Information processing apparatus, control method for information processing apparatus, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus and the like that are capable of appropriately attempting to connect to a device even when the protocol adopted by the device cannot be identified in advance.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes: a registration unit that registers one or more protocols used for communication with a device; and a control unit that acquires, from the registered protocols, characteristic information that includes parameters used in connecting to the device and propriety information indicating whether parameter values that the parameters can take are changeable, and generates connection information for the device from a combination of the acquired characteristic information. The control unit attempts to connect to the device based on a trial order determined according to the suitability situation of the generated connection information as the protocols, and outputs a result of the connection attempt.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus and the like.

Background Art

[0002] When an application for device management connects to a device, it performs connection processing according to the protocol adopted by the device.

[0003] Here, when the protocol used for connection processing cannot be specified in advance for some reason, the application needs to determine the protocol to be used for connection attempts.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a protocol automatic selection device including a protocol control unit that stores protocol information, which is information used for connection by each protocol used for connection, for each protocol used for connection, and instructs connection until connection by the protocol using all the stored protocol information fails.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing apparatus and the like that can appropriately perform a connection attempt to a device and output the result of the connection attempt even when the protocol adopted by the device cannot be specified in advance.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a registration unit that registers one or more protocols used for communication with a device, and acquires, from the registered protocols, feature information including parameters used in connection with the device and availability information indicating whether parameter values that the parameters can take are changeable, and a control unit that generates connection information for the device from combinations of the acquired feature information, wherein the control unit performs connection attempts for the device based on a trial order determined according to a compatibility status of the generated connection information as the protocol, and outputs a result of the connection attempt.

[0008] Further, a control method of an information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes registering one or more protocols used for communication with a device, acquiring, from the registered protocols, feature information including parameters used in connection with the device and availability information indicating whether parameter values that the parameters can take are changeable, generating connection information for the device from combinations of the acquired feature information, performing connection attempts for the device based on a trial order determined according to a compatibility status of the generated connection information as the protocol, and outputting a result of the connection attempt.

[0009] Further, a program according to the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a step of registering one or more protocols used for communication with a device, a step of acquiring, from the registered protocols, feature information including parameters used in connection with the device and availability information indicating whether parameter values that the parameters can take are changeable, a step of generating connection information for the device from combinations of the acquired feature information, and a step of performing connection attempts for the device based on a trial order determined according to a compatibility status of the generated connection information as the protocol, and outputting a result of the connection attempt.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, even when the protocol adopted by a device cannot be specified in advance, it is possible to appropriately perform connection attempts to the device and output the results of the connection attempts, such as an information processing apparatus.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are examples for explaining the present disclosure, and the technical content of the description described in the claims is not limited to the following description.

[0013] If the protocol used for connection processing with a device cannot be specified in advance for some reason, the application needs to determine the protocol to be used for connection attempts.

[0014] In the selection of a protocol, conventionally, an application has had to configure information on various protocols for connecting to various devices and a mechanism for determining which protocol to use for each device, and implement these information and mechanisms in advance.

[0015] Also, as the number of protocols for connecting a device to an application increases, it becomes necessary to modify the logic (processing method) for determining the protocol.

[0016] In the present disclosure, by considering the parameter values of the parameters that are characteristic of each pre-registered protocol and the availability information indicating whether the parameter values that the parameter can take can be changed, the application selects and attempts the protocol to be used for connecting to the device, so that even when the protocol adopted by the device cannot be specified in advance, it is possible to appropriately perform a connection attempt to the device and output the result of the connection attempt. An information processing apparatus and the like that can perform this are realized in the following embodiments.

[0017] [1 First Embodiment] The first embodiment describes a form of an information processing apparatus that includes a registration unit that registers one or more protocols used for communication with a device, and a control unit that acquires characteristic information including parameters used in the connection with the device and availability information indicating whether the parameter values that the parameter can take can be changed from the registered protocols, and generates connection information for the device from the combination of the acquired characteristic information. The control unit performs a connection attempt to the device based on a trial order determined according to the compatibility status of the generated connection information as the protocol, and outputs the result of the connection attempt.

[0018] [1.1 Functional Configuration] [1.1.1 Overall Configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the connection form between the information processing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment and devices 30 (30a, 30b, 30c).

