Communication methods, programs, information processing devices, and systems

Abstract

To enable easy information entry to establish communication between an image formation device and an information processor.SOLUTION: A communication method comprises a step of exchanging configuration information between an image formation device and an information processor to establish communication of a first communication protocol and a step of implementing communication between the image formation device and the information processor of a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol, in the step of implementing the communication of the second communication protocol, the information processor receives the type of the first communication protocol set for the image formation device from the image formation device, causes a display to display a screen that prompts a user to set the setting information and that corresponds to the type of the first communication protocol, and then the information processor acquires the information based on the user's setting operation and sends it to the image formation device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology for communication between an image forming apparatus and an information processing terminal.

Background Art

[0002] Communication technologies between devices including an image forming apparatus have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-183928) provides a technology capable of reducing the processing load of a terminal device in a situation where the terminal device should transmit a plurality of pieces of predetermined setting information to be set in communication devices to each of the plurality of communication devices. The terminal device 100 in Patent Document 1 causes each of the MFPs 200 and 300 to participate in the above-mentioned WFDNW (S26, S46) without being changed to another state (that is, the CL state or the device state) after being changed to the G / O state for operating as a G / O device of the WFDNW. Then, the terminal device 100 transmits a set request including setting information to each of the MFPs 200 and 300 using the above-mentioned WFDNW (S70).

[0003] Further, in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-173972), a technology is provided that enables confirmation that the image forming apparatus as a cooperation target for a mobile terminal is the image forming apparatus desired by the user when performing a cooperation operation between the image forming apparatus and the mobile terminal. In Patent Document 2, the mobile terminal 50 acquires information (device identification information) for the user to determine whether the image forming apparatus with which the mobile terminal 50 is about to cooperate is the desired image forming apparatus through BLE communication (short-range wireless communication) with the image forming apparatus. Then, the mobile terminal 50 displays a confirmation message 700 for confirming the execution of the cooperation operation with the image forming apparatus. The confirmation message 700 includes the device identification information (device name "6th floor east side 1", etc.). The mobile terminal 50 executes a cooperation operation (authentication operation, etc.) in response to a confirmation operation of the confirmation message 700 by the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-183928 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-173972 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] When communicating between an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus, the user is required to input configuration information to establish the communication. Users have a desire to easily input such required configuration information. Patent documents 1 and 2 do not propose any technology that meets this need.

[0006] Therefore, an object in certain aspects of this disclosure is to provide a technology that enables the simple input of configuration information for establishing communication between an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This disclosure be The communication method relating to a phase includes the steps of establishing communication of a first communication protocol between an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus, and performing communication of a second communication protocol of a different type from the first communication protocol between the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus, wherein the step of performing communication of the second communication protocol includes the steps of the information processing apparatus receiving from the image forming apparatus the type of the first communication protocol and setting information for establishing communication in accordance with that type of first communication protocol, the steps of the information processing apparatus displaying on a display a screen that prompts the user to perform setting operations for setting items for establishing communication in accordance with the first communication protocol, and the screen corresponding to the type of first communication protocol, the steps of the information processing apparatus acquiring information based on the user's setting operations to the information processing apparatus and comparing it with the setting information received from the image forming apparatus, and the steps of the information processing apparatus transmitting to the image forming apparatus information indicating the result of the comparison, which is information regarding the consistency between the information based on the setting operations and the setting information received from the image forming apparatus.

[0009] In the above communication method, the configuration information includes authentication information. In the above communication method, authentication information includes a password.

[0010] In the above communication method, the screen corresponding to the type of first communication protocol includes objects representing setting items for establishing communication in accordance with that type of first communication protocol.

[0011] In the above communication method, a setting operation includes setting a value for an object on the screen, and obtaining information based on a setting operation includes obtaining the value set by the operation on the object on the screen.

[0012] In the above communication method, the type of the first communication protocol includes the version of that first communication protocol.

[0013] In the above communication method, the first communication protocol includes a secure communication protocol. In the communication method described above, the secure communication protocol includes SNMP.

[0014] In other aspects of this disclosure, a program is provided for causing a processor to perform the communication method described above.

[0015] In other aspects of this disclosure, an information processing device is provided, comprising a memory storing the above-mentioned program and a processor for executing the program.

