Image forming apparatus, restoration method

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus and a restoration method that can perform restoration for each optional device. [Solution] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a storage processing unit that stores setting information of the optional equipment 4 acquired from the optional equipment 4 in a storage unit provided outside the optional equipment 4, a reception processing unit that receives a designation operation to select one of the optional equipment 4 installed in the image forming apparatus 1, and a restore processing unit that restores the setting information of the designated equipment previously stored in the storage unit by the storage processing unit to the designated equipment selected by the designation operation.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a restore method. [Background Art]

[0002] An image forming system including an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral and an optional device such as a post-processing device is known in the art. There is also known a system that backs up setting information of the entire image forming system held in the image forming apparatus to an external storage device, and can restore the backed-up setting information to the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus is replaced, for example (see Patent Document 1). [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-109574 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] Incidentally, a configuration is conceivable in which each of the optional devices holds setting information of the optional device. In this configuration, it is desirable that when the optional device is replaced, for example, setting information of the optional device backed up in advance can be restored to the optional device. However, conventionally, there has been no configuration capable of executing restoration for each optional device.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a restore method capable of executing restoration for each optional device. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is connected to one or more optional devices that hold setting information, and comprises a storage processing unit, a reception processing unit, and a restore processing unit. The storage processing unit stores the setting information of the optional devices obtained from the optional devices connected to the image forming apparatus in a storage unit provided outside the optional devices. The reception processing unit receives a designation operation to specify one of the optional devices connected to the image forming apparatus. The restore processing unit restores the setting information of the designated device, which has been previously stored in the storage unit by the storage processing unit, to the designated device specified by the designation operation.

[0007] A restoration method according to another aspect of the present invention is performed on an image forming apparatus to which one or more optional devices that hold setting information are connected, and includes a storage step, a reception step, and a restore step. In the storage step, the setting information of the optional device obtained from the optional device connected to the image forming apparatus is stored in a storage unit provided outside the optional device. In the reception step, a designation operation is received to designate one of the optional devices connected to the image forming apparatus. In the restore step, the setting information of the designated device, which was previously stored in the storage unit by the storage step, is restored to the designated device designated by the designation operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to perform a restore for each optional device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]Figure 3 shows an example of a reception screen displayed in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of individual restoration processing performed by an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] [Configuration of the image forming system 100] First, the configuration of the image forming system 100, including the image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 1, the communication paths between the components of the image forming system 100 are shown by dashed lines.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the image forming system 100 comprises an image forming apparatus 1 and two optional devices 4 connected to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0013] One of the two optional devices 4 is the first optional device 2, which is connected to the image forming apparatus 1 in a communicative manner. The other of the two optional devices 4 is the second optional device 3, which is connected to the image forming apparatus 1 in a communicative manner via the first optional device 2. Note that the number of optional devices 4 connected to the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to two.

[0014] Image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device that has multiple functions, including a scanning function for reading images from a document, a printing function for forming images on a sheet based on image data, a fax function, and a copy function. Note that image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to a multifunction device; it may also be a printer, fax machine, or copier, or any other device having the aforementioned printing function.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 11, an image reading unit 12, an image forming unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, an operation display unit 15, a storage unit 16, an engine control unit 17, and a main control unit 18.

[0016] The ADF 11 conveys a document whose image is to be read by the image reading unit 12. The ADF 11 includes a document setting portion, a plurality of conveyance rollers, a document presser, and a paper discharge tray.

[0017] The image reading unit 12 implements the scanning function. The image reading unit 12 includes a document platen, a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an optical lens, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The image reading unit 12 reads an image from a document conveyed by the ADF 11, and outputs image data including the read image. The image reading unit 12 also reads an image from a document placed on the document platen, and outputs image data including the read image.

