JP2005169998A - Information processing device, information processing system using the same, and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing device in which processes can be added according to order of priority without providing management mechanism in an application level according to different types of applications, and processes of different priority can be readily requested from a client side. <P>SOLUTION: The information processing device gives priorities to different types of information processing requests transmitted via a logical network and executes the information processing requests. The objective is achieved by providing the following in the device: an information acquisition means for acquiring unique information individually given to the logical network through which the information processing requests are transmitted; a prioritizing means for giving priorities to the information processing requests to be processed in accordance with the unique information acquired by the information acquisition means; and an information processing means for processing the information processing requests transmitted via the logical network according to the priorities given by the prioritizing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention has a function of scanning an image and transmitting the scanned image information to the outside via a network, such as a general server that provides information to other devices such as a Web server and an FTP server. Network scanner device equipped, network printer device equipped with a function to print image information received via the network, or copier, printer, facsimile equipped with a Web server function, FTP server function, etc. An information processing apparatus having a communication function for communicating with another apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral and providing information to the other apparatus or receiving an information processing request from another apparatus, and an information processing apparatus With regard to information processing systems using information processing and information processing programs, it is particularly easy to request processes with different priorities. It is an information processing apparatus, and information processing system using the same, and an information processing program.

JP 2003-134156 A JP 2003-46563 A

  Conventionally, information processing devices such as scanner devices that scan and read the above images, printer devices that print based on image information, or multifunction devices that have functions such as copiers, printers, and facsimiles have been used in offices. It is connected to a personal computer or the like as a client terminal to several tens of client terminals, and is used for reading and printing an image.

  However, in recent years, the usage environment of these scanner devices, printer devices, and information processing devices such as multifunction peripherals is rapidly changing. The information processing apparatus such as the scanner apparatus, the printer apparatus, or the multifunction apparatus is connected to a personal computer or the like as several to tens of client terminals in an office or the like, and is used for reading and printing an image. In addition, the next-generation information processing apparatuses are strongly required to support multimedia and the like. As a result, information processing devices such as the scanner device, printer device, and multifunction device are equipped with a function of communicating information such as a Web (HTTP: HyperText Transfer Protocol) server function and an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server function. , Between the head office and branch offices (BtoB), between the company and an unspecified number of users (BtoC), or between a plurality of specified or unspecified users (CtoC) via a network environment such as the Internet However, a wide variety of information processing services such as processing for transmitting scanned image information to the outside via a network and receiving and printing image information sent via the network are being provided.

  On the other hand, a general server device equipped with a function for providing information such as the Web server function or the FTP server function originally provides various information to an unspecified number of users. The supply range is also expanding rapidly.

  More specifically, in recent years, not only companies but also individuals have built their own websites using the Internet infrastructure, and have made public as homepages for information transmission. Access to the Web site is performed by inputting a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) that is an address of the Web site from a Web browser on a personal computer. The URL is input, for example, in the format of “http: // <host>: <port> / <path>”. Normally, the host portion described by <host> is not an IP (Internet Protocol) address, but a host name described by FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) is often used. The type of website can be recognized. For example, it can be easily understood that the host name “www. @@@@. Co.jp” is a website of @@@@ Corporation.

  In addition, recently, not only homepage opening services provided by ISPs (Internet Service Providers) but also individual users have acquired domain names and opened Web sites using domain names. That is, in the case of ISP, the host provides the host name from the <host> part, while the <host> uses the one provided by the ISP and uses the subdirectory for the user as part of the <path>. It has become possible to use. For example, if a domain name “uchida-masaki.com” for a certain user can be acquired, a website “www.uchida-masaki.com” can be constructed. In addition to companies such as corporations, it has become possible for information providers to be made easier at the individual level.

  As described above, in an environment where an information processing device such as the network compatible scanner device, printer device, multifunction device, or general server device is used, the information processing device includes a Web server function or an FTP server. Equipped with functions that provide information such as functions, it can be used for various information processing requests such as transmission requests for scanned image information, print requests for image information, or requests for providing desired information from an unspecified number of users. There is a need to respond.

  By the way, in the information processing apparatus such as the network-compatible scanner device, printer device, multifunction device, or general server device, a transmission request for scanned image information from an unspecified number or a specific user, an image When there is an information print request or an information provision request, if there are not many information provision requests, there will be no problem even if they are processed individually, but the information provision requests are expected to increase rapidly. In the present situation, in order to preferentially process a request from a specific user in some form, it is desired to process with a priority.

  However, the conventional technique has the following problems. That is, in the case of the above-described prior art, a function for performing processing based on priority is added to an information processing apparatus that performs transmission processing of scanned image information, print processing of image information, and the like according to an arbitrary application. Has a problem that a management mechanism for managing the priority level at the application level is required for each application, and it is very complicated to execute the processing to which the priority level is assigned.

  In addition, the requesting information processing apparatus that requests transmission processing of image information scanned via a network and printing processing of image information also has a different instruction method for each application, and therefore simply requests processing based on priority. It has the problem that it cannot be done. Here, examples of applications to which specific priorities are given include image processing (image format conversion, compression / expansion, show-through removal, color conversion, etc.), printing processing (IPP: Internet Printing Protocol, etc.) Printing process). The process for receiving a request from the client terminal via the network is not limited to the image information transmission process or the print process as long as the priority order is given. Needless to say, all the optional processes such as the above processes are included.

  Furthermore, when accepting an information processing request via a network such as the Internet, traffic is used not only in the conventional IPv4 (Internet protocol, version 4) communication but also in the recent IPv6 (same version 6) communication. In communication quality (QoS: Quality of Service) such as a class and a flow label, the processing is simply performed based on the priority order at the IPv6 communication level, and processing corresponding to different types of applications cannot be performed. Has a point.

