JP2009278336A - Image forming apparatus, provided function control method, and provided function control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus, a function control method, and a function control program, simply controlling functions to be provided to an external device according to device characteristics. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 100 has: a first function 22 for providing the external device 200 as a request source with device information 71 including information on an application which the device has according to an information acquisition request; and at least one or more second functions 21 by which the application executes requested processing according to a predetermined processing request. The first function 22 has: an acquisition means 62 for acquiring the device information 71 including the information on the application which the external device 200 has; a determination means 64 for determining whether to provide the external device 200 with the second function 21 based on the device information 71 on the external device 200 acquired by the acquisition means 62; and a starting means 22S for starting the second function 21 based on a determination result by the determination means 64. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that provides one or more functions (services) to an external device, and more particularly to a technique for controlling a function provided to an external device.

  Along with the advancement of communication technology, a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals (MFPs) having multiple functions such as copying, printers, scanners, and facsimiles have been developed as LANs (Local Area Networks) and WANs (WANs). A system that is connected to a data transmission path such as a network (Wide Area Network) and can be used as a shared device by a plurality of users has become common.

  Under such circumstances, the image forming apparatus is used by the user in various ways. Some users use only the printer function, while some users use both the printer function and the scanner function. For example, the image forming apparatus does not provide all the functions (use) It is only necessary to provide functions that are frequently used by users (restriction of use).

  One of the reasons for limiting the functions provided to the user is the problem of confidentiality. It is difficult for the image forming apparatus to grasp what purpose an unspecified number of users are using. Compared to the situation where the user confronts and uses it, there is a higher possibility that fraudulent acts will be carried out by misusing the image forming apparatus, such as printing of confidential documents, especially in an environment where it is used remotely via a network.

Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes an image input / output device that divides a virtual function such as only a printer function or only a scanner function into a plurality of IP addresses and performs user restriction. The functions provided by the image forming apparatus to the user can be easily restricted, and the confidentiality of the communication between the image forming apparatus and the PC (Personal Computer) can be increased.
JP 2004-363934 A

  However, the above prior art has the following problems.

  The first is that the configuration of the image forming apparatus is complicated. In the image forming apparatus proposed in Patent Document 1, in order to control a function provided to a user (hereinafter referred to as “provided function control”), a plurality of pieces of information (management information) for managing a virtual function is necessary. Furthermore, in addition to function units that realize each basic function such as a printer and a scanner, a plurality of control function units (for example, a virtual function management unit, a communication control management unit, etc.) that realize provided function control using management information are required. Become.

  In such a complicated function configuration, when a function is added to the image forming apparatus, the management information and the control function unit must be changed in order to handle the added function as a virtual function.

  When these correspondences are performed on the developer side, it is necessary to change and improve the design of software parts that realize the provided function control, and this work is complicated for the developer. Further, when the operation is performed on the user side, for example, even if the device administrator can change the setting by operating the operation panel or remote operation, the operation is complicated for the administrator.

  As described above, the functional configuration of the conventional image forming apparatus is not a configuration that can flexibly cope with the expansion of the provided function, and the work has a great influence on the developer side and the user side.

  The second point is that the user cannot select an appropriate image forming apparatus having a function of executing a desired process in a stage before requesting the use of the function.

  In the image forming apparatus proposed in Patent Document 1, when a use request from a user is accepted, an IP address for remotely using a function requested only by the authenticated user is issued after performing a predetermined authentication process When connected from the issued IP address, a limited function is provided.

  As can be seen from the above configuration, the user cannot know whether or not the requested function can be used unless a use request is made to the image forming apparatus. As a result, even if a use request is made, it is not always possible to use the functions of the image forming apparatus. In the stage before the use request is made, which image forming apparatus should be used to perform processing. I do n’t know if it ’s good.

  For this reason, an environment in which the user can select an appropriate image forming apparatus having a function of executing a desired process in a stage before a use request is originally intended. For example, an information processing apparatus such as a PC that is a user terminal does not display all image forming apparatuses connected to the network on the screen as devices that can request the use of functions, but can be used for the information processing apparatus. For example, only the image forming apparatus that provides the permitted function is displayed.

  In order to provide the above environment to the user, information about the function (provided service information) at the timing when a device (for example, an information processing apparatus or an image forming apparatus) on the network is connected to the network (participates in the network). It is assumed that can be exchanged with each other.

  In the current image forming apparatus, messages are exchanged with an information processing apparatus such as a PC connected to a network using SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), and the image forming apparatus has a request according to a request. It has a device information providing function for providing device information including information related to functions that can be provided by an application to the requesting information processing apparatus. The “apparatus information” mentioned here includes information on application functions of the image forming apparatus, operation state information collected in the image forming apparatus, and the like.

  The above-mentioned “SOAP” is a specification for exchanging messages based on XML (eXtensible Markup Language), and is positioned above the protocols such as HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) and SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). Among them, it is a protocol for exchanging SOAP messages necessary for calling objects. The purpose of SOAP is to easily link components constituting an application via a network. In addition, SOAP can add information other than the XML document body, such as destination information such as an IP address and a port number, and action information for instructing a predetermined process, to a SOAP message to be transmitted and received.

  However, the image forming apparatus has means for providing the requested information in response to an acquisition request by exchanging messages, that is, means for acquiring necessary information by making an information acquisition request by itself. That is, since it does not have a client function, it is impossible to actively know what device is connected to the network other than the image forming apparatus itself. That is, the image forming apparatus responds to the use request without knowing which device connected to the network uses the function of the image forming apparatus.

  For this reason, for example, even though a conventional operation that responds to a function use request from a PC that is a user terminal can be realized, the image forming apparatus itself is connected to the network before receiving the function use request. An operation (providing function control) for restricting the functions provided to these devices cannot be performed according to the device characteristics of the PC or other image forming apparatus.

  In the present invention, in view of the above-described problems of the related art, an image forming apparatus, a providing function control method, and a providing function control program that can easily control functions provided to external devices according to device characteristics. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention provides, in response to an information acquisition request, a first function for providing device information including application information included in the image forming device to a requesting external device; An image forming apparatus having at least one or more second functions for executing processing requested by the application in response to a predetermined processing request, wherein the first function is an application included in the external device. An acquisition unit that acquires device information including the information on the device, and a determination unit that determines whether or not to provide the second function to the external device based on the device information of the external device acquired by the acquisition unit And activation means for activating the second function based on a determination result by the determination means.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the determination unit provides the second function according to usage restrictions according to characteristics of the external device based on device information of the external device. It is characterized by determining whether or not.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the first function includes an analysis unit that parses the device information of the external device acquired by the acquisition unit, and the determination unit includes: Whether or not to provide the second function is determined based on external device characteristic information indicating the characteristic of the external device acquired from the analysis result of the analysis unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, whether the determination unit provides the second function based on a device type of the external device in the external device characteristic information. It is characterized by determining.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the determination unit determines whether to provide the second function based on the device type of the external device. When the user requests to use the second function, if it is determined that there is no device that acquires application information of the image forming apparatus, the second device It is determined that the function is not provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention uses usage restriction information for determining whether or not the first function provides the second function to the external device. Setting means for setting, and the determination means determines whether to provide the second function based on the external device characteristic information and the use restriction information set by the setting means. Features.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the determination unit includes, as the external device characteristic information, network group information indicating a network group to which the external device is connected, and the use restriction information. Whether to provide the second function is determined based on a comparison result with the set network group information.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the external device characteristic information, the determination unit includes vendor information indicating a vendor of the external device and vendor information set as the usage restriction information. Whether to provide the second function is determined based on the comparison result.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the determination unit includes, in the external device characteristic information, function type information indicating a function type realized by an application included in the external device, and the use Whether to provide the second function is determined based on the comparison result with the function type information set as the restriction information.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the determination unit is configured to perform the second determination based on the external device characteristic information and the usage restriction information according to a determination order determined in advance. It is characterized by determining whether to provide a function.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the first function includes an information acquisition request unit that requests acquisition of device information of the external device, and the acquisition unit includes the information Response information transmitted from the external device is acquired as device information of the external device in response to a request from the acquisition request unit.

  With such a configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention acquires from an external device connected to the network according to a predetermined protocol before the external device makes a function use request, and externally acquires the acquired device information from the acquired device information. Check the characteristics of the device, decide whether to provide the function to the external device according to the usage restrictions according to the property, start the function installed on the own machine based on the determination result, and start providing the function To do.

  As a result, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can easily control functions provided to external devices according to device characteristics.

  In order to achieve the above object, the provided function control method of the present invention includes a first function that provides device information including application information of the image forming apparatus to a requesting external device in response to an information acquisition request. A function providing control method in an image forming apparatus having at least one second function for executing a process requested by the application in response to a predetermined process request, wherein the first function includes: Whether to provide the second function to the external device based on an acquisition procedure for acquiring device information including application information of the external device, and device information of the external device acquired by the acquisition procedure And a starting procedure for activating the second function based on a determination result of the determining procedure.

