JP7234653B2 - program - Google Patents

Description

The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to program technology used to collectively transmit or receive data to or from a plurality of devices.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique is known in which an application program installed in a terminal device capable of communicating with a plurality of devices causes the terminal device to collectively transmit or receive data with a plurality of devices. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a list of communicable devices is displayed, communication target devices are selected from the list, and setting information is transmitted from a terminal device to the selected devices. is disclosed.

JP 2018-055601 A

The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 discloses an operation screen and an operation procedure for one function of transmitting setting information as a function for a device. However, it does not disclose an operation screen for a program that allows the terminal device to execute multiple types of functions for the device.

This specification discloses a technique for improving the usability of a program that is installed in a terminal device that can communicate with multiple devices and that allows the terminal device to perform multiple types of functions.

A program designed to solve the above-described problems is a program executable by a computer of an information processing apparatus including a communication interface, an operation unit, and a display unit, wherein the computer stores first setting data and a second function for transmitting or receiving the second setting data is received through the operation unit. and a list of identification information of at least two devices among a plurality of devices connected to the information processing apparatus via the communication interface when the function selection operation for selecting the first function is received. a first display process for causing the display unit to display a first setting screen including a common device list shown in , and a first operator for instructing execution of the first function; with at least two or more of the devices shown in the common device list on the first setting screen when an operation to select the first operator is accepted via When the first function execution process of transmitting or receiving the first setting data via an interface and the function selection operation of selecting the second function are received, the common device list a second display process for displaying on the display unit a second setting screen including a second operator for instructing execution of the function of; the second setting data via the communication interface with at least two devices out of the devices shown in the common device list on the second setting screen when a selection operation is accepted; and a second function execution process for transmitting or receiving the

The information processing apparatus that executes the program configured as described above has a first setting screen and a second setting screen, which are setting screens for two different functions, and commonly displays a list of two or more devices to be controlled. A first setting screen and a second setting screen including a device list are displayed. Therefore, regardless of whether the user uses the first function or the second function, the user recognizes the device that transmits or receives the setting data from the displayed common device list. is good.

A control method for realizing the functions of the above apparatus and a computer-readable storage medium storing the above program are also novel and useful.

According to the technology disclosed in this specification, the usability of a program that is installed in a terminal device that can communicate with multiple devices and that allows the terminal device to perform multiple types of functions is improved. A technology that allows

It is a figure showing a schematic structure of a function management system using a program concerning an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a device setting file; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a device information storage unit; FIG. It is a figure explaining an example of a logic table. It is a screen transition diagram explaining a control object selection procedure. It is a figure which shows an example of a 1st setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a 2nd setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a 3rd setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a 4th setting screen. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control procedure of function management processing; 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control procedure of screen switching processing shown in FIG. 10; 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control procedure of the function execution process shown in FIG. 10; FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a control procedure of the first map creation process shown in FIG. 12; FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control procedure of a second map creation process shown in FIG. 12; FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control procedure of the third map creation process shown in FIG. 12; FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a control procedure of a fourth map creation process shown in FIG. 12; FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control procedure of command transmission processing shown in FIG. 12;

A program and an apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Overall configuration of function management system)
As shown in FIG. 1, a function management system 1 (hereinafter referred to as "system 1") enables communication between a personal computer (PC) 2 and two or more image forming apparatuses 100A, 100B, 200A, 200B, . It is connected to the. The LAN 6 may be configured by wire, wireless, or a mixture of wired and wireless.

The PC 2 is an example of an "information processing device". The image forming apparatuses 100A, 100B, 200A, 200B, . The image forming apparatuses 100A, 100B, 200A, 200B, . Note that the "device" may be an image processing apparatus such as a scanner or printer.

The PC 2 performs multiple functions by transmitting or receiving data to and from the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 . The PC 2 is communicably connected to an authentication server 8 via a LAN 6 . The server 8 includes an authentication unit 80 that authenticates whether or not the PC 2 has authority to change the settings of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 .

(Schematic configuration of image forming apparatus)
The image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 each include a controller 12 , an image forming section 14 , an operation display section 16 , a communication section 18 and a storage section 10 . The image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 differ in whether or not they are compatible with specific functions. A specific function is a function added to the image forming apparatus. Manufacturers determine support for specific functions by model. Therefore, in the present embodiment, image forming apparatus 100 is a general term for image forming apparatuses 100A, 100B, . , 200B, . . .

For example, in the image forming apparatus 100</b>A, the controller 12 is connected to the image forming section 14 , the operation display section 16 , the communication section 18 and the storage section 10 . The image forming section 14 prints image data on a printing medium. The operation display unit 16 displays information and accepts operations. As for the operation display section 16, an operation section and a display section may be provided separately. The communication unit 18 controls communication with an external device. The storage unit 10 stores programs and data. The image forming apparatus 100A may further include a reading unit for reading images.

The storage unit 10 stores identification information individually assigned to the image forming apparatus 100A. Identification information is, for example, an IP address, a node name, and a serial number. The storage unit 10 also stores the model name of the image forming apparatus 100A. Further, the storage unit 10 includes a parameter storage unit 108 that stores setting values set in the image forming apparatus 100A. The setting values include, for example, print parameters such as print resolution, document size, and color settings, and display settings such as images displayed on the operation display unit 16, layout of icons, screen resolution, and the like. The setting values may be stored in the image forming apparatus 100A at the time of product shipment, or may be input using the operation display unit 16. FIG.

Other image forming apparatuses 100B, 200A, 200B, . . . also have the above configuration. The image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 have different settings of backup lock information and release information.

The backup lock information is information indicating whether or not to permit transmission of information about its own device to other devices, and is stored in each of the image forming devices 100 and 200 . The information about the own device is, for example, the identification information of the own device, the model name, and the parameters stored in the parameter storage unit 108 . For example, when the backup lock information is set to "OFF" as in the image forming apparatuses 100A, 100B, and 200A, the image forming apparatuses can transmit information regarding their own settings to other apparatuses. On the other hand, when the backup lock information is set to "ON" as in the image forming apparatus 200B, the image forming apparatus cannot transmit information regarding its own settings to other apparatuses.

The release information is information indicating whether or not the restriction on execution of the specific function has been released. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 that supports the specific function stores release information, but the image forming apparatus 200 that does not support the specific function does not store release information. The release information is set to "ON" when the restriction on execution of the specific function is released, and is set to "OFF" when the restriction on execution of the specific function is not released.

For example, the image forming apparatus 100A includes a device program 102 for causing the controller 12 to execute a specific function, and a device file 106 for storing data used when executing the device program 102. FIG. The image forming apparatus 100A can download the device program 102 and the device file 106 and execute the specific function by setting the release information to "ON". In this embodiment, the device program 102 has a function of causing the controller 12 to customize the display content of the operation display section 16 to a special display different from the normal display. The device file 106 stores image instruction data for customizing the display of the operation display section 16 . The image instruction data includes, for example, background and icon images that cannot be used in normal display, and parameters related to icon placement. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100A can use the image instruction data to customize the display contents of the operation display section 16 to be different from usual.

On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 100B has the cancellation information set to "OFF". Therefore, even if the image forming apparatus 100B has the device program 102 and the device file 106, they cannot be executed. Therefore, image forming apparatus 100B cannot customize the display content. Note that the image forming apparatus 200 does not store release information, and does not have the device program 102 and the device file 106 .

(Schematic configuration of PC)
The PC 2 includes a controller 20 , a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “communication IF”) 22 , an operation section 24 and a display section 26 . The controller 20 is connected to the communication IF 22 , the operation section 24 and the display section 26 . The communication IF 22 controls communication with external devices. The operation unit 24 is for inputting information and receiving instructions. The operating unit 24 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The display unit 26 displays information. The display unit 26 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. Note that the operation unit 24 and the display unit 26 may be integrated.

The controller 20 has a CPU 30 and a memory 32 . The memory 32 stores various programs and data. The CPU 30 executes programs stored in the memory 32 while storing data in the memory 32 to control the operation of the PC 2 . Note that the controller 20 or CPU 30 is an example of a "computer."

