Information processing apparatus and method of controlling information processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus that displays a setting screen with an appropriate content at an appropriate timing.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes a controller, a display, and an operation accepter. The controller performs an initial setting process in which at a time of initial startup, a setting screen in a wizard form to receive a setting of a setting value is displayed on the display and an operation performed to set the setting value is received via the operation acceptor, and an update setting process in which when a predetermined condition after the initial startup is satisfied, the setting screen is displayed on the display and an operation performed to update the setting value is received via the operation acceptor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Some information processing devices, such as multi-function printers (MFPs) and image forming devices, display an initial setup screen when they are turned on for the first time from the factory default state. This type of initial setup screen can be in wizard format. A wizard-style setting screen is a setting screen that presents setting items to the operator in an interactive format and prompts the operator to enter setting values for those setting items. Hereinafter, a wizard-style initial setup screen will be referred to as an initial setup wizard.

[0003] Conventional initial setup wizards are displayed only once when the power is turned on for the first time in the factory default state. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that settings are performed when the device is first started up so that the user can easily perform settings without any omissions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-156206 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present disclosure provides, for example, an information processing device or the like that can display a setting screen with appropriate content at an appropriate timing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure provides an information processing device that includes a control unit, a display unit, and an operation unit, and the control unit executes an initial setting process that, upon initial startup, displays a wizard-style setting screen on the display unit to accept settings of setting values, and accepts operations for setting the setting values via the operation unit, and an update setting process that, if predetermined conditions are met after the initial startup, displays the setting screen on the display unit and accepts operations for updating the setting values via the operation unit.

[0007] The present disclosure also provides a control method for an information processing device, including an initial setting process that, at the time of initial startup, displays a wizard-style setting screen on the display unit to accept settings of setting values and accepts operations to set the setting values, and an update setting process that, if predetermined conditions are met after the initial startup, displays the setting screen and accepts operations to update the setting values. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing device that can display the initial setup wizard at times other than when the power is turned on for the first time from the factory default state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram of a multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of an initial state of a state management table used in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of an initial state of a display management table used in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a displayed state of a display management table used in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 6]2 is a diagram for explaining selectable main body security modes in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 7] 6 is a flowchart for explaining an initial setting wizard display process executed by the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation executed when the main body of the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is started up (when the power is turned on / when the multifunction peripheral is restarted). [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart for explaining an initial setting wizard initialization process executed by the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 5 is a flowchart for explaining a main body firmware update process executed by the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of initializing an initial setting wizard in response to the initialization of specific settings, which is executed by a multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation executed by a multifunction peripheral according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure to initialize an initial setting wizard in response to a change in the main body security mode. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation executed by a multifunction peripheral according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure when the main body security mode is changed. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation executed by a multifunction peripheral according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure when a specific setting is initialized. [Figure 15] 13 is a flowchart for explaining an initial setting wizard initialization process executed by a multifunction peripheral according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the screen configuration of an initial setting wizard displayed on a multifunction peripheral according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the state of a display management table used in a multifunction peripheral according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating the state of the display management table after the power is turned on for the first time after shipping from the factory and an initial setting wizard is displayed. [Figure 18] 16 is an example of the state of a display management table used in a multifunction peripheral according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the state of the display management table after the initial setting wizard initialization process of FIG. 15 has been executed. [Figure 19] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a main body firmware update process executed by a multifunction peripheral according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an initial setting wizard advance notification screen displayed by a multifunction peripheral according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In a typical information processing device, when a user starts using the device after it has been shipped, there are certain setting items (hereinafter referred to as initial setting items) that the manufacturer wants the user to configure or check the initial values for before using the device.

[0011] The initial setup items include basic settings such as language settings, as well as security-related items that must be set, and settings for the product's distinctive functions. To enable users to set the initial setup items quickly and completely, it is common practice to display an initial setup wizard as the initial setup screen when the product is turned on for the first time.

[0012] However, once the initial setup wizard is run, it usually does not appear again until the device is completely initialized, limiting the opportunities for manufacturers to present initial setup items to users.

[0013] Furthermore, information processing devices are generally becoming more sophisticated, particularly in terms of information security requirements. Therefore, in information processing devices, setting items that are not set on the initial setup screen may be added later to currently operating information processing devices or changed later through firmware updates, etc. Examples of such setting items that are added or changed later include setting items related to authentication and setting items for secure network connections.

[0014] This poses a problem in that simply running the initial setup wizard only at the first startup may result in the information processing device being used continuously with insufficient settings.

[0015] An information processing device for solving one or more of these problems will be described in the following embodiments. In the following embodiments, a case where the information processing device of the present disclosure is applied to an image forming apparatus will be described. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the description of the following embodiments.