[0016] In other aspects of this disclosure, system It will be provided. The system includes means for establishing communication of a first communication protocol between an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus, and means for implementing communication of a second communication protocol of a different type from the first communication protocol between the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus, wherein the means for implementing communication of the second communication protocol includes means for the information processing apparatus to receive from the image forming apparatus the type of the first communication protocol and setting information for establishing communication in accordance with that type of first communication protocol, means for the information processing apparatus to display a screen on a display that prompts the user to perform setting operations for setting items for establishing communication in accordance with the first communication protocol, and the screen corresponding to the type of first communication protocol, means for the information processing apparatus to acquire information based on the user's setting operations to the information processing apparatus and compare it with the setting information received from the image forming apparatus, and means for the information processing apparatus to transmit to the image forming apparatus information indicating the result of the comparison, which is information regarding the consistency between the information based on the setting operations and the setting information received from the image forming apparatus. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to this disclosure, it is possible to easily input configuration information for establishing communication between an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram schematically showing a scene where a user operates an MFP using a smartphone carried by the user. [Figure 3] This is a diagram schematically showing an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a diagram schematically showing an example of the hardware configuration of the personal computer according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a diagram schematically showing an example of the hardware configuration of the smartphone according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a diagram schematically showing the module configuration of the printer driver of the smartphone according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a diagram schematically showing the module configuration of the MFP according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing an example of the communication sequence according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing an example of the notification of insufficient setting items according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a diagram showing an example of the notification of insufficient setting items according to this embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing an example of the notification of insufficient setting items according to this embodiment. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing an example of the notification of insufficient setting items according to this embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a diagram showing an example of the notification of insufficient setting items according to this embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a diagram showing another example of the communication sequence according to this embodiment. [Figure 15] This is a diagram showing another example of the communication sequence according to this embodiment. [Figure 16] This is a diagram showing an example of the flowchart of the processing of the smartphone according to this embodiment. [Figure 17]This is a diagram showing an example of a screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 18] This is a diagram showing an example of a screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 19] This is a diagram showing an example of a screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 20] This is a diagram showing an example of a screen according to the present embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, these descriptions will not be repeated.

[0020] <A. Configuration of the System> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, as an example of an image forming apparatus, an MFP (Multi-Function Peripherals), which is a multifunction machine such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile apparatus, etc., is shown. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited to an MFP, and may be an apparatus such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile apparatus, etc. Further, the information processing apparatus that communicates with the image forming apparatus by wire or wirelessly shows an example implemented in a smartphone or a personal computer, but is not limited thereto, and may be implemented in a mobile device such as a mobile phone or a tablet terminal, for example.

[0021] Also, in the present embodiment, the "user" refers to a person who uses or operates the image forming apparatus, and may include a general user of the image forming apparatus, as well as a service technician, a vendor, etc. who perform maintenance such as maintenance, repair, and management of the image forming apparatus.

[0022] In this embodiment, the secure communication protocol used between the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus is, for example, SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). Different versions of SNMP (hereinafter simply referred to as versions) may be applied to secure communication. Versions include, for example, v1, v2c, and v3. Furthermore, the applicable secure communication protocol is not limited to SNMP, and may also be, for example, SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), TLS (Transport Layer Security), HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), etc.

[0023] Referring to Figure 1, System 1 comprises multiple MFPs 100 and multiple information processing devices. The information processing devices include, for example, a stationary personal computer 200 and a portable smartphone 400. System 1 provides a communication system that connects these information processing devices to wired or wireless networks 401 and 402. System 1 is installed in an environment where multiple MFPs 100 are used by multiple users, such as a company office. Networks 401 and 402 include LANs (Local Area Networks) or global networks. The smartphone 400 can also exchange data with the MFPs 100 via short-range wireless communication 403. The personal computer 200 can also be configured to exchange data with the MFPs 100 via wireless communication 403.

[0024] The MFPs 100 are interconnected and communicable via the network 401. The personal computer 200 communicates with the MFPs 100 via the networks 401 and 402, either wired or wirelessly. The personal computer 200 has a memory for storing programs, a processor for executing the programs, a communication circuit, an instruction input device, etc. For example, the personal computer 200 and the smartphone 400 generate job information 205 such as print jobs by executing the program of the printer driver 204, and transfer the generated job information 205 to the MFPs 100 via the network. The MFPs 100 receive and execute the job information 205 transferred from the personal computer 200 or the smartphone 400, and perform the processes (printing process, facsimile process, etc.) specified by the job.

[0025] Also, a cloud server or an on-premises server may be connected to the network 401 or 402 of the system 1. In that case, the information processing devices that communicate securely with the MFPs 100 may include these servers. Job information 205 can be transferred to the MFPs 100 from the servers.