The memory 32 includes, for example, an operating system (OS) 52, a terminal program 54, a management program 40, a device setting file storage unit 42, a device information storage unit 44, a solution file 46, and a terminal file 48. there is

The terminal program 54 has a function of generating data relating to specific functions to be executed by two or more image forming apparatuses 100 from the PC 2 and storing the data in the terminal file 48 . In this embodiment, the terminal program 54 creates image instruction data for customizing the display of the image forming apparatus 100 and stores it in the terminal file 48 .

The device setting file storage unit 42 stores device setting files 60 a , 60 b , 60 c to be transmitted to the image forming apparatuses 100 , 200 . The device setting files 60a, 60b, and 60c are collectively referred to as the device setting file 60 when there is no particular need to distinguish them.

As shown in FIG. 2, the device setting file 60 stores, for example, description formats and setting values. The description format and setting values may be predetermined values or values input using the operation unit 24 . The description format is, for example, JSON (Java Script (registered trademark) Object Notation) format or PJL (Printer Job Language) format. The set values are, for example, default print resolution, print availability, power save time, power saving mode transition conditions, release information, and backup lock information.

For example, in the device setting file 60a, the release information is set to "ON" and the backup lock information is set to "OFF". Further, for example, in the device setting file 60b, the release information is set to "OFF" and the backup lock information is set to "OFF". Further, for example, in the device setting file 60c, the setting value does not include release information, and the backup lock information is set to "OFF".

Returning to FIG. 1, the device information storage unit 44 stores device information for each of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200. FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the device information storage unit 44 stores, for example, an "IP address", a "model name", a "node name", a "serial number", a "specific function support state", and a "device parameter". are doing.

"Specific function compatibility status" stores information indicating whether or not the specific function is compatible. Whether or not a specific function is supported differs depending on the model, for example. Therefore, the information set in the "specific function support state" is automatically discriminated from the "model name" and stored. For example, if the model names of the models corresponding to the specific functions are "M01" and "M03", "supported" is stored in the "specific function support state" of the record containing "M01" and "M03". On the other hand, if the model name of the model that does not support the specific function is "M02", "non-supported" is stored in the "specific function support state" of the record containing "M02".

“Device parameters” stores parameters set in the parameter storage unit 108 of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 . The 'device parameters' are, for example, 'print resolution', 'release information', 'backup lock information', and the like. Since the setting of the release information and the backup lock information is the same as that described in the configuration of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200, the description thereof will be omitted.

Returning to FIG. 1, the solution file 46 stores information necessary for canceling the execution restriction of the specific function for the image forming apparatus 100 capable of supporting the specific function. The solution file 46 is an example of a "specific file". The solution file 46 stores "release authority: ON", "download destination directory", and "authentication ID".

"Release authority: ON" is information that functions as a release key for releasing the execution restriction of a specific function. The “download destination directory” is information indicating the location where the solution file 46 is stored when the image forming apparatus 100 receives the solution file 46 from the PC 2 . The “download destination directory” is set to a directory in which the device program 102 is saved. “Authentication ID” is information used for authority authentication when executing a specific function. The authentication ID is given by the manufacturer of the management program 40 .

The management program 40 has a function of causing the PC 2 to perform multiple types of functions. The management program 40 has a setting screen for each of a plurality of types of functions, and has a function of switching and displaying the setting screen according to the selected function and executing the selected function according to the setting of the setting screen. The management program 40 has a function of searching for the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 that can be connected to the PC 2, creating a common device list 50 listing the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 to be displayed on each setting screen, and storing it in the memory 32. have The management program 40 is an example of a "program".

In this embodiment, the selectable functions in the management program 40 are the first function, the second function, the third function, the fourth function, and the fifth function. The management program 40 stores a logic table 401 shown in FIG. The logic table 401 stores, for each function, a “command” that is information indicating the content of the function, and a “supported condition” that is information indicating the conditions to be controlled for executing the function.

The first function is to transmit the device setting file 60 to two or more image forming apparatuses 100 and 200, so that the setting contents of the parameter storage unit 108 of the destination image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 are changed to the setting contents of the device setting file 60. It is a function that updates based on Therefore, "send device setting file" is set in the "command" of the first function. Since all the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 are targeted for the first function, the "supported condition" is not set.

A second function is a function of receiving data set in each of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 and storing the received setting data in the device information storage unit 44 for each of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 . Therefore, "backup" is set in the "command" of the second function. In order to cause image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 to execute the second function, image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 must set the backup lock information to "OFF". Therefore, "backup information: OFF" is set for the "supported condition" of the second function.

The third function is a function of transmitting the solution file 46 to two or more image forming apparatuses 100 to release the restriction on execution of a specific function of the image forming apparatuses 100 of the transmission destinations. In other words, the third function is a function of adding to the image forming apparatus 100 a function of customizing the display screen displayed on the operation display unit 16 by the image forming apparatus 100 . However, if anyone can change the setting, the added value of the specific function is lost. Therefore, authority authentication is performed for execution of the third function. Therefore, "setting change with authentication" is set in the "command" of the third function. In order to release the restriction on the execution of specific information in an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus needs to support the specific function. Therefore, the "supported condition" of the third function is set to "specific function supported state: supported".

By transmitting the terminal file 48 to two or more image forming apparatuses 100, the fourth function is specified by using the terminal file 48 when the restriction on execution of the specified function has been lifted in the image forming apparatus 100 of the transmission destination. A function that executes a function. In this embodiment, the fourth function is a function of customizing the display of the operation display section 16 of the image forming apparatus 100 . Therefore, "terminal file transmission" is set in the "command" of the fourth function. In order to cause the image forming apparatus to execute the fourth function, the image forming apparatus must set the release information to "ON". Therefore, the "supported condition" of the fourth function is set to "cancellation information: ON".

A fifth function searches for the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 connected to the PC 2, and creates a common device list 50 that lists the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 selected from the searched image forming apparatuses 100 and 200. It is a function of creating and storing in the memory 32 .

Here, if the first function is an example of a "first function" and the second function is an example of a "second function", the device setting file 60 is an example of "first setting data", and each image formation The data received from the devices 100, 200 is an example of "second setting data". When the first function is an example of the "first function" and the third function is an example of the "second function", the device setting file 60 is an example of the "first setting data", and the solution file 46 is an example of the "first setting data". It is an example of "second setting data". Furthermore, when the third function is an example of the "first function" and the fourth function is an example of the "second function", the solution file 46 is an example of the "first setting data", and the terminal file 48 is an example of the " This is an example of "second setting data".

(Description of operation)
The operation of the system 1 will be described by function with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. FIG.

(Outline of operation at startup)
When the management program 40 is started using the operation unit 24, the PC 2 displays the initial screen SC0 shown in FIG. An icon A3 for receiving an instruction to search for image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 connectable to PC2 is displayed on the initial screen SC0. The icon A3 is an example of a "fourth operator".

When the user clicks icon A3 using operation unit 24, PC2 searches for image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 connected to PC2. Then, the PC 2 causes the display unit 26 to display a search result display screen SC6 showing a list of the searched image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 .

The search result display screen SC6 has a display area DA50 for displaying identification information such as an IP address and serial number, model name, and the like for each searched image forming apparatus. In the search result display screen SC6, an input field IA50 for setting search conditions and a search button A56 for instructing search execution are displayed in the upper right of the display area DA50. For example, the user can narrow down the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 displayed in the display area DA50 by inputting search conditions in the input field IA50 and clicking a search button A56.

The search result display screen SC6 is provided with selection boxes C62 for individually selecting the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 listed in the display area DA50. The search result display screen SC6 also displays a selection box C61 for collectively selecting the image forming apparatuses displayed in the display area DA50. In the selection boxes C61 and C62, a check mark M indicating a selected state is superimposed or erased according to the operation of the operation unit 24. FIG. At the lower right of the search result display screen SC6, an icon A52 for instructing acceptance of the display target selection operation and an icon A54 for instructing to cancel the display target selection operation are displayed.

