Output device

Abstract

Disclosed is an output device capable of outputting an overall graph of a network even without a large display, the output device being an output device as a first node in a network composed of the first node and a plurality of second nodes. An output device is provided with: a reception unit that receives an output instruction of a directed graph including a first vertex corresponding to a transmission source node of a packet, a second vertex corresponding to a transmission destination node that is a packet transmission destination of the transmission source node, and an edge starting from the first vertex and ending from the second vertex; and an output unit that outputs, in accordance with the output instruction, a first directed graph that associates the first node with the transmission source node.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority from a Japanese application with an application date of January 19, 2024 and an application number of JP2024-006806, incorporates the content of the above application by reference, and incorporates the entire disclosure herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an output device. Background Art

[0003] There are output devices such as printers that form a mesh network. As a method for outputting an overall view of the mesh network formed by these printers to a user, there is a method of displaying the overall view on a display.

[0004] However, in the above method, if there is no large display, the overall view of the network cannot be displayed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above problems, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an output device that can output an overall view of a network even without a large display.

[0006] To solve the above problems, the output device according to an embodiment is an output device that serves as the first node in a network composed of a first node and a plurality of second nodes. The output device includes: a receiving unit that receives an output instruction of a directed graph including a first vertex corresponding to a source node of a data packet, a second vertex corresponding to a destination node that is the destination of the data packet sent from the source node, and an edge starting from the first vertex and ending at the second vertex; and an output unit that outputs a first directed graph associating the first node with the source node according to the output instruction.

[0007] According to the above output device, an overall view of a network can be output even without a large display.

[0008] In the above output device, the output device is a printer, and the output unit outputs the first directed graph on paper.

[0009] According to the above output device, an overall view of a network can be output on paper.

[0010] In the above output device, the output unit further outputs a plurality of second directed graphs associating the plurality of second nodes with the source node according to the output instruction, and the output unit outputs each of the first directed graph and the plurality of second directed graphs on individual sheets of paper.

[0011] According to the above output device, in addition to the first directed graph, an overall view of a network with a plurality of second nodes as source nodes can also be output.

[0012] In the above output device, the output device is a mobile printer.

[0013] According to the above output device, it is possible to output an overall diagram of a network using a mobile printer.

[0014] In the above output device, the output device is an electronic price tag or a desktop electronic calculator, and the output unit performs screen output of the first directed graph.

[0015] According to the above output device, it is possible to output an overall diagram of a network using an electronic shelf label or a desktop electronic calculator.

[0016] In the above output device, there is further provided: an output information generation unit that depicts a first directed graph in a drawing area, and the output unit performs paper output of the first directed graph generated by the output information generation unit.

[0017] According to the above output device, it is possible to depict an overall diagram of a network in a drawing area and perform paper output.

[0018] In the above output device, the drawing area has a shape corresponding to the paper output from the printer, and includes an area for depicting information of the first vertex, an area for depicting information of the second vertex, and an area for depicting information related to the edge.

[0019] According to the above output device, it is possible to depict a first directed graph in an area corresponding to the paper output from the printer.

[0020] In the above output device, the output information generation unit depicts a graph corresponding to the source node in the area for depicting information of the first vertex, depicts a graph corresponding to the destination node in the area for depicting information of the second vertex, and depicts an arrow from the graph corresponding to the source node towards the graph corresponding to the destination node in the area for depicting information related to the edge.

[0021] According to the above output device, it is possible to depict and output an overall diagram of a network in three areas.

[0022] In the above output device, the output information generation unit refers to a routing table storing the IP address of the source node and the IP address of the destination node, and depicts the IP address of the source node in the area for depicting information of the first vertex, and depicts the IP address of the destination node in the area for depicting information of the second vertex.

[0023] According to the above output device, it is possible to set IP addresses in the first directed graph.

[0024] In the above-described output device, the drawing area has a horizontally long rectangular shape, with an area for drawing information of a first vertex at the left end, an area for drawing information of a second vertex at the right end, and an area for drawing information related to the sides in the center.

[0025] According to the above-described output device, it is possible to output a first directed graph from left to right. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 It is a block diagram showing an example of a grid network constituting the output device of the embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the output device of the embodiment.

[0028] Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the output device of the embodiment.

[0029] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation panel of the output device of the embodiment.

[0030] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the routing table stored in the output device of the embodiment.

[0031] Figure 6 It is a flowchart showing an example of the output process in the output device of the embodiment.

