JP2005228210A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve problems in which an external device side which transmits setting data needs to grasp constitution contents of setting parameters of a reception-side device and needs to receive information of the setting parameters from the reception side and when the same contents are set in a plurality of devices, the same operation needs to be repeated by the external device. <P>SOLUTION: When setting content data are received, a parameter setting means sets setting parameters according to setting content data and a setting content data transfer means transmits the setting content data to a registered transfer destination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus connectable to a network.

  Conventionally, in an information processing apparatus connectable to a network, there is an apparatus capable of setting / changing various setting parameters that an operator can set on the apparatus from an external apparatus via the network.

For example, in a copying machine or a printer, there is an apparatus that can be connected to a LAN and set print density, paper size, and the like via the LAN. In addition, some facsimile machines and telephones can register speed dials via a telephone line.
JP 2001-306281 A

  However, in the conventional apparatus, the external apparatus side that performs the setting data transmission operation needs to know the configuration content of the setting parameter of the receiving apparatus, or the external apparatus receives the setting parameter information from the receiving side. I had to pull it out once. Further, when it is desired to set the same contents in a plurality of devices, it is necessary to repeat the same operation many times in the external device. Furthermore, when copying the contents of the setting parameters of a certain device to other devices, it is impossible if the configuration contents of the setting parameters are not the same, or only some of the parameters desired by the operator may be copied. There was a problem that I couldn't.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. An apparatus capable of creating and changing setting parameter data to be transmitted or transferred according to a situation, and processing received setting parameter data according to the situation. An object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of transmitting and receiving a setting parameter even between devices having different configuration of setting parameters.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention has a setting parameter that can be set by an operator, and sets the setting content of the setting parameter together with an identifier for specifying the setting parameter. Setting content data receiving means for receiving setting content data having at least one set of the indicated information from an external device via a network, and setting parameter data based on the setting content data received by the setting content data receiving means In an information processing apparatus having parameter setting means capable of setting at least one of them, setting content data storage means for storing the received setting content data, and the setting content data stored in the setting content data storage means To the other device on the network. A transfer destination registration unit capable of registering a transfer destination, and when the setting content data receiving unit receives the setting content data, the parameter setting unit is configured based on the setting content data. While the setting parameter is set, the setting content data transfer unit transmits the setting content data to a transfer destination registered in the transfer destination registration unit.

  The information processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the setting content of at least one setting parameter among the setting content data stored in the setting content data storage unit can be changed. When the setting content data is received from the external device, the setting content data transfer unit sends the setting content data changed by the setting content data changing unit to the transfer destination registration unit. It transfers to the registered transfer destination, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting contents related to the setting parameter that does not exist in the apparatus can be deleted from the setting contents data stored in the setting contents data storage unit. Setting content data changing means, and when the setting content data is received from an external device, the setting content data transferring means stores the setting content data changed by the setting content data changing means in the transfer destination registration. It transfers to the transfer destination registered into the means, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting parameter set in the setting contents data stored in the setting contents data storage means is set to prohibit automatic setting in the own apparatus. The setting contents data changing means that can be deleted, and when the setting contents data is received from an external device, the setting contents data transfer means is the setting contents changed by the setting contents data changing means The data is transferred to a transfer destination registered in the transfer destination registration means.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention has setting parameters that can be set by an operator, and includes at least one set of information indicating the setting contents of the setting parameters together with an identifier for specifying the setting parameters. Setting content data receiving means for receiving setting content data from an external device via a network, and at least one of the setting parameters can be set based on the setting content data received by the setting content data receiving means In an information processing apparatus having a parameter setting unit, for each setting parameter, an operator selects one of “automatic setting permission”, “automatic setting prohibition”, or “confirmed setting” The setting parameter indicated by the received setting content data has parameter state selection means If the parameter status selection means is a setting parameter for which “automatic setting permission” is selected, the parameter setting means sets the setting parameter based on the setting content data, and the received setting content data When the setting parameter shown in (2) is a setting parameter for which “automatic setting prohibition” is selected by the parameter state selection means, the parameter setting means does not set the setting parameter, and the received setting When the setting parameter indicated in the content data is a setting parameter for which “set after confirmation” is selected by the parameter state selection means, a message indicating that a setting request has been made is displayed on the operation panel. When the operator has permitted the parameter setting , The parameter setting means and performs setting of the parameter based on the setting contents data.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention has setting parameters that can be set by an operator, and has at least one set of information indicating the setting contents of the setting parameters together with an identifier for specifying the setting parameters. Setting content data receiving means for receiving setting content data from an external device via a network, and at least one of the setting parameters can be set based on the setting content data received by the setting content data receiving means In the information processing apparatus having the parameter setting means, the setting content data having at least one set of information indicating the setting content of the setting parameter together with an identifier for specifying the setting parameter with respect to the setting parameter of the own device Create and transfer the setting contents data to an external device on the network. Setting content data transmission means for transmitting to the system, and parameter status selection means for the operator to select either “transmission permitted” or “transmission prohibited” for each setting parameter, and the setting content data transmission The means transmits the setting contents of the setting parameter for which “transmission permission” has been set by the parameter state selection means, and the setting parameter setting for which “transmission prohibition” has been set by the parameter state selection means The content is not transmitted.

