JP3697634B2 - COMMUNICATION DEVICE, COMMUNICATION METHOD, RECORDING MEDIUM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication device, a communication method, a recording medium, and a computer program, and more particularly, to a communication device, a communication method, a recording medium, and a computer program for mutually converting a protocol effective on an intranet and a protocol effective on the Internet. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional printing system, when printing (printing) from the Internet to an arbitrary printer, a “printer” that can be directly accessed from the Internet is installed, and printing is performed using a printing protocol effective on the Internet (for example, IPP (Internet Printing Protocol)). And a method of printing on a “printer” connected to the intranet by setting a firewall to pass a print protocol effective on the Internet.
[0003]
In addition, when printing from the “client” connected to the intranet to the Internet, implement a protocol effective on the Internet on the “client” and set the firewall to pass the print protocol effective on the Internet. There are methods for printing on the Internet.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the “printer” or “client” used in the above-described conventional example must implement a print protocol effective on the Internet. Although it is possible to implement a protocol effective on the Internet in the “printer” or “client”, there are the following problems.
[0005]
-"Printers" and "Clients" that implement only protocols other than TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) such as IPX (Internetwork Packet Exchange) and AppleTalk There are some that cannot implement an effective print protocol on the Internet.
[0006]
・ When a print protocol effective on the Internet is added to the “printer” or “client”, it is necessary to implement a print protocol effective on the Internet for all “printers” and “clients” used via the Internet. , Work can be time consuming and expensive.
[0007]
-By enabling access from the Internet, there is a possibility that printing by a user that should not be permitted is performed.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a communication apparatus and communication method capable of printing from a client on the Internet to a printer on an intranet without mounting a print protocol effective on the Internet on the printer. , A recording medium, a computer program, and a communication apparatus, a communication method, a recording medium, and a communication apparatus capable of printing from a client on an intranet to a printer on the Internet without mounting a print protocol effective on the client on the client, and An object is to provide a computer program.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  To achieve the above object, the communication device according to claim 1 comprises at least one communication device.Client and firstA first communication means for performing communication according to a network protocol; and at least oneOutput device and secondIn a communication device comprising a second communication means for performing communication according to a network protocol,The first information indicating the access path of the output device viewed from the client, the second information indicating the second network protocol with which the output device can communicate, and the transmission destination of the data transmitted by the second communication means Table storage means for storing the third information as a set of access path information, and data storage means for storing the data received by the first communication means in areas divided in correspondence with the output devices, The first communication means refers to the access path information when receiving data sent from the client, and stores the received data in the area based on the first information. And instructing the second communication means to read out the data stored in the area, and the second communication means Conversion means for converting the protocol of the data received in accordance with the second information, reading the data stored in the area in response to an instruction from the first communication means, and second conversion by the conversion means. And the converted data is transmitted to the destination output device indicated by the third information.It is characterized by that.
[0010]
  The communication device according to claim 2 is the communication device according to claim 1,When storing data in the area, the first communication means stores the data in a data storage queue generated or changed based on the first information, and the second communication means stores the data in the area. When data is stored in the queue, it is read sequentially from the previously stored data.It is characterized by that.
[0012]
  Claim3The communication device according to claim 1.Or 2In the communication device described above,Table storageMeansSmallA network protocol effective on at least one Internet is used as the fourth information.Stored with first to third informationThe first communication means receives only the data of the network protocol indicated in the fourth information out of the data sent from the client.
[0013]
  Claim4The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to3In the communication device according to any one of the above,The table storage means performs authentication based on the user name and the password when receiving data by an authentication information storage means for storing a user name and password for authentication and the first communication means. Authentication meansIt is characterized by providing.
  The communication device according to claim 5 is the communication device according to claim 4, wherein the table storage unit stores a list of communicable output devices together with the user name and the password in the authentication information storage unit, The authentication unit authenticates whether to permit access to the output device based on the list.
  The communication device according to claim 6 is the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the access path information is registered in the table storage unit, or the registered access path information is changed. A table registration means is further provided.
  The communication device according to claim 7 is the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an acquisition unit that causes the client to acquire the state of the transmission destination indicated in the third information. It is characterized by that.
[0014]
  In order to achieve the above object, the claims8The communication device described isA first communication means for receiving data from a first client and transmitting data to a first output device connected via another communication device by a first network protocol effective on the Internet; A communication apparatus comprising: a second communication unit configured to transmit data to a second output apparatus connected by an effective second network protocol and receive data from a second client; First information indicating the access path of the second output device, second information indicating the second network protocol, and third information indicating the transmission destination of the data by the second communication means And fourth information indicating an access path of the first output device viewed from the second client, and the first network protocol. Table storage means for storing the fifth information indicating the information and the sixth information indicating the transmission destination of the data by the first communication means as a set of access path information, the first communication means or the Data storage means for storing the data received by the second communication means in the first output device or an area divided corresponding to the second output device, and the first communication means, When data is received from one client, the access path information is referred to, the data is stored in the first area of the data storage means based on the fourth information, and the second communication means Is instructed to read out the data stored in the first area, while reading out the data stored in the second area when instructed by the second communication means. In both cases, the data is subjected to protocol conversion based on the fifth information, the converted data is transmitted to the transmission destination indicated in the sixth information, and the second communication means includes the second information When data is received from the client, the access path information is referred to, the data is stored in the second area of the data storage means based on the first information, and the first communication means When the instruction from the first communication means is received, the data stored in the first area is read out, and the data is read out from the data stored in the second area. Protocol conversion is performed based on the second information, and the converted data is transmitted to the transmission destination indicated by the third information.It is characterized by that.
[0015]
  Claim9The communication device according to claim8In the described communication device,The table storage means uses at least one network protocol effective in the Internet as the seventh information as the first information to the sixth information.The first communication means receives only the data of the network protocol indicated in the seventh information out of the data sent from the first client.
  The communication device according to claim 10 is the communication device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the access path information is divided into at least two pieces of information, one of which is used for communication by the first communication means. The other is used for communication by the second communication means.
[0021]
  In order to achieve the above object, the claims11The communication method described is at least oneClient and firstA first communication means for performing communication according to a network protocol; and at least oneOutput device and secondIn a communication method of a communication device comprising a second communication means for performing communication according to a network protocol,The first information indicating the access path of the output device viewed from the client, the second information indicating the second network protocol with which the output device can communicate, and the transmission destination of the data transmitted by the second communication means A table storing step for storing the third information as a set of access path information in the storage means, and the data received by the first communication means in the storage means area divided corresponding to the output device When each of the data storage steps to store and the data sent from the client is received, the access path information is referred to, the received data is stored in the area based on the first information, and An instruction step for instructing the second communication means to read out the data stored in the area; and receiving by the first communication means. A conversion step for converting the protocol of the data based on the second information, and reading the data stored in the area in response to an instruction from the first communication means, and the second network in the conversion step The data is converted into a protocol, and the converted data is transmitted to the destination output device indicated in the third information.And a transmitting step.
[0022]
  Claim12The communication method described is a claim.11In the communication method described,When data is stored in the area, the data is stored in a data storage queue generated or changed based on the first information. When data is stored in the data storage queue, the data is stored first. Data is read sequentiallyIt is characterized by that.
[0023]
  Claim13The communication method described is a claim.11Or12In the communication method described,In the table storing step, at least one network protocol effective on the Internet is stored as fourth information in the storage unit together with the first information to the third information, and the first communication unit receives the network protocol from the client. Receiving only the data of the network protocol indicated in the fourth information among the data sentIt is characterized by.
[0024]
  Claim14The communication method described is a claim.11Thru13In the communication method according to any one of the above,Table storageThe process isAn authentication information storing step of storing a user name and password for performing authentication in the storage unit, and an authentication step of performing authentication based on the user name and the password when receiving data by the first communication unit WithIt is characterized by that.
[0025]
  Claim15The communication method described is a claim.14In the communication method described,The authentication information storing step stores a list of communicable output devices in the storage unit together with the user name and the password, and the authentication step authenticates whether or not access to the output device is permitted based on the list.It is characterized by that.
  The communication method according to claim 16 is the communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the access path information is registered in the storage unit or the registered access path information is changed. The method further includes a registration step.
The communication method according to claim 17 is the communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, further comprising an acquisition step of causing the client to acquire the state of the transmission destination indicated in the third information. It is characterized by that.
[0026]
  In order to achieve the above object, a communication method according to claim 18 comprises:A first communication means for receiving data from a first client and transmitting data to a first output device connected via another communication device by a first network protocol effective on the Internet; In a communication method of a communication device, comprising: a second communication means for transmitting data to a second output device connected by an effective second network protocol and receiving data from a second client; First information indicating the access path of the second output device viewed from the client, second information indicating the second network protocol, and a second destination indicating the transmission destination of the data by the second communication means 3, fourth information indicating the access path of the first output device viewed from the second client, and the first network A table storing step of storing, in the storage means, fifth information indicating a protocol and sixth information indicating the transmission destination of the data by the first communication means as a set of access path information; A data storage step of storing data received by the communication means or the second communication means in the storage means divided in correspondence with the first output device or the second output device, respectively, When data is received from one client, the access path information is referred to, the data is stored in the first area of the storage means based on the fourth information, and the second communication means On the other hand, while instructing the data stored in the first area to be read, when the second communication means instructs to read the data stored in the second area, the data stored in the second area is read. A first transmission step for converting the protocol of the data based on the fifth information and transmitting the converted data to the transmission destination indicated by the sixth information; and the second client When the data is received, the access path information is referred to, the data is stored in the second area of the storage means based on the first information, and the first communication means While instructing to read out the data stored in the second area, when the instruction is made from the first communication means, the data stored in the first area is read out and the data is read out from the first area. A second transmission step of performing protocol conversion based on the information of 2 and transmitting the converted data to the transmission destination indicated in the third information;It is characterized by providing.
[0027]
  The communication method according to claim 19, wherein the communication method according to claim 18Table storageThe process isAt least one network protocol effective on the Internet is stored in the storage unit as the seventh information together with the first information to the sixth information, and is sent from the first client by the first communication unit. Receive only the data of the network protocol indicated in the seventh information among the coming dataIt is characterized by that.
  A communication method according to claim 20 is the communication method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the access path information is divided into at least two pieces of information, one of which is used for communication by the first communication means. The other is used for communication by the second communication means.
[0033]
  In order to achieve the above object, the claims21The recording medium described is at least oneClient and firstA first communication means for performing communication according to a network protocol; and at least oneOutput device and secondIn a computer-readable recording medium recorded with a program for executing a communication method of a communication device comprising a second communication means for performing communication using a network protocol, the program includes:The first information indicating the access path of the output device viewed from the client, the second information indicating the second network protocol with which the output device can communicate, and the transmission destination of the data transmitted by the second communication means A table storage module for storing the third information as a set of access path information in the storage means, and the data received by the first communication means in the storage means area divided corresponding to the output device When each of the data storage modules to be stored and the data sent from the client is received, the access path information is referred to, the received data is stored in the area based on the first information, and An instruction module for instructing the second communication means to read out the data stored in the area; and the first communication unit. A conversion module that performs protocol conversion on the data received by the means based on the second information, and reads data stored in the area in response to an instruction from the first communication means, and the conversion module Convert to the second network protocol, and transmit the converted data to the output device of the transmission destination indicated in the third informationAnd a transmission module.
[0034]
  Claim22The recording medium described is a claim.21In the recording medium described,When data is stored in the area, the data is stored in a data storage queue generated or changed based on the first information, and the second communication means stores data in the data storage queue. The data stored earlier is read sequentially.It is characterized by that.
[0035]
  Claim23The recording medium described is a claim.21Or22In the recording medium described,The table storage module stores at least one network protocol effective in the Internet as fourth information in the storage unit together with the first information to the third information, and from the client by the first communication unit. Receives only the data of the network protocol indicated in the fourth information among the sent dataIt is characterized by that.
[0036]
  Claim24The recording medium described is a claim.21Thru23In the recording medium according to any one of the above,The table storage module stores an authentication information storage module that stores a user name and password for authentication in the storage unit, and the user information and the password when receiving data by the first communication unit. And an authentication module that performs authenticationIt is characterized by that.
[0037]
  Claim25The recording medium described is a claim.24In the recording medium described,The authentication information storage module stores a list of communicable output devices in the storage unit together with the user name and the password, and the authentication module authenticates whether or not access to the output device is permitted based on the list.It is characterized by that.
  A recording medium according to claim 26 is a recording medium according to any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein the access path information is registered in the storage means or the registered access path information is changed. A registration module is further provided.