[0032] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing an example of the information drawn in the drawing area in the output process of the output device of the embodiment.

[0033] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing an example of the information drawn in the drawing area in the output process of the output device of the embodiment.

[0034] Figure 9 It is a diagram showing an example of the information drawn in the drawing area in the output process of the output device of the embodiment.

[0035] Figure 10 It is a diagram showing an example of the information drawn in the drawing area in the output process of the output device of the embodiment.

[0036] Figure 11 It is a diagram showing an example of the information drawn in the drawing area in the output process of the output device of the embodiment.

[0037] Figure 12 It is a diagram showing an example of the information drawn in the drawing area in the output process of the output device of the embodiment.

[0038] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing an example of a global directed graph corresponding to the overall graph of a grid network, which represents the output processing in the output device based on the embodiment.

[0039] Figure 14 This is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the routing table stored in the representative output device of the modified example.

[0040] Figure 15 This is a flowchart showing an example of the output processing in the representative output device of the modified example.

[0041] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0042] 1... Grid network, 11, 12, 13, 14... Output devices, 15... Wireless router, 21... Control circuit, 22... Memory, 23... Communication module, 24... Input device, 25... Output device, 26... Driver, 27... Storage medium, 31... Input receiving unit, 32... Output information generation unit, 33... Output unit, 34... Routing table. Detailed Description of the Embodiment

[0043] Hereinafter, the output device of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0044] 1. Configuration

[0045] First, the configuration of the output device of the embodiment will be described.

[0046] 1.1 Grid Network

[0047] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the grid network constituting the output device of the embodiment.

[0048] The grid network 1 is composed of a plurality of nodes as constituent elements. The grid network 1 is a network in which data communication is performed via other nodes when an object node communicates with an external network.

[0049] As Figure 1 shown, the grid network 1 includes a plurality of output devices 11, 12, 13, and 14 and a wireless router 15 as nodes. The wireless router 15 is a device that connects the plurality of output devices 11 to 14 within the grid network 1 and an external network.

[0050] The multiple output devices 11 to 14 have the same constitution as each other. For example, the multiple output devices 11 to 14 are IoT (Internet of Things) devices such as printers, electronic price tags, and desktop electronic calculators. As an example of the printer applied to the multiple output devices 11 to 14, a receipt printer and / or a barcode printer attached to a mobile POS (Point of Sale) can be cited, but it is not limited to these, and any printer such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) can be applied. In addition, the printer applied to the multiple output devices 11 to 14 can be a thermal printer or an inkjet printer.

[0051] In Figure 1 's example, the output device 11 is connected to the output device 12 which is the destination of data transmission. The output device 12 is connected to the output device 14 which is the destination of data transmission. The output device 13 is connected to the output device 14 which is the destination of data transmission. The output device 14 is connected to the wireless router 15 which is the destination of data transmission.

[0052] In addition, in Figure 1 's example, the IP address of the output device 11 is set to "2001::200::ff::fe00:1". The IP address of the output device 12 is set to "2001::200::ff::fe00:2". The IP address of the output device 13 is set to "2001::200::ff::fe00:3". The IP address of the output device 14 is set to "2001::200::ff::fe00:4". The IP address of the wireless router 15 is set to "2002:200:ff::fe00:1". It should be noted that in Figure 1 's example, the case where IP addresses based on IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6) are assigned is illustrated, but it is not limited to this. For example, the IP address can be based on IPv4.

[0053] 1.2 Hardware Constitution

[0054] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing an example of the hardware constitution of the output device in the embodiment. Figure 2 The hardware constitution of the output device 11 is shown. It should be noted that the output devices 12 to 14 also have the same hardware constitution as the output device 11.

[0055] As Figure 2 shown, the output device 11 includes a control circuit 21, a memory 22, a communication module 23, an input device 24, an output device 25, a driver 26, and a storage medium 27.

[0056] The control circuit 21 is a circuit that integrally controls each component of the output device 11. The control circuit 21 includes a CPU (central processing unit), a RAM (random access memory), a ROM (read only memory), etc. The ROM of the control circuit 21 stores programs and the like used by the output device 11 in various processes. The CPU of the control circuit 21 controls the entirety of the output device 11 according to the programs stored in the ROM of the control circuit 21. The RAM of the control circuit 21 has a working area for the CPU of the control circuit 21. The working area includes a drawing area for drawing information output in the output process described later.