[0018] The image forming unit 13 implements the printing function. For example, the image forming unit 13 forms an image on a sheet by an electrophotographic method. The image forming unit 13 includes a plurality of image forming units corresponding to a plurality of printing colors, an optical scanning device, an intermediate transfer belt, a secondary transfer device, a fixing device, and a paper discharge tray. The image forming unit 13 forms a color or monochrome image based on image data output from the image reading unit 12. The image forming unit 13 also forms a color or monochrome image based on image data input from an external information processing apparatus. Note that the image forming unit 13 may form an image on a sheet by a method different from the electrophotographic method, such as an inkjet method.

[0019] The paper feeding unit 14 supplies sheets to the image forming unit 13. The paper feeding unit 14 includes a paper feeding cassette and a plurality of conveyance rollers. The image forming unit 13 forms an image on a sheet supplied from the paper feeding unit 14.

[0020] The operation display unit 15 is a user interface of the image forming system 100. The operation display unit 15 includes a display section and an operation section. The display section displays various types of information in accordance with control instructions from the main control section 18. For example, the display section is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The operation section inputs various types of information to the main control section 18 in accordance with a user's operation. For example, the operation section is an operation device including operation keys and a touch panel.

[0021] The storage unit 16 is a non-volatile storage device. For example, the storage unit 16 is an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Note that the storage unit 16 may be a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory.

[0022] The engine control unit 17 controls the ADF 11, the image reading unit 12, the image forming unit 13, and the paper feeding unit 14. For example, the engine control unit 17 is configured with an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC, DSP). As shown in FIG. 2, the engine control unit 17 includes a non-volatile memory 17A. The non-volatile memory 17A is a non-volatile storage device.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the non-volatile memory 17A includes a setting information storage unit 17A1 that is used to store setting information of the image forming apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as "first setting information"). The first setting information includes various set values related to functions of the image forming apparatus 1 that are set by a user's operation on the operation display unit 15. For example, the first setting information includes various set values related to the scanning function, various set values related to the printing function, various set values related to the facsimile function, and various set values related to the copying function. Note that the first setting information may include information indicating the operation history of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1, such as the number of operations of the image forming unit 13. Further, the first setting information only needs to be rewritable information among information that is preset or registered in the image forming apparatus 1 in advance.

[0024] The main control unit 18 comprehensively controls the image forming system 100. As shown in Figure 2, the main control unit 18 includes a CPU 18A, ROM 18B, RAM 18C, and non-volatile memory 18D. The CPU 18A is a processor that performs various arithmetic operations. The ROM 18B is a non-volatile memory device in which information such as control programs for causing the CPU 18A to perform various operations is pre-stored. The RAM 18C is a volatile or non-volatile memory device used as temporary storage memory (work area) for various operations performed by the CPU 18A. The non-volatile memory 18D is a non-volatile memory device. The CPU 18A comprehensively controls the image forming system 100 by executing various control programs pre-stored in the ROM 18B.

[0025] The first optional device 2 is a function expansion unit that extends the functionality of the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, the first optional device 2 is a post-processing device that performs a predetermined first post-processing on the image-formed sheets output from the image forming apparatus 1. The first post-processing is such as stapling to bind multiple sheets together. The first optional device 2 may also be a paper feeding unit that supplies sheets to the image forming section 13 of the image forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, the image forming system 100 may be equipped with multiple first optional devices 2 that have different functions from each other.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the first optional device 2 includes a control unit 21 that controls the first optional device 2. For example, the control unit 21 is composed of electronic circuits such as integrated circuits (ASIC, DSP). As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 21 includes a non-volatile memory 21A. The non-volatile memory 21A is a non-volatile storage device.

[0027] The first optional device 2 holds the aforementioned setting information for the first optional device 2 (hereinafter referred to as "second setting information"). As shown in Figure 1, the non-volatile memory 21A includes a setting information storage unit 21A1 used for storing the second setting information. The second setting information includes various setting values ​​related to the functions of the first optional device 2, which are set by user operations on the operation display unit 15. For example, the second setting information includes various setting values ​​related to the stapling function. The second setting information may also include information indicating the operation history of the first optional device 2, such as the number of times stapling has been performed. Furthermore, the second setting information may be any rewritable information among the information that is set or registered in the first optional device 2 in advance.

