Image forming apparatus, information setting system, and information setting method for controlling setting values by requesting setting information through a network

This patent application is a divisional application of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120/121 to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/299,659, filed Nov. 18, 2011, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Application No. 2010-260120 filed Nov. 22, 2010, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an image forming apparatus, an image setting system, and an image setting method, in which setting information is updated.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, since a number of functions included in an image forming apparatus has been increased, a number of setting items has been increased to operate the functions. Therefore, device settings have become complex to install a new function and to update applications in the image forming apparatus, and workload of an administrator has been increased.

To solve the above described problem, a technology in which a setting operation is not required for each of image forming apparatuses has been proposed. For example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2008-72318 discloses a technology in which the server retains setting information for each of the image forming apparatuses, each of the image forming apparatuses acquires the setting information corresponding to devices thereof, and the acquired setting information is registered.

However, in the above described technologies, since the setting information is retained for each of the devices, the workload of the administrator related to the setting information is increased when the number of the devices is increased. In a case in which settings are collectively conducted for the entirety of devices connected to a network, the setting information for each of the devices is required to be the same information. Thus, great workload of the administrator is required to perform settings for each of the devices for each of the image forming apparatuses.

On the other hand, in the case in which settings are collectively conducted for the entirety of devices, a push-type setting method using a WebService/Management Information Base (MIB) may be considered to send and set the setting information for the image forming apparatuses. In a case of the push-type setting method, disadvantageously, if there are a large number of devices to be set, it takes time to apply the setting information. If one of the image forming apparatuses is not powered on, the settings are not collectively conducted.

The present invention solves or reduces one or more of the above problems.

In one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided an image forming apparatus, including a storage part configured to store setting information for a function which the image forming apparatus operates based on the setting information; a sending part configured to send an acquisition request of common setting information to an information processing apparatus including the common setting information in common with multiple of the image forming apparatuses connected through a network; a receiving part configured to receive the common setting information from the information processing apparatus; and an update control part configured to control setting the common setting information received by the receiving part in the setting information stored in the storage part.

In another aspect of this disclosure, there is provided an information setting system, including multiple image forming apparatuses each of which operates based on setting information for a function stored in a first storage part; and an information processing apparatus connectable to the multiple image forming apparatuses through a network, wherein said information processing apparatus includes a second storage part configured to store common setting information in common with the multiple image forming apparatuses connected through the network; and a communication part configured to send the common setting information to the multiple image forming apparatuses, when receiving an acquisition request of the common setting information from the multiple image forming apparatuses, and each of the multiple image forming apparatuses includes a sending part configured to send an acquisition request of the common setting information to the information processing apparatus; a receiving part configured to receive the common setting information from the information processing apparatus; and an update control part configured to control setting the common setting information received by the receiving part in the setting information stored in the first storage part.

In another aspect of this disclosure, there is provided an information setting method performed in an image forming apparatus which operates based on setting information for a function stored in a storage part, said information setting method comprising: sending an acquisition request of common setting information to an information processing apparatus including the common setting information in common with multiple of the image forming apparatuses connected through a network; receiving the common setting information from the information processing apparatus; and controlling setting the common setting information received by the receiving part in the setting information stored in the storage part.

In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information setting system in an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus in FIG. 1 in the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of hardware of the information processing apparatus in the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing apparatus in the embodiment.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are diagrams illustrating an example of preference information in the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating a first example of a setting process in the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating a second example of the setting process in the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating a third example of the setting process of the preference information in the embodiment

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a fourth example of the setting process of the preference information in the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a fifth example of the setting process of the preference information in the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating a sixth example of the setting process of the preference information in the embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating a seventh example of the setting process of the preference information in the embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a first confirmation process in the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating a first example of the setting error process in the embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating a second example of the setting error process in the embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram illustrating a third example of the setting error process in the embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram illustrating a fourth example of the setting error process in the embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining a second confirmation process in the embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process after setting items are confirmed in the embodiment; and

FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining a second confirmation process in the embodiment.

In the following, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<System>

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information setting system. In an information setting system 1000 illustrated in FIG. 1 , image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like are connected to an information processing apparatus 40 regarded as a server through a network 2 . Each of the image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like performs data communication with the information processing apparatus 40 through the network 2 . The image forming apparatus may be an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral).

The image forming apparatus 10 may include a scan function, a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and the like in a housing. The image forming apparatus 10 sends an acquisition request of setting information for each of functions (applications) to the information processing apparatus 40 through the network 2 . The setting information may be regarded as common setting information and is called preference information (referred later as preference information 6 in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B ). The information forming apparatus 10 conducts a device setting by using the preference information acquired from the information processing apparatus 40 . Since the image forming apparatuses 20 and 30 are similarly configured to the image forming apparatus 10 , the image forming apparatus 10 may be represented in the following.

The information processing apparatus 40 retains the preference information which is set in common for all image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like connected through the network 2 . When receiving the acquisition request of the preference information from the image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like, the information processing apparatus 40 sends the preference information to the image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like.

That is, in the embodiment, a PULL type setting method is provided in a case in which the preference information in common for the image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like is set.

<Hardware>

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 in FIG. 1 . As hardware components, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a controller 101 , an operation panel 102 , a facsimile control unit (FCU) 103 , an engine part 107 , and the like. The engine part 107 includes a plotter 104 , a scanner 105 , other hardware resources 106 , and the like.

