JPH07262117A - Environment information management device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the environment information management device which is connected to a network without user's manual work for environment setting and enables a user to utilize the service of a printer, a FAX, a file server, or the like connected to the network. CONSTITUTION:An address acquisition part 6 transmits the identity of an identity information part 1 to a server device on the network through an interface part 4 and receives connection information including an address as the response from the server device through the interface part 4 and sets it in a network connection information part 2. A service list acquisition part 7 reports the request of the service list to the server device after acquisition of connection information and sets the service list, which is transmitted as the response from the server device, to a service list storage part 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an environment information management apparatus for setting environment information of devices such as computers, printers, fax machines, file servers, etc. when they are connected to a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, network printers and FAs
It has become common for a server and a plurality of clients to jointly use equipment such as X and a file server.
Generally, in order to newly connect a device such as a client to a network, an address for communicating with another device via the network and information necessary for using the device on the network (hereinafter referred to as environment information) are provided. Must be set by user or system administrator. For example, the environment information includes its own address, the address of a device that can be used, the printer model name if the device that can be used is a printer, the facsimile transmission standard such as G3 or G4 if it is a fax, and the file server. The directory structure etc. must be set. In this case, it is necessary to set the same environment information on both the server side and the client side.

Various user interfaces have been developed in order to easily set such environmental information. For example, BOOTP (reference: "Bill Croft and Jo" for receiving address assignment in a network).
hn Gilmore, BOOTSTRAP PROTOCOL, RFC951, Sep., 198
5 ") and DHCP (reference: R.Droms, Dynamic Host C
onfigulation Protocol, Internet-Draft, July, 1991). BOOTP is an application for a client to acquire a network address from a server, and DHCP is an application for a client to acquire environmental information from a server. As a result, the user can obtain the address to be set and the environment information, so that the effort for setting the environment information is reduced.

[0004]

However, according to the above-mentioned conventional technique, only a small part of the environmental information to be set by the user can be automatically acquired, and when the user newly connects to the network, the connection destination is changed. There is a problem in that it is not possible to set environment information that enables the use of these services according to the types of services and the contents of the services that are individually provided in the network.

For example, when a user newly connects a portable computer to a network, if there is a printer, FAX, file server, etc. in the connection destination network, the services provided by them should be available. In order to actually use it, it is necessary to accurately grasp each network address, specifications (service contents), etc. and set them as environmental information in the portable computer.

Moreover, the setting of the environmental information as described above is
Since it requires specialized knowledge about networks and computers, there is a problem that it is extremely difficult for a general user who does not have specialized knowledge and a great deal of labor is required. Therefore, even if the device is connected to a network and used, the device cannot be immediately used unless the environment setting is completed. In order to deal with this, a network administrator (system administrator) having specialized knowledge is usually appointed, and the system administrator often sets environment information on behalf of general users.

Especially, in the wireless network, the same problem as described above becomes more serious. For example, P
In a wireless network such as a HP (Personal Handy Phone), it is an advantage that the user can freely move between the networks (wireless areas) together with the computer, but what kind of device can be used in the destination wireless network (service Type) and what kind of service is provided (contents of service), so there was a problem that it was not possible to set the environment according to the destination network.

The present invention enables connection to a network without the user having to manually set the environment, and further, a printer or FA connected to the network can be used.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an environment information management device that enables the use of services such as X and file servers.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the invention of claim 1, a service provided by a client device connected to a network and usable by the client device and a network address of the client device are provided. An environment information management device for managing environment information including: an identity storage unit for pre-storing an identity representing a characteristic of the client device; and a connection having an area for storing connection information including a network address of the client device. An information storage unit, a service list storage unit having an area for storing a list of services available on the network, an interface unit for transmitting / receiving a message to / from the network, and an interface unit for interface with the server device on the network. Through Transmitted, the connection information acquiring unit that via said interface means from the server device receives the connection information as a response, to set the connection information storage means,
After the connection information is acquired, the server device is provided with a service list acquisition unit that notifies the server device that the service list is requested and sets the service list transmitted from the server device as a response in the service list storage unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an environment information management apparatus which is provided in a peripheral device which provides a service to another device on a network, and which manages environmental information necessary for operating the peripheral device. An identity storage unit that stores in advance an identity that represents the characteristics of the device, a connection information storage unit that has an area that stores the connection information necessary to connect to and communicate with the network, and other devices on the network. Providing service storage means for storing services that can be provided by the peripheral device, and interface means for transmitting and receiving electronic messages to and from the network,
Connection information acquisition means for transmitting the identity to the server device on the network through the interface means, receiving connection information from the server device as the response through the interface means, and setting it in the connection information storage means, and connection information After the acquisition, provided service notifying means for notifying the server device of the service that can be provided and is stored in the provided service storage means through the interface means.

