program

Abstract

To provide a program for using a configuration file including parameters to be used for controlling a device, configured to use the configuration file with an appropriate combination of the parameters.SOLUTION: An image processing program 22 reads a plurality of parameters included in a configuration file 25, sets the read parameters to default values of parameters to be used for controlling an MFP3, and uses, on receipt of an instruction to execute printing or scanning through a user IF 13, a modified parameter if the parameter is modified from the default value, or uses the default value if the parameter is not modified. When a combination of parameters which cannot be set simultaneously exists in combinations of the read parameters, the image processing program 22 executes processing for correcting the combination of the parameters which cannot be set simultaneously.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a program that can use a setting file in which parameters used to control a device are written. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional technique is known in which a setting file containing parameters used to control a device capable of executing image processing is prepared, and the parameters are read from the setting file, so that the read parameters are set in the program or device that read the parameters. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which an image processing device connected to a network reads parameters from a parameter setting file stored in a server, and executes a job based on the read parameters. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-346288 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There are multiple parameters used to control a device, and some of these combinations cannot be set simultaneously. A user can manually edit a configuration file, and parameter combinations that cannot be set simultaneously may be written into the file. When parameters are read from such a configuration file, there is a possibility that the appropriate parameters will not be set. Patent Document 1 does not mention what to do if a parameter combination that cannot be set simultaneously is written into a parameter configuration file.

[0005] This specification discloses a program that can use a setting file in which parameters used to control a device are written, and a technology that attempts to use the setting file with an appropriate combination of parameters. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A program made for the purpose of solving this problem is a program executable by a computer of an information processing device, and is configured to cause the computer to execute a read process to read multiple parameters written in a setting file into a memory of the information processing device, the setting file being a file into which the multiple parameters used to control a device capable of performing image processing are written, and to execute a setting process to set the multiple parameters read into the memory by the read process to default values ​​of parameters used to control the device, and to execute a device control process to control the device via a communication interface of the information processing device when an instruction to perform the image processing is received via a user interface of the information processing device, and in the device control process, if the parameters used to control the device have been changed from their default values, the device is controlled using the changed parameters, and if the parameters used to control the device have not been changed from their default values, the device is controlled using the default values, and to execute a process to correct the combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously if there is a combination of parameters among the multiple parameters read into the memory by the read process that cannot be set simultaneously.

[0007] The program disclosed in this specification executes a process to correct a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously among the combinations of multiple parameters read from a configuration file. For example, if the correction process is notified to the user, the user can be expected to modify the configuration file, increasing the possibility that an appropriate parameter combination can be set as the default value.

[0008] An information processing device incorporating the program, a computer-readable storage medium storing the program, and a control method for realizing the functions of the program are also novel and useful. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The technology disclosed in this specification realizes a program that can utilize a configuration file containing parameters used to control a device, and a technology that enables the use of the configuration file with an appropriate combination of parameters. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a PC. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for parameter setting processing. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a setting file. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a setting confirmation process. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of intermediate data including unacceptable information. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of intermediate data including disablement information. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of intermediate data including invalid information. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a pattern. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a parameter confirmation process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, a program executed on a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC") will be described.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the PC 1 of this embodiment includes a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12. The PC 1 is an example of an information processing device, and the CPU 11 is an example of a computer. The PC 1 also includes a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "user IF") 13 and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 14, which are electrically connected to the controller 10. Note that the controller 10 in Fig. 1 is a collective term for hardware and software used to control the PC 1, and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware that actually exists in the PC 1.

[0013] The CPU 11 executes various processes in accordance with programs read from the memory 12 and based on user operations. Various programs and various data are stored in the memory 12. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed. The buffer provided in the CPU 11 is also an example of memory. Note that the memory 12 is not limited to a ROM, RAM, HDD, etc. built into the PC 1, but may also be a storage medium readable and writable by the CPU 11, such as a recording medium, such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.

[0014] The user IF 13 includes hardware for displaying a screen for notifying the user of information and hardware for accepting user operations. The user IF 13 may be a combination of a display capable of displaying information and a mouse or keyboard having an input acceptance function, or may be a touch panel having a display function and an input acceptance function.

[0015] The communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with an external device. The communication IF 14 is compatible with a communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), USB, etc. The PC 1 may include multiple communication IFs 14 compatible with multiple communication standards.

[0016] 1, the PC 1 of this embodiment is connected to a multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as "MFP") 3 via a communication IF 14. The MFP 3 is an apparatus having an image processing function and a communication function with the PC 1. The MFP 3 is an example of a device.

[0017] 1, the memory 12 of the PC 1 stores an operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") 21 and an image processing program 22. The image processing program 22 is an example of a program. The OS 21 is, for example, Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), or Android (registered trademark).

