Abstract:
There is disclosed a network device in a network system connected to a directory server and a plurality of network devices, in which a combined function is generated utilizing two or more functions out of a plurality of functions able to be provided by a first network device constituting the plurality of network devices, and the generated combined function is registered in the directory server.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a network device, directory server and network system.  
           [0003]    2. Related Background Art  
           [0004]    In recent years, a network system connected to a directory server, various personal computers (PC) and a plurality of devices has spread. In this network system, a print function and other information of the device connected to the network, and information indicating a location where the device is installed are registered beforehand in the directory server. Then, the information of the function, installation location, and the like of the device registered in the directory server can be searched on the PC. Moreover, a function of searching for the information of the function, installation location, and the like of the device registered in the directory server on the PC is called a directory service.  
           [0005]    For example, a user uses the directory service to search for the device having a print function among the devices connected to the network. In this case, information for searching for the device having the print function is inputted into the PC on which the information can be searched. Then, a list of devices which have the print function and which can be utilized in the network system is displayed in a screen of the PC.  
           [0006]    For example, the network system is constructed in a three-storied building, and among a plurality of devices connected to the network, a distance between the device installed on a first floor and the device installed on a third floor is relatively long.  
           [0007]    In this case, it is assumed that scanners exist on the third, second and first floors, and a printer exists on the first floor. These three scanners and one printer are devices which can be utilized in the network system. When the user uses the directory service to search for the scanner and printer for performing copying in the network system, the three scanners and one printer able to be utilized in the network system are displayed in the PC screen.  
           [0008]    Additionally, when the scanner and printer are used to perform the copying, and a distance between these two devices is short, a combination of these scanner and printer can easily be used.  
           [0009]    As described above, when the list of three scanners and one printer is displayed in the PC screen, the user searches for the combination. In this case, the user has to visually search for the combination from the list, and there is a problem that a searching operation is intricate.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    An object of the present invention is to provide a network device and network system in which a user can quickly search for a combination of one function and another function in the network system connected to a directory server and a plurality of devices.  
           [0011]    To achieve the object, there is provided a network device for generating a combined function utilizing two or more functions out of a plurality of functions able to be provided by a first network device constituting a plurality of network devices, and registering the generated combined function in a directory server in a network system connected to the directory server and the plurality of network devices. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a constitution of a network system NS 1  according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal constitution of a color printer  101  among network devices shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal constitution of a network device search server  112 .  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a software constitution of a network device search system in the network system NS 1 .  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a content of registered information stored in HD  311  of the network device search server  112  in a table form.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display displayed in CRT  310  during searching of network devices  101  to  106  in a desk top PC  111 .  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the network devices  101  to  106  in the network system NS 1  according to the embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a constitution of a network system NS 1  according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]    The network system NS 1  includes a LAN  100 , color printer  101 , multifunction peripheral (MFP)  102 , monochromatic printers  103 ,  105 , facsimile machine  104 , scanner  106 , desk top PC  111 , network device search server  112 , notebook-size PC  113 , and fire wall  120 .  
         [0022]    The MFP  102  is a copying machine having print, scan and facsimile functions, and can also be used as a network system printer.  
         [0023]    Additionally, the color printer  101 , MFP  102 , monochromatic printers  103 ,  105 , facsimile machine  104 , and scanner  106  are called network devices connected to a network.  
         [0024]    Moreover, information on the network devices  101  to  106 , such as the functions of the network devices and locations where the network devices are installed are registered in the network device search server  112 .  
         [0025]    Moreover, the network device search server  112  is a server in which service information of services corresponding to the print, scan and other functions of the network devices  101  to  106  is stored.  
         [0026]    The desk top PC  111  and notebook-size PC  113  are search clients which can search for the network devices  101  to  106  registered in the network device search server  112 .  
         [0027]    When the network device search server  112  receives information of inquiry for searching for the network device, outputted by the desk top PC  111  or the notebook-size PC  113 , the server returns information of a search result for the inquiry to the PC having outputted the inquiry information. Moreover, the PC having received the search result information displays an image based on the search result information.  
