JP2009064358A - Data processing apparatus and setting method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To set setting information saved in an image forming apparatus as setting information for a data processing apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The data processing apparatus searches for networked image forming apparatus and determines whether or not image forming apparatus found save setting information. If any image forming apparatus saves setting information, it is determined whether or not the setting information is setting information for the data processing apparatus. If identified as setting information for the data processing apparatus, the setting information is set in the data processing apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus and a setting method thereof.

  Conventionally, as a method of newly installing or updating software of a data processing apparatus placed in a user environment, there are the following methods.

  In a user environment in which data can be acquired from an external software provider server via the Internet by mail communication or HTTP / SOAP communication, the server transmits setting information and software to the data processing device.

  Further, in the above-described user environment, the server is accessed from the data processing apparatus, and setting information and software are acquired (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a so-called “plug and play” method in which when a peripheral device is connected to an information processing apparatus, software that can be used in combination with the device is searched from the network and necessary software is installed. It is shown.

Furthermore, a data processing apparatus service person brings a personal computer (PC) into the user environment, connects the PC to the network of the user environment, or directly connects the PC to the data processing apparatus to install or update the setting information and software. There is a way.
JP 2000-330920 A

  However, in the above conventional example, environmental restrictions occur from the viewpoint of security when data is acquired from a server via a network or when an external PC is brought in.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a relationship between the customer environment 1611 and the external environment 1601 such as a site monitoring apparatus, a printer serviceman belonging company, or a monitoring server as a setting file supply source. The customer's customer 1611 is connected to a LAN 1619 connected to the Internet with a site monitoring device 1612, multifunction devices 1613 to 1615, a printer 1616, and personal computers (PCs) 1617 and 1618.

  The site monitoring device 1612 automatically collects and monitors data from the multifunction peripherals 1613 to 1615 and the printer 1616 and communicates with a server in the external environment 1601. The multifunction peripherals 1613 to 1615 are image forming apparatuses that are integrated with a printer and a facsimile function. A printer 1616 receives print data from the PCs 1617 and 1618 and performs printing by an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. The PCs 1617 and 1618 are used for various tasks at the customer 1611 and instruct the MFPs 1613 to 1615 and the printer 1616 to perform printing.

  Here, as a method of bringing the setting file for the site monitoring device 1612 from the external environment 1601 to the site monitoring device 1612 of the customer environment (customer destination 1611), there are the following methods.

  The first method is a method 1621 in which the service person 1602 asks the customer 1611 to use the customer's PCs 1617 and 1618 and makes settings on the site monitoring device 1612. This method is not permitted because the service person 1602 can see the data in the customer's PCs 1617 and 1618 and interfere with the customer's business.

  The second method is a method 1622 in which a mail 1603 attached with a setting file is transmitted to a customer's PC 1617 (customer individual) and printed by the multifunction device 1613. This method is likely to be permitted because the mail recipient can determine the received content.

  The third method is a method 1623 for directly sending the mail 1603 to the multifunction device 1613. In this method, the unattended multifunction device 1613 needs to receive external data via the Internet, and the mail reception function of the multifunction device is turned off in order to avoid an increase in traffic due to virus infection or spam mail. There are many cases.

  The fourth method is a method 1624 for directly transmitting the mail 1603 to the site monitoring device 1612. In this method, the mail receiving function is often turned off for the same reason as the third method.

  The fifth method is a method 1625 of transmitting the setting file to the multifunction device 1613 by FAX 1604. Unlike e-mail, this method uses a telephone line and is allowed because it does not cause virus infection or increase traffic.

  The sixth method is a method 1626 in which a setting file (printed material) 1605 is mailed or brought by a service person to the customer 1611 and read from the multifunction device 1613. This method is a normal copy or scan process and is easily permitted.

  The seventh method is to use a serviceman's PC 1606 that stores the setting file. If this PC 1606 is brought into the environment where the site monitoring device 1612 is located, the setting file can be applied to the site monitoring device 1612 by physical direct connection to the site monitoring device 1612 or network connection. However, from the viewpoint of preventing information leakage, the service person affiliated company may prohibit taking out 1629 of the PC 1606. Similarly, from the viewpoint of preventing information leakage, the customer 1611 may prohibit the bringing-in 1628 of the external PC 1606. Even if the PC 1606 is brought into the customer 1611, the connection to the LAN 1619 is generally rejected from the viewpoint of preventing information leakage and preventing virus infection.