The controller 101 includes a processor as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111 , an ASIC (Application Specified IC) 112 , an NB (North Bridge) 121 , an SB (South Bridge) 122 , an MEM-P 131 , an MEM-C 132 , an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 133 , an NIC (Network Interface Controller) 141 , a USB (Universal Serial Bus) device 142 , an IEEE 1394 device 143 , a centronics device 144 , and the like.

The CPU 111 is regarded as an IC (Integrated Circuit) for various information processes. The ASIC 112 is regarded as an IC for various image processes. The NB 121 is regarded as a north bridge of the controller 101 . The SB 122 is regarded as a south bridge of the controller 101 . The MEM-P 131 is used as a system memory of the image forming apparatus 10 . The MEM-C 132 is used as a local memory of the image forming apparatus 10 . The HDD 133 is used as an auxiliary storage device of the image forming apparatus 10 .

The NIC 141 is regarded as a controller for a network communication using an MAC (Media Access Control) address. The USB device 142 is regarded as a device which provides a connection terminal of a USB standard. The IEEE 1394 device 143 is regarded as a device which provides a connection terminal of an IEEE 1394 standard. The Centronics device 144 is regarded as a device which provides a connection terminal of a Centronics specification.

The operation panel 102 is regarded as hardware (operation part) for an operator to input information to the image forming apparatus 10 , and is also regarded as hardware (display part) for the operator to acquire an output of the image forming apparatus 10 .

The FCU 103 sends and receives facsimile data in accordance with a regular G3 standard, and stores facsimile data which are received. The FCU 103 may further support the G3 standard and a G4 standard as options. The plotter 104 executes a print process. The scanner 105 reads out an original and generates document data.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of hardware of the information processing apparatus 40 in the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the information processing apparatus 40 includes a control part 401 , a main storage part 402 , an auxiliary storage part 403 , an external storage device I/F part 404 , a network I/F part 406 , an input part 407 , and a display part 408 as component parts. These component parts 401 through 408 are connected via a bus 40 b to be capable of mutually sending and receiving data.

The control part 401 is regarded as a CPU which controls each of component parts 402 through 404 and 406 through 408 , and performs calculations and processes for data in a computer. Also, the control part 401 is regarded as a processor which executes a program stored in the main storage part 402 , receives data from an input device and a storage device, calculates for the data, processes the data, and then, outputs to an output device or a storage device.

The main storage part 402 corresponds to the storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like which stores programs such as an OS (Operating System) regarded as basic software, application software, and the like which are executed by the control part 401 , and temporarily retains data.

The auxiliary storage part 403 corresponds to the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and is regarded as another storage device which stores data related to the application software or the like.

The external storage device I/F part 404 is regarded as an interface between a recording medium 405 and the information processing apparatus 40 . The recording medium 405 may be realized by a non-transitory (or tangible) computer-readable medium such as a flash memory, an SD (Secure Digital) memory card, or the like connected through a data transmission channel such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

Also, a program is stored in the recording medium 405 . The program stored in the recording medium 405 is installed into the information processing apparatus 40 via the external storage device I/F part 404 . After the program is installed, the program is executed by the information processing apparatus 40 .

The network I/F part 406 is used as an interface between the information processing apparatus 40 and peripheral devices having a communication function, which are connected through the network 2 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like which is configured by data channels such as wired or wireless communications.

The input part 407 includes a keyboard including a cursor key, numeral keys, various function keys, and the like, a mouse or a touch pad used to select a key on a display screen of the display part 408 , and the like. Also, the input part 407 is regarded as a user interface for a user to instruct the control part 401 to perform an operation and input data.

The display part 408 may be realized by a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or the like, and displays based on display data input from the control part 401 . The information processing apparatus 40 may not include the input part 407 and the display 408 .

<Configuration>

Image Forming Apparatus 10

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 in the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the image forming apparatus 10 includes an update control part 501 , a communication control part 502 , a setting information control part 503 , an information storage part 504 , an operation part 505 , a power control part 506 , an e-mail (electronic mail) control part 507 , and a device state management part 508 .

The operation part 505 may be realized by the operation panel 102 . The information storage part 504 may be realized by the HDD 133 . Other parts 501 , 502 , 503 , 506 , 507 , and 508 may be realized by processes executed by the CPU 111 and may be implemented as modules.

The update control part 501 detects a predetermined trigger, and controls setting and updating of the preference information. The predetermined trigger may be an operation by an administrator, a power on (activation), an update notice periodically received from a server, an abnormality occurrence of a device, and the like. These details will be described later.

The communication control part 502 controls communications with an external device connected through the network 2 . The external device may be the information processing apparatus 40 . The communication control part 502 may send the acquisition request of the preference information to the information processing apparatus 40 in response to an instruction from the update control part 501 , and may receive the preference information from the information processing apparatus 40 . The communication control part 502 may send a device ID and authentication information (a user account and a password) for an authentication before sending the acquisition request of the preference information. The setting information control part 503 may control setting the preference information in a device in the image forming apparatus 10 . The information storage part 504 may store the preference information to be set in the device, and the like.

The operation part 505 accepts an operation of the user and forms a screen display for the user. When the administrator instructs updating of the preference information, the operation part 505 sends the instruction to the update control part 501 . The power control part 506 controls ON and OFF of power. The e-mail control part 507 controls an e-mail transmission for the user. The e-mail control part 507 may send an e-mail describing a setting failure of the preference information and a failure reason with respect to a registered destination.

The device state management part 508 manages a state of the device and sends a notice indicating an abnormal state to devices other than the device.

