JP3976957B2 - Information processing apparatus, network system, device search apparatus and method, and computer-readable recording medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a network system, a device search apparatus and method, and a computer-readable recording medium that are suitable for searching for devices on a network and displaying the search results.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a so-called directory service has been provided as a method for efficiently discovering and using various resources (servers or devices such as printers and scanners) connected to a network. The directory service is a telephone directory related to a network, and is used for storing various information regarding various resources.
[0003]
A specific example of a system using this directory service is, for example, LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol). The regulation of LDAP is described in RFC (Request for Comments) 1777 which is a standard specification issued by IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force). In addition, as an explanation manual of LDAP, for example, “LDAP Internet Directory Application Programming” is issued on November 1, 1997 by Prentice Hall Co., Ltd.
[0004]
By using this directory service to search for devices connected to the network, for example, it is possible to obtain a list of network addresses representing the locations of devices available on the network.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional technology, when various attributes are specified as search conditions and a device search is performed, for example, taking a network printer as an example, various attributes such as the presence / absence of a stapling function and the presence / absence of a double screen printing function When specifying and searching, only devices that completely match the search conditions including these various attributes are searched and presented to the user.
[0006]
For this reason, when there is no device on the network that completely matches the input search condition, there is a problem that the search must be re-entered with the search condition relaxed in the attribute specification. Furthermore, if there is no device that completely matches the search conditions even in this re-search, the search conditions with more relaxed attribute specifications must be entered again and the search must be performed again. There was a problem that a great deal of labor could be required.
[0007]
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. When a device search is performed by specifying various attributes as a search condition, a device that completely matches the search condition is found on the network. Of course, even if such a device does not exist on the network, it is possible to save the user from re-searching by re-entering the search condition in order to find the desired device. With the goal. It is another object of the present invention to allow the user to easily understand which attribute the presented device satisfies or does not satisfy.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The information processing apparatus of the present invention Includes conditions that indicate the type of device and conditions that indicate the functions of the device of the type First search means for searching for a device according to a first search condition composed of a plurality of conditions, display means for displaying a search result by the first search means, and the first search condition as the second search condition From search conditions Conditions indicating device type Extracting means for extracting This is a condition indicating the type of device extracted by the extraction means when there is no device that satisfies the first search condition. Second search means for searching for a device in accordance with the second search condition, and each device searched by the second search means is not extracted as a second search condition by the extraction means. The , Corresponding to the conditions indicating the functions that the device of the type can have Along with information indicating whether or not a part of the first search condition is satisfied, A device that satisfies a second search condition that is a condition indicating the type of the device Is characterized in that the display means displays.
[0009]
The network system of the present invention is a network system configured by connecting a search client device, a search server device, and a device on a network, wherein the search client device includes a condition indicating a device type and a device of the type Transmitting means for transmitting a first search condition comprising a plurality of conditions including a condition indicating a function that can be included to the search server apparatus, receiving means for receiving a search result from the search server apparatus, and the reception Display means for displaying the retrieved search results, wherein the search server device receives the first search condition from the search client device, and searches for devices on the network according to the first search condition. A first search means to perform, and a condition indicating a device type from the first search condition as a second search condition And a second search unit that searches for a device on the network according to the second search condition when there is no device that satisfies the first search condition, and a search performed by the first search unit. A first search corresponding to a result and a condition indicating a function that can be possessed by the device of the type that is not extracted as a second search condition for each device searched by the second search unit Transmission means for transmitting at least one of the search results by the second search means including information indicating whether or not the condition is satisfied to the search client device, and the display means of the search client device includes: When a search result by the second search unit is received from the search server device, a second search condition is set for each device searched by the second search unit. Not extracted, characterized in that it displays information indicating whether or not to satisfy a first search condition corresponding to the condition indicating a function that the device can have the type.
[0010]
The device search apparatus according to the present invention receives, from a client on the network, a first search condition including a condition indicating a device type and a plurality of conditions including a condition indicating a function that the device of the type can have. Receiving means; first search means for searching for a device on the network according to the first search condition; and extraction means for extracting a condition indicating a device type from the first search condition as a second search condition. And when there is no device that satisfies the first search condition, a second search unit that searches for a device on the network according to the second search condition, a search result by the first search unit, and For each device searched by the second search means, a condition indicating a function that can be possessed by the device of the type that has not been extracted as the second search condition. And a transmission unit that transmits at least one of the search results by the second search unit including information indicating whether or not the corresponding first search condition is satisfied to the search client device. Have
[0011]
The device search method of the present invention is a device search method for searching for a device on a network using a computer, and includes a plurality of conditions including a condition indicating a device type and a condition indicating a function that the device of the type can have. A receiving procedure for receiving a first search condition comprising conditions from a client on the network, a first search procedure for searching for a device in accordance with the first search condition, and the first search condition as a second search condition. An extraction procedure for extracting a condition indicating the type of device from the search conditions, and a second search for searching for a device on the network according to the second search condition when there is no device satisfying the first search condition The second search condition is set for the procedure, the search result by the first search procedure, and each device searched by the second search procedure. At least one of the search results obtained by the second search procedure including information indicating whether or not the first search condition corresponding to the condition indicating the function that the device of the type can have has not been extracted is included. And a transmission procedure for transmitting one to the search client device.
