Communication device setting method, communication device and communication device setting system

Abstract

To provide a communication device for easily performing setting work to the communication device by using a terminal device, its setting method and a communication device setting system.SOLUTION: A printer setting system previously stores setting information inputted by a user by using a management device 2 in a server device 3, a portable terminal 4 acquires communication setting information SN of each printer 5 from the server device 3, and writes the communication setting information together with a device setting acquisition URL in an NFC storage part of the printer 5 through NFC connection. The printer 5 reflects the communication setting information SN read from the NFC storage part when power is turned on, accesses the device setting acquisition URL through a network, and the printer setting system can complete setting installation work about the printer 5 only by making very easy work such as holding of the portable terminal 4 without making an operator perform direct input work to the printer 5 in order to acquire and reflect the device setting information SD from the server device 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device setting method, a communication device, and a communication device setting system, and is suitable for application when, for example, setting a communication device using a terminal device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a printer that forms (i.e., prints) an image on paper often has a communication function for performing communication processing with other devices, and uses this communication function to perform various communication processes with an information processing device such as a connected terminal device. Hereinafter, the printer will also be referred to as a communication device.

[0003] After this printer is shipped, it is necessary to perform setting processes for various setting items, such as setting items related to communication and setting items related to printing, according to the environment of the user who will use it. However, in a printer, when the size or resolution of the display panel for displaying information is not sufficient, or when the operability of operation buttons for receiving user operation inputs is not necessarily good.

[0004] Therefore, the work of performing operations such as input for many setting items requires a lot of labor and time, and can be a burden on the user. In particular, for example, when a plurality of printers are introduced collectively in a company or the like, the work of inputting setting items suitable for each printer is also a great burden on workers such as fitting contractors who perform such work.

[0005] Therefore, as a method for setting a printer, a method has been proposed in which setting information representing setting contents is created in advance and stored in a terminal device such as a smartphone, and this setting information is written from the terminal device to the printer using NFC (Near Field Communication, near-field wireless communication) and reflected in the setting items (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-27788 (FIG. 1, etc.) [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0007] However, the above-described NFC has characteristics such that communication processing can be performed only by holding (bringing close) the terminal device to the printer, but on the other hand, the communication speed is relatively slow and the capacity for storing information is relatively small.

[0008] Especially in recent years, printers may have various functions, and accordingly, the number of setting items tends to increase. Then, it becomes impossible to include all the setting items in the setting information transmitted from the terminal device to the printer using NFC. In such a case, the printer has a problem in that it is necessary for the user to additionally input the remaining setting items, which is insufficient in terms of work efficiency and labor saving.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and intends to propose a communication device setting method, a communication device, and a communication device setting system that can easily perform setting work for a communication device using a terminal device. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0010] In order to solve such problems, in the communication device setting method of the present invention, which is a communication device setting method for setting a communication device, a communication setting information reception step of receiving, from a terminal device, communication setting information for performing communication processing and access information for accessing an information providing device via a first communication means using short-range wireless communication; a communication setting step of setting a second communication means to a state capable of performing communication processing based on the communication setting information; a device setting information reception step of accessing the information providing device via the second communication means based on the access information and receiving device setting information representing the setting content of the communication device; and a device setting reflection step of reflecting the device setting information in the device setting of the communication device are provided.

[0011] Further, in the communication device of the present invention, a first communication unit that performs communication processing with a terminal device by a first communication means using short-range wireless communication; a second communication unit that performs communication processing based on communication setting information by a second communication means; a communication setting information acquisition unit that acquires, from the terminal device by the first communication means using the first communication unit, communication setting information and access information for accessing an information providing device; a communication setting unit that sets the second communication unit to a state in which communication processing by the second communication means can be executed based on the communication setting information acquired by the first communication means; a device setting information acquisition unit that accesses the information providing device via the second communication means using the second communication unit based on the access information acquired by the first communication means and acquires device setting information representing the setting content of the communication device; and a device setting reflection unit that reflects the device setting information in the device setting of the communication device are provided.

[0012] Furthermore, in the communication device setting system of the present invention, it is a communication device setting system that performs settings on a communication device via an information providing device and a terminal device. The terminal device includes a terminal-side first communication unit that performs communication processing with the communication device by a first communication means using short-range wireless communication, and via the first communication means, a communication setting information supply unit that supplies communication setting information for performing communication processing by a second communication means and access information for accessing the information providing device by the second communication means to the communication device. The communication device includes a first communication unit that performs communication processing with the terminal device by the first communication means, a second communication unit that performs communication processing based on the communication setting information by the second communication means, a communication setting information acquisition unit that acquires the communication setting information and the access information from the terminal device by the first communication means using the first communication unit, a communication setting unit that sets the second communication unit to a state in which communication processing by the second communication means can be executed based on the communication setting information acquired by the first communication means, and an apparatus setting reflection unit that accesses the information providing device by the second communication means using the second communication unit based on the access information acquired by the first communication means and reflects apparatus setting information representing the setting contents of the communication device in the apparatus setting of the communication device.

[0013] According to the present invention, by reflecting the communication setting information received from the terminal device by the communication device via the first communication means using short-range wireless communication, the communication processing by the second communication means is set to a possible state, and then the apparatus setting information can be received and reflected by the access information received from the terminal device. Therefore, according to the present invention, due to the characteristics of short-range wireless communication, it is possible to easily set the communication device to a state where communication processing can be performed without causing the communication device to perform setting operations for communication processing by the second communication means, and the communication device can acquire and reflect the apparatus setting information using the second communication means.

Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a communication device setting method, a communication device, and a communication device setting system that can easily perform setting operations on a communication device using a terminal device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 12

Figure 13

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] [1. Configuration of Printer Setting System] As shown in the schematic block diagram of FIG. 1, the printer setting system 1 as a communication device setting system according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a management device 2, a server device 3, a mobile terminal 4, and a plurality of printers 5A, 5B, and 5C (hereinafter collectively referred to as printers 5) are connected via a network 8.

[0018] Here, for example, when a predetermined outfitter installs new printers 5 (5A, 5B, and 5C) in a plurality of departments within a predetermined company and performs necessary setting processes, that is, when an outfitting operation is performed, this case is assumed. In the following, the description will focus on one printer 5A, and the printers 5A, 5B, and 5C will simply be referred to as printers 5 without distinguishing them. Also, in the following, the outfitter who performs the outfitting operation will simply be referred to as an operator.

[0019] The management device 2 is, for example, a computer device installed in a contracting company that undertakes the outfitting work, and is configured as a desktop personal computer, a workstation, or a notebook or tablet computer device, and is used by an operator. This management device 2 has a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, a display unit 24, an operation unit 25, and the like.

[0020] The control unit 21 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs various arithmetic processes, a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which various information is stored in advance, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores various information (none of which are shown in the figure), and the like. While using the RAM as a work area, the control unit 21 performs various processes by executing various programs read from the ROM, the storage unit 22, etc. by the CPU.

[0021] The memory unit 22 is a non-volatile memory medium such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores various programs and various information. The communication unit 23 has, for example, an interface for a wired LAN (Local Area Network) compliant with standards such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.3 (IEEE802.3u / ab / an / ae). This communication unit 23 is connected to the network 8 and transmits and receives various information to and from the server device 3 and the like via the network 8.

[0022] The display unit 24 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel, and displays various information based on the control of the control unit 21. The operation unit 25 is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch pad, etc., and receives an operation instruction from an operator who uses the management device 2.

[0023] Further, based on an operation by an operator via the operation unit 25, etc., for example, in a state where a predetermined operating system is executed, the management device 2 executes the web browser 26 as an application to access various websites and display on the display unit 24 based on web data transmitted from a web server. Thereby, the management device 2 can make the operator know the information displayed on the display unit 24, and when a predetermined input field is provided in the display screen displayed on the display unit 24, the operator can input characters, numbers, etc. into the input field via the operation unit 25.

[0024] The server device 3 as an information providing device is an information processing device having a communication function, and functions as, for example, a web server. This server device 3 has a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 33. The control unit 31 has, similar to the control unit 21 of the management device 2, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. (not shown) and performs various processes. The storage unit 32 is a non-volatile storage medium such as an HDD, for example, and stores various programs and various information, etc.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2(A), this storage unit 32 is provided with a server-side setting information storage unit M3 for storing the setting information of each printer 5. In this server-side setting information storage unit M3, the setting information regarding a plurality of printers 5 handled in one kitting operation is collectively stored as one setting information group. Then, the server-side setting information storage unit M3 assigns a unique identification ID (identifier) to each setting information group, and for each printer 5, installation location information SL which is information representing the installation location, communication setting information SN which is information regarding the network setting, and device setting information SD which is various information necessary for executing the image forming process are stored respectively.

