Management device, management system, control method for management device, and program

Abstract

To provide a management system, a management apparatus, a method for controlling the same, and a program that appropriately notify a user of the details of change in setting information.SOLUTION: In a management program 300 operating on a CPU of a management apparatus, a UI control unit provides a graphical user interface for a user to operate the management program. The control unit instructs various types of processing to functions in the management program in accordance with instructions from the UI control unit and requests received by a communication unit. A device management unit executes device search processing, and stores location information on a device and information from the device in a device management table on a DB. A setting information management unit stores setting information input by the user in a setting information management table on the DB. A setting information transmission unit transmits the setting information to the device through the communication unit. A searching unit searches for a device connected with a LAN through the communication unit. The communication unit communicates with the device in accordance with instructions from the setting information transmission unit and the searching unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management device capable of editing setting information set in an information processing device, a management system, a control method for the management device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been systems in which devices such as network devices and multifunction peripherals (MFPs) are communicatively connected to a management device (e.g., a personal computer (PC)). In such systems, setting information changed by a user on a user interface (UI) of the management device is transmitted to the device as necessary. Since there is usually a large amount of setting information (several hundred or more) for a device, the management device classifies related setting information into multiple groups and displays the setting information in groups (hereinafter, each group on the UI is called a "tab.") Patent Document 1 discloses a form in which changes to setting information across multiple tabs are sent to a device (an MFP in Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-187460 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the case of Patent Document 1, when sending the change contents of the setting information, the user cannot recognize which tab the change contents of the setting information are to be sent, which may lead to failure to send the setting information edited in the management device or erroneous settings.

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to properly notify a user of information regarding changes to setting information when sending changes to setting information across multiple tabs to a device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to a management device capable of editing a plurality of pieces of setting information set in an information processing device, the management device comprising: a first user interface that selectively displays a plurality of tabs constituting the plurality of pieces of setting information in groups, and that displays the setting information belonging to one selected tab of the plurality of tabs in an editable manner; a first instruction means that instructs transmission of the setting information belonging to the one selected tab and edited in the first user interface to the information processing device; and a second user interface that displays a first message related to the setting information belonging to the one selected tab and edited in the first user interface, and a second message related to the setting information belonging to a tab other than the one selected tab and edited in the first user interface. The second message includes a message notifying that setting information that belongs to a tab other than the selected one tab and that has been edited in the first user interface will not be transmitted to the information processing device. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, when changes to setting information across multiple tabs are transmitted to a device, the user can be appropriately notified of information relating to the changes to the setting information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] System configuration example [Diagram 2] Example of hardware configuration of management apparatus and device [Diagram 3] Example of functional configuration of management program [Figure 4] Example of table configuration managed by the management device [Figure 5A] Example of the UI screen of the management device [Figure 5B] Example of the UI screen of the management device [Figure 6] Flowchart showing a process for transmitting setting information [Figure 7] Example of the UI screen of the management device [Figure 8] Flowchart showing a process for transmitting setting information DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments below are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0010] <Example 1> Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management system 100 according to this embodiment. The management system 100 includes a management device 101, typically a PC, and information processing devices (hereinafter referred to as "devices") 102 to 104, typically image forming devices. The management device 101 and the devices 102 to 104 are all connected to a network via a LAN (Local Area Network) 105. 1, the number of devices is three, but the number of devices may be one or more. For convenience of explanation, the following description may collectively refer to the devices 102 to 104 as the "device 102."

[0011] 2A is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the management device 101. In this embodiment, the management device 101 is configured from a PC. In all the following explanations, unless otherwise specified, the CPU 201 is the subject of execution on the hardware side, whereas the subject of control on the software side is a management program stored in a hard disk (HDD) 212.

[0012] The BIOS and a boot program are stored in the ROM 202. The RAM 203 functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 201. A keyboard controller (KBC) 205 controls instruction input from a keyboard (KB) 209, a pointing device (PD) 210, etc. A display controller (DSPC) 206 controls the display of a display (DSP) 211. A disk controller (DKC) 207 controls access to storage devices such as a hard disk (HDD) 212, a CD-ROM (CD) 213, etc.

[0013] A boot program, an operating system, a database, a management program, and associated data are stored in a hard disk drive (HDD) 212 and a CD-ROM (CD) 213. An interface controller (IFC) 208 transmits and receives information to and from other network devices via a LAN. These components are arranged on a system bus 204. The management program according to this embodiment may be supplied in a form stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM. In this case, the management program is read from the storage medium by a CD-ROM (CD) 213 shown in FIG. 2(A) and installed in the hard disk (HDD) 212.

[0014] 2B is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the device 102. In this embodiment, the device is an MFP. The hardware configurations of the devices 103 and 104 may also be similar to that of the device 102. Note that the hardware configurations of the devices 102 to 104 may be different from each other, and the devices 102 to 104 may be information processing devices other than MFPs.

