP 50 is created, and in S124 of FIG. .

The library 40 then outputs the received port information to the browser 36 (S212). This process is the same process as S128 in FIG. 2. By this process, as shown in FIG. 3, the browser 36 outputs the EWS information request information to the device port (S160), , a web page based on the EWS information can be displayed on the LCD 16 . Also, as shown in FIG. 4, when the library 40 receives the port information from the control program 30 (S210), it associates the port information with the device designation information included in the port information requests of S204 and S208, It is stored in the data storage area 46 (S214). At this time, for example, if the device designation information designating the MFP 50 is included in the port information request, the port information of the device port for communicating with the MFP 50 and the device designation information designating the MFP 50 are associated. is stored in the data storage area 46. The port information and device designation information stored here are the previously described communication information. That is, when the library 40 receives the port information from the control program 30 , the communication information is stored in the data storage area 46 .

In the processing by the library 40, when the port information and the device designation information are associated and stored in the data storage area 46, the process returns to S204. Then, it is determined whether or not the device designation information included in the port information request is stored in the data storage area 46 as communication information (S206). Specifically, for example, in S214, the port information of the device port for communicating with the MFP 50 and the device designation information designating the MFP 50 are stored in the data storage area 46 in association with each other. If a request for port information including device designation information designating a device is received, it is determined that the device designation information is not stored in the data storage area 46 as communication information (S206: NO). At this time, the library 40 outputs a request for port information including the device designation information to the control program 30 (S208). Then, the processes after S210 are executed. As a result, the library 40 acquires from the control program 30 the device designated by the device designation information, that is, the port information for communicating with a device other than the MFP 50 (S210). The library 40 then outputs the port information to the browser 36 (S212). As a result, the web page based on the EWS information of the device other than the MFP 50 is displayed on the LCD 16 by executing the processes of S160 to S168 of FIG.

On the other hand, for example, in S214, the port information of the device port for communicating with the MFP 50 and the device designation information designating the MFP 50 are stored in the data storage area 46 in association with each other. If the request for port information including designation information is accepted, it is determined that the device designation information is stored in the data storage area 46 as communication information (S206: YES). At this time, the library 40 extracts the port information stored in association with the device designation information (S220). That is, the port information for communicating with the MFP 50, which is stored in the data storage area 46 in association with the device designation information designating the MFP 50, is extracted. The library 40 then outputs the port information to the browser 36 (S222). As a result, the web page based on the EWS information of MFP 50 is displayed on LCD 16 by executing the processes of S160 to S168 of FIG.

That is, when the port information is received from the control program 30, the library 40 associates the port information with the device designation information of the device that communicates with the device port indicated by the port information, and stores the port information in the data storage area 46 as communication information. Remember. When the library 40 receives from the application 32 a request for port information including the device designation information stored as communication information, the library 40 communicates the port information request to the data storage area 46 without outputting it to the control program 30 . The port information stored as information is output to the browser 36 . Also, when the library 40 receives from the application 32 a request for port information that does not contain device designation information stored as communication information, the library 40 outputs the port information request to the control program 30 . Then, in response to the output of the port information request, the library 40 acquires the port information from the control program 30 and outputs the port information to the browser 36 .

In this way, in the application 32, when the library 40 receives a request for port information including device designation information stored as communication information from the application 32, the request is output to the control program 30 by using the communication information. request for port information is suppressed. As a result, in the control program 30, creation of device ports in response to requests for port information is suppressed, and usage of port numbers of device ports is suppressed.

In the above description, the control program 30 creates a device port in response to a port information request from the library 40 of the application 32, and outputs the port information of the device port to the library 40 of the application 32. Configuration tool 34 also includes library 42 that is the same as library 40 of application 32 . Therefore, the library 42 of the setting tool 34 can also perform processing similar to that of the library 40 of the application 32 . That is, the library 42 of the setting tool 34 can also execute the same processing as the processing by the library 40 described above.

