Information processing system and program

Abstract

To increase the likelihood that data is to be transmitted correctly to a destination, compared to a configuration in which a network interface selected by a user is registered as a network interface to be used in transmitting data to the destination.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes one or more processors. The one or more processors receive a registration request for a data destination using one of a plurality of network interfaces and performs a registration process to register a network interface among the plurality of network interfaces that have been used to receive the registration request for a specific destination as the network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes an information processing device that includes a plurality of network interfaces used for communication with an external device, an acquisition unit that acquires a communication request for the external device based on a user's input operation, and a selection unit that selects a network interface to be used for communication with the external device from among the plurality of network interfaces based on associated information related to the user who made the acquired communication request. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-36059 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In some cases, the network interface used to transmit data to the destination is registered in advance. In such cases, for example, a configuration in which the network interface selected by the user is registered is considered. However, if such a configuration is adopted, there is a possibility that data will not be transmitted accurately to the destination.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to increase the likelihood that data will be sent accurately to the destination, compared to a configuration in which a network interface selected by the user is registered as the network interface to be used for sending data to the destination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is an information processing system comprising one or more processors, the one or more processors receiving a registration request for a data destination using one of a plurality of network interfaces, and performing a registration process to register a network interface among the plurality of network interfaces that was used to receive the registration request for a specific destination as the network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination. The invention described in claim 2 is the information processing system described in claim 1, wherein the one or more processors perform the registration processing when instructed to perform the registration processing, and perform a second registration processing different from the registration processing when instructed to perform the second registration processing. The invention described in claim 3 is an information processing system described in claim 2, wherein the second registration process is a process of registering a network interface selected by a user in a registration request for the specific destination from among the multiple network interfaces as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination. The invention described in claim 4 is an information processing system described in claim 2, wherein the second registration process is a process of registering a predetermined network interface among the multiple network interfaces as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination. The invention described in claim 5 is the information processing system described in claim 1, wherein the one or more processors identify a protocol to be used in transmitting data to the specific destination, and perform the registration process if the protocol is a first protocol, and perform a second registration process different from the registration process if the protocol is a second protocol different from the first protocol. The invention described in claim 6 is an information processing system described in claim 5, wherein the second registration process is a process of registering a network interface selected by a user in a registration request for the specific destination from among the multiple network interfaces as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination. The invention described in claim 7 is an information processing system described in claim 5, wherein the second registration process is a process of registering a predetermined network interface among the multiple network interfaces as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination. The invention described in claim 8 is the information processing system described in claim 1, wherein the one or more processors perform the registration process when instructed to perform the registration process, and perform a third registration process when instructed to perform a third registration process in which a network interface among the multiple network interfaces that was used in another information processing system to send data to the specific destination is registered as a network interface to be used in the own system to send data to the specific destination. The invention described in claim 9 is the information processing system described in claim 1, wherein the one or more processors receive a request to create a group of the destination using one of the multiple network interfaces, and register a network interface among the multiple network interfaces that was used to receive the request to create a specific group in association with the specific group. The invention described in claim 10 is an information processing system described in claim 9, wherein the one or more processors transmit data to the destination included in the specific group using a network interface registered in association with the specific group. The invention described in claim 11 is a program for causing a computer to execute the following functions: receiving a registration request for a data destination using one of a plurality of network interfaces; and performing a registration process to register a network interface among the plurality of network interfaces that was used to receive the registration request for a specific destination as the network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the invention of claim 1, the likelihood that data will be sent accurately to the destination is increased compared to a configuration in which a network interface selected by the user is registered as the network interface to be used for sending data to the destination. According to the invention of claim 2, a network interface other than the network interface used to receive the registration request for the destination can be registered as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to the destination, by instruction. According to the invention of claim 3, a network interface desired by the user can be registered as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to a destination. According to the invention of claim 4, a fixed network interface can also be registered as the network interface used for transmitting data to the destination. According to the invention of claim 5, a network interface other than the network interface used to receive the registration request for the destination can be registered as the network interface used to send data to the destination, depending on the protocol used to send data to the destination. According to the invention of claim 6, a network interface desired by the user can be registered as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to a destination. According to the invention of claim 7, a fixed network interface can also be registered as the network interface used for transmitting data to the destination. According to the invention of claim 8, the network interface used for transmitting data to the destination can be registered in a manner that the network interface used in another information processing system is taken over to the own system. According to the invention of claim 9, when the same network interface is used for transmitting data to destinations in the same group, the effort of individually registering the network interfaces used for transmitting data to destinations in the same group is reduced. According to the invention of claim 10, even if network interfaces used for data transmission to destinations in the same group are not individually registered, the possibility that data will be transmitted correctly to the destination is increased. According to the invention of claim 11, the likelihood that data will be transmitted accurately to the destination is increased compared to a configuration in which a network interface selected by the user is registered as the network interface to be used for transmitting data to the destination. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image processing device according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a destination registration process of the image processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an image processing device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing device in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a destination registration process of the image processing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an image processing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a destination registration process of the image processing system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image processing device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a destination registration process of the image processing system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an image processing device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a specific example of an address book in a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] [Outline of this embodiment] This embodiment provides an information processing system that receives a registration request for a data destination using one of a plurality of network interfaces, and performs a registration process to register the network interface among the plurality of network interfaces that was used to receive the registration request for a specific destination as the network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination.

[0011] Here, the "system" may be composed of a single device or may be composed of multiple devices. In the following, an information processing system composed of a single device will be described as an example, and an image processing device will be described as an example of the single device. Furthermore, the image processing device may have various information such as an address book and a processing instruction definition, in which data destinations are registered. The address book is information including the user names and destinations of multiple users. The processing instruction definition is information that defines the processing procedure, processing parameters, transmission parameters, etc., of a process that is repeatedly executed. The following description will be given taking an address book as an example of a target in which data destinations are registered.

