JP6367032B2 - Administrator setting execution device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an administrator setting execution device capable of easily setting a setting file for administrator settings for a printing apparatus.

  In recent years, as a network develops, there are cases where a plurality of printing apparatuses are simultaneously set on the network, or are connected one by one, or an old printing apparatus on the network is replaced with a new printing apparatus.

  In such a case, it is necessary to first perform administrator setting for each printing apparatus. The administrator settings include, for example, a number of setting items such as “login setting”, “power saving setting”, “network setting”, etc. from the administrator setting start screen on which a list of setting items related to the administrator setting of the printing apparatus is displayed. And an answer screen for accepting an answer to the question of each setting item is displayed for each selected setting item. Next, an administrator setting file is generated by repeating for each of a number of setting items displayed on the administrator setting start screen that an answer to the question of each setting item is received from the administrator based on the answer screen. , Set the printer.

  Therefore, when there are multiple printing devices and setting a setting file for each printing device, it takes a lot of work and time, so the administrator setting file set on one printing device is transferred to another printing device. A method has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2006-221444 A JP 2003-280840 A

  However, in the methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, when the administrator setting file set in one printing apparatus is transferred to another new printing apparatus, all the setting files are transferred as they are. There is a problem that some administrator settings cannot be changed for each device.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem. When a setting file for administrator settings set in a certain printing apparatus is transferred to another new printing apparatus, some administrator settings are made for each printing apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an administrator setting execution device that can be changed and migrated.

  In order to achieve the above object, the administrator setting execution device according to the present invention is characterized in that it stores at least an answer file in which a question relating to the administrator setting of the printing device and the answer are associated with each other, and an administrator of the printing device. A storage means for associating and storing one or more setting items of the printing apparatus with the answer to the question regarding the setting and one or more setting items of the printing apparatus, and the answer to the question based on the answer file stored in the storage means An answer screen display means for displaying an answer and accepting a change of the answer, and when a change of the answer from the answer screen display means is confirmed, a setting item based on the answer with the confirmed change and the answer setting information Setting input screen display means for displaying a setting input screen for inputting settings for the determined setting items, and the setting In further comprising a, a configuration file setting means for generating a configuration file manager set based on an input to the setting items received by the input screen displaying means.

  According to the feature of the administrator setting execution device according to the present invention, a question file relating to the administrator setting of the printing device and an answer file in which the answer is associated are stored, and the question relating to the administrator setting of the printing device and its The answer and one or more setting items of the printing apparatus are associated with each other, stored as answer setting information, displayed based on the answer file, and the answer change is accepted. When the answer change is accepted, the setting item is determined based on the answer on the answer screen and the answer setting information, and the setting input screen is displayed. Based on the input to the setting item accepted on the setting input screen, the administrator setting is made. Generate a configuration file for.

  Therefore, when transferring the administrator setting file set on one printing device to another new printing device, not only can the administrator setting file be transferred to the new printing device, but also the administrator setting You can also migrate by changing only part of the file.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the administrator setting execution apparatus of the Example which concerns on this invention, and the connection state in a network. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an administrator setting start screen on which a list of setting items related to administrator settings of the printing apparatus is displayed. It is a figure which shows an example of the reply screen displayed when each setting item is selected on an administrator setting start screen. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the answer file memorize | stored in the administrator setting execution apparatus of the Example which concerns on this invention, (b) is memorize | stored in the administrator setting execution apparatus of the Example which concerns on this invention It is a figure which shows an example of sent answer setting information. It is a flowchart which shows the setting file setting operation | movement by the administrator setting execution apparatus of the Example which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting input start screen displayed first, when displaying a setting input screen in a question format (wizard format). These are figures which show an example of the setting input screen of the login setting displayed in order in a question form (wizard form) when login setting is selected and the OK button is selected on the setting input start screen shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, an administrator setting execution device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The administrator setting execution device 1 according to the embodiment described below is merely an example of the administrator setting execution device according to the present invention, and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an administrator setting execution apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a connection state in a network.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the administrator setting execution apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention receives a print job and executes printing (in this case, for convenience, for example, three, but three The printing apparatuses 2A to 2C are not limited, and a plurality (for example, four for convenience of explanation here) of generating a print job and transmitting it to any of the printing apparatuses 2A to 2C. Of course, the computer apparatus 3 may be connected to the computer apparatus 3 via a network 4 such as a wired or wireless intra network or the Internet.

