Communication device and computer program for communication device

Abstract

To provide a technique that enables appropriate communication with an external device.SOLUTION: A communication device includes a memory, a first storage control unit that stores a first IP address in the memory as a first setting, a second storage control unit that stores first name information in the memory as a second setting, a first acquisition unit that acquires a second IP address after the first IP address is stored in the memory as the first setting and the first name information is stored in the memory as the second setting, a determination unit that determines whether the second IP address matches the first IP address included in the first setting in the memory, and a specific processing execution unit that executes specific processing related to storing the second IP address in the memory as the first setting when it is determined that the second IP address does not match the first IP address included in the first setting in the memory.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present specification discloses a technique related to a communication device that communicates with an external device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for filtering communications according to firewall settings. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-101567 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-067604 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present specification provides a technique that can appropriately execute communication with an external device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This specification discloses a communication device, the communication device including a memory, a first reception unit that receives a first IP address of a first external device as an input by a user, a first storage control unit that stores the received first IP address in the memory as a first setting, a second reception unit that receives first name information including a first name of the first external device as an input by the user, a second storage control unit that stores the received first name information in the memory as a second setting different from the first setting, and a second storage control unit that stores the first IP address in the memory as the first setting and the first name information as the second setting. The device may include a first acquisition unit that, after being stored in memory, performs name resolution using the first name included in the first name information to acquire a second IP address of the first external device; a judgment unit that determines whether the second IP address matches the first IP address included in the first setting in the memory; and a specific processing execution unit that executes specific processing related to storing the second IP address in the memory as the first setting when it is determined that the second IP address does not match the first IP address included in the first setting in the memory.

[0006] According to the above configuration, when the communication device determines that the second IP address does not match the first IP address included in the first setting, the communication device performs a specific process related to storing the second IP address as the first setting, thereby allowing the communication device to appropriately communicate with an external device.

[0007] This specification also discloses another communication device, the communication device including a memory, a third reception unit that receives a first name of a first external device as an input by a user, a second acquisition unit that performs name resolution using the received first name to acquire a first IP address of the first external device, a first storage control unit that associates the first name with the first IP address and stores the first name and the first IP address in the memory as a first setting, a second reception unit that receives first name information including the first name of the first external device as an input by the user, a second storage control unit that stores the received first name information in the memory as a second setting different from the first setting, and a second storage control unit that stores the first name and the first IP address in the memory as a second setting different from the first setting. The system may further include a first acquisition unit that, after the first name information is stored in the memory as a first setting and the first name information is stored in the memory as the second setting, performs name resolution using the first name included in the first name information to acquire a second IP address of the first external device; a determination unit that determines whether the first IP address associated with the first name as the first setting matches the second IP address; and an update unit that updates the first IP address associated with the first name as the first setting to the second IP address when it is determined that the first IP address does not match the second IP address.

[0008] According to the above configuration, when the communication device determines that the second IP address does not match the first IP address, the communication device updates the first IP address associated with the first name as the first setting to the second IP address, thereby enabling the communication device to appropriately communicate with the external device.

[0009] A computer program for the above-described communication device, a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program, and a method executed by the communication device are also novel and useful. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart of a process executed by the scanner according to the first and second embodiments. [Figure 4] This is a continuation of the sequence diagram of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a third embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of a process executed by a scanner according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a continuation of the sequence diagram of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (First Example) (Communication system configuration; Figure 1) 1, the communication system 2 includes a scanner 10, a terminal 100, and a DNS server 200. The devices 10, 100, and 200 are connected to a LAN 4. The devices 10, 100, and 200 can communicate with each other via the LAN 4. The LAN 4 may be a wireless LAN or a wired LAN.

[0012] (Configuration of Scanner 10) The scanner 10 is a peripheral device capable of executing a scan function, such as a peripheral device for a terminal 100. In a modified example, the scanner 10 may be a multi-function device capable of executing a print function, a facsimile function, etc. in addition to the scan function. The scanner 10 is assigned a device name SN1. The scanner 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a communication interface 16, a scan execution unit 18, and a control unit 30. Each unit 12 to 30 is connected to a bus line. Hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as "I / F."

[0013] The operation unit 12 is an I / F that allows the user to input various information to the scanner 10, and includes, for example, a touch screen and buttons. The user can input various information to the scanner 10 via the operation unit 12. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information. The communication I / F 16 is connected to the LAN 4. The scan execution unit 18 includes, for example, a scanning mechanism such as a CIS or a CCD.

[0014] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The memory 34 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The main storage device includes, for example, RAM and cache memory. The auxiliary storage device may be, for example, a flash memory, a solid state drive (SSD), or a ROM, or a combination thereof. A program 36 is stored in the auxiliary storage device. The CPU 32 performs various processes in accordance with the program 36 loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device.

[0015] The memory 34 further stores an IP address list 40 and a scan folder list 42. The IP address list 40 is a list of IP addresses of external devices that are permitted to communicate with the scanner 10, i.e., a so-called white list. The scanner 10 can communicate with external devices using IP addresses included in the IP address list 40, but cannot communicate with external devices using IP addresses not included in the IP address list 40. The scan folder list 42 is a list of folder names of folders in which scanned data is saved.

[0016] (Configuration of terminal 100) The terminal 100 is a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA, or a tablet PC. In a modified example, the terminal 100 may be a desktop PC, a laptop PC, or the like. The terminal 100 is assigned an IP address IP1 and a device name TN1. The IP address IP1 is composed of multiple alphanumeric characters, for example, "192.168.0.0." The IP address IP1 is automatically assigned to the terminal 100 by a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server. For this reason, the IP address assigned to the terminal 100 may be changed by the DHCP server. On the other hand, the device name TN1 assigned to the terminal 100 is fixed unless changed by the user. The DHCP server may be configured integrally with the DNS server 200 or may be configured separately. In the latter case, the DHCP server is not shown in FIG. 1.

