JP2016208497A - Image formation device, control method of the same, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device which can execute a suitable communication with a plurality of external devices.SOLUTION: In an image formation system 150 which has an MFP 101, an EFI 102, a client PC 103, a mobile terminal 104, and a server 111 and in which the EFI 102 interposes between the MFP 101 and the client PC 103, when at least two network addresses conflict among respective network addresses of an IP address for the MFP 101 to communicate with the EFI 102, an IP address for the MFP 101 to communicate with the mobile terminal 104, and an IP address for the EFI 102 to communicate with the client PC 103, at least one IP address out of the IP addresses corresponding to the conflict network addresses is changed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method for the apparatus, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that communicates with a plurality of external apparatuses, for example, a mobile terminal, a client PC, and a DHCP server is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The image forming apparatus is connected to the mobile terminal via a wireless LAN, and is also connected to the client PC and the DHCP server via a wired LAN, for example, via a LAN cable. When the image forming apparatus executes wireless LAN communication with the mobile terminal, the image forming apparatus itself becomes an access point and automatically issues an IP address used for wireless LAN communication with the mobile terminal. As a result, the image forming apparatus performs wireless LAN communication with the mobile terminal using Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. Further, the image forming apparatus executes wired LAN communication with the client PC using the IP address issued by the DHCP server.

  By the way, each IP address used for communication between the image forming apparatus and the mobile terminal and communication between the image forming apparatus and the client PC is composed of a network address and a host address.

JP2013-205982A

  However, the network address of the IP address used for wireless LAN communication between the image forming apparatus and the mobile terminal may compete with the network address of the IP address used for wired LAN communication between the image forming apparatus and the client PC. As a result, both wired LAN communication with the client PC and wireless LAN communication with the mobile terminal may be executable. In such a case, for example, when communication settings for performing wireless LAN communication with the mobile terminal in preference to wired LAN communication with the client PC are set in advance in the image forming apparatus, the wireless LAN with the mobile terminal is set. Communication is performed. Therefore, even if the user desires to transmit data from the image forming apparatus to the client PC, the data may be transmitted to the mobile terminal, and thus the data may not be transmitted to the client PC that is the transmission destination desired by the user. That is, when the image forming apparatus performs LAN communication with a plurality of external devices, there is a problem in that a plurality of IP addresses used for each LAN communication conflict and appropriate LAN communication cannot be performed with the plurality of external devices. there were.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of executing appropriate communication with a plurality of external apparatuses, a control method for the apparatus, and a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus connected to a first external apparatus and a second external apparatus, and is between the image forming apparatus and the first external apparatus. In a case where it is determined that a third external device is not interposed between the determination unit that determines whether the third external device is interposed and the image forming apparatus and the first external device, When the first address used for communication with the first external device and the second address used for communication with the second external device conflict, the first address and the second address In the case where it is determined that a third external device is interposed between the first changing unit that changes any one of the addresses and the image forming apparatus and the first external device, the second changing device Address, communication with the third external device The conflicting address when at least two of the third addresses used and at least two of the fourth addresses used for communication between the first external device and the third external device conflict And second changing means for changing at least one of the addresses.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to execute appropriate communication with a plurality of external devices.

1 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image forming system including an MFP as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A illustrates an image forming system that does not include an EFI as a print control apparatus. FIG. 1B shows an image forming system including EFI. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of some components of the image forming system in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 (A) schematically shows an internal configuration of an MFP in the image forming system in FIG. 1 (A). FIG. 2B is a block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the MFP and EFI in the image forming system of FIG. 1B. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of activation processing executed by the CPU of the MFP in FIG. 2. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the notification process performed by step S308 of FIG. FIG. 3 shows a procedure of post-change address notification processing in which the EFI / PC IP address set in the EFI in the image forming system is changed after the start-up processing in FIG. 3 is changed and the changed EFI / PC IP address is notified to the MFP. It is a flowchart. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a reception process in which the MFP receives the changed EFI / PC IP address notified in step S503 of FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram used for explaining a setting screen used when setting timing for changing an IP address in the MFP in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the communication establishment process performed when a mobile terminal side IP address is changed after the starting process of FIG. 3 is complete | finished. It is a figure used in order to demonstrate the access point setting screen and warning display which are displayed on the operation display part in FIG.

