JP2014010440A - Image processing apparatus and system, and information processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus and system, and an information processing apparatus and program by which errors in changing settings can be reduced.SOLUTION: A CPU 11 acquires position information indicating a position of an image processing apparatus 2 (step S3); when the position indicated by the acquired position information is not within a range where the current settings of the image processing apparatus 2 are effective, setting information of an image processing apparatus associated with an effective range including the acquired position information is detected from a database 13A (steps S5, S6); and the current settings of the image processing apparatus 2 are updated by using the detected setting information (step S7).

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing device, a system, an information processing device, and a program.

  A technique is known in which location information of a network-compatible device is stored and a warning is issued to an administrator when movement of the network-compatible device is detected (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this technique, the position information after movement is updated by the administrator.

JP 2004-198851 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, a system, an information processing apparatus, and a program capable of reducing setting change errors.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to claim 1 is a first acquisition unit configured to acquire position information indicating a position of the image processing apparatus, and a position indicated by the acquired position information is determined by the image processing apparatus. When the current setting is not within the valid range, the image associated with the effective range including the acquired position information from the database associating the setting information of the image processing apparatus with the effective range of the setting information The image processing apparatus includes a second acquisition unit that acquires setting information of the processing apparatus, and an update unit that updates the current setting of the image processing apparatus using the acquired setting information.

  The image processing device according to claim 2 is a display that displays a setting screen for executing maintenance or change of the current settings of the image processing device for each function of the image processing device according to claim 1. Means are provided.

  The image processing apparatus according to claim 3 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first acquisition unit cannot acquire the position information or the second acquisition unit cannot acquire setting information of the image processing apparatus. In this case, the display means displays a position of the image processing apparatus and an effective range of the setting information on a map.

  The image processing apparatus according to claim 4 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first acquisition unit cannot acquire the position information or the second acquisition unit cannot acquire setting information of the image processing apparatus. In this case, the display means displays a warning.

  The image processing apparatus according to claim 5 is the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first acquisition unit cannot acquire the position information or the second acquisition unit performs the image processing. The apparatus includes a control unit that returns the image processing apparatus to an initial state when the setting information of the apparatus cannot be acquired.

  The image processing device according to claim 6 is the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein in the database, a destination as an effective range of the setting information is the setting information of the image processing device. It is characterized by being associated.

  The image processing apparatus according to claim 7 is the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, in the database, a software license as setting information of the image processing apparatus is validated. This information is associated with the effective range of the setting information.

  The image processing device according to claim 8 is the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the image processing device includes the database and includes another database synchronized with the database. It is connected to the apparatus.

  The image processing device according to claim 9 is the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising third acquisition means for acquiring direction information indicating a direction of the image processing device. The acquisition unit associates the orientation indicated by the acquired orientation information with the effective range including the acquired orientation information from the database when the current setting of the image processing apparatus is not within the effective range. The setting information of the image processing apparatus is obtained.

  The system according to claim 10 is a system having an image processing device and an information processing device, wherein the information processing device associates setting information of the image processing device with an effective range including position information indicating the position of the image processing device. And a search means for searching the database based on position information received from the image processing apparatus, and a first transmission means for transmitting setting information corresponding to the position information as the search result to the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus is transmitted from the information processing apparatus, a first acquisition unit that acquires the position information, a second transmission unit that transmits the acquired position information and a search command for the database. Update means for updating a current setting of the image processing apparatus using setting information corresponding to the position information.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 11 is based on a database associating setting information of the image processing apparatus and an effective range including position information indicating the position of the image processing apparatus, and the position information received from the image processing apparatus. Search means for searching a database; and transmission means for transmitting setting information corresponding to the position information as the search result to the image processing apparatus.

  A program according to a twelfth aspect is the first acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating the position of the image processing apparatus, and the current setting of the image processing apparatus is valid for the position indicated by the acquired position information. When not within the range, the setting information of the image processing device associated with the effective range including the acquired position information is acquired from the database that associates the setting information of the image processing device and the effective range of the setting information. And a second acquisition unit configured to update the current setting of the image processing apparatus using the acquired setting information.

