JP2019048418A - Image processing device, communication preparation system, communication preparation method and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

To make the time of starting transmission of data written before starting the operation of an image formation device from a terminal device to the image formation device earlier than that of the conventional technique.SOLUTION: An image formation device 1 communicating with a terminal device 2 includes: a special communication setting unit 103 which performs preparation for communication with a terminal device 2 without enabling communication by a protocol higher than the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) in a case where the state of the image formation device 1 is the state of the special work mode; and a normal communication setting unit 106 which performs preparation for communication by the higher protocol in a case where the state of the image formation device 1 is not the state of the special work mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for preparing for communication in an image processing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses called multifunction machines or MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) are in widespread use.

  In a production line of an image forming apparatus, in order to adjust hardware, for example, the operation of a scanner, data for adjustment may be transmitted from the terminal device to the image forming apparatus that has been assembled.

  Alternatively, when a new image forming apparatus is installed at a customer, the service engineer may transmit data such as an address book from the terminal apparatus to the image forming apparatus in order to perform initial setting of the image forming apparatus. is there. Hereinafter, data to be written to the image forming apparatus before starting the operation of the image forming apparatus, such as these, will be referred to as “write data”.

  Conventionally, a terminal device and an image forming apparatus are connected by a cable conforming to the RS-232C standard, and write data is transmitted from the terminal device to the image forming apparatus. However, recently, the number of terminal devices equipped with a cable interface conforming to the RS-232C standard has decreased.

  Therefore, in recent years, the terminal device and the image forming apparatus may be connected by a cable conforming to the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard that is more commonly used than the RS-232C. Alternatively, the terminal device and the image forming apparatus may be connected by wireless according to the WLAN (Wireless LAN) standard. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of switching and using two communication devices.

  In the communication adapter switching system described in Patent Document 1, the host is connected to the first and second communication adapters to configure a hot standby system. When the host detects a failure of the first communication adapter, it switches from the first communication adapter to the second communication adapter, initializes the network table (ARP cache), and activates transmission of a control message to the second host. The second communication adapter broadcasts an ARP request message, receives an ARP reply message from the second host, and sends the control message to the second host based on address information included in the ARP reply message. And a response message from the second host to the control message. Thereby, the first host recognizes that the switching from the first communication adapter to the second communication adapter is completed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-320327

  Using a standard communication protocol TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) or higher than TCP / IP by using a cable conforming to the Ethernet standard or a radio conforming to the WLAN standard Protocol (SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) or HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)). Hereinafter, these protocols are described as "LAN (Local Area Network) protocol".

  When the image forming apparatus starts up (boots), preparation for a function using a LAN protocol (such as program loading or function initialization) is performed until the start is completed.

  The time required for this preparation may be longer than the time required for preparation when using a cable in accordance with the RS-232C standard. As a result, the time when the transmission of the write data can be started is delayed, which may affect the next process in the production line or the installation work at the customer site. This problem can not be solved by the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 mentioned above.

  In view of such problems, the present invention has an object to make the time to start transmitting data to be written from the terminal device to the image forming apparatus before starting the operation of the image forming apparatus earlier than in the related art. I assume.

  An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is an image processing apparatus that communicates with a terminal device, and when the state of the image processing apparatus is a predetermined state, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) A first preparation for communication with the terminal device without enabling communication by a higher-order protocol than the communication protocol, and the state of the image processing apparatus is the predetermined state. And second communication preparation means for performing second preparation for communication according to the upper layer protocol.

  Alternatively, the image processing apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines that the state of the image processing apparatus is the predetermined state when the lid of the Ethernet port of the image processing apparatus is opened to communicate with the terminal device.

  Preferably, the first communication preparation unit executes the program when a storage medium storing a program for activating an OS (Operating System) of the image processing apparatus is attached to the image processing apparatus. To perform the first preparation.

  Or storage means for storing an IP address of the image processing apparatus for communicating with the terminal device, which is used in the first preparation.

  Preferably, the upper layer protocol is HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), SMB (Server Message Block), or FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

  An image processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is an image processing apparatus that communicates with a terminal apparatus having a WEB browser, and when the state of the image processing apparatus is a predetermined state, it is better than TCP / IP. The first communication preparation means for preparing for communication with the WEB browser without being able to communicate by a protocol other than HTTP, which is a higher rank, and the state of the image processing apparatus is not in the predetermined state And second communication preparation means for preparing for communication by the upper layer protocol including the HTTP.