  Therefore, as techniques related to the above problems, for example, those disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2003-134156 and 2003-46563 have been proposed.

  The communication processing device according to the above Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-134156 is a communication processing device that receives a data packet through a communication network and executes packet processing. Based on transmission source information acquired from the received packet, A packet prioritization processing unit for setting a priority of packet processing, a packet storage unit for holding a packet in which priority is set in the packet prioritization processing unit, and a packet stored in the packet storage unit A packet scheduling processing unit that outputs based on scheduling information set for each priority set in the packet prioritization processing unit.

  The VoIP communication processing apparatus according to the above Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-46563 is a VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) system that performs at least voice packet transmission, data transmission / reception, and session control via an IP (Internet Protocol) network. A means for measuring the packet flow rate of each of the voice system session and the data system session, a means for monitoring and measuring the CPU resources in the own system, and at the time of packet congestion and at the time of detecting an increase in processing capacity load. And a control means for dynamically changing the priority processing of the packet processing and the voice codec type and the packet transmission cycle.

  However, in the case of the technique disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-134156 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-46563, the packet prioritization processing unit includes a packet storage unit that holds packets with priorities set. Or control means for dynamically changing the priority processing of packet processing for each session and the dynamic change of the voice codec type and the packet transmission cycle. Although it is possible to perform preferential processing, multiple applications of different types such as image information transmission processing, image information print processing, or information provision processing scanned via the network can be used. There is a problem that processing according to priority cannot be performed.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object of the invention is to provide priority without providing a management mechanism at the application level according to different types of applications. It is possible to add processing based on the order, and it is possible to easily request processing with different priorities from the client side, and to easily process the received information processing request according to the priority order. It is an object to provide a possible information processing apparatus, an information processing system using the same, and an information processing program.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention described in claim 1 assigns priority to information processing requests of different types sent via a logical network and executes the information processing requests. In an information processing device,
Information acquisition means for acquiring unique information individually assigned to the logical network to which the information processing request has been sent;
Based on the specific information acquired by the information acquisition means, a priority order giving means for giving priority to the information processing request to be processed;
An information processing apparatus comprising: information processing means for processing an information processing request sent via the logical network in accordance with the priority assigned by the priority assigning means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus for requesting desired information processing by assigning priorities to other information processing apparatuses via a logical network.
Priority order determining means for determining a priority order of desired information processing for requesting processing to the other information processing apparatus;
Logical network selection means for selecting a logical network to which specific information is individually assigned in order to transmit the desired information processing based on the priority order determined by the priority order determination means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit a desired information processing request via the logical network selected by the logical network selection unit.

  Furthermore, the invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that the setting for adding a new function is executed in addition to the priority order by individually specifying the logical network. Information processing apparatus.

  The invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that the selection of the logical network is dynamically performed by an IPv6 address or a combination of an IPv4 address and a port number. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

  Furthermore, the invention described in claim 5 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising response means for responding to the relationship between the logical network and the priority order.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information processing apparatus according to the second aspect, further comprising inquiry means for inquiring about a relationship between the logical network and the priority order.

  Furthermore, the invention described in claim 7 is provided with charging means for determining the amount of charging when the information processing request is executed in accordance with the priority order given by the priority order giving means. The information processing apparatus according to Item 1.

  The invention described in claim 8 is characterized in that the priority order assigning means assigns a priority order based on priority order information included in a name assigned to the logical network. The information processing apparatus described.

Furthermore, the invention described in claim 9 is an information processing apparatus that assigns priorities to information processing requests of different types sent via a logical network and executes the information processing requests, In an information processing system comprising an information processing device that gives priority to another information processing device via a logical network and requests desired information processing,
An information processing apparatus that executes the information processing request is:
Information acquisition means for acquiring unique information individually assigned to the logical network to which the information processing request has been sent;
Based on the specific information acquired by the information acquisition means, a priority order giving means for giving priority to the information processing request to be processed;
An information processing means for processing an information processing request sent via the logical network in accordance with the priority assigned by the priority assignment means;
An information processing apparatus that requests the information processing is:
Priority order determining means for determining a priority order of desired information processing for requesting processing to the other information processing apparatus;
Logical network selection means for selecting a logical network to which specific information is individually assigned in order to transmit the desired information processing based on the priority order determined by the priority order determination means;
An information processing system comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit a desired information processing request via the logical network selected by the logical network selection unit.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing program for assigning priorities to information processing requests of different types sent via a logical network and executing the information processing requests by a computer device. In
An information acquisition step of acquiring unique information individually assigned to the logical network to which the information processing request has been sent;
A priority assignment step for assigning a priority to the information processing request to be processed based on the unique information acquired by the information acquisition step;
An information processing program comprising: an information processing step for processing an information processing request sent via the logical network according to the priority order assigned by the priority order assigning step.

Furthermore, the invention described in claim 11 is an information processing program for requesting desired information processing by a computer device by assigning priorities to other information processing devices via a logical network.
A priority order determining step for determining a priority order of desired information processing for requesting processing to the other information processing apparatus;
A logical network selection step of selecting a logical network to which specific information is individually assigned in order to transmit the desired information processing based on the priority order determined by the priority order determination step;
An information processing program comprising: a transmission step of transmitting a desired information processing request via the logical network selected in the logical network selection step.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to add processing based on priority without providing a management mechanism at the application level according to different types of applications, and from the client side, processing with different priorities can be easily performed. It is possible to provide an information processing apparatus capable of requesting and easily processing received information processing requests according to priority, an information processing system using the same, and an information processing program it can.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1
1 is a block diagram showing an information processing system to which an information processing apparatus and an information processing program according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention are applied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes a multifunction peripheral (multifunction machine: MF machine) 2 as an information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and an information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The client terminal 3 is composed of a personal computer or the like, and a logical network 4 that connects the multi-function device 2 and the client terminal 3. The multifunction machine 2 also has a function as a server-side terminal. The client terminal 3 is basically used by a user, but the client terminal 3 may function as an information provider in some cases. For convenience, only one client terminal 3 is shown, but the number of client terminals 3 is not limited, and it is a matter of course that any plurality of client terminals 3 may be connected to the logical network 4. It is. In addition, the multifunction device 2 and the client terminal 3 are not limited to the form in which the multifunction device 2 and the client terminal 3 are connected via the logical network 4, and a plurality of multifunction devices 2 as information processing devices, server devices and client terminals (not shown), and the like are connected to the logical network 4. It may be connected via.