[0026] The communication unit 33 (FIG. 1) has, for example, an interface of a wired LAN compliant with standards such as IEEE802.3u / ab / an / ae, etc., and transmits and receives various information to and from the management device 2, the mobile terminal 4, the printer 5, etc. via the network 8.

[0027] Also, by reading and executing a predetermined program from the storage unit 32, the control unit 31 forms, as functional blocks, a communication control unit 41, a display control unit 42, a setting information registration unit 43, a setting information providing unit 44, and the like. Among these, the communication control unit 41 controls communication processing using the communication unit 33. The display control unit 42 controls the display screen to be displayed on the web browser 26 of the management device 2. The setting information registration unit 43 stores setting information regarding each printer 5 in the server-side setting information storage unit M3 (FIG. 2(A)) of the storage unit 32 (details will be described later). The setting information providing unit 44 reads and provides setting information regarding each printer 5 from the server-side setting information storage unit M3 (FIG. 2(A)) of the storage unit 32 in response to a request via the network 8 from the mobile terminal 4 or the like (details will be described later).

[0028] The mobile terminal 4 (FIG. 1) as a terminal device is, for example, a smartphone possessed by an operator, and has a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, a communication unit 53, a touch panel 54, an NFC (Near Field Communication) unit 56, and the like.

[0029] Similar to the control unit 21 of the management device 2, the control unit 51 has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. (not shown) and performs various processes. The storage unit 52 is a non-volatile storage medium such as an SSD, and stores various programs and various information.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2(B), a terminal-side setting information storage unit M4 for storing setting information of each printer 5 is provided in this storage unit 52. In this terminal-side setting information storage unit M4, an acquisition URL representing a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for acquiring setting information from the server device 3, installation location information SL corresponding to each printer 5, communication setting information SN, writing state ST, and serial number SS are stored respectively.

[0031] Among these, the installation location information SL and the communication setting information SN store the information acquired from the server device 3 respectively (details will be described later). The writing state ST is information indicating whether setting information has been written to each printer 5, and stores either "not yet" indicating that the writing is incomplete or "completed" indicating that the writing has been completed. Note that the initial value of the writing state ST is "not yet". The serial number SS stores the serial number acquired from the printer 5. The column for this serial number SS is blank in the initial state.

[0032] The communication unit 53 (FIG. 1) as the terminal-side second communication unit has an interface compliant with various wireless communication standards such as wireless LANs such as IEEE802.11 (IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax), the 5th generation mobile communication standard called 5G (5th Generation), or Bluetooth (registered trademark). This communication unit 53 transmits and receives various information to and from the server device 3 and the like via the network 8.

[0033] The touch panel 54 is a component in which a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel and an input device such as a touch sensor attached to its surface are integrated. Based on the control of the control unit 51, it displays various information and accepts operation inputs from the operator and supplies them to the control unit 51.

[0034] The NFC unit 56 as the terminal-side first communication unit is a wireless interface for NFC defined by international standard specifications such as ISO / IEC 18092. This NFC unit 56 has, in addition to an antenna for performing wireless communication and a wireless communication control unit 56C for performing various signal processes, a non-volatile NFC storage unit 56M for storing information. Although this NFC storage unit 56M can operate with a small amount of current supplied from the antenna, compared with the storage unit 52 and the like, its storage capacity is small and its operation speed is also low.

[0035] In addition, in the vicinity of the NFC unit 56 on the outer surface of the mobile terminal 4 (for example, the back side which is the side opposite to the touch panel 54), there is provided a location where a predetermined mark indicating that the antenna of the NFC unit 56 is installed is marked (hereinafter referred to as the NFC proximity location).

[0036] Also, by reading and executing a predetermined program from the storage unit 52, the control unit 51 forms, as functional blocks, a display control unit 61, a setting information acquisition unit 62, an acquisition URL generation unit 63, a setting information writing unit 64, and the like. Among these, the display control unit 61 controls the display screen to be displayed on the touch panel 54. The setting information acquisition unit 62 acquires information regarding the printer 5 from the server device 3 via the network 8 (details will be described later). The acquisition URL generation unit 63 generates an acquisition URL used when the printer 5 acquires information from the server device 3 via the network 8 (details will be described later). The setting information writing unit 64, as a communication setting information supply unit, controls each unit so as to supply and write information to the printer 5 (details will be described later).

[0037] Incidentally, the mobile terminal 4 is capable of executing a predetermined mail client application, and the operator's mail address and setting items necessary for sending and receiving mails are registered in advance. For this reason, when the mobile terminal 4 receives an electronic mail addressed to the operator's mail address, it notifies the operator that the electronic mail has been received, and also displays the content of the electronic mail on the touch panel 54 according to the operator's operation.

[0038] The printer 5 as a communication device is, for example, an electrophotographic image forming device and has a printing function of forming an image on a sheet of paper as a medium. Incidentally, the printer 5 does not have an image scanner function for reading a document or a communication function using a telephone line, and is a single-function SFP (Single Function Printer) having only a printing function. This printer 5 has a control unit 71, a storage unit 72, a communication unit 73, a touch panel 74, an NFC unit 76, an image forming unit 77, and the like.

[0039] Similar to the control unit 21 of the management device 2, the control unit 71 has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. (not shown) and performs various processes. The storage unit 72 is a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory and an HDD, and stores various programs and various information. As shown in Fig. 3(A), in the storage unit 72, as setting information necessary for the operation of each part in the printer 5, communication setting information SN related to connection to the network 8, device setting information SD related to printing processing in the image forming unit 77, etc. are stored, but at the stage of factory shipment, predetermined initial values or blanks are stored.

[0040] The device setting information SD includes various information necessary when performing image forming processing in the image forming unit 77 described later, such as the size, type, or thickness of the paper. Also, the communication setting information SN includes various information necessary for performing communication processing with other devices via the network 8, such as an IP (Internet Protocol) address and a subnet mask.

[0041] The communication unit 73 (Fig. 1) as the second communication means has an interface compliant with various communication standards, such as a wired LAN such as IEEE802.3, a wireless LAN such as IEEE802.11, or Bluetooth (registered trademark), either wired or wireless. This communication unit 73 transmits and receives various information to and from the server device 3, etc. via the network 8. Hereinafter, the communication means used by the communication unit 73 is also referred to as the second communication means.

[0042] Similar to the touch panel 54 of the mobile terminal 4, the touch panel 74 is a component in which a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel and an input device such as a touch sensor attached to its surface are integrated. Based on the control of the control unit 71, it displays various information and accepts operation inputs from the operator and supplies them to the control unit 71.

[0043] The NFC unit 76 as the first communication means is configured in the same manner as the NFC unit 56 of the mobile terminal 4. In addition to an antenna for performing wireless communication and a wireless communication control unit circuit 76C for performing various signal processes, it has a non-volatile NFC storage unit 76M for storing information. As shown in FIG. 3(B), a serial number (manufacturing number) uniquely assigned to the printer 5 in the manufacturing process is stored in the NFC storage unit 76M. Hereinafter, the communication means using NFC as a form of non-contact short-range wireless communication using an IC tag is also referred to as the first communication means.

[0044] Also, an antenna of the NFC unit 76 is installed at a predetermined location (for example, near the touch panel 74) on the housing of the printer 5 (FIG. 1), and an NFC proximity location (a location where a predetermined mark indicating that the antenna is installed is displayed) is provided on the surface of the housing near the antenna. Even when the printer 5 is in a non-powered state, when the NFC proximity location of another NFC device (such as the mobile terminal 4, etc.) is brought close to (held near) the NFC proximity location by an operator, the NFC unit 76 operates using the current flowing through the antenna and can communicate with each other.

[0045] The image forming unit 77 includes an exposure device, a fixing device, and a paper conveyance mechanism (not shown). Among them, the exposure device includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode) head, a photosensitive drum, and a toner cartridge, etc. It forms a toner image based on the image data supplied from the control unit 71 and fixes it on the paper to perform image forming processing (that is, printing processing).

[0046] Also, by reading and executing a predetermined program from the storage unit 72, the control unit 71 forms functional blocks such as a setting information reading unit 81, a setting information reflecting unit 82, and a setting information acquisition unit 83. Among them, the setting information reading unit 81 reads various setting information from the NFC storage unit 76M. The setting information reflecting unit 82 reflects the setting information. The setting information acquisition unit 83 as a device setting acquisition unit acquires setting information from the server device 3 via the network 8 (details will be described later).

