JP4258251B2 - Status notification receiver - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a status notification receiving apparatus for receiving a status notification, which is a notification related to the status of the information device, from the information device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a system in which a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) and a printer are connected to a network such as a LAN, the PC can transmit print data to the printer via the network and cause the printer to print.
[0003]
Here, a status notification that is a notification related to the status of the printer, such as a print completion notification, is transmitted from the printer to the PC. In this case, the printer designates a predetermined port number of the PC that is the transmission destination, and transmits a status notification to the PC.
[0004]
However, when the port number for receiving the status notification is used by another application, there is a problem that the PC cannot receive the status notification from the printer.
[0005]
In order to solve this problem, a technique has been proposed in which a port number for receiving a job processing result such as a print end notification is assigned from an unused port number to a function device such as a printer from a PC. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). In this case, the printer can designate the port number notified from the PC and transmit the job processing result to the PC.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-189893 A
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, after the PC notifies the printer of a port number for receiving a status notification such as a job processing result, the port number is changed on the PC side. Is not described at all.
[0008]
For example, when installing a program on a PC, if the port number used by the program is determined and overlaps with the port number for receiving the status notification, the port number for receiving the status notification must be changed. Things that must be done can occur. Therefore, if a reservation for sending a status notification from the printer is made before the port number is changed, the status notification is sent to the port number before the PC change, so that the PC The problem of not being able to receive notifications remains. The technique described in Patent Document 1 does not consider such a problem, and does not present a specific method for solving this problem.
[0009]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is when a port number for receiving a status notification transmitted from an information device such as a printer is changed. The present invention also provides a status notification receiving device that can reliably receive the status notification.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.
[0011]
(1) A status notification receiving apparatus for receiving a status notification, which is a notification regarding the status of the information device, from the information device, and a changing means for performing a change process for changing a port number for receiving the status notification; When the changing process is performed by the changing unit, by opening both ports corresponding to the port number before the changing process and the port number after the changing process, Until the arrival of the prescribed conditions The status notification can be received using either the port number before the change process or the port number after the change process. And rejecting the reception of the status notification using the port number before the change process when the predetermined condition has been reached. A status notification receiving device having control means for performing control.
[0012]
(2) The status notification receiving device according to (1), wherein the information device is a printing device.
[0013]
(3) The information processing apparatus further includes a registration unit that registers a reservation for transmitting the status notification from the information device, and the control unit performs the control when the reservation is registered. Alternatively, the status notification receiving device according to (2).
[0014]
(4) The above Predetermined conditions Received all status notifications based on the reservation registered prior to the change process Is that The state notification receiving device according to (3) above.
[0015]
(5) The above Predetermined conditions Is a predetermined date and time set as a time limit for allowing reception of the status notification Is The state notification receiving device according to (1) or (2) above.
(6) The state notification receiving device according to (5), wherein the predetermined date and time can be set based on a user operation.
( 7 A status notification receiving method for receiving a status notification that is a notification related to the status of the information device from the information device, the changing step performing a change process for changing a port number for receiving the status notification; When the change process is performed in the change step, by opening both ports corresponding to the port number before the change process and the port number after the change process, Until the arrival of the prescribed conditions The status notification can be received using either the port number before the change process or the port number after the change process. And rejecting the reception of the status notification using the port number before the change process when the predetermined condition has been reached. A status notification receiving method comprising: a control step for performing control.
( 8 ) A program for receiving a status notification, which is a notification regarding the status of the information device, from the information device, a change procedure for performing a change process for changing a port number for receiving the status notification; and When the change process is performed, by opening both ports corresponding to the port number before the change process and the port number after the change process, Until the arrival of the prescribed conditions The status notification can be received using either the port number before the change process or the port number after the change process. And rejecting the reception of the status notification using the port number before the change process when the predetermined condition has been reached. A program for causing a computer to execute a control procedure for performing control.
( 9 )the above( 8 A computer-readable recording medium on which the program described in (1) is recorded.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system to which a PC according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system includes a PC 100 having a function as a status notification receiving device and a printer 200 as an information device, which are connected to each other via a network 300 so as to communicate with each other. The network 300 includes a LAN according to a standard such as Ethernet (R), token ring, or FDDI, or a WAN in which LANs are connected by a dedicated line.
[0019]
The type and number of devices connected to the network are not limited to the example shown in FIG. The present invention is also applicable to a system in which the PC 100 on the network 300 is connected to the printer 200 via a server (not shown), or a system in which the PC 100 is connected to the printer 200 on a one-to-one basis.