[0012] [Overall configuration of image processing system] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image processing system 1 is configured by connecting an image processing device 10 and terminal devices 30a and 30b via a communication line 80. Although the figure shows the terminal devices 30a and 30b, they may be referred to as the terminal device 30 when there is no need to distinguish between them.

[0013] The image processing device 10 is a device that performs image processing such as forming an image on a recording medium such as paper, reading an image from a recording medium such as paper, transmitting an image to a public line, and receiving an image from a public line. The image processing device 10 is a printer from the viewpoint of only forming an image, a copy machine from the viewpoint of reading an image and forming an image, and a facsimile from the viewpoint of reading an image and transmitting an image or receiving an image and forming an image. The image processing device 10 also has an address book, and is capable of transmitting data acquired or held by the device itself to a destination registered in the address book. Although only one image processing device 10 is shown in the figure, there may be multiple image processing devices.

[0014] The terminal device 30 is a computer used by a user. The terminal device 30 can instruct the image processing device 10 to perform image processing such as forming an image on a recording medium such as paper, reading an image from a recording medium such as paper, transmitting an image to a public line, and receiving an image from a public line. The terminal device 30 can also connect to the image processing device 10 using, for example, a web browser, and change a destination already registered in the address book of the image processing device 10, delete a destination already registered, or register a new destination. The terminal device 30 can be, for example, a desktop PC, a notebook PC, a mobile information terminal, or the like. Although two terminal devices 30 are shown in the figure, three or more terminal devices may be present.

[0015] The communication line 80 is a line used for information communication between the image processing device 10 and the terminal device 30. As the communication line 80, for example, the Internet may be used.

[0016] [Hardware configuration of image processing device] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the image processing device 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image processing device 10 includes a processor 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 14, an operation panel 15, an image reading unit 16, an image forming unit 17, and a communication I / F 18.

[0017] The processor 11 loads various programs stored in the ROM 13 or the like into the RAM 12 and executes them to realize various functions, which will be described later. The RAM 12 is a memory used as a working memory for the processor 11, etc. The ROM 13 is a memory that stores various programs executed by the processor 11. The HDD 14 is, for example, a magnetic disk device that stores image data read by the image reading unit 16, image data used in image formation by the image forming unit 17, and the like. The operation panel 15 is, for example, a touch panel that displays various information and accepts operation input from the user. Here, the operation panel 15 is composed of a display on which various information is displayed and a position detection sheet that detects a position indicated by an indication means such as a finger or a stylus pen. Alternatively, a display and a keyboard may be used instead of the touch panel.

[0018] The image reading unit 16 reads an image recorded on a recording medium such as paper. Here, the image reading unit 16 is, for example, a scanner, and may be of a CCD type that reduces the reflected light of light irradiated from a light source onto a document using a lens and receives the light with a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices), or a CIS type that receives the reflected light of light irradiated from an LED light source onto a document in sequence using a CIS (Contact Image Sensor). The image forming unit 17 forms an image on a recording medium such as paper. Here, the image forming unit 17 is, for example, a printer, and it is preferable to use an electrophotographic system in which toner attached to a photoreceptor is transferred to a recording medium to form an image, or an inkjet system in which ink is ejected onto a recording medium to form an image. The communication I / F 18 transmits and receives various types of information to and from other devices, such as the terminal device 30, via a communication line 80.

[0019] [Issues in image processing devices] For example, in public facilities, shared offices, etc., multiple networks may be physically separated and operated according to the purpose of each network and the affiliation of the users. In such an environment, when using an image processing device 10 having multiple network interfaces corresponding to multiple networks, for example, when transmitting read data read by the image reading unit 16, it is necessary to determine which network interface to use. In other words, when transmitting data by email, SMB (Server Message Block), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), etc., in an image processing device 10 having multiple network interfaces, it is necessary to take the time to select a network interface to use from among them.

[0020] In order to eliminate such trouble, a configuration may be considered in which a network interface to be used is associated with an authenticated user who uses the image processing device 10. However, for a user who can use multiple network interfaces or an unauthenticated user, it is still troublesome to select a network interface to be used.

[0021] On the other hand, when it is not possible to link a network interface to an authenticated user or when operating in unauthenticated mode (without authentication), it is possible to eliminate the need to select a network interface when sending data by linking the network interface to be used to a destination in an address book that stores the destination of the read data. However, although this configuration can eliminate the need to select a network interface when sending, it requires the registrant to select the network interface to be used when registering the network interface as a destination. In addition, because the registrant selects the network interface, the registrant may make a mistake in the selection.

[0022] Here, when a destination is registered via a network, the image processing device 10 can distinguish the accessed network interface. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the image processing device 10 identifies the accessed network interface and registers the identified network interface when registering a destination, the image processing device 10 saves the trouble of selecting the network interface described above. Furthermore, by registering the network interface identified by the image processing device 10, the selection of the wrong network interface is reduced, and the occurrence of a situation in which data is not sent correctly to the destination is suppressed.

[0023] [First embodiment] (overview) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a destination registration process of the image processing system 1 in the first embodiment.

[0024] The image processing system 1 in the first embodiment includes an image processing device 10 having a plurality of network interfaces, and a plurality of networks 300 each connected to the image processing device 10 via the plurality of network interfaces. The plurality of networks 300 are independent of each other, and each terminal device 30 is connected to any one of the plurality of independent networks 300. In the illustrated example, the image processing device 10 has a plurality of network interface cards (NICs) 101, with a network 300a connected to a NIC 101a (NIC-A) and a network 300b (not shown) connected to a NIC 101b (NIC-B). The networks 300a and 300b (not shown) are independent of each other.

