JP2009098977A - Peripheral device connection system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently manage propriety of access by each user to respective peripheral devices when the peripheral devices are shared by the plurality of users. <P>SOLUTION: A data communication means 71 performs data communication between a slave adapter 41 and a master adapter 31. A connection permitting means 73 refers to authentication data for specifying one or a plurality of users who are permitted to perform access to the peripheral devices, specifies one or the plurality of peripheral devices where the access is permitted to the users using the master adapter 31, and permits connection between one or the plurality of slave adapters 41 and the master adapter 31 to which one or the plurality of specified peripheral devices are connected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a peripheral device connection system.

  A technique has been proposed in which peripheral devices that are physically remote are used by being logically connected to a computer (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a SCSI peripheral device is used for a remote host computer via a communication network. In this system, a transmission side device is installed between the host computer and the communication network, and a reception side device is installed between the SCSI peripheral device and the communication network. Then, data communication is directly performed between the transmission side device and the reception side device via the communication path.

JP-A-8-129514

  In the above technique, the transmission side device establishes a connection with the reception side device corresponding to the peripheral device selected from the peripheral device database built in the transmission side device.

  However, when a plurality of users use the above-mentioned system and use another user's peripheral device from one user's host computer, the other user's peripheral device database in the originating side device of all users Each peripheral device that can be used must be identified and registered. In addition, when a usable peripheral device becomes unusable or an unusable peripheral device becomes usable, the peripheral device database of each user must be dynamically changed according to the situation. In addition, the identifier of the peripheral device needs to be recorded in the transmission side device.

  For this reason, in the above technique, when a peripheral device can be shared by a plurality of users, it is difficult to efficiently manage whether each user can access each peripheral device.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention provides a peripheral device connection system that can efficiently manage whether each user can access each peripheral device when the peripheral device can be shared by a plurality of users, and can be used in the peripheral device connection system. An object is to obtain a server device, a master adapter device, and a slave adapter device.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured as follows.

  A peripheral device connection system according to the present invention includes a server device and one or a plurality of slaves connected to the peripheral device via a wired or wireless peripheral device interface and capable of data communication with the server device via a computer network. The adapter includes a master adapter that is connected to a terminal device that can use the peripheral device via a wired or wireless peripheral device interface and that can perform data communication with the server device via a computer network. Then, the server device refers to authentication data for identifying one or more users permitted to access the peripheral device, and one or more permitted access to the user using the master adapter. Peripheral devices are identified, and the connection between the master adapter and one or more slave adapters to which the identified one or more peripheral devices are connected is permitted.

  As a result, the server device centrally manages the association between the slave adapter and the master adapter, so that when a peripheral device connected to the slave adapter can be shared by multiple users, each user can access each peripheral device. Whether it is possible or not can be managed efficiently. Further, whether or not the peripheral device user can access the peripheral device by another user can be changed only by changing the authentication data. That is, whether or not access to the peripheral device can be performed can be performed with a simple operation.

  In the server device according to the present invention, one or a plurality of slave adapters to which peripheral devices are connected through a wired or wireless peripheral device interface, and a terminal device that can use the peripheral devices are connected through a wired or wireless peripheral device interface. Data communication means for performing data communication with the master adapter and authentication data for identifying one or more users who are permitted to access the peripheral device. Connection permission means for identifying one or more peripheral devices to which access is permitted and permitting connection between the master adapter and one or more slave adapters to which the identified one or more peripheral devices are connected Is provided.

  As a result, the server device centrally manages the association between the slave adapter and the master adapter, so that when a peripheral device connected to the slave adapter can be shared by multiple users, each user can access each peripheral device. Whether it is possible or not can be managed efficiently. Further, whether or not the peripheral device user can access the peripheral device by another user can be changed only by changing the authentication data. That is, whether or not access to the peripheral device can be performed can be performed with a simple operation.

  In addition to the server device described above, the server device according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the server apparatus obtains device information provided by the peripheral device from the slave adapter when connected by the peripheral device interface via the data communication means, and is permitted to connect to the slave adapter. A connection establishment means is provided for supplying the master adapter and establishing a connection between the terminal device and the peripheral device at the peripheral device interface.

  Accordingly, it is possible to logically connect a remote peripheral device to the terminal device with a predetermined interface standard as in the case where the peripheral device is directly connected to the terminal device.

  In addition to the server device described above, the server device according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the connection establishing means receives the peripheral device interface signal encapsulated in a predetermined communication protocol from one of the slave adapter and the master adapter permitted to connect via the data communication means, and The data is transmitted to the other of the adapter and the master adapter via the data communication means.

  Thereby, since it is not necessary for the slave adapter and the master adapter to communicate directly, it is not necessary to establish a communication path between the slave adapter and the master adapter. Therefore, even after connection by the peripheral device interface, the slave adapter and the master adapter do not need to know the identifier on the computer network to the communication partner, and it is not necessary to manage the identifier on the computer network of the communication partner.

  The server device according to the present invention may be as follows in addition to any of the above server devices. In this case, the device driver of the peripheral device and the command from the master adapter to the peripheral device transmitted via the data communication means are received, and the data communication means and slave adapter are connected by the device driver based on the command. Remote control means for controlling peripheral devices via

  Thereby, even in the case of a terminal device in which the device driver for the peripheral device is not mounted, the peripheral device can be controlled from the terminal device using the device driver for the server device.

  A peripheral device connection system according to the present invention includes a server device and one or a plurality of slaves connected to the peripheral device via a wired or wireless peripheral device interface and capable of data communication with the server device via a computer network. The adapter includes a master adapter that is connected to a terminal device that can use the peripheral device via a wired or wireless peripheral device interface and that can perform data communication with the server device via a computer network. Then, the server device refers to authentication data for specifying one or more users permitted to access the slave adapter, and one or more permitted access to the user using the master adapter. The slave adapter is identified, and connection between the identified one or more slave adapters and the master adapter is permitted.

  As a result, the server device manages the association between the slave adapter and the master adapter in a centralized manner. Therefore, when multiple users can share peripheral devices connected to the slave adapter, each user can access each slave adapter. Whether it is possible or not can be managed efficiently. In addition, whether or not a user such as a slave adapter changes the authentication data can change whether or not another user can access the peripheral device connected to the slave adapter. That is, whether or not access to the peripheral device can be performed can be performed with a simple operation.

  In the server device according to the present invention, one or a plurality of slave adapters to which peripheral devices are connected through a wired or wireless peripheral device interface, and a terminal device that can use the peripheral devices are connected through a wired or wireless peripheral device interface. Refers to the data communication means for performing data communication with the master adapter and the authentication data for identifying one or more users who are permitted to access the slave adapter, and for users who use the master adapter Connection permission means for identifying one or more slave adapters that are permitted to be accessed and permitting connection between the identified one or more slave adapters and the master adapter.