In the invention of claim 3, the invention according to claim 1 or 2
In the invention, the interface means is connected to a wired network and sends and receives a telegram according to a protocol of the wired network. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the interface means is connected to a wireless network and sends and receives a telegram according to a protocol of the wireless network.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the interface means performs subscriber registration to acquire an address in the wireless network when detecting a polling frame from a master station of the wireless network. The connection information acquisition means acquires the address of the wired network to which the master station is connected after the subscriber registration is completed.

In the invention of claim 6, in the invention of claim 5, the interface means notifies the server device of a personal identification number for identifying the device when performing subscriber registration. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an environmental information management device which is provided in a server device connected to a network and manages environmental information for other devices on the network.
A service having an address list storage unit that stores and stores a plurality of addresses that can be assigned to other devices on the network, and an area that stores a list of services that peripheral devices on the network can provide to other devices When the list storage means, the interface means for transmitting and receiving a message to and from the network, and the identity of the other device from the other device on the network are received through the interface means, the address is assigned by referring to the address list storage means. , Connection information allocating means for transmitting connection information including the address to the other device through the interface means, and service content that the peripheral device can provide from the peripheral device on the network through the interface means, Write to service list storage means, network When a service list request is received from another device via the interface means, the service list management means refers to the service list storage means and transmits the service list to the other device via the interface means. .

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the seventh aspect of the invention, the interface means is connected to a wired network and sends and receives a telegram according to a protocol of the wired network. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect, the interface means sends a message to another device which is connected to the public network and serves as a slave station according to a wireless network protocol as a master station of the wireless network. Send and receive.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention, in the ninth aspect of the invention, the interface means is further connected to a wired network, and transmits and receives a telegram according to a protocol of the wired network.
Further to the invention of 0, connection information storage having an area for storing connection information necessary for connecting to and communicating with a wired network by further storing an identity storage unit that stores an identity representing the characteristics of the server device in advance. Means and a device that manages an address on a wired network, the identity is transmitted via the interface means, and in response, connection information is received from the device that manages the address through the interface means and stored in the connection information storage means. The connection information acquisition means to be set and, after acquiring the connection information, notify the device that manages the address that acquisition of the address list is requested, and the address list transmitted from the device as a response is set in the address list storage means. Address list acquisition means for

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the eleventh aspect, the interface means performs subscriber registration for assigning an address in the wireless network when detecting a polling frame for a slave station in the wireless network, The connection information acquisition means acquires the address of the wired network to which the master station is connected after the subscriber registration is completed.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the twelfth aspect, a personal identification number storage means for storing a personal identification number list of devices that can be slave stations of the wireless network is provided, and the interface means performs subscriber registration. At this time, when the personal identification number notified from the device as the slave station does not match the personal identification number of the personal identification number storage means, the address of the wireless network is not given.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the twelfth aspect, an access control information storage means for designating a range in which a device that can be a child station of a wireless network can make and receive a call to a public network. The interface means refers to the access control information storage means when the access request to the public network is notified from the device which is the slave station after the subscriber registration, and permits transmission and reception within the designated range. To do.

[0019]

With the above means, in the environment information management apparatus according to the invention of claim 1, the connection information acquisition means transmits the identity to the server device on the network through the interface means, and as a response, the server device. Connection information is received via the interface means and set in the connection information storage means. After acquiring the connection information, the service list acquisition means notifies the server device that the service list is requested, and sets the service list transmitted from the server device as a response in the service list storage means.

In the environment information management apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the connection information acquisition means transmits the identity to the server device on the network via the interface means, and as a response, the server device via the interface means. Connection information is received and set in the connection information storage means. After obtaining the connection information, the provided service notifying means notifies the server device of the service that can be provided and is stored in the provided service storage means through the interface means.

