JP4002858B2 - Image input / output device and setting information input device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image input / output device having functions of a copy, a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, and the like, and a setting information input device for inputting setting information to the image input / output device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an image input / output apparatus having functions such as a copy, a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner, it is necessary to set various setting items in order to enable each function. In order to input setting information, a remote or panel is used as a setting tool (setting information input device).
[0003]
Networking has become widespread, and network functions have become standard for image input / output devices. However, in order to connect and use multiple image input / output devices (hereinafter simply referred to as devices if necessary) on a network, it is necessary to input setting information of an arbitrary value such as an IP address. In addition, as the network environment expands, there are cases where management is performed by grouping, such as for each department in which a device is installed, and protocols that take this into account are increasing.
[0004]
Also, multiple image input / output devices of different models may be installed on the network, and settings such as “Setting target / Non-setting target / Not equipped with setting function / Other” in the setting information for each device There are various cases of conditions.
Each image input / output device may receive an acquisition / setting request for necessary information from various setting tools.
For example, in a system in which a printer processes a print job sent via a network created by a workstation, a group job is set when a booklet is created by a plurality of print jobs (Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-222157
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The first problem is that, as described above, the necessary setting is usually performed remotely from the setting information input device or from the panel, but initial setting is also difficult, and the layout of the device is also difficult. If the department policy changes, it will be necessary to set it again, which takes a lot of man-hours and management.
[0007]
The second problem is that, in a network environment where image input / output devices such as various models and numbers are installed, the image input / output device on the setting tool side sets “setting target / non-setting target / setting function”. It is necessary to accurately determine one of various setting conditions such as “not installed / others” and to deal with the setting process flexibly.
[0008]
The third problem is that the image input / output device may receive necessary information acquisition / setting requests from various setting tools, and security and management will not be possible if the setting requests from any setting tool are set as they are. It does not hold. That is, it is indispensable to accurately determine and process whether the request from the setting tool is for another image input / output device.
[0009]
The first object of the present invention is to simplify the setting and management of the expanded user as described above.
The second object of the present invention is to make the setting method flexible by always acquiring information from the model.
The third object of the present invention is to solve the security and management problems by having a process for determining whether the request is made from a plurality of different setting tools.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an image input / output apparatus according to the present invention enables use of each function in an image input / output apparatus having at least one of a network, a scanner, a facsimile, a copy, a printer, and the like. An identifier management unit that holds and manages an identifier indicating the setting information and setting conditions and a value thereof, a changing unit that changes the value of the identifier in response to a change request from the setting information input device, and the setting information input device And determining means for determining whether or not the setting information can be set based on a combination of the identifiers .
[0011]
The setting information input device according to the present invention includes setting information for enabling use of each function and an identifier indicating setting conditions, an identifier management means for holding and managing the value, and the setting information based on a combination of the identifiers. setting information input to the plurality of image input and output apparatus having a determination means for determining a setting yes or not setting set by inputting the setting information for enabling the functions of the image input-output device an apparatus and is characterized by comprising an acquisition unit for acquiring the identifier held in the identifier management unit from the image input and output apparatus before starting the input processing of the setting information.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image input / output device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, each part will be described.
-Main control unit 1: Controls all functions of the following units.
Printer unit 2: Print output unit. When the main control unit 1 or the communication management unit 6 receives information to be output, printing is performed by passing the information to the printer unit 2.
[0013]
Function information management unit 3: Manages function information installed in the device.
1) Manage information necessary for using each function. Example: IP address for network function. For the fax function, the fax number.
Notification means management unit 4: Manages communication means to the management server to notify that an error has occurred.
2) When there are a plurality of notification means, the order of use is managed, and when it is determined that the first means cannot be used, the second means is automatically changed and notified.
[0014]
Software version information management unit 5: Manages the version of each software.
1) Manage the version of installed software.
2) Compare with the version notified from the server.
Communication management unit 6: Communication unit.
1) Manage communication processing such as network and fax.
-Console 7: The panel of the device.
1) Input settings of communication means from a panel on the apparatus or a remote terminal.
[0015]
Information storage management unit 8: manages information to be acquired.
1) Store error information that has occurred.
2) Store generated information.
3) Store information to be acquired.
4) Store and manage scan information.
[0016]
Component search management unit 9: Manages a component search function and the like.
1) Store maintenance information and manage part model numbers.
Scan management unit 10: manages the scan processing of the apparatus.
Download management unit 11: Manages software download processing.
1) Manage the function to download software.
[0017]
Security management unit 12: Manages users and passwords.
Charge management unit 13: Manages access charges from users.
Automatic setting management unit 14: Manages functions related to automatic setting.
1) Manage items necessary for setting.
2) Manage in which panel level the necessary setting items exist.
3) Manage the function to check the setting information.
User management unit 15: Manages users.
Distribution management unit 16: Manages distribution processing.
1) Manage data distribution destinations.
2) Manage data distribution results.
[0019]
Search management unit 17: Manages search processing.
1) Search for an image input / output processing device.
2) Search for function information and setting information of the image input / output processing apparatus.
3) Search for setting items based on information input from the operation home.
[0020]
Processing speed determination unit 18: calculates a printing processing speed.
1) The processing speed is determined from the original placement direction and copy conditions.
Print result determination unit 19: calculates and displays the print result.
1) The processing speed is determined from the original placement direction and copy conditions.
[0021]
Function determination unit 20: It is determined from the setting conditions whether it is necessary to set other functions. From the setting conditions, it is determined whether to reflect the setting contents.
1) Determine the function to be urged according to the copy / printer conditions.
ID management unit 21: manages vendor information IDs and the like.
