Information processing device, management system, device registration method, and program

Abstract

To manage multiple printing devices on a communication network as one printing system.SOLUTION: A PC 10 serving as an information processing device includes a detection unit and a registration unit. The detection unit detects multiple printing devices connected to a communication network N1. The multiple printing devices are an external controller 20A... and an image forming device 30A.... The registration unit registers the multiple devices that have been detected and are directly connected to each other as one printing system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a management system, a device registration method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a printer search system in which a personal computer searches for a printer that meets desired conditions from among a plurality of printers on a communication network (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Also known is a printing system that is composed of a print engine (image forming device), an external controller, etc. In a printing system on a communication network, a PC (Personal Computer) transmits a print job to the external controller when printing. The external controller generates image data for printing from the print job and causes the image forming device to print. For this reason, when the PC registers a printing device on the communication network in an application program such as a driver, it only needs to register the external controller. Hereinafter, the application program will be simply referred to as an application.

[0004] Furthermore, when a PC executes an application for adjusting an image forming device, it only needs to search for an image forming device on a communication network and register it in the application. In this way, conventional applications, like the printer search system described above, are limited in the types of devices to be registered depending on the purpose. For this reason, there was no need to search for and register both an image forming device and an external controller. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-259097 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] There is a known application that adjusts and manages the density and color misregistration of an image forming device and the color of an external controller in an integrated manner. However, this application requires that multiple devices, such as image forming devices and external controllers, be registered and managed as a single printing system. In doing so, it is necessary to determine which of the multiple image forming devices and external controllers found on the communication network are connected as a single printing system.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to manage a plurality of printing devices on a communication network as one printing system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the information processing device of the invention described in claim 1 comprises: a detection unit that detects a plurality of printing devices connected to a communication network; and a registration unit that registers the detected multiple devices that are directly connected to each other as one printing system.

[0009] The invention described in claim 2 is the information processing device described in claim 1, The registration unit acquires information about each of the detected devices from the detected devices, and registers the detected devices as one printing system based on the acquired information about each device.

[0010] The invention described in claim 3 is the information processing device described in claim 2, The information of each device includes device-specific information of the device itself and device-specific information of a device to which the device is connected.

[0011] The invention as set forth in claim 4 provides the information processing device as set forth in claim 3, The registration unit determines whether the detected multiple devices configure one printing system based on the acquired device-specific information of each device.

[0012] The invention described in claim 5 is the information processing device described in claim 3, When the registration unit cannot obtain device-specific information of a destination device of a second device corresponding to a first device, it obtains network address information of the first device and network address information of the destination device, and registers the first device and the second device as one printing system based on the obtained network address information of each device.

[0013] The invention as set forth in claim 6 provides the information processing device as set forth in claim 2, The registration unit switches the type of information to be acquired for each of the devices based on the type of each of the devices.

[0014] The invention described in claim 7 is the information processing device described in claim 1, When the registration unit cannot obtain information on a destination device of a first device, it accepts input of a designation of a destination device of the first device, and registers the first device and the designated destination device as one printing system.

[0015] The invention as set forth in claim 8 provides the information processing device as set forth in claim 1, The system further includes a setting unit that acquires version information of each device in the registered printing system, and sets at least one of disabling a specified function of the printing system and disabling the registration of the printing system based on the version information.

[0016] The management system of the invention described in claim 9 comprises: An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and a plurality of devices connected to the communications network.

[0017] The device registration method of the invention described in claim 10 comprises: a detection step of detecting a plurality of printing devices connected to a communication network; and a registration step of registering the detected multiple devices that are directly connected to each other as one printing system.

[0018] The program of the invention described in claim 11 comprises: Computer, a detection unit that detects a plurality of printing devices connected to a communication network; a registration unit that registers the detected devices that are directly connected to each other as one printing system; Function as.

[0019] The invention described in claim 12 is the program described in claim 11, The registration unit acquires information about each of the detected devices from the detected devices, and registers the detected devices as one printing system based on the acquired information about each device.

[0020] The invention described in claim 13 is the program described in claim 12, The information of each device includes device-specific information of the device itself and device-specific information of a device to which the device is connected.

[0021] The invention described in claim 14 is the program described in claim 13, The registration unit determines whether the detected multiple devices configure one printing system based on the acquired device-specific information of each device.