[0016] [1. First embodiment] [1.1 Hardware configuration of the multifunction device] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction peripheral 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the multifunction peripheral 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The multifunction peripheral 1 is a type of image forming device. A multifunction peripheral is also called an MFP (Multi-Function Printer / Peripheral) and has multiple functions, typically including a copy function, an image scanner function, a facsimile function, and a printer function. The multifunction peripheral 1 may also have other functions, such as an email sending / receiving function and a file server function. The multifunction peripheral 1 includes a control unit 3, a storage unit 5, a display unit 7, an operation unit 9, an image input unit 11, an image forming unit 13, a communication unit 15, and a connection unit 17.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1, multifunction device 1 generates image data from an original read by image input unit 11, and image forming unit 13 forms an image on a recording medium (e.g., recording paper) fed from a paper feed unit. Furthermore, multifunction device 1 allows a user to set, for example, the number of copies to be printed and the state of the image to be generated by operating operation unit 9. Furthermore, multifunction device 1 displays an initial setting wizard on display unit 7 when powered on or under certain conditions.

[0018] The display unit 7 and the operation unit 9 may be integrally formed using a touch panel device or the like. When the user operates the software keys displayed on the display unit 7, the multifunction device 1 can receive operation input from the user.

[0019] The control unit 3 controls the entire multifunction device 1. The control unit 3 is made up of one or more control devices and control circuits, and is made up of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) which is a processor that executes various types of arithmetic processing, an SoC (System on a Chip), etc.

[0020] Furthermore, the control unit 3 can realize each function by reading out and executing the programs stored in the storage unit 5. The control unit 3 may function as an initial setting processing unit 3a and an update setting processing unit 3b by reading out and executing the programs stored in the storage unit 5.

[0021] When the power is first turned on from the factory default state of the multifunction device 1, the initial setting processing unit 3a displays a wizard-style setting screen on the display unit 13 to accept the setting of setting values, and executes a process to accept operations to set the setting values via the operation unit 15.

[0022] When the power is turned on for the first time from the factory default state of the multifunction device 1 and a predetermined condition (specific condition) is met, the update setting processing unit 3b displays a setting screen on the display unit 13 and executes a process to accept an operation to update the setting value via the operation unit 15.

[0023] The storage unit 5 stores various programs and data necessary for the operation of the multifunction peripheral 1. The storage unit 5 may include one or more storage devices capable of temporary storage, such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or non-temporary storage devices, such as a solid state drive (SSD) made of semiconductor memory or a hard disk drive (HDD) made of a magnetic disk. For convenience of explanation, the storage unit 5 is shown as a single unit. However, the storage unit 5 may be configured as separate devices for different purposes, such as an area used for executing programs (main storage area), an area for saving programs and data (auxiliary storage area), and an area used for caching. The storage unit 5 particularly stores a status management table 5a and a display management table 5b. The storage unit 5 also stores setting values for various setting items, including initial setting items. The status management table 5a and the display management table 5b will be described in detail below.

[0024] The display unit 7 displays images and characters. For example, it is configured with a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel, etc. The display unit 7 may be a standalone display device, or may further include an externally connected display device.

[0025] The operation unit 9 accepts operation inputs from a user. For example, the operation unit 9 is configured with hardware keys and / or software keys. The operation unit 9 also includes operation keys such as task keys for issuing instructions to execute tasks such as sending a fax or scanning an image, and a stop key for issuing an instruction to cancel an operation.

[0026] The image input unit 11 reads an image (original) and outputs it as image data. The image input unit 11 is configured with a general scanner (image input device). The image input unit 11 may input image data from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may receive an image via a network.

[0027] Image forming unit 13 forms (prints) an image on a medium such as copy paper based on image data. The printing method of image forming unit 13 is arbitrary, and may be, for example, an inkjet printer, a laser printer, a thermal transfer printer, etc. Image forming unit 13 may be a monochrome printer or a color printer. Image forming unit 13 may include a paper feed mechanism that supplies media, a transport mechanism that transports media, a sorter mechanism that sorts media after images have been formed, etc.

[0028] The communication unit 15 connects to a network. For example, it is configured with an interface that can connect to a wired LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless LAN, or an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network. When the communication unit 15 is connected to a network, it is connected to other devices or an external network. In addition, the communication unit 15 may be an interface that performs short-range wireless communication, such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0029] The connection unit 17 connects the multifunction peripheral 1 to other devices. For example, the connection unit 17 is a USB interface to which a USB memory or the like is connected. Furthermore, the connection unit 17 may be an interface other than a USB interface, such as HDMI (registered trademark).