In the above embodiment, reset flags are monitored in all subthreads created by the control program 30, and the device port created in each subthread is triggered by the reset flag being set to ON. is closed, the device port may be closed by restarting the control program 30 . More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the control program 30 is started by the processing of the library 40 (S100), and the processing up to the processing of determining whether or not the specific port number exceeds "52000" (S118) is performed as described above. Same as the embodiment. Then, when it is determined that the specific port number does not exceed "52000" (S118: NO), the control program 30 creates a sub-thread (S122) and outputs the port information to the library 40 (S124). . These processes are the same as in the above embodiment, and the subsequent processes (S126 to S128) are also the same as in the above embodiment. Also, as for the processing in the created sub-thread, only the processing of S156 and S180 in the sequence diagram of FIG. 3 is not executed. In other words, the processing in the created subthread is the same as in the above embodiment except for the processing regarding the reset flag.

Also, when it is determined that the specific port number exceeds "52000" (S118: YES), the control program 30 outputs error information to the library 40 (S300). Then, in response to receiving the error information, the library 40 outputs a termination command to the control program 30 (S302). Thus, the control program 30 ends. At this time, as the control program 30 ends, all device ports created by the control program 30 are closed. The library 40 then outputs a termination command, and activates the control program 30 after a predetermined period of time has elapsed (S304). Then, the control program 30 executes the processes after S102. By restarting the control program 30 in this way, all device ports created by the control program 30 can be closed, and the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, the browser 36 outputs the EWS information request information as a device request to the device port created by the control program 30, thereby acquiring the EWS information from the MFP 50. The application 32 outputs various image processing requests as device requests to the created device port, thereby allowing the MFP 50 to execute various image processing.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, when the control program 30 creates a subthread (S500), it creates a device port in the subthread (S502). Then, the control program 30 associates the port information of the created device port with the device designation information and stores it in the data storage area 46 (S504), and puts the created device port into an acceptable state (S506). Next, the control program 30 outputs the port information of that device port to the application 32 (S508). As a result, the application 32 can access the device port created by the control program 30, and outputs a copy processing request to the device port using HTTP (S510). Then, when the control program 30 receives a request for copy processing by HTTP to the device port, the control program 30 sends the copy processing to the device corresponding to the device designation information stored in association with the port information of the device port, that is, to the MFP 50 . The request is output using the USB protocol (S512). As a result, copy processing is executed in the MFP 50 (S514). At this time, when the copy processing is completed, the MFP 50 transmits information indicating the completion of the copy processing to the control program 30 using the USB protocol (S516). Also, when an error occurs in the copy process, the MFP 50 transmits information indicating that the error has occurred to the control program 30 using the USB protocol (S516). Then, the control program 30 outputs information indicating that the copy processing is completed or information indicating that an error has occurred to the application 32 via HTTP (S518). In this manner, the application 32 outputs various image processing requests as device requests to the device port created by the control program 30, thereby causing the MFP 50 to execute various image processing.

Note that the CPU 12 that executes S110 is an example of an acquisition unit, a reception unit, and a third output unit. The CPU 12 that executes S118 is an example of specifying means and first determining means. The CPU 12 that executes S122 and S500 is an example of second creating means. The CPU 12 that executes S152 and S502 is an example of first creating means. CPU12 which performs S162 and S512 is an example of a transmission means. The CPU 12 that executes S164 and S516 is an example of receiving means. The CPU 12 that executes S166 and S518 is an example of first output means. The CPU 12 that executes S170 is an example of second output means. The CPU 12 executing S180 is an example of closing means. The CPU 12 that executes S202 is an example of an operation reception unit. The CPU 12 executing S210 is an example of fourth output means. The CPU 12 that executes S214 is an example of storage control means. The CPU 12 that executes S222 is an example of disclosure means. The CPU 12 executing S302 is an example of closing means.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

In the above embodiment, the control program 30 identifies the port number of the device port each time it receives a request for port information from the library 40, and creates a device port with the identified port number. The port number is a finite number within the range of 51000-52000. Therefore, by cumulatively creating device ports, if the port number specified for the device port exceeds "52000", the already created device port is closed. This makes it possible to create a new device port using the port number of a closed device port, and to create a device port using port numbers within a finite numerical range. Become.

