Information processing device and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device capable of facilitating access to an operation server in a system where a plurality of operation servers are provided.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises discrimination means, first access means, and second access means. When an access request to a server is made, the discrimination means discriminates whether the arrangement location of an own device exists in an arrangement location list. When the discrimination means discriminates that the arrangement location of the own device exists in the arrangement location list, the first access means identifies a server corresponding to the arrangement location of the own device from a server IP list file and accesses the server. When the discrimination means discriminates that the arrangement location of the own device does not exist in the arrangement location list, the second access means accesses a sever selected from a plurality of servers where IP addresses are set in the server IP list file.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a client-server system is a configuration for managing a POS (Point of Sales) system. In a POS system, the server has a product master that stores product data such as the product name and unit price of each product sold in the store, and compiles sales data of sold products to manage the sales, inventory, etc. of the entire store. A client PC (Personal Computer) logs into the server and executes processing on various POS-related data managed by the server.

[0003] In a system that manages multiple stores using multiple operating servers, the stores to be managed are determined for each operating server. Therefore, when processing various data related to the POS of a certain store, the client PC must know which operating servers it is permitted to access and which operating servers manage the target store, and must create a login icon for each operating server that corresponds to the target store. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-250537 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device and a program that can facilitate access to an operating server in a system in which a plurality of operating servers are provided. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to an embodiment, an information processing device has a determination means, a first access means, and a second access means. When an access request to a server is received, the determination means determines whether the location of the device itself exists in the location list. When it is determined that the location of the device itself exists in the location list, the first access means identifies a server corresponding to the location of the device itself from the server IP list file and accesses the server. When it is determined that the location of the device itself does not exist in the location list, the second access means accesses a server selected from a plurality of servers whose IP addresses are set in the server IP list file. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a client-server system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between an operating server, an aggregation server, and a client PC in the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a client PC according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an associated file according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information (item names) set in a store list file in this embodiment. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing specific examples of information set in a store list file in the embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a diagram showing an example of information (item names) set in a server IP list file in the present embodiment. [Figure 8] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing specific examples of information set in a server IP list file in the embodiment. [Figure 9] 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a login control process by a login control program in the embodiment. [Figure 10]6A and 6B are diagrams showing examples of display of an error message in the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a POS icon in the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a login screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a store list display in the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a client-server system according to the present embodiment. The client-server system shown in Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration for managing a POS system.

[0009] In the system shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of operating servers 10, 11, ..., 1M, an aggregation server 20, a plurality of stores 30, 31, ..., 3N, and a headquarters 40 are communicatively connected via a network 5 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the Internet.

[0010] Each of the multiple operating servers 10 manages a POS system installed in at least one store. The aggregation server 20 manages a headquarters POS 402 installed in the headquarters 40. The operating servers 10 and the aggregation server 20 are provided with a product master that stores product data such as the product name and unit price of each product sold in the store, and compile sales data of the sold products to manage sales, inventory, etc. of the entire store.

[0011] Each of the multiple stores 30 is provided with a client PC 301 (information processing device) and a POS system 302, which are connected by, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0012] The client PC 301 is operated by, for example, a store manager (operator), and is used to access the operation server 10 that manages the store 30 and to process various data related to POS.

[0013] The POS system 302 includes various devices grounded for selling products in a store, such as a registration machine that registers products to be purchased by customers, an accounting machine that processes the accounts for the products registered in the registration machine, a POS device that executes product registration and accounting, a journal server that records sales of products, etc. Sales data of products sold in the POS system 302 is managed in the operation server 10.

[0014] The headquarters 40 is provided, for example, in a company that operates a plurality of stores 30, and includes a client PC 401 (information processing device) and a headquarters POS system 302 connected, for example, by a LAN.

[0015] The client PC 401 is operated, for example, by an administrator at the headquarters 40, and is used to access a plurality of operating servers 10 and the aggregation server 20 that manage a plurality of stores 30, and to process various types of POS-related data.

