Printing system

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: convenience in changing the settings of an image forming apparatus is low.SOLUTION: A printing system comprises an image forming apparatus and a terminal device in a predetermined enclosure, and a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus not in the predetermined enclosure. The first information processing apparatus can communicate with the image forming apparatus and the second information processing apparatus. The second information processing apparatus can communicate with the terminal device and can communicate with the image forming apparatus via the first information processing apparatus. The terminal device transmits first password information to the second information processing apparatus to request a change of information on first settings of the image forming apparatus. The second information processing apparatus transmits the first password information and information on second settings to the first information processing apparatus to request a change. The first information processing apparatus transmits the first password information and the information on second settings to the image forming apparatus, as a response to the request. When the received first password information matches first password information stored therein, the image forming apparatus changes the information on first settings stored therein to the information on second settings.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a system has been known in which a printing device at home or the like is registered with a cloud service and used. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-38375 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described system, it is not possible to easily change the settings of the image forming apparatus using a service such as a cloud service that is provided remotely, and this makes the system less convenient. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A printing system comprising an image forming device and a terminal device located within a specified premises, and a first information processing device and a second information processing device located within a premises different from the specified premises, wherein the first information processing device is capable of communicating with the image forming device and the second information processing device, the second information processing device is capable of communicating with the terminal device and is capable of communicating with the image forming device via the first information processing device, the image forming device stores first password information and first setting information, the terminal device transmits the first password information to the second information processing device to request a change to the first setting information for the image forming device, the second information processing device transmits the first password information and second setting information different from the first setting information to the first information processing device to request the change, and in response to the request for change, the first information processing device transmits the received first password information and the second setting information to the image forming device, and if the received first password information matches the stored first password information, the image forming device changes the stored first setting information to the received second setting information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing system including a first information processing apparatus, a second information processing apparatus, a terminal apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a control apparatus. [Diagram 2] 11 is a state transition diagram when a user or a terminal device and an image forming device are registered in a first information processing device and a second information processing device. [Diagram 3] 11 is a state transition diagram when a password for an image forming apparatus is shared between a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus. [Figure 4] 11 is a state transition diagram when setting information of an image forming apparatus is changed by a terminal device using a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] 1. Printing system configuration An example of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The printing system 1 includes at least a first information processing device 10, a second information processing device 20, a terminal device 30 which is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, and an image forming device 40. For example, the first information processing device 10 is a computer or a server installed by a manufacturer of the image forming device 40, and provides services related to the image forming device 40. Also, for example, the second information processing device 20 is a computer or a server installed by an administrator of the printing system 1, and performs management related to the printing system 1.

[0008] The printing system 1 may include a control device 50 that is a computer. For example, if the image forming device 40 has the function of a receipt printer, which is a printing device, the control device 50 is a POS (Point of Sales) terminal device. The printing system 1 is also a POS system. In the following, the printing system 1 will be described as an example of a POS system. The terminal device 30, the image forming device 40, and the control device 50 are located in a store 2, which is a specific premises. On the other hand, the first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20 are located in another premises, such as a data center, away from the store 2. The first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20 may be installed in different premises or in the same premises.

[0009] The first information processing device 10, the second information processing device 20, the terminal device 30, and the image forming device 40 are capable of communicating with each other via a WAN (Wide Area Network) 60, which is, for example, the Internet. The first information processing device 10, the second information processing device 20, etc. can provide services to the terminal device 30, the image forming device 40, etc. via the WAN 60, and can form a form of so-called cloud computing.

[0010] The control device 50 can communicate with the image forming device 40 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like. The control device 50 and the image forming device 40 may be connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) (not shown), which is a communication network in a limited range such as within the store 2, and configured to be able to communicate with each other. In this case, the control device 50 and the image forming device 40 can communicate with the WAN 60 via the LAN. The LAN also includes functions such as a router and a firewall.

[0011] The first information processing device 10, the second information processing device 20, the terminal device 30, the image forming device 40, and the control device 50 are each assigned a unique IP address (Internet Protocol Address). These devices can communicate with a communication destination by specifying the IP address assigned to the communication destination. These devices can also communicate using protocols such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure). As described later, the first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20 can provide a Web page or an API (Application Programming Interface) as a service by specifying the Web page or the API (Application Programming Interface) from another device using a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). An API used in a Web environment such as the printing system 1 is called a Web API.

[0012] The first information processing device 10 includes a first control unit 11, a first communication unit 12, and a first storage unit 13. The first control unit 11 comprehensively controls each unit of the first information processing device 10. The first control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) that manages input and output, and a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) that are logic circuits. The CPU is also called a processor.

[0013] The first storage unit 13 is configured to include a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The nonvolatile memory of the first storage unit 13 may include an SSD (Solid State Drive). The CPU of the first control unit 11 reads out a program stored in the non-volatile memory of the first storage unit 13 and executes it using the RAM of the first storage unit 13 as a working area. In the following, unless otherwise specified, the first storage unit 13 refers to the non-volatile memory. The first storage unit 13 also stores various Web pages and various Web APIs, which will be described later. The first control unit 11 can read out Web pages and Web APIs from the first storage unit 13 in response to requests from other devices and provide them. Such a first information processing device 10 is also a so-called Web server.