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

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image forming system including an MFP 101 as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows an image forming system 100 that does not include an EFI (registered trademark) 102 as a print control apparatus, and FIG. 1B shows an image forming system 150 that includes the EFI 102.

  An image forming system 100 in FIG. 1A includes an MFP 101, a client PC 103 (first external device), a mobile terminal 104 (second external device), and a server 111. The MFP 101, the client PC 103, and the server 111 are connected to each other via a LAN 105 via a wired LAN. The server 111 issues an IP address used for wired LAN communication, and the MFP 101 executes wired LAN communication using the IP address. In addition, the MFP 101 is connected to the mobile terminal 104 via a wireless LAN by, for example, Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth without using a relay device that operates as an access point. In the present embodiment, the MFP 101 serves as an access point, and automatically issues an IP address used for wireless LAN communication with the mobile terminal 104 to execute wireless LAN communication.

  An image forming system 150 in FIG. 1B includes an MFP 101, an EFI 102 (third external device), a client PC 103, a mobile terminal 104, and a server 111. The EFI 102 is interposed between the MFP 101 and the client PC 103, and the MFP 101 is connected to the EFI 102 via the image video cable 109 and the control cable 110. Further, the EFI 102, the client PC 103, and the server 111 are connected to each other by a wired LAN via the LAN 105. Note that the MFP 101 is connected to the mobile terminal 104 via a wireless LAN in the same manner as the image forming system 100.

  The MFP 101 includes a scanner 106, an operation display unit 107, and a paper discharge unit 108. The scanner 106 reads an original and generates image data. The generated image data is transmitted to the client PC 103, for example. The operation display unit 107 receives instructions from the user and displays status information and the like of the MFP 101. In addition, the operation display unit 107 displays an access point setting screen 900 and a warning display 910 (request means) which will be described later. A recording sheet on which image data is printed is discharged to the paper discharge unit 108. The EFI 102 performs various image processing on the image data in cooperation with the MFP 101. The client PC 103 executes wired LAN communication and transmits a print job to the MFP 101, for example. The mobile terminal 104 performs wireless LAN communication with the MFP 101 and transmits a print job to the MFP 101. The server 111 issues an IP address used for wired LAN communication to the MFP 101, the EFI 102, and the client PC 103.

  In this embodiment, in the image forming system 150, the MFP 101 is connected only to the EFI 102, but may be connected to the LAN 105 in addition to the EFI 102.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of some components of the image forming systems 100 and 150 of FIG. 2A is a block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the MFP 101 in the image forming system 100 of FIG. 1A. FIG. 2B is a block diagram of the MFP 101 in the image forming system 150 of FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of an EFI 102. FIG.

  2A and 2B includes a scanner 106, an operation display unit 107, a controller unit 201, a network unit 202, a printer 203, and a wireless communication unit 204.

  The controller unit 201 includes a CPU 205 (discriminating means, first changing means, second changing means, receiving means), a memory 206, a reader I / F 207, a video I / F 208, a network I / F 209, and a printer I / F 210. Have. The controller unit 201 includes an HDD 211, a start control unit 212, and a network I / F 213. Each component of the controller unit 201 is connected to each other via a system bus 222. The scanner 106 and the operation display unit 107 are connected to the reader I / F 207, the printer 203 is connected to the printer I / F 210, and the wireless communication unit 204 is connected to the network I / F 213.

  When the EFI 102 is not connected to the MFP 101, the network unit 202 is connected to the network I / F 209, and the client PC 103 and the server 111 are connected via the LAN 105. Further, when the EFI 102 is connected to the MFP 101, a video I / F 217 (to be described later) is connected to the video I / F 208 via the image video cable 109. When the EFI 102 is connected to the MFP 101, the network unit 202 is connected to the network I / F 209 and a network I / F 218 described later is connected via the control cable 110.

