JP2000295311A - Network control method, network system and computer device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] In a computer network connected to a dedicated line that can be connected via a public line, even if there is a shared device that requires a lot of data, an increase in network load is suppressed. Of a network control method that can be performed. SOLUTION: It is detected whether or not a public line is included in a path between a shared input / output device and a computer device that uses the shared input / output device (step S502). The capability information equal to or less than the capability of the shared input / output device is returned (step S503). As a result, it is possible to suppress the settable range of the operating condition that affects the data amount such as the resolution and the number of gradations that can be set in the computer device using the shared input / output device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer network connected by a dedicated line such as a local area network (LAN), which can be connected via a line having a low line quality and a low data transfer rate such as a public line. ,
The present invention relates to a network control method and a network control device for efficiently using network resources.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, computer networks have rapidly spread. In addition, computers are often connected to computer networks that are not directly connected using public lines. However, connection using a public line is often slower in information transfer speed than general LAN connection, and when using a network, processing becomes slow or load is applied to the connected network. There is.

On the other hand, in recent years, as the performance (spatial resolution, color resolution, etc.) of image data processing devices such as image readers (image data reading devices) and printers has improved, the capacity of data transmitted to and received from these devices has also increased. ing.

[0004]

As a result, when these devices are connected as a shared device on a network, the frequency of transmitting and receiving a file having a large data size increases, and the network load increases. I have.

[0005] In particular, this problem becomes serious when these image data processing apparatuses are used from a computer connected to a network via a public line. Therefore,
There is a need for a network control method or a network system capable of appropriately controlling transfer of large-sized data through a public line having poor transfer speed and line quality.

[0006] In view of the above prior art, the present invention provides a computer network connected to a dedicated line which can be connected via a public line, even if there is a shared device requiring a large amount of data. An object of the present invention is to provide a network control method and a network system capable of suppressing an increase in network load.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a network control method and a network system capable of executing the above-described load suppression without making the user of the device conscious.

[0008]

That is, the gist of the present invention is a computer network that is configured to be accessible from an external computer device via a line that satisfies predetermined conditions and does not include a line that satisfies predetermined conditions. hand,
A computer network control method in which a shared device usable from devices and external computer devices included in the computer network is connected to the computer network, a use request detecting step of detecting a use request of the shared device, A line detection step for detecting whether a line satisfying a predetermined condition is included in a path between the requesting device that issued the use request and the shared device, and a line satisfying the predetermined condition in the line detection step is included. And a data amount suppressing step of controlling the operation of the shared device so that the amount of data transmitted and received between the shared device and the requesting device is reduced as compared with the case where no is detected. And a network control method characterized by the following.

Another aspect of the present invention is a computer configured using a line configured to be accessible from an external computer via a line satisfying a predetermined condition and not including a line satisfying the predetermined condition. A network device, a shared device usable by a computer device and an external device included in the computer network system, a predetermined device, a shared device management computer device having a function of controlling the shared device, and an external device An external connection management computer device that controls connection to the computer network system, and the shared device management computer device transmits a use request to the control target shared device and a request source computer device that has issued the use request. Use request detection means for detecting First line detecting means for detecting whether a line satisfying a predetermined condition is included in a communication path between the shared device and the requesting computer, and the first line detecting means satisfying the predetermined condition First data amount suppression for controlling the amount of data transmitted and received between the shared device and the requesting computer device to be smaller than when the line is included and when it is not detected Or a second line detecting means for detecting whether or not the requesting computer device includes a line satisfying a predetermined condition in a communication path with the shared device desired to be used. When the second line detecting means detects that a line satisfying a predetermined condition is included, the amount of data transmitted / received to / from the shared device desired to be used is smaller than when the line is not detected. Less It consists in a computer network system characterized by a second data amount control means for controlling the operating conditions of the sea urchin sharing device.

Another aspect of the present invention is a computer device connected to a computer network and connected to a shared device in the computer network, wherein a request for use of the shared device and a request for issuing the use request are provided. Use request detection means for detecting a source computer device, a shared device receiving a use request, and line detection means for detecting whether a communication path with the request source computer device includes a line satisfying a predetermined condition. When the line detecting means detects that a line satisfying a predetermined condition is included, the amount of data transmitted / received between the shared device and the requesting computer becomes smaller than when the line is not detected. Thus, the present invention resides in a computer device having data amount suppressing means for controlling the operating conditions of the shared device.