[0028] The second optional device 3 is a function expansion unit that extends the functionality of the first optional device 2. Specifically, the second optional device 3 is a function expansion unit capable of performing a second post-processing operation different from the first post-processing operation. The second post-processing operation includes punching holes in a sheet, folding a sheet, binding multiple sheets together, and sorting sheets. In the image forming system 100, multiple second optional devices 3 with different functions may be connected to a single first optional device 2. Also, in an image forming system 100 equipped with multiple first optional devices 2, one or more second optional devices 3 may be connected to each of the first optional devices 2.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the second optional device 3 includes a control unit 31 that controls the second optional device 3. For example, the control unit 31 is composed of electronic circuits such as integrated circuits (ASIC, DSP). As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 31 includes a non-volatile memory 31A. The non-volatile memory 31A is a non-volatile storage device.

[0030] The second optional device 3 holds the aforementioned setting information for the second optional device 3 (hereinafter referred to as "third setting information"). As shown in Figure 1, the non-volatile memory 31A includes a setting information storage unit 31A1 used for storing the third setting information. The third setting information includes various setting values ​​related to the functions of the second optional device 3, which are set by user operations on the operation display unit 15. For example, the third setting information includes various setting values ​​related to the punch function. The third setting information may also include information indicating the operation history of the second optional device 3, such as the number of times the punch process has been executed. Furthermore, the third setting information may be any rewritable information among the information that is set or registered in the second optional device 3 in advance.

[0031] By the way, in a configuration like the image forming system 100, where each optional device 4 holds the aforementioned setting information for that optional device 4, it is desirable that the previously backed-up setting information for that optional device 4 can be restored to that optional device 4 when the optional device 4 is replaced. However, conventionally, there has been no configuration that allows restoration to be performed for each optional device 4.

[0032] In contrast, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to perform a restore for each optional device 4, as described below.

[0033] [Functional configuration of the main control unit 18] Next, the functional configuration of the main control unit 18 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, the main control unit 18 includes a storage processing unit 51, a reception processing unit 52, and a restore processing unit 53.

[0035] Specifically, the ROM 18B of the main control unit 18 contains pre-stored operation control programs that enable the CPU 18A to function as each of the aforementioned processing units. The CPU 18A then functions as each of the aforementioned processing units by executing the operation control programs stored in the ROM 18B.

[0036] The operation control program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD, DVD, or flash memory, and may be read from the recording medium and stored in a non-volatile storage device such as the storage unit 16. Furthermore, some or all of the processing units included in the main control unit 18 may be composed of electronic circuits. Also, the operation control program may be a program that causes multiple processors to function as individual processing units included in the main control unit 18.

[0037] The storage processing unit 51 stores the setting information of the optional device 4, which is obtained from the optional device 4 connected to the image forming apparatus 1, in a storage unit provided outside the optional device 4.

[0038] Furthermore, the storage processing unit 51 stores the setting information of the image forming apparatus 1, which is acquired from the engine control unit 17, in the non-volatile memory 18D of the main control unit 18.

[0039] For example, when a predetermined execution timing arrives, the storage processing unit 51 executes a third backup process to back up the third setting information stored in the non-volatile memory 31A of the second option device 3.

[0040] In the third backup process, the third configuration information stored in the non-volatile memory 31A of the second option device 3 is transferred to the first option device 2, which is communicatively connected to the second option device 3. In addition, in the third backup process, the third configuration information transferred from the second option device 3 is backed up in the first option device 2. Specifically, in the third backup process, the third configuration information (backup data) transferred from the second option device 3 is stored in the backup data storage unit 21A2 (see Figure 1) in place of the existing data stored in the backup data storage unit 21A2. The backup data storage unit 21A2 is a storage area in the non-volatile memory 21A that is pre-configured for backup purposes.

