JP2001249784A - Method and device for controlling network device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a displaying operation suitable for a new image forming device without frequently updating software for performing a monitoring operation. SOLUTION: When any inquiry or setting processing is inputted by an SNMP, whether or not this is an inquiry related with a device kind specific menu is judged (S1), and device kind specific menu information stored in an in-device memory is returned (S2). In the case of No, whether or not this is a common MIB is judged (S3), and processing to Read/Write normal MIB information is operated (S4). Then, whether or not this is an inquiry related with the value of the device kind specific menu is judged (S5), and a response to a menu applied by the device itself is judged, and processing corresponding to the contents is operated (S6). The version-up of the firmware of the device is executed so that it is possible to change even the movement of the device from the display of the device kind specific menu, and that it is not necessary to change display and setting software at a client side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling a network device in an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to managing an image forming apparatus and an apparatus in an environment connected to a host computer via a network. The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling a network device according to software to be executed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copier connected to a host computer via a network uses a network to determine the status of the apparatus (online, offline, data processing, etc.) in addition to the printing function. To monitor the user from a remote host computer,
Furthermore, it is becoming possible to operate the settings of the printer.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional image forming apparatus, software for monitoring and operating the image forming apparatus is made according to the corresponding image forming apparatus. Has changed,
Alternatively, it is necessary to prepare new software for monitoring and operating each time an image forming apparatus having a partly added function is manufactured.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display adapted to a new image forming apparatus without frequently updating software for monitoring and operating. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling a network device according to software for monitoring and operating an image forming apparatus capable of performing an operation, and an apparatus therefor.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for controlling a network device which sets the status of a device connected via a network. A method, comprising: a screen display step of displaying a setting screen for the device; and an operation display operably displaying the control when data corresponding to the control displayed on the setting screen in the screen display step exists. A step of confirming whether or not the device holds model-specific setting screen data for configuring a model-specific setting screen in the screen displaying step; and a step of holding the model-specific setting screen data by the device. If you had
A reading step of reading the model-specific setting screen data from a device; and a screen creating step of creating a model-specific setting screen based on the model-specific setting screen data read in the reading step. It is.

[0006] The invention described in claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1.
The method for controlling a network device according to claim 1, wherein the screen creating step creates the screen by combining the model-specific setting screen data acquired from the device and the common setting screen data owned by the user. It is.

A third aspect of the present invention is a network device control device for setting the status of a device connected via a network, and a screen display means 606 for displaying a setting screen for the device. An operation display unit 618 for operably displaying a control corresponding to a control displayed on the setting screen of the screen display unit when there is data corresponding to the control; and a model-specific setting screen for the screen display unit. A checking unit 621 for checking whether the device holds the device-specific setting screen data of the device, and reading the device-specific setting screen data from the device when the device holds the device-specific setting screen data. A reading unit 610 and a model-specific setting screen based on the model-specific setting screen data read by the reading unit. Screen creating means 6 to create a configuration screen
22.

[0008] The invention described in claim 4 is the invention according to claim 3.
3. The control device for a network device according to claim 1, wherein the screen creating means creates the screen by combining the model-specific setting screen data acquired from the device and the common setting screen data held by the user. It is.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is a recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute a method of controlling a network device for setting the status of a device connected via a network, A screen display step of displaying a setting screen for the device, an operation display step of operably displaying the control when there is data corresponding to the control displayed on the setting screen in the screen display step, and the screen A confirmation step of confirming whether or not the device holds model-specific setting screen data for configuring a model-specific setting screen in the display step;
A reading step of reading the model-specific setting screen data from the device when the device holds the model-specific setting screen data; and a model-specific setting screen based on the model-specific setting screen data read in the reading step. It comprises a screen creation step of creating a setting screen, wherein each step is made to function.

The invention described in claim 6 is the same as the invention in claim 5
The recording medium according to the above, wherein the screen creation step,
It is characterized in that it is created by combining the model-specific setting screen data acquired from the device and the common setting screen data owned by itself.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a network device control apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between a network device control device of the present invention and a managed network printer. A network interface board (NIB) 101 includes a local area network (L).
AN) 100, for example, with an RJ-45 connector
Ethernet (registered trademark) interface 10
0 Base-T or the like.