In the environment information management apparatus according to the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 1 or 2, the interface means is connected to a wired network and sends and receives a telegram according to a protocol of the wired network. In the environment information management device according to the invention of claim 4,
Alternatively, in the second aspect of the invention, the interface means is connected to a wireless network and sends and receives a telegram according to a protocol of the wireless network.

In the environment information management apparatus according to the invention of claim 5, in the invention of claim 4, the interface means acquires an address in the wireless network when the polling frame from the master station of the wireless network is detected. The subscriber registration, and the connection information acquisition means
After the subscriber registration is completed, the master station acquires the address of the wired network to which it is connected.

In the environment information management apparatus according to the invention of claim 6, in the invention of claim 5, the interface means notifies the server device of a personal identification number for identifying the device when performing subscriber registration. . In the environment information management apparatus according to the invention of claim 7, when the connection information assigning means receives the identity of the other device from the other device on the network through the interface means, the connection information assigning means refers to the address list storing means to address the address. And transmits connection information including the address to the other device via the interface means. When the service list management means receives the service contents that the peripheral device can provide from the peripheral device on the network through the interface means,
When writing to the service list storage means and receiving a service list request from another device on the network via the interface means, the service list storage means is referred to and the service list is transmitted to the other device via the interface means. .

In the environment information management apparatus according to the invention of claim 8, in the invention of claim 7, the interface means is connected to a wired network and sends and receives a telegram according to a protocol of the wired network. In the environment information management apparatus according to the invention of claim 9, in the invention of claim 7, the interface means is connected to a public network, and serves as a master station of the wireless network and becomes a slave station according to the protocol of the wireless network. Send and receive messages to and from the device.

In the environment information management apparatus according to the invention of claim 10, in the invention of claim 9, the interface means is further connected to a wired network and sends and receives a telegram according to a protocol of the wired network. In the environment information management apparatus according to the invention of claim 11, in addition to the invention of claim 10, the connection information acquisition means transmits the identity to a device that manages an address on a wired network via the interface means, As a response, the connection information is received from the device that manages the address via the interface means and set in the connection information storage means.
After acquiring the connection information, the address list acquisition means notifies the device that manages the address that acquisition of the address list is requested, and sets the address list transmitted from the device as a response in the address list storage means.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the eleventh aspect, the interface means performs subscriber registration for assigning an address in the wireless network when detecting a polling frame for a slave station in the wireless network, The connection information acquisition means acquires the address of the wired network to which the master station is connected after the subscriber registration is completed.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the interface means includes a personal identification number notified from a device serving as a slave station when performing subscriber registration and a personal identification number of the personal identification number storage means. If they do not match, the wireless network address is not assigned. In the invention of claim 14, according to claim 12, the interface means refers to the access control information storage means when the access request to the public network is notified from the device as the slave station after the subscriber registration. Allow outgoing and incoming calls within the specified range.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An environmental information management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a system configuration example in which a server, a client, and peripheral devices each having an environment information management device according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected to a wired network or a wireless network.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a server environment information management apparatus (hereinafter also simply referred to as “server”), which provides environment information as a server to clients and peripheral devices of both a wired network and a wireless network. provide. 10A and 10B are environment information management devices for clients (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "clients"), which acquire environment information from a server. In the system configuration of FIG. 4, it is connected to a wireless network.

Reference numerals 21A and 21B denote environment information management devices for peripheral devices (hereinafter also simply referred to as "peripheral devices"), which notify the server of services and acquire environment information from the servers. In the system configuration of FIG. 4, 21A
Is a printer connected to a wired network, 21B is a facsimile connected to a wireless network (hereinafter, FA
(Abbreviated as X).

FIG. 1 shows the client 10 shown in FIG.
A, 10B (environment information management device for client device)
It is a figure which shows the structure of. As shown in the figure, the client environment information management device 10 includes an identity information unit 1, a network connection information unit 2, an available service list information unit 3, an interface 4, an identity information notification unit 5, an address acquisition unit 6, and a service list acquisition unit. When it is newly connected to the network, it acquires necessary environment information from the server environment information management device 11 and sets the environment information.