[0047] The network 8 is configured in compliance with a plurality of standards, such as a wired LAN such as IEEE802.3, a wireless LAN such as IEEE802.11, or the fifth-generation mobile communication standard, and is configured to be interconnected via network devices such as routers and relay devices (not shown).

[0048] [2. Printer setting processing procedure] In the printer setting system 1, a printer setting process is performed to supply and reflect various setting information to the printer 5 while coordinating the management device 2, the server device 3, the mobile terminal 4, and the printer 5. Hereinafter, the detailed processing procedures in each of the server device 3, the mobile terminal 4, and the printer 5 will be sequentially described.

[0049] [2-1. Processing procedure of server device] First, the processing procedure of the server device 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4. When the power is turned on, the control unit 31 (FIG. 1) of the server device 3 reads out and executes a predetermined operating system from the storage unit 32, and starts operating as a web server by executing a predetermined service program or the like. As a result, the server device 3 enters a state of waiting for access from the management device 2, the mobile terminal 4, or the printer 5 via the network 8.

[0050] Also, the control unit 31 reads out and executes a predetermined setting information registration and provision program from the storage unit 32, starts the setting information registration and provision processing procedure RT1 shown in FIG. 4, and moves to the first step SP1.

[0051] In step SP1, the control unit 31 determines, via the communication control unit 41 (Fig. 1), whether the access from the device that has accessed via the network 8 (Fig. 1) (hereinafter referred to as the connected device) is an access to the registered URL. Here, the server device 3 prepares two types of URLs, such as the registered URL used when registering (saving) the setting information as the URL which is the information for accessing from each connected device via the network 8, and the provided URL used when reading out and providing the setting information. Also, the server device 3 can receive with predetermined parameters added to each URL and perform processing according to the parameters.

[0052] Incidentally, the registered URL is stored in advance in the storage unit 22 (Fig. 1) of the management device 2 and is used when accessing the server device 3 from the management device 2 via the network 8 based on the operator's operation instruction. Also, as will be described later, the provided URL is used when accessing the server device 3 from the mobile terminal 4 or the printer 5 via the network 8. Therefore, hereinafter, the provided URL is also referred to as access information.

[0053] If an affirmative result is obtained here, this indicates that since the registered URL has been accessed from the management device 2, it is necessary to have the operator input and store (register) the setting information regarding the printer 5. At this time, the control unit 31 moves to the next step SP2.

[0054] In step SP2, the control unit 31 executes, as a subroutine, a setting information registration process for registering each setting information of each printer 5 in the server - side setting information storage unit M3 (Fig. 2(A)) while cooperating with the management device 2 operated by the operator (details will be described later), and then moves to the next step SP4.

[0055] On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP1, this indicates that since the acquisition device (hereinafter referred to as the acquisition device), which is the mobile terminal 4 or the printer 5, has accessed the acquisition URL, it is necessary to provide (transmit) a part of the stored setting information. At this time, the control unit 31 moves to the next step SP3.

[0056] In step SP3, the control unit 31 executes, as a subroutine, a setting information providing process for providing the setting information stored in the server-side setting information storage unit M3 (Fig. 2(A)) to the acquisition device (mobile terminal 4 or printer 5) (details will be described later), and moves to the next step SP4.

[0057] In step SP4, the control unit 31 ends the setting information registration and providing process procedure RT1. In this way, the server device 3 can perform, according to the URL (registration URL or providing URL) used at the time of access, a setting information registration process for registering the setting information of each printer 5 in the server-side setting information storage unit M3 (Fig. 2(A)), and a setting information providing process for reading out this setting information and providing it to the mobile terminal 4 or the printer 5.

[0058] [2-2. Server device setting information registration process procedure] Next, the setting information registration process executed as a subroutine in step SP2 of the setting information registration and providing process procedure RT1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 5. Here, it is assumed that an operator operates the management device 2 to start the web browser 26 and accesses the registration URL.

[0059] The control unit 31 of the server device 3 starts, as a subroutine, the setting information registration process procedure RT2 shown in Fig. 5 in step SP2 of the setting information registration and providing process procedure RT1, and moves to the first step SP11. In step SP11, the control unit 31 transmits, by the display control unit 42 (Fig. 1), the HTML data representing the setting information registration screen D1 shown in Fig. 7 to the management device 2, so that the setting information registration screen D1 is displayed on the web browser 26 (Fig. 1) being executed in the management device 2, and then moves to the next step SP12.

[0060] On this setting information registration screen D1, there are provided a setting information input table NT1, an email address input field MA1, a save button BT1, a retrieved URL display field NU1, etc. The setting information input table NT1 is configured in a tabular form. The leftmost column represents the setting item name, and each of the other columns corresponds to one printer 5. That is, each row of the setting information input table NT1 is assigned a setting item.

[0061] These setting items are roughly classified into three types: installation location information SL, communication setting information SN, and device setting information SD. The installation location information SL represents the location or position where the printer 5 is installed, that is, the information representing the attributes of the printer 5. For example, names of each department within a company such as "General Affairs Department", "Sales Department", and "Technical Department" are assigned. That is, the installation location information SL also serves as identification information that can uniquely identify each of the plurality of printers 5. Since the installation location information SL is composed of only one item of data, the data size is extremely small. Also, hereinafter, the installation location information SL is also referred to as attribute information or location information.

[0062] The communication setting information SN, also called network setting information, includes information necessary for the printer 5 to perform communication processing via the network 8. Specifically, the communication setting information SN includes setting items such as "IP address", "subnet mask", and "default gateway". Thus, since the communication setting information SN has relatively few setting items, the data size is also relatively small. From another perspective, the communication setting information SN is information for setting the printer 5 from a state where it cannot perform communication processing via the network 8 to a state where it can perform such communication processing.

[0063] The device setting information SD includes information representing various setting contents necessary for performing image forming processing (printing processing) mainly using the image forming unit 77 in the printer 5. Specifically, the device setting information SD includes, for example, the paper size, paper type (such as plain paper or glossy paper), and paper thickness in each of a plurality of trays (tray 1, tray 2, etc.) provided in the printer 5, as well as a relatively large number of setting items such as the standby time until shifting to the power saving operation mode (power save mode). Therefore, the data size of the device setting information SD is relatively large.

[0064] In the email address input field MA1, the operator's email address is entered. The save button BT1 is a button that is pressed by the operator when all the necessary information in the setting information input table NT1, that is, the setting information for each printer 5, has been entered. When this save button BT is pressed, the web browser 26 transmits the content entered in the setting information input table NT1 to the server device 3.

[0065] The acquisition URL display field NU1 does not display the acquisition URL at the initial stage, but displays the acquisition URL after the save button BT1 is pressed. This acquisition URL is a URL for accessing the server device 3 from the mobile terminal 4 or the printer 5 via the network 8 to acquire device information. Incidentally, when a predetermined parameter is added following the acquisition URL in the server device 3, the server device 3 provides (transmits) only a part of the setting information entered in the setting information input table NT1 according to the parameter.

[0066] In step SP12, the control unit 31 causes the operator to input each setting information via the management device 2 and proceeds to the next step SP13. Specifically, in the setting information input table NT1 displayed on the display unit 24 of the management device 2, when the setting information is input into each column by the operator's operation, the control unit 31 displays the input value in the column and temporarily stores the value in the storage unit 22.

[0067] In step SP13, the control unit 31 determines whether the save button BT1 (Fig. 7) has been pressed. If a negative result is obtained here, this indicates that the operator intends to continue entering setting information in each column of the setting information input table NT1. At this time, the control unit 31 returns to step SP12 to wait for the save button BT1 to be pressed.

[0068] On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP13, this indicates that the operator has finished entering all the necessary setting information in the setting information input table NT1 and intends to save this setting information in the server device 3. At this time, the control unit 31 moves to the next step SP14.

[0069] In step SP14, the control unit 31 determines whether the setting information entered in each column of the setting information input table NT1 is correct, that is, whether the necessary setting information is entered in a suitable format for each. If a negative result is obtained here, this indicates that there may be an error in the format of the entered setting information or that necessary setting items may not have been entered. At this time, the control unit 31 moves to the next step SP15.

[0070] In step SP15, the control unit 31 causes an error message such as "The input format is incorrect. Please correct it." to be displayed on the display unit 24 of the management device 2, so as to prompt the operator to recognize that there is an error in the entered setting information and then prompt the operator to correct the relevant part. After that, the control unit 31 returns to step SP12 again to repeat the series of processes.