  According to invention of Claim 1, the mistake of a setting change can be reduced.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, maintenance or change of the current setting of the image processing apparatus can be selected for each function of the image processing apparatus.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the administrator can grasp where the image processing apparatus should be moved.

  According to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to notify the operator that the image processing apparatus is not installed at an appropriate position.

  According to the invention of claim 5, the security of information in the image processing apparatus is improved.

  According to the invention of claim 6, the setting of the image processing apparatus can be changed for each destination of the image processing apparatus.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, software licenses can be set according to the movement of the image processing apparatus.

  According to the invention of claim 8, when replacing the image processing apparatus, the work of moving the database to a new image processing apparatus can be facilitated.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce mistakes in setting changes necessary according to changes in the orientation of the image processing apparatus.

  According to the invention of claim 10, it is possible to reduce mistakes in setting change.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to assist the setting change of the image processing apparatus.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce setting change mistakes.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the system containing the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting value definition table preserve | saved at HDD. It is a figure which shows an example of the database of setting information. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with an image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with an image processing apparatus and information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the modification of the database of the setting information of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of the process performed with an image processing apparatus.

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

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system including an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  A system 1 in FIG. 1 includes an image processing device 2 and an information processing device 3. The image processing apparatus 2 is constituted by, for example, a printer, a copier, a FAX apparatus, or a multifunction machine. The image processing apparatus 2 includes a CPU 11, a main memory 12, a hard disk drive (HDD) 13, a bus bridge 14, a communication interface (I / F) 15, an image processing unit 16, an image processing memory 17, an image output unit 18, and an image reading. The unit 19 is provided. The image processing apparatus 2 further includes a user interface (UI) 20, a position information acquisition unit 21, and an orientation measurement sensor 22. The CPU 11 controls the operation of the entire apparatus.

  The main memory 12 temporarily stores an image of each page, and stores a control program for the CPU 11 and various data. The HDD 13 stores an image of each page, and stores a control program for the CPU 11 and various data. Further, the HDD 13 includes a setting value definition table and a setting information database 13A as described later. The setting information is various types of information set in the image processing apparatus 2. For example, language information set in the image processing apparatus 2, paper size information, encryption function valid / invalid information, maintenance contracts are possible Information on presence / absence of sex, information on validity / invalidity of resident card issuing service, information on DHCP server address, information on authentication mode, and information on address book. When the image processing apparatus 2 can access the database 13A, the database 13A may be outside the image processing apparatus 2. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the database 13 </ b> A may be included in the information processing apparatus 3. Further, the main memory 12 or the HDD 13 stores model information of the image processing apparatus 2, that is, a model code for specifying the model and map information.

  The bus bridge 14 performs data communication between the CPU 11 and the communication I / F 15, the image processing unit 16, the image reading unit 19, or the UI 20. The bus bridge 14 bridges between the bus 23 and the system bus 24.

  The communication I / F 15 is configured by a network interface and performs data communication with the information processing apparatus 3 via the network 25. The image processing unit 16 compresses or expands an image. The image processing memory 17 functions as a working area for the image processing unit 16. The image output unit 18 outputs the image from the image processing unit 16 to a sheet. The image reading unit 19 includes a scanner and reads an image. The read image is stored in the main memory 12 or the HDD 13 via the bus bridge 14. The UI 20 performs various settings in accordance with instructions from the user, and displays a preview screen and various settings before printing.

  The position information acquisition unit 21 acquires information indicating the position where the image processing device 2 is installed (hereinafter referred to as position information). The position information acquisition unit 21 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System), a radio wave receiving antenna, a network card, a user interface, or the like. The position information acquisition unit 21 acquires position information from any of an artificial satellite, a mobile phone base station, a WiFi base station, a global IP address of the image processing apparatus 2, or information manually set by the UI 20. When the position information is manually set on the UI 20, for example, the UI 20 displays the map information stored in the HDD 13, and the position information of the image processing apparatus 2 is designated on the map information. Thereby, the position information of the image processing apparatus 2 is set.

  The azimuth measurement sensor 22 includes a triaxial geomagnetic sensor and measures the orientation of the image processing apparatus 2. Note that the orientation of the image processing device 2 is any of the direction in which the front of the image processing device 2 is facing, the direction in which the back of the image processing device 2 is facing, or the direction in which one side of the image processing device 2 is facing. It may be.