  According to such a procedure, the provided function control method of the present invention obtains from an external device connected to the network according to a predetermined protocol and obtains from the acquired device information before the external device makes a function use request. Check the characteristics of the external device, determine whether to provide the function to the external device according to the usage restrictions according to the characteristic, start the function installed on the own machine based on the determination result, and provide the function Realize the provided function control operation to start.

  Thus, the provided function control method of the present invention can realize an image forming apparatus that simply controls functions provided to external devices according to device characteristics.

  In order to achieve the above object, the providing function control program of the present invention provides a first function for providing providing service information including application information of the image forming apparatus to a requesting external device in response to an information acquisition request. And a provided function control program in an image forming apparatus having at least one second function for executing processing requested by the application in response to a predetermined processing request, wherein the computer is connected to the external device. Determining whether to provide the second function to the external device based on the device information of the external device acquired by the acquisition unit that acquires device information including application information included in the device Based on a determination result by the determination means, and a determination result by the determination means.

  Therefore, the provided function control program of the present invention can realize a control function for easily controlling the function provided to the external device according to the device characteristics.

  According to the present invention, before the external device makes a function use request, it is determined whether or not to provide the function to the external device according to the usage restrictions according to the characteristics of the external device, and based on the determination result. By starting the function installed in the own device and starting providing the function, it is possible to easily control the function provided to the external device according to the device characteristics.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
<Hardware configuration>
Now, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes an operation panel 11, a storage medium I / F 12, a controller 13, a data communication I / F 14, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 17, a scanner 15, and a plotter 16. Are connected to each other.

  The operation panel 11 includes an input device 11a and a display device 11b. The input device 11a includes hardware keys and is used to input each operation signal to the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the display device 11b is configured by a display or the like, and displays, for example, various types of information regarding the image forming operation. The data communication I / F 14 includes an interface device 14a, and is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus 100 to a data transmission path such as a network. The HDD 17 stores various data such as received document data and read image data handled by the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the HDD 17 manages these various data by a predetermined file system or DB (Data Base).

  The various data stored in the HDD 17 includes electronic data recorded by an external device such as a digital camera, for example. In such a case, it is provided to the image forming apparatus 100 by a recording medium 12b such as a memory card or uploaded via a network or the like that is a data transmission path. The recording medium 12b is set in the drive device 12a included in the storage medium I / F 12, and various data are stored in the HDD 17 from the recording medium 12b via the drive device 12a.

  The controller 13 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13b, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13c. The ROM 13a is executed when the image forming apparatus 100 is activated. Program and various data are stored. The RAM 13b temporarily stores various programs and data read from the ROM 13a and the HDD 17. Further, the CPU 13c executes a program temporarily stored in the RAM 13b. For example, when the print data is received via the data communication I / F 14, the controller 13 reads a program (PDL parser) that can read PDL (Page Description Language) read from the ROM 13a onto the RAM 13b by the CPU 13c. Execute and interpret the print data to generate a bitmap image.

  The scanner 15 includes an image reading device 15a, and optically reads a document placed on a reading surface and generates image data. The plotter 16 has a printing device 16a and prints a bitmap image on a recording sheet by, for example, an electrophotographic process method.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment realizes a plurality of functions such as a copy, a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner by the above hardware configuration.

<Software configuration>
Next, a software configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

<< Image forming apparatus >>
The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes the hardware resources 101 such as the plotter 16, the scanner 15, and the HDD 17 illustrated in FIG. 1 and the like, and includes a platform 120 and an application 130 activated by the activation unit 140. And a software group 110.

  The platform 120 interprets a processing request from the application 130 and generates a hardware resource acquisition request, manages one or more hardware resources, and arbitrates the acquisition request from the control service 150. An SRM (System Resource Manager) 123 and an OS (Operating System) 121 are included.

  The control service is formed of a plurality of service modules, and includes an SCS (System Control Service) 122, an ECS (Engine Control Service) 124, an MCS (Memory Control Service) 125, an OCS (Operation Panel Control Service) 126, and an FCS. (FAX Control Service) 127 and NCS (Network Control Service) 128.

  The platform 120 includes an API (Application Program Interface) 103 that can receive a processing request from the application 130 by a predefined method, a plotter 16, a scanner 15, and other hardware resources 101. It has an engine I / F 102 that is an interface for controlling via the OS 121 in accordance with a request from an upper layer that uses resources.

  The OS 121 is a general-purpose operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark), and executes the software of the platform 120 and the application 130 in parallel as processes.

  The SRM 123, together with the SCS 122, controls the system and manages resources, and includes engines such as the plotter 16 and the scanner 15, memory, HDD files, host I / O (for example, Centro I / F, network I / F, IEEE 1394). I / F, RS232C I / F, etc.) arbitration is performed according to a request from a higher layer using hardware resources, and execution control is performed.

  Specifically, the SRM 123 determines whether the requested hardware resource is available (whether it is not used by another request), and if it is available, the requested hardware resource is used. Tell the upper layer that it is possible. In addition, the SRM 123 performs use scheduling of hardware resources in response to a request from an upper layer, and directly executes request contents (for example, paper conveyance and image forming operation, memory allocation, file generation, etc. by a printer engine). Yes.

  The SCS 122 performs application management, operation unit control, system screen display, LED (Light Emitting Diode) display, resource management, and interrupt application control. The ECS 124 controls a hardware resource engine including the plotter 16 and the scanner 15.

  The MCS 125 acquires and releases an image memory, uses the HDD 17, compresses and decompresses image data, and the like. The OCS 126 is a module that controls the operation panel 11 serving as information transmission means between the operator and the main body control.

  The FCS 127 transmits / receives facsimiles using PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Networks) / ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) from each application layer of the system controller, and various facsimile data managed by BKM (Backup SRAM: Static Random Access Memory). An API for performing registration / quotation, facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and fusion transmission / reception is provided. In the FCS 127, an FCU handler (FCUH) that is a subprocess thereof is activated. The FCUH controls the device driver of the facsimile engine when performing facsimile transmission / reception according to a command from the FCS 127.

  The NCS 128 is a module group for providing a service that can be commonly used for the applications 130 that require network I / O.

  The NCS 128 has a data communication function according to the present embodiment. Specific software components (programs) constituting the NCS 128 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The application 130 is a printer application 111 that is a printer application having a PDL parser such as PCL (Printer Control Language) or PostScript (PS), a copy application 112 that is a copy application, and a facsimile application. A fax application 113, a scanner application 114 that is a scanner application, a net file application 115 that is a network file application, a process inspection application 116 that is a process inspection application, and a distribution application 117 that is a distribution application. Have.

  Each of these control services, the SRM 123, and each application 130 is an object having one or more methods, and is generated and executed on the OS 121 as a process by activating this object. A plurality of threads are activated in each process, and parallel execution is realized by switching the CPU occupation time of these threads under the management of the OS 121. For this reason, compared with parallel execution by process switching, the processing speed at the time of parallel execution is improved.

  Messages are transmitted and received between each application process and each control service process by inter-process communication by executing a method.

<< NCS >>
From here, the NCS 128 having the data communication function according to the present embodiment will be described.
(Overview of software configuration)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the NCS 128 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The software configuration of the NCS 128 according to the present embodiment is mainly composed of a module group that distributes data received by each protocol to each application 130 and mediates when data is transmitted from the application 130 to the network side. Among the module groups, there is a WS-MFP module group 20 according to the present embodiment.

  Here, the above-mentioned “WS” means a standardized Web service based on XML (eXtensible Markup Language) promoted by a working group (WG) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). By using this Web service, various services can be realized by exchanging messages described in XML between installed devices (WSD devices) via a protocol called WSD. Such a device is referred to as a WSD device, and a typical example thereof is a PC equipped with Windows Vista (registered trademark). Therefore, the “external device” described below is a general term for WSD devices other than the image forming apparatus 100 connected to the same network as the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As for “WS”, the published document “Devices Profile for Web Services” in which the details are disclosed is clarified, and the description here is omitted. The URL for obtaining the published document is “http://specs.xmlsoap.org/ws/2006/02/devprof/devicesprofile.pdf”. In the following description, function names and module names with “WS” are functions and modules designed in accordance with this standardized Web service. For example, the WS-MFP module group 20 is a module group for a multifunction machine designed in accordance with a standardized Web service.

  The WS-MFP module group 20 shown in FIG. 3 includes a WS-Printer 21p that handles printer-related data between the external device and the printer application 111 included in the image forming apparatus 100, and a scanner application included in the external device and the image forming apparatus 100. 114 includes a WS-Scanner 21 s that handles scanner-related data, and a DFM module 22 that handles device-related data between the external device and the image forming apparatus 100. Implemented to be invoked and run in a process.

  That is, the WS-MFP module group 20 has a first function (DFM) that provides device information including application information of the image forming apparatus 100 to the requesting external device in response to the information acquisition request by the above software configuration. Module 22) and at least one or more second functions (for example, “WS-Printer 21p”, “WS-Scanner 21s”, etc.) for executing the processing requested by the application in response to a predetermined processing request. Have.