[0015] The CPU 251 controls the entire device 102. The ROM 252 stores the serial number of the device 102, etc. The RAM 253 is used as a work area for the CPU 251, a receiving buffer, image drawing, etc. The hard disk (HDD) 254 records firmware, expansion programs, font data, etc.

[0016] An operation unit 255 is composed of various switches, buttons, a liquid crystal display unit for displaying messages, etc. A network I / F 256 transmits and receives information to and from other network devices via a LAN. A print engine 257 prints on recording paper. A scanner 258 reads documents, and a facsimile communication unit 259 transmits and receives facsimiles. Each of these components is arranged on a system bus 260 .

[0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a management program 300 that runs on the management device 101. As shown in FIG. Each function of the management program 300 shown in FIG. The UI control unit 301 provides a graphical user interface for the user to operate the management program 300. The graphical user interface is configured as a Web page that can be displayed on another PC using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). Alternatively, the graphical user interface may be configured to be displayed on a display 211 provided in the management device 101. The control unit 302 instructs each function in the management program 300 to perform various processes (described later) in accordance with instructions from the UI control unit 301 and requests received by a communication unit 308 .

[0018] The device management unit 303 executes a device search process. The device search process is a process for searching for devices connected to the LAN 105 via a search unit 307. The device search can be realized by transmitting a search request packet such as SLP (Service Location Protocol) or SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). For a device discovered by the search, it is also possible to obtain detailed information about the device (such as model name, serial number, capabilities, and status) via a communication unit 308. Thereafter, the device management unit 303 stores the location information (IP address) of the device and the information obtained from the device in a device management table 400 on a database (DB) 309.

[0019] The setting information management unit 304 stores the setting information input by the user on a setting information editing screen 520 (to be described later) in a setting information management table 420 on the DB 309 . The setting information transmission unit 306 transmits the setting information to the device via the communication unit 308. The search unit 307 searches for devices connected to the LAN 105 via the communication unit 308 .

[0020] The communication unit 308 communicates with the device according to instructions from the setting information transmission unit 306 and the search unit 307. The communication protocol used to communicate with the device is assumed to be, but is not limited to, SLP, SNMP, Web services, etc. The communication unit 308 also controls HTTP communication, and transmits Web pages received from the UI control unit 301 to other PCs as necessary. The DB 309 is a database that stores various tables, which will be described later. The information managed in the DB 309 can be viewed by the user via the UI control unit 301.

[0021] Fig. 4 is an example of a table managed by the DB 309. Note that the table configuration in Fig. 4 is just an example, and the table configuration may be different from this example. 4(A) is an example of a device management table 400, which is made up of columns 401 to 405. One record shown in each row represents device information for one device.

[0022] Column 401 is a serial number (SN), and stores the serial number of the device. Column 402 is an IP address, and stores the IP address of the device. Column 403 is a device name, and stores the nickname of the device. Column 404 is a product name, and stores the product name of the device. Column 405 is an installation location, and stores information on the location where the device is installed. In addition to the detailed information in columns 401 to 405, device management table 400 may also include information such as the error status and options of the device. The values ​​of each column of the device management table 400 are updated by a device search process executed by the device management unit 303 when a search button 506 in a device list 500 (to be described later) is pressed.

[0023] 4(B) is an example of the setting information management table 420, which is made up of columns 421 to 425. One record shown in each row represents one piece of setting information. Column 421 is a serial number (SN), which stores the serial number of the device having the setting information of this record. Column 422 is a tab name, which stores the name of the tab to which the setting item described in column 423 belongs. For example, in the example of Fig. 4(B), it can be seen that the "Environment" tab includes the setting items "Device Name" and "Installation Location". Column 423 is a setting item, and the setting items of the device are stored. Note that the setting items shown in column 423 in Fig. 4(B) are merely examples, and are not limited to these. Column 424 is a setting value, and the setting value corresponding to the setting item described in column 423 is stored.

[0024] Column 425 indicates an edit state, and stores whether the setting information described in columns 423 and 424 has been edited. If "Yes" is stored, it indicates that the setting information has been edited by the user. If "No" is stored, it indicates that the setting information has not been edited by the user. Note that "edit" here refers to the user changing the setting value of each setting item on a setting information editing screen 520 described later. Therefore, the value of column 424 is not changed at the same time that the value of column 425 is changed from "No" to "Yes". The value of column 424 is changed after the setting information changed by the user is sent to the device and a notification that the setting has been successful is received from the device. Details will be described in the setting information editing screen 520 of FIG. 5(B).

[0025] FIG. 5 shows examples of screens serving as a user interface (UI) that are displayed on the display 211 of the management device 101 by the UI control unit 301 of the management program 300. In FIG. The device list 500 in FIG. 5A(1) is a screen that is displayed when the user starts the management program 300. In FIG. 5A(1), the serial number 501 displays the value of column 401 of device management table 400 (FIG. 4(A)). Similarly, for IP address 502, device name 503, product name 504, and installation location 505, the values ​​of columns 402 to 405 of device management table 400 are displayed, respectively.