  The logical network 4 includes, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark), wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), general telephone line, ADSL (Asymmetoric Digital Subscriber Line), ISDN (Integrated Switched Digital Network), etc. In addition, the Internet constructed through these networks is also included. Here, the logical network is a network that connects a plurality of information processing devices so that they can communicate with each other, and specifies the information processing device of the other party to communicate with based on unique information individually assigned to the logical network. It is possible to communicate. Typical information individually assigned to the logical network is an IPv6 (Internet Protocol, version 6) address or IPv4 (same version 4) address and port defined in the Internet. By specifying the combination of the IPv6 address or the IPv4 address and the port number, it is possible to communicate with a specific information processing apparatus via the Internet as a logical network. Information can be received from the information processing apparatus.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction device 2 includes a scanner device 6 that reads an image of a document on the upper portion of the multifunction device body 5. The document image data read by the scanner device 6 is converted into image format conversion, compression / expansion, show-through removal, color conversion (brightness / color space conversion), shading correction, and positional deviation by an image processor (not shown). Predetermined image processing such as correction, gamma correction, frame erasing, and color / movement editing is performed.

  Further, the multifunction device 2 includes a multifunction module (hereinafter referred to as “MF module”) 7 in the multifunction device main body 5, and the MF module 7 stores images read by the scanner device 6. Based on image data sent via the logical network 4 or facsimile image data sent via a general telephone line, etc., image data transmission / reception, and copy and print processing based on the image data are performed. Configured to do. The MF module 7 forms a black and white or color image by, for example, an electrophotographic method, but is not limited to this, and forms an image by an arbitrary method such as an electrostatic recording method or an inkjet recording method. It includes things that perform.

  A display operation unit 8 is provided on the upper part of the multi-function device body 5. For example, the display operation unit 8 is for displaying a screen for setting a site, setting a scan or print, or searching a home page, or giving an instruction for opening a site, scanning or printing. In addition to the display operation unit 8, an operation panel for performing basic operations such as a copy instruction may be provided at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the main body.

  Further, as will be described later, the MFP 2 is connected to a site managed by the priority management unit from an external device such as a client terminal 3 connected to the logical network 4 via the network interface unit. It can be accessed.

  In this multifunction device 2, when accessing the multifunction device 2 from an external information processing apparatus such as the client terminal 3 or another multifunction device via the network interface unit, IPv4 (Internet Protocol, Version 4) or , Communication is performed using a protocol such as IPv6 (same, version 6). Here, when IPv4 is used, one IP address is assigned corresponding to one network interface unit. However, when IPv6 is used instead of IPv4, a plurality of network interfaces are assigned to one network interface unit. Can be assigned. Therefore, when using IPv4, it functions as one information processing apparatus on the transmission side and one reception side by one IP address and one port number of the IPv4, and information from an unspecified number of information processing apparatuses. Reception is possible. On the other hand, when using IPv6, a plurality of IP addresses can be assigned, and the plurality of IP addresses can function as a plurality of transmission side and reception side information processing apparatuses. In addition, information can be received from an unspecified number of information processing apparatuses.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 2 has “129.249.10.3” as the IPv4 address and “fe80 :: 2b0: d0ff: fed: 1afd” as the IPv6 address, respectively. In addition, the MFP 2 additionally adds “fec0 :: 0001: 2b0: d0ff: fed: 1afd”, “fec0 :: 0002: 2b0: d0ff: fed: 1afd” as IPv6 addresses, “Fec0 :: 0003: 2b0: d0ff: fede: 1afd”... Are individually assigned.

  The client terminal 3 is assigned “129.249.10.4” as the IPv4 address and “fe80 :: 2b0 :: d0ff: fed: 1aff” as the IPv6 address.

  If the MFP 2 or the client terminal 3 is connected to an external network such as the Internet as well as the internal network 4 such as in-house or on the premises, it is necessary to take measures against viruses and hackers. Thus, it is desirable to install in advance the software that will serve as a vaccine in the multifunction device 2 or add a firewall function or the like to the network interface unit of the multifunction device 2.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the client terminal 4 is composed of, for example, a personal computer (PC), a terminal body 40, a display device 42 such as a CRT (cathode ray tube) or a liquid crystal panel, a keyboard, and the like. And an input instruction device 44 such as a mouse. In addition to basic software (operating system: OS), application software necessary for performing various information processing is installed in the terminal body 40. In the application software, the MFP 2 is accessed via the network interface unit, and the MFP 2 requests desired information processing, or predetermined information (Web page) provided by the information provider. So-called browser software (Web browser) is included. Among application software, software for performing print processing by the multifunction device 2 by IPP or the like, software for inputting image data read by the scanner device 6 of the multifunction device 2, or scanner device of the multifunction device 2 Also included is software that performs desired image processing on the image data read in step 6 and outputs the image data to another information processing apparatus. In this embodiment, one IP address is assigned to one network interface unit in both IPv4 and IPv6 due to the fact that only one IP address is required on the client terminal 3 side.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram functionally displaying the MF module 7 of the multifunction machine 2 as the information processing apparatus according to this embodiment together with the hardware configuration. Therefore, in FIG. 2, the hardware configuration and the functional blocks may partially overlap.