For example, when the user puts a check mark M in the selection box C62 corresponding to the image forming apparatus 100, 200 to be displayed using the operation unit 24 and clicks the icon A52, the PC 2 puts the check mark M. A common device list 50 listing the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 is created and stored in the memory 32 . Common device list 50 stores IP addresses and model names of image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 . The common device list 50 may also store node names and serial numbers. The IP address, node name, and serial number are examples of "identification information."

The common device list 50 is read from the memory 32 and displayed on the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4, respectively, when the first to fourth functions are selected as described later.

Therefore, even if there are, for example, 100 or more image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 connectable to the PC 2, the PC 2 narrows down the display targets to be displayed in the common device list 50 from among them to several tens, that is, the control target. can be narrowed down and listed in the common device list 50 . Therefore, the PC 2 can display the common device list 50 in an easy-to-see manner on the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4.

(Outline of operation when the first function is selected)
After the common device list 50 is stored in the memory 32, when the user uses the operation unit 24 to display the first function on the function display unit A1 as shown in FIG. and a first setting screen SC1 for receiving an execution instruction is displayed on the display unit 26. FIG.

A display area DA10 is set on the left side of the center of the first setting screen SC1. A common device list 50 stored in the memory 32 is displayed in the display area DA10. The display area DA10 displays a selection box C12 for individual selection and a selection box C11 for collective selection for each of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 displayed in the common device list 50 .

A setting area DA12 is set on the right side of the center of the first setting screen SC1, that is, on the right side of the common device list 50. FIG. Parameters corresponding to the first function are displayed for each of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 in the setting area DA12. The setting area DA12 is an example of the "first parameter setting area".

The setting area DA12 has a setting column Q12 for specifying the device setting file 60 to be transmitted. The file name of the device setting file 60 is displayed in the setting column Q12 when the device setting file 60 is set, and "None" is displayed when the device setting file 60 is not set.

On the first setting screen SC1, above the common device list 50, a function display section A1, an icon A2, and an icon A3 are arranged in order from the left side of the drawing. The function display area A1 displays functions selected from the first to fourth functions. The icon A2 instructs the display of a function list L2 (see FIG. 5) that lists the first to fourth functions. The icon A2 is an example of the "third operator". Since the icon A3 has been described above, a description thereof will be omitted.

An icon A10 and an icon A4 are displayed between the common device list 50 and the function display area A1 on the first setting screen SC1. The icon A10 instructs display of a file list L1 showing the device setting files 60 as a list. Icon A4 accepts an instruction to delete image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 displayed in common device list 50 .

Furthermore, in the lower right area of the common device list 50 of the first setting screen SC1, an icon A14 for receiving an instruction to execute the first function is arranged. The icon A14 displays "send device setting file", which is information indicating the content of the first function, in order to prevent the user from making a mistake in operation.

For example, when setting the device setting file 60c for the image forming apparatus 200A, the user uses the operation unit 24 to check the selection box C12 next to the IP address "123.XXX.04" of the image forming apparatus 200A. Click icon A10 with M in it. Then, the PC 2 displays a dialog DL14 for displaying the file list L1 at the position of the icon A10 overlaid on the first setting screen SC1. When the user selects the file name "C" from the dialog DL14 using the operation unit 24 and clicks the OK button A12, the PC 2 corresponds to the IP address "123.XXX.04" of the image forming apparatus 200A. change the display of the setting field Q12 to the selected file name "C" from "None".

When the user sets individual file names in the setting field Q12 using the operation unit 24 and clicks the icon A14, the PC 2 sets the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 with the check mark M in the setting field Q12. The device setting file 60 with the given file name is sent. The image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 that have received the device setting file 60 update the existing setting values to the setting values stored in the device setting file 60 .

For example, when the PC 2 sets the file name "A" for the image forming apparatuses 100A and 100B and the file name "C" for the image forming apparatus 200A in the setting field Q12, the icon A14 is displayed. Assume that a selection operation is accepted. In this case, the PC 2 transmits the device setting file 60a to the image forming apparatuses 100A and 100B, and updates the settings of the image forming apparatuses 100A and 100B to the settings of the device setting file 60a. Also, the PC 2 transmits the device setting file 60c to the image forming apparatus 200A, and updates the setting of the image forming apparatus 200A to the setting of the device setting file 60c.

After the icon A14 shown in FIG. 6 is clicked, the PC 2 displays a dialog DL10 indicating that the function is being executed, superimposed on the first setting screen SC1 until all transmission processing is completed. The dialog DL10 is an example of the "execution screen". The dialog DL10 displays the progress of function execution such as "30%". The dialog DL10 may simply display "executing" without displaying the progress. When the execution of the function is completed, a dialog DL12 notifying of the completion is displayed.

When the user clicks the icon A4 using the operation unit 24 with check marks M placed in the selection boxes C11 and C12, the PC 2 shares the image forming apparatus 100 with the check marks M. Delete from the device list 50. Also, when the user clicks the icon A3 on the first setting screen SC1 using the operation unit 24, the PC 2 executes the fifth function as described above. Therefore, the user can arbitrarily change the display contents of the common device list 50 from the first setting screen SC1.

(Outline of operation when the second function is selected)
As shown in FIG. 7, when the user causes the function display portion A1 to display the second function using the operation portion 24, the PC 2 accepts the selection of the second function and displays the second setting screen SC2 on the display portion 26. to display.

The second setting screen SC2 has the same layout as the first setting screen SC1, and displays a function display area A1 and icons A2, A3, and A4, as well as a display area DA10 and a setting area DA12. On the second setting screen SC2, an icon A24 for instructing execution of the second function is displayed at the same position as the icon A14 on the first setting screen SC1. In this specification, "the same" arrangement does not mean "same" in a strict sense, but includes a range that can be recognized as "same" from the user's point of view. The icon A24 displays "backup", which is information indicating the content of the second function, in order to reduce user's operational errors.

A common device list 50 having the same content as that of the first setting screen SC1 is displayed in the display area DA10. A selection box C12 for individual selection and a selection box C11 for collective selection are displayed in the display area DA10. Further, the display area DA10 is provided with a support display column Q20 for displaying information as to whether or not the second function can be executed for each of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 displayed in the common device list 50. FIG.

A second function is a function of receiving setting data from the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 and storing it in the device information storage unit 44 . However, the PC 2 cannot receive setting data from the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 whose backup lock information is "ON". Therefore, the PC 2 indicates in the support display column Q20 that the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 for which the backup lock information stored in the device information storage unit 44 is set to "OFF" support the second function. For the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 whose backup lock information is set to "ON", "Not Supported", which is information indicating that the second function is not supported, is displayed. indicate. As a result, the user can avoid recognizing the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 that cannot execute the second function from the common device list 50 and selecting them as control targets.

Then, the PC 2 displays information about the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 capable of executing the second function in a selectable state on the second setting screen SC2, while displaying information about the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 not capable of executing the second function. is displayed in a non-selectable state. In the present embodiment, as indicated by Q22 in the drawing, the information about the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 that do not support the second function is grayed out and displayed so that it cannot be selected, but it may be hidden. This prevents the user from erroneously selecting image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 that cannot execute the second function.

Furthermore, the PC 2 may improve the usability of the selection operation by placing the selectable image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 higher than the unselectable image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 in the common device list 50. .

Parameters corresponding to the second function are displayed in the setting area DA12. The setting area DA12 has an input field IA20 for inputting a location for storing received data, and a selection field SA21 for selecting the type of data to be received. The types of data may be collectively selected by operating the icon A20, or may be individually selected by operating the icon A22.

For example, when the user uses the operation unit 24 to put a check mark M in the selection box C11 and clicks the icon A24, the PC 2 receives data from the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 that support the second function. do. The data received by the PC 2 includes data of the type selected in the selection field SA21 and identification information such as the IP address and node name of the image forming apparatus 100 or 200 that is the transmission source. PC 2 stores the received setting data in device information storage unit 44 for each of image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 . If there is existing data in the device information storage unit 44, the PC 2 updates the existing data with new data.

After the icon A24 is clicked, the PC 2 displays dialogs DL10 and DL12 to notify the progress of execution of the second function, as in the case of executing the first function.