  There is also a method in which the site monitoring device 1612 performs HTTP / SOAP communication with an external server, and in this method, communication safety is ensured to some extent by an encryption technique such as SSL. However, even in this communication, since a response is returned from the external server to the site monitoring device 1612, bidirectional communication is performed. Since such two-way communication is performed in a place where the user cannot see it (a state in which the contents are not known), it is interpreted as data intrusion from the outside and may not be liked by the user.

  As described above, the method of bringing the setting file from the external environment 1601 to the site monitoring device 1612 of the customer 1611 and applying it is the second method 1622, the fifth method 1625, and the sixth method 1626. It is necessary to adopt either one.

  Further, the method of Patent Document 1 is unique in that the acquired software and setting information are only for the model (product type) and version of the data processing apparatus. For this reason, setting information including settings for specific users, not specific settings for the same model, but settings corresponding to the user environment (IP address in the user environment, network information of the user environment such as a DNS server, etc.) And the software could not be acquired.

  In order to perform setting according to such a user environment, it is necessary to provide a specific graphical user interface (GUI) for setting in the data processing apparatus.

  Further, the method of Patent Document 1 needs to hold the connection destination of the external server to be accessed in the data processing apparatus in a fixed manner, and it is almost impossible to automatically cope with the change of the external server. .

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that setting information stored in an image forming apparatus is set as setting information of a data processing apparatus.

  The present invention is a data processing apparatus, a search unit that searches for an image forming apparatus on a network, a determination unit that determines whether the image forming apparatus searched by the search unit stores setting information, An identification unit that identifies whether the setting information is setting information of the data processing device when the determination unit determines that the image forming apparatus stores setting information; and the data by the identification unit And setting means for setting the setting information in the data processing apparatus when it is identified as the setting information of the processing apparatus.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing apparatus setting method, wherein a search unit searches for an image forming apparatus on a network, and a determination unit stores setting information by the image forming apparatus searched in the search step. A determination step for determining whether or not the image forming apparatus is stored; and when the identification unit determines that the image forming apparatus stores setting information in the determination step, the setting information is set in the data processing apparatus. An identification step for identifying whether the information is information, and a setting step for setting the setting information in the data processing device when the setting means is identified as the setting information of the data processing device in the identification step. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, the setting information stored in the image forming apparatus can be set as the setting information of the data processing apparatus.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a network system in the present embodiment. In the network system shown in FIG. 1, a server 102 exists as an external server 101 connected via the Internet 121 when viewed from a customer 111. Although only one is shown in FIG. 1 for convenience of explanation, a plurality of external servers may exist.

  The role of the external server 101 is to collect information on one or more image forming apparatuses that are customer environments, dispatch service personnel for failure response, analyze failure conditions, consumable services, and use conditions of image forming apparatuses Billing and usage analysis reports. Here, the external server 101 serving as a monitoring system includes a server 102 and a database 103 for storing information related to the monitoring system.

  Here, the server 102 includes an operation unit and a display unit, but it is also possible to place a PC on a network accessible to the server 102 and access the server 102 from the PC. Further, the server 102 and the database 103 may be connected via a LAN 104, and the database 103 may physically exist in the server 102. Furthermore, as long as it can be accessed from the server 102, it may exist in another place via the Internet 121. The LAN 104 can be connected to the Internet 121.

  The customer 111 is connected to a LAN 119 connected to the Internet 121 with a data processing device (hereinafter referred to as a base monitoring device) 112, multifunction devices 113 to 115, a printer 116, and PCs 117 and 118.

  The site monitoring device 112 automatically collects and monitors data from the multifunction peripherals 113 to 115 and the printer 116 and communicates with the server 102 via the Internet 121. The multifunction peripherals 113 to 115 are image forming apparatuses provided with a printer and a facsimile function in an integrated manner. The printer 116 receives print data from the PCs 117 and 118 and performs printing by an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. The PCs 117 and 118 are used for various operations at the customer 111 and transmit print data to the multifunction peripherals 113 to 115 and the printer 116 to execute printing.

  In the communication between the server 102 and the site monitoring apparatus 112 via the Internet 121, mail communication is possible using the SMTP protocol.

  In many cases, the customer 111 does not like receiving mail from the outside for the base monitoring device 112 that continues automatic processing from the viewpoint of security. Therefore, the site monitoring apparatus 112 performs only data transmission (communication in the direction of arrow 131) to the server 102, and does not receive mail from the outside (communication in the direction of arrow 132).

