JP2008046977A - Image processing system and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate a need of setting wireless communication of an image forming apparatus at each time of wireless communication even in an environment wherein the image forming apparatus is shared among a plurality of information processors. <P>SOLUTION: In an image processing system, an information processor 1 includes an input part 9 for inputting setting information and rewrite permission/inhibition information and an information transmission part for transmitting setting information and rewrite permission/inhibition information, and an image processing apparatus 3 includes: a storage part 17 for storing setting information and rewrite permission/inhibition information; a judgement part 33 for judging whether or not setting information should be rewritten on the basis of rewrite permission/inhibition information when setting information is transmitted from the information processor furthermore after setting information is stored in the storage part 17; and a rewriting part which rewrites setting information on the basis of a judgement result of the judgement part 33. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing system and an image forming apparatus that perform wireless communication between the information processing apparatus and the image processing apparatus.

  Conventionally, when trying to perform wireless communication between an information processing device and an image processing device, the image processing device is limited to one information processing device capable of performing wireless communication, In the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to change setting information for performing wireless communication every time the information processing apparatus performing wireless communication changes. As a method of performing wireless communication using such a method, there is an image processing system described in Patent Document 1.

JP 2004-328288 A

  However, when such an image processing system is used in an environment where an image forming apparatus is shared by a plurality of information processing apparatuses, after a user performs wireless communication with the image forming apparatus using the information processing apparatus of the person, Even if the same work is to be performed again, if a third party performs wireless communication with the image forming apparatus using the information processing apparatus of the third party, the user establishes wireless communication again. For this reason, it was necessary to change the settings for this purpose, requiring complicated procedures.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and even in an environment where an image forming apparatus is shared by a plurality of information processing apparatuses, the wireless communication of the image forming apparatus is performed every time the wireless communication is performed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system that does not require changing the setting.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image processing system according to the present invention is an image processing system that performs wireless communication between an information processing apparatus and the image processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus is wirelessly connected to the image processing apparatus. An input unit for inputting setting information for establishing communication and rewriteability information for permitting or prohibiting rewriting of the setting information, and the setting information and rewriteability information input to the input unit as the image An information transmission unit for transmitting to the processing device, wherein the image processing device stores the setting information and the rewritability information transmitted from the setting information transmission unit, and the setting information in the storage unit. When the setting information is further transmitted from the information processing apparatus, the setting information stored in the storage unit is stored on the basis of the rewritability information stored in the storage unit. A rewrite determination unit that determines whether or not to rewrite, and a rewrite unit that rewrites the setting information stored in the storage unit based on the determination result of the rewrite determination unit to the setting information transmitted from the information transmission unit It is characterized by having.

  According to this configuration, the rewrite unit rewrites the setting information stored in the storage unit based on the determination result of the rewrite determination unit. Then, the rewrite determination unit derives the determination result based on the rewrite availability information stored in the rewrite availability information storage unit. That is, when inputting the setting information in the information processing apparatus, for example, by permitting rewriting of the setting information in advance and storing it in the image forming apparatus, a third party can use the information processing apparatus of the third party. Even when the image forming apparatus is accessed, the setting information stored in the storage unit is not rewritten. Further, even when a temporary user accesses the image forming apparatus using his / her information processing apparatus, the setting information is stored in the image forming apparatus together with rewrite availability information indicating that the rewriting of the setting information is permitted. As a result, the setting information is rewritten with the setting information transmitted from the information processing apparatus of the next user, so that the setting information does not remain in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus.

  As described above, according to the image processing system, it is not necessary to change the wireless communication setting of the image forming apparatus every time wireless communication is performed by storing the setting information together with the rewritability information in the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The image processing system according to the first embodiment is configured by connecting an information processing apparatus 1 and an image processing apparatus 3 by a wired interface 5 and a wireless interface 7 as shown in FIG. In such an image processing system, setting information related to settings for establishing wireless communication is transmitted and received between the information processing apparatus 1 and the image processing apparatus 3 via the wired interface 5, and the wireless interface 7 is connected. Print information is transmitted and received through the network.

  The information processing apparatus 1 is an information processing terminal such as a personal computer, for example, and as shown in FIG. 2, an input unit 9 for inputting setting information and an application 11 for generating image information to be transmitted to the image processing apparatus 3. A printer driver 13 that converts image information generated by the application 11 into print information; and a communication unit 15 that executes various controls in communication work with the image processing apparatus 3. Such an information processing apparatus 1 transmits the setting information input to the input unit 9 to the image processing apparatus 3 via the wired interface 5 via the communication unit 15. Further, the information processing apparatus 1 converts the image information generated by the application 11 into print information by the printer driver 13, and transmits the print information to the image processing apparatus 3 via the wireless interface 7 via the communication unit 15. To do.

