JP4579713B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method , and a computer program, and is particularly suitable for use in updating device information of another information processing apparatus through communication from one information processing apparatus.

  Conventionally, in an environment where two or more image processing devices represented by MFP (abbreviation of Multi-Function Printer, hereinafter referred to as MFP) are connected on a network, device information is synchronized between these image processing devices. A device information distribution system was implemented. The device information to be distributed includes, for example, settings related to the main functions of the MFP, such as copying, FAX transmission, printer, scanning, and electronic data transmission.

  In addition, network settings of the MFP (hereinafter referred to as user mode settings), destination settings such as a telephone number for FAX transmission and an e-mail address for electronic data transmission (hereinafter referred to as a destination table), Settings such as the number of prints and the number of copies, and settings for performing restrictions and management by MFP in the MFP (hereinafter referred to as department management settings) are also device information.

  Basically, when device information is distributed from an image processing device that distributes device information (for example, a parent image processing device), an image processing device that distributes device information (for example, a child image) The processing device) updates the existing device information with the distributed device information. For this reason, it was possible to synchronize device information between these image processing apparatuses (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

JP-A-8-129465 JP-A-9-134264

  However, the existing device information in the child image processing device is updated without the user's knowledge by new device information distributed from the parent image processing device. The existing device information in the child image processing device may be overwritten by the device information distributed from the parent image processing device. For this reason, the contents of device information that seems to be unchanged on the user interface may be changed. Then, the user may not be able to recognize the difference in the device information. In this case, there is a possibility that the child image processing apparatus performs an operation unintended by the user using the changed device information.

  Here, as a function based on the device information, for example, the user sets an arbitrary plurality of e-mail addresses in the device in advance and assigns an arbitrary name to the set information, and some electronic data A function that allows a plurality of destinations to be specified by a simple operation (hereinafter referred to as a one-touch button, which belongs to the user mode setting) can be mentioned by simply selecting the name when transmitting.

  If the one-touch button settings (in this case, multiple e-mail address information) distributed from the parent image processing device are overwritten by the child image processing device, the e-mail address information changes from the existing one. However, if the name given to the address information of the existing email remains the same, the name of the one-touch button does not change. Therefore, the user is unaware that the device information has been distributed and the device information has been changed, and the e-mail address information is set as before. In this state, if the user uses the child image processing apparatus, the setting contents of the one-touch button are different from the existing ones, so that electronic data is transmitted to an incorrect destination (address) not intended by the user. .

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily and surely know that device information has been updated.

The information processing apparatus of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that has device information used for setting the information processing device and can communicate with an external device, and displays a registered name corresponding to the first device information. And receiving means for receiving second device information from the external device, and when the second device information is received by the receiving means , the first device information is changed to the second device information. And the first device information is changed when the registered name is the same even if the first device information is changed to the second device information by the changing device. And control means for controlling not to notify that the first device information has been changed when the registered name is not the same registered name .

  According to the present invention, the user can know that the device information has been updated. Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent the operation | movement which a user does not intend as much as possible.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a device information distribution system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
First, the device information distribution system is configured by connecting a parent image processing apparatus 101 and child image processing apparatuses 102a and 102b to each other via a network 0103. Although FIG. 1 illustrates the case where there are two child image processing apparatuses 102, the number of child image processing apparatuses 102 is not limited to two, and may be one or more.

  The parent image processing apparatus 101 is an image forming apparatus having a function of distributing arbitrary device information MI of its own apparatus to the child image processing apparatuses 102a and 102b connected to the network 103, and will be described as an MFP in this embodiment. . Note that the parent image processing apparatus 101 and the child image processing apparatuses 102a and 102b do not have to be MFPs, and if the user can set the apparatus by performing operations as described later, Any device such as a printer, a copier, or a scanner may be used.

  The child image processing apparatuses 102a and 102b are image forming apparatuses having a function of receiving the device information MI distributed from the parent image processing apparatus 101 connected to the network 103. In the present embodiment, the child image processing apparatuses 102a and 102b are described as MFPs. . As described above, in this embodiment, the case where there are two child image processing apparatuses 102 will be described as an example.

