JP2012058786A - Management device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a management device capable of easily confirming specified particular image forming apparatuses out of a plurality of image forming apparatuses of the management objects and easily confirming image forming apparatuses to which a specified set content can be set or can not be set thereamong.SOLUTION: This management device manages a plurality of image forming apparatuses 30 connected to a network 2 by dividing them into groups. When accepting a specification of a group, the management device 10 connected to the network 2 searches for and displays image forming apparatuses 30 belonging to the specified group. Namely, the management device displays results narrowed down to the specified group out of the whole (the plurality of image forming apparatuses 30). When accepting the specification of the set content after the display, the management device searches for image forming apparatuses to which the specified set content can be set out of the narrowed image forming apparatuses 30 by group and displays the search results.

Description

  The present invention relates to a management apparatus that manages a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and more specifically, a management apparatus that searches for and displays an image forming apparatus corresponding to a specified condition from among a plurality of image forming apparatuses to be managed. About.

  As a technique for managing a plurality of image forming apparatuses that are connected to a network and used in an office or the like, a system administrator or the like connects an image forming apparatus installed in the office via a management apparatus (management system). There is known a technique for performing the above search, or specifying / selecting an image forming apparatus as a data rewrite target from the search result and transmitting the rewrite data in a batch.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, based on location information specified by a user (information indicating a location such as an office or a place to go) and a search condition (color, double-sided, staple, etc.), from within the location (search range). A technique for searching for an image forming apparatus that meets a search condition and displaying the name, state (usable, etc.), IP address, etc. of the found apparatus is disclosed.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 is for performing a change of setting of a scope value (search response condition) such as a color printer or double-sided printing, which is set by default in an image forming apparatus, to a plurality of image forming apparatuses at once. , A technology that uses the default scope value as a search condition to search, notifies the administrator of the search result, and transmits the setting data of the scope value to be changed to the searched image forming apparatus in a batch Is disclosed.

  Patent Document 3 confirms whether or not there is a difference between the current setting data of each image forming apparatus and the setting data to be rewritten when the setting data is collectively transmitted to a plurality of image forming apparatuses. A technique for displaying the confirmation result, receiving user selection, and collectively transmitting setting data to the selected image forming apparatus is disclosed.

  Further, in Patent Document 4, when registration data such as a mailbox or an address book registered in a facsimile machine is changed, the changed registration data is transmitted to a FAX server or another facsimile machine for registration. Techniques for making them disclosed are disclosed.

JP 2001-27984 A JP 2007-148828 A JP 2006-99362 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-149076

  When there are hundreds of image forming devices to manage, such as when rewriting firmware and setting data only for a specific plurality of image forming devices, the images on the network as in the past By simply searching for a forming apparatus and displaying the search results, it takes a lot of time and effort to select a specific plurality of image forming apparatuses from among the searched many. Further, there is a high possibility that an image forming apparatus that does not require setting change is erroneously selected.

  In addition, there is a method of creating and managing a management list of image forming apparatuses. Even when such a management list is used, a plurality of specific image forming apparatuses are selected from a large number registered in the management list. The process of selecting is difficult and requires a lot of time and effort. Further, there is a problem that detailed knowledge about each image forming apparatus is required. For example, when it is desired to change the setting by transmitting setting data for enabling a predetermined function (such as an authentication function and a double-sided function, or both of these functions) only to the image forming apparatus in the A department (area A) In order to search for the corresponding image forming apparatus, there is a means for searching while narrowing down the search conditions, but it is difficult to specify / select a desired image forming apparatus without detailed knowledge about each image forming apparatus. is there. Further, there is a problem that the system administrator cannot grasp which image forming apparatus can change data or cannot change data.