  As a result, the server device manages the association between the slave adapter and the master adapter in a centralized manner. Therefore, when multiple users can share peripheral devices connected to the slave adapter, each user can access each slave adapter. Whether it is possible or not can be managed efficiently. In addition, whether or not a user such as a slave adapter changes the authentication data can change whether or not another user can access the peripheral device connected to the slave adapter. That is, whether or not access to the peripheral device can be performed can be performed with a simple operation.

  In addition to the server device described above, the server device according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the server apparatus obtains device information provided by the peripheral device from the slave adapter when connected by the peripheral device interface via the data communication means, and is permitted to connect to the slave adapter. A connection establishment means is provided for supplying the master adapter and establishing a connection between the terminal device and the peripheral device at the peripheral device interface.

  Accordingly, it is possible to logically connect a remote peripheral device to the terminal device with a predetermined interface standard as in the case where the peripheral device is directly connected to the terminal device.

  In addition to the server device described above, the server device according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the connection establishing means receives the peripheral device interface signal encapsulated in a predetermined communication protocol from one of the slave adapter and the master adapter permitted to connect via the data communication means, and The data is transmitted to the other of the adapter and the master adapter via the data communication means.

  Thereby, since it is not necessary for the slave adapter and the master adapter to communicate directly, it is not necessary to establish a communication path between the slave adapter and the master adapter. Therefore, even after connection by the peripheral device interface, the slave adapter and the master adapter do not need to know the identifier on the computer network to the communication partner, and it is not necessary to manage the identifier on the computer network of the communication partner.

  The server device according to the present invention may be as follows in addition to any of the above server devices. In this case, the device driver of the peripheral device and the command from the master adapter to the peripheral device transmitted via the data communication means are received, and the data communication means and slave adapter are connected by the device driver based on the command. Remote control means for controlling peripheral devices via

  Thereby, even in the case of a terminal device in which the device driver for the peripheral device is not mounted, the peripheral device can be controlled from the terminal device using the device driver for the server device.

  The slave adapter device according to the present invention includes a data communication unit that performs data communication with a server device that manages a connection relationship between a master adapter device and a slave adapter device, and data communication between peripheral devices through a peripheral device interface. The emulator acquires the device information of the peripheral device to be provided when the peripheral device is connected and transmits it to the server device via the data communication means, and the peripheral device interface signal encapsulated with a predetermined communication protocol. Communication processing means for performing transmission and / or reception via data communication means.

  As a result, device information necessary for connection between the peripheral device and the terminal device can be supplied to the server device and further provided to the terminal device via the master adapter device. Accordingly, since the server device centrally manages the association between the slave adapter device and the master adapter device, it is not necessary to manage the identification information of the master adapter device in the slave adapter device, and the user and the master adapter device in the system Even if the number increases or decreases, the peripheral device and the terminal device can be connected without any problem.

  The slave adapter device according to the present invention may be as follows in addition to the slave adapter device described above. In this case, the communication processing means performs peer-to-peer communication with the master adapter device, and transmits / receives peripheral device interface signals encapsulated in a predetermined communication protocol.

  Thereby, since communication with a slave adapter apparatus and a master adapter apparatus is performed not via a server apparatus, the load of a server apparatus can be reduced.

  In addition to the slave adapter device described above, the slave adapter device according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, the communication processing means receives the authentication information from the server device and uses it for encrypted communication with the master adapter device and / or authentication of the master adapter device.

  Thereby, the communication path between the slave adapter device and the master adapter device by peer-to-peer communication can be established safely.

  In addition to the slave adapter device described above, the slave adapter device according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, when the peripheral device is connected, the slave adapter device dynamically assigns an identifier unique to the peripheral device and notifies the server device via the data communication means.

  Thus, the server device presents this identifier to the master adapter device, so that the master adapter device can select the peripheral device with the identifier as the connection partner. Further, it is not necessary to register the identifiers of peripheral devices connected to the slave adapter device in advance in the server device.

  The master adapter device according to the present invention includes a data communication unit that performs data communication with a server device that manages a connection relationship between the master adapter device and the slave adapter device, and a data communication between the terminal device through a peripheral device interface. A peripheral device interface that is encapsulated with a predetermined communication protocol and device information of the peripheral device provided when the peripheral device is connected is obtained from the server device via the data communication means and provided to the terminal device Communication processing means for transmitting and / or receiving the signal via the data communication means.

  Thus, device information necessary for connection between the peripheral device and the terminal device is supplied to the server device via the slave adapter device, and the device information is provided from the server device to the terminal device via the master adapter device. The Accordingly, since the server device centrally manages the association between the slave adapter and the master adapter, the master adapter device does not need to manage the identification information of the slave adapter device, and the number of users and slave adapter devices in the system increases or decreases. Even if there is no problem, the peripheral device and the terminal device can be connected.

  Further, the host adapter device according to the present invention may be configured as follows in addition to the above host adapter device. In this case, the communication processing means performs peer-to-peer communication with the slave adapter device, and transmits / receives a peripheral device interface signal encapsulated in a predetermined communication protocol.

  Thereby, since communication with a slave adapter apparatus and a master adapter apparatus is performed not via a server apparatus, the load of a server apparatus can be reduced.

  In addition to the above host adapter device, the host adapter device according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, the communication processing means receives the authentication information from the server device and uses it for encrypted communication with the slave adapter device and / or authentication of the slave adapter device.

  Thereby, the communication path between the slave adapter device and the master adapter device by peer-to-peer communication can be established safely.

  In addition to the above host adapter device, the host adapter device according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, when the terminal device is connected, the host adapter device detects the type of the operating system running on the terminal device, and the device driver for the peripheral device for that type of operating system is in the terminal device. If the device driver is not available, the device driver is downloaded and installed in the terminal device.

  Thereby, even if the device driver of the peripheral device is not in the terminal device, the terminal device can be automatically made available for use.

  According to the present invention, when a plurality of users can share a peripheral device, it is possible to efficiently manage whether each user can access each peripheral device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a peripheral device connection system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the PC 1 is a personal computer having a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface 11, and the printer 2 is a peripheral device having a USB interface 21. The USB interfaces 11 and 21 are interface circuits that perform data communication in accordance with the USB standard. The PC 1 and the printer 2 are terminal devices and peripheral devices that are logically connected to each other by this system. The PC 1 has a host-side USB interface 11, and the printer 2 has a device-side USB interface 21. That is, the PC 1 and the printer 2 have the interfaces 11 and 21 of the same interface standard, and can be directly connected by the USB cable. When both are directly connected with a USB cable, the PC 1 can use the printer 2. The PC 1 has a network interface (not shown) that performs data communication via the computer network 6.