A plurality of personal computers (PCs) such as a PC 103 and a PC 104 are also connected to the LAN 100. Under the control of a network operating system, these PCs 103 and 104 are connected to the NIB 101.
Can communicate with In this state, one of the PCs, for example, the PC 103 can be designated to be used as the network management unit. In addition, P
A printer such as the printer 105 connected to C104 may be connected.

Further, a file server (FI
LE SERVER) 106, which is a large-capacity (for example, 10 billion bytes) network disk (NE
TWORKDISK) 107 manages access to files stored in the file. A print server (PSERVER) 108 causes a connected printer 109 (109a, 109b or the like (not shown)) or a printer such as the printer 105 at a remote place to perform printing. Further, other peripheral devices (not shown) may be connected to the LAN 100.

More specifically, the network shown in FIG. 1 can use network software such as Novell or UNIX (registered trademark) software for efficient communication between various network members. Although any network software can be used, for example, Novell's Net Ware (Novell
(Registered trademark) software can be used (refer to the online documentation included in the Net Ware package for a detailed description of this software package). This is No
Available from vell with Net Ware package.

Briefly describing the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the file server 106 plays a role as a file management unit for receiving, storing, queuing, caching, and transmitting data files between LAN members. For example, the data files created by each of the PC 103 and the PC 104 are sent to the file server 106, which arranges these data files in order, and prints the arranged data files according to a command from the print server 108 to the printer. 109
Send to

The PC 103 and the PC 104 respectively generate a data file, transmit the generated data file to the LAN 100, receive a file from the LAN 100, and display and / or process such a file. It is composed of a normal PC that can perform the operation. Although FIG. 1 shows a personal computer device, other computer devices that are suitable for executing network software may be included. For example, when using UNIX software, UNIX workstations may be included in the network, and these workstations may be used in appropriate circumstances with the illustrated PCs.

Typically, a LAN such as LAN 100 provides services to a somewhat local group of users, such as a group of users on one floor in a building or on multiple consecutive floors. For example, as one user moves away from another user, such as when the user is in another building or another prefecture,
A wide area network (WAN) may be created.
A WAN is basically an aggregation formed by connecting several LANs with a high-speed digital line such as an integrated high-speed service digital network (ISDN) telephone line. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
N110 and LAN 120 are modulated / demodulated (MODEM) /
They are connected via a transponder (MODEM / ROUTER) 130 and a backbone (BACK BONE) 140 to form a WAN. These connections are simple electrical connections with several buses. Each LAN includes a dedicated PC,
Although not always necessary, it usually includes a file server and a print server.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
Are the PC 111, the PC 112, and the file server 11
3, a network disk 114, a print server 115, a printer 116 and a printer 117. In contrast, LAN 120 has PC 121 and PC 122
Including only. LAN 100, LAN 110, LAN
The device connected to the LAN 120 can access functions of other LAN devices via a WAN connection.

As a method for managing devices on a network constituting a large-scale network system as described above, several attempts have been made by many standard organizations so far. International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has established OpenSystem Interconnection.
, OSI) model was provided. The OSI model of the network management protocol is based on the Common Management Information Protocol.
formation Protocol (CMIP). CMIP
Is a common European network management protocol.

Still in the United States, a simple network management protocol (Simple Network Management Protocol, S) is used as a more common network management protocol.
There is one variant of the protocol related to CMIP called NMP). ("Introduction to TCP / IP Network Management
Aiming for practical management. " T. Rose = Author / Takeshi Nishida = Translated by Toppan Co., Ltd., see first edition on August 20, 1992).

According to this SNMP network management technique, the network management system has at least one network management station (NMS), several managed nodes each including an agent, and the management stations and agents exchange management information. Contains the network management protocol used for The user can obtain data on the network and change the data by communicating with the agent software on the managed node using the network management software on the NMS.

Here, the agent is software that runs as a background process for each target device. When a user requests management data from a device on the network, the management software sends the object identification information in a management packet or frame to the target agent. The agent interprets the object identification information, extracts data corresponding to the object identification information, puts the data in a packet, and sends it back to the user. At times, the corresponding process may be read to retrieve the data.

The agent holds data on its own state in the form of a database. This database is called MIB (Management Information B)
ase).

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of the MIB. As shown in FIG. 4, the MIB has a data structure of this structure, and all nodes are uniquely numbered.
In FIG. 4, the number written in parentheses is the identifier of the node. For example, in FIG.
The identifier of 01 is “1”. Since the identifier of the node 402 is “3” below the node 401, it is described as “1.3”. Similarly, the identifier of the node 403 is “1
.3.6.1.2 ". The object identifier (OBJECT IDENTIFIER)
Call.