  Further, in the environment shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction peripheral and the printer are arranged as the image forming apparatus. However, in the present embodiment, a scanner having a function capable of storing the formed image, a facsimile, or the like may be used.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the server 102. The server 102 includes a first CPU 201 and a second CPU 202 that control each process, a non-rewritable ROM 203 that stores programs and data related to each process, and temporary data related to each process that can be electrically stored and rewritten. A RAM 204 is included.

  Further, the server 102 includes a readable / writable first HDD 205 and second HDD 206 that store programs and data related to each process, temporary data, information about the image forming apparatus to be monitored, information collected from the site monitoring apparatus 112, and the like. included. Furthermore, an operation unit 207 constituted by a keyboard and a pointing device that accepts an instruction input to the server 102, and a display unit 208 that displays the operation status of the server 102 and information output by the program being operated are included.

  Further, the server 102 includes a network I / F 209 that connects to the Internet via the LAN 104 and exchanges information with the outside, and an external device I / F 210 that connects an external storage device or the like. The above-described units are connected by a system bus 211 so that data can be exchanged.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the PC 117. Note that the configuration of the PC 118 is the same as the configuration of the PC 117, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The PC 117 includes a CPU 301 that controls each process, a non-rewritable ROM 302 that stores programs and data related to each process, and a RAM 303 that can electrically store temporary data related to each process and can be rewritten.

  Further, the PC 117 includes a readable / writable HDD 304 that stores application program data activated by the PC 117, various document data, personal mail data used by the user, and the like. Furthermore, a keyboard that accepts an instruction input to the PC 117, an input device 305 that is a pointing device, and a display unit 306 that displays the operation status of the PC 117 and information output by the program being operated are included.

  Further, the PC 117 includes a network I / F 307 that connects to the Internet via the LAN 119 and exchanges information with the outside, and an external device I / F 308 that connects an external storage device and the like. The above-described units are connected by a system bus 309 so that data can be exchanged.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the site monitoring device 112. The site monitoring apparatus 112 includes a CPU 401 that controls each process and a non-rewritable ROM 402 that stores programs and data related to each process. Furthermore, a readable / writable flash ROM 403 that stores data related to each process, temporary data, information about the monitoring target image forming apparatus, information collected from the image forming apparatus, and the like is included.

  Further, the site monitoring device 112 includes an external I / F 404 that can connect an external terminal using a serial cable, and a network I / F 405 that connects to the Internet via the LAN 119 and exchanges information with the outside. The above-described units are connected by a system bus 406 so that data can be exchanged. In addition, errors, log information, and the like by the program of the site monitoring apparatus 112 are output to the external terminal.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 113. Note that the configurations of the multifunction peripherals 114 and 115 are the same as the configuration of the multifunction peripheral 113, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The MFP 113 includes a document feeding unit 501, an image reader 502 that reads a document, an image forming unit 503 that converts the read document and received data into a print image and prints, and a paper feed unit that feeds printing paper. 504 is included. Furthermore, a paper discharge unit 505 that discharges printed paper, performs processing such as sorting and stapling, and a network I / F 506 that connects to the Internet via the LAN 119 and exchanges information with the outside.

  Further, the multifunction machine 113 includes a CPU 508 that controls each process, a non-rewritable ROM 509 that stores programs and data related to each process, and a RAM 510 that can electrically store temporary data related to each process and can be rewritten. Is included. Furthermore, a readable / writable HDD 511 that stores programs and data related to each process, temporary data, user data transmitted to the multifunction device 113, and an operation unit 512 that receives an instruction input to the multifunction device 113 are included.

  Further, the multifunction device 113 includes a display unit 513 that displays information related to the operation status of the multifunction device 113 and operations on the operation unit 512, and a sensor 507 that detects the temperature inside the multifunction device 113, the paper position, the toner state, and the like. included. The above-described units are connected by a system bus 514 so that data can be exchanged.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the printer 116. The printer 116 includes a paper feed unit 601 that feeds printing paper, an image forming unit 602 that converts received data into an image, and a paper discharge unit 603 that discharges printed paper.

  Furthermore, a network I / F 604 that connects to the Internet via the LAN 119 and exchanges information with the outside, a CPU 606 that controls each process, and an overwritable flash ROM 607 that stores programs and data related to each process are included. Furthermore, a temporary data relating to each process can be electrically stored and a rewritable RAM 608 is included.