[0019] The information processing apparatus 10 is connected to devices 30a, 30b, 30c via a network (NW) such as a LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area network), or the Internet. In FIG. 1, device 30a is an example of a display device such as a display, device 30b is an example of a printing device such as a printer, and device 30c is an example of a communication device such as a smartphone. However, device 30 is not limited to the examples in FIG. 1, and there is no particular limitation as long as it is a device capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus 10 according to a specific protocol. For devices 30a, 30b, 30c, only common functions will be described, and when there is no need to distinguish these devices, they will simply be referred to as device 30.

[0020] Also, there is no particular limitation on the number of devices 30 connected to the information processing apparatus 10. When a plurality of devices 30 are connected to the information processing apparatus 10, the devices 30 may have the same configuration or different model configurations.

[0021] [1.1.2 Regarding the Information Processing Apparatus 10] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the information processing apparatus 10. The information processing apparatus 10 can be configured as a server apparatus that manages device management of a device to be connected by reading a protocol selection program 173 to be installed. Also, the information processing apparatus 10 can provide a device management service with remote monitoring and management (RMM) installed. In the present disclosure, the information processing apparatus 10 will be described in the configuration of a single server apparatus that provides a device management service. However, the service provided by the information processing apparatus 10 can also be provided as a cloud service by a combination of a plurality of information processing apparatuses.

[0022] The information processing apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, an operation input unit 13, a communication unit 15, and a storage unit 17.

[0023] The control unit 11 controls the entire information processing apparatus 10. The control unit 11 is composed of one or a plurality of arithmetic units (for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a SoC (System on a Chip), etc.). The control unit 11 realizes its functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 17.

[0024] The operation input unit 13 receives input of information by a user or the like. The operation input unit 13 can be composed of, for example, operation keys such as hard keys and software keys, and input devices such as buttons. Note that the operation input unit 13 may include a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display for visualizing the input content by a user or the like.

[0025] The communication unit 15 includes either a wired interface, a wireless interface, or both for communicating with the device 30 or a client terminal device (not shown) via a network (NW) such as a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, a telephone line, or a fax line. Further, the communication unit 15 may include an interface related to a (short-range) wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), IrDA, or wireless USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0026] The storage unit 17 stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the information processing apparatus 10. The storage unit 17 can be composed of, for example, a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), an SSD (Solid State Drive), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or a ROM (Read Only Memory).

[0027] In the first embodiment, the storage unit 17 stores a control program 171, a protocol selection program 173, and a protocol registration program 175.

[0028] The control program 171 is a program that the control unit 11 reads when comprehensively controlling the information processing apparatus 10. The control unit 11 that has read the control program 171 functions as an OS (Operating System) and controls the driving of the information processing apparatus 10 by controlling the operation input unit 13, the communication unit 15, etc.

[0029] The protocol selection program 173 is a program that the control unit 11 reads when selecting a protocol for the device 30 to be connected. The control unit 11 that has read the protocol selection program 173 functions as a protocol selection application 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as the application 20) on the OS and selects a protocol for the device 30 to be connected. Such a protocol selection program 173 includes a reception program 1731, a processing program 1733, and a connection program 1735.

[0030] The control unit 11 that has read the reception program 1731 functions as a message reception unit 21. The message reception unit 21 is a functional unit that receives a connection request from the device 30 received from the front end described later.

[0031] The control unit 11 that has read the processing program 1733 functions as a processing unit 22. The processing unit 22 acquires feature information including a parameter used in the connection with the device 30 and availability information indicating whether the parameter value that the parameter can take can be changed from the protocol information storage unit 23 described later based on the received connection request with the device 30, and executes a process of generating connection information for the device 30 from the combination of the acquired feature information. The process of generating connection information will be described later.

[0032] The control unit 11 that has read the connection program 1735 functions as the connection unit 25. The connection unit 25 is a functional unit that executes a connection attempt with the device 30 based on the connection information generated by the processing unit 22.

[0033] The protocol registration program 175 is a program that the control unit 11 reads during the process of registering a protocol. The control unit 11 that has read the protocol registration program 175 functions as a registration unit and controls the storage and deletion (erasure) of information in the protocol information storage area 1751, the device information storage area 1753, and the connection information list storage area 1755 secured as storage areas. Note that the functions realized by the protocol registration program 175 may be in the form implemented by the protocol selection program 173.