The identity information section 1 is preliminarily set with an identity indicating the characteristics of the client device. Specifically, the identity may be written in the hard disk of the client device or in the ROM of the client environment information management device 10, depending on the type of the client device. Here, the identity is information to the extent that the client device, the peripheral device, and the server device can be identified and specifically identified. For example, the following
The identity shown in "indicates that it is a client (server or peripheral device) of the type shown to the right of ---" PC: type1: system1 "--- a personal computer called type1 On the model, the OS (including the version number) indicated by system1 is built in. "PC: type2: system2" --- A personal computer that is type2 and the OS (including the version number) indicated by system2 "WS: type1: system1" --- a workstation, a model called type1, which has the OS (including the version number) indicated by system1 built in. "WP: type1: system1" --- It is a word processor, and it is a model called type1 and has the communication software (including version number) indicated by system1 built in. "FS: type1: system1" ---
It is a model called type1 and has the OS (including version number) indicated by system1 built in. "PR: type1: system1" --- It is a printer with a model of type1 and the software indicated by system1 installed. This system1 may be omitted. "FAX: type1: system1" --- Facsimile, t
It is a model called ype1 and has the software that system1 shows. This system1 may be omitted.

Clients 10A, 1 in this embodiment
0B identities are the above "PC: type"
It is assumed to be 1: system1 ”,“ PC: type2: system2 ”. This identity is the client 10A, 1
It is assumed that the ROM on 0B is set at the time of factory shipment. The network connection information unit 2 stores connection information necessary for connection with a network, such as an address. This connection information is written by the address acquisition unit 6 each time the client is moved to a new network or the like.

The available service list information section 3 stores a list of services available in the network to which the client 10 is connected. This service list is written by the service list acquisition unit 7. The contents of the service list are shown in FIG. In the figure, the "model name: address" column shows the model and the address for which the service is provided, and the columns from "item 1" to "item 3" show the information necessary to use the service. . For example, a fax machine called FAX21B has an address of adr2 ("model name: address").
Column), G3 standard (“item 1” column), A4 size paper (“item 2” column) is provided, and err-log
Indicates that the service content is recorded in a log file (column "item 3").

The interface 4 connects the client environment information management device 10 and the wireless network, and transmits / receives a necessary message (hereinafter referred to as a frame) to / from the network. Specifically, the interface 4 transmits a subscriber registration frame, an address acquisition request frame, a service list acquisition request frame, and the like, and receives a response frame and the like for these. Of these, the subscriber registration frame is a frame transmitted by the interface 4 itself, and when a polling frame from the server environment information management device 11 is detected, subscriber registration such as allocation of an address (PHP address) in the wireless network is performed. This is a frame for requesting. This subscriber registration request frame is sent when the client 10A moves into the wireless area of the server 11 and the interface 4 detects a polling frame from the server 11, or when the client 10A turns on the power in the wireless area of the server 11. When done, it is done by the interface 4. An example of the frame structure for subscriber registration is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9A, this frame is composed of "destination channel", "source channel", "command", and "data".
The “destination channel” is the channel of the server 11 and the unique ID of the server 11, the “source channel” is the channel of the client 10A and the unique ID of the client 10A, and the “command” is the subscriber registration. Each command indicating that is set. Normally, nothing is set in "data", but a personal identification number registered in advance in each client may be set.

The identity information notifying unit 5 issues an address acquisition request including its own identity stored in the identity information unit 1 via the interface 4 when instructed by the user or when the above-mentioned subscriber registration is completed. And sends it to the server 11. This address acquisition request is a frame for requesting the allocation of an IP address in a wired network when the client supports IP (Internet Protocol). Figure 7 shows the frame structure of the address acquisition request.
It shows in (b). This frame is
It consists of "destination channel", "source channel", "command", and "data". "Destination channel"
Is the channel of the server 11 and the unique ID of the server 11.
However, the "source channel" is set to the channel of the client 10A and the ID unique to the client 10A, the "command" is set to a command indicating an address acquisition request, and the "data" is set to the identity of the client 10A. To be done.

The address acquisition unit 6 responds to the address acquisition request transmitted by the identity information notification unit 5 and, when an address acquisition response is transmitted from the server 11, a connection necessary for connection with a wired network such as an IP address. Information is acquired from the server environment information management device 11, and the acquisition result is written in the network connection information unit 2.
An example of the frame structure of this address acquisition response is shown in FIG. The frame structure is the same as that of FIG. 7B, and the channel of the client 10A and the ID unique to the client 10A are the "source channel" in the "destination channel".
Is the channel of the server 11 and the unique ID of the server 11.
However, a command indicating that an address acquisition required response is set in “command”, and an address of the newly assigned client 10A is set in “data”.