[0057] The memory 22 includes, for example, an HHD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The memory 22 stores information used in various processes in the output device 11.

[0058] The communication module 23 is a circuit for transmitting and receiving data between the output device 11 and a node (for example, the output device 12) constituting the grid network 1.

[0059] The input device 24 is a device responsible for accepting input from the user. The input device 24 includes, for example, an operation panel. The operation panel can be a touch panel that displays buttons serving as soft keys.

[0060] The output device 25 is a device responsible for outputting to the user. In the case where the output device 11 is a printer, the output device 25 includes, for example, a group of devices for paper output. More specifically, in the case where the output device 11 is a thermal printer, the output device 25 includes an impression roller, a thermal head, a cutter, etc. Additionally, in the case where the output device 11 is an electronic price tag or a desktop electronic calculator, the output device 25 includes, for example, a display for image output. The display for image output can share a touch panel. It should be noted that the size of the paper or image output by the output device 25 can be, for example, the size around that of a ticket. More specifically, for example, the size of the paper or image output by the output device 25 can be around 5 cm × 10 cm.

[0061] The drive 26 is a device for reading software stored in the storage medium 27. The drive 26 includes, for example, a CD (Compact Disk) drive or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) drive.

[0062] The storage medium 27 is a medium that stores software through electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical actions. The storage medium 27 can also store programs for executing various processes in the output device 11.

[0063] 1.3 Functional Configuration

[0064] Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the output device of the embodiment. Figure 3 It shows the functional configuration of the output device 11. It should be noted that the output devices 12 to 14 may also have the same functional configuration as the output device 11.

[0065] As Figure 3 As shown, the CPU of the control circuit 21 expands the program stored in the ROM or the storage medium 27 of the control circuit 21 into the RAM of the control circuit 21. Then, the CPU of the control circuit 21 interprets and executes the program expanded in the RAM of the control circuit 21. Thus, the output device 11 functions as a computer having an input receiving unit 31, an output information generating unit 32, and an output unit 33. In addition, the memory 22 of the output device 11 stores a routing table 34.

[0066] The input receiving unit 31 is a functional block that receives inputs from the user. When the input receiving unit 31 receives an input from the user indicating the start of the output process, it notifies the output information generating unit 32 of the start of the output process.

[0067] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing an example of the screen displayed on the operation panel of the output device of the embodiment. As Figure 4 As shown, the input receiving unit 31 displays buttons SKa, SKb, and SKc on the operation panel OP.

[0068] The button SKa corresponds to the area within the box enclosing the string "Print Network Topology" on the operation panel OP and is a soft key that receives an input indicating the start of the output process. When the user presses the button SKa, the input receiving unit 31 notifies the output information generating unit 32 of the start of the output process.

[0069] The button SKb corresponds to the area within the box enclosing the string "Home" on the operation panel OP and is a soft key that receives an input indicating the migration to the home screen. When the user presses the button SKb, the input receiving unit 31 changes the display on the operation panel OP to the home screen.

[0070] The button SKc corresponds to the area within the box enclosing the string "Back" on the operation panel OP and is a soft key that accepts an input meaning the operation panel OP migrates to the immediately previous displayed screen. When the user presses the button SKc, the input receiving unit 31 returns the display on the operation panel OP to the immediately previous displayed screen.

[0071] Return to again Figure 3 , and illustrate the functional configuration of the output device 11.

[0072] The output information generation unit 32 is a functional block that generates information (output information) to be output to the user as a result of output processing when it receives a notification of the start of output processing from the input receiving unit 31. Specifically, the output information generation unit 32 generates a drawing area on the RAM of the control circuit 21. Then, the output information generation unit 32 depicts prescribed information in the drawing area by referring to the routing table 34. The output information generation unit 32 sends the information depicted in the drawing area as generated information to the output unit 33.

[0073] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the routing table stored in the output device of the embodiment. As Figure 5 shown, the routing table 34 stores, as a set, the IP address of the source node and the IP address of the destination node when its own output device sends data, as routing information in the mesh network 1.

[0074] That is, the information stored as the source node corresponds to the IP address of its own output device. The information stored as the destination node corresponds to the IP address of the output device to which its own output device sends data. In Figure 5 the example, the information stored as the source node is the IP address "2001::200::ff::fe00:1" of the output device 11. Additionally, the information stored as the destination node is the IP address "2001::200::ff::fe00:2" of the output device 12.