[0026] When the user presses a search button 506, the device management unit 303 executes a device search process and stores the results in the device management table 400 of the DB 309. When the user selects an arbitrary row from the device list and presses a delete button 507, the device management unit 303 deletes the record of the device information from the device management table 400 of the DB 309.

[0027] When the user selects any row from the device list and presses the setting edit button 508, a setting information edit screen 520 (FIG. 5A(2)) described below is displayed. At that time, the UI control unit 301 obtains information about the selected device from the device management table 400 and the setting information management table 420, and displays it on the setting information edit screen 520. Moreover, when an end button 509 is pressed, the UI control unit 301 ends the display of the device list 500 .

[0028] The setting information edit screen 520 in FIG. 5A(2) is a screen that is displayed when the setting edit button 508 is pressed on the device list 500 screen. In FIG. 5A(2), serial number 521, IP address 522, device name 523, product name 524, and installation location 525 each display the values ​​of columns 401 to 405 of device management table 400.

[0029] A plurality of tabs are displayed in a selectable manner on the setting information editing screen 520, which display the setting information recorded in the setting information management table 420 in groups. In the example of Fig. 5A(2), a plurality of tabs are displayed, including an environment tab 526, a network tab 527, and an other tab 528. For each tab, the value in column 422 of the setting information management table 420 is displayed as the tab name. The setting information editing screen 520 displays setting values ​​for one or more setting items belonging to one selected tab among multiple tabs. The user can edit the setting values ​​belonging to the selected tab on the setting information editing screen 520. In the example of FIG. 5A(2), a device name 529 and an installation location 530 are displayed as setting information belonging to the environment tab 526.

[0030] When the user selects any one of tabs 526 to 528, UI control unit 301 obtains device information from columns 423 and 424 of setting information management table 420, whose value in column 422 matches that of the selected tab. UI control unit 301 also displays the obtained setting information on setting information editing screen 520 as setting information belonging to the selected tab. In FIG. 5A(2), since environment tab 526 is selected, device name 529 and installation location 530 associated with environment tab 526 are displayed as setting information. When the user changes these pieces of setting information, the value of the corresponding record in edit status 425 is changed to "Yes".

[0031] When the send button 531 is pressed on the setting information editing screen 520, the setting information management unit 304 of the management program 300 sends the setting information edited by the user on the selected tab to the device via the setting information sending unit 306. Specifically, the setting information management unit 304 extracts records in which the value of SN 421 matches the value of serial number 521 from the setting information management table 420. Furthermore, from the records, the setting item 423 is extracted from the records in which the value of tab name 422 matches the selected tab and the value of edit status 425 is "Yes". Finally, on the setting information editing screen 520, the setting value 424 corresponding to the extracted setting item 423 is identified and sent to the device.

[0032] Immediately before the setting information management unit 304 transmits the setting information to the device, the UI control unit 301 displays a confirmation screen 560 (FIG. 5B(1)) described below to ask the user for final confirmation as to whether or not to transmit. When a notification that the setting was successful is received from the device, the setting information management unit 304 stores the transmitted setting information in the corresponding record in the setting information management table 420. In addition, it resets the value of the editing status 425 of the corresponding record to "none."

[0033] In contrast, when Send All button 532 is pressed on setting information editing screen 520, setting information management unit 304 of management program 300 transmits to the device the setting information changed by the user on all tabs. This process is similar to the transmission process of Send button 531, except that the target setting information is not a specific tab selected from tabs 526 to 528, but all tabs, and therefore a detailed description will be omitted. Furthermore, when the end button 533 is pressed, the UI control unit 301 discards the editing results on the setting information editing screen 520 and terminates the display of the setting information editing screen 520. Furthermore, the setting information management unit 304 resets the value of the editing status 425 of the corresponding record to “none”.

[0034] FIG. 5B shows examples of confirmation screens that are displayed when the setting information edited on the setting information editing screen 520 is sent. 5B(1) is an example of a screen displayed when send button 531 is pressed on setting information editing screen 520. In contrast, confirmation screen 580 in FIG. 5B(2) is an example of a screen displayed when send all button 532 is pressed on setting information editing screen 520.

[0035] 5B(1), which is displayed by pressing the send button 531, displays a self-tab confirmation message 561. The self-tab confirmation message 561 is a message for informing the user that setting information belonging to the tab (self-tab) selected on the setting information editing screen 520 will be sent to the device. This allows the user to recognize that the edited setting information belonging to the self-tab will be sent to the device. The confirmation screen 560 also displays an other tab confirmation message 562. The other tab confirmation message 562 is a message for informing the user that the setting information belonging to a tab (other tab) other than the tab selected on the setting information editing screen 520 has been changed by the user. This allows the user to recognize that the setting information belonging to the other tab has been edited but not transmitted to the device.

