JP4830537B2 - Information processing apparatus, control method, and control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method, and a control program, and more particularly, to a control technique at the time of development and installation of an application that is installed and operates in a device such as a printer.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, application programs (hereinafter simply referred to as applications) that operate by being incorporated in various devices such as printers are known.
When developing such an application, it is common to connect a device to be embedded (hereinafter referred to as a device to be embedded) to a workstation or personal computer, and then perform the operation on the workstation or personal computer. is there.
In such a development environment, when the application is installed in the target device, testing of the processing part that performs communication processing with the target device cannot be performed on a workstation or personal computer. It was necessary to test with the application installed in the target device.
However, according to the conventional method described above, there is a problem that the process of actually incorporating the application under development into the target device is generated, and it is not easy to monitor the operation state, and the development efficiency is low. .
In order to solve this, the technique described in Patent Document 1 aims to improve development efficiency by mounting an emulator on a workstation or personal computer and realizing a state in which the emulator is artificially incorporated into a target device. .
JP 2004-185595 A

By the way, it is desirable for the emulator to reproduce the operation of the actual embedded device, but in reality, it is difficult to create an emulator that performs exactly the same operation as the actual target device. In particular, it has been difficult to reproduce MIB (Management Information Base) values that dynamically change depending on the operating state of the target device.
In particular, an emulator must be created for each target device. Even if an application can handle multiple target devices, it must be created for each target device. The device emulator has to be updated every time the model of the target device is changed or the firmware is updated, and there is a problem that a great deal of cost is required for maintenance and version upgrade.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable development similar to that incorporated in an installation target device on a development environment such as a workstation or a personal computer without using an emulator, and to easily incorporate it in the installation target device. The present invention provides an information processing apparatus, a control method, and a control program that perform application processing.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an information processing apparatus for processing an application program that is installed and operated in an installation target device, and when communication is performed by the application program, is the communication target self? A communication target determining unit that determines whether the device is an external device connected via a communication line; and if the communication target of the application program is self based on the determination result, A communication unit that performs communication with the external device when the communication target of the application program is an external device connected via a communication line based on the determination result And an intermediary department.
According to the above configuration, the communication target determining unit determines whether the communication target is itself or an external device connected via the communication line when communication is performed by the application program.
When the communication target of the application program is self based on the determination result, the process execution unit executes the corresponding process within itself.
If the communication target of the application program is an external device connected via a communication line based on the determination result, the communication mediation unit mediates communication with the external device.
Thereby, it is possible to perform the same development as that incorporated in the target device in the development environment without preparing an expensive emulator.

Also, an information processing apparatus for performing processing of an application program installed and operating in a device to be embedded, a processing execution unit that receives communication of the application program and executes corresponding processing within itself, or One of the communication mediation units that mediate communication with an external device connected via a communication line includes a communication processing unit configured to be exclusively connectable.
According to this, even in an environment where there are few resources, execution or mediation can be executed within itself with only the minimum necessary means, and development similar to the case where it is incorporated in an installation target device can be performed.

In these cases, a communication address storage unit that stores the communication address of the external device as a communication destination in an updatable manner is provided, and the communication mediation unit refers to the storage content of the communication address storage unit and performs the mediation. You may make it perform.
In addition, a communication address collecting unit that collects communication addresses of the external device as a communication destination via the communication line, and communication corresponding to an instruction from the outside among the collected communication addresses of the external device A communication address selection unit that selects an address, and the communication mediation unit may perform the mediation using the selected communication address.
Furthermore, a communication destination presenting unit that visually presents an external device corresponding to the collected communication address to the user, and an instruction input unit for the user to input the instruction may be provided.
According to these, the mediation destination for an external device can be easily changed, and development similar to the case where it is incorporated into the target device more efficiently can be performed.

Also, there is provided a method of controlling an information processing apparatus for processing an application program that is installed and operated in an installation target device. When communication is performed by the application program, whether the communication target is self or communication A communication target determination process for determining whether the device is an external device connected via a line, and if the communication target of the application program is self based on the result of the determination, the corresponding processing is performed within the self. A process execution process to be executed and a communication mediation process to mediate communication with the external device when the communication target of the application program is an external device connected via a communication line based on the determination result It is characterized by having.
Thereby, it is possible to perform the same development as that incorporated in the target device in the development environment without preparing an expensive emulator.