[0075] It should be noted that although the description is omitted in Figure 5 , in the routing table 34 stored in the output device 12, the information stored as the source node is the IP address "2001::200::ff::fe00:2" of the output device 12. Additionally, the information stored as the destination node is the IP address "2001::200::ff::fe00:4" of the output device 14.

[0076] In the routing table 34 stored in the output device 13, the information stored as the source node is the IP address "2001::200::ff::fe00:3" of the output device 13. Additionally, the information stored as the destination node is the IP address "2001::200::ff::fe00:4" of the output device 14.

[0077] In the routing table 34 stored in the output device 14, the information stored as the source node is the IP address "2001::200::ff::fe00:4" of the output device 14. Additionally, the information stored as the destination node is the IP address "2002::200::ff::fe00:1" of the wireless router 15.

[0078] Returning again to Figure 3 , the functional configuration of the output device 11 will be described.

[0079] The output unit 33 is a functional block that outputs the output information to the user when it receives the output information from the output information generation unit 32. Specifically, when the output device 25 is composed of a group of devices for paper output, the output unit 33 performs paper output of the output information. Additionally, when the output device 25 is composed of a group of devices for image output, the output unit 33 outputs the output information as an image. The details of the output information will be described later.

[0080] 2. Operation

[0081] Next, the operation in the output device of the embodiment will be described.

[0082] 2.1 Output processing

[0083] Figure 6 It is a flowchart showing an example of the output processing in the output device of the embodiment. Figures 7 - 12 It is a diagram showing an example of the information drawn in the drawing area in the output processing of the embodiment. Figures 7 - 12 Respectively corresponding to the drawing areas during the processes of ACT12 to ACT17 in the output processing performed by the output device 11 Figure 6 shown.

[0084] As Figure 6 shown, when the user inputs the button SKa on the operation panel OP (start), the input receiving unit 31 receives an input meaning to start the output processing (ACT11).

[0085] When receiving an input meaning to start the output processing, as Figure 7 shown, the output information generation unit 32 generates a drawing area IR on the RAM of the control circuit 21 (ACT12).

[0086] The drawing area IR has a shape corresponding to the medium for outputting output information (paper output from a printer, or a screen displayed on an electronic price tag and a desktop electronic calculator). In Figure 7 the example, the drawing area IR has a horizontally long rectangular shape. Further, the drawing area IR has three sub-areas IRa, IRb, and IRc arranged horizontally. The sub-area IRa is located at the left end of the drawing area IR and is an area for drawing information related to the source node (an area for drawing information of the first vertex). The sub-area IRb is located at the right end of the drawing area IR and is an area for drawing information related to the destination node (an area for drawing information of the second vertex). The sub-area IRc is located between the sub-areas IRa and IRb (i.e., the central part of the drawing area IR) and is an area for drawing information related to the transmission direction of data (an area for drawing information related to the edge).

[0087] As Figure 8 shown, the output information generation unit 32 draws a graph Oa corresponding to the source node in the sub-area IRa of the drawing area IR generated in the process of ACT12 (ACT13). The graph Oa has, for example, a solid-line circle (a graph of the first vertex).

[0088] As Figure 9 shown, the output information generation unit 32 draws a graph Ob corresponding to the destination node in the sub-area IRb of the drawing area IR generated in the process of ACT12 (ACT14). The graph Ob has, for example, a dashed-line circle (a graph of the second vertex).

[0089] As Figure 10 shown, the output information generation unit 32 draws a graph Oc in the sub-area IRc of the drawing area IR generated in the process of ACT12 (ACT15). The graph Oc has the shape of an arrow in the direction from the graph Oa representing the source node to the graph Ob representing the destination node (i.e., from left to right in the drawing area IR) (an edge starting from the first vertex and ending at the second vertex).

[0090] As Figure 11 shown, the output information generation unit 32 refers to the routing table 34 and draws a text Ta representing the IP address of the source node in the sub-area IRa of the drawing area IR generated by the process of ACT12 (ACT16). In Figure 11 the example, the text Ta is the IP address "2002::200::ff::fe00:1" of the output device 11 and is located below the graph Oa.

[0091] As Figure 12As shown, the output information generation unit 32 refers to the routing table 34 and depicts the text Tb (ACT17) indicating the IP address of the destination node in the sub-region IRb of the drawing region IR generated by the process of ACT12. In Figure 12 In the example of, the text Tb is the IP address "2002::200::ff::fe00:2" of the output device 12 and is located below the graphic Ob.

