JP4065548B2 - Computer and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a computer capable of communicating with a device via a network and a control method thereof.

Conventionally, what is called a directory service has been provided as a method for efficiently discovering and using various resources (printers, servers, scanners, etc.) on a network. The directory service is a telephone directory related to the network, and is used for storing various information. As a specific example of the directory system, there is, for example, LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol). The regulation of LDAP is described in RFC1777 issued by IETF. In addition, as an explanation book, for example, “LDAP Internet Directory Application Programming” was issued on November 1, 1997 by Prentice Hall Co., Ltd. By using this directory service, for example, by searching for devices connected to the network, a list of network addresses of devices available on the network can be obtained. Moreover, there exists patent document 1 as a prior art document.
JP-A-8-6884

  However, in the above conventional example, for example, when searching for a network printer, for example, when searching by specifying various attributes such as whether there is a stapling function or whether there is double-sided printing support, only devices that satisfy all the conditions Is searched. If there is no device that satisfies all the conditions, it is necessary to re-enter the conditions and perform a search again. Further, every time a device on the network is used, such a search operation must be performed one by one, and a more convenient method has been desired.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a computer and a control method therefor, in which even when there is no device that satisfies all the conditions, it is not necessary to reset the conditions and perform a search again. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the computer according to the first invention of the present application is a search condition for searching for a device, and includes a plurality of attributes indicating type data indicating a type of function of the device and functions provided in the device. Input means for inputting search conditions including data, extraction means for extracting the type data from the search conditions input by the input means, and attribute data included in the search conditions input by the input means A transmitting unit that transmits the type data extracted by the extracting unit without transmitting; a receiving unit that receives a search result for a search process for searching for a device that matches the type data transmitted by the transmitting unit; and the search A determination means for determining whether or not there is a device that matches the search condition among the devices included in the results, and the search condition by the determination means. If it is determined that there is a device that matches, the device is displayed, and if it is determined that there is no device that matches the search condition, a part of the plurality of attribute data is satisfied, and the plurality of attribute data With respect to a device that does not satisfy the other part of the plurality of attribute data, the device includes attribute data that the device satisfies among the plurality of attribute data and display means that displays the state of the device side by side.

  The computer according to the second invention of the present application is a search condition for searching for a device, and includes a search condition including type data indicating a function type of the device and a plurality of attribute data indicating the function of the device. An input means for inputting, an extracting means for extracting the type data from the search conditions input by the input means, and the extraction without transmitting attribute data included in the search conditions input by the input means A transmission unit that transmits the type data extracted by the unit, a reception unit that receives a search result for a search process that searches for a device that matches the type data transmitted by the transmission unit, and a device that is included in the search result A determination unit that determines whether there is a device that matches the search condition, and a device that matches the search condition by the determination unit If it is determined that there is no device that matches the search condition, the device is displayed. If it is determined that there is no device that matches the search condition, the device out of the plurality of attribute data. It is characterized by having attribute data which the device does not satisfy and display means for displaying the state of the device side by side.

  According to the present invention, even when there is no device that satisfies all of the conditions, the plurality of devices that satisfy a part of the plurality of attribute data and do not satisfy the other part of the plurality of attribute data. Since the attribute data satisfied by the device and the state of the device are displayed side by side, it is not necessary to reset the condition and perform a search again.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. According to the present invention, a network device having an attribute desired by a user is easily searched, and a search result is displayed in a format easy to understand for the user. This is particularly effective when the user frequently connects the portable computer to the visited network and prints. Details will be apparent from the following description.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration in which the device search system of this embodiment can operate. In the figure, 101 is a color printer, 102 is an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral, which can also be used as a network printer), 103 and 104 are monochrome printers, and 105 is a scanner connected to the network. . Reference numerals 111 and 113 denote a desktop computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) and a notebook computer (hereinafter referred to as a notebook PC), respectively. These devices can execute the device search client program of the present embodiment, issue a device search request that satisfies a desired condition to the device search server, and receive the search result as described later. Display on the display screen. Hereinafter, the PC 111 and the notebook PC 113 that can execute the device search client program are referred to as device search clients 111 and 113, respectively. Reference numeral 112 denotes a PC that can execute the program of the device search server according to the present embodiment, and stores information (database) related to the network devices 101 to 105 as will be described later. A device search from the device search client 111 or 113 is performed. Is accepted and the result is returned. Hereinafter, the PC 112 capable of executing the device search server program is referred to as a device search server 112.