Also, a method for controlling an information processing apparatus for processing an application program that is installed in and operates on a target device to be embedded, wherein the processing is executed by receiving the communication of the application program and executing the corresponding processing within itself. One of the process and the communication mediation process that mediates communication with an external device connected via a communication line is exclusively performed.
According to this, even in an environment where there are few resources, execution or mediation can be executed within itself with only the minimum necessary means, and development similar to the case where it is incorporated in an installation target device can be performed.

Also, a control program for controlling an information processing device connectable to a communication line by a computer, whether the communication target is the information processing device or an external device connected via the communication line If the communication target is self based on the result of the determination, the corresponding process is executed within the self, and the communication target is connected via the communication line based on the determination result. In the case of an external device, communication with the external device is mediated.
Thereby, it is possible to perform the same development as that incorporated in the target device in the development environment without preparing an expensive emulator.

In addition, it has either a process execution unit that executes the corresponding process within itself or a communication mediation unit that mediates communication with an external device connected through the communication line, and can be connected to the communication line. A control program for controlling an information processing apparatus by a computer, receiving communication of an application program, causing a process corresponding to the process execution unit to be executed, or causing the communication mediation unit to mediate the communication It is characterized by that.
According to this, even in an environment where there are few resources, execution or mediation can be executed within itself with only the minimum necessary means, and development similar to the case where it is incorporated in an installation target device can be performed.

Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration block diagram of an application development system according to an embodiment.
In the following description, a case where a printer is used as an installation target device will be described.
In terms of hardware, the application development system 10 includes a personal computer 11 for application development, a printer 12 that is a device for actually operating an application, and a communication cable (or LAN that connects the personal computer 11 and the printer 12). 13).

In this case, as an application to be developed, an authentication application for determining whether or not the output is a print output by a legitimate user, processing is distributed by a plurality of printers (for example, 100 copies are printed by five printers). A cluster print (distributed printing) application to be performed by printing 20 copies, an image processing application for processing an image to be printed, the status of the printer 11 to the management server or a billing server, Status management applications such as notifying service companies for maintenance and replenishment of consumables.
The personal computer 11 includes a display 14 for displaying various types of information, an input device 15 such as a keyboard for a user as a developer to input various types of information, and a personal computer main body 18 on which an application 16 to be developed operates. It is equipped with.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration block diagram of the personal computer main body.
The personal computer main body 18 includes a CPU 21 for controlling the entire personal computer main body 18, a ROM 22 that stores various control programs in advance, a RAM 23 that temporarily stores various data including applications, and an input device 15. The interface is represented by an input interface (I / F) 24 that performs interface operations, a display interface (I / F) 25 that performs interface operations to perform various displays on the display 14, and a hard disk for storing large-capacity data. (External) storage device 26, communication interface (I / F) 27 that performs interface operation in communication with the outside via communication cable (or LAN) 13, and each component 21 to 27 of personal computer main body 18 described above Can communicate And a, a bus 28 connected.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration block diagram of the printer.
The printer 12 includes a CPU 31 for controlling the entire printer 12, a ROM 32 that stores various control programs in advance, a RAM 33 that temporarily stores various data including applications, and an external device via a communication cable (or LAN) 13. A communication interface (I / F) 34 that performs an interface operation in communication with a printing mechanism 35 that performs actual printing and a communication interface (I / F) 34 that communicates with the CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, or communication interface 34 described above. And a bus 36.

FIG. 4 is a functional configuration block diagram of the application development system during application development.
The personal computer main body 18 includes a program execution unit 18A for executing the application 16 to be developed.
The application 16 to be developed performs communication processing between the application main body 41 that realizes the original function of the application (such as print control), and the application 16 and the devices (the personal computer main body 18 and the printer 12 in this embodiment). And a self-communication unit 42.

