JP2006015524A - Image processing device, method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more efficiently synchronize user setting information with office equipment that can upgrade user setting information from among a plurality of pieces of office equipment connected to a network. <P>SOLUTION: When receiving user setting information or user setting information updating notice for other office equipment, the image processing device determines whether or not the user setting information identifier of originating office equipment and own user setting information identifier match each other. When the user set information identifies match and own information maintenance information is positive, the image processing device sets the user setting information received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method, and a program related to a user information setting method in office equipment (printer, scanner, copier, multifunction machine, FAX, etc.) connected to a network.

  In recent years, cases in which a plurality of office devices are connected and used via a network are increasing. When used in such a state, it is often desirable that the user settings of a specific group of office devices in the office devices connected via a network are the same. For example, access right, address book, default screen information, and the like.

  Therefore, conventionally, in order to make the user settings of a specific group of office devices the same, the user manually sets each of the plurality of office devices.

On the other hand, the necessary information in the office equipment 1 is stored in a physically removable storage medium as a method for making the user setting information of a specific group of office equipment the same by a method other than manual work, and the separated storage medium is stored in the office A method is considered in which necessary information such as settings of the office machines 1 and 2 is made the same by connecting to the machine 2 and sending the information in the storage medium to the office machine 2 (see Patent Document 1). ).
JP 2001-53913 A

  However, when updating user setting information, it is very inefficient to manually update all office equipment. There is also a possibility of incorrect input. In particular, setting up new office equipment required many users.

  In addition, the method of the above-mentioned patent document requires a separate hardware device called a physically separable storage device, which increases the cost. Further, when the physical distance of office equipment desired by the same user setting information is large, or when the number of office equipment desired by the same user setting is large, the method of the above-mentioned patent document is inefficient.

  On the other hand, when user setting information is transmitted to all office devices connected on the network and the user setting information is forcibly updated for all office devices, it is shared only within a certain group. The address book information that has been updated may be updated to unexpected address information, which may impair usability.

  Therefore, in view of the problems in these conventional methods, the present invention provides more efficient user setting information for office equipment that can update user setting information among a plurality of office equipment connected on the network. It is an object to provide an apparatus, a method, and a program that can synchronize the programs.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image processing apparatus of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives setting information transmitted from another image processing apparatus, and whether the other image processing apparatus and the own apparatus belong to the same group. And determining means for determining whether the information belongs to the same group in the determining means, and updating means for updating own setting information based on the setting information received by the receiving means. .

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the image processing apparatus of the present invention determines whether or not it already has setting information and a receiving unit that receives setting information transmitted from another image processing apparatus. A determination unit, and when the determination unit determines that the setting information is included, the setting unit updates its own setting information based on the setting information received by the reception unit, and the determination unit stores the setting information. If it is determined that the setting information is not included, the setting information received by the receiving unit is not set.

In order to solve the above problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives setting information transmitted from another image processing apparatus, and whether the other image processing apparatus and the own apparatus belong to the same group. First determination means for determining whether or not,
The second determining means for determining whether or not it already has setting information, and the first determining means determines that it belongs to the same group, and the second determining means has setting information. And updating means for updating own setting information based on the setting information received by the receiving means.
In order to solve the above problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention updates an input unit that allows a user to input desired setting information, and updates its own setting information based on the setting information input by the input unit. Another image processing apparatus receives a setting information update notification that includes at least information indicating the group to which the update unit belongs and updated setting information in response to the update unit updating the own setting information. And transmitting means for transmitting to.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, user setting information can be more efficiently synchronized with respect to the office equipment which can update user setting information among the some office equipment connected on the network.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an example of a network configuration diagram to which the present invention can be applied.

  In the example of FIG. 1, a plurality of office machines (image processing apparatuses such as a printer, a scanner, a fax machine, a copier, and a multifunction machine) represented by office machines A to H as 100 to 107 are connected on the LAN 108. ing.