[0012]
The computer-readable recording medium of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium that records a computer program that causes a computer to execute a process for searching for devices on a network. A receiving process for receiving a first search condition including a plurality of conditions including conditions indicating functions that the device may have from a client on the network, and a first for searching for a device in accordance with the first search condition A search process; an extraction process for extracting a condition indicating a device type from the first search condition as a second search condition; and a second search condition when no device satisfies the first search condition. And a second search process for searching for devices on the network according to the first search process and a search result by the first search process. And a first search condition corresponding to a condition indicating a function that the device of the type can have, which is not extracted as a second search condition for each device searched in the second search process. And a transmission process for transmitting at least one of the search results by the second search process including information indicating whether or not the search client device is satisfied to the search client device.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As will be described in detail below, the network system or device search system of this embodiment easily searches for a network device having an attribute desired by the user, and displays the search result in a format that is easy for the user to understand. Is. This is particularly effective when printing is performed by connecting a portable computer to a visited network. Details will be apparent from the following description.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a functional configuration block diagram showing elemental features of the network system (device search system) according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, a network system according to the present embodiment includes a client terminal device (hereinafter referred to as a client) 10, a server terminal device (hereinafter referred to as a server) 20, various device terminal devices (hereinafter referred to as devices) such as a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner. ) 30 is connected to the network 40. Here, each of the terminal devices 10, 20, and 30 is shown one by one, but it is assumed that a plurality of devices 30 exist at least.
[0018]
The client 10 includes a search condition designation unit 11, a search request transmission unit 12, a search result reception unit 13, a search result storage unit 14, and a display unit 15. The search condition specifying unit 11, the search request transmitting unit 12, and the display unit 15 constitute search condition issuing means of the present invention. The search result receiving unit 13, the search result storage unit 14, and the display unit 15 constitute search result output means of the present invention. Hereinafter, each of these configurations will be described.
[0019]
The search condition designating unit 11 is for the user to designate a search condition when searching for various devices 30. For example, in the case of a network printer, the search condition is created by designating at least one attribute such as the presence / absence of a color printing function, the presence / absence of a stapling function, and the presence / absence of a double screen printing function. The search request transmission unit 12 transmits a search request to the server 20 so as to search for the device 30 using the search conditions specified by the search condition specifying unit 11.
[0020]
The search result receiving unit 13 receives a search result (information indicating presence of each attribute for the searched device and the device as described later) sent from the server 20 as a response to the search request. The search result storage unit 14 stores the search result sent from the server 20.
[0021]
The display unit 15 displays an operation screen when the search condition specifying unit 11 specifies the search condition. The display unit 15 displays a list of one or more searched devices and information indicating the presence or absence of each attribute for the devices based on the search result information stored in the search result storage unit 14. .
[0022]
The server 20 also includes a device information management unit 21, a search request receiving unit 22, a search condition storage unit 23, a search unit 24, and a search result transmission unit 25. The search unit 24 includes a first search unit 24a and a second search unit 24b. The device information management unit 21 constitutes information management means of the present invention, and the search condition storage unit 23 constitutes storage means of the present invention. The search unit 24 and the search result transmission unit 25 constitute search means of the present invention.
[0023]
The device information management unit 21 stores and manages identification information (for example, a device name and a network address) of the device 30 connected on the network 40 and attribute information representing various attributes of the device 30 as a database. The information managed here is information registered from various devices 30 via the network 40, for example.
[0024]
The search request receiving unit 22 receives the search request sent from the search request transmitting unit 12 of the client 10. The search condition storage unit 23 stores search conditions included in the search request. In addition, the search unit 24 searches for the device 30 using the device information managed by the device information management unit 21 based on the search condition stored in the search condition storage unit 23.
[0025]
At this time, the first search unit 24 a performs a search process according to the search conditions themselves stored in the search condition storage unit 23. That is, a device satisfying all the attributes included in the given search condition is searched, and when a corresponding device is found, one or more searched devices and the presence / absence of each attribute for the device are displayed. Information returned as a search result.
[0026]
In addition, the second search unit 24b extracts only the attribute of the object class (which will be described later) from the search conditions stored in the search condition storage unit 23, and uses the object class as a new search condition. Search for devices that meet the attributes of. Then, one or more devices searched here and a process of returning information representing the presence or absence of each attribute for the devices as a search result is performed.