  In the techniques of Patent Documents 1 to 4 described above, when rewriting firmware and setting data only for such a specific plurality of image forming apparatuses, the specific plurality of image forming apparatuses can be easily changed. It is not possible to easily identify / select and confirm which image forming apparatus can / cannot change data.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problem, and it is possible to easily check a specified specific image forming apparatus from among a plurality of image forming apparatuses to be managed, and further, from among them, specify a specified one. It is an object of the present invention to provide a management apparatus that can easily confirm an image forming apparatus that can set or cannot set the set contents.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] A management apparatus for managing a plurality of grouped image forming apparatuses,
A first input unit for receiving a group designation;
A second input unit for receiving designation of setting contents for the image forming apparatus;
A display for displaying search results;
A control unit;
With
The control unit receives a group designation at the first input unit, searches for an image forming apparatus belonging to the designated group, displays the image forming apparatus on the display unit, and after the display, the second input unit When the designation of setting contents for the image forming apparatus is received, and the designation is received, an image forming apparatus that can set the designated setting contents in the image forming apparatuses belonging to the group is searched and the search result is displayed. Management device characterized by being displayed on the screen.

  In the above invention, a plurality of image forming apparatuses are managed in groups. When receiving the designation of the group, the management device (control unit) searches for an image forming apparatus belonging to the designated group and displays it on the display unit. That is, the result of narrowing down to a specified group from the whole (a plurality of image forming apparatuses) is displayed. When designation of setting contents is received after this display, an image forming apparatus that can set the designated setting contents is searched from image forming apparatuses that have been narrowed down by group, and the search result is displayed on the display unit. .

  In the display of the search result, both the image forming apparatus that can set the specified setting content and the image forming apparatus that cannot be set may be identified and displayed, or only one of them may be displayed. You may do it.

  As a result, a user, administrator, or the like can easily check the image forming apparatuses belonging to the specified group from the plurality of image forming apparatuses to be managed, and set the specified setting contents from among them. An image forming apparatus that can be set or cannot be set can be easily confirmed.

[2] The management device according to [1], wherein the control unit displays, as the search result, an image forming apparatus capable of setting the designated setting content on the display unit.

  In the above invention, it is possible to easily confirm an image forming apparatus capable of setting designated setting contents from the displayed search results.

[3] The control unit identifies, as the search result, an image forming apparatus that can set the designated setting content and an image forming apparatus that cannot be set, and displays them on the display unit. The management device according to [1] or [2].

  In the above-described invention, it is possible to easily identify (identify) and confirm an image forming apparatus that can set designated setting contents and an image forming apparatus that cannot be set from the displayed search results. It is also possible to grasp the entirety of these image forming apparatuses belonging to the designated group.

[4] The management apparatus according to [1], wherein the control unit displays, as the search result, an image forming apparatus that cannot set the designated setting content on the display unit.

  In the above-described invention, it is possible to easily confirm an image forming apparatus that cannot set designated setting contents from the displayed search results.

[5] The second input unit can accept designation of setting contents for the image forming apparatus for a plurality of setting items.
The control unit searches for the image forming apparatus belonging to the group with the specified content after the change every time the specified content in the second input unit is changed, and displays the display unit on the basis of the search result. The management device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the management device is updated.

  In the above invention, when the setting content for the image forming apparatus is specified for a plurality of setting items, if the specified content is changed, the display is updated with the search result corresponding to the changed specified content. That is, an image forming apparatus capable of setting the changed / designated setting contents is searched from the narrowed down to the designated group, and the display is updated with the search result. As a result, it is possible to narrow down the target image forming apparatuses while designating the setting contents for the image forming apparatuses that have been narrowed down by designating the group, and further changing the designated contents.

[6] The search for the designated content received at the second input unit is performed by transmitting a command for inquiring whether the designated content can be set only to the image forming apparatuses belonging to the group. The management device according to any one of [1] to [5].

  In the above invention, the amount of transmitted information (traffic) can be reduced as compared with the case where a command for inquiring whether or not the designated content can be set is transmitted to all the image forming apparatuses.

[7] A setting target selection unit that receives a selection of a setting target image forming apparatus from among the image forming apparatuses displayed as the search result;
A transmission unit that transmits a setting instruction for setting contents designated by the second input unit to the image forming apparatus selected through the setting target selection unit;
The management device according to any one of [1] to [6], further comprising:

  In the above invention, the selection of the image forming apparatus to be set is received from the image forming apparatuses displayed as the search results, the setting instruction of the specified setting contents is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and the setting contents Set up.