  The administrator setting execution device 1 includes a CPU 11, a memory 12, a program storage unit 13, a display unit 14 such as a liquid crystal display, an input unit 15 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a network I / F connected to the network 4. Part 16 and the like.

  The CPU 11 executes the control program 13a stored in the program storage unit 13 to execute control of the entire administrator setting execution device 1, and a question format administrator setting button 14a1 (see FIG. 2) described later. When selected, it functions as a determination unit 11a, an answer screen display unit 11b, a setting input screen display unit 11c, a setting file setting unit 11d, and an answer file storage unit 11e that embody the functions of the administrator setting execution device according to the present invention. .

  The memory 12 stores various types of data, and in this embodiment, an answer file F (described later in FIG. 4 (a)) that associates questions of one or more setting items related to administrator settings of the printing apparatus with the answers. The answer file storage area 12a is stored. The memory 12 also stores answer setting information G (see FIG. 4B) that associates the question and answer regarding the administrator setting of the printing apparatus with one or more setting items of the printing apparatus. An information storage area 12b is provided.

  When the CPU 11 controls the overall operation of the administrator setting execution apparatus 1 and a question format administrator setting button 14a1 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, is selected, the program storage unit 13 determines the answering means 11a of the present invention. A control program 13a for functioning as screen display means 11b, setting input screen display means 11c, setting file setting means 11d and answer file storage means 11e is stored.

  Although not shown, the printing apparatuses 2A to 2C are a CPU 11, a memory 12, a program storage unit 13, a display unit 14 that displays various screens, and various types of printing apparatuses such as the number of printed sheets, the size of paper, and the printing density. An input unit 15 for inputting settings, a network I / F unit 16 connected to the network 4, a print execution unit 17 for executing printing based on a print job, and the like are provided. The print execution unit 17 executes printing by various printing methods such as an ink jet method in which ink is ejected from each color ink head, printing, a stencil printing method, and a laser printing method.

  However, in order for each of the printing apparatuses 2A to 2C to execute printing, as a premise, a setting file of an administrator setting for each of the printing apparatuses 2A to 2C is stored in the memory or program storage unit of each of the printing apparatuses 2A to 2C. Must be set and remembered.

  In order to set an administrator setting file in the memory or program storage unit of each of the printing apparatuses 2A to 2C, the administrator setting is performed by the computer apparatus 3 or an administrator setting apparatus (not shown) for each of the printing apparatuses 2A to 2C. From the administrator setting start screen 14a as shown in FIG. 2 to be described later on which a list of setting items related to the menu is displayed, a number of setting items such as “login setting”, “power saving setting”, and “network setting” are selected. For each selected setting item, an answer screen 14b for accepting an answer to the question of each setting item is displayed and the answer is accepted. Finally, a setting file for administrator setting is generated and set, or administrator setting is executed. There is a method of setting by a setting file setting operation shown in FIG.

  The computer device 3 is an information processing terminal device such as a general-purpose personal computer, a tablet, or a smartphone. The computer device 3 generates a print job and transmits the print job to any of the printing devices 2A to 2C via the network 4 for printing. The computer device 3 is provided with the function of the administrator setting execution device 1 so that the computer device 3 accepts answers to the questions regarding the setting items related to the administrator settings, and finally generates a setting file for the administrator settings. Then, it may be set for each of the printing apparatuses 2A to 2C.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an administrator setting start screen 14a on which a list of setting items related to administrator settings of the printing apparatus is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the administrator setting start screen 14a includes setting items belonging to “user management” (reference numeral 141) such as login settings, user settings, print / copy function restriction settings, paper registration, and the like. Setting items belonging to “System” (reference numeral 142) such as function key registration and date / time settings, setting items belonging to “printer” (reference numeral 143) such as network settings and USB memory print settings, color / monochrome determination levels, and scan data storage A list of setting items belonging to “scanner” (reference numeral 144) such as setting is displayed.

  When the setting operation of the setting file shown in FIG. 5 described later by the administrator setting execution apparatus 1 is not used, the administrator of the printing apparatus 2 displays the administrator setting start screen 14a as shown in FIG. In addition, it is necessary to select each setting item at any time and to generate and set a setting file by answering the questions in each setting item, which is very laborious and time consuming.

  Therefore, the administrator setting execution device 1 of this embodiment selects (executes) the administrator setting in the question format (wizard format) as will be described later, for example, in the upper right corner of the administrator setting start screen 14a. A question format manager setting button 14a1 is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an answer screen 14b displayed for each setting item when each setting item is selected on the administrator setting start screen 14a.