[0027]
The search process by the second search unit 24b is performed by, for example, performing a device search process according to the search condition stored in the search condition storage unit 23a by the first search unit 24a and then completely matching the search condition. It may be performed when a device to be operated, that is, a device that satisfies all the attributes included in the search condition is not found. Further, the determination may be made regardless of whether or not a device satisfying all the attributes included in the search condition was found.
[0028]
The search result transmission unit 25, as a search result by the search unit 24, a device that completely matches a given search condition, or a device that satisfies at least the attribute of the object class extracted from the search condition, and the attribute of the device Information on the presence or absence is returned to the client 10 via the network 40.
[0029]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network in which the device search system of this embodiment can operate.
In FIG. 2, 101 is a color printer, and 102 is an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral). The MFP 102 is a copier, but can also be used as a network printer. Reference numerals 103 and 104 denote monochrome printers, and 105 denotes a scanner connected to the network. Each of these network devices 101 to 105 corresponds to the device 30 of FIG.
[0030]
Reference numeral 111 denotes a desktop PC (personal computer), and 113 denotes a notebook PC. These PCs 111 and 113 are PCs that can execute a network device search client program, and correspond to the client 10 of FIG. As will be described later, these desktop PC 111 and notebook PC 113 (hereinafter collectively referred to as a search client PC) issue an inquiry about a device that satisfies a desired condition to a server 112 connected to the network. It has a function to receive and display search results.
[0031]
Reference numeral 112 denotes a PC that can execute the network device search server program, and corresponds to the server 20 in FIG. As will be described later, the search server PC 112 stores and manages various information related to the network devices 101 to 105, receives device search inquiries from the search client PCs 111 and 113, executes search, and results thereof. It has a function to return. Reference numeral 120 denotes a proxy server having a firewall function for protecting the LAN (Local Area Network) 100 from unauthorized intrusion.
[0032]
Among these network devices 101 to 105, 111 to 113, 120, the color printer 101, the MFP 102, the monochrome printer 103, the desktop PC 111, the search server PC 112, and the proxy server 120 are installed on the second floor in a building, The monochrome printer 104 and the scanner 105 are installed on the first floor. The notebook PC 113 is currently connected to the LAN 100 from the first floor, but may be removed from this connection.
[0033]
Further, the LAN 100 that connects these network devices 101 to 105, 111 to 113, 120 is connected to the Internet 130 via the proxy server 120, and is also connected to other networks 140 via the Internet 130. Yes.
[0034]
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of a general personal computer. The internal configuration of the desktop PC 111, search server PC 112, and notebook PC 113 in FIG. 2 is as shown in FIG.
[0035]
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 200 denotes a PC on which client software or server software for searching for a network device (hereinafter collectively referred to as network device search software) operates. The desktop PC 111, search server PC 112, and notebook PC 113 in FIG. Is equivalent to
[0036]
The PC 200 includes a CPU 201 that executes network device search software stored in the ROM 202 or the hard disk (HD) 211 or supplied from the floppy disk (FD) 212, and each processing device in the PC 200 connected to the system bus 204. Control overall. The hard disk 211 includes the device information management unit 21 shown in FIG.
[0037]
Reference numeral 203 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, work area, and the like of the CPU 201. The RAM 203 includes the search result storage unit 14 and the search condition storage unit 23 shown in FIG. A keyboard controller (KBC) 205 controls instruction input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device (not shown). Reference numeral 206 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC), which controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 210.
[0038]
A disk controller (DKC) 207 controls access to a hard disk (HD) 211 and a floppy disk (FD) 212 that store a boot program, various applications, edit files, user files, a network management program, and the like.
[0039]
Reference numeral 208 denotes a network interface card (NIC), which is used for bidirectionally exchanging data with a network printer, another network device, or another PC via the LAN 220.
In the present embodiment, the LAN 220 is the same as the LAN 100 in FIG.
[0040]
Next, the configuration and operation of the search server PC 112 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram representing data related to each network device stored in the search server 112 (data stored in the device information management unit 21 in FIG. 1) in a table format. The device information in the database shown in FIG. 4 is registered from each network device via the network, for example, and is physically stored in the hard disk 211 in FIG.
[0041]
In the database 300 related to the network device shown in FIG. 4, the data in each row indicates the data related to one device. The data in each column includes a device name 301, a device network address 302, an object class 303, a device type 304, whether the device supports the color printing function 305, and a duplex printing function. A distinction 306 on whether or not there is a distinction 307 on whether or not the staple function is supported is shown.