  Here, groups are registered in the respective office machines 100 to 107. The office devices 100 to 103 in FIG. 1 belong to the group A, the office devices 104 and 105 belong to the group B, and the office devices 106 and 107 belong to the group C. The group is registered in advance for each office device and can be changed by the user as will be described later. By arbitrarily setting this group, for example, office equipment of the same model, office equipment whose installation position is on the same floor of the office, and the like can be set as the same group.

  Further, in FIG. 1, information holding information is set for each of the office machines 100 to 107 in addition to the group described above. Here, the information holding information is information indicating whether each office device holds user setting information, and is represented by + or-in this embodiment. In other words, the office devices 100, 101, 104, 105, and 106 whose information retention is set to + represent that they hold their own user setting information, and the office devices 102 and 102 whose information retention is set to- Reference numerals 103 and 107 indicate that user setting information is not held. More specifically, user setting information includes address book information used for transmission of faxes, e-mails, etc., department ID information for managing users or departments permitted to use office equipment, and operations of office equipment. Setting information set for each office device such as panel default screen, favorite operation keys, user mode information such as various option settings, etc., which can be set by the user using the user interface such as the operation panel. is there.

  In the present invention, each office device connected to the LAN 108 exchanges these user setting information with each other, acquires user setting information of other office devices, updates its own user setting information, and the like.

  FIG. 2 shows an internal block diagram of the office equipment in the present invention.

  1 is a CPU that controls the present invention, 2 is a RAM (hereinafter referred to as a memory) that provides a work area for the CPU 1, and 3 is a program that provides the program of the present invention. Rewritable NVRAM (may be a hard disk, floppy (registered trademark) disk, CDRW, etc.) (hereinafter referred to as NVRAM), 4 is a user command input device that controls the user interface, 5 is a printing device, 6 is a document, etc. A reading device for reading, 7 is a network I / F unit for controlling the network I / F, and 8 is a main bus.

  In the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the CPU 1 controls the memory 2, NVRAM 3, user command input device 4, printing device 5, reading device 6 for reading a document, and the network I / F unit 7 via the main bus 8. carry out.

  FIG. 3 shows an information structure in the NVRAM 3 of the office device that holds the user setting information (information holding + office device) in the present embodiment.

  First, the user setting information identifier is information for specifying the group described above, and the office device belongs to the group A in the example of FIG. The information holding information is +, and address book information, default panel information, user setting operation key information, option setting information, and the like are stored.

  FIG. 4 shows the information structure in the NVRAM 3 of the office device in the present embodiment that does not hold the user setting information (information holding-office device).

  It can be seen that the office equipment belongs to group A and does not hold user setting information.

  Hereinafter, the flow of the operation processing of the office equipment in the present embodiment will be described using a flowchart.

  FIG. 5 is a main flow in the operation processing of the office equipment in the present embodiment, and is a processing flow executed when an instruction is input in the user command input device 4 in the office equipment.

  First, in S501, it is determined whether or not the input to the user command input device is a user setting information transmission request. As a result, if it is determined that the request is a transmission request for user setting information, the process proceeds to S502, where it is determined whether or not its own information holding information is +. If the information holding is +, the process proceeds to S503, and user setting information is transmitted. Here, broadcast transmission is used as a transmission method of user setting information. As a result, the same user setting information can be transmitted to all office devices on the same network as the office device that is currently operated. On the other hand, as a transmission method of user setting information, transmission may be performed only to a specific office device without performing transmission using broadcast transmission. In this case, for example, on the display panel of the user command input device 4 of the office equipment being operated, a list of all office equipment (or office equipment capable of communication) currently existing on the network is displayed. A method of transmitting to at least one office device specified by the above is conceivable. Alternatively, the user setting information may be transmitted to the input destination by inputting information for identifying the transmission destination such as an IP address using a user command input device.

