JP4281660B2 - Operating environment setting program and operating environment setting method for image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an operating environment setting program and an operating environment setting method for an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an operating environment setting program for setting an operating environment required for executing processing in the image processing apparatus in the image processing apparatus. And an operating environment setting method.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of networks, image processing apparatuses such as printers, facsimiles, image scanners, and multi-function machines that integrate these are connected to a network and used. These image processing apparatuses need to set an operating environment in order to execute the functions of the image processing apparatus. The operating environment here is, for example, a facsimile number as a facsimile transmission destination, an electronic mail address as an electronic mail transmission destination, an IP address of an electronic mail server, or the like. Some of these operating environments are permitted to be set on the condition that an administrator password is input so that only the administrator can set them.

  On the other hand, when a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected to the network, it is convenient if the operating environment of all the plurality of image processing apparatuses can be set from an operating environment setting computer connected to the network. In this case, the operating environment setting computer sequentially sets the operating environment by transmitting the operating environment to each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses. However, when the setting is permitted on the condition that the administrator password is input in each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, the administrator passwords of all the image processing apparatuses must be authentic. . If even one administrator password is incorrect, the operation environment is not set in the image processing apparatus, and the process of transmitting the operation environment in order is interrupted in the middle.

  Although the background technology of the present invention has been described based on general technical information obtained by the applicant, information that should be disclosed as prior art document information before filing is filed within the scope of the applicant's storage. The person does not have.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention can be executed without interrupting processing for sequentially setting the operating environment of a plurality of image processing apparatuses. An operating environment setting program for a simple image processing apparatus is provided.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an operation environment setting method for an image processing apparatus that can be executed without interrupting a process for sequentially setting operation environments for a plurality of image processing apparatuses.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an operating environment setting program for an image processing device is executed by a computer connected to a network, and is stored in a plurality of image processing devices connected to the network. An application program for setting an operating environment, the step of receiving a position on the network of an image processing apparatus to be set from a plurality of image processing apparatuses, and each of the image processing apparatuses for which the positions on the network are designated A step of accepting input of setting data for setting an operating environment, and a step of accepting an input of a password required by each image processing device to set the operating environment of each image processing device whose position on the network is designated And the password of each specified image processing device is correct And a step of sequentially transmitting setting data set in each of the designated image processing devices on the condition that the passwords of all the designated image processing devices are determined to be correct. To run.

  According to the present invention, the setting data for setting the operating environment of each image processing apparatus whose location on the network is designated is input, and the operating environment of each image processing apparatus whose location on the network is designated is set. Therefore, on the condition that the password required by each image processing apparatus is input and it is determined that the passwords of all the specified image processing apparatuses are correct, the setting data set for each specified image processing apparatus is Sent in order. For this reason, if correct passwords are not input for all image processing apparatuses, setting data is not transmitted, so that processing is not interrupted during transmission of setting data in order. As a result, it is possible to provide an operating environment setting program for an image processing apparatus that can be executed without interrupting processing for sequentially setting operating environments for a plurality of image processing apparatuses.

  Preferably, the determination step includes a step of transmitting a password input to each designated image processing device and a step of receiving information indicating that the password is correct from the image processing device that has transmitted the password.

  Preferably, the step of accepting the input of the setting data accepts the input of the setting data on the condition that the passwords of all the image processing apparatuses designated by the judging step are judged to be correct.

  According to the present invention, since it is determined that the password is correct before the input of the setting data is accepted, the input of the setting data is not wasted.

  Preferably, the step of accepting the input of the password accepts the input of the password on the condition that at least one setting of the setting data inputted by the step of accepting the input of the setting data requires a password.