  According to the management device of the present invention, it is possible to easily confirm a specified specific image forming device from among a plurality of image forming devices to be managed, and further, it is possible to set specified setting contents from among them Alternatively, an image forming apparatus that cannot be set can be easily confirmed. Therefore, the work for changing the setting contents for a specific image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses is facilitated.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system in which a management apparatus and an image forming apparatus to be managed according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected to a network. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a management apparatus. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an identification value screen displayed on the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an identification value screen displayed on the image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing operations of search, narrowing down, and data transmission of an image forming apparatus that is a target of data rewriting by a management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting screen (screen which displayed the search result of the image forming apparatus applicable to the designated group) displayed on the management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting screen after an update. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting screen during rewriting of data. 6 is a flowchart showing a response operation to the management apparatus by the image forming apparatus and a rewrite operation by received data. It is a figure which shows the setting screen for demonstrating the modification of how to display the list of the searched image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the setting screen for demonstrating the other modification of the method of the list display of the searched image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a system 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 5 is configured by connecting a management apparatus 10 and a plurality of image forming apparatuses 30 to a network 2 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) provided in an office or the like.

  The image processing apparatus 30 is a printer or a multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a function of forming an image on a recording sheet and outputting it. In the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 30 optically reads a document and prints a duplicate image on a recording sheet. The image processing apparatus 30 stores image data of the scanned document as a file or transmits it to an external terminal via the network 2. This is a multi-function peripheral having a function of executing a job such as a scan job to be performed or a print job for printing an image related to print data received from an external terminal via the network 2 on a recording sheet.

  The plurality of image forming apparatuses 30 connected to the network 2 are divided into a plurality of groups. Here, the group is a “department”. For example, a plurality of departments (groups) such as a department A (general affairs group), a department B (accounting group), and a department C (personnel group) each have a plurality of image forming apparatuses 30. 30 is connected to the network 2 and used. Each image forming apparatus 30 is set with information indicating the department name (group name) of the affiliation (ownership), the presence / absence of various functions, the type classification (color / monochrome), firmware Information indicating whether upgrade is permitted or not is stored. These pieces of information are used as search conditions (identification values) when the management apparatus 10 searches for a specific image forming apparatus 30 from a plurality of image forming apparatuses 30.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the management apparatus 10. The management apparatus 10 has a function of searching for and displaying an image forming apparatus 30 corresponding to a specified search condition from among a plurality of image forming apparatuses 30 connected to the network 2, and an image selected from the functions. The image forming apparatus 30 has a function of transmitting setting data for changing function settings and upgrade data for upgrading firmware to the image forming apparatus 30 and changing the settings. The management device 10 is configured with a general-purpose computer device or the like.

  The management device 10 is connected to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 via a bus 12 via a ROM 12 (Read Only Memory) 13, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14, a nonvolatile memory 15, a hard disk device 16, and an input / output I. / F unit 17 and network I / F unit 18 are connected. Further, an input device 19 such as a keyboard and a mouse and a display device 20 such as a liquid crystal display are connected via the input / output I / F unit 17.

  The CPU 11 controls the operation of the management device 10 according to a program stored in the ROM 13 or executes various processes according to the program stored in the hard disk device 16. The ROM 13 stores a startup program and fixed data. The RAM 14 stores a program read from the hard disk device 16. The RAM 14 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 11 executes a program.

  The non-volatile memory 15 is a rewritable memory that retains its memory even when the power is turned off, and includes system information (device ID (IDentification), IP (Internet Protocol) address, etc.) of the management device 10 and various settings. Information is stored. The hard disk device 16 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and stores an OS program, various application programs, files, data, and the like.

  The network I / F unit 18 communicates with the image forming apparatus 30, the server apparatus, other external apparatuses, and the like through the network 2 to transmit / receive various data.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 30. The image forming apparatus 30 includes a ROM 33, a RAM 34, a non-volatile memory 35, a hard disk device 36, a display unit 37, and an operation unit 38 via a bus 32 to a CPU 31 that performs overall control of the operation of the image forming apparatus 30. The facsimile communication unit 39, the network communication unit 40, the scanner unit 41, the image processing unit 42, and the printer unit 43 are connected.