  For example, the WS-Printer 21p has a function of responding to an information acquisition request regarding the printer application 111 from the DFM module 22 and notifying the printer application 111 of a print request from an external device. The DFM module 22 acquires application information such as the printer application 111 and the scanner application 114 from the WS-Printer 21p, WS-Scanner 21s, and the like, and provides the external device with an application included in the image forming apparatus 100 based on the acquired information. Device information including information on possible standardized Web services is transmitted. In the above description, the case where the printer-related information held by the WS-Printer 21p is acquired from the DFM module 22 has been described. However, since the printer-related information is operated by different processes, data is transmitted and received by inter-process communication.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes the NCS 128 configured as described above, so that data can be transmitted and received between the external device and the image forming apparatus 100.

(Details of software configuration)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the WS-MFP module group 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the NCS 128 according to the present embodiment includes a SOAP 50 and an IMC (Internal Message Communication) 51 in addition to the DFM module 22 and WS-Printer 21p of the WS-MFP module group 20, and each of the above software components. Are implemented to run and run in separate processes.

  In the description of FIG. 4, the WS-Printer 21p corresponding to the printer 16 will be described as a representative of the application functions of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, and the description of the WS-Scanner 21s will be omitted.

  A characteristic of the software configuration of the WS-MFP module group 20 according to the present embodiment is that the DFM module 22 and the WS-Printer 21p each provide information to an external device (reference numerals: 21Sp, 22S). And a client function unit C (reference numerals: 21Cp, 22C) that requests information from an external device.

  A conventional image forming apparatus having an information providing function for exchanging messages with an information processing apparatus such as a PC connected to a network by using SOAP and providing information according to a request to a request source. It consists only of the server function part S.

  In the following, main software components constituting the DFM module 22 and the WS-Printer 21p according to this embodiment will be described separately for the server function unit S and the client function unit C.

(Server function part of DFM module)
The server function unit 22S (hereinafter referred to as “WSD (Device) server function unit 22S”) of the DFM module 22 includes a WS-Discovery 31S, a WS-Transfer 32S, a WS-MetadataExchange 33, a WS-Addressing 34, and a WSD-Manager 35. Consists of

  WS-Discovery 31S notifies external devices that have joined the network by UDP (User Datagram Protocol) that the image forming apparatus 100 has joined the network and is in a state in which the functions can be provided (function provision notification). (For example, a Hello message is multicast to all external devices connected to the network). Further, the WS-Discovery 31S receives a response (connection device confirmation request) for searching for a device other than its own device connected to the network from an external device participating in the network, and responds ( For example, a Probe message multicast from an external device is received and responded).

  When the WS-Transfer 32S receives a message (device information acquisition request) requesting acquisition of information from an external device, the WS-Transfer 32S provides a standardized Web service (application function) that can be provided by an application included in the image forming apparatus 100 in response to the request. A message for notifying device information, which is information relating to the device included, is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100 to the external device.

  The WS-MetadataExchange 33 generates device information data of the image forming apparatus 100 based on an application or the like of the image forming apparatus 100 acquired from the WS-Printer 21p.

  WS-Addressing 34 resolves an IP address in order to identify an external device that is a transmission source or a transmission destination when data and events are transmitted / received to / from an external device via WSD (protocol).

  The WSD-Manager 35 performs operation control and management of the WS-Discovery 31S, the WS-Transfer 32S, the WS-Metadata Exchange 33, the WS-Addressing 34, and the Printer DCP 41p included in the WS-Printer 21p.

(Client function part of DFM module)
The client function unit 22C (hereinafter, referred to as “WSD (Device) client function unit 22C”) of the DFM module 22 includes a device information acquisition manager 36 in addition to the WS-Discovery 31C and the WS-Transfer 32C.

  The WS-Discovery 31C transmits a notification (connection device confirmation request) for searching what external device is connected to the network, and receives a response from each connected external device (for example, a Probe message to the network). Multicast to all connected external devices and receive responses).

  The WS-Transfer 32C transmits a message (device information acquisition request) requesting acquisition of device information of the external device, and receives device information as a response from each external device.

  The device information acquisition manager 36 performs a predetermined process based on device information acquired from an external device. The device information acquisition manager 36 confirms, for example, what external device is connected to the network and is in a communicable state based on the acquired device information, and further functions according to the use restriction according to the confirmation result. Control processing such as deciding whether or not to provide is performed. The “confirmation result” here refers to the characteristics and properties of the hardware and software that make up the external device, such as “what kind of device” and “what functions can be provided” (for example, Hereinafter, it is referred to as “external device characteristics”).

  As described above, the DFM module 22 provides a function to the external device according to the use restriction according to the characteristic of the external device before the external device requests use of the function by the configuration of the server / client function. Depending on the device characteristics, the function to be provided according to the device characteristics (hereinafter, “ "Provided function control processing").

(WS-Printer server function part)
The server function unit 21Sp of the WS-Printer 21p includes a Printer DCP 41Sp, a WS-Eventing 42Sp, and a WS-Addressing 34.

  The Printer DCP 41 Sp receives print data transmitted to the printer application 111 from a function (for example, a printer driver) of an external device (for example, an information processing apparatus such as a PC) that uses the printer function (printing function).

  WS-Eventing42Sp notifies the printer application 111 of a processing request event such as a print request transmitted from an external device that uses the printer function.

  Since the WS-Addressing 34 is the same as that described in the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S, the description thereof is omitted here.

(WS-Printer client function part)
The client function unit 21Cp of the WS-Printer 21p includes a printer information acquisition manager 43 in addition to the Printer DCP 41Cp and the WS-Eventing 42Cp.

  The Printer DCP 41Cp transmits a message requesting the external device (other image forming apparatus) having the printer function to acquire printer information, which is information relating to the printer function that can be provided, to the external device. Here, “printer information” means information (provided service information) related to a standardized Web service that can be provided by a printer application included in an external device. In addition, when the printer DCP 41Cp receives an instruction for requesting function cooperation from the printer information acquisition manager 43 to the external device, the print data received by the Printer DCP 41Sp of the server function unit 21Sp is transferred to the external device requesting the function cooperation processing. .

  The WS-Eventing 42Cp notifies the printer information acquisition manager 43 of a printer information reception event transmitted from the printer function of the external device.

  The printer information acquisition manager 43 performs predetermined processing based on printer information acquired from an external device. For example, the printer information acquisition manager 43 is in a state where an image forming apparatus (WS-Printer) that can provide any printing performance (performance of installed application) based on the acquired printer information is connected to the network and can communicate. In response to the print request received by the server function unit 21Sp, processing such as determining whether or not function cooperation processing with another image forming apparatus whose print performance has been confirmed can be performed is performed.

  As described above, in the WS-Printer 21p, with the configuration of the server / client function, for example, the image forming apparatus 100 has an external device having an appropriate print performance with respect to a print request based on the printer information acquired from the external device. And transferring the print data to the determined external device, it is possible to perform function cooperation processing between the devices.

  Further, by providing the function control by the server / client function of the DFM module 22 and the function cooperation by the server / client function of the WS-Printer 21p in association with each other, for example, an appropriate function within the usage restrictions between devices. It is also possible to realize a system environment in consideration of convenience for the user while maintaining the confidentiality of information on the network.

  Subsequently, each of the SOAP 50 and the IMC 51 will be described.

  The SOAP 50 includes a SOAP message transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives a SOAP message between an external device and the image forming apparatus 100 via a network using a communication protocol such as HTTP or SMTP corresponding to a lower layer, and data generated by the WS-Metadata Exchange 33. And a SOAP message generator that generates a SOAP message based on

  As described above, the SOAP 50 converts the communication data received from the DFM module 22 and the WS-Printer 21p into a SOAP message and realizes a message exchange function between the external device and the image forming apparatus 100 with the above functional configuration. Yes. In the present embodiment, open source “gSOAP” is adopted as the SOAP 50, and it is mounted so as to operate in a process different from the process in which the WS-MFP module group 20 operates. For “gSOAP”, the URL to “gSOAP: C / C ++ Web Services and Clients” (http://www.cs.fsu.edu/~engelen/) soap.html), which is not described here.

  The IMC 51 has an inter-process communication function. Unlike the DFM module 22 and the WS-Printer 21p, the IMC 51 does not function as a software component alone. A group of inter-process communication programs for performing transmission / reception and the like is provided as a single file, that is, a library. Accordingly, a library of IMC 51 having an inter-process communication function is linked to each software component such as the DFM module 22 and the WS-Printer 21p.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes the NCS 128 having the software configuration as described above, and performs data communication such as message exchange with an external device.

<Provided function control>
The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment controls the functions provided by the image forming apparatus 100 according to the use restriction with respect to the external device connected to the network by the hardware and software configuration. Hereinafter, the provided function control process will be described.

<< Configuration >>
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the provided function control according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the device information acquisition manager 36 of the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C in the DFM module 22 includes a device information data parsing unit 61, a determination parameter holding unit 62, and a control parameter setting unit. 63, a provided function control unit 64, and a determined external device confirmation unit 65. Below, each function part is demonstrated easily.

  The device information data parsing unit 61 parses the data of the device information 71 acquired from the external device connected to the network via the WS-Transfer 32C of the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C. Here, “parse” means that text data is parsed to determine a logical structure. Therefore, the device information data parsing unit 61 parses the data of the device information 71 and interprets the data structure. As a result, the characteristics of the external device can be confirmed from the device information.