  According to the present invention, the time to start transmitting data to be written from the terminal device to the image forming apparatus before starting the operation of the image forming apparatus can be made earlier than in the prior art.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of a preparation network. It is a figure which shows the example of a command. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of operation | movement of a cover. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of a terminal device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of the data used for the setting of SMTP. 5 is a slow chart showing an example of the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of a preparation network. It is a figure which shows the example of the WEB page displayed on a terminal device.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the preparation network 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the write data 6A. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the cover 10k. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal device 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the preparation network 100 includes an image forming apparatus 1, a terminal device 2, and a LAN (Local Area Network) cable 4.

  The preparation network 100 is a LAN for preparation of use of the image forming apparatus 1. Before starting the operation of the image forming apparatus 1, data (hereinafter referred to as "write data 6A") is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN cable 4, and the write data 6A Are written to the image forming apparatus 1. According to the preparation network 100, after the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, the time to start transmitting the write data 6A can be made earlier than before.

  The image forming apparatus 1 may be subjected to trial operation after the assembly at the factory and the installation of the operating system (OS) are completed. At this time, data indicating a script as shown in FIG. 2 is written to the image forming apparatus 1 as write data 6A. Alternatively, when the image forming apparatus 1 is shipped from the factory and installed at the user, a worker (worker or service engineer) writes data such as an address book into the image forming apparatus 1 as the write data 6A.

  The image forming apparatus 1 and the terminal device 2 can communicate via the LAN cable 4. As the LAN cable 4, a cable compatible with the Ethernet standard, for example, any one of a CAT3 to CAT6a UTP (Unshielded Twist Pair) cable and a CAT 7 STP (Shielded Twist Pair) cable is used.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus in which functions such as copy, fax, scanner, PC print, and box are integrated. In general, it may be called "multi-functional peripheral" or "MFP (Multi Function Peripherals)".

  The PC print function is a function of printing a document based on data received from a personal computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone or the like. It may be called "network printing" or "network printing".

  The box function is a function for providing a storage area called "box" or "personal box" for each user, and storing and managing document data such as an image file by each user using his / her storage area. A box corresponds to a "folder" or "directory" in a personal computer.

  After the write data 6A is written, the image forming apparatus 1 is separated from the preparation network 100 and is made to participate in the tissue network 200. The organization network 200 is a LAN used by multiple users in an organization such as a company, government office, or school. The organization network 200 includes an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server, a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server, a terminal device for each user (personal computer, tablet computer, or smartphone), a hub, a wireless base station, and a router. Ru. The router is connected to the Internet. Thus, the image forming apparatus 1 can communicate with a DNS (Domain Name System) server, a web server, a mail server, and the like on the Internet.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 10a, a random access memory (RAM) 10b, a read only memory (ROM) 10c, an auxiliary storage device 10d, a touch panel display 10e, and an operation key panel 10f. , NIC (Network Interface Card) 10g, scan unit 10h, print unit 10i, cover sensor 10j, cover 10k, input / output interface 10m and the like.

  The touch panel display 10e displays a screen showing a message for the user, a screen for the user to input a command or information, a screen showing a result of processing executed by the CPU 10a, and the like. Further, the touch panel display 10 e sends a signal indicating the touched position to the CPU 10 a.

  The operation key panel 10f is a so-called hardware keyboard, and includes a ten key, a start key, a stop key, a function key, and the like.

  The NIC 10g executes communication with the terminal device 2 or the like by a protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

  Further, the Ethernet port 11g is provided in the NIC 10g. The Ethernet port 11 g is an insertion port (LAN port) of the LAN cable 4.

  The scan unit 10 h reads an image written on a sheet set on a platen glass to generate image data.

  The print unit 10i prints on a sheet the image received by the NIC 10g as well as the image read by the scan unit 10h.

  The cover sensor 10 j detects whether the cover 10 k is open. The cover 10k is for protecting the Ethernet port 11g, and is provided to cover the vicinity of the Ethernet port 11g. The cover 10k is closed as shown in FIG. 4 (A) or opened as shown in FIG. 4 (B). In addition, the cover 10k is provided with a gap so that the LAN cable 4 does not interfere even when closed.