[0042]
The object class 303 indicates the function type of the device. For example, if a certain device has a printing function, even if the device is an MFP, it may be registered as a printer class device. The device type 304 indicates the overall function of the device, and is distinguished from a single printer and MFP. In the data of each attribute shown in the above 305 to 307, “1” indicates that the function of the attribute is supported, and “0” indicates that the function of the attribute is not supported. NA indicates that information regarding the attribute is not stored.
[0043]
The registered device information database 300 shown in FIG. 4 will be described in detail by taking, for example, the device registered in the first row of the table as an example. The device named “Color-kun” has the network address “192.168.16.131”. The device has a print function. It can be seen that the printer is a single printer and supports the color printing function and the stapling function as attributes, but does not support the duplex printing function.
[0044]
In the present embodiment, the devices in the first to fifth lines shown in FIG. 4 correspond to the color printer 101, MFP 102, monochrome printer 103, monochrome printer 104, and scanner 105 in FIG.
Note that the data shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and it goes without saying that the data stored in the search server PC 112 may include other additional information (for example, information such as the installation location).
[0045]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the overall device search operation performed by the search server PC 112. Note that the determination and execution in the series of processes are performed by the CPU 201 in the search server PC 112 in terms of hardware. The search server PC 112 operates according to an event-driven program. That is, when an event occurs, the event is analyzed and a corresponding process is executed. In the following example, a case will be described in which an operation is performed in response to a device search request sent from the search client PC 111.
[0046]
When the search server PC 112 is activated, first, in step S401, a reception port is opened to accept a device search request from the search client PCs 111 and 113. With this operation, for example, when a device search request is received from the search client PC 111, the operating system of the search server PC 112 issues a reception event, and the device search program is notified that the device search request has been received.
[0047]
Next, the process proceeds to step S402 and waits for some event to be notified from the operating system. If any event is notified, the event is acquired and the process proceeds to the next step S403. In step S403, it is determined whether or not the acquired event is an end command, that is, whether or not it is a system shutdown event by the user. As a result of this determination, if the acquired event is a shutdown event, the reception port is closed in step S409, and then the device search program process is terminated.
[0048]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S403 that the acquired event is not a shutdown event, the process advances to step S404 to determine whether it is an inquiry reception event from the search client PC. If the acquired event is an inquiry reception event, the process proceeds to step S405, where a search condition is extracted from the received packet and stored in a storage device such as the RAM 203 shown in FIG.
[0049]
In step S406, the database 300 shown in FIG. 4 is compared with the search condition inquired from the search client PC 111 to select an appropriate device. Details of the device search process using the database 300 will be described later with reference to FIG. In the subsequent step S407, the search result obtained by the database search process in step S406 is returned to the search client PC 111.
[0050]
If it is determined in step S404 that the acquired event is not an inquiry reception event, the process proceeds to step S408, and other processes other than the shutdown event and the inquiry reception event, such as a screen update process, a network device, etc. Processing for registering device network address information, attribute information, etc. received from 101 to 105 on the database 300 shown in FIG.
[0051]
Next, the device search process performed in step S406 of FIG. 5 by the search server PC 112 will be described in more detail using the flowchart of FIG. First, the outline of the overall operation will be described. In the device search process of this embodiment, for example, when the search client PCs 111 and 113 specify a plurality of search conditions, the search conditions are processed one by one. Yes. That is the outer loop determined in step S501. The inner loop determined in step S504 is for scanning all registered device information in the database 300 for a certain search condition.
[0052]
In the device search process of this embodiment, first, in step S501, it is determined whether or not all search conditions stored in the storage device such as the RAM 203 have been processed. As a result of this determination, if it is determined that all the search conditions in the storage device have been processed, the process proceeds to step S502, and the search results obtained at that time are returned to the upper program.
[0053]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S501 that all the search conditions in the storage device have not yet been processed, the process proceeds to step S503, where all the search conditions stored in the storage device are not processed. Retrieve one search condition. Then, the process proceeds to step S504, and it is determined whether or not all registered device information in the database 300 shown in FIG. If all the registered device information has been searched as a result of this determination, the process returns to step S501 to process the next search condition.
[0054]
If it is determined in step S504 that all registered device information in the database 300 of FIG. 4 has not been searched yet, the process proceeds to step S505. In step S505, the registered device information for one nth device is extracted from the database 300. In the subsequent step S506, it is determined whether or not the extracted registered device information matches the search condition currently targeted.
[0055]
As a result of this determination, if the retrieved registered device information does not match the search condition, the process returns to step S504 (at this time, the value of n is incremented), and the next device information registered in the database 300 is determined. Continue the search process. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S506, if the extracted registered device information matches the search condition, the process proceeds to step S507.