[0014] The first communication unit 12 of the first information processing device 10 includes a circuit capable of wirelessly or wired communication with the WAN 60. The first communication unit 12 has an antenna in the case of wireless communication, and has a connector in the case of wired communication. The first communication unit 12 can communicate with other devices via the WAN 60. For example, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, when changing setting information of the image forming device 40, the first information processing device 10 can communicate with the second information processing device 20 and the image forming device 40. Although the first information processing device 10 transmits and receives data to and from a communication destination through the first communication unit 12, in the following description, for the sake of brevity, the description of transmission and reception through the first communication unit 12 will be omitted. Also, in the following description, the description of the first communication unit 12 communicating through the WAN 60 will be omitted.

[0015] Next, the second information processing device 20 includes a second control unit 21, a second communication unit 22, and a second storage unit 23. These components of the second information processing device 20 are almost the same as those of the first information processing device 10, so the following description will focus on the different components. The second communication unit 22 is capable of communicating with other devices via the WAN 60. For example, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, when changing setting information of the image forming device 40, the second information processing device 20 is capable of communicating with the terminal device 30 and is capable of communicating with the image forming device 40 via the first information processing device 10. The same is true when sharing a password for the image forming device 40, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

[0016] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the second storage unit 23 refers to a non-volatile memory. The second storage unit 23 also stores various Web pages, which will be described later. The second control unit 21 can read and provide Web pages, etc. from the second storage unit 23 in response to a request from another device. Such a second information processing device 20 is also a so-called Web server. In the following, the second information processing device 20 will not be described for transmitting and receiving information to and from a communication destination via the WAN 60 using the second communication unit 22.

[0017] Next, the terminal device 30 includes a third control unit 31, a third communication unit 32, and a third storage unit 33. These components of the terminal device 30 are almost the same as those of the first information processing device 10, so the following description will focus on the different components. The terminal device 30 is carried by a user and used in the store 2, but it may also be a computer installed in the store 2. The third communication unit 32 can communicate with other devices via the WAN 60. For example, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, when changing setting information of the image forming device 40, the terminal device 30 can communicate with the first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20. The same is true when sharing a password for the image forming device 40, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

[0018] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the third storage unit 33 refers to a non-volatile memory. The third storage unit 33 also stores a web browser and the like. The third control unit 31 can read and execute the web browser from the third storage unit 33. Such a terminal device 30 is also a so-called web client. In the following, the explanation will be omitted for the terminal device 30 transmitting and receiving data to and from a communication destination via the WAN 60 using the third communication unit 32.

[0019] Furthermore, the terminal device 30 includes a third input / output unit 34. The third input / output unit 34 is a user interface for a user. The third input / output unit 14 is, for example, a touch panel display. The third input / output unit 34 includes a display panel serving as an output unit that displays various information, and a detection panel serving as an input unit. The detection panel is configured to be overlaid on the display panel, and detects the operation of the user's finger by a method such as a capacitive type, a resistive film type, or an optical type.

[0020] In the third input / output unit 34, the input unit may include a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and the output unit may include a stand-type liquid crystal display, or the like. The third input / output unit 34 also includes a camera as an input unit, which is configured by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) etc. The camera of the third input / output unit 34 can also read bar codes and two-dimensional codes.

[0021] Next, the image forming device 40 includes a fourth control unit 41, a fourth communication unit 42, and a fourth storage unit 43. These components of the image forming device 40 are almost the same as those of the first information processing device 10, so the following description will focus on the different components. The fourth communication unit 42 is capable of communicating with other devices via the WAN 60. For example, as will be described later with reference to Fig. 4, when changing setting information of the image forming device 40, the image forming device 40 is capable of communicating with the first information processing device 10, and is also capable of communicating with the second information processing device 20 via the first information processing device 10. As described above, the image forming device 40 is capable of communicating with the control device 50 via a LAN, a USB, or the like.

[0022] Furthermore, the image forming device 40 has a printing unit 44 that includes a head and a transport mechanism. The head may be of any type, such as an inkjet type, thermal type, or laser type. Note that if the image forming device 40 is configured as a receipt printer, it is preferable for the head to be of the thermal type, and for the transport mechanism to be compatible with roll paper. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 40 may be provided with an image sensor (not shown) such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or a CCD. As a result, the image forming apparatus 40 can have functions such as a scanner, a copier, and a fax in addition to the function of a printer, which is a printing device, using the printing unit 44.

[0023] In the following, unless otherwise specified, the fourth storage unit 43 refers to a non-volatile memory. The fourth storage unit 43 also stores firmware for controlling the printing unit 44 and the like. The fourth control unit 41 can read and execute the firmware from the fourth storage unit 43, control the printing unit 44 to print on a medium, and read an image using an image sensor.

[0024] The fourth storage unit 43 also stores a serial number, password information, and setting information. The setting information also includes information related to settings of the printing unit 44 and the image sensor. The fourth control unit 41 can read the setting information from the fourth storage unit 43 and control the printing unit 44 and the image sensor. As described later, the setting information can also include password information. In the following, the image forming apparatus 40 will not be described as transmitting and receiving data to and from a communication destination via the LAN and the WAN 60 using the fourth communication unit 42.

