JP2007310724A - Information setting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate replacement and installation work of a MFD by utilizing a management PC added to the MFD. <P>SOLUTION: When an old MFD 1 will be replaced by a new MFD 2, a sending part 13 of the old MFD 1 sends user setting information set to itself at a prescribed time, to a management PC 3 through a cable 4 to hold the user setting information in the management PC 3. The management PC 3 transmits the user setting information held in a providing part 33, to the new MFD 2 in response to connecting the new MFD instead of the old MFD 1 by the cable 4, and the new MFD 2 stores the user setting information received from the management PC 3, into a storage part 21 and a setting part 22 performs setting processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  According to the present invention, when the first information processing apparatus is installed in place of the second information processing apparatus, the setting information set by the user in the first information processing apparatus is transferred to the second information via the management apparatus. The present invention relates to a technique for shifting to a processing apparatus.

  In an information processing apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral (MFD) equipped with a print function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, a copy function, etc., for example, a margin setting in print processing, a paper size setting, and a speed dial or one-touch dial setting in facsimile transmission In addition, a function is provided that allows the user to set information for arbitrarily specifying the processing, such as setting the processing content in the user mode.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus as described above includes a management apparatus composed of a general-purpose computer (PC) or the like in order to support or manage processing due to high functionality or to improve usability for the user. There is something attached, and the added value of the information processing apparatus is increased by attaching the management PC. That is, a system having a configuration in which a dedicated PC is attached to the information processing apparatus has been put into practical use.

  Here, when the information processing device is replaced with a new information processing device, the speed dial data set in the original information processing device is sent to the server at the maintenance engineer's base via the public line. After temporarily storing and setting a new information processing device in place of the original information processing device, the operator transmits the speed dial data stored in the server to the new information processing device via the public line, and the new speed dial data is new. An invention has been proposed that aims to reduce the burden of information setting work in replacement installation work of an information processing apparatus by setting the information processing apparatus (see Patent Document 1).

In addition, an invention has been proposed in which data such as a one-touch dial is automatically and sequentially transmitted to other information processing apparatuses among a plurality of information processing apparatuses, and the data is automatically set between the information processing apparatuses. (See Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 02-308648 JP 2001-119511 A

When replacing an information processing apparatus with a new information processing apparatus, in a system of the type in which one PC is attached to one information processing apparatus as described above, information is required except when a PC needs to be replaced. Only the processing device is replaced and installed, and the new information processing device is connected to the original PC.
In such replacement installation work, conventionally, user setting information such as a one-touch dial is still set and stored in the information processing apparatus itself, so that the operator re-assigns the information to the newly installed information processing apparatus. It has to be set again, and the replacement installation work is complicated and takes a long time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and an object thereof is to facilitate replacement installation work of an information processing device by using a management device attached to the information processing device.

  The information setting system according to the present invention includes a management device connected to the first information processing device or the second information processing device, and the first information processing device has a predetermined time (for example, periodically, power-off). At a time) a transmission means for transmitting the setting information set by the user to the management apparatus, the management apparatus holding the setting information transmitted from the first information processing apparatus, and the management apparatus Providing means for sending the setting information held in the holding means to the second information processing apparatus in response to the connection of the second information processing apparatus instead of the first information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus is characterized by having storage means for storing the setting information sent from the management apparatus for self-setting.

  Therefore, the first information processing device sends the setting information set to itself at a predetermined time to the management device, the management device holds the setting information sent from the first information processing device, and In response to the connection of the second information processing apparatus instead of the first information processing apparatus to the management apparatus, the stored setting information is sent to the second information processing apparatus, and the second information processing apparatus By storing the setting information sent from the management device for its own setting, the first information processing device or the second information processing device installed in exchange for the first information processing device is transferred to the first information processing device. The setting information set by the user can be transferred to the first information processing apparatus via the management apparatus connected to the second information processing apparatus.

Here, in the present invention, in response to the connection of the second information processing apparatus instead of the first information processing apparatus, the setting information held in the holding unit by the management apparatus is sent to the second information processing apparatus. However, various methods can be adopted as this method.
For example, the second information processing apparatus is provided with an acquisition unit that notifies the connected management apparatus that the setting information can be accepted, and the management apparatus providing unit notifies the status from the acquisition unit. Assuming that the second information processing apparatus is connected instead of the first information processing apparatus as a result of reception, the setting information held in the holding means is sent to the second information processing apparatus.

In addition, for example, the second information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that notifies the connected management apparatus to request setting information, and the management apparatus providing unit receives the request notification from the acquisition unit. Thus, assuming that the second information processing apparatus is connected instead of the first information processing apparatus, the setting information held in the holding means is sent to the second information processing apparatus.
Further, for example, the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus are each provided with identification information notification means for transmitting their own identification information to the connected management apparatus, and the management apparatus providing means includes Assuming that the second information processing apparatus is connected instead of the first information processing apparatus because the identification information received from the information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus has been changed, the setting information held in the holding means is It is sent to the second information processing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to facilitate the transfer of user setting information during the replacement installation of the information processing apparatus.