  By the way, in this embodiment, in an information processing apparatus that assigns priorities to different types of information processing requests sent via a logical network and executes the information processing requests, the information processing requests are A priority is given to an information processing request to be processed based on information acquisition means for acquiring unique information individually assigned to the logical network that has been sent, and unique information acquired by the information acquisition means It is configured to include a priority order assigning means and an information processing means for processing an information processing request sent via the logical network in accordance with the priority order given by the priority order giving means.

  Further, in this embodiment, the logical network is individually designated, and the setting for adding a new function is executed in addition to the priority order.

  In this embodiment, the selection of the logical network is dynamically performed by an IPv6 address or a combination of an IPv4 address and a port number.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, an information processing apparatus that assigns priorities to different types of information processing requests sent via the logical network and executes the information processing requests, and the logical network An information processing system including an information processing apparatus that gives priority to another information processing apparatus and requests desired information processing, and the information processing apparatus that executes the information processing request Information acquisition means for acquiring unique information individually assigned to the logical network to which the request has been sent, and information processing requests to be processed based on the unique information acquired by the information acquisition means. The priority assigning means to be assigned and the information processing request sent via the logical network according to the priority given by the priority assigning means. An information processing unit that processes the information processing unit, and the information processing device that requests the information processing includes: a priority order determination unit that determines a priority of desired information processing that requests the other information processing device; Logical network selection means for selecting a logical network to which specific information is individually assigned in order to transmit the desired information processing based on the priority order determined by the priority order determination means, and the logical network selection means And a transmission means for transmitting a desired information processing request via the logical network selected by (1).

  Further, in this embodiment, in the information processing program for assigning priorities to different types of information processing requests sent via the logical network and executing the information processing requests by the computer device, the information An information acquisition step for acquiring unique information individually assigned to a logical network to which a processing request has been sent, and a priority order for information processing requests to be processed based on the specific information acquired by the information acquisition step And an information processing step for processing an information processing request sent via the logical network in accordance with the priority order given by the priority order giving step. is there.

  That is, the MF module 7 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, and a hard disk (Hard Disk Driver) 14, as shown in FIG. A control unit 15 as an information processing unit, a system bus 16, a communication control unit 17, a scanner unit 6 comprising a scanner device, an operation display panel 8, a system clock 18, an information acquisition unit and a priority ordering unit. As a priority order management unit 19, a printing unit 20, and a network interface unit 21.

  The CPU 11 controls the overall operation of the MF module 7 via the system bus 16. The ROM 12 stores a control program for the CPU 11 to control the operation of the entire MF module 7. In this embodiment, as a control program stored in the ROM 12, image data read by the scanner unit 6 is processed, or external data is transmitted via the network interface unit 21 in response to a request to access a Web site. For sending and receiving data. The RAM 13 is configured by an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or the like, and stores program control variables, data for various processes, and the like. The hard disk 14 is used to store data for various processes by the control program, software for various applications, image data, and the like. The control unit 15 exchanges control data with the scanner unit 6, the printing unit 20, and the priority order management unit 19, and controls the entire MF module 7. The control unit 15 functions as information processing means for processing information processing requests sent via the logical network 4 in accordance with the priority order given by the priority order management part 19 as priority order giving means. . The communication control unit 17 is for performing data transmission / reception and control with the outside via the network interface unit 21 such as Web site content data, image data, and Web site access requests.

  The scanner unit 6 is for reading an image of a document and inputting image data. The operation display panel 8 is used for displaying a screen for setting a website, scanning and printing, and for giving instructions for opening a website, scanning and printing. The system clock 18 is constituted by a clock chip and provides time information (year / month / day, hour / minute / second) to the CPU 11. The system clock 18 includes a backup battery so that time information does not disappear when the system power is cut off or when a power failure occurs, and always maintains the current time.

  When there are a plurality of information processing requests, such as a request for scanning or printing, a request for providing desired information, or the like, from the other devices such as the client terminal 7, the priority management unit 19 For requests, priority is managed by confirming the priority or giving a new priority. The priority order management unit 19 is based on information acquisition means for acquiring unique information individually assigned to the logical network 4 to which the information processing request has been sent, and unique information acquired by the information acquisition means. It functions as a priority assigning means for assigning priorities to information processing requests to be processed. In addition, the priority order management unit 19 may be configured to manage information related to the website such as the website address, domain, and content, and control processing.

  The printing unit 20 is for printing an output image and outputting it to the outside. For example, the printing unit 20 is not limited to the printing function of the image read by the scanner unit 6, that is, the copying apparatus function, and is based on document data or an image file acquired from an image input terminal such as a personal computer via a connection cable. In addition, a so-called print function for printing an image and a FAX function for printing out based on FAX reception data received via a general telephone line are also provided.

  When the multifunction device 2 functions as a printer, for example, the printing unit 20 receives PDL data described in a page description language (PDL) from the external client terminal 3, and the control unit 15 performs printing before printing. Then, after rasterizing the image data for each output unit (each page), the raster data is sent to the printing unit 20 and printed out by the printing unit 20. When the multifunction device 2 functions as a color facsimile receiver, the printing unit 20 receives FAX reception data instead of PDL data, converts the received data into a Lab signal by the printing unit 20, and then prints out the printing unit 20. To do.