[0030] [1.2 Table] [1.2.1 Status Management Table] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the initial state of the status management table 5a used in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The status management table 5a is a table that stores flags indicating the status of the multifunction peripheral 1, and the status management table 21 is an example of the status management table 5a in which values of the initial state are stored. The status management table 5a (21) is composed of a flag number (flag No.) 5a1, an item name 5a2, and a flag value 5a3. The flag number 5a1 is an identification number that uniquely identifies one record in the status management table 5a (21). The item name 5a2 is the name of the item indicated by that record. The flag value 5a3 indicates the value of the flag. When the flag value 5a3 is 0, the item indicated by the corresponding item name 5a2 has not been executed, and when the flag value 5a3 is 1, the item indicated by the corresponding item name 5a2 has been executed. In the status management table 21, flag No. 1 indicates that the initial setup wizard display has not been executed, and flag No. 2 indicates that the preparation for the initial setup wizard display has not been executed.

[0031] The initial setting wizard includes a wizard-style setting screen for setting the initial settings. The wizard-style setting screen is an interactive setting screen. The wizard-style setting screen consists of one or more setting screens, and each setting screen displays one or more setting items. Each setting screen also has an input field for receiving input of setting values to be set for the displayed setting items.

[0032] The initial setting wizard is displayed when the power is turned on for the first time. In this embodiment, the initial setting wizard is also displayed again under specific conditions other than the first time the power is turned on. When the multifunction device 1 displays the initial setting wizard again under specific conditions, this is referred to as redisplaying the initial setting wizard.

[0033] Here, the specific conditions are assumed to be, for example, the following cases. After updating the firmware of the device After changing the device's security settings After certain settings (resetting the administrator password, resetting personal information) Note that one or more of these conditions may be combined. Detailed operations for the above conditions will be described in the following embodiments.

[0034] The initial setup wizard also - All settings will be displayed again, just like when the power is turned on for the first time. - Display some items again (for example, only security-related items) Any of the above display formats may be used.

[0035] [1.2.2 Display Management Table] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the initial state of the display management table used in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The display management table 5b is a table indicating whether each page of the initial setup wizard consisting of N pages (N is a natural number) has been displayed, and the display management table 23 is an example of the display management table 5b in which values of the initial state are stored. The flag number 5b1 is an identification number that uniquely indicates one record of the display management table 23. The item name 5b2 indicates the page number of the initial setup wizard. The flag value 5b3 indicates the value of the flag. When the flag value 5b3 is 0, this indicates that the page indicated by the corresponding item name 5b2 has not yet been displayed, and when the flag value 5b3 is 1, this indicates that the page indicated by the corresponding item name 5b2 has already been displayed. Since the display management table 23 indicates the initial state, no pages of the initial setup wizard have yet been displayed, and all of the flag values 5b3 are 0.

[0036] 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a displayed state of the display management table used in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The display management table 25 is an example of the display management table 5b in a state after the initial setting wizard has been displayed. Therefore, in the display management table 25, all flag values 5b3 are set to 1.

[0037] [1.3 Security Mode] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating selectable main body security modes in the multifunction peripheral 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the multifunction peripheral 1 has four security modes, from Level 1 to Level 4. Level 1 has the lowest security level, and Level 4 has the highest security level. At Level 4, the control unit 3 prohibits or restricts the use of functions that do not comply with an authentication standard. An example of the authentication standard is HCD PP (Protection Profile for Hardcopy Devices) Ver. 1.0. At Level 3, the control unit 3 implements copy-protection (document control) and other functions. Copy-protection (document control) is a function in which a specific pattern (document control pattern) is embedded and printed in an important document. When the document is input, the image forming apparatus detects the document control pattern and restricts operations on the document (secondary copying, faxing, document filing, etc.). At Level 2, the control unit 3 provides some of the security functions of Level 3 to general users (e.g., storage encryption). At Level 1, the control unit 3 operates in a standard state without security functions. The security mode selected via the operation unit 9, one of levels 1 to 4, is stored in the storage unit 5. The control unit 3 operates in accordance with the security mode stored in the storage unit 5.

[0038] [1.4 Processing flow] [1.4.1 Initial Setup Wizard Display Process] 7 is a flowchart for explaining an initial setting wizard display process executed by the multifunction peripheral 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The initial setting wizard is assumed to consist of N pages (screens) (N is a natural number).