  The information processing device according to claim 7 of the present invention is the information processing device according to claim 6, wherein the setting content data transmission means transmits parameter identification data having at least one identifier for specifying the setting parameter from an external device to a network. When received via, the setting content of the setting parameter specified by the identifier of the parameter identification data is transmitted to the external device.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 8 of the present invention has setting parameters that can be set by an operator, and includes at least one set of information indicating the setting contents of the setting parameters together with an identifier for specifying the setting parameters. Setting content data receiving means for receiving setting content data from an external device via a network, and at least one of the setting parameters can be set based on the setting content data received by the setting content data receiving means In an information processing apparatus having various parameter setting means, an external device selection means for an operator to select an external device on the network, and the setting contents of the setting parameter for the external device selected by the external device selection means A setting parameter transmission request means for transmitting a transmission request of When the setting content data receiving means receives the setting content data from the external device after the parameter transmission request means sends out the transmission request, the parameter setting means sets the setting parameter based on the received setting content data. Is set.

  An information processing apparatus according to claim 9 of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising setting parameter selection means for an operator to select at least one setting parameter, wherein the setting parameter transmission request means includes Means for sending a transmission request for the setting content of the setting parameter selected by the setting parameter selection means to the external device selected by the external device selection means, wherein the setting parameter transmission request means sends a transmission request; When the setting content data is received from the external device after sending, the parameter setting means sets the setting parameter selected by the setting parameter selection means based on the received setting content data. It is characterized by.

  An information processing apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein a data format of the setting content data is an XML format.

  According to the present invention, setting parameters of a device can be set easily and flexibly from an external device via a network. In addition, setting parameters can be easily copied between a plurality of apparatuses. In particular, it is possible to copy a part of the setting parameter between apparatuses having different types of setting parameter items. Furthermore, by combining these devices, a highly convenient parameter automatic setting network can be configured.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

  Embodiments of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a system including an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a PC (personal computer) 101 is connected to the Internet 103 via a router 102. Further, the Internet 103 and the LAN 105 are connected via the router 104. A large copying machine 106, a small copying machine 107, a facsimile apparatus 108, a printer 109, and a telephone 110 are connected to the LAN 105. 106 to 110 are all information processing apparatuses according to the present invention.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, a CPU 201 is a system control unit and controls the entire apparatus. The ROM 202 stores a control program for the CPU. The RAM 203 is configured by SRAM, DRAM, or the like, and stores program control variables and the like. Various setting parameters and various work buffers registered by the operator are also stored in the RAM 203. The operation panel 204 includes a keyboard, a touch panel, and the like, and is used by an operator to perform various input operations. The external display unit 205 is for notifying the operator of the display using an LCD, LED, or the like. A LAN i / f 206 is an interface for connecting to the LAN 207. The configuration shown in FIG. 2 shows a part of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Depending on the apparatus, a scanner unit, a printer unit, a modem, a speaker, and the like are included in the configuration of the apparatus. May join.

  3 to 7 are tables showing setting items of setting parameters and current setting values of the information processing apparatuses 106 to 110 connected to the LAN 105. The setting value of the setting parameter can be changed by operating the operation panel 204 by the operator. Further, as will be described later, it can be changed by receiving data via a network. Each information processing apparatus can change the operation of the apparatus by the operator changing the setting value of the setting parameter.

  FIG. 3 is a table showing the setting items of the setting parameters of the large copying machine 106 and the current setting values. As shown in FIG. 3, the large copying machine 106 includes setting items for setting parameters such as “volume”, “print density”, “sharpness”, “frame erase width”, “automatic sorting”, “rotation recording”, “Standard magnification”, “Standard image quality mode”, “Auto power saving”, “Power saving mode transition time”, “Display language” items are prepared, and the current setting values are “3” and “5”, respectively. , “5”, “20 mm”, “Yes”, “No”, “1”, “Photo”, “Yes”, “Five minutes”, “Japanese”. The point of how the operation of the apparatus changes depending on the setting value of each setting parameter is not the essence of the present invention, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a table showing setting items of setting parameters of the small copier 107 and current setting values. As shown in FIG. 4, the small copier 107 has “volume”, “print density”, “sharpness”, “frame erase width”, and “automatic sort” items as setting parameters. The current setting values are “3”, “5”, “5”, “20 mm”, and “Yes”, respectively.