  The multi-function device 2 according to this embodiment is connected to the client terminal 3 by a logical network 4 and has a network scanner function and a network printer function. In addition, the site managed by the multifunction device 2 is accessed via an external device such as the client terminal 3 connected to the logical network 4 via the network interface unit 21, and provides predetermined information. It also has a function of performing instructed information processing.

  For example, based on an image read by the scanner unit 6 or an image received for printing output or received as a FAX reception image, the MFP 2 generates and acquires site content in the communication control unit 17, so that the multifunction device 2 can receive It is possible to provide the client terminal 3 with information based on the image acquired and prepared (saved in an image storage unit such as a hard disk device).

  Further, the multifunction device 2 can provide a so-called Web site by connecting to the Internet via the logical network 4. In this case, the multifunction device 2 can receive the Web information prepared at the external site by the communication control unit 17 and provide the information on the Internet. The multifunction device 2 functions as a so-called relay server that obtains and provides content from outside the device.

  Further, the function of the priority order management unit 19 of the multifunction device 2 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 2 receives a request for image processing from the client terminal 3 connected via the logical network 4 with respect to image data read by the scanner unit 6 of the MFP 2, A request for a copy process for printing image data read by the scanner unit 6 of the multifunction device 2 or a request for a print process (IPP) for document data or the like created by the client terminal 3, or an image viewed on a website Various information processing requests such as print processing requests are sent.

  A request for image processing, a request for print processing, and the like transmitted from the client terminal 3 are displayed on a display device 42 including a CRT (cathode ray tube) or a liquid crystal panel of the client terminal 3 as shown in FIG. Using the input screen, in the predetermined items of the input screen, the content of the desired process (image processing in the illustrated example), the supplement of the desired processing (in the illustrated example, show-through removal), the input data (in the illustrated example, c: \ uhida \ image \ input \ image2), output data (c: \ uhida \ image \ output \ image2 in the example shown), user ID (masaki in the example shown), and password (** in the example shown) ******) is entered and specified, and then output to the MFP 2 via the logical network 4. There. At that time, as shown in FIG. 1, the client terminal 3 selects a desired site from a plurality of sites of the multi-function device 2 according to a desired priority order, and passes through the logical network 4. to access.

  As a result, the MFP 2 receives an information processing request from the client terminal 3 by the communication control unit 17 via the network interface unit 21, and the received information processing request is sent to the priority order management unit 19. As shown in FIG. 6, the priority management unit 19 creates a table of various information processing requests transmitted from the client terminal 3 via the logical network 4. As shown in FIG. 6, this information processing request table includes an ID number, host name, processing contents, supplementary explanation of processing, input data, user, and user ID assigned to each information processing request. Managed by ID.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, various information processing requests transmitted from the client terminal 3 are, for example, ID numbers: “0”, “1”, “2”, “3”,. And host names: “www.low.image.net”, “www.middle.image.net”, “www.high.image.net”, “www.systemlevel.image.net”, etc. Processing contents: "Image processing", "Image processing", "Image processing", "Image processing" ... and processing supplements: "Back-through removal", "Color conversion", "Print", "Print" ... Input data: “image2”, “image3”, “document.htm”, “system.data”,..., And user ID: “masaki”, “ucida”, “da” ki "," admin ", has become a ....

  Here, the various information processing requests sent from the client terminal 3 can be specified by, for example, the host name. As described above, the information processing request can be specified by the information processing request. Is performed based on unique information given to the logical network 4 for transmitting to the other information processing apparatus such as the multifunction machine 2.

  As the host name, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a host name for the logical network 4 such as an in-house link is used. The information processing request may be specified by using the original IP address, although a URL that is a website address may be used.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an address space in IPv6, which is a next-generation Internet protocol used by the communication control unit 17 of the multifunction machine 2. For details of this address space, refer to RFC2373.22373.513 and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the IPv6 unicast address includes an aggregated global unicast address that is unique worldwide, a site local address that is unique within a site, and a link local address that is unique within a link. is there.

  In any case, the address space in IPv6, which is the next generation Internet protocol, has an interface ID (identifier) for receiving an information processing request sent via the Internet as the logical network 4 as shown in FIG. ) Is assigned, for example, 64 bits, and it is possible to assign a plurality of interface IDs to an information processing apparatus such as the same multifunction device 2 almost infinitely and therefore freely.

  By the way, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, when the priority management unit 19 of the MFP 2 receives a desired information processing request from the client terminal 3, the logical network to which the information processing request has been transmitted. 4. Specific information individually assigned to 4, ie, in the case of IPv4, the priority of the information processing request to be processed is assigned based on the IP address and the port number of the interface unit, and in the case of IPv6, the IP address. Is configured to do.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the priority management unit 19 of the MFP 2 performs processing in accordance with the IP address and the port number of the interface unit in the case of IPv4, and in the case of IPv6. The priority order of information processing requests to be processed is set in advance as numerical values such as “10”, “4”, “2”, “0”, and the priority order of information processing requests to be processed is determined by the magnitude of the numerical values. It is configured to grant. Priorities for the IP addresses are set in advance, but can be changed at any time. The priority order of information processing requests to be processed is not limited to a numerical value, and may be performed by other means such as “www.priority100.image.net” which is operated with a host name in priority order 100. Is of course good.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the priority management unit 19 has a numerical value “10” corresponding to the priority of the host name “www.systemlevel.image.net”, which has the highest priority. Is set the highest. Next, the numerical value corresponding to the priority order of the host name “www.high.image.net” is “4”, which is the next largest, corresponding to the priority order of the host name “www.middle.image.net”. The numerical value is “2”, the next largest, the host name “www.low.image.net”, the IP address “fe80 :: 2b0: d0ff.fede.1afd”, or the IP address “129.249.10”. .3 ”and the port number“ 8082 ”, the numerical value corresponding to the priority is“ 0 ”, and the information processing request is set to be the smallest among them. The numerical value corresponding to the priority order can be freely set and changed by the administrator operating the display operation unit 8 or the like.