[0036] The OK button 563 is a button for the user to instruct to transmit the setting information to be transmitted to the device. When the OK button 563 is pressed, the setting information management unit 304 transmits to the device the setting information that was the transmission target when the send button 531 was pressed. Then, the UI control unit 301 displays the setting information editing screen 520. When a cancel button 564 is pressed, the setting information management unit 304 cancels the transmission of the setting information to the device. After that, the UI control unit 301 displays the setting information edit screen 520.

[0037] 5B(2), which is displayed by pressing the Send All button 532, displays tab confirmation messages 581 and 582. The tab confirmation messages 581 and 582 are messages for informing the user that the setting information on the tabs in the setting information editing screen 520 will be sent to the device. A tab confirmation message is created for each tab for all tabs whose setting information has been changed. This allows the user to recognize that both the edited setting information belonging to the own tab and the setting information belonging to other tabs will be sent to the device.

[0038] The OK button 583 is a button for the user to instruct to transmit the setting information to be transmitted to the device. When the OK button 583 is pressed, the setting information management unit 304 transmits all the setting information that was the transmission target when the send button 532 was pressed to the device. After that, the UI control unit 301 displays the setting information editing screen 520. When a cancel button 584 is pressed, the setting information management unit 304 cancels the transmission of the setting information to the device. After that, the UI control unit 301 displays the setting information edit screen 520.

[0039] Now, when the user starts the management program 300 in order to transmit setting information to the devices 102 to 104, a device list 500 (FIG. 5A(1)) is displayed. Furthermore, when the user selects an arbitrary record (device) from the device list 500 and presses the setting edit button 508, the management apparatus 101 executes a setting information transmission process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

[0040] In S601 , the UI control unit 301 creates the setting information editing screen 520 based on the device management table 400 and the setting information management table 420 . Next, in S602, the UI control unit 301 determines whether or not the setting information on the setting information editing screen 520 has been changed by the user. If it is determined that the setting information has been changed, the process proceeds to S603, otherwise, the process proceeds to S604. In S603, the setting information management unit 304 sets the value of the edit status 425 of the corresponding record in the setting information management table 420 to "Edited". Then, the process proceeds to S604.

[0041] In S604, the UI control unit 301 determines whether or not the send button 531 on the setting information editing screen 520 has been pressed by the user. If it is determined that the send button 531 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S605, otherwise, the process proceeds to S612.

[0042] In S605, the setting information management unit 304 extracts the setting information changed by the user on the tab selected on the setting information editing screen 520. The specific extraction method has already been described, so a description thereof will be omitted. Next, in S606, the UI control unit 301 generates a confirmation message for the selected tab based on the setting information extracted in S605. The own tab confirmation message 561 in Fig. 5B(1) is an example of the confirmation message generated here. Note that if no setting information that has been changed is extracted in S605, an own tab confirmation message such as "There are no setting items to be changed in [Environment]" is generated.

[0043] Next, in S607, the setting information management unit 304 determines whether or not there is any setting information in the setting information management table 420 that belongs to a tab other than the tab selected on the setting information editing screen 520 and whose editing status 425 has a value of “Yes”. If it is determined that such setting information exists, the process proceeds to S608, otherwise, the process proceeds to S609.

[0044] In S608, the UI control unit 301 generates a confirmation message for the setting information specified in S607. The other tab confirmation message 562 in Fig. 5B(1) is an example of the confirmation message generated here. Then, the process proceeds to S609. Even if setting items for multiple tabs are specified in S607, the UI control unit 301 can handle this by enumerating the values ​​of the tab name 422 or creating an other tab confirmation message 562 for each tab.

[0045] In S609, the UI control unit 301 displays the confirmation screen 560 including the confirmation messages generated in S606 and S608. Next, in S610, the UI control unit 301 determines whether or not the OK button 563 on the confirmation screen 560 has been pressed by the user. If it is determined that the OK button 563 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S611, otherwise the UI control unit 301 determines that the cancel button 564 has been pressed, and the process returns to S602.

[0046] In S611, the setting information management unit 304 transmits the setting information extracted in S605 to the device identified by the serial number 521 on the setting information editing screen 520, and ends this flowchart. After that, the UI control unit 301 displays the setting information editing screen 520. Note that if there is no setting information extracted in S605, the setting information management unit 304 does not transmit the setting information to the device.

[0047] In S612, the UI control unit 301 determines whether or not the send all button 532 on the setting information editing screen 520 has been pressed by the user. If it is determined that the send all button 532 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S613, otherwise the process returns to S602.