The service list acquisition unit 7 transmits a service list acquisition request for requesting transmission of the service list to the server 11 via the interface 4 when instructed by the user or after receiving the address acquisition response. After that, when the service list acquisition response is received via the interface 4, the service list included therein is written in the available service list information section 3. Frame configuration examples of the service list acquisition request and the service list acquisition response are shown in FIGS. 7D and 7E, respectively. Figure 7
(B) and (c) are the same as the "destination channel" and the "source channel", and the "data" portion of the service list acquisition response contains the service list.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the environment information management apparatus 11 for server equipment shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the server 11 includes an identity list information unit 12, an address list information unit 13, a service list information unit 14, a personal identification number information unit 15, an access control information unit 16, an interface 17, an identity information acquisition unit 18, Address allocation unit 19, service list management unit 2
It is configured from 0 and has a function as a master station for a wireless network and a function as a server for a wired network. In this embodiment, since the wireless network is the above-mentioned PHP, it also has a function of connecting to the public network as a master station.

The identity list information section 12 stores an identity list showing a list of identities of the devices connected to the wireless network under the server 11 and the devices connected to the wired network. The individual identities are written by the identity information acquisition unit 18. The address list information unit 13 stores a list of addresses (IP addresses) in a wired network that can be assigned to a device when the device is newly connected to the wireless network under the control of the server 11. This address list is obtained in advance from another server that manages addresses on the wired network via the interface 17, or is set by the system administrator of the wired network.

The service list information section 14 stores a list of services provided in the wired network and the wireless network. This service list is written by the service list management unit 20. The personal identification number information section 15 stores the personal identification numbers of clients and peripheral devices that can connect to the wireless network in association with the device IDs. This personal identification number is used to determine whether or not subscriber registration from the client or peripheral device is possible,
It must be registered in advance with the ID for each device.

The access control information section 16 stores access control information that defines a range in which access is permitted when a client and a peripheral device that can connect to a wireless network access another device via a public network. It is stored in association with the device ID. FIG. 6 shows an example of access control information stored in the access control information section. In the figure, the "device" column shows the device ID, the "calling" column shows the range in which outgoing calls are permitted, and the "incoming" column shows the range in which incoming calls are prohibited. The blank column indicates that there is no restriction of permission / prohibition. For example, the device of ID1 indicates that there is no limit on outgoing and incoming calls, and ID2 indicates that extension calling is permitted.

The interface 17 controls the connection with the wired network, the connection with the wireless network, and the connection with the public network to send and receive frames. Specifically, the interface 17 receives a subscriber registration frame, an address acquisition request frame, a service list acquisition request frame, and the like, and transmits a response frame and the like to these. If the subscriber registration frame is received, the interface 1
7 indicates the content of the frame by the identity information acquisition unit 18
And the PHP address is allotted and a response is sent to the requesting device. In this case, when the personal identification number is specified in the subscriber registration frame, the personal identification number information section 15
If it does not match, the subscriber registration is canceled. Further, when the interface 17 receives the address acquisition request frame, the interface 17 notifies the address allocation unit 19 of the content of the frame. When the service list acquisition request frame is received, the service list management unit 20
Notify the contents to. When the service list registration request is received from the peripheral device, the service list management unit 2
Notify 0 of the contents. Also, the interface 17
Also controls the wireless network as a master station such as sending polling frames.

The identity information acquisition section 18 writes the identity contained in the subscriber registration request frame received via the interface 17 into the identity list information section 12. The address allocation unit 19 allocates an address to the address acquisition request frame received via the interface 17 by referring to the address list information unit 13, and the address acquisition response frame shown in FIG. To the source device via.

The service list management unit 20 refers to the service list information unit 14 in response to the service list acquisition request received through the interface 17 and is shown in FIG.
The service list acquisition response shown in FIG.
To the requesting device. When the service list registration request frame is received, the type and content of the service included in the frame are written in the service list information unit 14.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the environment information management apparatus for the peripheral device shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the peripheral device 21 is composed of an identity information unit 1, a network connection information unit 2, a provided service storage unit 22, an interface 4, an identity information notification unit 5, an address acquisition unit 6, and a provided service notification unit 23. Has been done.
The components other than the provided service storage unit 22 and the provided service notification unit 23 are the same as the components having the same reference numerals shown in FIG.