[0056]
In step S507, among the registered device information determined to match the search conditions in step S506, the device name 301, the network address 302, the device type 304, the color printing function attribute 305 specified as the search attribute, and both sides Each information of the print function attribute 306 and the staple function attribute 307 is acquired. In step S508, the acquired information is added to the search result information. When the process of step S508 is completed, the process returns to step S504, and the search process for the next device information registered in the database 300 is continued.
[0057]
In this way, when all the registered device information in the database 300 shown in FIG. 4 is searched for the search conditions stored in the storage device, device information that completely matches each search condition is obtained for each search condition. All will be detected. Then, as described above, this search result is returned to the upper program in step S502, and is returned to the search client PC 111 that has sent the device search request in step S407 of FIG.
[0058]
Next, the operation when re-searching is performed in the search server PC 112 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
7, first, in step S601, when the database search process shown in FIG. 6 is executed according to the search conditions from the search client PC 111 stored in the storage device in step S405 of FIG. It is determined whether or not a device to be found (a device satisfying all search attributes) has been found.
[0059]
If it is determined that a device that matches the search condition received from the search client PC 111 has been found, the search client PC 111 is notified of the device that already matches the search condition in step S407 in FIG. The process ends without doing anything. On the other hand, if a device that matches the search condition received from the search client PC 111 is not found, the process advances to step S602 to extract only object class information from the search conditions stored in the storage device such as the RAM 203. Replace the search condition with this object class.
[0060]
Next, the process proceeds to step S603, and the database search process shown in FIG. 6 is executed again based on the database 300 shown in FIG. 4 using the object class information extracted in step S602 as a search condition, and the process ends. To do.
[0061]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which search conditions are described according to the notation of RFC (Request for Comments) 1960 issued by IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force). For example, as shown in the search condition 701, it is assumed that the search client PC 111 has specified, for the search server PC 112, an object class as a printer and a device capable of color printing, double-sided printing, and stapling as attributes as a search condition. To do.
[0062]
In this case, even if the search server PC 112 receives such a search condition 701 and executes the database search process shown in FIG. 6 based on the database 300 shown in FIG. No device matching this will be found. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 7, only the object class is extracted from the search condition 701, and the relaxed search condition 702 that the object class is a printer is created, and the database shown in FIG. The search process is executed again.
[0063]
FIG. 9 shows the result of performing a device search on the database 300 shown in FIG. 4 based on the search condition 702.
In the search result of FIG. 9, there are four devices that match the search condition 702 that the object class is a printer, and for each, a device name 801, a network address 802, a device type 803, presence / absence of a color printing function 804, duplex printing Information regarding the presence / absence of a function 805 and the presence / absence of a staple function 806 is shown.
[0064]
Next, a screen display example of the search client PCs 111 and 113 will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a screen display example of the search client PCs 111 and 113 before performing device search.
[0065]
In FIG. 10, various types of information are displayed in a window 900. A combo box 901 designates an object class of a device to be searched. By operating this combo box 901, the object class of the device to be searched can be set to “printer”, “scanner”, or the like. At this time, if the setting of the object class is changed, each search attribute condition in the area 903 for specifying the search attribute changes to an attribute corresponding to the set object class.
[0066]
In the area 903 for specifying the search attribute, since the printer is selected as the object class in the combo box 901 in the example of FIG. 10, the attributes relating to the printer are indicated by four check boxes. That is, a search attribute can be specified by a check box 903a indicating the presence / absence of a color printing function, a check box 903b indicating the presence / absence of a stapling function, a check box 903c indicating the presence / absence of a duplex printing function, and a check box 903d indicating the presence / absence of a sorter function. It is like that.
[0067]
In the example shown in FIG. 10, the check box 903a indicating the presence / absence of the color printing function, the check box 903b indicating the presence / absence of the stapling function, and the check box 903c indicating the presence / absence of the double-sided printing function are checked (black squares). It is requested to search for a device capable of color printing, duplex printing, and stapling.
[0068]
Reference numeral 902 denotes a search start button. When the user presses this button using the keyboard 209 in FIG. 3 or a pointing device (not shown), the search specified for the search server PC 112 in the search attribute specification area 903 is performed. An inquiry is made as to whether there are devices that meet the conditions. Reference numeral 904 denotes an area for displaying a search result, which includes a device name display area 904a, an IP address display area 904b, and display areas 904c, 904d, 904e, and 904f for presence / absence of each attribute in the searched device. .
[0069]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a screen display of search results displayed on the search client PCs 111 and 113 after the device search process is completed on the search server PC 112. As described above, in this embodiment, a device having an object class of a printer and having a color printing function, a duplex printing function, and a table function is searched. As a result, the device search process shown in FIG. 6 does not find a device that completely matches the search conditions, and the re-search process shown in FIG. 7 is performed to obtain the device search result shown in FIG. It is done.