[0018] The image processing program 22 is a program that controls a device capable of executing image processing, such as the MFP3. The image processing program 22 of this embodiment is a program that is compatible with at least the model of the MFP3, and can cause the MFP3 to perform various operations by sending commands to the MFP3 based on user instructions. Specifically, the image processing program 22 can cause the MFP3 to print or scan by sending print commands or scan commands based on user instructions. Printing and scanning are examples of image processing.

[0019] Furthermore, the image processing program 22 can use various parameters when controlling the MFP 3. For example, when sending a scan command to cause the MFP 3 to perform a scan, the image processing program 22 can add setting information related to the scan to be performed as scan parameters. The MFP 3 executes a job such as printing or scanning based on the received command and parameters.

[0020] There are multiple items in the printing parameters and scanning parameters. The image processing program 22 accepts parameter designations, which are values ​​for multiple items of each parameter. Examples of printing parameter items include paper size, printing resolution, color settings, double-sided settings, and printing direction. Examples of scanning parameter items include document size, reading resolution, color settings, and image correction function settings.

[0021] The image correction function, which is one of the scan parameter items, allows the MFP3 to automatically correct image data acquired by scanning a document and output the corrected data as scan data. If the MFP3 has multiple image correction functions, the image processing program 22 can include information indicating whether or not to use each image correction function in the scan parameters. Examples of image correction functions include a blank page removal function, a skew correction function, and a background color removal function.

[0022] Furthermore, the image processing program 22 of this embodiment can use a setting file 25, for example, as shown in Fig. 1. The setting file 25 is a file with a predetermined file name that is placed in a predetermined folder that can be read by the image processing program 22. The predetermined folder is, for example, the same folder as the image processing program 22, or a folder in which setting information for the image processing program 22 is saved. Note that the folder in which the setting file 25 is saved is not limited to memory 12, which is an internal memory of the PC 1, but may also be a folder on a server or the like that can be read by the image processing program 22. Details of the setting file 25 will be described later.

[0023] Next, the procedure for parameter setting processing by the image processing program 22 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 2. This parameter setting processing is executed by the CPU 11 of the PC 1 when the image processing program 22 is started. Note that the processing in the following description and each processing step in the flowchart basically represent processing by the CPU 11 in accordance with instructions written in the image processing program 22.

[0024] When the image processing program 22 is started, the CPU 11 first determines whether or not the setting file 25 is stored in a predetermined folder (S101). If it is determined that the setting file 25 exists (S101: YES), the CPU 11 reads the setting file 25 (S102). S102 is an example of a read process.

[0025] The setting file 25 is, for example, a file generated by an administrator of the MFP3 or the like and placed in a predetermined folder, and is a file that can be read and used by the image processing program 22. The setting file 25 in this embodiment is, for example, an ini file. The setting file 25 may be in any file format that can be read by the image processing program 22, and is not limited to an ini file; for example, it may be a text file in another format. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the setting file 25 has multiple item names and numerical values ​​indicating the corresponding parameters written on each line in the format of "item name=numeral value".

[0026] The item names written in the setting file 25 are written as character strings predetermined by the image processing program 22 for each parameter item. Numeric values ​​corresponding to each of a plurality of selectable parameters are also predetermined for each item. The image processing program 22 reads and analyzes the setting file 25, thereby acquiring the contents written in the setting file 25 as a combination of parameter items and parameters specified for those items.

[0027] Items described in the setting file 25 include, for example, the execution mode of the image processing program 22, the selected device, default values ​​for print parameters and scan parameters, parameters used for communication with the device, and parameters for performing push scanning. Note that, although example names of each item are given in Japanese in Fig. 3, the item names in the setting file 25 are character strings that are specified in advance in the image processing program 22 corresponding to the item, and are not necessarily Japanese terms, nor are they necessarily meaningful terms.

[0028] Among the items in the setting file 25, the execution mode is information that specifies whether the image processing program 22 is to operate in administrator mode or general user mode. The image processing program 22 has instructions that are accepted in administrator mode but not accepted when operated in general user mode. For example, an instruction to export a workflow file that describes a series of operations to be performed by the image processing program 22 can only be accepted in administrator mode. Note that the image processing program 22 operates in general user mode if the read setting file 25 does not describe the execution mode, or if the setting file 25 to be read is not stored in memory 12, etc.

[0029] The CPU 11 determines whether the execution mode is the administrator mode based on the read setting file 25 (S103). The execution mode information written in the setting file 25 is an example of specific information. The administrator mode is an example of a specific mode, and S103 is an example of a mode switching process.

[0030] If it is determined that the execution mode is not the administrator mode (S103: NO), the CPU 11 sets various parameters to default values ​​based on the description in the read setting file 25 (S105). S105 is an example of the setting process. For example, if the setting file 25 describes a value indicating ON for the item name corresponding to the blank page removal function of the scan parameters, the CPU 11 sets the blank page removal function of the default scan parameters to ON. Note that for items not described in the setting file 25, the CPU 11 sets them to default values ​​that are pre-stored in the image processing program 22.