[0025] Incidentally, in the image processing system 1 according to the first embodiment, the terminal device 30 remotely registers the destination 31 in the address book 106 of the image processing device 10 via the network. At this time, the discrimination unit 102 in the image processing device 10 can identify the accessed NIC 101, and so associates the identified NIC 101 with the destination 31 and registers it. In the illustrated example, a user accesses the image processing device 10 from a terminal device 30a in a network 300a (network A) and registers a destination 31a to which data read by the image reading unit 16 (see FIG. 2) and the like is to be transmitted in the address book 106. At that time, the discrimination unit 102 in the image processing device 10 discriminates that the NIC-A has been accessed, and registers in the network interface description 108 corresponding to the destination description 107 in the address book 106 that the NIC-A is to be used.

[0026] (Functional configuration of image processing device) 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the image processing device 10 in the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image processing device 10 in the first embodiment includes a receiving unit 111, a NIC determining unit 112, a transmitting unit 116, an address book storage unit 118, and a destination information registration unit 119.

[0027] The receiving unit 111 receives from the terminal device 30 a destination registration request for requesting registration of a destination in the address book stored in the address book storage unit 118. At that time, the terminal device 30 transmits the destination registration request to the image processing device 10 by accessing, among a plurality of NICs possessed by the image processing device 10, a NIC to which a network including the terminal device 30 is connected. Therefore, the receiving unit 111 receives the destination registration request using the accessed NIC. In this embodiment, the processing of the receiving unit 111 is performed as an example of receiving a registration request for a data transmission destination using one of a plurality of network interfaces.

[0028] The NIC determining unit 112 determines the NIC that is accessed when the receiving unit 111 receives a destination registration request. The NIC determining unit 112 may perform such determination using existing technology.

[0029] When the transmission unit 116 has completed the registration of the destination in the address book stored in the address book storage unit 118, the transmission unit 116 transmits a message to that effect to the terminal device 30 that transmitted the destination registration request.

[0030] The address book storage unit 118 stores an address book including user names, destinations, and NIC information.

[0031] The destination information registration unit 119 generates destination information by setting, for a destination included in a destination registration request received by the receiving unit 111, information on a NIC to be used when transmitting data to that destination, and registers this destination information in the address book stored in the address book storage unit 118. Specifically, the destination information registration unit 119 sets, for a destination, information on a NIC determined by the NIC determination unit 112 as information on a NIC to be used when transmitting data to that destination, and registers the destination information. In this embodiment, the process of the destination information registration unit 119 is performed as an example of a (first) registration process in which a network interface used in receiving a registration request for a specific destination, among a plurality of network interfaces, is registered as a network interface to be used in transmitting data to the specific destination.

[0032] (Operation of image processing device) FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing device 10 in the first embodiment.

[0033] In the image processing device 10, first, the receiving unit 111 receives from the terminal device 30 a destination registration request for requesting registration of a destination in the address book stored in the address book storage unit 118 (step 221). Then, NIC determining unit 112 determines the NIC that was accessed when the destination registration request was received in step 221 (step 222).

[0034] As a result, the destination information registration unit 119 generates destination information by setting the information of the NIC determined in step 222 to the destination included in the destination registration request received in step 221 (step 223). Thereafter, destination information registration unit 119 registers the destination information generated in step 223 in the address book stored in address book storage unit 118 (step 224).

[0035] [Second embodiment] (overview) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a destination registration process of the image processing system 1 in the second embodiment.

[0036] When an administrator of the image processing device 10 or a user who can use multiple network interfaces of the image processing device 10 remotely registers a destination 31 using a terminal device 30, the user may want to select one of the networks. Therefore, in the image processing system 1 according to the second embodiment, the image processing device 10 sets one of "automatic registration", "user selection" and "fixed to specific network" as the network registration rule 103. If the registration rule 103 is "automatic registration", the image processing device 10 executes the destination registration process according to the first embodiment. If the registration rule 103 is "user selection", the image processing device 10 registers the NIC 101 selected by the user on the terminal device 30. At that time, the image processing device 10 may display information on the NIC 101 accessed when registering the destination 31 on the terminal device 30 as a default value, thereby saving the user the trouble of registration. If the registration rule 103 is "fixed to specific network", the image processing device 10 forcibly registers the NIC 101 connected to the specific network.

[0037] (Functional configuration of image processing device) 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the image processing device 10 in the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image processing device 10 in the second embodiment includes a receiving unit 121, a NIC determining unit 122, a registration rule storage unit 123, a transmitting unit 126, a NIC information storage unit 127, an address book storage unit 128, and a destination information registration unit 129.

[0038] The receiving unit 121 has the same function as the receiving unit 111 in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the receiving unit 121 performs processing as an example of receiving a registration request for a data transmission destination using one of a plurality of network interfaces. In addition, the receiving unit 121 receives information about a NIC selected by the user on a NIC selection screen displayed on the terminal device 30. Here, the NIC selection screen is a screen for the user to select a NIC that he / she wishes to register from among multiple NICs possessed by the image processing device 10.

[0039] The NIC determining unit 122 has the same function as the NIC determining unit 112 in the first embodiment.

[0040] The registration rule storage unit 123 stores registration rules used when registering destination information including destination and NIC information in the address book stored in the address book storage unit 128. As described above, the registration rules include "automatic registration", "user selection", and "fixed to specific network".

[0041] The transmitting unit 126 has the same function as the transmitting unit 116 in the first embodiment. In addition, when the registration rule stored in the registration rule storage unit 123 is "user selection", the transmission unit 126 transmits a display command for a NIC selection screen to the terminal device 30 that transmitted the destination registration request.

[0042] When the registration rule stored in the registration rule storage unit 123 is "fixed to specific network", the NIC information storage unit 127 stores information on the NIC to be included in the destination information to be registered in the address book stored in the address book storage unit 128. Here, the NIC information is information on the NIC to which the specific network is connected.