Also, when the port number specified for the device port does not exceed "52000", the control program 30 creates a device port according to the specified port number. This makes it possible to create a new device port.

In addition, in the above embodiment, not only the library 40 of the application 32 but also the library 42 of the setting tool 34 can output requests for port information to the control program 30 . For this reason, the number of device ports created by the control program 30 increases, and the usage of port numbers used for the device ports also increases. This has the full effect of resetting the port number specified for the device port.

Further, in the above embodiment, the device port created by the control program 30 is closed by restarting the control program 30 . This ensures that all device ports created by the control program 30 are closed.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the port number specified for the device port exceeds "52000", the control program 30 outputs the error information to the library 40, and after outputting the error information, If the request for information is received, the port number of the closed device port is identified as the port number for the device port. Thereby, the port number can be preferably specified.

Further, in the above embodiment, the control program 30 creates a subthread, and the subthread monitors the reset flag, thereby closing the device port. This allows the device port to be properly closed. Furthermore, in the subthread, the device port is closed when the device port does not accept the device request, or when the device port accepts the device request but outputs a reply to the device request. As a result, the device port is not closed in the middle of processing, and the device port can be safely closed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the library 40 receives port information from the control program 30, it associates the port information with the device designation information and stores them in the data storage area 46. FIG. When the library 40 receives a request for port information including device designation information from the application 32 , the library 40 determines whether or not the device designation information is stored in the data storage area 46 . At this time, if the device designation information is not stored in the data storage area 46 , the library 40 outputs a request for port information to the control program 30 . On the other hand, when the device designation information is stored in the data storage area 46, the library 40 retrieves the port information stored in association with the device designation information without outputting the port information request to the control program 30. 36. As a result, it is possible to suppress requests for port information to the control program 30, and it is possible to suppress the usage of port numbers of device ports.

Moreover, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various aspects with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Specifically, for example, in the above embodiment, the port number of the device port can be set in the range of 51000 to 52000, and the device port is closed when the specific port number exceeds "52000". However, the device port may be closed when the specific port number exceeds a predetermined value from 51000 to 52000, for example, "51900".

Further, in the above embodiment, when the control program 30 is restarted, the control program 30 is restarted by the processing of the library 40 after the control program 30 is stopped by the processing of the library 40. The control program 30 may be stopped by the processing of , and the control program 30 may be restarted by the processing of the control program 30 .

Further, in the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the technique of transmitting a device request in HTTP to a device via the USB I/F 20 and receiving a reply to the device request from the device via the USB I/F 20. transmits a device request in a first communication protocol to a device via a second communication interface different from the first communication interface according to the first protocol, and sends a reply of the device request from the device to the first The present invention may be applied to a technique of receiving data via two communication interfaces. That is, the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol need not be limited to HTTP and USB protocols.

2 to 6 are executed by the CPU 12 in the above embodiment, these processes may be executed not only by the CPU 12 but also by an ASIC or other logic integrated circuit. , these processes may be executed by cooperation of a CPU or the like, an ASIC, or another logic integrated circuit.