[0017] (DNS Server 200 Configuration) The DNS server 200 stores the device name and IP address of each device in the LAN 4 in association with each other. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the device name TN1 of the terminal 100 and the IP address IP1 of the terminal 100 are stored in association with each other. As described above, the IP address assigned to the terminal 100 may be changed. In this case, the DNS server 200 changes the IP address associated with the device name TN1 of the terminal 100. The scanner 10 can use the DNS server 200 to perform name resolution to identify an IP address from a device name.

[0018] Here, assume a situation in which the scanner 10 receives a scan execution instruction from a user, in which the folder name of a specific folder in the terminal 100 is specified. In this situation, the scanner 10 transmits the scan data to the terminal 100 and saves the scan data in the specific folder. If the IP address list 40 does not include the IP address of the terminal 100, the scanner 10 cannot transmit the scan data to the terminal 100. In this embodiment, a technique for appropriately transmitting scan data from the scanner 10 to the terminal 100 is disclosed.

[0019] (Processing performed by each device; Figure 2) Next, the processing executed by each device 10, 100, etc. will be described with reference to Figure 2. Note that, in the following, for ease of understanding, the processing executed by the CPU (e.g., 32) of each device (e.g., scanner 10, terminal 100, DNS server 200) will be described as the processing subject, rather than each CPU being described as the processing subject. Furthermore, communication between each device is performed via a communication I / F (e.g., 16). Therefore, in the following description, when describing communication, the expression "via a communication I / F" will be omitted.

[0020] 2, an IP address IP1 is assigned to the terminal 100. That is, the DNS server 200 stores the device name TN1 and the IP address IP1 in association with each other.

[0021] At T10, the terminal 100 accepts an access operation from the user to use the web server function of the scanner 10. The access operation includes input of a user ID and password for the scanner 10. In this case, at T12, the terminal 100 transmits an access request including the input user ID and password to the scanner 10.

[0022] When the scanner 10 receives an access request from the terminal 100 in T12, it authenticates the user ID and password included in the access request. Specifically, the scanner 10 determines whether the combination of the user ID and password has been stored. If the authentication is successful (i.e., if the combination of the user ID and password has been stored), the scanner 10 transmits top screen data representing the top screen SC1 to the terminal 100 in T14. In this way, when the authentication of the user ID and password is successful, the scanner 10 can receive a request including an IP address not included in the IP address list 40 as the source IP address and transmit a response (top screen data in the above example) including the IP address as the destination IP address. Note that, in a modified example, the scanner 10 may allow access to the top screen SC1 from an external device having an IP address not included in the IP address list 40 without performing the above authentication. Then, if the subsequent authentication is successful or if a request is made from an external device having an IP address included in the IP address list 40, the scanner 10 may allow access to a screen lower than the top screen SC1 (such as the settings screen SC10 described below).

[0023] When the terminal 100 receives the top screen data from the scanner 10 in T14, it displays the top screen SC1 in T16. The top screen SC1 includes the device name SN1 of the scanner 10 as well as a plurality of icons for executing various processes related to the scanner 10. The plurality of icons include, for example, a status icon, a firewall setting icon, and a scan box setting icon. The status icon is an icon for obtaining the status of the scanner 10. The firewall setting icon is an icon for changing the IP address in the IP address list 40. The scan box setting icon is an icon for changing the folder name in the scan folder list 42.

[0024] When the terminal 100 receives a selection of the firewall setting icon on the top screen SC1 from the user in T20, the terminal 100 transmits a firewall setting screen request to the scanner 10 in T22.

[0025] When the scanner 10 receives a firewall setting screen request from the terminal 100 in T22, the scanner 10 transmits firewall setting screen data representing the setting screen SC10 to the terminal 100 in T24.

[0026] When the terminal 100 receives the firewall setting screen data from the scanner 10 in T24, it displays the setting screen SC10 in T30. The setting screen SC10 includes a message prompting the user to input the IP addresses of external devices that are permitted to communicate with the scanner 10, a plurality of IP address input fields, and an OK button. Note that if the IP address list 40 already stores one or more IP addresses, the one or more IP addresses are entered in one or more of the plurality of IP address input fields.

[0027] In T32, the terminal 100 accepts the user's input of the IP address IP1 of the terminal 100 into one IP address input field on the setting screen SC10, and then accepts the selection of the OK button. In this case, the terminal 100 transmits the entered IP address IP1 to the scanner 10 in T34.

[0028] When scanner 10 receives IP address IP1 from terminal 100 in T34, scanner 10 stores IP address IP1 in IP address list 40 in T36. This enables scanner 10 to perform communication using IP address IP1. After the process of T36 is completed, one IP address IP1 is stored in IP address list 40.

[0029] Thereafter, for example, after the terminal 100 is restarted, the IP address assigned to the terminal 100 is changed from IP1 to IP2 at T40. The IP address IP2 also consists of multiple alphanumeric characters, for example, "192.168.0.1." In this case, the terminal 100 transmits the device name TN1 and the IP address IP2 to the DNS server 200 at T42.

[0030] When the DNS server 200 receives the device name TN1 and the IP address IP2 from the terminal 100 in T42, it stores them in T44. Specifically, the DNS server 200 first determines whether the device name TN1 has already been stored. If the device name TN1 has already been stored, the DNS server 200 associates the device name TN1 with the IP address IP2 and stores the IP address IP2 instead of the IP address IP1. If the device name TN1 has not already been stored, the DNS server 200 newly stores the device name TN1 and the IP address IP2 in association with each other.