  The determination parameter holding unit 62 acquires information (provided by an application) related to an external device defined by a predetermined tag in the data of the device information 71 acquired as a result of the device information data parsing unit 61 parsing the device information 71. Are included as determination parameters for determining the function to be provided (hereinafter referred to as “determination parameter”). For example, the determination parameter holding unit 62 temporarily stores the determination parameter in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 13b and holds it as a device characteristic value (device characteristic information).

  The control parameter setting unit 63 is a control parameter for controlling a providing function performed by the image forming apparatus 100 received via the operation panel 11 having a user interface (UI) function included in the image forming apparatus 100, for example. (Hereinafter referred to as “control parameter”). For example, the control parameter setting unit 63 stores the received control parameter in a predetermined storage area of the HDD 17 and sets it as a control value (usage restriction information).

  In the description of the control parameter setting unit 63, an example in which control parameters are set from the operation panel 11 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this method. For example, a PC connected to a network is used. For example, a method for receiving a control parameter setting instruction from a browser or a method for receiving control parameter setting data may be used. Although the control parameter storage destination has been described as the HDD 17, the present invention is not limited to this method, and may be, for example, an NV-RAM (Non Volatile RAM). That is, any non-volatile storage device provided in the image forming apparatus 100 may be used.

  The provided function control unit 64 provides a function to be provided to an external device connected to the network and in a communicable state based on the determination parameter held by the determination parameter holding unit 62 and the control parameter set by the control parameter setting unit 63. Control. More specifically, the determination parameter that is the device characteristic information is compared with the control parameter that is the usage restriction information, the function provision determination is performed according to the usage restriction according to the device characteristic, and based on the determination result (comparison result), Decide whether to provide functionality. Further, the determination result is stored in a predetermined storage area of the HDD 17 by the providing function control unit 64 and held as determination result information 81.

  Also, the providing function control unit 64 performs confirmation of the external device characteristics and determination of function provision for one external device. In other words, when there are a plurality of external devices connected to the network and in a communicable state, the determination is performed for the plurality of external devices, and whether or not the function is provided for each external device is determined.

  When it is decided to provide the function by the providing function control unit 64, the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S is notified to that effect, and the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S starts providing (provides) Instruct the function to execute).

  The determined external device confirmation unit 65, for example, when an external device joins the network or when an external device requests use of an application function of the image forming apparatus 100, On the other hand, after determining the functions that can be provided to the external device in accordance with a predetermined usage restriction (has already been determined), it is confirmed whether or not it is determined to provide the functions. At this time, the determined external device confirmation unit 65 performs the confirmation based on the determination result information 81 held in a predetermined storage area by the providing function control unit 64.

  As a result of the confirmation, if the accessing external device has already been determined, the provision of the function is started by the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S. On the other hand, if the determination has not been made, the device information 71 is requested from the external device by the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C.

  The operation of each functional unit is realized by reading the provided function control program (software component) stored in the ROM 13a of the image forming apparatus 100 onto the RAM 13b and executing it by the CPU 13c.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is connected to a network according to a WSD (protocol) in a stage before an external device makes a function use request by executing the provided function control processing by each of the function units. The device information 71 is acquired from the external device, and the characteristics of the external device are confirmed from the acquired device information 71. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not to provide the function to the external device according to the use restriction according to the characteristic, and the function installed in the own device is activated based on the determination result, and the function provision is started. At this time, the image forming apparatus 100 notifies the external device that the function is provided.

<< Operation >>
First, in order to perform the provided function control, between the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment and an external device, between the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C, the device information acquisition manager 36, and the server function unit 22S. A processing procedure of the data transmission / reception operation to be performed will be described.

<Data transmission / reception operation between image forming apparatus and external device>
Hereinafter, various data transmission / reception processes when the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is connected to a network and activated will be described below. In the following (B) and (C), various data transmission / reception processes after activation will be described.

(A) Processing Sequence at Startup The image forming apparatus 100 acquires device information from an external device at the time of startup, performs provision function control based on the device information, and then notifies the external device of function provision.

  FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a processing procedure of data transmission / reception operations between the image forming apparatus (WSD (Device) client function-equipped device) 100 and the external device (WSD device) 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention (part 1). FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, after the power is turned on, the WS-Discovery 31C of the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C transmits a connected device confirmation request M1 to the external device 200 connected to the network (multicasting a Probe message). (Step S101). As a result, the WS-Discovery 31C receives a response from the external device 200 (receives ProbeMatch information) (step S102).

  Subsequently, in the image forming apparatus 100, the WS-Discovery 31C transfers the response information (ProbeMatch information) received from the external device 200 to the device information acquisition manager 36 of the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C, and the device information acquisition manager 36 Is instructed to store response information (step S103).

  The device information acquisition manager 36 stores / holds the transferred response information in a predetermined storage area, then notifies the request source WS-Discovery 31C of the result, and sends it to the WS-Transfer 32C of the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C. Then, the acquisition of the device information 71 of the external device 200 is instructed (step S104).

  In the image forming apparatus 100, the WS-Transfer 32C transmits a device information acquisition request M2 to the external device 200 in response to the acquisition request (transmits a Get message to the device that has responded based on the ProbeMatch information) ( Step S105). As a result, the WS-Transfer 32C receives the device information 71 from the external device 200 (receives a GetResponse message) (step S106). At this time, in the external device 200, the WS-Transfer 32S of the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S transmits the device information 71 generated by the WS-MetaDataExchange 33 to the image forming apparatus 100 that is the acquisition request source.

  Subsequently, in the image forming apparatus 100, the WS-Transfer 32C transfers the device information 71 received from the external device 200 to the device information acquisition manager 36, and instructs the device information acquisition manager 36 to store the device information 71 (step S107). .

  The device information acquisition manager 36 stores / holds the transferred device information 71 in a predetermined storage area, confirms the characteristics of the external device 200 from the stored device information 71, and is set as a determination parameter acquired as a check result. Based on the control parameters, function provision determination processing is performed to determine whether or not the function of the own device is a function that can be provided to the external device 200 in accordance with the use restriction according to the characteristics (step S108). As a result, it is determined to provide the function to the external device 200.

  Subsequently, the device information acquisition manager 36 instructs the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S (functions other than WS-Discovery 31S and WS-Transfer 32S) to activate the function determined to be provided (Step S109).

  As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 instructs the WS-Discovery 31S of the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S to send a function provision permission to the external device 200 (Step 110), and the WS-Discovery 31S sends the external device 200 to the WS-Discovery 31S. On the other hand, a function provision permission response M3 is transmitted (Hello message is multicast) (step S111).

  In this way, in the image forming apparatus 100, the device information 71 is acquired from the external device 200 connected to the network by the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C of the image forming apparatus 100, and based on the acquired device information 71, The function provision to the external device 200 is controlled in accordance with the use restriction according to the characteristics of the external device 200.

(A-1) Processing Sequence at Startup For example, when the external device 200 does not exist on the network, in step S101, the image forming apparatus 100 performs WS-Discovery 31C of the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C. The external device 200 does not respond to the connected device confirmation request M1 transmitted by. That is, in the image forming apparatus 100, the process ends without performing the processing procedure of step S102 and above.

(A-2) Processing sequence at start-up For example, when there is no external device 200 that should provide a function due to usage restrictions, the function is not provided in the function provision determination process performed in step S108. It is determined. In other words, in the image forming apparatus 100, the processing ends without performing the processing procedure after step S109.

(B) Processing Sequence after Startup When a new external device 200 is connected to the network, the image forming apparatus 100 acquires device information 71 from the external device 200 that has joined the network, and provides it based on the device information 71 After performing the function control, the external device 200 is notified of the function provision.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example (part 2) of the processing procedure of the data transmission / reception operation between the image forming apparatus 100 and the external device 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, the WS-Discovery 31S of the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S receives the connected device confirmation request M1 from the external device 200 newly participating in the network (step S201).

  The WS-Discovery 31S instructs the device information acquisition manager 36 of the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C to confirm the characteristics of the newly joined external device 200 (step S202), and the device information acquisition manager 36 receives the WSD (Device). The WS-Discovery 31C of the client function unit 22C is instructed to transmit the connected device confirmation request M1 to the newly joined external device 200 (step S203).

  As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 executes the processing procedure from steps S204 to S214 in the drawing. Since the processing procedure from step S204 to S214 in the figure is the same as the processing procedure from step S101 to S111 in FIG. 6, the description here is omitted.

  In this way, in the image forming apparatus 100, even in the external device 200 that newly participates in the network, the external device is subject to the usage restrictions according to the characteristics of the external device 200 based on the device information 71 acquired from the external device 200. The function provision to 200 is controlled.

(C) Processing Sequence after Startup When the image forming apparatus 100 is requested to acquire the device information 71 from the external device 200 connected to the network, the image forming apparatus 100 is based on the device information 71 acquired from the requesting external device 200. The provided function is controlled, the result is reflected in the device information 71 of the own device, and the response is made to the external device 200. At this time, the provided function control is performed based on whether or not the external device 200 that has requested acquisition of the device information 71 is a device that has already performed the function provision determination process.