  The CPU 31 is based on an OS program, on which middleware, application programs, firmware, and the like are executed. Various programs including firmware are stored in the ROM 33, and each function of the image forming apparatus 30 such as job execution is realized by the CPU 31 executing processing according to these programs. The ROM 33 is a flash ROM that can rewrite stored contents. The RAM 34 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 31 executes a program, an image memory for storing image data, and the like. Other necessary programs are loaded from the hard disk device 36 to the RAM 34 and executed.

  The nonvolatile memory 35 is a rewritable memory (flash memory) that retains memory even when the power is turned off. The nonvolatile memory 35 stores device-specific information (model name, IP address, etc.) and various setting information. The hard disk device 36 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and is used for storing print data, image data, job history, and the like in addition to programs.

  The operation panel of the image forming apparatus 30 includes a display unit 37 and an operation unit 38. The display unit 37 is configured by a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various screens such as an initial screen, an operation screen, and a setting screen. The operation unit 38 receives various operations such as job input and setting from the user. The operation unit 38 includes a touch panel that is provided on the screen of the display unit 37 and detects a pressed coordinate position, and includes a numeric keypad, a character input key, a start key, and the like.

  The facsimile communication unit 39 transmits / receives image data to / from an external apparatus having a facsimile function through a public line. The network communication unit 40 communicates with a management device, an external terminal, and the like through the network 2.

  The scanner unit 41 optically reads an image of a document and acquires image data. The scanner unit 41 sequentially moves, for example, a light source that irradiates light on a document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light for one line in the width direction, and a line-by-line reading position in the length direction of the document. An optical system composed of a lens, a mirror, and the like for guiding the reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, a conversion unit for converting the analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data, etc. It is configured with.

  The image processing unit 42 performs various image processing such as rasterization processing for converting print data into image data and image correction, rotation, enlargement / reduction, compression / decompression on the image data.

  The printer unit 43 forms and outputs an image based on the image data on a recording sheet by an electrophotographic process. The printer unit 43 includes, for example, a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an LD (Laser Diode) that is controlled to be turned on according to input image data, and laser light emitted from the LD. It is configured as a so-called laser printer having a scanning unit that scans on a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a transfer separating device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device. Instead of an LED printer that irradiates a photosensitive drum with an LED (Light Emitting Diode) instead of a laser beam, other types of printers may be used.

  4 and 5 show an example of the identification value screen 50 displayed on the display unit 37 of the image forming apparatus 30. FIG. As described above, the identification value is information (search condition) used for the management apparatus 10 to search for a specific image forming apparatus 30 from among a plurality of image forming apparatuses 30. On the identification value screen 50, information indicating the group name, the authentication function, the duplex function, the model classification, and the upgrade permission included in the identification value is displayed.

  The group name is information indicating a department name to which the image forming apparatus 30 belongs. The group name (department name) is input and set for each image forming apparatus through the identification value screen 50, and the setting information is stored in the image forming apparatus (nonvolatile memory 15 or the like). The group name may be input / set through another setting screen, and the identification value screen 50 may be configured to display only the group name.

  The authentication function is information indicating whether or not the image forming apparatus 30 has an authentication function (user authentication function). “YES” is displayed when there is an authentication function, and “NO” is displayed when there is no authentication function. The double-sided function is information indicating whether or not the image forming apparatus 30 has a double-sided function (double-sided printing function). “YES” is displayed when the duplex function is present, and “NO” is displayed when the duplex function is absent.

  The model classification is information indicating whether the image forming apparatus 30 is a color machine or a monochrome machine. “Color” is displayed for a color machine, and “black and white” is displayed for a monochrome machine.

  The upgrade permission is information indicating whether or not the upgrade of the firmware stored in the ROM 33 (flash ROM) of the image forming apparatus 30 is permitted. “Permitted” is displayed when the firmware upgrade is permitted, and “Not permitted” is displayed when the firmware upgrade is not permitted. For example, “permitted” is displayed on the image forming apparatus 30 in which the normal specification firmware is stored, and “impossible” is displayed on the image forming apparatus 30 in which the special specification firmware is provided and stored. This special specification firmware is upgraded by service personnel.