  The answer screen 14b shown in FIG. 3 displays the question items in each setting item related to the administrator setting in the printing apparatus displayed on the administrator setting start screen 14a as shown in FIG. 2 as "Question 1", "Question 2",. .. This is a screen that presents a plurality of questions 1 to n (n is a natural number) and allows the administrator of this printing apparatus to select “Yes” or “No” for these questions. . Also, depending on the case, although not shown in the figure, a numerical value, a character, or the like is entered to answer a question item.

  The answer screen 14b also displays an OK button 14b1 for confirming the answer input on the answer screen 14b and a cancel button 14b2 for canceling the input answer.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of the answer file F stored in the answer file storage area 12a included in the administrator setting execution device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the answer file F is a file in which the questions 1 to n of the setting items on the answer screen 14b and the answers input to the questions 1 to n are stored in a text format or the like. And stored in the answer file storage area 12a of the memory 12.

  The answer file F may be one that is answered and set by one of the printing apparatuses 2A to 2C connected to the network 4, or is answered by a printing apparatus that is connected to a network other than the network 4. It may be set. Therefore, when the answer file F is not stored in the memory 12 or the like of the administrator setting execution device 1, the printer 2A to 2C connected to the network 4 or a printing device connected to another network is accessed. It is determined whether it is stored.

  In addition, the answer file F may include not only answers input to the questions 1 to n but also answers to setting items that are subordinate thereto. Furthermore, the answers input to the questions 1 to n may be associated with the answers to the corresponding setting items, and only the answers to the setting items may be stored as separate files.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of the answer setting information G stored in the answer setting information storage area 12b included in the administrator setting execution device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the answer setting information G associates a question item 121 related to the administrator setting of the printing apparatus and its answer 123, and the answer 123 includes the printing apparatuses 2A to 2C. One or more setting items are associated. For example, “Yes” or “No” is associated with the answer 123 to “Do you use user authentication and use the printing apparatus?”, Which is one of the questions 121, and the answer is “Yes”. Are associated with setting items related to “login setting” and “user setting”.

  In other words, if “Yes” is answered to the question “Do you use user authentication and use the printing device?”, It is necessary to set the setting items related to “Login settings” and “User settings”. It shows that there is.

  The answer setting information G may be set in advance by any of the printing apparatuses 2A to 2C connected to the network 4, or set in advance by a printing apparatus connected to a network different from the network 4. Things can be used.

  Next, the setting file setting operation performed by the administrator setting execution apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the setting file setting operation by the administrator setting execution apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the setting file setting operation shown in FIG. 5, in the administrator setting execution device 1, the administrator opens the administrator setting start screen 14a as shown in FIG. 2 and presses the question form administrator setting button 14a1, and the CPU 11 The processing is started by executing the control program 13a stored in the program storage unit 13.

  When the setting file setting operation is started, as shown in FIG. 5, first, the CPU 11 functions as the determination unit 11a. For example, each setting item related to the administrator setting of the printing apparatus is stored in the answer file storage area 12a of the memory 12. It is determined whether an answer to the question is stored as an answer file F (see FIG. 4) (step S110).

  Here, when the above-mentioned answer file F is stored in the answer file storage area 12a of the memory 12 (step S110 “YES”), the CPU 11 subsequently functions as the answer screen display means 11b, and the answer file F Is read from the answer file storage area 12a of the memory 12 (step S130), the answer to the question item of each setting item is set based on the answer file F, the answer field and the numerical value entry field have been answered, and The answer screen 14b displayed in a changeable state is displayed on the display unit 14 (step S150).

  If a plurality of answer files F are stored in the memory 12, an answer screen 14b reflecting the contents of the answer file F selected by the administrator is displayed on the display unit 14.

  On the other hand, when the answer file F is not stored in the answer file storage area 12a of the memory 12 (step S110 “NO”), the CPU 11 displays an answer screen 14b on which no answer is given on the display unit 14 ( Step S150). That is, in the answer screen 14b shown in FIG. 3, the “Yes” and “No” answer fields, the numerical value entry fields, and the like are displayed in a state where no answer has been made.