[0031] Thereafter, when the terminal 100 accepts the selection of the scan box setting icon in the top screen SC1 from the user in T50, it transmits a scan box setting screen request to the scanner 10 in T52.

[0032] When the scanner 10 receives a scan box setting screen request from the terminal 100 in T52, it transmits scan box setting screen data representing the setting screen SC20 to the terminal 100 in T54.

[0033] When the terminal 100 receives the scan box setting screen data from the scanner 10 in T54, it displays the setting screen SC20 in T60. The setting screen SC20 includes a message prompting the user to input the name of the folder in which the scanned data will be saved, multiple folder name input fields, and an OK button.

[0034] In T62, the terminal 100 accepts the user's input of the folder name "TN1 / SCAN_FOLDER" in the terminal 100 into one folder name input field on the setting screen SC20, and then accepts selection of the OK button. In this embodiment, the character string written before the character " / " included in the folder name ("TN1" in the above example) indicates the device name. In T64, the terminal 100 transmits the entered folder name "TN1 / SCAN_FOLDER" to the scanner 10.

[0035] When scanner 10 receives the folder name "TN1 / SCAN_FOLDER" from terminal 100 in T64, scanner 10 stores the folder name in scan folder list 42 in T66. After the processing in T66 is completed, one folder name "TN1 / SCAN_FOLDER" is stored in scan folder list 42. This allows the user to specify a folder with that folder name as the save destination for scanned data.

[0036] (Scanner processing; Figure 3) Next, the processing realized by the CPU 32 of the scanner 10 executing the program 36 will be described with reference to Figure 3. The processing of Figure 3 is triggered by the power of the scanner 10 being turned on. In the following description of Figure 3, unless otherwise specified, a situation will be described in which one IP address is stored in the IP address list 40 (see T36 in Figure 2).

[0037] In S10, the CPU 32 monitors whether a user has input a folder name after selecting a scan box setting icon (see top screen SC1 in FIG. 2). Specifically, the CPU 32 monitors whether a folder name (see T64) is received after receiving a scan box setting screen request (see T52) from an external device (e.g., terminal 100). If the CPU 32 receives a folder name from the external device (YES in S10), the process proceeds to S20. Hereinafter, the device name included in the folder name received here will be referred to as the "target device name." Although not shown in FIG. 3, if the CPU 32 determines YES in S10, the CPU 32 stores the received folder name in the scan folder list 42.

[0038] In S12, the CPU 32 monitors whether a scan execution instruction from the user has been received. If the CPU 32 receives a scan execution instruction from the user via the operation unit 12 (YES in S12), the process proceeds to S20. The scan execution instruction includes a specification of the folder name of the folder where the scan data is to be saved. Hereinafter, the device name included in the folder name specified here will also be referred to as the "target device name."

[0039] In S14, the CPU 32 monitors whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the processing in S20 and subsequent steps was executed. If the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S14), the CPU 32 proceeds to S20.

[0040] In S20 and S22, the CPU 32 performs name resolution using the target device name and receives an IP address. Specifically, in S20, after a YES result in S10, the CPU 32 identifies the device name included in the folder name received from the external device as the target device name. In S20, after a YES result in S12, the CPU 32 identifies the device name included in the folder name specified in the scan execution instruction as the target device name. In S20, after a YES result in S14, the CPU 32 identifies the device name included in each of one or more folder names included in the scan folder list 42 as the target device name. Then, in S20, the CPU 32 transmits the identified target device name to the DNS server 200, and in S22, receives the IP address associated with the target device name from the DNS server 200. In this way, the CPU 32 can obtain the IP address associated with the target device name using the DNS server 200. Hereinafter, the IP address obtained here will be referred to as the "target IP address." In S20 and S22 after YES in S14, the CPU 32 acquires the target IP address associated with each of the one or more target device names. Then, the CPU 32 executes the determination in S24 (to be described later) for each of the one or more target IP addresses, and executes the process in S30 (to be described later) for the target IP addresses for which NO is determined in S24.

[0041] In S24, the CPU 32 determines whether the target IP address is included in the IP address list 40. Specifically, the CPU 32 determines whether the target IP address matches one IP address included in the IP address list 40. Here, "two IP addresses match" means that the alphanumeric characters constituting the two IP addresses match. For example, the least significant digits of IP address IP1 (i.e., "192.168.0.0") and IP address IP2 (i.e., "192.168.0.1") are different, so IP address IP1 and IP address IP2 do not match. If the target IP address matches one IP address included in the IP address list 40 (YES in S24), the CPU 32 returns to monitoring in S10, etc. On the other hand, if the target IP address does not match one IP address included in the IP address list 40 (NO in S24), the CPU 32 proceeds to S30. In a modified example in which the IP address list 40 stores one or more IP addresses, the CPU 32 determines in S24 whether the target IP address matches any of the one or more IP addresses included in the IP address list 40. The CPU 32 determines YES in S24 if the target IP address matches any of the one or more IP addresses included in the IP address list 40, and determines NO in S24 if the target IP address does not match any of the one or more IP addresses included in the IP address list 40.

[0042] Although not shown, if the CPU 32 determines YES in S12 and YES in S24, it executes the scan in accordance with the scan execution instruction and transmits the scanned data to a destination folder (for example, the terminal 100). On the other hand, if the CPU 32 determines YES in S12 and NO in S24, the target IP address is not included in the IP address list 40 (i.e., the target IP address does not match an IP address included in the IP address list 40), so the scanned data is not transmitted.

[0043] In S30, the CPU 32 generates notification screen data representing a notification screen SC30 and stores the notification screen data in the memory 34. The notification screen SC30 includes a message indicating that the target IP address is not included in the IP address list 40 and a message prompting the user to input the target IP address into the setting screen SC10 (see FIG. 2). By storing the notification screen data in the memory 34, the CPU 32 can subsequently transmit the top screen data (T14) and the notification screen data to the terminal 100 when receiving an access request (see T12 in FIG. 2) from the terminal 100. This allows the notification screen SC30 to be displayed on the terminal 100 superimposed on the top screen SC1. When the processing of S30 ends, the process returns to monitoring at S10, etc.