[0071] On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP14, this indicates that there is no formal problem with each piece of input setting information and it can be saved. At this time, the control unit 31 proceeds to the next step SP16. In step SP16, the control unit 31 generates an identification ID (Identifier) for uniquely identifying the current printer setting process for the printers 5 (5A, 5B, and 5C), and then proceeds to the next step SP17. For example, the control unit 31 generates "12345678" consisting of eight digits as the identification ID.

[0072] In step SP17, the control unit 31 associates the identification ID with the setting information (installation location information SL, communication setting information SN, and device setting information SD) of each printer 5 by the setting information registration unit 43 (Fig. 1), and stores them in the server-side setting information storage unit M3 (Fig. 2(A)) of the storage unit 32, and then proceeds to the next step SP18.

[0073] In step SP18, the control unit 31 generates an acquisition URL (hereinafter also referred to as access information), which is a URL for acquiring setting information from the mobile terminal 4 or the printer 5, and then proceeds to the next step SP19. The acquisition URL generated at this time has a configuration in which the identification ID is added as a parameter to the URL for accessing the server device 3 in the network 8, and is, for example, "http: / / www.abcabc.com / DeviceSetting / Aquire?id=12345678".

[0074] In step SP19, the control unit 31 causes the display control unit 42 (Fig. 1) to display the acquisition URL in the acquisition URL display column NU1 on the setting information registration screen D1 (Fig. 7) displayed on the display unit 24 of the management device 2, and then proceeds to the next step SP20. In step SP20, the control unit 31 generates an e-mail including the acquisition URL, sends it to the e-mail address of the operator entered in the e-mail address input column MA1 (Fig. 7), and then proceeds to the next step SP21 to end the setting information registration processing procedure RT2.

[0075] The email sent here is appropriately processed by a mail server (not shown) connected to network 8 and stored in the mailbox corresponding to the email address entered in the email address input field MA1. Accordingly, the mobile terminal 4 can receive this email by executing a mail client application.

[0076] [2-3. Server Device Setting Information Provision Processing Procedure] Next, the setting information provision processing executed as a subroutine in step SP3 of the setting information registration and provision processing procedure RT1 will be described. The control unit 31 of the server device 3 starts the setting information provision processing procedure RT3 shown in FIG. 6 as a subroutine in step SP3 of the setting information registration and provision processing procedure RT1 and moves to the first step SP31.

[0077] In step SP31, the control unit 31 extracts the part of the parameter added to the latter half of the acquired URL used in the access and moves to the next step SP32. Here, three types of identifiers are set in the parameter, namely, "id" representing the identification ID, "type" representing the type of setting information requested, and "location" representing the installation location. They are described by combining each value with the symbol "=" as a connector. Also, a plurality of parameters are connected using the connection symbol "&".

[0078] Among these, for the identifier "id", the numerical string representing the identification ID is concatenated as it is, and is expressed, for example, as "id=12345678". For the identifier "type", the value "1" or the value "2" is concatenated. Among these, the value "1" means a request for the installation location information SL and communication setting information SN regarding all printers 5. Also, the value "2" means a request for the device setting information SD regarding some printers 5. For the identifier "location", the character string representing the installation location is concatenated as it is, and is expressed, for example, as "location=General Affairs Department".

[0079] In step SP32, the control unit 31 determines whether the value "1" is specified as the identifier "type" among the extracted parameters. If an affirmative result is obtained here, this indicates that the installation location information SL and communication setting information SN regarding all printers 5 are requested. At this time, the control unit 31 proceeds to the next step SP33.

[0080] In step SP33, the control unit 31 determines whether the identifier "location" is specified in the extracted parameters. If a negative result is obtained here, this indicates that there is no error in the parameter specification and it is correct. At this time, the control unit 31 proceeds to the next step SP34.

[0081] In step SP34, the control unit 31 reads, from the server - side setting information storage unit M3 (Figure 2(A)) stored in the storage unit 32 by the setting information providing unit 44, the installation location information SL and communication setting information SN of each printer 5 among the setting information that matches the identification ID specified by the identifier "id". Subsequently, the control unit 31 proceeds to the next step SP38, regarding this installation location information SL and communication setting information SN as information to be transmitted to the acquisition device.

[0082] On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP33, this indicates that there is an error in the parameter specification, and thus the device information cannot be provided appropriately. At this time, the control unit 31 proceeds to the next step SP37.

[0083] Also, if a negative result is obtained in step SP32, this indicates that it is highly likely that the value "2" is specified as the identifier "type" among the extracted parameters. At this time, the control unit 31 proceeds to the next step SP35.

[0084] In step SP35, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the identifier "location" is specified in the extracted parameter. If an affirmative result is obtained here, this indicates that there is no error in the parameter specification and it is correct. At this time, the control unit 31 proceeds to the next step SP36.

[0085] In step SP36, the control unit 31 reads, from the server - side setting information storage unit M3 (Fig. 2(A)) stored in the storage unit 32 by the setting information providing unit 44, the device setting information SD regarding the printer 5 at the installation location specified by the identifier "location" among the device information that matches the identification ID specified by the identifier "id". Subsequently, the control unit 31 proceeds to the next step SP38, regarding this device setting information SD as the information to be transmitted to the acquisition device.

[0086] On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP35, this indicates that since the identifier "location" is not specified, the device setting information SD cannot be specified and cannot be transmitted. At this time, the control unit 31 proceeds to the next step SP37.

[0087] In step SP37, the control unit 31 reads, from the storage unit 32, a predetermined error message indicating that the setting information cannot be provided because the specification of the parameter added to the acquisition URL is incorrect, and proceeds to the next step SP38, regarding this as the information to be transmitted to the acquisition device.

[0088] In step SP38, after the control unit 31 transmits the information set to be transmitted in steps SP34, SP36, or SP37 to the acquisition device by the communication control unit 41, it proceeds to the next step SP39 and ends the setting information registration processing procedure RT3.

[0089] [2 - 4. Processing Procedure of Mobile Terminal] Next, the printer setting process executed on the mobile terminal 4 will be described. When the power is turned on, the control unit 51 (Fig. 1) of the mobile terminal 4 reads out and executes a predetermined operating system from the storage unit 52, thereby enabling various application programs to be executed and also enabling communication processing with each device connected to the network 8 via the communication unit 53. In this state, the control unit 51 reads out and executes the program of the printer setting application from the storage unit 52, thereby starting the printer setting process procedure RT4 shown in Figs. 8 and 9 and moving to the first step SP41. Incidentally, the printer 5 is initially in a power-off state.

[0090] In step SP41, the control unit 51 causes the display control unit 61 (Fig. 1) to display the setting information acquisition screen D2 shown in Fig. 10 on the touch panel 54, and then moves to the next step SP42.

[0091] This setting information acquisition screen D2 is provided with an acquisition URL input field NU2, a setting information acquisition button BT2, etc. The acquisition URL input field NU2 is a field for allowing an operator to input an acquisition URL. The setting information acquisition button BT2 is an operation button for attempting to acquire setting information by accessing the URL input in the acquisition URL input field NU2. The pressing operation of this setting information acquisition button BT2 means that the operator has completed the input operation of the acquisition URL for the acquisition URL input field NU2.

[0092] In step SP42, the control unit 51 causes the acquisition URL to be input in the acquisition URL input field NU2 and then moves to the next step SP43. At this time, if the acquisition URL is included in the e-mail sent from the server device 3 to the operator, based on the operation of the operator, the control unit 51 may use the copy and paste function of the operating system, etc. to copy the acquisition URL and paste it into the acquisition URL input field NU2 for input.

[0093] In step SP43, the control unit 51 determines whether the setting information acquisition button BT2 has been pressed. If a negative result is obtained here, this indicates that the operator has not completed the operation of entering the acquisition URL in the acquisition URL input field NU2, meaning that access to the acquisition URL should not be performed. At this time, the control unit 51 returns to step SP42 again and waits for the pressing operation of the setting information acquisition button BT2.

[0094] On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP43, the control unit 51 moves to the next step SP44 and determines whether the entered acquisition URL is appropriate, that is, whether it is possible to normally access the server device 3 via the network 8. If a negative result is obtained here, this indicates that there may be an error in the entered acquisition URL. At this time, the control unit 51 moves to the next step SP45.

[0095] In step SP45, the control unit 51 causes the display control unit 61 (FIG. 1) to display a predetermined error message on the touch panel 54, thereby notifying that there is an error in the acquisition URL entered in the acquisition URL input field NU2 and that correction is necessary. After that, the control unit 51 returns to step SP42 again and repeats the series of processes.