  Next, in the answer screen 14b displayed on the display unit 14, the CPU 11 accepts a new answer from the administrator if the answer screen 14b is not answered at all, while the answer screen 14b that has been answered based on the answer file F. If so, the change of the answer from the administrator is accepted (step S170). If there is no change in the answer of the answer file F read from the answer file storage area 12a of the memory 12, the administrator does not change the answer, so the CPU 11 uses the answer displayed on the answer screen 14b as it is. .

  Then, when a new answer or answer change by the administrator based on the answer screen 14b is completed (confirmed) (step S190 “YES”), the CPU 11 functions as the setting input screen display unit 11c, and the answer screen 14b A new setting item for the printing apparatus is determined based on the question regarding the administrator setting of the printing apparatus stored in the answer and the answer setting information storage area 12b and the answer setting information G that associates the answer with the setting item of the printing apparatus. Then, a setting input start screen 14c as shown in FIG. 6 to be described later is displayed on the display unit 14 (step S230).

  That is, the CPU 11 excludes the setting item for which the answer is “no” based on the answer on the completed (confirmed) answer screen 14b and the answer setting information stored in the answer setting information storage area 12b, and “yes”. Only setting items that are filled in are filtered (selected) and displayed on the setting input start screen 14c.

  If the answer file is not only “Yes / No” as shown in FIG. 4A but also answers to the setting items corresponding to the answer are stored in the memory 12, the CPU 11 Only setting items whose entries are changed from “No” to “Yes” or from “No selection” to “Yes” may be filtered (selected) and displayed on the setting input start screen 14c. For example, in the answer screen 14b, “Yes” is answered to the question item “Do you authenticate and use the printing device?” In question 1, and “Do you want to set power saving?” In question 2 If you answered “Yes” to the question item in “No” and answered “No” to the question item “Do you want to use the function to send scanned data by e-mail?” Based on the setting information G, the setting items related to “Yes” of Question 1 and Question 2 are selected for “Login setting”, “User setting”, “Date / time setting”, “Timer operation”, and “Power saving setting”. Will be.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the setting input start screen 14c that is first displayed when the setting input screen 14d is displayed in the question format (wizard format).

  As described above, the setting input start screen 14c is determined by filtering the setting items of the new printing apparatus based on the answer on the answer screen 14b and the answer setting information stored in the answer setting information storage area 12b. This is the first screen displayed when the setting input screen 14d is displayed in question format (wizard format) or the like based on each setting item.

  In the setting input start screen 14c shown in FIG. 6, for example, “login setting”, “user setting”, “date and time” filtered based on the answer setting information stored in the answer and answer setting information storage area 12b in the answer screen 14b. This shows a case where the setting items “Setting”, “Timer operation”, and “Power saving setting” are selected. In addition, on this setting input start screen 14c, an OK button 14c1 and a cancel button 14c2 for selecting whether or not to input the setting item in a question format (wizard format) are displayed.

  Next, the CPU 11 determines whether either the OK button 14c1 or the cancel button 14c2 is selected on the setting input start screen 14c and the setting items are input in the question format (wizard format) (step S250).

  Here, when the OK button 14c1 is selected and the input of the setting item in the question format (wizard format) is selected (YES), the CPU 11 functions as the setting input screen display means 11c and is shown in FIG. Such a setting input screen 14d is displayed on the display unit 14 in a question format (wizard format) (step S270).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a login setting setting input screen 14d that is sequentially displayed in question format (wizard format) when the OK button 14c1 is selected on the setting input start screen 14c illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, on the login setting setting input screen 14d, there is a question as to whether or not login is required for each mode of the printer mode, the copy mode, and the scanner mode, and an answer to the question “ “Unnecessary”, “Necessary” and automatic logout time questions are displayed, and the administrator selects and answers “unnecessary” and “necessary” for each mode, and sets the automatic logout time for that time. (Input) It can be configured.

  In FIG. 7, 14d1 and 14e1 are OK buttons for confirming the input on each setting input screen 14d, and 14d2 and 14e2 are cancel buttons for canceling the input.

  For this reason, the administrator selects the OK button 14c1 on the setting input start screen 14c, and thereafter displays “login setting”, “user setting”, “ Input is made in order on the setting input screen 14 d of “timer operation” and “power saving setting”.

  Next, the CPU 11 functions as the setting file setting unit 11d and accepts input of each setting item from the administrator on the setting input screen 14d displayed in the question format (wizard format) based on the setting input start screen 14c. (Step S290).

  When the input for each setting item by the administrator is completed (“YES” in step S310), the CPU 11 then creates an administrator setting file for the new printing apparatus based on the setting input for each setting item by the administrator. Generate (step S330), and set the generated setting file in the memory or program storage unit of the new printing apparatus (step S350).