[0031] On the other hand, if it is determined that the setting file 25 is not stored in the predetermined folder (S101: NO), the CPU 11 sets all items to default values ​​that are pre-stored in the image processing program 22 (S106).

[0032] When the image processing program 22 executes a process for controlling the MFP 3 or the like, for example, when it transmits a command for printing or scanning, it stores various parameters used in the process as user setting values. In S105 or S106, if a user setting value is stored, the CPU 11 sets the stored user setting value to a default value.

[0033] After S105 or S106, the CPU 11 displays, for example, an instruction acceptance screen for accepting instructions from the user on the user IF 13 (S107). The instruction acceptance screen is a screen for accepting various instructions, such as an instruction to change settings, an instruction to execute a print job or a scan job, an instruction to end the image processing program 22, etc.

[0034] Then, the CPU 11 determines whether or not an instruction to change settings has been accepted on the currently displayed instruction acceptance screen (S111). If it is determined that an instruction to change settings has not been accepted (S111: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether or not an instruction to execute a job has been accepted (S121). If it is determined that an instruction to execute a job has not been accepted (S121: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether or not an instruction to terminate the image processing program 22 has been accepted (S131). If it is determined that an instruction to terminate has not been accepted (S131: NO), the CPU 11 waits until some instruction is accepted.

[0035] If it is determined that an instruction to change the settings has been accepted (S111: YES), the CPU 11 causes the user IF 13 to display a setting screen for accepting the settings (S112). Note that the setting screen that is first displayed after S105 or S106 displays the default values ​​set in S105 or S106 as various parameters. The CPU 11 then accepts user inputs to the setting screen until it accepts an instruction to confirm the parameters being displayed on the setting screen or an instruction to cancel the setting change, and displays the setting screen with the contents changed based on the accepted input.

[0036] Note that the image processing program 22 includes multiple parameter combinations that cannot be set simultaneously, such as print parameters and scan parameters that are inconsistent with each other or that prevent the MFP 3 from operating properly. When the CPU 11 receives a setting instruction for a parameter combination that cannot be set simultaneously via the user IF 13 on the currently displayed setting screen, the CPU 11 displays, for example, a warning message. There are multiple types of parameter combinations that cannot be set simultaneously, such as combinations that cannot be sent, combinations that cannot be set, and invalid combinations.

[0037] A non-transmittable combination is a combination in which the behavior of the MFP3 when that parameter combination is transmitted to the MFP3 is unknown, and transmission is prohibited by the image processing program 22. A non-transmittable combination is an example of a first type of combination. For example, a combination of scan parameters, a parameter indicating 1200 x 1200 dpi as the reading resolution and a parameter indicating a long document size, is a non-transmittable combination. For example, when the CPU 11 receives a setting instruction for a non-transmittable combination via the user IF 13, the CPU 11 displays a warning message and does not accept the setting for that combination.

[0038] An unconfigurable combination is one in which, when the parameter combination is transmitted to the MFP3, one of the parameters is automatically ignored by the MFP3. An unconfigurable combination is an example of a second type of combination. For example, a combination of a scan parameter indicating the use of a blank page removal function and a parameter indicating a long document size is an unconfigurable combination. Also, for example, a combination of a scan parameter indicating the use of a skew correction function and a parameter indicating a long document size is an unconfigurable combination. When the CPU 11 receives a setting instruction resulting in an unconfigurable combination via the user IF 13, for example, the CPU 11 displays a warning message but sets the parameters for that combination.

[0039] An invalid combination is a combination in which one of the parameters does not satisfy the condition for the other parameter to be valid. For example, a white level parameter to be removed by the blank page removal function is invalid when the parameter for the blank page removal function is set to off. Also, for example, a parameter indicating a language used to determine the image orientation by the automatic image rotation function is invalid when the parameter for the automatic image rotation function is set to off. The CPU 11 does not accept an instruction to set an invalid combination, for example, via the user IF 13. The CPU 11 can accept the setting of a white level parameter only when the parameter for the blank page removal function is set to on.

[0040] When the CPU 11 receives an instruction to confirm each parameter currently being displayed or an instruction to cancel the setting change on the currently displayed setting screen, it determines the parameter based on the instruction (S113), returns to S107, hides the setting screen, and displays the instruction acceptance screen.

[0041] The image processing program 22 can also accept an instruction to change the settings for push scan on the instruction acceptance screen. Push scan is a type of scan that is executed using setting values ​​that have been previously set in the image processing program 22 when an execution instruction is accepted via an operation panel of the MFP 3 or the like. If the CPU 11 determines that the instruction accepted on the instruction acceptance screen is an instruction to change the settings for push scan, it stores the accepted settings in the memory 12 and returns to S107.