  FIG. 5 is a table showing setting items of setting parameters of the facsimile apparatus 108 and current setting values. As shown in FIG. 5, the facsimile apparatus 108 includes setting items for setting parameters such as “volume”, “print density”, “automatic redial”, “number of redials”, “phone number”, “abbreviated dial # 01”. , "Abbreviated dial # 02", "abbreviated dial # 03", "abbreviated dial # 04", "abbreviated dial # 05", "abbreviated dial # 06", "abbreviated dial # 07", "abbreviated dial # 08", “Speed Dial # 09” and “Speed Dial # 10” are prepared, and the current set values are “3”, “5”, “Yes”, “3 times”, “03-0000”, respectively. -0000 "," 03-9999-0001 / First Branch "," 03-9999-0002 / Second Branch "," 03-9999-0003 / Sales Department "," 03-9999-0004 / Accounting ", 03-9999-0005 / Human Resources Department", "03-9999-0006 / General Affairs Department", "03-9999-0007 / Development Department", "03-9999-0008 / Design Department", "03-9999". -0009 / first factory "," 03-9999-0010 / second factory ".

  FIG. 6 is a table showing the setting items of the setting parameters of the printer 109 and the current setting values. As shown in FIG. 6, the printer 109 has “print density” and “sharpness” as setting parameter setting items. The current setting values are “5” and “5”, respectively. It has become.

  FIG. 7 is a table showing the setting items of the setting parameters of the telephone 110 and the current setting values. As shown in FIG. 7, the telephone 110 is provided with items of “volume”, “abbreviated dial # 01”, “abbreviated dial # 02”, and “abbreviated dial # 03” as setting parameters. The current set values are “3”, “03-9999-9901 / Head Office”, “03-9999-9902 / First Branch”, and “03-9999-9903 / Second Branch”, respectively. .

  Hereinafter, four examples of the above system will be described.

  First, the first embodiment shows an example in which setting contents of setting parameters of the large-sized copying machine 106 according to the present invention are changed by setting contents data sent from the PC 101.

  In the large copying machine 106, the operator can select any one state of “automatic setting prohibition”, “automatic setting permission”, and “change after confirmation” for each item of the setting parameter. Here, it is assumed that setting content data having the contents shown in the table of FIG. 8 is sent from the PC 101 to the large-sized copying machine 106. The setting content data is data in XML format. In the table of FIG. 8, there are numbers 1 to 7 in the leftmost column, but this is described for easy understanding of the position of the n-th data, and this number is included in the actual setting content data. Absent. Hereinafter, the numbers in the leftmost column of the setting content data shown in the figure have the same meaning.

  After receiving the setting content data, the large copying machine 106 performs the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, an initial value 1 is set to a variable n (S901), and it is determined whether there is an nth item in the received setting content data (S902). Here, when there is no n-th item, that is, the first item, the setting content data is empty, so the processing is terminated without updating the setting parameter. If it is determined in step S902 that there is an nth item, it is determined whether the nth item of the setting content data exists in the setting parameter of the own device (S903). Here, if it is determined that the setting parameter of the n-th item does not exist in the own apparatus, 1 is added to n (S908), and the process of S902 is performed again. If it is determined in S903 that the setting parameter of the nth item exists in the own device, the state of the setting parameter item is determined (S904). As described above, there are three setting parameter states: “automatic setting prohibition”, “automatic setting permission”, and “change after confirmation”. In S904, the state is “automatic setting prohibition”. If it is determined, the setting parameter is not updated, 1 is added to n (S908), and the process of S902 is performed again. If it is determined in S904 that the state is “automatic setting permission”, the setting content of the corresponding setting parameter of the own device is rewritten according to the setting content of the nth item of the setting content data (S905). Thereafter, 1 is added to n (S908), and the process of S902 is performed again. If it is determined in step S904 that the status is “change after confirmation”, the operator is asked to update the setting contents together with the setting item name and the setting contents on the external display unit 205 of the apparatus. A display for prompting the determination is performed (S906). Here, if an update permission operation is performed by the operator, it is determined in S907 that a setting permission operation has been performed, and the setting content of the corresponding setting parameter of the own device is set to the setting of the nth item of the setting content data. Rewriting is performed according to the contents (S905). Thereafter, 1 is added to n (S908), and the process of S902 is performed again. After the display of S906, if the operator does not permit the update, it is determined in S907 that the setting permission operation has not been performed, 1 is added to n (S908), and the process of S902 is performed again. After performing the processing after S902 at least once and then performing the determination in S902 again, if it is determined in S902 that there is no nth item in the setting content data, all the setting items of the received setting content data are displayed. Since it is checked, the process ends.

  The setting contents of the first setting parameter of the large-sized copying machine 106 are the contents shown in FIG. 3, among which the “volume” item is “automatic setting prohibited” and the other setting items are “automatic setting permission”. If the received setting content data is the content shown in FIG. 8, after the operation of this embodiment is performed, the content of the setting parameters of the large-sized copying machine 106 is as shown in FIG. Become. That is, the setting content of “volume” remains “3” despite being “2” in the received setting content data. On the other hand, the setting content of “print density” is changed from “5” to “4”.