[0044] (Continuation of Figure 2; Figure 4) Next, the processing realized by the flowchart in Fig. 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a continuation of Fig. 2. As described above, scanner 10 has already received the folder name "TN1 / SCAN_FOLDER" from terminal 100 at T64 in Fig. 2 (YES at S10 in Fig. 3). In this case, scanner 10 identifies the device name TN1 included in the folder name, and at T100, transmits the identified device name TN1 to DNS server 200 (S20).

[0045] When the DNS server 200 receives the device name TN1 from the scanner 10 in T100, it identifies the IP address IP2 (see T44 in FIG. 2) associated with the device name TN1 in T102. Then, the DNS server 200 transmits the identified IP address IP2 to the scanner 10 in T104.

[0046] In T104, scanner 10 receives IP address IP2 (i.e., the target IP address) from DNS server 200 (S22). In this case, scanner 10 determines that the received IP address IP2 does not match IP address IP1 included in IP address list 40 (i.e., IP address IP2 is not included in IP address list 40) (NO in S24), and in T106 generates notification screen data representing notification screen SC30 and stores the notification screen data in memory 34 (S30).

[0047] Thereafter, the terminal 100 accepts an access operation by the user in T110. In this case, the terminal 100 transmits an access request to the scanner 10 in T112. The processes of T110 and T112 are similar to the processes of T10 and T12 in FIG. 2, respectively.

[0048] When the scanner 10 receives an access request from the terminal 100 in T112, the scanner 10 transmits the top screen data and the stored notification screen data to the terminal 100 in T114.

[0049] When the terminal 100 receives the top screen data and notification screen data from the scanner 10 in T114, it displays the notification screen SC30 superimposed on the top screen SC1 in T116. By looking at the notification screen SC30, the user can see that he or she should select the firewall setting icon included in the top screen SC1 and enter the IP address IP2. The processes of T120 to T124 are the same as the processes of T20 to T24 in FIG. 2, respectively. Also, at this stage, the IP address IP1 has already been stored in the IP address list 40 (see T36 in FIG. 2), so the IP address IP1 is entered in the one IP address input field in the setting screen SC10 in T130. Except for this point, the process of T130 is the same as the process of T30 in FIG. 2.

[0050] In T132, the terminal 100 accepts from the user the deletion of IP address IP1 written in an IP address input field on the setting screen SC10 and the input of IP address IP2 into that IP address input field, and then accepts selection of the OK button. In this case, in T134, the terminal 100 transmits to the scanner 10 deletion information indicating that IP address IP1 should be deleted, and the IP address IP2. Note that in a modified example, the terminal 100 may accept input of IP address IP2 into another IP address input field on the setting screen SC10 without accepting from the user the operation to delete IP address IP1 in T132. In this case, the terminal 100 transmits IP address IP2 to the scanner 10 without transmitting deletion information in T134.

[0051] When scanner 10 receives the deletion information and IP address IP2 from terminal 100 in T134, scanner 10 updates IP address list 40 in T136. Specifically, scanner 10 deletes IP address IP1 from IP address list 40 and stores IP address IP2 in IP address list 40. In this way, scanner 10 can store IP address IP2 in IP address list 40 in response to receiving input of IP address IP2 by the user.

[0052] Thereafter, in T140, the scanner 10 receives a scan execution instruction from the user via the operation unit 12 after a document is placed on the document tray of the scanner 10 (YES in S12 of FIG. 3). The scan execution instruction includes a specification of the folder name "TN1 / SCAN_FOLDER" of the folder where the scanned data is to be saved.

[0053] When the scanner 10 receives a scan execution instruction, it identifies the device name TN1 contained in the specified folder name "TN1 / SCAN_FOLDER." Then, in T142, the scanner 10 transmits the identified device name TN1 to the DNS server 200 (S20). The processes of T144 and T146 are the same as the processes of T102 and T104, respectively. In this way, the scanner 10 performs name resolution when it receives a scan execution instruction, and therefore can appropriately determine whether or not it is possible to transmit scan data.

[0054] In T146, when scanner 10 receives IP address IP2 (i.e., the target IP address) from DNS server 200 (S22), it determines that the received IP address IP2 matches the IP address IP2 included in IP address list 40 (YES in S24). Therefore, in T150, scanner 10 scans the document placed on the document tray to generate scanned data. Then, in T152, scanner 10 sends the scanned data to the folder with the folder name "TN1 / SCAN_FOLDER" specified in the scan execution instruction. That is, scanner 10 sends the scanned data, with the folder name "TN1 / SCAN_FOLDER" specified as the save destination, to IP address IP2 of terminal 10.

[0055] At T152, the terminal 100 receives the scan data from the scanner 10. As a result, the scan data is saved in a folder with the folder name "TN1 / SCAN_FOLDER." This allows the user to obtain the scan data of the document.

[0056] (Effects of the first embodiment) According to the above configuration, when scanner 10 determines that IP address IP2 of terminal 100 does not match IP address IP1 included in IP address list 40 (NO in S24 of FIG. 3), scanner 10 generates notification screen SC30 (S30). This allows the user to perform an operation (see T120 to T136 of FIG. 4) for storing IP address IP2 in IP address list 40 by viewing notification screen SC30. This allows scanner 10 to appropriately communicate with terminal 100, specifically, transmit scan data to terminal 100. Furthermore, even if IP address list 40 stores one or more IP addresses, scanner 10 can generate notification screen SC30 when scanner 10 determines that IP address IP2 of terminal 100 does not match any of the one or more IP addresses included in IP address list 40.