  According to the present invention, when a password is not required for setting the input setting data, the password is not accepted, and therefore it is possible to avoid inputting an unnecessary password.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an operating environment setting method for an image processing device is a method for setting operating environments of a plurality of image processing devices connected to a network, which is executed by a computer connected to the network. A step of receiving a position on the network of the image processing apparatus to be set from the plurality of image processing apparatuses, and setting data for setting an operating environment of each of the image processing apparatuses for which the positions on the network are designated A step of receiving an input of a password, a step of receiving an input of a password required by each of the image processing devices to set an operating environment of each of the image processing devices whose positions on the network are designated, and each of the designated image processing devices Determining whether the password is correct and all designated image processing devices The password is correct with the determined condition that, and transmitting the configuration data set for each designated image processing device sequentially.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an operation environment setting method for an image processing apparatus that can be executed without interrupting a process for sequentially setting operation environments for a plurality of image processing apparatuses.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of a network system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, network system 10 includes multifunction peripherals (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) 1A, 1B, 1C, operating environment setting computer 2 and authentication server 5 respectively connected to network 6. .

  The operating environment setting computer 2 is a general computer, and an application program (hereinafter referred to as “operating environment setting program”) for setting the operating environment of each of the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C is executed in the network system 10. The The operating environment setting program is recorded and distributed on a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) 9 and is read by a CD-ROM drive provided in the operating environment setting computer 2. The read operating environment setting program is temporarily stored in a RAM (Random Access Memory) included in the operating environment setting computer 2 and executed by a central processing unit (CPU).

  Note that the operating environment setting program may be downloaded from another computer connected to the network 6 instead of being read from the CD-ROM 9. In this example, the operating environment setting program is stored in the CD-ROM 9 and distributed. However, other recording media such as a flexible disk, a cassette tape, a hard disk, and an optical disk (MO (Magnetic Optical Disc) / MD (Mini Discs / DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), IC cards (including memory cards), optical cards, flash ROMs, mask ROMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, and other media such as semiconductor memories may be used.

  The operating environment setting program here includes not only a program that can be directly executed by the CPU but also a program in a source program format, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  Since the hardware configuration of the operating environment setting computer 2 is well known, detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

  The authentication server 5 is composed of a general computer. The authentication server 5 is a server for centrally performing user authentication of other devices connected to the network 6. Other devices connected to the network 6 may include the MFPs 1A, 1B, 1C and the operating environment setting computer 2.

  MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) 1A, 1B, and 1C include a scanner for reading a document, a network controller for communicating with other devices connected to the network 6, and an image on a recording medium such as paper based on the image data. Image forming apparatus for forming, facsimile, and hard disk, image reading function, copying function, facsimile transmission / reception function, print function for printing data, e-mail transmission / reception function, file transfer function for transmitting / receiving electronic data, electronic data A file management function for storing and managing each user is provided. Since all the functions of the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C are the same, the MFP 1A will be described as an example unless otherwise specified.

  The number of authentication servers 5 and MFPs 1A, 1B, 1C is not limited to the number shown in FIG.

  The network 6 is a local area network (LAN). The network 6 may be the Internet or a general public line, and may be wired or wireless.

  In the network system 10 according to the present embodiment, the operating environment setting computer 2 sets the operating environment of the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C. The operating environment is network environment data such as an e-mail address used in an e-mail transmission process, department data used in a file management process, user data or box data, and an IP address of an e-mail server or a DNS server.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the MFP according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, MFP 1A includes a control unit 100 for controlling the entire MFP 1A, a scanner 101 for optically reading a document and outputting image data connected to the control unit 100, a hard disk, and the like. A storage unit 108, an operation panel 106 that accepts an operation by a user, a FAX 102 for transmitting and receiving facsimile data, a network controller 103 for connecting the control unit 100 to the network 6, and recording of paper or the like And a printer 107 for forming an image on a medium.

  The scanner 101 includes a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), optically reads a document, and outputs electronic data as image data. Image data output from the scanner 101 is output to the storage unit 108. At this time, when a user ID and a password are input, the image data is stored in a box provided in the storage unit 108 corresponding to the user ID.