1) It has a function of managing and providing ID information.
[0022]
Next, the operation of the first to third embodiments of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.
In FIG.
(Step S1): An identifier corresponding to a setting item or setting condition of the setting information is determined, an area for each identifier is secured in the ID management unit 21, and a default value of each identifier is set and set. This is done automatically. The contents of the identifier include setting items such as an identification ID, security discriminator, group information, and setting conditions such as “setting target / non-setting target / no setting function / other”.
[0023]
(Step S2): In accordance with the network environment and management policy, the user performs setting with the setting tool using the provided function when changing from the default value.
(Step S3): It is determined whether or not the setting contents are changed in step S2.
(Step S4): When changed, the function information management unit 3 stores and manages the information in the ID management unit 21. If it is not changed, the process ends.
[0024]
As described above, in the expanding network environment, various environments have been constructed according to the policy of the user side. A certain arrangement is made between a group of image input / output devices and setting tools installed in such a diverse environment, and information to be set at once or information to be set arbitrarily, and depending on the user's environment, remote setting may be required. There are various cases, such as not allowed, allowed.
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to cope with various setting methods by having a function of holding identifiers such as setting items and setting conditions for setting.
[0025]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment.
In FIG.
(Step S11): Information and functions for discriminating from information obtained from each image input / output device in the setting utility are held.
(Step S12): The image input / output device is communicated in a lump (for example, broadcast) or one-to-one (for example, unicast) to collect information on the image input / output device side.
(Step S13): The received information determined by the ID management unit 21 and the function information management unit 3 of the image input / output device and the information stored in the setting utility are collated, and suitable for each image input / output device. Create and send configuration information.
[0026]
(Step S14): Wait for a response from the device, and determine whether acquisition / setting is successful.
(Step S15): If acquisition / setting is successful, the process proceeds to the next process.
(Step S16): If there is no response from the device or it is NG, it is judged from error information and the like, and the information is acquired / set again.
[0027]
According to the present embodiment, a setting tool as a setting information input device for setting a plurality of various image input / output devices as counterparts can receive setting conditions and setting availability from each image input / output device before starting the setting process. By having a function capable of obtaining information, it is possible to easily perform follow-up processing at the time of network addition or setting failure.
[0028]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment.
In FIG.
(Step S21): Receive an information acquisition / setting request from the setting utility.
(Step S22): Based on the information held in the ID management unit 21 and the function information management unit 3, the request information from the setting utility is collated to determine whether a response is possible.
(Step S23): The response is checked.
(Step S24): If there is a response, the acquisition / setting of the request is determined.
[0029]
(Step S25): If it is possible to respond by the determination in steps S22, S23, and S24, and the request is a setting, the contents requested for setting from the setting utility are reflected and stored in the ID management unit 21.
(Step S26): Transmission information created by the ID management unit 21 and the function information management unit 3 is transmitted to the setting utility.
[0030]
Even if a response can be made by the above determination and the request is acquired in step S24, the transmission information created by the ID management unit 21 and the function information management unit 3 is transmitted to the setting utility in step S26.
[0031]
The present embodiment relates to processing determination on the image input / output device side when an acquisition / setting request is received from a plurality of setting tools existing on the network. If requests from a large number of setting tools are received as they are, security and management problems will occur, but the information sent by the setting tool is collated with the information stored in the image input / output device. By having a function for determining whether to perform a response or processing for / setting, it is possible to improve the ease of setting and security of the user.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the information sent by the setting tool is collated with the information held in the image input / output device, and a function for determining whether to perform a response to the acquisition / setting or a process is provided. As a result, it is possible to provide an image input / output device that has the effect of enhancing the ease of setting and security of the user.
[0033]
Further, according to the present invention, a setting tool for setting a plurality of various image input / output devices as partners can obtain setting conditions and setting availability information from each image input / output device before starting the setting process. By having the function, it is possible to provide a setting information input device that has an effect of facilitating follow-up processing when a network is added or a setting fails.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image input / output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image input / output device according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image input / output device according to a second embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image input / output device according to a third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main control part 3 Function information management part 6 Communication management part 7 Console 8 Information accumulation management part 12 Security management part 14 Automatic setting management part 17 Search management part 20 Function judgment part 21 ID management

Claims (5)

In an image input / output device having at least one function of network, scanner, facsimile, copy, printer, etc.
Identifier management means for holding and managing an identifier indicating setting information and setting conditions for enabling each function and a value thereof;
Change means for changing the value of the identifier in response to a change request from the setting information input device ;
An image input / output apparatus comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether the setting information can be set or not based on a combination of the identifiers from the setting information input apparatus.   2. The image input / output device according to claim 1, wherein the setting condition includes a different one for each image input / output device and a same one for each group of image input / output devices.   3. The image input / output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising response means for responding to the stored information in response to an inquiry from a setting information input apparatus. The identifier is identification ID, the security discriminator, an image input-output device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that it comprises a indicates the group information of each function. An identifier management means for holding and managing setting information and setting conditions for enabling each function and setting values thereof, and a determination for determining whether the setting information can be set or not based on a combination of the identifiers a setting information input device for setting and inputting the setting information to for a plurality of image input-output device to enable the functions of the image input and output apparatus and means,
A setting information input device, comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire an identifier held in the identifier management unit from each image input / output device before starting the setting information input process.

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