(C-1) When the Requested External Device is an Already Determined Device FIG. 8 shows the processing procedure of the data transmission / reception operation between the image forming apparatus 100 and the external device 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example (the 3).

  In the image forming apparatus 100, the WS-Discovery 31S of the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S receives the connected device confirmation request M1 from the external device 200 (step S301), and transmits response information (ProbeMatch information) to the external device 200. (Step S302).

  When the external device 200 receives a response from the image forming apparatus 100 (receives ProbeMatch information), it transmits a device information acquisition request M2 to the image forming device 100 (based on the ProbeMatch information, a Get message is sent to the device that has responded. Is transmitted) (step S303).

  When the WS-Transfer 32S of the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S receives the device information acquisition request M2 from the external device 200, the image forming apparatus 100 proceeds to the device information acquisition manager 36 of the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C. A confirmation is made as to whether or not the external device 200 has been determined to provide the function (step S304).

  The device information acquisition manager 36 checks whether or not the external device 200 has been determined to provide the function, and if it is determined that the external device 200 is not a determined device, the device information acquisition manager 36 goes to the WS-Discovery 31C of the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C. Then, an instruction to transmit the connected device confirmation request M1 to the requesting external device 200 is given (step S305).

  The image forming apparatus 100 cannot identify the requesting external device 200 because the message is acquired by multicast in the step 302. However, since the Get message is received as the device information acquisition request M2 at the stage of Step 304, based on information (identification information) that can identify the message transmission source defined in the header information of the Get message. It is possible to confirm whether or not the external device 200 has been determined to provide the function.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, the WS-Discovery 31C of the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C transmits a connected device confirmation request M1 to the external device 200 (multicasts a Probe message) (step S306). A response is received (ProbeMatch information is received) (step S307).

  Subsequently, in the image forming apparatus 100, the WS-Discovery 31C transfers the response information (ProbeMatch information) received from the external device 200 to the device information acquisition manager 36 of the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C, and the device information acquisition manager 36 Is instructed to store response information (step S308).

  The device information acquisition manager 36 stores / holds the transferred response information in a predetermined storage area, then notifies the request source WS-Discovery 31C of the result, and sends it to the WS-Transfer 32C of the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C. Then, the acquisition of the device information 71 of the external device 200 is instructed (step S309).

  In the image forming apparatus 100, the WS-Transfer 32C transmits a device information acquisition request M2 to the external device 200 in response to the acquisition request (transmits a Get message to the device that has responded based on the ProbeMatch information) ( Step S310). As a result, the WS-Transfer 32C receives the device information 71 from the external device 200 (receives a GetResponse message) (step S311).

  Subsequently, in the image forming apparatus 100, the WS-Transfer 32C transfers the device information 71 received from the external device 200 to the device information acquisition manager 36, and instructs the device information acquisition manager 36 to store the device information 71 (step S312). .

  The device information acquisition manager 36 stores / holds the transferred device information 71 in a predetermined storage area, and then the device information acquisition manager 36 has the own device according to the usage restrictions according to the characteristics of the external device 200 based on the held device information 71. A function provision determination process for determining whether the function is a function that can be provided to the external device 200 is performed (step S313). As a result, it is determined to provide the function to the external device 200.

  Subsequently, the device information acquisition manager 36 instructs the WS-Transfer 32S of the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S to respond to the device information 71 including information related to the function determined to be provided (response to the GetResponse message) (step Response). S314).

  As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits device information 71 including information related to functions that the WS-Transfer 32S can provide to the external device 200 (step S315). At this time, the device information 71 transmitted to the external device 200 is generated by the WS-MetaDataExchange 33 based on the function determined to be provided by the device information acquisition manager 36 of the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C by the provided function control. .

(C-2) When the requesting external device is a device that has not yet been determined FIG. 9 is a processing procedure of a data transmission / reception operation between the image forming apparatus 100 and the external device 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example (No. 4).

  In the image forming apparatus 100, the WS-Discovery 31S of the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S receives the connected device confirmation request M1 from the external device 200 (step S401), and transmits response information (ProbeMatch information) to the external device 200. (Step S402).

  When the external device 200 receives a response from the image forming apparatus 100 (receives ProbeMatch information), it transmits a device information acquisition request M2 to the image forming device 100 (based on the ProbeMatch information, a Get message is sent to the device that has responded. Is transmitted) (step S403).

  When the WS-Transfer 32S of the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S receives the device information acquisition request M2 from the external device 200, the image forming apparatus 100 proceeds to the device information acquisition manager 36 of the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C. A confirmation is made as to whether or not the external device 200 has been determined to provide the function (step S404).

  The device information acquisition manager 36 checks whether or not the external device 200 has been determined to provide the function, and if it is determined that the external device 200 is the determined device, the WS-Transfer 32S of the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S. A response to the device information 71 including information on the function determined to be provided (response to the GetResponse message) is instructed (step S405).

  As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits device information 71 including information related to functions that the WS-Transfer 32S can provide to the external device 200 (step S406).

  In this way, the image forming apparatus 100 uses the external device 200 that has requested acquisition of the device information 71 according to the characteristics of the external device 200 based on the device information 71 acquired from the requesting external device 200. In accordance with the restriction, device information 71 including information on functions that can be provided to the external device 200 is returned to the request source.

<< Operation of Device Information Acquisition Manager >>
In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, as described in the processing procedure of step S <b> 108 in FIG. 6, the device information acquisition manager 36 determines the characteristics of the external device 200 based on the device information 71 of the external device 200. In accordance with the use restriction according to the function, a function provision determination process for determining whether or not the function of the own device is a function that can be provided to the external device 200 is performed. From here, the operation of the device information acquisition manager 36 will be described.

(1) Acquisition of determination parameter and setting of control parameter First, the device information acquisition manager 36 acquires a parameter value (determination parameter) used to confirm device characteristics from the device information 71 of the external device 200, and finally A parameter value (control parameter) setting for determining whether or not to provide a function is accepted. Hereinafter, a processing procedure related to “acquisition of determination parameter and setting of control parameter” by the device information acquisition manager 36 will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure (parameter acquisition / setting processing) of the device information acquisition manager 36 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The device information acquisition manager 36 checks whether a new external device 200 has joined the network (step S501). When the WS-Discovery 31S of the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S receives the connected device confirmation request M1 from the external device 200 newly participating in the network, the device information acquisition manager 36 receives the characteristics of the newly participating external device 200. Instruct confirmation. Accordingly, the device information acquisition manager 36 confirms whether or not a new external device 200 has joined the network.

  In step S501, when the WS-Discovery 31S instructs to confirm the characteristics of the external device 200 and the newly joined external device 200 is confirmed (step S502: YES), the device information acquisition manager 36 has a WSD (Device) client function. A Get message is transmitted as the device information acquisition request M2 to the external device 200 via the WS-Transfer 32C of the unit 22C, and a GetResponse message transmitted as the device information 71 from the external device 200 is acquired as a response (Step S503). ).

  Subsequently, in the device information acquisition manager 36, the device information data parsing unit 61 performs data analysis (confirmation of device characteristics) of the acquired device information 71 (step S504), and the analysis result (parse result) is used as a determination parameter. Is stored in the RAM 13b (step S505). More specifically, the device information data parsing unit 61 extracts information about an external device (including information about a function provided by the application) defined by a predetermined tag in the data of the GetResponse message as a determination parameter. And stored in the RAM 13b.

  Also, in step S501, when the WS-Discovery 31S does not instruct the confirmation of the characteristics of the external device 200 and the newly joined external device 200 is not confirmed (step S502: NO), the processing procedure of step S505 is executed. When the process is completed, the device information acquisition manager 36 determines whether or not a control parameter setting notification has been received (step S506).

  If it is determined in step S506 that the control parameter setting notification has not been received (step S506: NO), the process ends. If it is determined in step S506 that a control parameter setting notification has been received (step S506: YES), the control parameter setting unit 63 receives the control parameter received via, for example, the operation panel 11 as the HDD 17. And set as a control value (usage restriction information) of the provided function (step S507).

  The processing procedure from step S501 to step S507 is performed periodically after the image forming apparatus 100 is activated, for example, based on time information obtained from a clock circuit (not shown) included in the image forming apparatus 100 according to a preset elapsed time ( Executed at regular intervals).

  When the image forming apparatus 100 is activated, the processing procedure of steps S501 and S502 is not performed, and the processing is started from information S503 for acquiring the device information 71 from the external device 200. Thereafter, the processing of steps S501 to S507 is performed. The procedure will be performed regularly.

  Hereinafter, data details of the device information acquisition request M2 that the image forming apparatus 100 transmits to the external device 200 to acquire the device information 71 will be described.

(Device information acquisition request)
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device information acquisition request (Get message) M2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The device information acquisition manager 36 transmits the Get message shown in FIG. 11 to the external device 200 via the WS-Transfer 32C of the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C.

  When the data in FIG. 11 is viewed, request source identification information (“uuid” in the figure) for identifying a device that has made a device information acquisition request M2 to the external device 200 is indicated in the “<was: From>” tag M2z shown in FIG. Is defined. That is, the information can identify the image forming apparatus 100 from all devices connected to the network.