[0048] Next, in S613, the setting information management unit 304 extracts the setting information changed by the user on all tabs on the setting information editing screen 520. This process is similar to S605 except that the target setting information is not a specific tab selected from among the tabs 526 to 528 but all the tabs 526 to 528, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0049] Next, in S614, the UI control unit 301 generates a confirmation message regarding the setting information extracted in S613. The confirmation message needs to be able to identify the tab that contains the setting information extracted in S613. Examples are tab confirmation messages 581 and 582 in FIG. 5B(2). Since the tab confirmation messages 581 and 582 contain the value of the tab name 422, the user can recognize which tab the changed setting information belongs to. Note that if zero setting information is extracted in S613, the UI control unit 301 generates a confirmation message that makes it clear, such as "There are no setting items to be changed." Next, in S615, the UI control unit 301 displays the confirmation screen 580 including the confirmation message generated in S614.

[0050] Next, in S616, the UI control unit 301 determines whether or not the OK button 583 on the confirmation screen 580 has been pressed by the user. If it is determined that the OK button 583 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S617, otherwise the UI control unit 301 determines that the cancel button 584 has been pressed, and the process returns to S602.

[0051] In S617, the setting information management unit 304 transmits the setting information extracted in S613 to the device identified by the serial number 521 on the setting information editing screen 520, and ends this flowchart. After that, the UI control unit 301 displays the setting information editing screen 520. Note that, if there is no setting information extracted in S613, the setting information management unit 304 does not transmit the setting information to the device. This completes the explanation of the flowchart in FIG.

[0052] According to the first embodiment, even if the setting information is changed across multiple tabs, the user can recognize all the changes in the setting information of the device. In addition, since the user presses the OK button 563 or 583 after recognizing the changes across multiple tabs, the setting information of the device can be reliably edited.

[0053] <Example 2> In the first embodiment, the process for displaying the confirmation screen 560 or 580 when the send button 531 or the send all button 532 on the setting information editing screen 520 is pressed is described. This process enables the management apparatus 101 to notify the user of the setting information of all tabs including the changed setting item, and then to send the information to the device. In the second embodiment, an example in which edited setting information is transmitted to a device more efficiently will be described. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0054] FIG. 7 shows examples of confirmation screens that are displayed when the setting information edited on the setting information editing screen 520 is sent. Confirmation screens 700, 720, and 740 in (A) to (C) are examples of confirmation screens displayed when send button 531 is pressed on setting information editing screen 520. Confirmation screen 760 in (D) is an example of a confirmation screen displayed when send all button 532 is pressed on setting information editing screen 520. Confirmation screen 780 in (E) is an example of a confirmation screen displayed when send button 531 or send all button 532 is pressed on setting information editing screen 520 when none of the setting items have been changed.

[0055] In the first embodiment, when the Send button 531 is pressed, only the setting information belonging to the tab selected on the setting information editing screen 520 is extracted from among the setting information changed by the user. However, in the second embodiment, it is necessary to extract the changed setting information belonging to other tabs as well. Specifically, when the Send button 531 is pressed, the changed setting information belonging to all tabs is extracted, similarly to the case where the Send All button 532 is pressed.

[0056] Now, the confirmation screen 700 in FIG. 7(A) is displayed when all of the following conditions (1) to (3) are met. (1) At least one piece of setting information belonging to at least one of tabs 526 to 528 on setting information edit screen 520 has been changed. (2) None of the setting information belonging to at least one of tabs 526 to 528 on setting information edit screen 520 has been changed. (3) Send button 531 is pressed in a tab that satisfies condition (1).

[0057] As an example, assume that the user has changed the setting information included in the Environment tab 526 and the Other tab 528, and that all the setting information included in the Network tab 527 has not been changed. When the send button 531 in the Environment tab 526 is pressed in this state, the confirmation screen 700 shown in Fig. 7(A) is displayed.

[0058] 7(A) displays a local tab confirmation message 701 and a check box 702 for it. When the user wishes to send setting information belonging to the local tab (here, the environment tab 526) to the device, the user turns the check box 702 ON (selected state). The confirmation screen 700 is displayed when the send button 531 is pressed on the local tab, and since the check box 702 is for the local tab confirmation message 701, the initial state of the check box 702 is ON. However, the user can also change the state of the check box from the initial state.

[0059] Also displayed on confirmation screen 700 are other tab confirmation message 703 and a check box for it. When the user wishes to send setting information belonging to another tab (here, other tab 528) to the device, he or she turns on check box 704. Since check box 704 is for other tab confirmation message 703, its initial state is unselected (OFF).

[0060] When the OK button 705 is pressed on the confirmation screen 700, the setting information management unit 304 transmits to the device the changed setting information belonging to the tabs corresponding to the check boxes 701 and 702 whose selection states are ON. Then, the UI control unit 301 displays the setting information editing screen 520. When the cancel button 706 is pressed, the setting information management unit 304 cancels the transmission of the setting information to the device. After that, the UI control unit 301 displays the setting information edit screen 520.