  Finally, the CPU 11 functions as the answer file storage unit 11e to store the answer file F of the answer completed in step S190 described above in the answer file storage area 12a of the memory 12 (step S370). The process ends.

  Here, when the answer file F is stored in the memory 12, the answer file F read from the answer file storage area 12a of the memory 12 in step S130 and the answer file F of the answer completed in step S190 described above are answered. If they are different, they may be newly saved as separate files. In this way, this operation is performed when the setting file is transferred to another printing apparatus (for example, the printing apparatus 2C), and the answer file F is read from the answer file storage area 12a of the memory 12 in step S130. At this time, a plurality of answer files F are stored in the answer file storage area 12a of the memory 12, and the administrator can select, read and use them.

  On the other hand, if the administrator selects the cancel button 14c2 on the setting input start screen 14c in step S250 and the setting item input in the question format (wizard format) is not selected ("NO"), the CPU 11 The administrator setting start screen 14a as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed (step S390), input of each setting item is received from the administrator on the administrator setting start screen 14a (step S290), and the subsequent processing is performed. . As a result, when the administrator does not select the input of the setting item in the question format (wizard format), the “login setting”, “power saving setting”, “ A number of setting items such as “network setting” can be selected one by one, and an answer can be input on the answer screen 14b of each selected setting item to generate a setting file for administrator settings. In step S250, if the input of the setting item in the question format (wizard format) is not selected ("NO"), the above processing may be terminated as it is.

  Therefore, according to the administrator setting execution apparatus 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, after the administrator setting is executed by the first printing apparatus (for example, the printing apparatus 2B), a new printing apparatus (for example, the printing apparatus 2A) is executed. In the case of executing the administrator setting in (1), a new response is created based on the answer on the answer screen 14b displayed based on the answer file F of the answer received and stored when the administrator setting is executed by the first printing apparatus. The setting item of the administrator setting of the printing apparatus is determined (selected), the answer screen 14b is displayed, the answer to the question item of each setting item is accepted, and the setting file is set based on the accepted answer and the answer setting information G Can be generated.

  Therefore, when transferring the administrator setting file set on a certain printing device to another new printing device, not only can the administrator setting file be transferred to the new printing device, but also on a certain printing device. By generating the administrator setting file by referring to the answer file F when the administrator setting is executed, only a part of the administrator setting file can be changed and migrated.

  As a result, even when only a part of the administrator setting file set in a certain printing apparatus is changed and transferred, there is no need to start by selecting setting items on the administrator setting start screen 14a as shown in FIG. It can reduce the labor and time for setting the administrator.

  Further, in the administrator setting execution device 1 of this embodiment, after determining the administrator setting items based on the answer screen 14b, the setting input start screen 14c as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 14, and this setting is performed. When the OK button 14c1 is selected on the input start screen 14c, a setting input screen 14d as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 14 in a question format (wizard format), and a question format (wizard format) is displayed to the administrator. Enter the administrator settings with. Therefore, the administrator setting can be easily set also in this respect.

1 ... Administrator setting execution device 11 ... CPU
11a ... Determination means 11b ... Answer screen display means 11c ... Setting input screen display means 11d ... Setting file setting means 11e ... Answer file storage means 12 ... Memory 12a ... Answer file storage area 12b ... Answer setting information storage area 13 ... Program storage section 13a ... Control program 14 ... Display unit 14a ... Administrator setting start screen 14b ... Answer screen 14c ... Setting input start screen 14d ... Setting input screen 15 ... Input unit 16 ... Network I / F unit 2A-2C ... Printing device 3 ... Computer Device 4 ... Network

Claims (1)

Storing an answer file in which at least a question regarding the administrator setting of the printing apparatus and an answer input to the question are associated with each other; and the question and the answer and at least one setting item of the printing apparatus Storage means for associating and storing as answer setting information,
Based on the answer file stored in the storage means, the answer screen display means for displaying the answer to the question and receiving the change of the answer;
A setting input screen for determining a setting item based on the answer for which the change has been confirmed and the answer setting information when the change of the answer from the answer screen display unit is confirmed, and inputting settings for the determined setting item A setting input screen display means for displaying
Setting file setting means for generating a setting file for administrator settings based on an input to the setting items received by the setting input screen display means;
An administrator setting execution device characterized by comprising:

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