  As a result, the external device 200 can acquire the identification information M2z that specifies the request source from the received Get message, and can transmit the device information 71 to the image forming apparatus 100 based on the acquired request source identification information.

  Subsequently, data details of the device information 71 transmitted from the external device 200 to the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. In the following detailed data description, “the device information data parsing unit 61 analyzes the device information 71 (confirms device characteristics) and obtains determination parameters” in the processing procedures of steps S504 and S505. Explain how this is done.

(Device information from external device: From PC)
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example (part 1) of the acquired device information (GetResponse message) 71 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. For example, when the external device 200 is a PC, a GetResponse message as shown in FIG. 12 is transmitted as device information 71 to the requesting image forming apparatus 100.

  When the image forming apparatus 100 receives the device information 71 via the WS-Transfer 32C of the WSD (Device) client function unit 22C, the received device information 71 is transferred to the device information acquisition manager 36.

  The device information acquisition manager 36 performs data analysis of the transferred device information 71 by the device information data parsing unit 61 and extracts predetermined data. The data extracted here becomes the actual value of the determination parameter.

  The device information data parsing unit 61 first extracts a predetermined character string defined by the “<wsdp: Types>” tag 71 a of the device information 71 as category information [provided service type] of the determination parameter. For example, in the case of the device information 71 shown in FIG. 12, a character string “pub: Computer” is extracted as category information [provided service type] of the determination parameter.

  In the device information data parsing unit 61, either the PC or the WSD device other than the PC is determined depending on whether or not “Computer” is included in the category information [provided service type] of the determination parameter (in the extracted character string). It is determined whether the device information 71 is (confirm device type).

  Subsequently, when the device information data parsing unit 61 determines that the category information [provided service type] includes “Computer” and is the device information 71 of the PC (according to the device type), “<pub: A predetermined character string defined by the Computer> "tag 71c is extracted as network group information of the determination parameter. For example, in the case of the device information 71 shown in FIG. 12, a character string “HOST_NAME / Workgroup: NET_1G” is extracted as the network group information of the determination parameter.

  Further, the device information data parsing unit 61 uses a predetermined character string defined by the “<wsa: Address>” tag 71z as transmission source identification information (“uuid” in the figure) for identifying the PC that has responded to the device information 71. Extract as

  As described above, the device information data parsing unit 61 determines whether the device information 71 to be analyzed is information transmitted from the PC or information transmitted from a WSD device other than the PC, and device information transmitted from the PC. When it is determined as 71, the actual value (predetermined character string) of each determination parameter of the category information [provided service type] and the network group information is acquired.

(Device information from external device: From WSD device)
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example (part 2) of the acquired device information (GetResponse message) 71 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. For example, if the external device 200 is a WSD device other than a PC, a GetResponse message as shown in FIG. 13 is transmitted as device information 71 to the requesting image forming apparatus 100.

  The device information data parsing unit 61 first extracts a predetermined character string defined by the “<wsdp: Types>” tag 71 a of the device information 71 as category information [provided service type] of the determination parameter. For example, in the case of the device information 71 shown in FIG. 13, a character string “wprt: PrinterServiceType” is extracted as category information [provided service type] of the determination parameter.

Each function of the WSD device such as a printer or a scanner is defined by a “<wsdp: Hosted>” tag FUN ₁ or FUN ₂ of the device information 71. With such a data structure, a plurality of functions can be defined in the device information 71. Therefore, the device information data parsing unit 61 extracts one or a plurality of determination parameter category information [provided service types].

  When the device information data parsing unit 61 determines that “Computer” is not included in the category information [provided service type] and the device information 71 is for the WSD device other than the PC (according to the device type), “ A predetermined character string defined by the <wsdp: Manufacturer> ”tag 71b is extracted as category information [device type] of the determination parameter. For example, in the case of the device information 71 shown in FIG. 13, a character string “BENDER_NAME” is extracted as category information [device type] of the determination parameter. Also, a predetermined character string defined by the “<wsdp: FriendlyName>” tag 71d is extracted as the function provision type information of the determination parameter. For example, in the case of the device information 71 shown in FIG. 13, the character string “BENDER_NAME WS-PTR” is extracted as the function provision type information of the determination parameter.

  Further, the device information data parsing unit 61 uses a predetermined character string defined by the “<wsa: Address>” tag 71z as transmission source identification information (“http” in the figure) for identifying the WSD device that has responded to the device information 71. ).

  As described above, when the device information data parsing unit 61 determines that the device information 71 to be analyzed is the device information 71 transmitted from the WSD device other than the PC, the category information [provided service type] and the category information [ The actual value (predetermined character string) of each determination parameter of “device type” and function provision type information is acquired.

  As described above, the device information acquisition manager 36 extracts and acquires determination parameters according to the device characteristics of the external device 200 that has transmitted the device information 71.

(2) Function provision processing according to usage restrictions (function provision judgment processing)
Subsequently, the device information acquisition manager 36 determines to provide the function according to the use restriction according to the characteristics of the external device 200 based on the acquired determination parameter and the preset control parameter. Hereinafter, a processing procedure related to “function provision according to usage restriction (function provision determination)” by the device information acquisition manager 36 will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example (function providing process) of the processing procedure of the device information acquisition manager 36 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The device information acquisition manager 36 includes a function that the provided function control unit 64 has based on the determination parameter acquired by the determination parameter holding unit 62 and the control parameter set by the control parameter setting unit 63. It is determined whether or not the function can be provided to the external device 200 in accordance with the use restriction according to the characteristics of the external device 200 (step S601). The provided function control unit 64 compares the determination parameter, which is device characteristic information, with the control parameter, which is usage restriction information, makes a function provision determination according to the usage restriction according to the device characteristic, and based on the determination result (comparison result). Determine whether to provide the function.

  If it is determined in step S601 that the function is provided to the external device 200 (step S601: “provide function”), the providing function control unit 64 activates the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S ( Step S605). That is, in the case of the determination result that the function is provided, the provided function control unit 64 instructs the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S to start the function that is determined to be provided.

  When it is determined in step S601 that the function is not provided to the external device 200 (step S601: “no function is provided”), the providing function control unit 64 joins the new external device 200 to the network. It is confirmed whether or not it has been done (step S602). Thereafter, the processing procedure of steps S603 to S604 is the same as the processing procedure of “acquiring device information 71 from a new external device 200 that has joined the network and holding determination parameters” in steps 502 to S505 of FIG. Therefore, the description here is omitted.

(Association of judgment parameters and function provision judgment)
Then, in order to “perform the function provision determination based on the comparison result obtained by comparing the determination parameter and the control parameter” in the processing procedure of step S601, the determination parameter corresponding to the device characteristic information and the determination parameter (device characteristic The provided function determination content is determined in advance as a predetermined use restriction rule.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of various determination contents based on the parse result according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The providing function control unit 64 performs various determination processes of the contents shown in FIG.

  The provided function control unit 64 performs the following determination processing based on various determination parameters acquired from the tag data 71 a to 71 d in the device information 71 by the device information data parsing unit 61.

Function usage target device determination processing The function usage target device determination processing is performed in the character string data of the category information [provided service type] of the determination parameter acquired from the data defined in the “<wsdp: Types>” tag 71a. It is determined whether the external device 200 is a PC or a WSD device other than a PC (device type) by determining whether or not the character string “Computer” is included (searching for whether a predetermined character string is included) To do.

Function providing target vendor determination processing The function providing target vendor determination processing includes control parameter in the character string data of the category information [device type] of the determination parameter acquired from the data defined in the “<wsdp: Manufacturer>” tag 71b. When the external device 200 is a WSD device other than a PC, it is determined whether or not the character string representing the vendor name set as is included in the device vendor. Whether or not the vendor is permitted.

Provided function target group determination process The provided function target group determination process is set as a control parameter in the character string data of the network group information of the determination parameter acquired from the data defined in the “<pub: Computer>” tag 71c. When the external device 200 is a PC by determining whether or not the character string representing the group name is included, the network group in which the PC participates is registered as a registered group (provided to provide the function). Group).

Provided function determination process The provided function determination process is set as a control parameter in the character string data of the function provision type information of the determination parameter acquired from the data defined in the “<wsdp: FriendlyName>” tag 71d. By determining whether or not the character string representing the installed function is included, when the external device 200 is a WSD device other than a PC, the function of the WSD device is a registered function (provided to provide the function). Function type).

  In the various determination processes, a determination order indicating in which order the determination process is performed and whether or not to provide a function is determined in advance. The providing function control unit 64 performs processing according to this determination order. Note that the order of determination is not limited to this order as long as it is an order for realizing optimum use restrictions on the system.

(Details of judgment processing)
The operation of the function provision determination process described above will be described below. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure (function provision determination process) of the device information acquisition manager 36 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The processing procedure shown in FIG. 16 corresponds to the detailed processing procedure of step S601 shown in FIG.

  Based on the category information [provided service type] of all the determination parameters acquired by the providing function control unit 64 by the providing function control unit 64, the device information obtaining manager 36 is a user terminal that uses the function of the own device in the external device 200. It is determined whether or not there is one or more PCs (step S701: function use target device determination process).