  The CPU 11 is connected to the bus 23 and the system bus 24 via the bus bridge 14. The main memory 12 and the HDD 13 are connected to the bus bridge 14 via the bus 23. The communication I / F 15 is connected to the network 25 and the system bus 24. The image processing unit 16, the image reading unit 19, the UI 20, the position information acquisition unit 21, and the orientation measurement sensor 22 are connected to the system bus 24. Further, the image processing unit 16 is connected to the image processing memory 17 and the image output unit 18. The CPU 11 that executes the control program functions as second acquisition means, update means, control means, and second transmission means. The position information acquisition unit 21 functions as a first acquisition unit. The direction measuring sensor 22 functions as a third acquisition unit. The UI 20 functions as a display unit.

  The information processing apparatus 3 is connected to a CPU 31 that controls the entire apparatus, a ROM 32 that includes a control program, a RAM 33 that functions as a working area, a printer driver, a hard disk drive (HDD) 34 that includes various information and programs, and the image processing apparatus 2. Communication interface (I / F) 35, USB (universal serial bus) interface (I / F) 36 for connection with input device 4 such as a keyboard and mouse, and video interface for connection with display device 5 (I / F) 37 is provided. The CPU 31 is connected to the ROM 32, RAM 33, HDD 34, communication I / F 35, USB I / F 36, and video I / F 37 via the system bus 38. The HDD 34 may include a setting information database 13A. The CPU 31 functions as search means and first transmission means.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting value definition table stored in the HDD 13.

  The setting value definition table defines values to be registered in the setting information database 13A. A setting item identifier 41 in FIG. 2 indicates an item set in the image processing apparatus 2.

  For example, in the standard language item, the language of information displayed on the UI 20 of the image processing apparatus 2 is set. In the item of the encryption function, whether to encrypt data stored in the image processing apparatus 2 is set. In the standard paper group item, a paper size used in the image processing apparatus 2 is set. In the maintenance contract possibility item, the presence or absence of a maintenance contract for the image processing apparatus 2 by the service person is set. In the resident card issue service item, whether or not the image processing apparatus 2 issues a resident card is set. That is, whether or not to enable a software license for issuing a resident card is set. In the item of DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server address, whether or not the image processing apparatus 2 executes the function of the DHCP server is set. In the item of the authentication mode, whether or not the image processing apparatus 2 performs user authentication is set. In the address book information item, the mail address, affiliation, telephone number, etc. of each user are set.

  In the setting category 42 of FIG. 2, the type of the setter is set. There are three types of setting categories, for example, “maker setting”, “vendor setting”, and “device manager setting”. A person set in the setting category edits (adds, changes, deletes or references) the value of the corresponding setting item identifier. In the case of “maker setting”, the manufacturer of the image processing apparatus 2 sets the value of the setting item identifier. In the case of “vendor setting”, the sales company of the image processing apparatus 2 sets the value of the setting item identifier. In the case of “device manager setting”, the purchaser of the image processing apparatus 2 sets the value of the setting item identifier.

  In the default value 43 of FIG. 2, the default value of each setting item identifier is set. If no value is set in the setting information database 13A, the default value shown in FIG. 2 is adopted.

  The information of the setting item identifier 41, the setting category 42, and the default value 43 in FIG. 2 is an example, and is not limited to this. For example, the setting item identifier 41 may include an item as to whether or not the license for special font software is valid.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the setting information database 13A.

  The setting information database 13A includes a model code 51, setting contents 52, position information acquisition priority 53, and valid range information 54, which are associated with each other. A setter defined in the setting category 42 in FIG. 2 can edit the setting information database 13A using the UI 20.