[0034] The protocol information storage area 1751 is a storage area that stores, for one or more protocols used for communication with a device, the parameters used in the connection with the device 30 and the permission information indicating whether the parameter values that the parameters can take can be changed. The protocols used for communication with the device are not particularly limited, and examples include Telnet, SSH (Secure Shell), RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol), etc. for remotely operating the device 30 connected to the network. In the following description, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the protocol information storage area 1751 under the control of the control unit 11 that has read the protocol registration program 175 is referred to as the protocol information storage unit 23.

[0035] Here, the characteristic information including the parameters used in the connection with the device 30 stored in the protocol information storage unit 23 and the permission information indicating whether the parameter values that the parameters can take can be changed will be described using the table in FIG. 4. Note that in FIG. 4, an example of managing the characteristic information in a table format is described, but the characteristic information may be in a form managed in a database format.

[0036] For example, in the Telnet command, which is an example of a protocol, as parameter values, there can be mentioned the port number used for connection (for example, 10008, 7142, etc.), the content of the response (for example, "ERR", "ER", "OK", "WAIT", "Unknown command, try 'help'"), the line break code (for example, always "CRLF", always "CR"), and so on.

[0037] In FIG. 4, these parameter values are represented as features (for example, "Feature 1", "Feature 2", "Feature 3", ···). And, for example, the value "A" represented by "Feature 1" related to Protocol 1 indicates a value that can be taken as a parameter value. That is, in Protocol 1, it is shown that as parameter values for features, "A" (Feature 1), "C" (Feature 2), and "E" (Feature 3) can be taken.

[0038] And, for example, "Feature 1: Variable" represents the information on whether the parameter value of the said "Feature 1" can be changed. For example, the parameter value "A" of "Feature 1" related to Protocol 1 cannot be changed (FALSE), indicating that it is necessary to use that parameter value uniquely.

[0039] On the other hand, the parameter value "C" of "Feature 2" related to Protocol 1 can be changed (TRUE), indicating that without using the parameter value "C" uniquely, the parameter values used in other protocols can be applied.

[0040] In the first embodiment, in the connection attempt to the device 30, the processing unit 22 focuses on the parameter values of the parameters of the pre-registered protocol, and generates, as connection information, the protocol that most conforms to the point with the most features in consideration of the information on whether the said parameter value can be changed.

[0041] Returning to FIG. 2, the device information storage area 1753 is a storage area that stores, in association with the device 30, the parameter values of the protocol that has successfully connected to the device 30. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the device information storage area 1753 under the control of the control unit 11 that has read the protocol registration program 175 is referred to as the device information storage unit 24.

[0042] The connection information list storage area 1755 is a storage area that stores, as a list, the connection information for attempting to connect to the device 30. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the connection information list storage area 1755 under the control of the control unit 11 that has read the protocol registration program 175 is referred to as the connection information list 26.

[0043] Here, the connection information list 26 will be described with reference to the table in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, an example of managing the connection information in a table format will be described, but the connection information may be managed in a database format. Also, in FIG. 5, the generation process of the connection information based on the feature information exemplified in FIG. 4 will be described together.

[0044] As described above, in the first embodiment, in the connection attempt to the device 30, attention is paid to the parameter values of the parameters of the pre-registered protocol, and a protocol that best matches the point with the most features in consideration of the permission information on whether or not the parameter values can be changed is generated as the connection information.

[0045] Based on the protocols 1 to 3 exemplified in FIG. 4, the possible parameter values for each of the features "Feature 1", "Feature 2", and "Feature 3" are summarized in the upper part of FIG. 5. For example, in "Feature 1", there are two protocols, protocol 1 and protocol 2, that can take the parameter value "A".

[0046] On the one hand, in "Feature 2", the parameter value "C" is changeable. Therefore, instead of the parameter value "C", the parameter value "D" can also be applied as "Feature 2". Thus, in "Feature 2", the number of possible values of the parameter "D" is "3".

[0047] Based on these connection information generation processes, the processing unit 22 generates and lists, as connection information, the protocol that best matches the most features. The lower part of FIG. 5 shows the generated connection information list 26.

[0048] In the connection attempt with the device 30 related to the connection request, the processing unit 22 attempts to connect in order from the top of the connection information list. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the processing unit 22 attempts to connect using the connection information having the parameter value "A" of "Feature 1", the parameter value "D" of "Feature 2", and the parameter value "E" of "Feature 3" as the top connection information.