[0057] (Correspondence) The scanner 10 is an example of a "communication device." The terminal 100 is an example of a "first external device." The firewall settings (i.e., IP address list 40) are an example of a "first setting." The scan folder settings (i.e., scan folder list 42) are an example of a "second setting." The IP address IP1 is an example of a "first IP address." The IP address IP2 is an example of a "second IP address." The device name TN1 is an example of a "first name." The folder name "TN1 / SCAN_FOLDER" is an example of "first name information." The setting screen SC10 is an example of a "first screen." The setting screen SC20 is an example of a "second screen." The process of generating notification screen data is an example of a "specific process" and a "notification process."

[0058] The processing of T34 in FIG. 2 is an example of processing executed by a "first reception unit." The processing of T64 is an example of processing executed by a "second reception unit." The processing of T36 in FIG. 2 is an example of processing executed by a "first storage control unit." The processing of T66 is an example of processing executed by a "second storage control unit." The processing of S20 and S22 in FIG. 3 and T100 and T104 in FIG. 4 are examples of processing executed by a "first acquisition unit." The processing of S24 in FIG. 3 is an example of processing executed by a "determination unit." The processing of S30 in FIG. 3 is an example of processing executed by a "specific processing execution unit."

[0059] (Second Example) Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment differs in the process of S30 in FIG. 3. Specifically, in S30 in FIG. 3, the CPU 32 automatically stores the target IP address already received in S22 in the IP address list 40 without accepting an IP address input by the user. This allows the scanner 10 to properly communicate with the terminal 100. The process of automatically storing the target IP address in the IP address list 40 is an example of a "specifying process" and a "storing process."

[0060] (Third Example) Next, a description will be given of Example 3. Example 3 differs from Example 1 in the setting screen that is displayed when the firewall setting icon on the top screen SC1 is selected.

[0061] 1, the scanner 10 of the third embodiment stores a name list 44 instead of the IP address list 40. The name list 44 is a list for storing the device names of external devices that are permitted to communicate with the scanner 10 and the IP addresses of the external devices in association with each other.

[0062] (Processing performed by each device; Figure 5) Next, the processing executed by the devices 10, 100, etc. will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The initial state in Fig. 5 is the same as the initial state in Fig. 2. In Fig. 5, first, processing similar to T10 to T24 in Fig. 2 is executed.

[0063] 2 cited in Fig. 5, when the terminal 100 receives firewall setting screen data from the scanner 10, it displays setting screen SC100 at T230. Setting screen SC100 includes a message prompting the user to input the device names of external devices that are permitted to communicate with the scanner 10, multiple device name input fields, and an OK button.

[0064] In T232, the terminal 100 accepts the user's input of the device name TN1 of the terminal 100 into one device name input field on the setting screen SC100, and then accepts the selection of the OK button. In this case, the terminal 100 transmits the entered device name TN1 to the scanner 10 in T234.

[0065] When scanner 10 receives device name TN1 from terminal 100 in T234, it performs name resolution using the received device name TN1 to obtain the IP address of terminal 100. Specifically, scanner 10 transmits device name TN1 to DNS server 200 in T240. When DNS server 200 receives device name TN1 from scanner 10 in T240, it identifies IP address IP1 associated with device name TN1 in T242 and transmits the identified IP address IP1 to scanner 10 in T244. When scanner 10 receives IP address IP1 from DNS server 200 in T244, it associates device name TN1 with IP address IP1 and stores them in name list 44 in T246. In this way, scanner 10 can store IP address IP1 in name list 44 without receiving user input of IP address IP1. After the process of T246 is completed, the name list 44 stores one device name TN1 and one IP address IP1 in association with each other. The processes at T250 to T276 are similar to the processes at T40 to T66 in FIG. 2, respectively.

[0066] (Scanner processing; Figure 6) Next, a process that is realized by the CPU 32 of the scanner 10 of the third embodiment executing the program 36 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The process of Fig. 6 is started when the power of the scanner 10 is turned on.

[0067] The processing of S110 in Fig. 6 is the same as the processing of S10 in Fig. 3. In S111, the CPU 32 monitors whether a user inputs a device name after selecting a firewall setting icon (see top screen SC1 in Fig. 2). Specifically, the CPU 32 monitors whether a device name (see T234 in Fig. 5) is received after receiving a firewall setting screen request (see T22 in Fig. 2 cited in Fig. 5) from an external device (e.g., terminal 100). If the CPU 32 receives a device name from the external device (YES in S111), the process proceeds to S120. Hereinafter, the device name received here will also be referred to as the "target device name."

[0068] The processes of S112 to S122 are the same as the processes of S12 to S22 in Fig. 3. In S124, the CPU 32 determines whether the target device name is stored in the name list 44. If the target device name is stored in the name list 44 (YES in S124), the CPU 32 proceeds to S126, and if the target device name is not stored in the name list 44 (NO in S124), the CPU 32 returns to monitoring of S110, etc. Although not shown, if the target device name received in S111 is not stored in the name list 44 (i.e., YES in S111 and NO in S124), the CPU 32 executes a process of storing the target device name and the target IP address received in S122 in association with each other in the name list 44.

[0069] In S126, the CPU 32 determines whether the target IP address matches the IP address associated with the target device name in the name list 44. If the CPU 32 determines that the two match (YES in S126), it returns to monitoring at S110, etc., and if it determines that the two do not match (NO in S126), it proceeds to S130. Although not shown, if the CPU 32 determines YES in S126 after YES in S112, it executes a scan in accordance with the scan execution instruction and sends the scanned data to the destination folder.