[0061] 7A, all the setting information included in network tab 527 has not been changed, so no other tab confirmation message is displayed for network tab 527. However, for example, the check box for network tab 527 may be displayed in a grayed-out state on confirmation screen 700 so that the user cannot select it.

[0062] The confirmation screen 720 in FIG. 7(B) is displayed when all of the following conditions (4) to (6) are met. (4) At least one piece of setting information belonging to at least one of tabs 526 to 528 on setting information edit screen 520 has been changed. (5) None of the setting information belonging to at least one of tabs 526 to 528 on setting information edit screen 520 has been changed. (6) Send button 531 is pressed in a tab that satisfies condition (5).

[0063] As an example, assume that the user has changed the setting information included in environment tab 526 and other tab 528, and that all setting information included in network tab 527 has not been changed. When send button 531 is pressed in network tab 527 in this state, confirmation screen 720 shown in Fig. 7(B) is displayed.

[0064] 7(B), an other tab confirmation message 721 and a check box 722 for the first other tab (here, the environment tab 526) are displayed. When the user wants to send the setting information for the other tab to the device, the user turns on the check box 722. Since the check box 722 is for the other tab confirmation message 721, its initial state is OFF.

[0065] Furthermore, in regard to the own tab (here, network tab 527), an own tab confirmation message 723 and a corresponding check box 724 are displayed on confirmation screen 720. Since none of the setting information included in network tab 527 has been changed, own tab confirmation message 723 and check box 724 are displayed in a grayed-out state so that the user cannot select the check box.

[0066] Incidentally, since the confirmation screen 720 is displayed when the send button 531 in the network tab 527 is pressed, it is not desirable to hide the own tab confirmation message 723 and the check box 724. Also, an other tabs message 725 and a check box 726 relating to the second other tab (here, the other tab 528) are similar to the other tabs confirmation message 721 and the check box 722, respectively, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0067] When the OK button is pressed on the confirmation screen 720, the setting information management unit 304 transmits to the device the changed setting information belonging to the tabs corresponding to the check boxes 722 and 726 whose selection states are ON. Then, the UI control unit 301 displays the setting information editing screen 520. When the cancel button 728 is pressed, the setting information management unit 304 cancels the transmission of the setting information to the device. After that, the UI control unit 301 displays the setting information edit screen 520.

[0068] The confirmation screen 740 in FIG. 7(C) is displayed when the following conditions (7) and (8) are met. (7) All of tabs 526 to 528 on setting information editing screen 520 include at least one changed setting information. (8) The send button 531 is pressed in any tab.

[0069] As an example, assume that condition (7) is satisfied and send button 531 is pressed in environment tab 526. In this case, confirmation screen 740 shown in Fig. 7(c) is displayed.

[0070] 7(C) displays a local tab confirmation message 741 and a corresponding check box 742 for the environment tab 526. When the user wishes to send the local tab setting information to the device, the user turns on the check box 742. Since 742 is for the local tab confirmation message 741, its initial state is on.

[0071] Also displayed on the confirmation screen 740 are an other tab confirmation message 743 and a check box 744 therefor, and an other tab confirmation message 745 and a check box 746 therefor. When the user wishes to transmit setting information for another tab to the device, he or she turns on the desired check box 744 or 746. Since the check boxes 744 and 746 are for the other tab confirmation messages 743 and 745, respectively, their initial state is OFF.

[0072] When an OK button 747 is pressed on the confirmation screen 740, the setting information management unit 304 transmits to the device the setting information changed in the tabs corresponding to the check boxes 742, 744, and 746 that are selected ON. Then, the UI control unit 301 displays the setting information editing screen 520. When the cancel button 748 is pressed, the setting information management unit 304 cancels the transmission of the setting information to the device. After that, the UI control unit 301 displays the setting information edit screen 520.

[0073] A confirmation screen 760 in FIG. 7(D) is an example of a confirmation screen that is displayed when the send all button 532 is pressed on the setting information editing screen 520. 7(D) displays tab confirmation messages 761, 763 and check boxes 762, 764 for the Environment tab 526 and the Other tab 528. Tab confirmation messages are created for each tab for which setting information has been changed, and are intended to inform the user that setting information has been changed by the user.

[0074] When the user wishes to send the setting information of each tab to the device, he or she turns on check boxes 762 and 764. Since the confirmation screen 760 is the screen that is displayed when the Send All button 532 is pressed, the check boxes 762 and 764 are initially on. It should be noted that even for tabs whose setting information has not been changed (here, network tab 527), the check boxes may be displayed in a grayed-out state on confirmation screen 760 so that the user cannot select them.

[0075] When the OK button 765 is pressed on the confirmation screen 760, the setting information management unit 304 transmits to the device the setting information changed in the tabs corresponding to the check boxes 762 and 764 that are selected ON. Then, the UI control unit 301 displays the setting information editing screen 520. When the cancel button 766 is pressed, the setting information management unit 304 cancels the transmission of the setting information to the device. After that, the UI control unit 301 displays the setting information edit screen 520.