         [0028]    The LAN  100  connects the network devices  101  to  106 , desk top PC  111 , network device search server  112 , and notebook-size PC  113  to one another, and is connected to Internet  130  via the fire wall  120 . Furthermore, the LAN  100  is connected to another network  140  via Internet  130 . Additionally, the firewall  120  is an information wall for preventing illegal information from invading the network system NS 1  from the outside of the network system NS 1 .  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal constitution of the color printer  101  among the network devices shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0030]    The color printer  101  is a network device which outputs information of a service corresponding to its own color print function to the network device search server  112 , and in which a network device information registration program for registering the service information into the network device search server  112  operates.  
         [0031]    The color printer  101  includes a CPU  21 , ROM  22 , RAM  23 , system bus  24 , device controller (DVC)  25 , network interface card (NIC)  26 , and color printer device  27 .  
         [0032]    The CPU  21  executes a program stored in the ROM  22 , and generally controls the respective devices connected to the system bus  24 . The RAM  23  is a memory which serves as a main memory, work area, and the like of the CPU  21 . The DVC  25  controls the color printer device  27 . The NIC  26  bidirectionally exchanges data with the network devices  102  to  106 , desk top PC  111 , network device search server  112 , and notebook-size PC  113  via the LAM  100 . The color printer device  27  has a color print function.  
         [0033]    Additionally, network device internal constitutions of the MFP  102 , monochromatic printers  103 ,  105 , facsimile machine  104 , and scanner  106  shown in FIG. 1 are substantially similar to the constitution of the color printer  101  excluding the color printer device  27 .  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal constitution of the network device search server  112 .  
         [0035]    Additionally, internal constitutions of the desk top PC  111  and notebook-size PC  113  shown in FIG. 1 are substantially similar to the constitution of the network device search server  112 .  
         [0036]    The network device search server  112  is a PC on which a network device search client software and network device search server software operate (these two types of software will hereinafter be referred to collectively as “network device search software”). The network device search software has a function of registering information on the device connected to the network into the network device search server, and searching for the information on the device registered in the network device search server.  
         [0037]    The network device search server  112  includes a CPU  301 , ROM  302 , RAM  303 , system bus  304 , keyboard controller (KBC)  305 , CRT controller (CRTC)  306 , disk controller (DKC)  307 , network interface card (NIC)  308 , keyboard (KB)  309 , CRT display (CRT)  310 , hard disk (HD)  311 , and floppy disk controller (FD)  312 .  
         [0038]    The CPU  301  executes the network device search software stored in the ROM  302  or the HD  311 , and generally controls the respective devices connected to the system bus  304 . Additionally, the CPU  301  may execute the network device search software supplied from the FD  312 .  
         [0039]    The HD  311  is a memory in which the information on the network devices  101  to  106  is stored.  
         [0040]    The RAM  303  is a memory which serves as the main memory, work area, and the like of the CPU  301 . The KBC  305  controls input information inputted via the KB  309  or a pointing device (not shown). The CRTC  306  controls display of the CRT  310 . The DKC  307  controls an access to the HD  311  or the FD  312  in which a boot program, various applications, edition file, user file, network management program, and the like are stored. The NIC  308  bidirectionally exchanges the data with the network devices  101  to  106 , desk top PC  111  and notebook-size PC  113  via the LAN  100 .  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a software constitution of a network device search system in the network system NS 1 .  
         [0042]    The network device search server  112  includes a database  42  and SLP directory agent  43 . Moreover, the desk top PC  111  includes an application  45  and SLP user agent  46 . Furthermore, the color printer  101  includes an SLP service agent  48 .  
         [0043]    An operation of the aforementioned embodiment will next be described.  
         [0044]    Additionally, it is assumed in the embodiment that the network system NS 1  is constructed in a two-storied building. In this building, the color printer  101 , MFP  102 , monochromatic printer  103 , facsimile machine  104 , desk top PC  111  and network device search server  112  are installed on the second floor, while the monochromatic printer  105 , scanner  106  and notebook-size PC  113  are installed on the first floor. Moreover, a distance between the monochromatic printer  105  and the scanner  106  is relatively short, and the monochromatic printer  105  and scanner  106  are installed in the same location. Additionally, the notebook-size PC  113  can be disconnected from the LAN  100  during use.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a content of registered information stored in the HD  311  of the network device search server  112 .  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 5 shows the content of the registered information on the network devices  101  to  106 .  