  The model code 51 is a code for identifying the model of the image processing apparatus 2. In FIG. 3, “*” indicates an arbitrary model. The setting content 52 includes a setting item identifier 52A and a value 52B. The setting item identifier 52A corresponds to the setting item identifier 41 in FIG. 2 and indicates an item set in the image processing apparatus 2. The value 52B indicates the value of the setting item identifier 52A that is actually set in the image processing apparatus 2. For example, when the setting item identifier 52A is a standard language, a language such as “Japanese”, “French”, “English”, or “Chinese” is set as the value 52B. When the setting item identifier 52A is an encryption function, either “invalid” or “valid” is set as the value 52B. If the setting item identifier 52A indicates a maintenance contract possibility, either “Yes” or “No” is set as the value 52B. When the setting item identifier 52A is a resident card issuance service, either “invalid” or “valid” is set as the value 52B. When the setting item identifier 52A is a DHCP server address, the IP address of the DHCP server is set as the value 52B. When the setting item identifier 52A is in the authentication mode, “LDAP authentication”, “biometric authentication” or the like is set as the value 52B. When the setting item identifier 52A is address book information, “address book pattern 1”, “address book pattern 2”, etc. are set as the value 52B.

  The position information acquisition priority 53 defines the position information acquisition destination and acquisition order. For example, the position information acquisition priority in the first row is artificial satellite, mobile phone base station, WiFi base station, or manual (designated from the map). In this case, when the position information can be acquired from the artificial satellite, the position information acquisition process ends. If the position information cannot be acquired from the artificial satellite, the position information is acquired from the mobile phone base station. Thus, when position information cannot be acquired, the acquisition destination of position information is switched in order.

  The effective range information 54 includes a center longitude 54A, a center latitude 54B, a distance 54C from the center, a country name 54D, a city name 54E, and a region name 54F. The effective range information 54 defines the effective range of settings of the image processing apparatus 2. “*” In the effective range information 54 in FIG. 3 is an arbitrary value. For example, the effective range of the setting of the image processing apparatus 2 may be defined by a point based on the center longitude 54A and the center latitude 54B, or based on the center longitude 54A, the center latitude 54B, and the distance 54C from the center. It may be defined by a range. Further, the effective range of the setting of the image processing apparatus 2 may be defined by any of the country name 54D, the city name 54E, or the area name 54F.

  When the position information of the image processing apparatus 2 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 21 corresponds to one effective range defined by the effective range information 54, the information of the setting content 52 corresponding to the effective range is the image processing apparatus. 2 is set. For example, when there are a plurality of identical setting item identifiers (for example, standard language) corresponding to the position information of the image processing device 2, the value 52B having a smaller number is preferentially set in the image processing device 2.

  The CPU 11 manages the current effective range of each setting of the image processing apparatus 2. Specifically, the CPU 11 adds a mark, a flag, or the like to the setting information database 13 </ b> A in FIG. 3 to manage the current effective range of each setting of the image processing apparatus 2. Alternatively, the CPU 11 may extract the current effective range of each setting of the image processing apparatus 2 from the setting information database 13 </ b> A of FIG. 3, and store and manage it in the main memory 12 or the HDD 13.

  The setting information database 13A of FIG. 3 includes a model code 51, setting contents 52, position information acquisition priority 53, and effective range information 54, but is not limited thereto. For example, the setting information database 13 </ b> A in FIG. 3 only needs to include at least the setting content 52 and the valid range information 54.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the image processing apparatus 2.

  First, when the image processing apparatus 2 is powered on (step S1), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the position information of the image processing apparatus 2 can be acquired from the position information acquisition unit 21 (step S2). If YES in step S2, the CPU 11 acquires the position information of the image processing apparatus 2 from the position information acquisition unit 21 (step S3).

  Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the acquired position information is within the valid range of each current setting of the image processing apparatus 2 (step S4). Here, the CPU 11 performs determination for each setting of the image processing apparatus 2.

  If YES in step S4, the procedure returns to step S1. If NO in step S4, the CPU 11 searches the setting information database 13A based on the model code of the image processing apparatus 2 and the acquired position information (step S5). The CPU 11 determines whether or not the setting content corresponding to the model code of the image processing apparatus 2 and the acquired position information can be acquired (step S6).

  If YES in step S6, the CPU 11 updates each current setting of the image processing apparatus 2 with the acquired setting content (step S7). Thereby, the setting content suitable for the position information of the image processing apparatus 2 is set in the image processing apparatus 2.