  The network 103 serves as a mediator for MFPs and PCs, and is a medium that enables network communication represented by the TCP / IP system, for example. In the present embodiment, the case where the network 103 is a LAN (abbreviation of Local Area Network, hereinafter referred to as LAN) will be described as an example.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the parent image processing apparatus 101 described above. In FIG. 2, the components of the image processing apparatus that are not closely related to the present embodiment are omitted.
2, the parent image processing apparatus 101 includes a network IF unit 201, a controller unit 202, and an image forming unit 203. Further, the controller unit 202 includes a user interface unit 204, a device information selection unit 205, a device information distribution destination selection unit 206, and a device information distribution unit 207.

The network IF unit 201 is an interface connected to the network 103. The network IF unit 201 enables network communication between the parent image processing apparatus 101 and the child image processing apparatus 102 or PC (Personal Computer) connected to the network 103.
The controller unit 202 realizes copying, FAX transmission, printer, scanning, and electronic data transmission, which are functions of the MFP, and also realizes device information distribution described later.
The image forming unit 203 is an indispensable marking engine for a printer function that prints bitmap data of a print image sent from the controller unit 202 on an actual paper sheet, a copy function, and a FAX reception printing function.

  A user interface unit 204 which is a part of the controller unit 202 is a so-called MFP operation unit, which gives instructions for executing MFP functions such as copy, FAX transmission, printer, scan, and electronic data transmission, and will be described later. This is for instructing execution of information distribution. The user interface unit 204 serves as a user interface for setting the MFP, displaying the MFP status, and the like.

  A device information selection unit 205, which is a part of the controller unit 202, is for causing a user to select device information of the own device to be distributed to the child image processing apparatuses 102a and 102b using the user interface unit 204.

In the present embodiment, there are the following three types of information options to be distributed. The first option is a setting related to MFP main functions such as copy, FAX transmission, printer, scanning, electronic data transmission, and the like, and user mode setting for setting the MFP network.
The second setting is a destination table for setting destinations such as a telephone number for FAX transmission and an e-mail address for electronic data transmission. The third option is a department management setting for performing settings for restriction and management by department such as the number of prints and the number of copies.

  A device information distribution destination selection unit 206 that is a part of the controller unit 0202 is for causing the user interface unit 204 to select the child image processing devices 102a and 102b that are the distribution target of the device information of the own device. It is.

  The device information distribution unit 207, which is a part of the controller unit 202, sends the device information of the own device selected by the device information selection unit 205 to the child image processing apparatus 102 selected by the device information distribution destination selection unit 206. In order to execute distribution from the network IF unit 201 through the network 0103.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the child image processing apparatus 102 described above. In FIG. 3, the components of the image processing apparatus that are not closely related to the present embodiment are omitted.
In FIG. 3, the child image processing apparatus 102 includes a network IF unit 301, a controller unit 302, and an image forming unit 303. Further, the controller unit 302 includes a user interface unit 304, a device information receiving unit 305, a device information update unit 306, and a device information change notification unit 307.

  The network IF unit 301 is an interface connected to the network 103. The network IF unit 301 enables network communication between the child image processing apparatus 102 and the parent image processing apparatus 101 or PC connected to the network 103. The network IF unit 301 has the same function as the network IF unit 201 described above, except for the difference in whether the network IF unit 301 exists in the parent image processing apparatus 101 or the child image processing apparatus 102.

The controller unit 302 realizes copying, FAX transmission, printer, scanning, and electronic data transmission, which are functions of the MFP, and also realizes device information distribution described later.
The image forming unit 303 is an indispensable marking engine for a printer function that prints bitmap data of a print image sent from the controller unit 302 on an actual paper sheet, a copy function, and a FAX reception print function. The function of the image forming unit 0303 is the same as that of the controller unit 202 described above, except for the difference in whether the image forming unit 0303 exists in the parent image processing apparatus 101 or the child image processing apparatus 102.