  A FAX 102 is a facsimile machine and is connected to a general public line such as a telephone line. Data received by the FAX 102 is stored in the storage unit 108 or output from the printer 107.

  The network controller 103 is connected to the network 6 and is a communication interface for connecting the MFP 1 </ b> A to the network 6. The network controller 103 is connected to the control unit 100. Data input from the control unit 100 is transmitted to the network 6, and data received from the network 6 is output to the control unit. Further, the network controller 103 outputs the print data received via the network 6 to the storage unit 108 or the printer 107. In addition, data is transmitted / received to / from other computers connected to the network 6. Other computers include an operating environment setting computer 2.

  The storage unit 108 is a storage device such as a hard disk. A semiconductor memory such as a random access memory (RAM) may be used for the storage unit 108. The storage unit 108 stores data input to the MFP 1A, such as image data read by the scanner and data received by the network controller 103.

  The printer 107 visualizes image data read by the scanner 101, data received from another computer by the network controller 103, and data stored in the storage unit 108 on a recording medium such as paper.

  The control unit 100 controls the entire MFP 1A. In particular, the control unit 100 stores the set operating environment in the storage unit 108, and when a predetermined instruction is input, executes an operation according to the input instruction according to the set operating environment. To do. The predetermined instruction may be input from the operation panel 106 or may be input from another computer via the network controller 103. The processes executed by the control unit 100 include the following.

(1) File management process A part of the storage unit 108 is allocated for each user, and electronic data such as image data and document data is stored as a file for each user. The area of the storage unit 108 allocated for each user is referred to as a box here. Box information assigned to the user is included in the operating environment. Further, in the file management process, users are managed collectively for each group. A group indicates, for example, a department to which a user belongs. In the file management process, access to data stored in the boxes assigned to the users among the users belonging to a certain department is permitted, but access from users belonging to other departments is prohibited for each department. Process to change the access authority to data. The information of the group to which the user belongs is information indicating the relation between the user and the group, and is referred to as department data here, and the department data is included in the operating environment.

(2) User authentication processing This processing is for restricting users who operate the MFP 1A to registered users. Therefore, the control unit 100 displays a login screen on the operation panel 106 and accepts input of identification information (for example, a user ID) and a password for identifying a user input according to the login screen. Then, when the input identification information and password match those registered in advance, the MFP 1A is permitted to accept an operation input as a true user. This user identification information and password are included in the operating environment.

  In user authentication, there are an in-device process executed inside MFP 1A and an out-of-device process executed by authentication server 5 for determining whether or not the input identification information is authentic. The operating environment related to user authentication includes a distinction between in-device processing and out-of-device processing, and location information on the network 6 for specifying the authentication server 5 in the case of out-of-device processing.

(3) E-mail Transmission / Reception Processing The control unit 100 transmits / receives e-mail from the e-mail server connected to the network 6 via the network controller 103. An email address is assigned to the MFP 1A for receiving the email. The e-mail address assigned to MFP 1A is included in the operating environment. The operating environment also includes the location on the network 6 of the e-mail server for sending and receiving e-mail, such as an IP address. In the electronic mail transmission, for example, the control unit 100 can transmit the image data read by the scanner 101 attached to the electronic mail. When an image is read by the scanner 101 and an instruction to send to a designated e-mail address is input, an e-mail attached with image data read by the scanner 101 is created with the designated e-mail address as a destination. Then, the created e-mail is transmitted to the IP address of the e-mail server set in advance as the operating environment.

(4) File Transfer Processing The control unit 100 sends and receives files (electronic data) to and from other computers connected to the network 6 via the network controller 103. The location on the network of the destination computer that sends and receives files, for example, the IP address, is included in the operating environment.