  Through the above operation, the large-sized copying machine 106 can update the setting parameters of its own machine according to the setting content data. Whether to update the setting contents can be determined depending on the setting parameter state of the large-sized copying machine 106.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the setting content data is sent from the PC has been described. However, even if the setting content data is sent from another device on the network, for example, the facsimile device 108, the same processing can be performed. . As will be described later in the embodiment, the apparatus in this embodiment can create and transmit setting contents data according to the contents of the setting parameters of the own machine. At this time, the setting contents data sent by the facsimile apparatus 108 is facsimile. If the setting content of the setting parameter of the apparatus 108 itself, the setting content of the setting parameter of the facsimile apparatus 108 can be copied to the large-sized copying machine 106. Further, by adopting such a method, it is possible to construct a system that can update and synchronize setting parameters without using a PC.

  Next, as a second embodiment, the transmission content data transmitted from the PC 101 is once received by the large-sized copying machine 106 and transferred to other devices on the LAN 105 to set each device on the LAN. An example of updating the parameter settings will be shown.

  Here, as in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the setting content data having the contents shown in the table of FIG. 8 is sent from the PC 101 to the large-sized copying machine 106. In the large-sized copying machine 106, it is assumed that a small-sized copying machine 107, a facsimile apparatus 108, a printer 109, and a telephone 110 are registered in advance as transfer destinations. These transfer destinations can be arbitrarily registered and deleted by the operator. Further, in the large-sized copying machine 106, the operator can set in advance whether or not to transfer the setting content data.

  After receiving the setting content data from the PC 101, the large copying machine 106 performs the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 while performing the processing shown in the first embodiment. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 may be performed before or after the process shown in the first embodiment. Moreover, you may process simultaneously in parallel.

  The process of the second embodiment will be described below along the flowchart of FIG.

  First, after receiving the setting content data and temporarily storing it in the RAM 104, it is determined whether or not the setting content data is set to be transferred (S1101). Here, if it is determined that the setting is not to transfer, the process is terminated without performing the transfer. If it is determined in S1101 that the transfer is set, the initial value 1 is set to the variable N (S1102), and it is determined whether there is an Nth transfer destination as a transfer destination registered in advance (S1103). If it is determined that there is no N-th transfer destination, that is, the first transfer destination, it means that there is no transfer destination, and the process is terminated without transferring. If it is determined in S1103 that there is an Nth transfer destination, the setting content data is transferred to the transfer destination (S1104). Thereafter, 1 is added to the variable N (S1105), and the determination in S1103 is performed again. After the determination of S1103 is performed at least once, if it is determined that there is no Nth transfer destination when the determination of S1103 is performed again, the setting content data is stored in all transfer destinations registered in advance in the apparatus. Since it has been transferred, the process ends. By the operation of the large copying machine 106 so far, the setting content data received from the PC 101 can be transferred to the small copying machine 107, the facsimile apparatus 108, the printer 109, and the telephone 110.

  In each of the small copying machine 107, the facsimile apparatus 108, the printer 109, and the telephone 110, processing similar to the operation shown in the first embodiment is performed, and the setting parameters of the own machine are updated. For example, the setting contents of the first setting parameter of the small-sized copying machine 107 are the contents shown in FIG. 4, all the setting parameters are in the “automatic setting permission” state, and the setting transmitted from the PC 101 to the large-sized copying machine 106. When the content data is the content shown in FIG. 8, the setting parameters of the small copying machine 107 are the content shown in FIG. That is, the setting content of “volume” is changed from “3” to “2”, and the setting content of “print density” is changed from “5” to “4”. Similarly, when the setting contents of the first setting parameter of the facsimile apparatus 108 are the contents shown in FIG. 5 and all the setting parameters are in the “automatic setting permission” state, the setting parameters of the facsimile apparatus 108 are as shown in FIG. The contents shown in FIG. Although not shown, the setting parameters of the printer 109 and the telephone 110 can be changed by the same method.

  Subsequently, as a third embodiment, an example is shown in which after the setting content data is received by the large-sized copying machine 106, the setting content data is processed and then transferred to another device on the LAN 105. The large copying machine 106 has the following four types of methods for processing the setting content data.

  3-1. When the setting parameter of the own device is “automatic setting prohibited”, the setting content of the item is changed to the setting content of the own device and transferred.

  3-2. Do not transfer setting items that do not exist on your device.

  3-3. When the setting parameter of the own device is “automatic setting prohibited”, the item is not transferred.

  3-4. If the setting parameter of the own device is not “transmission permitted”, the item is not transferred.

  In the large-sized copying machine 106, the operator can arbitrarily select one of five methods, ie, the above-described four methods and the method of transferring without processing as the method of transferring the setting content data. ing. In the following, a method is described in which transmission content data transmitted from the PC 101 is once received by the large copying machine 106, processed, and then transmitted to another apparatus on the LAN 105.