[0049] Here, note that the connection information adopted in the fourth place does not correspond to any of the protocols 1 to 3 illustrated in FIG. 4. That is, in the first embodiment, the connection information used for the connection attempt takes into account the feature information including the parameter value of the parameter related to the registered protocol and the yes / no information indicating whether the parameter value that the parameter can take is changeable, and the connection attempt using the protocol itself is not performed. The connection attempt is merely the connection information (protocol) newly generated based on the feature information of a plurality of protocols.

[0050] [1.1.3 Regarding Device 30] Next, the functional configuration of the device 30 will be described. FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram for explaining the basic functions of the device 30.

[0051] The device 30 includes a control unit 31, a display unit 33, an operation input unit 35, a communication unit 37, and a storage unit 39.

[0052] The control unit 31 controls the entire device 30. The control unit 31 is composed of one or more arithmetic units (e.g., CPU, SoC, etc.). The control unit 31 realizes its functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 39.

[0053] The display unit 33 is a display device that displays various information to the user or the like. The display unit 33 can be composed of, for example, an LCD, an organic EL display, or the like.

[0054] The operation input unit 35 receives input of information by the user or the like. The operation input unit 35 can be composed of, for example, operation keys such as hard keys and software keys, input devices such as buttons. Note that the operation input unit 35 can be configured as a touch panel having the function of the display unit 33 and function as a UI (User Interface) via a displayed Web browser screen or application screen. Note that as the input method of the touch panel, for example, general input methods such as a resistive film method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, and a capacitance method can be adopted.

[0055] The communication unit 37 includes, for example, a wired / wireless interface or both for communicating with the information processing device 10 and a client terminal device (not shown) via a network (NW) such as a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, a telephone line, or a fax line. Further, the communication unit 15 may include an interface related to (short-range) wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), IrDA, and wireless USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0056] The storage unit 39 stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the device 30. The storage unit 39 can be composed of, for example, a storage device such as a RAM, an SSD, an HDD, or a ROM.

[0057] In the first embodiment, the storage unit 39 stores a control program 391 and a display control program 393, and secures a protocol information storage area 395.

[0058] The control program 391 is a program that the control unit 31 reads when comprehensively controlling the device 30. The control unit 31 that has read the control program 391 functions as an OS, and by controlling the display unit 33, the operation input unit 35, the communication unit 37, etc., for example, when the device 30 is a display device such as a display, it realizes the functions necessary for the display device.

[0059] The display control program 393 is a program that the control unit 31 reads when displaying various information to the user or the like via the display unit 33. The control unit 31 that has read the display control program 393 displays, for example, the device setting screen or, when the device 30 is the front end, the setting screen for making a connection request to the information processing apparatus 10.

[0060] The protocol information storage area 395 is a storage area that stores the parameter values of the protocol adopted by the device 30 as protocol information.

[0061] [1.2 Flow of Processing] Next, the flow of processing according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining the interaction between the front end as an object (for example, a display screen such as the setting screen of the device 30 or the setting screen of a client terminal device not shown), the control unit 11 (hereinafter simply referred to as the application 20) that functions as the protocol selection application 20 of the information processing apparatus 10, and the device 30.

[0062] First, the front end makes a connection request to the device 30 to be connected to the message receiving unit 21 of the application 20 (S10). The message receiving unit 21 that has received the connection request requests the processing unit 22 to attempt a connection from the front end (S12).

[0063] Upon receiving a connection attempt request, the processing unit 22 inquires whether the protocol used for connecting to the device 30 specified as the connection target is already stored in the device information storage unit 24 (S14). If the protocol used for the connection is stored in the device information storage unit 24, the processing unit 22 executes the communication described in and after S40 ([subsequent connection]) between the device information storage unit 24 and the connection unit 25. The communication related to and after S40 will be described later.

[0064] If the protocol used for connecting to the device 30 specified as the connection target is not stored in the device information storage unit 24, the processing unit 22 executes the communication related to [initial connection].

[0065] The processing unit 22 requests to obtain the characteristic information of the protocol stored in the protocol information storage unit 23 (S16). Upon receiving the request for obtaining the characteristic information, the protocol information storage unit 23 outputs the characteristic information to the processing unit 22 as a response (S18).