[0042] Furthermore, if it is determined that an instruction to execute a job has been accepted on the currently displayed instruction acceptance screen (S121: YES), the CPU 11 creates a command based on the user's instruction (S122) and transmits the created command to the MFP 3 (S123). When the MFP 3 receives a command such as a print command or a scan command, it performs an operation based on the received command. S123 is a process for controlling the MFP 3, and is an example of a device control process. After S123, the CPU 11 returns to S107 and displays the instruction acceptance screen.

[0043] If a job execution instruction is received without receiving an instruction to change the settings after the default values ​​of the parameters have been set in S105 or S106, the CPU 11 creates a command using the parameters of the default values ​​in S122. On the other hand, if a setting change instruction is received and the parameters have been changed from the default values ​​after the default values ​​of the parameters have been set in S105 or S106, the CPU 11 creates a command using the parameters changed from the default values ​​in S122.

[0044] Furthermore, if it is determined that an instruction to terminate the image processing program 22 has been received on the currently displayed instruction receiving screen (S131: YES), the CPU 11 terminates the display of the instruction receiving screen and terminates the parameter setting process. That is, the CPU 11 terminates the image processing program 22.

[0045] On the other hand, if it is determined that the execution mode is the administrator mode based on the setting file 25 read in S102 (S103: YES), the CPU 11 executes a setting confirmation process (S140). The setting confirmation process is a process for correcting the setting file 25 when there is a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously among the multiple parameters described in the setting file 25 read in S102.

[0046] If a setting file 25 is placed in a predetermined folder in advance, the image processing program 22 of this embodiment can set default values ​​based on the setting file 25. For example, if an administrator who manages an MFP3 controlled by a plurality of image processing programs 22 installed in a plurality of PCs or the like wants to standardize the default values ​​of the image processing programs 22, he or she can generate a common setting file 25 and place it in a predetermined folder on each PC or the like.

[0047] However, as mentioned above, there are some combinations of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously in the image processing program 22. If the settings file 25 loaded in S102 does not contain appropriate descriptions, the default values ​​set in S105 and the behavior of the MFP3 when those default values ​​are used may differ from the administrator's intentions.

[0048] In this embodiment, the image processing program 22 can include execution mode information in the setting file 25, and executes the setting confirmation process while operating in administrator mode, but does not execute the setting confirmation process when not operating in administrator mode. Since it is highly likely that a general user does not have the authority to modify the setting file 25, the image processing program 22 in this embodiment does not execute the setting confirmation process in general user mode. This reduces the possibility of causing anxiety to general users. The CPU 11 may determine whether the execution mode is administrator mode based on, for example, the login user name, rather than on the contents of the setting file 25.

[0049] Next, the procedure of the setting confirmation process will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 4. In the setting confirmation process, CPU 11 determines whether or not there is a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously among the multiple parameters described in setting file 25 (S201). CPU 11 makes the determination in S201 based on information stored in image processing program 22.

[0050] If it is determined that there is a parameter combination that cannot be set simultaneously (S201: YES), the CPU 11 generates intermediate data 31 in the memory 12 (S203) and copies the read setting file 25 to the intermediate data 31. Then, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the setting file 25 includes a parameter combination that cannot be sent simultaneously, as a parameter combination that cannot be set simultaneously (S211).

[0051] If it is determined that a combination that cannot be transmitted is included (S211: YES), the CPU 11 adds the impossibility information 32 to the intermediate data 31 generated in S203 (S213), for example, as shown in Fig. 5. S213 is an example of a process for correcting a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously. Note that if the setting file 25 includes multiple combinations that cannot be transmitted, the CPU 11 adds the impossibility information 32 to each of all the combinations that cannot be transmitted in S213.

[0052] Specifically, if the setting file 25 includes a parameter indicating 1200 x 1200 dpi as the scanning resolution and a parameter indicating a long document size, the CPU 11 adds prohibition information 32 as a comment, for example, as shown in Fig. 5. The prohibition information 32 includes a message 321 indicating that there is a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, information 322 indicating the contents of each parameter of the combination, and a mark 323 indicating the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously. The prohibition information 32 is an example of exclusive information.

[0053] Furthermore, the image processing program 22 of this embodiment includes information for changing a combination that cannot be transmitted to a proper combination. The CPU 11 automatically changes the combination that cannot be transmitted, which is included in the intermediate data 31, to parameters of a proper combination (S214). In the example of FIG. 5, the CPU 11 changes the original "scan parameter A=12" (FIG. 3) to "scan parameter A=3." Furthermore, the CPU 11 adds a message 324, which indicates that the combination has been changed to a predetermined proper combination, as the unacceptable information 32 to the intermediate data 31. The message 324 is an example of change information.

[0054] After S214, or when it is determined that no combination that cannot be transmitted is included (S211: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the setting file 25 includes any combination that cannot be set as a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously (S221). Note that, if the intermediate data 31 is changed in S214, the CPU 11 makes the determination of S221 based on the changed intermediate data 31.