  The adapter device 3 is a device that includes a host adapter 31 that is directly connected to the PC 1 that uses the printer 2 according to the USB standard and that can perform data communication with the server device 5 via the computer network 6. is there. The adapter device 3 has a host adapter 31 in one portable case, for example. The adapter device 3 has a B-series USB connector that is electrically connected to the host adapter 31.

  The adapter device 4 is a device including a device adapter 41 to which the printer 2 is directly connected in accordance with the USB standard and capable of data communication with the server device 5 via the computer network 6. The adapter device 4 includes a device adapter 41 in one portable case, for example. The adapter device 4 has an A-series USB connector that is electrically connected to the device adapter 41. The device adapter 41 has a built-in USB hub so that a plurality of USB peripheral devices can be connected.

  The server device 5 is a server device that manages the connection relationship between the host adapter 31 and the device adapter 41. Further, the server device 5 acquires the device information provided by the printer 2 when connected by the USB standard from the device adapter 41 via the computer network 6 and supplies it to the host adapter 31 that is permitted to connect. Device. The device information of the printer 2 is provided to the PC 1 when the PC 1 is connected to the host adapter 31.

  The computer network 6 is a communication network that can communicate with IP (Internet Protocol). The computer network 6 appropriately includes a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet, and a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line).

  The PC 7 is a personal computer and has a network interface (not shown) for performing data communication via the computer network 6. The PC 1 is a personal computer managed by the owner (or manager) of the adapter device 3, and the PC 7 is a personal computer managed by the owner (or manager) of the adapter device 4.

  Here, detailed configurations of the adapter devices 3 and 4 and the server device 5 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the adapter device 3 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the host adapter 31 of the adapter device 3 is a processing device having a device emulator 51, a network interface 52, and an HTTP communication processing unit 53.

  The device emulator 51 has an emulator function that emulates the USB device interface of the printer 2 and an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) client function, and performs data communication with the PC 1 according to the USB standard, and when the printer 2 is connected. The emulator obtains device information of the printer 2 to be provided from the server device 5 via the network interface 52 and provides it to the PC 1. In the case of the USB standard, for example, the physical layer of the device emulator 51 is a physical layer of a USB device interface, and the upper layer of the device emulator 51 is configured by a digital signal processor (DSP). A descriptor or the like is exchanged as device information.

  The network interface 52 is a circuit that performs data communication via the computer network 6. As the network interface 52, a network interface card for Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like is used.

  The HTTP communication processing unit 53 is a communication processing unit that encapsulates a USB standard output signal from the PC 1 with HTTP after the establishment of the connection between the PC 1 and the printer 2, and transmits the USB standard signal to the server device 5 with HTTP. is there. Further, after establishing the connection between the PC 1 and the printer 2, the HTTP communication processing unit 53 receives the USB standard output signal from the printer 2 in an encapsulated state by HTTP, and decapsulates the USB standard output signal. It is a communication processing unit for restoring a signal.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the adapter device 4 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the device adapter 41 of the adapter device 4 is a processing device having a host emulator 61, a network interface 62, and an HTTP communication processing unit 63.

  The host emulator 61 has an emulation function for emulating the USB host interface of the PC 1 and an HTTP client function, performs data communication with the printer 2 in accordance with the USB standard, and is provided when the printer 2 is connected. It is an emulator that acquires information and transmits it to the server device 5 via the network interface 62. In the case of the USB standard, for example, the physical layer of the host emulator 61 is a physical layer of a USB host interface, and the upper layer of the host emulator 61 is configured by a digital signal processor (DSP).

  The network interface 62 is a circuit that performs data communication via the computer network 6. As the network interface 62, a network interface card for Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like is used.

  The HTTP communication processing unit 63, after establishing the connection between the PC 1 and the printer 2, encapsulates the USB standard output signal from the printer 2 with HTTP, and transmits the USB standard signal to the server device 5 with HTTP. It is. Further, after establishing the connection between the PC 1 and the printer 2, the HTTP communication processing unit 63 receives the USB standard output signal from the PC 1 in an HTTP encapsulated state, and decapsulates the USB standard signal. It is a communication processing part which restores.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server device 5 in FIG. In FIG. 4, a network interface 71 is a circuit that performs data communication via the computer network 6. As the network interface 71, a network interface card for Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like is used.

  The data storage device 72 is a device having a recording medium for storing data in a rewritable manner. As the data storage device 72, a hard disk drive, a semiconductor memory, or the like is used as appropriate. In the data storage device 72, a buffer 81 is secured, and an authentication table 82 and a user table 83 are stored.

  The buffer 81 is an area for storing device information acquired from the printer 2 by the device adapter 41 as a file, and storing a USB standard signal acquired from the host adapter 31 and the device adapter 41 as a file. At this time, the file is stored in association with the transmission source and transmission destination information of the host adapter 31 and the device adapter 41.

  The authentication table 82 is a table having authentication data for specifying a user who is permitted to access a peripheral device (for example, the printer 2) connected to the device adapter 41. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the authentication table 82 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, in the first embodiment, the authentication data includes (a) a device adapter identifier unique to the device adapter 41, (b) a peripheral device identifier of a peripheral device connected to each device adapter 41, (C) an owner identifier that is a user identifier unique to the owner (or administrator) of the peripheral device, and (d) a user identifier of a user who is permitted to access the peripheral device connected to the device adapter 41. Have associated with each other. This authentication data is included in the authentication table 82. The user identifier of the user permitted to access is selected from the users registered in the user table 83 and registered in the authentication table 82 based on the selection operation on the PC 7 by the user who is the owner (or administrator) of the peripheral device. Is done. A plurality of users may be permitted to access one peripheral device. Note that in the case where the device can be used regardless of which device adapter 41 is connected, the device adapter identifier is not designated as shown by an asterisk in FIG. In addition, the owner of the peripheral device naturally has permission to access the peripheral device.

  The user table 83 is a table having a user identifier of a user who enjoys the peripheral device connection service by the system and an adapter identifier of the host adapter 31 and / or device adapter 41 owned (or managed) by the user in association with each other.