Since the image forming apparatus 10 has the above described configuration, the image forming apparatus 10 sends the acquisition request of the preference information to the information processing apparatus 40 by the predetermined trigger. It is possible for the image forming apparatus 10 to set and update a setting item with the preference information acquired from the information processing apparatus 40 . Configurations of the image forming apparatuses 20 and 30 are similar to the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 , and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

Information Processing Apparatus 40

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing apparatus 40 . As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the information processing apparatus 40 includes a communication control part 601 , an authentication control part 602 , an information management part 603 , and an information storage part 604 . The information storage part 604 may be realized by the auxiliary storage part 403 . The communication control part 601 , the authentication control part 602 , and the information management part 603 may be realized by the control part 401 and the main storage part 402 used as a working memory. The parts 601 , 602 , and 603 other than the information storage part 604 may be implemented as modules.

The communication control part 601 controls communications with the external device connected through the network 2 . The communication control part 601 may receive the acquisition request of the preference information and the authentication information from the image forming apparatus 10 . Also, the communication control part 601 sends the preference information to the image forming apparatus 10 .

The authentication control part 602 executes an authentication process by using the authentication information when the communication control part 601 acquires the authentication information. The authentication process checks an acquired device ID and checks a user account and a password. The communication control part 602 sends an authentication result to the image forming apparatus 10 .

The information management part 603 reads out the preference information from the information storage part 604 when the communication control part 601 receives the acquisition request of the preference information.

The information storage part 604 stores the preference information to be set in common for multiple image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like connected through the network 2 .

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are diagrams illustrating an example of preference information. Preference information 6 illustrated in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B includes all setting items and may be managed by a data file. Also, in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B , setting examples are illustrated for each of the setting items. Setting values as illustrated by the setting examples are set in each of the image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like.

Also, when the preference information 6 is updated, the information processing apparatus 40 sends an update notice via the communication control part 601 to each of the image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like.

The information processing apparatus 40 includes the above described configuration. Even in a case of setting the preference information 6 in common for the multiple image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like, a time for downloading the preference information 6 may be different for each of the image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like. By the above described configuration, it is possible to decrease workload of the communication channels. Also, it is possible for the administrator to easily manage the preference information 6 .

<Operation>

Next, operations of the information setting system 1000 in the first embodiment will be described. First, a setting process of the preference information 6 will be described.

(Setting Process of Preference Information)

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating a first example of the setting process in the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 7 , in step S 101 , the update control part 501 detects an import request of the preference information 6 in response to the predetermined trigger.

In step S 102 , when the update control part 501 determines that there is the import request, the update control part 501 sends a download request of the preference information 6 to the information processing apparatus 40 through the communication control part 502 .

In step S 103 , when the information processing apparatus 40 receives the download request of the preference information 6 from the image forming apparatus 10 , the information processing apparatus 40 reads out the preference information 6 and sends the preference information 6 to the image forming apparatus 10 .

In step S 104 , the update control part 501 conducts a setting request of the preference information 6 which is downloaded, to the setting information control part 503 . The setting information control part 503 sets and updates the setting information (preference information 6 ) stored in the information storage part 504 to be the reference information 6 which is downloaded.

As described above, the setting process is executed by each of the image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like through the network 2 . The entire load is not simultaneously applied to the communication channels. The preference information 6 is properly set in common for the multiple image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating a second example of the setting process in the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 8 , in the second example of the setting process, the authentication process is additionally provided. In step S 201 , the update control part 501 detects the import request of the preference information 6 in response to the predetermined trigger.

In step S 202 , the update control part 501 sends an authentication request including the authentication information to the information processing apparatus 40 through the communication control part 502 . The authentication information may indicate the device ID or the user account, password, and the like.

In step S 203 , the information processing apparatus 40 executes the authentication process by using the received authentication information. In a case in which the authentication information indicates the device ID, the information processing apparatus 40 registers the device ID for each of the image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like which are allowed to download the preference information 6 , and executes the authentication process.

In step S 204 , the information processing apparatus 40 sends an issuance ID to the image forming apparatus 10 when an authentication is successful.

In step S 205 , when receiving the issuance ID from the information processing apparatus 40 , the update control part 501 sends the download request of the preference information 6 to the information processing apparatus 40 . The download request may include the acquired issuance ID.

In step S 206 , when receiving the download request of the preference information 6 from the image forming apparatus 10 , the information processing apparatus 40 reads out the preference information 6 and sends the preference information 6 to the image forming apparatus 10 . In this case, the information processing apparatus 40 determines whether the issuance ID included in the download request is valid. When the issuance ID is valid, the information processing apparatus 40 sends the preference information 6 to the image forming apparatus 10 .

In step S 207 , when receiving the preference information 6 , the update control part 501 sends an authentication release request including the issuance ID to the information processing apparatus 40 through the communication control part 502 .

In step S 208 , when receiving the authentication release request from the image forming apparatus 10 , the information processing apparatus 40 deletes the issuance ID, and sends a release notice to the image forming apparatus 10 . The issuance ID is used to check whether the image forming apparatus 10 has been authenticated, when the image forming apparatus 10 communicates with the information processing apparatus 40 , until the authentication is released.

In step S 209 , the update control part 501 sends the setting request of the preference information 6 to the setting information control part 503 . The setting information control part 503 sets and updates the setting information (preference information 6 ) stored in the information storage part 504 to be the preference information 6 which is downloaded.