(Outline of operation when the third function is selected)
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100B has the same model as the image forming apparatus 100A, but the release information is set to "OFF" and execution of the specific function is restricted. Here, an example will be described in which the PC 2 cancels the execution restriction of the specific function for the image forming apparatus 100B.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the user uses the operation unit 24 to display the third function on the function display unit A1, the PC 2 accepts the selection of the third function and displays the third setting screen SC3 on the display unit. 26. The third setting screen SC3 has the same layout as the first setting screen SC1, and displays a function display area A1 and icons A2, A3, and A4, as well as a display area DA10 and a setting area DA12. On the third setting screen SC3, an icon A34 for instructing execution of the third function is displayed at the same position as the icon A14 on the first setting screen SC1. The icon A34 displays "setting change with authentication", which is information indicating the content of the third function, in order to reduce user's operational errors.

A common device list 50 and selection boxes C11 and C12 are displayed in the display area DA10, as in the first setting screen SC1. Further, the display area DA10 is provided with a support display field Q30 for displaying information as to whether or not each image forming apparatus 100 supports a specific function, as in the second setting screen SC2.

Since the image forming apparatus 200 does not support the specific function, it cannot limit the execution of the specific function or cancel the execution limit of the specific function. Therefore, among the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 displayed in the common device list 50, the device information storage unit 44 stores "supported" in the "specific function support state", and the PC 2 enables the specific function. While "Supported", which is information indicating that it is supported, is displayed in the support display field Q30, for those for which "non-supported" is stored in the "specific function support status", the specific function is not supported. "Not Supported", which is information indicating that, is displayed in the support display field Q30. As in the outline of the execution operation of the second function described above, the PC 2 displays the image forming apparatus 200 that does not support the specific function as unselectable or supports the specific function, as indicated by Q32 in FIG. Those that support the particular function may be displayed higher than those that do not support the particular function.

The setting area DA12 displays the parameters necessary for releasing the execution restriction of the specific function. The setting area DA12 is provided with an input field IA30 for inputting the location where the solution file 46 is saved by the image forming apparatus 100 executing the third function, and an input field IA32 for inputting the authentication ID. If the solution file 46 already exists in the PC 2, the entry fields IA30 and IA32 may be automatically entered.

For example, the user uses the operation unit 24 to select the image forming apparatus 100B whose release information is set to "OFF" as shown in FIG. When the check mark M is put in the box C12 and the icon A34 is clicked, the PC 2 transmits the authentication ID displayed in the input field IA32 of the setting area DA12 to the server 8 and requests authorization authentication.

When the authorization authentication succeeds, the PC 2 connects to the image forming apparatus 100B using "Release authority: ON" in the solution file 46, and changes the setting of the release information of the image forming apparatus 100B from "OFF" to "ON". At the same time, the solution file 46 is transmitted. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 100B becomes ready to execute the specific function.

After the icon A34 is clicked, the PC 2 displays dialogs DL10 and DL12 to notify the progress of execution of the third function, as in the case of executing the first function.

(Outline of operation when the 4th function is selected)
Here, for example, a case where the PC 2 causes all the image forming apparatuses 100 whose release information is set to "ON" to execute a specific function will be described as an example. Note that the PC 2 may cause one image forming apparatus 100 to execute a specific function.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the user causes the function display portion A1 to display the fourth function using the operation portion 24, the PC 2 causes the display portion 26 to display the fourth setting screen SC4. The fourth setting screen SC4 has the same layout as the third setting screen SC3, and displays a function display area A1 and icons A2, A3, and A4, as well as a display area DA10 and a setting area DA12. On the fourth setting screen SC4, an icon A44 for instructing execution of the fourth function is displayed at the same position as the icon A34 on the third setting screen SC3. The icon A44 displays "send terminal file", which is information indicating the content of the fourth function, in order to reduce user's operational errors.

A common device list 50 and selection boxes C11 and C12 are displayed in the display area DA10, as in the third setting screen SC3. Further, the display area DA10 is provided with a support display column Q40 for displaying information as to whether or not a specific function can be executed for each of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200. FIG.

Even if the PC 2 transmits the terminal file 48 to the image forming apparatus 100 whose release information is set to "OFF", the PC 2 cannot cause the image forming apparatus 100 to execute the specific function. Therefore, for image forming apparatuses 100 displayed in the common device list 50 that have "ON" stored in the "release information" in the device information storage unit 44, the PC 2 displays "Supported" in the support display column. For items displayed in Q40 and "OFF" is stored in the "cancellation information", "Not Supported" is displayed in the support display field Q40. Note that, in the same manner as the operation of the third function described above, the PC 2 selects the image forming apparatus 100 whose release information is set to "OFF" and the image forming apparatus 200 which is not compatible with the specific function, and the image forming apparatus 200 whose release information is set to "ON". It may be displayed in a lower position than , or may be displayed as unselectable as shown in Q42 in FIG.

The setting area DA12 is provided with an input field IA40 for inputting the location where the terminal file 48 used when executing the fourth function is stored. The IA 40 may input the information manually, or may automatically display the storage location of the terminal file 48 .

For example, when the user uses the operation unit 24 to click the icon A44 with the check mark M in the selection box C11, the PC 2 displays the image formation with "Supported" displayed in the support display column Q40. Send the terminal file 48 to the device 100 . The image forming apparatus 100 that has received the terminal file 48 updates the content of the device file 106 to the content of the terminal file 48 and customizes the display of the operation display section 16 using the device program 102 . For example, the background of the operation display unit 16 is changed from the plain background image 161A to the blue sky background image 161B.

After the icon A34 is clicked, the PC 2 displays dialogs DL10 and DL12 to notify the progress of execution of the third function, as in the case of executing the first function.

Note that if the first setting screen SC1 is an example of the "first setting screen", the second setting screen SC2 and the third setting screen SC3 are examples of the "second setting screen", and the icon A14 is the "second setting screen". The icon A24 and the icon A34 are examples of the "second operator". On the other hand, if the third setting screen SC3 is an example of a "first setting screen", the fourth setting screen SC4 is an example of a "second setting screen", and the icon A34 is an example of a "first operator". It is an example, and the icon A44 is an example of the "second operator".

(small activity)
As can be seen from the above description, the PC 2 switches and displays the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4 according to the selection of the first to fourth functions, and sets the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4. The selected function is executed according to the settings entered in area DA12. The PC 2 displays a common device list 50, which is a common list showing the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 to be controlled, in the display areas DA10 of the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 to be controlled regardless of which of the first to fourth functions is executed, and usability is good.

The image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 selected as display targets in the fifth function are displayed in the common device list 50 displayed on the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4, respectively. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, commonality of the common device list 50 among the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4 is increased, and usability can be further improved.

Further, the PC 2 displays the function display area A1 and the icons A2 and A3 at the same position with respect to the common device list 50 in the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4, and clicks the icon A2 to display the function list L2. Alternatively, the icon A3 can be clicked to execute the fifth function. Therefore, the user can quickly find and operate the function list L2 and the icons A2 and A3 regardless of which one of the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4 is displayed on the display unit .

In addition, since the icons A14, A24, A34, and A44 are arranged at the same positions on the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4, the user can easily input a function execution instruction.

Furthermore, the user can set the function while moving the line of sight from the function display area A1 to the display area DA10, the setting area DA12, and the icons A14, A24, A34, and A44 in the same flow on the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4. User-friendliness is good because a series of operations including selection, control target selection, function setting, and execution instruction input can be performed.

(Description of control procedure)
Next, control procedures of the management program 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 17. FIG. The CPU 30 of the PC 2 executes the management program 40 when the operating unit 24 is used to accept the activation operation of the management program 40 .

As shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 30 determines whether the solution file 46 and the management program 40 exist in the same directory (S10). When the CPU 30 determines that the solution file 46 and the management program 40 are in the same directory (S10: YES), it displays the initial screen SC0 on the display unit 26 without restricting acceptance of the selection of the third function (S12). display (S14). That is, the CPU 30 permits the third function to be displayed in the function list L2.