  Further, an operation unit 609 that receives an instruction input to the printer 116, a display unit 510 that displays information related to operation status of the printer 116 and operations on the operation unit 609, a sensor that detects an internal temperature, a paper position, a toner state, and the like. 605 is included. The above-described units are connected by a system bus 611 so that data can be exchanged.

  Here, a software configuration of a part related to the monitoring control of the site monitoring apparatus 112 in the monitoring system for monitoring the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of a portion related to the image forming apparatus monitoring system of the site monitoring apparatus 112. Reference numeral 701 denotes a mail communication module, which transmits mail data created by a mail creation module, which will be described later, to the server 102 via the network I / F 405. A mail creation module 702 creates a mail to be transmitted to the server 102.

  A monitoring control module 703 acquires information on the multifunction peripherals 113 to 115 and the printer 116 and performs schedule management. Further, it determines whether to transmit information processed by a device information processing module, which will be described later, to the server 102 via the mail creation module 702, the mail communication module 701, and the network I / F 405, and performs transmission control. Reference numeral 704 denotes a device information processing module which processes actively acquired information and passively acquired information for the multifunction peripherals 113 to 115 and the printer 116 according to a schedule managed by the monitoring control module 703. Here, the information processed by the device information processing module 704 includes counter information indicating the printing amount of the image forming apparatus, failure information such as a service call, jam, and toner exhaustion.

  Next, a software configuration of a part related to the monitoring control of the server 102 that receives mail from the site monitoring apparatus 112 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of a part related to the image forming apparatus monitoring system of the server 102. Reference numeral 801 denotes a mail communication module, which passes a mail received from the site monitoring apparatus 112 via the network I / F 209 to a mail analysis module described later. An email analysis module 802 analyzes email received from the site monitoring apparatus 112.

  Reference numeral 803 denotes a collected information processing module, which stores the information received from the monitored base monitoring apparatus 112 as it is or after processing it in the database 103 via a database access module described later. Further, based on the information received from the monitored base monitoring device 112 and the data stored in the database 103, the counter information is aggregated, the error information is analyzed, and the notification is determined.

  A monitoring control module 804 grasps the monitoring target image forming apparatus and adjusts schedules and monitoring items related to monitoring processing. This adjustment result is reflected in the contents of the setting file and output in the form of printing, file output, FAX transmission, or the like. A database access module 805 controls access to the database 103.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a memory map in the RAM of the multifunction peripheral or the flash ROM of the site monitoring device. The MFPs 113 to 115 are memory maps of processing programs and related data in the RAM 510 and the site monitoring apparatus 112 in the flash ROM 403.

  9 includes a basic I / O program 901, a system program 902, various processing programs 903, related data 904, and a work area 905. The basic I / O program 901 controls input / output. The system program 902 provides an operating environment for each processing program. Various processing programs 903 include processing programs described later. Area 904 stores related data. The work area 905 is temporarily used when various programs operate.

  In the MFPs 113 to 115, the HDD 511 can be handled as a part of the RAM 510 area when the areas 901 to 905 are insufficient due to capacity restrictions.

  Next, in order to store the setting information (setting file) of the site monitoring apparatus 112 in, for example, the multifunction machine 113, the setting file is printed on a sheet, and the printed sheet is applied to the document feeding unit 501 of the multifunction machine 113. Explain the case. In this example, the PC 117 receives the setting file from the server 102 and stores the data printed by the printer 116 in the multifunction machine 113, and then the site monitoring device 112 reads and sets the setting file.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen 1001 when the setting file of the site monitoring apparatus 112 is stored. In FIG. 10, a processing method 1002 is a designation of a processing method. By designating “Box storage”, file saving to the HDD 511 is instructed. The data type 1003 is a designation of the data type to be read, and the setting file of the site monitoring apparatus 112 is saved as “system data”. Here, “system data” is stored in an access-controlled area in the HDD 511.