  A user interface unit 304, which is a part of the controller unit 302, is a so-called MFP operation unit, and performs instructions for executing MFP functions such as copy, FAX transmission, printer, scan, and electronic data transmission, as well as devices described later. This is for instructing execution of information distribution. The user interface unit 304 is a user interface for setting the MFP, displaying the MFP status, and the like. The user interface unit 304 has the same function as the user interface unit 204 described above, except for the difference in whether the user interface unit 304 exists in the parent image processing apparatus 101 or the child image processing apparatus 102.

  A device information receiving unit 305, which is a part of the controller unit 302, receives device information distributed from the parent image processing apparatus 0101 via the network 103 via the network IF unit 301.

The device information update unit 306, which is a part of the controller unit 302, overwrites the device information in its own device corresponding to the device information using the device information of the parent image processing apparatus 101 received by the device information receiving unit 305. It is to be updated.
Finally, the device information change notification unit 307, which is a part of the controller unit 302, detects that the device information of the device information updated by the device information update unit 306 has been changed from the past, This is notified (clearly) to the user through the user interface unit 304.

  The difference between the parent image processing apparatus 101 and the child image processing apparatus 102 described above is a difference in the components of the controllers 202 and 302. That is, the controller unit 202 includes components such as a user interface unit 204, a device information selection unit 205, a device information distribution destination selection unit 206, and a device information distribution unit 207, whereas the controller unit 302 includes a user interface. There is a difference that there are constituent elements such as a unit 304, a device information receiving unit 305, a device information updating unit 306, and a device information change notification unit 307. If these components are reversed, the parent image processing apparatus 101 and the child image processing apparatus 102 are also reversed, and if the controller has all these elements, the parent image processing apparatus 101 also has a child image processing apparatus 102. It becomes an image processing apparatus that can also be.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external configuration of the user interface unit 204 provided in the parent image processing apparatus 101. Note that in this embodiment, the user interface 304 provided in the child image processing apparatus 102 is the same as the user interface unit 204 provided in the parent image processing apparatus 101, and thus the description of the user interface 304 is omitted. To do.

In FIG. 4, the user interface unit 204 includes a touch panel unit 401 and a key input unit 402.
Next, the touch panel unit 401 is an interface for instructing execution of copying, FAX transmission, printer, scanning, and electronic data transmission, which are functions of the MFP, and for instructing execution of device information distribution described later. The touch panel unit 401 is also an interface capable of performing MFP settings, MFP status display, and the like. The display method of the touch panel unit 401 of this embodiment is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and the input method is a touch panel. A user can operate the parent image processing apparatus 101 (MFP) by directly touching the touch panel unit 401.

  Finally, the key input unit 402 is an interface for supplementing the touch panel unit 401. For example, the user can operate the key input unit 402 to turn on / off the power, execute or cancel each MFP function, and input numerical values or clear settings. Some operations that can be performed by the key input unit 402 can be performed by the touch panel unit 401, and other operations can be performed by the touch panel unit 401.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a device information selection screen processed by the device information selection unit 205 in the interface unit 204.
In FIG. 5, the device information selection screen 501 of this embodiment includes at least a user mode setting value selection unit 502, a department ID selection unit 503, a destination table selection unit 504, a cancel button 505, a return button 506, and a next button 507. Is displayed.

  The user mode setting value selection unit 502 is a part operated by the user when selecting whether to distribute the user mode setting as one piece of device information of the parent image processing apparatus 101 to the child image processing apparatus 102. It is. The user mode setting refers to settings related to MFP main functions such as copy, FAX transmission, printer, scanning, and electronic data transmission, and MFP network settings.

  The department ID selection unit 503 is a part operated by the user when selecting whether to distribute the department management setting as one piece of device information of the parent image processing apparatus 101 to the child image processing apparatus 102. . The department management setting is a setting for the MFP to limit or manage the number of prints, the number of copies, and the like for each department.