[0066] The processing unit 22 that has obtained the characteristic information generates connection information based on the connection information generation process illustrated in FIG. 5 (S20).

[0067] Then, the processing unit 22 creates a list of the connection information (S22) and stores the list of the connection information as the connection information list 26.

[0068] The processing unit 22 obtains connection information from the connection information list 26 (S24). Then, the processing unit 22 requests the connection unit 25 to connect to the device 30 using the obtained connection information (S26). Upon receiving the connection request, the connection unit 25 executes a connection attempt to the device 30 using the connection information obtained from the processing unit 22 (S28).

[0069] If an error response is received as a result of the connection attempt to the device 30 (S30), the connection unit 25 outputs error information related to the connection information to the processing unit 22 (S32).

[0070] The processing unit 22 that has acquired error information regarding connection information deletes the connection information from the connection information list 26 (S34), and also deletes from the connection information list 26 the connection information that adopts the feature information included in the error response (S36).

[0071] From the acquisition of the connection information from the connection information list 26 according to S24 to the deletion of the connection information that adopts the feature information included in the error response from the connection information list 26, this is repeatedly performed until the connection to the device 30 is successful.

[0072] When the connection to the device 30 is successful, the processing unit 22 associates the connection information with the device 30 and stores it in the device information storage unit 24 (S38).

[0073] As [subsequent connection], the processing unit 22 requests the connection information associated with the device 30 from the device information storage unit 24 (S40).

[0074] When the connection information is acquired from the device information storage unit 24 (S42), the processing unit 22 requests the connection unit 25 to connect to the device 30 using the acquired connection information (S44). The connection unit 25 that has received the connection request executes a connection attempt to the device 30 using the connection information acquired from the processing unit 22 (S46).

[0075] Next, the specific processing executed by the application 20 of the information processing apparatus 10 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 7. Note that in FIG. 7, for the sake of easy understanding of the invention, the description will be centered on the application 20.

[0076] The application 20 receives a connection request for the device 30 (step S10).

[0077] Next, the application 20 acquires the feature information of the pre-registered protocol (step S12).

[0078] Application 20 generates connection information by combining the features that the protocol can have based on the protocol feature information acquired in step S12 (step S14). Then, application 20 generates a connection information list 26 in which the connection information is arranged in descending order of the number of patterns with which the connection information can be adapted (step S16).

[0079] Application 20 determines whether the content of the connection information list 26 is empty (step S18). If it is determined that the content of the connection information list 26 is not empty, application 20 executes a connection attempt to the device 30 to be connected according to the content of the connection information list 26 (step S18; No → step S20).

[0080] Application 20 determines whether an error has occurred in the connection attempt (step S22). If it is determined in the connection attempt that no error has occurred, it is determined that the connection to the device 30 based on the connection information (protocol) has been successful, a message indicating the connection success is displayed, and the process ends (step S22; No → step S24).

[0081] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S18 that the content of the connection information list 26 is empty, application 20 displays an error and ends the process (step S18; Yes → step S26).

[0082] Also, if it is determined in step S22 that an error has occurred in the connection attempt, application 20 deletes the connection information that was tried and the connection information that adopted the acquired feature information, and returns the process to step S18 (step S22; Yes → step S28 → step S18).

[0083] [1.3 Operation Example] Next, an operation example according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a connection request screen W10 as a setting screen related to the front end described in FIG. 6.

[0084] The connection request screen W10 includes a device type selection button B10, a connected device addition button B12, and a connected device display area R10.

[0085] The device type selection button B10 is a button that accepts the selection of the type of device that the user desires to connect. In FIG. 8, as an example of the device types selectable by the user, MFP / Printers and Displays are shown, and it represents a state where Displays is selected as the device type.

[0086] The connected device addition button B12 is a button that accepts the addition of a device that the user desires to connect. When the selection of the connected device addition button B12 is accepted, on the front end, the device search screen W20 described in the next figure is displayed.

[0087] The connected device display area R10 is a display area that displays information on devices that have successfully connected. Note that since a connection attempt is being made in FIG. 8, nothing is displayed in the connected device display area R10.

[0088] FIG. 9 is an example of the display configuration of the device search screen W20 displayed on the front end in response to the selection of the connected device addition button B12 described in FIG. 8.

[0089] The device search screen W20 includes a device information input area R12, a Save button B14, and a Cancel button B16.