  If NO in step S2 (that is, if the position information of the image processing apparatus 2 cannot be acquired from the position information acquisition unit 21) and if NO in step S6 (that is, the model code of the image processing apparatus 2 and the acquired position information) CPU 11 stops some or all of the functions of the image processing apparatus 2 (step S8). Here, the functions of the image processing apparatus 2 are, for example, a print function, a FAX function, a scan function, and an e-mail transmission / reception function. Stopping some functions means, for example, making only the print function available and making other functions unavailable.

  Further, the CPU 11 displays a warning on the UI 20, or returns the setting of the image processing apparatus 2 to the factory shipment state as an initial state (step S9). For example, the UI 20 indicates that the position of the image processing apparatus 2 is not within the effective range of each setting as a warning display. Or UI20 shows the position of the image processing apparatus 2, and the effective range of each setting on a map as a warning display. Thereby, the administrator can grasp where the image processing apparatus 2 should be moved. When the image forming apparatus 2 is moved and installed within the effective range of each setting, it can be used by restarting the image processing apparatus 2. Further, when the setting of the image processing apparatus 2 is returned to the factory default state, the information and settings stored in the image processing apparatus 2 are discarded, so that the security of information in the image processing apparatus 2 is improved.

  In step S5, the CPU 11 searches the setting information database 13A based on the model code of the image processing apparatus 2 and the acquired position information, but searches the setting information database 13A only based on the acquired position information. May be. This is because the setting information database 13A of FIG. 3 may not include a model code. In this case, in step S6, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the setting content corresponding to the acquired position information can be acquired.

  The setting information database 13 </ b> A may be included in both the image processing apparatus 2 and the information processing apparatus 3. In this case, both setting information databases 13A are synchronized. For example, when the setting information database 13A of the image processing apparatus 2 is edited, the CPU 11 transmits the edited part information to the information processing apparatus 3, and the CPU 31 performs information processing using the edited part information. The setting information database 13A of the device 3 is updated. Thereby, for example, when the image processing apparatus 2 is replaced with a new image processing apparatus 2, the new image processing apparatus 2 can acquire the setting information database 13 </ b> A of the original image processing apparatus 2 from the information processing apparatus 3. .

  In FIG. 4, the setting contents of the image processing apparatus 2 are changed according to the position information. However, for each function of the image processing apparatus 2, maintenance or change of the setting contents of the image processing apparatus 2 can be selected. It may be. In this case, the UI 20 displays a setting screen for executing maintenance or change of the setting contents of the image processing device 2 for each function of the image processing device 2. For example, when the operator executes a setting for changing the setting contents of the FAX function on the setting screen displayed on the UI 20 and executes a setting for maintaining the setting contents of the printing function, the setting contents of the FAX function are Although it changes according to the information, the setting content of the print function is maintained regardless of the position information.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the image processing apparatus 2 and the information processing apparatus 3. Here, it is assumed that the HDD 34 of the information processing apparatus 3 includes a setting information database 13A. The same steps as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof is omitted.

  If NO in step S4 (that is, if the position information acquired in step S2 is not within the current effective range of each setting of the image processing device 2), the CPU 11 performs image processing at the timing when the position information is changed. The model code of the processing device 2, the position information acquired in step S2, and the search command for the setting information database 13A are transmitted to the information processing device 3 (step S11). If the setting information database 13A does not include a model code, the model code of the image processing apparatus 2 is not transmitted.

  Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the setting content corresponding to the transmitted model code and the transmitted position information has been received from the information processing apparatus 3 (step S12). In the case of NO in step S12, the CPU 11 receives information indicating that the current position information is within the use prohibited area, as will be described later.

  If YES in step S12, the procedure proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, if NO in step S12, the procedure proceeds to step S8.

  The CPU 31 of the information processing device 3 receives the search command of the database 13A for the model code, the position information, and the setting information transmitted from the image processing device 2 in step S11 (step S21). The CPU 31 searches the setting information database 13A based on the received model code and the received position information (step S22). The CPU 31 determines whether or not the setting content corresponding to the model code and the position information can be acquired (step S23).

  If YES in step S23, the CPU 31 transmits the setting content corresponding to the model code and the position information to the image processing apparatus 2 (step S24). In the case of NO in step S23, the CPU 31 cannot obtain the setting content corresponding to the model code and the position information from the setting information database 13A, and therefore displays information indicating that the current position information is within the prohibited area. The data is transmitted to the processing device 2 (step S25).