  In addition to the information indicating the group name (department name) input / set, the image forming apparatus 30 stores each information indicating the authentication function, duplex function, model classification, and upgrade permission in the apparatus (nonvolatile memory 35). Etc.).

  In the identification value screen 50 shown in FIG. 4, in the image forming apparatus 30, the group (department) to which it belongs is a general affairs group, has both an authentication function and a duplex function, and the model classification is a color machine. This indicates that firmware upgrade is permitted. In the identification value screen 50 shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 30 has a group (department) to which it belongs as an accounting group, does not have an authentication function, and has a double-sided function. This indicates that the model type is a monochrome machine and firmware upgrade is not permitted.

  Next, the operation of the system 5 according to this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the search, narrowing down, and data transmission operations of the image forming apparatus 30 that is the target of data rewriting by the management apparatus 10.

  When the management apparatus 10 receives a selection of a group to be rewritten of data (function setting data / firmware upgrade data) from a system administrator or the like (step S101), the management apparatus 10 includes group information indicating the group and the group. A group confirmation message for requesting a response only for the image forming apparatus 30 corresponding to the above is created and broadcasted on the network (step S102). If there is no reply to this group confirmation message (step S103; No), a notification message such as “No corresponding image forming apparatus (MFP)” is displayed on the display device 20, and the process is terminated.

  When a reply is received from the image forming apparatus 30 connected to the network 2 in response to the group confirmation message (step S103; Yes), a setting screen is displayed on the display device 20, and the image forming apparatus 30 that has received the reply Are arranged and displayed on the setting screen (step S104). FIG. 7 shows an example of the setting screen 60 displayed on the display device 20 of the management device 10.

  The setting screen 60 in FIG. 7 illustrates search results when the general affairs group is selected. As shown in the drawing, the searched (detected) image forming apparatuses 30 belonging to the general affairs group are displayed in a list with model names 61 arranged. Further, a check box 62 for selecting the displayed image forming apparatus 30 is displayed corresponding to the model name 61. In addition, a check box 63 for selecting an authentication function, a duplex function, and a firmware upgrade, and a selection (function selection, image selection apparatus 30 selection) are confirmed and data (or command) is transmitted. A data transmission button 64 is also displayed.

  In FIG. 6, when the management apparatus 10 receives selection of a function to be rewritten (including firmware upgrade) through the setting screen (step S105), only the image forming apparatus 30 displayed on the setting screen ( A command for inquiring whether or not there is a selected function (target function) is transmitted (only to the image forming apparatus 30 that has responded to the group confirmation message) (step S106). Upon receiving a response to this inquiry (a response indicating the presence of the target function from the image forming apparatus 30 having the target function), the search result for the presence or absence of the target function is reflected on the setting screen, and the setting screen is updated (step S107). . FIG. 8 shows an example of the updated setting screen 60.

  The setting screen 60 in FIG. 8 illustrates search results when the authentication function is selected. As shown in the figure, when the check box 63 corresponding to the authentication function is checked, the authentication function is selected, and the data transmission button 64 is clicked, an inquiry about the presence or absence of the authentication function is made. The image forming apparatus 30 that has received the response with the authentication function (the image forming apparatus 30 having the authentication function) normally displays the model name (61a) and does not receive the response with the authentication function. The device 30 (the image forming device 30 having no authentication function) is displayed with the model name in gray out (61b). The image forming apparatus 30 in which the model name is displayed in gray out cannot be selected. As described above, the image forming apparatus 30 having the function for which the presence or absence is inquired and the image forming apparatus 30 not having the function are identified and displayed as a list.

  In FIG. 6, the management apparatus 10 receives selection of the image forming apparatus 30 to be rewritten through the updated setting screen (step S108). If no data transmission instruction is received (step S109; No), the selection of the image forming apparatus 30 is canceled, and step S105 and subsequent steps are repeated. In this case, for example, after narrowing down the target image forming apparatus 30 by selecting the authentication function, it is possible to further narrow down the target image forming apparatus 30 by selecting the duplex function.