  The storage ID 1004 is information for identifying the setting file, and in this embodiment, the MAC address of the site monitoring device 112 is used as information for specifying the user of the setting file to be stored, that is, the site monitoring device 112. . A “Cancel” button 1005 invalidates the setting on the screen 1001 and does not read the setting file applied to the document feeding unit 501. A “start” button 1006 reads a setting file applied to the document feeder 501 by the image reader 502 in accordance with the setting on the screen 1001.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the setting file 1101 of the site monitoring apparatus 112. In FIG. 11, 1102 is a description (identification information) for identifying as a setting file, and 1103 is the MAC address of the site monitoring apparatus 112 to be set in the setting file. 1103 is an ID for the server 102 to uniquely identify the site monitoring apparatus 112.

  The ID 1103 may be a device serial number or the like as long as it is information that can uniquely identify the site monitoring apparatus 112.

  Reference numeral 1105 denotes a time at which the site monitoring apparatus 112 transmits mail data to the server 102. Reference numeral 1106 denotes a data type collected by the site monitoring apparatus 112 from the monitoring target image forming apparatus and transmitted to the server 102. Reference numeral 1107 denotes information (device, IP address, MAC address) related to a device to be monitored by the site monitoring apparatus 112. Reference numeral 1108 denotes a mail address of the server 102 as a transmission destination. Reference numeral 1109 denotes an SMTP server address used by the site monitoring apparatus 112 when sending mail.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a stored job reception process in the multifunction machine according to the present embodiment. This process may be executed by any of the multifunction machines 113 to 115, and is started when the start button 1006 is instructed from the user interface screen 1001 shown in FIG.

  First, in step S1301, it is determined whether the data to be stored is system data. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the data is system data based on the designation of the data type 1103 shown in FIG. As a result of the determination, if the data to be stored is not system data, it is stored outside the system data area in the HDD 511 as a normal job.

  On the other hand, if the data to be stored is system data in step S1301, the process proceeds to step S1302, and the read image data is recognized by the OCR function and converted into text. In step S1303, the data converted to text in step S1302 is saved in the system data supplementary storage area (system box) in the HDD 511 using the contents specified by the save ID 1004 shown in FIG. 11 as the file name.

  Although the data type 1003 designated on the screen shown in FIG. 10 is used for the determination in step S1301, the determination may be performed based on the descriptions 1102 and 1103 of the received setting file 1101.

  Further, the setting file 1101 includes an image (barcode information) indicating that it is a setting file, an image (barcode information) for identifying the base monitoring device 112 to be set, and the like, and determination may be performed from these images. .

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a setting file search and self-setting process in the site monitoring apparatus according to the present embodiment. When the site monitoring apparatus 112 is turned on, the process advances to step S1501 to determine whether or not all devices (multifunction devices, printers, faxes, etc.) connected to the network have been searched. When all the search is completed, it is determined that there is no setting file to be used, and this process is terminated.

  In the case of the first time after the site monitoring apparatus 112 is installed with the power turned on, operation is not possible unless settings are made in this process. On the other hand, when the power supply of the site monitoring apparatus 112 after the setting is once performed and the monitoring operation is performed, the monitoring operation can be performed with the conventional setting even if the setting is not performed in this process. is there.

  If not all devices have been searched in step S1501 described above, the process proceeds to step S1502, and a device on the network is searched as a first step for searching for a device that stores the setting file. The search range at this time is usually within the same LAN 119. However, although not shown in the present embodiment, the search range can be limited by the IP address range, or another network via a router can be added to the search range.

  In this embodiment, pings are sequentially issued to IP addresses in the same subnet, and MAC addresses are acquired for devices that have responded.

  Next, in step S1503, it is determined from the MAC address acquired in step S1502 whether the device has a setting file storage function. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the site monitoring apparatus 112 is a product manufactured by the company, and if it is manufactured by the company, information indicating the presence or absence of the HDD 511 is acquired to determine whether the device has a setting file storage function. As a result of the determination, if the device does not have a setting file function, the process returns to step S1501 to set the next device as a processing target.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1503 that the device has a setting file storage function, the process advances to step S1504. In step S1504, the system file box of the device to be processed is accessed, and it is confirmed whether or not a setting file for itself, that is, a file having its own MAC address as a file name exists in the file box. In step S1505, if it is determined that there is no personal use based on the confirmation result in step S1504, the process returns to step S1501 to set the next device as a processing target.

  On the other hand, if the personal setting file exists, the process advances to step S1506 to acquire the personal setting file. In step S1507, the setting of the site monitoring apparatus 112 is updated with the setting file acquired in step S1506. After the update, this process is terminated without searching for another device. In other words, in the present embodiment, the device itself is set with the setting file for the user found first.