  According to the processing of FIG. 5, even when the image processing apparatus 2 that does not include the setting information database 13 </ b> A moves, the setting content suitable for the position information after the movement is set in the image processing apparatus 2.

  The person set in the setting category may call the setting information database 13A in the information processing apparatus 3 from the UI 20 of the image processing apparatus 2 to edit the setting information database 13A.

  6 is a diagram showing a modification of the setting information database of FIG.

  In the setting information database 13A of FIG. 6, effective range information 55 is associated with the setting content 52 instead of the position information acquisition priority 53 and the effective range information 54. The effective range information 55 defines the effective range of settings of the image processing device 2 based on the orientation of the image processing device 2 (for example, the direction in which the front of the image processing device 2 is facing). “*” In the effective range information 55 in FIG. 6 is an arbitrary direction.

  The setting information database 13A of FIG. 6 includes a model code 51, setting contents 52, and valid range information 55, but is not limited thereto. For example, the setting information database 13A in FIG. 6 only needs to include at least the setting content 52 and the valid range information 55. Further, the setting information database 13A of FIG. 6 may include effective range information 55 in addition to the setting information database of FIG. 6 is included in the image processing apparatus 2, but may be included in the information processing apparatus 3 or both of the image processing apparatus 2 and the information processing apparatus 3.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of processing executed by the image processing apparatus 2. Here, it is assumed that the setting information database 13 </ b> A in FIG. 6 is included in the image processing apparatus 2. Moreover, the same step number is attached | subjected to the process same as the process of FIG. 4, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  First, when the power of the image processing apparatus 2 is turned on (step S1), the CPU 11 determines whether or not information on the orientation of the image processing apparatus 2 (hereinafter referred to as orientation information) can be acquired from the orientation measurement sensor 22. (Step S32). The orientation information is information indicating a direction in which the front of the image processing apparatus 2 is facing, for example.

  If YES in step S32, the CPU 11 acquires orientation information of the image processing device 2 from the orientation measurement sensor 22 (step S33).

  Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the acquired orientation information is within the current effective range of each setting of the image processing apparatus 2 (step S34). Here, the CPU 11 performs determination for each setting of the image processing apparatus 2.

  If YES in step S34, the procedure returns to step S1. If NO in step S34, the CPU 11 searches the setting information database 13A in FIG. 6 based on the model code of the image processing apparatus 2 and the acquired orientation information (step S35). The CPU 11 determines whether or not the setting content corresponding to the model code of the image processing apparatus 2 and the acquired orientation information can be acquired (step S36). If YES in step S36, the process proceeds to step S7. In the case of NO in step S32 (that is, in the case where orientation information cannot be acquired from the orientation measuring sensor 22) and in the case of NO in step S36 (that is, the setting contents corresponding to the model code of the image processing apparatus 2 and the acquired orientation information are set. If it cannot be obtained), the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S35, the CPU 11 searches the setting information database 13A based on the model code of the image processing apparatus 2 and the acquired orientation information, but searches the setting information database 13A only based on the acquired orientation information. May be. This is because the setting information database 13A of FIG. 6 may not include a model code. In this case, in step S36, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the setting content corresponding to the acquired orientation information can be acquired.

  According to the processing of FIG. 7, it is not necessary to change the setting manually, and the setting content of the image processing apparatus 2 can be changed only by changing the direction of the image processing apparatus 2. Can be reduced. For example, when there are two departments across the image processing apparatus 2 and the image processing apparatus 2 is used in one department, the setting contents of the image processing apparatus 2 can be changed simply by changing the orientation of the image processing apparatus 2. Can be changed to settings used in other departments.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the CPU 11 acquires position information indicating the position of the image processing apparatus 2 (step S3), and the position indicated by the acquired position information is the position of the image processing apparatus 2. When the current setting is not within the valid range, the setting information of the image processing apparatus linked to the valid range including the acquired position information is detected from the database 13A (steps S5 and S6), and the detection is performed. The current setting of the image processing apparatus 2 is updated using the set information (step S7). Therefore, the necessary setting change is automatically performed according to the movement of the image processing apparatus 2, and it is not necessary to change the setting manually, so that mistakes in the setting change can be reduced.