  The input unit 9 receives setting information necessary for the information processing apparatus 1 and the image processing apparatus 3 to establish wireless communication via the wireless interface 7. Further, the input unit 9 receives rewrite permission / prohibition information for permitting or prohibiting rewriting of setting information. Such an input unit 9 is configured by, for example, a keyboard of the information processing apparatus 1. The setting information input to such an input unit is information that is referred to when the image processing apparatus 3 and the information processing apparatus 1 try to establish wireless communication with each other, and the rewritability information includes the setting information. Information regarding permission or prohibition of rewriting. The setting information and the rewritability information are configured by a host ID, a device ID, and an extension ID constituted by an IP address, and a rewritability ID indicating whether the setting information can be rewritten, as shown in FIG. The

  The application 11 is software installed in the information processing apparatus 1 such as document creation software or drawing software, and is software that can generate image information when operated by a user. Such an application 11 is stored in a hard disk drive (not shown) and activated when the user operates the input unit 9.

  The printer driver 13 is software installed in the information processing apparatus 1, and converts image information generated by the application 11 of the information processing apparatus 1 into print information that can be recognized by the image processing apparatus 3. Software. Such a printer driver is stored in a hard disk drive (not shown), and is activated when the user operates the input unit. The printer driver 13 develops image information generated by the application in a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown) and converts the image information into print information.

  The communication unit 15 transmits the setting information and the rewritability information input to the input unit 9 to the image processing apparatus 3 via the wired interface 5, and print information converted by the printer driver 13 is transmitted to the image via the wireless interface 7. Transmit to the processing device 3. Specifically, the communication unit 15 reads the setting information and the rewritability information stored in the storage unit 17 and stores the setting information and the rewritability information input to the input unit 9 to read the image processing apparatus. 3 includes a wired control unit 19 serving as an information transmission unit that transmits to the image processing apparatus 3 and a wireless control unit 21 that transmits the print information converted by the printer driver 13 to the image processing apparatus 3.

  The storage unit 17 stores setting information and rewritability information input to the input unit 9. Such a storage unit 17 is configured by, for example, an HDD, and setting information and rewritability information stored in the storage unit 17 are read by the wired control unit 19 and the wireless control unit 21.

  The wired control unit 19 transmits the setting information and rewritability information stored in the storage unit 17 to the image processing device 3 via the wired interface 5. Such a wired control unit 19 is a program stored in a ROM, for example, and is executed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

  The wireless control unit 21 reads the setting information stored in the storage unit 17, refers to the IP address of the image processing device 3 included in the setting information, and the like between the information processing device 1 and the image processing device 3. To establish wireless communication. Then, after wireless communication is established between the two, the wireless control unit 21 transmits the print information supplied from the printer driver 13 to the image processing apparatus 3 via the wireless interface 7. Such a wireless control unit 21 is a program stored in a ROM, for example, and is executed by the CPU.

  The image processing apparatus 3 is an image processing apparatus such as a printer that prints an image based on print information on a predetermined recording medium. As shown in FIG. 4, various controls are performed in communication work with the information processing apparatus 1. A communication unit 23 to execute, an image processing unit 25 that converts an image based on print information into printable bitmap data, which is printable data, and an image based on the bitmap format data converted by the image processing unit 25 And a printing unit 27 for printing on a recording medium.

  The communication unit 23 executes various processes for receiving the setting information, the rewritability information, and the print information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1. Such a communication unit 23 stores a wired control unit 29 that transmits and receives information to and from the information processing apparatus 1 via the wired interface 5, and setting information and rewritability information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1. Based on the determination result of the storage unit 31, the determination unit 33 that refers to the rewritability information transmitted from the information processing device 1 and determines whether or not the rewriting of the setting information is permitted or prohibited, and the determination result of the determination unit 33 A rewriting unit 34 that rewrites the setting information and rewritability information stored in the storage unit 31, and a wireless control unit 35 that transmits and receives information to and from the information processing apparatus 1 via the wireless interface 7.

  The wired control unit 29 receives the setting information and the rewritability information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 via the wired interface 5 and supplies the received setting information and rewritability information to the determination unit 33. Such a wired control unit 19 is a program stored in a ROM, for example, and is executed by the CPU.

  The storage unit 31 stores setting information and rewritability information supplied from the determination unit 33 by a method described later. Then, the setting information and the rewritability information stored in the storage unit 31 are read out by the wireless control unit 35. Such a storage unit 31 is configured by an HDD, for example.