[0070] In S130, the CPU 32 updates the IP address associated with the target device name in the name list 44. Specifically, the CPU 32 stores the target IP address in association with the target device name, replacing the previously stored IP address. When the processing of S130 ends, the CPU 32 returns to monitoring at S110, etc.

[0071] (Continuation of Figure 5; Figure 7) Next, the processing realized by the flowchart in Fig. 6 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a continuation of Fig. 5. As described above, scanner 10 has already received the folder name "TN1 / SCAN_FOLDER" from terminal 100 at T274 in Fig. 5 (YES at S110 in Fig. 6). In this case, scanner 10 identifies the device name TN1 included in the folder name, and at T300 transmits the identified device name TN1 to DNS server 200 (S120).

[0072] When the DNS server 200 receives the device name TN1 from the scanner 10 in T300, it identifies the IP address IP2 (see T254 in FIG. 5) associated with the device name TN1 in T302. Then, the DNS server 200 transmits the identified IP address IP2 to the scanner 10 in T304.

[0073] In T304, scanner 10 receives IP address IP2 (i.e., target IP address) from DNS server 200 (S22). In this case, scanner 10 determines that device name TN1 included in the received folder name "TN1 / SCAN_FOLDER" is stored in name list 44 (YES in S124), and determines that target IP address IP2 does not match IP address IP1 associated with device name TN1 (NO in S126). Therefore, in T306, scanner 10 associates IP address IP2 with device name TN1 in name list 44 and stores IP address IP2 instead of IP address IP1. That is, scanner 10 updates IP address IP1 associated with the device name in name list 44 to IP address IP2 (S130). The processes of T310 to T322 are the same as the processes of T140 to T152 in FIG. 4, respectively.

[0074] (Effects of the third embodiment) According to the above configuration, when the scanner 10 determines that the IP address IP2 received from the DNS server 200 does not match the IP address IP1 associated with the device name TN1 in the name list 44 (NO in S126), the scanner 10 updates the IP address IP1 associated with the device name TN1 in the name list 44 to the IP address IP2. This allows the scanner 10 to properly communicate with the terminal 100.

[0075] (Correspondence) The firewall settings (i.e., name list 44) are an example of a "first setting." The setting screen SC100 is an example of a "first screen." The process of T234 in FIG. 5 is an example of a process executed by a "third reception unit." The process of T246 in FIG. 5 is an example of a process executed by a "first storage control unit." The process of T274 in FIG. 5 is an example of a process executed by a "second reception unit." The process of T276 in FIG. 5 is an example of a process executed by a "second storage control unit." The processes of S120 to S122 in FIG. 6 and T300 and T304 in FIG. 7 that result in YES at S110 in FIG. 6 are examples of a process executed by a "first acquisition unit." The processes of S120 to S122 in FIG. 6 and T240 and T244 in FIG. 5 that result in YES at S100 in FIG. 6 are examples of a process executed by a "second acquisition unit." The process of S126 in FIG. 6 is an example of a process executed by a "determination unit." The process of S130 in FIG. 6 is an example of a process executed by an "updating unit."

[0076] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above examples are listed below.

[0077] (Variation 1) In each of the above embodiments, scanner 10 accepts input of an IP address, folder name, etc. from terminal 100 by utilizing the web server function of scanner 10. Alternatively, scanner 10 may display a setting screen SC10, etc. on display unit 14 of scanner 10. Then, scanner 10 may accept input of an IP address, etc. by the user via operation unit 12.

[0078] (Variation 2) In the first embodiment described above, the setting screen SC10 that accepts the input of an IP address and the setting screen SC20 that accepts the input of a folder name are configured as separate screens. Alternatively, the scanner 10 may be configured to accept the input of an IP address and the input of a folder name on a single setting screen. Also, in the third embodiment described above, the setting screen SC100 that accepts the input of a device name and the setting screen SC20 that accepts the input of a folder name are configured as separate screens. Alternatively, the scanner 10 may be configured to accept the input of a device and the input of a folder name on a single setting screen. Generally speaking, the "second accepting unit" does not have to accept specific name information on a second screen that is different from the first screen.

[0079] (Variation 3) In S30 of FIG. 3, the CPU 32 may display the notification screen SC30 on the display unit 14. In this variation, the process of displaying the notification screen SC30 on the display unit 14 is an example of a "specific process" and a "notification process." In another variation, in S30 of FIG. 3, the CPU 32 may not generate the notification screen SC30 itself, but may send a notification including each message in the notification screen SC30 to an external device. For example, the CPU 32 may send the notification to the external device according to a protocol such as HTTP, or may send an email including the notification to the external device. In this variation, sending the notification to the external device is an example of a "specific process" and a "notification process."

[0080] (Variation 4) The CPU 32 can omit the process of S12 in Fig. 3. That is, when a scan execution instruction is accepted, the CPU 32 does not need to execute the processes from S20 onwards. Generally speaking, when an instruction to execute communication using the first name information included in the second setting is received, the "first acquisition unit" does not need to acquire the second IP address.

[0081] (Variation 5) The communication system 2 may not include the DNS server 200. For example, in S20 of FIG. 3, the CPU 32 may transmit a device name to the LAN 4 and receive the IP address of the device from the device in the LAN 4 to which the device name is assigned. In another variation, the scanner 10 itself may have a DNS server function. In this case, the CPU 32 may execute a process of identifying an IP address associated with the target device name from the memory 34, instead of the processes of S20 and S22 of FIG. 3. Generally speaking, the name resolution method is not particularly limited.

[0082] (Variation 6) In each of the above embodiments, the setting screen SC20 is a screen for registering a folder in which scanned data is to be saved. Alternatively, in a variation, the setting screen SC20 may be a screen for registering a destination for saving, for example, event log data, fax data, a phone book, etc., transmitted from the scanner 10. Generally speaking, the "second setting" may be any setting for registering a destination for saving data transmitted from a communication device.