The self-communication unit 42 searches for a printer connected via the communication cable 13 and acquires a communication address (such as an IP address) of the searched printer, and the printer search unit 43 searches for the printer. A search result display unit 44 that displays the printer on the display 14 so that the user can select it, a printer selection unit 45 that selects a printer that actually communicates based on an input from the input device 15, and a printer selection unit 45. An access destination setting unit 46 for setting the communication address of the printer as an access destination for communication.
On the other hand, the printer 12 includes a communication unit 51 that communicates with the self-communication unit 42 of the personal computer main body 18 via the communication cable 13, and an MIB storage unit that stores the MIB value while updating the MIB value according to the operation state. 52 and the printer mechanism 35 described above.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described.
In the following description, it is assumed that the application is created with Java (registered trademark).
In this case, the self-communication unit 42 is realized as a class in Java (registered trademark). For example, a class for managing access to the printer 12 with the name “printerClass” is prepared, and “print execution” is used as an interface. , “Acquisition of MIB value of specified object ID” and “Write of specified value to MIB value of specified object ID”, and when using from the application main body 41, a class named “printerClass” To execute “print execution” for printing the desired data, perform “acquisition of MIB value of specified object ID”, and assign it to a predetermined variable, and “set MIB value of specified object ID to MIB value” “Specified value writing” is performed to write a predetermined character string.

FIG. 5 is a process flowchart of the application.
When the application 16 is executed, the self-communication unit 42 checks its own operating environment (step S11).
Subsequently, the self-communication unit 42 determines whether or not it is operating on the printer 12 based on the check result of step S11 (step S12).
In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, since it operates on the personal computer main body 18 (step S12; No), the printer search unit 43 searches for a printer connected via the communication cable 13, A communication address (such as an IP address) of the searched printer is acquired (step S13).

FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart when searching for a printer.
First, the printer search unit 43 transmits a ping command by broadcasting (step S21).
Subsequently, the printer search unit 43 transmits a device name acquisition command by SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) to the device (its communication address) responding to the ping command (step S22).
Then, the printer search unit 43 determines the content of the response corresponding to the device name acquisition command, and if the device name is that of the printer, records the device name and communication address in the list (step S23).
Subsequently, the search result display unit 44 displays the printer searched by the printer search unit 43 on the display screen 14A of the display 14 so that the user can select it.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a screen for selecting a searched printer.
As shown in FIG. 7, a communication address is displayed on the display screen 14A of the display 14 along with printer icons I1 to I5. As a result, the developer, who is the user, selects one of the icons and, by extension, the printer corresponding to the icon, and clicks the decision button B1 to input a selection instruction. Note that the selection of the printer is canceled by clicking the cancel button B2.
In this state, when a developer, who is a user, inputs a selection instruction from the input device 15, the printer selection unit selects a printer to actually communicate, and the access destination setting unit 46 is selected by the printer selection unit 45. The communication address of the selected printer is set as a communication access destination (step S15).

Subsequently, the self-communication unit 42 determines whether access from the application main body 41 to the printer 12 is called (step S17).
If it is determined in step S17 that access to the printer 12 has not been called from the application main body 41 (step S17; No), a standby state is entered.
If the access to the printer 12 is called from the application main body 41 in the determination in step S17 (step S17; Yes), the printer access to the printer 12 with the set communication address is performed via the communication cable 13. Then, the process ends (step S18).