[0041] Furthermore, after the execution of the third backup process, the storage processing unit 51 executes a second backup process to back up the second configuration information and other data stored in the non-volatile memory 21A of the first option device 2.

[0042] In the second backup process, the second and third setting information stored in the non-volatile memory 21A of the first optional device 2 are transferred to the engine control unit 17. In the second backup process, the engine control unit 17 backs up the second and third setting information transferred from the first optional device 2. Specifically, in the second backup process, both the second and third setting information (backup data) transferred from the first optional device 2 are stored in the backup data storage unit 17A2 (see Figure 1) in place of the existing data stored in the backup data storage unit 17A2. The backup data storage unit 17A2 is a storage area in the non-volatile memory 17A that is pre-configured for backup purposes.

[0043] Furthermore, after the execution of the second backup process, the storage processing unit 51 executes a first backup process to back up the first setting information and the like stored in the non-volatile memory 17A of the engine control unit 17.

[0044] In the first backup process, the first setting information, second setting information, and third setting information stored in the non-volatile memory 17A of the engine control unit 17 are transferred to the main control unit 18. In addition, in the first backup process, the main control unit 18 backs up the first setting information, second setting information, and third setting information transferred from the engine control unit 17. Specifically, in the first backup process, all of the first setting information, second setting information, and third setting information transferred from the engine control unit 17 (backup data) are stored in the backup data storage unit 18D1 (see Figure 1), replacing the existing data stored in the backup data storage unit 18D1. The backup data storage unit 18D1 is a storage area in the non-volatile memory 18D that is pre-configured for backup purposes.

[0045] In the second backup process, the second setting information of the first optional device 2 acquired from the first optional device 2 is stored in the backup data storage unit 17A2 of the engine control unit 17 (an example of the storage unit, and also an example of the first storage unit of the present invention) and the backup data storage unit 18D1 of the main control unit 18. In the third backup process, the third setting information of the second optional device 3 acquired from the second optional device 3 is stored in the backup data storage unit 21A2 of the first optional device 2, which is communicatively connected to the second optional device 3 (an example of the storage unit, and also an example of the second storage unit of the present invention), the backup data storage unit 17A2 of the engine control unit 17, and the backup data storage unit 18D1 of the main control unit 18.

[0046] For example, the execution timing is a timing that occurs at a predetermined interval. Alternatively, the execution timing may be the timing at which the operation display unit 15 receives a predetermined user operation.

[0047] The reception processing unit 52 accepts a designation operation that specifies either the optional equipment 4 connected to the image forming apparatus 1 or the engine control unit 17. The designation operation is an operation to specify the restore target for which the setting information will be restored.

[0048] Specifically, when a predetermined call operation is received by the operation display unit 15, the reception processing unit 52 displays the reception screen used for the specified operation on the operation display unit 15.

[0049] Here, on the reception screen, among the optional equipment 4 and engine control unit 17 connected to the image forming apparatus 1, restoreable equipment in which the setting information has been stored by the storage processing unit 51 in the backup data storage unit 21A2, backup data storage unit 17A2, or backup data storage unit 18D1 is presented in an identifiable manner. The restoreable equipment is the equipment among the optional equipment 4 and engine control unit 17 connected to the image forming apparatus 1 for which the setting information has been backed up. The reception screen also accepts the designation operation to specify one of the presented restoreable equipment.

[0050] Figure 3 shows an example of the reception screen X10 when multiple first optional devices 2 and multiple second optional devices 3 are connected to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0051] As shown in Figure 3, the reception screen X10 includes a message display field X11, a restore target display field X12, operation keys X13, and operation keys X14.

[0052] Messages for the user are displayed in the message display area X11.