         [0047]    Directory registration information  50  is constituted of: a device name  51 ; a network address  52  indicating a network device address; a service type  53  indicating a name of the service corresponding to the function of the network device; a scope  54  indicating an accessible level of the network device; a location  55  indicating the location where the network device is physically disposed; a paper size  56  indicating a paper size supported by the network device; an option  57  indicating optional functions of the network device, such as a sorter and stapler; and a device status  58  indicating a status of the network device.  
         [0048]    Additionally, in the aforementioned embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, “Directory Server” is registered as the name indicating the network device search server  112 , “Mr. Color” is registered as the name of the color printer  101 , ¢2F High-Speed” is registered as the name of the MFP  102 , “Develop Printer” is registered as the name of the monochromatic printer  103 , “Develop FAX” is registered as the name of the facsimile machine  104 , “SNMP Admin” is registered as the name of the desk top PC  111 , “1F Printer” is registered as the name of the monochromatic printer  105 , and “Scanner” is registered as the name of the scanner  106 .  
         [0049]    Moreover, since the MFP  102  has three functions, that is, a print function, scan function and facsimile function, the MFP is registered as “2F High-Speed” having respective functions, that is, “2F High-Speed” having the print function, “2F High-Speed” having the scan function and “2F High-Speed” having the facsimile function in the network device search server  112 .  
         [0050]    Furthermore, since the MFP  102  also has a combination of the scan and print functions as a copy function, service name “print &amp; scan” is registered in the network device search server  112 .  
         [0051]    In the aforementioned embodiment, the monochromatic printer  105  and scanner  106  exist in the same location, are separately registered as “1F Printer” and “Scanner” as described above, and are associated with each other and registered with a series of service names “print &amp; scan” and the name “1F Printer and Scanner”.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display displayed in the CRT  310  during searching of the network devices  101  to  106  in the desk top PC  111 .  
         [0053]    In the example of screen display shown in FIG. 6, the user searches the network devices  101  to  106  for the network device having the copy (print &amp; scan) function in the desk top PC  111 .  
         [0054]    The user operates a mouse (pointing device) (not shown) connected to the desk top PC  111  to display the function to be searched such as a combined copy function (print &amp; scan) in a search function  61 , and selects a search start button  62 , so that a search operation starts.  
         [0055]    When the search operation ends, a searched result is displayed in a search result list  63 . The search result list  63  is constituted of a number  64  indicating an identification number, name of the searched network device and name of a combined service  65 , IP address  66 , and location  67  indicating the location where the device is installed.  
         [0056]    For example, when the copy (print &amp; scan) is searched in the aforementioned embodiment, “2F High-Speed (MFP  102 )” and “1F Printer (monochromatic printer  105 ) Scanner (scanner  106 )” having the copy function (print &amp; scan) are displayed in the search result list  63 . In the aforementioned embodiment, the monochromatic printer  105  and scanner  106  exist in the same location on the first floor, and can be used to perform copying. Moreover, when the service names of two services corresponding to the print function of the monochromatic printer  105  and the scan function of the scanner  106  are regarded as a series of service names, “Print &amp; Scan” indicating the service name is registered in the network device search server  112 . Therefore, when the copy (print &amp; scan) is searched, “1F Printer Scanner” is displayed in the search result list  63 .  
         [0057]    Additionally, in the aforementioned embodiment, the desk top PC  111  is used to perform the searching, but the notebook-size PC  113  or the network device search server  112  may be used to perform the searching.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the network devices  101  to  106  in the network system NS 1  according to the aforementioned embodiment.  
         [0059]    When the network device is started, services of single-functions such as the print function, scan function, and FAX function of the device are referred to (S 70 ). Subsequently, it is judged whether or not there are a plurality of single-function services referred to in the step S 70  and a combined service of two or more single-functions is available (S 71 ).  