[0083] (Variation 7) In the above embodiment, the processes of the steps in FIGS. 2 to 7 are implemented by software (for example, program 36), but at least one of these processes may be implemented by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0084] The technical elements described in this specification or drawings may exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings may achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of those objectives alone is technically useful.

[0085] In the scope of the claims at the time of filing, even if each claim depends on only some of the claims, it is not limited to the fact that each claim can depend on only those some of the claims. To the extent that there is no technical contradiction, each claim can also depend on other claims that were not dependent at the time of filing. In other words, the technology of each claim can be combined in various ways as follows: (Item 1) A communication device, Memory and a first receiving unit that receives a first IP address of a first external device as an input by a user; a first storage control unit that stores the accepted first IP address in the memory as a first setting; a second receiving unit that receives first name information including a first name of the first external device as an input by the user; a second storage control unit that stores the received first name information in the memory as a second setting different from the first setting; a first acquisition unit that, after the first IP address is stored in the memory as the first setting and the first name information is stored in the memory as the second setting, performs name resolution using the first name included in the first name information to acquire a second IP address of the first external device; a determination unit that determines whether the second IP address matches the first IP address included in the first setting in the memory; a specific processing execution unit that executes specific processing related to storing the second IP address in the memory as the first setting when it is determined that the second IP address does not match the first IP address included in the first setting in the memory; and A communication device comprising: (Item 2) The communication device of claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the second IP address matches the first IP address included in the first setting in the memory if at least one of the alphanumeric characters constituting the first IP address matches at least one of the alphanumeric characters constituting the second IP address. (Item 3) the communication device is capable of communicating with one or more external devices including the first external device; The memory includes: storing one or more IP addresses of the one or more external devices, including the first IP address, as the first setting; storing one or more pieces of name information of the one or more external devices, including the first name information, as the second setting; Item 3. The communication device according to item 1 or 2. (Item 4) Item 4. The communication device according to item 3, wherein the determination unit determines whether the second IP address matches any of the one or more IP addresses included in the first setting in the memory. (Item 5) the first accepting unit accepts the first IP address as an input by the user on a first screen; 5. The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the second receiving unit receives the first name information as input by the user on a second screen different from the first screen. (Item 6) 6. The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the specification process includes a notification process of notifying the user that the second IP address should be stored in the memory as the first setting. (Item 7) Item 6. The communication device according to item 6, wherein the first storage control unit stores the second IP address in the memory as the first setting when the second IP address is accepted as input by the user after the notification process is executed. (Item 8) 6. The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the identification process includes a storage process of storing the second IP address in the memory as the first setting without accepting the second IP address as input by the user. (Item 9) A communication device, Memory and a third accepting unit that accepts a first name of the first external device as an input by a user; a second acquisition unit that executes name resolution using the received first name to acquire a first IP address of the first external device; a first storage control unit that associates the first name with the first IP address and stores the association in the memory as a first setting; a second receiving unit that receives first name information including the first name of the first external device as an input by the user; a second storage control unit that stores the received first name information in the memory as a second setting different from the first setting; a first acquisition unit that, after the first name and the first IP address are stored in the memory as the first setting and the first name information is stored in the memory as the second setting, performs name resolution using the first name included in the first name information to acquire a second IP address of the first external device; a determination unit that determines whether the second IP address matches the first IP address associated with the first name as the first setting in the memory; an updating unit that updates the first IP address associated with the first name as the first setting to the second IP address when it is determined that the second IP address does not match the first IP address; A communication device comprising: (Item 10) The communication device of claim 9, wherein the determination unit determines that the second IP address matches the first IP address associated with the first name as the first setting in the memory when at least one of the alphanumeric characters constituting the first IP address matches at least one of the alphanumeric characters constituting the second IP address. (Item 11) the communication device is capable of communicating with one or more external devices including the first external device; The memory includes: storing one or more names of the one or more external devices, including the first names, and one or more IP addresses of the one or more external devices, including the first IP addresses, wherein the names and IP addresses of the one or more external devices are associated with each other as the first setting; storing one or more pieces of name information of the one or more external devices, including the first name information, as the second setting; Item 11. The communication device according to item 9 or 10. (Item 12) the third accepting unit accepts the first name as an input by the user on a first screen; 12. The communication device according to any one of items 9 to 11, wherein the second accepting unit accepts the first name information as input by the user on a second screen different from the first screen. (Item 13) 13. The communication device according to any one of items 9 to 12, wherein the first storage control unit associates the first name with the first IP address and stores the first setting in the memory without accepting the first IP address as input by the user. (Item 14) The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the first acquisition unit acquires the second IP address when the user instructs the execution of communication using the first name information included in the second setting. (Item 15) 15. The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 14, wherein the first acquisition unit transmits the first name included in the first name information to a DNS server and receives the second IP address associated with the first name from the DNS server. (Item 16) 16. The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 15, wherein the second setting is a setting for registering a destination for saving data transmitted from the communication device. (Item 17) Item 17. The communication device of item 16, wherein the data is scan data generated by the communication device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 2: Communication system, 4: LAN, 10: Scanner, 12: Operation unit, 14: Display unit, 16: Communication I / F, 18: Scan execution unit, 30: Control unit, 32: CPU, 34: Memory, 36: Program, 40: IP address list, 42: Scan folder list, 44: Name list, 100: Terminal, 200: DNS server

Claims

1. A communication device, Memory and a first receiving unit that receives a first IP address of a first external device as an input by a user; a first storage control unit that stores the accepted first IP address in the memory as a first setting; a second receiving unit that receives first name information including a first name of the first external device as an input by the user; a second storage control unit that stores the received first name information in the memory as a second setting different from the first setting; a first acquisition unit that, after the first IP address is stored in the memory as the first setting and the first name information is stored in the memory as the second setting, performs name resolution using the first name included in the first name information to acquire a second IP address of the first external device; a determination unit that determines whether the second IP address matches the first IP address included in the first setting in the memory; a specific processing execution unit that executes specific processing related to storing the second IP address in the memory as the first setting when it is determined that the second IP address does not match the first IP address included in the first setting in the memory; and A communication device comprising:

2. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the second IP address matches the first IP address included in the first setting in the memory when at least one of the alphanumeric characters constituting the first IP address matches at least one of the alphanumeric characters constituting the second IP address.