  Next, the web server processing unit 73 of the server device 5 has an HTTP server function, and acquires device information provided by the printer 2 from the device adapter 41 when connected by the USB standard via the network interface 71. Then, a processing unit which supplies the host adapter 31 of one or a plurality of users permitted to connect to the printer 2 to logically connect the PC 1 and the printer 2 which are physically separated by the USB standard. It is. In order to specify the host adapter 31 of the supply destination, the web server processing unit 73 first refers to the authentication table 82, specifies the user identifier of the user permitted to access the printer 2, and then In addition, referring to the user table 83, the adapter identifier of the host adapter 31 of the user of the user identifier is specified.

  In addition, the authentication setting processing unit 74 determines the authentication data for the authentication table 82 for the peripheral device connected to the device adapter 41 based on the operation of the user who is the owner (or administrator) of the printer 2 or the device adapter 41. A processing unit that performs addition and deletion. This user operation is performed on the PC 7, and information on the operation is transmitted to the server device 5 via the network interface of the PC 7 and the computer network 6.

  The web server processing unit 73 and the authentication setting processing unit 74 are realized by executing a computer program stored in the data storage device 72 or a recording medium (not shown) by a processor (not shown).

  Next, the operation of each device in the system will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining connection and data communication between the PC 1 and the printer 2 in the peripheral device connection system according to the first embodiment.

  First, the user of the peripheral device connected to the device adapter 41 (for example, the user of the printer 2) sets another user who is permitted to access the peripheral device. The flow is as follows. The user operates the PC 7 to register authentication data in the authentication table 82 of the server device 5. Based on the user operation, the PC 7 first transmits an authentication setting request together with the user identifier of the user who performs the setting to the server device 5 by using an HTTP client function such as a web browser (step S1).

  When the web server processing unit 73 of the server device 5 receives the request, the web server processing unit 73 refers to the user table 83 and inputs a peripheral device identifier for a certain peripheral device and an identifier of a user who is permitted to access, including a list of users. Authentication setting screen data is generated and transmitted to the PC 7 as, for example, an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file (step S2). Upon receiving the authentication setting screen data, the PC 7 displays an authentication setting screen based on the authentication setting screen data on a display (not shown).

  Thereafter, when there is a user operation to input a peripheral device identifier and a user identifier to the input device of the PC 7, the PC 7 sends the operation information and the user identifier of the user who has made the setting to the server device 5 as authentication setting information. Transmit (step S3). At this time, if the peripheral device can be used only when connected to the specific device adapter 41, the device adapter identifier of the specific device adapter 41 may be transmitted. When the web server processing unit 73 of the server device 5 receives the authentication setting information, the web server processing unit 73 supplies the information to the authentication setting processing unit 74. The authentication setting processing unit 74 generates authentication data for the peripheral device based on the information and registers it in the authentication table 82 (step S4). At this time, when the device adapter identifier is also received, the web server processing unit 73 registers the device adapter identifier in association with the authentication table 82. Here, the peripheral device identifier can be recognized by the device adapter 41 and can be identified by one or more peripheral devices connected to the device adapter 41 in the server device 5. This information does not overlap with the peripheral device identifier.

  When authentication data of a peripheral device already exists in the authentication table 82, the authentication data of the device adapter 41 in the authentication table 82 may be overwritten with the generated authentication data. In addition, when a predetermined operation is performed on the PC 7, the authentication data designated by the operation may be deleted from the authentication table 82.

  In this way, the authentication table 82 in the server device 5 is constructed.

  Thereafter, when the printer 2 is connected to the adapter device 4, the USB interface 21 of the printer 2 outputs device information to the adapter device 4 in order to establish a USB connection (step S21). When the host emulator 61 in the device adapter 41 of the adapter device 4 obtains the device information, it attaches the peripheral device identifier of the printer 2 to make the device information into one file, and uses HTTP to create the network interface 62 and the computer network 6. Is transmitted to the server device 5 via the server (step S22). At that time, the host emulator 61 uploads a device information file to a predetermined URL (Uniform Resource Locator) CGI (Common Gateway Interface) of the server device 5 using an HTTP POST command. At that time, in the server device 5, the device information file is stored in the buffer 81 (step S23).

  On the other hand, the device emulator 51 in the host adapter 31 of the adapter device 3 designates its own host adapter identifier and regularly monitors the presence of device information addressed to the host adapter 31 by polling the server device 5. Yes. At this time, the device emulator 51 accesses the CGI of the predetermined URL of the server device 5 and determines the state of the peripheral device permitted to connect to the host adapter 31 (whether there is the above-described device information or the like). Acquired as a response from the CGI. When the device emulator 51 detects the presence of the device information file, the device emulator 51 acquires the file via the computer network 6 and the network interface 52 (step S24). At that time, the device emulator 51 uses the HTTP GET command to download the file from the buffer 81 of the server device 5. Note that the device emulator 51 continues the above polling even after acquiring device information. Thereby, even when another peripheral device is connected to the device adapter 41 thereafter, the device information of the peripheral device can be acquired.

  Here, the web server processing unit 73 owns (or manages) the host adapter 31 that has performed polling based on the host adapter identifier specified when the polling is received, and the authentication table 82 and user table 83. Determines whether or not access to the printer 2 is permitted. When the user who owns (or manages) the polled host adapter 31 is permitted to access the printer 2, the web server processing unit 73 transmits the device information to the host adapter 31. (Step S24).

  The device emulator 51 in the host adapter 31 provides the acquired device information to the USB interface 11 of the PC 1 as soon as the PC 1 is connected to the adapter device 3 (step S25). Thereby, the connection of the printer 2 is detected in the PC 1 (step S26). On the other hand, if the PC 1 is not connected to the adapter device 3 when the device information is acquired, the device emulator 51 holds the device information in a memory (not shown) until the PC 1 is connected, and the PC 1 is connected. Then, the device information is provided to the PC 1. If the device driver of the peripheral device connected to the device adapter 41 does not exist in the PC 1, the PC 1 automatically downloads the device driver program from a predetermined download server so that the peripheral device can be used. Also good. As an example of the method, the adapter device 3 checks the OS running on the PC 1 and the device driver owned by the adapter device 3 at the time of connection with the PC 1 or the detection of connection of a new peripheral device, and operates on the OS. If the device driver for controlling the peripheral device is not provided, the adapter device 3 provides the PC 1 with a device driver stored in the storage area in advance, or executes the device driver on the network 6 A method is conceivable in which the adapter device 3 automatically downloads a device driver from a predetermined download server, provides it to the PC 1, and executes it.

  As a result, a USB connection between the PC 1 and the printer 2 is established.