[0020]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the PC 100 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the PC 100 includes a CPU 101 that controls the entire apparatus and various arithmetic processes, a ROM 102 for storing programs and data, a RAM 103 for temporarily storing programs and data as work areas, Hard disk 104 as an external storage device for storing programs and data, display unit 105 such as a liquid crystal display for displaying various information, input unit 106 such as a keyboard and mouse for inputting various instructions, and network 300 A network interface 107 such as a LAN card for connection to the network is included, and these are connected to each other via a bus 108 for exchanging signals.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the printer 200 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 200 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, an operation panel unit 204, a printing unit 205, and a network interface 206, which are connected to each other via a bus 207 for exchanging signals. ing. Of the components of the printer 200, duplicate descriptions of portions having the same functions as those of the components of the PC 100 are omitted.
[0022]
The RAM 203 can temporarily store data received from the PC 100. The printer 200 may have a hard disk as an external storage device for storing various programs and data. The operation panel unit 204 is used for displaying various information and inputting various instructions. The printing unit 205 prints various data on a recording material such as paper using a known image forming process such as an electrophotographic process.
[0023]
The PC 100 and the printer 200 may include constituent elements other than the constituent elements described above, or some of the constituent elements described above may not be included.
[0024]
In the following, for example, a case where the PC 100 receives a status notification from the printer 200 will be described. Here, the status notification refers to a notification regarding the status of an information device such as a printer. The status notification includes, for example, a print end notification for notifying that the printing process in the printer has ended.
[0025]
Next, processing performed by the PC 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is stored as a program in a storage device such as the hard disk 104 of the PC 100 and is executed by the CPU 101.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 4, first, the PC 100 determines a port number for receiving a status notification. In other words, the PC 100 can receive the status notification using any of the port number set at the present time for receiving the status notification and the port number existing in the second status notification reservation list described later (S101). ).
[0027]
Here, for ease of understanding, an example of a general pattern starting from a state in which a change process (see S109 described later) for changing a port number for receiving a state notification has not yet been performed is taken up in order. explain. In this case, since there is nothing in the second status notification reservation list at first, the PC 100 uses only the port number (for example, 1000) currently set for receiving the status notification. Enable notifications to be received.
[0028]
Subsequently, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction for reserving to receive a status notification from the printer 200 (S102).
[0029]
Such a reservation instruction can be given through the input unit 106 by the user. Specifically, the reservation instruction is performed using, for example, an operation screen 500 as shown in FIG.
[0030]
The operation screen 500 includes a reservation instructing unit 510 for instructing reservation for sending a status notification, and a port number change instructing unit to be described later for instructing change of a port number for receiving the status notification. 520.
[0031]
Here, the user inputs the IP address of the printer 200 as the target that is the transmission source of the status notification in the target list 511 of the reservation instruction unit 510, and uses the check box 512 for the type of status notification to be transmitted. A reservation instruction can be given by selecting and operating the reservation button 513. Here, instead of inputting the IP address of the printer 200, the target printer 200 may be selected from a list of printers prepared in advance.
[0032]
In addition to the print end notification, for example, the status notification includes a print enable notification for notifying that the printer can perform print processing, and a print start notification for notifying that the printer has started the print processing. Other status notifications may be included. In addition, a reservation instruction for receiving a status notification such as a print end notification may be automatically issued when the user transmits a print job to the printer 200. Furthermore, a reservation instruction may be automatically issued at a predetermined time such as when the PC 100 is activated.
[0033]
When there is a reservation instruction (YES in S102), status notification reservation data necessary for reservation for transmitting a status notification is transmitted to the printer 200 (S103). FIG. 6 shows an example of status notification reservation data. The status notification reservation data shown in FIG. 6 includes a reply condition 531 corresponding to a check mark input result to the check box 512 of the reservation instruction unit 510, a target list 511 of the reservation instruction unit 510, and a status notification for reception. A reply destination 532 corresponding to the port number set at the present time is included.
[0034]
Subsequently, a status notification reservation including a reservation for sending a status notification is added to the status notification reservation list and registered (S104). FIG. 7 shows an example of a status notification reservation list collection unit when no status notification reservation is registered. As shown in FIG. 7, the state notification reservation list collection unit 540 includes a state notification reservation list 541 and a second state notification reservation list 542 described later. The status notification reservation list collection unit 540 is provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 103, for example. However, the status notification reservation list 541 and the second status notification reservation list 542 may be provided in different areas of the RAM 103, for example. FIG. 8 shows an example of the status notification reservation list collection unit when the status notification reservation 543 is added.