  Therefore, when receiving the desired information processing request from the client terminal 3, the priority management unit 19 of the multifunction device 2 receives unique information given to the logical network 4 to which the information processing request has been transmitted, that is, IPv6. In the case of IPv4, only the IP address is obtained. In the case of IPv4, the IP address and the port number of the interface unit are acquired, and the information processing sent via the logical network 4 specified by the specific information such as the IP address is sent. Give priority to requests.

  Then, the control unit 15 of the multifunction device 2 is configured to sequentially execute the received information processing requests in accordance with the priority order assigned by the priority order management unit 19.

  As described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the priority management unit 19 basically receives an IP address or an IP address and an interface when a plurality of processing requests are received. The priority order of information processing requests to be processed is confirmed based on the port number of each section, and the priority order is assigned. As a result, when the information processing request shown in FIG. 8 is accepted, the host name “www.systemlevel.image.net”, the host name “www.high.image.net”, and the host name “www.middle.image.net”. Image processing requests are processed in the order of “net”. Information processing with the same priority is processed in the order in which the information processing is received.

  On the other hand, for example, when only the image processing request of the host name “www.low.image.net” is first received, the priority management unit 19 has a lower priority but has a higher priority. Since there is no information processing request, the image processing request sent with the host name “www.low.image.net” is executed. While executing the image processing request sent with the host name “www.low.image.net”, the host name “www.high.image.net” having the higher priority or the host name “www.middle” is used. .Image.net ”is transmitted, the image processing request transmitted with the host name“ www.low.image.net ”being executed is interrupted, and the priority is set. An image processing request having a high host name “www.high.image.net” or host name “www.middle.image.net” is preferentially executed.

  However, the host name “www.high.image.net” with the higher priority or the host name immediately before the image processing request sent with the host name “www.low.image.net” with the lower priority ends. When an image processing request of “www.middle.image.net” is received, the time until the image processing request being processed is calculated, and the time until the image processing request being processed is ended If the control unit 15 determines that the time is shorter than the predetermined time, the image processing request sent with the low host name “www.low.image.net” is executed and terminated. Also good.

  Further, the MFP 2 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, responds to the request from the client terminal 3 within the range of the IP address pool that can be used by the MFP 2, as shown in FIG. Can be automatically assigned via the logical network 4 and a new site can be established. Further, the multifunction device 2 is configured to give a priority order to the client terminal 3 to which an IPv6 IP address is assigned based on the IP address.

  FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are diagrams for explaining address acquisition processing and address setting processing in the communication control unit 17 of the multifunction device 2. Here, FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a method of acquiring an address from an available address pool, and shows an example of an address pool that can be used for opening a site. FIG. 10 shows an example of a processing procedure when an address is dynamically generated and acquired.

  In FIG. 9, “ID” indicates an identifier of an address in the address pool. “IP address” indicates an IP address existing in the address pool. “Assignment status” indicates whether an IP address has already been assigned. Here, “1” indicates assigned and “0” indicates unassigned. When an available address pool is used, the communication control unit 17 acquires an address from the address pool in FIG. In this case, when searching in ascending order from ID = 0, it can be seen that the IP address of ID = 4 whose allocation state is 0 (unallocated) can be used and acquired. Of course, after the acquisition, the allocation state of ID = 4 is changed to 1 (allocated). This address pool may be held in a desired storage unit, or may be acquired from an external server that manages the address pool separately.

  On the other hand, when the site local address is dynamically generated, the address is dynamically generated and acquired according to a predetermined algorithm shown in FIG. The communication control unit 17 may be configured with a hardware configuration that executes this algorithm, but may be configured to operate based on software (program) that performs such processing.

  First, the communication control unit 17 acquires the maximum value of “subnetID” of the site local address assigned to the same interface (step 101). If some “subnetID” can be acquired (step 102), a predetermined value (for example, “+1”) is added to the acquired “subnetID” to obtain a new “subnetID” (step 103). On the other hand, if any “subnet ID” cannot be acquired, such as when no site local address is set, the communication control unit 17 sets the new “subnet ID” to “0” (step 104).

  Next, the communication control unit 17 determines whether or not the new subnetID <0xffff (maximum value in 16 bits) (step 105), and if the condition is not satisfied, the address could not be acquired As a result, the process ends abnormally. On the other hand, if the condition is satisfied, the communication control unit 17 checks whether or not the address acquired based on the “new subnet ID” is used by another host or interface (step 106). ).

  For the duplication check, the server managing the address may be separately inquired, or the obtained address may be confirmed by conducting a continuity test such as “ping6”. Alternatively, in the case of a LAN, a MAC address (media access control address) is used as an interface ID as terminal-specific information, and if it is not used on the same interface, it is unlikely that it is used repeatedly. You may make it carry out a duplication check only within.

  Thereafter, when the acquired address is used in duplicate, the communication control unit 17 returns to step 103 and executes the same process again until it is not used again (step 107). On the other hand, if the acquired address is not used redundantly, the communication control unit 17 assumes that the address has been acquired normally, and based on the “new subnetID” determined in the site management table managed by the communication control unit 17. The site opening IP address is registered in association with the host name, user ID, and the like (step 108). If there is a storage unit (such as an external server) that manages the address, the address is registered so that the same address is not duplicated (step 108). Then, the process ends normally assuming that the address has been acquired normally.

  When the address can be acquired normally as described above, the priority order of the information processing request can be set for the request from the client terminal 3 or the newly acquired address on the multifunction device 2 side. .