  When the data transmission instruction is received (step S109; Yes), the rewrite data (selection function setting data / firmware upgrade data) and the rewrite instruction are transmitted only to the selected image forming apparatus 30. (Step S110). Then, it is monitored whether or not rewriting completion is received from the destination image forming apparatus 30 (step S111; No). When rewriting completion is received from all the destination image forming apparatuses 30 (step S111; Yes), this processing is terminated. To do.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the setting screen 60 when the image forming apparatus 30 to be rewritten is selected, and rewriting data is transmitted to the selected image forming apparatus 30 and rewriting is in progress.

  The setting screen 60 in FIG. 9 illustrates a state in which the setting for enabling the authentication function of the selected image forming apparatus 30 is being changed (setting data is being rewritten). As shown in the figure, the check box 62 corresponding to the image forming apparatus 30 (model name) that enables the authentication function (to be rewritten with the setting data of the authentication function) is checked, and the image formation that is the target When the apparatus 30 is selected and the data transmission button 64 is clicked, setting data for enabling the authentication function is transmitted to the selected image forming apparatus 30. When the rewriting completion is received from the image forming apparatus 30 in which the setting data has been rewritten, a message of “rewriting complete!” Is displayed on the setting screen 60 for the image forming apparatus 30 (model name).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a response operation to the management apparatus 10 by the image forming apparatus 30 and a rewrite operation by the received data.

  In response to reception from the management apparatus 10 (step S201), the image forming apparatus 30 confirms the received content (step S202). When the group confirmation message is received from the management apparatus 10 (step S202; Yes), the group information included in the group confirmation message is confirmed, and whether or not the own apparatus corresponds to the group indicated by the group information. Is determined (step S203). If applicable (step S203; Yes), notification information including the model name and IP address of the own apparatus is returned to the management apparatus 10 (step S204). If not applicable (step S203; No), the process is terminated without performing a response to the received group confirmation message.

  When a command for inquiring about the presence or absence of a function is received from the management apparatus 10 (step S202; No, step S205; Yes), it is determined whether or not the own apparatus has the inquired function (step S206). If it has the target function (step S206; Yes), notification information indicating that the function is provided is returned to the management apparatus 10 (step S207). If the target function is not provided (step S206; No), this process is terminated without performing a response to the inquiry. If the target function is not provided, notification information indicating that the function is not provided may be returned to the management apparatus 10.

  When a rewrite instruction and rewrite data are received from the management apparatus 10 (step S205; No, step S208; Yes), the image forming apparatus 30 rewrites the received data (rewrites function setting data / firmware upgrade data). (Step S209, step S210; No). When the data rewriting is completed (step S210; Yes), the management device 10 is notified of the rewriting completion.

  When another instruction or data is received from the management apparatus 10 (step S208; No), this process is terminated and an operation corresponding to the instruction or data is performed.

  In the following, a modified example of how to display a search result (setting screen) when the management apparatus 10 inquires the image forming apparatus 30 about the presence or absence of a function will be described. FIG. 11 shows a setting screen 70 in which only the image forming apparatuses 30 having a designated function are arranged and displayed as a list. In the setting screen 60 of FIG. 8 described above, the model name of the image forming apparatus 30 having the authentication function is normally displayed (61a), and the model name of the image forming apparatus 30 having no authentication function is displayed in gray out (61b). However, on the setting screen 70 shown in FIG. 11, only the model name of the image forming apparatus 30 having the authentication function is normally displayed, and the model name of the image forming apparatus 30 having no authentication function is disappeared. It has become. The image forming apparatus 30 without the authentication function whose display has disappeared cannot be selected. As in this modification, only the image forming apparatus 30 having a designated function may be displayed in a list.

  FIG. 12 shows a setting screen 80 in which only the image forming apparatuses 30 that do not have a designated function are displayed in a list, contrary to the setting screen 70 of FIG. In this example, five or more (for example, ten) image forming apparatuses 30 belonging to a specified group (accounting group) are inquired about firmware upgrade permission, and a response indicating that upgrade is impossible is received from four of them. In this case, only the model name of the image forming apparatus 30 that cannot be upgraded is displayed in gray out, and the model name of the image forming apparatus 30 that is permitted to upgrade is not displayed. The non-upgradable image forming apparatus 30 displayed in gray out cannot be selected. As in this modification, only the image forming apparatus 30 that does not have the designated function may be displayed as a list.