(5) Destination management processing The storage unit 108 stores destination data. The destination data includes a destination e-mail address used in the e-mail transmission process and a destination telephone number (facsimile number) used in the facsimile transmission process. The control unit 100 reads the destination data from the storage unit 108 and displays a list on the operation panel. As a result, the user can input a destination only by selecting a facsimile number or an e-mail address from among the destinations displayed in a list when sending a facsimile or e-mail. The facsimile number of the destination data is an operating environment required for the facsimile transmission process, and the e-mail address of the destination data is an operating environment required for the e-mail transmission process.

(6) Administrator Authentication Process The administrator authentication process is executed to limit an operation for setting a predetermined operation environment among a plurality of operation environments to an operation by a user having a predetermined authority. The The control unit 100 requests input of a password when a setting operation such as registration, change, or deletion of a predetermined operating environment is input. Then, the operation environment is set with the operation valid only when the input password matches the administrator password stored in advance. The administrator password authentication is the administrator authentication. The administrator password is set to “0000” as an initial value and stored in the storage unit 108 before the MFP 1A is installed. Then, when the MFP 1A is installed, it is set by being changed by the administrator and stored in the storage unit 108.

  In addition, the process which the control part 100 mentioned above performs is an example, Comprising: It is not limited to these processes. Furthermore, the operating environment required to execute each process is not limited to the above. In short, the process executed by the control unit 100 may be any process that can be executed by the MFP 1A, and the data required to execute the process is the operating environment. The operating environment is data set by the user, and is data for customizing the MFP 1A according to the environment in which the MFP 1A is installed.

  Operation panel 106 includes an input unit for accepting an input of an operation by a user and a display unit for displaying predetermined information. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the operation panel 106. Referring to FIG. 3, operation panel 106 includes a liquid crystal touch panel 150, a numeric keypad 151, a clear key 152 for returning a set numerical value to an initial value, and an interrupt key 153 for executing an interrupt copy. A start button 154 for instructing the start of image reading is provided. The liquid crystal touch panel 150 is formed by loading a touch panel made of a transparent member on a liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal display device corresponds to a display unit. The touch panel, ten key 151, clear key 152, interrupt key 153, and start button 154 correspond to the input unit. By displaying an instruction button on the liquid crystal display device and detecting the instruction of the button on the touch panel, various operations can be input. Operation panel 106 displays a login screen for accepting a login operation by the user on MFP 1A, and accepts an input of a user ID and a password.

  The operating environment setting computer 2 in the present embodiment transmits an operating environment to the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C and a command for setting the operating environment in the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C to the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C, respectively. The operating environments of the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C are set. In the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C, the above-described processes are executed, but an operating environment necessary for executing these processes is set. At this time, the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C request a password according to the set operating environment. The operating environment setting computer 2 transmits the administrator password to the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C before transmitting the command for setting the operating environment to the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C and the operating environment to be set. The command, the operating environment to be set, and the administrator password are transmitted on the condition that the administrator password is confirmed to be authentic.

  In the operating environment setting computer 2, the operating environment is input for each of the following setting items.

(1) Destination Data Destination data is an operating environment required for e-mail transmission processing and facsimile transmission processing. The destination data includes an abbreviated number, a destination name, a destination type, and a destination. The abbreviated number is a unique number for specifying destination data. The destination name is represented by characters or symbols that can be identified by the user, and is information given to each destination. The destination type is information for identifying an e-mail address and a facsimile number, and is “email” for an e-mail address and “FAX” for a facsimile number. The destination indicates an electronic mail address or a facsimile number.

(2) Department Data Department data is an operating environment required for file management processing. The department data defines a group to which each user belongs. This is data in which user identification information for identifying a user is associated with group identification information for identifying a group.

(3) User data User data is an operating environment required for file management processing and user authentication processing. The user data associates user identification information with a password.

(4) Box data Box data is an operating environment required for file management processing. The box data associates user identification information with box information. The box information includes, for example, a box name and a storage capacity.