A recording medium according to a twenty-seventh aspect is the recording medium according to any one of the twenty-first to twenty-sixth aspects, further comprising an acquisition module that causes the client to acquire the state of the transmission destination indicated in the third information. It is characterized by that.
[0038]
  In order to achieve the above object, the claims28The recording medium described isA first communication means for receiving data from a first client and transmitting data to a first output device connected via another communication device by a first network protocol effective on the Internet; A program for executing a communication method of a communication device, comprising: a second communication means for transmitting data to a second output device connected by an effective second network protocol and receiving data from a second client; In the recorded computer-readable recording medium, the program includes first information indicating an access path of the second output device viewed from the first client, and second information indicating the second network protocol. Information, third information indicating a transmission destination of the data by the second communication means, and the second client Fourth information indicating the access path of the first output device, fifth information indicating the first network protocol, and sixth information indicating the transmission destination of the data by the first communication means. And a table storage module for storing the information in the storage means as a set of access path information, and the data received by the first communication means or the second communication means in the first output device or the second When receiving data from the data storage module and the first client respectively stored in the area of the storage means divided corresponding to the output device, the access path information is referred to and the data is referred to as the fourth Based on the information, the data is stored in the first area of the storage means, and the data stored in the first area is read out to the second communication means. On the other hand, when the instruction is received from the second communication means, the data stored in the second area is read out, the protocol is converted based on the fifth information, and the conversion is performed. When the data is received from the second transmission client and the first transmission module that transmits the received data to the transmission destination indicated in the sixth information, the access path information is referred to and the data is referred to as the data While storing in the second area of the storage means based on the first information and instructing the first communication means to read out the data stored in the second area, the first information When the instruction is given from the communication means, the data stored in the first area is read out, the protocol of the data is converted based on the second information, and the converted data is read out. The second data is transmitted to the destination indicated in the third information.And a transmission module.
[0039]
  Claim29The recording medium described is a claim.28In the recording medium described,The table storage module stores at least one network protocol effective in the Internet as the seventh information in the storage unit together with the first information to the sixth information, and the first communication unit causes the first communication unit to store the first protocol. Only data of the network protocol indicated in the seventh information is received from the data sent from the clientIt is characterized by that.
  The recording medium according to claim 30 is the recording medium according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the access path information is divided into at least two pieces of information, one of which is used for communication by the first communication means. The other is used for communication by the second communication means.
[0045]
  In order to achieve the above object, the claims31The listed computer program isA communication device communication method comprising: a first communication unit that communicates with at least one client using a first network protocol; and a second communication unit that communicates with at least one output device using a second network protocol. In the computer program to be executed by the computer, the first information indicating the access path of the output device viewed from the client, the second information indicating the second network protocol with which the output device can communicate, and the second communication means A table storage module for storing third information indicating a transmission destination of data to be transmitted as a set of access path information in the storage means, and dividing the data received by the first communication means corresponding to the output device A data storage module for storing in each of the storage means areas, When the data sent from the client is received, the access path information is referred to, the received data is stored in the area based on the first information, and the second communication means From the instruction module for instructing to read out the data stored in the area, the conversion module for converting the protocol of the data received by the first communication means based on the second information, and the first communication means In response to the instruction, the data stored in the area is read out, converted into the second network protocol by the conversion module, and the converted data is output to the transmission destination indicated in the third information. A transmission module for transmitting to the deviceIt is characterized by that.
[0046]
  Claim32The described computer program is claimed.31In the computer program described,When data is stored in the area, the data is stored in a data storage queue generated or changed based on the first information. When data is stored in the data storage queue, the data is stored first. Data is read sequentiallyIt is characterized by that.
[0047]
  Claim33The described computer program is claimed.31Or32In the computer program described,The table storage module stores at least one network protocol effective in the Internet as fourth information in the storage unit together with the first information to the third information, and from the client by the first communication unit. Receives only the data of the network protocol indicated in the fourth information among the sent dataIt is characterized by that.
[0048]
  Claim34The described computer program is claimed.31Thru33In the computer program according to any one of the above,The table storage module stores an authentication information storage module that stores a user name and password for authentication in the storage unit, and the user information and the password when receiving data by the first communication unit. And an authentication module that performs authenticationIt is characterized by that.
[0049]
  Claim35The described computer program is claimed.34In the computer program described,The authentication information storage module stores a list of communicable output devices in the storage unit together with the user name and the password, and the authentication module authenticates whether or not access to the output device is permitted based on the list.It is characterized by that.
  A computer program according to a thirty-sixth aspect is the computer program according to any one of the thirty-first to thirty-fifth aspects, wherein the access path information is registered in the storage means or the registered access path information is changed. A registration module is further provided.
A computer program according to a thirty-seventh aspect is the computer program according to any one of the thirty-first to thirty-sixth aspects, further comprising an acquisition module that causes the client to acquire the state of the transmission destination indicated in the third information. It is characterized by that.
[0050]
  In order to achieve the above object, the claims38The listed computer program isA first communication means for receiving data from a first client and transmitting data to a first output device connected via another communication device by a first network protocol effective on the Internet; Causing a computer to execute a communication method of a communication apparatus including a second communication unit that transmits data to a second output apparatus connected by an effective second network protocol and receives data from a second client. In the computer program, the first information indicating the access path of the second output device viewed from the first client, the second information indicating the second network protocol, and the second communication means The third information indicating the data transmission destination and the action of the first output device viewed from the second client. A set of access path information includes fourth information indicating a path, fifth information indicating the first network protocol, and sixth information indicating a transmission destination of the data by the first communication unit. The table storage module for storing in the storage means, and the storage in which the data received by the first communication means or the second communication means is divided corresponding to the first output device or the second output device When data is received from the data storage module and the first client respectively stored in the area of the means, the access path information is referred to, and the data is stored in the first of the storage means based on the fourth information. And instructing the second communication means to read out the data stored in the first area, while the second communication means When the instruction is received, the data stored in the second area is read out, the data is protocol-converted based on the fifth information, and the converted data is indicated in the sixth information. When receiving data from the first transmission module to be transmitted to the transmitted destination and the second client, the access path information is referred to, and the data is stored in the storage means based on the first information. While storing in the second area and instructing the first communication means to read out the data stored in the second area, when the instruction is made from the first communication means, The data stored in the first area is read, the data is protocol-converted based on the second information, and the converted data is sent to the transmission destination indicated in the third information A second transmission module for transmitting toIt is characterized by.
[0051]
  Claim39The described computer program is claimed.38In the computer program described,The table storage module stores at least one network protocol effective in the Internet as the seventh information in the storage unit together with the first information to the sixth information, and the first communication unit causes the first communication unit to store the first protocol. Only data of the network protocol indicated in the seventh information is received from the data sent from the clientIt is characterized by that.
  The computer program according to claim 40 is the computer program according to claim 38 or 39, wherein the access path information is divided into at least two pieces of information, one of which is used for communication by the first communication means. The other is used for communication by the second communication means.
[0057]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0058]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a network including a communication apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0059]
In FIG. 1, the communication apparatus is a print server 23 connected to an intranet 21 and the Internet 31. The print server 23 includes Local IP (hereinafter referred to as “Local IP”) “192.168.11.1” and Global IP (hereinafter referred to as “Global IP”) “199.0.0.1”, is capable of communicating with the Internet 31, and is a protocol. Implement both A (for example, IPP (Internet Printing Protocol)) and LPD (Line Printer Daemon Protocol). The intranet 21 has a local IP “192.168.11.11”, and is connected to a printer 22 that implements only an LPD effective in the intranet 21 as a protocol for receiving a print job (data), and a print server 23. The client 11 connected to the Internet 31 has a global IP “200.0.0.1” and is equipped with a protocol A capable of transmitting a print job via the Internet 31.
[0060]
In this network, the printer 22 does not have a global IP, and only an LPD that is valid in the intranet 21 is mounted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the third information indicating the transmission destination of the print job, the second information indicating the conversion destination for converting the print job into a predetermined protocol, and the print job sent from the client 11 A table (hereinafter referred to as “access path”) that holds each piece of information of first information indicating a protocol for receiving the URL, Uniform Resource Locators (URL), and the like is registered in the print server 23, and the print server 23 stores the first information. When a print job sent from the client 11 with the protocol or URL indicated in the information is received, the received print job is converted to the conversion destination indicated in the second information, and the converted print job is converted. Is transmitted to the transmission destination indicated by the third information. As a result, an indirect print job transmission from the client 11 to the printer 22 becomes possible. In this embodiment, since the reception protocol type indicated in the first information is fixed to protocol A, the protocol A is not registered in the access path of FIG.
[0061]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of access paths registered in the print server 23 of FIG.
[0062]
In FIG. 2, “URL” as the first parameter indicates an access path (URL) of the printer 22 as viewed from the Internet 31. In the present embodiment, “http://199.0.0.1/printer” which is the “URL” of the printer 22 is registered as the first information. The second parameter “IntranetProtocol” indicates a list of protocols that the printer 22 can communicate with. In the present embodiment, “LPD” that is a transmission protocol type implemented in the printer 22 is registered as the second information. The third parameter “PrinterHost” indicates the address of the printer 22 that can be accessed from the Internet 31. In the present embodiment, “192.168.11.11” that is the IP address of the printer 22 is registered as the third information. The fourth parameter “PrinterName” indicates the printer name of the printer 22. In the present embodiment, “lp” which is the printer name of the printer 22 is registered as the third information.
[0063]
FIG. 3 is a chart showing print processing in the network of FIG.
[0064]
This print processing is a case where a print job is transmitted from the client 11 to the printer 22 and is printed out by the printer 22. In the present embodiment, the description of the authentication operation of the client 11 is omitted for easier explanation.
[0065]
The client 11 transmits a print job to the printer 22 (URL = http: //199.0.0.1/printer) using the protocol A capable of transmitting a print job via the Internet 31 when executing printing. The print server 23 that has received the print job has registered “URL” = “http://199.0.0.1/printer”, which is the transmission destination of the print job, in the first parameter “URL” of the access path in FIG. Determine whether or not. If the result of this determination is that “URL” is not registered, the print job is discarded, and the client 11 is notified that acceptance is not possible.
[0066]
On the other hand, when “URL” is registered, the IP address = “According to the parameters“ PrinterHost ”and“ PrinterName ”after the third parameter according to the protocol indicated by the second parameter“ IntranetProtocol ”of the access path in FIG. The print job is transferred to the printer 22 having “192.168.11.11” and the printer name = “lp”. As a result, if the transfer is successful, the client 11 is notified of acceptance OK, while if the transfer is unsuccessful, the client 11 is notified of “NotReady”, and the process is terminated. The printer 22 that has received the transferred print job executes the print job and performs print processing using the print job transmitted from the client 11. As a result, the client 11 on the Internet 31 can cause the print job to reach the printer 22 as the transmission destination simply by transmitting the print job with the URL indicated in the first information.
[0067]
According to the first embodiment, by registering the URL when receiving a print job, the transmission destination of the print job, and the access path holding the conversion destination information on the print server 23, Since the print job transmitted from the client 11 to the printer 22 in the intranet 21 is converted into a protocol based on the access path by the print server 23 and transferred to the printer 22, the protocol A effective over the Internet 31 is installed in the printer 22. Without this, the printing process from the client 11 to the printer 22 can be executed.
[0068]
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a network including a communication apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a block diagram of the communication apparatus is shown and described in detail.
[0069]
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network including a communication apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0070]
In FIG. 4, the communication apparatus is a print server 55 connected to an intranet 51 and the Internet 61. The print server 55 includes a local IP “192.168.11.1” and a global IP “199.1.0.1”, can communicate with the Internet 61, and implements IPP, LPD, PAP, and NCP. The intranet 51 has a local IP “192.168.11.52”, and a print job is received by a printer 52 that implements only an LPD that is valid in the intranet 51 as a protocol for receiving a print job, and a PAP (Printer Access Protocol) on AppleTalk. A printer 53 for receiving, a printer 54 for receiving a print job by NCP (NetWare Core Protocol) on IPX (Internetwork Packet Exchange), and a print server 55 are connected. The client 41 connected to the Internet 61 has a global IP “200.0.0.1” and implements an IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) which is a protocol capable of transmitting a print job via the Internet 61.