[0092] Through the processes of ACT13 to ACT17, the output information generation unit 32 depicts a directed graph G = (V, E) (|V| = 2, |E| = 1) (the first directed graph) in the drawing region IR. Here, V is the set of vertices, and the elements include the graphic Oa corresponding to the source node (its own output device) and the graphic Ob corresponding to the destination node. E is the set of edges, and the elements include the directed graphic Oc (edge) connecting the graphic Oa (the first vertex) and Ob (the second vertex) that are the elements of the vertex set V.

[0093] The directed graph generated by the output information generation unit 32 may include the IP addresses of the first node and the second node.

[0094] After the processes of ACT13 to ACT17, the output unit 33 outputs the directed graph G depicted in the drawing region IR to the user via the output medium OUT (ACT18). That is, when the output device 11 is a printer, the output unit 33 outputs a sheet of paper on which the directed graph G is printed to the user. When the output device 11 is an electronic price tag or a desktop electronic calculator, the output unit 33 outputs a screen on which the directed graph G is displayed to the user.

[0095] When the process of ACT18 ends, the output process ends (ends).

[0096] 2.2 Display the overall graph of the mesh network

[0097] The user instructs each of the output devices 11 to 14 constituting the mesh network 1 to execute the output process. Each of the output devices 11 to 14 among the plurality of output devices executes the output process according to the input from the user. As a result, the user obtains one output medium OUT on which the directed graph G is printed or displayed from each of the output devices 11 to 14.

[0098] Then, the user arranges the plurality of output media OUT so that the graphics representing the same node overlap each other. As a result, the user can obtain the overall directed graph Gt corresponding to the overall graph of the mesh network 1.

[0099] Figure 13This is a diagram showing an example of an overall directed graph corresponding to the overall diagram of a grid network, which represents the output processing in the output device based on the embodiment.

[0100] As Figure 13 shown, the overall directed graph Gt includes output media OUTa, OUTb, OUTc, and OUTd. The output media OUTa, OUTb, OUTc, and OUTd are output media obtained from the output processing of output devices 11, 12, 13, and 14 respectively.

[0101] In Figure 13 this example, the text of the destination node of output medium OUTa is the same as the text of the source node of output medium OUTb under the IP address "2002::200::ff::fe00:2". Therefore, the user configures output media OUTa and OUTb in such a way that the graphic of the destination node of output medium OUTa overlaps with the graphic of the source node of output medium OUTb.

[0102] In addition, the text of the destination nodes of output media OUTb and OUTc is the same as the text of the source node of output medium OUTd under the IP address "2002::200::ff::fe00:4". Therefore, the user configures output media OUTb, OUTc, and OUTd in such a way that the graphics of the destination nodes of output media OUTb and OUTc overlap with the graphic of the source node of output medium OUTd.

[0103] As described above, the user can recognize that the grid network 1 is equivalent to the overall directed graph Gt = (Vt, Et) (|Vt| = 5, |Et| = 4).

[0104] It should be noted that the user generates the overall directed graph Gt by overlapping the output media OUT with each other. Therefore, when the output medium OUT is paper, it is preferable that the output medium OUT is made of a material that allows the overlapping output media located behind to be seen through.

[0105] 3. Effects according to the embodiment

[0106] According to an embodiment, an input receiving unit 31 receives an output instruction indicating the start of output processing. An output information generation unit 32 draws a directed graph G in a drawing area according to the output instruction. The directed graph G includes a first vertex corresponding to a transmission source node when its own output device is used as the transmission source node, a second vertex corresponding to a transmission destination node, and an edge starting from the first vertex and ending at the second vertex. An output unit 33 outputs the directed graph G according to the output instruction. Thus, each of the plurality of output devices 11 to 14 outputs one directed graph having 2 vertices and 1 edge when its own output device is used as the transmission source node according to an output instruction from a user. Therefore, the user can generate an overall directed graph Gt by combining the plurality of directed graphs G corresponding to each of the plurality of output devices 11 to 14. In this way, the overall directed graph Gt is composed of a plurality of individually (single) output directed graphs G. Therefore, even without a large display, the user can obtain an overall view of the mesh network 1.