(5) Network environment data Network environment data is an operating environment required for e-mail transmission / reception processing and file transfer processing. The network environment data includes the IP address of the electronic mail server and the IP address of the FTP server.

<Operating environment setting process>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operating environment setting process executed by the operating environment setting computer in the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 4, in the operating environment setting process, first, an MFP for which an operating environment is set is selected (step S01). A list of names assigned to the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C connected to the network is displayed in a list on the display of the operating environment setting computer 2, and a device to be set is selected by selecting the displayed name. The The names given to the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C are associated with position information that indicates positions on the network 6 that are assigned to the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C in advance. This position information is, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) address. These names and IP addresses may be stored in advance in the operating environment setting computer 2, or may be acquired by port scanning on the network 6, or a DNS (Domain Name System) server. You may make it acquire from.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an MFP selection screen displayed on the display in the operating environment setting computer. Referring to FIG. 5, on the MFP selection screen, a model name, an administrator password, and an IP address are displayed. In the model name, names given to the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C are displayed, and a check box is displayed on the left side of each name. A selection instruction is input by instructing the check box by operating an input device such as a mouse. A check mark is displayed in the check box to indicate to the user that it has been selected.

  No administrator password is displayed when the MFP selection screen is displayed. This is an input area for accepting input by the user. In the IP address field, IP addresses assigned to the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C are displayed. Since the model name and the IP address are related data, the selection instruction for instructing the check box for the model name is an instruction for the IP address assigned to the MFP 1A, 1B, or 1C.

  Returning to FIG. 4, in the next step S02, the input of the administrator password given to each of the selected MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C is accepted. The administrator password is accepted when the user inputs a character string with an input device such as a keyboard in the input area provided in the administrator password item on the MFP selection screen shown in FIG. The administrator password input here is all the administrator passwords of the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C selected in step S01. The process advances to step S03 on condition that the administrator passwords of all the selected MFPs are input. When the administrator password is used with the initial value “0000” set, or the administrator uses a password that is unified for all MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C as the administrator password. If it is set, a default button may be prepared, and an initial value password or a unified password may be input by instructing the default button. As a result, the administrator password input process can be simplified.

  In step S03, the administrator password is checked. It is determined whether or not the administrator password input in step S02 is authentic for all of the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C selected in step S01. Specifically, one of the selected MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C is specified, an administrator password for the specified MFP is transmitted to the MFP, and a login to the MFP is requested. In the MFP that has received the login request, if the received administrator password matches the administrator password stored in the storage unit 108, the MFP transmits a signal for permitting login to the operating environment setting computer 2. If they do not match, a signal indicating that they do not match is transmitted. In the operating environment setting computer 2, when the reply signal received from the MFP is a signal indicating a match, the administrator password is determined to be authentic, and if the response signal is a signal indicating a mismatch. , It is determined that the administrator password is not authentic. The operating environment setting computer sequentially identifies all the selected MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C, and determines whether or not the administrator password is authentic.

  In the next step S04, it is determined whether or not the administrator password is authentic for all MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C. If the administrator password of MFP 1A, 1B, 1C is authentic, the process proceeds to step S05, and if any one is not authentic, the process returns to step S02. That is, in the operating environment setting process, the process proceeds to step S05 on condition that the administrator passwords of all MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C are authentic.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the password check result display screen displayed in step S04. FIG. 6 shows a screen displayed when it is determined that the passwords of all MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C are authentic. The characters “OK” are displayed in the login result item, and it is displayed that the login process is normally executed by the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C and the password is authentic.

  In the lower part of the password check screen, a “batch setting” button and an “individual setting” button are displayed. The “batch setting” button is instructed to set the same setting data for all the selected MFPs 1A, 1B, 1C, and the “individual setting” button sets setting data individually for the selected MFPs 1A, 1B, 1C. Instructed to do so.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of the password check result display screen displayed in step S04. FIG. 7 shows a screen displayed when it is determined that the passwords of the MFPs 1A and 1C are authentic and the password of the MFP 1B is not authentic. In the login result item, the characters “OK” are displayed in the MFPs 1A and 1C, and the login process is normally executed in the MFPs 1A and 1C, indicating that the password is authentic. However, in the login result item, the characters “password error” are displayed in the MFP 1B, and the login process is not normally executed in the MFP 1B, indicating that the password is not authentic.