The present invention will be specifically described based on examples.
FIG. 1 shows an overview of an information setting system according to this example.
In this example, when a multifunction peripheral (MFD), which is an information processing apparatus, is replaced and installed, a user is connected to the original MFD (old MFD) 1 using a general-purpose computer (PC) 3 attached to the MFD as a management apparatus. The set setting information such as the one-touch dial is transferred to a new MFD (new MFD) 2.
That is, one MFD has a configuration in which one management device (PC) is connected by a cable 4 and is attached. When the old MFD 1 is replaced with the new MFD 2, the PC 3 connected to the old MFD 1 is used. Is changed to the new MFD2.

FIG. 2 shows a main functional configuration of the information setting system according to this example.
In this example, the old MFD 1, the new MFD 2, and the PC 3 configure the necessary functions according to the present invention by executing the program according to the present invention by computer hardware.
In particular, the PC 3 that is a management apparatus executes a program according to the present invention by its computer hardware, thereby retaining the user setting information sent from the old MFD 1, and replacing the old MFD 1 with the PC 3. A function for sending the stored user setting information to the new MFD 2 in response to the cable connection of the MFD 2 is configured.

The old MFD 1 includes a storage unit 11 that stores setting information such as a one-touch dial input by a user, and an ID holding unit that holds a preset device ID, in addition to various functions (not shown) as a multifunction peripheral 12, a transmission unit 13 that performs transmission processing of user setting information and device ID, and an interface 14 that communicates with the PC 3 via the cable 4.
In addition to various functions (not shown) as a multifunction machine, the new MFD 2 stores the user setting information transferred from the old MFD 1 and stores the user setting information stored in the storage unit 21 in its own machine. Communication with the PC 3 via the setting unit 22 that performs setting processing for use by various functions, an ID holding unit 23 that holds a preset device ID, an acquisition unit 24 that performs user setting information acquisition processing, and the cable 4 An interface 25 for performing

  In this example, since the old MFD1 is the exchange side, the sending side process is shown, and the new MFD2 is the exchange side, so the acquisition side process is shown. However, from the actual situation, the old MFD1 is shown as the old MFD1. It is preferable that the new MFD 2 has both functions of the transmission side process and the acquisition side process so that the exchange side and the exchange side can be reversed.

The PC 3 replaces either the old MFD 1 or the new MFD 2 with the cable 4 for communication, the holding unit 32 for holding the user setting information received from the new MFD 1 via the cable 4, and the old MFD 1. When the new MFD 2 is connected by the cable 4, the user setting information held in the holding unit 32 is provided to the new MFD 2 via the cable 4.
In the operation of replacing the old MFD 1 with the new MFD 2, the cable 4 connected to the old MFD 1 is disconnected and connected to the new MFD 2, and either the old MFD 1 or the new MFD 2 is connected to the PC 3.

In the present invention, the user setting information set in the old MFD 1 is transferred to the new MFD 2 through the PC 3 according to various functions provided in the old MFD 1, the new MFD 2, and the PC 3.
FIG. 3 shows a flow of processing according to one aspect.
When switching to the new MFD 2, when the switch operation to turn off the power of the old MFD 1 is performed, the sending unit 13 of the old MFD 1 is held in the storage unit 11 before the power is actually turned off. User setting information is transmitted to the PC 3 via the cable 4.

When receiving the user setting information via the cable 4, the PC 3 holds the user setting information in the holding unit 32 and then turns off its main power supply.
When the operator installs the new MFD 2 instead of the old MFD 1, replaces the cable 4 connected to the old MFD 1 with the new MFD 2, and turns on the power of the new MFD 2, the new MFD 2 to the PC 3 via the cable 4 A magic packet is transmitted, and the main power supply of the PC 3 is turned on when the magic packet is received.

The new MFD 2 is in a state in which the acquisition unit 24 transmits its own state notification to the PC 3 via the cable 4 in response to the first power-on after setting, and the new MFD 2 can set the user setting information. A message to this effect is sent to the PC 3.
In response to the notification, the PC 3 sends the user setting information held in the holding unit 32 to the new MFD 2 via the cable 4, and the user setting information received by the acquisition unit 24 from the PC 3 in the new MFD 2. Is stored in the storage unit 21. The user setting information stored in the storage unit 21 is set by the setting unit 22 so that it can be used in the new MFD 2.
Therefore, the user setting information set in the old MFD 1 is automatically transferred to the new MFD 2 via the PC 3.

FIG. 4 shows a flow of processing according to another aspect.
When the sending unit 13 of the old MFD 1 periodically transmits the user setting information held in the storage unit 11 to the PC 3 via the cable 4, and the PC 3 receives the user setting information via the cable 4, the user The setting information is updated and held in the holding unit 32.
Then, when the operator installs the new MFD 2 instead of the old MFD 1, replaces the cable 4 connected to the old MFD 1 with the new MFD 2, and turns on the power of the new MFD 2, the new MFD 2 is turned on for the first time after the setting. In response, the acquisition unit 24 transmits a request for user setting information to the PC 3 via the cable 4.