[0096] On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP44, this indicates that the entered acquisition URL is appropriate, meaning that subsequent processes can be performed. At this time, the control unit 51 moves to the next step SP46. In step SP46, the control unit 51 stores the entered acquisition URL in the acquisition URL field in the terminal-side setting information storage unit M4 (FIG. 2(B)) of the storage unit 52 and then moves to the next step SP47.

[0097] In step SP47, the control unit 51 generates a communication setting acquisition URL by adding a parameter to the end of the acquisition URL by the acquisition URL generation unit 63, and proceeds to the next step SP48. Specifically, the acquisition URL generation unit 63 adds "type=1", which is a parameter meaning a request for the installation location information SL and communication setting information SN of each printer 5, to the acquisition URL via the connection symbol "&". Thereby, the acquisition URL generation unit 63 generates, for example, "http: / / www.abcabc.com / DeviceSetting / Aquire?id=12345678&type=1" as the communication setting acquisition URL.

[0098] In step SP48, the control unit 51 accesses the communication setting acquisition URL (that is, the server device 3) via the communication unit 53 and the network 8 by the setting information acquisition unit 62 (FIG. 1). In response to this, the setting information acquisition unit 62 receives (acquires) the installation location information SL and communication setting information SN of each printer 5 from the server device 3, and proceeds to the next step SP49.

[0099] In step SP49, the control unit 51 continues to store (save) the acquired installation location information SL and communication setting information SN of each printer 5 in the terminal-side setting information storage unit M4 (FIG. 2(B)) of the storage unit 52 by the setting information acquisition unit 62, and proceeds to the next step SP50.

[0100] In step SP50, the control unit 51 causes the display control unit 61 (FIG. 1) to display a setting information writing screen D3 shown in FIG. 11(A) on the touch panel 54, and proceeds to the next step SP51. A plurality of pieces of information for writing setting information to each printer 5 are displayed on this setting information writing screen D3. Specifically, an installation location selection column SL3, a writing state display column ST3, a serial number display column SS3, a message display column MG3, an end button BT3, etc. are provided.

[0101] The installation location selection field SL3 is a so-called list box. When an operator performs an operation such as a touch, all the installation location information SL stored in the terminal-side setting information storage unit M4 is temporarily displayed in a list format, and the operator is allowed to select one of them. Hereinafter, the installation location selected in the installation location selection field SL3 is also referred to as the selected installation location. Note that the installation location selection field SL3 is blank in the initial state, different from the state shown in Fig. 11(A).

[0102] The writing state display column ST3 displays the value of the writing state ST (i.e., "not yet" or "completed") stored in the terminal-side setting information storage unit M4 in association with the selected installation location. The serial number display column SS3 displays the serial number SS stored in the terminal-side setting information storage unit M4 in association with the selected installation location.

[0103] In the message display column MG3, a message representing the content of a request such as an operation that the operator should perform regarding the printer 5 at the selected installation location is displayed. This message display column MG3 is blank in the initial state, different from the state shown in Fig. 11(A). The end button BT3 is an operation button for ending the printer setting process in the mobile terminal 4. It is assumed that this end button BT3 is pressed by the operator after the operation of writing the setting information to each printer 5 is completed.

[0104] In step SP51, the control unit 51 selects any one of all the installation location information SL (for example, the one stored at the topmost position) as the selected installation location and moves to the next step SP52. At this time, the display control unit 61 updates the installation location selection field SL3 on the setting information writing screen D3 (Fig. 11(A)) and displays the installation location information SL of the selected installation location as it is.

[0105] In step SP52, the control unit 51 updates the display content in each column on the setting information writing screen D3 (Fig. 11(A)) according to the selected installation location by the display control unit 61 (Fig. 1) and moves to the next step SP53.

[0106] Specifically, the display control unit 61 reads the writing state ST and the serial number SS associated with the selected installation location from the terminal-side setting information storage unit M4 (Fig. 2(B)), and displays the respective values in the writing state display column ST3 and the serial number display column SS3. Further, when the value of the writing state ST is "not yet", the display control unit 61 displays a message such as "Please hold the NFC of the device close" in the message display column MG3, thereby prompting the operator to bring the NFC proximity area of the mobile terminal 4 close to (hold close to) the NFC proximity area of the printer 5.

[0107] Incidentally, the printer 5 is in a state of being stored in a packing box or the like when shipped from the factory, with the power supply, network cable, etc. not connected and the power supply turned off. However, by opening a part of the packing box, the NFC proximity area provided on the housing of the printer 5 can be exposed.

[0108] In step SP53, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the end button BT3 on the setting information writing screen D3 (Fig. 11(A)) has been pressed. If a negative result is obtained here, this indicates that it is presumed that the operator intends to continue the current printer setting process. At this time, the control unit 51 moves to the next step SP54.

[0109] In step SP54, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the selected installation location has been changed by operating the installation location selection column SL3 on the setting information writing screen D3 (Fig. 11(A)). If an affirmative result is obtained here, this indicates that it is necessary to update the display of each column according to the changed selected installation location. At this time, the control unit 51 returns to step SP52 again and repeats the series of processes.

[0110] On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP54, the control unit 51 moves to the next step SP55. In step SP55, the control unit 51 determines whether NFC connection has been established with the NFC unit 76 of the printer 5 by cooperating with the wireless communication control unit 56C (Fig. 1) of the NFC unit 56. If a negative result is obtained here, the control unit 51 returns to step SP53 again and repeats the series of processes.

[0111] On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP55, this indicates that NFC connection has been established with the printer 5, meaning that communication processing using the NFC connection can be performed. At this time, the control unit 51 moves to the next step SP56.

[0112] In step SP56, the control unit 51 determines whether the writing state stored in association with the selected installation location in the terminal-side setting information storage unit M4 (Fig. 2(B)) is "not yet". If a negative result is obtained here, this indicates that the writing of the setting information for the printer 5 at the selected installation location has already been completed, and there is no need to write the setting information for the selected installation location to the printer 5. At this time, the control unit 51 moves to the next step SP57.

[0113] In step SP57, since the control unit 51 has already completed writing the setting information for the printer 5 at the selected installation location by the display control unit 61 (Fig. 1), the control unit 51 causes the touch panel 54 to display an error message prompting the selection of another installation location where the writing is not completed. Then, the control unit 51 returns to step SP53 again and repeats the series of processes.

[0114] On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP56, this indicates that it is necessary to write the setting information for the selected installation location to the NFC-connected printer 5. At this time, the control unit 51 moves to the next step SP58.

[0115] In step SP58, the control unit 51 causes the wireless communication control unit 56C (Fig. 1) of the NFC unit 56 to read and acquire the serial number (Fig. 3(B)) from the NFC storage unit 76M of the printer 5, and then proceeds to the next step SP59.

[0116] In step SP59, the control unit 51 causes the acquisition URL generation unit 63 (Fig. 1) to generate a device setting acquisition URL for acquiring device settings according to the selected installation location, and then proceeds to the next step SP60. Specifically, the acquisition URL generation unit 63 sequentially adds, to the acquisition URL, via the connection symbol "&", "type = 2", which is a parameter indicating a request for device setting information SD, and, for example, "location = General Affairs Department", which is a parameter indicating that the installation location is the General Affairs Department. Thereby, the acquisition URL generation unit 63 generates, as the device setting acquisition URL, for example, "http: / / www.abcabc.com / DeviceSetting / Aquire?id=12345678&type=2&location=General Affairs Department", and temporarily stores it in the storage unit 52.

[0117] In step SP60, the control unit 51 first reads the communication setting information SN associated with the selected installation location from the terminal-side setting information storage unit M4 (Fig. 2(B)) of the storage unit 52. Subsequently, the control unit 51 causes the setting information writing unit 64 and the wireless communication control unit 56C (Fig. 1) of the NFC unit 56 to execute writing of the device setting acquisition URL and the communication setting information SN to the NFC storage unit 76M of the printer 5, and then proceeds to the next step SP61.

[0118] In step SP61, the control unit 51 reads the device setting acquisition URL and the communication setting information SN from the NFC storage unit 76M, and checks them against each piece of information stored in the storage unit 52 to determine whether the writing process to the NFC storage unit 76M was successful. If a negative result is obtained here, this indicates that the writing process failed and it is necessary to perform the writing process again. At this time, the control unit 51 proceeds to the next step SP62.