[0016] 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the operating server 10, the aggregation server 20, and the client PCs 301 and 401 in this embodiment. In FIG. 2, an example is shown in which a plurality of stores A to Z are managed by, for example, three operating servers 10. The head office POS 402 is managed by the aggregation server 20.

[0017] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the operating server 101 manages a plurality of stores A to G. Similarly, the operating server 102 manages stores H to Q, and the operating server 103 manages stores R to Z.

[0018] In this case, for example, the manager of store A is given access authority (store authority) to various data related to the POS of his / her own store, but is not given access authority to data of other stores. Therefore, it is necessary to control the client PC 301 used by the manager of store A so that the client PC 301 can log in only to the operating server 101 that manages store A.

[0019] On the other hand, the administrator of the headquarters 40 is given access rights (headquarters authority) to various data related to POS of all stores. Therefore, it is necessary to control the client PC 401 used by the administrator of the headquarters 40 so that the multiple operating servers 101, 102, 103 that manage all stores A to Z can be logged in. Note that it is assumed that only the client PC 401 of the headquarters 40 can log in to the aggregation server 20, and that the client PCs 301 of each store cannot log in.

[0020] 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a client PC 301 in this embodiment. The client PC 301 includes a processor 51, a main memory 52, an auxiliary storage device 53, a clock 54, a communication interface 55, a touch panel 56, a keyboard 57, a printer 58, and a system transmission path 59. The system transmission path 59 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like. The system transmission path 59 connects the processor 51 to each of the other components directly or via a signal input / output circuit, and transmits data signals exchanged between them.

[0021] Note that the client PC 401 in the headquarters 40 has the same configuration as the client PC 301, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0022] The client PC 301 constitutes a computer by connecting a processor 51, a main memory 52, an auxiliary storage device 53, a clock 54, and a communication interface 55 via a system transmission path 59. The client PC 301 connects devices such as a touch panel 56, a keyboard 57, and a printer 58 to the computer via the system transmission path 59. Note that as a display device, a configuration may be adopted in which a display is provided in place of the touch panel 56 or in addition to the touch panel 56.

[0023] The processor 51 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 51 controls each part to realize various functions of the client PC 301 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 51 is preferably a multi-core or multi-thread type capable of executing multiple processes in parallel. The processor 51 is, for example, a CPU.

[0024] The main memory 52 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 52 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 52 stores an operating system or an application program in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 52 may store data required for the processor 51 to execute processes for controlling each part in the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 52 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 51. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM.

[0025] The auxiliary storage device 53 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM, a HDD, or an SSD can be the auxiliary storage device 53. The auxiliary storage device 53 stores data used by the processor 51 when performing various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 51, etc. The auxiliary storage device 53 may also store the above-mentioned application programs.

[0026] The application programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 53 include a login control program 531, a browser program, and the like. The login control program 531 is a program that realizes a login control function for facilitating access from the client PC 301 to an operating server in a client-server system in which a plurality of operating servers are provided. The login control program 531 has a function as a login control tool that displays a list (store list) of stores to be logged in (targets for processing various data related to POS). The browser program is a program used to display (view) a screen showing the processing contents executed by the login control program 531. The auxiliary storage device 53 also stores associated files 532 that are used in conjunction with the execution of the login control program 531.

[0027] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the associated files 532 in this embodiment. The associated files 532 include, for example, a start-up file 61, a store list file 62, and a server IP (internet protocol) list file 63.

[0028] In the start-up file 61, a browser program to be used (started) in conjunction with the execution of the login control program 531 is set, and data such as an error message to be displayed when an error occurs is also set.

[0029] The store list file 62 (location list) contains information about stores (locations) where client PCs 301, 401 (information processing devices) that access the operating server 10 are located. The store list file 62 contains information about all stores managed by all operating servers 10. Therefore, the store list file 62 is updated when a store is abolished or added, or when the operating server (location server) that manages a store is changed.

[0030] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information (item names) set in the store list file 62 in this embodiment. The store list file 62 shown in Fig. 5 includes, for each of a plurality of stores, for example, a store number 621, a store name 622, a number of used octets 623, an IP address 624, and an arrangement server number 625. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of information set in the store list file 62 in this embodiment.