[0053] The restore target display area X12 displays the engine control unit 17 and the optional equipment 4 connected to the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, the names of the engine control unit 17 and the optional equipment 4 connected to the image forming apparatus 1 are displayed in list format in the restore target display area X12.

[0054] In the restoreable device display area X12, each of the restoreable devices is displayed in an identifiable manner. For example, in the restoreable device display area X12, each non-restoreable device that is different from the restoreable devices is displayed in gray. In Figure 3, the gray display of each non-restoreable device is represented by hatching. In addition, in the restoreable device display area X12, each of the optional devices 4 connected to the engine control unit 17 and the image forming apparatus 1 is displayed along with text information indicating whether or not they are restoreable. This makes it easy for the user to identify the restoreable devices.

[0055] In the restore target display area X12, each of the restoreable devices is displayed as selectable. Conversely, each of the non-restoreable devices is displayed as not selectable. For example, a user can tentatively select a restoreable device by performing a tap operation (tentative selection operation) on any of the restoreable devices included in the restore target display area X12. Furthermore, a user can switch the displayed items in the restore target display area X12 by operating the scroll bar X15 (see Figure 3) included in the restore target display area X12.

[0056] Operation key X13 is used for the specified operation. When an operation is received for operation key X13 while any of the restoreable devices included in the restore target display field X12 is provisionally specified, it is determined that the provisionally specified restoreable device has been specified. Note that the specified operation may be an operation to specify multiple restoreable devices.

[0057] Operation key X14 is used to end the display of the reception screen X10.

[0058] Note that in the restore target display area X12, only the restoreable devices mentioned above may be displayed.

[0059] Furthermore, the reception processing unit 52 may output audio data sequentially reading out the name of each of the restoreable devices using a speaker (not shown), thereby presenting each of the restoreable devices in an identifiable manner.

[0060] The restore processing unit 53 restores the setting information corresponding to the specified device, which was previously stored in the backup data storage unit 21A2, backup data storage unit 17A2, or backup data storage unit 18D1 by the storage processing unit 51, to the specified device specified by the specified operation.

[0061] For example, the restore processing unit 53 executes a first restore process to restore the first setting information when the designated device is the engine control unit 17.

[0062] In the first restore process, the first setting information stored in the backup data storage unit 18D1 of the main control unit 18 is transferred to the engine control unit 17. Also in the first restore process, the engine control unit 17 restores the first setting information transferred from the main control unit 18. In other words, in the first restore process, the first setting information (backup data) transferred from the main control unit 18 is stored in the setting information storage unit 17A1, replacing the existing first setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 17A1.

[0063] Furthermore, if the designated device is the first option device 2, the restore processing unit 53 executes a second restore process to restore the second setting information of the designated device.

[0064] In the second restore process, the second setting information for the designated device stored in the backup data storage unit 17A2 of the engine control unit 17 is transferred to the designated device. Also in the second restore process, the second setting information transferred from the engine control unit 17 is restored in the designated device. In other words, in the second restore process, the second setting information (backup data) transferred from the engine control unit 17 is stored in the setting information storage unit 21A1, replacing the existing second setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 21A1. This makes it possible to shorten the transfer time of the second setting information compared to a configuration in which the second setting information for the designated device stored in the backup data storage unit 18D1 of the main control unit 18 is transferred to the designated device.

[0065] Furthermore, if the designated device is the second option device 3, the restore processing unit 53 executes a third restore process to restore the third setting information of the designated device.

[0066] In the third restore process, the third setting information of the designated device stored in the backup data storage unit 21A2 of the first optional device 2, which is communicatively connected to the designated device, is transferred to the designated device. In addition, in the third restore process, the third setting information transferred from the first optional device 2 is restored in the designated device. In other words, in the third restore process, the third setting information (backup data) transferred from the first optional device 2 is stored in the setting information storage unit 31A1, replacing the existing third setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 31A1. This makes it possible to shorten the transfer time of the third setting information compared to a configuration in which the third setting information of the designated device stored in the backup data storage unit 18D1 of the main control unit 18 or the backup data storage unit 17A2 of the engine control unit 17 is transferred to the designated device.