[0090] The device information input area R12 is an input area that accepts the input of search conditions for the user to search for a device that the user desires to connect. In FIG. 9, as an example of the search information that can be input, “IP address”, “User Name”, and “Password” are shown, and it is an example where “10.36.102.157” is input as the “IP Address”.

[0091] The Save button B14 is a button that receives an instruction to save the search conditions entered in the device information input area R12 and also receives an instruction to start a connection attempt for the device searched and identified by the search conditions.

[0092] The Cancel button B16 is a button that receives an instruction to cancel the input content for the device information input area R12.

[0093] Figure 10 is an example of a display configuration of a device addition message M10 indicating that the device 30 that has succeeded in the connection attempt has been added. Figure 10 is an example showing the display of "Search display details are added" as an example of the device addition message M10. Also, in the connected device display area R10, information about the added device (IP Address: 10.36.102.109, Port Number: 10008, etc.) is displayed. Note that on the screen of Figure 10, information on the search results of the protocol (at least either the successful protocol that has succeeded in the connection attempt or the connection attempt protocol for which the connection attempt has been made) may be displayed.

[0094] Note that in the first embodiment, for example, when a connection request for a new unknown device is received, it is also possible to receive the acquisition or input of information about the protocol related to the new unknown device and generate connection information for a connection attempt in combination with the characteristic information of the protocol that has already been registered.

[0095] By taking into account information about the protocol related to a new unknown device in the connection information generation process according to the first embodiment, the success accuracy of the connection attempt for the new unknown device can be further improved.

[0096] As described above, according to the first embodiment, in addition to the parameter values of the parameters related to each pre-registered protocol, the application selects and tries a protocol for performing a connection attempt to a device in consideration of the availability information indicating whether the parameter values that the parameter can take can be changed. By implementing such a configuration, it becomes unnecessary to perform the determination process of the protocol before the connection attempt and the implementation of the configuration related to such a process for the application, which were conventionally required. Also, by updating only the characteristic parameter (value) and the availability information, it is possible to cope with the connection to a device equipped with a new protocol.

[0097] [2 Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, in the connection attempt to the device 30, attention is paid to the parameter values of the parameters of the pre-registered protocol, and a protocol that most closely matches the point of having the most characteristics is generated as connection information in consideration of the availability information indicating whether the parameter values can be changed. In the second embodiment, in the first embodiment, the number of times the connection attempt using the connection information has succeeded is recorded and reflected in the generation of the connection information list.

[0098] Since the configuration and the flow of the process according to the second embodiment can be the same as those according to the first embodiment, the description here is omitted.

[0099] FIG. 11 is a table for explaining the connection information list 260 according to the second embodiment. Note that the connection information list 260 described in FIG. 11 corresponds to the list contents of the connection information list 26 (FIG. 5) according to the first embodiment.

[0100] The connection information list 260 includes the number of connection successes in addition to the configuration of the connection information list 26 according to the first embodiment. The number of connection successes is the number of times the connection to the device has succeeded in past connection attempts.

[0101] For example, in the connection information list 26 according to the first embodiment, for each of the features "Feature 1", "Feature 2", and "Feature 3", the combination of parameter values adopted as the first place is respectively "A", "D", and "E".

[0102] Here, when the number of successful connections in the connection trial using the combination of parameter values "B", "D", and "E", which is the combination of parameter values adopted as the second place, exceeds the combination of parameter values adopted as the first place, the processing unit 22 can perform the connection trial with priority given to the combination of parameter values adopted as the second place over the combination of parameter values adopted as the first place.

[0103] In this case, a query screen (not shown) may be displayed to the user, and a configuration may be adopted to notify the user that the order of the connection trials is swapped between the first place adoption and the second place adoption, and to inquire of the user whether the order of the connection trials can be swapped.

[0104] As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, by further considering the number of successful connection trials, a more accurate protocol selection can be executed.

[0105] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0106] Although the above-described embodiments have some parts described separately for convenience of explanation, it goes without saying that they may be combined and executed within a technically possible range.

[0107] In addition, the programs operating on each device in the embodiment are programs that control a CPU or the like (programs that enable a computer to function) so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiment. And the information handled by these devices is temporarily stored in a temporary storage device (for example, RAM) during its processing, and then stored in a storage device such as various ROMs (Read Only Memory) and HDDs, and read by the CPU as needed for correction and writing.