  Thereafter, for example, when a print job occurs during execution of the application program, the PC 1 uses the device driver to send a command (that is, print data) that causes the printer 2 to execute the print job as a USB standard signal. (Step S31). In the host adapter 31 of the adapter device 3, the signal is received by the device emulator 51, encapsulated in HTTP by the HTTP communication processing unit 53, and then transmitted to the server device 5 via the network interface 52 (step S32). ). At this time, the HTTP communication processing unit 53 uses the HTTP POST command to send the file together with the peripheral device identifier and the host adapter 31 identifier of the peripheral device to which the connection has been established as described above to a predetermined value of the server device 5. Upload to CGI of URL. As a result, the USB standard signal is buffered in the server device 5 (step S33). Subsequently, the web server processing unit 73 of the server device 5 refers to the user table 83 and acquires the owner (or administrator) user identifier from the identifier of the host adapter 31. Further, the web server processing unit 73 of the server device 5 associates the peripheral device identifier acquired at the time of receiving the USB standard signal encapsulated with HTTP transmitted to the CGI with the acquired user identifier. One file is stored in the buffer 81.

  On the other hand, after the connection is established, the HTTP communication processing unit 63 in the device adapter 41 of the adapter device 4 periodically monitors the presence / absence of a file addressed to a peripheral device (such as the printer 2) connected thereto by polling. At this time, the HTTP communication processing unit 63 accesses the CGI of the predetermined URL of the server device 5 and confirms whether there is a file addressed to the peripheral device connected to itself. The web server processing unit 73 of the server device 5 uses the CGI to buffer a command file transmitted from the host adapter 31 to the peripheral device, and also associates a user identifier associated with the file. However, it is determined based on the authentication table 82 whether or not it is a user identifier of a user permitted to access the peripheral device, and a response including the determination result is transmitted. Then, when the HTTP communication processing unit 63 detects the presence of the file by a response from the CGI, the HTTP communication processing unit 63 acquires the file via the computer network 6 and the network interface 62 (step S34). At this time, the HTTP communication processing unit 63 downloads the file from the server device 5 using the HTTP GET command. The HTTP communication processing unit 63 restores a USB standard signal based on the file, and supplies it to the host emulator 61. The host emulator 61 inputs the signal to the printer 2 (step S35).

  The printer 2 receives the signal through the USB interface 21 and executes a print job process based on the signal (step S36).

  When the printer 2 outputs a response, notification, etc. as a USB standard signal during execution of a print job, the signal is received by the adapter device 4 (step S37) and encapsulated in HTTP. Then, it is transmitted to the server device 5 (step S38). In the server device 5, the signal is stored in the buffer 81 as one file. As a result, the USB standard signal is buffered in the server device 5 (step S39).

  On the other hand, the HTTP communication processing unit 53 of the host adapter 31 periodically monitors the presence or absence of the file by polling. Then, when detecting the existence of the file, the HTTP communication processing unit 53 acquires the file via the computer network 6 and the network interface 52 (step S40). The HTTP communication processing unit 53 restores the original USB standard signal from the file and supplies it to the device emulator 51. The device emulator 51 inputs the signal to the PC 1 (step S41). Here, as in step S24, the HTTP communication processing unit 53 detects the existence of a file by polling with its own host adapter identifier. The CGI of the server device 5 notifies the existence of the file based on the authentication table 82 and the user table 83.

  Thus, the PC 1 is logically connected in the same manner as when the printer 2 is directly connected by the USB cable. For this reason, the user of the PC 1 can print with the printer 2 of the remote user based on the data file etc. possessed by the user of the PC 1.

  A plurality of adapter devices 4 are connected to the network 6 or a plurality of peripheral devices (such as printers) are connected to the plurality of adapter devices 4. When the access to the peripheral device is permitted, the device information of each peripheral device is supplied to the PC 1. When the PC 1 selects and uses one of a plurality of peripheral devices, the selected USB peripheral device is specified by the USB hub function in the host adapter 31, and the USB standard between the PC 1 and the USB peripheral device is specified. Data communication is performed accordingly.

  For example, in a system in which two adapter devices 4 are connected to the network 6 and one printer 2 is connected to each adapter device 4, a user who is permitted to access each printer 2 When the PC 1 is connected to the server device 5 through the host adapter 31 owned (or managed) (that is, the adapter device 3 having the host adapter 31), the PC 1 and two printers used by the user 2 is established with a USB connection. In this state, when printing is performed from an application running on the PC 1, the two printers 2 are displayed in a list of printers on the display (not shown) of the PC 1 so that they can be selected by the user. Printer 2 is selected. By this operation, the device driver for the printer 2 in the PC 1 outputs print data to the selected printer 2 via USB. The print data is transmitted to the server apparatus 5 by the HTTP POST command with the peripheral device identifier of the destination printer 2 specified by the USB hub function of the host adapter 31 and the user identifier of the user. In the server device 5, the print data is stored in the buffer 81. Thereafter, the device adapter 41 to which the selected printer 2 is connected acquires the print data from the server device 5 using an HTTP GET command, and inputs the print data to the printer 2 as a USB signal.

  When a plurality of users are permitted to access one peripheral device (for example, the printer 2), the peripheral device can be used from the PC 1 of any user via the host adapter 31.

  Further, when the connection of the peripheral device is released, the device adapter 41 stops monitoring the presence / absence of a file addressed to the peripheral device by polling. Then, when the polling for inquiring whether there is a file addressed to the peripheral device by the device adapter 41 is not received for a certain period of time, the server device 5 determines that the connection between the peripheral device and the device adapter 41 is released, Delete device information. Then, the host adapter 31 periodically monitors the presence or absence of device information by polling. When the device information of the peripheral device in the server device 5 disappears, the host adapter 31 determines that the connection of the peripheral device is released, and the PC 1 Release the physical layer connection in USB. Thereby, the PC 1 can detect that the connection of the remote peripheral device is released.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the network interface 71 as a data communication unit performs data communication between the device adapter 41 as a slave adapter and the host adapter 31 as a master adapter. A web server processing unit 73 serving as a connection permission unit refers to authentication data for specifying one or a plurality of users permitted to access a peripheral device (such as the printer 2), and uses the host adapter 31. By specifying one or a plurality of peripheral devices that are permitted to access and transmitting device information, the connection between the device adapter 41 to which the specified peripheral device is connected and its host adapter 31 is permitted. .

  Thereby, since the server apparatus 5 manages the association between the device adapter 41 and the host adapter 31 in a unified manner, when a peripheral device connected to the device adapter 41 can be shared by a plurality of users, It is possible to efficiently manage whether each user can access. Further, whether or not the peripheral device user can access the peripheral device by another user can be changed only by changing the authentication data. That is, whether or not access to the peripheral device can be performed can be performed with a simple operation. Further, since neither the PC 1 nor the printer 2 need to know the network identifier (IP address or the like) of the other party, the PC 1 and the printer 2 do not have to manage such a network identifier. In addition, a user having an appropriate usage right can use the same peripheral device from different clients.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the web server processing unit 73 serving as a connection establishment unit transmits device information provided by the printer 2 when connected by the USB standard via the network interface 71 to the device adapter 41. And is supplied to the host adapter 31 that is permitted to connect to the device adapter 41, and establishes a logical connection between the PC 1 and the printer 2 in accordance with the USB standard.