[0071]
In this network, since the printers 52 to 54 do not have a global IP, and the printers 53 and 54 do not implement TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), each printer cannot be directly accessed from the Internet. . Therefore, in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the third information indicating the transmission destination of the print job and the second information indicating the conversion destination for converting the print job into a predetermined protocol. , And a table (access path) holding each information of the first information corresponding to each of the printers 52 to 54 for receiving the print job sent from the client 41 is registered in the print server 55, and the print server When 55 receives a print job sent from the client 41 using the protocol or URL indicated in the first information, the received print job addressed to the URL is transferred to the conversion destination indicated in the second information. The converted print job is transmitted to the transmission destination indicated by the third information. Thereby, indirect print job transmission from the client 41 to each of the printers 52 to 54 becomes possible. In this embodiment, since the reception protocol type indicated in the first information is fixed to IPP, the IPP is not registered in the access path described later.
[0072]
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of access paths registered in the print server 55 of FIG.
[0073]
In FIG. 5, access paths for the three printers 52 to 54 are registered in this access path. The first registration in the upper row is the registration content for the printer 52. The first parameter “URL” indicates the URL of the printer 52 as viewed from the Internet 61. In the present embodiment, “http://199.1.0.1/printer52”, which is the “URL” of the printer 52, is registered as the first information. The second parameter “IntranetProtocol” indicates a list of protocols that the printer 52 can communicate with. In the present embodiment, “LPD” mounted on the printer 52 is registered as the second information. The third parameter “PrinterHost” indicates the address of the printer 52 that can be accessed from the Internet 61. In the present embodiment, “192.168.11.52”, which is the IP address of the printer 52, is registered as the third information. The fourth parameter “PrinterName” indicates the printer name of the printer 52. In the present embodiment, “lp”, which is the printer name of the printer 52, is registered as the third information.
[0074]
The second registration in the middle is registration contents for the printer 53. The first parameter “URL” indicates the URL of the printer 53 viewed from the Internet 61. In the present embodiment, “http://199.1.0.1/printer53” is registered as the first information. The second parameter “IntranetProtocol” indicates a list of protocols with which the printer can communicate. In the present embodiment, “PAP” mounted on the printer 53 is registered as the second information. In the third parameter “PrinterName”, a printer name in AppleTalk is registered. In the present embodiment, the printer name “PSPrinter” of the printer 53 is registered as the third information.
[0075]
The third registration at the bottom is registration contents for the printer 54. The first parameter “URL” indicates the URL of the printer 54 as viewed from the Internet 61. In the present embodiment, “http://199.1.0.1/printer54” is registered as the first information. The second parameter “IntranetProtocol” indicates a list of protocols with which the printer can communicate. In the present embodiment, “NCP” mounted on the printer 54 is registered as the second information. The third parameter “PrinterHost” indicates a print server name in NetWare. In the present embodiment, the print server name “NWPRT” of the printer 54 is registered as the third information. The fourth parameter “PrinterName” indicates a queue in the print server. In the present embodiment, “PQUEUE” which is a queue of the printer 54 is registered as the third information. The fifth parameter “User” is the name of the user who executes printing. In this embodiment, “guest” is registered to use the guest account. The sixth parameter “Password” is a password. In the present embodiment, nothing is registered because a print job is transmitted without a password using the guest account.
[0076]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a user list registered in the print server 55 of FIG.
[0077]
In FIG. 6, this user list is registered in the print server 55 as a table, and only registered users can transmit a print job to a printer registered in the access path.
[0078]
The first parameter “UserName” is a user name, and “USER-C” and “USER-D” are registered in this embodiment. The second parameter “Password” is a password corresponding to each user. In this embodiment, “password-C” is the password for “USER-C”, and “password- is the password for“ USER-D ”. “D” is registered. The third parameter “PrinterList” is an accessible printer list for each user. In the present embodiment, “*” is registered as a printer accessible by “USER-C”, and “USER-C” can access all printers registered in the access path of FIG. Indicates that it is possible. In addition, a printer 52 (URL = http: //199.1.0.1/printer52) and a printer 53 (URL = http: //199.1.0.1/printer53) are registered as printers accessible by “USER-D”.
[0079]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the print server 55 of FIG.
[0080]
In FIG. 7, the print server 55 communicates with a print job storage unit 701 that stores a received print job, a table storage unit 702 that stores an access path (FIG. 5) and a user list (FIG. 6), and the Internet 61. A communication port 703 for performing communication, an IPP protocol control unit 704 for transmitting / receiving a print job by IPP, a communication port 705 for communicating with the intranet 51, and an LPD protocol control unit 706 for transmitting / receiving a print job by LPD. , A PAP protocol control unit 707 that transmits and receives print jobs by PAP, an NCP protocol control unit 708 that transmits and receives reprint jobs by NCP, and an access path (FIG. 5) and a user list (FIG. 6). Registering person to register And a 709.
[0081]
First, an operation when registering an access path (FIG. 5) and a user list (FIG. 6) in the print server 55 will be described.
[0082]
The access path and user list are registered in the table storage unit 702 by the registration unit 709. Although the registration unit 709 is not specified here, for example, input from a keyboard, setting by serial communication, and the like are conceivable.
[0083]
When the access path is updated, the IPP protocol control unit 704 generates or deletes a queue for receiving a print job. For example, when registrations in the second, fourth, and sixth lines of the access path in FIG. 5 are newly added, the print job storage unit 701 is registered for the registration in the second line. The printer 52 queue 701a is generated, the printer 53 queue 701b is generated in the print job storage unit 701 for the fourth line registration, and the print job storage unit 701 is registered for the sixth line registration. The printer 54 queue 701c is generated. There are a method of generating / deleting a queue every time an access path is updated and a method of performing only when the print server 55 is activated. These methods are not specified.
[0084]
Next, an operation when a print job is transferred from the client 41 to the printer 52 and print processing is performed will be described with reference to FIG.
[0085]
FIG. 8 is a chart showing print processing in the network of FIG.
[0086]
In FIG. 8, when printing is performed from the client 41, an output destination printer is first selected. For example, as shown in the print destination selection screen 42 of FIG. 4, printers 52, 53, and 54 are displayed as output destination candidates. Therefore, when the printer 52 is designated as the output destination, the printer 52 is selected. Similarly, the printer 53 may be selected when the printer 53 is designated as the output destination, and the printer 54 may be selected when the printer 54 is designated. Here, the output destination candidates correspond to the queues (printer 52 / printer 53 / printer 54) in the print server 55 as indicated by the queuing image 56.
[0087]
When the printer 52 is designated as an output destination, authentication with a user name and a password is performed between the client 41 and the print server 55. When the user name and password are transmitted from the client 41 to the print server 55 via the Internet 61, the print server 55 receives the user name and password at the IPP protocol control unit 704 through the communication port 703. The IPP protocol control unit 704 determines whether or not the received user name and password are authenticated by referring to the user list (FIG. 6) in the table storage unit 702. If the result of this determination is that a user whose user name and password match is not registered in the user list of the table storage unit 702, the print server 55 notifies the client 41 of authentication NG, and the following print job Will not be accepted.
[0088]
On the other hand, when a user whose user name and password match is registered in the user list of the table storage unit 702, the print server 55 notifies the client 41 of authentication OK, and the user list of the table storage unit 702 The print job for the printer designated by the third parameter can be received. The client 41 transmits a print job to the printer 52 (URL = http: //199.1.0.1/printer 52) using the IPP capable of transmitting the print job via the Internet 61. The print server 55 receives a print job by the IPP protocol control unit 704 through the communication port 703. The IPP protocol control unit 704 refers to the access path of the table storage unit 702, and “URL” = “http://199.1.0.1/printer52” of the printer 52 that is the transmission destination of the print job is the first parameter of the access path. It is determined whether or not it is registered in “URL”. If the result of this determination is that “URL” is not registered, the print job is discarded, and the client 41 is notified that acceptance is not possible.
[0089]
On the other hand, if “URL” is registered, it is determined whether or not “URL” of the printer name is registered in the third parameter of the authenticated user in the user list (FIG. 6) of the table storage unit 702. To do. As a result of the determination, if the “URL” of the printer name is not registered, the print job is discarded, and the client 41 is notified of the impossibility of acceptance.
[0090]
On the other hand, if the printer name “URL” is registered, the IPP protocol control unit 704 stores the received print job in a predetermined queue of the print job storage unit 701. Here, since the printer 52 is designated as the output destination of the print job, the received print job is stored in the printer 52 queue 701a of the print job storage unit 701. When the storage of the print job in the print job storage unit 701 is completed, the IPP protocol control unit 704 refers to the access path of the table storage unit 702 and acquires transfer destination information. Here, the second parameter “IntranetProtocol”, the third parameter “PrinterHost”, and the fourth parameter “PrinterName” of the access path are referred to. Since the second parameter “IntranetProtocol” is LPD, the IPP protocol control unit 704 sets “PrinterHost” = “192.168.11.52”, “PrinterName” = “lp”, which is the destination of the print job and LPD, to the LPD protocol control unit 706. And request the transfer of the print job by LPD.
[0091]
The LPD protocol control unit 706 takes out the designated print job from the printer 52 queue 701 a of the print job storage unit 701, and transmits the designated print job to the printer “lp” of the designated destination host “192.168.11.52” through the communication port 705. Transfer print jobs. The print job transferred by LPD reaches the printer 52 through the intranet 51. The LPD protocol control unit 706 monitors the transfer result by LPD, notifies the IPP protocol control unit 704 of the transfer result, and completes the transfer process. The IPP protocol control unit 704 notifies the client 41 of the change result from the LPD protocol control unit 706 and completes the transfer process. When the printer 52 that has received the transferred print job executes the print job, the printing process from the client 41 is completed.
[0092]
In the above-described embodiment, the printing process performed from the client 41 to the printer 52 (URL = http: //199.1.0.1/printer52) has been described, but the client 41 to the printer 53 (URL = http: //199.l). The printing process performed for .0.1 / printer 53) will be described below. The operation up to the authentication by the user name and password between the client 41 and the print server 55 is the same as the printing process for the printer 52 of the above-described embodiment, and is therefore omitted here.
[0093]
When the authentication is completed, the client 41 transmits a print job to the printer 53 (URL = http: //199.1.0.1/printer 53) via the Internet 61 using an IPP capable of transmitting a print job. The print server 55 receives a print job by the IPP protocol control unit 704 through the communication port 703. The IPP protocol control unit 704 refers to the access path of the table storage unit 702, and “URL” = “http://199.1.0.1/printer53” of the printer 53 that is the transmission destination of the print job is the first parameter of the access path. It is determined whether or not it is registered in “URL”. If the result of this determination is that “URL” is not registered, the print job is discarded and the client 41 is notified of the inability to accept. On the other hand, if “URL” is registered, it is determined whether or not “URL” of the printer name is registered in the third parameter of the user authenticated in the user list (FIG. 6) of the table storage unit 702. To do. As a result of this determination, if the “URL” of the printer name is not registered, the print job is discarded, and the client 41 is notified of the impossibility of acceptance.
[0094]
On the other hand, if the printer name “URL” is registered, the IPP protocol control unit 704 stores the received print job in a predetermined queue of the print job storage unit 701. Here, since the printer 53 is designated as the output destination of the print job, the received print job is stored in the queue 701 b for the printer 53 of the print job storage unit 701. When storage of the print job in the print job storage unit 701 is completed, the IPP protocol control unit 704 refers to the access path of the table storage unit 702 and acquires transfer destination information. Here, the second parameter “IntranetProtocol” and the third parameter “PrinterName” of the access path are referred to. Since the second parameter “IntranetProtocol” is PAP, the IPP protocol control unit 704 designates “PrinterName” = PSPrinter, which is the destination of the print job and PAP, to the PAP protocol control unit 707, and transfers the print job by PAP. Ask.
[0095]
The PAP protocol control unit 707 takes out the designated print job from the printer 53 queue 701b of the print job storage unit 701, and transfers the print job to the designated printer PSPrinter through the communication port 705. The print job transferred by the PAP reaches the printer 53 through the intranet 51. The PAP protocol control unit 707 monitors the transfer result by PAP, notifies the IPP protocol control unit 704 of the transfer result, and completes the transfer process. The IPP protocol control unit 704 notifies the client 41 of the transfer result from the PAP protocol control unit 707 and completes the transfer process. When the printer 53 that has received the transferred print job executes the print job, the print processing from the client 41 is completed.
[0096]
Further, a printing process performed from the client 41 to the printer 54 (URL = http: //199.1.0.1/printer54) will be described below. The operation up to the authentication by the user name and password between the client 41 and the print server 55 is the same as the printing process for the printer 52 of the above-described embodiment, and is therefore omitted here.