[0039] The control unit 3 refers to the status management table 5a stored in the storage unit 5 and determines whether the flag value of flag No. 1 is 0 (step S1). If the flag value is 1 (step S1, No), the control unit 3 ends the process. If the flag value is 0 (step S1, Yes), the control unit 3 assigns an initial value of 1 to a variable K (step S3) and determines whether the flag value of flag number K in the display management table 5b is 0 (step S5). If the flag value is 0 (step S5, Yes), the control unit 3 displays the Kth page of the initial setting wizard using the display unit 7 (step S7). The control unit 3 determines whether the display of the entire Kth page has been completed (step S9). If the display of the entire Kth page has not yet been completed (step S9, No), the control unit 3 displays the undisplayed portion of the Kth page. If the display of the entire Kth page has been completed (step S9, Yes), the control unit 3 changes the flag value corresponding to flag number K in the display management table 5b stored in the storage unit 5 to 1 (step S11), and adds 1 to the variable K (step S13). The control unit 3 compares the incremented variable K with N (step S15). If the variable K is less than N (step S15, No), the control unit 3 returns to step S5. If the variable K is equal to or greater than N (step S15, Yes), the control unit 3 changes the flag value of flag number 1 in the status management table 5a to 1 (step S17), and ends the process.

[0040] [1.4.2 Startup process] 8 is a flowchart for explaining the processing executed when the main body of the multifunction device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is started up (when the power is turned on / when the device is restarted). This operation is executed by the initial setting processing unit 3a. As shown in FIG. 8, when the power of the multifunction device 1 is changed from off to on, and when the multifunction device 1 is restarted, the control unit 3 executes the initial setting wizard display processing (step S21). The initial setting wizard display processing is as described above. In other words, every time the power of the multifunction device 1 is turned on and every time the multifunction device 1 is restarted, the control unit 3 executes the initial setting wizard display processing.

[0041] [1.4.3 Initial Setup Wizard Initialization Process] 9 is a flowchart for explaining the initial setup wizard initialization process executed by the multifunction device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In conventional multifunction devices, the initial setup wizard is displayed only when the power is turned on for the first time from the factory default state. In contrast, in the multifunction device 1 according to the present disclosure, the initial setup wizard is displayed when the power is turned on for the first time from the factory default state. In addition, if other predetermined conditions are met (in this embodiment, when the main body firmware is updated), the control unit 3 executes the initial setup wizard initialization process described below and updates the status management table 5a and the display management table 5b so that the initial setup wizard display process is executed again.

[0042] That is, the control unit 3 changes the flag values of flag numbers 1 and 2 in the state management table 5a (21) stored in the storage unit 5 to 0 (step S31). Next, the control unit 3 changes the flag values of all flags in the display management table 5b stored in the storage unit 5 to 0 (step S33).

[0043] [1.4.4 Initial Setup Wizard Redisplay Process] 10 is a flowchart for explaining a main body firmware update process executed by the multifunction peripheral 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. This operation is executed by the update setting processing unit 3b. The main body firmware is firmware for the multifunction peripheral 1 and is stored in the storage unit 5.

[0044] The control unit 3 determines whether or not to update the main body firmware (step S41). The main body firmware is updated when, for example, an operation to update the firmware of the multifunction peripheral 1 is received via the operation unit 9. Alternatively, the main body firmware may be updated when an update file for the main body firmware is received via the communication unit 15 from a file server (not shown) on the network that distributes firmware for the multifunction peripheral 1 and stored in the storage unit 5. Alternatively, the main body firmware may be updated when an update file for the main body firmware is copied from an external storage device connected to the connection unit 17 and stored in the storage unit 5.

[0045] Next, the control unit 3 updates the main body firmware stored in the storage unit 5 based on the update file (step S43). Next, the control unit 3 executes the initial setting wizard initialization process (step S45). The initial setting wizard initialization process is as described above with reference to FIG. 9. Next, the control unit 3 restarts the main body (step S47). After the restart, the multifunction device 1 operates in accordance with the updated main body firmware.

[0046] When the main body is restarted, the initial setting wizard display process is executed as shown in Fig. 8. Because the initial setting wizard initialization process has just been executed, the flag value of flag number 1 "Initial Setting Wizard Display" in the status management table 5a (21) is 0, and the flag values of all flags in the display management table 5b (23) are 0. Therefore, even though the power was not turned on immediately after the multifunction device 1 was shipped from the factory, the control unit 3 displays pages 1 to N of the initial setting wizard on the display unit 7 according to the flowchart in Fig. 7.

[0047] [1.5 Effects] According to the first embodiment, the multifunction peripheral 1 displays the initial setting wizard not only when the power is turned on for the first time from the factory default state, but also when the main body firmware is updated. Therefore, the user can check the settings in the initial setting wizard and change the settings as necessary not only when the power is turned on for the first time from the factory default state, but also when the main body firmware is updated.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, if the number of setting items in the initial setting wizard increases or decreases, or if the setting items are changed, as a result of updating the main unit firmware, the user can check the setting contents of the initial setting wizard while taking into account the increase / decrease or change in the setting items, and change the setting contents as necessary.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the multifunction peripheral 1 described above, the initial setup wizard, which conventionally was only displayed when the power was turned on for the first time, can be displayed again under certain conditions. By displaying the initial setup wizard again under certain conditions, it is possible to encourage or prompt the user to perform effective settings. Furthermore, by displaying only part of the initial setup wizard rather than the entirety of it, depending on the conditions, it is possible to encourage or prompt the user to perform more effective settings. Furthermore, by informing the user in advance how such an initial setup wizard will be displayed, it is possible to prevent confusion.