[0043] The address book storage unit 128 has the same function as the address book storage unit 118 in the first embodiment.

[0044] The destination information registration unit 129 generates destination information by setting information about the NIC to be used when sending data to a destination included in the destination registration request received by the receiving unit 121, and registers this destination information in the address book stored in the address book memory unit 128.

[0045] For example, it is assumed that the registration rule stored in registration rule storage unit 123 is "automatic registration". In this case, destination information registration unit 129 sets, for a destination, information on the NIC identified by NIC identification unit 122 as information on the NIC to be used when transmitting data to that destination, and registers the destination information. In this embodiment, when an instruction to perform the (first) registration process is given, destination information registration unit 129 performs this process as an example of performing the (first) registration process. Also, assume that the registration rule stored in registration rule storage unit 123 is other than "automatic registration". In this case, destination information registration unit 129 sets, for a destination, information of another NIC as information of the NIC to be used when transmitting data to that destination, and registers the destination information. In this embodiment, when an instruction is given to perform a second registration process different from the (first) registration process, destination information registration unit 129 performs this process as an example of performing the second registration process.

[0046] Here, various registration rules other than "automatic registration" are possible, but in the following, as described above, "user selection" and "fixed to specific network" are considered. First, it is assumed that the registration rule stored in the registration rule storage unit 123 is "user selection". In this case, the destination information registration unit 129 sets, for a destination, information on a NIC selected by the user and received by the receiving unit 121 as information on a NIC to be used when transmitting data to that destination, and registers the destination information. In this embodiment, this process is performed by the destination information registration unit 129 as an example of a second registration process for registering a network interface selected by the user in a registration request for a specific destination from among multiple network interfaces, as a network interface to be used when transmitting data to the specific destination. Also, assume that the registration rule stored in registration rule storage unit 123 is "fixed to specific network". In this case, destination information registration unit 129 sets, for the destination, the information of the NIC stored in NIC information storage unit 127 as the information of the NIC to be used when transmitting data to that destination, and registers the destination information. In this embodiment, this process is performed by destination information registration unit 129 as an example of performing a second registration process of registering a predetermined network interface out of multiple network interfaces as a network interface to be used when transmitting data to a specific destination.

[0047] (Operation of image processing device) FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing device 10 in the second embodiment.

[0048] In the image processing device 10, first, the receiving unit 121 receives from the terminal device 30 a destination registration request for requesting registration of a destination in the address book stored in the address book storage unit 128 (step 241). Then, the NIC determining unit 122 determines the NIC that was accessed when the destination registration request was received in step 241 (step 242).

[0049] Next, the destination information registration unit 129 determines whether the registration rule stored in the registration rule storage unit 123 is "user selection" (step 243). Assume that it is determined in step 243 that the registration rule is "user selection". In this case, the transmitting unit 126 transmits a display command for a NIC selection screen to the terminal device 30 that transmitted the destination registration request (step 244). Then, the receiving unit 121 receives information on the NIC selected by the user on the NIC selection screen displayed on the terminal device 30 (step 245). After that, the destination information registration unit 129 generates destination information by setting the information on the NIC received in step 245 to the destination included in the destination registration request received in step 241 (step 246).

[0050] On the other hand, it is assumed that the registered rule is not determined to be "user selection" in step 243. In this case, the destination information registration unit 129 determines whether the registered rule is "fixed to specific network" (step 247). Assume that the registration rule is determined to be "fixed to specific network" in step 247. In this case, destination information registration unit 129 generates destination information by setting the NIC information stored in NIC information storage unit 127 to the destination included in the destination registration request received in step 241 (step 248).

[0051] On the other hand, if it is determined in step 248 that the registration rule is not "fixed to a specific network", then the destination information registration unit 129 generates destination information by setting the information of the NIC determined in step 242 to the destination included in the destination registration request received in step 241 (step 249). Thereafter, the destination information registration unit 129 registers the destination information generated in step 246, step 248, or step 249 in the address book stored in the address book storage unit 128 (step 250).

[0052] [Third embodiment] (overview) FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a destination registration process of the image processing system 1 in the third embodiment.

[0053] Depending on the protocol used to send data over a network, there may be cases where only a specific network can be used. For example, when sending data by email in an environment where only a specific network out of multiple networks has a mail server, you may want to select a network interface for that specific network. Therefore, in the image processing system 1 according to the third embodiment, the image processing device 10 sets discrimination information 104 for discriminating whether the network registration rule for a protocol is "automatic registration", "user selection", or "fixed to specific network". In the example shown in the figure, the registration rule "fixed to specific network" is selected for the protocol "Email", and the network 300b (network B) connected to NIC-B is selected as the specific network. Also, the registration rule "automatic registration" is selected for the protocol "FTP", and the registration rule "user selection" is selected for the protocol "SMB". In other words, the image processing device 10 sets and manages the registration rules individually for each protocol.

[0054] (Functional configuration of image processing device) 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of image processing device 10 in the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, image processing device 10 includes a receiving unit 131, a NIC discrimination unit 132, a discrimination information storage unit 133, a protocol discrimination unit 134, a registration rule discrimination unit 135, a transmitting unit 136, a NIC information storage unit 137, an address book storage unit 138, and a destination information registration unit 139.

[0055] The receiving unit 131 has the same function as the receiving unit 111 in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the receiving unit 131 performs processing as an example of receiving a registration request for a data transmission destination using one of a plurality of network interfaces. In addition, the receiving unit 131 receives information about a NIC selected by the user on a NIC selection screen displayed on the terminal device 30. Here, the NIC selection screen is a screen for the user to select a NIC that he / she wishes to register from among multiple NICs possessed by the image processing device 10.

[0056] The NIC determining unit 132 has the same function as the NIC determining unit 112 in the first embodiment.