  In addition, a “password input” button is displayed at the bottom of the password check screen. When the “password input” button is instructed, the MFP selection screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, and the password input is accepted again.

  When the “Batch setting” button and the “Individual setting” button are displayed at the bottom of the password check result display screen shown in FIG. 7 and the “Batch setting” button or the “Individual setting” button is selected. Alternatively, the MFPs 1A and 1C whose passwords are determined to be authentic may be selected MFPs, and the MFP 1B whose password is determined not to be authentic may be excluded from setting targets.

  Returning to FIG. 4, in step S <b> 05, it is determined whether or not the same contents are set in all the MFPs 1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B, and 1 </ b> C that are set. This is determined based on which of the “batch setting” button and the “individual setting” button on the password check result display screen shown in FIG. When the “collective setting” button is instructed, the process proceeds to step S06, and when the “individual setting” button is instructed, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S06, a setting item is selected. In the present embodiment, since there are a plurality of setting items, one of the plurality of setting items is selected. In the next step S07, the input of the setting data of the selected setting item is accepted. In step S08, it is determined whether there is a setting item for inputting setting data next. This is determined by whether a setting item is further selected by the user. If such a setting item exists, the process returns to step S06, and further a setting item is selected. When such setting items do not exist and setting data is input to all the setting items desired by the user, the process proceeds to step S09. In step S09, it is determined whether or not an instruction to execute processing for setting setting data has been input. If an instruction is input, the process proceeds to step S10. If an instruction is not input, the process returns to step S06.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S05 that setting data is individually set for the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C to be set, in other words, if the “individual setting” button is instructed, step S14 is performed. Proceed to In step S14, designation of one MFP from the MFPs selected in step S01 is accepted. Here, the designated MFP is set as a setting item setting target. In step S15, a setting item is selected. One of the plurality of setting items is selected. In the next step S16, input of setting data for the selected setting item is accepted, and in step S17, it is determined whether or not there is a setting item for inputting setting data next. If such a setting item exists, the process returns to step S15, and a setting item is further selected. When such setting items do not exist and setting data is input to all the setting items desired by the user, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, it is determined whether there is an MFP for which setting items are to be set next. When it exists, it returns to step S14, and when it does not exist, it progresses to step S19. The determination in step S18 is determined based on the presence / absence of an instruction to select an MFP for setting the setting item by the user. Then, in the next step S19, it is determined whether or not an instruction to execute a process for setting the setting data has been input. If an instruction is input, the process proceeds to step S10. If an instruction is not input, the process returns to step S14.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the setting item selection screen. This setting item selection screen is a screen displayed in steps S06 and S15 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 8, five setting items of destination data, department data, user data, box data, and network environment data are displayed. A check box is provided on the left side of each setting item, and the checked setting item is designated. The operating environment can be input in the setting item specified on the setting item selection screen. At the bottom of the setting item selection screen, an “execute” button, a “return” button, and a “next” button are displayed. The “execute” button is a button that is instructed when the setting item has been set, and when it is instructed, processing for setting the set data in the selected MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C is executed. When the “return” button is instructed, the previous screen, that is, the password check result display screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. When the “Next” button is instructed, an input screen for setting the selected setting item is displayed.