10: PC, 12: CPU, 20: USB I/F, 30: Control program, 32: Application, 36: Browser, 40: Library, 50: MFP

Claims (14)

A computer-readable program for an information processing device comprising a first communication interface and a second communication interface,
said computer,
Acquisition means for acquiring device specification information specifying a device;
Each time the device designation information is acquired by the acquisition means, it functions as a specification means for specifying port information corresponding to the device specified by the device specification information, and the port information is a device for the corresponding device. information used for accepting a request, wherein the identifying means identifies a plurality of different port information as port information corresponding to the plurality of devices respectively designated by the plurality of device designation information;
The port information is limited information in the information processing apparatus, and the device request is a request according to a first protocol. wherein the first protocol is a protocol used in the first communication interface, and the device port is a program installed in a computer in which the program is installed, and is different from the program; 1 protocol for accepting requests without going through the first communication interface;
said computer,
transmission means for, when receiving the device request to the device port created by the first creation means, sending the device request to the device connected to the second communication interface using a second protocol;
functioning as receiving means for receiving a reply to the device request transmitted by the transmitting means from the device via the second communication interface, wherein the second protocol is a protocol used in the second communication interface;
said computer,
a first output means for outputting the reply received by the receiving means to a request source program of the device request to the device port in accordance with the first protocol;
a first determination means for determining whether the amount of port information specified by the specifying means exceeds a predetermined range of the finite amount of information;
closing means for closing the device port created by the first creation means when the first determination means determines that the amount of the port information exceeds the predetermined range;
to make it work,
The specifying means is
A program for specifying, as port information indicating the device port, port information indicating the device port closed by the closing means after the device port is closed by the closing means. said computer,
Functioning as a receiving means for receiving requests from another program different from the program,
The specifying means is
specifying the port information in response to the acceptance of the request by the acceptance means;
The first determination means is
determining whether the amount of port information specified by the specifying means exceeds a predetermined range of the finite amount of information;
The first creation means is
creating a device port corresponding to the port information specified by the specifying means when the first determining means determines that the amount of the port information does not exceed the predetermined range;
The closing means are
2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the device port created by said first creation means is closed when said first determination means determines that the amount of said port information exceeds said predetermined range. . A plurality of the separate programs are installed in the information processing device,
The receiving means is
receiving a request from each of the plurality of separate programs;
The specifying means is
specifying the port information in response to the reception means receiving a request from each of the plurality of separate programs;
The first determination means is
3. The program according to claim 2, wherein it is determined whether the amount of port information specified by said specifying means exceeds a predetermined range of said finite amount of information. The separate program is started and terminated by a user operation,
4. The program according to claim 2, wherein said program does not end when said another program ends. said computer,
when it is determined by the first determination means that the amount of the port information exceeds the predetermined range because the port information is specified by the specifying means in response to the acceptance of the request by the receiving means; , functioning as second output means for outputting unidentifiable information indicating that the port information cannot be specified;
The specifying means is
After the second output means outputs the unidentifiable information, the receiving means indicates the device port closed by the closing means as the port information indicating the device port in response to receiving the request again. 5. The program according to any one of claims 2 to 4, which specifies port information. The closing means are
5. After said second output means outputs the unidentifiable information, said program is once terminated and then restarted, thereby closing the device port created by said first creation means. program described in . said computer,
functioning as a second creating means for creating a sub-thread for executing processing for the device port created by the first creating means;
The first determination means is
determining in the main thread whether the amount of port information specified by the specifying means exceeds a predetermined range of the finite amount of information;
The closing means are
6. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the subthread closes the device port created by the first creating means. The closing means are
If the device port does not accept the device request, or even if the device port accepts the device request, if a response to the device request is output to the requesting program of the device request, 8. The program according to claim 7, wherein, in a subthread, the device port created by said first creating means is closed. A program group including a computer-readable first program and a second program of an information processing apparatus having a first communication interface and a second communication interface,
said computer,
functioning by the second program as third output means for outputting device designation information for designating a device;
said computer,
acquisition means for acquiring the device designation information output by the third output means;