[0057] The discrimination information storage unit 133 stores discrimination information for discriminating a registration rule used when registering destination information including destination and NIC information in the address book stored in the address book storage unit 138. Here, the registration rules include "automatic registration", "user selection", and "fixed to specific network", as described above.

[0058] The protocol discrimination unit 134 discriminates the protocol used when transmitting data to the destination included in the destination registration request received by the receiving unit 131. Here, the protocol may be discriminated based on information specified by the user, or may be discriminated based on the characteristics of a character string representing the destination. In this embodiment, the process of the protocol discrimination unit 134 is performed as an example of specifying the protocol used for transmitting data to a specific destination.

[0059] The registered rule discriminating unit 135 searches the discrimination information stored in the discrimination information storage unit 133 by the protocol discriminated by the protocol discriminating unit 134, thereby discriminating the registered rule.

[0060] The transmitting unit 136 has the same function as the transmitting unit 116 in the first embodiment. In addition, when the registration rule determined by the registration rule determination unit 135 is "user selection", the transmission unit 136 transmits a display command for a NIC selection screen to the terminal device 30 that transmitted the destination registration request.

[0061] The address book storage unit 138 has the same function as the address book storage unit 118 in the first embodiment.

[0062] The destination information registration unit 139 generates destination information by setting information about the NIC to be used when sending data to a destination included in the destination registration request received by the receiving unit 131, and registers this destination information in the address book stored in the address book memory unit 138.

[0063] For example, it is assumed that the registration rule determined by registration rule determination unit 135 is "automatic registration". In this case, destination information registration unit 139 sets, for the destination, the information of the NIC determined by NIC determination unit 132 as the information of the NIC to be used when transmitting data to that destination, and registers the destination information. In this embodiment, this process by destination information registration unit 139 is performed as an example of performing a (first) registration process when the protocol is the first protocol. Also, it is assumed that the registration rule determined by the registration rule determination unit 135 is other than "automatic registration". In this case, the destination information registration unit 139 sets, for the destination, information on another NIC as information on the NIC to be used when transmitting data to that destination, and registers the destination information. In this embodiment, this process is performed by the destination information registration unit 139 as an example of performing a second registration process different from the registration process when the protocol is a second protocol different from the first protocol.

[0064] Here, various registration rules other than "automatic registration" are possible, but in the following, as described above, "user selection" and "fixed to specific network" are considered. First, it is assumed that the registration rule determined by the registration rule determination unit 135 is "user selection". In this case, the destination information registration unit 139 sets, for the destination, the information of the NIC selected by the user and received by the receiving unit 131 as the information of the NIC to be used when transmitting data to that destination, and registers the destination information. In this embodiment, this process of the destination information registration unit 139 is performed as an example of performing a second registration process of registering a network interface selected by the user in a registration request for a specific destination from among multiple network interfaces, as a network interface to be used when transmitting data to the specific destination. Also, assume that the registration rule determined by the registration rule determination unit 135 is "fixed to specific network". In this case, the destination information registration unit 139 sets, for the destination, the information of the NIC stored in the NIC information storage unit 137 as the information of the NIC to be used when transmitting data to that destination, and registers the destination information. In this embodiment, this process of the destination information registration unit 139 is performed as an example of performing a second registration process of registering a predetermined network interface out of multiple network interfaces as a network interface to be used when transmitting data to a specific destination.

[0065] (Operation of image processing device) FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing device 10 in the third embodiment.

[0066] In the image processing device 10, first, the receiving unit 131 receives from the terminal device 30 a destination registration request for requesting registration of a destination in the address book stored in the address book storage unit 138 (step 261). Then, the NIC determining unit 132 determines the NIC that was accessed when the destination registration request was received in step 261 (step 262).

[0067] Next, protocol determination unit 134 determines the protocol to be used when transmitting data to the destination included in the destination registration request received in step 261 (step 263). Thereby, registered rule discriminating section 135 searches the discrimination information stored in discrimination information storage section 133 by the protocol discriminated in step 263, thereby discriminating the registered rule (step 264).

[0068] Next, the destination information registration unit 139 determines whether the registration rule determined in step 264 is "user selection" (step 265). Assume that it is determined in step 265 that the registration rule is "user selection". In this case, the transmitting unit 136 transmits a display command for a NIC selection screen to the terminal device 30 that transmitted the destination registration request (step 266). Then, the receiving unit 131 receives information on the NIC selected by the user on the NIC selection screen displayed on the terminal device 30 (step 267). After that, the destination information registration unit 139 generates destination information by setting the information on the NIC received in step 267 to the destination included in the destination registration request received in step 261 (step 268).

[0069] On the other hand, it is assumed that the registered rule is not determined to be "user selection" in step 265. In this case, the destination information registration unit 139 determines whether the registered rule is "fixed to specific network" (step 269). Assume that it is determined in step 269 that the registration rule is "fixed to specific network." In this case, destination information registration unit 139 generates destination information by setting the NIC information stored in NIC information storage unit 137 to the destination included in the destination registration request received in step 261 (step 270).

[0070] On the other hand, if it is determined in step 269 that the registration rule is not "fixed to specific network", then the destination information registration unit 139 generates destination information by setting the information of the NIC determined in step 262 to the destination included in the destination registration request received in step 261 (step 271). Thereafter, the destination information registration unit 139 registers the destination information generated in step 268, step 270, or step 271 in the address book stored in the address book storage unit 138 (step 272).

[0071] [Fourth embodiment] (overview) FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a destination registration process of the image processing system 1 in the fourth embodiment.

