Information processor, information processor control method, and program

Abstract

To make it possible to execute other works concurrently within an allowable range even under such situation that import of set value data is performed.SOLUTION: During execution of set value data import for updating all set values of object setting items at once, a set value data confirmation part 218 determines whether or not at least a part of setting items of which the set value is updated in association with import of the set value data is a setting item of which a set value can be changed by user operation. A setting screen control part 219 executes either first processing concerning restriction of set value change reception for the setting item in which it has been determined that the set value can be changed by user operation or second processing concerning notification of information that may be changed in association with import of the set data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a control method for an information processing device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] When introducing a new device such as an image forming device, initial installation work may be performed in advance depending on the environment in which the device will be used and the user. The initial installation work may include not only the installation of hardware options (such as a finisher that performs finishing processes on printed materials), but also the configuration of the device's control program, the activation of licenses for extended functions, and the installation of extended programs. To simplify these tasks, there are programs that store installation instruction information, including the execution procedures for the initial installation work, control programs, and expansion programs, on a portable storage medium, and then insert the medium into the device to be initially installed to automatically perform the initial installation work.Similarly, there are also programs that store installation instruction information on a server connected via the cloud or network, and communicate with the target device to automatically perform the initial installation work. By using the above-mentioned mechanism to import setting value data, it is possible to automatically change the settings to the desired values all at once, which allows the installation work to be completed in a short time and prevents setting errors because no human intervention is required.In addition, by performing manual tasks (such as adjusting density when printing), operation checks, and setting value registration in parallel while the above-mentioned program is running, the installation work can be completed even more efficiently in a short time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-94683 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] On the other hand, if the import of setting value data is executed after a desired setting value has been changed, the setting value may be overwritten, and the state of the device after the initial installation work is completed may differ from what the user expected. To address this issue, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for restricting the import of setting value data when the import of setting value data has been reserved, so that subsequent imports of setting value data are not accepted. However, if all setting value changes are blocked while the setting value data is being imported, it becomes difficult to make any other setting value changes without waiting until the import is complete, which may result in a loss of work time.

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to make it possible to execute other tasks in parallel within an allowable range even when importing setting value data is being executed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device according to the present invention is characterized by having: a determination means for determining, during the import of setting value data that updates the setting values of target setting items collectively, whether at least some of the setting items whose setting values will be updated as a result of the import of setting value data are setting items whose setting values can be changed by user operation; and a control means for controlling the execution of either a first process relating to restricting the acceptance of setting value changes or a second process relating to notification of information that the setting values may be changed as a result of the import of the setting data, for the setting items determined by the determination means to be changeable by user operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, even when the import of setting value data is being executed, other tasks can be executed in parallel within an allowable range. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of a main controller. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by an image forming apparatus. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen of the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] First Embodiment An example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 100. This control is realized, for example, by the CPU 111 reading out a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112 or a flash memory 114 into a RAM (Read Only Memory) 113 and executing the program. The ROM 112 is a storage area for storing various programs and various data, and stores, for example, a boot program, BIOS, and fixed parameters of the main controller 110. The RAM 113 is a storage area for temporarily storing various programs and data, and is used, for example, to store programs and temporary data when the CPU 111 controls the operation of the main controller 110. Flash memory 114 is a storage area that stores a loader, a kernel, applications, etc. In addition to the executable program, flash memory 114 can also store license information for enabling functions of image forming apparatus 100, signatures and public keys used for verification when detecting program tampering, etc. The HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 115 is a storage area for storing various programs and various data. The HDD 115 stores, for example, some applications, various data, and print data received from an external device (e.g., PC 190) via the network I / F 123.

[0011] A print application program is included in the programs read from flash memory 114 and executed by CPU 111. By executing this print application program, print data stored in HDD 115 is converted into image data that can be printed by printer unit 140, and the image data is also stored in HDD 115. Furthermore, the firmware that is read from flash memory 114 and executed by CPU 111 includes a scanning application program. When this scanning application program is executed, image data is read by scanner unit 150 and the read image data is transferred to HDD 115. Then, the read image data is stored in HDD 115.

[0012] The operation section I / F (Interface) 116 is an I / F for transmitting instructions input by the user of the image forming apparatus 100 via the operation section unit 130 to the CPU 111. The operation section I / F 116 also receives processing content for switching the content to be displayed on the operation section unit 130 from the CPU 111 and transmits the processing content to the operation section unit 130. The operation section unit 130 is equipped with a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function, a keyboard, etc., and displays the status of the image forming apparatus 100 and operation menus, and receives instructions from the user.