On the other hand, when the CPU 30 determines that the solution file 46 and the management program 40 are not in the same directory (S10: NO), it restricts acceptance of selection of the third function (S40). That is, the CPU 30 disables selection of the third function from the function list L2. After that, the CPU 30 causes the display unit 26 to display an error notification indicating that the selection operation of the third function is restricted and the reason thereof (S42), and then uses the display unit 26 to display the initial screen SC0 ( S14). The processing of S10, S12, and S40 is an example of "restriction processing".

CPU 30 that has displayed initial screen SC0 determines whether or not selection of a function has been accepted (S16). The process of S16 is an example of "function acceptance process". That is, the CPU 30 determines whether a function has been selected from the function list L2 using the operation unit 24 or whether the icon A3 has been operated. If the selection of the function is not accepted (S16: NO), the CPU 30 determines whether or not to terminate the management program 40 (S28). If the management program 40 is not terminated (S28: NO), the process returns to S16.

When the CPU 30 determines that selection of a function has been accepted using the operation unit 24 (S16: YES), it determines whether the selected function is the fifth function (S18). When CPU 30 determines that the selected function is the fifth function (S18: YES), CPU 30 uses communication IF 22 to search image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 connected to PC 2 (S32). The process of S32 is an example of a "search process". Then, the CPU 30 uses the display unit 26 to display the search result display screen SC6 showing the search results of S32 on the display unit 26 (S34).

Then, CPU 30 determines whether or not selection of a display target to be displayed in common device list 50 has been received (S36). The process of S30 is an example of the "first device reception process". That is, the CPU 30 uses the operation unit 24 to determine whether or not the icon A52 has been operated while the check mark M has been entered in the selection boxes C61 and C62. When the check mark M is not entered in the selection boxes C61 and C62, the CPU 30 determines that the selection operation of the display target has not been received, and waits for the selection of the display target (S36: NO).

On the other hand, when the check mark M is entered in the selection box C61 or the selection box C62, the CPU 30 determines that the selection operation of the display target has been received (S36: YES). The CPU 30 creates a common device list 50 listing the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 to which the check mark M is input, and stores it in the memory 32 to update the common device list 50 (S38). After that, the CPU 30 determines whether or not to terminate the management program 40 (S28). If the management program 40 is not terminated (S28: NO), the CPU 30 returns to S16.

In response to the above, when the CPU 30 determines that the selected function is not the fifth function (S18: NO), it executes screen switching processing for switching the initial screen SC0 to the setting screen of the selected function (S20). The process of S20 is an example of the "first display process" and the "second display process".

The control procedure of the screen switching process (S20) will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 30 reads the common device list 50 from the memory 32 (S100). Then, CPU 30 sets display area DA10 for displaying common device list 50 (S102). After that, the CPU 30 determines which of the first to fourth functions the selected function is (S104).

When determining that the selected function is the first function (S104: first function), the CPU 30 reads the command "send device setting file" indicating the execution content of the first function from the logic table 401 shown in FIG. (S106). Then, CPU 30 sets setting area DA12 for setting parameters corresponding to the selected first function (S108).

Then, the CPU 30 sets the command "send device setting file" read in S106 as a command for execution (S110). That is, the CPU 30 provides the icon A14 with a function of instructing execution of the command "send device setting file" read in S106. Then, the first setting screen SC1 including the display area DA10 set in S102 and the setting area DA12 set in S108 is displayed on the display unit 26 (S112), and the screen switching process ends.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, when it is determined that the selected function is the second function (S104: second function), the command "backup" indicating the execution content of the second function and the second function The support target condition "backup lock information: OFF" required to execute the function is read from the logic table 401 shown in FIG. 4 (S114). Then, the CPU 30 performs loop processing for the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 displayed in the common device list 50 (S116).

The CPU 30 determines whether one of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 to be displayed in the common device list 50 satisfies the support target conditions read in S114 (S118). The process of S118 is an example of the "determination process". When CPU 30 determines that the support target condition is satisfied (S118: YES), CPU 30 sets image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 to be determined to be selectable in display area DA10 (S120). On the other hand, when CPU 30 determines that the support target condition is not satisfied (S118: NO), CPU 30 sets image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 to be determined to be unselectable in display area DA10 (S122). After performing the process of S120 or S122, the CPU 30 sets the determination result in the display area DA10 (S124), and returns to S116. Then, CPU 30 determines whether the following image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 meet the support target conditions.

For example, when determining whether the image forming apparatus 100A displayed first in the common device list 50 satisfies the support target condition, the CPU 30 selects a record including the IP address "123.XXXX.01" of the image forming apparatus 100A as the device. Read from the information storage unit 44 . Since "OFF" is set in the backup lock information of the read record, the CPU 30 determines that the image forming apparatus 100A satisfies the support target conditions read in S114. In this case, CPU 30 selectably sets information about image forming apparatus 100A in display area DA10. Then, CPU 30 sets "Supported" as the determination result in the position corresponding to the IP address of image forming apparatus 100A in display area DA10. After that, the CPU 30 determines whether the image forming apparatus 100B displayed second in the common device list 50 satisfies the support target condition.

For example, when determining whether or not the image forming apparatus 200B displayed in the common device list 50 satisfies the support condition, the CPU 30 stores the record corresponding to the IP address "123.xxx.25" of the image forming apparatus 200B as the device information. Read from the storage unit 44 . Since "ON" is stored in the backup lock information of the read record, the CPU 30 determines that the image forming apparatus 200B does not satisfy the support target condition. In this case, CPU 30 sets information about image forming apparatus 200B to be unselectable in display area DA10. Then, CPU 30 sets "Not Supported" as the determination result in the position corresponding to the IP address of image forming apparatus 200B in display area DA10, and determines whether the next image forming apparatus satisfies the support target condition.

After determining whether all the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 displayed in the common device list 50 satisfy the support target condition (S116: end of all lines), the CPU 30 proceeds to S108. The CPU 30 performs the processing after S108 in the same manner as when the first function is selected, and when the second setting screen SC2 is displayed on the display unit 26, the screen switching processing ends.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the CPU 30 determines that the selected function is the third function (S104: third function), the command "setting change with authentication" indicating the content of the third function and the supported condition "Specified function supported state: supported" is read from the logic table 401 shown in FIG. 4 (S128). After that, the CPU 30 performs the processing after S116 in the same manner as described above, and when the third setting screen SC3 is displayed on the display unit 26, the screen switching processing ends. The processing after S116 is the same as when the second function is selected, except for the content of the support target condition, so the description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the CPU 30 determines that the selected function is the fourth function (S104: fourth function), the command "send terminal file" indicating the contents of the fourth function and the supported condition " release information: ON" is read from the logic table 401 shown in FIG. 4 (S134). After that, the CPU 30 performs the processing after S116 in the same manner as described above, and when the fourth setting screen SC4 is displayed on the display unit 26, the screen switching processing ends. The processing after S116 is the same as when the second function is selected, except for the content of the support target condition, so the description is omitted.

After completing the screen switching process (S20) as described above, the CPU 30 returns to FIG. 10 and determines whether or not an execution instruction has been received after the screen switching process S20 (S22). For example, when the icons A14, A24, A34, A34 are clicked using the operation unit 24, the CPU 30 determines that the execution instruction has been received. When the CPU 30 determines not to accept the execution instruction (S22: NO), it waits for the input of the execution instruction.

On the other hand, when the CPU 30 determines that the execution instruction has been received (S22: YES), it determines whether or not the control target is selected (S24). The process of S24 is an example of the "second device acceptance process". If the control target is not selected (S24: NO), the CPU 30 notifies an error by displaying a message such as "Please select an image forming apparatus" on the display unit 26 (S30). Return to S22. On the other hand, when the control target is selected (S24: YES), the CPU 30 performs function execution processing (S26). The process of S26 is an example of "first function execution process" and "second function execution process".

A control procedure of the function execution process will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 30 determines what function is being displayed on the display section 26 (S200). When determining that the function being displayed is the first function (S200: first function), the CPU 30 creates a first map creation process (S202).