[0022] The invention described in claim 15 is the program described in claim 13, When the registration unit cannot obtain device-specific information of a destination device of a second device corresponding to a first device, it obtains network address information of the first device and network address information of the destination device, and registers the first device and the second device as one printing system based on the obtained network address information of each device.

[0023] The invention described in claim 16 is the program described in claim 12, The registration unit switches the type of information to be acquired for each of the devices based on the type of each of the devices.

[0024] The invention described in claim 17 is the program described in claim 11, When the registration unit cannot obtain information on a destination device of a first device, it accepts input of a designation of a destination device of the first device, and registers the first device and the designated destination device as one printing system.

[0025] The invention described in claim 18 is the program described in claim 11, The computer, The version information of each device in the registered printing system is obtained, and the device functions as a setting unit that sets at least one of disabling a specified function of the printing system and disabling the registration of the printing system based on the version information. Effect of the Invention

[0026] According to the present invention, a plurality of printing devices on a communication network can be managed as one printing system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a PC. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of an external controller. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus; [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing a device registration process. [Figure 6] 6 is a flowchart showing the device registration process continued from FIG. 5. [Figure 7]7 is a flowchart showing the device registration process continued from FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a registration information display screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, however, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0029] First, the device configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a management system 1 of the embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a PC 10. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of an external controller 20A. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of an image forming device 30A.

[0030] The management system 1 is an information processing system that manages multiple printing devices on a communication network. The management system 1 includes at least one printing system on the communication network. This printing system is connected to the communication network and is made up of multiple printing devices that are directly connected to each other, and forms (prints) images on paper. The multiple devices of the printing system are an external controller and image forming devices.

[0031] 1, the management system 1 includes a PC 10, external controllers 20A, and image forming devices 30A on a communication network N1. The communication network N1 is, for example, a local area network (LAN) connected to the Internet. Each device connected to the communication network N1 is assigned a unique Internet Protocol (IP) address.

[0032] The PC 10 is an information processing device that manages devices on the communication network N1. The external controllers 20A are external controllers serving as at least one image generating device on the communication network N1. When each external controller receives a print job from the PC 10 or the like, it performs image processing such as RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing on the image data included in the print job. Each external controller generates image data for printing by image processing, and transmits the image data to one of the image forming devices 30A. Here, the external controller 20A will be described as a representative of the external controllers 20A, but the same applies to the other external controllers.

[0033] The image forming apparatuses 30A are at least one image forming apparatus serving as a print engine on the communication network N1. Each image forming apparatus forms (prints) an image on paper based on a print job input from the PC 10 or image data transmitted from each external controller. Here, the image forming apparatus 30A will be described as a representative of the image forming apparatuses 30A, but the other image forming apparatuses are similar.

[0034] The internal functional configuration of PC 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. PC 10 includes a control unit 11 serving as a detection unit, a registration unit, and a setting unit, an operation unit 12, a storage unit 13, a display unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The units of PC 10 are connected via a bus 16.

[0035] The control unit 11 controls each part of the PC 10. The control unit 11 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. In the control unit 11, the CPU reads out a program stored in the storage unit 13, loads it in the RAM, and executes various processes in cooperation with the loaded program.

[0036] In particular, the control unit 11 executes a device registration process (described later) according to a device registration program P1 in a color management program P0 stored in the storage unit 13. The color management program P0 is installed on an OS (Operating System). The color management program P0 is a program for managing the printing colors of devices on the communication network N1. The color management program P0 has an external controller adjustment function, an image forming device adjustment function, and the like. The external controller adjustment performs color correction by calibration and profiling of the external controller. The image forming device adjustment function adjusts the maximum density and density balance of the image forming device. These functions enable optimal color reproduction of printed matter. The device registration program P1 is a program for detecting the external controller and image forming device connected to the communication network N1 and registering them as one printing system.

[0037] The operation unit 12 has a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, etc. The operation unit 12 outputs to the control unit 11 operation information such as key input information and position information input by the user.

[0038] The storage unit 13 is composed of a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc., and stores various data and various programs in a readable and writable manner. In particular, the storage unit 13 stores a color management program P0 as an application.

[0039] The display unit 14 has a display panel such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal display), an EL (Electro-Luminesce) display, etc. The display unit 14 displays display information from the control unit 11, etc., on the display panel.