Another aspect of the present invention is a computer device connectable to a computer network,
When a shared device existing on a computer network is used, a predetermined request is sent to a shared device control computer device that controls the shared device by a use request unit that issues a use request and a communication path between the shared device that the user wants to use. A line detecting means for detecting whether a line satisfying the condition is included; and a case where the line detecting means detects that a line satisfying a predetermined condition is included, comparing with a case where the line is not detected. A computer device comprising: a data amount suppression unit that controls operating conditions of the shared device so that the amount of data transmitted to and received from the requested shared device is reduced.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the configuration of a computer network to which the present invention can be applied will be described.

FIG. 1 shows three Ls via a public line 200.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a large-scale network to which ANs 100, 110, and 120 are connected. In the figure, a printer 102
Is connected to the first LAN 100 via a network board (NB) 101 for connecting to a network. The NB 101 is connected to the LAN 100 by, for example, an Ethernet interface 10Base-2 having a coaxial connector.
And a LAN interface such as 10Base-T having RJ-45.

A plurality of personal computers (PCs) such as a PC 103 and a PC 104 are also connected to the LAN 100, and these PCs 103 and 104 can communicate with the NB 101 under the control of a network operating system. In this state, one of the PCs, for example, the PC 103 can be designated to be used as the network management unit. Also, PC1
A printer such as the printer 105 connected to the printer 04 may be connected.

The file server 10 is connected to the LAN 100.
6, which manages access to files stored on a large-capacity (for example, 10 billion bytes) network disk 107. Print server 108
Causes a printer such as the connected printers 109a and 109b or the printer 105 at a remote location to perform printing. Further, other peripheral devices (not shown) may be connected to the LAN 100.

More specifically, the network shown in FIG. 1 can use network software such as Novell or UNIX software to efficiently communicate between various network members. Although any network software can be used, for example, Novell's NetWare (registered trademark of Novell, hereinafter abbreviated) software can be used. For a detailed description of this software package, please refer to the online documentation included with the NetWare package. It is available for purchase from Novell with the NetWare package.

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

PC 103 and PC 104 are respectively
Generation of data file and L of generated data file
It is composed of a proper PC capable of transmitting to the AN 100, receiving a file from the LAN 100, and displaying and / or processing such a file.
It should be noted that although FIG. 1 shows a personal computer device, other computer devices that are suitable for executing network software may be included. For example, if you are using UNIX software,
Workstations may be included in the network, and these workstations may be used with the illustrated PC under appropriate circumstances.

Typically, a LAN, such as LAN 100, provides services to a somewhat local group of users, such as a group of users on one floor or multiple consecutive floors in a building. For example, a wide area network (WAN) may be created as one user moves away from another user, such as when the user is in another building or another prefecture. WA
N is basically a LAN formed by connecting several LANs via a digital line such as an integrated digital service network (ISDN) line (public line or dedicated line) or a normal analog public line. Is an aggregate of

In FIG. 1, a PC 103 connected to the LAN 100 and a PC 130 connected to the LAN 110
PCs 121 connected to the LAN 120 are respectively modems (or terminal adapters) 140, 150,
60, and three LANs are interconnected by connecting to the public line 200.

Each LAN includes a dedicated PC and, although not necessarily, usually includes a file server and a print server. As shown in FIG.
The AN 110 includes a PC 111, a PC 112, a file server 113, a network disk 114, a print server 115, a printer 116, and a printer 117.
And In contrast, the LAN 120 has a PC 121 and a PC
122 only. LAN 100, LAN 110,
Devices connected to the LAN 120 can access functions of other LAN devices via the WAN connection.

Also, the PC 300 not directly connected to any LAN can use the modem / TA 310 to communicate with devices connected to each LAN via the public line 200. Although FIG. 1 shows a case where all LANs are connected by a public line, a line connecting the LANs may include a dedicated line, or a configuration in which both LANs are connected by a dedicated line and a public line. It may be.

<Description of Apparatus> Next, the configuration of the network management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the network management device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1b denotes a video RAM (VRAM) which expands and stores characters and images displayed on the screen of the CRT display device 1a. A bit move unit (BMU) 1c controls data transfer between memories or between a memory and each device. 1d is a keyboard provided with various keys related to input, 1e is a pointing device (PD) used for pointing an icon or the like on a screen, 1f is a CPU, 1g is a ROM storing a boot program and a BIOS or the like. is there.