A control procedure of the first map creation process will be described with reference to FIG. CPU 30 develops image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 to be controlled on a map (S300). That is, the CPU 30 creates a map in which a line is provided for each controlled object. Then, the CPU 30 expands the "send device setting file" command associated with the first function in the logic table 401 shown in FIG. 4 to all lines of the map expanded in S300 (S302). Thereby, the function to be executed by the controlled object is set. Then, the CPU 30 performs loop processing for the number of lines of the map developed in S300 (S304).

For example, the CPU 30 reads the device setting file 60 corresponding to the file name set in the setting field Q12 of the first setting screen SC1 for each of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 laid out on the map (S306), and The setting value of the setting file 60 is set in the command (S308). Then, CPU 30 sets the settings individually input to setting area DA12 of first setting screen SC1 in commands for each of image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 developed on the map (S310).

For example, on the first setting screen SC1 shown in FIG. 6, the user sets file names in the setting fields Q12 for all the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 displayed in the common device list 50, and then When the check mark M is entered and the icon A14 is clicked, the CPU 30 expands the image forming apparatuses 100A, 100B, . . . Then, expand the "send device setting file" command to each line.

For example, for the image forming apparatus 100A stored in the first line of the map, the CPU 30 retrieves the file from the device setting file storage unit 42 when the file name "A" is set in the setting field Q12 of the first setting screen SC1. Read the device setting file 60a with the name "A". Then, the setting value set in the device setting file 60a is set in the command to be sent to the image forming apparatus 100A. Then, the CPU 30 sets the setting individually set in the setting area DA12 of the first setting screen SC1 to the command to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100A. For example, when the node name "N1" of the image forming apparatus 100A is rewritten to "NA1" in the setting area DA12 of the first setting screen SC1, the CPU 30 sets the node name "NA1" to the command of the image forming apparatus 100A. do. After creating a command to be transmitted to image forming apparatus 100A in this manner, CPU 30 creates a command for image forming apparatus 100B stored in the second line of the map in the same procedure.

After creating commands for all lines of the map, that is, for all control targets (S304: end of all lines), the CPU 30 stores the created map in the memory 32 (S312), and ends the first map generation process. .

As shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 30 that has completed the first map creation process performs a loop process of transmitting a command for each controlled object (S204). That is, CPU 30 performs command transmission processing for transmitting a command to image forming apparatus 100A stored in the first row of the map (S206).

Referring to FIG. 17, the control procedure of the command transmission process will be described with an example of transmitting a command to image forming apparatus 100A. CPU 30 accesses image forming apparatus 100A using communication IF 22 (S800). Then, CPU 30 determines whether image forming apparatus 100A is in a command receivable state in which it can receive a command (S802). For example, when the image forming apparatus 100A cannot be accessed because the image forming apparatus 100A is unplugged, the CPU 30 determines that the image forming apparatus 100A is not in a command receivable state (S802: NO). "no response" is set in the command transmission result to (S818). Then, the CPU 30 stores the transmission result of S818 in the memory 32 (S814), and ends the command transmission process.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17 , when the communication with image forming apparatus 100A is successful, CPU 30 determines that image forming apparatus 100A is ready to receive commands (S802: YES). A command corresponding to the image forming apparatus 100A is read, and the content of the read command is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100A (S804). Therefore, the CPU 30 shifts to a standby state waiting for reception of the command result output by the image forming apparatus 100A (S806). That is, when the image forming apparatus 100A receives a command sent from the PC 2 to the image forming apparatus 100A, the image forming apparatus 100A changes the setting contents of the parameter storage unit 108, the node name, etc. according to the contents of the received command. The image forming apparatus 100A returns the setting data after command execution to the PC 2 as a command result. The CPU 30 waits so as to be able to receive this command result using the communication IF 22 . The CPU 30 maintains the standby state for a specified time (S808: NO).

When the specified time has passed (S808: YES), the CPU 30 determines whether the command result has been received using the communication IF 22 (S810). When the command result has been received (S810: YES), CPU 30 sets the received content as "transmission successful" in the command transmission result to image forming apparatus 100A (S812). That is, CPU 30 sets the setting data received from image forming apparatus 100A as the transmission result. Then, the CPU 30 stores the transmission result of S812 in the memory 32 (S814), and ends the command transmission process. On the other hand, when the command result is not received (S810: NO), CPU 30 sets "transmission error" to the command transmission result to image forming apparatus 100A (S816). Then, the CPU 30 stores the transmission result of S816 in the memory 32 (S814), and ends the command transmission process.

As shown in FIG. 12, after completing the command transmission process, the CPU 30 reads the transmission result stored in the memory 32 (S208) and updates the progress of the process of executing the first function (S210). Then, the CPU 30 uses the display unit 26 to display the executing screen indicating that the first function is being executed, that is, the dialog DL10 overlaid on the first setting screen SC1 (S212). The process of S212 is an example of the "execution display process". After that, the CPU 30 performs the same processing for the image forming apparatus 100B stored in the second line of the map.

When the transmission of the commands set in all lines of the map is completed (S204: end of all lines), the CPU 30 issues a function execution completion notification to notify that the execution of the first function has been completed (S214). For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the display unit 26 is used to display a dialog DL12 overlaid on the first setting screen SC1.

After that, as shown in FIG. 12, CPU 30 determines whether or not there is a device for which transmission has succeeded (S216). If the CPU 30 determines that there is no device to which the transmission has succeeded (S216: NO), the CPU 30 terminates the function execution process.

On the other hand, for example, when CPU 30 determines that there is a device for which transmission has succeeded (S216: YES), CPU 30 executes loop processing for updating information stored in the common device list for image forming apparatuses for which transmission has succeeded. It does (S218).

That is, CPU 30 extracts one of the image forming apparatuses for which "successful transmission" is set in the transmission result, and confirms the content of the command transmitted to that image forming apparatus (S220). Then, CPU 30 compares the contents of the transmitted command with the information stored in common device list 50, and determines whether or not the setting used to identify the image forming apparatus has been changed (S222). Settings used to identify the image forming apparatus are, for example, a node name and an IP address.

When the CPU 30 determines that there is a change in the settings used to specify the image forming apparatus (S222: YES), the common device list 50 for the extracted image forming apparatus is rewritten to the settings included in the command. After updating the device list 50 (S224), the process returns to S218. As a result, next time the first to fourth functions are executed, the changed contents of the common device list 50 can be displayed on the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4. It becomes possible to know in detail the IP address and node name after the change.

Note that the processes of S220 to S224 update the common device list 50 without communicating with the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200. FIG. In response to this, for example, the CPU 30 accesses the image forming apparatus that has succeeded in transmission, acquires the settings used to identify the image forming apparatus, and if there is a change, the acquired information of the common device list 50 can be updated to

On the other hand, if the CPU 30 determines that the settings used to identify the image forming apparatus have not been changed (S222: NO), the process returns to S218 without updating the common device list 50. FIG. After returning to S218, the CPU 30 extracts the next image forming apparatus that has succeeded in transmission, and performs the same processing as above.

The CPU 30 confirms whether or not the settings used to identify the image forming apparatuses have been changed for all of the image forming apparatuses to which the transmission has succeeded. : end of all lines), and terminate the function execution process.

As shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 30 that has completed the function execution process determines to terminate the management program 40 (S28: YES) and terminates the process when receiving a logout operation via the operation unit 24, for example.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, when the user clicks the icon A24 using the operation unit 24 while the second setting screen SC2 is being displayed (S200: second function), the CPU 30 A map creation process is executed (S226).

A control procedure of the second map creation process will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 30 develops the control target on the map (S404). Then, the CPU 30 expands the "backup" command associated with the second function in the logic table 401 shown in FIG. 4 to each line of the map (S406). After storing the created map in memory 32 (S408), CPU 30 terminates the second map creating process.