  First, in the transfer method shown in 3-1, the operation when creating the setting content data to be transferred will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After receiving the setting content data, the large copying machine 106 initializes the transmission setting content data (S1401). That is, the buffer for storing the setting content data for transmission is emptied. Thereafter, in S1402, the initial value 1 is substituted into the variable n, and it is determined whether or not the received setting content data includes the nth item (S1403). Here, if there is no n-th item, that is, the first item, the received setting content data is empty, so the processing ends without writing anything in the transmission setting content data. Although not shown in FIG. 14, in this case, setting content data is not transferred. If it is determined in S1403 that the received setting content data includes the nth item, the state of the setting parameter of the own device corresponding to the item is determined (S1404). Here, if it is determined that the corresponding setting parameter is in the “automatic setting prohibited” state, the nth item name of the received setting content data and the self corresponding to the item name are included in the transmission setting content data. The setting contents of the machine are copied (S1405). In this embodiment, the item name is copied, but a method of copying a number or a character string for identifying the item instead of the item name may be used. If it is determined in S1404 that the setting parameter is in a state other than “automatic setting prohibited”, the item name and the setting content of the nth item of the received setting content data are copied to the transmission setting content data (S1406). ). The state other than “automatic setting prohibition” in S1404 means that the setting parameter is “automatic setting permission” or “change after confirmation”, or the corresponding setting parameter does not exist in the own device. It is. After the process of S1405 or S1406, 1 is added to the variable n (S1407), and the process of S1403 is performed again. After performing the processing after S1403 one or more times and then performing the processing of S1403 again, if it is determined that there is no nth item in the received setting content data, the processing of the setting content data is terminated.

  Through the processing described above, transmission setting content data is created, and then the large-sized copying machine 106 transmits the setting content data to another device on the network. In the present embodiment, the setting contents of the first setting parameter of the large-sized copying machine 106 are the contents of FIG. 3, among which the “volume” item is “automatic setting prohibited” and the other setting items are “automatic”. Assuming that the setting is “permitted”, if the received setting content data is the content shown in FIG. 8, after performing the operation of the present embodiment, the setting content data for transmission is as shown in FIG. As can be seen from comparison between FIG. 8 and FIG. 15, the setting content of “volume” has changed from “2” to “3”, and the setting content data can be processed and transferred. With this operation, the copying machine 106 can specify a setting parameter to be set as a specific setting value, and the convenience when performing automatic setting from the outside is increased.

  Next, the operation when creating the setting content data to be transferred in the transfer method shown in 3-2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After receiving the setting content data, the large copying machine 106 performs the processes of S1601, S1602, and S1603. This is the same operation as the processing of S1401, S1402, and S1403, respectively. Therefore, here, the processing after S1603 will be described. If it is determined in S1603 that the received setting content data includes the n-th item, it is determined whether or not the setting parameter of the own device corresponding to the item exists (S1604). If it is determined that the corresponding setting parameter does not exist, 1 is added to the variable n (S1606), and the process of S1603 is performed again. If it is determined in S1604 that the corresponding setting parameter exists, the item name of the nth item and the setting content of the own device corresponding to the item name are copied to the setting content data for transmission (S1605). Thereafter, 1 is added to the variable n (S1606), and the process of S1603 is performed again. After performing the processing after S1603 one or more times and then performing the processing of S1603 again, if it is determined that there is no nth item in the received setting content data, the processing of the setting content data is terminated.

  Through the processing described above, transmission setting content data is created, and then the large-sized copying machine 106 transmits the setting content data to another device on the network. In this embodiment, if the setting contents of the first setting parameter of the large-sized copying machine 106 are the contents of FIG. 3, and the received setting contents data are the contents shown in FIG. 8, the operation of this embodiment is performed. The setting content data for transmission is as shown in FIG. As can be seen from the comparison between FIG. 8 and FIG. 17, the setting parameters that do not exist in the large copying machine 106 have been deleted, and the setting content data can be processed and transferred. By this operation, it becomes possible to eliminate useless setting parameters in the copying machine 106, and the addition of a network and individual devices can be reduced.

  Next, an operation when creating the setting content data to be transferred in the transfer method shown in the above-described 3-3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After receiving the setting content data, the large copying machine 106 performs the processing of S1801, S1802, and S1803. This is the same operation as the processing of S1401, S1402, and S1403, respectively. Therefore, here, the processing after S1803 will be described. If it is determined in S1803 that the received setting content data includes the nth item, the state of the setting parameter of the own device corresponding to the item is determined (S1804). Here, if it is determined that the corresponding setting parameter is in the “automatic setting prohibited” state, the setting content data for transmission is not written, 1 is added to the variable n (S1806), and the processing of S1803 is performed again. Do. If it is determined in S1804 that the setting parameter is in a state other than “automatic setting prohibited”, the item name and the setting content of the nth item of the received setting content data are copied to the transmission setting content data (S1805). ). The state other than “automatic setting prohibited” in S1804 means that the setting parameter is “automatic setting permission” or “change after confirmation”, or the corresponding setting parameter does not exist in the own device. It is. After the processing of S1805, 1 is added to the variable n (S1806), and the processing of S1803 is performed again. After performing the processing after S1803 one or more times and then performing the processing of S1803 again, if it is determined that there is no nth item in the received setting content data, the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 18 is terminated.