1h loads various programs, C
Work area when PU1f executes the program,
RAM used as a temporary save area during error processing
It is. Reference numeral 1i denotes a hard disk drive (HDD) used for storing an OS, various programs (including device drivers), data, libraries, and the like, and 1j denotes a floppy disk drive (FDD). 1k
Is an output device provided as a shared resource by the printer (PRN) on the network of the present embodiment.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a network interface (NET-I / F) for performing a LAN connection, and performs data control and diagnosis on the network in order to transfer data with another device via the network. Do. 1m
An image reader (image scanner) is an input device for reading an image provided as a shared resource on the network according to the present embodiment. Numeral 1n denotes a modem that enables connection to a network via a public line, and performs data control and diagnosis on the network in order to perform data transfer via the network in the same manner as the NET-I / F11 (L). I do. Reference numeral 1o denotes an I / O bus (comprising an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus) for connecting the above-described units.

In the above configuration, when the apparatus is powered on, the CPU 1f initializes the apparatus according to the boot program in the ROM 1g, loads the OS from the HDD 1i, and thereafter operates various applications and the like.

It should be noted that the device having such a configuration is compatible with commonly used interfaces (SCSI, IDE, ATAP).
I, USB, PCI, ISA, IEEE1394, RS
232C) can be realized by using a general information processing device (such as a personal computer). In the above description, the program is stored in a hard disk or the like. However, it is needless to say that the program may be stored in the ROM 1g, or may be read by a CD-ROM drive (not shown). The method of storing the data and the method of obtaining the data are not limited. Further, devices other than those shown in FIG. 2 may be connected.

<Management of Shared Resources Available on Network> Next, for simplicity of explanation, of the large-scale network shown in FIG. This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 2a denotes a network constituted by a LAN, and the LANs 100, 110 and 1 in FIG.
20. Reference numeral 2b denotes an information processing apparatus (hereinafter, “printer shared machine”) that provides the printer 2c as a shared resource of an output device (hereinafter, “shared printer”). Reference numeral 2d denotes an information processing apparatus (hereinafter, "shared scanner machine") that provides the scanner 2e as a shared resource of the input device (hereinafter, "shared scanner"). 2f indicates an information processing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as “client machine” or simply “client”) that uses each shared resource. 2g can communicate with the public line 2i by using the modem 2h, and
An information processing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a “RAS machine”) that controls a connection to a network 2a configured with N via a public line 2i. Further, an information processing apparatus 2k connects to the public line 2i using the modem 2j, enables connection to the network 2a via the RAS machine 2g, and provides the printer 21 and the scanner 2m as shared resources. (Shared machine for shared scanner and shared printer). Reference numeral 2o denotes a client machine that connects to the public line 2i by using the modem 2n and further enables connection to the network 2a via the RAS machine 2g, and uses each shared resource.

As is clear from the figure, the information processing device 2g
Corresponds to the PC 103 (or 121, 130) in FIG.
Reference numerals 2b, 2d, and 2f denote PCs 104, 10 in FIG.
6, 108, 111 to 113, 115, and 122, 2k and 2o respectively correspond to the PC 300 in FIG. Note that a machine having a shared resource is hereinafter referred to as a server.

The device shown in FIG. 2 basically shows the devices 2b, 2d, 2g, 2f, 2k, and 2o shown in the figure. However, the device 2b is a machine without the image reading device 1m and the modem 1n, the device 2c is the printer 1k and the modem 1n, and the device 2f is the printer 1k and the image reading device 1m and the modem 1n. , The device 2g does not have the printer 1k and the image reading device 1m, the device 2k does not have the NET-I / F 11l, and the device 2o does not have the NET-I / F 11l, the printer 1k and the image reading device 1m. Will respond to the case.

Here, what becomes a server is not only these hardware resources, but also a corresponding server program needs to be operated on each device. on the other hand,
The one that operates as a client is different in that there is no hardware resource of the image reader or the printer, there is no shared program (server program), and there is a program that functions as a client, but the basic configuration of the apparatus is the same as that of FIG. .

The point is that the server shares its own resources with the server, and the client receiving the service is the client. Incidentally, there may be a server / client device.

The same applies to the RAS machine, except that the RAS machine operates a program for controlling a network connection to an information processing apparatus accessed via a public line. May be connected as a shared machine.

<Method of Determining Whether Public Line Is Included in Data Transfer Path> FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which client machines 2f and 2o use image scanners 2e and 2m shared on a network. 3 shows a network route. In the drawing, reference numeral 3a denotes a processing path for performing an input instruction from the client 2f to the shared machine 2d of the scanner via the LAN network.