[0013] The printer I / F 117 is an interface for connecting the main controller 110 and the printer unit 140. The printer unit 140 prints on a recording medium such as paper based on image data transferred from the HDD 115 via the printer I / F 117. The scanner I / F 118 is an interface for connecting the main controller 110 and the scanner unit 150. The scanner unit 150 (an input means for inputting image data) reads an image on a document as image data using a line sensor configured with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or the like. The scanner unit 150 then transfers the read image data to the HDD 115 via the scanner I / F 118. The image data stored in the HDD 115 or the like can be printed by the printer unit 140 described above. By printing the image data read by the scanner unit 150 with the printer unit 140, a copying process can be realized.

[0014] The USB-Host I / F 119 is an interface for connecting the main controller 110 and an external USB device 170 . An example of the external USB device 170 is a fax unit. The fax unit sends faxes based on image data transferred from the HDD 115 via the USB-Host I / F 119. The fax unit also generates image data based on received data and transfers the image data to the HDD 115 via the USB-Host I / F 119. The image data stored in the HDD 115 is printed onto a storage medium by the printer unit 140, as described above. Further, a USB memory, a USB keyboard, etc. can also be cited as examples of the external USB device 170. Update files used for firmware updates can also be transferred from the USB memory.

[0015] The network I / F 120 connects the main controller 110 to a network such as a LAN 160, and communicates with other devices (e.g., a PC 190) connected to the network. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 (main controller 110) is connected to the LAN 160 via the network I / F 120. The PC 190 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via the LAN 160, and transmits print data to the image forming apparatus 100, operates the apparatus via a web browser, and transfers firmware files. Furthermore, image forming apparatus 100 is connected to server device 180 via LAN 160, and can set server device 180 as a destination of scan data and various logs. Regarding the transmission means here, the protocol applied to the transmission of various data is not particularly limited, and for example, SMTP, FTP, etc. can be applied. Furthermore, the server device 180 can be used as a storage location for settings and data that are applied when the image forming device 100 realizes various functions. However, depending on the installation environment of the image forming device 100, it is conceivable that the image forming device 100 will not be connected to the server device 180. Furthermore, the components described as the server device in this embodiment may be realized as a so-called network service such as a cloud service.

[0016] An example of the software configuration of the main controller 110 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2, focusing particularly on the software executed during firmware update. Note that the software programs shown in Fig. 2 are stored in the flash memory 114 shown in Fig. 1. Furthermore, the portion of the image forming apparatus 100 that corresponds to the main controller 110 in particular corresponds to an example of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] The startup control unit 211 is a program that controls the processing at the time of startup of the image forming apparatus 100, and starts up the OS (operating system) of the main controller 110 and launches the basic system for running various programs. The operation section control section 212 is a program for controlling the operation section unit 130 via the operation section I / F 116 . The printer control unit 213 is a program that controls the printer unit 140 via the printer I / F 117. The scanner control unit 214 is a program that controls the scanner unit 150 via the scanner I / F 118. The image processing unit 215 performs various image processing on the scan data received via the scanner control unit 214 and the print data received via the printer control unit 213. The USB control unit 216 is a program for controlling a USB device connected via the USB-Host I / F 119. As a specific example, when a USB device that stores setting value data is connected, the USB control unit 216 manages the data. The communication control unit 217 communicates with external devices such as the server device 180 and the PC 190 via the network I / F 120. Communication with external devices is performed via the LAN 160, and this communication is used to transmit scan data and transfer setting value data used for data inspection. The communication control unit 217 also interacts with an initial installation system running on the server device 180, sending and receiving setting value data. The transferred files are saved in the HDD 115.

[0018] The setting value data confirmation unit 218 checks the contents of the acquired setting value data and confirms which setting items the setting values of which will be updated. Some setting items have setting values determined in conjunction with other items. Therefore, if there is a setting item whose setting value is determined in conjunction with other items, the setting value data confirmation unit 218 checks whether the interlocking setting item is also to be updated. The setting screen control unit 219 controls the display mode, such as by masking affected items among the series of setting items presented on the setting screen, based on the content confirmed by the setting value data confirmation unit 218. For items whose display mode has been controlled in this way (for example, masked items), operations such as changing setting values are restricted while the setting value data is being imported. Furthermore, the setting screen control unit 219 may restrict operations such as changing setting values for the setting items by masking a menu for displaying a setting screen corresponding to the target setting item.