This MIB has a management information structure (SM
I: Structure of Management Information)
RFC 1155 Structure and Identification of Managemen
t Information for TCP / IP-based Internets.

FIG. 4 shows the MI defined as a standard.
Of B, only a part is extracted and described.

Reference numeral 404 denotes a node which is the top of an object group called a standard MIB provided as a standard in a device managed by SNMP, and the detailed structure of the object under this node is described in RFC 1213 Management In.
formation Base for NetworkManagement of TCP / IP-bas
ed Internets: Specified in MIB-11. 405 is
This is a node which is the top of an object group called a printer MIB provided as a standard feature of a printer managed by SNMP, and the detailed structure of an object under this node is specified in RFC 1759 Printer MIB. Further, a node 406 is called a private MIB, and is a node serving as a vertex for companies and organizations to define their own MIB. A node 407 is called a company extension MIB, and is a top node in the private MIB for a company to perform its own extension. “1602” is assigned to Canon Inc. as a company number for its own definition. Canon M, which is a unique MIB of Canon Inc.
Vertex node 408 for defining IB (Canon MIB)
Is located below the node 407, which is a node representing a company. The object identifier of the vertex node of the Canon MIB is “1.3.6.1.4.1-1602”.

<Implementation of Agent on Network Controller> As an implementation example of the agent, it is conceivable to implement the agent on a network controller for connecting a printer to a network. Thus, the printer can be managed by the network management software. The user can obtain the information of the printer to be controlled using the network management software and change the status. More specifically, for example, a character string displayed on a liquid crystal display of a printer can be obtained, or a default paper cassette can be changed. Hereinafter, a network interface board (NI
An example will be described in which B) is connected to a printer.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway view showing a state where the NIB is installed in the printer.
1 is built into the internal expansion I / O slot of the printer 102 or directly built into the printer controller, and the NIB 101 is an "embedded" network node having the processing and data storage functions described below. With the configuration of the NIB 101, a large multi-area WA
This provides the advantage of having a characteristic auxiliary function for managing and managing the N network. These auxiliary functions include, for example, printer control and status monitoring from a remote location on the network (such as a network administrator's office) and a guaranteed initial environment for the next user after each print job. Includes printer logs or usage statistics that can be accessed through a network to automatically manage printer configuration and characterize printer load or schedule toner cartridge replacement.

An important factor in this NIB design is that a bidirectional interface such as the shared memory 200
This function accesses the printer control state from the NIB 101. In addition to the shared memory, an interface such as a SCSI interface can be used. As a result, the printer operation information can be sent to the NIB 101 or the external network node so that many convenient auxiliary function programs can be created. The block of print image data and control information is constituted by a microprocessor 301 on the NIB 101,
0 and read by the printer 102. Similarly, the printer status information is
To the shared memory 200 from which it is read by the microprocessor 301 on the NIB.

As shown in FIG. 2, the NIB 101 comprises a printed circuit board 101a on which a face plate 101b for network connection is installed, and a printer interface card 150 via a connector 170.
It is connected to the. Printer interface card 1
50 directly controls the printer engine of the printer 102. Print data and printer status commands are NIB
101 is input to the printer interface card 150 via the connector 170, and printer status information is obtained from the printer interface card 150 also via the connector 170. The NIB 101 communicates this information on the LAN 100 via the network connector of the face plate 101b. At the same time, the printer 102
a and the parallel port 102b. Here, the printer interface card and the network interface board have been described as separate boards, but a single multi-device controller having a print function and a network interface function may be used.

<Configuration of PC Side> On the other hand, the PC side on which the network management software operates will be described below. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a PC on which network management software can operate.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 500 denotes a PC (computer) on which network management software operates, which is equivalent to the PC 103 in FIG. PC500
Is the ROM 502 or the hard disk (HD) 51
1 for executing a network management program stored in a storage device 1 or supplied from a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive (FD) 512, and comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 504. A RAM 503 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 501. A keyboard controller (KBC) 505 controls an instruction input from a keyboard (KB) 509 or a pointing device (not shown). 506, a CRT controller (CRTC);
The display of the RT display (CRT) 510 is controlled.
A disk controller (DKC) 507 controls access to a hard disk (HD) 511 storing a boot program, various applications, editing files, user files, a network management program, and the like, and a floppy disk controller (FD) 512. A network interface card (NIC) 508 exchanges data bidirectionally with an agent or a network device via the LAN 100. In this embodiment, the hardware is a PC.
It is realized on a PC having the same configuration as that of FIG. 5 (see FIG. 5), but has a feature in software control as described below.