  The input / output interface 10m is a device for exchanging data with peripheral devices. Hereinafter, a case where a USB (Universal Serial Bus) board is used as the input / output interface 10m will be described as an example.

  The ROM 10 c or the auxiliary storage device 10 d stores a program for realizing the above-described functions such as copying and communication, and a bootstrap loader.

  The bootstrap loader is a program necessary to execute the boot of the OS of the image forming apparatus 1. A communication setting program 10P (see FIG. 6) is included in part of the bootstrap loader. Alternatively, the communication setting program 10P is loaded into the RAM 10b and executed by the bootstrap loader. The communication setting program 10P will be described later.

  These programs are loaded into the RAM 10b as needed, and executed by the CPU 10a. A hard disk drive or a solid state drive (SSD) is used as the auxiliary storage device 10d.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the terminal device 2 transmits the write data 6A to the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN cable 4. As the terminal device 2, a notebook personal computer or the like having a NIC is used.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal device 2 includes a CPU 20a, a RAM 20b, a ROM 20c, an auxiliary storage device 20d, an NIC 20e, a keyboard 20f, and a pointing device 20g.

  The NIC 20 e corresponds to the standard of the LAN cable 4 similarly to the NIC 10 g of the image forming apparatus 1, and executes communication with the image forming apparatus 1 and the like by a protocol such as TCP / IP. The NIC 20 e is also provided with an Ethernet port 21 e similar to the Ethernet port 11 g.

  The keyboard 20 f and the pointing device 20 g are used by the user to input information and commands.

  The ROM 20c or the auxiliary storage device 20d stores an application program such as a WEB browser, write data 6A, and a data transmission program 20P (see FIG. 7). The data transmission program 20P will be described later.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 and the terminal device 2 communicate by TCP / IP. Thus, both devices communicate according to the TCP / IP model. The TCP / IP model consists of the following four layers:

  The network interface layer is a first layer of the TCP / IP model, and is a layer for realizing communication by hardware. The protocol used for communication between both devices at this layer is Ethernet or the like.

  The Internet layer is the second layer of the TCP / IP model, and is a layer for realizing communication between terminals among a plurality of networks. The protocol used for communication between both devices at this layer is IP (Internet Protocol) or the like.

  The transport layer is the third layer of the TCP / IP model and is a layer to increase the efficiency of transmitting data or to increase the reliability of the data to be transmitted. The protocol used for communication between both devices at this layer is TCP or UDP (User Datagram Protocol).

  The application layer is the fourth layer of the TCP / IP model, and is a layer for realizing an application of communication. Protocols used for communication between both devices in this layer are HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), and FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

  How the functions of the respective layers are realized in the image forming apparatus 1 and the terminal device 2 will be sequentially described later.

  The communication setting program 10P is a program for activating a part (software) that implements the Ethernet-based communication function among various functions of the OS. By executing the communication setting program 10P, a portion of the OS that implements the preparation network 100 is activated, or a portion that participates in the organization network 200 is activated.

  The data transmission program 20P is a program for transmitting the write data 6A to the image forming apparatus 1.

  According to the communication setting program 10P, the special communication data storage unit 101, the mode determination unit 102, the special communication setting unit 103, the completion notification unit 104, the data writing unit 105, and the normal communication setting unit 106 shown in FIG. It is realized in 1. According to the data transmission program 20P, the data transmission unit 201 and the data storage unit 202 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, operations of the special communication data storage unit 101 to the normal communication setting unit 106 will be described with reference to FIG. 6, and operations of the data transmission unit 201 and the data storage unit 202 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the terminal device 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of data used for setting of the SMTP.

  In the special communication data storage unit 101, communication setting data 6B necessary for communicating with the terminal device 2 when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the special operation mode is stored.

  The special operation mode is a mode of the image forming apparatus 1 for writing the write data 6A in a predetermined area (directory) of the ROM 10c or the auxiliary storage device 10d of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The communication setting data 6 B is fixedly assigned to the image forming apparatus 1, and is an IP address (hereinafter, described as “special address”) which is fixedly assigned to the image forming apparatus 1 and used only in the special operation mode. And a subnet mask (hereinafter referred to as a "special mask") used only in the special operation mode. When the image forming apparatus 1 is in the special operation mode, the image forming apparatus 1 communicates with the terminal device 2 using the special address and the special mask.