  In the above-described processing, the following expansion is possible. Accounts and passwords that can access system file boxes in the HDDs 511 of the multifunction peripherals 113 to 115 are stored. In step S1504, the setting file confirmation process or the setting file acquisition process in step S1506 transmits the account and password to the multifunction peripherals 113 to 115.

  In step S1506, after reading the setting file, the MFPs 113 to 115 are instructed to delete the read setting file. It is detected that the multifunction peripheral 113, 114, 115 has been read, and the file is deleted.

  Further, the version or creation time stamp is described in the setting file 1101, and the site monitoring apparatus 112 stores the value at the time of self-setting in step S1507. Then, when the setting file is acquired in the next step S1506, it is compared with the stored information, and the process of step S1507 is performed only when it is new.

[Modification]
Next, a modification according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the modification, a case will be described in which the firmware of the base monitoring apparatus 112 and the printer 116 that does not have the file storage function is updated in the network system shown in FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a setting file 1201 for updating the firmware of the site monitoring apparatus 112 or the printer 116 in the modified example. Reference numeral 1202 denotes a description indicating a firmware update file. Reference numeral 1203 denotes the MAC address of the site monitoring apparatus 112 or the printer 116 that is the setting target of the setting file. A description 1204 indicates a module to be updated. 1205 is a description showing the module version after the update. Reference numeral 1206 denotes a list of binary data which is the substance of the module to be updated.

  In addition to the items shown in FIG. 12, for example, it is possible to describe the version of the update target module that is a prerequisite, the version of another prerequisite module, and the like as the updateable conditions.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating job reception processing in a multifunction machine according to a modification. Note that the job is data for image formation processing (text data including image data and image formation commands) generated by a print instruction from the PC 117 or 118, FAX transmission from the outside, a copy instruction using the image reader 502, or a scan instruction. Etc.).

  First, in step S1401, image data to be processed is character-recognized (OCR) and converted into text. Here, in the case where the job is text data including an image forming command transmitted as print data from the PCs 117 and 118, only the command is removed, and text conversion processing is unnecessary.

  Next, in step S1402, it is determined whether the data is the system data or the other depending on whether or not the information 1202 indicating the firmware update file exists in the data converted into the text in step S1401. If the result of the determination is other than system data, normal image formation processing (normal output storage processing for storing print output and image data in the HDD 511, mail transmission processing for image data) is performed.

  If it is determined in step S1402 that the data is system data, the process proceeds to step S1403, and the setting target device information 1203 is extracted from the data converted into text in step S1401. In the modification, a file box is provided in the HDD 511 for each setting target device. The file box for each setting target device is a name specified by the setting target device information 1203 as the file box name.

  In step S1404, the setting file converted to text in step S1401 is saved in the file box having the name indicated by the installation target device information 1203 (file name is automatically assigned).

  In the modified example, the text 1202 is used as information indicating a firmware update file. However, it is also possible to use bar code data, image data with a special shape, or the like as information indicating a firmware update file. In that case, without making the image data into text in step S1401, it is possible to perform the determination in step S1402 with the image data as it is, and it is also possible to make only the data determined as system data into text.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a setting file search and self-setting process performed by the site monitoring apparatus according to the modification. This process is a process that is performed periodically, such as once a day at the start of operation or once a week.

  First, in step S1701, it is confirmed whether or not there is a device processed in a setting acquisition device storage process described later. If there is a saved device, the process advances to step S1705 to obtain a setting file preferentially for that device. On the other hand, if the stored device does not exist, the process proceeds to step S1702, and it is determined whether or not all devices (multifunction device, printer, FAX, etc.) searched in step S1703 to be described later have been confirmed. When all of the information has been confirmed, it is determined that there is no setting file to be used, and this processing is terminated.

  If all the devices are not searched in step S1702, the process proceeds to step S1703, and a device on the network is searched as a first step for searching for a device that stores the setting file. The search range at this time is usually within the same LAN 119. However, although not shown in this modification, the search range can be limited by the IP address range, or another network via a router can be added to the search range.

  In the modified example, as in the present embodiment, pings are sequentially issued to IP addresses in the same subnet, and MAC addresses are acquired for devices that have responded.