  Among these devices, 101, 102, 103, 111, 112 and 120 are installed on the second floor, and 104 and 105 are installed on the first floor. Since 113 is a notebook PC, it is currently connected to the LAN 100 from the first floor, but may be removed from its portability. Further, the network 100 that connects these devices to each other is connected to the Internet 130 via the firewall 120 and is also connected to other networks 140 via the Internet 130.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the search clients 111 and 113 and the search server 112, which has the same configuration as a general-purpose personal computer. In the figure, reference numeral 200 denotes an entire PC on which device search client software or device search server software (hereinafter collectively referred to as device search software) runs, and is equivalent to 111, 112, or 113 in FIG. is there. The PC 200 includes a CPU 201 that executes device search software stored in a ROM 202 or a hard disk (HD) 211 or supplied from a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive (FD) 212, and is connected to the system bus 204. Control overall. A RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. A keyboard controller (KBC) 205 controls an instruction input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device (not shown). Reference numeral 206 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC), which controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 210. A disk controller (DKC) 207 is used to access a hard disk (HD) 211 and a floppy (registered trademark) disk controller (FD) 212 that store a boot program, various applications, editing files, user files, a network management program, and the like. Control. A network interface card (NIC) 208 bi-directionally exchanges data with a network printer, another network device, or another PC via the LAN 220. The LAN 220 is the same as the LAN 100 in FIG.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the device search server will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram representing the structure of a database related to network devices stored in the search server 112 in a table format. In the search server 112, information in the database 300 is physically stored in the hard disk 211. In the table of the figure, each row represents one network device. Each column includes a device name (301), a printer network address (302), an object class (303) indicating a function type of the device, a device type (304), whether color printing is supported (305), double-sided It indicates whether printing is supported (306) and whether stapling is supported (307).

  Here, the object class (ObjectClass) indicates the function type of the device. For example, if the device is a printer, it is registered as a printer class (printer). Further, if a certain device has a printing function, for example, even if the device is an MFP, it may be registered as a printer class device. On the other hand, the device type indicates the overall function of the device, and here, a single printer and an MFP are distinguished. In the notation from 305 to 307, 1 indicates that it is supported, and 0 indicates that it is not supported. NA indicates that information regarding the attribute is not stored.

  The data shown in FIG. 3 will be described in detail by taking, for example, the device registered in the first row of the table as an example. A device named “Color” exists at the network address 192.168.16.131, and This indicates that the device has a print function and is a single printer as a form, and supports color printing and stapling as attributes, but does not support the duplex printing function. In the present embodiment, the devices in the first to fifth lines shown in FIG. 3 correspond to 101, 102, 103, 104, and 105 in FIG. 1, respectively. The information shown in FIG. 3 is merely an example, and it goes without saying that the information stored in the search server 112 may further include additional information such as the installation location.