[0025] Next, the control device 50 includes a fifth control unit 51, a fifth communication unit 52, and a fifth storage unit 53. These components of the control device 50 are almost the same as the components of the first information processing device 10, so the following description will focus on the different components. The fifth communication unit 52 is capable of communicating with other devices via the WAN 60. As described above, the control device 50 is also capable of communicating with the image forming device 40 via a LAN, a USB, or the like. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the fifth storage unit 53 refers to a non-volatile memory. The fifth storage unit 53 also stores a POS application and the like. The fifth control unit 51 can read and execute the POS application from the fifth storage unit 53 to perform payment processing. Such a control device 50 is also called a POS terminal device. In the following, the explanation will be omitted for the control device 50 transmitting and receiving data to and from a communication destination via the LAN and the WAN 60 using the fifth communication unit 52.

[0026] The control device 50 further includes a fifth input / output unit 54. The input unit of the fifth input / output unit 54 includes a reader and is capable of reading barcodes attached to products and customer cards. The fifth control unit 51 generates payment information based on the barcode or card read by the reader of the fifth input / output unit 54, and transmits the information as print data to the image forming device 40 to cause it to be printed as a receipt. Other configurations of the fifth input / output unit 54 are substantially the same as the configurations of the third input / output unit 34 of the terminal device 30, so description of the configurations will be omitted. The control device 50 may be provided with a so-called automatic change machine (not shown) that has the function of depositing and dispensing cash.

[0027] 2 to 4, the process related to the first information processing device 10 is executed by the first control unit 11, but for the sake of brevity, the first control unit 11 will be omitted. Similarly, the process related to the second information processing device 20, the terminal device 30, the image forming device 40, and the control device 50 is executed by the second control unit 21, the third control unit 31, the fourth control unit 41, and the fifth control unit 51, but for the sake of brevity, these will also be omitted. The following also describes a control method for the printing system 1.

[0028] 2. Registration of user or terminal device 30 2, the registration of a user or a terminal device 30 to the first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20 will be described. Furthermore, the registration of an image forming device 40 to the first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20 will also be described.

[0029] The second information processing device 20 stores the second portal site in the second storage unit 23 and enables access to the second portal site from outside. First, a user operates the third input / output unit 34 of the terminal device 30 to access the second portal site provided by the second information processing device 20. In the following, it is assumed that the terminal device 30 and the second information processing device 20 transmit and receive information via the second portal site. Upon detection of an operation on the third input / output unit 34 of the terminal device 30 by a user, the terminal device 30 requests an authentication code from the second information processing device 20 (S101).

[0030] The authentication code is unique information that identifies at least one of the user and the terminal device 30. Hereinafter, the authentication code will be referred to as CD. The terminal device 30 executes various processes based on detection of an operation by the user to the third input / output unit 34, but in the following description, detection of an operation by the user to the third input / output unit 34 and the like will be omitted. In response to the CD request from the terminal device 30, the second information processing device 20 generates a unique CD and returns it (S102). At this time, the second information processing device 20 also requests the terminal device 30 for its serial number.

[0031] As described above, the serial number, password information, and setting information are stored in the fourth storage unit 43 of the image forming apparatus 40. The serial number is, for example, a manufacturing number of the image forming apparatus 40, and is unique information for identifying the image forming apparatus 40. In the following, the serial number is referred to as SN. When the image forming apparatus 40 is shipped from the factory, the password information and initial values ​​of the setting information are stored in the fourth storage unit 43. Hereinafter, the initial values ​​of the setting information stored in the fourth storage unit 43 of the image forming apparatus 40 will be referred to as first setting information. Hereinafter, the first password information, which is the initial value of the password information, will be simply referred to as PW. The image forming apparatus 40 prohibits the rewriting of the SN in the fourth storage unit 43, but allows the rewriting of the PW and the first setting information.

[0032] For example, at the time of shipment from a factory, the SN is printed on a label or the like and affixed to the image forming apparatus 40. At the time of shipment from a factory, the PW is also printed on a label or the like and the label is affixed to the image forming apparatus 40 or to the manual or the like of the image forming apparatus 40. The PW may be written in the manual or the like. The user can know the SN and PW by looking at a label or manual of the image forming device 40, and can input them correctly into the third input / output unit 34 of the terminal device 30.

[0033] Incidentally, the first storage unit 13 of the first information processing device 10 may store the SN and PW of the image forming device 40 at the time of shipment from the factory in a corresponding manner in advance. Since the first information processing device 10 is installed by the manufacturer of the image forming device 40, it is possible to obtain information of the image forming device 40 at the time of shipment from the factory in advance. However, in the following embodiment, it is assumed that the first storage unit 13 of the first information processing device 10 does not store the SN and PW of the image forming device 40 at the time of shipment from the factory in a corresponding manner in advance. In this case, when the first information processing device 10 receives the SN and PW as described later, it does not need to store them.