[0031] The store number 621 and the store name 622 are unique location information determined for each store. For example, the information in the first line shown in Fig. 6 indicates that the store number 621 is "3130" and the store name 622 is "Store 3130".

[0032] The number of used octets 623 is range information indicating the usage range of the IP address 624 assigned to each store (location). In other words, the number of used octets 623 indicates the range to be compared between the store's IP address and the client PC's IP address when determining whether the client PC's location exists in the store list file 62 when there is an access request to the operating server.

[0033] The IP address 624 is an IP address assigned to each store (location). For example, the information in the first row shown in Fig. 6 indicates that the IP address 624 "100.4.1.0" is assigned to the store with the store number 621 "3130" and the store name 622 "Store 3130".

[0034] 6, for example, the number of used octets 623 is "3," so "100.4.1" out of the IP address 624 "100.4.1.0" is compared with the IP address of the client PC. If the IP address of the client PC matches the IP address of a store in the range indicated by the number of used octets 623, this indicates that the client PC is installed in the store to which the matching IP address has been assigned. If the IP addresses do not match, this indicates that the client PC is not installed in a store, that is, that the client PC is client PC 401 installed in headquarters 40.

[0035] By making it possible to set the number of used octets 623 in the store list file 62, it can be made to correspond to the number of client PCs installed in the store that can log in to the operating server 10. For example, if the number of used octets 623 is set to "4", one client PC can be specified, and if the number of used octets 623 is set to "2", a greater number of client PCs can be allowed to log in to the operating server 10 than if the number of used octets 623 is set to "3".

[0036] The allocated server number 625 is information indicating an operating server corresponding to a store (location location). That is, it indicates the operating server that manages the store, and is "1" in the information on the first line shown in Fig. 6. The allocated server number 625 corresponds to the allocated server number 631 (shown in Figs. 7 and 8) set for each operating server in the server IP list file 63.

[0037] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of information (item names) set in the server IP list file 63 in this embodiment. The server IP list file 63 shown in Fig. 7 includes, for each of a plurality of operating servers, for example, an arranged server number 631 and an IP address 632. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of information set in the server IP list file 63 in this embodiment.

[0038] The allocated server number 631 is unique information determined for each operating server. The allocated server number 631 corresponds to the allocated server number 625 (shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6) set for each store in the store list file 62.

[0039] The IP address 632 is an IP address assigned to the active server 10 and the aggregation server 20 .

[0040] For example, the information on the first line shown in FIG. 8 indicates that the allocated server number 631 corresponding to the active server 101 is set to "1" and the IP address 632 is set to "172.29.69.138."

[0041] The processor 51 executes the login control program 531 to realize a function for controlling login to an operating server by using the associated file 532. The functions realized by the processor 51 include a determination function for determining whether the IP address (location) of the own device (client PC) exists in the store list file 62 (location list) when there is an access request to the operating server, a first access function for identifying and accessing an operating server corresponding to the location (store) of the own device (client PC) from the server IP list file 63 when it is determined that the IP address (location) of the own device (client PC) exists in the store list file 62, and a second access function for accessing an operating server selected from a plurality of operating servers whose IP addresses are set in the server IP list file 63 when it is determined that the location of the own device (client PC) does not exist in the store list file 62.

[0042] The second access function uses a login control tool to display a list of locations (store list) based on the store list file 62, and identifies and accesses an operating server (that manages the store) corresponding to a location (store) selected from the location list.

[0043] The clock 54 keeps track of the date and time. The processor 51 processes the date and time kept by the clock 54 as the current date and time.

[0044] The communication interface 55 performs data communication with other devices connected via the network 5 .

[0045] Touch panel 56 is a display device capable of displaying display elements consisting of characters, symbols, images (including buttons) and the like on a display. Touch panel 56 is also an input device that detects a touch operation position on the display with a sensor and processes the display element at that position as if it had been input. Touch panel 56 displays information to the operator of client PC 301 and accepts operation input by the operator.