[0076] A confirmation screen 780 in FIG. 7(E) is an example of a confirmation screen that is displayed when the send button 531 or the send all button 532 is pressed on the setting information editing screen 520 in a state where none of the setting items have been changed. 7(E) displays a confirmation message 781. The confirmation message 781 is intended to inform the user that none of the setting information has been changed by the user. When the OK button 782 is pressed on the confirmation screen 780 , the UI control unit 301 displays the setting information editing screen 520 .

[0077] Now, similarly to the first embodiment, when the user selects an arbitrary record (device) from the device list 500 and presses the setting edit button 508, the management apparatus 101 executes the setting information transmission process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

[0078] In S601 , the UI control unit 301 creates the setting information editing screen 520 based on the device management table 400 and the setting information management table 420 . Next, in S602, the UI control unit 301 determines whether or not the setting information on the setting information editing screen 520 has been changed by the user. If it is determined that the setting information has been changed, the process proceeds to S603, otherwise, the process proceeds to S604. In S603, the setting information management unit 304 sets the value of the edit status 425 of the corresponding record in the setting information management table 420 to "Edited". Then, the process proceeds to S604.

[0079] In S604, the UI control unit 301 determines whether or not the send button 531 on the setting information editing screen 520 has been pressed by the user. If it is determined that the send button 531 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S801, otherwise, the process proceeds to S812. The processes in S601 to S604 are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

[0080] In S801, the setting information management unit 304 extracts setting information that has been changed by the user on all tabs on the setting information editing screen 520. Next, in S802, it is determined whether or not one or more pieces of setting information extracted in S801 exist. If it is determined that one or more exists, the process proceeds to S803, otherwise, the process proceeds to S808.

[0081] In S803, based on the setting information extracted in S801, the UI control unit 301 generates a confirmation message with check boxes for the tab selected on the setting information editing screen 520. Own tab confirmation message 701 and check box 702 in Fig. 7(A) and own tab confirmation message 723 and check box 724 in Fig. 7(B) are examples of the confirmation message with check boxes generated here.

[0082] Next, in S804, the setting information management unit 304 determines whether or not there is setting information for the tab selected on the setting information editing screen 520, for which the value of the edit status 425 in the setting information management table 420 is "Yes". If it is determined that such setting information exists, the process proceeds to S607, otherwise the process proceeds to S805.

[0083] In S805, a grayed-out display attribute is assigned to the local tab confirmation message and check box generated in S803. By assigning this attribute, when the confirmation screen is displayed in S807 described later, the local tab confirmation message and check box are displayed in a grayed-out state, and the user cannot select them. Then, the process proceeds to S607.

[0084] In S607, the setting information management unit 304 determines whether or not there is any setting information in the setting information management table 420 whose edit status 425 value is “Yes” for any tab other than the one selected on the setting information editing screen 520. Note that S607 is the same as the process described in the first embodiment. If it is determined that such setting information exists, the process proceeds to S806, otherwise, the process proceeds to S807.

[0085] In S806, the UI control unit 301 generates a confirmation message with check boxes for tabs other than the tab selected on the setting information editing screen 520 based on the setting information extracted in S801. The other tabs confirmation message 703 and check box 704 in Fig. 7(A) are examples of the confirmation message with check boxes generated here. Then, the process proceeds to S807.

[0086] In S807, the UI control unit 301 displays the confirmation message with the check box generated in S803 and S806 on one of the confirmation screens 700, 720, and 740. The display conditions for each confirmation screen are as described in the explanation of Figs. 7(A) to (C). Then, the process proceeds to S809. Furthermore, in S808, the UI control unit 301 displays the confirmation screen 780. Then, the process proceeds to S809.

[0087] In S612, the UI control unit 301 determines whether or not the send all button 532 on the setting information editing screen 520 has been pressed by the user. If it is determined that the send all button 532 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S613, otherwise the process returns to S602. In S613, the setting information management unit 304 extracts the setting information that has been changed by the user on all tabs on the setting information editing screen 520. Note that steps S612 and S613 are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

[0088] Next, in S811, the UI control unit 301 generates a confirmation message with check boxes for the setting information extracted in S613. Tab confirmation messages 761 and 763 in Fig. 7(D) are examples of the confirmation message with check boxes generated here. Note that if no setting information is extracted in S613, the UI control unit 301 generates a confirmation message to that effect, such as "There are no setting items to be changed." This confirmation message does not have check boxes.

[0089] Next, in S812, if there is one or more pieces of setting information extracted in S613, the UI control unit 301 displays the confirmation message with the check box generated in S811 on the confirmation screen 760. If there is zero piece of extracted setting information, the UI control unit 301 displays the confirmation screen 780. Then, the process proceeds to S809.