  As a result, the remote printer 2 can be logically connected to the PC 1 according to the USB standard, as in the case where the printer 2 is directly connected to the PC 1.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the second embodiment of the present invention, a device in which the device driver of the printer 2 is not mounted is used as a terminal device that uses peripheral devices such as the printer 2.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a peripheral device connection system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 7, a portable terminal 101 is a terminal device in which the device driver of the printer 2 is not mounted. The mobile terminal 101 has a peripheral device interface 111 and a network connection function capable of connecting to the Internet in the computer network 6. As the mobile terminal 101, a PDA (registered trademark), a mobile phone or the like can be considered.

  The adapter device 102 is a device that includes a master adapter 121 that is connected to the portable terminal 101 that uses the printer 2 and that can perform data communication with the server device 103 via the computer network 6. The connection between the master adapter 121 and the device adapter 41 is managed with authentication data and connection data in the server apparatus 103 using the adapter identifier of the master adapter 121 as in the host adapter 31.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the adapter device 102 in FIG. In the adapter device 102, the interface 131 is a circuit that establishes a connection with the interface 111 of the mobile terminal 101 and can perform data communication. The communication processing unit 132 transmits a command received by the interface 131 to the server apparatus 103 via the network interface 52 using HTTP, and transmits a response, a notification, and the like output from the printer 2 via the network interface 52. From the mobile phone 101 and input to the portable terminal 101 via the interface 131. The network interface 52 is the same as that of FIG.

  The server apparatus 103 has a device driver for the printer 2 and transmits and receives USB standard signals to and from the printer 2 via the adapter apparatus 4 in the same manner as the server apparatus 5 of the first embodiment. This is a device that controls the printer 2 via the device adapter 41 using a driver, and sends and receives commands, notifications, responses, etc. to and from the portable terminal 101 via the master adapter 121. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server apparatus 103 in FIG. In the server apparatus 103, the web server processing unit 141 receives a command from the portable terminal 101 connected to the master adapter 121 via the master adapter 121 using the device driver 142 of the printer 2, and based on the command The processing unit controls the printer 2 and supplies notifications, responses, and the like from the printer 2 to the portable terminal 101 via the master adapter 121. Further, the web server processing unit 141 has the same communication function with the device adapter 41 as the web server processing unit 73 of the first embodiment.

  Other components in the server device 103 are the same as those in the server device 5 of the first embodiment.

  Next, the operation of each device in the system will be described.

  First, when the printer 2 is connected to the adapter device 4, the device information is transmitted to the server device 103 as in the first embodiment. This device information is stored in the buffer 81 of the server apparatus 103. The web server processing unit 141 logically establishes a USB standard connection with the printer 2 based on the device information.

  On the other hand, the communication processing unit 132 in the master adapter 121 of the adapter device 102 allows peripheral devices and servers that are permitted to be accessed by a user who owns (or manages) the master adapter 121 to the server device 103 by periodic polling. An inquiry is made as to whether or not a connection with the apparatus 103 has been established. When there is a connectable peripheral device, the master adapter 121 specifies the type of the peripheral device from the response to the inquiry.

  After that, when the mobile terminal 101 is connected to the adapter device 102, the communication processing unit 132 specifies the type of operating system (OS) executed on the mobile terminal 101 via the interface 131, and can be connected to a peripheral device. A driver program that operates in the OS for controlling the system is acquired from a predetermined download server via the network interface 6 and stored in a memory (not shown). The download server may be the server device 103 or another server device. This driver program implements a function of transmitting a command for controlling peripheral devices to the server apparatus 103 via the master adapter 121 using the device driver 142 of the server apparatus 103. When the communication processing unit 132 acquires the driver program, the communication processing unit 132 installs the driver program in the portable terminal 101 via the interface 131. As a technique for automatically installing a driver from a peripheral device to a terminal device in cooperation with the OS, an existing technique may be used.

  In this way, the portable terminal 101 can control the printer 2 by using the device driver 142 of the printer 2 in the server apparatus 103 by executing the driver program.

  When the mobile terminal 101 controls the printer 2, a command is output by the driver program. The command is attached with the identifier of the master adapter 102 and the peripheral device identifier, and is transmitted to the server apparatus 103 by the master adapter 121 by HTTP. When the web server processing unit 141 of the server apparatus 103 receives the command, the web server processing unit 141 refers to the user table 83 and acquires the user identifier of the owner (or administrator) from the identifier of the master adapter 102. Subsequently, the web server processing unit 141 of the server apparatus 103 identifies the printer 2 as a corresponding peripheral device based on the acquired peripheral device identifier. Subsequently, the web server processing unit 141 of the server apparatus 103 uses the device driver 142 for the printer 2 to create and receive a USB standard signal corresponding to the transmitted HTTP encapsulated command. The acquired peripheral device identifier and the acquired user identifier are associated with each other and stored in the buffer 81. Subsequently, in response to a request from the device adapter 41, the web server processing unit 141 of the server apparatus 103 determines that the file is a file created by a user who is permitted to access the printer 2. The file is encapsulated with HTTP and transmitted to the device adapter 41. When the device adapter 41 acquires the file, the device adapter 41 extracts a USB standard signal from the acquired file and supplies it to the printer 2. Thereby, the printer 2 is controlled. If the device driver 142 of the peripheral device connected to the device adapter 41 does not exist in the server device 103, the web server processing unit 141 automatically downloads the device driver program from a predetermined download server on the network 6. Thus, the device driver 142 is realized.

  When a response, notification, or the like is output from the printer 2, the web server processing unit 141 of the server apparatus 103 receives a USB standard signal encapsulated in HTTP from the device adapter 41. After decapsulating, the web server processing unit 141 extracts responses and notifications from the printer 2 and buffers them.