[0070]
Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 11, there are four objects whose object class is a printer, and their names are “color-kun”, “second-floor high-speed machine”, “development room printer”, “first-floor printer”. "Is displayed in the device name display area 904a, and the network address of each searched device is displayed in the IP address display area 904b.
[0071]
Further, for each device displayed as a search result, the presence / absence of each attribute designated as a search condition is displayed in the attribute presence / absence display areas 904c, 904d, and 904e. In the attribute presence / absence display areas 904c to 904e, a circle indicates that the function is supported, and a − mark indicates that the function is not supported.
[0072]
Thus, in this embodiment, even if there is no printer that completely matches the specified search condition, at least all printers that match the object class are displayed as search results. At this time, since the presence or absence of each attribute in the searched printer is also displayed, the user can easily determine from the screen display which attribute is satisfied and which attribute is not satisfied in each printer. It becomes possible. Thus, the device desired by the user can be easily understood without re-specifying the search condition with relaxed search attribute conditions and performing the search process again.
[0073]
Next, another specific example of the device search process will be described below.
For example, as in the search condition 1101 shown in FIG. 12, it is assumed that the search client PC 111 specifies, for the search server PC 112, a device whose object class is a printer, color printing as an attribute, and stapling processing can be specified as a search condition. To do.
[0074]
Based on this search condition 1101, the device search process shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is performed on the database 300 shown in FIG. In this case, according to the flowchart of FIG. 7, since it is determined in step S601 that a device that completely matches the specified search condition has been found, the database 300 is not searched again. FIG. 13 shows the search result at this time.
[0075]
In the search result shown in FIG. 13, there is one device that completely matches the search condition 1101, and device name 1201, network address 1202, device type 1203, presence / absence of color printing function 1204, presence / absence of double-sided printing function Information about 1205 and the presence / absence 1206 of the stapling function is shown.
[0076]
In the flowchart of FIG. 7, when a device that completely matches the given search search condition is not found, the re-search process is performed using only the object class as a condition. Regardless of whether or not a device to be found was found, a re-search may be performed. In the example described below, it is assumed that the process in step S601 in FIG. 7 is skipped and the process from step S602 is always executed.
[0077]
That is, only the object class is extracted from the search condition 1101, and the search condition 1102 that the object class is a printer is created. Based on the new search condition 1102, the database search process shown in FIG. 6 is executed again. The search result in this case is exactly the same as in FIG.
[0078]
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a screen display example of the search client PCs 111 and 113 before performing device search. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a specific example of a screen display of search results displayed on the search client PCs 111 and 113 after the device search process is completed on the search server PC 112.
[0079]
In the example shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the search attribute is specified by the check boxes 903a to 903d, and the device search result is displayed in a list format. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the designation of the search attribute and the display of the device search result are performed in an icon format.
[0080]
That is, in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, various types of information are displayed in the window 1300. A combo box 1301 specifies an object class of a device to be searched. By operating this combo box 1301, the object class of the device to be searched can be set to “printer”, “scanner”, or the like. At this time, if the setting of the object class is changed, each search attribute condition in the area 1303 for designating the search attribute is changed to an attribute corresponding to the set object class.
[0081]
In the area 1303 for designating search attributes, since the printer is selected as the object class in the combo box 1301 in the example of FIG. 14, the attributes relating to the printer are indicated by six icons. That is, an icon 1303a representing a color printing function, an icon 1303b representing a stapling function, an icon 1303c representing a duplex printing function, an icon 1303d representing a sorter function, an icon 1303e representing a mailbox output function, and an icon 1303f representing a Z-fold output function Search attributes can be specified for each.
[0082]
In the example shown in FIG. 14, since an icon 1303a representing a color printing function and an icon 1303b representing a stapling function are designated (shown with shadows), a search for a device capable of color printing and capable of stapling is requested. It will be.
[0083]
Reference numeral 1302 denotes a search start button. When the user presses this button using the keyboard 209 in FIG. 3 or a pointing device (not shown), the search specified for the search server PC 112 in the search attribute specification area 1303 An inquiry is made as to whether there are devices that meet the conditions. Reference numeral 1304 denotes an area for displaying a search result, which includes a device name display area 1304a, an IP address display area 1304b, and an area 1304c for displaying the presence / absence of each attribute in the searched device as an icon.
[0084]
As shown in FIG. 15, in the present embodiment, the device name display area 1304a displays a device name as a search result, and icons 1501 and 1502 corresponding to the respective devices. In addition, icons 1503a and 1503b are displayed in the area 1304c for displaying the presence / absence of the attribute of the searched device corresponding to each device.
[0085]
Here, the relationship between various icons displayed in the search result display area 1304 and various attributes of the device will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 16, an icon 1501 is an icon to be displayed when a device that completely matches the specified search condition is found. An icon 1502 does not completely match the specified search condition, but at least the object class. This icon is displayed when a device that matches the attribute is found.