[0119] In step SP62, the control unit 51 causes the display control unit 61 (Fig. 1) to display an error message on the touch panel 54 prompting the re - execution of the write process because the write process has failed. After that, the control unit 51 returns to step SP53 again and repeats the series of processes.

[0120] On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP61, this indicates that the write process of the device setting acquisition URL and the communication setting information SN for the printer 5 at the selected installation location has been completed. At this time, the control unit 51 moves to the next step SP63. In step SP63, the control unit 51 saves the serial number acquired in step SP58 as the serial number SS associated with the selected installation location in the terminal - side setting information storage unit M4 (Fig. 2(B)) of the storage unit 52, and moves to the next step SP64.

[0121] In step SP64, the control unit 51 updates the write status ST associated with the selected installation location in the terminal - side setting information storage unit M4 (Fig. 2(B)) of the storage unit 52 to "completed". After that, the control unit 51 returns to step SP52 again and repeats the series of processes. Incidentally, when the control unit 51 performs the process of step SP52 after performing the write process for the printer 5, as in the setting information write screen D4 corresponding to Fig. 11(A) and shown in Fig. 11(B), the write status display column ST4 becomes "completed", the serial number is displayed in the serial number display column SS4, and the message display column MG4 becomes blank. The installation location selection column SL4 and the end button BT4 are displayed in the same way as the installation location selection column SL3 and the end button BT3, respectively.

[0122] On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP53, this indicates that the operator has completed the write process of the setting information using NFC connection for all printers 5, which means that the operator has shown the intention to end the printer setting process. At this time, the control unit 51 moves to the next step SP65 and ends the printer setting process procedure RT4.

[0123] [2 - 5. Printer processing procedure] Next, the device setting process executed in the printer 5 will be described. When the power of the control unit 71 (Fig. 1) of the printer 5 is turned on and shifted from the off state to the on state, it reads out and executes a predetermined operating system from the storage unit 72, thereby enabling the execution of various application programs, and further reads out and executes a predetermined initialization program or the like.

[0124] In this state, the control unit 71 starts the device setting process procedure RT7 shown in Fig. 12 and moves to the first step SP71 by reading out and executing a predetermined device setting program from the storage unit 72. In step SP71, the control unit 71 tries to read out the device setting acquisition URL and the communication setting information SN from the NFC storage unit 76M by the setting information reading unit 81 (Fig. 1), and moves to the next step SP72.

[0125] In step SP72, the control unit 71 determines whether the device setting acquisition URL has been read out. If an affirmative result is obtained here, this means that the device setting information SD of the printer 5 can be acquired from the server device 3 by accessing the device setting acquisition URL after reflecting the communication settings. In other words, when the device setting acquisition URL can be read out from the NFC storage unit 76M in the printer 5 at this time, it means that the printer 5 is not in a state where it can be appropriately used at this stage, and it is necessary to make it in a usable state by acquiring and reflecting the device setting information SD. At this time, the control unit 51 moves to the next step SP73.

[0126] In step SP73, the control unit 71 saves the device setting acquisition URL and the communication setting information SN read out from the NFC storage unit 76M in the storage unit 72, and moves to the next step SP74. In step SP74, the control unit 71 enables communication connection to the server device 3 via the network 8 from the communication unit 73 by reflecting the communication setting information SN by the setting information reflecting unit 82 (Fig. 1), and moves to the next step SP75.

[0127] In step SP75, the control unit 71 accesses the device setting acquisition URL by means of the setting information acquisition unit 83 (Fig. 1) and the communication unit 73 to acquire the device setting information SD associated with the installation location of the printer 5, and then proceeds to the next step SP76. In step SP76, the control unit 71 stores the acquired device setting information SD in the storage unit 72 and reflects the device setting information SD by means of the setting information reflection unit 82 (Fig. 1) so that the image forming unit 77 (Fig. 1) can appropriately perform image forming processing, and then proceeds to the next step SP77.

[0128] In step SP77, the control unit 71 deletes the device setting acquisition URL and the communication setting information SN from the NFC storage unit 76M, and then proceeds to the next step SP78. Thereby, the control unit 71 can prevent problems such as acquiring the device setting information SD again or the device settings changed by the user being overwritten by the device setting information SD when the printer 5 is powered on next time, even if the device setting processing procedure RT7 is executed.

[0129] On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP72, this means that the device setting acquisition URL could not be read out, indicating that the device setting information SD cannot be acquired from the server device 3. At this time, the control unit 71 proceeds to the next step SP78.

[0130] In step SP78, the control unit 71 ends the device setting processing procedure RT7. As a result, the printer 5 is in a state where the communication setting information SN is reflected and communication processing via the network 8 can be performed, and the device setting information SD is reflected and image forming processing can be appropriately performed.

[0131] [3. Printer Setting Sequence] Next, in the printer setting system 1, when a series of printer setting processes are performed while coordinating the management device 2, the server device 3, the mobile terminal 4, and the printer 5, an overview of the processing by each device and the exchange of information will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG. 13. Incidentally, in FIG. 13, connecting via the network 8 is represented by a solid arrow marked with the symbol "NW", and connecting using NFC is represented by a dashed arrow marked with the symbol "NFC".

[0132] First, in the first sequence SQ21, the management device 2 executes a web browser based on the operator's operation and accesses the server device 3 via the network 8. At this time, in sequence SQ31, the server device 3 stores the generated identification ID and each setting information input by the operator in the server-side setting information storage unit M3 (FIG. 2(A)) by executing each process of the setting information registration and provision processing procedure RT1 (FIG. 4) and the setting information registration processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 5).

[0133] Also, in the next sequence SQ32, the server device 3 generates an acquisition URL for acquiring setting information from each device such as the mobile terminal 4 via the network 8, and transmits an email including the acquisition URL to the operator's email address.

[0134] In response to this, when the mobile terminal 4 receives the email, it displays the content of the email on the touch panel 54 and notifies the operator. Also, in sequence SQ41, the mobile terminal 4 generates a communication setting acquisition URL with a predetermined parameter added to the acquisition URL by executing each process of steps SP41 to SP48 of the printer setting processing procedure RT4 (FIG. 8), accesses it, and requests the server device 3 to transmit the installation location information SL and the communication setting information SN.

[0135] In response, the server device 3 executes each process of the setting information registration and provision process procedure RT1 (FIG. 4) and the setting information provision process procedure RT3 (FIG. 6) in the following sequence SQ33, and accesses the communication setting acquisition URL. Then, the server device 3 transmits the installation location information SL and the communication setting information SN of each printer 5 to the mobile terminal 4 that has accessed. The mobile terminal 4 receives the installation location information SL and the communication setting information SN of each printer 5 by performing each process of steps SP48 and SP49 of the printer setting process procedure RT4 (FIG. 8), and stores them in the terminal-side setting information storage unit M4 (FIG. 2(B)) of the storage unit 52.

[0136] Next, in sequence SQ42, the mobile terminal 4 changes the selected installation location according to the operator's operation by performing each process of steps SP50 to SP54 of the printer setting process procedure RT4 (FIGS. 8 and 9). Subsequently, in sequence SQ43, the mobile terminal 4 performs the process of step SP55 of the printer setting process procedure RT4 (FIG. 9), causing the mobile terminal 4 to be close to (held in front of) the printer 5 by the operator, and starting communication connection by NFC. At this time, the printer 5 is in a power-off state.

[0137] Furthermore, in sequence SQ44, the mobile terminal 4 transmits, by NFC, the device setting acquisition URL for acquiring the device setting information SD corresponding to the selected installation location and the communication setting information SN associated with the installation location to the printer 5 and writes them to the NFC storage unit 76M. Incidentally, the mobile terminal 4 executes each process of sequences SQ42, SQ43, and SQ44 for each printer 5.

[0138] When the printer 5 is installed at the installation location and powered on, in sequence SQ51, the printer 5 reads out the communication setting information SN stored in the NFC storage unit 76M by performing each process of steps SP71 to SP74 of the device setting process procedure RT7 (FIG. 12), and reflects it on the communication unit 73.

[0139] Subsequently, in sequence SQ52, the printer 5 accesses the device setting acquisition URL (i.e., the server device 3) stored in the NFC storage unit 76M via the network 8 by executing the process of step SP75 of the device setting process procedure RT7 (FIG. 12).

[0140] In response to this, in the next sequence SQ34, the server device 3 accesses the device setting acquisition URL accessed by the printer 5 that has accessed the device setting acquisition URL by executing the respective processes of the setting information registration and provision process procedure RT1 (FIG. 4) and the setting information provision process procedure RT3 (FIG. 6), and transmits the device setting information SD corresponding to the installation location of the printer 5 to the printer 5.