[0097]
When the authentication is completed, the client 41 transmits a print job to the printer 54 (URL = http: //199.1.0.1/Printer54) using the IPP capable of transmitting the print job via the Internet 61. The print server 55 receives a print job by the IPP protocol control unit 704 through the communication port 703. The IPP protocol control unit 704 refers to the access path of the table storage unit 702, and “URL” = “http://199.1.0.1/printer54” of the printer 54 that is the transmission destination of the print job is the first parameter of the access path. It is determined whether or not it is registered in “URL”. If the result of this determination is that “URL” is not registered, the print job is discarded and the client 41 is notified of the inability to accept. On the other hand, if “URL” is registered, it is determined whether or not “URL” of the printer name is registered in the third parameter of the authenticated user in the user list (FIG. 6) of the table storage unit 702. To do. As a result of the determination, if the “URL” of the printer name is not registered, the print job is discarded and the client 41 is notified of the impossibility of acceptance.
[0098]
On the other hand, if the printer name “URL” is registered, the IPP protocol control unit 704 stores the received print job in a predetermined queue of the print job storage unit 701. Here, because the printer 54 is designated as the output destination of the print job, the received print job is stored in the queue 54 701 c for the printer 54 of the print job storage unit 701. When storage of the print job in the print job storage unit 701 is completed, the IPP protocol control unit 704 refers to the access path of the table storage unit 702 and acquires transfer destination information. Here, the second parameter “IntranetProtocol”, the third parameter “PrinterHost”, the fourth parameter “PrinterName”, the fifth parameter “User”, and the sixth parameter “Password” of the access path are referred to. Since the second parameter “IntranetProtocol” is NCP, the IPP protocol control unit 704 causes the destination information “PrinterHost” = NWPRT, “PrinterName” = PQUEUE, “User” = guest, and “Password” = none for the print job and NCP. Is designated to the NCP protocol control unit 708 to request transfer of a print job by NCP.
[0099]
The NCP protocol control unit 708 retrieves the designated print job from the printer 54 queue 701c of the print job storage unit 701, and communicates with the printer PQUEUE of the designated destination host NWPRT as user name = guest, password = none. Transfer print job through port 705. The print job transferred by the NCP reaches the printer 54 through the intranet 51. The NCP protocol control unit 708 monitors the transfer result by NCP, notifies the IPP protocol control unit 704 of the transfer result, and completes the transfer process. The IPP protocol control unit 704 notifies the client 41 of the transfer result from the NCP protocol control unit 708 and completes the turnover process. When the printer 54 that has received the transferred print job executes the print job, the print processing from the client 41 is completed. As a result, the client 41 on the Internet 61 can cause the print job to reach the desired printers 52 to 54 as transmission destinations by simply transmitting the print job with the URL indicated in the first information.
[0100]
According to the second embodiment, the access information that holds the URL, the transmission destination of the print job, and the conversion destination information when the print server 55 receives the print job, and the user name and password information. The print job transmitted from the client 41 is authenticated on the basis of the user list by the print server 55, and then the protocol is converted on the basis of the access path so that a desired job in the intranet 51 is registered. Therefore, by performing authentication based on a user list registered in advance in the print server 55, it is possible to exclude users (users) that should not be permitted, and a plurality of printers in the intranet 51. 52-54, without implementing an effective IPP on the Internet 61, It is possible to perform a print job received from the client 41.
[0101]
Further, by making a plurality of printers appear as Internet printers, it is possible to expect a cost / work man-hour reduction effect as compared to updating individual conventional printers to be compatible with the Internet.
[0102]
(Third embodiment)
A network including a communication apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment except that the number of clients is plural. In this embodiment, print jobs are spooled so that print jobs can be simultaneously received from a plurality of clients for the same printer.
[0103]
FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network including a communication apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The printers 82 to 84 in FIG. 9 have the same functions as the printers 52 to 54 in FIG. 4 in the second embodiment, and the access path and user list to be registered in the print server 85 are as described above. Since it is the same as that of FIG. 5, FIG. 6, description thereof is omitted. The print server 85 has the same configuration (FIG. 7) as the print server 55 of FIG. 4 in the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0104]
In FIG. 9, a plurality of clients 71 to 73 are connected to the Internet 91 and an IPP capable of transmitting a print job via the Internet 91 is installed.
[0105]
FIG. 10 is a chart showing print processing in the network of FIG.
[0106]
This print processing is performed when the print server 85 receives print jobs for the printer 83 from the clients 72 and 73 almost simultaneously.
[0107]
In FIG. 10, the print server 85 can communicate simultaneously with a plurality of clients. By receiving the print job (1) from the client 73 and the print job (2) from the client 72 and spooling them, respectively. Multiple print jobs can be received simultaneously. The print jobs (1) and (2) are sequentially transferred from the print server 85 to the printer 83 when the printer 83 becomes ready for printing.
[0108]
When printing from the client 73, an output destination printer is first selected. For example, since the output destination (printer 52 / printer 53 / printer 54) is displayed on the client 73 as in the print destination selection screen 74 of FIG. 9, when the printer 83 is selected, the printer 53 is selected. Here, the output destination candidates correspond to the queues (printer 52 / printer 53 / printer 54) in the print server 85, as indicated by the queuing image 86 in FIG. When the printer 53 is selected as an output destination, authentication with a user name and a password is performed between the client 73 and the print server 85. When the user name and password are transmitted from the client 73 to the print server 85 via the Internet 91, the print server 85 receives the user name and password at the IPP protocol control unit 704 through the communication port 703. The IPP protocol control unit 704 determines whether or not the received user name and password are authenticated by referring to the user list (FIG. 6) in the table storage unit 702. If the result of this determination is that a user whose user name and password match is not registered in the user list of the table storage unit 702, the print server 85 notifies the client 73 of authentication NG, and the following print job Will not be accepted.
[0109]
On the other hand, when a user whose user name and password match is registered in the user list of the table storage unit 702, the print server 85 notifies the client 73 of the authentication OK and the user list of the table storage unit 702 The print job for the printer designated by the third parameter can be received. At almost the same time, authentication is performed between the client 72 and the print server 85 using the same user name and password as described above.
[0110]
Next, the client 73 transmits a print job (1) to the printer 83 (URL = http: //199.1.0.1/printer53) using an IPP capable of transmitting a print job via the Internet 91. . The print server 85 receives the print job (1) by the IPP protocol control unit 704 through the communication port 703. The IPP protocol control unit 704 refers to the access path of the table storage unit 702 and determines whether or not the printer 83 that is the transmission destination of the print job (1) is registered in the first parameter “URL” of the access path. . If the result of this determination is that “URL” is not registered, the print job (1) is discarded, and the client 73 is notified that acceptance is not possible.
[0111]
On the other hand, if “URL” is registered, it is determined whether “URL” of the printer name is registered in the third parameter of the authenticated user in the user list of the table storage unit 702. As a result of this determination, if the “URL” of the printer name is not registered, the print job (1) is discarded, and the client 73 is notified of the impossibility of acceptance.
[0112]
On the other hand, when the “URL” of the printer name is registered, the IPP protocol control unit 704 spools the received print job (1) in a predetermined queue of the print job storage unit 701. Here, since the printer 53 is designated as the output destination of the print job (1), the received print job (1) is spooled in the printer 53 queue 701b of the print job storage unit 701. When spooling to the print job storage unit 701 is completed, the IPP protocol control unit 704 refers to the access path of the table storage unit 702 and acquires transfer destination information. Here, the second parameter “IntranetProtocol” and the third parameter “PrinterName” of the access path are referred to. Since the second parameter “IntranetProtocol” is PAP, the IPP protocol control unit 704 designates “PrinterName” = PSPrinter, which is the destination of the print job and PAP, to the PAP protocol control unit 707, and transfers the print job by PAP. Ask. When the process is completed, the IPP protocol control unit 704 notifies the client 73 of acceptance OK (1).
[0113]
Subsequently, the client 72 transmits a print job (2) to the printer 83 (URL = http // 199.1.0.1 / printer53) using an IPP capable of transmitting a print job via the Internet 91. . The print server 85 receives the print job (2) by the IPP protocol control unit 704 through the communication port 703. The IPP protocol control unit 704 refers to the access path of the table storage unit 702 and determines whether or not the printer 83 that is the transmission destination of the print job (2) is registered in the first parameter “URL” of the access path. . If the result of this determination is that “URL” is not registered, the print job (2) is discarded, and the client 72 is notified of the impossibility of acceptance.
[0114]
On the other hand, if “URL” is registered, it is determined whether or not “URL” of the printer name is registered in the third parameter of the user who is authenticated in the user list of the table storage unit 702. As a result of this determination, if the “URL” of the printer name is not registered, the print job (2) is discarded, and the client 72 is notified of the impossibility of acceptance.
[0115]
On the other hand, when the printer name “URL” is registered, the IPP protocol control unit 704 spools the received print job (2) in a predetermined queue of the print job storage unit 701. Here, since the printer 53 is designated as the output destination of the print job (2), the received print job (2) is spooled in the printer 53 queue 701 b of the print job storage unit 701. When spooling to the print job storage unit 701 is completed, the IPP protocol control unit 704 refers to the access path of the table storage unit 702 and acquires transfer destination information. Here, the second parameter “IntranetProtocol” and the third parameter “PrinterName” of the access path are referred to. Since the second parameter “IntranetProtocol” is PAP, the IPP protocol control unit 704 designates “PrinterName” = PSPrinter, which is the destination of the print job and PAP, to the PAP protocol control unit 707, and transfers the print job by PAP. Ask. At the stage of completion so far, the IPP protocol control unit 704 notifies the client 72 of acceptance OK (1).
[0116]
At this stage, two print jobs, print job (1) and print job (2), are spooled in the print job storage unit 701 and are waiting to be transferred to the printer 83.
[0117]
Next, the PAP protocol control unit 707 retrieves the first spooled print job (1) from the printer 53 queue 701b of the print job storage unit 701, and sends the print job to the designated printer PSPrinter through the communication port 705. Forward. The print job transferred by the PAP reaches the printer 83 through the intranet 81. The PAP protocol control unit 707 completes the transfer process by receiving the transfer result by PAP. Further, since the print job (2) remains spooled in the printer 53 queue 701b of the print job storage unit 701 at this stage, the PAP protocol control unit 707 takes out the print job (2) and is designated. A print job is transferred to the printer PSPrinter through the communication port 705. The print job transferred by the PAP reaches the printer 83 through the intranet 81. The PAP protocol control unit 707 completes the transfer process by receiving the transfer result by PAP. When the printer 83 executes the print job (1) and the print job (2), the printing process from the client 73 and the client 72 is completed.
[0118]
According to the third embodiment, the print server 85 having a function of spooling a print job receives the print job, the URL for receiving the print job, the transmission destination of the print job, and the access path holding each information of the conversion destination. By registering the user list having the user name and password information, the print jobs (1) and (2) transmitted from the clients 72 and 73 are authenticated by the print server 85 based on the user list. Thereafter, since the protocol is converted and spooled based on the access path, it is possible to exclude users (users) who should not be permitted by performing authentication based on the user list registered in advance in the print server 85. A plurality of printers 82 to 84 in the intranet 81 are effective on the Internet 91. Without implementing the PP, it is possible to execute a print job transmitted simultaneously from a plurality of clients 71-73 in that order.
[0119]
Further, by making a plurality of printers appear as Internet printers, it is possible to expect a cost / work man-hour reduction effect as compared to updating individual conventional printers to be compatible with the Internet.
[0120]
(Fourth embodiment)
The configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described below.
[0121]
11 and 12 are schematic diagrams of access paths registered in the print server 23. FIG.
[0122]
In the first embodiment, a network protocol (print protocol) on the Internet side is not specified, but a print protocol on the Internet side can also be specified. In FIG. 11, this access path is obtained by adding the designation of “InternetProtocol” as the fifth parameter, compared to the access path of FIG. For example, when there are three types of printing protocols on the Internet, “Protocol-A”, “Protocol-B”, and “Protocol-C”, only “Protocol-A” is allowed in the access path of FIG. -B "and" Protocol-C "indicate that print job reception is rejected. Similarly, in the access path of FIG. 12, for the printer with “URL” = “http://199.0.0.1/printer1,” print jobs from the Internet using “Protocol-A” and “Protocol-B” are used. Indicates that reception is permitted and reception of a print job by “Protocol-C” is rejected. For printers with “URL” = “http://199.0.0.1/printer2,” print jobs from the Internet using all of “Protocol-A”, “Protocol-B”, and “Protocol-C” “*” That allows reception.