The network management device according to the present embodiment
It is realized on a PC having the same configuration as a PC capable of realizing the network management device as shown in FIG. The hard disk (HD) 511 stores a network management software program according to the present embodiment, which is an operation main body in all the descriptions below. In all of the following descriptions, unless otherwise noted, the subject of execution is C
PU501. On the other hand, the subject of control on software is network management software stored in a hard disk (HD) 511. In the present embodiment, the OS is assumed to be, for example, Windows 95 (manufactured by Microsoft), but is not limited to this. The network management program according to the present embodiment may be supplied in a form stored in a storage medium such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM. In this case, a floppy disk controller (FD) 5 shown in FIG.
The program is read from a storage medium by a CD-ROM drive 12 or a CD-ROM drive 513 or a DVD-ROM drive (not shown), and is installed on a hard disk (HD) 511.

FIG. 6 is a module configuration diagram of the network management software according to the embodiment of the present invention. This network management software is stored in the hard disk 511 in FIG. At that time, the CPU 501 uses the RAM 503 as a work area.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes a device list module which displays devices connected to the network in a list. FIG. 9 shows an actual screen. Reference numeral 602 denotes a general control module, which controls other modules based on an instruction from a device list. Reference numeral 603 denotes a module called a configurator, which performs a special process related to the network setting of the agent. A module 604 is called a search module and searches for a device connected to the network. Search module 6
04 is found in the device list 6
01 is displayed as a list. A Net Ware job module 605 obtains the status of the print job from the network server using the Net Ware API 616 (for the Net Ware API, for example, Novell
"NetWare Programmer's Guide fo published by
r C "etc. This book is available from Novell, Inc.).

Reference numerals 606 and 607 denote UI modules for displaying a device detail window, which will be described later, and there is a UI module for each target model for displaying detailed information. Reference numeral 618 denotes an extended UI module including several menu templates 620 for displaying non-generic device-specific setting menus. 608 and 609
Is a control module, which is responsible for control specific to the target model for acquiring detailed information. As with the UI module, a control module exists for each target model for displaying detailed information. The control A module 608 and the control B module 609 obtain MIB data from the device to be managed using the MIB module 610, perform data conversion as necessary, and transmit the data to the corresponding UIA module 606 or UIB module 607, respectively. hand over.

Similarly, reference numeral 619 is called an extended control module, and has a unique setting presence / absence determining unit 621 for determining whether there is an MIB for performing a unique setting for a predetermined device by using the MIB module. If the user has the unique setting menu information, the information is read from the MIB module 610 and the extended UI module 618 is read.
Has a screen creation module 622 for creating a unique setting menu by using.

The MIB module 610 is a module that converts between an object identifier and an object key. Here, the object key is a 32-bit integer corresponding to the object identifier on a one-to-one basis. Since the object identifier is a variable-length identifier and is cumbersome to implement in network management software, the network management software according to the present application internally uses a fixed-length identifier that has a one-to-one correspondence with the object identifier. . MIB module 610
The higher-level module handles MIB information using this object key. This facilitates implementation of network management software.

Reference numeral 611 denotes an SNMP module.
It transmits and receives NMP packets. A common transport module 612 is a module that absorbs a difference between lower protocols for transporting SNMP data. In practice, depending on the protocol selected by the user during operation, the IPX handler 613 or the UDP handler 61
4 has a role of transferring data. Note that U
The DP handler uses Win Sock 617 as an implementation. (For Win Sock, refer to, for example, the specification of Windows (registered trademark) Socket API v1.1. This document can be obtained from a plurality of places. Visu, a Compiler
al C ++). The current protocol 615 used by the configurator 603 indicates that the IPX protocol selected by the user during operation is any of the UDP protocols. In the following description, the network management software according to the present application is referred to as “Net Spot 5”.