  Whether or not a response from the printer 2 is buffered in the server device 103 is monitored by the portable terminal 101 via the master adapter 121 according to the driver program described above. When it is detected that the response from the printer 2 is buffered, the mobile terminal 101 acquires the response via the master adapter 121.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the server apparatus 103 includes the device driver 142 of the printer 2. Then, the web server processing unit 141 as a remote control unit receives a command to the printer 2 transmitted from the mobile terminal 101 from the master adapter 121 connected to the mobile terminal 101 via the network interface 71, and the command Based on the above, the printer 2 is controlled via the device adapter 41 by the device driver 142 via the network interface 71. Thereby, even in the case of a terminal device such as the portable terminal 101 in which the device driver of the peripheral device such as the printer 2 is not mounted, the peripheral device can be controlled from the terminal device.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
The peripheral device connection system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is obtained by changing a part of the system of Embodiment 1. In the third embodiment, transmission / reception of a USB standard signal after establishing the connection between the PC 1 and the printer 2 is performed directly between the adapter devices 3 and 4 via the computer network 6 without going through the server device 5.

  In the third embodiment, when the connection is established, the server device 5 notifies each of the adapter devices 3 and 4 of an identifier on the network 6 such as the IP address of the adapter devices 3 and 4 as communication partners, and then the adapter device The devices 3 and 4 directly transmit USB standard signals via the network 6 between the adapter devices 3 and 4 via the computer network 6 without using the server device 5. In this case, an HTTP server function may be provided in the HTTP communication processing units 53 and 63, and a USB standard signal may be transmitted and received by HTTP. Alternatively, instead of the HTTP communication processing units 53 and 63, a communication processing unit that transmits and receives USB standard signals by TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or the like without performing encapsulation by HTTP may be provided. At this time, the server device 5 notifies the adapter devices 3 and 4 of authentication information for authenticating that the device is operated by an authorized user, and at the time of communication between the adapter devices 3 and 4, the authentication is performed. Only communication to which information is added may be permitted, or encrypted communication using the authentication information as a common key may be performed. Of course, the authentication information may be divided into a plurality of pieces and notified to the adapter devices 3 and 4. When notifying multiple pieces of divided authentication information, one of the divided pieces of authentication information is used as an encryption key, and the other is used to decrypt encrypted information received from the adapter device of the communication partner. It may be used as a decryption key. Further, the authentication information for the adapter device 3 and the authentication information for the adapter device 4 need not be the same.

  Since other configurations and operations of the respective devices in the system of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the transmission of the USB standard signal between the PC 1 and the printer 2 does not pass through the server device 5, so that the load on the server device 5 is reduced.

  Each embodiment described above is a preferred example of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is.

  For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the printer 2 is connected to the adapter device 4 as a peripheral device, but the peripheral device is not limited to the printer 2 and is a device such as a music player, a storage, a scanner, or a digital camera having a USB interface. But you can.

  In each of the above embodiments, USB is used as the peripheral device interface between the peripheral device and the terminal device. However, the peripheral device interface is not limited to USB, and other peripheral device interfaces such as IEEE1394. It is good. The peripheral device interface may be a wireless interface such as Bluetooth (trademark) or an infrared communication port. A wired LAN or a wireless LAN may be used as the peripheral device interface. In this case, the PC 1 and the printer 2 are provided with the same standard LAN interface connected to the computer network 6, and the emulator 51 is connected to a network connection type peripheral device such as a network printer via the network interface 52. The emulator 61 communicates with the PC 1 via the network interface 62.

  In each of the above embodiments, only one host adapter 31 or device adapter 41 is provided in one adapter device 3, 4, but each adapter device 3, 4 includes a host adapter 31 and Both device adapters 41 may be provided. In that case, the network interfaces 52 and 62 may be a single network interface. In addition, a plurality of host adapters 31 and / or a plurality of device adapters 41 may be provided in each adapter device 3, 4.

  In the second embodiment, the mobile terminal 101 connects to the server apparatus 103 using the Internet connection function, and sends and receives commands for controlling the printer 2 without using the master adapter 121. It may be. In that case, for example, a user identifier may be transmitted to the server apparatus 103 instead of the master adapter identifier.

  In each of the above embodiments, whether access is permitted is set for each peripheral device, but instead, access permission may be set for each device adapter 41. In that case, access to all peripheral devices connected to the device adapter 41 is set in a lump. At this time, instead of a fixed peripheral device identifier, an identifier unique to the peripheral device dynamically assigned by the device adapter 41 may be used every time the peripheral device is connected to the device adapter 41.

  Alternatively, when setting whether to allow access for each device adapter 41, whether or not to access is set for the adapter identifier of the device adapter 41 instead of the peripheral device identifier in the authentication table 82, and the device adapter 41 and the master are set based on the setting. Connection with the adapter 31 may be permitted. Furthermore, in this case, the master adapter 31 may use a device adapter identifier instead of a peripheral device identifier when designating a communication destination. In this case, the peripheral device identifier becomes unnecessary. For example, when there is only one peripheral device that can be connected to the device adapter 41, when it is not necessary to set access permission to a plurality of peripheral devices connected to the device adapter 41 one by one, this way May be.

  When access permission is set for each device adapter 41 in this way, the owner (or administrator) of the device adapter 41 simply connects the device adapter 41 to an arbitrary peripheral device and the network 6, and A user with usage rights can use the peripheral device. For example, when you want to print on the go or listen to music, you can dynamically select the peripheral device to use on the go, and select the corresponding peripheral device. No need to carry around.

  When there are a plurality of users who use the same device adapter 41, a plurality of owner identifiers are associated with the adapter identifier of the device adapter 41, and any user can set whether to access the device adapter 41. Make it possible. Further, both management of whether or not to access the peripheral device and management of whether or not to access the device adapter 41 may be performed using both the peripheral device identifier and the device adapter identifier. When using the peripheral device and the device adapter 41, the owner identifier may have to be included when specifying the destination from the master adapter 31.

  In the authentication table 82, an alias (another identifier) for the device adapter 41 is registered in association with the identifier of the device adapter 41, and the server apparatus 5 notifies the master adapter 31 of the alias as the identifier of the device adapter 41. The master adapter 31 may use the alias when specifying the device adapter 41. In this case, the server device 5 determines the device adapter identifier from the alias received from the master adapter 31 based on the authentication table 82, and when polling is performed, the device adapter 41 that performs polling based on the device adapter identifier. Be identified. By doing so, the owner (or administrator) of the peripheral device can conceal the identifier of the peripheral device or device that is actually used from the user who gives access permission.