As shown in FIG. 12, after completing the second map creation process, the CPU 30 executes command transmission process (S206), result reception (S208), progress status update (S210), and execution screen display (S212) for each controlled object. )I do. In the command transmission process, in S804 of FIG. 17, the content of the command to be transmitted to the control object is to transmit setting data to the PC 2, and the command result received in S810 is the setting data received from the command transmission destination. , and the content set in S812 is the content of the setting data received from the destination of the command, which is different from when the first function is executed. Since other processing is the same as the execution procedure of the first function described above, the description is omitted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, when the user clicks the icon A34 using the operation unit 24 while the third setting screen SC3 is being displayed (S200: third function), the CPU 30 performs third map creation processing. (S228).

A control procedure of the third map creation process will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 30 transmits the authentication ID set in the input field IA32 of the third setting screen SC3 to the server 8 using the communication IF 22 (S500). The server 8 performs authority authentication based on the authentication ID received from the PC 2 by the authentication unit 80 and transmits the authentication result to the PC 2 .

The CPU 30 of the PC 2 determines whether or not the authentication result received using the communication IF 22 is successful (S502). If the authentication result is a failure, the third map creation process is terminated without creating a map. In this case, since the CPU 30 does not have a map, it cannot release the execution restriction of the specific function for any of the image forming apparatuses 100 .

On the other hand, if the authentication result is successful (S502: YES), the CPU 30 selects the image forming apparatus 100 to be controlled by placing a checkmark M in the selection box C11 or the selection box C12 of the third setting screen SC3. Deploy on a map (S504). Then, the CPU 30 develops the "setting change with authentication" command associated with the third function in the logic table 401 shown in FIG. 4 to all rows of the map developed in S504 (S506). Then, the CPU 30 sets the solution file 46 stored in the memory 32 to all lines of the map (S508), and sets the file path entered in the UI, that is, the authentication ID entered in the input field IA32 of the third setting screen SC3. to all commands in the map (S510). The CPU 30 stores the map created in this manner in the memory 32 (S512), and ends the third map creation process.

In FIG. 12, the CPU 30 that has completed the third map creation process performs command transmission processing (S206), result reception (S208), progress status update (S210), and display of the execution screen (S212) for each controlled object. . In the command transmission process, in S804 of FIG. 17, the content of the command to be transmitted to the controlled object is to change the execution restriction setting of the specific function, and the command result received in S810 is release information. The content to be set in S812 is the setting of release information, which is different from the case of executing the first function. Since other processing is the same as the execution procedure of the first function described above, the description is omitted.

Also, in FIG. 12, when the user clicks the icon A44 using the operation unit 24 while the fourth setting screen SC4 is being displayed (S200: fourth function), the CPU 30 executes the fourth map creation process. (S230).

The control procedure of the fourth map generation process will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 30 develops on the map the image forming apparatus 100 selected as a control target by placing a check mark M in the selection box C11 or the selection box C12 of the fourth setting screen SC1 (S600). Then, CPU 30 develops the "terminal file transmission" command associated with the fourth function in logic table 401 shown in FIG. 4 to all rows of the map developed in S600 (S602). Then, the CPU 30 expands the terminal file 48 set in the setting area DA12 of the fourth setting screen SC4 into all commands of the map (S603). Then, CPU 30 stores the created map in memory 32 (S604), and ends the fourth map creating process.

In FIG. 12, the CPU 30 that has completed the fourth map creation process performs command transmission processing (S206), result reception (S208), progress status update (S210), and execution screen display (S212) for each controlled object. . In the command transmission process, in S804 of FIG. 17, the content of the command to be transmitted to the control object is to cause the image forming apparatus 100 to execute a specific function according to the terminal file 48, and the command result received in S810 is a specific function. , and the content set in S812 is the content of the executed specific function. Since other processing is the same as the execution procedure of the third function described above, description thereof will be omitted.

As described in detail above, the PC 2 executing the management program 40 has the first setting screen SC1, which is a setting screen for the first function, and the second setting screen, which is a setting screen for the second function different from the first function. The screen SC2 displays a first setting screen SC1 and a second setting screen SC2 including a common device list 50 listing two or more image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 to be controlled. Therefore, regardless of whether the user uses the first function or the second function, the user can recognize the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 that transmit or receive the setting data from the displayed common device list 50. It is easy to use and has good usability when performing functions. Therefore, according to the management program 40 of the present embodiment, a program installed in the PC 2 capable of communicating with a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 and capable of causing the PC 2 to execute a plurality of types of functions, Usability can be improved.

It should be noted that the present embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention.

In any flowchart disclosed in the embodiments, multiple processes in any multiple steps can be arbitrarily changed in order of execution or executed in parallel as long as there is no contradiction in the content of the processes. can do.

The operation of selecting a function may be an operation of selecting from a selection screen or a window other than the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4. However, if any of the first to fourth functions can be selected by displaying the function list L2 on the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4 as in the above embodiment, the function selection operation will be facilitated. Become.

The arrangement of the function list L2 with respect to the common device list 50 may be changed in the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4 and the initial screen SC0. However, if the function list L2 is arranged in the same position on the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4 and the initial screen SC0 as in the above embodiment, the user can It becomes easy to find the function list L2 from either SC4 or the initial screen SC0.

All the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 connected to the PC 2 may be listed in the common device list 50 by omitting the processes of S34 and S36 in FIG. However, by executing these processes, it becomes possible to display only the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 required by the user in the common device list 50, and the visibility of the common device list 50 is improved.

For example, when displaying the second setting screen SC2 after receiving an operation to select the icon A3 on the first setting screen SC1 and executing the fifth function, the execution content of the fifth function is set to the common device of the second setting screen SC2. It does not have to be reflected in the list 50 . However, as in the above embodiment, by updating the common device list 50 when the fifth function is executed, the commonality of the common device list 50 displayed on the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4 is enhanced. , usability is improved.

For example, the processes shown in S216 to S224 in FIG. 12 may not be performed. However, by executing this process, the latest settings used to identify the image forming apparatus are displayed in the common device list 50, and the user can confirm the settings used to identify the image forming apparatus, such as the IP address and node name. It can be recognized that it has been rewritten.

For example, the processing of S116 to S122 in FIG. 11 may be omitted. However, by executing these processes, the user can grasp in detail whether the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 can execute the second function, the third function, and the fourth function.

For example, the processing of S10, S12, S40, and S42 in FIG. 10 may be omitted, and the selection operation of the third function may be always accepted. However, by executing these processes, for example, a business model can be constructed in which only users who have purchased the solution file 46 can use the third function.

For example, the processing of S212 and S214 in FIG. 12 may be omitted. However, by displaying on the display unit 26 the dialog DL10 that notifies the progress of the function execution and the DL12 that notifies that the function execution is completed, the user can recognize that the function is being executed. can be made

For example, the layout of the dialogs DL10 and DL12 may be changed for each of the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4. However, by arranging the dialogs DL10 and DL12 at the same position, the user can easily grasp the execution state of the function.

The arrangement of the icons A14, A24, A34, and A44 with respect to the common device list 50 may be different in the first through fourth setting screens SC1 through SC4. However, if the icons A14, A24, A34, and A44 are arranged in the same manner with respect to the common device list 50 in the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4, the user can find the icons A14, A24, A34, and A44 and execute the function. Easy to enter instructions.

For example, the processing of S110 in FIG. 11 may be omitted, and the same information such as "command execution" may be included in the display areas of the icons A14, A24, A34, and A44. However, by executing this process and including information indicating the first to fourth functions in the display areas of the icons A14, A24, A34, and A44, the user can operate the icons A14, A24, A34, and A44. You can check the function corresponding to , and you can suppress the user's operation error.

The common device list 50 may be arranged differently on the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4. However, by arranging the common device list 50 at the same position on the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4, the user can easily use the common device list 50. FIG.

Also, the arrangement of the setting area DA12 with respect to the common device list 50 in the first setting screen SC1 is similar to the arrangement of the setting area DA12 with respect to the common device list 50 in the second setting screen SC2, the third setting screen SC3, and the fourth setting screen SC4. may differ from However, in the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4, if the setting areas DA12 are arranged in the same manner with respect to the common device list 50, the user can easily grasp the setting positions of the parameters for each of the first to fourth functions.

The selection boxes C11 and C12 may be omitted from the first to fourth setting screens SC1 to SC4. However, by providing the selection boxes C11 and C12, the user can select the control target that executes the function from the common device list 50, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in selecting the control target.