[0040] The communication unit 15 is a communication interface that is configured with a network card and the like and communicates with the communication network N1. The control unit 11 transmits and receives information to and from devices (external controllers 20A, image forming apparatus 30A, etc.) on the communication network N1 via the communication unit 15.

[0041] The internal functional configuration of the external controller 20A will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The external controller 20A includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 23, an image generating unit 24, a communication unit 25, and an inter-device communication unit 26. The respective units of the external controller 20A are connected via a bus 27.

[0042] The control unit 21 controls each part of the external controller 20A. The control unit 21 has a CPU, a RAM, etc. In the control unit 21, the CPU reads out a program stored in the storage unit 23, loads the program in the RAM, and executes various processes in cooperation with the loaded program.

[0043] The storage unit 23 is composed of an HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, or the like, and stores various data such as image data and various programs in a readable and writable manner.

[0044] The image generating unit 24 performs image processing such as RIP processing on image data to be printed in a print job received from the PC 10 or the like, and generates (converts) image data for printing.

[0045] The communication unit 25 is a communication interface that is configured with a network card and the like and communicates with the communication network N1. The control unit 21 transmits and receives information to and from devices (such as the PC 10, the image forming apparatus 30A, etc.) on the communication network N1 via the communication unit 25.

[0046] The inter-device communication unit 26 is a communication interface that communicates directly with the image forming apparatus without going through the communication network N1. The control unit 21 transmits and receives information to and from the image forming apparatus in the same printing system via the inter-device communication unit 26. The communication of the inter-device communication unit 26 is, for example, communication via a peer-to-peer cable (e.g., a LAN cable) and a video cable.

[0047] The internal functional configuration of image forming device 30A will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Image forming device 30A includes a control unit 31, an operation display unit 32, a storage unit 33, a paper feed unit 34, an image forming unit 37, a communication unit 35, and an inter-device communication unit 36. The units of image forming device 30A are connected via a bus 38.

[0048] The control unit 31 controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 30A. The control unit 31 includes a CPU, a RAM, etc. In the control unit 31, the CPU reads out a program stored in the storage unit 33, loads the program in the RAM, and executes various processes in cooperation with the loaded program.

[0049] The operation display unit 32 has a display unit having a display panel such as an LCD or EL display, and an operation unit such as a touch panel and a key operation unit. The operation unit of the operation display unit 32 outputs operation information such as key input information and position information input by the user to the control unit 31. The display unit of the operation display unit 32 displays various display information input from the control unit 31, etc. on the display panel.

[0050] The storage unit 33 is composed of an HDD, SSD, flash memory, etc., and stores various data such as image data for printing and various programs in a readable and writable manner.

[0051] The paper feed unit 34 is made up of mechanical parts such as a paper discharge tray, a paper feed roller, etc. The paper feed unit 34 supplies paper stored in the paper feed tray to the image forming unit 37 under the control of the control unit 31.

[0052] The image forming unit 37 is an electrophotographic color image forming unit. The image forming unit 37 is made up of mechanical parts such as a transport roller, image forming units for Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black), an intermediate transfer belt, a fixing unit, and a paper discharge tray. In the image forming unit 37, first, the transport roller transports the paper supplied from the paper feed unit 34 to the image forming units based on the control of the control unit 31. The image forming unit 37 forms each toner image of YMCK on the intermediate transfer belt based on image data from the PC 10 or an external controller using the YMCK image forming units. The image forming unit 37 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt to the paper, and the fixing unit fixes the toner image to the paper by applying heat and pressure. The image forming unit 37 discharges the paper on which the image has been formed to the paper discharge tray as a printed matter using the transport roller.

[0053] The communication unit 35 is a communication interface that is configured with a network card and the like and communicates with the communication network N1. The control unit 31 transmits and receives information to and from devices (such as the PC 10, the external controller 20A, etc.) on the communication network N1 via the communication unit 35.

[0054] The inter-device communication unit 36 ​​is a communication interface that communicates directly with an external controller without going through the communication network N1. The control unit 21 transmits and receives information to and from an external controller within the same printing system via the inter-device communication unit 26. The communication of the inter-device communication unit 36 ​​is, for example, communication via a peer-to-peer cable and a video cable.