  FIG. 9 is another diagram illustrating an example of the setting data input screen. This setting data input screen is a screen displayed in steps S07 and S16 of FIG. FIG. 9 is displayed when destination data is selected as a setting item, and input of destination data is accepted. Referring to FIG. 9, the destination data includes an abbreviated number, a destination name, a destination type, and a destination. The abbreviated number is a consecutive number that is automatically assigned in order each time the destination data is added. The destination name, destination type, and destination are input by the user. At the bottom of the setting data input screen, a “return” button, a “next” button, and a “cancel” button are displayed. When the “return” button is instructed, the previous screen is displayed. When the “Next” button is instructed, a setting item selection screen is displayed. An input screen for setting the selected setting item is displayed. When the “Cancel” button is instructed, one piece of input destination data is canceled, and the display is switched to the display before the data is input.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the setting data input screen. This setting data input screen is a screen displayed in steps S07 and S16 of FIG. FIG. 10 is displayed when user data is selected as a setting item, and input of user data is accepted. Referring to FIG. 10, user data includes a user name and an e-mail address. On the user data setting data input screen, when the “import” button is instructed, data created by another application program such as an address book already stored in the operating environment setting computer 2 is read and the user data is read. It can be.

  Returning to FIG. 4, in step S10, one of the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C selected in step S01 is identified as the MFP for setting the setting data. The MFP specified here is a setting MFP that is a target of transmission of the input setting data. In the next step S11, the setting data input in step S07 or step S16 is transmitted to the IP address of the specified MFP together with the administrator password input in step S02. The data to be transmitted includes a command for causing the MFP to set the setting data as an operating environment. When steps S14 to S19 are executed, the setting data is setting data set for the specified MFP. When the specified MFP receives the setting data and the administrator password, it determines whether or not the administrator password is authentic. However, the administrator password that has already been confirmed to be authentic is received. Therefore, it should be determined to be authentic. Then, setting data is set according to the command included in the received data.

  Next, the operating environment setting computer 2 determines whether there is an MFP to be specified as the setting MFP (step S12). If there is an MFP for which setting data is not yet set among the MFPs selected in step S01, the process returns to step S10. If setting data has been set for all of the selected MFPs, the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, after displaying a dialog indicating that the setting has been completed, the process ends.

<Modification of operating environment setting process>
Next, a modification of the operating environment setting process will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another flow of the operating environment setting process executed by the operating environment setting computer in the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 11, in the modified operating environment setting process, first, an MFP for which an operating environment is set is selected (step S21).

  The processes in the next steps S22 to S32 are the same as the processes in steps S05 to S19 in FIG. Therefore, description will not be repeated here. In the modified operating environment setting process, the setting data is input before accepting the input of the authentic administrator password of the MFP selected as the setting target of the operating environment data.

  In step S23, it is determined whether or not an administrator password is required to set the input setting data in the MFP. The MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C have setting data that permits setting on the condition that the administrator password is input, and setting data that permits setting without the condition that the administrator password is input. The operating environment setting computer 2 stores in advance information for distinguishing whether or not an administrator password is required for each setting data. Then, for each of MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C, it is determined whether or not there is at least one setting item that requires an administrator password in the setting data set in steps S22 to S32. If there is even one setting item that requires the administrator password, the process proceeds to step S34. If no setting item requires the administrator password, the process proceeds to step S41.

  If the setting items that require the administrator password are different for each of the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C, the setting items that require the administrator password are stored for each of the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C. For MFPs that require an administrator password in S33, the processing after step S34 is executed, and for MFPs that do not require an administrator password, the processing after step S41 is executed.

  The processing in steps S34 to S36 is the same as the processing in steps S02 to S04 in FIG. Moreover, the process of step S37-step S40 is the same as the process of step S10-step S13 of FIG. Therefore, when the setting data of the setting item that requires the administrator password is input, it is confirmed that all the administrator passwords of the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C selected in step S21 are authentic. Thereafter, the setting data and the administrator password are sequentially transmitted to the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C. Therefore, the process of transmitting the setting data to the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C and setting them is not interrupted because the administrator password is not authentic.