  The determination unit 33 determines whether to rewrite the setting information based on the rewritability information supplied from the wired control unit 29. Specifically, when the setting information and the rewritability information are supplied from the wired control unit 29, the determination unit 33 first stores setting information having the same host ID as the supplied setting information in the storage unit 31. It is determined whether or not. When the determination unit 33 determines that the same setting information as the supplied setting information is stored in the storage unit 31, the setting information stored in the storage unit 31 and the rewritability corresponding to the setting information are determined. Read information. Then, the determination unit 33 determines the content of the read rewritability information. Specifically, the determination unit 33 determines whether the content of the read-out rewritability information permits or prohibits rewriting of setting information. Then, the determination unit 33 supplies the determination result to the rewrite unit 34. Such a determination unit 33 is a program stored in a ROM, for example, and is executed by the CPU.

  The rewrite unit 34 rewrites the setting information and the rewritability information stored in the storage unit 31 based on the determination result supplied from the determination unit 33.

  In such a determination unit 33 and rewrite unit 34, if the determination unit 33 determines that the content of the read rewrite availability information is a content that permits rewriting of the setting information, the rewrite unit 34 supplies the supplied setting information. The rewritability information is written in the storage unit 31. At this time, the setting information and the rewritability information read from the storage unit 31 are overwritten and deleted by the setting information and the rewritability information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1. The setting information and the rewritability information stored in the storage unit 31 are read by the determination unit 33 when the setting information and the rewritability information are further transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 after being stored in the storage unit 31. It is. That is, the determination unit 33 determines whether or not to rewrite the setting information based on the read rewrite availability information when the setting information and the rewrite availability information stored in advance in the storage unit 31 are read. For example, even when a third party uses a terminal different from the information processing apparatus 1 and tries to rewrite the user setting information stored in the image processing apparatus 3, the setting information stored in the storage unit 31 is not stored. When the setting information is not permitted to be rewritten, the setting information is not rewritten by a third party.

  The wireless control unit 35 establishes wireless communication with the information processing apparatus 1 based on the setting information stored in the storage unit 31. Then, after the wireless communication is established, the wireless control unit 35 receives print information from the information processing apparatus 1 and supplies the received print information to the image processing unit 25. Such a wireless control unit 35 is a program stored in a ROM, for example, and is executed by the CPU.

  The image processing unit 25 converts the print information received by the wireless control unit 35 into bitmap format print data that can be printed by the printing unit 27, and supplies the print data to the printing unit 27. Such an image processing unit 25 is a program stored in a ROM, for example, and is executed by the CPU.

  The printing unit 27 includes an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, and a fixing device (not shown), and exposes a latent image based on the print data supplied from the image processing unit 25 by the exposure device, and develops the latent image. The image is developed by the apparatus, the developed image is transferred onto a recording medium such as paper by a transfer device, and the image transferred on the paper is fixed by a fixing device to provide the user with an image based on the print data.

  Next, the operation of the image processing system having such a configuration will be described in detail.

  First, the method in which the information processing apparatus 1 transmits print information to the image processing apparatus 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When a user inputs a print instruction to the information processing apparatus 1 using the application 11 and a series of processes starts, the application 11 supplies image information to the printer driver 13 together with a print request in step S1. Next, in step S2, the printer driver 13 converts the image information supplied from the application 11 into print information. In step S <b> 3, the printer driver 13 supplies the converted print information to the communication unit 15. Next, in step S4, the wireless control unit 21 reads the setting information stored in the storage unit 17, and establishes wireless communication between the information processing device 1 and the image processing device 3 based on the read setting information. To do. Next, in step S <b> 5, the wireless control unit 21 transmits print information to the image processing device 3 via the wireless interface 7.

  Next, a method in which the image processing apparatus 3 processes the setting information and the rewritability information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the setting information and the rewritability information are transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 to the image processing apparatus 3, and when the image processing apparatus 3 receives the setting information and starts a series of processing, the wireless control unit 35 in step S6, the setting information and the rewritability information The availability information is supplied to the determination unit 33.

  Next, in step S7, the determination unit 33 determines whether or not the same setting information as the received setting information is already stored in the storage unit 31 in order to determine whether or not the setting information needs to be rewritten. Determine. This determination is performed, for example, by determining whether there is setting information having the same host ID as the host ID constituting the received setting information. If the determination unit 33 determines that the same setting information as the received setting information is stored in the storage unit 31, the determination unit 33 performs the process of step S8 to continue rewriting.

  In step S8, the determination unit 33 determines whether or not the same setting information as the received setting information can be rewritten in order to determine whether or not the setting information can be rewritten. This determination is performed, for example, by determining the contents of the setting information rewritability information stored in the storage unit 31. The determination unit 33 determines that the setting information is rewritable when the rewritability information is rewritable, and determines that the setting information is not rewritable when the rewritability information is not rewritable. If the determination unit 33 determines that the rewritability information is rewritable, the process of step S9 is executed.