[0019] The user data management unit 220 manages data for each individual user. The data to be managed may include an address book used for faxing, scanned data stored in the BOX function, and various setting values. When an operational problem occurs, the error notification control unit 221 displays the details of the error on the operation unit 130. The authentication control unit 222 manages authentication information for each user and accepts authentication operations when using the image forming apparatus 100. By using the authentication information according to the authentication result by the authentication control unit 222, it becomes possible to read data linked to the authority of the user who is the subject of the authentication from the user data management unit 220.

[0020] An example of processing by the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3, focusing particularly on processing for blocking setting operations by the user while importing setting value data.

[0021] In S301, the user data management unit 220 receives an instruction for batch import of setting value data. 5 shows an example of an operation screen displayed on the operation unit 130 during initial installation of the image forming apparatus 100. The operation screen presents a list of tasks to be performed during initial installation of the image forming apparatus 100 as an initial installation execution menu, and each task is executed in sequence to import setting values collectively in a series of processes. It is possible to execute other processes in parallel even while the setting values are being imported. By applying such control, it is expected that the installation time of the image forming apparatus 100 can be reduced. The setting value data is input to the image forming apparatus 100 from an external USB via the USB control unit 216, or is input by the user via the communication control unit 217, and the accepted data is decoded and read. There are no particular limitations on the data format of the accepted data, and it may be, for example, XML format or a unique format.

[0022] In S302, the setting value data confirmation unit 218 confirms which setting items will have their setting values updated as a result of importing the setting value data. In S303, the setting value data confirmation unit 218 determines whether or not at least some of the series of setting items read in S302 include a setting item whose setting value may be changed by a user operation. If the setting value data confirmation unit 218 determines in S303 that there is a setting item whose setting value can be changed by a user operation, the process proceeds to S304. On the other hand, if the setting value data confirmation unit 218 determines in S303 that there is no setting item whose setting value can be changed by a user operation, the process proceeds to S309.

[0023] In S304, the setting screen control unit 219 controls the setting items for which the setting value data confirmation unit 218 determined in S303 that the setting value can be changed by user operation so that changing the setting value from the setting screen is restricted (for example, so that setting is not performed). For example, FIG. 4 shows an example of a setting screen when IP address settings are included in the setting value data. Specifically, Fig. 4(a) shows an example of a setting screen in which the target setting item is grayed out to restrict changes to the setting value. In the example shown in Fig. 4(a), the setting item shown as "IP address setting" is grayed out, blocking the setting of that setting item. Also, Fig. 4(b) shows an example of a setting screen in which the input field for the target setting item is grayed out to block input of the setting value for that setting item. In the example shown in Fig. 4(b), the input field for the setting item shown as "IP Address" is grayed out to block the user from changing the setting value for that setting item. Note that the above is merely an example, and there are no particular limitations on the method as long as it is possible to block changes to the setting values of the target setting items via the setting screen. In addition to directly affecting setting items, other setting items that have dependencies on the setting item in question, or other setting items whose setting values are updated in conjunction with the setting item in question, may also be restricted from changing their setting values by controlling them to be grayed out or the like. It is also possible to block changes to the setting values of a setting item by applying control such as graying out a menu for displaying a setting screen corresponding to the setting item in question. For example, Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen on which menus for displaying various setting screens are presented. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the display of the setting screen is blocked by graying out the menu for displaying the setting screen corresponding to the various setting items. This blocks changes to the setting values of the corresponding setting items through user operations.

[0024] In S309, the setting screen control unit 219 controls the setting screen so that changes to the setting values from the user are accepted, since the setting value data confirmation unit 218 determined in S303 that the setting value data does not include any setting items for which the user can change the setting values.

[0025] In S305, the user data management unit 220 imports the setting values based on the target setting value data. In S306, the user data management unit 220 determines whether or not the import of the series of setting values described in the setting value data has been completed. If the user data management unit 220 determines in S306 that the import of the series of setting values described in the setting value data has not been completed (if there are setting items for which the import has not been completed), the process proceeds to S305. In this case, the user data management unit 220 imports the setting values for the setting items for which the import has not been completed. If the user data management unit 220 determines in S306 that the import of the series of setting values described in the setting value data has been completed, the process proceeds to S307.