  When the worker intends to write the write data 6A to the image forming apparatus 1, the worker directly connects the terminal device 2 and the image forming apparatus 1 by the LAN cable 4. Then, the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on. The cover 10k is left open. The terminal device 2 and the image forming apparatus 1 may be connected via a hub.

  In addition, before turning on the power of the image forming apparatus 1, the worker turns on the power of the terminal device 2 and activates the data transmission program 20P (see FIG. 7). Furthermore, in order to use the terminal device 2 in the preparation network 100, the IP address of the terminal device 2 and the subnet mask of the preparation network 100 are set in the terminal device 2.

  When the power is turned on, the image forming apparatus 1 starts the startup of a BIOS (Basic Input Output System). Once the BIOS boot is complete, run the bootstrap loader. At that time, the communication setting program 10P (see FIG. 6) is executed.

  When execution of the communication setting program 10P is started, the mode determining unit 102 determines whether or not the special operation mode is set as follows.

  The mode determination unit 102 instructs the cover sensor 10 j to detect whether the cover 10 k is in the open state or the closed state. Then, the cover sensor 10 j detects whether the cover 10 k is in the open state or the closed state, and sends the result to the mode determination unit 102.

  Then, when a result indicating that the cover 10 k is in the open state is sent, the mode determination unit 102 determines that the mode is the special operation mode. If a result indicating the closed state has been sent, it is determined that the special operation mode is not in effect.

  When the mode determination unit 102 determines that the mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is the special operation mode, the special communication setting unit 103 performs setting for communication with the terminal device 2. At this time, it is desirable to perform only the minimum necessary preparation for receiving data from the terminal device 2.

  Specifically, the special communication setting unit 103 starts and sets a program for communication by Ethernet which is a protocol of the first layer, starts and sets a program for communication by IP which is a protocol of the second layer, And start and set up a program for communication by TCP or UDP which is a third layer protocol. At this time, as an example, the special communication setting unit 103 reads the communication setting data 6B from the special communication data storage unit 101, and sets the special address indicated in the communication setting data 6B as the IP address of the image forming apparatus 1 itself. Further, the special mask indicated in the communication setting data 6B is set as the subnet mask of the network to which the image forming apparatus 1 belongs (that is, the preparation network 100).

  As a result, among the functions from the first layer to the third layer in the above-described TCP / IP model, the functions necessary for receiving data from the terminal device 2 are realized in the image forming apparatus 1.

  The completion notification unit 104 notifies the terminal device 2 that the IP address and the subnet mask have been set.

  In the terminal device 2, when receiving the notification from the image forming apparatus 1, the data transmission unit 201 reads the write data 6 </ b> A from the data storage unit 202. Then, the write data 6A is transmitted to the notification source, that is, the image forming apparatus 1. The worker previously stores the write data 6A in the data storage unit 202.

  Upon receiving the write data 6A from the terminal device 2, the data write unit 105 of the image forming apparatus 1 writes the write data 6A in a predetermined area of the ROM 10c or the auxiliary storage device 10d.

  When a script is indicated in the write data 6A, after writing, the image forming apparatus 1 performs setting before shipping by executing this script.

  For example, when a script as shown in FIG. 2 is shown in the write data 6A, by executing this script, a serial number is set in the image forming apparatus 1, so-called time setting is performed, and the auxiliary storage device 10d The specific partition is formatted, the printed sheet counter is cleared (reset) to 0, the print position of the print unit 10i is adjusted, and the touch panel display 10e is calibrated.

  The service engineer disconnects the LAN cable 4 from the image forming device 1 and the terminal device 2 and connects the image forming device 1 to the hub of the tissue network 200 with the LAN cable 4 or another LAN cable. Then, the cover 10k is closed.

  The image forming apparatus 1 may be automatically restarted (rebooted) when the writing is completed or the power may be cut off. Alternatively, the service engineer may restart or cut off the power by inputting a predetermined command.

  The normal communication setting unit 106 performs processing necessary for causing the image forming apparatus 1 to participate in the tissue network 200 when the mode determination unit 102 does not determine that the special operation mode is in effect.

  Specifically, the normal communication setting unit 106 starts or sets a program so that protocols such as Ethernet protocol, IP, TCP, and UDP can be used. At this time, the IP address of the image forming apparatus 1 itself in the tissue network 200 is set. Furthermore, in addition to the IP address of the DNS server used by the image forming apparatus 1, the default gateway and subnet mask of the organization network 200 are set. These may be previously defined or may be acquired from a DHCP server.