  Next, in step S <b> 9, the rewriting unit 34 writes the setting information and the rewritability information to the storage unit 31 in order to rewrite the setting information. At this time, the rewriting unit 34 writes the setting information and the rewritability information to the storage unit 31 so as to overwrite the setting information and the rewritability information that have been stored previously, and ends the series of processes. The process of step S9 is also performed when it is determined that the same setting information as the setting information received by the determination unit 33 in step S7 is not stored in the storage unit 31. At this time, since the setting information to be rewritten and the rewritability information are not stored in the storage unit 31, the rewriting unit 34 newly writes the setting information and the rewritability information to the storage unit 31 without rewriting.

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 33 determines in step S8 that the rewritability information is not rewritable, the determination unit 33 discards the setting information and the rewritability information in step S10, and ends the series of processes.

  Next, a method for printing the print information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 by the image processing apparatus 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When a series of processes starts, the wireless control unit 35 establishes wireless communication with the information processing apparatus 1 based on the setting information stored in the storage unit 31 in step S11. Next, in step S <b> 12, the wireless control unit 35 receives the print information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 and supplies the received print information to the image processing unit 25. In step S <b> 13, the image processing unit 25 converts the print information supplied from the wireless control unit 35 into bitmap format print data and supplies the print data to the print unit 27. Next, in step S <b> 14, the printing unit 27 prints an image based on the print data supplied from the image processing unit 25 on paper, and ends a series of processing.

  As described above, according to the image processing system according to the first embodiment, the image processing apparatus 3 stores the rewritability information together with the setting information. Therefore, the setting information stored in the image processing apparatus 3 is stored in a third party. Can be prevented from being rewritten. In particular, even when a third party different from the user of the information processing apparatus 1 transmits print information to the image processing apparatus 3 using a terminal different from the information processing apparatus 1, the storage unit 31 of the image processing apparatus 3. It is possible to prevent the setting information stored in the information processing apparatus 1 from being rewritten. That is, even when the user of the information processing apparatus 1 tries to perform wireless communication between the information processing apparatus 1 and the image processing apparatus 3 again, the user does not reset the setting information and sets the image processing apparatus 3 again. Can be used.

  Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

  Since the image processing system according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the image processing system according to the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted and there are differences. Only a detailed explanation will be given. Specifically, the configuration of the image processing apparatus is different between the image processing system according to the first embodiment and the image processing system according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the image processing device 37 included in the image processing system according to the second embodiment includes a communication unit 39 that executes various controls in communication work with the information processing device 1, and an image based on print information. An image processing unit 25 that converts the image data into printable bitmap data, and a printing unit 27 that prints an image based on the bitmap data converted by the image processing unit 25 on a recording medium. .

  The communication unit 39 executes various processes for receiving the setting information, the rewritability information, and the print information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1. Such a communication unit 39 includes a wired control unit 41 that transmits and receives information to and from the information processing apparatus 1 via the wired interface 5, a storage unit 43 that stores setting information and rewritability information, and a storage unit 43. A counting unit 45 that counts the number of setting information stored in the memory, a memory number determining unit 47 that determines whether the number of setting information counted by the counting unit 45 exceeds a predetermined threshold, and a memory number determination A search unit 49 that searches for setting information and rewritability information stored in the storage unit 43 based on the determination result of the unit 47, and setting information stored in the storage unit 43 based on the search result of the search unit 49 A rewriting unit 50 that rewrites other setting information, a wireless control unit 51 that transmits / receives information to / from the information processing apparatus 1 via the wireless interface 7, and a setting unit 53 that sets setting information in the wireless control unit 51 Be equipped That.

  The wired control unit 41 receives the setting information and the rewritability information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 and supplies the received setting information and rewritability information to the storage number determination unit 47. Such a wired control unit 41 is a program stored in a ROM, for example, and is executed by the CPU.

  The storage unit 43 stores setting information written by the rewriting unit 50 by a method described later and rewrite availability information. The setting information and the rewritability information stored in the storage unit 43 are referred to by the counting unit 45, the storage number determination unit 47, and the wireless control unit 51. Such a memory | storage part 43 is comprised by ROM, for example.

  The counting unit 45 refers to the storage unit 43 and counts the number of setting information stored in the storage unit 43. The counting by the counting unit 45 is performed after the setting information is recognized with reference to the header portion of the information stored in the storage unit 43, for example. The counting unit 45 counts the setting information stored in the storage unit 43, and then supplies the count result to the storage number determination unit 47. Further, when the counting unit 45 is supplied with a notification that the setting information and the rewritability information have been written from the storage number determination unit 47 to the storage unit 43 by a method described later, the counting unit 45 sets the value 1 to the latest counting result. to add. When the value after adding 1 to the counting result, that is, the number of setting information stored in the storage unit 43 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the counting unit 45 notifies the setting unit 53 to that effect. To do. The threshold value indicates the maximum number of setting information that can be stored in the storage unit 43 in advance. In the present embodiment, detailed description will be given assuming that the maximum number of setting information that can be stored in the storage unit 43 is two. Such a counting unit 45 is a program stored in a ROM, for example, and is executed by the CPU.