[0123]
According to the fourth embodiment, the print server 23 registers the URL when receiving a print job, the transmission destination of the print job, the conversion destination, and the access path that holds each information of the network protocol on the Internet side. As a result, only the print protocol data registered in the print server 23 among the print jobs (data) transmitted from the client 11 is received, so that data reception based on the protocol in which the security defect is found is not performed. It becomes possible to do.
[0124]
(Fifth embodiment)
A network including a communication apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0125]
FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network including a communication apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0126]
In FIG. 13, the communication apparatus is a print server 103 connected to an intranet 101 and the Internet 121, and includes a local IP “192.168.11.1” and a global IP “199.0.0.1”, and can communicate with the Internet 121. And both Protocol A and LPD are implemented. The intranet 101 has a local IP “192.168.11.11”, and a print server 103 is connected to a client 102 that implements only an LPD that is valid in the intranet as a protocol for transmitting a print job. The printer 111 connected to the Internet 121 has a protocol A (referred to as “Protocol-A” in this embodiment) that can receive a print job via the Internet 121.
[0127]
In this network, the client 102 does not have a global IP, and only an LPD that is valid in the intranet 101 is mounted, and therefore, the client 102 usually cannot directly access the Internet 121. Therefore, in the present embodiment, similar to the first to fourth embodiments, a predetermined access path to the printer 111 is registered in the print server 103, and protocol conversion is performed according to the access path, whereby the client 102 Indirect print job transmission from the printer to the printer 111 is enabled.
[0128]
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of access paths registered in the print server 103 of FIG.
[0129]
In FIG. 14, “URL” as the first parameter indicates the access path of the printer 111 as viewed from the Internet 121. In the present embodiment, “http://200.0.0.1/printer” is registered as the first information. The second parameter “InternetProtocol” indicates a protocol that allows communication on the Internet 121. In the present embodiment, Protocol-A implemented in the printer 111 is registered as the second information. The third parameter “PrinterName” indicates the printer name on the intranet 101 side in the print server 103. In the present embodiment, “lpd1”, which is the printer name of the print server 103, is registered as the third information.
[0130]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing print processing in the network of FIG.
[0131]
In FIG. 15, the client 102 transmits a print job to LPD1 of the print server 103 (local IP: 192.168.11.1) by LPD. The print server 103 that has received the print job determines whether the received print job is addressed to the printer registered in the access path of FIG. 14 (step S1601). If the result of this determination is that it is not registered in the access path, the print job is discarded (step S1605), and this process ends. If it is registered, the received print job is set as the second parameter. The protocol is converted (step S1602), and the converted print job is transferred to the first parameter printer (step S1603). When the printer 111 that has received the transferred print job executes the print job (step S1604), the printing from the client 102 is completed, and the process ends. As a result, the client 102 on the intranet 101 can cause the print job to reach the destination printer 111 simply by transmitting the print job using the URL indicated in the first information.
[0132]
According to the fifth embodiment, a print job transmitted from the client 102 in the intranet 101 to the printer 111 on the Internet 121 is printed by registering a predetermined access path to the printer 111 in the print server 103. Since the server 103 converts the protocol based on the access path and transfers it to the printer 111, the client 102 can execute printing for the printer 111 without implementing the protocol A effective on the Internet 121. . In addition, the cost / man-hours can be reduced more than when the client is updated to the Internet.
[0133]
(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a network including a communication apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0134]
FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network including a communication apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[0135]
In FIG. 16, the communication apparatus is a print server 212 connected to an intranet 210 and the Internet 220. The print server 212 has a local IP “192.168.11.1” and a global IP “199.0.0.1”, and has both communication protocols of IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) and LPD (Line Printer Daemon Protocol) capable of communicating with the Internet 220. Implement.
[0136]
The Internet 220 has a global IP “200.0.0.1”, a printer 221 that can receive a print job by IPP, and a global IP “201.0.0.1”, and can receive a print job by IPP. A printer 222 is connected. The intranet 210 is connected with a client 211 that has a local IP “192.168.11.11” and can send a print job by LPD.
[0137]
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of access paths registered in the print server 212 of FIG.
[0138]
In FIG. 17, information for transmitting a print job from the intranet 210 to the printer 221 and information for transmitting a print job from the intranet 210 to the printer 222 are registered in this access path. The first line in FIG. 17 is a comment line. The second line is registration for transmitting a print job from the intranet 210 to the printer 221, and the first parameter “URL” indicates the URL of the printer 221 viewed from the Internet 220. In the present embodiment, “http://200.0.0.1/printer” is registered as the first information. The second parameter “InternetProtocol” indicates a protocol with which the printer can communicate. In the present embodiment, “IPP” implemented in the printer 221 is registered as the second information.
[0139]
The third parameter “PrinterName” indicates a printer name when the print server 212 receives a print job from the intranet 210 to the printer 221. In the present embodiment, “lpd1” is registered as the third information. The third line is registration for transmitting a print job from the intranet 210 to the printer 222, and the first parameter “URL” indicates the URL of the printer 222 as viewed from the Internet 220. In the present embodiment, “http://201.0.0.1/printer” is registered as the first information.
[0140]
The second parameter “InternetProtocol” indicates a protocol with which the printer can communicate. In the present embodiment, “IPP” implemented in the printer 222 is registered as the second information. The third parameter “PrinterName” indicates a printer name when the print server 212 receives a print job from the intranet 210 to the printer 222. In the present embodiment, “lpd2” is registered as the third information.
[0141]
FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the print server 212 of FIG.
[0142]
In FIG. 18, the print server 212 includes a print job storage unit 1830 that stores a received print job, a table storage unit 1831 that stores an access path, a communication port 1832 for communicating with the intranet 210, and the Internet 220. Registration of access path in communication port 1833 for communication, LPD protocol control unit 1834 for sending and receiving print jobs by LPD, IPP protocol control unit 1835 for sending and receiving print jobs by IPP, and table storage unit 1831 Registration means 1836 for performing the above.
[0143]
First, an operation when registering an access path (FIG. 17) in the print server 212 will be described.
[0144]
The access path is registered in the table storage unit 1831 by the registration unit 1836. Although the registration unit 1836 is not specified here, for example, input from a keyboard, setting by serial communication, or the like can be considered.
[0145]
When the access path is updated, the LPD protocol control unit 1834 generates and deletes a queue for receiving a print job. For example, when the registrations in the second and third lines of the access path in FIG. 17 are newly added, the lpd1 queue 1830a is generated in the print job storage unit 1830 for the registration in the second line. For the registration on the third line, the lpd2 queue 1830b is generated in the print job storage unit 1830. There are a method of generating / deleting a queue every time an access path is updated and a method of performing only when the print server 212 is activated. These methods are not specified.
[0146]
Next, an operation when a print job is transferred from the client 211 to the printer 221 and a print process is performed will be described with reference to FIG.
[0147]
FIG. 19 is a chart showing print processing in the network of FIG.
[0148]
In FIG. 19, when printing is performed from the client 211, an output destination printer is first selected. For example, since lpd1 and lpd2 are displayed as output destination candidates as in the print destination selection screen 213 of FIG. 16, when specifying the printer 221 as the output destination, lpd1 is selected. Similarly, when specifying the printer 222 as an output destination, lpd2 is selected. Here, the output destination candidates correspond to the queue (lpd1 / lpd2) in the print server 212 as indicated by the queuing image 214.
[0149]
When “lpd1” is designated as the output destination, the print job is transmitted to the print server 212 via the intranet 210 using the LPD protocol. In the print server 212, the print job transmitted by the LPD protocol is received by the LPD protocol control unit 1834 through the communication port 1832. The LPD protocol control unit 1834 refers to the access path of the table storage unit 1831, the specified output destination is registered in PrinterName of the access path of the table storage unit 1831, and a queue has already been generated in the print job storage unit 1830. If so, the received print job is stored in a predetermined queue of the print job storage unit 1830. Here, since lpd1 is designated as the output destination of the print job, the received print job is stored in the lpd1 queue 1830a of the print job storage unit 1830.
[0150]
When the storage of the print job in the print job storage unit 1830 ends, the LPD protocol control unit 1834 refers to the access path of the table storage unit 1831 and acquires transfer destination information. Here, the first parameter “URL” and the second parameter “InternetProtocol” are referenced from the second line of the access path of the table storage unit 1831. Since the second parameter “InternetProtocol” is IPP, the LPD protocol control unit 1834 designates “http://200.0.0.1/printer”, which is the destination of the print job and IPP, to the IPP protocol control unit 1835, and Request print job transfer by. The IPP protocol control unit 1835 takes out the designated print job from the lpd1 queue 1830a of the print job storage unit 1830, and prints it through the communication port 1833 to the designated transmission destination “http://200.0.0.1/printer”. Transfer the job. The print job transferred by IPP reaches the printer 221 through the Internet 220. The IPP protocol control unit 1835 monitors the transfer result by IPP, notifies the LPD protocol control unit 1834 of the transfer result, and completes the transfer process. The LPD protocol control unit 1834 notifies the client 211 of the transfer result from the IPP protocol control unit 1835 and completes the transfer process. When the printer 221 that has received the transferred print job executes the print job, the print processing from the client 211 is completed.
[0151]
According to the sixth embodiment, a predetermined access path to the printer 221 and the printer 222 is registered in the print server 212, so that the client 211 in the intranet 210 transmits to the printer 221 or the printer 222 on the Internet 220. Since the print server 212 converts the protocol of the print job based on the access path and transfers it to the printer 221, the client 211 sends the printer 221 to the printer 221 without implementing IPP, which is a protocol effective on the Internet 220. Alternatively, printing with respect to the printer 222 can be executed.
[0152]
In addition, the cost / man-hours can be reduced more than when the client is updated to the Internet.
[0153]
(Seventh embodiment)
Next, a network including a communication apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0154]
FIG. 20 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network including a communication apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
[0155]
In FIG. 20, this communication apparatus is a print server 135 connected to an intranet 131 and the Internet 151, and a print server 145 connected to the intranet 141 and the Internet 151.
[0156]
The print server 135 has a local IP “192.168.11.1” and a global IP “199.2.0.1”, can communicate with the Internet 151, and can transmit a print job via the Internet 151 “Protocol-A ", Protocols LPD and PAP that are effective only in the intranet 131 are implemented. The intranet 131 includes a local IP “192.168.22.32”, a client 132 that implements only a valid LPD in the intranet 131 as a protocol for transmitting a print job, and a client 133 that transmits a print job by PAP on AppleTalk. A printer 134 that receives a print job by PAP on AppleTalk and a print server 135 are connected.
[0157]
The print server 145 has a local IP “192.168.11.1” and a global IP “199.1.0.1”, can communicate with the Internet 151, and can transmit a print job via the Internet 151 “Protocol-A ”And a protocol LPD that is effective only in the intranet 141 is implemented. The intranet 141 includes a local IP “192.168.11.42”, a client 142 that implements only a valid LPD in the intranet 141 as a protocol for transmitting a print job, and a local IP “192.168.11.43”. A printer 143 that implements only an LPD that is valid in the intranet 141 as a receiving protocol, and a printer 144 that has a local IP “192.168.11.44” and that implements only an LPD that is valid in the intranet 141 as a protocol for receiving a print job; The print server 145 is connected.
[0158]
FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of access paths registered in the print server 135 of FIG.
[0159]
In FIG. 21, this access path is an access path [INTRANET] for enabling access to the printer 134 from the Internet 151, and for enabling access from the intranet 131 to the printer 143 and the printer 144 of the intranet 141. Consists of access path [INTERNET].
[0160]
21 to the line immediately before [INTRANET] to [INTERNET] (hereinafter referred to as “[INTRANET] section”) is an access path for enabling access from the Internet 151 to each printer of the intranet 131. Now, an example of registration for the printer 134 is shown. The first parameter “URL” indicates the access path of the printer 134 as viewed from the Internet 151. In the present embodiment, “http://199.2.0.1/printer” is registered as the first information. The second parameter “InternetProtocol” indicates a list of protocols that the printer can communicate with. In the present embodiment, “Protocol-A” implemented in the print server 135 is registered as the second information. A third parameter “IntranetProtocol” indicates a protocol used when a print job is transferred from the print server 135 to the printer 134. In the present embodiment, “PAP” is registered as the second information. The fourth parameter “PrinterName” indicates the printer name. In the present embodiment, the printer name “PSPrinter” of the printer 134 is registered as the third information.