  Through the processing described above, transmission setting content data is created, and then the large-sized copying machine 106 transmits the setting content data to another device on the network. In the present embodiment, the setting contents of the first setting parameter of the large-sized copying machine 106 are the contents of FIG. 3, among which the “volume” item is “automatic setting prohibited” and the other setting items are “automatic”. Assuming that the setting is “permitted”, if the received setting content data has the contents shown in FIG. 8, after performing the operation of the present embodiment, the setting content data for transmission is as shown in FIG. As can be seen from the comparison between FIG. 8 and FIG. 19, the item “volume” has been deleted, and the setting content data can be processed and transferred. With this operation, it is possible to specify setting parameters that the copying machine 106 does not want to change, and the convenience when performing automatic setting from the outside increases.

  Furthermore, the operation when creating the setting content data to be transferred in the transfer method shown in 3-4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the large-sized copying machine 106 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to set in advance for each item of the setting parameter whether transmission of the setting content is “permitted” or “prohibited”. After receiving the setting content data, the large copying machine 106 performs the processes of S2001, S2002, and S2003. This is the same operation as the processing of S1401, S1402, and S1403, respectively. Therefore, here, the processing after S2003 will be described. If it is determined in S2003 that there is an nth item in the received setting content data, it is determined whether or not the setting parameter of the own device corresponding to the item is a transmission permission setting (S2004). Here, if it is determined that the corresponding setting parameter is not a transmission permission setting, the setting contents data for transmission is not written, 1 is added to the variable n (S2006), and the process of S2003 is performed again. If it is determined in S2004 that the transmission is permitted, the item name and the setting content of the nth item of the received setting content data are copied to the setting content data for transmission (S2005). In S2004, if the corresponding setting parameter does not exist in the own device, it is determined that the transmission permission is not set. After the process of S2005, 1 is added to the variable n (S2006), and the process of S2003 is performed again. After performing the processing after S2003 one or more times and then performing the processing of S2003 again, if it is determined that there is no nth item in the received setting content data, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 20 is terminated. .

  Through the processing described above, transmission setting content data is created, and then the large-sized copying machine 106 transmits the setting content data to another device on the network. In the present embodiment, the setting contents of the first setting parameter of the large-sized copying machine 106 are the contents of FIG. 3, among which the “volume” item is a setting for prohibiting transmission, and the other setting items permit transmission. If it is a setting, if the received setting content data is the content shown in FIG. 8, after performing the operation of this embodiment, the setting content data for transmission is as shown in FIG. As can be seen from the comparison between FIG. 8 and FIG. 21, the item “volume” and the setting parameters that do not exist in the large-sized copying machine 106 have been deleted, and the setting content data can be processed and transferred. With this operation, the copying machine 106 can explicitly specify the setting parameters for transmission, which increases convenience when performing automatic setting from the outside.

  Subsequently, as a fourth embodiment, regarding the device according to the present invention, a request for transmission of setting content data is made to another device on the network, and the setting of the own device based on the content of the setting content data received thereafter An example of changing the parameter settings will be shown. By using this method, it is possible to copy all or part of the setting contents of other devices on the network to the own device. Here, as an example, an example in which a part of setting contents of the facsimile apparatus 108 is copied to the telephone 110 by the operation of the telephone 110 is shown.

  First, the operation of the telephone 110 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the telephone 110, an operator can specify a device on the network and an item name of a setting parameter by operating the operation panel 204. After the operator performs the operation, in step S2201, a setting content data transmission request is transmitted to the designated destination. The transmission request includes an item name of a setting parameter for requesting transmission in addition to a signal indicating a transmission request. Here, it is assumed that the setting item names shown in the table of FIG. 23 are transmitted as the transmission request data. That is, it means that it is requested to transmit the setting contents of the three items “abbreviated dial # 01”, “abbreviated dial # 02”, and “abbreviated dial # 03”. In this embodiment, the item name is transmitted. However, instead of the item name, a number or a character string that can identify the item name may be transmitted. Further, in the table of FIG. 23, numbers 1 to 3 are shown in the leftmost column for convenience, but this number is not included in the transmission request data.

  After the operation of S2201, the telephone 110 determines whether or not setting content data has been received from the partner machine, that is, the facsimile machine 108 (S2202). If it is determined that the setting content data has not been received, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the transmission request is sent (S2203). If it is determined in S2203 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process of S2202 is performed again. If it is determined in S2203 that the predetermined time has passed, the process is terminated without updating the setting parameter. Here, the predetermined time is a time programmed in advance in the apparatus, and is provided for the case where the setting content data is not sent for some reason.

  If it is determined in step S2202 that the setting content data has been received from the partner device, the setting parameter is updated based on the setting content data (S2204), and the process ends. The process of S2204 is the same as the process shown in the first embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the facsimile machine 108 as the counterpart machine will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The facsimile apparatus 108 performs the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 24 after receiving the transmission request data. First, the transmission setting content data is initialized (S2401). That is, the buffer for storing the setting content data for transmission is emptied. Thereafter, in S2402, the initial value 1 is substituted for the variable n, and it is determined whether or not the received setting content data includes the nth item (S2403). If it is determined in S2403 that there is an nth item in the received setting content data, it is determined whether or not there is a setting parameter corresponding to the nth item in the own device (S2404). If it is determined that the corresponding setting parameter does not exist in the own device, 1 is added to the variable n (S2406), and the processing of S2403 is performed again. If it is determined in S2404 that the corresponding setting parameter exists in the own device, the nth item name and the setting content of the own device are copied to the setting content data for transmission (S2405). Thereafter, 1 is added to the variable n (S2406), and the process of S2403 is performed again.