  The network unit 202 uses an IP address (first address) (hereinafter referred to as “MFP / PC IP address”) used for wired LAN communication between the MFP 101 and the client PC 103 when the EFI 102 is not connected to the MFP 101. Obtained from the server 111 and set in the MFP 101. The network unit 202 also uses an IP address (third address) used for wired LAN communication between the MFP 101 and the EFI 102 when the EFI 102 is connected to the MFP 101 (hereinafter referred to as “MFP / EFI IP address”). Is acquired from the server 111 and set in the MFP 101.

  Incidentally, an MFP / EFI IP address is set in the MFP 101 as an IP address used for wired LAN communication between the MFP 101 and the EFI 102. However, wired LAN communication between the MFP 101 and the EFI 102 is not executed only with the MFP / EFI IP address. That is, in order to execute wired LAN communication between the MFP 101 and the EFI 102, the IP address is different from the IP address for MFP / EFI and is set in the EFI 102 (hereinafter referred to as “EFI / MFP IP address”). .)is necessary. When the MFP / EFI IP address and the EFI / MFP IP address correspond, wired LAN communication between the MFP 101 and the EFI 102 is executed. The EFI / MFP IP address is set in the EFI 102 by the EFI network unit 220 described later.

  The network unit 202 further acquires a new MFP / EFI IP address and MFP / PC IP address from the server 111 when the MFP / EFI IP address and MFP / PC IP address are changed, and sends them to the MFP 101. Set.

  For example, the printer 203 prints image data corresponding to a document read by the scanner 106 and PDL (Page Description Language) data received from the client PC 103 on a recording sheet. The wireless communication unit 204 issues an IP address (second address) used for wireless LAN communication between the MFP 101 and the mobile terminal 104 (hereinafter referred to as “mobile terminal side IP address”) and sets it in the MFP 101. The wireless communication unit 204 issues a new mobile terminal side IP address and sets it in the MFP 101 when the mobile terminal side IP address is changed.

  The CPU 205 executes programs stored in the memory 206 and the HDD 211 to control each component of the MFP 101. A memory 206 is a work memory of the CPU 205. The HDD 211 is a large-capacity storage device and stores, for example, image data corresponding to a document read by the scanner 106 and PDL data received from the client PC 103. Further, the HDD 211 stores information on the MFP / EFI IP address, the MFP / PC IP address, and the mobile terminal side IP address set in the MFP 101. As information regarding each IP address, there is a subnet mask which is a numerical value for identifying a network address and a host address constituting the IP address. Further, the HDD 211 stores a change IP address used when changing the MFP / EFI IP address, the MFP / PC IP address, or the mobile terminal side IP address. The change IP address is used to generate the changed MFP / EFI IP address, MFP / PC IP address, and mobile terminal side IP address. The activation control unit 212 supplies power to each component of the MFP 101 and controls the activation of the MFP 101.

  2B includes a CPU 214, a memory 215, an HDD 216, a video I / F 217, a network I / F 218, 219, and an EFI network unit 220. These components are connected to each other via a system bus 221. ing. A client PC 103 and a server 111 are connected to the network I / F 219 via the LAN 105.

  The CPU 214 controls each component of the EFI 102 by executing a program stored in the memory 215 or the HDD 216. A memory 215 is a work memory of the CPU 214. The HDD 216 is a large-capacity storage device and stores, for example, image data that has been subjected to various processes in the EFI 102. The HDD 216 also has information on the IP address for the EFI / MFP and the IP address (fourth address) used for wired LAN communication between the EFI 102 and the client PC 103 (hereinafter referred to as “EFI / PC IP address”), for example. Stores the subnet mask. Further, the HDD 216 stores a change IP address used to generate an EFI / MFP IP address and an EFI / PC IP address when the EFI / MFP IP address and the EFI / PC IP address are changed. To do.