Each time the device designation information is acquired by the acquisition means, it functions as a specification means for specifying port information corresponding to the device specified by the device specification information, and the port information is a device for the corresponding device. information used for accepting a request, wherein the identifying means identifies a plurality of different port information as port information corresponding to the plurality of devices respectively designated by the plurality of device designation information;
The first program functions as first creating means for creating a device port corresponding to the port information specified by the specifying means, the port information is finite information in the information processing apparatus, and the device request is the first 1 protocol, wherein the first protocol is a protocol used in the first communication interface, and the device port is a program installed in the computer and different from the first program, the A port for accepting requests by a first protocol without going through the first communication interface;
said computer,
transmission means for, when receiving the device request to the device port created by the first creation means, sending the device request to the device connected to the second communication interface using a second protocol;
The first program functions as receiving means for receiving a reply to the device request transmitted by the transmitting means from the device via the second communication interface, and the second protocol is used in the second communication interface. is a protocol,
said computer,
a first output means for outputting the reply received by the receiving means to a request source program of the device request to the device port in accordance with the first protocol;
a first determination means for determining whether the amount of port information specified by the specifying means exceeds a predetermined range of the finite amount of information;
closing means for closing the device port created by the first creation means when the first determination means determines that the amount of the port information exceeds the predetermined range;
to function with the first program,
The specifying means is
A group of programs, characterized in that, after the device port is closed by the closing means, port information indicating the device port closed by the closing means is specified as port information indicating the device port. said computer,
causing the first program to function as fourth output means for outputting port information indicating the device port created by the first creating means to the second program;
said computer,
storage control means for associating the port information output by the fourth output means with the device designation information output by the third output means and storing them in the memory of the information processing apparatus;
When a user operation to a device specified by the device specifying information stored in the memory is received, the device specifying information specifying the device is associated with the device specifying information without outputting the device specifying information by the third output means. publishing means for publishing the port information stored in the memory;
to function with the second program,
The transmission means is
When receiving the device request to the device port indicated by the port information disclosed by the disclosure means, the device request is transmitted to the device connected to the second communication interface by the second protocol. 10. The program group according to claim 9. A program group including a computer-readable first program and a second program of an information processing apparatus having a first communication interface and a second communication interface,
said computer,
causing the second program to function as third output means for outputting device designation information designating a device to the first program;
said computer,
acquisition means for acquiring the device designation information output by the third output means;
Each time the device designation information is acquired by the acquisition means, it functions as a specification means for specifying port information corresponding to the device specified by the device specification information, and the port information is a device for the corresponding device. information used for accepting a request, wherein the identifying means identifies a plurality of different port information as port information corresponding to the plurality of devices respectively designated by the plurality of device designation information;
The first program functions as first creating means for creating a device port corresponding to the port information specified by the specifying means, the port information is finite information in the information processing apparatus, and the device request is the first 1 protocol, wherein the first protocol is a protocol used in the first communication interface, and the device port is a program installed in the computer and different from the first program, the A port for accepting requests by a first protocol without going through the first communication interface;
said computer,
causing the first program to function as fourth output means for outputting port information indicating the device port created by the first creating means to the second program;
said computer,
storage control means for associating the port information output by the fourth output means with the device designation information output by the third output means and storing them in the memory of the information processing apparatus;
When a user operation to a device specified by the device specifying information stored in the memory is received, the device specifying information specifying the device is associated with the device specifying information without outputting the device specifying information by the third output means. publishing means for publishing the port information stored in the memory;
to function with the second program,
said computer,
transmission means for, when receiving the device request to the device port indicated by the port information disclosed by the disclosure means, transmitting the device request to the device connected to the second communication interface according to a second protocol;
The first program functions as receiving means for receiving a reply to the device request transmitted by the transmitting means from the device via the second communication interface, and the second protocol is used in the second communication interface. is a protocol,
said computer,
A group of programs characterized by causing the first program to function as first output means for outputting the reply received by the receiving means to the request source program of the device request to the device port according to the first protocol. . said computer,
causing the second program to function as an operation receiving means for receiving a user operation for designating a device;