The destination table selection unit 504 is a part operated by the user when selecting whether or not to deliver the destination table setting as one piece of device information of the parent image processing apparatus 101 to the child image processing apparatus 102. . The destination table setting is a setting of a destination such as a telephone number for FAX transmission and an e-mail address for electronic data transmission.
A cancel button 505 is a button that is pressed by the user when canceling all settings of the device information distribution function and execution of the device information distribution function as well as setting operations in the device information selection unit 205.

  A return button 506 is a button that the user presses when canceling the setting operation in the device information selection unit 205. When there is a user interface screen displayed immediately before, in this embodiment, when the user presses the return button 506, the user interface screen is displayed. On the other hand, when there is no user interface screen displayed immediately before, in this embodiment, the return button 506 is a button that cannot be pressed by the user.

  Finally, a next button 507 is a button that the user presses when the setting operation on the device information selection screen 501 is finished and the process proceeds to the next interface screen. In the present embodiment, the user selects at least one of the user mode setting value selection unit 502, the department ID selection unit 503, and the destination table selection unit 504 as a device information candidate to be distributed by the device information distribution function. In this case, the user can press the next button 507. When the user presses the next button 507, the process proceeds to the next process on the device information selection screen 501. That is, in the present embodiment, a device information distribution destination selection and device information distribution screen (hereinafter referred to as a device information distribution setting screen) 601 described below is displayed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device information distribution setting screen processed by the device information distribution destination selection unit 206 and the device information distribution unit 207 in the interface unit 204. In FIG. 6, the components of the interface unit 204 that are not closely related to the present embodiment are omitted.
In FIG. 6, at least a distribution destination selection unit 602, a distribution start button 603, a cancel button 604, and a return button 605 are displayed on the device information distribution setting screen 601 of the present embodiment.

  The distribution destination selection unit 602 is a user interface related to the device information distribution destination selection unit 206. The distribution destination selection unit 602 is for causing the user to select one or a plurality of child image processing devices 102 to be distributed as device information of the parent image processing device 101 selected on the device information selection screen 501 described above. Is. In this embodiment, since the two child image processing apparatuses 102a and 102b are the distribution destinations, the distribution destination selection unit 602 shown in FIG. 6 selects the two child image processing apparatuses 102a and 102b. In this embodiment, the distribution destination of the child image processing apparatus 102 is represented by an IP address. However, it may be expressed by a method other than the IP address.

  A distribution start button 603 is a user interface related to the device information distribution unit 207. The distribution start button 603 displays the device information of the parent image processing device 101 selected on the device information selection screen 501 with respect to one or a plurality of child image processing devices 102 selected by the distribution destination selection unit 602. This button is pressed by the user to execute distribution via the network 103 through the unit 201. When the distribution start button 603 is pressed, device information is actually distributed.

Next, the cancel button 0604 is used when not only the setting operation on the device information distribution destination and the device information distribution screen 0601 but also all the settings of the device information distribution function and the execution of the device information distribution function are canceled. This button is pressed by the person.
Finally, a return button 0605 is a button that the user presses when canceling the setting operation on the device information distribution destination selection and device information distribution screen 0601. The user interface screen, that is, the previous user interface screen, is displayed. In this case, the device information selection screen 0501 is returned to.

  FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a device information pre-update screen (FIG. 7A) processed by the device information change notification unit 306 in the interface unit 304 provided in the child image processing apparatus 102, and a screen after device information update ( It is the figure which showed the example (FIG.7 (c)) after the example of FIG.7 (b)) and the conventional type apparatus information update in the conventional child image processing apparatus. The screen before updating device information in the conventional child image processing apparatus is the same as that shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 7A, the device information pre-update screen 701 displayed using the user interface unit 304 in the child image processing apparatus 102 is updated with the device information of the child image processing apparatus 102 by the device information update unit 305. This is the previous screen. The setting contents of the registered button 705 in the one-touch button area 704 are as the destination setting contents 706. As described above, the one-touch button referred to in the present embodiment means that a user sets an arbitrary plurality of e-mail addresses in the device in advance and assigns an arbitrary name to the set information. This is a function that allows a plurality of destinations to be designated by a simple operation simply by selecting the name when transmitting certain electronic data.