  The EFI network unit 220 acquires the EFI / MFP IP address and the EFI / PC IP address from the server 111 and sets them in the EFI 102. When the MFP / EFI IP address set in the MFP 101 is changed, the EFI network unit 220 acquires a new EFI / MFP IP address from the server 111 and sets it in the EFI 102. This can prevent the wired LAN communication between the MFP 101 and the EFI 102 from being executed.

  When the EFI / PC IP address is set in the EFI 102 or the EFI / PC IP address set in the EFI 102 is changed, the EFI 102 notifies the client PC 103 to that effect.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the startup process executed by the CPU 205 of the MFP 101 in FIG. 3 is based on the premise that an MFP / EFI IP address or MFP / PC IP address and a mobile terminal side IP address are set in the MFP 101.

  In FIG. 3, first, when the switch of the MFP 101 is turned on (step S301), the CPU 205 acquires the MFP / EFI IP address or the MFP / PC IP address set in the MFP 101 (step S302). Next, the CPU 205 acquires the mobile terminal side IP address set in the MFP 101 (step S303), and determines whether or not the EFI 102 is connected to the MFP 101 (step S304).

  As a result of the determination in step S304, when the EFI 102 is not connected to the MFP 101, it is determined whether or not the network address of the MFP / PC IP address and the network address of the mobile terminal side IP address conflict (step S305). As described above, the IP address is composed of a network address and a host address. The network space to which the IP address belongs is identified by the network address, and the device in the network address is identified by the host address. The network address and the host address are identified based on the subnet mask. In step S305, it is determined whether or not the network address of the IP address for MFP / PC and the network address of the mobile terminal side IP address are in conflict, thereby determining the competition of the network space to which each IP address belongs. . As a result of the determination in step S305, when the network address of the MFP / PC IP address and the network address of the mobile terminal side IP address do not conflict, the CPU 205 normally starts the MFP 101 and ends this processing. On the other hand, when the network address of the MFP / PC IP address and the network address of the mobile terminal side IP address conflict, the CPU 205 changes the mobile terminal side IP address in preference to the MFP / PC IP address (step S306). . For example, it is assumed that the MFP / PC IP address is 192.168.1.100 and the mobile terminal side IP address is 192.168.1.200. Here, when the subnet mask of the mobile terminal side IP address is 255.255.255.0, the network address of the mobile terminal side IP address is 192.168.1. Therefore, the network address of the mobile terminal side IP address conflicts with the network address of the MFP / PC IP address. In order to resolve this conflict, the CPU 205 adds 1 to the end of the network address of the mobile terminal side IP address, and 192.168.8.2. And As a result, the conflict between the two network addresses is resolved. Thereafter, the CPU 205 normally starts the MFP 101 and ends this processing.

  When the MFP / PC IP address is changed, the server 111 issues a new MFP / PC IP address and sets the new MFP / PC IP address in the MFP 101. On the other hand, when the mobile terminal side IP address is changed, the MFP 101 itself issues a new mobile terminal side IP address, and sets the new mobile terminal side IP address in the MFP 101. That is, the change of the IP address for MFP / PC is not completed only by the MFP 101, but the change of the IP address on the mobile terminal side is completed only by the MFP 101. Also easy to execute. Correspondingly, in the present embodiment, as described above, in step S306, the mobile terminal side IP address is changed in preference to the MFP / PC IP address.

  The changed IP address on the mobile terminal side may be the IP address for change stored in the HDD 211 in advance, or may be the IP address input by the user.

  As a result of the determination in step S304, when the EFI 102 is connected to the MFP 101, the CPU 214 of the EFI 102 performs a notification process (FIG. 4) described later to notify the MFP 101 of the EFI / PC IP address (step S307). Thereafter, the CPU 205 obtains an EFI / PC IP address (step S308). It is determined whether or not at least two network addresses of the network address of the MFP / EFI IP address, the network address of the mobile terminal side IP address, and the network address of the EFI / PC IP address conflict (step S309).