<Installing Net Spot5> Net Spot5
The files necessary for installation of the software are usually recorded on a physical medium such as a floppy disk (FD) or a CD-ROM, distributed, or transmitted via a network. Users can use these methods to access Net Spot
After obtaining the files necessary for the installation of Net Spot 5, the installation of Net Spot 5 is started according to a predetermined installation procedure. The procedure for installing Net Spot 5 is the same as the procedure for installing other general software. That is, when the user activates the installer of Net Spot 5 on the personal computer (PC), the installer automatically executes the installation thereafter. The installer installs the files necessary for the operation of Net Spot5.
The file is copied to the hard disk of C, and a file necessary for the operation of Net Spot 5 is modified or newly created while the user inputs information as necessary.

The information input by the user at the time of installation of the Net Spot 5 includes selection of the following two operation modes (administrator mode and general user mode).

<Operation mode of Net Spot 5> Net Spot 5
Is the following two modes: administrator mode and general user mode.
It has different operation modes. The user specifies which of these operation modes to use when installing Net Spot5. In order for the user to change the operation mode of Net Spot 5, it is necessary to re-install Net Spot 5 in principle.

Administrator mode: A mode used by a user having a specific authority (for example, a network administrator or a network peripheral device administrator).

General user mode: A mode used by general users who do not have a specific authority.

The functions supported in the general user mode are obtained by adding authority to the functions supported in the administrator mode. That is, the functions supported in the general user mode correspond to a part of the functions supported in the administrator mode.

<Activation of Net Spot 5 and Password Authentication> Ne
t When Spot5 is installed in the general user mode, the user can start Net Spot5 simply by executing the executable file of Net Spot5. On the other hand, if NetSpot5 is installed in the administrator mode,
Immediately after running the executable file of Spot5, Net Spot5
You will be prompted for a password. At this time, the user cannot start Net Spot 5 in the administrator mode without inputting an appropriate password. In the administrator mode of Net Spot5, users can access network peripheral devices (devices).
It is possible to make various settings, and if these settings are wrong, it may cause malfunction or failure of the device.
Therefore, in order to prevent a general user from starting the administrator mode, Net Spot 5 requests the user to input a Net Spot 5 password when starting the administrator mode. However, when the user is requested to input the Net Spot 5 password, the user can activate Net Spot 5 in the general user mode without inputting the password.

When installing Net Spot 5 in the administrator mode, the user performing the installation can set the Net Spot 5 password at the time of starting the administrator mode. Also, after activating Net Spot 5 in the administrator mode, the user can set or change the Net Spot 5 password at the time of activating the administrator mode.

The set or changed Net Spot 5 password is used the next time Net Spot 5 is started in the administrator mode. The administrator mode of the Net Spot 5 is activated if the Net Spot 5 password entered at the time of activation of the administrator mode matches the actual set value, but is not activated if the password does not match.

The administrator mode of Net Spot 5 is N
et Spot5 Instead of requiring the user to enter a password, Net
It can also operate to check that you are logged in to the Ware file server as an administrator. That is, if the user has already logged in to the NetWare file server as an administrator when the administrator mode of Net Spot 5 is activated, the input request for the Net Spot 5 password can be omitted.

In an actual network, a plurality of administrators exist in one network environment, and the administrators may be different for each network peripheral device.
Therefore, in the administrator mode of Net Spot 5, in addition to the Net Spot 5 password at the time of starting the administrator mode, a device password for each network interface board can be set as an option. A function of performing device password authentication for each network peripheral device when the user selects the network peripheral device is supported.

The administrator sets a device password for selecting a network peripheral device as necessary for each network interface board. When a device password is set in the network interface board, when the user newly selects a network peripheral device from the device list display window in the administrator mode of Net Spot 5, that is, when a new device detail window is opened, the network interface Authenticates the device password set by the administrator for each board.

The user sets the device password at the time of selecting the network peripheral device to the Net Spot at the time of starting the administrator mode.
By setting equal to 5 passwords, Net Spot
When a new network peripheral device is selected from the device list display window in the administrator mode 5, the input of the device password can be omitted.

<Exclusive control of Net Spot 5> When the administrator mode of a plurality of Net Spots 5 is started for one network peripheral device, inconsistencies may occur in the settings of the network peripheral devices (devices) and the network settings. There is. For this reason, the administrator mode of Net Spot 5 that can be activated for one network peripheral device is limited to one. That is, the same network peripheral device cannot be selected in the administrator mode of a plurality of Net Spots 5. On the other hand, in the general user mode of Net Spot 5, a plurality of network peripheral devices can be activated. That is, multiple Net Spot5
In the general user mode, the same network peripheral device can be selected.