The destination setting content 707 illustrated in FIGS. 7B and 7C is the setting content after the device information of the child image processing apparatus 102 is updated by the device information update unit 305. There is no change in the registered name of the one-touch button, but it can be seen that the setting contents are completely different.
In FIG. 7C, a conventional device information post-update screen 708 is an operation screen displayed after device information is distributed in the conventional child image processing apparatus. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7C, the device information is updated from the destination setting content 706 to the destination setting content 707. As described above, the display of the registered button 709 is exactly the same as that of the registered button 705 even though the destination setting content has completely changed from that before the update.

  As described above, the setting contents of the registered button (one-touch button) 709 are completely different from those in the past. Therefore, if a user transmits certain electronic data using the registered button 709, the electronic data is transmitted to an incorrect destination not intended by the user, and the electronic data is transmitted to the original transmission destination. The problem of being unable to send occurs. It goes without saying that such a problem is a serious problem in today's world where the importance of protecting personal information or ensuring security is advocated.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 7B, a device information post-update screen 710 is an operation screen displayed after device information is distributed in the child image processing apparatus 102 of the present embodiment. Also in the example illustrated in FIG. 7B, the device information is updated from the destination setting content 706 to the destination setting content 707, as in the example illustrated in FIG. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the device information change notification unit 306 detects that the device information has been changed from the destination setting content 706 to the destination setting content 707 by distributing the device information. Then, like the registered button 711, the one-touch buttons are displayed in different colors to appeal and notify the user that there has been a change.

  As a result, even if the device information seems to have no change on the user interface at first glance, it can be clearly indicated and notified to the user that the device information has been updated via the user interface. . Therefore, the user can recognize whether the device information has been updated. As a result, it is possible to prevent an unintended operation of the user who uses the function based on the device information. Furthermore, it becomes a device information distribution system that can be used in the modern world where the importance of protecting personal information or ensuring security is advocated.

  Note that whether or not the device information has been updated may be detected only when there is a change in the contents, even if there is no change in appearance in the user interface as in the present embodiment. Or, even if there is any change, it may be detected unconditionally (regardless of whether there is an apparent change in the user interface). That is, the level of detection is not limited as long as it is intended to prevent user misrecognition and misoperation due to distribution of device information.

Next, an example of schematic operations of the parent image processing apparatus 101 and the child image processing apparatus 102 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, after the parent image processing apparatus 101 displays a menu screen on the user interface unit 204, when a user selects a device information distribution function from the menu screen, a device information distribution system is started (step S801).
Next, in the parent image processing apparatus 101, the device information selection unit 205 causes the user to select device information to be distributed in order to distribute the device information from the own device to the child image processing device 102 (step S802).

Next, in the parent image processing apparatus 101, the device information distribution destination selection unit 206 distributes the device information selected in step S802 from the own apparatus to the child image processing apparatus 102. 102 is selected by the user (step S803).
Next, in the parent image processing apparatus 101, the apparatus information distribution unit 207 distributes the apparatus information selected in step S802 to the child image processing apparatus 0102 selected in step S803 (step S804).

Next, the device information receiving unit 304 in the child image processing device 102 receives the device information distributed from the parent image processing device 101 (step S805).
Next, in the child image processing apparatus 102, the device information update unit 305 overwrites the device information of the parent image processing device 101 received by the device information receiving unit 304 with the device information of the own apparatus corresponding to the device information (step). S806).

Next, in the child image processing apparatus 102, the device information change notification unit 306 detects whether there is a change in the update by the device information update unit 0305 compared to before the device information of the own device is updated (step S807). . As for the detection of whether or not the device information has been changed, as described above, the level of detection is not limited as long as it is for the purpose of preventing erroneous recognition and erroneous operation of the user by distributing the device information.
In step S807, when the device information change notification unit 306 detects the return of the device information and detects that the device information of the own device has been changed, the device information change notification unit 306 in the child image processing apparatus 102 includes the user interface unit 304. Then, it is clearly indicated to the user that the device information has been changed (step S809), and the device information distribution system is terminated (step S809).