  When the user setting information transmission process is performed in S503, the process ends. On the other hand, if the information retention is-in S502, since the user setting information is not retained, a process for notifying the user, for example, on the panel is performed, and the process is terminated.

  If it is determined in step S501 that the request is not a user setting information transmission request, the process advances to step S504 to determine whether an input to the user command input device is an instruction to change or add user setting information. If the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to S505 to perform user setting information change processing. The user setting information change process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If NO in step S504, the process advances to step S506 to determine whether an input to the user command input device is a user setting information identifier change instruction. If the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to S507, and user setting information identifier change processing is performed. The user setting information identifier changing process will be described with reference to FIG.

  If the result of determination in S506 is NO, the process proceeds to S508. Here, it is considered that the operation is not a process related to the user setting information, but a predetermined operation using the office device currently being operated, such as a copy process, a print process, a scan process, etc. Determine. As a result, if the information holding is +, the process proceeds to S509, and a predetermined process is performed using the user setting information held as necessary. On the other hand, if the information retention is-, the process proceeds to S510 to perform a user setting information acquisition process. The user setting information acquisition process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the operation flow of the user setting information change process will be described with reference to FIG. This user setting information changing process is executed in response to an instruction given by the user using the user command input device 4 of the office equipment currently being operated.

  First, in S601, it is determined whether or not its own information holding information is +. If the result is YES, the process proceeds to S602. In S602, the user setting information changed or added by the user using the user command input device is set as the user setting information of the user. In step S603, the user setting information identifier is extracted. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, information “A” is extracted as the user setting information identifier. In step S604, a user setting information update notification is created. The user setting information update notification is a notification requesting other office devices to update the user setting information, and includes the user setting information newly set in S602 and the user setting information identifier extracted in S603. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S605, and the user setting information update notification created in S604 is transmitted. As for the transmission of the user setting information update notification, similarly to the transmission of the user setting information described above, broadcast transmission or transmission to a specific office device is performed.

  On the other hand, if the information holding information of itself is − in S601, the process proceeds to S606. In the processing after S606, the user setting information input to the other office device on the network is not set for the office device without setting the user setting information input to the currently operating office device. Performs processing to request setting.

  First, in step S606, the user setting information identifier is extracted. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, information “A” is extracted as the user setting information identifier. In step S607, a user setting information change request is created. The user setting information change request is a notification for requesting other office devices to change the user setting information. The user setting information changed or added by the user using the user command input device and the user setting extracted in S606. Information identifier. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S608, and the user setting information change request created in S607 is transmitted. As for the transmission of the user setting information change request, similarly to the transmission of the user setting information described above, broadcast transmission or transmission to a specific office device is performed.

  Next, the operation flow of the user setting information identifier changing process will be described with reference to FIG.

  This user setting information identifier changing process is executed in response to an instruction given by the user command input device 4 of the office equipment currently being operated by the user. By performing the user setting information identifier changing process, the user can change the group of the office equipment currently being operated, or change the information holding information from + to − or − to +.

  First, in step S <b> 701, it is determined whether a user setting information identifier has been input using the user command input device 4. If it is determined that it has been input, the process advances to step S702, and the input user setting information identifier is stored in NVRAM. That is, when “A” is stored as the user setting information identifier in the NVRAM, when the user setting information identifier “B” is newly input, the user setting information identifier in the NVRAM is changed from “A” to “B”. Perform the change process.

  In step S703, it is determined whether information holding information has been input. If it is determined that the information has been input, the process advances to step S704 to store the input information holding information in the NVRAM. As a result, the information holding information can be changed from + to − or − to +.

  Next, the operation flow of the user setting information acquisition process will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the user setting information acquisition process, when the information holding information of the office device currently being operated by the user is-and a process using some user setting information is requested, the user setting information required is This process is acquired from office equipment.