  If it is determined in step S2403 that there is no n-th item in the received transmission request data, the processing for each item of the transmission request data has been completed, so that the setting content data buffer for transmission is empty in step S2407. Judge whether or not. If the transmission setting content data buffer is empty, the processing ends without transmitting the setting content data. If it is determined in S2407 that the transmission setting content data buffer is not empty, the setting content data is transmitted to the other party to which the transmission request data has been sent (S2408).

  As described above, a part of setting contents of the setting parameters of the facsimile apparatus 108 can be copied to the telephone 110 by the mutual operation of the telephone 110 and the facsimile apparatus 108 described above. In this embodiment, the setting contents of the first setting parameter of the telephone 110 are the contents of FIG. 7, the setting contents of the first setting parameter of the facsimile apparatus 108 are not shown in FIG. 5, and the telephone 110 is used as the transmission request data. When data having the contents shown in FIG. 23 is transmitted, the setting contents of the setting parameters of the telephone 110 are as shown in FIG. 25 after the operation of this embodiment is performed. That is, the setting contents of “abbreviated dial # 01”, “abbreviated dial # 02”, and “abbreviated dial # 03” are copied from the facsimile apparatus 108. By this operation, it becomes possible to copy the setting contents of an arbitrary setting parameter from an arbitrary device on the network to the own device, and the setting parameter can be easily and accurately set.

  Although the four embodiments have been described above, a more flexible and convenient parameter automatic setting network can be configured by combining the operations shown in these embodiments.

  In this embodiment, the XML format is used as a data format for transmission / reception between devices. This is because the use of XML makes it easier to handle data and increases versatility, but the present invention may be realized by sending and receiving various text files and binary data. In the present embodiment, the device on the network has been described. However, the software installed in the device on the network and the attached devices such as the video card and the modem card connected to the device are also regarded as one device on the network. The present invention can also be applied to the case where they perform the same processing as in the present embodiment by mutually transmitting and receiving the contents of the setting parameters.

  The above operation is executed by the CPU 201 based on a program stored in the ROM 202 or the RAM 203. In the present invention, such a program is executed on a floppy (R) disk, hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD- The data may be stored in various storage media such as a ROM and a memory card, and may be loaded into an information processing device such as a computer by a dedicated data reader and executed by the CPU 201.

  In the above embodiments, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and a telephone have been described as examples. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, an electronic device such as a scanner, a monitor, various communication devices, or a computer. The same applies to apparatus control in an information processing apparatus.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the network comprised with the information processing apparatus by the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows a part of structure of the information processing apparatus by the Example of this invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing setting items and setting contents of setting parameters in the large-sized copying machine according to the embodiment. It is a schematic diagram showing setting items and setting contents of setting parameters in the small copier 107 according to the embodiment. It is a schematic diagram showing setting parameters setting items and setting contents in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating setting parameters setting items and setting contents in the printer 109 according to the embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the setting item and setting content of the setting parameter in the telephone 110 by the said Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the setting item and setting content of the setting content data by the said Example. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information processing apparatus by the said Example. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing setting items and setting contents of setting parameters in the large-sized copying machine according to the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information processing apparatus by the said Example. It is a schematic diagram showing setting items and setting contents of setting parameters in the small copier 107 according to the embodiment. It is a schematic diagram showing setting parameters setting items and setting contents in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information processing apparatus by the said Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the setting item and setting content of the setting content data by the said Example. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information processing apparatus by the said Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the setting item and setting content of the setting content data by the said Example. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information processing apparatus by the said Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the setting item and setting content of the setting content data by the said Example. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information processing apparatus by the said Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the setting item and setting content of the setting content data by the said Example. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information processing apparatus by the said Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the setting item of the transmission request data by the said Example. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information processing apparatus by the said Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the setting item and setting content of the setting parameter in the telephone 110 by the said Example.