  On the other hand, if the device information change notification unit 306 does not detect the return of device information in step S807, the device information distribution system ends without performing step S808 (step S809).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the device information is updated from the destination setting content 706 to the destination setting content 707, the registered button 711 that is a one-touch button corresponding to the device information is displayed as the registered button 705 before the update. Since it is displayed in a different color, it is possible to clearly notify the user that the device information has been updated and notify the user. As a result, it is possible to prevent an unintended operation of the user who uses the function based on the device information.

  In this embodiment, when the device information is updated, the registered button 711 corresponding to the device information is color-coded to notify that the device information is updated. May be enlarged, highlighted, highlighted, or blinked to notify that the device information has been updated. Further, these displays may be combined.

  Further, in this embodiment, the display mode when notifying the user that the device information has been updated is constant, but the display mode is made different depending on the setting of the administrator of the child image processing apparatus 102 or the like. May be. For example, the administrator of the child image processing apparatus 102 operates the user interface unit 304 of the child image processing apparatus 102 to update the device information such as the color classification method, the number of times of color display, and the period of color display. Is set for each piece of device information. The set display mode is registered in a table capable of registering the display mode for each piece of device information.

  Thereafter, when the device information is updated, the child image processing apparatus 102 reads the display mode associated with the updated device information with reference to the table, and the device information is updated in the read display mode. Notify the user that this has been done. In this way, it is possible to notify the user that the device information has been updated more easily.

(Second Embodiment)
Subsequently, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the present embodiment and the first embodiment differ only in the method of notifying that the device information has been updated, and therefore, the differences from the first embodiment will be described below and overlapped. The description of the portions is omitted by attaching the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 as necessary.

  In the first embodiment, when it is detected in steps S807 to S808 that the device information has been changed from the destination setting content 706 to the destination setting content 707 due to the distribution of the device information, a one-touch button such as a registered button 711 is pressed. By color-coding it with the one before the update, the user was notified and notified that the device information was updated. On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the user selects a one-touch button corresponding to the updated device information instead of the color-coded notification method, the device information is displayed on the user interface unit 304 from the past. A notification method that separately displays a message screen that allows the user to recognize that the change has been made.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen before updating device information processed by the device information change notification unit 306 in the interface unit 304 and an example of a screen after updating device information.
In FIG. 9, the device information post-update screen 901 is such that even if the setting content of the registered button 902 has been changed by the delivery of device information, the user cannot recognize that such a change has occurred. It is an interface.

When the user actually presses the registered button 902 on the device information update screen 901, a message screen 903 on which the user can recognize that the device information has been changed from the past on the device information update screen 901 is displayed. Separately displayed.
When the message screen 903 is displayed once, the user needs to press the OK button 904 to delete the message screen 903 and perform the next operation, so that the device information has been changed from the past. Can be recognized by the user more reliably.

(Third embodiment)
Subsequently, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the present embodiment and the first embodiment also differ only in the method for notifying that the device information has been updated, and therefore, the differences from the first embodiment will be described below and overlapping parts will be described. The description of is omitted by attaching the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 as necessary.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the one-touch button, such as the registered button 711, is color-coded from the one before the update to appeal and notify the user that the device information has been updated. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the notification method is not a color-coded notification method, but a notification method for displaying the status of the device as a message at a dedicated location so that the user can easily recognize the change.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen before device information update processed by the device information change notification unit 306 in the interface unit 304 and an example of a screen after device information update.
In FIG. 10, a registered button 1002 is registered as a one-touch button on the device information pre-update screen 1001. The device information pre-update screen 1001 shows a state before device information is distributed.