  Next, in step S1704, it is determined from the MAC address acquired in step S1703 whether the device is a device having a setting file storage function, as in the present embodiment. As a result of the determination, if the device does not have a setting file storage function, the process returns to step S1702 to set the next device as a processing target.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1704 that the device has a setting file storage function, the process advances to step S1705. In step S1705, it is confirmed whether or not a file box having a name matching the own MAC address exists in the processing target device, and whether or not a setting file exists in the file box. In step S1706, based on the confirmation result in step S1705, if it is determined that there is no personal use, the process returns to step S1702 to set the next device as a processing target.

  On the other hand, if the personal setting file exists, the process advances to step S1707 to acquire the personal setting file. In step S1708, the information (IP address) of the device that acquired the setting file is stored in the flash ROM 403 for the next priority acquisition. In step S1709, the module of the site monitoring apparatus 112 is updated with the setting file acquired in step S1707. After the update, this process is terminated without searching for another device. That is, even in the modified example, the device itself is set with the setting file for the user found first.

  Note that the processing in the above-described modification can be executed not only by the multifunction machine but also by the printer 116.

  As described above, even if the setting methods 1602, 1623, 1624, 1627, 1628, and 1629 shown in FIG. Can be set.

  Further, since the setting search target is within the customer environment and is always within the searchable range, it is no longer necessary to store the setting acquisition destination server information in the data processing apparatus.

  In addition, it is not necessary to incorporate a GUI program for setting in the data processing apparatus, and it is not necessary to mount an external I / F for connecting a PC for using the GUI. A data processing apparatus can be provided.

  Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), it is applied to an apparatus (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) composed of a single device. It may be applied.

  In addition, a recording medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program code stored in the recording medium. Read and execute. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by this.

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

  As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the following cases are included. That is, based on the instruction of the program code, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. .

  Further, the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. After that, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. Needless to say.

It is a figure which shows the whole network system structure in this embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server 102. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of PC117. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the base monitoring apparatus 112. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine 113. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a printer 116. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of a portion related to an image forming apparatus monitoring system of a site monitoring apparatus 112. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of a part related to an image forming apparatus monitoring system of a server 102. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the memory map in RAM of a multifunctional device, or flash ROM of a base monitoring apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface screen 1001 at the time of preserve | saving the setting file of the base monitoring apparatus 112. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting file 1101 of the base monitoring apparatus 112. FIG. It is a figure which shows the setting file 1201 for updating the firmware of the base monitoring apparatus 112 or the printer 116 in a modification. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a storage job reception process in the multifunction machine according to the present embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating job reception processing in a multifunction machine according to a modification. It is a flowchart which shows the setting file search and self-setting process in the base monitoring apparatus in this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an external environment 1601 such as a site monitoring apparatus serving as a setting file supply source, a printer serviceman affiliated company, or a monitoring server, and a customer 1611. It is a flowchart which shows the setting file search and self-setting process performed with the base monitoring apparatus by a modification.

Explanation of symbols

101 External server 102 Server 103 Database 104 LAN
111 Customer 112 Base Monitoring Device 113 Multifunction Machine 114 Multifunction Machine 115 Multifunction Machine 116 Printer 117 PC
118 PC
119 LAN
121 Internet

Claims (11)

A data processing device,
Search means for searching for an image forming apparatus on the network;
Determining means for determining whether the image forming apparatus searched by the searching means stores setting information;
An identification unit for identifying whether the setting information is the setting information of the data processing device when the determination unit determines that the image forming apparatus stores the setting information;
Setting means for setting the setting information in the data processing apparatus when the identification means identifies the setting information of the data processing apparatus;
A data processing apparatus comprising:   The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search unit is executed at the start of operation of the data processing apparatus.   The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search unit periodically executes the search.   The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the setting information has a function of storing the setting information.   The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit performs identification based on character information stored as the setting information.   The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit performs identification based on image information stored as the setting information.   6. The data processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the character information is a MAC address of the data processing apparatus.   6. The data processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the character information is a serial number of the data processing apparatus. A data processing apparatus setting method,
A search step for searching for an image forming apparatus on the network;
A determining step for determining whether the image forming apparatus searched in the searching step stores setting information;
An identification step for identifying whether or not the setting information is setting information of the data processing device when it is determined in the determination step that the image forming apparatus stores setting information;
A setting step of setting the setting information in the data processing device when the setting means is identified as the setting information of the data processing device in the identification step;
A method for setting a data processing apparatus, comprising:   A program for causing a computer to execute the data processing apparatus setting method according to claim 9.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of Claim 10.

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