  First, in step S801, it is determined whether user setting information is necessary in a predetermined process currently requested. As a case where it is necessary, for example, there is a case where it is desired to transmit a FAX or the like using address book information. As a result of the determination in S801, if user setting information is not necessary, the process proceeds to S814, where a predetermined process is performed and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user setting information is necessary, the process proceeds to S802.

  In step S802, user setting information identifier information is extracted from NVRAM. In step S803, a user setting information acquisition response request is created. The user setting information acquisition response request is information including information (IP address, MAC address, etc.) specifying the office device currently being operated and the user setting information identifier information extracted in S802, and can provide the user setting information. This is a request to get a response from any office device on the network. In step S804, the user set information acquisition response request created in step S803 is transmitted. As for the transmission of the user setting information acquisition response request, similarly to the transmission of the user setting information described above, broadcast transmission or transmission to a specific office device is performed.

  In S805, it is determined whether a response to the user setting information acquisition response request has been received. If received, the process proceeds to S806. If not received, the process proceeds to S807, and if a predetermined time has elapsed, the process returns to S804. Resend the setting information acquisition response request.

  If a response is received in S805, the process proceeds to S806. In S806, a user setting information acquisition request is created. This user setting information acquisition request includes its own user setting information identifier and currently necessary user setting information. In step S808, the response received in step S805 is referred to, and information (IP address, MAC address, etc.) specifying the office device that has made the response is extracted. In step S809, the user setting information acquisition request created in step S806 is transmitted. At this time, user setting information is transmitted only to the office device that made the response by transmitting using the information specifying the office device that made the response, such as the IP address extracted in S808, without using broadcast transmission. An acquisition request can be sent.

  In S810, it is determined whether there is a response to the user setting information acquisition request. If there is no response, the process proceeds to S812, and when a predetermined time has elapsed, the process returns to S809 to resend the user setting information acquisition request. If a response is received in S810, the process proceeds to S811, and user setting information included in the received response is stored in the RAM 2. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S813, where a predetermined process is performed using the acquired user setting information, and the process ends.

  FIG. 9 is a main flow in the operation processing of the office equipment in this embodiment, and is a processing flow executed when some data is received in the office equipment via the network. That is, the main flow shown in FIG. 5 is different in whether the input data is input from the user command input device 4 or input via the network I / F unit 7.

  First, it is determined whether the data received in S901 is user setting information or user setting information update notification. If the result is YES, the process advances to S902 to perform user setting information update processing. The user setting information update process will be described later with reference to FIG. If the result of determination in S901 is NO, the process proceeds to S903.

  In step S903, it is determined whether the received data is a user setting information change request. If the result of determination is YES, the process advances to S904 to perform user setting information change processing. The user setting information change process will be described later with reference to FIG. If the result of determination in S903 is NO, the process proceeds to S905.

  In step S905, it is determined whether the received data is a user setting information acquisition response request. If the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to S906, and a response process for the request is performed. This response process will be described later with reference to FIG. If the result of determination in S905 is NO, the process proceeds to S907.

  In step S907, it is determined whether the received data is a user setting information acquisition request. If the result is YES, the process proceeds to S908, and a response process for the request is performed. This response process will be described later with reference to FIG. If the result of determination in S907 is NO, the process proceeds to S909.

  In step S909, predetermined processing such as a print request or FAX reception request via the network is performed, and the processing ends.

  Next, the operation flow of the user setting information update process will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this user setting information update process, when the user setting information transmitted in S503 of FIG. 5 is received from another office device on the network, or the user setting information update notification transmitted in S605 of FIG. 6 is received. It is a process executed according to any of the above.

  First, in S1001, it is determined whether or not the user setting information identifier included in the received user setting information or user setting information update notification matches its own user setting information identifier. That is, here, it is determined whether or not the office device that has transmitted the user setting information or the user setting information update notification belongs to the same group. As a result, when it is determined that the user setting information identifiers match (when belonging to the same group), the process proceeds to S1002. On the other hand, if it is determined that they do not match as a result of the determination in S1001 (when belonging to another group), the received user setting information is discarded, and the process ends. At this time, a process of notifying the transmission source office device that the user setting information identifier is different (belonging to another group) may be performed.