In response to the request, the PC 3 sends the user setting information held in the holding unit 32 to the new MFD 2 via the cable 4, and the user setting information received by the acquisition unit 24 from the PC 3 in the new MFD 2. Is stored in the storage unit 21, and the setting unit 22 sets the user setting information stored in the storage unit 21 so that it can be used in the new MFD 2.
Therefore, the user setting information set in the old MFD 1 is automatically transferred to the new MFD 2 via the PC 3.

FIG. 5 shows a flow of processing according to still another aspect.
The sending unit 13 of the old MFD 1 periodically transmits the user setting information held in the storage unit 11 and its own device ID held in the ID holding unit 12 to the PC 3 via the cable 4, When receiving the user setting information and the device ID via the cable 4, the PC 3 updates and holds them in the holding unit 32.
Then, when the operator installs the new MFD 2 instead of the old MFD 1, replaces the cable 4 connected to the old MFD 1 with the new MFD 2, and turns on the power of the new MFD 2, the new MFD 2 is turned on for the first time after the setting. In response to this, the acquisition unit 24 transmits the device ID of the new MFD held in the ID holding unit 23 to the PC 3 via the cable 4.

When the PC 3 receives the device ID of the new MFD, the providing unit 33 compares the device ID of the old MFD held in the holding unit 32 with the difference between the device IDs in the holding unit 32. The held user setting information is transmitted to the new MFD 2 via the cable 4. In the new MFD 2, the acquisition unit 24 stores the user setting information received from the PC 3 in the storage unit 21, and the setting unit 22 sets the user setting information stored in the storage unit 21 so that it can be used in the new MFD 2. .
Therefore, the user setting information set in the old MFD 1 is automatically transferred to the new MFD 2 via the PC 3.

3 to 5 exemplify several modes for carrying out the present invention, the present invention is not limited to these, and various modes such as a combination of the illustrated modes are implemented. It can be set as an aspect.
In addition, in order to cope with an error occurring in communication between the old MFD 1 and the PC 3 or communication between the new MFD 2 and the PC 3, a known retransmission process may be applied to these communication protocols.

It is a figure which shows the system configuration | structure which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the process which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention. It is a figure explaining the process which concerns on the other one aspect | mode of this invention. It is a figure explaining the process which concerns on the other one aspect | mode of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: Old MFD, 2: New MFD,
3: Management PC, 4: Cable,
11: setting information storage unit, 12: device ID holding unit,
13: Sending unit, 14: Interface,
21: Setting information storage unit, 22: Setting unit,
23: Device ID holding unit 24: Acquisition unit
25: Interface, 31: Interface,
32: setting information holding unit, 33: providing unit,

Claims (6)

An information setting system for transferring setting information set by a user in a first information processing apparatus to a second information processing apparatus installed in place of the first information processing apparatus,
A management apparatus connected to the first information processing apparatus or the second information processing apparatus;
The first information processing apparatus includes a sending unit that sends setting information set to itself at a predetermined time to the management apparatus,
The management apparatus includes a holding unit that holds setting information transmitted from the first information processing apparatus, and the management apparatus is connected to the second information processing apparatus instead of the first information processing apparatus. And providing means for sending the setting information held in the holding means to the second information processing apparatus accordingly.
The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the second information processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores the setting information transmitted from the management apparatus for self-setting. In the information setting system according to claim 1,
The second information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that notifies the connected management apparatus that the setting information is acceptable.
The providing means receives the setting information held in the holding means on the assumption that the second information processing apparatus is connected instead of the first information processing apparatus by receiving the notification of the state from the acquisition means. An information setting system for sending to the second information processing apparatus. In the information setting system according to claim 1,
The second information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that notifies the connected management apparatus to request setting information,
The providing means receives the setting information held in the holding means on the assumption that the second information processing apparatus is connected instead of the first information processing apparatus by receiving the notification of the request from the acquisition means. An information setting system for sending to the second information processing apparatus. In the information setting system according to claim 1,
Each of the first information processing device and the second information processing device has identification information notification means for transmitting its own identification information to a connected management device,
The providing means connects the second information processing apparatus instead of the first information processing apparatus when the identification information received from the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus is changed. As a result, the setting information held in the holding means is sent to the second information processing apparatus. The first information is sent to the second information processing apparatus installed in place of the first information processing apparatus via the first information processing apparatus or the management apparatus connected to the second information processing apparatus. An information setting method for transferring setting information set by a user to a processing device,
The first information processing apparatus sends setting information set to itself at a predetermined time to the management apparatus,
The management device holds setting information sent from the first information processing device, and the management device is connected to the second information processing device instead of the first information processing device. And sending the stored setting information to the second information processing apparatus,
The information processing method, wherein the second information processing apparatus stores the setting information sent from the management apparatus for its own setting. A program for controlling a management device that migrates setting information set by a user to a second information processing device installed in place of the first information processing device,
A function of holding setting information transmitted from the first information processing apparatus;
A function of sending the stored setting information to the second information processing device in response to the second information processing device being connected to the management device instead of the first information processing device;
A program for causing a computer to execute.

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