  The memory number determination unit 47 compares the count result with a threshold value based on the count result supplied from the count unit 45, and determines whether or not the count result exceeds the threshold value. Then, when it is determined that the counting result exceeds the threshold value, the storage number determination unit 47 supplies the setting information and the rewritability information to the search unit 49. On the other hand, when the storage number determination unit 47 determines that the counting result does not exceed the threshold value, the rewriting unit 50 writes the setting information and the rewritability information to the storage unit 43 and stores the setting information and the rewriteability information in the counting unit 45. Notifying the unit 43 that the setting information and the rewritability information have been written. Such a memory number determination unit 47 is a program stored in a ROM, for example, and is executed by the CPU.

  The search unit 49 refers to the setting information among the setting information and the rewritability information supplied from the storage number determination unit 47, and whether the same setting information as the supplied setting information is already stored in the storage unit 43. Search for. In addition, when the same setting information as the supplied setting information is not stored in the storage unit 43, the search unit 49 refers to the storage unit 43, and the setting information in which the rewritability information is rewritable. Search for. Then, the search unit 49 supplies the search result to the rewrite unit 50.

  The rewrite unit 50 rewrites the setting information and the rewritability information stored in the storage unit 43 based on the search result supplied from the search unit 49.

  In such a search unit 49 and rewrite unit 50, for example, when the search unit 49 searches the storage unit 43, the same setting information as the supplied setting information is already stored in the storage unit 43. The rewriting unit 50 writes the supplied setting information and rewritability information in the storage unit 43 so as to overwrite the supplied setting information with respect to the already stored setting information. Further, as a result of the search unit 49 searching the storage unit 43, if the same setting information as the supplied setting information is not already stored in the storage unit 43, the search unit 49 further searches the storage unit 43, Whether or not rewritable setting information is stored in the storage unit 43 is searched. When the rewritable setting information is stored in the storage unit 43, the rewriting unit 50 stores the setting information and the rewritability information so as to overwrite the setting information supplied to the setting information. Write to part 43. When the search unit 49 searches for the same setting information as the supplied setting information, the searching unit 49 has the same computer name as the supplied setting information among the setting information as shown in FIG. Search for information. That is, “the same setting information” refers to setting information transmitted from the same computer, and the content of the setting information is not different.

  The wireless control unit 51 establishes wireless communication with the information processing apparatus 1 based on the setting information set by the setting unit 53. In addition, when the wireless control unit 51 can establish wireless communication with the information processing apparatus 1, the wireless control unit 51 notifies the setting unit 53 to that effect. Then, the wireless control unit 51 supplies the print information transmitted via wireless communication to the image processing unit 25. In addition, when wireless communication with the information processing apparatus 1 is disconnected during wireless communication, the wireless control unit 51 notifies the setting unit 53 to request restoration of wireless communication. Notify

  In response to the notification from the counting unit 45, the setting unit 53 sequentially reads setting information from the storage unit 43. Then, the setting unit 53 sets the read setting information for the wireless control unit 51. Then, the setting unit 53 repeatedly performs these operations until receiving a notification from the wireless control unit 51 that the wireless communication with the information processing apparatus 1 has been established. When the setting unit 53 receives a notification from the wireless control unit 51 that the wireless communication with the information processing apparatus 1 has been established, the setting unit 53 reads the setting information from the storage unit 43, and performs wireless control. The operation of setting the setting information for the unit 51 is terminated. When the setting unit 53 receives a notification from the wireless control unit 51 that the wireless communication with the information processing apparatus 1 has been disconnected, the setting unit 53 sets the setting again from the storage unit 43 in order to attempt to restore the wireless communication. An operation of reading information and an operation of setting setting information to the wireless control unit 51 are performed.

  Next, an operation when the image processing apparatus 37 having such a configuration processes the setting information and the rewritability information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the wired control unit 41 receives the setting information and the rewritability information and starts a series of operations, the wired control unit 41 supplies the received setting information and rewritability information to the storage number determination unit 47 in step S15.

  Next, in step S <b> 16, the counting unit 45 refers to the storage unit 43, counts the number of setting information currently stored in the storage unit 43, and supplies the count result to the storage number determination unit 47.