In the second example of the setting process, it is possible to allow the image forming apparatus 10 alone, which has been successfully authenticated, to access the information processing apparatus 40 and download the preference information 6 . Therefore, it is possible to realize secure communications.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating a third example of the setting process of the preference information 6 in the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 9 , in the second example of the setting process, when power is turned on (when the image forming apparatus 10 is activated), the preference information 6 is acquired.

In step S 301 illustrated in FIG. 9 , the user turns on the image forming apparatus 10 . That is, the user presses a switch or a button to activate the image forming apparatus 10 .

In step S 302 , the power control part 506 detects that the power is turned on, and sends a power on notice to the update control part 501 .

In step S 303 , the update control part 501 detects the import request in response to the power on notice as a trigger, from the power control part 501 .

Steps S 304 through S 311 are performed similarly to the steps S 202 through S 209 illustrated in FIG. 8 , and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In the second example of the setting process, the preference information 6 is downloaded in response to an activation of the image forming apparatus 10 as the trigger. The latest setting information is maintained by updating the preference information 6 before the image forming apparatus 10 starts to be used.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a fourth example of the setting process of the preference information 6 in the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 10 , in the fourth example of the setting process, when a predetermined time lapses, the preference information 6 is acquired. That is, the preference information 6 is acquired at a predetermined time interval.

In step S 401 illustrated in FIG. 10 , the update control part 501 determines by using a timer that the predetermined time lapses. When the predetermined time lapses, in step S 402 , the update control part 501 detects the import request. When the predetermined time lapses, the timer is set to be zero, and restarts a time count, again. The predetermined time is set by the administrator for an initial setting of the device. The predetermined time may be one day, one week, one month, or the like.

Steps S 403 through S 410 are performed similarly to the steps S 202 through S 209 illustrated in FIG. 8 , and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In the fourth example of the setting process, the preference information 6 is downloaded in response to a lapse of the predetermined time as the trigger. The latest setting information is maintained by updating the preference information 6 before the image forming apparatus 10 starts to be used.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a fifth example of the setting process of the preference information 6 in the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 11 , in the fifth example of the setting process, when an administrator A 1 conducts a setting operation of the preference information 6 , the preference information 6 is acquired.

In step S 501 illustrated in FIG. 11 , the administrator A 1 conducts an update operation of the preference information 6 by using the operation part 505 . A screen d 11 in FIG. 11 is illustrated as an example of an administrator operation screen. When the screen d 11 is displayed on the operation panel 102 , the administrator A 1 presses an “EXECUTE” button.

In step S 502 , the operation part 505 detects pressing of the “EXECUTE” button, and outputs an update request notice to the update control part 501 .

In step S 503 , when receiving the update request notice, the update control part 501 detects the import request.

Steps S 504 through S 511 are performed similarly to the steps S 202 through S 209 illustrated in FIG. 8 , and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In the fifth example of the setting process, the administrator A 1 is allowed to download the preference information 6 at an arbitrary timing. Therefore, it is effective to urgently update the preference information 6 . Also, the authentication information used for the authentication request in the step S 504 may be set by the administrator A 1 at a stage of the step S 501 . Also, in a case of installing a new device in the image forming apparatus 10 , it is possible for the administrator A 1 to download the preference information 6 , and to conduct the initial setting of the new device.

FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating a sixth example of the setting process of the preference information 6 in the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 12 , in the sixth example of the setting process, the preference information 6 is acquired in response to the update notice from the information processing apparatus 40 as the trigger.

In step S 601 illustrated in FIG. 12 , the information processing apparatus 40 detects an update of the preference information 6 , and sends the update notice of the preference information 6 to the image forming apparatus 10 .

In step S 602 , when receiving the update notice, the update control part 501 detects the import request.

Steps S 604 through S 610 are performed similarly to the steps S 202 through S 209 illustrated in FIG. 8 , and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In the sixth example of the setting process, when the preference information 6 is updated at the information processing apparatus 40 , the image forming apparatus 10 downloads the preference information 6 . Therefore, it is possible for the image forming apparatus 10 to maintain the latest setting information by updating with the preference information 6 .

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating a seventh example of the setting process of the preference information 6 in the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 13 , in the seventh example of the setting process, the preference information 6 is acquired in response to an abnormality occurrence of the device as the trigger.

In step S 701 illustrated in FIG. 13 , the device state management part 508 detects the abnormality occurrence of the device, and sends an abnormality occurrence notice to the update control part 501 . The abnormality may occur in a case in which a default setting of a paper sheet size is not a size supported in the image forming apparatus 10 , in a case in which an administrator authentication is not set to be either YES or NO.

In step S 702 , when receiving the abnormality occurrence notice from the device state management part 508 , the update control part 501 executes a first confirmation process of setting values set in the device. The first confirmation process will be described later with reference to FIG. 14 .

In step S 703 , as a result of the first confirmation process, if it is determined that an update is needed, the update control part 501 detects the import request.

Steps S 704 through S 711 are performed similarly to the steps S 202 through S 209 illustrated in FIG. 8 , and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In the seventh example of the setting process, when the abnormality is caused in the image forming apparatus 10 due to an illegal setting value, it is possible to automatically set a setting value to be a valid setting value.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the first confirmation process in the embodiment. In step S 801 illustrated in FIG. 14 , the update control part 501 acquires and confirms one of the setting values in the device.

In step S 802 , the update control part 501 determines whether the setting value is an abnormal value. If the setting value is an abnormal value (YES in step S 802 ), the update control part 501 advances to step S 803 . If the setting value is not the abnormal value (NO in step S 802 ), the update control part 501 advances to step S 806 .