  Further, in this embodiment, in an information processing device that gives priority to another information processing device via a logical network and requests a desired information processing, the processing is performed on the other information processing device. A priority determination means for determining the priority order of the desired information processing requesting the information, and the desired information processing is transmitted based on the priority order determined by the priority order determination means. Logical network selection means for selecting a given logical network, and transmission means for transmitting a desired information processing request via the logical network selected by the logical network selection means.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, in an information processing program for giving a priority order to another information processing apparatus via a logical network and requesting desired information processing by the computer apparatus, the other information processing apparatus A priority order determining step for determining the priority order of the desired information processing requesting the processing, and the desired information processing is transmitted based on the priority order determined by the priority order determining step. A logical network selection step for selecting the logical network to which the information is given, and a transmission step for transmitting a desired information processing request via the logical network selected by the logical network selection step. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the client terminal 3 according to this embodiment assigns priorities to the MFP 2 as another information processing apparatus via the logical network 4 and performs desired information processing. It functions as a requesting information processing device.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the client terminal 3 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, and a hard disk (which also functions as a logical network selection unit). Hard Disk Driver) 34, a system bus 35, a communication control unit 36 as a transmission means, a system clock 37, a network interface unit 38, a display device 42 such as a CRT (cathode ray tube) or a liquid crystal panel, a keyboard and a mouse. Etc., and an input instruction device 44.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the client terminal 3 requests a desired information process from the multi-function device 2 via the logical network 4 and designates a priority order by the input instruction device 44, the CPU 31 A logical network 4 corresponding to the designated priority order is selected from a plurality of logical networks 4 assigned to the multifunction device 2, and desired information processing is performed on the multifunction device 2 via the selected logical network 4. Is transmitted by the communication control unit 36.

  In the above configuration, in the information processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the information processing program according to this embodiment are applied, a management mechanism at the application level is provided according to different types of applications as follows. In addition, it is possible to add processing based on the priority order, and it is possible to easily request processing with different priorities from the client side, and easily process received information processing requests according to the priority order. It is possible to do.

  That is, in the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, first, the MFP 2 processes information processing (job) sent from the client terminal 3 via the logical network 4. The request is received by the communication control unit 17 through the network interface unit 21 (step 201).

  At this time, in the client terminal 3, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, when requesting image processing for show-through removal to the MFP 2, the priority of the processing request is “high”, “intermediate” When “low” or the like is designated, the CPU 31 of the client terminal 3 selects a predetermined logical network 4 from the plurality of logical networks 4 set in the multifunction device 2 based on the designated priority. Then, the image processing for show-through removal is transmitted to the multifunction device 2. If the priority of image processing for show-through removal is low, the CPU 31 of the client terminal 3 selects the logical network 4 corresponding to the host name “www.low.image.net” as shown in FIG. Thus, the information processing request is transmitted to the multifunction device 2.

  Next, the priority order management unit 19 of the MFP 2 acquires the destination address information that received the job processing request via the communication control unit 17 (step 202). Here, as the destination address information, as shown in FIG. 8, an IPv6 address “fec0 :: 0001: 2b0: d0ff: fede.1afd” corresponding to the host name “www.low.image.net” is acquired.

  Then, the priority order management unit 19 of the MFP 2 determines whether or not the destination address information has been normally acquired (step 203). If the destination address information cannot be normally acquired, The process is terminated as it is. In addition, when the destination address information is normally acquired, the priority order management unit 19 refers to a table as shown in FIG. 8 and determines the priority order corresponding to the acquired destination address information ( Step 204), it is determined whether or not the corresponding priority order has been successfully determined (Step 205). In this example, the priority corresponding to the IPv6 address “fec0 :: 0001: 2b0: d0ff: fede.1afd” is “0”. Here, if the corresponding priority order cannot be determined normally, the process ends as an abnormal process.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the priority management unit 19 does not have the host name “www.low.image.net”, but the host name “www.systemlevel.image.net” and the IP address “fec0 :: 00002b0”. : D0ff: fed: 1adf ”, when an image processing request for executing printing is sent as processing contents, the destination address information of the image processing request is IP address“ fec0: 00002b0: d0ff: fed: 1adf ”. Therefore, when this IP address is acquired normally, the priority order corresponding to the IP address is determined.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the priority value is “10” corresponding to the IP address “fec0 :: 00002b0: d0ff: fede: 1adf”, which is the highest among them. The image processing request for printing the host name “www.systemlevel.image.net” transmitted with the IP address “fec0 :: 00002b0: d0ff: fed: 1adf” is immediately executed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when the information processing request with the lowest priority set to “0” is transmitted as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not there is a processing request, and if there is another information processing request to be processed, the priority order of the processing request is determined as described above, and based on the determined priority order. To process.

  Further, when the priority management unit 19 can normally determine the corresponding priority, the priority management unit 19 notifies the control unit 15 of the determined priority order, and the control unit 15 is sent via the logical network 4. The received information processing request (job) is processed according to the determined priority (step 206).

  Further, the control unit 15 determines whether or not the requested job has been processed normally (step 207). If the requested job has not been processed normally, the process is terminated. If the requested job can be processed normally, the execution result of the requested job is transmitted to the client terminal 3 via the communication control unit (step 208).

  Furthermore, the control unit 15 determines whether or not the requested execution result has been successfully transmitted (step 209). If the execution result has not been transmitted normally, the process ends. Further, when the requested execution result can be transmitted normally, the control unit 15 normally ends the series of processes.

  As described above, in the above embodiment, when a desired information processing request is transmitted from the client terminal 3 to the multifunction device 2 as shown in FIG. In response, a desired logical network 4 is selected from among a plurality of logical networks 4 set in the multifunction device 2, and a desired information processing request is transmitted via the logical network 4.