[0108] Here, examples of the computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which the program in the information processing apparatus is recorded include semiconductor media (for example, ROMs, non-volatile memory cards, etc.), optical recording media and magneto-optical recording media (for example, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), MO (Magneto Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), CD (Compact Disc), BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc, etc.)), magnetic recording media (for example, magnetic tapes, flexible disks, etc.), or the like. In this case, the program recorded on the recording medium is read by the computer of the information processing apparatus and executed by the computer, so that not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also based on the instructions of the program, the functions of the present disclosure are realized by jointly processing with an operating system or other application programs.

[0109] Also, when distributing on the market, the program can be stored in a portable recording medium for distribution, or transferred to a server computer connected via a network such as the Internet. In this case, it goes without saying that the storage device of the server computer is also included in the present disclosure.

[0110] In addition, each functional block or various features of the apparatus used in the above-described embodiments can also be implemented and executed by an electric circuit, for example, an integrated circuit or a plurality of integrated circuits. The electric circuit designed to realize the functions described in this specification may include a general-purpose use processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or a combination thereof. The general-purpose use processor may be a microprocessor, or a conventional type processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The above-described electric circuit may be composed of a digital circuit or an analog circuit. Further, when an integrated circuit technology that replaces the current integrated circuit appears due to the progress of semiconductor technology, one or more aspects of the present disclosure can also use a new integrated circuit based on such technology.

Explanation of Signs

[0111] 10 Information processing apparatus 11 Control unit 13 Operation input unit 15 Communication unit 17 Storage unit 171 Control program 173 Protocol selection program 1731 Reception program 1733 Processing program 1735 Connection program 175 Protocol registration program 1751 Protocol information storage area 1753 Device information storage area 1755 Connection information list storage area 30(30a, 30b, 30c) Device 31 Control unit 33 Display unit 35 Operation input unit 37 Communication unit 39 Storage unit 391 Control Program 393 Display Control Program 395 Protocol Information Storage Area

Claims

1. A registration unit that registers one or more protocols used for communication with a device, From the registered protocols, characteristic information including parameters used in the connection with the device and availability information indicating whether the parameter values that the parameters can take can be changed is acquired, and connection information for the device is generated from the combination of the acquired characteristic information. It comprises a control unit, The control unit, Based on the trial order determined according to the compatibility status of the generated connection information as the protocol, a connection trial is performed on the device, and the result of the connection trial is output. An information processing apparatus characterized by that.

2. The control unit, At the timing when the connection trial for the device is successful, the protocol that has succeeded in the connection trial is displayed on the display screen of the front end as the result of the connection trial. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by that.

3. When the parameter value can be changed, The control unit, The parameter value acquired from another protocol different from the protocol related to the acquisition of the characteristic information is applied as the characteristic information, and the connection information is generated. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by that.

4. The control unit, As the compatibility status of the protocol, connection trials are performed in order from the connection information consisting of the combination of the most characteristic information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by that.

5. The control unit, The connection information for which the connection trial has failed is excluded from the connection trial target, and a connection trial is performed using the next connection information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized by that.

6. The control unit, The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that a connection attempt is made by changing the changeable parameter value in the connection information for which the connection attempt has failed.

7. The control unit The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection information for which the connection attempt has succeeded is registered in association with the device information of the device to be connected.

8. The control unit The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that when information on a new protocol is received, connection information is generated from the received information and the feature information obtained from the registered protocol.

9. The feature information The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes parameters related to the port number used for connection, the content of the response, or the line feed code.

10. Register one or more protocols used for communication with the device, Obtain feature information including parameters used in the connection to the device and information on whether the parameter values that the parameter can take can be changed from the registered protocol, generate connection information for the device from the combination of the obtained feature information, A control method for an information processing apparatus, characterized in that a connection attempt to the device is made based on a trial order determined according to the compatibility status of the generated connection information as the protocol, and the result of the connection attempt is output.

11. On the computer, A step of registering one or more protocols used for communication with the device, A step of obtaining feature information including parameters used in the connection to the device and information on whether the parameter values that the parameter can take can be changed from the registered protocol, and generating connection information for the device from the combination of the obtained feature information causing a connection attempt to be made to the device based on a trial order determined according to the compatibility status of the generated connection information as the protocol, and outputting a result of the connection attempt. A program characterized by performing the steps.

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