In step S 803 , the update control part 501 confirms the setting item of the abnormal setting value.

In step S 804 , the update control part 501 determines whether the confirmed setting item is related to the preference information 6 . If the confirmed setting item is related to the preference information 6 (YES in step S 804 ), and the update control part 501 advances to step S 805 . If the confirmed setting item is not related to the preference information 6 (NO in step S 804 ), the update control part 501 advances to the step S 806 . By checking the setting items in the preference information 6 stored in the information storage part 504 , it is possible to determine whether the confirmed setting item is related to the preference information 6 .

In the step S 805 , the update control part 501 determines that an update is needed for the setting value of the confirmed setting item in the preference information 6 . The update control part 501 may set a flag to update the setting value of the confirmed setting item in the preference information 6 .

In the step S 806 , the update control part 501 determines that the update is not needed for the setting value of the confirmed setting item in the preference information 6 . The update control part 501 may set the flag to suppress the update of the setting value of the confirmed setting item in the preference information 6 .

In step S 807 , the update control part 501 determines whether the steps S 801 through S 806 are conducted for all setting values. If the steps S 801 through S 806 are conducted for all setting values (YES in step S 807 ), the update control part 501 advances to step S 808 . If the steps S 801 through S 806 are not conducted for all setting values (NO in step S 807 ), the update control part 501 returns to the step S 801 , and executes the first confirmation process for another setting value.

In step S 808 , the update control part 501 determines whether the update is needed for at least one setting value. If the update is needed for at least one setting value (NEEDED in step S 808 ), the update control part 501 advances to step S 809 . If there is no setting value to update (NO NEEDED in step S 808 ), the update control part 501 advances to step S 810 .

In step S 809 , the update control part 501 determines the update of the preference information 6 is needed, and then ends the first confirmation process.

In step S 810 , the update control part 501 determines the update of the preference information 6 is not needed, and then ends the first confirmation process.

In the first confirmation process, in a case in which the abnormality occurs to the device, only for the setting value related to the preference information 6 , it is possible to update the preference information 6 to properly set the setting value to be a normal setting value. Also, the update control part 501 may store the setting item to be updated when the setting item is confirmed, and updates the setting value of the setting item which is stored.

In the first confirmation process illustrated in FIG. 14 , the setting value in which the abnormality occurs is specified. The steps S 804 through S 806 are conducted for the setting value in which the abnormality occurs.

As described above, it is possible for each of the image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like connected to the network 2 to conduct the acquisition request of the preference information 6 in response to various triggers. Each of the image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like may perform the first confirmation process illustrated in FIG. 14 in response to any or all the above described triggers or in response to a predetermined trigger alone.

(Setting Error Process)

Next, a setting error process in the embodiment will be described. A setting error is regarded as an error occurring when the preference information 6 is acquired and set.

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating a first example of the setting error process in the embodiment. The setting error illustrated in FIG. 15 indicates a communication error. In step S 901 illustrated in FIG. 15 , the update control part 501 detects the import request when the predetermined trigger occurs.

In step S 902 , the update control part 501 sends the authentication request including the authentication information to the information processing apparatus 40 through the communication control part 502 .

In step S 903 , the communication control part 502 determines a timeout if a response to the authentication request has not returned in a specified time from the information processing apparatus 40 . The communication control part 502 outputs a timeout notice to the update control part 501 when the timeout is determined.

In step S 904 , the update control part 501 executes a timeout process when the timeout notice is received from the communication control part 502 . In the following, two methods will be described as the timeout process.

Notice by Operation Panel

In step S 905 , the update control part 501 outputs an update failure notice due to the communication error to the operation part 505 .

In step S 906 , the operation part 505 displays an update failure notice screen at the operation panel 102 to report an update failure to the administrator A 1 . A screen d 12 is illustrated as an example of the update failure notice screen. The screen d 12 displays to report a failure, a reason of the failure (which may indicate the communication error), and the like.

Notice by E-Mail

In step S 907 , the update control part 501 outputs the update failure notice due to the communication error to the e-mail control part 507 .

In step S 908 , the e-mail control part 507 acquires the update failure notice from the update control part 501 and creates an e-mail. In a body text of the created e-mail, the update failure, the failure reason (communication error), and the like are described.

In step S 909 , the e-mail control part 507 sends the created e-mail to the administrator A 1 . The e-mail control part 507 retains an e-mail address of the administrator A 1 .

In the first example of the setting error process, it is possible for the image forming apparatus 10 to report the update failure and the failure reason to the administrator A 1 . A process using the operation panel 102 (steps S 905 and S 906 ) may be conducted after an e-mail process (steps S 907 through S 909 ). The process using the operation panel 102 may be conducted in parallel with the e-mail process. Either one of the process and the e-mail process may be conducted.

FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating a second example of the setting error process in the embodiment. The setting error illustrated in FIG. 16 indicates an authentication failure. In step S 1001 illustrated in FIG. 16 , the update control part 501 detects the import request in response to an occurrence of the predetermined trigger.

In step S 1002 , the update control part 501 outputs the authentication request including the authentication information to the information processing apparatus 40 through the communication control part 502 .

In step S 1003 , the information processing apparatus 40 executes the authentication process by using the authentication information included in the authentication request. It is assumed that the authentication fails.

In step S 1004 , the information processing apparatus 40 reports the authentication failure to the update control part 501 .