[0161]
[INTERNET] (hereinafter referred to as “[INTERNET] section”) in FIG. 21 is an access path of a printer accessible via the Internet 151, and FIG. 21 shows a registration example for the printer 143 and the printer 144.
[0162]
The first registration at the top of the [INTERNET] section is an access path for accessing the printer 143 from the intranet 131. The first parameter “URL” indicates the access path of the printer 143 viewed from the Internet 151. In the present embodiment, “http://199.1.0.1/printer1” is registered as the first information. The second parameter “InternetProtocol” indicates a protocol type used when the print server 135 transfers a print job to the print server 145. In the present embodiment, “Protocol-A” implemented in the print server 145 is registered as the second information. The third parameter “IntranetProtocol” indicates a protocol type used when a print job is received from a client of the intranet 131. In the present embodiment, “LPD” is registered as the second information. The fourth parameter “PrinterName” indicates a printer name when a print job is received from a client of the intranet 131. In the present embodiment, “lpd1” is registered as the third information.
[0163]
The second registration in the [INTERNET] section is an access path for accessing the printer 143 from the intranet 131 as in the first registration. The first registration is a registration for receiving a print job by LPD from a client of the intranet 131, and the second registration is a registration for receiving a print job by a PAP from a client of the intranet 131. As for the first parameter “URL”, “http://199.1.0.1/printer1” is registered as the first information as in the first registration. As for the second parameter “InternetProtocol”, “Protocol-A” is registered as the second information as in the first registration. The third parameter “IntranetProtocol” indicates a protocol type used when a print job is received from a client of the intranet 131. In the present embodiment, “PAP” is registered as the second information. The fourth parameter “PrinterName” indicates a printer name when a print job is received from a client of the intranet 131. In the present embodiment, “ps1” is registered as the third information.
[0164]
The third registration in the [INTERNET] section is an access path for accessing the printer 144 from the intranet 131. The first parameter “URL” indicates the access path of the printer 144 viewed from the Internet 151. In the present embodiment, “http://199.1.0.1/printer2” is registered as the first information. The second parameter “InternetProtocol” indicates a protocol type used when the print server 135 transfers a print job to the print server 145. In the present embodiment, “Protocol-A” implemented in the print server 145 is registered as the second information. The third parameter “IntranetProtocol” indicates a protocol type used when a print job is received from a client of the intranet 131. In the present embodiment, “LPD” is registered as the second information. The fourth parameter “PrinterName” indicates a printer name when a print job is received from a client of the intranet 131. In the present embodiment, “lpd2” is registered as the third information.
[0165]
The fourth registration in the [INTERNET] section is an access path for accessing the printer 144 from the intranet 131 as in the third registration. The third registration is a registration for receiving a print job by “LPD” from a client of the intranet 131, and the fourth registration is a registration for receiving a print job by “PAP” from a client of the intranet 131. is there. As for the first parameter “URL”, as in the third registration, “http://199.1.0.1/printer2” is registered as the first information. As for the second parameter “InternetProtocol”, “Protocol-A” is registered as the second information as in the third registration. The third parameter “IntranetProtocol” indicates a protocol type used when a print job is received from a client of the intranet 131. In the present embodiment, “PAP” is registered as the second information. The fourth parameter “PrinterName” indicates a printer name when a print job is received from a client of the intranet 131. In the present embodiment, “ps2” is registered as the third information.
[0166]
FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of a user list registered in the print server 135 of FIG.
[0167]
In FIG. 22, the user list is registered in the print server 135, and only the print job transmitted from the registered user's Internet 151 to the print server 135 is accepted by the print server 135.
[0168]
The first parameter “UserName” is a user name, and “USER-C” and “USER-D” are registered in this embodiment. The second parameter “Password” is a password corresponding to each user. In this embodiment, “password-C” is the password for “USER-C”, and “password- is the password for“ USER-D ”. “D” is registered. The third parameter “PrinterList” is an accessible printer list for each user. In this embodiment, “*” is registered as an accessible printer for both “USER-C” and “USER-D”. “USER-C” indicates that access to all printers registered in the [INTRANET] section of the access path of FIG. 23 described later is possible.
[0169]
FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of access paths registered in the print server 145 of FIG.
[0170]
In FIG. 23, this access path is an access path [INTRANET] section for enabling access to the printers 143 and 144 from the Internet 151 and for enabling access from the intranet 141 to the printer 134 of the intranet 131. The access path consists of an [INTERNET] section.
[0171]
The [INTRANET] section of FIG. 23 is an access path for enabling access from the Internet 151 to the printer of the intranet 141. FIG. 23 shows an example of registration for the printers 143 and 144. The first registration is registration with respect to the printer 143, and the first parameter “URL” indicates the access path of the printer 143 as viewed from the Internet 151. In the present embodiment, “http://199.1.0.1/printer1” is registered as the first information. The second parameter “InternetProtocol” indicates a list of protocols that the printer can communicate with. In the present embodiment, “Protocol-A” implemented in the print server 145 is registered as the second information. The third parameter “IntranetProtocol” indicates a protocol used when a print job is transferred from the print server 145 to the printer 143. In the present embodiment, “LPD” is registered as the second information. The fourth parameter “PrinterHost” indicates the IP address of the printer 143. In the present embodiment, the IP address “192.168.11.43” of the printer 143 is registered as the third information. The fifth parameter “PrinterName” indicates the printer name. In the present embodiment, the printer name “lp” of the printer 143 is registered as the third information.
[0172]
The second registration in the [INTRANET] section is registration for the printer 144, and the first parameter “URL” indicates the access path of the printer 144 as viewed from the Internet 151. In the present embodiment, “http://199.1.0.1/printer2” is registered as the first information. The second parameter “InternetProtocol” indicates a list of protocols that the printer can communicate with. In the present embodiment, “Protocol-A” implemented in the print server 145 is registered as the second information. The third parameter “IntranetProtocol” indicates a protocol used when a print job is transferred from the print server 145 to the printer 144. In the present embodiment, “LPD” is registered as the second information. The fourth parameter “PrinterHost” indicates the IP address of the printer 144. In the present embodiment, the IP address “192.168.11.44” of the printer 144 is registered as the third information. The fifth parameter “PrinterName” indicates the printer name. In the present embodiment, the printer name “lp” of the printer 144 is registered as the third information.
[0173]
The first registration in the [INTERNET] section of FIG. 23 is registration for accessing the printer 134 from the intranet 141. The first parameter “URL” indicates the access path of the printer 143 viewed from the Internet 151. In the present embodiment, “http://199.2.0.1/printer” is registered as the first information. The second parameter “InternetProtocol” indicates the protocol type used when the print server 145 transfers the print job to the print server 135. In the present embodiment, “Protocol-A” implemented in the print server 145 is registered as the second information. The third parameter “IntranetProtocol” indicates a protocol type used when a print job is received from a client of the intranet 141. In the present embodiment, “LPD” is registered as the second information. The fourth parameter “PrinterName” indicates a printer name when a print job is received from a client of the intranet 141. In the present embodiment, “lp” is registered as the third information.
[0174]
FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of a user list registered in the print server 145 of FIG.
[0175]
In FIG. 24, only a print job transmitted from the Internet 151 to the print server 145 by a user registered in the user list is accepted by the print server 145.
[0176]
The first parameter “UserName” is a user name, and “USER-A” and “USER-B” are registered in the present embodiment. The second parameter “Password” is a password corresponding to each user. In this embodiment, “password-A” is the password for “USER-A”, and “password-A” is the password for “USER-B”. “B” is registered. The third parameter “PrinterList” is an accessible printer list for each user. In this embodiment, “USER-A” is registered as an accessible printer, and “USER-A” is registered. "Indicates that all printers registered in the [INTRANET] section of the access path in FIG. 25 can be accessed. Also, “printer1” is registered as a printer that can be accessed by “USER-B”, and “USER-B” can print to “http://199.1.0.1/printer1,” but “http : //199.1.0.1/printer2 ”cannot be printed.
[0177]
FIG. 25 is a chart showing print processing in the network of FIG.
[0178]
In FIG. 25, since the client 133 does not implement a protocol for printing directly on the Internet 151, the client 133 transmits a print job to the print server 135 and indirectly performs a printing process on the printer 143.
[0179]
The client 133 transmits a print job to the printer “ps1” registered in the print server 135. The print server 135 determines whether or not the print job received from the client 133 can be spooled. If the print job cannot be spooled, the print server 135 notifies the client 133 that spooling is not possible. After the completion of spooling, the client 133 is notified of spool OK.
[0180]
The print server 135 notifies the print server 145 of an authentication request for the user name and password via the Internet 151, and whether or not the user name and password received by the print server 145 are registered in the user list in FIG. It is determined whether or not. As a result of this determination, if the user whose user name and password match is not registered in the user list of FIG. 24, the print server 145 notifies the print server 135 of authentication NG, and the print job following There is no reception. On the other hand, if a user whose user name and password match is registered in the user list in FIG. 24, the print server 145 notifies the print server 135 of authentication OK, and uses the third parameter in FIG. A print job can be received for the designated printer. The print server 135 transmits a print job to the printer 143 (URL = http: //199.1.0.1/printer1) using a protocol capable of transmitting the print job via the Internet 151. The print server 145 that has received the print job checks whether the printer 143 (URL = http: //199.1.0.1/printer1) that is the transmission destination of the print job is registered in the first parameter “URL” of the access path in FIG. Determine whether or not. If the result of this determination is that “URL” is not registered, the print job is discarded, and the print server 135 is notified that acceptance is not possible. On the other hand, if “URL” is registered, FIG. It is determined whether or not the “URL” of the printer name specified by the first parameter of the access path in FIG. 23 is registered in the third parameter of the user in the user list. As a result of this determination, if the “URL” of the printer name is not registered, the print job is discarded, and the print server 135 is notified that acceptance is not possible, while the “URL” of the printer name is registered. 23, the parameters “PrinterHost” = “192.168.11.43” and “PrinterName” = “lp” after the fourth parameter, that is, the printer 143 is set by the protocol LPD indicated by the third parameter “IntranetProtocol” of the access path in FIG. If the transfer fails, the print server 135 notifies the print server 135 of “NotReady”, and the received print server 135 notifies the client 133 of print completion (print NG). To do. If the transfer is successful, the print server 135 is notified of acceptance OK, and the print server 135 that has received the notification notifies the client 133 of print completion (print OK). When the printer 143 that has received the transferred print job executes the print job, printing from the client 133 is completed.
[0181]
The seventh embodiment is an example of printing from the client 133 of the intranet 131 to the printer 143 of the intranet 141. Similarly, in addition to the above embodiment, printing from the client of the intranet 131 to the printer of the intranet 141, and the intranet 141 clients can mutually print to the printer on the intranet 131.
[0182]
According to the seventh embodiment, the print server 135 in the intranet 131 registers an access path that holds information on the transmission destination and conversion destination of a print job, and a user list including a user name and a password, By registering the same access path and the user list in the print server 145 on the intranet 141, a print job transmitted from the client 133 in the intranet 131 to the printer 143 in the intranet 141 is temporarily spooled in the print server 135. Since the print server 145 authenticates the user list based on the user list, the protocol is converted based on the access path, and is transferred to the printer 143 in the intranet 141. Therefore, the printer 143 and the client 133 are effective on the Internet 151. Without implementing the Protocol-A, it is possible to perform the printing for the printer 143 from the client 133. In addition, the user can perform desired print processing without distinguishing between the Internet and the intranet and without being aware of the difference in protocol, thereby further improving convenience.
[0183]
For example, in the printing system of the above embodiment, the user can perform the printing process without distinguishing between the Internet and the intranet and without being aware of the difference in protocol.
[0184]
(Eighth embodiment)
A network including a communication apparatus according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first to seventh embodiments, the print processing function in the network has been described. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which information related to the printer state using the above embodiment is acquired.
[0185]
FIG. 26 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network including a communication device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
[0186]
In FIG. 26, this communication apparatus is a print server 163 connected to the intranet 161 and the Internet 181, and a print server 173 connected to the intranet 171 and the Internet 181.
[0187]
The print server 163 has a local IP (192.168.12.1) and a global IP (199.1.0.1), can communicate with the Internet 181, and can acquire a printer status via the Internet 181. "Protocol-1" used for monitoring the printer status in the intranet 161 is implemented. The intranet 161 has a local IP (192.168.12.12), and a client 162 for monitoring the printer status in the intranet 161 and a print server 163 are connected by “Protocol-1”.