  Next, the operation of the device search server 112 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the device search server 112. The determination and execution of these series of processes are performed by the CPU 201 in the device search server in terms of hardware. When the device search server 112 is activated, first, in step S401, a reception port for accepting a device search request from a device search client is opened. With this operation, when a search request from the device search client is received, the operating system issues a reception event, and the reception of the search request is notified to the program. Next, the process proceeds to step S402 and waits until an event is notified from the operating system. If any event is notified, the event is acquired and the process proceeds to the next step. In the next step S403, it is determined whether or not the event acquired in step S402 is a system shutdown event by the user. If it is a shutdown event, the reception port is closed in step S408, and then the program is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S403 that the event is not a shutdown event, the process advances to step S404 to determine whether it is an inquiry reception event from the device search client. If it is an inquiry reception event, the process proceeds to step S405, and an appropriate device is selected by comparing the search condition acquired in the event with the database shown in FIG. In subsequent step S406, the search result obtained in step S405 is returned to the device search client. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S407 that the event is not an inquiry reception event, the process proceeds to step S407, and processing other than the shutdown event or the inquiry reception event, for example, updating of the display screen is performed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the database search operation in step S405 in FIG. 4 in more detail. Briefly explaining the whole, in the database search step of the present embodiment, when the device search client designates a plurality of search conditions, a method of processing the search conditions one by one is adopted. That is the outer loop that returns from step S501 to NO in step S501. The inner loop that returns from the NO determination in step S504 and returns to step S504 is for scanning all registration information in the database for one search condition. Hereinafter, each step will be described in detail. In the database search operation, it is determined in step S501 whether all search conditions have been processed. If all the conditions have been processed, the process proceeds to step S502, and the search result is returned to the upper program. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S501 that all the search conditions have not been processed, the process proceeds to step S503, and one search condition is extracted from the information received from the device search client.

  In step S504, it is determined whether all the databases 300 related to the network device described in FIG. 3 have been scanned. If it is determined that the scanning has been completed, the process returns to step S501 to process the next search condition. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S504 that the database 300 has not been scanned, the process proceeds to step S505. In step S505, data for one device is extracted from the database 300. In subsequent step S506, it is determined whether or not the data extracted in step S505 matches the search condition. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S507. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S506 that the data extracted in step S505 does not match the search condition, the process returns to step S504, and processing is continued for the next device information registered in the database 300. In step S507, the device name 301, the network address 302, the device type 304, the color 305, the duplex printing 306, and the staple 307 are extracted from the information on the device determined to match the search condition in step S506, and in step S508. Add to search results. When the process of step S508 is completed, the process returns to step S504 to continue scanning the next data.

  In the following description of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the client requests “a device whose object class is a printer” as a search condition. FIG. 6 shows a search result obtained by searching the database 300 based on the search conditions. In the figure, in the search result 600, there are four devices that match the condition that the object class is “printer”, and for each, a device name 601, a network address 602, a device type 603, no color function 604, Information on whether there is a double-sided printing function 605 and whether there is a stapling function 606 is shown.

  Next, the operation of the device search client will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a client screen display before a device search is performed. In the figure, various types of information are displayed in a window 700. Reference numeral 701 denotes a search menu. When the user selects this menu using the keyboard 209 or a pointing device (not shown), the device search server is inquired whether there is a device that matches the condition. Reference numeral 702 denotes a new addition menu. When the user selects this menu, a dialog (not shown) is displayed, and a desired search condition is input there. A new search icon corresponding to the input search condition is created and displayed in the column 703. In the example of FIG. 7, the icon displayed in 703 is in the form of a printer, indicating that the object class is a printer as a search condition, and a question mark is displayed on the icon. It is still unknown whether there is a device that matches the condition on the network. Reference numeral 704 denotes a column indicating the device status, and reference numeral 706 denotes a column indicating the device address, both of which are displayed as unknown. Reference numeral 705 displays information related to device attributes among the input search conditions.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a condition table storing search conditions specified on the display screen of FIG. 7 and search condition data for making an inquiry to the device search server. When a search condition is input by the user, a conditional expression (802) is created corresponding to the condition name C1 (801). Conditional expression 802 shows an example in which a condition is expressed using a notation based on the provisions of RFC1960 issued by IETF. The object class is a printer (first line), and color printing is possible as an attribute (second line). ), A device capable of duplex printing (third line) and stapling (fourth line) is designated. Reference numeral 803 denotes search condition data for inquiring to the device search server. As will be described later regarding the operation of the device search client, only the condition that the object class is a printer is shown as the condition for inquiring the server because only the object class is extracted from the search condition and inquired. The search condition data shown in FIG. 8 is stored in the hard disk 211.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device search clients 111 and 113. Note that a device search client program can be executed on the device search server 112. First, an outline of the operation of the device search client program will be described. The system waits for an event until the system is terminated, and operates as an event-driven program for processing the event when the event occurs. The main events are a system end event, a device search request event, and a device search result reception event. Hereinafter, the individual steps will be described in detail.