  When it is determined in step S701 (function use target device determination) that there is no PC as a user terminal (step S701: NO), there is no user who uses the function. The function is not provided (determined that “function is not provided” in step S601 in FIG. 14).

  If it is determined in step S701 that one or more PCs are present (step S701: YES), the category information [provided service type] of each acquired determination parameter includes the character string “Computer”. It is determined whether it is included (step S702). That is, it is determined whether the external device 200 is a PC or a WSD device such as a printer or a scanner. Here, the reason why the provided function control unit 64 determines whether the PC is a WSD device other than a PC is because the subsequent processing procedure differs between the PC and the WSD device.

  If it is determined in step S702 that the external device 200 is a PC including the character string “Computer” (step S702: YES), the network parameter information of the determination parameter and the control parameter are compared (character string). Compare) and determine whether the comparison results match (step S706: function provision target group determination process). That is, it is determined whether or not the PC belongs to a group that is permitted to use according to the usage restriction that is registered in advance as a control parameter for use permission / denial.

  If it is determined in step S706 (function provision target group determination) that the comparison results match and the PC belongs to a group that is permitted to be used (step S706: YES), the provided function control unit 64 The provision of the function to the PC being determined is determined (step S707), the result is stored in the HDD 17 in association with the identification information for specifying the PC, and held as the determination result information 81 (step S708).

  If it is determined in step S706 that the comparison results match and the PC does not belong to the permitted group (step S706: NO), the providing function control unit 64 functions to the PC being determined. Without providing, the process proceeds to step S708.

  If it is determined in step S702 that the external device 200 is a WSD device other than a PC (step S702: NO), the category information [device type] between the determination parameter and the control parameter is compared (characters). Column comparison) to determine whether or not the comparison results match (step S703: function provision target vendor determination processing). That is, it is determined whether or not the device is a WSD device belonging to a vendor permitted to use according to a usage restriction that is registered in advance for each vendor as a control parameter.

  If it is determined in step S703 (function providing target vendor determination) that the comparison results match and the WSD device belongs to the vendor permitted to use (YES in step S703), the determination parameter and the control parameter are further determined. Is compared (character string comparison), and it is determined whether or not the comparison results match (step S704: function provision determination process). That is, it is determined whether or not the WSD device is permitted for use for each function in accordance with the use restriction registered in advance for each function as a control parameter.

  If it is determined in step S704 (function provision determination) that the comparison results match and the WSD device is permitted for each function (step S704: YES), the provision function control unit 64 determines The function provision to the internal WSD device is determined (step S705), the result is stored in the HDD 17 in association with the identification information for specifying the WSD device, and held as the determination result information 81 (step S708).

  In the determination in step 703 (function providing target vendor determination), if the comparison results match and it is determined that the WSD device does not belong to the vendor permitted to use (NO in step S703), or the determination in step S704 above. In (provided function determination), if the comparison results match and it is determined that the WSD device is not permitted to be used for each function (step S704: NO), the provided function control unit 64 determines to the WSD device being determined. The function is not provided and the process proceeds to step S708.

  As described above, in the device information acquisition manager 36, the providing function control unit 64 performs the above-described steps S701 (function use target device determination), S703 (function providing target vendor determination), S704 (providing function determination), and S706 (function providing target). Based on each determination result of (group determination), the provided function is controlled according to the use restriction according to the characteristics of the external device 200.

(Correspondence between judgment result and provided function control)
The correspondence between each determination result and the provided function control operation is briefly summarized below. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation content corresponding to the determination result according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The providing function control unit 64 performs providing function control shown in FIG.

  The providing function control unit 64 performs the following providing function control based on the determination results obtained by the various determination processes.

Function usage target device determination processing In the function usage target device determination processing, it is determined that no PC exists among the external devices 200 connected to the network based on the category information [provided service type] of the determination parameter. Then, assuming that there is no device for which the user requests to use the function (assuming there is no device that uses the function), the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S is not activated, and all functions are not provided.

Function providing target vendor determination processing In the function providing target vendor determination processing, if it is determined that the registered vendor is based on the category information [device type] of the determination parameter, the function is provided to the WSD device other than the PC. If it is determined that the vendor is not registered, the function is not provided. Furthermore, when there is no vendor registration (when it is not set as a control parameter), all functions are provided.

-Provided function target group determination process When the provided function target group determination process determines that the group is a registered group based on the network group information of the determination parameter, it provides a function to the PCs participating in the group. To do. If it is determined that the group is not registered, no function is provided to the PCs participating in the group. If there is no group registration, all functions are provided.

Provided Function Determination Process The provided function determination process provides a function to a WSD device other than a PC equipped with the corresponding function when it is determined that the function is registered based on the function provision type information of the determination parameter. If it is determined that the function is not registered, the function is not provided. If there is no function registration, all functions are provided.

・ Others In the above function provision target vendor judgment process, provision function target group judgment process, and provision function judgment process, if the character string of each judgment parameter contains a specific character string set as a control parameter Does not provide all the functions. The specific character string means a character string indicating that a function is not provided by a standardized Web service such as “NOWSD”, and can be set as a control parameter.

  The providing function control unit 64 controls the providing function to the external device 200 based on the determination results of the various determination processes.

(judgment result)
The determination result made by the providing function control unit 64 during the providing function control is held as the determination result information 81 for each external device 200 to be determined. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the determination result information 81 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 18, the determination result information 81 associates transmission source identification information for identifying the external device 200 acquired from the device information 71 with a determination result as to whether or not to provide a function. With such a data structure, for example, when the external device 200 participates in the network, whether or not the function provision determination has already been made by referring to the determination result information 81 based on the identification information of the external device 200, that is, provided It can be easily confirmed whether or not the function is determined.

  As described above, the device information acquisition manager 36 determines whether or not to provide a function according to the use restriction according to the device characteristics based on the device information 17 acquired from the external device 200, and provides the function to the external device 200. To control.

<< Process when function use request is accepted >>
Up to this point, in the processing procedure of step S108 in FIG. 6, “the device information acquisition manager 36 determines that the function of its own device is external based on the device information 71 of the external device 200 according to the usage restrictions according to the characteristics of the external device 200 The function providing determination process for determining whether or not the function can be provided to the device 200 has been described.

  From here, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has acquired the device information 71 from the external device 200 and has finished the function provision determination process, and the result is held as the determination result information 81 ( In a state before the external device 200 makes a function use request, the function use request has been received from the external device 200 in a state in which it has been decided to provide the function according to the usage restrictions according to the characteristics of the external device 200). The operation in this case will be described.

  A processing procedure related to “accepting a function use request” by the device information acquisition manager 36 will be described below. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure (function use request acceptance process) of the device information acquisition manager 36 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The device information acquisition manager 36 checks whether or not there is a function use request from the external device 200 connected to the network (step S801). When the WS-Discovery 31S of the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S receives a function use request (for example, a print request message for transmitting print data) from the external device 200 connected to the network, the device information acquisition manager 36 To notify that the use of the function is requested. Thereby, the device information acquisition manager 36 confirms whether or not there is a function use request from the external device 200 connected to the network.

  In step S801, while there is no notification from the WS-Discovery 31S (step S801: NO), the notification is received and waits until the function use request of the external device 200 is confirmed.

  On the other hand, when the function use request of the external device 200 is confirmed by the notification from the WS-Discovery 31S in step S801 (step S801: YES), the device information acquisition manager 36 holds it when the function provision determination has already been performed. The determined determination result information 81 is referred to based on the identification information for specifying the requesting external device 200 (step S802), and it is determined whether or not the external device 200 is a WSD device for which function provision has been determined (step S802). S803).

  If it is determined in step S803 that the external device 200 is a WSD device for which function provision has been determined (step S803: YES), normal processing (provision) is provided to the currently active WSD (Device) server function unit 22S. Normal function processing) is instructed (step S804), and the process ends.

  If it is determined in step S803 that the external device 200 is not a WSD device for which function provision has been determined (step S803: NO), it is confirmed whether or not a new external device 200 has joined the network. (Step S805). When the WS-Discovery 31S of the WSD (Device) server function unit 22S receives the connected device confirmation request M1 from the external device 200 newly participating in the network, the device information acquisition manager 36 receives the characteristics of the newly participating external device 200. Instruct confirmation.

  In step S805, when the WS-Discovery 31S is instructed to confirm the characteristics of the external device 200 and the newly joined external device 200 is confirmed (step S806: YES), the device information acquisition manager 36 has a WSD (Device) client function. A Get message is transmitted as a device information acquisition request M2 to the external device 200 via the WS-Transfer 32C of the unit 22C. As a result, the device information acquisition manager 36 acquires the GetResponse message transmitted as the device information 71 from the external device 200 via the WS-Transfer 32C.

  Subsequently, in the device information acquisition manager 36, the device information data parsing unit 61 performs data analysis (confirmation of device characteristics) of the acquired device information 71, and stores the analysis result (parse result) in the RAM 13b as a determination parameter. (Step S807).

  In step S805, if the WS-Discovery 31S does not instruct the confirmation of the characteristics of the external device 200 and the newly joined external device 200 is not confirmed (step S806: NO), the device information acquisition manager 36 performs control. It is determined whether a parameter setting notification has been received (step S808).