[0046] The keyboard 57 is an input device operated by an operator, etc. The printer 58 is an output device that prints various data stored in the client PC 301.

[0047] For example, an existing personal computer can be used as the hardware of such a client PC 301. The devices connected to the client PC 301 are not limited to the touch panel 56, keyboard 57, and printer 58 shown in Fig. 4. Devices required for the purpose of the client PC 301 may be added, or some devices may be omitted.

[0048] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the client PCs 301 and 401 in this embodiment based on the login control program 531. Fig. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the login control process by the login control program 531 in this embodiment.

[0049] The client PC 301 installed at each store and the client PC 401 installed at the headquarters 40 store the same login control program 531 and related files 532. That is, without preparing login control programs 531 and related files 532 for each store and headquarters, login control is executed according to the access authority given to the store (store authority) and the access authority given to the headquarters (headquarters authority).

[0050] As a result, in a system having multiple operating servers, there is no need to create separate login control programs 531 and related files 532 for the store and headquarters to control access to the operating servers, making it easier to access the operating servers.

[0051] First, an example of the operation of the client PC 301 installed in the store A will be described.

[0052] When the processor 51 of the client PC 301 is instructed to execute the login control program 531, the processor 51 first executes a process of checking the existence of the associated file 532 (Act 1). The processor 51 checks whether all the setting files included in the associated file 532, that is, the start-up file 61, the store list file 62, and the server IP list file 63, exist in the auxiliary storage device 53.

[0053] Here, if all the setting files do not exist (Act 2, No), the processor 51 obtains error message data from the start-up file 61 and displays it on the touch panel 56 (Act 4).

[0054] 10 is a diagram showing an example of an error message displayed in this embodiment. Note that the error message may be an error message notifying the type of file that is determined to not exist in the process of checking the existence of related file 532.

[0055] On the other hand, when it is determined in the process of checking the existence of the related files 532 that all the setting files exist (Act 2, Yes), the processor 51 displays an icon (POS icon) for accepting an access request to the operating server as a login control screen through the browser program set in the startup file 61 (Act 3).

[0056] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a POS icon in this embodiment. On the login control screen, only one icon for connecting to an operating server, as shown in FIG.

[0057] In the login control program 531 of this embodiment, even if a system that manages multiple stores using multiple operating servers is targeted, there is no need to create multiple login icons for each operating server corresponding to the target store. Therefore, the administrator using the client PC 301 does not need to know which operating server the target store is running on. In addition, there is no need to identify and select an icon corresponding to the desired operating server from among the login icons prepared for each of the multiple operating servers. This reduces the burden on the administrator and makes it easier to access the operating servers.

[0058] When an operation (click operation or touch operation) to select a POS icon displayed on the touch panel 56 is performed (Act 5), that is, when an access request is made to the operating server, the processor 51 refers to the store list file 62 and compares the IP address of each store with the IP address assigned to the client PC (Act 6). That is, the processor 51 determines whether the IP address assigned to the client PC matches the IP address assigned to each store set in the store list file 62 within the range indicated by the number of used octets 623.

[0059] For example, if the IP address assigned to client PC 301 of store A is "100.4.1.100", the range "100.4.1" indicated by the number of used octets 623 "3" of the IP address "100.4.1.100" of the store number 621 "3130" and store name 622 "Store 3130" set in the store list file 62 shown in Figure 6 matches.

[0060] When it is determined that the IP address assigned to the client PC 301 is included in the IP addresses set in the store list file 62 (Act 7, Yes), the processor 51 determines that the client PC 301 is located in store A. In this case, the client PC 301 in store A is given access authority (store authority) to various data related to the POS of the store.

[0061] Based on the information in the store list file 62 that is determined to match the IP address of the client PC, the processor 51 identifies and accesses the operating server corresponding to the store where the client PC is located from the server IP list file 63 (Act 8).