  As a result of the determination in step S309, when the respective network addresses are different from each other, the CPU 205 normally starts the MFP 101 and ends this processing. On the other hand, when at least two of the network addresses conflict, at least one of the IP addresses corresponding to the conflicting network address is changed (step S310). Each IP address is changed in the same manner as in step S306 described above.

  By the way, when the mobile terminal IP address is changed, the MFP 101 itself issues a new mobile terminal IP address and sets the new mobile terminal IP address in the MFP 101. On the other hand, when the MFP / EFI IP address is changed, a new MFP / EFI IP address issued by the server 111 is set in the MFP 101. When a new MFP / EFI IP address is set in the MFP 101, a new EFI / MFP IP address corresponding to the new MFP / EFI IP address is issued by the server 111. The issued new EFI / MFP IP address is set in the EFI 102. Further, the EFI / PC IP address is changed by the same method as the change of the MFP / EFI IP address. In this case, however, the EFI 102 needs to make the client PC 103 recognize that the EFI / PC IP address has been changed. There is.

  That is, the change of the IP address for MFP / EFI and the IP address for EFI / PC is not completed only by the MFP 101, but the change of the IP address on the mobile terminal side is completed only by the MFP 101. Therefore, changing the mobile terminal side IP address is easier than changing the IP address for MFP / EFI or the IP address for EFI / PC. The change of the MFP / EFI IP address is completed only by the server 111, MFP 101, and EFI 102, but the change of the EFI / PC IP address requires not only the server 111, MFP 101, and EFI 102 but also the client PC 103. Therefore, changing the MFP / EFI IP address is easier than changing the EFI / PC IP address. Correspondingly, in this embodiment, in step S310, the mobile terminal side IP address is changed in preference to the MFP / EFI IP address and the EFI / PC IP address. The MFP / EFI IP address is changed in preference to the EFI / PC IP address.

  Specifically, when the network address of the MFP / EFI IP address and the network address of the mobile terminal side IP address conflict, the mobile terminal side IP address is changed in preference to the MFP / EFI IP address. When the network address of the EFI / PC IP address and the network address of the mobile terminal side IP address conflict, the mobile terminal side IP address is changed in preference to the EFI / PC IP address. When the network address of the EFI / PC IP address and the network address of the MFP / EFI IP address conflict, the IP address for MFP / EFI is changed in preference to the IP address for EFI / PC. If the network address of the MFP / EFI IP address, the network address of the mobile terminal side IP address, and the network address of the EFI / PC IP address conflict, first, the mobile terminal side IP address is changed. Thereafter, the IP address for MFP / EFI is changed.

  In subsequent step S311, it is determined again whether at least two of the network address of the MFP / EFI IP address, the network address of the mobile terminal side IP address, and the network address of the EFI / PC IP address conflict. As a result of the determination in step S311, when at least two of the network addresses still conflict, the CPU 205 returns the process to step S310. On the other hand, when the network addresses are different from each other, the CPU 205 ends the process.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the notification process executed in step S308 of FIG. The process of FIG. 4 is executed by the CPU 214 of the EFI 102 in FIG.

  4, first, when the switch of the EFI 102 is turned on (step S401), the CPU 214 determines whether or not the EFI / PC IP address is set in the EFI 102 (step S402). As a result of the determination in step S402, when the EFI / PC IP address is not set in the EFI 102, the CPU 214 ends this process. On the other hand, when the EFI / PC IP address is set in the EFI 102, the CPU 214 determines whether or not the EFI 102 can communicate with the MFP 101 (step S403). As a result of the determination in step S403, when the EFI 102 cannot communicate with the MFP 101, the CPU 214 ends this process. On the other hand, when the EFI 102 can communicate with the MFP 101, the CPU 214 notifies the MFP 101 of the EFI / PC IP address set in the EFI 102 (step S404), and the process ends.