<Transition Diagram of Window Displayed by Net Spot 5> FIGS. 7 and 8 show Net Spo according to the user's instruction when the user activates Net Spot 5 in the administrator mode.
It is a transition diagram of the window displayed sequentially by t5. However, the windows shown in FIG. 7 and FIG.
Not all of the windows displayed by ot5. Net Spot
5 automatically displays various windows according to the operation status of NetSpot 5 and information obtained from the network even when there is no instruction from the user.

The user monitors the operation status of the network peripheral device by viewing information displayed in various windows displayed by the Net Spot 5, and sets appropriate values in these windows. Network peripheral devices (devices) can be controlled.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a list of dialog boxes called from various sheets described later when the Net Spot 5 is started in the administrator mode.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 denotes a device detail window exemplified in FIG. 10, for example. The window 701 includes a status sheet 702 (see FIG. 10), a job sheet 703 (see FIG. 11), and an information sheet 704 (see FIG. 11). FIG.
2) and a network sheet 705 (see FIG. 13). Here, the state sheet 702
From the error detailed information display dialog box 706
Is displayed. From the error detailed information display dialog box 706, a printer paper supply / discharge unit selection dialog box 707 is selected.

Next, the printer queue setting change dialog box 726 is called from the job sheet 703, and the printer queue setting change dialog box 726 is called.
From the Net Ware Login dialog box 727
Is called. From the information sheet 704, a manager information display dialog box 728 is called. Finally,
From the network sheet 705, a protocol setting dialog box 729 is called.

This protocol setting dialog box 7
Reference numeral 29 has three sheets: a NetWare setting sheet 730, a TCP / IP setting sheet 32, and an AppleTalk setting sheet 733. The NetWare setting sheet 730 calls a NetWare login dialog box 727. The device list display window 80
1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
Here, the description is omitted.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a list of dialog boxes called from various menu bars described later when the Net Spot 5 is started in the administrator mode.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 801 denotes a device list display window exemplified in FIG. 9, and this window 801 can display a list of devices that can be managed from Net Spot 5. The device list display window 801 includes a device menu 802 and a display menu 80.
3, four menus, a setting menu 804 and a help menu 805. Among them, the device menu 802
From the Add New Device dialog box 80
6. A standard printer driver installation window 807 is called by the operating system. Next, a display option dialog box 808 is called from the display menu 803. Further, from the setting menu 804, a device search range setting dialog box 809, a device display setting dialog box 81
0, Device list display automatic update setting dialog box 811, Net Ware login dialog box 72
7, Net Ware logout dialog box 813, N
et Net5 password change dialog box 8 to change password used when running Spot5
14 is called. Finally, from the help menu 805, a help file window 815 for displaying the help of Net Spot 5 and a Net Spot 5 version information display dialog box 816 for displaying the version of Net Spot 5 are called.

[Device Details Window] In the device list display window 801 (FIG. 9), the user double-clicks each icon indicating a device to display a device details window shown in FIG. 10A. The number of device detail windows that the user can open is limited to one for each device. When the user clicks each tab ([Status] / [Job] / [Information] / [Network]) on the left side of the device details window (FIG. 10A), the sheet corresponding to each tab is displayed in the device details window. Is moved to the front. The content displayed in the device details window differs depending on the device model. Further, the content displayed in the device details window differs depending on whether the mode is the administrator mode or the general user mode. Basically, in the general user mode, displayed items and changeable items are restricted in the administrator mode.

The device details window 7 shown in FIG.
01 has five menu bars: a device menu 817 (FIG. 10B), a display menu 819, a setting menu 820, a test menu 821, and a help menu 822. Then, in this state, the device menu 817 is displayed.
When the controller initialization menu is selected, a controller initialization dialog box shown in FIG. 16 is displayed. This controller initialization dialog box is a dialog box for returning each set value of the controller of this device to the factory default. Here, when a function setting effective only for a specific device is performed, the menu can be displayed in the device menu 817 here.

Regarding this, Net Spot 5 in FIG.
This will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Net Spot5
Is started and a device search is performed (S101).
A list of compatible models is displayed on the device list 801 (S102). Here, when a specific device is selected (S104), the process proceeds to a process (S104) for displaying the device details window 701.

The processing here proceeds according to the flow of FIG. That is, it is determined whether or not the designated device has a model-specific setting menu (S301), and if so, the information of the model-specific setting menu is acquired (S30).
2) A device setting menu is created together with a menu name provided in common (S303).