  Thereby, the functions from the first layer to the third layer in the above-mentioned TCP / IP model are realized in the image forming apparatus 1.

  Furthermore, the normal communication setting unit 106 prepares (starts and sets a program) to be able to communicate with another device using HTTP, SMTP, and FTP, which are application protocols. For example, when setting the SMTP, data as shown in FIG. 8, for example, is read into a predetermined directory.

  Note that, as described above, the special communication setting unit 103 performs only the minimum necessary preparation for receiving data from the terminal device 2, and therefore, preparation for communication by the application protocol is not performed.

  FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the overall flow of processing when starting up the OS in the image forming apparatus 1.

  Next, the flow of the entire process when the image forming apparatus 1 boots up the OS will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the power is turned on (Yes in # 601), the image forming apparatus 1 starts the BIOS (# 602) and starts the OS (# 603). The communication setting program 10P is executed as one of the boot programs of the OS. As a result, the process from step # 604 is performed as follows.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 detects that it is in the special operation mode (Yes in # 604), it performs a process for joining the preparation network 100 (# 605). That is, activation and setting of a program necessary for communication with the terminal device 2 are performed. For example, the special address is set to the IP address of the image forming apparatus 1 itself, and the special mask is set to the subnet mask of the network to which the image forming apparatus 1 participates. Among programs necessary for communication, programs unnecessary for communication with the terminal device 2 are not activated. Further, among the settings necessary for communication, settings unnecessary for communication with the terminal device 2 are not performed.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 1 notifies the terminal device 2 that communication has become possible (# 606), receives the write data 6A from the terminal device 2 and writes it in a predetermined directory (# 607). After writing, restart (# 608). Alternatively, the power may be turned off.

  When a script is indicated in the write data 6A, the image forming apparatus 1 executes this script after writing.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 does not detect that it is in the special operation mode (No in # 604), the image forming apparatus 1 performs a process of joining the tissue network 200 (# 609), and another process for completing the boot of the OS Is executed (# 610).

  According to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 starts and sets the program necessary for communication with the terminal device 2 as the start and setting of the program for communication when the OS is started in the special operation mode. Do not start and configure programs required for communication by application protocol. As a result, the time from when the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on to when communication with the terminal device 2 becomes possible can be made shorter than before. Then, the time of the start of transmission of data from the terminal device 2 to the image forming apparatus 1 can be made earlier than in the prior art.

[Modification]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of the preparation network 300. As shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the WEB page displayed on the terminal device 2.

  In the above embodiment, the communication setting program 10P is stored in the ROM 10c or the auxiliary storage device 10d. However, a setting program or firmware corresponding to the communication setting program 10P may be stored in an external storage medium such as a USB memory. Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described by taking an example where the communication setting program 10Q is stored in the USB memory as a setting program or firmware.

  When the communication setting program 10Q is executed, only the special communication data storage unit 101, the special communication setting unit 103, the completion notification unit 104, and the data writing unit 105 among the functions shown in FIG. 2 are realized.

  When the worker intends to write the write data 6A to the image forming apparatus 1, the worker directly connects the terminal device 2 and the image forming apparatus 1 by the LAN cable 4. Then, the USB memory is attached to the input / output interface 10 m of the image forming apparatus 1, and the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on.

  As in the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 and the terminal device 2 may be connected via a hub. In addition, the worker causes the terminal device 2 to start the data transmission program 20P in advance. Moreover, the state of the cover 10k does not matter.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 1 starts the boot of the BIOS and completes the boot. Then, the bootstrap loader stored in the USB memory is executed. At that time, the communication setting program 10Q is executed.

  When the communication setting program 10Q is executed, the special communication setting unit 103 performs setting for communicating with the terminal device 2 as in the above-described embodiment. That is, settings for communication according to the first layer protocol to the third layer protocol are performed. Also in this modification, it is desirable to perform only the minimum setting required to receive data from the terminal device 2. At this time, the communication setting data 6B is read out from the special communication data storage unit 101, and the special address indicated in the communication setting data 6B is set as the IP address of the image forming apparatus 1 itself. Further, the special mask shown in the communication setting data 6B is set as the subnet mask of the network to which the image forming apparatus 1 belongs.