[0034] When the terminal device 30 receives the CD from the second information processing device 20, a message is displayed instructing the user to input the SN to the third input / output unit 34. The user inputs the SN to the third input / output unit 34 of the terminal device 30. Based on an operation by the user on the third input / output unit 34 of the terminal device 30, the terminal device 30 transmits the SN of the image forming device 40 to the second information processing device 20 (S103). The second information processing device 20 can associate the generated CD and the received SN and store them in the second storage unit 23. The second information processing device 20 associates the CD and the SN and transmits them to the first information processing device 10 (S104). The first information processing device 10 stores the CD and SN received from the second information processing device 20 in the first storage unit 13 in association with each other.

[0035] In this manner, the first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20 register the user or the terminal device 30. Note that the first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20 registering the user or the terminal device 30 refers to storing the CD of the user or the terminal device 30. In this case, the registration of the CD of the first information processing device 10 can be provisional registration or first registration. As described later, when the user accepts the end-user license agreement information, the first information processing device 10 can perform a final registration or a second registration of the CD of the user or the terminal device 30. In the following, the final registration or second registration will be referred to as the final registration. In the following, the end-user license agreement information will be referred to as the EULA. Furthermore, the first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20 register the image forming device 40. Note that the first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20 register the image forming device 40 by storing the SN of the image forming device 40.

[0036] On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 40 reads out the SN from the fourth storage unit 43 under a predetermined condition, and transmits it to the first information processing apparatus 10 (S105). The predetermined condition is, for example, at least one of the following: when the image forming apparatus 40 is powered on, when the fourth communication unit 42 of the image forming apparatus 40 is connected to the WAN 60, when a predetermined operation is performed on a cover or a sensor of the image forming apparatus 40, etc. Note that when the fourth communication unit 42 of the image forming apparatus 40 is connected to the WAN 60 may also be when a communication cable is connected to the connector of the fourth communication unit 42.

[0037] Incidentally, the first information processing device 10 stores the first portal site in the first storage unit 13, and allows access to the first portal site from outside. The image forming device 40 can store the address of the first portal site in the fourth storage unit 43 at the time of shipment from the factory. When the image forming device 40 determines that a predetermined condition is met, it accesses the first portal site provided by the first information processing device 10. Specifically, the image forming device 40 reads the address of the first portal site from the fourth storage unit 43 and can access the first portal site of the first information processing device 10. Then, the image forming apparatus 40 can transmit the SN to the first information processing device 10 via the first portal site. In the following, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 40 and the first information processing device 10 transmit and receive data via the first portal site.

[0038] When the first information processing device 10 receives the SN from the image forming device 40, it checks whether the SN matches the SN received from the second information processing device 20 and stored in the first storage unit 13 (S106). If the first information processing device 10 determines that the two SNs match, it returns a first URL for accessing the first information processing device 10 to the image forming device 40 (S107). If the first information processing device 10 determines that the two SNs do not match, it may return error information.

[0039] The image forming apparatus 40 encodes the first URL received from the first information processing apparatus 10 into a two-dimensional code, and prints it on a medium by the printing unit 44 (S108). The two-dimensional code may be a barcode. The terminal device 30 reads the two-dimensional code printed on the medium with the camera of the third input / output unit 34 (S109). The terminal device 30 can decode the read two-dimensional code and obtain the first URL.

[0040] The terminal device 30 can execute a Web browser. The terminal device 30 can display acquired Web pages and input various information to the Web pages via the third input / output unit 34. The terminal device 30 can also receive Web pages and transmit various input information via the third communication unit 32. In the following description, the fact that the terminal device 30 executes these processes by running a Web browser is omitted.

[0041] The terminal device 30 accesses the first URL provided by the first information processing device 10 based on the acquired first URL (S110). When the terminal device 30 accesses the first URL of the first information processing device 10, the first information processing device 10 transmits the EULA, which is end user license agreement information, to the terminal device 30 together with a Web page displaying a license screen (S111). The EULA is stored in the first storage unit 13 of the first information processing device 10.

[0042] The terminal device 30 displays the EULA and the consent screen on the third input / output unit 34 based on the Web page received from the first information processing device 10. The user checks the EULA displayed by the third input / output unit 34 of the terminal device 30. If the user decides to accept the EULA, the user operates the acceptance screen displayed on the third input / output unit 34 of the terminal device 30 to input acceptance of the EULA (S112). The terminal device 30 returns information indicating that the entered EULA has been accepted to the first information processing device 10 (S113).

[0043] When the first information processing device 10 receives information indicating that the EULA has been accepted from the terminal device 30, it transmits a Web page displaying a CD input screen to the terminal device 30 and requests a CD (S114). The terminal device 30 displays a CD input screen on the third input / output unit 34 based on the Web page received from the first information processing device 10. The user inputs a CD by operating the CD input screen displayed on the third input / output unit 34 of the terminal device 30. The terminal device 30 transmits the input CD to the first information processing device 10 (S115).

[0044] When the first information processing device 10 receives the CD from the terminal device 30, it checks whether it matches the CD received from the second information processing device 20 and stored in the first storage unit 13 (S116). When the first information processing device 10 determines that the two CDs match, it can officially register the CD in the first storage unit 13. Note that officially registering a CD means that the first information processing device 10 stores the CD of the user or the terminal device 30 in the first storage unit 13 as one that has accepted the EULA. When the first information processing device 10 determines that the CDs do not match, it may return error information to the terminal device 30.