  According to the processing in FIG. 3, in the image forming system 100 (NO in step S304), there may be a conflict between the network address of the MFP / PC IP address and the network address of the mobile terminal side IP address (YES in step S305). . In this case, the mobile terminal side IP address is changed (step S306). As a result, it is possible to avoid a conflict between the network addresses of the MFP / PC IP address and the mobile terminal side IP address. In the image forming system 150 (YES in step S304), at least two network addresses of the MFP / EFI IP address, the mobile terminal side IP address, and the EFI / PC IP address compete for each other ( YES in step S309). At this time, at least one of the IP addresses corresponding to the conflicting network address is changed (step S310). Thereby, the network addresses of the MFP / EFI IP address, the mobile terminal side IP address, and the EFI / PC IP address can be made different from each other. As a result, it is possible to avoid cases where both wired LAN communication between the MFP 101 and the client PC 103 and wireless LAN communication between the MFP 101 and the mobile terminal 104 can be executed. In addition, it is possible to avoid cases where the wired LAN communication between the MFP 101 and the EFI 102, the wired LAN communication between the EFI 102 and the client PC 103, and the wireless LAN communication between the MFP 101 and the mobile terminal 104 can be executed. As a result, the MFP 101 can execute appropriate communication with the EFI 102, the client PC 103, and the mobile terminal 104.

  In addition, according to the process of FIG. 3, when the network address of the MFP / PC IP address and the network address of the mobile terminal IP address conflict, the mobile terminal IP address is changed in preference to the MFP / PC IP address. Is done. As described above, the MFP / PC IP address change is not completed by the MFP 101 alone. On the other hand, the change of the mobile terminal side IP address is completed only by the MFP 101. Therefore, by changing the mobile terminal side IP address in preference to the MFP / PC IP address, the MFP / PC IP address and the mobile terminal side IP address can be easily made different.

  Further, according to the processing of FIG. 3, the IP address for the mobile terminal is changed in preference to the IP address for MFP / EFI and the IP address for EFI / PC, and the IP address for MFP / EFI is changed to the IP address for EFI / PC. Changed with priority. As described above, the change of the MFP / EFI IP address and the EFI / PC IP address cannot be completed by the MFP 101 alone. On the other hand, the change of the mobile terminal side IP address is completed only by the MFP 101, and the change of the MFP / EFI IP address is completed only by the server 111, the MFP 101, and the EFI 102. Changing the IP address for EFI / PC requires not only the server 111, MFP 101, and EFI 102 but also the client PC 103. Therefore, changing the mobile terminal IP address is easier than changing the MFP / EFI IP address, and changing the MFP / EFI IP address is easier than changing the EFI / PC IP address. That is, in the processing of FIG. 3, since the address can be changed preferentially from the address that can be easily changed, the addresses for the mobile terminal side IP address, the MFP / EFI IP address, and the EFI / PC IP address are simply made different. be able to.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the post-change address notification process. In the process of FIG. 5, the EFI / PC IP address set in the EFI 102 in the image forming system 150 is changed after the start-up process of FIG. Then, the MFP 101 is notified of the changed EFI / PC IP address. 5 is executed by the CPU 214 of the EFI 102.

  In FIG. 5, first, the CPU 214 detects that the EFI / PC IP address set in the EFI 102 has been changed (step S501), and determines whether or not the EFI 102 can communicate with the MFP 101 (step S502). ). As a result of the determination in step S502, when the EFI 102 cannot communicate with the MFP 101, the CPU 214 ends this process. On the other hand, when the EFI 102 can communicate with the MFP 101, the CPU 214 notifies the CPU 205 of the MFP 101 of the changed EFI / PC IP address (step S503), and ends this processing.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of reception processing in which the MFP 101 receives the changed EFI / PC IP address notified in step S503 in FIG. The process in FIG. 6 is executed by the CPU 205 of the MFP 101.