[0141] When the printer 5 receives this device setting information, in the next sequence SQ53, the printer 5 reflects the received device setting information SD in the device settings by executing the process of step SP76 of the device setting process procedure RT7 (FIG. 12), and becomes in a state where image formation processing can be executed.

[0142] In this way, in the printer setting system 1, the device setting acquisition URL and the communication setting information SN are supplied from the mobile terminal 4 to each printer 5 using NFC, and after the printer 5 reflects the communication setting information SN, the printer 5 accesses the device setting acquisition URL, and acquires and reflects the device setting information SD from the server device 3.

[0143] [4. Effects, etc.] In the above configuration, in the printer setting system 1 according to the present embodiment, the setting information (installation location information SL, communication setting information SN, and device setting information SD) input by the operator using the management device 2 is stored in advance in the server-side setting information storage unit M3 (FIG. 2(A)) of the server device 3.

[0144] Next, in the printer setting system 1, the mobile terminal 4 operated by the operator acquires the installation location information SL and communication setting information SN of each printer 5 from the server device 3 via the network 8, and stores them in the terminal-side setting information storage unit M4 (FIG. 2(B)) of the storage unit 52. Further, when the mobile terminal 4 is held over each printer 5, it writes the device setting acquisition URL corresponding to each installation location and the communication setting information SN into the NFC storage unit 76M using NFC connection.

[0145] After that, in the printer setting system 1, when the power of the printer 5 is turned on, it reflects the communication setting information SN read from the NFC storage unit 76M, and accesses the device setting acquisition URL via the network 8 to acquire and reflect the device setting information SD from the server device 3.

[0146] Therefore, in the printer setting system 1, it is only necessary to have the operator perform extremely simple operations such as an input operation of setting information using the management device 2, a relatively simple input operation on the touch panel 74 of the mobile terminal 4, and an operation of holding the mobile terminal 4 over the printer 5. As a result, in the printer setting system 1, without having the operator perform almost any direct operations on the printer 5, it is only necessary to have the operator perform extremely simple operations such as holding the mobile terminal 4 over the printer or transporting it to a predetermined installation location and connecting a cable for power supply, etc., to complete the installation work for the printer 5.

[0147] In particular, in the printer setting system 1, the device setting acquisition URL and communication setting information SN with a relatively small data size are transmitted between the mobile terminal 4 and the printer 5 using NFC connection, and the device setting information SD with a relatively large data size is transmitted from the server device 3 to the printer 5 using the network 8. As a result, in the printer setting system 1, while using the NFC connection by the NFC unit 76 with a relatively small storage capacity of the NFC storage unit 76M, it is possible to reflect all the device setting information SD with a relatively large data size due to including a relatively large number of setting items to the printer 5.

[0148] From another perspective, since the NFC unit 76 of the printer 5 is assumed to exchange, for example, authentication information of the user to be used and setting information regarding the wireless LAN with the smartphone after the operation is started, there is almost no need to store data of a relatively large capacity in the NFC storage unit 76M. For this reason, in the NFC unit 76, if the storage capacity of the NFC storage unit 76M is increased only for the purpose of receiving the device setting information SD performed at the time of installation, although labor saving of the setting work can be achieved, the cost performance deteriorates extremely.

[0149] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the NFC connection is used only for communication setting information SN for making the network 8 available and the device setting acquisition URL necessary for acquiring the device setting information SD from the server device 3 via the network 8. For this reason, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to expand the storage capacity of the NFC storage unit 76M, and it is not necessary to cause a decrease in cost performance.

[0150] In the printer setting system 1, the operator is made to input the device settings using the web browser being executed in the management device 2, and this is saved in the server device 3. Since this management device 2 is a general desktop type or notebook type computer device, its display unit 24 has a relatively large display area such as, for example, 21 inches (about 52 [cm]) or 15 inches (about 37.5 [cm]) in diagonal.

[0151] For this reason, in the printer setting system 1, compared with the case where the setting items are input using the touch panel 74 of the printer 5, the setting information of each printer 5 can be efficiently input collectively by the management device 2 having a display unit 24 that is sufficiently larger than this touch panel 74 and excellent in information listability and an operation unit 25 with good operability.

[0152] Furthermore, in the printer setting system 1, as a communication means between the mobile terminal 4 and the printer 5, an NFC connection that does not require power supply is used. For this reason, in the printer setting system, for example, without connecting a power cable to the printer 5, and further without the need to completely remove the printer 5 from the packing box or the like, the NFC connection can be realized only by exposing the NFC proximity area, and the device setting acquisition URL and the communication setting information SN can be written into the NFC storage unit 76M. Thereby, in the printer setting system 1, the work efficiency can be further improved as compared with the case of connecting the printer 5 to a power cable or the like.

[0153] According to the above configuration, in the printer setting system 1, the setting information input by the operator using the management device 2 is pre-stored in the server device 3, the mobile terminal 4 acquires the communication setting information SN of each printer 5 from the server device 3, and writes this together with the device setting acquisition URL into the NFC storage unit 76M of the printer 5 by NFC connection. When the power of the printer 5 is turned on, the printer 5 reflects the communication setting information SN read from the NFC storage unit 76M, and accesses the device setting acquisition URL via the network 8 to acquire and reflect the device setting information SD from the server device 3. Thereby, in the printer setting system 1, without causing the operator to perform a direct input operation on the printer 5, the installation work related to the printer 5 can be completed only by performing an extremely simple operation such as holding the mobile terminal 4 over it.

[0154] [5. Other Embodiments] In the above-described embodiments, the installation location information SL representing the installation location of each printer 5 is used as identification information for uniquely identifying the printer 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a node name which is an identification name on a network, a name using a serial number sequentially assigned within a company, or a name obtained by appropriately combining these, and various types of information that can uniquely identify each printer 5 may be used as the identification information. Alternatively, for example, an IP address that can uniquely identify each printer 5 in the network 8, a MAC address assigned to each communication interface, or the like, and various types of information assigned to each printer 5 regarding communication processing may be used as the identification information.

[0155] Also, in the above-described embodiments, the form in which an IP address, a subnet mask, and a default gateway are used as communication setting information SN which is information for performing communication using the network 8 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, some of these may be omitted, or various types of information for performing communication using the network 8, such as a DNS (Domain Name System) server name, may be combined.

[0156] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the form in which information to be written from the mobile terminal 4 to the printer 5 using NFC connection is the device setting acquisition URL and the communication setting information SN has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when information such as a user name and a password is required to access the server device 3, the information such as the user name and the password may be written together with the device setting acquisition URL and the like. In short, if there is information necessary for acquiring the device setting information SD from the server device 3, the information may be written using NFC connection.

[0157] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the form in which the mobile terminal 4 acquires the installation location information SL and the communication setting information SN of each printer from the server device 3 by the setting information providing processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 6) of the server device 3 and the printer setting processing procedure RT4 of the mobile terminal 4 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least one of the installation location information SL and the communication setting information SN may be stored in advance in the storage unit 52 (FIG. 1) of the mobile terminal 4. Alternatively, for example, the installation location information SL and the like may be stored in advance in a storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, and the storage medium may be connected to the mobile terminal 4 to read out the installation location information SL and the like.

[0158] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the form in which the setting information input by the operator via the web browser of the management device 2 is stored in the server-side setting information storage unit M3 (FIG. 2(A)) provided in the storage unit 32 of the server device 3 by the setting information registration processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 5) of the server device 3 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a display unit and an operation unit may be provided in the server device 3, and the operator may be allowed to input setting information while using the display unit and the operation unit, and this setting information may be stored in the server-side setting information storage unit M3.

[0159] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the form in which the server-side setting information storage unit M3 (FIG. 2(A)) is stored in the storage unit 32 of the server device 3 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mobile terminal 4 may include the function of the server device 3, and the server-side setting information storage unit M3 may be stored in the storage unit 52. In this case, the mobile terminal 4 can acquire the installation location information SL, the communication setting information SN, etc. from the storage unit 52 without accessing the server device 3.

[0160] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, when writing the device setting acquisition URL and the communication setting information SN from the mobile terminal 4 to the printer 5 using NFC connection, the form in which the power of the printer 5 is turned off has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after transitioning the power of the printer 5 to the on state, the device setting acquisition URL and the communication setting information SN may be written from the mobile terminal 4 to the printer 5 using NFC connection.