  If it is determined in step S808 that the control parameter setting notification has not been received (step S808: NO), the process ends. If it is determined in step S808 that the control parameter setting notification has been received (step S808: YES), the control parameter setting unit 63 sets the control parameter received via the operation panel 11, for example, to the HDD 17 And set as a control value (usage restriction information) of the provided function (step S809).

  The processing procedure of steps S801 to S809 is performed periodically according to an elapsed time set in advance after the image forming apparatus 100 is activated, for example, based on time information obtained from a clock circuit (not shown) included in the apparatus itself. Executed at regular intervals).

  As described above, the device information acquisition manager 36 performs a function control for providing to the external device 200 based on the result of the determination once.

<Summary>
As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes, in addition to means for providing information requested from the external device 200 so far, that is, a server function. Since the apparatus itself has a means for making an information acquisition request and acquiring necessary information, that is, a client function, the external device 200 is connected to the network in accordance with the WSD before the function use request is made. The device information 71 is acquired from the external device 200, the specification of the external device 200 is confirmed from the acquired device information 71, whether or not to provide the function is determined according to the use restriction according to the specification, and the device information 71 is automatically determined based on the determination result. Start the functions installed in the machine and start providing the functions.

  As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 can actively know what external device 200 is connected to the network other than the image forming apparatus 100 itself. Provided function control according to device characteristics can be easily performed. In addition, it is possible to limit the functions provided to a specific external device 200 before the function use request is made.

  Furthermore, in the system including the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, for example, when the user terminal is a device (non-WSD device) that does not support the standardized Web service function, In an environment where the possibility of using the standardized Web service function is low (infrequently used), the standardized Web service function of each WSD device included in the system can be stopped dynamically, and the consumption within the device It can be expected to reduce power consumption and resources.

  By the way, in the “providing function control” of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the above-described embodiment, each processing procedure described with reference to the drawing is coded in a programming language suitable for the operation environment (platform) of the controller 13. It can be realized by executing it as a program on a computer. Therefore, the provided function control program can be stored in the computer-readable recording medium 12b.

  The provided function control program is stored in a recording medium 12b such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and the like, so that the recording medium 12b can be read. By setting to 12a, the image forming apparatus 100 can be installed. Since the image forming apparatus 100 includes a data communication I / F 14 that can be connected to a data transmission path (not shown) such as a network, the program is downloaded and installed via an electric communication line such as the Internet. You can also

  So far, the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the processing for determining the provision of functions based on each determination parameter and the control parameter has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to these parameters. The determination parameter only needs to be a real value (numerical value, character string, etc.) that can be acquired from the device information 71, and the determination parameter to be acquired may be changed based on the use restriction desired to be realized in the system. Further, since the control parameter is a control value for controlling the provided function, it is sufficient that a control value according to the determination parameter is prepared.

  Finally, the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown here, such as combinations of other elements with the shapes listed in the above embodiments. With respect to these points, the present invention can be changed within a range that does not detract from the gist of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the software structure of NCS which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of a WS-MFP module group according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of the provision function control which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example (part 1) of a processing procedure of a data transmission / reception operation between the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention and an external device (WSD device). FIG. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example (part 2) of a processing procedure of a data transmission / reception operation between the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention and an external device (WSD device). FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example (part 3) of a processing procedure of a data transmission / reception operation between the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention and an external device (WSD device). FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example (part 4) of a processing procedure of a data transmission / reception operation between the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention and an external device (WSD device). It is a flowchart which shows an example (parameter acquisition / setting process) of the process sequence of the apparatus information acquisition manager which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the apparatus information acquisition request (Get message) which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example (the 1) of the acquired apparatus information (GetResponse message) which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example (the 2) of the acquired apparatus information (GetResponse message) which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example (function provision process) of the process sequence of the apparatus information acquisition manager which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the various determination content based on the parse result which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example (function provision determination process) of the process sequence of the apparatus information acquisition manager which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation content corresponding to the determination result which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the determination result information which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example (function usage request reception process) of the process sequence of the apparatus information acquisition manager which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11 Operation Panel 11a Input Device 11b Display Device 12 Storage Media I / F
12a drive device 12b recording medium 13 controller 13a ROM
13b RAM
13c CPU
14 Data communication I / F
14a interface device 15 scanner 15a image reading device 16 plotter 16a printing device 17 HDD
20 WS-MFP module group 21p WS-Printer (21Sp: server function unit, 21Cp: client function unit)
21s WS-Scanner
22 DFM module (22S: server function part, 22C: client function part)
31 WS-Discovery (31S: server function unit, 31C: client function unit)
32 WS-Transfer (32S: server function unit, 32C: client function unit)
33 WS-MetadataExchange
34 WS-Addressing
35 WSD-Manager
36 Device information acquisition manager 41p Printer DCP (41Sp: server function unit, 41Cp: client function unit)
42 WS-Eventing (42Sp: server function part, 42Cp: client function part)
43 Printer Information Acquisition Manager 50 SOAP (50S: Server Function Unit, 50C: Client Function Unit)
51 IMC
61 Device information data parsing unit 62 Determination parameter holding unit 63 Control parameter setting unit 64 Provided function control unit 65 Determined external device confirmation unit 71 Device information (GetResponse message)
81 Determination result information 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Hardware resource 102 Engine I / F
103 API
110 Software group 111 Printer application 112 Copy application 113 Fax application 114 Scanner application 115 Net file application 116 Process inspection application 117 Distribution application 120 Platform 121 OS
122 SCS
123 SRM
124 ECS
125 MCS
126 OCS
127 FCS
128 NCS
129 IMH
130 Application 140 Start-up unit 150 Control service 200 External device (WSD device)
FUN Data range representing the functions that can be provided M1 Connected device confirmation request (Probe message)
M2 device information acquisition request (Get message)
M3 function provision (permission) response (Hello message)

Claims (13)

A first function for providing device information including application information of the image forming apparatus to the requesting external device in response to the information acquisition request, and a process requested by the application in response to a predetermined processing request An image forming apparatus having at least one second function for executing
The first function is:
Acquisition means for acquiring device information including application information of the external device;
A determination unit that determines whether to provide the second function to the external device based on the device information of the external device acquired by the acquisition unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an activation unit that activates the second function based on a determination result by the determination unit. The determination means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus determines whether or not to provide the second function according to usage restrictions according to characteristics of the external device based on device information of the external device. The first function is:
Having an analysis means for parsing the device information of the external device acquired by the acquisition means;
The determination means includes
The image forming according to claim 2, wherein it is determined whether or not the second function is to be provided based on external device characteristic information indicating the characteristic of the external device acquired from the analysis result by the analysis unit. apparatus. The determination means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus determines whether to provide the second function based on a device type of the external device in the external device characteristic information. The determination means includes
Based on the device type of the external device, when the user requests to use the second function among the external devices to be determined whether to provide the second function, the image forming apparatus If it is determined that there is no device that obtains application information,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus determines that the second function is not provided to the external device. The first function is:
Setting means for setting use restriction information for determining whether or not to provide the second function to the external device;
The determination means includes
6. The method according to claim 3, wherein whether or not to provide the second function is determined based on the external device characteristic information and use restriction information set by the setting unit. The image forming apparatus described in 1. The determination means includes
In the external device characteristic information, the second function is provided based on a comparison result between network group information indicating a network group to which the external device is connected and network group information set as the use restriction information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a determination is made as to whether or not. The determination means includes
In the external device characteristic information, it is determined whether to provide the second function based on a comparison result between vendor information indicating the vendor of the external device and vendor information set as the usage restriction information. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The determination means includes
Based on the comparison result between the function type information indicating the function type realized by the application of the external device and the function type information set as the use restriction information in the external device characteristic information, the second function The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus determines whether or not to provide the image. The determination means includes
In accordance with the decision order determined in advance,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether to provide the second function based on the external device characteristic information and the use restriction information. The first function is:
Comprising information acquisition request means for requesting acquisition of device information of the external device;
The acquisition means includes
11. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein response information transmitted from the external device is acquired as device information of the external device in response to a request from the information acquisition request unit. apparatus. A first function for providing device information including application information of the image forming apparatus to the requesting external device in response to the information acquisition request, and a process requested by the application in response to a predetermined processing request A function providing control method in an image forming apparatus having at least one second function for executing
The first function is:
An acquisition procedure for acquiring device information including application information of the external device;
A determination procedure for determining whether to provide the second function to the external device based on the device information of the external device acquired by the acquisition procedure;
A providing function control method comprising: a starting procedure for starting the second function based on a determination result by the determination procedure. In response to the information acquisition request, a first function for providing provided service information including application information of the image forming apparatus to the requesting external device, and a request requested by the application in response to a predetermined processing request A provided function control program in an image forming apparatus having at least one second function for executing processing,
Computer
Acquisition means for acquiring device information including application information of the external device;
A determination unit that determines whether to provide the second function to the external device based on the device information of the external device acquired by the acquisition unit;
A providing function control program that functions as an activation unit that activates the second function based on a determination result by the determination unit.

Images