[0055] If it is determined that an unsettable combination is included (S221: YES), the CPU 11 adds unsettable information 33 to the intermediate data 31 (S223), for example, as shown in FIG. 6. S223 is an example of a process for correcting a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously. Note that if unsettable information 32 has been added to the intermediate data 31 in S213, the CPU 11 adds the unsettable information 33 following the unsettable information 32. Furthermore, if the setting file 25 includes multiple unsettable combinations, the CPU 11 adds the unsettable information 33 to each of all unsettable combinations in S223.

[0056] Specifically, when the setting file 25 includes a combination of a parameter indicating the use of the blank page removal function and a parameter indicating a long document size, the CPU 11 adds disable information 33 as a comment, for example, as shown in Fig. 6. The disable information 33 includes a message 331 indicating that there is a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, information 332 indicating the contents of each parameter of the combination, and a mark 333 indicating the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously. The disable information 33 is an example of exclusive information.

[0057] As mentioned above, even if parameters including an unsettable combination are sent to the MFP 3, one of the parameters is simply automatically ignored, and no adverse effect occurs. Therefore, the CPU 11 does not change the parameters even if an unsettable combination is included.

[0058] After S223, or when it is determined that no unsettable combinations are included (S221: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether or not an invalid combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously is included in the setting file 25 (S231). Note that, if the intermediate data 31 is changed in S214, the CPU 11 makes the determination in S231 based on the changed intermediate data 31.

[0059] If it is determined that an invalid combination is included (S231: YES), the CPU 11 adds invalid information 34 to the intermediate data 31 (S233), for example, as shown in FIG. 7. S233 is an example of a process for correcting a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously. Note that if the impossible information 32 or the impossible information 33 has been added to the intermediate data 31, the CPU 11 adds the invalid information 34 after the impossible information 32 or the impossible information 33. Furthermore, if the setting file 25 includes multiple invalid combinations, the CPU 11 adds invalid information 34 to each of all of the invalid combinations in S233.

[0060] Specifically, when the setting file 25 includes a combination of a parameter indicating that the blank page removal function is not to be used and a parameter specifying a white level, the CPU 11 adds invalid information 34 as a comment, for example, as shown in FIG. 7. The invalid information 34 includes a message 341 indicating that there is a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, information 342 indicating the contents of each parameter in the combination, and a mark 343 indicating the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously. The invalid information 34 is an example of exclusive information. The information 342 is an example of information indicating a condition of one parameter that must be satisfied in order to control the MFP 3 using the other parameter.

[0061] As described above, even if parameters including an invalid combination are sent to the MFP 3, they are automatically invalidated and have no adverse effect. Therefore, the CPU 11 does not change the parameters even if an invalid combination is included.

[0062] After S233, or when it is determined that no invalid combinations are included (S231: NO), the CPU 11 writes the intermediate data 31 to which each piece of information has been added into a file (S241). The CPU 11 generates, for example, a new setting file 26 as a file separate from the setting file 25. S241 is an example of a process for correcting a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously.

[0063] If a parameter that is a prerequisite for an invalid combination is not specified, the image processing program 22 performs the same processing as if that parameter were set to off. Prerequisite parameters include, for example, a parameter for the blank page removal function relative to a parameter for the white level, and a parameter for the automatic image rotation function relative to a parameter for a language used to determine the image orientation. For example, if the setting file 25 does not include a parameter indicating that the blank page removal function is to be used, the parameter specifying the white level becomes invalid, just as if the setting file 25 includes a parameter indicating that the blank page removal function is not to be used. The CPU 11 may determine that an invalid combination exists even if the setting file 25 does not include a parameter that is a prerequisite.

[0064] After S241, or when it is determined that the read setting file 25 does not contain a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously (S201: NO), the CPU 11 ends the setting confirmation process and returns to the parameter setting process.

[0065] In S241, the CPU 11 may overwrite the configuration file 25 instead of generating the configuration file 26 separately from the configuration file 25. Overwriting eliminates the risk of confusing the files and the need to delete one of them. On the other hand, generating the files as separate files allows the administrator who generated the configuration file 25 to compare the two files, making it easier to understand parameter combinations that cannot be set simultaneously.

[0066] In this embodiment, ini files are used as the setting files 25 and 26, and FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 show an example in which comment lines with a comment mark ";" added to the beginning of each line are added as the impossible information 32, the impossible information 33, and the invalid information 34. The comment mark ";" is a mark in the ini file indicating that the information on that line is not to be processed, and the image processing program 22 does not read out lines with a comment mark added. Therefore, the image processing program 22 can use the setting file 26 generated in S241 with each piece of information still included. The comment mark is not limited to ";" as long as it indicates that the line is not to be read out by the image processing program 22.

[0067] Furthermore, since the combinations that cannot be transmitted have been changed in S214, a setting file 26 that does not include the combinations that cannot be transmitted is generated in S241. Therefore, by using the setting file 26 instead of the setting file 25, it is possible to prevent parameters that include the combinations that cannot be transmitted from being set in the image processing program 22.