[0161] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the form in which NFC connection is used as the communication means when transmitting the installation location information SL and the communication setting information SN from the mobile terminal 4 to the printer 5 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various communication methods such as wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wired connection using a USB cable may be used to connect the two, and the installation location information SL and the communication setting information SN may be transmitted.

[0162] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, in step SP58 (FIG. 9) in the printer setting processing procedure RT4 of the mobile terminal 4, the form in which the mobile terminal 4 acquires the serial number of the printer 5 using NFC connection has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in step SP75 of the device setting processing procedure RT7 (FIG. 12) of the printer 5, when accessing the device setting acquisition URL, the serial number may be transmitted to the server device 3 using parameters or the like.

[0163] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the form in which the mobile terminal 4 which is a smartphone is used has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various information processing devices such as a tablet terminal, a notebook computer device, a tablet computer device, or a smartwatch may be used as the mobile terminal 4. In these cases, as the mobile terminal 4, it suffices to have an arithmetic processing unit that executes various programs, a storage unit that stores various information, a communication unit that complies with standards such as wireless LAN and NFC, a display unit that displays information, and an operation unit for performing operation input.

[0164] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the form in which the printer setting system 1 causes three printers 5 to acquire and reflect setting information has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the setting information may be acquired and reflected by two or less or four or more printers 5.

[0165] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the server device 3 reads and executes each program stored in advance in the storage unit 32 (FIG. 1) to perform each process such as the setting information registration and provision process procedure RT1 (FIG. 4) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the server device 3 may download and execute each program from various network devices (not shown) connected to the network 8. The same applies to the mobile terminal 4.

[0166] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the form in which the printer 5 is configured as a single-function SFP (Single Function Printer) having only a printing function without an image scanner function or a communication function using a telephone line has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the printer 5 may be configured as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) having an image scanner function or a communication function using a telephone line.

[0167] Furthermore, in the printer setting system 1 as a communication device setting system, the form in which the printer 5 capable of performing printing processing (image forming processing) and communication processing via the network 8 is used as a communication device and settings for enabling the use of the functions of the communication device (for example, the printing function) have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, settings for enabling use may be performed on various electronic devices capable of establishing a communication connection with the server device 3 via the network 8 by having a communication function.

[0168] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to each of the above-described embodiments and other embodiments. That is, the present invention applies to embodiments in which any combination of some or all of the above-described embodiments and the above-described other embodiments is arbitrarily combined. In addition, the present invention extracts a part of the configuration described in any of the above-described embodiments and other embodiments, and replaces or transfers it with a part of the configuration of any of the above-described embodiments and other embodiments, or adds a part of the extracted configuration to any of the embodiments. The scope of application also extends to the described embodiments.

[0169] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the printer 5 as a communication device is configured by the NFC unit 76 as the first communication unit, the communication unit 73 as the second communication unit, the setting information acquisition unit 83 as the communication setting information acquisition unit and the device setting information acquisition unit, and the setting information reflection unit 82 as the communication setting unit and the device setting reflection unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a communication device may be configured by a first communication unit having various other configurations, a second communication unit, a communication setting information acquisition unit, a communication setting unit, a device setting information acquisition unit, and a device setting reflection unit.

Industrial Applicability

[0170] The present invention can be used, for example, when setting a printer using a mobile terminal.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0171] 1... Printer setting system, 2... Management device, 3... Server device, 4... Mobile terminal, 5... Printer, 8... Network, 12... Memory unit, 31... Control unit, 32... Memory unit, 33... Communication unit, 34... Display unit, 41... Communication control unit, 42... Display control unit, 43... Setting information registration unit, 44... Setting information providing unit, 51... Control unit, 52... Memory unit, 53... Communication unit, 54... Touch panel, 56... NFC unit, 56M... NFC memory unit, 61... Display control unit, 62... Setting information acquisition unit, 63... Acquisition URL generation unit, 64... Setting information writing unit, 71... Control unit, 72... Memory unit, 73... Communication unit, 74... Touch panel, 76... NFC unit, 76M... NFC memory unit, 81... Setting information reading unit, 82... Setting information reflecting unit, 83... Setting information acquisition unit, M3... Server-side setting information storage unit, M4... Terminal-side setting information storage unit, SD... Device setting information, SL... Installation location information, SN... Communication setting information, SS... Serial number, ST... Writing status.

Claims

1. A communication device setting method for setting a communication device, comprising: a communication setting information receiving step of receiving, from a terminal device, communication setting information for performing communication processing and access information for accessing an information providing device via a first communication means using short-range wireless communication; a communication setting step of setting a second communication means to a state in which communication processing is possible based on the communication setting information; a device setting information receiving step of accessing the information providing device via the second communication means based on the access information and receiving device setting information representing setting contents of the communication device; a device setting reflection step of reflecting the device setting information in the device setting of the communication device A communication device setting method characterized by comprising the above steps.

2. In the communication setting information receiving step, the communication setting information for performing the communication processing by the second communication means and the access information for accessing the information providing device by the second communication means are received from the terminal device. The communication device setting method according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The device setting information receiving step and the device setting reflection step are executed when the power of the communication device is on. The communication device setting method according to claim 1, characterized in that.

4. Further comprising a power state transition step of transitioning the power of the communication device from an off state to an on state between the communication setting information receiving step and the communication setting step. The communication device setting method according to claim 1, characterized in that.

5. Further comprising a communication setting acquisition step in which the terminal device acquires the communication setting information from the information providing device before the communication setting information receiving step. The communication device setting method according to claim 1, characterized in that.

6. The information providing device holds a plurality of pieces of the device setting information respectively corresponding to a plurality of the communication devices, and associates each of them with at least a part of the communication setting information of the communication device. In the device setting information receiving step, at least a part of the communication setting information stored in the communication device is used to receive the device setting information corresponding to the communication device among the plurality of pieces of communication setting information. The communication device setting method according to claim 1, characterized in that.

7. Before the communication setting information receiving step, an access information generation step in which the terminal device generates the access information based on the attribute information of the communication device The communication device setting method according to claim 1, further comprising

8. The attribute information is identification information that can uniquely identify the communication device or position information representing the position where the communication device is installed The communication device setting method according to claim 7, characterized in that

9. Before the communication setting information receiving step, an access information acquisition step in which the terminal device acquires the access information from the information providing device The communication device setting method according to claim 1, further comprising

10. The communication setting step sets the communication device from a state in which the communication process cannot be performed by the second communication means to a state in which the communication process can be performed The communication device setting method according to claim 1, characterized in that

11. A first communication unit that performs communication processing with a terminal device by a first communication means using short-range wireless communication; A second communication unit that performs communication processing based on communication setting information by a second communication means; A communication setting information acquisition unit that acquires the communication setting information and access information for accessing an information providing device from the terminal device by the first communication means using the first communication unit; A communication setting unit that sets the second communication unit to a state in which the communication process by the second communication means can be executed based on the communication setting information acquired by the first communication means; An apparatus setting information acquisition unit that accesses the information providing device via the second communication means using the second communication unit based on the access information acquired by the first communication means and acquires apparatus setting information representing the setting content of the communication device; An apparatus setting reflection unit that reflects the apparatus setting information in the apparatus setting of the communication device A communication device, characterized by comprising

12. A communication device setting system for setting a communication device via an information providing device and a terminal device, The terminal device is A terminal-side first communication unit that performs communication processing with the communication device by a first communication means using short-range wireless communication; A communication setting information supply unit that supplies communication setting information for performing communication processing by a second communication means and access information for accessing the information providing device by the second communication means to the communication device via the first communication means Comprising The communication device is A first communication unit that performs the communication processing with the terminal device by the first communication means; A second communication unit that performs the communication processing based on the communication setting information by the second communication means; A communication setting information acquisition unit that acquires the communication setting information and the access information from the terminal device by the first communication means using the first communication unit; A communication setting unit that sets the second communication unit to a state in which the communication process by the second communication means can be executed based on the communication setting information acquired by the first communication means; An apparatus setting reflection unit that accesses the information providing apparatus by the second communication means using the second communication unit based on the access information acquired by the first communication means, and reflects apparatus setting information representing the setting content of the communication apparatus in the apparatus setting of the communication apparatus A communication apparatus setting system characterized by comprising:

13. The communication apparatus further comprises an apparatus setting acquisition unit that acquires the apparatus setting information ; The apparatus setting reflection unit of the communication apparatus reflects the apparatus setting information acquired by the apparatus setting acquisition unit in the apparatus setting of the communication apparatus The communication apparatus setting system according to claim 12, characterized in that.

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