[0067] In the image forming system 100, if both the first optional device 2 and the second optional device 3, which is communicatively connected to the first optional device 2, are replaced simultaneously, no data will be stored in the backup data storage unit 21A2 of the replaced first optional device 2. In this case, the restore processing unit 53 can restore the third setting information stored in the backup data storage unit 17A2 of the engine control unit 17 to the replaced second optional device 3.

[0068] [Individual Restore Process] The restoration method of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figure 4, along with an example of the procedure for individual restoration processing performed by the main control unit 18 in the image forming apparatus 1. Here, steps S11, S12, etc. represent the processing procedure (step) numbers performed by the main control unit 18.

[0069] When the main control unit 18 receives the call operation in the operation display unit 15, it executes the individual restore process.

[0070] In the image forming apparatus 1, each time the execution timing arrives, the storage processing unit 51 sequentially executes the third backup process, the second backup process, and the first backup process. The second backup process and the third backup process are examples of the storage steps of the present invention.

[0071] <Step S11> First, in step S11, the main control unit 18 displays the reception screen on the operation display unit 15. The processing in step S11 is an example of the reception step of the present invention and is executed by the reception processing unit 52 of the main control unit 18.

[0072] <Step S12> In step S12, the main control unit 18 determines whether or not the specified operation has been received on the reception screen.

[0073] Here, if the main control unit 18 determines that it has received the specified operation (Yes side of S12), it proceeds to step S13. If it has not received the specified operation (No side of S12), the main control unit 18 waits for the specified operation to be received in step S12.

[0074] <Step S13> In step S13, the main control unit 18 performs a restore process to restore the setting information corresponding to the specified device. The process in step S13 is an example of the restore step of the present invention and is performed by the restore processing unit 53 of the main control unit 18.

[0075] Specifically, the main control unit 18 executes the first restore process when the designated device is the engine control unit 17. The main control unit 18 also executes the second restore process when the designated device is the first option device 2. The main control unit 18 also executes the third restore process when the designated device is the second option device 3. If the main control unit 18 fails to restore the setting information, it should display an error message to that effect on the operation display unit 15.

[0076] In this manner, the image forming apparatus 1 accepts the specification operation that specifies the item to be restored. Then, in response to the specification operation, the setting information corresponding to the specified item is restored to the specified item. This makes it possible to perform a restore for each optional item 4.

[0077] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1, the second setting information of the first optional device 2 acquired from the first optional device 2 is stored in the backup data storage unit 17A2 of the engine control unit 17, and the third setting information of the second optional device 3 acquired from the second optional device 3 is stored in the backup data storage unit 21A2 of the first optional device 2, which is connected to the second optional device 3 in a communicative manner. This makes it possible to shorten the transfer time of the third setting information when restoring it, compared to a configuration in which the third setting information of the second optional device 3 acquired from the second optional device 3 is stored in the backup data storage unit 17A2 of the engine control unit 17 instead of the backup data storage unit 21A2 of the first optional device 2, which is connected to the second optional device 3 in a communicative manner.

[0078] [Notes on the invention] The following is an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiments. Note that each configuration and processing function described below can be selected and combined as desired.

[0079] <Note 1> An image forming apparatus to which one or more optional devices that hold setting information are connected, comprising: a storage processing unit that stores the setting information of the optional devices obtained from the optional devices connected to the image forming apparatus in a storage unit provided outside the optional devices; a reception processing unit that receives a designation operation to select one of the optional devices connected to the image forming apparatus; and a restore processing unit that restores the setting information of the designated device, which has been previously stored in the storage unit by the storage processing unit, to the designated device selected by the designation operation.