The provided service storage unit 22 stores in advance the services that can be provided by the peripheral device. The stored contents are the same as any of the services constituting the service list shown in FIG. The provided service notification unit 23 transmits a service registration request for notifying the service provided by itself to the server 11 via the interface 4 when instructed by the user or after receiving the address acquisition response. An example of the frame structure of the service registration request is shown in FIG. Although it is almost the same as FIGS. 7B and 7C, the provided service is included in the “data” section.

The operation of the environment information management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to the processing flowcharts of the client, server and peripheral devices shown in FIGS. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow in which internal setting for network connection and use of peripheral devices is automatically performed when the client 10A is powered on in the communication area of the wireless network in the system configuration of FIG. .

The client environment information management device 10A
A polling frame from a wireless master station on the wireless network is detected at the interface 4 with the network (FIG. 11: step c1), and an address of the wireless network is acquired in the process of subscriber registration (step c).
2). Further, the address acquisition unit 6 transmits the address acquisition request 51 shown in FIG. 7B via the interface 4 with the network (step c3).

On the other hand, the server 11 sends the polling frame (FIG. 12: step s1), and if the frame received from the device on the wireless network is the subscriber registration frame (step s2: yes), the PHP address is sent. Allocation (step s3), if the received frame is the address acquisition request 51 (step s4: yes), the address allocation unit 19 refers to the address list information unit 13 to retrieve the address for the client environment information management apparatus 10A, and The acquisition response 52 is transmitted via the interface 4 with the network (step s5).

Address acquisition unit 6 of client 10A
Supports IP (step c4: yes),
Address acquisition response 5 received via interface 4
The connection information such as the IP address included in 2 is set in the network connection information section 2 (step c5). further,
The service list acquisition unit 7 of the client 10A sends the service list acquisition request 53 shown in FIG. 7D via the interface 4 with the network (step c6).

The server 11 requests the service list acquisition 53.
Is received by the service list management unit 20 via the interface 4 with the network (step s6: yes
s), referring to the service list information section 14, the service list information is sent out as the service list acquisition response 54 shown in FIG. 7E via the interface 4 with the network (step s7).

The service list acquisition section 7 of the client environment information management apparatus 10A receives the service list response via the interface 4 with the network and stores it in the available service list information section (step c7). As a result, the client environment information management device 10A can obtain the connection information with the network and the available service list only by turning on the power in the communication area of the wireless network.

Even when the power is turned on by physically connecting to the wired network, the connection information and the service list are set by the same flow as above. The same is true when the user moves from outside the communication area of the wireless network to inside the communication area instead of turning on the power. Also,
In the case of a wired network, the address acquisition request 51 may be realized by sending the broadcast address as the destination.

FIG. 10 shows the F in the system configuration of FIG.
It shows how the connection information for using the FAX service is automatically notified to the network when the AX 21B is powered on in the communication area of the wireless network. FAX
21B, after detecting the polling frame and completing the subscriber registration in the same manner as described above (steps p1 and p2), the address acquisition unit 6 causes the interface 4 with the network.
The address acquisition request 61 shown in FIG. 8 (a) is transmitted via the (step p3).

On the other hand, the server environment information management device 11 sends the address acquisition request 61 to the interface 4 with the network.
It is received by the address assigning unit 19 via (step s4). The address allocation unit 19 is the address list information unit 1
3 to retrieve the address for FAX 21B and send it out as an address acquisition response 62 shown in FIG. 8B via the interface 4 with the network (step s).
5).

After acquiring the address (steps p4 and 5), the FAX 21B sends the service registration request 63 shown in FIG. 8C via the interface 4 by the service notifying section 23 (step p6). As a result, FA
The X21B can obtain the connection information with the network and register the provided service simply by turning on the power in the communication area of the wireless network. In the case of a wired network, it may be realized by broadcasting the address acquisition request 51 and transmitting it. The same applies to the printer 21A.

[0058]

As described above, according to the environment information management apparatus of the present invention, when there is no environment information to be manually set by the user and a new connection is made to the network, the network of the connection destination is connected. In this case, there is an effect that it is not necessary for the user to manually set environment information that enables the use of the services individually provided.

For example, when a user newly connects a portable computer to a network, if the connected network has a printer, a FAX, a file server, etc., the user himself sets the services provided by them as environment information. There is an effect that it can be used without doing it. Especially in a wireless network, the service provided on the network can be used immediately after moving, so that the effect is great. Further, there is an effect that it is not necessary to have a dedicated system administrator.