  Then, based on the logical network 4 to which the desired information processing request has been transmitted from the client terminal 3, the multi-function device 2 is individually assigned to unique information given to the logical network 4, that is, to the logical network 4 individually. Based on the assigned IPv6 address, as shown in FIG. 8, the priority management unit 19 assigns priority. And the control part 15 processes the information processing request sent from the client terminal 3 sequentially based on the priority given by the priority management part 19.

  For this reason, in the above-described embodiment, the logical network 4 is transferred to the logical network 4 based only on the logical network 4 to which the individual information processing request is sent without depending on the contents of the application corresponding to the individual information processing request. Since the priority order is determined according to the individually assigned IPv6 address, processing based on the priority order can be added without providing a management mechanism at the application level according to different types of applications, and the client terminal The information processing apparatus capable of easily requesting processes with different priorities from the side 3 and processing the received information processing requests according to the priorities, and the same are used. An information processing system and an information processing program can be provided.

  In addition, the client terminal 3 can make an IPv6 address acquisition request or address setting request to the multifunction device 2 to establish a new site. An information processing apparatus that is very easy to use from the client terminal 3 side by giving a desired priority corresponding to the IPv6 address acquired and opened in response to a request from the client terminal 3, and this An information processing system using information processing and an information processing program can be provided.

  In addition, when the MFP 2 charges when processing the received information processing request, it easily constructs a charging system according to the priority by changing the amount charged according to the priority of the information processing request. It is also possible to do.

  Further, when the client machine 3 receives an inquiry about the relationship between the logical network 4 and the priority order from the client terminal 3, the relationship between the logical network 4 and the priority order is shown based on the table shown in FIG. It is desirable to provide response means for responding about the relationship.

  Further, the client terminal 3 is preferably configured to include inquiry means for inquiring of the relationship between the logical network 4 and the priority order with respect to the multi-function device 2.

1 is a block diagram showing an information processing system to which an information processing apparatus and an information processing program according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention are applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a multifunction machine as an information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a client terminal as an information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a multifunction machine as an information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an input screen of the client terminal as the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a chart showing a host name that accepts an information processing request, contents of processing, and the like. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an IPv6 address. FIG. 8 is a table showing IP addresses, port numbers, and the like that accept information processing requests. FIG. 9 is a chart showing IPv6 addresses that can be newly acquired. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation for newly acquiring an IPv6 address. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a client terminal as an information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing system to which the information processing apparatus and the information processing program according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention are applied.

Explanation of symbols

  1: information processing system, 2: multifunction peripheral (information processing apparatus), 3: client terminal (information processing apparatus), 4: logical network.

Claims (11)

In an information processing apparatus that gives priority to information processing requests of different types sent via a logical network and executes the information processing requests,
Information acquisition means for acquiring unique information individually assigned to the logical network to which the information processing request has been sent;
Based on the specific information acquired by the information acquisition means, a priority order giving means for giving priority to the information processing request to be processed;
An information processing apparatus comprising: information processing means for processing an information processing request sent via the logical network in accordance with the priority assigned by the priority assigning means. In an information processing apparatus that gives priority to another information processing apparatus via a logical network and requests desired information processing,
Priority order determining means for determining a priority order of desired information processing for requesting processing to the other information processing apparatus;
Logical network selection means for selecting a logical network to which specific information is individually assigned in order to transmit the desired information processing based on the priority order determined by the priority order determination means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit a desired information processing request via the logical network selected by the logical network selection unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a setting for adding a new function is executed in addition to the priority order by individually specifying the logical network. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein selection of the logical network is dynamically performed by an IPv6 address or a combination of an IPv4 address and a port number. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising response means for responding to a relationship between the logical network and the priority order. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising inquiry means for inquiring a relationship between the logical network and the priority order. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a billing unit that determines a billing amount for executing the information processing request according to the priority order given by the priority order granting unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the priority order assigning unit assigns a priority order based on priority order information included in a name assigned to the logical network. An information processing apparatus that assigns priorities to information processing requests of different types sent via a logical network and executes the information processing requests, and another information processing apparatus via the logical network In an information processing system including an information processing apparatus that gives priority and requests desired information processing,
An information processing apparatus that executes the information processing request is:
Information acquisition means for acquiring unique information individually assigned to the logical network to which the information processing request has been sent;
Based on the specific information acquired by the information acquisition means, a priority order giving means for giving priority to the information processing request to be processed;
An information processing means for processing an information processing request sent via the logical network in accordance with the priority assigned by the priority assignment means;
An information processing apparatus that requests the information processing is:
Priority order determining means for determining a priority order of desired information processing for requesting processing to the other information processing apparatus;
Logical network selection means for selecting a logical network to which specific information is individually assigned in order to transmit the desired information processing based on the priority order determined by the priority order determination means;
An information processing system comprising: a transmission unit that transmits a desired information processing request via the logical network selected by the logical network selection unit. In an information processing program that assigns priorities to different types of information processing requests sent via a logical network and executes the information processing requests by a computer device,
An information acquisition step of acquiring unique information individually assigned to the logical network to which the information processing request has been sent;
A priority assignment step for assigning a priority to the information processing request to be processed based on the unique information acquired by the information acquisition step;
An information processing program comprising: an information processing step for processing an information processing request sent via the logical network in accordance with the priority order assigned by the priority order assigning step. In an information processing program for giving priority to other information processing devices via a logical network and requesting desired information processing by a computer device,
A priority order determining step for determining a priority order of desired information processing for requesting processing to the other information processing apparatus;
A logical network selection step of selecting a logical network to which specific information is individually assigned in order to transmit the desired information processing based on the priority order determined by the priority order determination step;
An information processing program comprising: a transmission step of transmitting a desired information processing request via the logical network selected in the logical network selection step.

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