[0072] An administrator of the image processing device 10 may use a terminal device 30 to remotely connect to the image processing device 10 and register destinations 31 by importing files backed up from other image processing devices and registering them all at once. In such a case, in the image processing system 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the image processing device 10 sets one of "maintain", "automatic registration", "user selection" and "fixed to specific network" as a network registration rule (hereinafter referred to as "bulk registration rule") 105 in bulk registration. If the bulk registration rule 105 is "maintain", the image processing device 10 registers the NIC 101 connected to the network set in the backed up file as is. However, if the network is not set in the backed up file, the image processing device 10 executes the destination registration process of the first embodiment. If the bulk registration rule 105 is "automatic registration", the image processing device 10 executes the destination registration process of the first embodiment. That is, the image processing device 10 overwrites the information of the NIC 101 included in the address book 106 with the information of the accessed NIC 101. If the bulk registration rule is "user selection", the user selects which NIC 101 to overwrite with when performing bulk registration on the terminal device 30, and the image processing device 10 registers the NIC 101 selected by the user on the terminal device 30. If the batch registration rule is "fixed to a specific network", the image processing apparatus 10 forcibly registers the NIC 101 connected to the specific network.

[0073] (Functional configuration of image processing device) 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of image processing device 10 in the fourth embodiment. As shown in the figure, image processing device 10 includes a receiving unit 141, a NIC determining unit 142, a batch registration rule storage unit 143, a NIC information acquiring unit 144, a transmitting unit 146, a NIC information storage unit 147, an address book storage unit 148, and a destination information registration unit 149.

[0074] The receiving unit 141 receives a bulk destination registration request from the terminal device 30, which requests bulk registration of destinations in the address book stored in the address book storage unit 148 by importing a file backed up from another image processing device. At that time, the terminal device 30 transmits the bulk destination registration request to the image processing device 10 by accessing, among a plurality of NICs possessed by the image processing device 10, a NIC to which a network including the terminal device 30 is connected. Therefore, the receiving unit 141 receives the bulk destination registration request using the accessed NIC. In this embodiment, the processing of the receiving unit 141 is performed as an example of receiving a registration request for data transmission destinations using one of a plurality of network interfaces. In addition, the receiving unit 141 receives information about a NIC selected by the user on a NIC selection screen displayed on the terminal device 30. Here, the NIC selection screen is a screen for the user to select a NIC that he / she wishes to register from among multiple NICs possessed by the image processing device 10.

[0075] The NIC determining unit 142 has the same function as the NIC determining unit 112 in the first embodiment.

[0076] The bulk registration rule storage unit 143 stores bulk registration rules used when bulk registering destination information including destination and NIC information in the address book stored in the address book storage unit 148 by importing a file backed up from another image processing device. Here, the bulk registration rules include "maintain", "automatic registration", "user selection", and "fixed to specific network", as described above.

[0077] When the batch registration rule stored in the batch registration rule storage unit 143 is "maintained", if an NIC is set in a file backed up from another image processing device, the NIC information acquisition unit 144 acquires information about this NIC.

[0078] When the transmission unit 146 has completed the bulk registration of destinations to the address book stored in the address book storage unit 148, the transmission unit 146 transmits a notification to that effect to the terminal device 30 that transmitted the bulk destination registration request. In addition, when the registration rule stored in the bulk registration rule memory unit 143 is “user selection”, the transmission unit 146 transmits a command to display a NIC selection screen to the terminal device 30 that transmitted the destination bulk registration request.

[0079] The address book storage unit 148 has the same function as the address book storage unit 118 in the first embodiment.

[0080] The destination information registration unit 149 generates destination information by setting, for each destination included in the destination bulk registration request received by the receiving unit 141, information on the NIC to be used when sending data to each destination, and registers this destination information in the address book stored in the address book memory unit 148.

[0081] For example, it is assumed that the collective registration rule stored in the collective registration rule storage unit 143 is "maintain". In this case, the destination information registration unit 149 sets, for each destination, the information of the NIC acquired by the NIC information acquisition unit 144 as the information of the NIC to be used when transmitting data to each destination, and registers the destination information. In this embodiment, when an instruction is given to perform a third registration process for registering a network interface, among a plurality of network interfaces, that has been used in transmitting data to a specific destination in another information processing system as a network interface to be used in transmitting data to a specific destination in the own system, this process of the destination information registration unit 149 is performed as an example of performing the third registration process. Also, it is assumed that the registration rule stored in the batch registration rule storage unit 143 is "automatic registration". In this case, the destination information registration unit 149 sets, for each destination, the information of the NIC identified by the NIC identification unit 142 as the information of the NIC to be used when transmitting data to each destination, and registers the destination information. In this embodiment, when an instruction to perform the (first) registration process is given, the destination information registration unit 149 performs this process as an example of performing the (first) registration process. Furthermore, it is assumed that the registration rule stored in the batch registration rule storage unit 143 is other than "automatic registration". In this case, the destination information registration unit 149 sets, for each destination, information of another NIC as information of the NIC to be used when transmitting data to each destination, and registers the destination information.

[0082] Here, various registration rules other than "automatic registration" are possible, but in the following, as described above, "user selection" and "fixed to specific network" are considered. First, it is assumed that the registration rule stored in the collective registration rule storage unit 143 is "user selection". In this case, the destination information registration unit 149 sets, for each destination, the information of the NIC selected by the user and received by the receiving unit 141 as the information of the NIC to be used when transmitting data to each destination, and registers the destination information. Also, assume that the registration rule stored in the collective registration rule storage unit 143 is "fixed to specific network." In this case, the destination information registration unit 149 sets, for each destination, the information of the NIC stored in the NIC information storage unit 147 as the information of the NIC to be used when transmitting data to each destination, and registers the destination information.

[0083] (Operation of image processing device) FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing device 10 in the fourth embodiment.

[0084] In the image processing device 10, the receiving unit 141 first receives from the terminal device 30 a request for bulk destination registration, which requests bulk registration of destinations in the address book stored in the address book storage unit 148 (step 281). Such bulk destination registration may be performed, for example, by importing a file backed up from another image processing device. Then, the NIC determining unit 142 determines the NIC that was accessed when the destination bulk registration request was received in step 281 (step 282).