According to the client apparatus environment information management apparatus of the first aspect, when the client apparatus is newly connected to the network, the connection information including the address and the service provided on the network are manually input. The effect is that it is set without applying. According to the peripheral device environmental information management device of the second aspect of the invention, when a peripheral device that provides a service to another device on the network is newly connected to the network, the connection information including the address requires human intervention. This is effective in notifying the other environment information management device provided in the server device of the network of the service which is set without being provided and which is provided by the peripheral device.

According to the environment information management apparatus of the third and fourth aspects of the invention, the same effects as those of the first or second aspect can be obtained for the client device or the peripheral device in the wired network or the wireless network, respectively. According to the environment information management device of the invention of claim 5, another environment information management device is provided in the master station in the wireless network,
When the parent station is further connected to the wired network, the client device or the peripheral device, which is the child station, has the same effect as that of claim 1 or 2 regarding the environmental information of both the wireless network and the wired network.

According to the environment information management apparatus of the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the fifth aspect, it is possible to manage whether or not the client device or the peripheral device can be connected by the personal identification number. According to the server environment information management apparatus of the seventh aspect, when a peripheral device is newly connected to the network, an address is assigned and the service content provided by the peripheral device is sucked up, and the client device is connected to the network. When newly connected, there is an effect that an address can be assigned and a list of services currently available on the network can be notified.

According to the server environment information management apparatus of the inventions of claims 8 and 9, when the server device is connected to the wired network or the wireless network, respectively, the client device or the peripheral device is claimed to claim 7. Has the same effect as. According to the server environment information management apparatus of the tenth aspect of the invention, when the server device is connected to both the wired network and the wireless network, the same effect as that of the seventh aspect can be applied to the client device or the peripheral device. There is.

According to the server environment information management apparatus of the eleventh aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the seventh aspect, when the server device itself is newly connected to the network, the connection information including the address is manually input. The effect is that it is set without calling. According to the server environment information management device of the twelfth aspect, in the case where another environment information management device is provided in the slave station in the wireless network and the master station is further connected to the wired network, the slave Claim 7: Regarding the environmental information of both the wireless network and the wired network for the client device or peripheral device which is the station,
Has the same effect as.

According to the server environment information management apparatus of the thirteenth aspect, in addition to the effect of the twelfth aspect, it is possible to manage whether or not the client device or the peripheral device can be connected by the personal identification number. is there. According to the environment information management apparatus of the fourteenth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the twelfth aspect, there is an effect that it is possible to manage the range in which the client device or the peripheral device can make and receive calls.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a client environment information management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a server environment information management device in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a peripheral device environment information management device in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram having an environment information management device in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the contents of a service list in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing contents of access control information in the example.

FIG. 7 is an example of a frame configuration transmitted / received by a client in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a structural example of a frame transmitted / received from the peripheral device in the embodiment. It is a frame block diagram.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of environment setting of a client in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a peripheral device (FAX 21B) in the same embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of environment setting of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for a client to set an environment in the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in which a peripheral device according to the embodiment sets an environment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in which the server in the embodiment supports environment setting.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Identity Information Section 2 Network Connection Information Section 3 Available Service List Information Section 4 Interface 5 Identity Information Notification Section 6 Address Acquisition Section 7 Service List Acquisition Section 10 Client Environmental Information Management Device 11 Server Environmental Information Management Device 11 Environmental Information Management Device 12 Identity list information part 13 Address list information part 14 Service list information part 15 Personal identification number information part 16 Access control information part 17 Interface 18 Identity information acquisition part 19 Address allocation part 20 Service list management part 21 Peripheral device 22 Provided service storage part 23 Provided Service notification section