  Next, in step S <b> 17, the memory number determination unit 47 determines whether or not the counting result exceeds two threshold values. If the storage number determination unit 47 determines that the number of setting information currently stored in the storage unit 43 does not exceed the threshold value of 2, the storage number determination unit 47 sets the storage unit 43 in the storage unit 43. It determines with the area | region which memorize | stores information and rewritability information vacant, and performs the process of step S18 to memorize | store the setting information and rewritability information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 in the memory | storage part 43. FIG.

  In step S <b> 18, the storage number determination unit 47 writes the setting information and rewritability information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 in the empty area of the storage unit 43 and ends the series of processes.

  On the other hand, if the storage number determination unit 47 determines in step S17 that the number of setting information currently stored in the storage unit 43 exceeds the threshold value of two, the storage number determination unit 47 sets the setting information And the process after step S19 is performed in order to rewrite the rewritability information.

  In step S <b> 19, the storage number determination unit 47 supplies the setting information and the rewritability information to the search unit 49.

  Next, in step S <b> 20, the search unit 49 searches the information in the storage unit 43 and determines whether or not the same setting information as the supplied setting information is stored in the storage unit 43. When the search unit 49 determines that the same setting information as the supplied setting information is not stored in the storage unit 43, the stored setting information and the rewritability information are stored in the storage unit 43. The process after step S21 is executed.

  In step S <b> 21, the search unit 49 determines whether there is setting information whose rewritability information is rewritable among the setting information stored in the storage unit 43 in order to search for rewritable setting information. To do. If the search unit 49 determines that the rewritable setting information is stored in the storage unit 43, a step is performed to write the setting information and the rewritability information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 to the storage unit 43. The process of S22 is executed. On the other hand, when the search unit 49 determines that the rewritable setting information is not stored in the storage unit 43, the search unit 49 sets the setting information and the rewritability information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 in step S23. Is discarded, and a series of processing ends.

  In step S <b> 22, the rewriting unit 50 writes the setting information and the rewritability information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 in the storage unit 43. Specifically, the rewriting unit 50 sets the setting information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 and the rewriting of the setting information stored in the storage unit 43 so that the rewritability information is rewritable. The setting information and the rewritability information are written in the storage unit 43 so that the permission information is overwritten. This process is also performed when the search unit 49 determines in step S20 that the same setting information as the setting information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 is stored in the storage unit 43. Specifically, the rewriting unit 50 determines whether or not the rewritability information of the setting information is rewritable with respect to the same setting information as the setting information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1. The setting information and the rewritability information are written in the storage unit 43 so as to overwrite the setting information and the rewritability information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1. Then, after setting information and rewritability information are written in the storage unit 43, the image processing apparatus 3 ends a series of processes.

  As described above, according to the image processing system according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the image processing system according to the first embodiment, the user who temporarily uses the image processing device 37 can also be used. It becomes possible to respond. That is, by setting the number of setting information that can be stored in the storage unit 43 in advance, the setting information of the user who uses the image processing device 37 is periodically stored as non-rewritable, and the image is temporarily stored. Setting information of a user who uses the processing device 37 can be stored as rewritable. When a user who temporarily uses the image processing device 37 operates the information processing device 1 to transmit setting information to the image processing device 37, the setting information is temporarily stored in the storage unit 43 as rewritable information. Is remembered. When another temporary user uses the image processing device 37 after the user finishes using the image processing device 37, the setting information transmitted from the information processing device 1 is stored in the storage unit 43. The setting information of the previous user is overwritten. As a result, the image processing device 37 deletes the previous user's setting information in a state where the setting information of the user who uses the image processing device 37 is periodically stored, and stores the new user's setting information. It becomes possible to memorize.

  Hereinafter, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

  Since the image processing system according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as that of the image processing system according to the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted and there is a difference. Only a detailed explanation will be given. Specifically, the configuration of the image processing apparatus differs between the image processing system according to the first embodiment and the image processing system according to the third embodiment. The image processing system according to the first embodiment is different from the image processing system according to the third embodiment in that the information processing apparatus 1 and the image processing apparatus are not connected by a wired interface.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the image processing device 55 included in the image processing system according to the third embodiment includes an information input unit 57 for a user to input setting information and rewritability information to the image processing device 55. A communication unit 59, an image processing unit 25, and a printing unit 27 are provided.

  The information input unit 57 inputs setting information and rewritability information to the image processing device 55 by a user operation. Such an information input unit 57 includes, for example, an operation panel formed on the surface of the image processing device 55 and an LCD monitor. The image processing apparatus 55 displays a field for inputting setting information and rewritability information on the LCD monitor, and prompts the user to input setting information and rewritability information. Then, the setting information and the rewritability information input to the information input unit 57 are supplied to the communication unit 59.