[0188]
The print server 173 has a local protocol IP (192.168.11.1) and a global IP (199.2.0.1), can communicate with the Internet 181, and can obtain a printer status via the Internet 181. -S "and" Protocol-2 "used for monitoring the printer status in the intranet 171 are implemented. A printer 172 having a local IP (192.168.11.11) and implementing a protocol “Protocol-2” for notifying its own printer status and a print server 173 are connected to the intranet 171.
[0189]
FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram of an access path registered in the print server 163 of FIG.
[0190]
In FIG. 27, this access path is registered to enable access from the intranet 161 to the printer 172 in the intranet 171. Nothing is registered in the [INTRANET] section of the figure. This is because access to the printer of the intranet 161 from the Internet is not permitted.
[0191]
In the [INTERNET] section, the printer 172 is registered as a printer accessible via the Internet 181. The first parameter “URL” indicates the access path of the printer 172 viewed from the Internet 181. In the present embodiment, “http://199.2.0.1/printer” is registered as the first information. The second parameter “InternetProtocol” indicates a protocol type used when the print server 163 transfers a print job to the print server 173. In the present embodiment, “Protocol-A” is registered as the second information. The third parameter “IntranetProtocol” indicates a protocol type used when a print job is received from a client of the intranet 161. In the present embodiment, “LPD” is registered as the second information. The fourth parameter “PrinterName” indicates a printer name when a print job is received from a client of the intranet 161. In the present embodiment, “lp” is registered as the third information. The fifth parameter “InternetStatus” indicates the protocol type (conversion destination) used when the print server 163 transfers the status acquisition information to the print server 173. In the present embodiment, “Protocol-S” is registered as the second information. The sixth parameter “IntranetStatus” indicates a protocol type used when receiving status acquisition information from a client of the intranet 161. In the present embodiment, “Protocol-1” is registered as the second information.
[0192]
FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram of an access path registered in the print server 173 of FIG.
[0193]
In FIG. 28, this access path is registered so that the printer 172 can be accessed from the Internet 181. In the [INTRANET] section, the printer 172 is registered as a printer accessible from the Internet 181. The first parameter “URL” indicates the access path of the printer 172 viewed from the Internet 181. In the present embodiment, “http://199.2.0.1/printer” is registered as the first information. The second parameter “InternetProtocol” indicates a protocol type (conversion destination) used when the print server 173 transfers a print job to the print server 163. In the present embodiment, “Protocol-A” is registered as the second information. The third parameter “IntranetProtocol” indicates a protocol used when a print job is transferred from the print server 173 to the printer 172. In the present embodiment, “LPD” is registered as the second information. The fourth parameter “PrinterHost” indicates the IP address of the printer 172. In the present embodiment, the IP address “192.168.11.11” of the printer 172 is registered as the third information. The fifth parameter “PrinterName” indicates the printer name. In the present embodiment, the printer name “lp” of the printer 172 is registered as the third information. The sixth parameter “InternetStatus” indicates the protocol type used when the print server 173 transfers the status acquisition information to the print server 163. In the present embodiment, “Protocol-S” is registered as the second information. The seventh parameter “IntranetStatus” indicates a protocol used when status acquisition information is transferred from the print server 173 to the printer 172. In the present embodiment, “Protocol-2” is registered as the second information.
[0194]
FIG. 29 is a chart showing state acquisition processing in the network of FIG.
[0195]
In FIG. 29, when acquiring the status of the printer 172, the client 162 transmits a status acquisition request using “Protocol-1” to the printer 172 “lp” registered in the print server 163. The print server 163 determines whether or not the status acquisition request received from the client 162 can be accepted. When the print server 163 cannot accept the status acquisition request “InternetStatus” in the access path, the status acquisition NG is sent to the client 162. On the other hand, if it can be accepted, the print server 163 converts it to a protocol “Protocol-S” that can transmit a status acquisition request via the Internet 181 and converts it into a printer 172 (URL = http: //199.2.0.1). Send a status acquisition request to (/ printer).
[0196]
The print server 173 that has received the status acquisition request determines whether or not the status acquisition request received from the print server 163 can be accepted, and cannot be accepted due to reasons such as “IntranetStatus” being not registered in the access path. For example, the status acquisition NG is notified to the print server 163, and the print server 163 that has received this notifies the client 162 of the status acquisition NG. On the other hand, when the print server 173 can accept it, the print server 173 converts it to “Protoco1-2” and transmits a status acquisition request to the printer 172. The printer 172 that has received the status acquisition request transmits the requested self status to the print server 173 using “Protocol-2” as a status acquisition response. In response to the status acquisition request received from the print server 163 and waiting for a response, the print server 173 transmits a status acquisition response converted to “Protocol-S” to the print server 163. Similarly, after receiving this, the print server 163 transmits to the client 162 a status acquisition response converted to “Protocol-1” in response to the status acquisition request received from the client 162 and waiting for a response. When the client 162 receives the status acquisition response from the print server 163, the status acquisition of the printer 172 is completed.
[0197]
As described above, the status of the printer 172 connected to the intranet 171 can be acquired from the client 162 connected to the intranet 161. Further, similarly to the first and second embodiments, it is possible to execute print processing from the client 162 to the printer 172. In the present embodiment, the authentication operation is not included in order to simplify the description, but it is also possible to include the authentication operation.
[0198]
According to the eighth embodiment, the intranet is registered by registering the access paths holding the transmission destination and conversion destination information in the print server 163 in the intranet 161 and the print server 173 in the intranet 171, respectively. It is possible to manage devices on the Internet with a network management tool that is effective only. For example, in the printing system of the above embodiment, the Internet printer can be monitored by conventional intranet printer management software.
[0199]
A recording medium storing a software program for realizing the functions described in the first to eighth embodiments is supplied to the print server or a network system including the print server. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading a program stored in a recording medium by a CPU, MPU, etc.) and executing its function. In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the above-described functions, and the program and the recording medium recording the program constitute the present invention. As a recording medium for supplying the software program, for example, a removable disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, and the like are used. it can.
[0200]
Further, by executing a program read by a computer, not only the above-described functions are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer performs actual processing based on instructions of the program. Needless to say, a case where the above-described functions are realized by performing part or all of the processing is also included.
[0201]
Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in a communication device or a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instructions of the program. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions described above are realized by the processing.
[0202]
  As explained in detail above, according to the present invention,The first information indicating the access path of the output device viewed from the client, the second information indicating the second network protocol with which the output device can communicate, and the third information indicating the transmission destination of the data transmitted by the second communication means Information is stored as a set of access path information, the data received by the first communication means is stored in each of the divided areas corresponding to the output device, and sent from the client by the first communication means. When data is received, the access path information is referred to, and the received data is stored in the area based on the first information, and the second communication means is instructed to read the data stored in the area Then, the second communication means reads out the data stored in the area according to the instruction from the first communication means, and the data received by the first communication means By converting means for protocol conversion on the basis of the second information into a second network protocol, and transmits the converted data to the output device of the indicated destination in the third informationTherefore, a print process is executed from a client on the Internet or an intranet to a desired printer without mounting a print protocol effective on the Internet on the printer and without mounting a print protocol effective on the intranet on the client. be able to. In addition, a client on the Internet can cause a print job to reach the printer 22 as a transmission destination simply by transmitting the print job by the first communication means indicated by the first information.
[0203]
  According to the present invention,When a user name and password for authentication are stored and data is received by the first communication means, authentication is performed based on the user name and password.As a result, it is possible to eliminate users who should not be permitted originally, and to perform printing processing efficiently.
[0204]
  According to the present invention, at least one network protocol effective on the Internet is used as the fourth information.Stored with first to third informationSince the first communication means receives only the data of the network protocol indicated in the fourth information among the data sent from the client, the data reception by the protocol in which the security flaw is found is temporarily received. Such as stopping automatically.
[0205]
  According to the present inventionThe second3 informationIndicatedDestination statusKuSince it is acquired by the client, it is possible to manage devices on the Internet with a network management tool or the like effective only on the intranet.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a network including a communication apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an access path registered in the print server 23 of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a chart showing print processing in the network of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network including a communication apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an access path registered in the print server 55 of FIG.
6 is a schematic diagram of a user list registered in the print server 55 of FIG.
7 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the print server 55 of FIG. 4. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a chart showing print processing in the network of FIG. 4;
FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network including a communication apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a chart showing print processing in the network of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an access path registered in the print server.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an access path registered in the print server.
FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network including a communication device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a schematic diagram of an access path registered in the print server 103 of FIG.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing print processing in the network of FIG. 13;
FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network including a communication apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an access path registered in the print server 212 of FIG.
18 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the print server 212 of FIG.
19 is a chart showing print processing in the network of FIG.
FIG. 20 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network including a communication device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of access paths registered in the print server 135 of FIG.
22 is a schematic diagram of a user list registered in the print server 135 of FIG.
FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of an access path registered in the print server 145 of FIG.
24 is a schematic diagram of a user list registered in the print server 145 of FIG.
25 is a chart showing print processing in the network of FIG.
FIG. 26 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network including a communication apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram of an access path registered in the print server 163 of FIG.
FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram of an access path registered in the print server 173 of FIG.
FIG. 29 is a chart showing state acquisition processing in the network of FIG. 26;
[Explanation of symbols]
11, 41, 71, 72, 73, 102, 132, 133, 142, 162, 211 Client
31, 61, 91, 121, 151, 181, 220 Internet
21, 51, 81, 101, 131, 141, 161, 171, 210 Intranet
23, 55, 85, 103, 135, 145, 163, 173, 212 Print server
22, 52, 53, 54, 82, 83, 84, 111, 134, 143, 144, 172, 221, 222 Printer
42, 74, 213 Printing destination selection screen
56, 86, 214 Cueing image

Claims (40)

In a communication apparatus comprising: a first communication unit that communicates with at least one client using a first network protocol; and a second communication unit that performs communication using at least one output device and a second network protocol.