  As described above, when the management apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment receives the designation of the group, the management apparatus 10 searches for a list of the image forming apparatuses 30 belonging to the designated group. That is, the result of narrowing down to a specified group from the whole (a plurality of image forming apparatuses 30 connected to the network 2) is displayed. When designation of a function (including firmware upgrade) is accepted after this display, the image forming apparatus 30 having the designated function (the function can be set) from among the image forming apparatuses 30 that have been narrowed down by group. Search for and display the search results.

  As a result, the system administrator or the like can recognize at a glance the image forming apparatuses belonging to the specified group among the plurality of image forming apparatuses 30 connected to the network 2, and further specify the specified setting from among them. Image forming apparatuses whose contents (validity of functions, firmware update, etc.) can be set or cannot be set can be seen at a glance. Therefore, when a function setting is changed or firmware is updated for a specific image forming apparatus 30 among the plurality of image forming apparatuses 30, the target image forming apparatus 30 is selected. It becomes easy.

  Further, when inquiring about the presence or absence of a function to the image forming apparatus 30 for a plurality of functions, if the designated content (selection state) of the function is changed, the display is updated with the search result corresponding to the designated content after the change. The That is, the image forming apparatus 30 that can set the changed / designated function is searched from the narrowed down to the designated group, and the display is updated with the search result. As a result, it is possible to narrow down the image forming apparatuses 30 in the group in stages while designating the functions for the image forming apparatuses 30 that have been narrowed down by designating the group and further changing the designated content.

  Further, the search for the designated function is performed by transmitting a command for inquiring about the presence or absence of the function only to the image forming apparatuses 30 belonging to the designated group. In comparison, the amount of information (traffic) transmitted through the network 2 can be reduced.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and the present invention can be changed or added without departing from the scope of the present invention. Included in the invention.

  In the embodiment, the case where the group is a department has been described. However, the group is not limited to such an organizational unit group. For example, location units (installation location units) such as buildings (head office, branch offices, offices, sales offices), floors (N floors, lobby, common spaces), rooms (living rooms, branch rooms, conference rooms), high-end machines, intermediate A group may be organized by model (model class) such as a machine or general-purpose machine, and this group can be arbitrarily set according to the management form.

  The management apparatus 10 described in the embodiment searches for and displays the image forming apparatuses 30 belonging to the specified group on the network, and then specifies the specified setting contents (in the image forming apparatuses 30 belonging to the group. The image forming apparatus 30 for which the function) can be set is searched and displayed again on the network. However, these searches may be performed in the management apparatus 10 instead of on the network.

  Specifically, the search for the designated group is performed by broadcast transmission on the network (see step S102 in FIG. 6), but the image forming apparatus 30 connected to the network 2 and its affiliation destination. It is possible to search in the management apparatus 10 by storing in the management apparatus 10 various types of information necessary for the search, such as the groups. Similarly, the search related to the specified setting content (function) is also stored in the management apparatus 10 for various information necessary for the search, such as the image forming apparatus 30 connected to the network 2 and its owned functions. Thus, the search within the management device 10 is possible.

  For example, when a group to which an image belongs is set, the image forming apparatus 30 stores group information indicating the group, function information indicating a function owned by the apparatus, and device identification information (such as a model name) of the own device. Send to. The management apparatus 10 associates the apparatus identification information, group information, and function information received from each image forming apparatus 30 and registers the information in the group list of the image forming apparatus, so that information necessary for the above search is obtained. Can be saved.

  In the search for the designated group, instead of the broadcast transmission described above, a group confirmation for confirming that only the image forming apparatus 30 belonging to the designated group belongs to the group based on the group list. A message may be transmitted. In this case, an image forming apparatus 30 that does not already belong to the group or is not connected to the network 2 can be detected, and such an image forming apparatus 30 erroneously forms an image forming unit belonging to the designated group. It can prevent being displayed as the device 30. If the search result (detection result) does not match the content registered in the group list, the registered content of the group list may be updated with the search result.

  In the search related to the specified function (setting contents), for example, when searching for the image forming apparatus 30 belonging to the specified group on the network, information related to the function from the searched image forming apparatus 30 (FIG. 4 and FIG. 4). 5) (information regarding authentication function, duplex function, upgrade permission, etc.) shown in FIG. 5 may be collected, and a search for the designated function may be performed within the management apparatus 10 using the collected information.