[0050] In this way, the initial setup wizard, which is only displayed when the power is turned on for the first time, can also be displayed under certain conditions. Furthermore, the initial setup wizard executed at this time may not necessarily be the same as the content displayed when the power is turned on for the first time, and only a portion of it may be displayed. This has the effect of improving the convenience and efficiency when the user sets up the device. Furthermore, by informing the user in advance that such an initial setup wizard will be displayed, it has the effect of allowing the user to set up the device smoothly and without confusion.

[0051] [2. Second Embodiment] A second embodiment will now be described. In the first embodiment, the initial setting wizard is displayed when the power is turned on for the first time from the factory default state and when the main body firmware is updated. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the initial setting wizard is displayed when the power is turned on for the first time from the factory default state and when specific settings are initialized. The specific settings are, for example, settings related to the administrator password and personal information of registered users, etc. The following description will focus on only the differences in configuration and processing from the first embodiment.

[0052] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of initializing the initial setting wizard in response to the initialization of specific settings, which is executed by the multifunction peripheral 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. When the control unit 3 receives an instruction via the operation unit 9 to initialize specific settings, such as an administrator password setting and settings related to personal information such as registered user information (step S41, Yes), the control unit 3 initializes the specific settings (step S43) and executes the initial setting wizard initialization process described above (step S45). After executing the initial setting wizard initialization process, the control unit 3 determines whether a reboot is required (step S47). A reboot may be required, for example, if the updated specific settings include settings that are only loaded at startup. In this case, rebooting the multifunction peripheral 1 allows the settings to be reflected in the operation of the multifunction peripheral 1. If a restart is necessary (step S47, Yes), the control unit 3 restarts the multifunction device 1 (step S49). In this case, after the main body is restarted, the control unit 3 operates according to the flowchart in Fig. 8 and displays the initial setting wizard (step S21). If a restart is not necessary (step S47, No), the control unit 3 executes the initial setting wizard display process (step S51) and ends the process.

[0053] In other words, when a specific setting is initialized, the multifunction device 1 may or may not be restarted, but in either case, the control unit 3 executes the initial setup wizard display process after executing the initial setup wizard initialization process. Because the initial setup wizard initialization process is executed before the initial setup wizard display process, the flag value of flag number 1 "Initial Setup Wizard Display" in the status management table 21 is 0, and the flag values of all flags in the display management table 5b (23) are 0. Therefore, even though the multifunction device 1 was not powered on immediately after shipping from the factory, the control unit 3 displays pages 1 to N of the initial setup wizard on the display unit 7 during the initial setup wizard display process.

[0054] According to the second embodiment, the multifunction peripheral 1 redisplays the initial setting wizard when a specific setting is initialized. This allows the user to check the settings in the initial setting wizard and change them as necessary not only when the power is turned on for the first time from the factory default state, but also when a specific setting is initialized.

[0055] 3. Third Embodiment A third embodiment will now be described. In the third embodiment, the initial setting wizard is displayed when the power is turned on for the first time from the factory default state and when the main unit security mode is changed. For details about the main unit security mode, please refer to [1.3 Security Mode] above. The following description will focus on only the differences in configuration and processing from the first embodiment.

[0056] 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of initializing the initial setting wizard in response to a change in the main body security mode, which is executed by the multifunction peripheral 1 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. When the control unit 3 receives an instruction to change the main body security mode via the operation unit 9 (step S61, Yes), it changes the main body security mode stored in the storage unit 5 (step S63) and executes the above-described initial setting wizard initialization process (step S67). Note that when the control unit 3 does not receive an instruction to change the main body security mode via the operation unit 9 (step S61, No), the control unit 3 proceeds to step S69, which will be described next.

[0057] After executing the initial setting wizard initialization process, the control unit 3 determines whether a restart is necessary (step S69). As in step S47, a restart is necessary if, for example, the updated specific settings include settings that are only loaded at startup. If a restart is necessary (step S69, Yes), the control unit 3 restarts the multifunction device 1 (step S71). In this case, after the main body is restarted, the control unit 3 operates according to the flowchart in FIG. 8 and displays the initial setting wizard (step S21). If a restart is not necessary (step S69, No), the control unit 3 executes the initial setting wizard display process (step S73) and ends the process.

[0058] In other words, when the main body security mode is changed, the multifunction device 1 may or may not be restarted, but in either case, the control unit 3 executes the initial setting wizard display process after executing the initial wizard initialization process.