In the second to fourth setting screens SC2 to SC4, image forming apparatuses that do not satisfy the support target conditions may be displayed so as to be selectable. In this case, in the second to fourth map creation processes shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, it is determined whether or not the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 to be controlled satisfy the support target conditions, and images satisfying the support target conditions are determined. The forming device may be developed on the map.

For example, the display area DA10 of the second setting screen SC2 shown in FIG. 7 may omit the support display column Q20, and the display contents may completely match the display area DA10 of the first setting screen SC1 shown in FIG. . Further, for example, a support display field Q20 may be provided in the display area DA10 of the first setting screen SC1 shown in FIG.

For example, in the display area DA10 of the third setting screen SC3 shown in FIG. 8, information indicating whether or not the restriction on execution of the specific function has been released may be displayed for each of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200. FIG. Information as to whether or not the specific function is supported may be displayed for each of the image forming apparatuses 100 and 200 in the display area DA10 of the fourth setting screen SC4 shown in FIG.

The solution file 46 is not limited to being in the same directory as the management program 40, but may be in any directory such as a predetermined directory predetermined by the management program 40. FIG.

Also, the processing disclosed in the embodiments may be performed by a single CPU, multiple CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination thereof. Further, the processes disclosed in the embodiments can be realized in various forms such as a recording medium recording a program for executing the processes, a method, and the like.

2 PCs
22 Communication interface 24 Operation unit 26 Display unit 40 Management program 50 Common device list 60 Device setting file 100 Image forming apparatus 108 Parameter storage unit 200 Image forming apparatus SC1 First setting screen SC2 Second setting screen A2 Third operator A3 4 operator A14 first operator A24 second operator L2 function list

Claims (14)

A program executable by a computer of an information processing device comprising a communication interface, an operation unit, and a display unit,
to the computer;
A function selection operation for selecting either a first function for transmitting or receiving first setting data or a second function for transmitting or receiving second setting data is performed via the operation unit. a function reception process that accepts
showing a list of identification information of at least two devices among a plurality of devices connected to the information processing apparatus via the communication interface when the function selection operation for selecting the first function is received; a first display process of causing the display unit to display a first setting screen including a common device list and a first operator for instructing execution of the first function;
with at least two devices among the devices shown in the common device list on the first setting screen when an operation to select the first operator is accepted via the operation unit , a first function execution process for transmitting or receiving the first setting data via the communication interface;
a second setting screen including the common device list and a second operator for instructing execution of the second function when the function selection operation for selecting the second function is received; a second display process for displaying on the display unit;
with at least two devices among the devices shown in the common device list on the second setting screen when an operation to select the second operator is accepted via the operation unit , a second function execution process for transmitting or receiving the second setting data via the communication interface;
and
The first function is a function of transmitting the first setting data to the two or more devices to update the settings of the destination device based on the first setting data,
the second function is a function of transmitting the second setting data to the two or more devices to release execution restrictions on a specific function possessed by the destination device;
to the computer;
limiting acceptance of the function selection operation for selecting the second function when a specific file required to release the execution restriction of the specific function is not stored in a predetermined directory in the information processing device; executing restriction processing that does not restrict acceptance of the function selection operation for selecting the second function when a file is stored in the directory;
A program characterized by A program executable by a computer of an information processing device comprising a communication interface, an operation unit, and a display unit,
to the computer;
A function selection operation for selecting either a first function for transmitting or receiving first setting data or a second function for transmitting or receiving second setting data is performed via the operation unit. a function reception process that accepts
showing a list of identification information of at least two devices among a plurality of devices connected to the information processing apparatus via the communication interface when the function selection operation for selecting the first function is received; a first display process of causing the display unit to display a first setting screen including a common device list and a first operator for instructing execution of the first function;
with at least two devices among the devices shown in the common device list on the first setting screen when an operation to select the first operator is accepted via the operation unit , a first function execution process for transmitting or receiving the first setting data via the communication interface;
a second setting screen including the common device list and a second operator for instructing execution of the second function when the function selection operation for selecting the second function is received; a second display process for displaying on the display unit;
with at least two devices among the devices shown in the common device list on the second setting screen when an operation to select the second operator is accepted via the operation unit , a second function execution process for transmitting or receiving the second setting data via the communication interface;
and
the first function is a function of transmitting the first setting data to the two or more devices to release execution restrictions on a specific function of the destination device;
By transmitting the second setting data to the two or more devices, the second function is configured to transmit the second setting data when the restriction on execution of the specific function has been lifted in the destination device. is a function to execute the specific function using
The first setting screen and the second setting screen include release information indicating whether or not the restriction on execution of the specific function is released for each device displayed in the common device list.
A program characterized by A program according to claim 1 or claim 2 ,
The first setting screen and the second setting screen include a third operator for instructing display of a function list, and the function selection operation is performed by the third operator through the operation unit. An operation of selecting either the first function or the second function from the function list displayed on the display unit in response to acceptance of an operation on the operator,
A program characterized by A program according to claim 3 ,
the third operator has the same arrangement with respect to the common device list on the first setting screen and the second setting screen;
A program characterized by A program according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The first setting screen includes a fourth operator for instructing search for a device connected to the information processing apparatus via the communication interface,
to the computer;
a search process for searching for a device connected to the information processing apparatus via the communication interface when an operation to select the fourth operator is accepted via the operation unit;
a first device reception process for receiving, via the operation unit, a first device selection operation for determining whether or not each device searched by the search process is to be displayed;
and
The common device list of the first setting screen shows a list of identification information of devices that have received the first device selection operation to be displayed,
A program characterized by A program according to claim 5 ,
If the function selection operation for selecting the second function is received in the function reception process after the operation for selecting the fourth operator is received via the operation unit, the second setting is performed. The common device list on the screen shows a list of identification information of devices that have received the first device selection operation to be displayed,
A program characterized by A program according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
the first setting data includes device identification information;
The first function execution process is a process of updating identification information of destination devices by transmitting the first setting data to the two or more devices,
to the computer;
After executing the first function execution process, execute a first update process of updating the common device list so as to indicate the identification information updated by transmitting the first setting data;
A program characterized by A program according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
to the computer;
executing determination processing for determining whether or not each device displayed in the common device list supports the second function;
The second setting screen includes information indicating the judgment result in the judgment process,
The first setting screen does not include information indicating the judgment result in the judgment process,
A program characterized by A program according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
to the computer;
When an operation to select the first operator is accepted via the operation unit, an executing screen indicating that the function is being executed is displayed on the display unit, and the second operation is performed via the operation unit. executing an execution display process for displaying the screen during execution on the display unit even when an operation to select an operator is accepted;
A program characterized by A program according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
The arrangement of the first operator with respect to the common device list on the first setting screen is the same as the arrangement of the second operator with respect to the common device list on the second setting screen.
A program characterized by A program according to any one of claims 1 to 10 ,
the display area of the first operator includes information indicating the first function;
the display area of the second operator includes information indicating the second function;
A program characterized by A program according to any one of claims 1 to 11 ,
the common device list is arranged at the same position on the first setting screen and the second setting screen;
A program characterized by A program according to claim 12 ,
The first setting screen includes a first parameter setting area as a parameter setting area used for executing the first function,
The second setting screen includes a second parameter setting area as a setting area for parameters used for executing the second function,
The arrangement of the first parameter setting area with respect to the common device list in the first setting screen is the same as the arrangement of the second parameter setting area with respect to the common device list in the second setting screen.
A program characterized by A program according to any one of claims 1 to 13 ,
causing the computer to execute a second device reception process for receiving, via the operation unit, a second device selection operation for determining whether or not the two or more devices shown in the common device list are to be controlled;
In the first function execution process, transmission or reception of the first setting data is performed with a device that has received the operation of selecting the second device to be controlled from among the devices shown in the common device list. do,
In the second function execution process, transmission or reception of the second setting data is performed with a device that has received the operation of selecting the second device to be controlled from among the devices shown in the common device list. conduct,
A program characterized by

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