[0062] For example, as described above, if it is determined that the IP address assigned to the client PC 301 of store A matches the IP address of store number 621 "3130" set in the store list file 62 shown in Fig. 6, the server number 631 in the server IP list file 63 is searched for based on the server number 625 "1" of the store number 621 "3130" set in the store list file 62. In this case, the server number 631 "1" corresponding to the operating server 101 is searched for in the information on the first line of the server IP list file 63 shown in Fig. 8.

[0063] If the same placement server number is found in the placement server number 631 (Act 9, Yes), the processor 51 obtains the IP address 632 corresponding to the placement server number 631 that matches the placement server number in the store list file 62, i.e., the IP address of the operating server 10, and accesses the corresponding operating server 10 to display the login screen (Act 10).

[0064] For example, the IP address 632 "172.29.69.138" corresponding to the allocated server number 631 "1" in the server IP list file 63 is obtained, and the operating server 101 that manages the store A is accessed.

[0065] After displaying the login screen, the processor 51 of the client PC 301 ends the processing by the login control program 531.

[0066] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a login screen in this embodiment. The login screen is provided with items for inputting information necessary for logging in to the operating server 10, such as a "user ID" and a "password." By inputting previously registered data into the "user ID" and "password" and selecting the "OK" button, the user can be authenticated by the operating server 10 and can log in.

[0067] In this way, on the client PC 301 of store A, the manager of store A can log in to the operating server 101 for which the store has access authority (store authority) simply by selecting the POS icon. Therefore, even in a system in which multiple operating servers are provided, it is not necessary to know which operating server is permitted to be accessed or which operating server manages store A, making it easy to access the operating servers.

[0068] Next, an example of the operation of the client PC 401 installed in the headquarters 40 will be described.

[0069] The client PC 401 executes the same processes as the client PC 301 described above for Acts 1 to 6 shown in FIG. 9, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0070] In the case of the client PC 401 located at the headquarters 40, since the client PC 401 is not located at a store, it is determined that the IP address of the client PC 401 does not exist in the store list file 62 (Act 7, No). In this case, the client PC 401 at the headquarters 40 is given access authority (headquarters authority) to various data related to the POS of all stores.

[0071] In this case, the processor 51 starts up the login control tool and displays a list of stores to be logged in (stores to be processed for various data related to POS) on the touch panel 56 based on the store list file 62 (Act 11).

[0072] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a store list display in this embodiment. The store list shown in Fig. 13 includes a list area 71 that displays the store number and store name of each store set in the store list file 62 in an individually selectable list, a "connect" button 72 for instructing access execution, and a "cancel" button 73 for instructing the end of processing.

[0073] In the list area 71, the contents of the store list can be scrolled by operating the scroll bar or up and down buttons, thereby changing the range of stores to be displayed among those set in the store list file 62.

[0074] Here, if the “Cancel” button 73 is operated (clicked or touched) (Act 12, Yes), the processor 51 ends the processing by the login control program 531.

[0075] On the other hand, when an operation is performed to select a store in the list area 71 (the selected store is highlighted) and an operation (click or touch) is performed on the "Connect" button 72 (Act 12, No), the processor 51 identifies the operating server corresponding to the store selected in the list area 71 from the server IP list file 63 based on the information in the store list file 62, and accesses it (Act 13).

[0076] For example, when a store with store number "3160" and store name "Store 3160" is selected in the list area 71, the processor 51 searches for the allocated server number 631 in the server IP list file 63 based on the allocated server number 625 "2" of the store number 621 "3160" and store name 622 "Store 3160" set in the store list file 62 shown in Fig. 6. In this case, the allocated server number 631 "2" corresponding to the operating server 103 is searched for from the information on the third line of the server IP list file 63 shown in Fig. 8.

[0077] If the same placement server number is found in the placement server number 631 (Act 9, Yes), the processor 51 obtains the IP address 632 corresponding to the placement server number 631 that matches the placement server number in the store list file 62, i.e., the IP address of the operating server 10, and accesses the corresponding operating server 10 to display the login screen (Act 10).

[0078] For example, the IP address 632 “172.29.69.139” corresponding to the allocated server number 631 “2” in the server IP list file 63 is obtained, and the active server 102 is accessed.