Notice by Operation Panel

In step S 1005 , the update control part 501 outputs the update failure notice due to the authentication failure to the operation part 505 .

In step S 1006 , the operation part 505 displays the update failure notice screen at the operation panel 102 , and informs the administrator A 1 of the update failure. The screen d 13 is illustrated as an example of the update failure notice screen. The screen d 13 displays to report a failure, a reason of the failure (which may indicate the authentication failure), and the like.

Notice by E-Mail

In step S 1007 , the update control part 501 outputs the update failure notice due to the authentication failure to the e-mail control part 507 .

In step S 1008 , the e-mail control part 507 acquires an update failure notice from the update control part 501 , and creates the e-mail. In the body text of the e-mail, the update failure and the reason of the failure (authentication failure) are described.

In step S 1009 , the e-mail control part 507 sends the created e-mail to the administrator A 1 . The e-mail control part 507 retains the e-mail address of the administrator A 1 .

In the second example of the setting error process, it is possible for the image forming apparatus 10 to inform the administrator A 1 of the update failure and the failure reason. A process using the operation panel (steps S 1005 and S 1006 ) may be conducted after an e-mail process (steps S 1007 through S 1009 ). The process using the operation panel 102 may be conducted in parallel with the e-mail process. Either one of the process and the e-mail process may be conducted.

FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram illustrating a third example of the setting error process in the embodiment. The setting error illustrated in FIG. 17 indicates a download failure. In step S 1101 illustrated in FIG. 17 , the update control part 501 detects the import request in response to the occurrence of the predetermined trigger.

In step S 1102 , the update control part 501 outputs the authentication request including the authentication information to the information processing apparatus 40 through the communication part 502 .

In step S 1103 , the information processing apparatus 40 conducts the authentication process by using the authentication information included in the authentication request. In this case, it is assumed that the authentication process is successfully executed, and the information processing apparatus 40 issues an ID (issuance ID).

In step S 1104 , the information processing apparatus 40 sends the issuance ID to the update control part 501 .

In step S 1105 , when receiving the issuance ID from the information processing apparatus 40 , the update control part 501 sends the download request of the preference information 6 to the information processing apparatus 40 through the communication control part 502 . The download request includes the acquired issuance ID.

In step S 1106 , when receiving the download request of the preference information 6 from the image forming apparatus 10 , the information processing apparatus 40 reads out the preference information 6 and sends the preference information 6 to the image forming apparatus 10 . In this case, the information processing apparatus 40 determines validity of the issuance ID. If the issuance ID is valid, the information processing apparatus 40 sends the preference information 6 to the image forming apparatus 10 .

In step S 1107 , the communication control part 502 detects that a download has been stopped longer than the specified time, and determines the timeout. The communication control part 502 determines the timeout and sends a timeout notice to the update control part 501 .

In step S 1108 , when receiving the timeout notice from the communication control part 502 , the update control part 501 executes the timeout process.

Notice by Operation Panel

In step S 1109 , the update control part 501 outputs the update failure notice due to the download failure to the operation part 505 .

In step S 1110 , the operation part 505 displays an update failure notice screen at the operation panel 102 , and sends the update failure notice to the administrator A 1 . A screen d 14 is illustrated as an example of the update failure notice screen. The screen d 14 displays to report a failure, a reason of the failure (which may indicate the authentication failure), and the like.

Notice by E-Mail

In step S 1111 , the update control part 501 outputs the update failure notice in response to the communication error to the e-mail control part 507 .

In step S 1112 , when receiving the update failure notice from the update control part 501 , the e-mail control part 507 creates the e-mail. In the body text of the e-mail, the update failure and the reason of the failure (authentication failure) are described.

In step S 1113 , the e-mail control part 507 sends the created e-mail to the administrator A 1 . The e-mail control part 507 retains the e-mail address of the administrator A 1 .

In the third example of the setting error process, it is possible for the image forming apparatus 10 to report the update failure and the failure reason to the administrator A 1 . A process using the operation panel (steps S 1109 and S 1110 ) may be conducted after an e-mail process (steps S 1111 through S 1113 ). The process using the operation panel may be conducted in parallel with the e-mail process. Either one of the process and the e-mail process may be conducted.

FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram illustrating a fourth example of the setting error process in the embodiment. The setting error illustrated in FIG. 18 indicates the setting failure of the preference information 6 . Steps S 1201 through S 1208 illustrated in FIG. 18 are performed similarly to the steps S 201 through S 208 illustrated in FIG. 8 , and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In step S 1209 , the update control part 501 executes a second confirmation process for the setting items of the preference information 6 . The second confirmation process of the preference information 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 19 . In the second confirmation process of the preference information 6 , if it is determined that all setting items are settable, the preference information 6 is stored and all setting items are updated in step S 1210 . In the second confirmation process of the preference information 6 , when the setting failure is determined, an error process is executed.

Notice by Operation Panel

In step S 1211 , the update control part 501 outputs the update failure notice due to the setting failure (a non-allowable setting value is included) of the preference information 6 to the operation part 505 .

In step S 1212 , the operation part 505 displays the update failure notice screen at the operation panel 102 to report an update failure to the administrator A 1 . A screen d 15 is illustrated as an example of the update failure notice screen. The screen d 15 displays to report the failure, the reason of the failure (which may indicate the setting failure), and the like.

Notice by E-Mail

In step S 1213 , the update control part 501 outputs the update failure notice due to the setting failure (the non-allowable setting value is included) to the e-mail control part 507 .