  The communication unit 59 executes various processes for receiving print information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1. Such a communication unit 59 writes the setting information input to the information input unit 57 and the rewritability by a method to be described later, and stores the setting information and the rewritability information to the storage unit 61 to be stored. A determination unit 63 that determines whether or not to perform, a rewrite unit 64 that rewrites the setting information and the rewritability information stored in the storage unit 61 based on the determination result of the determination unit 63, and wireless communication with the information processing apparatus 1. A wireless control unit 65 to be established.

  The storage unit 61 stores the setting information and rewrite availability information written by the rewrite unit 64. The setting information and the rewritability information stored in the storage unit 61 are read when the wireless control unit 65 establishes wireless communication. Such a storage unit 61 is configured by an HDD, for example.

  The determination unit 63 determines whether the setting information that is input to the information input unit 57 and supplied from the information input unit 57 and the same setting information as the rewritability information is already stored in the storage unit 61.

  The rewrite unit 64 writes setting information and rewritability information to the storage unit 61 based on the determination result of the determination unit 63.

  In such a determination unit 63 and rewrite unit 64, if the determination unit 63 determines that the same setting information as the setting information supplied from the information input unit 57 is not stored in the storage unit 61, the rewrite unit 64. Writes the setting information and the rewritability information in the storage unit 61. On the other hand, when the determination unit 63 determines that the same setting information as the setting information supplied from the information input unit 57 is already stored in the storage unit 61, the determination unit 63 is stored in the storage unit 61. The setting information rewritability information is read to determine whether the setting information is rewritable.

  The wireless control unit 65 establishes wireless communication with the information processing apparatus 1 based on the setting information stored in the storage unit 61. Then, after the wireless communication is established, the wireless control unit 65 receives print information from the information processing apparatus 1 and supplies the received print information to the image processing unit 25. Such a wireless control unit 65 is a program stored in a ROM, for example, and is executed by the CPU.

  Next, an operation when the image processing apparatus 55 having such a configuration processes the setting information and the rewritability information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the setting information and the rewritability information are input to the information input unit 57 and a series of processes starts, the information input unit 57 supplies the setting information and the rewritability information to the determination unit 63 in step S24.

  Next, in step S <b> 25, the determination unit 63 refers to the storage unit 61 and determines whether or not the same setting information as the setting information input to the information input unit 57 is already stored in the storage unit 61. If the determination unit 63 determines that the same setting information as the input setting information is already stored in the storage unit 61, the processing from step S26 is executed to rewrite the setting information.

  In step S <b> 26, the determination unit 63 determines whether the same setting information as the setting information input to the information input unit 57 among the setting information stored in the storage unit 61 is set to be rewritable. If the rewritability information of the setting information stored in the storage unit 61 is rewritable, the process of step S27 is executed to rewrite the setting information stored in the storage unit 61.

  In step S <b> 27, the rewriting unit 64 overwrites the setting information stored in the storage unit 61 with the setting information input to the information input unit 57 and overwrites the setting information input to the information input unit 57. The information is written in the storage unit 61, and the series of processing ends. This process is also performed when the determination unit 63 determines in step S25 that the same setting information as the setting information input to the information input unit 57 is not stored in the storage unit 61. In this case, the rewrite unit 64 writes the setting information input to the information input unit 57 to the empty area of the storage unit 61, and ends the series of processes.

  As described above, in the image processing system according to the third embodiment, since the image processing apparatus 55 includes the information input unit 57 for inputting setting information and rewritability information, some communication failure occurs in the wired interface, and information processing is performed. Even when the setting information and the rewritability information cannot be transmitted from the apparatus 1 to the image processing apparatus 55, the image processing apparatus 55 can acquire the setting information and the rewritability information, and can communicate with the information processing apparatus 1. Wireless communication can be established.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, the setting information and the rewritability information are information including a host ID, a device ID, an extension ID, and a rewritability ID, but the setting information and the rewritability information are as shown in FIG. It may include non-rewritable period information. In this case, the non-rewritable period information is information that specifies a period during which rewriting of the setting information is prohibited, that is, an effective period of the rewritable / unusable information. Then, after determining that the rewritability information is information that prohibits rewriting of the setting information, the determination unit 33 refers to the rewritable period information and prohibits rewriting included in the rewritability information. It is determined whether or not the information is valid information. In this way, since the setting information and the rewritability information stored in the storage unit 31 are constantly rewritten by determining the validity period of the rewritability information, the old setting information and the rewritability information are accumulated and the image forming apparatus It is possible to prevent various processes performed by 3 from being delayed.