  When the search client is activated, it waits until an event occurs in step S901. If an event occurs, the event is acquired and the process proceeds to step S902. In step S902, it is determined whether or not the event acquired in step S901 is that the user has issued a system termination command using the keyboard 209 or a pointing device (not shown). If it is determined that the user has issued a termination command, the program is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S902 that the event is not an end command issue event, the process advances to step S903. In step S903, it is determined whether the event acquired in step S901 is due to the user selecting a search menu 701 and issuing a device search command. If the event is an issuance of a device search command, the process advances to step S904 to transmit a device search request to the device search server 112. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S903 that the event is not caused by issuing a device search command, the process proceeds to step S905. In step S905, it is determined whether the event acquired in step S901 is an event due to reception of a search result response from the device search server 112 in response to the transmission of the device search request transmitted in step S904. If it is determined that the response has been received, the process advances to step S906 to display the received search result on the window 700. Further, the device attribute data displayed in the window 700 is stored as a logical device, and the search condition is updated (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 11). When the process of step S906 ends, the process returns to step S901 to wait for the next event.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S905 that the event is not a response reception, the process proceeds to step S907 and other processing is performed. The other processing is, for example, redrawing the screen when the program is started or when the user moves the window on the screen. When the process of step S907 is completed, the process returns to step S901 to wait for the next event.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating in detail the search request operation S904 in the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1001, the RAM 203 is accessed, and the search conditions stored in advance as described with reference to FIG. 8 are acquired. In the subsequent step S1002, only the conditions relating to the object class are extracted from the search conditions and transmitted to the search server 112, and a search for a network device is requested.

  In this embodiment, the address of the device search server is known in advance by, for example, writing a value input by the user using the keyboard 209 to the hard disk 211 and reading it, but is not limited thereto. It is not something. As another method, for example, a method such as a tuple space in the programming language Linda may be used to acquire from the network. There are various papers and explanations about the programming language Linda, for example, “D. Gelernter,“ General Communication in Linda ”, ACM Transactions on Programming Languages and Systems, volume 7, p. And the like.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating in detail the search result display operation S906 in the flowchart of FIG. In the search result display operation, in step S1101, the received search result is examined to determine whether or not there is a device that completely matches the search condition temporarily stored in the hard disk 211. If there is even one device that completely matches the condition, the process proceeds to step S1102. In step S1102, the CRTC 206 is operated to rewrite the screen, and a dialog box (not shown) or the like is displayed to indicate that there is a perfect match. In the subsequent step S1103, TRUE is substituted for a temporary variable fExist indicating whether or not there is a perfect match in order to store that it is a perfect match. When the process of step S1103 is completed, the process proceeds to step S1106. On the other hand, if no device completely matches the condition in step S1101, the process proceeds to step S1104. In step S1104, the CRTC 206 is operated to display a dialog box (not shown) or the like to indicate that there is an incomplete match. In the subsequent step S1105, FALSE is substituted for the temporary variable fExist in order to store the fact that the match is incomplete. When the process of step S1105 is completed, the process merges with step S1106.

  The loop which returns to step S1106 again through NO determination from step S1106 processes all the device information included in the received search result (search result 600 shown in FIG. 6) one by one (whether the search condition is satisfied). This is a loop for determining, displaying, etc.). In step S1106, it is determined whether all device information included in the received search result has been processed. If it is determined that all processing has been completed, the entire processing is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1106 that all the received information has not yet been processed, the process proceeds to step S1107, and one piece of information is extracted from one or more received device information. In subsequent step S1108, the processing is divided depending on whether the value of fExist substituted in step S1103 or step S1105 is TRUE or FALSE. If fExist is TRUE, that is, if there is a device that completely matches the condition, the process advances to step S1109. Since some of the received device information does not completely match the search condition, only device information that completely matches the condition is selected. The selection is performed in step S1109. In step S1109, it is determined whether the device information acquired in step S1107 completely satisfies the search condition 802 stored in the hard disk 211. If not completely matched, the process returns to step S1106, and if completely satisfied, the process proceeds to step S1110. In step S1110, the CRTC 206 is controlled to rewrite the window 700 and display device information obtained from the search result. When the process of step S1110 is completed, the process proceeds to step S1114.