[0045] In addition, when the first information processing device 10 determines that the two CDs match, it may determine that at least one of the user or the terminal device 30 corresponds to the CD, and may register it in the first memory unit 13 in association with the SN of the image forming device 40. In this manner, the first information processing device 10 can officially register the user or the terminal device 30 using the CD.

[0046] When the first information processing device 10 receives a CD from the terminal device 30 and officially registers it, it transmits to the terminal device 30 a redirect web page, which is a web page that displays a redirect screen, and also transmits information that the CD has been officially registered (S117). Note that in FIG. 2, the official registration is simply shown as "registration". The redirect screen is a screen for the terminal device 30 to transition from a first URL provided by the first information processing device 10 to a second URL provided by the second information processing device 20. The first storage unit 13 of the first information processing device 10 also stores the second URL together with the redirect web page.

[0047] Separately, the image forming apparatus 40 requests an AK (Agent Key) from the first information processing apparatus 10 (S118), and the first information processing apparatus 10 returns the AK (S119). The first storage unit 13 of the first information processing apparatus 10 also stores the AK. As a result, as described later, the first information processing device 10 and the image forming device 40 can communicate with each other using the Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol. Hereinafter, the MQTT protocol will be simply referred to as MQTT. MQTT is simpler than HTTP and is suitable for the image forming device 40, which has a heavy load of processing such as printing.

[0048] The image forming apparatus 40 prints on a medium a message indicating that the image forming apparatus 40 has been officially registered in at least the first information processing apparatus 10 (S120). The image forming apparatus 40 may also print on a medium a message indicating that the image forming apparatus 40 has been registered in the second information processing apparatus 20. The image forming device 40 may print a message indicating that the first URL has been registered when the first URL is received from the first information processing device 10. The user can confirm the above-mentioned message indicating that the first URL has been registered by using the printed medium.

[0049] 3. Sharing passwords for image forming devices Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a process in which the PW of the image forming apparatus 40 is shared among the terminal apparatus 30, the first information processing apparatus 10, and the second information processing apparatus 20 will be described. Following the above description of FIG. 2, the terminal device 30 displays a redirect screen for accessing the second information processing device 20 on the third input / output unit 34 based on the redirect Web page received from the first information processing device 10.

[0050] The user operates the redirect screen displayed on the third input / output unit 34 of the terminal device 30 to input a request for the second URL, which is redirect destination information for redirection. Based on the input to the third input / output unit 34, the terminal device 30 requests the second URL from the first information processing device 10 (S201). In response to the request for the second URL received from the terminal device 30, the first information processing device 10 returns the second URL (S202). The terminal device 30 accesses the second URL provided by the second information processing device 20 based on the second URL received from the first information processing device 10 (S203). That is, the terminal device 30 can redirect from the first URL of the first information processing device 10 to the second URL of the second information processing device 20, which is the redirection destination.

[0051] The first information processing device 10 may transmit the redirect Web page to the terminal device 30 and also transmit the second URL. In this case, the user only needs to operate the redirect screen displayed on the third input / output unit 34 of the terminal device 30 and input a request for redirection. Based on this input, the terminal device 30 can access the second URL that has already been received and redirect the user. The terminal device 30 does not need to request the second URL from the first information processing device 10.

[0052] When the terminal device 30 accesses the second URL and is redirected, the second information processing device 20 transmits a request for a password of the image forming device 40 to the terminal device 30 together with a Web page displaying a screen for inputting a password (S204). The terminal device 30 displays a PW input screen on the third input / output unit 34 based on the Web page received from the second information processing device 20. The user operates the PW input screen displayed on the third input / output unit 34 of the terminal device 30 and inputs the PW of the image forming device 40 while referring to a manual, etc. The terminal device 30 transmits the input PW to the second information processing device 20 (S205).

[0053] The second information processing device 20 temporarily stores the PW received from the terminal device 30 in the volatile memory of the second storage unit 23. The second information processing device 20 transmits the received PW to the first information processing device 10 (S206). The first information processing device 10 transmits the PW received from the second information processing device 20 to the image forming device 40 (S207). At this time, since the second information processing device 20 stores the PW, the first information processing device 10 does not need to temporarily store the PW received from the second information processing device 20 in the volatile memory of the first storage unit 13. With this configuration, it may be possible to reduce the risk in terms of security in the first information processing device 10. The image forming apparatus 40 checks whether the PW received from the first information processing apparatus 10 matches the PW stored in the fourth storage unit 43 (S208).

[0054] Here, it is assumed that the check by the image forming device 40 shows that both PWs match. The image forming device 40 transmits result information indicating that both PWs match to the first information processing device 10 (S209). Note that, hereinafter, the result information indicating that both PWs match is referred to as the PW-related result. The first information processing device 10 transmits the PW-related result received from the image forming device 40 to the second information processing device 20 (S210). The fourth control unit 41 of the image forming apparatus 40 may transmit error information to the first information processing apparatus 10 when it determines that the two PWs do not match.