[0055] The image forming apparatus 30A is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the image forming apparatus 30A may be configured to include a post-processing device, a document reading device, etc. The image forming method of the image forming unit 37 is not limited to the color electrophotographic method. The image forming method of the image forming unit 37 may be another image forming method, such as an inkjet method.

[0056] Next, the operation of the management system 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 8. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the device registration process. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the device registration process continued from Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the device registration process continued from Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a registration information display screen 500.

[0057] To achieve optimal color reproduction, the image forming apparatus adjusts the maximum density, density balance, etc. The actual adjustment work is to operate the operation input unit of the image forming apparatus to adjust the maximum density, density balance, etc. Alternatively, the actual adjustment work is to remotely access the image forming apparatus from a PC application or the like.

[0058] In addition, color correction through calibration and profiling is also performed on the external controller to ensure optimal color reproduction. The actual adjustment work involves remotely connecting to the external controller from a PC and calibrating the external controller. Alternatively, the actual adjustment work involves registering a profile created by performing color adjustments using a PC application, and then performing color correction on the external controller based on the profile.

[0059] Adjustments to the image forming device and the external controller can be made to achieve optimal color reproduction by taking into account the characteristics of the paper being used. Adjustments to the image forming device and the external controller can also be made by connecting remotely from an application. However, conventionally, adjustments to the image forming device and the external controller were made separately.

[0060] In this embodiment, the adjustments of the image forming apparatus and external controller are registered in one application. The application is executed to realize a management system 1 that performs integrated color management. By making adjustments in consideration of the characteristics of the paper to be used, etc., using one application, optimal color reproduction can be easily achieved.

[0061] Consider a printing system that is composed of two devices, an external controller and an image forming device, each of which has a communication interface for a communication network. When managing this one printing system with an application, it is conceivable to simply detect (search) and display multiple devices on the communication network when registering the devices. However, simply displaying the detected devices does not tell which image forming device and which external controller are configured as the same printing system. This poses a problem in that the devices cannot be registered and managed as one printing system. The present embodiment aims to solve this problem.

[0062] In the management system 1, the external controllers 20A... and the image forming apparatuses 30A... connected to the communication network N1 constitute at least one printing system. In this embodiment, a set (pair) of one external controller and one image forming apparatus directly connected thereto and linked thereto is considered to be one printing system. This printing system is the subject of print color management by a color management program P0 as an application. However, the color management program P0 also manages a standalone image forming apparatus on the communication network N1 that is not configured as one printing system.

[0063] An external controller of the printing system generates image data for printing from a print job input from the PC 10. An image forming device of the same printing system forms an image on paper based on the image data for printing. A standalone image forming device of the printing system forms an image on paper based on the print job input from the PC 10.

[0064] The device registration process is executed by the PC 10. The device registration process is a process for detecting (searching) multiple devices of a printing system on the communication network N1 and registering them as one printing system in the registration information. In the PC 10, for example, a user inputs an instruction to execute the device registration process via the operation unit 12. The control unit 11 is triggered by the execution instruction to execute the device registration process in accordance with the device registration program P1 stored in the storage unit 13.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 5, first, the control unit 11 accepts an input of a detection mode from the user via the operation unit 12 (step S11). The detection mode is a mode for setting the range of the communication network N1 for detecting (searching) devices in the printing system. There are two detection modes: an automatic detection mode and a manual detection mode. The automatic detection mode is a mode for automatically detecting devices within a detection range obtained from information stored in the PC 10. The manual detection mode is a mode for detecting devices within a detection range input by the user.

[0066] The control unit 11 determines whether the detection mode input in step S11 is the automatic detection mode (step S12). If it is the automatic detection mode (step S12; YES), the control unit 11 accepts a click input of a displayed detection start button via the operation unit 12 (step S13). The detection start button is a soft key that is displayed on the display unit 14 and accepts an input to start detection of a device (image forming device, external controller) on the communication network N1.

[0067] The control unit 11 refers to the network setting information stored in the storage unit 13 of the PC 10, and acquires a subnet mask of the communication network range including the PC 10 (step S14). The control unit 11 detects devices within the communication network range of the subnet mask acquired in step S14, out of the communication network N1 (step S15).

[0068] In step S15, the control unit 11 broadcasts a request for an IP address to devices in the communication network range of the subnet mask. The control unit 11 then receives IP address replies from each device in the communication network range of the subnet mask, and detects the device that received the IP address. In step S15 and step S18 described below, when the control unit 11 detects a device, it retains the detected device and the order in which it was detected.