FIG. 8 is a process flowchart of the printer when accessing the printer.
The CPU 31 of the printer 12 determines whether print data has been received via the communication interface 34 constituting the communication unit 51 (step S31).
If it is determined in step S31 that print data has not been received (step S31; No), the process proceeds to step S33.
If it is determined in step S31 that print data has been received (step S31; Yes), the printing mechanism 35 is controlled to execute printing (step S32).
Subsequently, the CPU 31 of the printer 12 determines whether or not an access command to MIB information has been received via the communication interface 34 constituting the communication unit 51 (step S33).
If it is determined in step S33 that an access command to MIB information has not been received (step S33; No), the process ends.
If it is determined in step S33 that an access command to MIB information has been received (step S33; Yes), the MIB storage unit 52 is controlled to provide MIB information (value) or change the MIB information (value). (Step S34), and the process ends.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram when an application under development is incorporated in the printer 12 and operated. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram when an application under development is incorporated into a printer.
The above description is for the case where the application under development is operating on the personal computer main body 18, but the case where the application under development is incorporated in the printer 12 and operated as shown in FIG. 9 will be described.
Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the basic configurations of the application 16 and the printer 12 are the same as those shown in FIG.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG.
When the application 16 is executed, the self-communication unit 42 checks its own operating environment (step S11).
Subsequently, the self-communication unit 42 determines whether or not it is operating on the printer 12 based on the check result of step S11 (step S12).
In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, since it is operating on the printer 12 (step S12; Yes), localhost, that is, the printer 12 itself is set as a communication access destination (step S16).
Subsequently, the self-communication unit 42 determines whether access from the application main body 41 to the printer 12 is called (step S17).
If it is determined in step S17 that access to the printer 12 has not been called from the application main body 41 (step S17; No), a standby state is entered.
If it is determined in step S17 that access to the printer 12 is called from the application main body 41 (step S17; Yes), the printer is accessed to the set localhost, that is, the printer 12 itself, and the process is performed. The process ends (step S18).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the application 16 automatically determines whether it is operating on the personal computer main body 18 that is a development environment, or whether it is installed in the printer 12 and operating. Therefore, the access address is automatically set and printer access is performed, so the developer user can develop without being aware of the operating environment and improve development efficiency. Can do.

In the above description, the application 16 automatically determines the operating environment. However, only the self-communication unit 42 described above is used as a module for the personal computer main body 18 and for the printer 12 built-in. By preparing and changing only the module, development can be performed with the application main body 41 in common, and development efficiency can be improved.
In this case, unlike the above-described embodiment, when incorporated in the printer 12, the self-communication unit 42 includes the printer search unit 43, the search result display unit 44, the printer selection unit 45, and the access destination setting unit shown in FIG. 46 need not be incorporated. That is, it is only necessary to always set localhost (the printer 12 itself) as the communication destination.

FIG. 11 is a process flowchart of an application for the personal computer main body.
In this case, the self-communication unit 42 for the personal computer main body 18 (see FIG. 4) is registered in advance (step S41).
As a result, the self-communication unit performs the same processing as steps S13 to S15 in FIG. 5, and the access destination setting unit 46 sets the communication address of the printer selected by the printer selection unit 45 as the communication access destination. (Step S42).
Subsequently, the self-communication unit 42 determines whether access from the application main body 41 to the printer 12 has been called (step S43).
If it is determined in step S43 that access to the printer 12 has not been called from the application main body 41 (step S43; No), a standby state is entered.
If access to the printer 12 is called from the application main body 41 in the determination in step S437 (step S437; Yes), printer access is performed via the communication cable 13 to the printer 12 having the set communication address. Then, the process ends (step S44).

FIG. 12 is a process flowchart of an application for incorporating a printer.
In this case, the self-communication unit 42 is registered in advance for a printer built-in that does not incorporate the printer search unit 43, search result display unit 44, printer selection unit 45, and access destination setting unit 46 described above. (Step S51).
As a result, the self-communication unit 42 determines whether access from the application main body 41 to the printer 12 is called because localhost, that is, the printer 12 itself is set as the communication access destination (step S52). ).
If it is determined in step S52 that access to the printer 12 from the application main body 41 has not been called yet (step S52; No), a standby state is entered.
In step S52, when access to the printer 12 is called from the application main body 41 (step S52; Yes), the printer is accessed to the set localhost, that is, the printer 12 itself, and the process is performed. The process ends (step S53).
As described above, according to this modification, the configuration of the self-communication unit itself configured as a class is different, but the class name and interface name can be shared. Therefore, since it is not necessary to change the application main body 41, improvement in development efficiency can be expected.

  In the above description, the criterion for determining whether the self-communication unit 42 is operating on the printer has not been described. However, it is determined whether or not the self-communication unit 42 is a printer by referring to its own MIB information. What is necessary is just to comprise.