On the other hand, reference numeral 3b denotes an RA using the public line 2i.
A processing path for performing an input instruction from the client 2o connected to the network 2a via the S machine 2g to the machine 2d is also shown.

3c is an RA using public line 2i.
From the client machine 2o connected to the network 2a via the S machine 2g, the shared machine 2 of the scanner also connected to the network via the public line
3 shows a path for performing an input instruction using the scanner 2f shared by k.

At this time, the following can be considered as a method of determining whether or not there is a public line in the route. First, route 3a
When the client 2f issues an input instruction, the scanner sharing machine 2d uses only the LAN network 2a.
To the client 2f
Makes an inquiry to the RAS machine 2g as to whether or not the scanner sharing machine 2d is connected to the LAN 2a via a public line. The RAS machine 2g stores the ID or network address of the device that has made a connection request via the modem 2h, for example, in the RAM 1h or HDD.
1i. The inquiry includes the ID or network address of the other machine having the shared device with which the inquiry source and the inquiry source machine try to transmit and receive data.
Search for D or network address from the list.
If not found in the search result list, reply that the public line is not used. On the other hand, if one or both machines are on the list, a response to that effect is made.

Since the route 3a is completed in the LAN 2a, the RAS machine 2g responds to the inquiry source machine 2f that there is no public line on the route 3a to the machine 2d. A similar inquiry is also made in the scanner sharing machine 2d that has received the input instruction, and it is recognized in a similar manner that the public line is not included in the route.

On the other hand, when the client 2o issues an input instruction to the scanner 2e, the instruction is transmitted to the RAS machine 2g.
And arrives at the scanner shared machine 2d (path 3b). At this time, as in the case of the above-described route 3a, the client 2o inquires of the RAS machine 2g whether or not the route includes a public line (whether the two communicating machines are not connected by the public line). When the client 2o accesses the RAS machine 2g, the RAS
Since the client 2o is stored in the list of the machine 2g, the client 2o knows that the public line is included in the path from the RAS machine 2g. Similarly,
The scanner sharing machine 2d receiving the input instruction also recognizes that the public line is included in the path 3b with the client 2o.

As for the route 3c, the client 2o and the shared machine 2k are connected to the RAS machine 2g, respectively.
Can be used to determine that a network connection is used, so that it can be determined that a public line is used.

Even if such a method is used, it can be determined whether a public line is used between the client and the machine sharing the input / output device.
Any method may be used as long as it can be determined whether a public line is used for the route. A feature of the present invention is to reduce a network load on a shared machine and a client when there is a public line on a use route. The description is given below.

<Method of Reducing Network Load> The basic concept of the method of reducing the load in the present embodiment is that, when a use request for a shared device is made through a path including a public line, the transfer condition of the usage conditions of the shared device is transferred. The network load is reduced by limiting the settable range of items reflected in the amount of data. Specifically, it is conceivable to limit the settable range in the application using the shared device activated on the client side.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a scanner operation condition setting screen of an application program started by a client machine and using an image scanner which is a shared device on a network.

As shown in the figure, items for acquiring the capability information of the image scanner and setting the information for the image data to be acquired are displayed. For example, 4a
The setting of the resolution and the like shown in (1) greatly affect the data size transferred at the time of actual acquisition, and the larger the resolution, the larger the transfer data size. Normally, the resolution that can be set by a scanner or a printer is discrete, and several hundred d
Since the value is often in units of pi (dot / inch), the change in the data amount due to the set value is very large. Accordingly, the data amount can be limited by changing the upper limit of the resolution setting value depending on whether the path between the shared machine and the client machine includes the public line or not.

For example, if the shared scanner has a maximum of 600 (dp
In the case of having the capability of i), if the route does not include the public line, 600 (dpi) is displayed as the maximum capability as it is, but if the route is through the public line, the maximum is 300 (dpi).
For example, it is conceivable to provide a restriction for making pi) available.

Other setting items that affect the amount of data include scan modes such as whether to scan in color or monochrome, the number of gradations, and the like. If available, the output resolution (d
pi), the number of output colors (single color / color), smoothing,
Any item, such as print quality such as the degree of halftone, can be targeted. Further, a plurality of items may be combined, for example, such that the maximum value of the scan size and the upper limit value of the resolution are associated with each other.

<Restriction on Shared Machine> Next, how to implement the above-described restriction will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the shared machine 2d of the input / output device that has received the instruction.