[0086]
An icon 1503a is an icon indicating that color printing is possible as an attribute of the searched device, an icon 1503b is an icon indicating that stapling is possible, and an icon 1503c is capable of duplex printing. This icon indicates An icon 1503d is an icon indicating that there is a sorter function, an icon 1503e is an icon indicating that there is a mailbox output function, and an icon 1503f is an icon indicating that Z-fold output is possible. .
[0087]
For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when searching for a device having a stapling function, “staple = 1” is specified as the attribute, but when the attributes regarding the stapling function match at least, An icon 1503b is displayed corresponding to the device.
[0088]
In the specific example of the search result shown in FIG. 15, the printer whose device name is “Color-kun” has an icon 1501 displayed in the device name display area 1304 a correspondingly. It can be seen that 1101 completely matches. At this time, since the icons 1503a and 1503b are displayed in correspondence with the attribute presence / absence display area 1304c of the search device, the “color-kun” printer that matches the search condition 1101 has the color printing function and the staple function. You can see at a glance that
[0089]
In addition, since the icon 1502 is displayed in the device name display area 1304a for the printer whose device name is “development room printer”, it matches the specified search condition 1101 in FIG. It turns out that there is nothing. At this time, since the device search is re-executed based on the search condition 1102 in FIG. 12, the icon 1503b is displayed corresponding to the attribute presence / absence display area 1304c of the search device. It can be readily seen that the attribute of the matching “development room printer” is only the stapling function.
[0090]
As described above, in this embodiment, not only devices that completely match the specified search condition but also devices that satisfy at least the attribute of the object class are displayed as search results. At this time, whether or not the searched device completely matches the search condition is displayed with an icon, and the attributes of each device are also displayed with an icon in an easy-to-understand manner. Therefore, the user can more easily understand the desired device from the screen display of the search result.
[0091]
The network device search control according to the present embodiment described above may be performed by the PC 200 in FIG. 3 according to a program installed from the outside. In that case, the program is supplied to the PC 200 by a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, a floppy disk or the like, or an information group including the program is stored from an external storage medium via a network such as e-mail or personal computer communication. The present invention can be applied even when supplied by loading on the PC 200.
[0092]
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a memory map of a CD-ROM which is an example of a storage medium. In FIG. 17, 9999 is an area in which directory information is stored, and indicates the position of an area 9998 in which subsequent installation programs are stored and an area 9997 in which network device control programs are stored.
[0093]
When the network control program of this embodiment is installed in the PC 200, the installation program stored in the area 9998 is first loaded into the PC 200 and executed by the CPU 201. Next, the installation program executed by the CPU 201 reads the network device control program from the area 9997 and stores it in the hard disk 211.
[0094]
Note that the present invention may be applied to a system or an integrated apparatus configured by a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, and the like) or an apparatus configured from a single device.
[0095]
In addition, in order to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, a storage medium in which a program code of software is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program code stored in the storage medium. What is implemented by reading and executing is also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0096]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0097]
In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or a computer running on the computer based on an instruction of the program code Needless to say, the present invention includes a case where other application software or the like performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0098]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is stored in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the present invention includes a case where the CPU or the like provided in the expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0099]
Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a case where the program is distributed to a requester via a communication line such as personal computer communication from a storage medium that records a program code of software that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments. .
[0100]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention provides a condition indicating a device type from a first search condition including a condition indicating a device type and a condition indicating a function that the device of the type can have. As a second search condition, search for a device that matches the second search condition, and each of the searched devices corresponds to information indicating a function that the device may have. Is displayed, it is possible for the user to easily grasp the device, and it is possible to eliminate the trouble of re-searching by relaxing the search condition in order to find a desired device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing elemental features of a network system (device search system) according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a network in which the device search system of the present embodiment can operate.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a general personal computer.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of device information held by a search server.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the search server.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of a database search process performed by a search server.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of a re-search process performed by the search server.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search condition temporarily stored in a storage device in the search server and a new search condition extracted from the search condition.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search result.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display of a search client at a time before a device search.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display of a search client at a time after a device search.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another example of a search condition temporarily stored in a storage device in the search server and a new search condition extracted from the search condition.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of search results.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another example of the screen display of the search client at the time before the device search.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example of a screen display of the search client at the time after the device search.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between various attributes of a device and various icons.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a memory map in the storage medium of the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 clients
11 Search condition specification part
12 Search request transmitter
13 Search result receiver
14 Search result storage
15 Display section
20 servers
21 Device Information Management Department
22 Search request receiver
23 Search condition storage
24 Search part
24a First search unit
24b Second search unit
25 Search result transmitter
30 devices
40 network
101-105 devices
111,113 Search client PC
112 Search server PC
201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