[0055] When the second information processing device 20 receives the result related to the PW from the first information processing device 10, the second information processing device 20 stores the PW temporarily stored in the volatile memory of the second storage unit 23 in the non-volatile memory (S211). At this time, the second information processing device 20 may store the PW in the second storage unit 23 in association with the CD and SN. The first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20 may store the PW of the image forming device 40 as registration of the image forming device 40.

[0056] The second information processing device 20 transmits the result related to the PW received from the first information processing device 10 to the terminal device 30 together with a Web page displaying a setting change request screen for requesting a change in the settings of the image forming device 40 (S212). The terminal device 30 can determine that both PWs match, and can also display that fact via the third input / output unit 34. As described later, the first information processing device 10 can log in to the image forming device 40 by MQTT using the PW of the image forming device 40 received from the second information processing device 20.

[0057] 4. Changing settings on the image forming device Next, a process for changing the setting information of the image forming apparatus 40 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The setting information stored in the fourth storage unit 43 of the image forming apparatus 40 is first setting information which is an initial value. Second setting information which is different from the first setting information is setting information to be changed. Following the above description of FIG. 3, the terminal device 30 displays a setting change request screen on the third input / output unit 34 based on the Web page received from the second information processing device 20.

[0058] Here, the setting information includes password information. That is, PW is the first password information and also the first setting information. And the second password information different from the first password information PW is the second setting information. Hereinafter, the second password information is referred to as changed PW. Thus, as an example of changing the settings of the image forming device 40, the terminal device 30 changes the PW of the image forming device 40 to a changed PW. That is, the terminal device 30 changes the PW, which is the first setting information stored in the fourth storage unit 43 of the image forming device 40, to the changed PW, which is the second setting information.

[0059] The user operates the setting change request screen displayed on the third input / output unit 34 of the terminal device 30, and inputs the changed PW together with the PW of the image forming device 40. The terminal device 30 transmits change request information including the input PW of the image forming device 40 and the changed PW to the second information processing device 20 (S301). Hereinafter, the change request information will be simply referred to as a change request. That is, the terminal device 30 transmits at least the first password information PW and the second setting information changed PW to the second information processing device 20, and transmits a request to the image forming device 40 to change the first setting information PW. In addition, the first storage unit 13 of the first information processing device 10 stores a WebAPI for changing the settings of the image forming device 40.

[0060] When the second information processing device 20 receives the change request from the terminal device 30, it transmits change request information to the first information processing device 10 (S302). Hereinafter, the change request information is simply referred to as a change request. In this case, the change request is a so-called WebAPI request. The change request includes the PW and the changed PW of the image forming apparatus 40. The change request also includes information for causing the first information processing apparatus 10 to call and execute a WebAPI that changes the settings of the image forming apparatus 40. That is, the second information processing device 20 transmits at least the first password information PW and the second setting information changed PW received from the terminal device 30 to the first information processing device 10, and transmits a change request. In response to the change request from the second information processing device 20, the first information processing device 10 transmits change response information to the image forming device 40 (S303). Hereinafter, the change response information is simply referred to as a change response. In this case, the change response is a so-called WebAPI response.

[0061] As described above, the image forming apparatus 40 and the first information processing apparatus 10 transmit and receive AKs and are capable of communicating with each other via MQTT. The first information processing apparatus 10 transmits the PW of the image forming apparatus 40 included in the change request received from the second information processing apparatus 20 to the image forming apparatus 40, and is capable of logging in to the image forming apparatus 40 via MQTT. The image forming device 40 checks whether the PW received from the first information processing device 10 matches the PW stored in the fourth storage unit 43, and if they match, allows the first information processing device 10 to log in. Here, it is assumed that both PWs match, and the first information processing device 10 can log in to the image forming device 40.

[0062] In this way, the change response includes the PW of the image forming apparatus 40, and the first information processing apparatus 10 can log in to the image forming apparatus 40 using the PW. Furthermore, as a change response, the first information processing device 10 executes the WebAPI in response to the call from the second information processing device 20.

[0063] Specifically, the first information processing device 10 converts the changed PW of the image forming device 40 received from the second information processing device 20 into a JSON (JavaScript (registered trademark) Object Notation) format and transmits it to the image forming device 40. That is, the first information processing device 10 transmits the received PW and the second setting information to the image forming device 40 as a change response that is a response to the change request.

[0064] Then, based on the changed PW in JSON format that is the change response received from the first information processing device 10, the image forming device 40 changes the PW stored in the fourth storage unit 43 of the image forming device 40 to the changed PW (S304). In other words, if the received PW matches the PW stored in the fourth memory unit 43, the image forming device 40 allows the first information processing device 10 to log in and changes the first setting information stored in the fourth memory unit 43 to the received second setting information.

[0065] Here, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 40 has been able to change the PW stored in the fourth storage unit 43 to the received changed PW. The image forming apparatus 40 transmits result information indicating that the PW has been changed to the changed PW to the first information processing apparatus 10 (S305). In the following, the result information indicating that the PW has been changed to the changed PW is referred to as the result of the change. The first information processing apparatus 10 transmits the result of the change received from the image forming apparatus 40 to the second information processing apparatus 20 (S306).