First, in step S501, it is determined whether an input / output instruction has been issued from a client to a shared machine of an input / output device. If not, end. If there is an input / output instruction, the process proceeds to the next step S502. In step S502, it is checked whether or not there is a public line in a communication path between the client that has issued the input / output instruction and the client (the shared machine). This method is as described above.

If there is a public line, in step S503, the capability information of the public line communication I / O device stored in advance in the HDD 1i or the like is used as the shared I / O device capability information. Send to client machine.

On the other hand, if there is no public line, in step S504, normal capability information of the shared input / output device is sent to the client machine. The application program of the client machine uses the capability information to display a setting screen as shown in FIG.

As described above, when there is a public line in the communication path with the client, it is possible to limit the transfer data amount by issuing the capability information of the restricted device in the shared machine of the input / output device. Thus, the load on the network can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment) In the above-described first embodiment, when a public line is present on a communication path, the capability information of the restricted device is issued in the shared machine of the input / output device, so that the network load is reduced. It is characterized by reducing. In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which a client machine reduces a network load when there is a public line between shared machines of a shared input / output device to be used.

In the following description, the configuration of the client machine and the server is the same as in FIG. 2, and the configuration of the network is also the same as in FIG.

<Restriction on Client Machine> FIG.
10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for restricting the capacity of a shared input / output device when a public line is present in a communication path in a client machine.

First, in step S601, it is determined whether an input / output instruction for a shared input device has been issued. If no use instruction has been given here, the process ends. If an input / output instruction has been issued, in step S602, the capability information is acquired from the shared machine of the shared input / output device for which the input / output instruction has been issued. In this case, the shared machine issues the capability information of the shared device without restriction.

Next, in step S603, it is determined whether or not there is a public line in a communication path between the user (client machine) that has issued the input / output instruction and the shared machine of the input / output device. If it is determined in step S603 that a public line exists, the process proceeds to step S604.

In step S604, the HDD 1i is previously registered with the capability information acquired in step S602.
A user interface (UI) such as a setting screen is displayed using the information to which the capability information of the public line input / output device stored is stored. Here, for example,
Even when the resolution information of the capability information is 600 dpi at the maximum when using the shared scanner, if the limit value for the public line is 400 dpi, the maximum is displayed as 400 dpi.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S603 that the communication does not go through the public line, the flow advances to step S605. In step S605, the UI is displayed using the acquired capability information of the shared input / output device as it is.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, in a client machine of a shared input / output device, when a public line exists in a communication path with the shared machine, the acquired capability information is limited. This makes it possible to limit the transfer data and reduce the load on the network.

(Third Embodiment) In the first and second embodiments, when there is a public line on a communication path, a shared machine and a client of a shared input / output device display the input / output instruction on a UI for instructing input / output. The feature is to reduce the load on the network by limiting the capability information.

In the third embodiment, in the above-described shared machine and client machine, when there is a public line in the communication path, creation of a transfer data file is performed without acquiring capability information or displaying a UI. An example will be described in which file data with lower quality than usual is created and transferred.

FIG. 8 shows a network path when the client machines 2f and 2o transfer output data to the printer 2c shared on the network in the third embodiment.

In the figure, the route 7a is connected to the client 2
2 shows a processing path for transferring output data from f to the shared printer 2c via the LAN network 2a. On the other hand, the path 7b is a path in which the client 2o similarly transfers output data to the shared printer 2c via the RAS machine 2g.

In the path 7a, as in the first embodiment, the client machine 2f determines that the path to the shared printer 2c does not include a public line, creates normal print data, and creates the shared print data. The data is sent to the machine 2b.

On the other hand, in the path 7b, when the client machine 2o recognizes that there is a public line 2i between the client machine 2o and the shared machine 2b, data stored in advance for use in giving a print instruction via the public line is provided. For example, it reads “print quality”, generates an output file in accordance with the setting, and performs a process of arriving at the shared machine 2b. In particular,
For normal data, create 400 dpi at 600 dpi.
It is possible to use an arbitrary method, such as creating the image in dpi, reducing the number of halftone gradations, and changing the color to monochrome.

When the shared device is an input device (for example, a scanner), the shared machine reads actual image data in response to an input instruction from the client, and
In the process of sending the data, if there is image data in the communication path with the client that is the destination, the encoding method with a high compression rate set in advance for the public line path or the compression rate in the encoding is increased. A process of sending data with the amount of image data reduced is performed.

Thus, Embodiments 1 and 2
Even when the capability information is not acquired or the UI is not displayed as in the case of (1), when the data to be actually sent (for output processing, it is generated by the client, and for input processing, it is generated by the shared machine) By applying a restriction for reducing the file size prepared in advance and generating the file, the load on the network can be reduced.