[0059] According to the third embodiment, the initial setup wizard is displayed when the device security mode is changed in addition to when the device is turned on for the first time from the factory default state. Therefore, when the device security mode is changed, the user can be prompted to recheck each setting item in the initial setup wizard without delay.

[0060] [4. Fourth Embodiment] A fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the initial setting wizard is displayed when the power is turned on for the first time from the factory default state and when two conditions are met. In the fourth embodiment, the two conditions are a combination of the conditions under which the initial setting wizard was displayed in the second and third embodiments. That is, the first condition is that the main unit security mode has been changed, and the second condition is that specific settings have been initialized. The following description will focus on only the differences in configuration and processing from the first embodiment.

[0061] 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation executed by the multifunction peripheral according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure when the main body security mode is changed. When the control unit 3 receives an instruction to change the main body security mode via the operation unit 9 (step S81, Yes), it changes the main body security mode stored in the memory unit 5 (step S83) and changes the flag value of flag number 2 in the status management table 5a to 1 (step S85). Note that when the control unit 3 does not receive an instruction to change the main body security mode via the operation unit 9 (step S81, No), the control unit 3 ends the processing.

[0062] Next, the control unit 3 determines whether a restart is necessary (step S87). If a restart is necessary (step S87, Yes), the control unit 3 restarts the multifunction peripheral 1 (step S89). In this case, after the main body is restarted, the control unit 3 operates according to the flowchart of FIG. 8, performs the initial setup wizard display process (step S21), and ends the process. Up to this point, the initial setup wizard initialization process has not been executed. Therefore, the flag value of flag number 1 in the status management table 5a remains 1, which is the flag value changed in step S17 when the initial setup wizard display process is executed when the power is first turned on from the factory default state. Therefore, in the initial setup wizard display process executed after the restart from step S89, step S1 becomes "No," and the initial setup wizard is not displayed. If a restart is not necessary (step S87, No), the control unit 3 ends the process.

[0063] 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation executed by the multifunction peripheral according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure when specific settings are initialized. When the control unit 3 receives an instruction to initialize specific settings such as the setting of an administrator password and settings related to personal information of registered users via the operation unit 9 (step S101, Yes), the control unit 3 initializes the specific settings (step S103). Note that when the instruction to initialize the specific settings is not received via the operation unit 9 (step S101, No), the process ends.

[0064] After initializing the specific settings, the control unit 3 determines whether the flag value of flag number 2 in the status management table 5a is 1 (step S105). If the flag value is 1 (step S105, Yes), the control unit 3 executes the above-described initial setting wizard initialization process (step S107) and proceeds to step S109. If the flag value is not 1 (step S105, No), the control unit 3 proceeds directly to step S109 without executing the initial setting wizard initialization process. In step S109, the control unit 3 determines whether a restart is necessary. If a restart is necessary (step S109, Yes), the control unit 3 restarts the multifunction peripheral 1 (step S111). In this case, after the main unit is restarted, the control unit 3 operates according to the flowchart of FIG. 8 and displays the initial setting wizard (step S21). If a restart is not necessary (step S109, No), the control unit 3 executes the initial setting wizard display process (step S113) and ends the process.

[0065] 14 is performed, if the flag value of flag number 2 in status management table 5a is 1 (if a specific setting is initialized), the initial setting wizard initialization process is executed, and therefore the flag value of flag number 1 in status management table 5a (21) at this point is 0. Therefore, regardless of whether a restart is required in step S109, the control unit 3 displays the initial setting wizard on the display unit 7 in the initial setting wizard display process that is subsequently executed (step S21 or step S113 after the restart).

[0066] According to the fourth embodiment, the multifunction peripheral 1 displays the initial setting wizard not only when the power is turned on for the first time from the factory default settings, but also when specific settings are initialized after the main body security mode is changed. Therefore, the user can check the settings in the initial setting wizard and change the settings as necessary not only when the power is turned on for the first time from the factory default settings, but also when specific settings are initialized after the main body security mode is changed.

[0067] [5. Fifth Embodiment] A fifth embodiment will be described. The following mainly describes the differences in configuration and processing from the first embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, instead of the initial setting wizard initialization processing of FIG. 9, the initial setting wizard initialization processing of FIG. 15 is performed. In step S33 of FIG. 9, the flag values of all flags in the display management table 5b are changed to 0. In contrast, in the corresponding step S123 of FIG. 15, the flag values of only some of the flags in the display management table 5b are changed to 0.

[0068] 15 is a flowchart for explaining an initial setting wizard initialization process executed by a multifunction peripheral according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. The control unit 3 changes the flag values of flag numbers 1 and 2 in the status management table 5a stored in the storage unit 5 to 0 (step S121). Next, the control unit 3 changes the flag values of security-related items among the flags in the display management table 5b stored in the storage unit 5 to 0 (step S123).