The first information indicating the access path of the output device viewed from the client, the second information indicating the second network protocol with which the output device can communicate, and the transmission destination of the data transmitted by the second communication means Table storage means for storing the third information as a set of access path information;
Data storage means for storing each of the data received by the first communication means in an area divided corresponding to the output device;
When the first communication means receives the data sent from the client, it refers to the access path information, stores the received data in the area based on the first information, and Instructing the second communication means to read out the data stored in the area;
The second communication unit includes a conversion unit that converts a protocol of data received by the first communication unit based on the second information, and the second communication unit stores the data in the area according to an instruction from the first communication unit. The stored data is read out, converted into the second network protocol by the converting means, and the converted data is transmitted to the output device of the transmission destination indicated in the third information. apparatus. When storing data in the area, the first communication means stores the data in a data storage queue generated or changed based on the first information, and the second communication means stores the data in the area. 2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when data is stored in the queue, the data is sequentially read from the previously stored data. Said table storage means, and stored with the first information to the third information a valid network protocol with a single Internet even without least as fourth information, the first communication means is sent from said client 3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only the data of the network protocol indicated in the fourth information is received among the incoming data. The table storage means performs authentication based on the user name and the password when receiving data by an authentication information storage means for storing a user name and password for authentication and the first communication means. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an authentication unit. The table storage means stores a list of communicable output devices together with the user name and the password in the authentication information storage means, and authenticates whether or not access to the output device is permitted by the authentication means based on the list. The communication apparatus according to claim 4. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a table registration unit that registers the access path information in the table storage unit or changes the registered access path information. . Before SL communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a third further acquisition means for acquiring prior SL client state of the destination indicated in the information. A first communication means for receiving data from a first client and transmitting data to a first output device connected via another communication device by a first network protocol effective on the Internet; In a communication apparatus comprising: a second communication means for performing data transmission to a second output apparatus connected by an effective second network protocol and data reception from a second client;
First information indicating an access path of the second output device viewed from the first client, second information indicating the second network protocol, and a transmission destination of the data by the second communication unit And the first information viewed from the second client. A set of fourth information indicating the access path of the power device, fifth information indicating the first network protocol, and sixth information indicating the transmission destination of the data by the first communication means. Table storage means for storing as access path information;
Data storage means for storing the data received by the first communication means or the second communication means in areas divided corresponding to the first output device or the second output device, respectively;
When the first communication unit receives data from the first client, the first communication unit refers to the access path information and stores the data in the first area of the data storage unit based on the fourth information. While storing, the second communication means is instructed to read out the data stored in the first area, while the second area is instructed to read the data stored in the first area. And the protocol conversion of the data based on the fifth information, the converted data is transmitted to the destination indicated by the sixth information,
When the second communication unit receives data from the second client, the second communication unit refers to the access path information and stores the data in the second area of the data storage unit based on the first information. While storing, the first communication means is instructed to read the data stored in the second area, and when the instruction is received from the first communication means, the first area The data stored in the data is read out, the data is protocol-converted based on the second information, and the converted data is transmitted to the transmission destination indicated in the third information. apparatus. The table storage means stores at least one network protocol effective on the Internet as the seventh information together with the first information to the sixth information, and the first communication means transmits the first protocol from the first client. 9. The communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein only the data of the network protocol indicated in the seventh information is received among the received data. The access path information is divided into at least two pieces of information, one of which is used for communication by the first communication means and the other is used for communication by the second communication means. The communication apparatus according to claim 8 or 9. In a communication method of a communication apparatus, comprising: a first communication unit that communicates with at least one client using a first network protocol; and a second communication unit that communicates with at least one output device using a second network protocol. ,
The first information indicating the access path of the output device viewed from the client, the second information indicating the second network protocol with which the output device can communicate, and the transmission destination of the data transmitted by the second communication means A table storing step of storing the third information as a set of access path information in the storage means;
A data storage step of storing the data received by the first communication unit in the storage unit divided according to the output device;
When the data sent from the client is received, the access path information is referred to, the received data is stored in the area based on the first information, and the second communication means Instructing to read out the data stored in the area,
A conversion step of converting the data received by the first communication means based on the second information;
In accordance with an instruction from the first communication means, the data stored in the area is read out, converted into the second network protocol in the conversion step, and the converted data is converted into the third information. And a transmission step of transmitting to the output device at the indicated transmission destination . When data is stored in the area, the data is stored in a data storage queue generated or changed based on the first information. When data is stored in the data storage queue, the data is stored first. Characterized by sequential reading of data The communication method according to claim 11. Said table storing step, even without least containing a valid network protocol single Internet to a fourth of the as information first information to said storage means together with the third information, by the first communication means, wherein 13. The communication method according to claim 11, wherein only data of a network protocol indicated in the fourth information is received from data sent from a client. The table storing step is based on the user name and the password when receiving the data by the authentication information storing step for storing the user name and password for authentication in the storage unit and the first communication unit. The communication method according to claim 11, further comprising an authentication step of performing authentication. The authentication information storing step stores a list of communicable output devices in the storage unit together with the user name and the password, and the authentication step authenticates whether or not access to the output device is permitted based on the list. The communication method according to claim 14. The communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, further comprising a table registration step of registering the access path information in the storage unit or changing the registered access path information. The communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that pre-Symbol further comprising an acquisition step of acquiring the status of the destination indicated in the third information before SL client. A first communication means for receiving data from a first client and transmitting data to a first output device connected via another communication device by a first network protocol effective on the Internet; In a communication method of a communication device, comprising: a second communication means for performing data transmission to a second output device connected by an effective second network protocol and data reception from a second client;
  First information indicating an access path of the second output device viewed from the first client, second information indicating the second network protocol, and a transmission destination of the data by the second communication unit The third information indicating the first network, the fourth information indicating the access path of the first output device viewed from the second client, the fifth information indicating the first network protocol, and the first information A table storing step of storing in the storage means as a set of access path information the sixth information indicating the destination of the data by the communication means;
  A data storing step of storing the data received by the first communication unit or the second communication unit in the storage unit divided according to the first output unit or the second output unit, respectively. When,
  When data is received from the first client, the access path information is referred to, the data is stored in the first area of the storage means based on the fourth information, and the second communication While instructing the means to read the data stored in the first area, when there is an instruction from the second communication means, while reading the data stored in the second area, A first transmission step of performing protocol conversion on the data based on the fifth information, and transmitting the converted data to a transmission destination indicated in the sixth information;
  When data is received from the second client, the access path information is referred to, the data is stored in the second area of the storage unit based on the first information, and the first communication While instructing the means to read the data stored in the second area, when the instruction is made from the first communication means, the data stored in the first area is read, And a second transmission step of performing protocol conversion on the data based on the second information and transmitting the converted data to a transmission destination indicated in the third information. . In the table storing step, at least one network protocol effective in the Internet is stored as seventh information in the storage unit together with the first information to the sixth information, and the first communication unit stores the first protocol. Sent from client 19. The communication method according to claim 18, wherein only the data of the network protocol indicated in the seventh information is received among the coming data. The access path information is divided into at least two pieces of information, one of which is used for communication by the first communication means and the other is used for communication by the second communication means. The communication method according to claim 18 or 19. A communication device communication method comprising: a first communication unit that communicates with at least one client using a first network protocol; and a second communication unit that communicates with at least one output device using a second network protocol. In a computer-readable recording medium on which a program to be executed is recorded,
The program includes: first information indicating an access path of the output device viewed from the client; second information indicating a second network protocol with which the output device can communicate; and data transmitted by the second communication unit. A table storage module that stores third information indicating a transmission destination as a set of access path information in a storage unit;
A data storage module for storing the data received by the first communication means in the storage means area divided in correspondence with the output device;
When the data sent from the client is received, the access path information is referred to, the received data is stored in the area based on the first information, and the second communication means An instruction module for instructing to read the data stored in the area;
A conversion module that converts data received by the first communication means based on the second information;
In response to an instruction from the first communication unit, the data stored in the area is read out, converted into the second network protocol by the conversion module, and the converted data is converted into the third information. And a transmission module for transmitting to the output device of the indicated transmission destination . When data is stored in the area, the data is stored in a data storage queue generated or changed based on the first information, and the second communication means stores data in the data storage queue. 22. The recording medium according to claim 21, wherein previously stored data is sequentially read when the data is stored. The table storage module, stores the valid network protocol with a single Internet even without least the first information to third said storage means together with information as fourth information, by the first communication means, wherein 23. The recording medium according to claim 21, wherein only data of a network protocol indicated by the fourth information is received from data sent from a client. The table storage module stores an authentication information storage module that stores a user name and password for authentication in the storage unit, and the user information and the password when receiving data by the first communication unit. 24. The recording medium according to claim 21, further comprising an authentication module that performs authentication. The authentication information storage module stores a list of communicable output devices in the storage unit together with the user name and the password, and the authentication module authenticates whether or not access to the output device is permitted based on the list. 25. The recording medium according to claim 24. The recording medium according to any one of claims 21 to 25, further comprising a table registration module that registers the access path information in the storage unit or changes the registered access path information. Recording medium according to any one of claims 21 to 26, characterized in that pre-Symbol further comprising an acquisition module for acquiring the status of a destination before SL client shown in the third information. The first network protocol valid on the Internet A first communication means for receiving data from one client and transmitting data to a first output device connected via another communication device; and a second communication protocol connected by a second network protocol effective on the intranet. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for executing a communication method of a communication apparatus including a second communication unit that performs data transmission to the second output apparatus and data reception from the second client is recorded,
  The program includes first information indicating an access path of the second output device viewed from the first client, second information indicating the second network protocol, and the second communication unit. Third information indicating a data transmission destination, fourth information indicating the access path of the first output device viewed from the second client, fifth information indicating the first network protocol, A table storage module for storing in the storage means as a set of access path information the sixth information indicating the transmission destination of the data by the first communication means;
  A data storage module for storing the data received by the first communication unit or the second communication unit in the storage unit divided according to the first output unit or the second output unit, respectively. When,
  When data is received from the first client, the access path information is referred to, the data is stored in the first area of the storage means based on the fourth information, and the second communication While instructing the means to read the data stored in the first area, when there is an instruction from the second communication means, while reading the data stored in the second area, A first transmission module for performing protocol conversion on the data based on the fifth information, and transmitting the converted data to the transmission destination indicated in the sixth information;
  When data is received from the second client, the access path information is referred to, the data is stored in the second area of the storage unit based on the first information, and the first communication While instructing the means to read the data stored in the second area, when the instruction is made from the first communication means, while reading the data stored in the first area, A recording medium comprising: a second transmission module that performs protocol conversion on the data based on the second information, and transmits the converted data to a transmission destination indicated in the third information. . The table storage module stores at least one network protocol effective in the Internet as the seventh information in the storage unit together with the first information to the sixth information, and the first communication unit causes the first communication unit to store the first protocol. 29. The recording medium according to claim 28, wherein only the data of the network protocol indicated in the seventh information is received from the data sent from the client. The access path information is divided into at least two pieces of information, one of which is used for communication by the first communication means and the other is used for communication by the second communication means. 30. A recording medium according to claim 28 or 29. A communication device communication method comprising: a first communication unit that communicates with at least one client using a first network protocol; and a second communication unit that communicates with at least one output device using a second network protocol. In a computer program to be executed by a computer,
  The first information indicating the access path of the output device viewed from the client, the second information indicating the second network protocol with which the output device can communicate, and the transmission destination of the data transmitted by the second communication means A table storage module for storing the third information as a set of access path information in the storage means;
  A data storage module for storing the data received by the first communication means in the storage means area divided in correspondence with the output device;
  When the data sent from the client is received, the access path information is referred to, the received data is stored in the area based on the first information, and the second communication means Instruction mode for instructing to read the data stored in the area. Jules,
  A conversion module that converts data received by the first communication means based on the second information;
  In response to an instruction from the first communication means, the data stored in the area is read out, converted into the second network protocol by the conversion module, and the converted data is converted into the third information. A computer program comprising: a transmission module that transmits to an output device of a specified transmission destination. When data is stored in the area, the data is stored in a data storage queue generated or changed based on the first information. When data is stored in the data storage queue, the data is stored first. 32. The computer program according to claim 31, wherein the read data is sequentially read out. The table storage module stores at least one network protocol effective in the Internet as fourth information in the storage unit together with the first information to the third information, and from the client by the first communication unit. 33. The computer program according to claim 31 or 32, wherein only the data of the network protocol indicated in the fourth information is received among the transmitted data. The table storage module stores an authentication information storage module that stores a user name and password for authentication in the storage unit, and the user information and the password when receiving data by the first communication unit. 34. The computer program according to claim 31, further comprising an authentication module for performing authentication. The authentication information storage module stores a list of communicable output devices in the storage unit together with the user name and the password, and the authentication module authenticates whether or not access to the output device is permitted based on the list. 35. A computer program according to claim 34. 36. The computer program according to claim 31, further comprising a table registration module for registering the access path information in the storage unit or changing the registered access path information. Computer program according to any one of claims 31 to 36, characterized in that pre-Symbol further comprising an acquisition module for acquiring the status of a destination before SL client shown in the third information. A first communication means for receiving data from a first client and transmitting data to a first output device connected via another communication device by a first network protocol effective on the Internet; Causing a computer to execute a communication method of a communication apparatus including a second communication unit that transmits data to a second output apparatus connected by an effective second network protocol and receives data from a second client. In a computer program,
  First information indicating an access path of the second output device viewed from the first client, second information indicating the second network protocol, and a transmission destination of the data by the second communication unit The third information indicating the first network, the fourth information indicating the access path of the first output device viewed from the second client, the fifth information indicating the first network protocol, and the first information A table storage module for storing in the storage means as a set of access path information the sixth information indicating the destination of the data by the communication means;
  A data storage module for storing the data received by the first communication unit or the second communication unit in the storage unit divided according to the first output unit or the second output unit, respectively. When,
  When data is received from the first client, the access path information is referred to, the data is stored in the first area of the storage means based on the fourth information, and the second communication While instructing the means to read the data stored in the first area, when the instruction is received from the second communication means, the data is stored in the second area. A first transmission module that reads the data, converts the protocol of the data based on the fifth information, and transmits the converted data to the transmission destination indicated in the sixth information;
  When data is received from the second client, the access path information is referred to, the data is stored in the second area of the storage unit based on the first information, and the first communication While instructing the means to read the data stored in the second area, when the instruction is made from the first communication means, the data stored in the first area is read, A computer program comprising: a second transmission module that performs protocol conversion on the data based on the second information and transmits the converted data to a transmission destination indicated in the third information . The table storage module stores at least one network protocol effective in the Internet as the seventh information in the storage unit together with the first information to the sixth information, and the first communication unit causes the first communication unit to store the first protocol. 40. The computer program according to claim 38, wherein only the data of the network protocol indicated in the seventh information is received from the data sent from the client. The access path information is divided into at least two pieces of information, one of which is used for communication by the first communication means and the other is used for communication by the second communication means. 40. A computer program according to claim 38 or 39.

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