[0069] If the mode is the manual detection mode (step S12; NO), the control unit 11 accepts an input of an IP address range for device detection via the operation unit 12 (step S16). The control unit 11 accepts a click input of a displayed detection start button via the operation unit 12 (step S17). As in step S15, the control unit 11 detects devices within the IP address range input in step S16, within the communication network N1 (step S18).

[0070] After executing step S15 or S18, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a device is detected in step S15 or S18 (step S19). If a device is not detected (step S19; NO), the control unit 11 displays a message that the device cannot be detected on the display unit 14 (step S20). The device registration process ends.

[0071] If a device is detected (step S19; YES), the control unit 11 assigns the number of detected devices (detected devices) to the variable p (step S21). The control unit 11 assigns numbers starting from 1 to each detected device in the order of detection (step S22). The control unit 11 assigns an initial value of 1 to variables m and n (step S23). The variable m is a variable for the number of the device to be compared when determining the connection between two devices. Similarly, the variable n is a variable for the number of the device to be compared. Here, the connection between the two devices is assumed to be a direct connection via the inter-device communication units 26 and 36, not a connection via the communication network N1. The identification of the detected device is represented by the variables m and n.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 6, the control unit 11 transmits a request for device-specific information to the detection devices m and n via the communication unit 15, and receives the device-specific information from the detection device m (step S24). The device-specific information is information that is unique to a device. The device-specific information usually includes the serial number of the device and the serial number of the device to which the device is directly connected (referred to as the connection destination device). The control unit 11 transmits a request for device-specific information to the detection device n via the communication unit 15, and receives the device-specific information from the detection device n (step S25).

[0073] The control unit 11 determines whether the connected device of the detected device m or the detected device n is a device made by another company other than the specified company from the device specific information acquired in steps S24 and S25 (step S26). The device specific information includes a standard MIB (Management Information Base) and a private MIB. The private MIB of the device made by the specified company includes a flag (off) of the device made by the specified company and a serial number of the device made by the specified company. However, the private MIB of the device made by another company includes a flag (off) of the device made by the specified company and does not include the serial number of the device made by the specified company. In other words, it is assumed that only the specified company uses serial numbers in the private MIB.

[0074] In step S26, the control unit 11 refers to the private MIB of the device-specific information acquired in steps S24 and S25. This allows the control unit 11 to determine whether or not at least one of the connection destination devices of the detected device m and the detected device n is a device made by another company.

[0075] If the detection device m and the connection destination device of the detection device n are devices manufactured by a specified company (step S26; NO), the process proceeds to step S27. The control unit 11 acquires the serial numbers of the detection device m and the connection destination device of the detection device n from the device-specific information acquired in steps S24 and S25 (step S27). Furthermore, in step S27, the control unit 11 determines whether or not these serial numbers have been acquired.

[0076] If the serial number is acquired (step S27; YES), the control unit 11 sets the serial number of the detection device m to a variable va (step S28).The control unit 11 sets the serial number of the connection destination device of the detection device n to a variable vb (step S29).

[0077] If the destination device of the detected device m or the detected device n is a device manufactured by another company (step S26; YES), the process proceeds to step S30. The control unit 11 acquires the IP address of the destination device of the detected device n from the detected device n via the communication unit 15 (step S30). If the serial number has not been acquired (step S27; NO), the process proceeds to step S30. For example, even if the detected device m and the destination device of the detected device n are manufactured by a specified company, the result is (step S27; NO) if the detected device n does not have the serial number of the destination device.

[0078] The control unit 11 sets the IP address of the detection device m acquired in step S15 or S18 to a variable va (step S31). The control unit 11 sets the IP address of the connection destination device of the detection device n acquired in step S30 to a variable vb (step S32).

[0079] After executing step S29 or S32, the control unit 11 determines whether va=vb (step S33). If va=vb (step S33; YES), the control unit 11 registers the combination of the detected devices m and n as one printing system (step S34). In step S34, the one printing system to be registered is added to the registration information of the color management program P0 stored in the storage unit 13. However, if the addition of one printing system results in a duplication of the same printing system in the registration information, the one printing system is not added. The registration information registers information indicating that the detected devices m and n constitute one printing system, and the IP addresses (device-specific information) of the detected devices m and n.