[0035]
If there is no reservation instruction (NO in S102), steps S103 and S104 are skipped and the process proceeds to step S105.
[0036]
In step S105, it is determined whether or not a status notification (see FIG. 14) is received from the printer 200.
[0037]
When the status notification is received (YES in S105), the PC 100 executes display processing for displaying the status notification as shown in FIG. 9 on the display unit 105 (S106). Note that the PC 100 may include a printing unit and execute a printing process for printing the status notification. Subsequently, the status notification reservation 543 corresponding to the status notification received from the printer 200 is deleted from the status notification reservation list collection unit 540 (S107). Here, the state notification reservation 543 is deleted from the state notification reservation list collection unit 540. The state notification reservation 543 normally exists in the state notification reservation list 541, but the second state notification is described later. This is because the reservation list 542 may be moved. However, for ease of understanding, at this time, the status notification from the printer 200 based on the status notification reservation 543 has not been received, and therefore the status notification reservation 543 is still deleted from the status notification reservation list collection unit 540. The explanation will proceed as if not.
[0038]
If no status notification has been received (NO in S105), steps S106 and S107 are skipped and the process proceeds to step S108.
[0039]
In step S108, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to change the port number.
[0040]
Such a port number change instruction can be issued by the user through the input unit 106. Specifically, the port number change instruction is performed using, for example, an operation screen 500 as shown in FIG.
[0041]
Here, as shown in FIG. 10, the user inputs a port number (for example, number 1001) for receiving a status notification in the port number input box 521 of the port number change instruction unit 520, and operates the change button 522. By doing so, it is possible to instruct port number change.
[0042]
If there is a port number change instruction (YES in S108), a change process for changing the port number for receiving the status notification is performed (S109).
[0043]
Subsequently, the status notification reservation 543 (see FIG. 8) existing in the status notification reservation list 541 of the status notification reservation list aggregation unit 540 is moved to the second status notification reservation list 542 as shown in FIG. 11 (S110). .
[0044]
If there is no port number change instruction (NO in S108), steps S109 and S110 are skipped and the process returns to step S101.
[0045]
Here, for example, a change process for changing the port number for receiving the status notification from 1000 to 1001 is performed (S109), and the status notification reservation 543 is changed to the second status notification reservation list 542 as shown in FIG. (S110), the process returns to step S101 and the following processing is performed. That is, the PC 100 sets the port number (1001) currently set for receiving the status notification and the port number (1000) included in the status notification reservation 543 currently present in the second status notification reservation list 542. Whichever is used, the status notification can be received (S101). That is, control is performed so that the status notification can be received using either the port number before the change process or the port number after the change process.
[0046]
Further, the process proceeds to step S102. However, in order to facilitate understanding, it is assumed at this point that there is no new reservation instruction (NO in S102), and the process proceeds to step S105.
[0047]
Here, it is assumed that the printer 200 transmits a status notification based on the status notification reservation 543 to the PC 100. In this case, since the PC 100 can receive the status notification using any of the port number 1000 before the change processing and the port number 1001 after the change processing, the port number is determined in step S105. It is possible to reliably receive the status notification from the printer 200 based on the status notification reservation registered before the change process. Needless to say, when there is another status notification reservation registered after the port number change process, a status notification based on the status notification reservation can also be received.
[0048]
Subsequently, the PC 100 performs display processing for displaying the status notification (S106, see FIG. 9), and deletes the corresponding status notification reservation 543 from the second status notification reservation list 542 (S107).
[0049]
Further, the process proceeds to step S108. However, in order to facilitate understanding, at this point, it is assumed that there is no new port number change instruction (NO in S108), and the process returns to step S101.
[0050]
In step S101, since the status notification reservation 543 does not exist in the second status notification reservation list 542 at this time, the PC 100 uses the port number 1001 that is currently set for receiving the status notification. Only when the status notification can be received. Thus, after receiving the status notification based on the status notification reservation, the PC 100 rejects reception of the status notification using the port number before the change process. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation where the port is left unnecessarily opened for a long time, and security can be ensured.
[0051]
Note that the processing shown in FIG. 4 is repeatedly performed until the execution of the program is terminated in accordance with a predetermined condition provided separately.
