JP5130539B2 - Network system, network setting method, and information device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a network system for connecting an information device to a network via a network connection device, a network setting method using the network system, and an information device used in the network system.

  Some network systems connect information devices such as printers to a network via network connection devices such as network adapters and LAN (Local Area Network) boards.

  In this type of network system, the network setting information used for the network setting of the network connection device is stored in the network connection device.

  The network setting information is, for example, information used for setting a wired LAN such as an IP (Internet Protocol) address, a subnet mask, and a default gateway, and information used for setting a wireless LAN such as an 802.1X certificate and an encryption key. It is.

  By the way, in this type of network system, when a network connection device is damaged and replaced with a new network connection device, the network setting information stored in the damaged network connection device and the new network connection device It is necessary to perform network settings using similar information.

  In this case, every time a network connection device is replaced, if a user such as a network administrator tries to manually set network setting information to a new network connection device, a heavy burden is placed on the user.

  As a technique for easily performing network setting of a new network connection device without burdening the user, for example, a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 can be cited.

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a server computer on a network collectively manages network setting information of network connection devices. And when exchanging for a new network connection apparatus, a new network connection apparatus acquires network setting information from the server computer on a network.

As described above, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the new network connection device automatically acquires the network setting information from the server computer on the network, the network setting of the new network connection device is burdened on the user. There is an advantage that it can be carried out easily without applying.
JP 2000-259538 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, since it is necessary to connect a new network connection device for performing network setting to a server computer on the network, other network connection devices are also used at the time of network setting. There is a problem that a load is applied to the network.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a network system, a network setting method, and an information device that can easily perform network setting of a new network connection device without imposing a load on the network.

In order to achieve the above object, the network system of the present invention provides:
A network system having a network connection device connected to a network and an information device connected to the network via the network connection device,
The information device is
A network setting information storage unit for storing network setting information of the network connection device;
Receiving a network setting information transmission request from the network connection device, reading the network setting information from the network setting information storage unit, and transmitting to the network connection device information device control unit,
The network connection device is:
In the initialization process of the network connection device, the network connection device has a connection device control unit that transmits a network setting information transmission request to the information device and performs network setting using the network setting information received from the information device. Features.

In order to achieve the above object, the network setting method of the present invention includes:
A network setting method by a network system having a network connection device connected to a network and an information device connected to the network via the network connection device,
The information device storing network setting information of the network connection device;
The network connection device transmitting a network setting information transmission request to the information device in the initialization process of the network connection device;
The information device reads network setting information in response to a transmission request for network setting information received from the network connection device, and transmits the network setting information to the network connection device.
The network connection device includes a step of performing network setting using network setting information received from the information device.

In order to achieve the above object, the information device of the present invention provides:
An information device connected to a network via a network connection device,
A network setting information storage unit for storing network setting information of the network connection device;
An information device control unit that reads network setting information from the network setting information storage unit and transmits the network setting information to the network connection device when a transmission request for network setting information is received from the network connection device.

  According to the present invention, the network setting information of the network connection device is stored in the information device, and the network connection device acquires the network setting information from the information device and performs the network setting during the initialization process of the network connection device. It has a configuration.

  Therefore, when replacing with a new network connection device due to the damage of the network connection device, etc., the same information as the network setting information stored in the damaged network connection device is used in the initialization process of the new network connection device. Network settings. Further, it is not necessary to connect to a network in the initialization process of a new network connection device.

  Therefore, it is possible to easily perform a network setting of a new network connection device without imposing a load on the network.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In the following, the case where the information device is a printer will be described as an example. However, the information device is not limited to a printer, and is connected to a network via a network connection device, and from the network connection device. Anything that can be separated is acceptable.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the network system of the present embodiment includes a network connection device 10, a printer 20, and a user terminal 30.

  The network connection device 10 is a network adapter or a LAN board for connecting the printer 20 to the network 40.

  The printer 20 is connected to the network 40 via the network connection device 10 and can be disconnected from the network connection device 10.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the network connection device 10 is externally connected to the printer 20 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.

  The printer 20 is provided with an area for storing network setting information used for network setting of the network connection device 10. The network setting information stored in the area is distributed from the user terminal 30 via the network 40 or input by a user operation on the printer 20.

  The network connection device 10 performs initialization processing when it is newly incorporated into the network system. In the initialization process, the network connection device 10 transmits a network setting information transmission request to the printer 20 and performs network setting using the network setting information received from the printer 20.

  The user terminal 30 manages network setting information of the network connection device 10 and distributes the network setting information to the printer 20 via the network 40.