[0107] In addition, the plurality of output devices 11 to 14 may be in the form of printers. When the plurality of output devices 11 to 14 are printers, the output unit 33 outputs the directed graph G on paper. In particular, when the plurality of output devices 11 to 14 are mobile printers, since the output paper is about the size of a receipt, the entire directed graph Gt cannot be output in a concentrated manner at one time. However, according to this embodiment, each of the plurality of output devices 11 to 14 outputs one directed graph G having 2 vertices and 1 edge. Thus, even without a large display, the user can obtain an overall view of the mesh network 1 by combining the plurality of directed graphs G.

[0108] In addition, the plurality of output devices 11 to 14 may be in the form of electronic price tags or desktop electronic calculators, etc. When the plurality of output devices 11 to 14 are electronic price tags or desktop electronic calculators, the output unit 33 outputs the directed graph G on the screen. When the plurality of output devices 11 to 14 are electronic price tags or desktop electronic calculators, the displayed screen is about the size of a receipt, so the entire directed graph Gt cannot be output in a concentrated manner at one time. However, according to this embodiment, each of the plurality of output devices 11 to 14 outputs one directed graph G having 2 vertices and 1 edge. Thus, even without a large display, the user can obtain an overall view of the mesh network 1 by combining the plurality of directed graphs G.

[0109] 4. Variants, etc.

[0110] In the above embodiment, various modifications can be applied.

[0111] In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that in order for the user to obtain the overall directed graph Gt of the mesh network 1, the output process is instructed to the output devices corresponding to the number of the plurality of output devices 11 to 14. However, the plurality of output media OUT constituting the overall directed graph Gt may also be output collectively from one output device. That is, in order for the user to obtain the overall directed graph Gt, the configuration may be such that the output process is instructed only once to a certain output device. The following mainly describes the configuration and operation different from the embodiment. The description of the configuration and operation equivalent to the embodiment will be appropriately omitted.

[0112] In the mesh network 1 of the modified example, the plurality of output devices 11 to 14 are each a printer. And any one of the plurality of output devices 11 to 14 according to the modified example collectively stores the routing information of all the output devices. Hereinafter, the output device that collectively stores the routing information of all the output devices will be referred to as the representative output device. The representative output device may be any one of the plurality of output devices 11 to 14. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the output device 11 is the representative output device.

[0113] Figure 14 It is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the routing table stored in the representative output device of the modified example. As Figure 14 shown, the routing table 34 stored in the representative output device stores a group of the IP address of the source node and the IP address of the destination node for each node constituting the mesh network 1.

[0114] In Figure 14 the example, the routing table 34 stores the routing information about 4 target nodes. The first routing information is the routing information of the target node (that is, the output device 11) with the IP address of "2001::200::ff::fe0:1". The second routing information is the routing information of the target node (that is, the output device 12) with the IP address of "2001::200::ff::fe00:2". The third routing information is the routing information of the target node (that is, the output device 13) with the IP address of "2001::200::ff::fe00:3". The fourth routing information is the routing information of the target node (that is, the output device 14) with the IP address of "2001::200::ff::fe00:4".

[0115] The representative output device may also collect the routing information from each node when constructing the mesh network 1. In addition, the process of collecting the routing information from each node may also be performed by a server (not shown). In this case, the representative output device stores the aggregated information as the routing table 34 by receiving the routing information of each node from the server.

[0116] Figure 15This is a flowchart showing an example of output processing in a representative output device indicating a modified example. Figure 15 Corresponding to that in the embodiment Figure 6 .

[0117] As Figure 15 shown, when the user inputs the button SKa on the operation panel OP of the representative output device (start), the input receiving unit 31 receives an input (ACT21) meaning the start of output processing.

[0118] When receiving an input meaning the start of output processing, the output information generation unit 32 refers to the routing table 34 and selects an object node (ACT22).

[0119] The output information generation unit 32 generates a drawing area IR corresponding to the object node selected in the processing of ACT22 on the RAM of the control circuit 21 (ACT23).

[0120] The output information generation unit 32 draws a graphic Oa corresponding to the source node in the sub - area IRa of the drawing area IR generated in the processing of ACT23 (ACT24). (Graphic of the first vertex)

[0121] The output information generation unit 32 draws a graphic Ob corresponding to the destination node in the sub - area IRb of the drawing area IR generated in the processing of ACT23 (ACT25). (Graphic of the second vertex)

[0122] The output information generation unit 32 draws a graphic Oc in the sub - area IRc of the drawing area IR generated in the processing of ACT23 (ACT26). (Edge starting from the first vertex and ending at the second vertex)

[0123] The output information generation unit 32 refers to the routing information of the object node selected in the processing of ACT22 in the routing table 34. Then, the output information generation unit 32 draws a text Ta representing the IP address of the source node in the sub - area IRa of the drawing area IR generated in the processing of ACT23 (ACT27).