[0052]
Next, processing performed by the printer 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12 is stored as a program in a storage device such as the ROM 202 of the printer 200 and is executed by the CPU 201.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 12, first, the printer 200 determines whether or not status notification reservation data (see FIG. 6) from the PC 100 has been received (S201).
[0054]
When the status notification reservation data is received (YES in S201), for example, as shown in FIG. 13, the received status notification reservation data 530 is added to the printer-side status notification reservation list 550 and registered (S202). . The printer-side status notification reservation list 550 is provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 203, for example.
[0055]
If no status notification reservation data has been received (NO in S201), step S202 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S203.
[0056]
In step S203, it is determined whether or not the state shown in the printer-side state notification reservation list 550 has occurred. That is, it is determined whether or not the transmission condition in the status notification reservation data 530 existing in the printer-side status notification reservation list 550 is satisfied. For example, in FIG. 13, the transmission condition is the end of printing.
[0057]
When the state shown in the printer-side state notification reservation list 550 occurs (YES in S203), a state notification 560 as shown in FIG. 14, for example, corresponding to the state notification reservation data 530 is transmitted to the PC 100. (S204). Subsequently, the printer 200 deletes the corresponding status notification reservation data 530 from the printer-side status notification reservation list 550 (S205).
[0058]
If the status shown in the printer-side status notification reservation list 550 has not occurred, the process skips steps S204 and S205 and returns to step S201.
[0059]
The process shown in FIG. 12 is repeatedly performed until the execution of the program is terminated according to a predetermined condition provided separately.
[0060]
As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the PC 100 having the function as the state notification receiving device, when the change process for changing the port number for receiving the state notification is performed, Control is performed so that the status notification can be received using either the port number or the port number after the change process.
[0061]
Therefore, even when the port number for receiving the status notification transmitted from the information device such as the printer 200 is changed for some reason, the status notification registered before or after the change of the port number Status notifications from information devices based on reservations can also be reliably received.
[0062]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the first embodiment. Since the hardware configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof is omitted.
[0063]
FIGS. 15 and 16 are flowcharts for explaining processing performed by the PC 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the algorithm shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 15 and 16 is stored as a program in a storage device such as the hard disk 104 of the PC 100 and is executed by the CPU 101.
[0064]
Steps S301 to S309 are the same as steps S101 to S109 in FIG.
[0065]
When the change process for changing the port number for receiving the status notification is performed (S309), the status notification reservation 543 existing in the status notification reservation list 541 of the status notification reservation list aggregation unit 540 is as shown in FIG. After the scheduled deletion date and time is added, it is moved to the second status notification reservation list 542a of the status notification reservation list collection unit 540 (S310). Here, the scheduled deletion date and time is set to a date and time that is a predetermined time after the change of the port number (8 o'clock on February 1, 200X), for example, 3 o'clock on February 1st, 200X. However, the scheduled deletion date and time can be appropriately set to a predetermined date and time as a time limit for allowing reception of the status notification, whether manually or automatically. Note that reference numeral “544” in FIG. 17 indicates a status notification reservation separately made after the start of printing is selected as the status notification type and the port number is changed to 1001.
[0066]
Subsequently, for the status notification reservation existing in the second status notification reservation list 542a and having the port number currently set for reception of the status notification, the status notification is performed after the scheduled deletion date and time are deleted. The reservation list 541 is moved (S311). As a result, when the changed port number is changed again and becomes the same as the original port number, for example, the status notification reservation including the original port number can be returned to the status notification reservation list 541.
[0067]
If there is no port number change instruction (NO in S308), steps S309 to S311 are skipped and the process proceeds to step S312.
[0068]
In step S312, it is determined whether there is a status notification reservation that has passed the scheduled deletion date and time in the second status notification reservation list 542a.
[0069]
If there is a status notification reservation that has passed the scheduled deletion date and time (YES in S312), the status notification reservation is deleted from the second status notification reservation list 542a (S313).
[0070]
If there is no status notification reservation past the scheduled deletion date and time (NO in S312), step S313 is skipped and the process returns to step S301.
[0071]
For example, when the status notification reservation 543 that has passed the scheduled deletion date and time is deleted from the second status notification reservation list 542a in the status notification reservation list collection unit 540 shown in FIG. 17 (S313), the second status notification reservation at this time There is no status notification reservation 543 in the list 542a. For this reason, in step S301, the PC 100 can receive the status notification only when the port number 1001 that is the port number currently set for receiving the status notification is used.