  Here, configurations of the network connection device 10 and the printer 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. 2 and 3 show only the constituent elements that are essential parts of the present invention out of the constituent elements of the network connection device 10 and the printer 20, and the printing provided in the printer 20 is shown. Parts are omitted.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the network connection device 10 includes a network I / F (interface) 11, a USB I / F 12, a storage unit 13, and a control unit 14.

  The network I / F 11 is a part connected to the network 40.

  The USB I / F 12 is a part connected to the printer 20 via a USB cable.

  The storage unit 13 stores various information and includes storage means such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

  The control unit 14 is a connected device control unit that controls the entire network connected device 10.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the printer 20 includes a USB I / F 21, an operation unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a control unit 25.

  The USB I / F 21 is a part connected to the network connection device 10 via a USB cable.

  The operation unit 22 is a part where a user operation is performed. For example, the network setting information of the network connection device 10 can be input.

  The memory | storage part 23 is a part which memorize | stores various information, and contains memory | storage means, such as ROM and RAM. The storage unit 23 is provided with a network setting information storage unit 24 as an area for storing the network setting information of the network connection device 10 described above.

  The control unit 25 is an information device control unit that controls the entire printer 20.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the network system of this embodiment will be described.

[Operation when saving network setting information]
First, an operation for storing network setting information distributed from the user terminal 30 via the network 40 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, first, the user terminal 30 distributes the network setting information of the network connection device 10 to the network connection device 10 via the network 40 (step 401).

  In the network connection device 10, when the network setting information from the user terminal 30 is received by the network I / F 11, the control unit 14 sends the network setting information from the USB I / F 12 to the printer 20 via the USB cable. (Step 402). Further, the control unit 14 transmits a printer reset signal for causing the printer 20 to execute initialization processing from the USB I / F 12 to the printer 20 via the USB cable (step 403).

  In the printer 20, when the network setting information and the printer reset signal from the network connection device 10 are received by the USB I / F 21, the control unit 25 stores the network setting information in the network setting information storage unit 24 (step 404). In addition, the control unit 25 executes an initialization process for the printer 20 (step 405). Further, the control unit 25 transmits a network connection device reset signal for causing the network connection device 10 to execute initialization processing from the USB I / F 21 to the network connection device 10 via the USB cable (step 406).

  In the network connection device 10, when the network connection device reset signal from the printer 20 is received by the USB I / F 12, the initialization processing of the network connection device 10 is started. In the initialization process of the network connection device 10, first, the control unit 14 transmits a network setting information transmission request from the USB I / F 12 to the printer 20 via the USB cable (step 407).

  In the printer 20, when the network I / F 21 receives a network setting information transmission request from the network connection device 10, the control unit 25 reads out the network setting information from the network setting information storage unit 24, and the USB I / F. It transmits to the network connection apparatus 10 from F21 via a USB cable (step 408).

  In the network connection device 10, when the network setting information from the printer 20 is received by the USB I / F 12, the control unit 14 performs network setting using the network setting information (step 409).

  Thereafter, the printer 20 can be connected to the network 40 via the network connection device 10.

  Next, an operation for storing network setting information input by a user operation on the printer 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the printer 20, when the network setting information of the network connection device 10 is input to the operation unit 22 by the user (step 501), the control unit 25 converts the network setting information into the network setting information. Saving in the saving unit 24 (step 502). In addition, the control unit 25 executes an initialization process for the printer 20 (step 503). Further, the control unit 25 transmits a network connection device reset signal for causing the network connection device 10 to execute initialization processing from the USB I / F 21 to the network connection device 10 via the USB cable (step 504).

  In the network connection device 10, when the network connection device reset signal from the printer 20 is received by the USB I / F 12, the initialization processing of the network connection device 10 is started. In the initialization process of the network connection device 10, first, the control unit 14 transmits a network setting information transmission request from the USB I / F 12 to the printer 20 via the USB cable (step 505).

  In the printer 20, when the network I / F 21 receives a network setting information transmission request from the network connection device 10, the control unit 25 reads out the network setting information from the network setting information storage unit 24, and the USB I / F. The data is transmitted from F21 to the network connection device 10 via the USB cable (step 506).

  In the network connection device 10, when the network setting information from the printer 20 is received by the USB I / F 12, the control unit 14 performs network setting using the network setting information (step 507).

  Thereafter, the printer 20 can be connected to the network 40 via the network connection device 10.