[0068] Although it has been described above that the CPU 11 does not change the intermediate data 31 if there is an unsettable combination or an invalid combination, the CPU 11 may change the intermediate data 31. For example, the CPU 11 may change one of the parameters of the unsettable combination to generate a setting file 26 that eliminates the unsettable combination. For example, if the scan parameters include a combination of a parameter indicating the use of the blank page removal function and a parameter indicating a long document size, the CPU 11 may generate a setting file 26 in which the parameter has been changed to indicate that the blank page removal function will not be used.

[0069] Furthermore, the CPU 11 may, for example, change the parameters that are the conditions for validating an invalid combination, thereby generating a setting file 26 that does not have any invalid combinations. For example, if a parameter for a white level that is to be removed by the blank page removal function is set, the CPU 11 may generate a setting file 26 in which the parameter is changed to indicate that the blank page removal function is to be used.

[0070] However, it may be impossible to eliminate all unconfigurable or invalid combinations. Also, changing one parameter may result in a new unconfigurable or invalid combination with other parameters. Therefore, the CPU 11 may generate multiple new configuration files that eliminate at least some of the unconfigurable or invalid combinations, for example.

[0071] For example, if CPU 11 determines that an unsettable or invalid combination is included, it extracts parameter patterns that can resolve at least some of the unsettable or invalid combinations after S223 or S233 and before S241. Then, for each extracted pattern, CPU 11 may generate, in S241, multiple new setting files in which the parameters have been changed to achieve the combination indicated by that pattern. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, if "Pattern 1," which turns off the blank page removal function, and "Pattern 2," which changes the document size to a standard size, are extracted, CPU 11 generates two setting files in which the parameters have been changed based on these two patterns, as files separate from setting file 25.

[0072] For combinations that cannot be configured or are invalid, changing parameters is not required, so by extracting at least one pattern that can be changed and generating a configuration file as a separate file for each extracted pattern, it is possible to present combinations of parameters that can be changed as selectable. Administrators can select from multiple configuration files, which increases the degree of freedom in configuration.

[0073] Returning to the description of the parameter setting process in Fig. 2, after the setting confirmation process of S140 is completed, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a new file has been created in S241 of the setting confirmation process (S141). If it is determined that a new file has not been created (S141: NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to S105, where, as described above, the CPU 11 sets a default value and accepts user input.

[0074] On the other hand, if it is determined that a new file has been generated (S141: YES), the CPU 11 causes the user IF 13 to display a message indicating that the original configuration file 25 contains a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously (S143). S143 is an example of processing for correcting a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, and is also an example of notification processing. By notifying the administrator that a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously exists, the administrator can easily become aware of this. As a result, it is expected that the configuration file 25 will be modified so that a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously does not occur.

[0075] Furthermore, the CPU 11 issues an instruction to open the newly created setting file 26 (S144), and ends the parameter setting process. That is, the CPU 11 ends the image processing program 22.

[0076] By checking the commented configuration file 26, the administrator can understand that there are parameter combinations that cannot be set simultaneously and what those combinations are. Then, for example, the administrator can modify the configuration file 25 or the configuration file 26 and use it, thereby reducing the possibility of the default settings differing from the administrator's intention.

[0077] In addition to the image processing program 22, there may be a parameter confirmation program for confirming the contents of the setting file 25. The parameter confirmation program is a program that performs processing to correct a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously in the setting file 25 when such a combination exists. The parameter confirmation program is executed by the CPU 11 of the PC 1 when an instruction to read the setting file 25 is received.

[0078] The procedure of the parameter confirmation process by the parameter confirmation program will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 9. In the following description and Fig. 9, steps that are the same as those in the parameter setting process in Fig. 2 are given the same reference numerals, and the description will be simplified.

[0079] In the parameter confirmation process, the CPU 11 reads the specified setting file 25 (S102) and executes the setting confirmation process (FIG. 4) (S140). Then, the CPU 11 determines whether a new setting file was generated in the setting confirmation process (S141). If it is determined that a new setting file was generated (S141: YES), the CPU 11 notifies the user that there is a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously (S143). The CPU 11 may open the newly generated setting file. S143 is an example of a process for correcting a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously.

[0080] On the other hand, if it is determined that a new setting file has not been generated (S141: NO), the CPU 11 notifies that there is no combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously (S301). After S143 or S301, the CPU 11 ends the parameter confirmation process.

[0081] Even with this parameter checking program, if the setting file 25 being read contains a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, a process for correcting the combination is executed, so that the user can be expected to modify the setting file 25. In this configuration, the parameter checking program is an example of a program, and the image processing program 22 is an example of an application. When the PC 1 is provided with the parameter checking program, the image processing program 22 does not need to have a function for executing the setting checking process. In other words, the parameter setting process executed based on the image processing program 22 does not need to include S140 to S144.