[0072]
The processes shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 are repeatedly performed until the execution of the program is terminated according to a predetermined condition provided separately.
[0073]
As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained, and the PC 100 can receive the status notification using the port number before the change process after the scheduled deletion date and time. Reject. Therefore, even if the status notification is not received from the printer 200 due to various reasons such as the situation where the content of the status notification reservation list on the printer side disappears, the port is opened unnecessarily for a long time. It is possible to prevent the situation of being left as it is, and to further ensure security.
[0074]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
[0075]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where a printer is used as the information device has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to information devices such as facsimile machines, copiers, multifunction peripheral devices (MFPs), scanners, digital cameras, and PCs. Further, as a device having a function as a status notification receiving device, a computer such as a workstation or a server may be used instead of a PC.
[0076]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where there is one port number for receiving the state notification has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there are a plurality of port numbers for receiving the state notification. It can also be applied when it can be set effectively. In this case, deleting one of a plurality of set port numbers is also included in the concept of port number change.
[0077]
In the present invention, the means and method for performing various processes for receiving the status notification can be realized by either a dedicated hardware circuit or a programmed computer. The program may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is normally transferred to and stored in a storage device such as a hard disk. The program may be provided as a single application software, or may be incorporated in the software of the device as one function of the device.
[0084]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even when the port number for receiving a status notification transmitted from an information device such as a printer is changed for some reason, before and after the port number is changed. It is possible to reliably receive the status notification from the information device based on the status notification reservation registered in any of the above.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print system to which a PC according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a PC shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the printer illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by a PC.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of status notification reservation data.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a status notification reservation list collection unit when no status notification reservation is registered.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a status notification reservation list collection unit when a status notification reservation is added.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a status notification.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a port number change instruction using an operation screen;
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the movement from the status notification reservation list to the second status notification reservation list in the status notification reservation;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by the printer.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer-side status notification reservation list.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a status notification.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by a PC according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a status notification reservation list collection unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 ... PC,
101, 201 ... CPU,
102, 202 ... ROM,
103, 203 ... RAM,
104 ... Hard disk,
105 ... display section,
106 ... input section,
107, 206 ... network interface,
108,207 ... Bus,
200 ... printer,
204 ... operation panel section,
205 ... printing section,
300 ... Network,
543 ... Status notification reservation,
560 ... Status notification.

Claims (9)

A status notification receiving device for receiving a status notification that is a notification regarding the status of the information device from the information device,
Change means for performing change processing for changing the port number for receiving the status notification;
When the changing process is performed by the changing unit, by opening both ports corresponding to the port number before the changing process and the port number after the changing process, the change is performed until a predetermined condition is reached. The status notification can be received using either the port number before processing or the port number after change processing, and the status notification using the port number before change processing when the predetermined condition is reached. A status notification receiving apparatus comprising control means for performing control for rejecting reception.   The status notification receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the information device is a printing device. A registration unit for registering a reservation for sending the status notification from the information device;
The status notification receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the control when the reservation is registered. Wherein the predetermined condition is a state notification receiving apparatus of claim 3 wherein the changing processing status notification based on the reservation which has been registered before is that all received. The status notification receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a predetermined date and time set as a time limit allowing reception of the status notification.   The status notification receiver according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined date and time can be set based on a user operation. A status notification receiving method for receiving a status notification, which is a notification regarding the status of the information device, from the information device,
A change step for performing a change process for changing a port number for receiving the status notification;
When the change process is performed in the change step, by opening both ports corresponding to the port number before the change process and the port number after the change process, the change is performed until a predetermined condition is reached. The status notification can be received using either the port number before processing or the port number after change processing, and the status notification using the port number before change processing when the predetermined condition is reached. A status notification receiving method comprising: a control step of performing control for rejecting reception. A program for receiving a status notification that is a notification regarding the status of the information device from the information device,
A change procedure for performing a change process for changing a port number for receiving the status notification;
When the change process is performed in the change procedure, by opening both ports corresponding to the port number before the change process and the port number after the change process, the change is performed until a predetermined condition is reached. The status notification can be received using either the port number before processing or the port number after change processing, and the status notification using the port number before change processing when the predetermined condition is reached. A program for causing a computer to execute a control procedure for performing control for rejecting reception . A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 8 is recorded.

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