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An environment information management apparatus, which is provided in a client device connected to a network, and manages environment information including a service available to the client device and a network address of the client device, the characteristic of the client device. An identity storage unit that stores in advance an identity that represents, a connection information storage unit that has an area that stores connection information that includes the network address of the client device, and an area that stores a list of services available on the network. The service list storage means has, the interface means for transmitting and receiving a message to and from the network, the identity is transmitted to the server equipment on the network through the interface means, and as a response, the interface handwriting is sent from the server equipment. The connection information is received via the connection information acquisition means and is set in the connection information storage means, and after the connection information is acquired, the server device is notified that the service list is requested, and a response is sent from the server device. And a service list acquisition means for setting a service list to be stored in the service list storage means. 2. An environmental information management device, which is provided in a peripheral device that provides a service to another device on a network, and manages environmental information necessary for operating the peripheral device, which is characteristic of the peripheral device. An identity storage unit that stores an identity in advance, a connection information storage unit that has an area that stores connection information necessary for connecting to and communicating with a network, and the peripheral device for other devices on the network. Provided service storage means for storing services that can be provided, interface means for transmitting and receiving a message to and from the network, and transmitting the identity to a server device on the network through the interface means, and as a response, the interface from the server device. The connection information is received via the means and set in the connection information storage means. Environmental information comprising: continuation information acquisition means; and, after acquisition of connection information, provision service notification means for notifying the server device of a service that can be provided and stored in the provision service storage means through the interface means. Management device. 3. The interface means is connected to a wired network, and sends and receives a telegram according to a protocol of the wired network.
Environmental information management device described. 4. The interface means is connected to a wireless network and sends and receives a telegram according to a protocol of the wireless network.
Environmental information management device described. 5. The interface means performs subscriber registration to acquire an address on the wireless network when a polling frame from the master station of the wireless network is detected, and the connection information acquisition means completes the subscriber registration. After doing
The environment information management device according to claim 4, wherein the master station acquires an address of a wired network to which the master station is connected. 6. The environment information management device according to claim 5, wherein the interface means notifies the server device of a personal identification number for identifying the device when performing subscriber registration. 7. An environmental information management device, which is provided in a server device connected to a network and manages environmental information for other devices on the network, and comprises a plurality of devices that can be assigned to other devices on the network. Address list storage means for storing addresses, service list storage means having an area for storing a list of services that peripheral devices on the network can provide to other devices, and interface for sending and receiving electronic messages to and from the network Means and the other device on the network through the interface means to receive the identity of the other device, by referring to the address list storage means, assigning an address,
When the connection information assigning means for transmitting the connection information including the address to the other device through the interface means and the service content that the peripheral device can provide from the peripheral equipment on the network through the interface means, the service is provided. A service for writing to the list storage means and, when receiving a request for a service list from another device on the network through the interface means, referring to the service list storage means and transmitting the service list to the other device through the interface means. An environmental information management device comprising a list management means. 8. The environment information management apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the interface unit is connected to a wired network and sends and receives a telegram according to a protocol of the wired network. 9. The interface means transmits / receives a telegram to / from another device which is connected to a public network and serves as a master station of a wireless network, which is a slave station according to a protocol of the wireless network. Item 7. The environmental information management device according to item 7. 10. The environment information management apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the interface unit is further connected to a wired network and sends and receives a telegram according to a protocol of the wired network. 11. The environmental information management apparatus in the first half period further stores an identity storage unit that stores in advance an identity that represents the characteristics of the server device, and an area that stores connection information required to connect and communicate with a wired network. Connection information storage means having, and transmitting the identity to a device that manages an address on a wired network through the interface means,
In response to this, connection information is received from the device that manages the address via the interface means and is set in the connection information storage unit, and after the connection information is acquired, the device that manages the address acquires the address list. 11. The environment information management device according to claim 10, further comprising: an address list acquisition unit that notifies the request of the request, and sets the address list transmitted from the device as a response in the address list storage unit. 12. The interface means performs subscriber registration for assigning an address in the wireless network when a polling frame for a slave station of the wireless network is detected, and the connection information acquisition means is subscriber registration. After the
The environment information management device according to claim 11, wherein the master station acquires an address of a wired network to which the master station is connected. 13. The environment information management device further comprises a secret code number storage means for storing a secret code number list of devices that can be slave stations of a wireless network, and the interface means is a slave station when performing subscriber registration. 13. The environment information management apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the wireless network address is not assigned when the personal identification number notified from the device corresponding to the personal identification number does not match the personal identification number stored in the personal identification number storage means. 14. The environment information management device further comprises access control information storage means for designating a range in which a device that can be a slave station of a wireless network can make and receive a call to and from a public network, After registering the subscriber, the interface means refers to the access control information storage means when the access request to the public network is notified from the device as the slave station, and permits the outgoing call and the incoming call within the designated range. The environment information management device according to claim 12.