[0080] <Note 2> The image forming apparatus according to Appendix 1, wherein the reception processing unit presents each of the optional devices connected to the image forming apparatus whose setting information is stored in the storage unit by the storage processing unit in an identifiable manner, and accepts the designation operation to specify one of the presented restoreable devices.

[0081] <Note 3> The image forming apparatus according to Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the optional equipment includes a first optional equipment connected to the image forming apparatus in a communicative manner, and a second optional equipment connected to the image forming apparatus in a communicative manner via the first optional equipment, the storage unit includes a first storage unit provided in the image forming apparatus and a second storage unit provided in the first optional equipment, and the storage processing unit stores the setting information of the first optional equipment obtained from the first optional equipment in the first storage unit, and stores the setting information of the second optional equipment obtained from the second optional equipment in the second storage unit of the first optional equipment which is connected to the second optional equipment in a communicative manner.

[0082] <Note 4> The image forming apparatus according to Appendix 3, wherein the storage processing unit stores the setting information of the second optional device obtained from the second optional device in the second storage unit and the first storage unit of the first optional device which is communicated with the second optional device.

[0083] <Note 5> A restore method performed on an image forming apparatus to which one or more optional devices that hold configuration information are connected, comprising: a storage step of storing the configuration information of an optional device obtained from the optional device connected to the image forming apparatus in a storage unit provided outside the optional device; a reception step of receiving a designation operation to specify one of the optional devices connected to the image forming apparatus; and a restore step of restoring the configuration information of a designated device previously stored in the storage unit by the storage step to the designated device specified by the designation operation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1. Image forming apparatus 2. Option 1 Equipment 3. Second Optional Equipment 4. Optional Equipment 11 ADF 12 Image reading unit 13 Image forming unit 14 Paper feed section 15 Operation display section 16 Memory section 17 Engine Control Unit 17A Non-volatile memory 18 Main Control Unit 18A CPU 18B ROM 18C RAM 18D Non-Volatile Memory 21 Control Unit 21A Non-volatile memory 31 Control Unit 31A Non-volatile memory 51 Storage Processing Unit 52 Reception Processing Unit 53. Restore Processing Unit 100 Image Forming Systems

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus to which one or more optional devices that hold configuration information are connected, A storage processing unit that stores the setting information of the optional device, which is obtained from the optional device connected to the image forming apparatus, in a storage unit provided outside the optional device, A reception processing unit that receives a designation operation to specify one of the optional devices connected to the image forming apparatus, A restore processing unit that restores the setting information of the designated device, which was previously stored in the storage unit by the storage processing unit, to the designated device specified by the aforementioned operation, An image forming apparatus equipped with the following features.

2. The reception processing unit presents, in an identifiable manner, each of the optional devices connected to the image forming apparatus whose setting information is stored in the storage unit by the storage processing unit, and accepts the designation operation to specify one of the presented restoreable devices. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The optional equipment includes a first optional device that is communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus, and a second optional device that is communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus via the first optional device. The storage unit includes a first storage unit provided in the image forming apparatus and a second storage unit provided in the first optional device. The storage processing unit stores the setting information of the first optional device obtained from the first optional device in the first storage unit, and stores the setting information of the second optional device obtained from the second optional device in the second storage unit of the first optional device which is connected to the second optional device in a manner that enables communication with the second optional device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The storage processing unit stores the setting information of the second optional device obtained from the second optional device in the second storage unit and the first storage unit of the first optional device which is connected to the second optional device in a manner that enables communication with the second optional device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.

5. A restore method performed on an image forming apparatus to which one or more optional devices that hold configuration information are connected, A storage step of storing the setting information of the optional device, which is obtained from the optional device connected to the image forming apparatus, in a storage unit provided outside the optional device; A reception step that receives a designation operation to specify one of the optional devices connected to the image forming apparatus, A restore step which restores the setting information of the designated device that was previously stored in the storage unit by the storage step to the designated device specified by the specified operation, A restore method that includes this.

Images