  Now, a process when fExist is FALSE in step S1108 will be described below. If it is determined in step S1108 that fExist is FALSE, the process advances to step S1111. In this case, the received search results include various device information such as devices that do not match the search condition 801 and devices that partially match, except that the object class matches. ing. It is desirable for the user to select and display only as important information as possible from such information. It is step S1111 that performs the determination for that purpose. Here, out of the three designated search conditions (colored, double-sided, and stapled) that match two or more conditions, that is, N-1 conditions out of N conditions may match. In this case, it is determined that “a certain standard or more is met”. It goes without saying that the criteria for the matching conditions such as N-2 or N-3 may be set as appropriate.

  In step S1111, whether the device information acquired in step S1107 satisfies two or more of the three attributes (colored, double-sided, and stapled) of the search condition 801 stored in the hard disk 211. Judge whether. If it is determined that two or more attributes are satisfied, the process advances to step S1112. In step S1112, the attributes that are not satisfied are checked. In a succeeding step S1113, the CRTC 206 is controlled to update the screen, the device information is displayed together with the unsatisfied condition checked in the step S1112, and the process proceeds to the step S1114. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1111 that two or more attributes are not satisfied, the process returns to step S1106.

  In step S <b> 1114, attribute data related to the device for which display processing has been completed in step S <b> 1110 or step S <b> 1113 is stored in the hard disk 211 as logical device data. This logical device data is stored in a format as shown in FIGS. This logical device data stores information related to the device (IP address, driver information, etc.), and the user executes device services such as printing using this logical device data. For example, a UNIX (registered trademark) (TM) operation system printcap file (printer management file referred to when an lpd program serving as a print resident program executes a print job) or a Microsoft operating system Windows (registered trademark) This corresponds to the 98 (TM) printer icon. Thereafter, in step S1115, a search condition is extracted from the attribute data of the device being processed, and if there is no identical condition in the search condition table in the hard disk 211, it is added to the search condition table as a new search condition. Note that if the same logical device data is already stored, no new storage is performed. When the process of step S1115 ends, the process returns to step S1106.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display of the device search client after the search operation is completed. In the example of the figure, a result of a device search using a search condition with an object class of a printer, a color printing function, a duplex printing function, and a stapling function is shown. An area 708 in which devices that completely match the display and conditions are displayed and an area 709 in which devices that do not completely match the conditions but are close to the conditions are displayed. In this example, since there is no device that completely matches the condition, an X mark indicating that there is no device that completely matches is displayed on the icon of the device field 703 in the area 708. The fields 704 to 706 have the same display as before the search execution.

  In the area 709, devices having device names “Color-kun” and “Second-floor high-speed machine” are displayed as devices close to the search condition. The status field 704 displays that the network address can be used when the network address can be acquired from the search result. In the detail field 705, the attributes of the device that match the search conditions are displayed, and the attributes that are not satisfied are displayed in parentheses. In the address field 706, the IP address of the device is displayed.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the condition table is updated after the device search is completed. Conditions C2 and C3 are added in comparison with FIG. 8 showing the state before the end of the search. The conditions C2 and C3 are extracted from the attribute data of the searched devices “color-kun” and “second-floor high-speed machine”. The object class is a printer, color printing is possible, and stapling is possible. A device and a device whose object class is a printer and capable of duplex printing and capable of stapling are added.

  FIGS. 14 and 15 are tables showing logical device data stored in the search clients 111 and 113. FIG. This example is a table related to devices whose object class is “printer” (hereinafter referred to as a printer table), and is held in the hard disk 211 in step S114. FIG. 14 shows the state of the printer table before the search is performed. The device name 1401, the network address 1402, the device type 1403, and the attributes 1404 to 1406 are held as a set of data. Here, the value of each attribute data represents “1” indicating the presence of the attribute and “0” indicating the absence of the attribute. In this example, since the device name of the device name “high-speed color machine” is held, the user can perform processing such as printing on the “high-speed color machine” without searching. FIG. 15 shows the state of the printer table after the search is completed, and devices with device names “color-kun” and “second-floor high-speed machine” are newly added. Thereafter, the user can use these devices without searching.