  The completion notification unit 104 notifies the terminal device 2 that the IP address and the subnet mask have been set.

  When receiving the notification from the image forming apparatus 1, the data transmission unit 201 of the terminal device 2 reads the write data 6 A from the data storage unit 202 and transmits the write data 6 A to the image forming apparatus 1 as in the above embodiment.

  The data writing unit 105 of the image forming apparatus 1 writes the write data 6A received from the terminal device 2 in a predetermined area of the ROM 10c or the auxiliary storage device 10d, as in the above-described embodiment. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 turns off the power.

  Thereafter, the worker removes the USB memory from the image forming apparatus 1 and connects the image forming apparatus 1 to the hub of the tissue network 200 with a LAN cable. Then, the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 executes the boot of the BIOS, and reads the boot strap loader from the ROM 20c or the auxiliary storage device 20d and executes the boot to execute the boot of the OS.

  Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 1 may be configured to be dual boot. When the cover 10k is closed, the OS may be activated by the loader including the communication setting program 10P. When the cover 10k is open, the OS may be activated by the loader including the communication setting program 10Q.

  In the above-described embodiment, only one image forming apparatus 1 is connected to one terminal device 2. However, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 may be connected to one terminal device 2 via a hub.

  In this case, in the communication setting data 6B of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1, the special address is indicated so that the host units do not overlap. That is, the special address of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 is unique. When receiving the notification from all the image forming apparatuses 1, the terminal apparatus 2 may transmit the write data 6A to all the image forming apparatuses 1 at a time using the broadcast address.

  For example, in the preparation network 300 as shown in FIG. 10, the terminal device 2 and the image forming apparatuses 1A to 1C are connected via the hub 3. The special address of the image forming apparatus 1A is "192.168.0.10", the special address of the image forming apparatus 1B is "192.168.0.11", and the special address of the image forming apparatus 1C is "192". .168.0.12 ". In this case, the terminal device 2 transmits the write data 6A with the broadcast address "192.168.255.255" as the destination IP address.

  In the above embodiment, Ethernet was used as the protocol of the first layer of the TCP / IP model, but other protocols may be used. For example, when both the image forming apparatus 1 and the terminal device 2 have a wireless LAN function, the protocol of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 may be used. Then, both devices may be connected wirelessly.

  In the above-described embodiment, the worker may select a necessary portion (for example, a portion of the address book) of the write data 6A using the WEB page and transmit the selected portion to the image forming apparatus 1. Alternatively, data indicating a value input by a worker may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 as the write data 6A.

  In this case, the special communication setting unit 103 performs not only the setting for communication according to the protocol of the first layer or the protocol for the third layer, but also the setting for communication according to the HTTP that is the protocol of the fourth layer.

  For example, when the write data 6A is address book data, the following processing is performed in the image forming apparatus 1 and the terminal device 2. In the image forming apparatus 1, the boot of the BIOS is started and completed. Then, the bootstrap loader is executed to execute the communication setting program 10P.

  The mode determination unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 1 detects that it is in the special operation mode, as in the above-described embodiment. The special communication setting unit 103 performs setting for communication based on the first to third layer protocols and setting for communication based on the HTTP that is the fourth layer protocol. The completion notification unit 104 notifies the terminal device 2 that the setting has been completed.

  The data transmission unit 201 of the terminal device 2 has the web page 5A installed in the image forming apparatus 1 for causing the worker to select which portion of the write data 6A is to be transmitted as shown in FIG. Request to the existing web server.

  The web server of the image forming apparatus 1 transmits data for displaying the web page 5A to the terminal device 2 in response to the request from the data transmission unit 201. This data is described by HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) or JavaScript (registered trademark).

  When the data transmission unit 201 of the terminal device 2 receives the data, it displays the WEB page 5A based on the data. Although personal information such as the name, address, and fax number for each individual is listed and arranged on the WEB page 5A, this is indicated in the write data 6A.

  The worker selects one of the pieces of personal information to be applied to the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the data transmission unit 201 transmits data (hereinafter referred to as “write data 6A ′”) indicating the selected personal information of the write data 6A to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The data writing unit 105 of the image forming apparatus 1 writes the write data 6A 'received from the terminal device 2 in a predetermined area of the ROM 10c or the auxiliary storage device 10d.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is the special operation mode, the image forming apparatus 1 starts the OS so that the functions to the third layer of the TCP / IP model are realized. However, when the image forming apparatus 1 and the terminal device 2 can communicate by a lower protocol than TCP / IP, it is not necessary to start and set a program for realizing communication by TCP / IP.