  In S1002, it is determined whether or not the information holding information of itself is +. If the determination result is +, the process proceeds to S1003. If the determination result is negative, the received user setting information is not set, the user setting information is discarded, and the process ends. At this time, a process for notifying the transmission source office device may be performed.

  In S1003, based on the received user setting information, the user setting information owned by itself is updated. As the update processing method here, the user setting information that the user already has is overwritten by the received user setting information, or the user setting that newly adds the difference with the user setting information that the user already has Method of storing as information, or method of storing received user setting information separately from already existing user setting information (that is, both already existing user setting information and received user setting information Any of the above methods may be used. If the user setting information is updated in S1003, the process is terminated.

  Next, the operation flow of the user setting information change process will be described with reference to FIG.

This user setting information change process is performed by other office equipment on the network.
This process is executed when the user setting information change request transmitted in S608 of FIG. 6 is received.

  First, in S1101, it is determined whether the user setting information identifier included in the received user setting information change request matches the user setting information identifier of its own. That is, it is determined here whether or not the office device that transmitted the user setting information change request belongs to the same group. As a result, when it is determined that the user setting information identifiers match (when belonging to the same group), the process proceeds to S1102. On the other hand, when it is determined that they do not match as a result of the determination in S1101 (when belonging to another group), the received user setting information is discarded, and the process ends. At this time, a process of notifying the transmission source office device that the user setting information identifier is different (belonging to another group) may be performed.

  In S1102, it is determined whether or not the information holding information of itself is +. If the determination result is +, the process proceeds to S1103. If the determination result is negative, the received user setting information is not set, the user setting information is discarded, and the process ends. At this time, a process for notifying the transmission source office device may be performed.

  In S1103, based on the received user setting information, the user setting information owned by itself is updated. As the update processing method here, the user setting information that the user already has is overwritten by the received user setting information, or the user setting that newly adds the difference with the user setting information that the user already has Method of storing as information, or method of storing received user setting information separately from already existing user setting information (that is, both already existing user setting information and received user setting information Any of the above methods may be used.

  In step S1104, a user setting information update notification is created. The user setting information update notification created here is the same as the user setting information update notification created in S604 of FIG. 6 and includes its own user setting information identifier and the user setting information set in S1103. In step S1105, the user setting information update notification created in step S1104 is transmitted. As for the transmission of the user setting information update notification, similarly to the transmission of the user setting information described above, broadcast transmission or transmission to a specific office device is performed. Thereby, it is possible to set the same user setting information as the user setting information updated by itself for other office equipment.

  Next, an operation flow of response processing for a user setting information acquisition response request will be described with reference to FIG.

  This response process is a process executed when the user setting information acquisition response request transmitted in S804 of FIG. 8 is received from another office device on the network.

  First, in S1201, it is determined whether or not the user setting information identifier included in the received user setting information acquisition response request matches its own user setting information identifier. That is, here, it is determined whether or not the office device that has transmitted the user setting information acquisition response request belongs to the same group. As a result, when it is determined that the user setting information identifiers match (when belonging to the same group), the process proceeds to S1202. On the other hand, when it is determined that they do not match as a result of the determination in S1201 (when belonging to another group), the received user setting information acquisition response request is discarded, and the process ends. At this time, a process of notifying the transmission source office device that the user setting information identifier is different (belonging to another group) may be performed.

  In S1202, it is determined whether or not the information holding information of its own is +. If the determination result is +, the process proceeds to S1203. If the determination result is negative, the received user setting information acquisition response request is discarded, and the process is terminated. At this time, a process for notifying the transmission source office device may be performed.