  In this example, the logical device data of a device whose object class is “printer” has been described. However, the table of logical device data of a device whose object class is another type, for example, “scanner” or “facsimile” is also described. Are created and maintained separately. FIG. 16 is a screen display example of the device search client after executing a search and before executing a new search. Two search conditions corresponding to the conditions C2 and C3 in the condition table shown in FIG. 13 are added, thereby saving the user from inputting new conditions.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the attribute data of the device that satisfies all of the conditions specified by the user and the close device that satisfies some of the conditions is stored as the logical device, so that the subsequent search is not performed. The device can be used. Furthermore, even if a device that satisfies all of the conditions specified by the user is not found, the search conditions are extracted and stored from nearby devices that satisfy some of the conditions. Can be omitted.

  The network device control program according to the present invention may be executed by the PC 200 by a program installed from the outside. In that case, the program stores an information group including the program from an external storage medium using a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, or via a network such as electronic mail or personal computer communication. The present invention can be applied even when it is supplied to the PC 200 by being loaded on top.

  FIG. 17 is an example of a memory map of a storage medium in which a program according to this embodiment is stored. Here, a CD-ROM is assumed as the storage medium. Reference numeral 9999 denotes an area in which directory information is stored, and indicates positions of an area 9998 in which subsequent installation programs are stored and an area 9997 in which network device control programs are stored. An area 9998 stores an installation program. Reference numeral 9997 denotes an area where a network device control program is stored. When the network control program of the present invention is installed in the PC 200, the installation program stored in the area 9998 where the installation program is stored is first loaded into the system and executed by the CPU 201. Next, the installation program executed by the CPU 201 reads the network device control program from the area 9997 where the network device control program is stored, and stores it in the hard disk 211.

  Note that the present invention may be applied to a system or an integrated device including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, etc.) or an apparatus including a single device.

  In addition, a storage medium in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program code in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like is used. be able to.

  In addition, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer, and the OS running on the computer is part of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. The CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.

  The present invention can also be applied to a case where the program is distributed to a requester via a communication line such as personal computer communication from a storage medium in which a program code of software realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded. Needless to say.

The figure which shows the structure of the network in which the network device search system of this embodiment can operate | move. The block diagram which showed an example of the structure of a device search server and a device search client. The figure which shows an example of the device information which a device search server has. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of a device search server. The flowchart which shows the database search operation | movement of a device search server. The figure which shows an example of the search result which a device search server outputs. The figure which shows an example of the screen display of the device search client in the time before a device search. The figure which shows an example of the search conditions currently hold | maintained at the device search client, and an inquiry condition. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of a device search client. The flowchart which shows the search request | requirement operation | movement of a device search client. The flowchart which shows the search result display operation | movement of a device search client. The figure which shows an example of the screen display of a device search client. The figure which shows an example of the search condition table hold | maintained at the device search client. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a logical printer table (before search) held in a device search client. The figure which shows an example of the logical printer table (after a search) hold | maintained at the device search client. The figure which shows an example of the screen display (after search execution) of a device search client. The figure which shows the memory map in the storage medium of the device search software of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100 LAN
101 Color printer 102 MFP
103 Monochrome Printer 104 Monochrome Printer 105 Scanner 111 Device Search Client (Desktop PC)
112 Device Search Server 113 Device Search Client (Notebook PC)
120 Firewall 130 Internet 140 Other networks

Claims (8)