         [0060]    With an affirmative judgment in the step S 71 , information for registering information on the available combined service in the network device search server  112  is sent to the network device search server  112  and registered in the network device search server  112  (S 75 ). Here, in the present embodiment, the sending of the registration information into the network device search server  112  is realized by SLP, but may be realized by other protocols such as LDAP.  
         [0061]    For example, when the MFP  102  having three print, scan and FAX functions can provide the copy function of the combined scan and print functions as the combined service open to the public on the network, the “print &amp; scan” service is registered.  
         [0062]    Subsequently, the information for registering the single-function service of the device into the network device search server  112  is sent to the network device search server  112 , and registered in the network device search server  112  (S 72 ).  
         [0063]    For example, for the MFP  102  having three single-functions of the print, scan and FAX functions, the print, scan and FAX functions are registered in the network device search server  112 .  
         [0064]    On the other hand, when the plurality of functions are not referred to in the step S 70  (S 71 ), the service name of the service corresponding to one function of the device is registered in the network device search server  112  (S 72 ).  
         [0065]    Subsequently, the functions of other network devices registered in the network device search server  112  are referred to (S 73 ), and it is judged from the functions referred to the step S 73  whether or not the other device having a different function exits in the same location (S 74 ). If the device having the different function does not exist in the same location, the registration of the service name of the service corresponding to the function is ended.  
         [0066]    When the other device having the single-function different from the single-function of the device exists in the same location (S 74 ) and the combined service of the single-function service of the other network device present in the same location with the single-function service of the device is available, the information for registering the combined service into the network device search server  112  is sent to the network device search server  112 . The series of service names are registered in the network device search server  112  (S 76 ), and this processing ends.  
         [0067]    For example, in the step S 76 , the monochromatic printer  105  registers the service name of the service corresponding to the function of the printer, and the service name of the service corresponding to the function of the scanner  106  into the network device search server  112 . In this case, the monochromatic printer  105  and scanner  106  exist in the same location on the first floor of the building in which the network system NS 1  is constructed. Therefore, when the print function of the monochromatic printer  105  can be combined with the scan function of the scanner  106  to realize remote copy, service name “print &amp; scan” is registered in the network device search server  112 .  
         [0068]    Additionally, in the aforementioned embodiment, the user may judge whether or not the network device has a plurality of functions, and service names of a plurality of services corresponding to the plurality of functions of the network device may be registered as a series of service names in the network device search server  112 . In this case, the user sends the information for registering the series of service names in the network device search server  112  to the network device search server  112  by a manual operation, so that the information is registered in the network device search server  112 .  
         [0069]    Moreover, in at least two or more devices connected to the LAN  100 , the service names of the plurality of services corresponding to the functions of the two or more devices may be registered as the series of service names in the network device search server  112 . In this case, the user sends the information for registering the series of service names in the network device search server  112  to the network device search server  112  by the manual operation, so that the information is registered in the network device search server  112 .  
         [0070]    According to the aforementioned embodiment, for example, when the user searches for the device having the copy function by the notebook-size PC  113  in order to perform the copying on the first floor, “2F High-Speed” and “1F Printer Scanner” are displayed in the screen of the notebook-size PC  113 . In this case, the user on the first floor can instantly recognize that the user can perform the copying on the first floor, and can quickly search for the device to be utilized.  
         [0071]    Moreover, according to the aforementioned embodiment, for example, when the copy (print &amp; scan) is searched by the PC  111 , the MFP  102  having three print, scan and facsimile functions is not separately displayed as the “2F High-Speed” having the print function and “2F High-Speed” having the scan function in the PC  111 , but is displayed as “2F High-Speed” having three print, scan and facsimile functions in the screen of the PC  111 . Therefore, it is instantly recognized that the user can use “2F High-Speed” to perform the copying, and the user can quickly search for the device to be utilized.  
         [0072]    Additionally, in the network system of the aforementioned embodiment, the directory server and a plurality of network devices are connected to the LAN, but the aforementioned embodiment may be applied to the network system in which the directory server and the plurality of network devices are connected to the network other than LAN.  
         [0073]    According to the present invention, an effect can be produced that the user can quickly search for a combination of one function with another function in the network system connected to the network device search server and the plurality of devices.