FIG. 9 shows an information processing apparatus that generates input / output data when the client machine issues an input / output instruction to the shared machine between the shared machine of the input / output device and the client machine. , A shared machine of the input device, and a client machine in the case of an output instruction) generate data to be transferred and transfer the data.

First, in step S801, it is determined whether a data creation instruction for data transfer has been issued. If not, end. If there is, the process proceeds to step S802. In step S802, information on a data generation method is obtained.

<Acquisition of Information on Generation Method> Generally, when using input / output devices, software (device driver software) for using the devices to be used is registered in the OS. , And performs information exchange and data transfer using the driver.

Therefore, by examining the device drivers registered in the OS, the attribute information of each device can be known. Of course, a method of creating transfer data can also be obtained as this information. However, the information source regarding the generation method is not limited to the device driver, and any method may be used as long as the generation information can be acquired.

Next, in step S803, it is determined whether there is a public line in the communication path between the shared machine and the client. If there is a public line, step S80
In step 4, a pre-stored restriction on the generation information of the transfer data obtained in step S802 is obtained,
Merge the generated information. This means that transfer data generation information with a limit has been created.

In step S805, transfer data is created using the transfer data generation information having the above-mentioned restrictions. In the next step S806, the generated transfer data is transferred.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S803 that the public line is not used, in step S807, transfer data is created using the normal generation information obtained in step S802 as it is. And step S806
The generated transfer data is transferred.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the data to be transferred when a public line is included is reduced between the client and the shared machine that exchanges the input / output device shared at the time of data generation. It is possible to reduce the load on the network.

(Setting of Conditions for Data Transfer Using Public Line) In the first to third embodiments, when a shared line exists in a communication path in a shared machine and a client of a shared input / output device, an input / output instruction is issued. In the case where the capability information displayed on the UI for performing the transfer is limited or the transfer data is actually generated, the limitation is applied to reduce the load on the network.

By providing a UI that allows the user to set each of the restrictions described in the embodiments described above, it is possible to perform quality setting closer to the input / output data desired by the user, and to reduce the load on the network. An example will be described.

FIG. 10 is an example showing a window when a program for setting restrictions when a public line is used operates. As shown in the figure, an item for reducing transfer data when using each shared input / output device is described.

For example, reference numeral 9a denotes a control for limiting the maximum resolution to be applied when a public line is present in a path using a shared scanner. When a public line is used, this control is 300 dpi. Means the maximum resolution.

Similarly, reference numeral 9b denotes a control for setting a restriction for acquiring an image as a monochrome image when the shared scanner is a color scanner and a public line is used as a use route.

Further, 9c, 9d, and 9e are restrictions on the shared printer, respectively. When a public line is present on the use route, 9c is set to print in the high-speed mode (low quality) of the printer. Reference numeral 9d denotes a control for setting a restriction for performing monochrome printing on a color printer.

The items described here are merely examples, and any item can be set as long as the size of the transfer data is reduced when the shared input / output device is used.

As described above, regarding the use of the shared device between the client and the shared machine of the input / output device in which the public line is used as the use route, restrictions according to each network can be provided, and the input can be performed within a range permitted by the user. It is possible to transfer the output data and to limit the load on the network.

[0085]

[Other Embodiments] In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which data transfer is performed by a request from a machine to which no shared device is connected. In particular, when the shared machine is an input device, the shared machine connects to itself. The present invention can be applied to a case where data acquired using the shared device is transferred to another machine via a network.

For example, the shared machine 2d in FIG.
When the image data obtained by using the scanner 2e as a shared device is transferred to another machine, the image data is transferred to the machines 2b, 2f, and 2g that can be transferred without using the public line, and the public line is used. By changing conditions related to the amount of data, such as the scanning resolution, when transferring the data to the machines 2k and 2o, the network load can be reduced. Specifically, when a screen for designating a storage destination of scan data is designated with an HDD of a machine which needs to use a public line for data transfer, a method of setting a condition for reducing the data amount is used. I just need.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of reducing the transfer data amount by focusing on the presence or absence of the public line. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the public line, and the always-congested line, The present invention can be applied by applying a line or the like for which the amount of traffic is desired to be restricted due to the necessity in management as the above-mentioned public line.

In this case, if the IDs and network addresses of the RAS machines that have made access requests through specific lines are listed, the above-described embodiment can be used as it is.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, and the like), and can be applied to a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile). Device).