Table 1 shows an example of the network management software of the present embodiment and the MIB corresponding to the device. Here, whether or not the specified device has a model-specific setting menu can be determined by performing Get Next on the MIB of the can Utility Menu Index in the case of a device incorporating the MIB as shown in Table 1.

[0069]

[Table 1] If no MIB related to such a model-specific menu is incorporated in the device, the device returns "no such name", or if the device does not respond at all, if it is determined that the device is not supported by timeout processing Good.

If a reply is returned, the number of model-specific menus required in the device list 801 and the title name are acquired, and the device details window 7 is displayed.
01 information can be created. Since the Net Spot 5 displays a status page as an initial screen of the device detail window 701 by default, the process is performed (S105).

Here, from the device, the can Utility Menu
When Index = 1, can Utility Menu Title = "Printer Setting" is returned, when the device menu 817 of the device detail window 701 of Net Spot 5 is selected (S110), Net Spot 5 is displayed in the device detail window of the selected device. FIG. 10B shows a menu including only one model-specific setting menu “printer setting”, a common setting menu “controller reset”, and “controller initialization”. When any of these is selected in the device menu (S201), the processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 20 is performed. If "Reset Controller" or "Initialize Controller" is selected, the window (Fig. 15 or Fig. 16) will be displayed because the Net Spot 5 has a GUI for common settings. Is performed (S202-203). The processing of these windows is performed or interrupted by performing OK or cancellation (S204-S205 or S206).

When a non-common model-specific setting menu is selected, the specified model-specific setting menu information M
The IB is obtained from the device (S207). here,
The MIB required to create the model-specific setting menu is read from the device. Specifically, can Utility Menu Style ID, which represents the style of the setting menu in Table 1, and
Can Utility Menu Item Index, which indicates the number of setting items included in the menu window, and can Utility Men, which indicates the setting item titles that exist for that number of items
u Item Title and can Utility Menu I indicating the setting method
Starting with nput Type, the respective MIBs corresponding to the setting method are successively read, and one model-specific setting menu is created and displayed (S208). FIG. 14 shows an example of a model-specific menu created in this way. The subsequent processing is executed or interrupted by performing OK or Cancel, as in the case of the common setting menu (S
209-S210 or S211).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device.

In addition to normal print processing, SNMP
When an inquiry or setting process comes in, the SNMP process shown in FIG. 3 is performed. In step S1, it is determined whether the inquiry is for a model-specific menu.
If Yes, the device-specific menu information stored in the in-device memory is returned (S2). The model-specific menu information referred to here is Read Only as described in Table 1.
Information. Specifically: ・ Number of unique setting menus (windows) ・ Title of unique setting menu ・ Style number of unique setting menu ・ Number of menu items in one unique setting menu ・ Menu item title ・ Menu setting type ・The number of SWs when the menu type is set to SW. • The name of the SW. • The number of steps when setting the volume with the menu type. • The minimum value when setting the volume with the menu type. • The maximum value when setting the volume with the menu type.

If No in step S1, the common MIB
It is determined (S3), and if Yes, the normal MI
A process for reading / writing B information is performed (S4). In the case of No, it is determined whether or not the inquiry is for the value of the model-specific menu given in step S1 (S
5). Here, if Yes, the response to the menu given by the device itself is determined, and processing according to the contents is performed (S6). In the case of No, an unsupported MIB
Or a communication error occurs, an error process is performed (S7). As can be seen from the flowchart of FIG. 3, if the firmware of the device is upgraded, the display from the model-specific menu to the movement of the device corresponding thereto can be changed. In this case, the display / setting software on the client side is almost changed. It turns out that there is no need.

As described above, according to the network device control apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to perform display and operation according to a new image forming apparatus without frequently updating software for monitoring and operating. There is an effect that software for monitoring and operating the image forming apparatus can be provided.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile, etc.) Device).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or the apparatus.
Or MPU) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM
Etc. can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) Performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, The case where the CPU provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is also included.