[0085] Next, destination information registration unit 149 determines whether the collective registration rule stored in collective registration rule storage unit 143 is "maintained" (step 283). Assume that it is determined in step 283 that the batch registration rule is "maintained." In this case, the NIC information acquisition unit 144 acquires NIC information set in the file backed up from another image processing device (step 284). Note that it is possible that NIC information is not set in the backed up file, but it is assumed here that NIC information is set. Thereafter, the destination information registration unit 149 generates destination information by setting the NIC information acquired in step 284 to each destination included in the destination batch registration request received in step 281 (step 285).

[0086] On the other hand, if it is determined in step 283 that the bulk registration rule is not "maintained", then destination information registration unit 149 determines whether the bulk registration rule stored in bulk registration rule storage unit 143 is "user selected" (step 286). Assume that it is determined in step 286 that the bulk registration rule is "user selection". In this case, the transmitting unit 146 transmits a display command for a NIC selection screen to the terminal device 30 that transmitted the destination bulk registration request (step 287). Then, the receiving unit 141 receives information on the NIC selected by the user on the NIC selection screen displayed on the terminal device 30 (step 288). Thereafter, the destination information registration unit 149 generates destination information by setting the information on the NIC received in step 288 to each destination included in the destination bulk registration request received in step 281 (step 289).

[0087] On the other hand, it is assumed that the bulk registration rule is not determined to be "user selection" in step 286. In this case, the destination information registration unit 149 determines whether the bulk registration rule is "fixed to specific network" (step 290). Assume that the bulk registration rule is determined to be "fixed to specific network" in step 290. In this case, destination information registration unit 149 generates destination information by setting the NIC information stored in NIC information storage unit 147 to each destination included in the destination bulk registration request received in step 281 (step 291).

[0088] On the other hand, suppose that it is determined in step 290 that the bulk registration rule is not "fixed to specific network." In this case, the destination information registration unit 149 generates destination information by setting the information of the NIC determined in step 282 to each destination included in the destination bulk registration request received in step 281 (step 292). Thereafter, the destination information registration unit 149 registers the destination information generated in step 285, step 289, step 291, or step 292 in the address book stored in the address book storage unit 148 (step 293).

[0089] [Variations] In the first to fourth embodiments, a network interface is set for each destination, but this is not limiting. A network interface may be set for a category (group) that groups together multiple destinations. For example, the image processing device 10 may be configured to be able to link a network interface when creating a category in an address book, and when sending data to a destination within that category, the network interface linked to that category may be used.

[0090] 15(a) and (b) are diagrams showing a specific example of an address book in this modified example. In (a), in addition to the protocol and address, a category is set for each destination. In (b), a name and a NIC are set for each category. Here, category "A" is a category that groups together destinations within company A, and category "B" is a category that groups together destinations within company B. It also shows that NIC-A is used to send data to the network within company A, and NIC-B is used to send data to the network within company B.

[0091] When the above configuration is applied to the first embodiment, in the image processing device 10, the receiving unit 111 first receives a category creation request for requesting creation of a category for a destination in the address book stored in the address book storage unit 118. At this time, the receiving unit 111 receives the category creation request using any one of a plurality of NICs included in the image processing device 10. Next, the NIC determining unit 112 determines the NIC accessed when the receiving unit 111 receives the category creation request. Next, the destination information registration unit 119 sets the NIC determined by the NIC determining unit 112 to the category created in response to the category creation request received by the receiving unit 111. Thereafter, the transmitting unit 116 transmits data to a certain destination using the NIC set to the category including the destination. Moreover, the above configuration is also applicable to the second to fourth embodiments.

[0092] In this case, the processing of the receiving units 111, 121, 131, and 141 is an example of receiving a destination group creation request using one of a plurality of network interfaces. The process of the destination information registration units 119, 129, 139, and 149 is an example of registering a network interface, out of a plurality of network interfaces, that has been used to receive a request to create a specific group in association with the specific group. Furthermore, the processing of the transmitting units 116, 126, 136, and 146 is an example of transmitting data to a destination included in a specific group, using a network interface registered in association with the specific group.

[0093] In the first to fourth embodiments, the terminal device 30 connects to the image processing device 10 from a web browser and registers a network interface, but this is not limiting. The terminal device 30 may connect to the image processing device 10 from a driver or application installed in the terminal device 30 and register a network interface. The bulk registration of destinations described in the fourth embodiment can be performed by using, for example, a bulk destination registration tool, and such a bulk destination registration tool is a typical example.

[0094] [Processor] In this embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.). In addition, the operations of the processor in this embodiment may be performed not only by one processor, but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. The order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in this embodiment, and may be changed.