[0082] As described above in detail, the image processing program 22 of this embodiment reads the setting file 25, checks its contents, and if there is a parameter combination that cannot be set simultaneously among the multiple parameter combinations included in the setting file 25, executes processing to correct the combination. This is expected to encourage the user to modify the setting file 25, increasing the possibility that an appropriate parameter combination can be set as the default value.

[0083] It should be noted that this embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the technology disclosed in this specification can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, instead of the PC 1, a tablet computer or a smartphone may be used. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to an MFP, and any device having an image processing function and a communication function, such as a printer, a copier, a fax machine, or a scanner, may be used.

[0084] Furthermore, for example, the contents of the configuration file and the comments of the intermediate data shown in each figure are all examples, and the included wording and display format are not limited to the examples shown in the figures. Also, for example, the configuration file does not have to include the items for the execution mode and the selected device.

[0085] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if there is a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, a new setting file 26 is generated and a notification is given. However, it is also possible to perform only one of the file generation and notification. For example, S241 of the setting confirmation process may be deleted, and information added to the intermediate data 31 may be notified. Also, for example, S143 of the parameter setting process may be deleted, and if YES is determined in S141, the process may proceed to S144. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the newly generated setting file is opened in S144 of the parameter setting process, but it is not necessary to open it.

[0086] In addition, in this embodiment, if there is a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, a notification is made after a new setting file 26 is generated, but the timing of the notification is not limited to this. For example, if the CPU 11 determines in S201 of the setting confirmation process that there is a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, the CPU 11 may notify the user of this before or after generating the intermediate data 31. Alternatively, the CPU 11 may identify the type of combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously and then notify the user of the content of the comment to be added to the intermediate data 31.

[0087] In addition, in this embodiment, if there is a combination of parameters that cannot be set at the same time, a new setting file 26 with a comment added is generated, but the file containing only the comment and the new setting file may be generated as separate files. In a file containing only the comment, the comment text may not have a comment mark.

[0088] In addition, in this embodiment, when a combination that cannot be transmitted is included, the configuration file 26 is generated with changed parameters, but the parameters do not have to be changed. For example, a comment mark may be added to at least one of the parameters of the combination that cannot be transmitted, so that it is excluded from the setting targets.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the setting file 25 is read when the image processing program 22 is started, but the timing for reading the setting file 25 is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 11 may read the setting file 25 when it receives an instruction to change settings or an instruction to execute a job. In this case, the CPU 11 may read only the portion of the setting file 25 that relates to the type of job that is the target of the received instruction. In this case, the setting confirmation process may check only the portion of the setting file 25 that was the target of reading.

[0090] Furthermore, in the setting confirmation process of this embodiment, only the process of checking combinations of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously has been described, but even if the description in the read setting file contains, for example, an item name or a numerical value other than the predetermined options, it may be added to the intermediate data 31 as a comment.

[0091] Furthermore, in any flowchart disclosed in the embodiments, the execution order of multiple processes in any multiple steps can be arbitrarily changed or can be executed in parallel, as long as no contradiction occurs in the processing content.

[0092] The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by hardware such as a single CPU, multiple CPUs, or ASIC, or a combination thereof. The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be realized in various ways, such as a recording medium on which a program for executing the processes is recorded, or a method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1 PC 3 MFP 11 CPU 12 Memory 13 User Interface 14 Communication Interface

Claims

1. A program executable by a computer of an information processing device, The computer, execute a read process for reading a plurality of parameters written in a setting file into a memory of the information processing device, the setting file being a file in which the plurality of parameters used to control a device capable of executing image processing are written; Furthermore, the computer executing a setting process for setting the plurality of parameters read into the memory by the reading process to default values ​​of parameters used to control the device; Furthermore, the computer when an instruction to execute the image processing is received via a user interface of the information processing device, a device control process is executed to control the device via a communication interface of the information processing device, and in the device control process, if a parameter used to control the device has been changed from the default value, the device is controlled using the changed parameter, and if the parameter used to control the device has not been changed from the default value, the device is controlled using the default value; Furthermore, the computer If a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously exists among the combinations of the plurality of parameters read into the memory by the read process, a process is executed to correct the combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously; Furthermore, the computer In the process for correcting the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, a new setting file is generated in which exclusive information indicating that there is the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously is written. A program that is structured as follows.

2. A program as described in claim 1, The computer, In the process for correcting the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, the new configuration file is generated in which a comment indicating that there is the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously is written as the exclusive information, and the comment is information that is not to be read by the read process. A program that is structured as follows.

3. A program as described in claim 2, The computer, In the process for correcting the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, the new setting file is generated in which the comment including information indicating the content of the parameters is written as the exclusive information. A program that is structured as follows.