[0090] In S809, the UI control unit 301 determines whether at least one check box on the confirmation screen 700, 720, 740, 760, 780 is selected ON and whether any of the OK buttons 705, 727, 747, 765 has been pressed. If it is determined that any of the OK buttons have been pressed, the process proceeds to S810. Otherwise, the UI control unit 301 determines that any of the cancel buttons 706, 728, 748, 766, or the OK button 782 has been pressed, and the process returns to S602.

[0091] In S810, the setting information management unit 304 transmits, from among the setting information extracted in S801 or S613, the setting information belonging to the tab whose check box is ON, to the device identified by the serial number 521 on the setting information editing screen 520. Then, this flowchart ends. After that, the UI control unit 301 displays the setting information editing screen 520. Note that if there is zero setting information to be transmitted, the setting information management unit 304 does not transmit any setting information to the device. This completes the explanation of the flowchart in FIG.

[0092] According to the second embodiment, even if setting information is changed across multiple tabs, the user can effectively transmit the device setting information to the device without omission.

[0093] <Other Examples> The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a system made up of a plurality of devices, or to an apparatus made up of a single device. The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and are not excluded from the scope of the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes all configurations that combine the above-mentioned embodiments and their modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 100 Management Systems 101 Management device 102 Devices 560 Confirmation Screen 580 Confirmation Screen

Claims

1. A management device capable of editing a plurality of pieces of setting information set in an information processing device, a first user interface that displays a plurality of tabs that configure the plurality of pieces of setting information in groups in a selectable manner and displays setting information belonging to one selected tab among the plurality of tabs in an editable manner; a first instruction means for instructing to transmit setting information which belongs to the one selected tab and which has been edited in the first user interface to the information processing device; a second user interface that displays a first message related to setting information that belongs to the one selected tab and that has been edited in the first user interface, and a second message related to setting information that belongs to a tab other than the one selected tab and that has been edited in the first user interface; The second message includes a message notifying that setting information that belongs to a tab other than the selected one tab and that has been edited in the first user interface will not be transmitted to the information processing device. A management device comprising:

2. The first message displayed on the second user interface includes a message notifying the user that setting information belonging to the selected one tab and edited on the first user interface will be transmitted to the information processing device.

2. The management device according to claim 1.

3. The second user interface can change an instruction to transmit setting information to the information processing device by the first instruction means.

3. The management device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The information processing device further includes a second instruction means for instructing that setting information belonging to all of the plurality of tabs edited in the first user interface be transmitted to the information processing device.

2. The management device according to claim 1.

5. The first message displayed on the second user interface includes a message notifying the user that setting information belonging to the selected one tab and edited on the first user interface will be transmitted to the information processing device.

5. The management device according to claim 4.

6. The second message displayed on the second user interface includes a message notifying the user that setting information that belongs to a tab other than the selected one tab and that has been edited on the first user interface will be transmitted to the information processing device.

6. The management device according to claim 4 or 5.

7. In the second user interface, an instruction to transmit setting information to the information processing device by the second instruction means can be changed.

7. The management device according to claim 4, wherein the management device is a storage device.

8. An information processing device; a management device connected to the information processing device and capable of editing a plurality of pieces of setting information to be set in the information processing device; A management system comprising: The management device includes: a first user interface that displays a plurality of tabs that configure the plurality of pieces of setting information in groups in a selectable manner and displays setting information belonging to one selected tab among the plurality of tabs in an editable manner; an instruction means for instructing to transmit setting information which belongs to the one selected tab and which has been edited in the first user interface to the information processing device; a second user interface that displays a first message related to setting information that belongs to the one selected tab and that has been edited in the first user interface, and a second message related to setting information that belongs to a tab other than the one selected tab and that has been edited in the first user interface; The second message includes a message notifying that setting information that belongs to a tab other than the selected one tab and that has been edited in the first user interface will not be transmitted to the information processing device.

1. A management system comprising:

9. The information processing apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The management system according to claim 8 .

10. A method for controlling a management device capable of editing a plurality of pieces of setting information set in an information processing device, comprising: a step of displaying, in a first user interface, a plurality of tabs each constituting the plurality of pieces of setting information in a group unit in a selectable manner, and displaying, in an editable manner, the setting information belonging to one tab selected from the plurality of tabs; a step of instructing to transmit setting information belonging to the selected one tab and edited in the first user interface to the information processing device; displaying, in a second user interface, a first message related to setting information belonging to the one selected tab and edited in the first user interface, and a second message related to setting information belonging to a tab other than the one selected tab and edited in the first user interface; The second message includes a message notifying that setting information that belongs to a tab other than the selected one tab and that has been edited in the first user interface will not be transmitted to the information processing device. A method for controlling a management device.

11. A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling a management device according to claim 10.

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