[0080] The control unit 11 determines whether or not m=p (step S35). If m≠p (step S35; NO), the control unit 11 increments the variable m by +1 (step S36). The process proceeds to step S24.

[0081] If va≠vb (step S33; NO), the control unit 11 determines whether or not n=p (step S37). If n≠p (step S37; NO), the control unit 11 increments the variable n by +1 (step S38). The process proceeds to step S25.

[0082] If n=p (step S37; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the user has input the IP address of the connection destination device of the detected device m via the operation unit 12 (step S39). At the stage of step S37; YES, not all detected devices n are connection destination devices of the detected device m. However, for example, there may be cases where the detected device n does not have device-specific information of the connection destination device, or where the connection destination device of the detected device m is powered off. In these cases, the user can manually input the IP address of the connection destination device of the detected device m to specify the connection destination device of the detected device m. For this reason, the detected device m and the specified connection destination device can be considered to constitute one printing system.

[0083] If an IP address is input (step S39; YES), the control unit 11 registers the combination of the detected device m and the destination device as one printing system (step S40). In step S40, the destination device to be registered is the destination device whose IP address was input in step S39. In addition, the one printing system to be registered is added to the registration information of the color management program P0 stored in the storage unit 13. However, if the addition of one printing system results in a duplication of the same printing system in the registration information, the one printing system is not added. The registration information registers information indicating that the detected device m and the destination device constitute one printing system, the IP address of the detected device m (device specific information), and the IP address of the destination device. The process proceeds to step S35.

[0084] If no IP address is input (step S39; NO), the control unit 11 registers only the detected device m (step S41). In step S41, the detected device m to be registered is added to the registration information of the color management program P0 stored in the memory unit 13. The registration information includes information that the detected device m is a single device, and the IP address (device specific information) of the detected device m. The process proceeds to step S35.

[0085] If m=p (step S35; YES), the control unit 11 displays the registration information on the display unit 14 (step S42). In step S42, for example, a registration information display screen 500 shown in Fig. 8 is displayed. The registration information display screen 500 is window information in a table format having columns for a system number, an image forming apparatus image, a product name, a connection state, and an IP address.

[0086] The system number is an identification number indicating the registered printing system. The image forming device image is image data of the image forming device of the printing system of the system number. The product name is the product name of the printing system of the system number. The connection status is connection status information of each device of the printing system of the system number to the communication network N1. The IP address is the IP address of each device of the printing system of the system number. The system number, image forming device image, and product name are based on information about the printing system that is stored in advance in the memory unit 13 of the PC 10, for example. For example, information corresponding to the registered printing system (system number, image forming device image, product name) is extracted from the information about the printing system and included in the registration information display screen 500.

[0087] The registration information display screen 500 has information on the registered printing system A and printing system B. Printing system A is made up of, for example, an external controller 20A and an image forming device 30A. Printing system B is made up of, for example, an external controller 20B and an image forming device 30B. Note that the registration information display screen 500 may be configured to include information on a single device (image forming device) registered in step S41.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 11 refers to the registration information stored in the storage unit 13 and selects one unselected printing system in the registration information (step S43). The control unit 11 acquires version information of each device in the printing system selected in step S43 (step S44). The version information of each device is version information of the control program of each device. For example, the control unit 11 reads and acquires the version information of each device in the selected printing system in the registration information stored in the storage unit 13 of the PC 10. Alternatively, the control unit 11 requests, receives, and acquires the version information from each device in the selected printing system via the communication unit 15.

[0089] Control unit 11 acquires the latest version information of each device from a server of the manufacturer of the selected printing system via communication unit 15 (step S45). In step S45, control unit 11 compares the acquired latest version information of each device in the selected printing system with the version information of each device acquired in step S44. In step S45, control unit 11 further determines from the comparison result whether the version information of all devices in the selected printing system is the latest or not.

[0090] If there is a device whose version information is not the latest (step S45; NO), the control unit 11 determines whether there is an unsupported function in the non-latest version information (step S46). An unsupported function is a function that is not supported by the non-latest version information among the functions supported by the latest version of each device of the selected printing system. If there is an unsupported function (step S46; YES), the control unit 11 sets the unsupported function to disabled in all devices of the selected printing system (step S47). The control unit 11 determines whether there is a possibility that the printing system will operate abnormally based on the combination of version information of each device of the selected printing system (step S48). If there is no unsupported function (step S46; NO), the process proceeds to step S48.