  In the above description, a printer (printing apparatus) has been described as a device to be emulated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various information processing functions such as a portable information device such as a PDA or a mobile phone, and a personal computer are provided. Even an information processing apparatus that has an application can be applied to any device (apparatus) that can incorporate an application.

It is a general | schematic block diagram of the application development system of embodiment. It is a general | schematic block diagram of a personal computer main body. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration block diagram of a printer. It is a functional block diagram of an application development system during application development. It is a process flowchart of an application. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing when searching for a printer. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the selection screen of the searched printer. 6 is a flowchart of a printer process when accessing the printer. It is explanatory drawing in the case of incorporating the application under development into the printer 12, and making it operate | move. It is a functional block diagram at the time of incorporating the application under development into a printer. It is a process flowchart of the application for the personal computer main body. It is a process flowchart of the application for printer incorporation.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Application development system, 11 ... Personal computer for application development, 12 ... Printer, 13 ... Communication cable, 14 ... Display (communication destination presentation part), 14A ... Display screen, 15 ... Input device (instruction input part), 16 ... Application 18 Personal computer main body (emulator device) 18, 35 Print mechanism 41 Application main body 42 Self-communication unit (communication target determination unit, processing execution unit, communication mediation unit, communication processing unit) 43 Printer Search unit, 44 ... search result display unit, 45 ... printer selection unit, 46 ... access destination setting unit, 51 ... communication unit, 52 ... MIB recording unit.

Claims (6)

An information processing apparatus for processing an application program that is installed and operates in a target device,
It is determined whether or not it is operating on the device to be embedded, and if it is not operating on the device to be embedded, it searches for an external device to be connected connected via a communication line. , when the communication is Ru made by the application program, if the self is operating on the set write target device is the self communication target, if the self is not running on the set write object apparatus, the search A communication target determining unit for determining that the external embedded target device is a communication target ;
Wherein, when the communication target based on the result of the determination is self, a process executing unit for executing the corresponding processing in the self,
Wherein, when the communication target based on the result of the determination is outside the embedded target device connected via a communication line, a communication mediating unit for mediating the communication with the external embedded target device,
Information processing apparatus characterized by comprising The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
A communication address storage unit that stores the communication address of the external device as a communication destination in an updatable manner,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the communication mediation unit performs the mediation with reference to storage contents of the communication address storage unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A communication address collection unit that collects a communication address of the external device as a communication destination via the communication line;
A communication address selection unit that selects a communication address corresponding to an instruction from the outside from the collected communication addresses of the external device; and
The information processing apparatus, wherein the communication mediation unit performs the mediation using the selected communication address. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3,
A communication destination presenting unit that visually presents an external device corresponding to the collected communication address to the user;
An instruction input unit for the user to input the instruction;
An information processing apparatus comprising: A method for controlling an information processing apparatus for processing an application program that is installed and operates in a device to be embedded,
It is determined whether or not it is operating on the device to be embedded, and if it is not operating on the device to be embedded, it searches for an external device to be connected connected via a communication line. When communication is performed by the application program, if the self is operating on the target device, the self is a target of communication, and if the self is not operating on the target device, the search is performed. Communication target determination process for determining the target external embedded device as a communication target;
If the communication target is self based on the result of the determination, a process execution process for executing the corresponding process within itself,
If the communication target is an external target device connected via a communication line based on the determination result, a communication mediation process that mediates communication with the external target device;
An information processing apparatus control method comprising: A control program for controlling, by a computer, an information processing device for processing an application program that is installed and operates in a device to be embedded,
It is determined whether or not it is operating on the device to be embedded, and if it is not operating on the device to be embedded, it searches for an external device to be connected connected via a communication line. When communication is performed by the application program, if the self is operating on the target device, the self is a target of communication, and if the self is not operating on the target device, the search is performed. To execute the process of determining the target external embedded device as the communication target,
If the communication target is self based on the result of the determination, the corresponding processing is executed within the self,
If the communication target is an external target device to be connected via the communication line based on the determination result, mediating communication with the external target device,
A control program characterized by that.

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