  In FIG. 6, first, the CPU 205 receives the changed EFI / PC IP address from the EFI 102 (step S601). Next, the CPU 205 acquires the MFP / EFI IP address set in the MFP 101 (step S602), and acquires the mobile terminal side IP address set in the MFP 101 (step S603). Thereafter, the CPU 205 determines whether or not the network address of the changed EFI / PC IP address conflicts with the network address of the MFP / EFI IP address or the network address of the mobile terminal side IP address (step S604).

  If the network address of the changed EFI / PC IP address does not conflict with either the network address of the MFP / EFI IP address or the network address of the mobile terminal side IP address as a result of the determination in step S604, the CPU 205 Exit. On the other hand, when the network address of the changed EFI / PC IP address conflicts with the network address of the MFP / EFI IP address or the network address of the mobile terminal side IP address, the CPU 205 advances the process to step S605. In step S605, the CPU 205 changes the IP address for MFP / EFI or the IP address for EFI / PC after changing the IP address for the mobile terminal side at the timing set in the MFP 101 in advance via the setting screen 700 (FIG. 7) (setting means). Change over address. Thereafter, the CPU 205 ends this process. Each IP address is changed in the same manner as in step S310 described above.

  The setting screen 700 includes an immediate change button 701, a restart change button 702, and a non-communication change button 703. When the immediate change button 701 is selected, the MFP / EFI IP address or the mobile terminal side IP address is changed at a predetermined time. Note that the predetermined time is, for example, when it is determined that the network address of the changed EFI / PC IP address conflicts with either the MFP / EFI IP address or the mobile terminal side IP address. . When the restart change button 702 is selected, the MFP 101 is restarted next, and the MFP / EFI IP address or the mobile terminal side IP address is changed when the above-described startup processing is executed. When the non-communication change button 703 is selected, the MFP / EFI IP address or the mobile terminal side IP address is changed when the MFP 101 is not communicating with the EFI 102 and the mobile terminal 104.

  According to the process of FIG. 6, the changed EFI / PC IP address is received from the EFI 102 (step S601). Thereafter, the network address of the changed EFI / PC IP address may conflict with the network address of the MFP / EFI IP address or the network address of the mobile terminal side IP address. In this case, the IP address for MFP / EFI or the IP address on the mobile terminal side is changed (step S605). The EFI / PC IP address cannot be changed more easily than the MFP / EFI IP address or the mobile terminal side IP address as described above. Therefore, after the EFI / PC IP address is changed, by changing the MFP / EFI IP address or the mobile terminal side IP address, the EFI / PC IP address that takes time to change is changed twice. Can be avoided.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a communication establishment process executed when the mobile terminal-side IP address is changed after the activation process of FIG. 3 is completed. The processing in FIG. 8 is executed by the CPU 205 of the MFP 101.

  In FIG. 8, first, the CPU 205 detects that the mobile terminal side IP address has been changed (step S801). As the mobile terminal side IP address, for example, a new IP address or the like is input via the access point setting screen 900 (FIG. 9A) displayed on the operation display unit 107. The input new IP address or the like is changed by being set in the MFP 101 as the mobile terminal side IP address. The access point setting screen 900 includes an IP address input field 901 and a subnet mask input field 902. A new IP address is entered in the IP address input field 901. A subnet mask is input in the subnet mask input field 902.

  Returning to FIG. 8, the CPU 205 acquires the MFP / EFI IP address or the MFP / PC IP address set in the MFP 101 (step S802), and determines whether the EFI 102 is connected to the MFP 101 (step S802). S803). As a result of the determination in step S803, when the EFI 102 is not connected to the MFP 101, the CPU 205 determines whether or not the network address of the changed mobile terminal side IP address and the network address of the MFP / PC IP address conflict. (Step S804). As a result of the determination in step S804, when there is no conflict between the network address of the changed mobile terminal side IP address and the network address of the MFP / PC IP address, the CPU 205 ends the process. On the other hand, when the network address of the changed mobile terminal IP address and the network address of the MFP / PC IP address conflict, the CPU 205 displays a warning display 910 (FIG. 9B) on the operation display unit 107. (Step S805) This process ends. The warning display 910 requests to input a new IP address or the like on the access point setting screen 900 again.