[0079] Thereafter, in the same manner as described above, the processor 51 of the client PC 401 displays the login screen, and then ends the processing by the login control program 531.

[0080] In this way, on the client PC 401 of the headquarters 40, the administrator of the headquarters 40 can log in to multiple operating servers 101 with the access authority (headquarters authority) given to the headquarters 40 simply by selecting the POS icon. With the headquarters authority, simply selecting the store to be processed from the list of stores (list area 71) displayed by the login control tool displays the login screen of the operating server 10 that manages that store. Therefore, even in a system in which multiple operating servers are provided, it is not necessary to know which operating server manages each store, making it easy to access the operating servers.

[0081] In addition, even if a store is abolished or added, or an operating server (distribution server) that manages the store is changed in the POS system, the login control program 531 in this embodiment can handle such changes without modifying the program itself by updating the related file 532. In other words, in response to a change in the configuration of the POS system, the information set in the store list file 62 and the server IP list file 63 is modified and distributed to the client PCs located in the stores and the headquarters 40.

[0082] As a method of distribution, the administrator of the client PC may save the corrected related file 532 in the client PC, or a file update function may be provided in the login control program 531 so that the file is automatically updated.

[0083] In the case of automatic updating, for example, a file update function is used to inquire about file updates to headquarters 40, and if there are new modified related files 532, they are downloaded and stored in a specified storage location in the auxiliary storage device 53 (for example, in the same folder as the login control program 531).

[0084] The above-mentioned client server system shows an example of a configuration for managing a POS system, but it is also possible to target other systems including multiple servers other than a POS system.

[0085] Although some 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 novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

[0086] Furthermore, the processes described in the above-mentioned embodiments can be written as a program that can be executed by a computer onto a recording medium such as a magnetic disk (flexible disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), or a semiconductor memory, and provided to various devices. Also, it is possible to transmit the programs via a communication medium and provide them to various devices. The computer reads the program recorded on the recording medium, or receives the program via the communication medium, and executes the above-mentioned processes by having its operation controlled by the program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 5...network, 10,11,1M...operating server, 20...aggregation server, 30,31,3N...store, 40...headquarters, 301,401...client PC, 302...POS system, 402...headquarters POS system, 51...processor, 52...main memory, 53...auxiliary storage device, 54...clock, 55...communication interface, 56...touch panel, 57...keyboard, 58...printer, 59...system transmission path.

Claims

1. a storage means for storing a server IP list file in which IP (internet protocol) addresses of a plurality of servers are set, and a location list in which information on locations in which information processing devices that access the servers are set is set; a determination means for determining whether or not the location of the device itself is present in the location list when an access request is made to the server; a first access means for identifying and accessing a server corresponding to the location of the own device from the server IP list file when it is determined that the location of the own device is included in the location list; and a second access means for accessing a server selected from a plurality of servers whose IP addresses are set in the server IP list file when it is determined that the location of the information processing device itself does not exist in the location list.

2. The second access means is 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a display unit that displays a list of installation locations based on said installation location list; and a server corresponding to a installation location selected from said installation location list is identified and accessed.

3. In the installation location list, for each installation location, location information, an IP address assigned to each installation location, and server information indicating a server corresponding to the installation location are set, 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the server information and an IP address of each server are set in the server IP list file for each server.

4. the installation location list includes range information indicating a usage range of an IP address assigned to each installation location, 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said determining means determines whether the location of said own device is present in said location list by comparing an IP address of a location in the range indicated by said range information with an IP address of said own device.

5. Computer, a storage means for storing a server IP list file in which IP addresses of a plurality of servers are set, and a location list in which information on locations in which information processing devices that access the servers are set is set; a determination means for determining whether or not the location of the device itself is present in the location list when an access request is made to the server; a first access means for identifying and accessing a server corresponding to the location of the own device from the server IP list file when it is determined that the location of the own device is included in the location list; A program for functioning as a second access means for accessing a server selected from a plurality of servers whose IP addresses are set in the server IP list file when it is determined that the location of the own device is not present in the location list.

Images