  The device information post-update screen 1003 shows a state after the device information is distributed. Even if the setting content of the registered button 1004 is changed by the device information distribution, the registered button 1004 is displayed. The interface is such that the user cannot recognize that such a change has been observed. However, since a message that allows the user to recognize that the device information has been changed from the past is displayed in the message area 1005 of the screen 1003 after updating the device information, the user has changed the device information from the past. It can be surely recognized that.

(Fourth embodiment)
Subsequently, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the present embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments only in the method of notifying that the device information has been updated. Therefore, the differences from the first and second embodiments are described below. The description of the overlapping parts is omitted by attaching the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 as necessary.

  In the second embodiment, in step S807 to step 808, after detecting that the device information from the destination setting content 0706 to the destination setting content 0707 has been changed by the distribution of the device information, the changed device information is displayed. When the user selects a corresponding one-touch button, a message screen 903 that allows the user to recognize that the device information has been changed from the past is displayed on the screen 901 after device information update. On the other hand, in this embodiment, in addition to the notification method of displaying a message screen separately, notification that clearly indicates to the user which parent image processing apparatus 101 the device information has been distributed from. The method.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen before updating device information processed by the device information change notification unit 306 in the interface unit 304 and an example of a screen after updating device information.
In FIG. 11, the device information post-update screen 1101 does not allow the user to recognize any such change even if the setting content of the registered button 1102 has been changed by the delivery of device information. Interface.

When the user actually presses the registered button 1102 on the screen 1101 after updating the device information, a message screen 1103 that allows the user to recognize that the device information has been changed from the past on the screen 1101 after updating the device information. Separately displayed. At that time, as the parent image processing device information 101, the location information and name of the parent image processing device 101, the network IP address, and the date and time when the device information is distributed are displayed.
When the message screen 1103 is displayed once, the user must always press the OK button 1104 to delete the message screen 1103 and perform the next operation, so that the device information has been changed from the past. Can be recognized more reliably by the user, and information regarding the parent image processing apparatus information 101 from which the device information is updated can also be recognized by the user.

  In this embodiment, as the information of the parent image processing apparatus 101, the position information and name of the parent image processing apparatus 101, the network IP address, and the date and time when the device information is distributed are displayed. The information may be information related to the parent image processing apparatus 101, and it is needless to say that the information is not limited to such information.

(Configuration of image processing apparatus)
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus in each of the above embodiments.
In FIG. 12, a controller unit 2000 is an example of a scanner 2070 that is an image input device and a printer 2095 that is an image output device, or a local area network (LAN) 2011 or a public line 1008. It is a controller for inputting / outputting image information and device information by connecting to a WAN (Wide Area Network) 2051.

  A CPU 2001 is a controller that controls the entire system. A RAM 2002 is a system work memory for the CPU 2002 to operate, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM 2003 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. An HDD 2004 is a hard disk drive that stores system software, image data, a history record (log), and the like.

An operation unit I / F 2006 is an interface unit with an operation unit (UI) 2012 having a touch panel, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 to the operation unit 2012. The operation unit I / F 2006 also has a role of transmitting information input by the user of the present system from the operation unit 2012 to the CPU 2001. A network I / F (2010) 2010 is connected to the LAN 2011 and inputs / outputs information.
A modem 2050 is connected to the public line 2051 and inputs / outputs information.

An IC card slot 2100 can input / output a key used for encryption / decryption by inputting an appropriate PIN (Personal Identifier Number) code after an IC card medium is inserted. Become.
The above devices are arranged on the system bus 2007.

  An image bus I / F (Image Bus I / F) 2005 is a bus bridge that connects a system bus 2007 and an image bus 2008 that transfers image data at high speed and converts a data structure. The image bus 2008 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 2060 expands the PDL code into a bitmap image. The device I / F 2020 connects the scanner 2070 and the printer 2095, which are image input / output devices, and the control unit 2000, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner image processing unit 2080 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. A printer image processing unit 2090 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. The image rotation unit 2030 rotates image data. The image compression unit 2040 performs JPEG, MMR, and MH compression / decompression processing for multi-valued image data and binary image data.