[0066] The second information processing device 20 transmits the result of the change received from the first information processing device 10 to the terminal device 30 together with a Web page displaying a result display screen showing the result of the change in the settings of the image forming device 40 (S307). The terminal device 30 displays a result display screen on the third input / output unit 34 based on the Web page received from the second information processing device 20. In this case, the third input / output unit 34 can display to the image forming device 40 that the PW has been changed to the changed PW based on the received result of the change.

[0067] If the image forming apparatus 40 fails to change the PW to the changed PW, the image forming apparatus 40 may transmit error information to the first information processing apparatus 10. The error information is transmitted from the first information processing device 10 via the second information processing device 20 to the terminal device 30, and the third input / output unit 34 of the terminal device 30 can display a message indicating that the PW could not be changed to the changed PW.

[0068] In this way, the terminal device 30 can easily change the first setting information, PW, stored in the fourth memory unit 43 of the image forming device 40, to the second setting information, changed PW, using the first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20 located in a remote location, such as on another premises.

[0069] Furthermore, another embodiment will be described. The administrator of the printing system 1 can store the second setting information of the image forming device 40 in the second storage unit 23 of the second information processing device 20 in advance, at the request of the user or the like. Here, the second setting information is, for example, setting information related to printing of the image forming device 40. Specifically, the second setting information is setting information related to the printing unit 44 of the image forming device 40, and is values ​​such as paper width and print density. The second information processing device 20 can store this second setting information in association with at least the PW of the image forming device 40. Note that the second information processing device 20 may also store this second setting information in association with the SN of the image forming device 40.

[0070] In the above-described aspect described with reference to Figure 4, the terminal device 30 transmitted a change request to the second information processing device 20, which included a PW, which is the first setting information for the image forming device 40, and a changed PW, which is the second setting information. When the second setting information is stored in advance in the second information processing device 20, the terminal device 30 transmits the first password information PW, and does not need to transmit the second setting information. This will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0071] In this case as well, the terminal device 30 displays a setting change request screen on the third input / output unit 34 based on the Web page received from the second information processing device 20. The user operates the password entry screen displayed on the third input / output unit 34 of the terminal device 30, and enters the password for the image forming apparatus 40. The user does not need to enter the second setting information.

[0072] The terminal device 30 transmits a change request including the PW of the image forming device 40 to the second information processing device 20 (S301). At this time, the terminal device 30 does not need to transmit the second setting information. That is, the terminal device 30 transmits the first password information PW to the second information processing device 20, and transmits a request to the image forming device 40 to change the first setting information.

[0073] When the second information processing device 20 receives the change request from the terminal device 30, it reads out the second setting information corresponding to the received PW of the image forming device 40 from the second storage unit 23. The second information processing device 20 transmits a change request to the first information processing device 10 (S302). The change request includes the PW of the image forming device 40 and the second setting information. That is, the second information processing device 20 transmits the PW and second setting information different from the first setting information to the first information processing device 10, and transmits a change request. In response to the change request from the second information processing apparatus 20, the first information processing apparatus 10 transmits a change response to the image forming apparatus 40 (S303).

[0074] The change response includes the PW of the image forming apparatus 40, and the first information processing apparatus 10 can log in to the image forming apparatus 40 using the PW. Furthermore, as a change response, the first information processing device 10 executes the WebAPI. Specifically, the first information processing device 10 converts the received second setting information into a JSON format and transmits it to the image forming device 40 as a change response. That is, the first information processing device 10 transmits the received PW and the second setting information to the image forming device 40 as a change response that is a response to the change request.

[0075] Then, based on the second setting information in JSON format contained in the change response received from the first information processing device 10, the image forming device 40 changes the first setting information stored in the fourth memory unit 43 of the image forming device 40 to the second setting information (S304). In other words, if the received PW matches the PW stored in the fourth memory unit 43, the image forming device 40 allows the first information processing device 10 to log in and changes the first setting information stored in the fourth memory unit 43 to the received second setting information.

[0076] The image forming device 40 transmits a result indicating that the first setting information was changed to the second setting information to the first information processing device 10 (S305), the first information processing device 10 transmits the result to the second information processing device 20 (S306), and the second information processing device 20 transmits the result to the terminal device 30 (S307).

[0077] In this way, the terminal device 30 only needs to transmit the first password information PW when the second setting information is stored in advance in the second information processing device 20. The terminal device 30 can easily change the first setting information of the image forming device 40 to the second setting information without transmitting the second setting information. The terminal device 30 can change the first setting information of the image forming device 40 by using the second setting information stored in the second information processing device 20. Furthermore, even if a user does not have detailed knowledge about the image forming device 40, the user can change the setting information.

[0078] In addition, the second information processing device 20 may not store the second setting information in advance in the second storage unit 23, but may store a Web page in the second storage unit 23 that displays a selection screen for selecting the second setting information of the image forming device 40. In this case, the second information processing device 20 transmits to the terminal device 30 a Web page displaying a selection screen, and requests the terminal device 30 to select the second setting information.

[0079] The terminal device 30 displays a selection screen on the third input / output unit 34 based on the Web page received from the second information processing device 20. The user operates the selection screen displayed on the third input / output unit 34 of the terminal device 30 to select the second setting information. The selected second setting information is, for example, specific values ​​related to the printing unit 44, such as paper width and print density. Based on an operation on the third input / output unit 34 of the terminal device 30 by the user, the terminal device 30 transmits the selected second setting information to the second information processing device 20.