  In the group search, in addition to designating one group, a plurality of groups may be designated simultaneously. As a search result when a plurality of groups are specified at the same time, it is preferable that the searched (detected) image forming apparatus 30 is divided into groups and displayed as a list. Alternatively, a group may be specified in a plurality of stages and searched. For example, when a large group is selected and narrowed down, small groups belonging to the large group are displayed as options, and when one or more small groups are selected, each image forming apparatus 30 belonging to those groups is searched and displayed. It is good also as a structure of being carried out. In this configuration, it is preferable that the search results when a plurality of small groups are selected are also displayed as a list of the searched (detected) image forming apparatuses 30 for each small group.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus 30 is configured to be able to set whether or not to allow changes regarding the setting contents (function settings, etc.), the image forming apparatus 30 in which the setting contents are set in advance cannot be changed. At the time of responding to the search (group confirmation message), the device itself may respond including information that the setting contents cannot be changed. In this case, the management apparatus 10 may be configured to display, on the setting screen 60, models whose setting contents cannot be changed from the beginning in gray out, that is, from the beginning as not being selected.

  In addition to specifying to enable the setting of the target function, the setting details can be specified to disable the setting of the target function or to change the settings related to detailed setting items (parameters) in the target function. It is good. For example, in the authentication function, if there are multiple types of authentication functions, such as password authentication by password input / verification and biometric information authentication by input / verification of biological information such as fingerprints and finger veins, which type is valid or It may be possible to specify whether to invalidate.

2 ... Network 5 ... System 10 ... Management device 11 ... CPU
12 ... Bus 13 ... ROM
14 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Nonvolatile memory 16 ... Hard disk device 17 ... Input / output I / F part 18 ... Network I / F part 19 ... Input device 20 ... Display apparatus 30 ... Image forming apparatus (MFP)
31 ... CPU
32 ... Bus 33 ... ROM
34 ... RAM
35 ... Non-volatile memory 36 ... Hard disk device 37 ... Display unit 38 ... Operation unit 39 ... Facsimile communication unit 40 ... Network communication unit 41 ... Scanner unit 42 ... Image processing unit 43 ... Printer unit 50 ... Identification value screen 60 ... Setting screen 61 ... Model name 62 ... Check box 63 ... Check box 64 ... Data transmission button 70 ... Setting screen 80 ... Setting screen

Claims (7)

A management apparatus that manages a plurality of grouped image forming apparatuses,
A first input unit for receiving a group designation;
A second input unit for receiving designation of setting contents for the image forming apparatus;
A display for displaying search results;
A control unit;
With
The control unit receives a group designation at the first input unit, searches for an image forming apparatus belonging to the designated group, displays the image forming apparatus on the display unit, and after the display, the second input unit When the designation of setting contents for the image forming apparatus is received, and the designation is received, an image forming apparatus that can set the designated setting contents in the image forming apparatuses belonging to the group is searched and the search result is displayed. Management device characterized by being displayed on the screen. The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays an image forming apparatus capable of setting the designated setting content on the display unit as the search result. The control unit identifies, as the search result, an image forming apparatus that can set the designated setting content and an image forming apparatus that cannot be set, and displays them on the display unit. Or the management apparatus of 2. The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays an image forming apparatus incapable of setting the designated setting content on the display unit as the search result. The second input unit can accept designation of setting contents for the image forming apparatus for a plurality of setting items,
The control unit searches for the image forming apparatus belonging to the group with the specified content after the change every time the specified content in the second input unit is changed, and displays the display unit on the basis of the search result. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the management device is updated. The search related to the specified content received by the second input unit is performed by transmitting a command for inquiring whether or not the specified content can be set only to the image forming apparatuses belonging to the group. The management apparatus according to any one of 1 to 5. A setting target selection unit that accepts selection of a setting target image forming apparatus from among the image forming apparatuses displayed as the search results;
A transmission unit that transmits a setting instruction for setting contents designated by the second input unit to the image forming apparatus selected through the setting target selection unit;
The management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

Images