  In S1203, a self-device ID (eg, IP address, MAC address, etc.) that is information for identifying itself is extracted. Proceeding to S1204, a response to the user setting information acquisition response request is created. This response includes at least its own user setting information identifier and its own device ID extracted in S1203. Thereafter, in S1205, the response created in S1204 is transmitted. Since the transmission source device ID is included in the user setting information acquisition response request, the response is transmitted to the office device that has transmitted the user setting information acquisition response request based on the device ID.

  Next, an operation flow of response processing to a user setting information acquisition request will be described with reference to FIG.

  This response process is a process executed when the user setting information acquisition request transmitted in S809 of FIG. 8 is received from another office device on the network.

  First, in S1301, it is determined whether or not the user setting information identifier included in the received user setting information acquisition request matches its own user setting information identifier. That is, it is determined here whether the office device that transmitted the user setting information acquisition request belongs to the same group. As a result, when it is determined that the user setting information identifiers match (when belonging to the same group), the process proceeds to S1302. On the other hand, when it is determined that they do not match as a result of the determination in S1301 (when belonging to another group), the received user setting information acquisition request is discarded, and the process ends. At this time, a process of notifying the transmission source office device that the user setting information identifier is different (belonging to another group) may be performed.

  In S1302, it is determined whether or not the information holding information of itself is +. If the determination result is +, the process proceeds to S1303. If the determination result is negative, the received user setting information acquisition request is discarded, and the process ends. At this time, a process for notifying the transmission source office device may be performed.

  In step S1303, the user setting information item requested by the received user setting information acquisition request is extracted from the user setting information items of the user.

  Proceeding to S1304, a response including the user setting information extracted in S1303 and its own user setting information identifier is created. In step S1305, the response is transmitted. Since the user setting information acquisition request includes the transmission source device ID, the response is transmitted to the office device that has transmitted the user setting information acquisition response request based on the device ID.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to unify user setting information of office equipment (office equipment belonging to the same group) having the same user setting information identifier. On the other hand, it is possible to prevent the user setting information of office equipment (office equipment not belonging to the same group) having different user setting information identifiers from being changed by mistake. Furthermore, since it is determined whether or not the user setting information is set depending on whether the information holding is + or-, the user setting information is registered for the office equipment that does not need to hold the user setting information. Can be prevented. If the user setting information is necessary to perform a predetermined process in an office device that holds information and is not held, the user from another office device that holds the user setting information Setting information can be acquired.

  In the second embodiment, when office equipment is newly connected to the network or at initialization, processing for acquiring user setting information for other office equipment is performed. The basic processing is the same as in the first embodiment, except that when office equipment is newly connected to the network or at initialization, processing for acquiring user setting information is performed for other office equipment. . This point will be described with reference to FIG.

  Figure when an office device is logically connected to the network (when it is physically connected to the network, when the office device is turned on and initialization is completed, or when it is newly connected to the network) The process 14 starts. First, in S1401, it is checked whether both the user setting information identifier and the information holding information are already set on the NVRAM 3. If not set, the process proceeds to S1402 and waits for an input by the user. If there is a user input, the process advances to step S1403 to check whether it is a user setting information identifier. If it is a user setting information identifier, the process proceeds to S1404 and the input user setting information identifier is stored in the NVRAM 3. If it is not a user setting information identifier, the process advances to step S1405 to check whether the user input is information holding information. If it is information holding information, the process advances to step S1406 to store the input information holding information on the NVRAM 3. If the user input is another operation, the process proceeds to S1407 and appropriate processing is performed.