  The encryption / decryption processing unit 2110 is a hardware accelerator board that performs data encryption / decryption processing using a key input in the IC card slot 2100. The OCR / OMR processing unit 2111 performs a process of decoding character information and two-dimensional bar code included in image data into character codes.

(Other embodiments of the present invention)
In order to operate various devices to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments are provided to an apparatus or a computer in the system connected to the various devices. What is implemented by operating the various devices according to a program supplied and stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  In this case, the program code of the software itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, the program code are stored. The recorded medium constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium for storing the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code supplied by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other application software in which the program code is running on the computer, etc. It goes without saying that the program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention even when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with the embodiment.

  Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit based on the instruction of the program code Needless to say, the present invention includes a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.

It is a figure which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the whole structure of an apparatus information delivery system. It is the block diagram which showed the 1st Embodiment of this invention and showed an example of the structure of the parent image processing apparatus. It is the block diagram which showed the 1st Embodiment of this invention and showed an example of the structure of a child image processing apparatus. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external configuration of a user interface unit provided in a parent image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of this invention. FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device information selection screen that is processed by a device information selection unit in an interface unit provided in a parent image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of this invention. The figure which showed the 1st Embodiment of this invention and showed an example of the equipment information delivery setting screen processed by the equipment information delivery destination selection part and equipment information delivery part in the interface part provided in the parent image processing apparatus. is there. An example of a device information pre-update screen and an example of a device information post-update screen that are processed by the device information change notification unit in the interface unit provided in the child image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, It is the figure which showed the screen after the conventional type apparatus information update in the conventional child image processing apparatus. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of schematic operations of the parent image processing device and the child image processing device according to the first embodiment of this invention. An example of a screen before updating device information and an example of a screen after updating device information processed by the device information change notification unit in the interface unit provided in the child image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. An example of a screen before updating device information and an example of a screen after updating device information processed by the device information change notification unit in the interface unit provided in the child image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. The 4th Embodiment of this invention is shown, and shows an example of the screen before a device information update processed by the device information change notification part in the interface part provided in the child image processing apparatus, and an example of a screen after a device information update It is a figure. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

204 User interface unit 205 Device information selection unit 206 Device information distribution destination selection unit 207 Device information distribution unit 304 User interface unit 305 Device information reception unit 306 Device information update unit 307 Device information change notification unit 701, 901, 1001, Device information update Previous screen 705, 711, 902, 1002, 1004, 1102 Registered button 706 Address setting content before update 707 Address setting content after update 710, 901, 1003, 1101 Device information update screen 903, 1103 Message screen 1005 Message area

Claims (8)

Has a device information used in the setting of the information processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external device,
Display means for displaying a registered name corresponding to the first device information;
Receiving means for receiving second device information from the external device ;
A changing unit that changes the first device information to the second device information when the second device information is received by the receiving unit ;
Even if the first device information is changed to the second device information by the changing means, if the registered name is the same registered name, the user is notified that the first device information has been changed. An information processing apparatus comprising: control means for controlling not to notify that the first device information has been changed when the registered names are not the same registered name . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit can set the number of times to notify the user that the first device information has been changed by the changing unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of setting a period for notifying the user that the first device information has been changed by the changing unit. . The control means changes the display method by the display means to notify the user that the first device information has been changed by the change means. The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above. The said control means displays the message for notifying the said user that the said 1st apparatus information was changed by the said change means, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The information processing apparatus described. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit notifies the user of information related to the external device that has transmitted the second device information. Has a device information used in the setting of the information processing apparatus, an information processing method for use in an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external device,
A display step for displaying a registered name corresponding to the first device information;
A receiving step of receiving second device information from the external device ;
A change step of changing the first device information to the second device information when the second device information is received by the receiving step ;
Even if the first device information is changed to the second device information by the changing step, if the registered name is the same registered name, the user is notified that the first device information has been changed. If the registration name is not the same registered name, the information processing method characterized by a control step of controlling so as not to notify that the device information has been changed. A computer program for causing a computer to execute each step of the information processing method according to claim 7.

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