[0083]

As described above, according to the network device control method of the present invention, a screen display step for displaying a setting screen for a device, and data corresponding to the control displayed on the setting screen in the screen display step. An operation display step of operably displaying a control when a device exists, and a confirmation step of confirming whether or not the device holds model-specific setting screen data for configuring a model-specific setting screen in the screen display step. When the device holds the model-specific setting screen data, a reading step for reading the model-specific setting screen data from the device, and a model-specific setting screen is created based on the model-specific setting screen data read in the reading step. Software for monitoring and operating since it has a screen creation step Without frequent updates of E A, it is possible to provide software for monitoring and operation for an image forming apparatus capable of performing a display-operation tailored to the new image forming apparatus. The same effect is also obtained in a control device of a network device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between a network device control device of the present invention and a managed network printer.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway view showing an embodiment in which a printer is connected to a network board on which an agent is mounted.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an SNMP communication process in the device.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of an MIB.

FIG. 5 shows a P on which network management software can operate.
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of C.

FIG. 6 is a module configuration diagram of network management software.

FIG. 7 is a transition diagram of a window when Net Spot 5 is started in an administrator mode.

FIG. 8 is a transition diagram of a window when Net Spot 5 is started in an administrator mode.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a device list display window according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a device detail window according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a job display window according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an information display window according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a network setting window according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example of a model-specific setting menu according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a common setting menu according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a common setting menu according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a common setting menu according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a model-specific setting menu according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 19 is an operation flowchart of the network management software according to the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an operation flowchart of a device-specific menu of the network management software according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an operation flowchart of the network management software according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 Local Area Network (LAN) 101 Network Interface Board (NI
B) 102, 105, 109, 116, 117 Printers 103, 104, 111, 112, 121, 122 P
C 106, 113 File server 107, 114 Network disk 108, 115 Print server 110, 120 LAN 130 Transponder 140 Backbone 101a Printed circuit board 101b Faceplate 102a Serial port 102b Parallel port 150 Printer interface card 170 Connector 200 Shared memory 301 Microprocessor 500 PC 501 CPU 502 ROM 503 RAM 504 System bus 505 Keyboard controller 506 CRT controller 507 Disk controller 508 Network interface card 509 Keyboard 510 CRT display 511 Hard disk 512 Floppy disk drive 513 CD-ROM drive 601 Device list module 602 Overall control module 603 Configurator 604 Search module 605 NetWare job module 606, 607 UI module 608, 609 Control module 610 MIB module 611 SNMP module 612 Common transport module 613 IPX handler 614 UDP handler 615 Current protocol 615 Net Ware API 617 Win Sock API

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Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method for controlling a network device for setting a status of a device connected via a network, comprising: a screen displaying step of displaying a setting screen for the device; and the setting screen in the screen displaying step. An operation display step of operably displaying a control corresponding to the control displayed when the device is present, and a device-specific setting screen data for configuring a model-specific setting screen in the screen displaying step. A confirmation step of confirming whether the device-specific setting screen data is held, and a reading step of reading the model-specific setting screen data from the device when the device holds the model-specific setting screen data. Model specific setting based on the model specific setting screen data Control method for a network device; and a screen generating step of generating a surface. 2. The network device according to claim 1, wherein the screen creating step creates the screen by combining the model-specific setting screen data acquired from the device and the common setting screen data owned by itself. Control method. 3. A control device for a network device for setting the status of a device connected via a network, comprising: a screen display means for displaying a setting screen for the device; and a setting screen of the screen display means. Operation display means for operably displaying the control when there is data corresponding to the control to be displayed; and the device holds model-specific setting screen data for configuring a model-specific setting screen of the screen display means. Confirming means for confirming whether or not the device-specific setting screen data has been held by the device, reading means for reading the model-specific setting screen data from the device, Screen creation means for creating a model-specific setting screen based on model-specific setting screen data. Control device for a network device to. 4. The network device according to claim 3, wherein the screen creation unit creates the screen by combining the model-specific setting screen data acquired from the device and the common setting screen data owned by the apparatus. Control device. 5. A recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a method of controlling a network device for setting a state of a device connected via a network, wherein a setting screen for the device is displayed. A screen display step, an operation display step of operably displaying the control corresponding to the control displayed on the setting screen in the screen display step when there is data corresponding to the control, and a model-specific setting screen in the screen display step. A confirmation step of confirming whether the device holds model-specific setting screen data for configuring; and, if the device holds the model-specific setting screen data, the device sets the model-specific setting screen data. A reading step for reading the It loaded the model-specific setting screen data composed of a screen generating step of generating a model-specific setting screen based on the computer-readable recording medium, characterized in that to function the respective steps. 6. The recording medium according to claim 5, wherein the screen creating step creates the screen by combining the model-specific setting screen data acquired from the device and the common setting screen data owned by the apparatus itself. .