  For example, the completion notification unit 104 of the image forming apparatus 1 can notify completion to the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the terminal device 2, and the terminal device 2 writes the write data 6A to the MAC address of the transmission source of the notification. May be transmitted, only activation and setting of a program for communication by the special communication setting unit 103 first layer may be performed.

  In addition, the configuration of the whole or each part of the preparation network 100, the image forming apparatus 1, and the terminal device 2, the contents of processing, the order of processing, the configuration of data, and the like can be appropriately changed according to the purpose of the present invention.

1 Image forming device (image processing device)
6A write data (predetermined data)
10k cover (lid)
100 Preparation Network (Communication Preparation System)
101 Special communication data storage unit (storage means)
102 Mode discrimination unit (discrimination means)
103 Special Communication Setting Unit (First Communication Preparation Means)
105 Data writing unit (writing means)
106 Normal communication setting unit (second communication preparation means)
201 Data transmission unit (transmission means)
300 Preparation Network (Communication Preparation System)

Claims (10)

An image processing apparatus that communicates with a terminal device, and
When the state of the image processing apparatus is a predetermined state, a method for communicating with the terminal device without enabling communication by a higher protocol than TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) Preparing the first communication preparation means;
Second communication preparation means for performing second preparation for communication according to the upper protocol when the state of the image processing apparatus is not the predetermined state;
An image processing apparatus comprising: Determining means for determining that the state of the image processing apparatus is in the predetermined state when the lid of the Ethernet port of the image processing apparatus is opened to communicate with the terminal device;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The first communication preparation unit executes the program by executing the program when a storage medium storing a program for activating an OS (Operating System) of the image processing apparatus is attached to the image processing apparatus. Do the first preparation,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. Storage means for storing an IP address of the image processing apparatus for communicating with the terminal device, which is used in the first preparation;
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The upper layer protocol is HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), SMB (Server Message Block), or FTP (File Transfer Protocol).
An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. An image processing apparatus for communicating with a terminal apparatus having a web browser, the image processing apparatus comprising:
When the state of the image processing apparatus is a predetermined state, preparation for communication with the WEB browser is performed without enabling communication by a protocol other than HTTP that is higher than TCP / IP. First communication preparation means,
A second communication preparation unit for preparing for communication by the upper protocol including the HTTP when the state of the image processing apparatus is not the predetermined state;
An image processing apparatus comprising: A communication preparation system provided with an image processing device and a terminal device, comprising:
The image processing apparatus is
A first communication preparation for preparing for communication with the terminal device without enabling communication by a protocol higher than TCP / IP when the state of the image processing apparatus is a predetermined state Means,
Second communication preparation means for preparing for communication according to the upper layer protocol when the state of the image processing apparatus is not the predetermined state;
Have
The terminal device is
Transmission means for transmitting predetermined data in response to a request from the image processing apparatus in the predetermined state;
The image processing apparatus is
And writing means for writing the predetermined data transmitted from the terminal device into a predetermined storage area of the image processing apparatus.
Communication preparation system characterized by A plurality of the image processing devices are provided,
The transmission unit transmits the predetermined data to a plurality of the image processing apparatuses by setting a broadcast address as a destination.
The communication preparation system according to claim 7. A communication preparation method executed by an image processing apparatus that communicates with a terminal device, comprising:
In the image processing apparatus,
When the state of the image processing apparatus is a predetermined state, a method for communicating with the terminal device without enabling communication by a higher protocol than TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) Let's prepare for 1,
When the state of the image processing apparatus is not the predetermined state, a second preparation for communication by the upper layer protocol is performed.
A communication preparation method characterized in that. A computer program for controlling a computer of an image processing apparatus communicating with a terminal device, the computer program comprising:
On the computer
When the state of the image processing apparatus is in a predetermined state, communication with the terminal apparatus can be performed without enabling communication by a higher protocol than TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). Execute the process to make 1 preparation,
When the state of the image processing apparatus is not the predetermined state, a process of performing a second preparation for communication according to the upper layer protocol is executed.
A computer program characterized by

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