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

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

Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, and CD.
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0095]

According to the present invention described above, in a network composed of a LAN and a public line, when there is a public line in a use route between a shared machine and a client machine of an input / output device, transfer data can be obtained. By keeping the size small, it is possible to reduce the load on the network, and to provide a network system in which the user can use the shared input / output device on a comfortable network and control information thereof.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a large-scale network to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial configuration diagram of a network for describing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data communication path when using a shared device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for setting operating conditions of a shared device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the shared machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a client machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data communication path when using a shared device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an information acquisition operation relating to a generation method according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen of restriction data according to the present invention.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F-term (reference) BB04 CC07 CC08 DD10 HH23

Claims (28)

[Claims] 1. A computer network that is configured to be accessible from an external computer device via a line that satisfies a predetermined condition and that does not include a line that satisfies the predetermined condition, wherein the computer network includes: A method of controlling a computer network in which a device included and a shared device available from the external computer device are connected, wherein a use request detecting step of detecting a use request of the shared device; and issuing the use request A line detecting step of detecting whether a line satisfying the predetermined condition is included in a path between the requesting device and the shared device, and a line satisfying the predetermined condition is included in the line detecting step. If detected, the shared device and the A data amount suppressing step of controlling the operation of the sharing device so that the amount of data transmitted to and received from the requesting device is reduced. 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the shared device is an image processing device,
The data amount suppressing step processes a choice of a value that can be set in the shared device by the requesting device, when a line that satisfies the predetermined condition is detected by the line detecting unit, compared to when the line is not detected. 2. The network control method according to claim 1, wherein the data amount is limited to a range where the data amount is small. 3. The network control method according to claim 2, wherein the settable value is a value selected from a resolution, a number of colors, and a number of gradations. 4. The shared device is an image input device,
The data amount suppressing step, when a line that satisfies the predetermined condition is detected in the line detecting step, an image input condition is changed so that an obtained image data amount is smaller than a case where the line is not detected. Claim 1
The described network control method. 5. The network control method according to claim 1, wherein the line satisfying the predetermined condition is a public line. 6. A computer network system configured to use a line that does not include a line that satisfies the predetermined condition, the system being configured to be accessible from an external computer device via a line that satisfies a predetermined condition, A computer device included in a computer network system and a shared device that can be used by the external device; a predetermined computer device, a shared device management computer device having a function of controlling the shared device; An external connection management computer device for controlling connection to a computer network system, wherein the shared device management computer device uses a request for the shared device to be controlled, and a requesting computer device that issues the use request Request detection means for detecting First line detecting means for detecting whether a line satisfying the predetermined condition is included in a communication path between the shared device receiving the use request and the requesting computer device; When the line detecting means detects that a line satisfying the predetermined condition is included, the amount of data transmitted and received between the shared device and the requesting computer device is smaller than when the line is not detected. Or a first data amount suppressing means for controlling the number of data lines to be reduced, or a line satisfying the predetermined condition is provided in a communication path between the requesting computer device and the shared device desired to be used. A second line detecting unit for detecting whether the line is included or not, and comparing the case where the line which satisfies the predetermined condition is detected by the second line detecting unit with the case where the line is not detected. And a second data amount suppressing unit for controlling operating conditions of the shared device so that the amount of data transmitted to and received from the shared device desired to be used is reduced. system. 7. The shared device is an image processing device,
The data amount suppressing step processes a choice of a value that can be set in the shared device by the requesting device, when a line that satisfies the predetermined condition is detected by the line detecting unit, compared to when the line is not detected. 7. The computer network system according to claim 6, wherein the data amount is limited to a range where the data amount is reduced. 8. The computer network system according to claim 7, wherein the settable value is a value selected from a resolution, a number of colors, and a number of gradations. 9. The shared device is an image input device,