Explanation of symbols

101 Personal computer (PC)
102 router 103 internet 104 router 105 LAN
106 Large Copier 107 Small Copier 108 Facsimile Device 109 Printer 110 Telephone 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 Operation panel 205 External display unit 206 LAN i / f
207 LAN

Claims (10)

It has setting parameters that can be set by the operator,
Setting content data receiving means for receiving setting content data having at least one set of information indicating the setting content of the setting parameter together with an identifier for specifying the setting parameter from an external device via a network;
In an information processing apparatus having a parameter setting unit capable of setting at least one of the setting parameters based on the setting content data received by the setting content data receiving unit,
Setting content data storage means for storing the received setting content data;
Setting content data transfer means for transferring the setting content data stored in the setting content data storage means to another device on the network;
A transfer destination registration means capable of registering a transfer destination by an operator;
When the setting content data receiving unit receives the setting content data, the parameter setting unit sets the setting parameter based on the setting content data, while the setting content data transfer unit includes the transfer destination An information processing apparatus that transmits the setting content data to a transfer destination registered in a registration unit. In claim 1,
Setting content data changing means capable of changing the setting content of at least one setting parameter among the setting content data stored in the setting content data storage means;
When the setting content data is received from an external device, the setting content data transfer unit transfers the setting content data changed by the setting content data changing unit to a transfer destination registered in the transfer destination registration unit. An information processing apparatus characterized by that. In claim 1,
Of the setting content data stored in the setting content data storage means, the setting content related to the setting parameter that does not exist in the device itself has setting content data changing means that can be deleted,
When the setting content data is received from an external device, the setting content data transfer unit transfers the setting content data changed by the setting content data changing unit to a transfer destination registered in the transfer destination registration unit. An information processing apparatus characterized by that. In claim 1,
Of the setting content data stored in the setting content data storage means, the setting content of setting parameters that are set to prohibit automatic setting in the own device has setting content data changing means that can be deleted,
When the setting content data is received from an external device, the setting content data transfer unit transfers the setting content data changed by the setting content data changing unit to a transfer destination registered in the transfer destination registration unit. An information processing apparatus characterized by that. It has setting parameters that can be set by the operator,
Setting content data receiving means for receiving setting content data having at least one set of information indicating the setting content of the setting parameter together with an identifier for specifying the setting parameter from an external device via a network;
In an information processing apparatus having a parameter setting unit capable of setting at least one of the setting parameters based on the setting content data received by the setting content data receiving unit,
For each setting parameter, there is a parameter state selection means for the operator to select any one of “automatic setting permission”, “automatic setting prohibition” or “confirmed setting”,
When the setting parameter indicated in the received setting content data is a setting parameter for which “automatic setting permission” is selected by the parameter state selection unit, the parameter setting unit is configured to execute the setting based on the setting content data. Set the setting parameters,
When the setting parameter indicated in the received setting content data is a setting parameter for which “automatic setting prohibition” is selected by the parameter state selection unit, the parameter setting unit sets the setting parameter. Without
If the setting parameter indicated in the received setting content data is a setting parameter for which “set after confirmation” is selected by the parameter state selection means, a setting request has been made on the operation panel. When the parameter setting permission operation is performed by the operator, the parameter setting means sets the parameter based on the setting content data. It has setting parameters that can be set by the operator,
Setting content data receiving means for receiving setting content data having at least one set of information indicating the setting content of the setting parameter together with an identifier for specifying the setting parameter from an external device via a network;
In an information processing apparatus having a parameter setting unit capable of setting at least one of the setting parameters based on the setting content data received by the setting content data receiving unit,
With respect to the setting parameter of the device itself, the setting content data including at least one set of information indicating the setting content of the setting parameter is created together with an identifier for specifying the setting parameter, and the setting content data is stored on the network. Setting content data transmission means for transmitting to an external device;
For each setting parameter, there is a parameter state selection means for the operator to select either “transmission permitted” or “transmission prohibited”,
The setting content data transmitting means transmits the setting content of the setting parameter that has been set to “send permission” by the parameter state selection means, and has been set to “send prohibition” by the parameter state selection means. The information processing apparatus, wherein the setting content of the setting parameter is not transmitted. In claim 6,
The setting content data transmitting means is specified by the identifier of the parameter identification data when receiving parameter identification data having at least one identifier for specifying the setting parameter from an external device via a network. An information processing apparatus that transmits the setting content of the setting parameter to the external apparatus. It has setting parameters that can be set by the operator,
Setting content data receiving means for receiving setting content data having at least one set of information indicating the setting content of the setting parameter together with an identifier for specifying the setting parameter from an external device via a network;
In an information processing apparatus having a parameter setting unit capable of setting at least one of the setting parameters based on the setting content data received by the setting content data receiving unit,
An external device selection means for an operator to select an external device on the network;
Setting parameter transmission request means for sending a transmission request for the setting content of the setting parameter to the external apparatus selected by the external apparatus selection means;
After the setting parameter transmission request means sends out a transmission request, when the setting content data receiving means receives setting content data from the external device, the parameter setting means, based on the received setting content data, An information processing apparatus characterized by setting a setting parameter. In claim 8,
An operator has setting parameter selection means for selecting at least one of the setting parameters;
The setting parameter transmission request means is means for sending a transmission request for the setting content of the setting parameter selected by the setting parameter selection means to the external device selected by the external device selection means,
When the setting content transmission data is received from the external device after the setting parameter transmission request unit has transmitted the transmission request, the parameter setting unit has received the setting parameter selected by the setting parameter selection unit An information processing apparatus configured to set based on the setting content data. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 9,
An information processing apparatus characterized in that a data format of the setting content data is an XML format.

Images