An input means for inputting a search condition for searching for a device, including type data indicating a type of a function of the device and a plurality of attribute data indicating a function included in the device;
Extraction means for extracting the type data from the search conditions input by the input means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the type data extracted by the extracting means without transmitting the attribute data included in the search condition input by the input means;
Receiving means for receiving a search result for a search process for searching for a device that matches the type data transmitted by the transmitting means;
Determining means for determining whether or not there is a device that matches the search condition among the devices included in the search results;
If the determination unit determines that there is a device that matches the search condition, the device is displayed. If it is determined that there is no device that matches the search condition, a part of the plurality of attribute data is displayed. Regarding a device that satisfies and does not satisfy another part of the plurality of attribute data, a display unit that displays attribute data that the device satisfies among the plurality of attribute data and a state of the device side by side;
A computer comprising: An input means for inputting a search condition for searching for a device, including type data indicating a type of a function of the device and a plurality of attribute data indicating a function included in the device;
Extraction means for extracting the type data from the search conditions input by the input means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the type data extracted by the extracting means without transmitting the attribute data included in the search condition input by the input means;
Receiving means for receiving a search result for a search process for searching for a device that matches the type data transmitted by the transmitting means;
Determining means for determining whether or not there is a device that matches the search condition among the devices included in the search results;
If the determination unit determines that there is a device that matches the search condition, the device is displayed. If it is determined that there is no device that matches the search condition, a part of the plurality of attribute data is displayed. With respect to a device that does not satisfy, display means for displaying the attribute data that the device does not satisfy among the plurality of attribute data and the state of the device side by side;
A computer comprising: A second determination unit configured to determine whether or not the attribute data not less than a predetermined reference is satisfied for a device that satisfies a part of the plurality of attribute data and does not satisfy the other part of the plurality of attribute data; In addition,
The display means displays the attribute data satisfied by the device and the state of the device side by side with respect to a device viewing attribute data exceeding a predetermined reference by the second determination means. Item 4. The computer according to item 1.   The display means displays a network address of a device that satisfies the search condition or a device that satisfies a part of the plurality of attribute data and does not satisfy another part of the plurality of attribute data. The computer according to claim 1.   The type data is information indicating whether or not the device has a printing function, and the attribute data includes whether or not the device has a color printing function, whether or not the device has a duplex printing function, and a stapling function. 5. The computer according to claim 1, wherein the computer is at least any one of information indicating whether or not the computer has the information.   A communication unit that communicates via a network with a server that holds information on a plurality of devices existing on the network, wherein the transmission unit transmits the search request to the server; and the reception unit includes the server The computer according to claim 1, wherein the computer receives a search result of a search process executed in step 1. A control method for controlling a computer,
Based on an instruction from the user, the computer inputs a search condition for searching for a device, which includes type data indicating the type of function of the device and a plurality of attribute data indicating the function of the device. An input process to
From the search conditions input in the input step, the extraction step in which the computer extracts the type data;
A transmission step in which the computer transmits the type data extracted in the extraction step without transmitting the attribute data included in the search condition input in the input step;
A reception step in which the computer receives a search result for a search process for searching for a device that matches the type data transmitted in the transmission step;
A step of determining whether the computer includes a device that matches the search condition among the devices included in the search result;
When it is determined by the determination step that there is a device that matches the search condition, the computer displays the device on the display unit of the computer, and when it is determined that there is no device that matches the search condition , For a device that satisfies a part of the plurality of attribute data and does not satisfy another part of the plurality of attribute data, the attribute data that the device satisfies among the plurality of attribute data and the state of the device are arranged side by side A display control process to be displayed on the display unit;
A computer control method comprising: A control method for controlling a computer,
Based on an instruction from the user, the computer inputs a search condition for searching for a device, which includes type data indicating the type of function of the device and a plurality of attribute data indicating the function of the device. An input process to
From the search conditions input in the input step, the extraction step in which the computer extracts the type data;
A transmission step in which the computer transmits the type data extracted in the extraction step without transmitting the attribute data included in the search condition input in the input step;
A receiving step in which the computer receives a search result for a search process for searching for a device that matches the type data transmitted in the transmission step, and the computer includes the search condition in the devices included in the search result. A determination step for determining whether there is a matching device; and
When it is determined by the determination step that there is a device that matches the search condition, the computer displays the device on the display unit of the computer, and when it is determined that there is no device that matches the search condition A display control step of displaying, on the display unit, the attribute data that the device does not satisfy among the plurality of attribute data and the state of the device in relation to a device that does not satisfy the other part of the plurality of attribute data;
A computer control method comprising:

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