In step S 1214 , when receiving the update failure notice from the update control part 501 , the e-mail control part 507 creates the e-mail. In the body text of the e-mail, the update failure and the reason of the failure (setting failure) are described.

In step S 1215 , the e-mail control part 507 sends the created e-mail to the administrator A 1 . The e-mail control part 506 retains the e-mail address of the administrator A 1 .

In the fourth example of the setting error process, it is possible for the image forming apparatus 10 to report the update failure and the failure reason to the administrator A 1 . The process using the operation panel 102 (steps S 1211 and S 1212 ) may be conducted after an e-mail process (steps S 1213 through S 1215 ). The process using the operation panel 102 may be conducted in parallel with the e-mail process. Either one of the process and the e-mail process may be conducted.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the second confirmation process in the embodiment. In step S 1301 illustrated in FIG. 19 , the update control part 501 acquires one of the setting items included in the preference information 6 which is downloaded.

In step S 1302 , the update control part 501 determines whether the acquired setting item is supported by the image forming apparatus 10 . If the acquired setting item is supported (YES in step S 1302 ), the update control part 501 advances to step S 1303 . If the acquired setting item is not supported (NO in step S 1302 ), the update control part 501 advances to step S 1306 .

By storing device information of the image forming apparatus 10 beforehand in the information storing part 504 , it is possible to determine whether the acquired setting item is supported. A non-supported setting item may be regarded as a setting item of which the setting value indicates “color” for a black and white copier.

In step S 1303 , the update control part 501 obtains the setting value of the acquired setting item. In step S 1304 , the update control part 501 determines whether the acquired setting value indicates a non-allowable setting value. An allowable setting value is stored in the information storage part 504 beforehand. The update control part 501 reads out the allowable setting value from the information storage part 504 , and then, conducts the determination.

When the setting value indicates the non-allowable setting value (NO in step S 1304 ), the update control part 501 advances to step S 1306 . When the setting value indicates an allowable setting value (YES in step S 1304 ), the update control part 501 advances to step S 1305 . The setting value regarded as the non-allowable setting value may indicate “−1” for the setting item of an aggregate print in which two or more pages are minimized and printed on one page.

In step S 1305 , the update control part 501 determines that the setting value indicating the allowable setting value is settable. The update control part 501 may set a flag for the setting value to indicate “settable”.

In step S 1306 , the update control part 501 determines that the setting value indicating the non-allowable setting value is not set. The update control part 501 may set a flag for the setting value to indicate “not settable”.

In step S 1307 , the update control part 501 determines whether all setting items are confirmed in the preference information 6 . When all setting items are confirmed (YES in step S 1307 ), the update control part 501 advances to step S 1308 . When all setting items are not confirmed (NO in step S 1307 ), the update control part 501 returns back to step S 1301 to the second confirmation process for another setting item.

In step S 1308 , the update control part 501 determines whether the flag indicates the “settable” for all setting items. When the flag indicates the “settable” for all setting items (YES in step S 1308 ), the update control part 501 advances to step S 1309 . When the flag does not indicate the “settable” for all setting items (NO in step S 1308 ), the update control part 501 advances to step S 1310 .

In step S 1309 , the update control part 501 outputs the setting request of the preference information 6 to the setting information control part 503 , and then ends the second confirmation process.

In step S 1310 , the update control part 501 sends the setting failure notice to at least one of the operation part 505 and the e-mail control part 507 , and then ends the second confirmation process.

In the second confirmation process in the embodiment, in a case in which the non-supported setting item, and the setting value which is supported but indicates the non-allowable setting value in the preference information 6 which is downloaded, it is possible to detect the setting error.

FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process after the setting items are confirmed in the embodiment. The setting error illustrated in FIG. 20 indicates the setting failure of the preference information 6 . Steps S 1401 through S 1408 illustrated in FIG. 20 are performed similarly to the steps S 201 through S 208 illustrated in FIG. 8 , and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In step S 1409 , the update control part 501 executes a third confirmation process of the setting items included in the preference information 6 . The confirmation process of the preference information 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 21 . In the confirmation process of the preference information 6 , if there is the setting item indicating a normal setting value, the preference information 6 is stored and set in the information storage part 504 in step S 1410 . If there is the setting item for which the flag indicates “non-settable” (hereafter, called a non-settable setting item), the update control part 501 executes a notice process of an update result.

Notice of Operation Panel

In step S 1411 , the update control part 501 outputs an update result notice indicating that there is the non-settable setting item in the preference information 6 , to the operation part 505 .

In step S 1412 , the operation part 505 displays an update result notice screen at the operation panel 102 , and sends the update result notice to the administrator A 1 . A screen d 16 is illustrated as an example of the update failure notice screen. The screen d 16 displays to report the failure, the reason of the failure (which may indicate the setting failure), and the like.

Notice by E-Mail

In step S 1413 , the update control part 501 outputs the update result notice indicating that there is the non-allowable setting value, to the e-mail control part 507 .

In step S 1414 , when receiving the update result notice from the update control part 501 , the e-mail control part 507 creates the e-mail. In the body text of the e-mail, the update failure and the reason of the failure (setting failure) are described.

In step S 1415 , the e-mail control part 507 sends the created e-mail to the administrator A 1 . The e-mail control part 507 retains the e-mail address of the administrator A 1 .