[0026] In S307, the user data management unit 220 reflects the setting value data. The imported setting values are reflected immediately or after a reboot, depending on the target setting item. Therefore, the user data management unit 220 determines whether a reboot is necessary depending on the setting item whose setting value has been updated as a result of the import, and then, if necessary, reboots the image forming apparatus 100 to reflect the updated setting values. In S308, upon receiving that the target setting value data has been reflected, the setting screen control unit 219 removes the restriction on settings on the setting screen (for example, blocking by input mask).

[0027] By applying the above control, changes to the setting values by user operations are restricted for setting items that are affected by the import of setting value data, while changes to the setting values by user operations are permitted for setting items that are not affected by the import. By applying such control, it becomes possible to perform setting work in parallel with the import process to the extent that it is not affected by the import of setting data, thereby enabling the installation work of image forming apparatus 100 to be performed efficiently.

[0028] <Second embodiment> In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which operations on the setting screen for setting values included in the setting value data are restricted by masking or the like. On the other hand, it is also possible to imagine a situation in which setting values are temporarily changed, for example, to check operation, while recognizing that the setting values will be overwritten when setting value data is imported. A specific example is a situation in which the network settings are temporarily rewritten and then the connection with the server is checked. In such a case, if operations via the setting screen are restricted by a mask or the like, it may be difficult to perform work until the import of the setting data is completed, resulting in a loss of time. In view of such a situation, in the second embodiment, an example will be described in which operations via the setting screen are not restricted by a mask or the like, and information for alerting the user is notified (for example, a pop-up screen is displayed).

[0029] 7, an example of the processing of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described, focusing on the processing when the above-mentioned pop-up display for calling attention is displayed on a setting screen that is affected by the import of setting value data. Note that the processing of S301 to S303, S305 to S307, and S309 is substantially the same as the example described with reference to FIG. 3, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0030] If the setting value data confirmation unit 218 determines in S303 that there is a setting item whose setting value can be changed by a user operation, the process proceeds to S701. In S701, the setting screen control unit 219 pre-registers a setting screen for setting values that will be affected by the import of setting value data. Then, when a user instructs the setting screen control unit 219 to display the registered setting screen, the setting screen control unit 219 notifies the user that the import of setting values is being executed in the background by displaying a pop-up screen such as that shown in FIG. 8. This notification allows the user to determine whether or not to set the target setting items. This is expected to have the effect of preventing the occurrence of a situation in which setting values are changed unintentionally by the user. Furthermore, in the case where the setting screen control unit 219 has displayed a pop-up screen in S701, the setting screen control unit 219 cancels the pop-up display setting in S702 upon receiving the completion of importing the setting data.

[0031] As described above, in this embodiment, the user's operation is not restricted, but a pop-up display alerts the user, allowing the user to change the setting values of the target items. Therefore, after the setting value data is updated, a control may be applied to output a setting change report showing the updated setting values so that the user can confirm whether the setting values are as desired. In this case, the user data management unit 220 determines the difference between the setting values at the time of receiving the setting value data and the updated setting value, and outputs the report using the printer control unit 213. By applying such control, the user can check from the output report whether the setting value changes are as intended. In this case, information indicating that the user has manually changed the settings of the items may be added to the report in association with the items in question (for example, a marker, etc.) so that the items in question can be identified.

[0032] By applying the control described above, the user can intentionally change the settings even when the setting data is being imported. <Other embodiments> The present invention is a process in which software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-described embodiments are supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the programs. In this case, the programs and the storage media storing the programs constitute the present invention. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as set forth in the claims. As a specific example, the above-described embodiment has been described focusing mainly on an image forming apparatus and a case where setting value data is imported during installation of the apparatus, but this does not limit the scope of application of the technology disclosed herein. In other words, the technology disclosed herein can be applied not only to image forming apparatuses but also to other apparatuses as long as setting values for one or more setting items are set or updated by importing data equivalent to the setting value data described above. Furthermore, although the first and second embodiments have been described separately above, these embodiments may be applied in combination. As a specific example, when importing setting value data, whether to apply a restriction on changing setting values in response to a user operation or a notification of information that the setting values may be changed as the setting value data is imported may be changed depending on the target setting item. Note that the process related to the restriction on changing setting values in response to a user operation corresponds to an example of a first process, and the process related to the notification of information that the setting values may be changed as the setting value data is imported corresponds to an example of a second process. Furthermore, some of the functions of the image forming apparatus according to the above embodiments may be implemented by a device other than the image forming apparatus. For example, import of setting value data into the image forming apparatus may be performed in response to an instruction from a device (such as PC 190) other than the image forming apparatus. In this case, instructions from a user may be received via an operation screen displayed on the other device. In this case, the other device itself or a server that displays the operation screen on the other device may be responsible for restricting changes to setting values in response to user operations or for notifying the user of the possibility that setting values may be changed as a result of the import of setting value data.