[0124] The output information generation unit 32 refers to the routing information of the object node selected in the processing of ACT22 in the routing table 34. Then, the output information generation unit 32 draws a text Tb representing the IP address of the destination node in the sub - area IRb of the drawing area IR generated in the processing of ACT23 (ACT28).

[0125] Through the processing of ACT23 - ACT28, the output information generation unit 32 draws a directed graph G=(V, E) (|V| = 2, |E| = 1) (the first directed graph) related to the object node selected in the processing of ACT22 in the drawing area IR.

[0126] The output unit 33 outputs the directed graph G (ACT29) related to the object nodes depicted in the drawing area IR to the user via the output medium OUT.

[0127] After the processing of ACT29, the output information generation unit 32 determines whether all the object nodes in the routing table 34 have been selected (ACT30).

[0128] In the case where there are unselected object nodes (no in ACT30), the output information generation unit 32 refers to the routing table 34 and selects the unselected object nodes (ACT22). Then, the subsequent processing of ACT23 to ACT30 is performed on the selected object nodes. That is, a plurality of second directed graphs associating each of the plurality of second nodes with the source node are drawn and output. In this way, before all the object nodes are selected, the representative output device repeatedly executes the processing of ACT22 to ACT30.

[0129] In the case where all the object nodes have been selected (yes in ACT30), the output processing ends (ends).

[0130] According to the modification example, the output unit 33 of the representative output device outputs, according to the output instruction, in addition to the directed graph G with its own output device as the source node, also the directed graph G with other output devices as the source node. That is, the output unit 33 of the representative output device outputs a plurality of directed graphs G one by one. Thus, the user can obtain a plurality of directed graphs G from the representative output device without having to give output instructions to all the output devices 11 to 14 respectively. Therefore, the number of times the user inputs output instructions can be reduced.

[0131] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope or gist of the invention and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

Claims

1. An output device, which is an output device serving as the first node in a network composed of a first node and a plurality of second nodes, is characterized in that Comprising: a receiving unit that receives an output instruction of a directed graph, the directed graph including a first vertex corresponding to a transmission source node of a data packet, a second vertex corresponding to a transmission destination node that is a data packet transmission destination of the transmission source node, and an edge starting from the first vertex and ending at the second vertex; and an output unit that outputs a first directed graph associating the first node with the transmission source node according to the output instruction.

2. The output device according to claim 1, wherein the output device is a printer, and the output unit outputs the first directed graph on paper.

3. The output device according to claim 2, wherein the output unit further outputs a plurality of second directed graphs respectively associating the plurality of second nodes with the transmission source node according to the output instruction, and the output unit outputs each of the first directed graph and the plurality of second directed graphs on individual sheets of paper.

4. The output device according to claim 2, wherein the output device is a mobile printer.

5. The output device according to claim 1, wherein the output device is an electronic price tag or a desktop electronic calculator, and the output unit outputs the first directed graph on a screen.

6. The output device according to claim 2, wherein Further comprising: an output information generation unit that depicts a first directed graph in a depiction area, and the output unit outputs the first directed graph generated by the output information generation unit on paper.

7. The output device according to claim 6, wherein the depiction area has a shape corresponding to a sheet of paper output from the printer, and includes an area for depicting information of the first vertex, an area for depicting information of the second vertex, and an area for depicting information related to the edge.

8. The output device according to claim 7, wherein the output information generation unit depicts a graph corresponding to the transmission source node in the area for depicting information of the first vertex, depicts a graph corresponding to the transmission destination node in the area for depicting information of the second vertex, and depicts an arrow from the graph corresponding to the transmission source node toward the graph corresponding to the transmission destination node in the area for depicting information related to the edge.

9. The output device according to claim 8, wherein the output information generation unit refers to a routing table storing the IP address of the transmission source node and the IP address of the transmission destination node, and depicts the IP address of the transmission source node in the area for depicting information of the first vertex and depicts the IP address of the transmission destination node in the area for depicting information of the second vertex.

10. The output device according to claim 9, wherein the depiction area has a horizontally long rectangular shape, with an area for depicting information of the first vertex at the left end, an area for depicting information of the second vertex at the right end, and an area for depicting information related to the edge in the middle.

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