3. the communication device is capable of communicating with one or more external devices including the first external device; The memory includes: storing one or more IP addresses of the one or more external devices, including the first IP address, as the first configuration; storing one or more pieces of name information of the one or more external devices, including the first name information, as the second setting; The communication device according to claim 1 .

4. The communication device according to claim 3 , wherein the determination unit determines whether the second IP address matches any of the one or more IP addresses included in the first setting in the memory.

5. the first accepting unit accepts the first IP address as an input by the user on a first screen; The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the second accepting unit accepts the first name information as an input by the user on a second screen different from the first screen.

6. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the specifying process includes a notification process of notifying the user that the second IP address should be stored in the memory as the first setting.

7. 7. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the first storage control unit stores the second IP address in the memory as the first setting when the second IP address is accepted as input by the user after the notification process is executed.

8. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the specifying process includes a storing process of storing the second IP address in the memory as the first setting without accepting the second IP address as an input by the user.

9. A communication device, Memory and a third accepting unit that accepts a first name of the first external device as an input by a user; a second acquisition unit that executes name resolution using the accepted first name to acquire a first IP address of the first external device; a first storage control unit that associates the first name with the first IP address and stores the first name and the first IP address in the memory as a first setting; a second receiving unit that receives first name information including the first name of the first external device as an input by the user; a second storage control unit that stores the received first name information in the memory as a second setting different from the first setting; a first acquisition unit that, after the first name and the first IP address are stored in the memory as the first setting and the first name information is stored in the memory as the second setting, performs name resolution using the first name included in the first name information to acquire a second IP address of the first external device; a determination unit that determines whether the second IP address matches the first IP address associated with the first name as the first setting in the memory; an update unit that updates the first IP address associated with the first name as the first setting to the second IP address when it is determined that the second IP address does not match the first IP address; A communication device comprising:

10. 10. The communication device of claim 9, wherein the determination unit determines that the second IP address matches the first IP address associated with the first name as the first setting in the memory when at least one of the alphanumeric characters constituting the first IP address matches at least one of the alphanumeric characters constituting the second IP address.

11. the communication device is capable of communicating with one or more external devices including the first external device; The memory includes: storing one or more names of the one or more external devices, including the first names, and one or more IP addresses of the one or more external devices, including the first IP addresses, wherein the names and IP addresses of the one or more external devices are associated with each other as the first setting; storing one or more pieces of name information of the one or more external devices, including the first name information, as the second setting; The communication device according to claim 9.

12. the third accepting unit accepts the first name as an input by the user on a first screen; The communication device according to claim 9 , wherein the second accepting unit accepts the first name information as an input by the user on a second screen different from the first screen.

13. 10. The communication device according to claim 9, wherein the first storage control unit associates the first name with the first IP address and stores the first setting in the memory as the first setting without accepting the first IP address as input by the user.

14. 10. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first acquisition unit acquires the second IP address when the user instructs the execution of communication using the first name information included in the second setting.

15. 10. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first acquisition unit transmits the first name included in the first name information to a DNS server and receives the second IP address associated with the first name from the DNS server.

16. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the second setting is a setting for registering a destination for saving data transmitted from the communication device.

17. The communication device of claim 16 , wherein the data is scan data generated by the communication device.

18. 1. A computer program for a communication device, comprising: The communication device Memory and A computer, Equipped with The computer program controls the computer to operate as follows: a first receiving unit that receives a first IP address of a first external device as an input by a user; a first storage control unit that stores the accepted first IP address in the memory as a first setting; a second receiving unit that receives first name information including a first name of the first external device as an input by the user; a second storage control unit that stores the received first name information in the memory as a second setting different from the first setting; a first acquisition unit that, after the first IP address is stored in the memory as the first setting and the first name information is stored in the memory as the second setting, performs name resolution using the first name included in the first name information to acquire a second IP address of the first external device; a determination unit that determines whether the second IP address matches the first IP address included in the first setting in the memory; a specific processing execution unit that executes specific processing related to storing the second IP address in the memory as the first setting when it is determined that the second IP address does not match the first IP address included in the first setting in the memory; and A computer program that functions as a

19. 1. A computer program for a communication device, comprising: The communication device Memory and A computer, Equipped with The computer program controls the computer to operate as follows: a third accepting unit that accepts a first name of the first external device as an input by a user; a second acquisition unit that executes name resolution using the accepted first name to acquire a first IP address of the first external device; a first storage control unit that associates the first name with the first IP address and stores the first name and the first IP address in the memory as a first setting; a second receiving unit that receives first name information including the first name of the first external device as an input by the user; a second storage control unit that stores the received first name information in the memory as a second setting different from the first setting; a first acquisition unit that, after the first name and the first IP address are stored in the memory as the first setting and the first name information is stored in the memory as the second setting, performs name resolution using the first name included in the first name information to acquire a second IP address of the first external device; a determination unit that determines whether the second IP address matches the first IP address associated with the first name as the first setting; an updating unit that updates the first IP address associated with the specific name as the first setting to the second IP address when it is determined that the second IP address does not match the first IP address; A computer program that functions as a

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