In the process in FIG. 20 , it is possible for the image forming apparatus 10 to report the update failure and the failure reason to the administrator A 1 . The process using the operation panel (steps S 1411 and S 1412 ) may be conducted after an e-mail process (steps S 1413 through S 1415 ). The process using the operation panel 102 may be conducted in parallel with the e-mail process. Either one of the process and the e-mail process may be conducted.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the second confirmation process in the embodiment. In step S 1501 illustrated in FIG. 21 , the update control part 501 acquires one of the setting items included in the preference information 6 which is downloaded.

In step S 1502 , the update control part 501 determines whether the setting item is supported by the image forming apparatus 10 . If the setting item is supported (YES in step S 1502 ), the update control part 501 advances to step S 1503 . If the setting item is not supported (NO in S 1502 ), the update control part 501 advances to step S 1507 . By storing the device information of the image forming apparatus 10 in the information storing part 504 beforehand, it is possible to determine whether the setting item is supported by the image forming apparatus 10 . A non-supported setting item may be regarded as a setting item of which the setting value indicates “color” for a black and white copier.

In step S 1503 , the update control part 501 obtains the setting value of the acquired setting item. In step S 1504 , the update control part 501 determines whether the acquired setting value indicates the non-allowable setting value. The allowable setting value is stored in the information storage part 504 beforehand. The update control part 501 reads out the allowable setting value from the information storage part 504 , and then, conducts the determination.

If the setting value indicates the non-allowable setting value (NO in step S 1504 ), the update control part 501 advances to step S 1507 . If the setting value indicates an allowable setting value (YES in step S 1504 ), the update control part 501 advances to step S 1505 . The setting value regarded as the non-allowable setting value may indicate “−1” for the setting item of the aggregate printing in which two or more pages are minimized and printed on one page.

In step S 1505 , the update control part 501 determines that the setting value being in the allowable range is settable. The update control part 501 may set the flag for the setting value to indicate “settable”.

In step S 1506 , the update control part 501 outputs the setting request of the preference information 6 to the setting information control part 503 so as to set the setting item for which the flag indicates “settable”.

In step S 1507 , the update control part 501 determines that the setting value indicating the non-allowable setting value is not set. The update control part 501 may set the flag for the setting value to indicate the “not settable”.

In step S 1508 , the update control part 501 determines whether all setting items are confirmed in the preference information 6 . When all setting items are confirmed (YES in step S 1508 ), the update control part 501 advances to step S 1508 . When all setting items are not confirmed (NO in step S 1308 ), the update control part 501 returns back to step S 1501 to the second confirmation process for another setting item.

In step S 1509 , the update control part 501 determines whether there is the setting item for which the flag indicates “non-settable”. If there is the setting item for which the flag indicates the “non-settable” (YES in step S 1509 ), the update control part 501 advances to step S 1510 . If the flag indicates the “settable” for all setting items (NO in step S 1509 ), the update control part 501 terminates the second confirmation process.

In step S 1510 , the update control part 501 sends the update result notice indicating that there is the setting item which is not set, to at least one of the operation part 505 and the e-mail control part 507 .

In the second confirmation process, even in a case in which the downloaded preference information 6 includes the setting item which is not supported or the non-allowable setting value which is supported, it is possible to set only the setting items indicating the allowable setting values. Moreover, it is possible to suppress using the setting values which do not indicate the allowable setting value, and the setting values of the setting items which are not supported to update the preference information 6 . Thus, it is possible to prevent a process error.

According to the above described embodiment, in a case in which the setting information of the device is set in the multiple image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like, it is possible to properly set the same setting information in each of the multiple image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like.

Moreover, the information storage part 504 may store version information indicating a version of the setting information to be stored. The update control part 501 may include the version information in the download request and send the version information to the information processing apparatus 40 . The information processing apparatus 40 compares the version information included in the download request with the version information of the preference information 6 stored in the information storage part 604 . Only in a case in which a comparison result indicates a mismatch of versions, the preference information 6 may be sent to the image forming apparatus 10 . By this configuration, it is not required to send the preference information 6 every time the image forming apparatus 10 requests, and it is possible to reduce workload of a communication path.

[Variation]

A program executed by the image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like and a program executed by the information processing apparatus 40 may be recorded in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a FD (flexible disk), a CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and the like with a data file in an installable format or an executable format. The program may be provided by the non-transitory computer-readable medium.

Also, the program executed by the image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like and the program executed by the information processing apparatus 40 may be stored in a computer connected to the network 2 such as the Internet or the like, and may be downloaded through the network 2 . Moreover, the programs may be provided or distributed through the network 2 such as the Internet.

Furthermore, the program executed by the image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like and the program executed by the information processing apparatus 40 may be stored in respective memories such as a ROM beforehand, and the respective memories may be embedded in the image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like and the information processing apparatus 40 .

The program executed by the image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like and the program executed by the information processing apparatus 40 may be formed in a module configuration to include the above described component parts. In the hardware configuration of each of the image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like, one or more component parts 501 , 502 , 503 , 506 , 507 , and 508 may be loaded into a memory when the CPU 111 (processor) reads out the program from the HDD 133 (auxiliary storage device) and executes the program. Thus, one or more component parts 501 , 502 , 503 , 506 , 507 , and 508 may be formed in the memory. Similarly, one or more component parts 601 , 602 , and 603 of the information processing apparatus 40 may be formed in a memory.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to properly set the same setting information in each of the multiple image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like in a case of setting the setting information for each of the devices in the multiple image forming apparatuses 10 , 20 , 30 , and the like.

The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. One or more component elements may be omitted from the entirety of component elements illustrated in the embodiment.