  On the other hand, if both the user setting information identifier and the information holding information are already set on the NVRAM 3 in S1401, the process proceeds to S1408, and these are taken out from the NVRAM 3. In step S1409, it is checked whether the information retention is +. As a result, if it is-, it is not necessary to hold the user setting information, and the process is terminated. If it is +, the latest user setting information must be acquired in order to hold the user setting information in the office device. Therefore, the process proceeds to S1410, and the user setting information identifier is extracted from the NVRAM 3. In step S1411, a user setting information acquisition response request is created together with the extracted user setting information identifier and an ID (IP address, MAC address) that identifies the device itself. Proceeding to step S1412, the user setting information acquisition response request created in step S1411 is transmitted. In step S1413, the process waits for a response to the user setting information acquisition response request. If it is not received after a predetermined time (S1414), the process returns to S1412 to retransmit the user setting information acquisition response request. If a response is received, a user setting information acquisition request for requesting a user setting information identifier and all user setting information is created in S1415. Thereafter, the processing proceeds to S1416, and an ID for identifying the responding device included in the response to the user setting information acquisition response request is extracted. In step S1417, the user setting information acquisition request created is transmitted to the device having the extracted ID.

  After that, in S1418, it waits to receive a response to the user setting information acquisition request. If there is no response after a predetermined time (S1419), the process returns to S1417 to retransmit the user setting information acquisition request. If a response is received, the process advances to step S1420 to store all received user setting information included in the response on the NVRAM 3, and the process ends.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the office device is newly connected to the network or at the time of initialization, the user setting information is automatically acquired. It is easier to synchronize with the user setting information of the office equipment.

(Other examples)
An object of the present invention is to read a program code stored in a storage medium by a computer (or CPU or MPU) of a system or apparatus from a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments. It is also achieved by executing.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile Any recording medium such as a memory card, a ROM, a storage device included in a file server on a network, or a storage device included in an FTP server on the Internet can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. A case where part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

  In the above embodiment, a system has been described in which a plurality of office devices are connected on a network and exchange user setting information with each other. However, a server device that manages user setting information is provided, and the server device is a user. The object of the present invention can also be achieved by using a system that transmits setting information to office equipment on a network. In this case, a group may be identified by registering a user setting information identifier in each office device in advance, or the server device may manage information for identifying the group of each office device.

It is an example of the network block diagram in a present Example. It is an internal block block diagram of the office equipment in a present Example. It is an example of the information structure in NVRAM3 of the office equipment in a present Example. It is an example of the information structure in NVRAM3 of the office equipment in a present Example. It is a flowchart showing the main flow in the operation | movement process of the office equipment in a present Example. It is a flowchart showing the operation | movement flow of the user setting information change process in a present Example. It is a flowchart showing the operation | movement flow of a user setting information identifier change process in a present Example. It is a flowchart showing the operation | movement flow of the user setting information acquisition process in a present Example. It is a flowchart showing the main flow in the operation | movement process of the office equipment in a present Example. It is a flowchart showing the operation | movement flow of the user setting information update process in a present Example. It is a flowchart showing the operation | movement flow of the user setting information change process in a present Example. It is a flowchart showing the operation | movement flow of the response process with respect to the user setting information acquisition response request in a present Example. It is a flowchart showing the operation | movement flow of the response process with respect to the user setting information acquisition request in a present Example. It is a flowchart showing the operation | movement flow in the 2nd Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2 RAM
3 NVRAM
4 User Command Input Device 5 Printing Device 6 Reading Device 7 Network I / F Unit 8 Main Bus 9 FAX Device

Claims (13)