[0080] The second information processing device 20 can store the selected second setting information received from the terminal device 30 in the second storage unit . In this case, when changing the setting information, the terminal device 30 only needs to transmit the first password information PW, and does not need to transmit the second setting information. The terminal device 30 can change the first setting information of the image forming device 40 to the second setting information selected in advance by the second information processing device 20. In this way, the user can use the terminal device 30 to select the second setting information of the image forming device 40 in advance and store it in the second information processing device 20, and then easily change the image forming device 40 to the selected second setting information.

[0081] The second setting information may be stored in the first storage unit 13 of the first information processing device 10, instead of in the second storage unit 23 of the second information processing device 20. The first information processing device 10 can store the second setting information in association with the PW of the image forming device 40, similarly to the case of the second information processing device 20 described above. In this case, the terminal device 30 and the second information processing device 20 may transmit the first password information, i.e., PW, but may not transmit the second setting information. The second information processing device 20 may transmit a change request including the PW of the image forming device 40 to the first information processing device 10.

[0082] When the first information processing device 10 receives a change request, it can read out the second setting information corresponding to the received PW of the image forming device 40 from the first memory unit 13, and transmit the second setting information in JSON format as a change response to the image forming device 40. The image forming apparatus 40 can change the first setting information stored in the fourth storage unit 43 to the received second setting information. Furthermore, the first information processing device 10 can also cause the terminal device 30 to select second setting information for the image forming device 40 and store it in the fourth storage unit 43, similarly to the case of the second information processing device 20 described above.

[0083] As described above, a printing system 1 of one example of an embodiment includes an image forming device 40 and a terminal device 30 located within a specified premises such as a store 2, and a first information processing device 10 and a second information processing device 20 located within a premises different from the store 2. The first information processing device 10 is capable of communicating with an image forming device 40 and a second information processing device 20, and the second information processing device 20 is capable of communicating with a terminal device 30 and is capable of communicating with the image forming device 40 via the first information processing device 10.

[0084] The image forming apparatus 40 stores the first password information and the first setting information, and the terminal device 30 transmits the first password information to the second information processing device 20 to request the image forming apparatus 40 to change the first setting information. The second information processing device 20 transmits the first password information and second setting information different from the first setting information to the first information processing device 10, and requests the first information processing device 10 to change the information. In response to the change request, the first information processing device 10 transmits the received first password information and second setting information to the image forming device 40. When the received first password information matches the stored first password information, the image forming apparatus 40 changes the stored first setting information to the received second setting information.

[0085] According to such a printing system 1, the terminal device 30 can easily change the first setting information stored in the fourth memory unit 43 of the image forming device 40 to the second setting information using the first information processing device 10 and the second information processing device 20 located in a remote location, such as on another premises.

[0086] Furthermore, if the second setting information is stored in advance in the second information processing device 20, the terminal device 30 only needs to transmit the first password information, and does not need to transmit the second setting information. The terminal device 30 can easily change the first setting information of the image forming device 40 to the second setting information.

[0087] As described above, the printing system 1 has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and may be changed, replaced, deleted, etc. without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] Reference Signs List 1: printing system, 2: store, 10: first information processing device, 20: second information processing device, 30: terminal device, 40: image forming device, 44: printing unit, 50: control device, 60: WAN.

Claims

1. A printing system including an image forming apparatus and a terminal device located within a predetermined premises, and a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus located within a premises different from the predetermined premises, the first information processing apparatus is capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus and the second information processing apparatus; the second information processing device is capable of communicating with the terminal device and is capable of communicating with the image forming device via the first information processing device; the image forming apparatus stores first password information and first setting information; the terminal device transmits the first password information to the second information processing device to request the second information processing device to change the first setting information for the image forming device; the second information processing device transmits the first password information and second setting information different from the first setting information to the first information processing device to request the change; In response to the change request, the first information processing device transmits the received first password information and the second setting information to the image forming device; A printing system in which, if the received first password information matches the stored first password information, the image forming device changes the stored first setting information to the received second setting information.

2. the terminal device transmits the first password information and the second setting information to the second information processing device, and requests the image forming device to change the first setting information; the second information processing device transmits the first password information and the second setting information received from the terminal device to the first information processing device, and requests the change; The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the second setting information is second password information different from the first password information.

3. The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the second setting information is setting information related to printing of the image forming apparatus.

4. the terminal device is capable of executing a web browser, the second information processing device is a web server, 2 . The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the terminal device displays a password input screen based on a Web page transmitted from the second information processing device, and transmits the input first password information to the second information processing device.

5. the first information processing device is the web server, and transmits a redirect web page to the terminal device; A printing system as described in claim 4, wherein the terminal device displays the redirect web page received from the first information processing device, and when information to redirect is input, requests redirect destination information from the first information processing device, and redirects from the first information processing device to the redirect destination based on the received redirect destination information.

6. A control device is provided that is located within the predetermined premises, The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the control device is capable of communicating with the image forming device and transmitting print data to the image forming device to cause printing.

Images