[Operations when replacing network devices]
The operation when the network connection device 10 is replaced with a new one due to damage or the like will be described with reference to FIG. Here, description will be made assuming that the network setting information is already stored in the network setting information storage unit 24 through the processing of FIG. 4 or FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when a new network connection device 10 is incorporated into the present network system due to the damage of the network connection device 10 or the like (step 601), the initialization processing of the network connection device 10 is started. In the initialization process of the network connection device 10, in the network connection device 10, first, the control unit 14 transmits a transmission request for network setting information from the USB I / F 12 to the printer 20 via the USB cable (step 602). ).

  In the printer 20, when the network I / F 21 receives a network setting information transmission request from the network connection device 10, the control unit 25 reads out the network setting information from the network setting information storage unit 24, and the USB I / F. It transmits to the network connection apparatus 10 from F21 via a USB cable (step 603).

  In the network connection device 10, when the network setting information from the printer 20 is received by the USB I / F 12, the control unit 14 performs network setting using the network setting information (step 604).

  Thereafter, the printer 20 can be connected to the network 40 via the new network connection device 10.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the network setting information of the network connection device 10 is stored in the printer 20, and the network connection device 10 receives the network setting information from the printer 20 during the initialization process of the network connection device 10. It is configured to obtain and configure network settings.

  Accordingly, when the network connection device 10 is replaced with a new one due to damage or the like, the network setting information stored in the damaged network connection device in the initialization process of the new network connection device 10 is the same. Information can be used to make network settings. Further, in the initialization process of the new network connection device 10, it is not necessary to connect to the network 40.

  Therefore, the network setting of the new network connection device 10 can be easily performed without imposing a load on the network 40.

  If the network setting information stored in the printer 20 is input by a user operation on the printer 20, the network setting information can be set / changed only by the printer 20, and this network System deployment work is also easy.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the network connection device 10 is externally attached to the printer 20 via a USB cable. However, the network connection device 10 is built in the printer 20 and communicates with the printer 20 via USB communication. It may be what performs.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the network system of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the network connection apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printer illustrated in FIG. 1. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the network system shown in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the operation of the network system shown in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart for explaining still another example of the operation of the network system shown in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

10 Network connection equipment 11 Network I / F
12 USB I / F
13 Storage Unit 14 Control Unit 20 Printer 21 USB I / F
22 operation unit 23 storage unit 24 network setting information storage unit 25 control unit 30 user terminal 40 network

Claims (6)

A network system having a network connection device connected to a network and an information device connected to the network via the network connection device,
The information device is
A network setting information storage unit for storing network setting information of the network connection device;
Receiving a network setting information transmission request from the network connection device, reading the network setting information from the network setting information storage unit, and transmitting to the network connection device information device control unit,
The network connection device is:
In the initialization process of the network connection device, a transmission request for network setting information is transmitted to the information device, and a connection device control unit configured to perform network setting using the network setting information received from the information device,
When the network connection device is incorporated in the network system, and when the network device information storage unit completes storage of the network setting information, the connection device controller transmits a reset signal transmitted by the information device controller. When received, the connected device control unit performs the same initialization processing of the network connected device. A terminal connected to the network and delivering network setting information to the information device via the network;
The network system according to claim 1, wherein the network setting information storage unit stores network setting information distributed from the terminal via a network. The information device further includes an operation unit capable of inputting network setting information,
The network system according to claim 1, wherein the network setting information storage unit stores network setting information input to the operation unit. The information device and the network connection device have a USB interface,
The network system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein communication between the information device and the network connection device is USB communication using the USB interface. A network setting method by a network system having a network connection device connected to a network and an information device connected to the network via the network connection device,
The information device storing network setting information of the network connection device;
The network connection device transmitting a network setting information transmission request to the information device in the initialization process of the network connection device;
The information device reads network setting information in response to a transmission request for network setting information received from the network connection device, and transmits the network setting information to the network connection device.
The network connection device performs network setting using the network setting information received from the information device, and
When the network connection device is incorporated in the network system, and when the network connection device receives the reset signal transmitted by the information device after the storage of the network setting information in the information device is completed, the network A network setting method in which a connection device performs the same initialization process of the network connection device. An information device connected to a network via a network connection device,
A network setting information storage unit for storing network setting information of the network connection device;
Receiving a network setting information transmission request from the network connection device, reading the network setting information from the network setting information storage unit, and transmitting to the network connection device information device control unit,
When the network connection device is incorporated in the network system, and when the network setting information is stored in the network setting information storage unit, the network connection device receives a reset signal transmitted by the information device control unit. In this case, in the network connection device, the same initialization process of the network connection device is performed.

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