  Furthermore, the setting information and the rewritability information may include final connection information as shown in FIG. In this case, the last connection information is information that stores the date when the user last connected to the image processing apparatus 55. Then, after determining that the rewritability information is information indicating that the rewriting of the setting information is permitted, the determination unit 33 determines the setting information of the date with the oldest last connection information. In this way, since the setting information and the rewritability information stored in the storage unit 31 are constantly rewritten by determining the valid period of the rewritability information, the old setting information and the rewritability information are accumulated and the image processing apparatus It is possible to prevent the processing performed by 55 from being delayed.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, a detailed description has been given using a printer having a printing function as an image processing apparatus. However, the present invention is applied to a fax machine, a copying machine, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), and the like. Is also possible.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the image processing system concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the information processing apparatus which comprises the image processing system. It is a figure which shows the setting information and rewrite availability information which are used when establishing wireless communication in the image processing system. It is a block diagram of the image processing apparatus which comprises the image processing system. FIG. 3 is a flowchart when the information processing apparatus configuring the image processing system transmits print information to the image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart at the time of the image processing apparatus which comprises the image processing system processes setting information and rewritability information. FIG. 4 is a flowchart when the image processing apparatus prints an image based on print information. It is a block diagram of the image processing apparatus which comprises the image processing system concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the setting information used when establishing wireless communication in the image processing system. It is a flowchart at the time of the image processing apparatus which comprises the image processing system processes setting information and rewritability information. It is a block diagram of the image processing apparatus which comprises the image processing system concerning 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart at the time of the image processing apparatus which comprises the image processing system processes setting information and rewritability information. It is a figure which shows the modification of setting information and rewritability information. It is a figure which shows the modification of setting information and rewritability information.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing apparatus 3,37,55 Image processing apparatus 5 Wired interface 7 Wireless interface 9 Input part 11 Application 13 Printer driver 15,23,39,59 Communication part 17,31,43,61 Storage part 19,29,41 Wired Control unit 21, 35, 51, 65 Wireless control unit 25 Image processing unit 27 Printing unit 33, 63 Determination unit 45 Count unit 47 Memory number determination unit 49 Search unit 53 Setting unit 57 Information input unit

Claims (6)

In an image processing system that performs wireless communication between an information processing apparatus and an image processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
An input unit for inputting setting information for establishing wireless communication with the image processing apparatus and rewritability information for permitting or prohibiting rewriting of the setting information;
An information transmission unit that transmits the setting information and the rewritability information input to the input unit to the image processing apparatus;
The image processing apparatus includes:
A storage unit for storing the setting information and the rewritability information transmitted from the setting information transmission unit;
After the setting information is stored in the storage unit, when the setting information is further transmitted from the information processing apparatus, the setting information is stored in the storage unit based on the rewritability information stored in the storage unit. A rewrite determination unit for determining whether or not to rewrite the setting information;
A rewriting unit that rewrites the setting information stored in the storage unit based on the determination result of the rewriting determination unit to the setting information transmitted from the information transmission unit;
An image processing system. The rewrite unit stores the setting information stored in the storage unit when the rewrite availability information stored in the rewrite availability information storage unit is information indicating that rewriting of the setting information is permitted. Rewriting the setting information transmitted from the information processing apparatus after storing the setting information in a unit;
The image processing system according to claim 1. A setting information counting unit for counting the number of setting information stored in the setting information storage unit;
A storage number determination unit for determining whether or not the number of the setting information stored in the setting information storage unit exceeds a predetermined threshold based on a counting result of the setting information counting unit;
Search for searching the storage unit for either the same setting information transmitted from the information processing apparatus or setting information for which rewriting of setting information is permitted based on the determination result by the storage number determination unit With
The rewrite unit performs the information processing on either the setting information that is the same as the setting information transmitted from the information processing apparatus searched by the search unit or the setting information that is permitted to be rewritten. Rewriting the setting information transmitted from the device;
The image processing system according to claim 1. When the determination result of the storage number determination unit indicates that the number of the setting information stored in the storage unit is less than the threshold, the rewriting unit displays the setting information transmitted from the setting information transmission unit. Writing in an empty area of the storage unit;
The image processing system according to claim 3. The image forming apparatus includes:
Comprising an information input unit for directly inputting the setting information and the rewritability information;
The image processing system according to claim 1. An information input unit for inputting setting information for establishing wireless communication with an external device and rewritability information for permitting or prohibiting rewriting of the setting information;
A storage unit for storing the setting information and the rewritability information input to the information input unit;
After the setting information is stored in the storage unit, when the setting information is further input to the information input unit, the setting information is stored in the storage unit based on the rewritability information stored in the storage unit. A rewrite determination unit for determining whether or not to rewrite the setting information;
A rewriting unit that rewrites the setting information stored in the storage unit based on the determination result of the rewriting determination unit to the setting information transmitted from the information transmission unit;
An image forming apparatus.