4. A program as described in claim 2 or claim 3, The computer, In the process for correcting the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, if one of the combinations of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously does not satisfy a condition for controlling the device using the other parameter, the new setting file is generated in which the comment containing information indicating a condition of the one parameter that must be satisfied in order to control the device using the other parameter is written as the exclusive information. A program that is structured as follows.

5. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The computer, In the process for correcting the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, the new setting file is generated in which a mark indicating that the parameters cannot be set simultaneously is written as the exclusive information and associated with each of the parameters that constitute the combination that cannot be set simultaneously. A program that is structured as follows.

6. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The computer, In the process for correcting the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, the new setting file into which the exclusive information is written is generated as a file separate from the setting file that was the target of reading in the reading process. A program that is structured as follows.

7. A program executable by a computer of an information processing device, The computer, execute a read process for reading a plurality of parameters written in a setting file into a memory of the information processing device, the setting file being a file in which the plurality of parameters used to control a device capable of executing image processing are written; Furthermore, the computer executing a setting process for setting the plurality of parameters read into the memory by the reading process to default values ​​of parameters used to control the device; Furthermore, the computer when an instruction to execute the image processing is received via a user interface of the information processing device, a device control process is executed to control the device via a communication interface of the information processing device, and in the device control process, if a parameter used to control the device has been changed from the default value, the device is controlled using the changed parameter, and if the parameter used to control the device has not been changed from the default value, the device is controlled using the default value; Furthermore, the computer If a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously exists among the combinations of the plurality of parameters read into the memory by the read process, a process is executed to correct the combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously; Furthermore, the computer In the process for correcting the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously is changed to the combination of the parameters that can be set simultaneously, and a new setting file is generated in which change information indicating that the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously has been changed is written. A program that is structured as follows.

8. A program as described in claim 7, The computer, In the process for correcting the combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, the new setting file in which the combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously has been changed to a combination of parameters that can be set simultaneously is generated as a file separate from the setting file that was the target of reading in the reading process. A program that is structured as follows.

9. A program executable by a computer of an information processing device, The computer, execute a read process for reading a plurality of parameters written in a setting file into a memory of the information processing device, the setting file being a file in which the plurality of parameters used to control a device capable of executing image processing are written; Furthermore, the computer executing a setting process for setting the plurality of parameters read into the memory by the reading process to default values ​​of parameters used to control the device; Furthermore, the computer when an instruction to execute the image processing is received via a user interface of the information processing device, a device control process is executed to control the device via a communication interface of the information processing device, and in the device control process, if a parameter used to control the device has been changed from the default value, the device is controlled using the changed parameter, and if the parameter used to control the device has not been changed from the default value, the device is controlled using the default value; Furthermore, the computer If a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously exists among the combinations of the plurality of parameters read into the memory by the read process, a process is executed to correct the combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously; The combinations of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously include a first type of combination and a second type of combination, the first type of combination being a combination that cannot be transmitted to the device capable of executing image processing, and the second type of combination being a combination that can be transmitted to the device capable of executing image processing, and at least one of the parameters of the combination being not used by the device, Furthermore, the computer In the process for correcting the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, If the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously is the first type combination, a new setting file is generated in which the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously is changed to the combination of the parameters that can be set simultaneously; If the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously is the second type combination, extract at least one pattern that results in the combination of the parameters that can be set simultaneously by changing one of the combinations of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, and for each extracted pattern, generate the new setting file in which the parameters have been changed to the combination shown in the pattern, as a file separate from the setting file that was the target of reading in the reading process. A program that is structured as follows.

10. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The computer, A mode switching process is executed by determining whether or not the setting file includes specific information indicating a specific mode, and if it is determined that the specific information is included, the device operates in the specific mode, and if it is determined that the specific information is not included, the device does not operate in the specific mode, and the setting file can include the specific information; Furthermore, the computer When the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously exists among the combinations of the plurality of parameters read by the read process during operation in the specific mode, the process for correcting the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously is executed, and when the device is not operating in the specific mode, the process for correcting the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously is not executed. A program that is structured as follows.

11. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The computer, executing, when the process for correcting the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously has been executed, a notification process for notifying, via the user interface, that the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously exists; A program that is structured as follows.

12. A program executable by a computer of an information processing device, The computer, when an instruction to read a setting file is received via a user interface of the information processing device, a read process is executed to read a plurality of parameters written in the setting file into a memory of the information processing device, the setting file being a file in which the plurality of parameters used to control a device capable of executing image processing are written, and the plurality of parameters being read by an application that controls the device, the read plurality of parameters being able to be set in the application; Furthermore, the computer If a combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously exists among the combinations of the plurality of parameters read into the memory by the read process, a process is executed to correct the combination of parameters that cannot be set simultaneously; Furthermore, the computer In the process for correcting the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously, a new setting file is generated in which exclusive information indicating that there is the combination of the parameters that cannot be set simultaneously is written. A program that is structured as follows.

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