  On the other hand, in step S41, it is determined that an administrator password is not required for setting data. In this case, the process for transmitting the setting data to the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C and setting the setting data is not interrupted because the administrator password is not authentic. Therefore, the MFP for which the setting data is to be set is specified. Then, the setting data is transmitted to the specified MFP together with a command for setting the setting data (step S42). Next, if there is an MFP that has not yet transmitted setting data (YES in step S43), step S41 and step S42 are repeated. If the setting data has been transmitted to all MFPs (NO in step S43), the process proceeds to step S40.

  As described above, when the operating environment setting program is executed, the operating environment setting computer 2 in the present embodiment receives the administrator passwords of the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C, and all the administrator passwords are correct. On the condition that it is determined, the setting data for setting the operating environment of the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C is sequentially transmitted. Therefore, if correct passwords are not input for all the MFPs 1A, 1B, and 1C, the setting data is not transmitted, so that the processing is not interrupted during the transmission of the setting data in order.

  In addition, since it is determined that the administrator password is correct before accepting the input of the setting data, the input of the setting information is not wasted.

  In addition, since the administrator password is accepted on the condition that an administrator password is required to set at least one of the input setting data, the administrator password is used for setting the setting data. When the password is not required, the administrator password is not accepted, so that it is possible to avoid inputting an unnecessary password.

  Although the operating environment setting program has been described in the present embodiment, it goes without saying that the invention can be understood as an operating environment setting method executed by the operating environment setting computer 2.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a figure showing the whole network system outline in one of the embodiments of the invention. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an MFP according to the present embodiment. FIG. It is a top view of an operation panel. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the operation environment setting process performed with the computer for operation environment setting in this Embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an MFP selection screen. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a password check result display screen. It is a figure which shows another example of a password check result display screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a setting item selection screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a setting data input screen. It is a figure which shows another example of a setting data input screen. It is a flowchart which shows another flow of the operation environment setting process performed with the computer for operation environment setting in this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  2 Operating environment setting computer, 5 authentication server, 6 network, 10 network system, 100 control unit, 101 scanner, 103 network controller, 106 operation panel, 107 printer, 108 storage unit.

Claims (5)

An application program that is executed by a computer connected to a network and sets operating environments of a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to the network,
Receiving a position on the network of an image processing device to be set from the plurality of image processing devices;
Receiving an input of setting data for setting an operating environment of each of the image processing devices whose positions on the network are designated;
Receiving an input of a password required by each of the image processing devices in order to set an operating environment of each of the image processing devices for which a position on a network is designated;
Determining whether the password of each of the designated image processing devices is correct;
An image processing apparatus that causes a computer to execute the step of sequentially transmitting setting data set for each of the designated image processing apparatuses on condition that the passwords of all the designated image processing apparatuses are correct. Operating environment setting program. The determining step includes transmitting the input password to each of the designated image processing devices;
The operating environment setting program according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving information indicating that the password is correct from the image processing apparatus that has transmitted the password.   The step of accepting the input of the setting data accepts the input of the setting data on the condition that the passwords of all the designated image processing devices are judged to be correct by the judging step. Operating environment setting program.   The step of accepting the input of the password accepts the input of the password on the condition that a password is required for at least one setting of the setting data input by the step of accepting the input of the setting data. Operating environment setting program. A method for setting an operating environment of a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to the network, which is executed by a computer connected to the network,
Receiving a position on the network of an image processing device to be set from the plurality of image processing devices;
Receiving an input of setting data for setting an operating environment of each of the image processing devices whose positions on the network are designated;
Receiving an input of a password required by each of the image processing devices in order to set an operating environment of each of the image processing devices for which a position on a network is designated;
Determining whether the password of each of the designated image processing devices is correct;
An operation of the image processing apparatus, comprising: sequentially transmitting setting data set for each of the specified image processing apparatuses on condition that the passwords of all the specified image processing apparatuses are correct. Environment setting method.

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