[0091] If there is a possibility of abnormal operation (step S48; YES), the control unit 11 sets the registration of the selected printing system to be invalid (step S49). In step S49, for example, information related to the selected printing system is set to be invalid in the registration information. The control unit 11 displays information on the display unit 14 to encourage the user to upgrade the version of the device among the selected printing systems whose version information is not the latest (step S50). If there is no possibility of abnormal operation (step S48; NO), the process proceeds to step S50.

[0092] The control unit 11 determines whether or not all printing systems in the registration information have been selected in step S41 (step S51). If the version information of all devices is the latest (step S45; YES), the process proceeds to step S51. If all printing systems have not been selected (step S51; NO), the process proceeds to step S43. If all printing systems have been selected (step S51; YES), the device registration process ends.

[0093] As described above, according to this embodiment, the PC 10 includes the control unit 11. The control unit 11 detects a plurality of printing devices connected to the communication network N1, and registers the detected plurality of devices that are directly connected to each other as one printing system. The management system 1 includes the PC 10 and a plurality of devices connected to the communication network N1.

[0094] For this reason, a plurality of printing devices on the communication network N1 can be registered as one printing system and managed in an integrated manner by one application. The application is a color management program P0.

[0095] The control unit 11 acquires information about each of the detected devices, and registers the detected devices as one printing system based on the acquired information about each device. The information about each device is device-specific information about each device and device-specific information about the connection destination device of each device. The control unit 11 determines whether the detected devices constitute one printing system based on the acquired device-specific information about each device. This makes it possible to easily and reliably identify and register the devices that constitute one printing system and their connection destination devices.

[0096] When the control unit 11 cannot obtain device specific information of the connection destination device of the second device corresponding to the first device, the control unit 11 obtains the IP address of the first device and the IP address of the connection destination device of the second device. The first device is the detected device m. The second device is the detected device n. The control unit 11 registers the first device and the second device as one printing system based on the obtained IP addresses of each device. Therefore, for example, even if the first device and the second device configure the same printing system but the device specific information of the connection destination device of the second device cannot be obtained, the first device and the second device that configure one printing system can be easily and reliably identified and registered.

[0097] The control unit 11 switches the type of information to be acquired for each device based on the type of device (manufactured by a specific company, manufactured by another company). For example, if the type of device is manufactured by a specific company, the control unit 11 registers the detected multiple devices as one printing system based on the serial numbers of the devices. Also, for example, if the type of device is manufactured by another company, the control unit 11 registers the detected multiple devices as one printing system based on the IP addresses of the devices. This makes it possible to easily and reliably identify and register the multiple devices that make up one printing system.

[0098] When the control unit 11 cannot obtain information on the destination device of the first device, the control unit 11 accepts a designation input of the destination device of the first device. The control unit 11 registers the first device and the designated destination device as one printing system. Therefore, even when the control unit 11 cannot obtain device-specific information on the destination device of the first device, the control unit 11 can register the first device and the designated destination device as one printing system.

[0099] The control unit 11 acquires version information of each device of the registered printing system. The control unit 11 disables a predetermined function of the printing system and disables the registration of the printing system based on the acquired version information. This makes it possible to disable a predetermined function that cannot be executed because the version information of at least one device of the registered printing system is old, thereby preventing abnormalities. In addition, it is possible to disable the registration of a printing system in which abnormal operation may occur because the version information of at least one device of the registered printing system is old, thereby preventing abnormal operation.

[0100] In the above description, an example has been disclosed in which an HDD or SSD is used as a computer-readable medium for the program according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As other computer-readable media, non-volatile memories such as flash memories and portable recording media such as CD-ROMs can be applied. In addition, carrier waves can also be applied to the present invention as a medium for providing data of the program according to the present invention via a communication line.

[0101] The above description of the embodiment is merely an example of the information processing device, management system, device management method, and program according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this.

[0102] For example, in the above embodiment, the printing devices constituting the printing system are an external controller and an image forming device, but are not limited to this. The printing system may be configured to include an external controller, an image forming device, and other printing devices such as an inspection device. The inspection device is a device that reads an image of a printed matter formed by the image forming device. The inspection device compares the read image data with the original image data or chart, and generates correction data based on the comparison result. The correction data is fed back to the external controller and / or the image forming device, and is used to correct the color, density, etc. for printing.