The third output means is
When the device designation information of the device designated by the user operation accepted by the operation accepting means is not stored in the memory, the device specifying information is output to the first program, and the user accepted by the operation accepting means 12. The program group according to claim 11, wherein when device designation information of a device designated by an operation is stored in said memory, said device designation information is not output to said first program. An information processing device comprising a first communication interface, a second communication interface, and a computer,
A first program and a second program are installed on the computer,
said computer,
functioning by the second program as third output means for outputting device designation information for designating a device;
said computer,
acquisition means for acquiring the device designation information output by the third output means;
Each time the device designation information is acquired by the acquisition means, it functions as a specification means for specifying port information corresponding to the device specified by the device specification information, and the port information is a device for the corresponding device. information used for accepting a request, wherein the identifying means identifies a plurality of different port information as port information corresponding to the plurality of devices respectively designated by the plurality of device designation information;
The first program functions as first creating means for creating a device port corresponding to the port information specified by the specifying means, the port information is finite information in the information processing apparatus, and the device request is the first 1 protocol, wherein the first protocol is a protocol used in the first communication interface, and the device port is a program installed in the computer and different from the first program, the A port for accepting requests by a first protocol without going through the first communication interface;
said computer,
transmission means for, when receiving the device request to the device port created by the first creation means, sending the device request to the device connected to the second communication interface using a second protocol;
The first program functions as receiving means for receiving a reply to the device request transmitted by the transmitting means from the device via the second communication interface, and the second protocol is used in the second communication interface. is a protocol,
said computer,
a first output means for outputting the reply received by the receiving means to a request source program of the device request to the device port in accordance with the first protocol;
a first determination means for determining whether the amount of port information specified by the specifying means exceeds a predetermined range of the finite amount of information;
closing means for closing the device port created by the first creation means when the first determination means determines that the amount of the port information exceeds the predetermined range;
to function with the first program,
The specifying means is
An information processing apparatus, wherein after the device port is closed by the closing means, port information indicating the device port closed by the closing means is specified as port information indicating the device port. An information processing device comprising a first communication interface, a second communication interface, and a computer,
A first program and a second program are installed on the computer,
said computer,
causing the second program to function as third output means for outputting device designation information designating a device to the first program;
said computer,
acquisition means for acquiring the device designation information output by the third output means;
Each time the device designation information is acquired by the acquisition means, it functions as a specification means for specifying port information corresponding to the device specified by the device specification information, and the port information is a device for the corresponding device. information used for accepting a request, wherein the identifying means identifies a plurality of different port information as port information corresponding to the plurality of devices respectively designated by the plurality of device designation information;
The first program functions as first creating means for creating a device port corresponding to the port information specified by the specifying means, the port information is finite information in the information processing apparatus, and the device request is the first 1 protocol, wherein the first protocol is a protocol used in the first communication interface, and the device port is a program installed in the computer and different from the first program, the A port for accepting requests by a first protocol without going through the first communication interface;
said computer,
causing the first program to function as fourth output means for outputting port information indicating the device port created by the first creating means to the second program;
said computer,
storage control means for associating the port information output by the fourth output means with the device designation information output by the third output means and storing them in the memory of the information processing apparatus;
When a user operation to a device specified by the device specifying information stored in the memory is received, the device specifying information specifying the device is associated with the device specifying information without outputting the device specifying information by the third output means. publishing means for publishing the port information stored in the memory;
to function with the second program,
said computer,
transmission means for, when receiving the device request to the device port indicated by the port information disclosed by the disclosure means, transmitting the device request to the device connected to the second communication interface according to a second protocol;
The first program functions as receiving means for receiving a reply to the device request transmitted by the transmitting means from the device via the second communication interface, and the second protocol is used in the second communication interface. is a protocol,
said computer,
The information processing characterized in that the reply received by the receiving means is caused to function by the first program as first output means for outputting the reply received by the receiving means to the request source program of the device request to the device port according to the first protocol. Device.

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