  The present invention is applicable to, for example, sharing peripheral devices within a community of multiple users.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the peripheral device connection system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the adapter apparatus 3 in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the adapter apparatus 4 in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the server apparatus in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the authentication table in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining connection and data communication between a PC and a printer in the peripheral device connection system according to the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the peripheral device connection system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the adapter apparatus in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the server apparatus in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 PC (terminal equipment)
2 Printer (peripheral equipment)
3 Adapter device (master adapter device)
4 Adapter device (slave adapter device)
5,103 Server device 6 Computer network 31 Host adapter (master adapter)
41 Device adapter (slave adapter)
51 Device emulator (emulator)
52, 62 Network interface (data communication means)
53, 63 HTTP communication processing unit (communication processing means)
61 Host emulator (emulator)
71 Network interface (data communication means)
73 Web server processing unit (connection establishment means, connection permission means)
101 Mobile terminal (terminal device)
141 Web server processing unit (remote control means)
142 Device Driver

Claims (18)

A server device;
One or a plurality of slave adapters connected to a peripheral device via a wired or wireless peripheral device interface and capable of data communication with the server device via a computer network;
A terminal device that can use the peripheral device is connected by a wired or wireless peripheral device interface and includes a master adapter capable of data communication with the server device via a computer network,
The server device refers to authentication data for identifying one or a plurality of users permitted to access the peripheral device, and is permitted to access a user using the master adapter 1 or Identifying a plurality of peripheral devices and permitting connection between the master adapter and one or more slave adapters to which the identified one or more peripheral devices are connected;
Peripheral device connection system. Data for data communication between a slave adapter connected to a peripheral device via a wired or wireless peripheral device interface and a master adapter connected to a terminal device that can use the peripheral device via a wired or wireless peripheral device interface Communication means;
One or more of the peripheral devices permitted to access the user using the master adapter with reference to authentication data for identifying one or more users permitted to access the peripheral device Connection permission means for permitting connection between the one or more slave adapters to which the identified one or more peripheral devices are connected and the master adapter;
A server device comprising:   The master adapter that obtains device information provided by the peripheral device when connected by the peripheral device interface via the data communication means from the slave adapter and is permitted to connect to the slave adapter. The server apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a connection establishment unit configured to establish connection between the terminal device and the peripheral device at the peripheral device interface.   The connection establishment means receives a peripheral device interface signal encapsulated in a predetermined communication protocol from one of the slave adapter and the master adapter that is permitted to connect via the data communication means, 4. The server apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the server apparatus transmits the data to the other one of the slave adapter and the master adapter via the data communication unit. A device driver for the peripheral device;
A command to the peripheral device transmitted by the terminal device is received from the master adapter via the data communication means, and based on the command, the device driver sends the command via the data communication means and the slave adapter. Remote control means for controlling peripheral devices;
The server apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: A server device;
One or a plurality of slave adapters connected to a peripheral device via a wired or wireless peripheral device interface and capable of data communication with the server device via a computer network;
A terminal device that can use the peripheral device is connected by a wired or wireless peripheral device interface and includes a master adapter capable of data communication with the server device via a computer network,
The server device refers to authentication data for specifying one or a plurality of users permitted to access the slave adapter, and access to the user using the master adapter is permitted 1 or Identifying a plurality of the slave adapters and permitting connection between the identified one or more slave adapters and the master adapter;
Peripheral device connection system. Data between one or more slave adapters connected to a peripheral device via a wired or wireless peripheral device interface and a master adapter connected to a terminal device that can use the peripheral device via a wired or wireless peripheral device interface Data communication means for performing communication;
One or a plurality of slave adapters that are permitted to access a user who uses the master adapter with reference to authentication data for specifying one or a plurality of users permitted to access the slave adapter And a connection permission means for permitting connection between the identified one or more slave adapters and the master adapter;
A server device comprising:   The master adapter that obtains device information provided by the peripheral device when connected by the peripheral device interface via the data communication means from the slave adapter and is permitted to connect to the slave adapter. The server device according to claim 7, further comprising a connection establishment unit configured to establish a connection at the peripheral device interface between the terminal device and the peripheral device.   The connection establishment means receives a peripheral device interface signal encapsulated in a predetermined communication protocol from one of the slave adapter and the master adapter that is permitted to connect via the data communication means, 9. The server apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the server apparatus transmits the data to the other one of the slave adapter and the master adapter via the data communication unit. A device driver for the peripheral device;
A command to the peripheral device transmitted by the terminal device is received from the master adapter via the data communication means, and based on the command, the device driver sends the command via the data communication means and the slave adapter. Remote control means for controlling peripheral devices;
The server apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: The peripheral device and the terminal device are connected to the peripheral device among the peripheral devices and terminal devices that can be connected to each other via a wired or wireless peripheral device interface, and in cooperation with the master adapter device connected to the terminal device. In a slave adapter device that is logically connected,
Data communication means for performing data communication between the master adapter device and a server device that manages the connection relationship between the slave adapter device;
Data communication is performed with the peripheral device via the peripheral device interface, and device information of the peripheral device provided when the peripheral device is connected is acquired and transmitted to the server device via the data communication means. An emulator,
Communication processing means for transmitting and / or receiving signals of the peripheral device interface encapsulated by a predetermined communication protocol via the data communication means;
A slave adapter device comprising:
  12. The slave adapter device according to claim 11, wherein the communication processing unit performs peer-to-peer communication with the master adapter device, and transmits and receives the peripheral device interface signal encapsulated in a predetermined communication protocol. .   13. The communication processing unit receives authentication information from the server device and uses it for encrypted communication with the master adapter device and / or authentication of the master adapter device. Slave adapter device.   12. The slave adapter device according to claim 11, wherein when the peripheral device is connected, an identifier unique to the peripheral device is dynamically assigned and notified to the server device via the data communication means. The peripheral device and the terminal device are connected to the terminal device among the peripheral devices and terminal devices that can be connected to each other via a wired or wireless peripheral device interface, and in cooperation with the slave adapter device connected to the peripheral device. In the master adapter device that is logically connected,
Data communication means for performing data communication between the master adapter device and the server device that manages the connection relationship between the slave adapter device;
The terminal performs data communication with the terminal device through the peripheral device interface, and acquires device information of the peripheral device provided when the peripheral device is connected from the server device via the data communication means. An emulator provided to the device;
Communication processing means for transmitting and / or receiving signals of the peripheral device interface encapsulated by a predetermined communication protocol via the data communication means;
A master adapter device comprising:   16. The master adapter device according to claim 15, wherein the communication processing unit performs peer-to-peer communication with the slave adapter device, and transmits and receives the peripheral device interface signal encapsulated in a predetermined communication protocol. .   17. The communication processing unit receives authentication information from the server device, and uses it for encrypted communication with the slave adapter device and / or authentication of the slave adapter device. Master adapter device.   When the terminal device is connected, the type of the operating system running on the terminal device is detected, and it is determined whether the device driver of the peripheral device for the type of operating system is in the terminal device. 16. The master adapter device according to claim 15, wherein if there is no device driver, the device driver is downloaded and installed in the terminal device.

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