An image processing apparatus,
Receiving means for receiving setting information transmitted from another image processing apparatus;
Determination means for determining whether or not the other image processing apparatus and the own apparatus belong to the same group;
An update means for updating its own setting information based on the setting information received by the receiving means when it is determined that the determining means belongs to the same group;
An image processing apparatus comprising: An image processing apparatus,
Receiving means for receiving setting information transmitted from another image processing apparatus;
Determination means for determining whether or not the device already has setting information;
Have
When it is determined that the determination unit has the setting information, its own setting information is updated based on the setting information received by the reception unit, and it is determined that the determination unit does not have the setting information. In the case of the image processing apparatus, the setting information received by the receiving unit is not set. An image processing apparatus,
Receiving means for receiving setting information transmitted from another image processing apparatus;
First determination means for determining whether the other image processing apparatus and the own apparatus belong to the same group;
Second determination means for determining whether or not the device already has setting information;
If it is determined that the first determination unit belongs to the same group, and the second determination unit determines that the setting information is included, the first setting unit determines its own setting based on the setting information received by the receiving unit. An updating means for updating the information;
An image processing apparatus comprising: A transmission unit that transmits the setting information updated in the update unit to an image processing apparatus different from the other image processing apparatus;
4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the updated setting information in response to the setting information being updated by the updating unit. 5. An image processing apparatus,
An input means by which a user can input desired setting information;
Updating means for updating own setting information based on the setting information input in the input means;
A transmission for transmitting a setting information update notification including at least information indicating a group to which the apparatus belongs and updated setting information to another image processing apparatus in response to the updating of the setting information by the updating unit. Means,
An image processing apparatus comprising: An image processing method comprising:
A receiving step for receiving setting information transmitted from another image processing apparatus;
A determination step of determining whether the other image processing apparatus and the own apparatus belong to the same group;
If it is determined in the determination step that it belongs to the same group, an update step for updating its own setting information based on the setting information received in the receiving step;
An image processing method comprising: An image processing method comprising:
A receiving step for receiving setting information transmitted from another image processing apparatus;
A determination step of determining whether or not the device already has setting information;
Have
When it is determined that the setting information is included in the determination step, the setting information is updated based on the setting information received in the reception step, and it is determined that the setting information is not included in the determination step. In the case of the image processing method, the setting information received in the receiving step is not set. An image processing method comprising:
A receiving step for receiving setting information transmitted from another image processing apparatus;
A first determination step of determining whether or not the other image processing apparatus and the own apparatus belong to the same group;
A second determination step for determining whether or not the device already has setting information;
If it is determined in the first determination step that it belongs to the same group, and it is determined in the second determination step that it has setting information, its own setting based on the setting information received in the reception step An update step for updating the information;
An image processing method comprising: An image processing method comprising:
An input step in which the user can input desired setting information;
An update step of updating own setting information based on the setting information input in the input means;
A transmission for transmitting a setting information update notification including at least information indicating a group to which the apparatus belongs and updated setting information to another image processing apparatus in response to the setting information being updated by the updating step. Steps,
An image processing method comprising: A program for causing an image processing apparatus to execute the following steps,
A receiving step for receiving setting information transmitted from another image processing apparatus;
A determination step of determining whether the other image processing apparatus and the own apparatus belong to the same group;
If it is determined in the determination step that it belongs to the same group, an update step for updating its own setting information based on the setting information received in the receiving step;
The program characterized by having. A program for causing an image processing apparatus to execute the following steps,
A receiving step for receiving setting information transmitted from another image processing apparatus;
A determination step of determining whether or not the device already has setting information;
Have
When it is determined that the setting information is included in the determination step, the setting information is updated based on the setting information received in the reception step, and it is determined that the setting information is not included in the determination step. In the case where the setting information is received, the setting information received in the receiving step is not set. A program for causing an image processing apparatus to execute the following steps,
A receiving step for receiving setting information transmitted from another image processing apparatus;
A first determination step of determining whether or not the other image processing apparatus and the own apparatus belong to the same group;
A second determination step for determining whether or not the device already has setting information;
If it is determined in the first determination step that it belongs to the same group, and it is determined in the second determination step that it has setting information, its own setting based on the setting information received in the reception step An update step for updating the information;
The program characterized by having. A program for causing an image processing apparatus to execute the following steps,
An input step in which the user can input desired setting information;
An update step of updating own setting information based on the setting information input in the input means;
A transmission for transmitting a setting information update notification including at least information indicating a group to which the apparatus belongs and updated setting information to another image processing apparatus in response to the setting information being updated by the updating step. Steps,
The program characterized by having.

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