  As a result of the determination in step S803, when the EFI 102 is connected to the MFP 101, the CPU 205 obtains an EFI / PC IP address (step S806). Next, the CPU 205 determines whether or not the network address of the changed mobile terminal side IP address conflicts with the network address of the MFP / EFI IP address or the network address of the EFI / PC IP address (step S807). As a result of the determination in step S807, when the respective network addresses are different from each other, the CPU 205 ends this process. On the other hand, when the network address of the changed mobile terminal IP address conflicts with the network address of the MFP / EFI IP address or the network address of the EFI / PC IP address, the CPU 205 advances the process to step S805.

  According to the processing of FIG. 8, in the image forming system 150 (YES in step S803), the network address of the changed mobile terminal side IP address is either the MFP / EFI IP address or the EFI / PC IP address network. Conflict with the address. In this case (YES in step S807), a warning display 910 is displayed on the operation display unit 107 (step S805). As a result, the user can recognize that the MFP 101 cannot properly communicate with the EFI 102, the client PC 103, or the mobile terminal 104 constituting the image forming system 150.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read the program. It can also be realized by processing to be executed. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

101 MFP
102 EFI
103 Client PC
104 Mobile terminal 202 Network unit 204 Wireless communication unit 205, 214 CPU
220 EFI Network Department

Claims (8)

In the image forming apparatus connected to the first external device and the second external device,
Determining means for determining whether or not a third external device is interposed between the image forming apparatus and the first external device;
When it is determined that a third external device is not interposed between the image forming apparatus and the first external device, the first address used for communication with the first external device and the first external device First changing means for changing one of the first address and the second address when a second address used for communication with the second external device conflicts;
When it is determined that a third external device is interposed between the image forming apparatus and the first external device, the second address is used for communication with the third external device. When at least two of the third addresses and at least two of the fourth addresses used for communication between the first external device and the third external device conflict, at least of the conflicting addresses An image forming apparatus comprising: a second changing unit that changes one address.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit that presets a timing at which each of the addresses is changed by the first changing unit or the second changing unit. Receiving means for receiving notification from the third external device that the fourth address has been changed;
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second changing unit changes the second address or the third address after the notification is received. 4.   When it is determined that the third external device is interposed between the image forming apparatus and the first external device, the second address after the change is still changed even if the second address is changed. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising request means for requesting to change the changed second address again when the address conflicts with the third address or the fourth address. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first changing unit changes the second address in preference to the first address. 6.   The second changing means changes the second address with priority over the third address and the fourth address, and changes the third address with priority over the fourth address. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a first external device and a second external device,
A determination step of determining whether or not a third external device is interposed between the image forming apparatus and the first external device;
When it is determined that a third external device is not interposed between the image forming apparatus and the first external device, the first address used for communication with the first external device and the first external device A first changing step of changing either the first address or the second address when a second address used for communication with the second external device conflicts;
When it is determined that a third external device is interposed between the image forming apparatus and the first external device, the second address is used for communication with the third external device. When at least two of the third addresses and at least two of the fourth addresses used for communication between the first external device and the third external device conflict, at least of the conflicting addresses And a second changing step for changing one of the addresses. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method of an image forming apparatus connected to a first external device and a second external device,
The control method of the image forming apparatus is:
A determination step of determining whether or not a third external device is interposed between the image forming apparatus and the first external device;
When it is determined that a third external device is not interposed between the image forming apparatus and the first external device, the first address used for communication with the first external device and the first external device A first changing step of changing either the first address or the second address when a second address used for communication with the second external device conflicts;
When it is determined that a third external device is interposed between the image forming apparatus and the first external device, the second address is used for communication with the third external device. When at least two of the third addresses and at least two of the fourth addresses used for communication between the first external device and the third external device conflict, at least of the conflicting addresses And a second changing step for changing one of the addresses.

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