  Further, since the setting information database 13A in FIG. 3 holds the setting contents for each destination such as the country name, city name, or region name, the setting is automatically switched for each destination.

  Further, in the setting information database 13A in FIG. 3, the resident's card issuance service of the setting item identifier 52A is managed in association with the valid range information 54. Therefore, information indicating whether or not the software license is valid is image processing. It is managed in association with the effective range of settings of the device 2. Thereby, for example, it is not necessary to separately perform setting of a service that limits an area such as a resident card. In other words, in the image processing apparatus 2, software licenses are set according to the movement of the image processing apparatus 2.

  The recording medium in which the software program for realizing the function of the image processing apparatus 2 is recorded is supplied to the CPU 11, and the CPU 11 reads out and executes the program stored in the storage medium. The same effect is produced. Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program include a CD-ROM, a DVD, or an SD card. In addition, the CPU 11 of the image processing apparatus 2 can achieve the same effect as the above-described embodiment by executing a software program for realizing the functions of the image processing apparatus 2.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 System 2 Image processing apparatus 3 Information processing apparatus 11 CPU
12 Main memory 13 Hard disk drive 14 Bus bridge 15 Communication interface (I / F)
16 Image Processing Unit 17 Image Processing Memory 18 Image Output Unit 19 Image Reading Unit 20 User Interface (UI)
21 position information acquisition unit 22 direction measurement sensor

Claims (12)

First acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating the position of the image processing apparatus;
When the position indicated by the acquired position information is not within the range in which the current setting of the image processing apparatus is valid, from the database that associates the setting information of the image processing apparatus and the effective range of the setting information Second acquisition means for acquiring setting information of an image processing apparatus associated with an effective range including the acquired position information;
An image processing apparatus comprising: update means for updating a current setting of the image processing apparatus using the acquired setting information.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display a setting screen for executing maintenance or change of a current setting of the image processing apparatus for each function of the image processing apparatus.   When the first acquisition unit cannot acquire the position information or when the second acquisition unit cannot acquire the setting information of the image processing apparatus, the display unit determines whether the position of the image processing apparatus and the setting information are valid. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the range is displayed on a map.   3. The display unit displays a warning when the first acquisition unit cannot acquire the position information or when the second acquisition unit cannot acquire setting information of the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus described.   Control means for returning the image processing apparatus to an initial state when the first acquisition means cannot acquire the position information or when the second acquisition means cannot acquire setting information of the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a destination as an effective range of the setting information is associated with setting information of the image processing apparatus in the database.   7. The database according to claim 1, wherein information indicating whether or not to enable a software license as setting information of the image processing apparatus is associated with an effective range of the setting information. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the above.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus includes the database and is connected to an information processing apparatus including another database synchronized with the database. . Comprising third acquisition means for acquiring orientation information indicating the orientation of the image processing apparatus;
The second acquisition means includes an effective information including the acquired orientation information from the database when the orientation indicated by the acquired orientation information is not within a range where the current setting of the image processing apparatus is valid. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein setting information of the image processing apparatus associated with the range is acquired. A system having an image processing device and an information processing device,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A database associating the setting information of the image processing apparatus with the effective range including the position information indicating the position of the image processing apparatus;
Search means for searching the database based on position information received from the image processing device;
First transmission means for transmitting setting information corresponding to the position information to the image processing apparatus as the search result;
The image processing apparatus includes:
First acquisition means for acquiring the position information;
Second transmission means for transmitting the acquired position information and the database search command;
Updating means for updating a current setting of the image processing apparatus using setting information corresponding to the position information transmitted from the information processing apparatus. A database associating setting information of the image processing device with an effective range including position information indicating the position of the image processing device;
Search means for searching the database based on position information received from the image processing device;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit setting information corresponding to the position information to the image processing apparatus as the search result. Computer
First acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating the position of the image processing apparatus;
When the position indicated by the acquired position information is not within the range in which the current setting of the image processing apparatus is valid, from the database that associates the setting information of the image processing apparatus and the effective range of the setting information A second acquisition unit that acquires setting information of the image processing apparatus associated with the effective range including the acquired position information, and updates the current setting of the image processing apparatus using the acquired setting information A program characterized by functioning as update means.

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