[0069] 16 is a diagram for explaining the screen configuration of the initial setup wizard displayed on the multifunction peripheral according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the initial setup wizard according to the fifth embodiment consists of a total of 11 pages. Of these pages, page 3 ("Administrator" password setting), page 4 ("User" password setting), and page 9 (Security settings), which are marked with a star next to the page number, are security-related items.

[0070] 17 is an example of the state of the display management table used in the multifunction peripheral according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, and is a diagram showing the state of the display management table after the power is turned on for the first time from the factory default state and the initial setup wizard is displayed. When the power is turned on for the first time from the factory default state, all pages of the initial setup wizard are displayed in steps S3 to S15, and the flag values of the flags on all pages are changed to 1. Therefore, in the display management table 33 in FIG. 17, all flag values are 1.

[0071] 18 is an example of the state of a display management table used in a multifunction peripheral according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, and is a diagram showing the state of the display management table after the initial setup wizard initialization process of FIG. 15 has been executed. In the display management table 35, the flag values of flag numbers 3, 4, and 9, which correspond to the third, fourth, and ninth pages of the initial setup wizard, respectively, are all 0. The flag values of flags corresponding to the other pages of the initial setup wizard are all 1.

[0072] When the main body firmware of the multifunction peripheral 1 is updated, an initial setup wizard initialization process (step S45) is executed, as shown in Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 16, of the 11 pages of the initial setup wizard, the third, fourth, and ninth pages are security-related pages. Therefore, when the display management table 33 of Fig. 17 is stored in the storage unit 5, if the initial setup wizard initialization process of Fig. 15 is executed, the flag value of flag number 1 in the status management table is changed to 0 (step S121), and the flag values of the flags on the third, fourth, and ninth pages of the display management table are changed to 0 (step S123). As a result, the display management table 35 of Fig. 18 is obtained.

[0073] Thereafter, if it is determined in step S47 that the main body needs to be restarted, the initial setup wizard display process (step S21) of Fig. 7 is executed in accordance with the flowchart of Fig. 8. Since the flag value of flag number 1 in the status management table has been changed to 0 in step S121, the answer to step S1 is "Yes." In the display management table 35, the flag values of the flags for the third, fourth, and ninth pages (i.e., the flags for flag numbers 3, 4, and 9) are 0, and the flag values of the other pages are 1, so in steps S5 to S15, the third, fourth, and ninth pages of the initial setup wizard are displayed, and the other pages are not displayed.

[0074] According to the fifth embodiment, when the main body firmware is updated, the multifunction device 1 displays only the security-related item page in the initial setup wizard. Therefore, when the main body firmware is updated, the user can check the settings for the security-related items in the initial setup wizard and change the settings as necessary. At this time, the user can skip checking the settings other than the security-related items.

[0075] [6. Sixth Embodiment] A sixth embodiment will be described. The following mainly describes the differences in configuration and processing from the first embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, before the initial setting wizard is redisplayed, a message is displayed to notify the user that the initial setting wizard will be redisplayed.

[0076] 19 is a flowchart for explaining a main body firmware update process executed by the multifunction peripheral according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. The main body firmware is firmware for the multifunction peripheral 1 and is stored in the storage unit 5.

[0077] The control unit 3 determines whether or not to update the main body firmware (step S131). The case where the main body firmware is updated occurs, for example, when an operation to update the firmware of the multifunction peripheral 1 is received via the operation unit 9. Alternatively, the case where an update file for the main body firmware is received via the communication unit 15 from a file server (not shown) on the network that distributes firmware for the multifunction peripheral 1 and stored in the storage unit 5 may occur. Alternatively, the case where an update file for the main body firmware is copied from an external storage device connected to the connection unit 17 and stored in the storage unit 5 may occur. The following steps S133 and S135 are similar to steps S43 and S45, respectively, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0078] Next, the control unit 3 displays an initial setup wizard advance notification screen on the display unit 7 (step S137). FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of an initial setup wizard advance notification screen displayed by the multifunction device according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. The initial setup wizard advance notification screen 41 has a message 43 and an OK button 45. The message 43 is a message for notifying the operator operating the multifunction device 1 that the initial setup wizard will be displayed the next time the multifunction device 1 is restarted. The OK button 45 is a button that is operated via the operation unit 9. After reading the message 43, the operator operates the OK button 45 via the operation unit 9. When the OK button 45 is operated, the control unit 3 restarts the multifunction device 1 (step S139).

[0079] According to the sixth embodiment, when the initial setup wizard initialization process is executed and it is determined that the initial setup wizard will be redisplayed after the next reboot, an initial setup wizard advance notification screen 41 is displayed, notifying the operator that the initial setup wizard will be redisplayed. This allows the operator to know in advance why the initial setup wizard will be redisplayed before it actually redisplays. As a result, the operator can respond without panicking even if the multifunction device 1 performs an operation that is different from usual (redisplaying the initial setup wizard).