[0095] [program] The processes performed by the image processing device 10 in this embodiment are prepared as a program such as application software, for example. In this case, the program that realizes this embodiment can be understood as a program that causes a computer to execute the following functions: receiving a registration request for a data destination using one of a plurality of network interfaces; and performing a registration process that registers, among the plurality of network interfaces, a network interface that was used to receive the registration request for a specific destination as the network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination. Incidentally, the program for realizing the present embodiment can be provided not only by communication means but also by being stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0096] [Note] (((1))) One or more processors; The one or more processors: receiving a request to register a data destination using one of a plurality of network interfaces; performing a registration process for registering a network interface used for receiving a registration request for a specific destination among the plurality of network interfaces as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination; Information processing system. (((2))) The one or more processors: When an instruction to perform the registration process is given, the registration process is performed; The information processing system according to (((1))), wherein when an instruction is given to perform a second registration process different from the registration process, the second registration process is performed. (((3))) The information processing system described in (((2))), wherein the second registration process is a process of registering a network interface selected by a user in a registration request for the specific destination from among the multiple network interfaces as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination. (((4))) The information processing system described in (((2))), wherein the second registration process is a process of registering a predetermined network interface among the plurality of network interfaces as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination. (((5))) The one or more processors: Identifying a protocol to be used in transmitting data to the particular destination; The information processing system described in (((1))) performs the registration process when the protocol is a first protocol, and performs a second registration process different from the registration process when the protocol is a second protocol different from the first protocol. (((6))) The information processing system described in (((5))), wherein the second registration process is a process of registering a network interface selected by a user in a registration request for the specific destination from among the multiple network interfaces as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination. (((7))) The information processing system described in (((5))), wherein the second registration process is a process of registering a predetermined network interface from among the plurality of network interfaces as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination. (((8))) The one or more processors: When an instruction to perform the registration process is given, the registration process is performed; The information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((7))), wherein when instructed to perform a third registration process, a network interface among the plurality of network interfaces that has been used in another information processing system to transmit data to the specific destination is registered as a network interface to be used in the own system to transmit data to the specific destination, the third registration process is performed. (((9))) The one or more processors: receiving a request to create a group of the destinations using one of the plurality of network interfaces; The information processing system according to any one of ((1))) to (((8))), wherein a network interface of the plurality of network interfaces used to receive a request to create a specific group is registered in association with the specific group. (((10))) The one or more processors: The information processing system according to (((9))), wherein data is transmitted to the destination included in the specific group using a network interface registered in association with the specific group. (((11))) On the computer, a function of receiving a registration request for a data destination using one of a plurality of network interfaces; a function of performing a registration process of registering a network interface used for receiving a registration request for a specific destination among the plurality of network interfaces as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination; A program for executing the above.

[0097] According to the invention (((1))), the likelihood that data will be transmitted accurately to the destination is increased compared to a configuration in which a network interface selected by a user is registered as the network interface to be used for transmitting data to the destination. According to the invention (((2))), a network interface other than the network interface used to receive a registration request for a destination can be registered as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to the destination, upon instruction. According to the invention (((3))), a network interface desired by the user can be registered as the network interface to be used for transmitting data to a destination. According to the invention (((4))), a fixed network interface can also be registered as the network interface used for transmitting data to a destination. According to the invention (((5))), a network interface other than the network interface used to receive a registration request for the destination can be registered as the network interface used to transmit data to the destination, depending on the protocol used to transmit data to the destination. According to the invention (((6))), a network interface desired by the user can be registered as the network interface to be used for transmitting data to a destination. According to the invention (((7))), a fixed network interface can also be registered as the network interface used for transmitting data to a destination. According to the invention of (((8))), the network interface used for transmitting data to a destination can be registered in a manner that the network interface used in another information processing system is taken over to the own system. According to the invention (((9))), when the same network interface is used to transmit data to destinations in the same group, the effort of individually registering the network interfaces used to transmit data to destinations in the same group is reduced. According to the invention (((10))), the likelihood that data will be transmitted correctly to a destination is increased even if network interfaces used for transmitting data to destinations in the same group are not individually registered. According to the invention (((11))), the likelihood that data will be transmitted accurately to the destination is increased compared to a configuration in which a network interface selected by a user is registered as the network interface to be used in transmitting data to the destination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1... image processing system, 10... image processing device, 111, 121, 131, 141... receiving unit, 112, 122, 132, 142... NIC discrimination unit, 116, 126, 136, 146... transmitting unit, 118, 128, 138, 148... address book storage unit, 119, 129, 139, 149... destination information registration unit, 123... registration rule storage unit, 127, 137, 147... NIC information storage unit, 133... discrimination information storage unit, 134... protocol discrimination unit, 135... registration rule discrimination unit, 143... batch registration rule storage unit, 144... NIC information acquisition unit, 30... terminal device

Claims

1. One or more processors; The one or more processors: receiving a request to register a data destination using one of a plurality of network interfaces; performing a registration process for registering a network interface used for receiving a registration request for a specific transmission destination, among the plurality of network interfaces, as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific transmission destination; Information processing system.

2. The one or more processors: When an instruction to perform the registration process is given, the registration process is performed; The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein when an instruction to perform a second registration process different from the registration process is given, the second registration process is performed.

3. 3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the second registration process is a process of registering a network interface selected by a user in a registration request for the specific destination from among the plurality of network interfaces as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination.

4. 3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the second registration process is a process of registering a predetermined network interface from among the plurality of network interfaces as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination.

5. The one or more processors: Identifying a protocol to be used in transmitting data to the particular destination; 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the registration process is performed when the protocol is a first protocol, and a second registration process different from the registration process is performed when the protocol is a second protocol different from the first protocol.

6. 6. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein the second registration process is a process of registering a network interface selected by a user in a registration request for the specific destination from among the plurality of network interfaces as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination.

7. 6. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein the second registration process is a process of registering a predetermined network interface from among the plurality of network interfaces as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination.

8. The one or more processors: When an instruction to perform the registration process is given, the registration process is performed; The information processing system of claim 1, wherein when instructed to perform a third registration process, a network interface among the plurality of network interfaces that has been used in another information processing system to transmit data to the specific destination is registered as a network interface to be used in the information processing system to transmit data to the specific destination, the third registration process is performed.

9. The one or more processors: receiving a request to create a group of the destinations using one of the plurality of network interfaces; 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein a network interface used to receive a request to create a specific group among the plurality of network interfaces is registered in association with the specific group.

10. The one or more processors: The information processing system according to claim 9 , wherein data is transmitted to the destination included in the specific group by using a network interface registered in association with the specific group.

11. On the computer, a function of receiving a registration request for a data destination using one of a plurality of network interfaces; a function of performing a registration process of registering a network interface used for receiving a registration request for a specific destination among the plurality of network interfaces as a network interface to be used for transmitting data to the specific destination; A program for executing the above.

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