211 hard disk

Claims (10)

First search means for searching for a device in accordance with a first search condition including a condition indicating a device type and a plurality of conditions including a condition indicating a function that the device of the type may have ;
Display means for displaying a search result by the first search means;
Extracting means for extracting a condition indicating a device type from the first search condition as a second search condition;
Second search means for searching for a device in accordance with the second search condition, which is a condition indicating the type of device, extracted by the extraction means when there is no device that satisfies the first search condition. ,
For each device searched by the second search means, a first search corresponding to a condition indicating a function that the device of the type may have that was not extracted as a second search condition by the extraction means Information indicating whether or not a part of the conditions is satisfied and the display means displays a device that satisfies a second search condition that is a condition indicating the type of the device. apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first search condition includes an object class indicating a device type and an attribute indicating a function executable by the device.   Recognizing means for recognizing whether or not a device has been searched by the first searching means, and determining means for determining whether or not to perform extraction processing by the extracting means according to a recognition result in the recognizing means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus.   The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a search result by the first search unit and a search result by the second search unit are displayed separately. Indicates whether or not at least a part of the first search condition corresponding to the condition indicating the function that the device of the type has not been extracted as the second search condition by the extraction unit is satisfied. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information displays matching / mismatching with respect to the condition as a symbol or an icon. A network system configured by connecting a search client device, a search server device, and a device on a network,
The search client device includes:
Transmitting means for transmitting to the search server device a first search condition composed of a plurality of conditions including a condition indicating a device type and a condition indicating a function that the device of the type may have ;
Receiving means for receiving a search result from the search server device;
Display means for displaying the received search results,
The search server device
Receiving means for receiving the first search condition from the search client device;
First search means for searching for devices on the network according to the first search condition;
Extracting means for extracting a condition indicating a device type from the first search condition as a second search condition;
Second search means for searching for a device on the network according to the second search condition when there is no device that satisfies the first search condition ;
The search result by the first search means and the functions that the device of the type that is not extracted as the second search condition for each device searched by the second search means can have. Transmission means for transmitting to the search client device at least one of the search results by the second search means including information indicating whether or not the first search condition corresponding to the condition is satisfied,
The display means of the search client device receives a second search condition for each device searched by the second search means when receiving the search result by the second search means from the search server device . A network system, wherein information indicating whether or not a first search condition corresponding to a condition indicating a function that the device of the type can have is satisfied is displayed. The display unit of the search client device corresponds to a condition indicating a function that the device of the type has not been extracted as a second search condition for each device searched for the second search unit. The network system according to claim 6, wherein whether or not the first search condition is satisfied is displayed by a symbol or an icon for each condition. Receiving means for receiving, from a client on the network, a first search condition composed of a plurality of conditions including a condition indicating a type of device and a condition indicating a function that the device of the type may have ;
First search means for searching for devices on the network according to the first search condition;
Extracting means for extracting a condition indicating a device type from the first search condition as a second search condition;
Second search means for searching for a device on the network according to the second search condition when there is no device that satisfies the first search condition ;
The search result by the first search means and the functions that the device of the type that is not extracted as the second search condition for each device searched by the second search means can have. Transmission means for transmitting at least one of the search results by the second search means including information indicating whether or not the first search condition corresponding to the condition is satisfied to the search client device. A device search apparatus characterized by the above. A device search method for searching for devices on a network using a computer,
A reception procedure for receiving, from a client on the network, a first search condition including a condition indicating a type of device and a plurality of conditions including a condition indicating a function that the device of the type may have ;
A first search procedure for searching for a device according to the first search condition;
An extraction procedure for extracting a condition indicating a device type from the first search condition as a second search condition;
A second search procedure for searching for a device on the network according to the second search condition when there is no device that satisfies the first search condition ;
The search result by the first search procedure and the functions that the devices of the type that are not extracted as the second search condition can have for each device searched by the second search procedure. A transmission procedure for transmitting at least one of the search results by the second search procedure including information indicating whether or not the first search condition corresponding to the condition is satisfied to the search client device. A device search method. A computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to execute processing for searching for devices on a network,
A receiving process for receiving, from a client on the network, a first search condition including a condition indicating a device type and a plurality of conditions including a condition indicating a function that the device of the type may have ;
First search processing for searching for a device according to the first search condition;
An extraction process for extracting a condition indicating a device type from the first search condition as a second search condition;
A second search process for searching for a device on the network according to the second search condition when there is no device that satisfies the first search condition ;
The search result by the first search process and the function that the device of the type that is not extracted as the second search condition for each device searched by the second search process can have. The computer executes transmission processing for transmitting at least one of the search results by the second search processing including information indicating whether or not the first search condition corresponding to the condition is satisfied to the search client device. And a computer-readable recording medium.

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