[0103] In the above embodiment, in steps S27 to S28 and S32 of the device registration process, the control unit 11 compares the serial numbers of the detected device m and the connection destination device of the detected device n. The control unit 11 registers the detected devices m and n as one printing system according to the comparison result. However, this is not limited to the configuration. For example, in the case of (step S26; YES) of the device registration process, the control unit 11 may be configured to obtain device specific information (or IP address) of the connection destination device of the detected device m. The control unit 11 registers the detected device m and the connection destination device from which the device specific information (or IP address) has been obtained as one printing system.

[0104] Also, in the above embodiment, in steps S29 to S32 of the device registration process, the control unit 11 compares the IP addresses of the detected device m and the connection destination device of the detected device n. The control unit 11 registers the detected devices m and n as one printing system according to the comparison result. However, this is not limited to the configuration. For example, in the case of (step S26; NO) of the device registration process, the control unit 11 may be configured to accept a designated input of the IP address of the connection destination device of the detected device m via the operation unit 12. The control unit 11 registers the detected device m and the designated connection destination device as one printing system.

[0105] Additionally, the detailed configuration and operation of the management system 1 in the above embodiment may also be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1 Management System 10PCS 20A… External controller 30A... Image forming device 11, 21, 31 Control section 12 Control section 13,23,33 Storage section 14 Display section 15,25,35 Communications Department 16,27,38 Bus 24 Image Generation Unit 26,36 Inter-device communication section 32 Operation display section 34 Paper feed section 37 Image forming section N1 Communications Network

Claims

1. a detection unit that detects a plurality of printing devices connected to a communication network; a registration unit that registers the detected plurality of devices that are directly connected to each other as one printing system.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the registration unit acquires information about each of the detected devices from the detected devices, and registers the detected devices as one printing system based on the acquired information about each of the detected devices.

3. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information of each device is device-specific information of the device and device-specific information of a connection destination device of the device.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the registration unit determines whether the detected plurality of devices constitute one printing system based on the acquired device-specific information of each device.

5. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein when the registration unit is unable to obtain device-specific information of a destination device of a second device corresponding to a first device, the registration unit obtains network address information of the first device and network address information of the destination device, and registers the first device and the second device as a single printing system based on the obtained network address information of each device.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the registration unit switches a type of information to be acquired for each of the devices based on a type of the each of the devices.

7. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the registration unit, when unable to obtain information on a destination device of a first device, accepts input of a destination device of the first device, and registers the first device and the specified destination device as a single printing system.

8. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit that acquires version information of each device of the registered printing system, and sets at least one of disabling a predetermined function of the printing system and disabling the registration of the printing system based on the version information.

9. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and a plurality of devices connected to the communication network.

10. a detection step of detecting a plurality of printing devices connected to a communication network; and a registration step of registering the detected plurality of devices directly connected to each other as one printing system.

11. Computer, a detection unit that detects a plurality of printing devices connected to a communication network; a registration unit that registers the detected devices that are directly connected to each other as one printing system; A program to function as a

12. The program according to claim 11 , wherein the registration unit acquires information about each of the detected devices from the detected devices, and registers the detected devices as one printing system based on the acquired information about each of the detected devices.

13. 13. The program according to claim 12, wherein the information of each device is device specific information of the device and device specific information of a device to which the device is connected.

14. 14. The program according to claim 13, wherein the registration unit determines whether the detected plurality of devices constitute one printing system based on the acquired device-specific information of each device.

15. The program described in claim 13, wherein when the registration unit cannot obtain device-specific information of a destination device of a second device corresponding to a first device, the registration unit obtains network address information of the first device and network address information of the destination device, and registers the first device and the second device as a single printing system based on the obtained network address information of each device.

16. The program according to claim 12 , wherein the registration unit switches the type of information to be acquired for each of the devices based on the type of each of the devices.

17. The program according to claim 11, wherein the registration unit, when unable to obtain information on a destination device of a first device, accepts input of a destination device of the first device, and registers the first device and the specified destination device as a single printing system.

18. The computer, The program of claim 11, for functioning as a setting unit that acquires version information of each device in the registered printing system and sets at least one of disabling a specified function of the printing system and disabling the registration of the printing system based on the version information.

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