When the data amount suppression unit detects a line that satisfies the predetermined condition by the line detection unit, the image input condition is changed so that the amount of image data obtained is smaller than that in a case where the line is not detected. 7. The computer network system according to claim 6, wherein: 10. The external connection management computer device has unique information storage means for storing unique information capable of identifying the external computer device connected to the computer network, and the first or second line. 7. The computer network system according to claim 6, wherein the detection unit performs the detection using the unique information storage unit. 11. The shared device management computer device further comprises capability information transmitting means for returning capability information, which is information relating to the processing capability of the shared device that has received a use request, to the requesting computer device. When the first line detecting means detects that the communication path includes a line satisfying the predetermined condition, the information transmitting means indicates lower performance than the case where the line is not detected. 7. The computer network system according to claim 6, wherein 12. The request source computer device further comprises an operation condition setting means for displaying a screen for setting an operation condition of the shared device which has made a use request, and the operation condition setting means is provided for the shared device management. 12. The computer network system according to claim 11, wherein a settable range of the operation condition is changed and displayed according to the capability information received from a computer device. 13. The operating condition setting means, wherein the request source computer device displays a screen for setting an operating condition of the shared device which has made a use request, wherein the operating condition setting means is configured to execute the second condition. When the line detecting unit detects that a line satisfying the predetermined condition is included in the communication path, the range in which the operating condition can be set is changed to a range in which the amount of data transmitted to and received from the shared device is reduced. 12. The computer network system according to claim 11, wherein the computer network system displays the information. 14. The computer network system according to claim 6, wherein the line satisfying the predetermined condition is a public line. 15. A computer device connected to a computer network and connected to a shared device in the computer network, wherein the computer device detects a use request for the shared device and a request source computer device that has issued the use request. Use request detection means, line detection means for detecting whether or not a communication path between the shared device that has received the use request and the request source computer device includes a line that satisfies a predetermined condition; If the means detects that a line satisfying the predetermined condition is included, the amount of data transmitted / received between the shared device and the requesting computer device is smaller than when the line is not detected. Computer device having data amount suppressing means for controlling operating conditions of the shared device as described above. 16. The shared device is an image processing device, wherein the data amount suppressing unit detects a line that satisfies the predetermined condition by the line detecting unit as compared with a case where the line is not detected. 16. The computer device according to claim 15, wherein the request source computer device limits options of values that can be set as operation conditions of the shared device to a range in which a processing data amount is reduced. 17. The values that can be set include resolution, number of colors,
2. A value selected from the number of gradations.
7. The computer device according to claim 6. 18. The image data obtained when the sharing device is an image input device and the data amount suppression unit detects a line satisfying the predetermined condition by the line detection unit as compared with a case where the line is not detected. 16. The computer device according to claim 15, wherein the image input condition is changed so as to reduce the amount. 19. A capability information transmitting unit for returning capability information, which is information relating to the processing capability of the shared device that has received a use request, to the requesting computer device, wherein the capability information transmitting unit includes the line detection unit. 16. The device according to claim 15, wherein when the means detects that a line satisfying the predetermined condition is included in the communication path, the capability information indicating a lower capability than that in a case where the line is not detected is returned. A computer device as described. 20. A computer device connectable to a computer network, wherein when using a shared device existing on the computer network, a use request is issued to a shared device control computer device that controls the shared device. Use requesting means; line detecting means for detecting whether a communication path with the shared device desired to use includes a line satisfying a predetermined condition; and a line satisfying the predetermined condition by the line detecting means. Is detected, the operating condition of the shared device is controlled so that the amount of data transmitted to and received from the shared device that has requested the use is reduced as compared to the case where the shared device is not detected. A computer device, comprising: 21. An operating condition setting means for displaying a screen for setting an operating condition of the shared device that has made a use request, wherein the operating condition setting means receives the capability received from the shared device management computer device. 21. The computer device according to claim 20, wherein a range in which the operating condition can be set is changed and displayed according to information. 22. An operating condition setting means for displaying a screen for setting an operating condition of the sharing apparatus which has made a use request, wherein the operating condition setting means is arranged such that the line detecting means sets the line condition in the communication path. When detecting that a line satisfying a predetermined condition is included, the range in which the operating condition can be set is changed to a range in which the amount of data transmitted to and received from the shared device is reduced and displayed. 21. The computer device according to claim 20, wherein 23. A storage medium storing the method according to claim 1 as a program executable by an apparatus. 24. A storage medium storing a program executable by a computer device, wherein the device executing the program functions as the shared device management computer device according to claim 6 or 11. A storage medium characterized by the above-mentioned. 25. A requesting computer device according to claim 6, which is a storage medium storing a program executable by the computer device, wherein the device executing the program is a storage medium. A storage medium characterized by functioning as a storage medium. 26. A storage medium storing a program executable by a computer device, wherein the computer executes the program to function as the external connection management computer device according to claim 10. 27. A storage medium storing a program executable by a computer device, wherein the device executing the program causes the computer device to function as the computer device according to any one of claims 15 to 19. Medium. 28. A storage medium storing a program executable by a computer device, wherein the device executing the program causes the computer device to function as the computer device according to claim 20. Medium.