[0033] The disclosure of this embodiment also includes the following configurations, methods, and programs. (Configuration 1) An information processing device characterized by having: a determination means for determining, during execution of an import of setting value data that updates the setting values of target setting items in a lump, whether at least some of the setting items whose setting values are updated as a result of the import of the setting value data are setting items whose setting values can be changed by user operation; and a control means for controlling the execution of either a first process relating to restricting acceptance of setting value changes or a second process relating to notifying information that the setting values may be changed as a result of the import of the setting data, for setting items determined by the determination means to be changeable by user operation. (Configuration 2) The information processing device according to configuration 1, characterized in that the control means controls the device so that, for setting items other than those determined by the determination means to have their setting values changeable by user operation, changes to the setting values are allowed even while the import of the setting value data is being performed. (Configuration 3) An information processing device according to configuration 1 or 2, further comprising an output means for outputting a report indicating setting values changed by importing the setting data, wherein the output means, when the second process is executed, outputs the report indicating setting items whose setting values were changed by user operation during the import of the setting data. (Configuration 4) The information processing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the control means changes whether the first processing or the second processing is to be executed depending on the target setting item. (Method 1) A control method for an information processing device, comprising: a determination step of determining, during execution of an import of setting value data that updates the setting values of target setting items in bulk, whether at least some of the setting items whose setting values will be updated as a result of the import of the setting value data are setting items whose setting values can be changed by user operation; and a control step of controlling to execute, for setting items whose setting values are determined in the determination step to be changeable by user operation, either a first process relating to restricting acceptance of setting value changes or a second process relating to notification of information that the setting values may be changed as a result of the import of the setting data. (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to function as an information processing device, characterized by having: a determination means for determining, during execution of an import of setting value data that updates the setting values of target setting items in a lump, whether at least some of the setting items whose setting values are updated as a result of the import of the setting value data are setting items whose setting values can be changed by user operation; and a control means for controlling the execution of either a first process relating to restricting the acceptance of setting value changes or a second process relating to notification of information that the setting values may be changed as a result of the import of the setting data, for setting items determined by the determination means to be changeable by user operation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 100 Image forming device 218 Setting value data confirmation section 219 Setting screen control section

Claims

1. a determination means for determining whether or not at least some of the setting items whose setting values are to be updated as a result of the import of setting value data, during the import of setting value data that collectively updates the setting values of the target setting items, are setting items whose setting values can be changed by a user operation; a control means for controlling the execution of either a first process relating to limiting acceptance of changes to the setting value for the setting item determined by the determination means as being changeable by a user operation, or a second process relating to notifying information that the setting value may be changed as a result of importing the setting data; An information processing device comprising:

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls so that, for setting items other than the setting items whose setting values are determined by the determination means to be changeable by user operation, changes to the setting values are allowed even while the setting value data is being imported.

3. an output means for outputting a report showing the setting values changed by importing the setting data; When the second process is executed, the output means outputs the report indicating the setting items whose setting values have been changed by a user operation during the import of the setting data.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

4. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means changes whether said first process or said second process is to be executed depending on a target setting item.

5. A control method for an information processing device, comprising: a determination step of determining whether or not at least some of the setting items whose setting values are to be updated as a result of the import of setting value data, during the import of setting value data that collectively updates the setting values of the target setting items, are setting items whose setting values can be changed by a user operation; a control step of controlling execution of either a first process relating to limiting acceptance of changes to the setting value or a second process relating to notifying information that the setting value may be changed as a result of importing the setting data, for the setting item whose setting value is determined to be changeable by a user operation in the determination step; 10. A method for controlling an information processing device, comprising:

6. Computer, a determination means for determining whether or not at least some of the setting items whose setting values are to be updated as a result of the import of setting value data, during the import of setting value data that collectively updates the setting values of the target setting items, are setting items whose setting values can be changed by a user operation; a control means for controlling the execution of either a first process relating to limiting acceptance of changes to the setting value for the setting item determined by the determination means as being changeable by a user operation, or a second process relating to notifying information that the setting value may be changed as a result of importing the setting data; A program for causing an information processing device to function, comprising:

Images