[0080] [7. Variations] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and variations, and various modifications are possible. In other words, embodiments obtained by combining appropriately modified technical means within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the information processing device of the present disclosure has been described as being applied to a multifunction peripheral, but it may also be applied to other devices. For example, the information processing device may be a video device such as a television or recorder, or a home appliance such as a microwave or air conditioner. Furthermore, the information processing device may also be a general information processing device such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Thus, the information processing device of the present disclosure is preferably applied to a device capable of displaying an initial setup wizard.

[0082] The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations explicitly described in the specification, but also includes combinations of the technologies disclosed in the specification. The configurations of the present disclosure for which a patent is sought are set forth in the appended claims, but it is not intended to exclude them from the technical scope on the grounds that they are not set forth in the claims.

[0083] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned specification, the statements "in the case of" and "when" are given as examples and are not intended to limit the configuration to the described contents. The disclosure also includes configurations that are not in these cases or situations, even if they would be obvious to a person skilled in the art, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to them.

[0084] Furthermore, the processes and data flows described in the specification are not limited to the order in which they are described. For example, the patent also discloses configurations in which some processes are deleted or the order is changed, and the patent holder intends to obtain the rights to such configurations.

[0085] Furthermore, although the functions described in the embodiments are executed by each device, they may be realized by one device or may further utilize an external server.

[0086] The programs that run on each device in the embodiments are programs that control the CPU, etc. (programs that make a computer function) so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. Information handled by these devices is temporarily stored in a temporary storage device (e.g., RAM) during processing, and then stored in various storage devices such as ROMs (Read Only Memories) and HDDs, and is read, modified, and written by the CPU as needed.

[0087] Here, the recording medium for storing the program may be any of semiconductor media (e.g., ROM, non-volatile memory card, etc.), optical recording media / magneto-optical recording media (e.g., DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), MO (Magneto Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), CD (Compact Disc), BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), etc.), magnetic recording media (e.g., magnetic tape, flexible disk, etc.), etc. Furthermore, not only are the functions of the above-described embodiments realized by executing the loaded program, but the functions of the present disclosure may also be realized by processing in cooperation with an operating system or other application programs, etc., based on instructions from the program.

[0088] Furthermore, when distributing the program on the market, the program can be stored in a portable recording medium and distributed, or transferred to a server computer connected via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the storage device of the server computer is also included in the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1 Multifunction device 3. Control Unit 3a Initial setting processing section 3b Update setting processing section 5 Storage section 5a, 21 Status Management Table 5b, 23, 25, 33, 35 Display Management Table 7 Display section 9 Control section 11 Image input unit 13 Image forming unit 15 Communications Department 17 Connection 41 Initial Setup Wizard Pre-Notification Screen 43 Messages 45 OK button

Claims

1. The device includes a control unit, a display unit, and an operation unit, and the control unit an initial setting process in which, at the time of initial startup, a wizard-style setting screen for accepting setting of setting values is displayed on the display unit, and an operation for setting the setting values is accepted via the operation unit; an update setting process of displaying the setting screen on the display unit and accepting an operation for updating the setting value via the operation unit when a predetermined condition is met after the initial startup; An information processing device that executes the above.

2. Operates in accordance with one of a plurality of security modes; The condition relates to a change in security mode. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. further comprising a storage unit for storing firmware; the condition relates to updating the firmware stored in the storage unit, The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the condition relates to updating of a predetermined setting value.

5. In the setting update process, if a plurality of predetermined conditions are met after the initial startup, the setting screen is displayed on the display unit, and an operation for updating the setting value is accepted via the operation unit. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. a storage unit configured to store an entire display flag indicating whether the setting screen has been displayed when the setting screen is displayed on the display unit in the update setting process; the control unit determines whether to display the setting screen based on the value of the full display flag. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. The setting screen consists of N pages (N is a natural number), the storage unit further stores, for each of the N pages, a page flag indicating whether the page has been displayed; When the setting screen is displayed on the display unit in the update setting process, the control unit determines whether to display each of the N pages based on the values of the whole display flag and the page flag. The information processing device according to claim 6 .

8. When a predetermined condition after the initial startup is met, the control unit displays a pre-notification screen on the display unit to notify the user of the display of the setting screen before displaying the setting screen on the display unit in the update setting process. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

9. an initial setting process in which, at the time of initial startup, a wizard-style setting screen for accepting setting of setting values is displayed on the display unit and an operation for setting the setting values is accepted; an update setting process for displaying the setting screen and accepting an operation for updating the setting value when a predetermined condition is met after the initial startup; A control method for an information processing device, comprising:

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