[0026] <B. Hardware Configuration> Figure 2 schematically shows a scene in which a user operates the MFP100 using a smartphone 400 that they carry with them. Figure 3 schematically shows an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP100 according to this embodiment. Referring to Figure 3, the MFP100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 150 which corresponds to a processor circuit for controlling the MFP100, a storage unit 160 for storing programs and data, an information input / output unit 170, a communication I / F (abbreviation for Interface) 156 for communicating with a network 401, a communication circuit 175 for communicating with an information processing device, a wireless communication circuit 178 for short-range wireless communication with devices such as a smartphone 400, a sensor I / F (abbreviation for Interface) 161 for exchanging data and signals with a sensor group 162 consisting of various sensors of the MFP100, a data reader / writer 174 to which an external storage medium 176 is detachably attached, and various processing units.

[0027] The memory unit 160 includes ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs and data executed by the CPU 10, RAM (Random Access Memory) provided as a workspace when the CPU 10 executes programs, and non-volatile memory. The RAM also stores various data that are read and written during program execution.

[0028] The input / output unit 170 includes a display unit 171, which includes a display, and an operation unit 172, which includes keys, switches, etc., that the user operates to input information into the MFP 100. Here, the display unit 171 and the operation unit 172 may be provided as an integrated touch panel.

[0029] The communication interface 156 is configured to include circuits such as a NIC (Network Interface Card). The communication interface 156 includes a transmitting unit 158 ​​for transmitting data to the network 401, and a receiving unit 159 for receiving data from the network 401.

[0030] The communication circuit 175 includes a communication circuit such as LAN or Wi-Fi® for wired or wireless communication with the personal computer 200. The wireless communication circuit 178 includes a wireless communication circuit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth®.

[0031] The various processing units described above include an image processing unit 151, an image forming unit 152, a storage unit 153 including a hard disk for storing and processing various data including image data, an image output unit 154 for controlling a printer (not shown), a facsimile control unit 155 for controlling a facsimile circuit (not shown), and an image reading unit 173 for optically reading a document to obtain image data. The storage unit 153 stores an OS (Operating System) 40, an application program 41 executed under the OS 40, and data. The application program 41, when executed, includes a program that implements the various processing units described above, and a communication program 43 for communicating with a smartphone 400 or personal computer 200. When executed, the communication program 43 performs communication according to various communication protocols using a communication interface 156, a communication circuit 175, and a wireless communication circuit 178.

[0032] The CPU 150 executes the job indicated by the job information 205 and outputs control commands to these processing units according to the execution result. As a result, each processing unit is controlled according to the job information 205, and the MFP 100 executes the processing (printing, facsimile, image reading, etc.) according to the job information 205.

[0033] The image output unit 154 drives the printer using the print data of the job information 205 received from the information processing device. The data reader / writer 174 has a circuit for reading programs or data from the installed external storage medium 176 and a circuit for writing data to the external storage medium 176.

[0034] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a personal computer 200 according to this embodiment. Referring to Figure 4, the personal computer 200 includes a CPU 20 which constitutes a processor circuit for controlling the personal computer 200, a display 23, an operation panel 25 which accepts operations for the user to input information into the personal computer 200, a storage unit 26, and a communication controller 27. The storage unit 26 includes a ROM 21 which is an example of a storage medium for storing programs and data executed by the CPU 20, a RAM 22, and a memory 28 which includes a hard disk drive. The display 23 and the operation panel 25 may be provided as an integrated touch panel. The communication controller 27 includes a communication circuit such as a NIC or LAN circuit for communicating with other information processing devices or MFP 100. The memory 28 stores the OS 29 and application programs 30 which are executed under the OS 29. The CPU 20 reads the application programs 30 from the memory 28, expands them into the RAM 22, and executes them. The application programs 30 include a driver program 206 which, when executed, implements a printer driver 204.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the hardware configuration of the smartphone 400 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, the smartphone 400 includes a CPU 40 corresponding to a processor circuit for controlling the smartphone 400, a touch panel 44 in which a display and a touch pad are integrated, a wireless communication circuit 45, a storage unit 46, and a communication controller 47. The storage unit 46 includes a ROM 39 which is an example of a storage medium for storing programs and data executed by the CPU 40, a RAM 42, and a memory 48 including a hard disk device. The memory 48 stores an OS 49 and an application program 50 executed under the OS 49. The CPU 40 reads the application program 50 from the memory 48, expands it in the RAM 42, and executes it. When the application program 50 is executed, it includes a driver program 206 that realizes a printer driver 204. The communication controller 47 includes a communication circuit such as a NIC or a LAN circuit for communicating with other information processing devices or the MFP 100. The wireless communication circuit 45 includes a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0036] Circuits such as the above-described CPU 150, CPU 20, and CPU 40 are constituted by at least one integrated circuit. The integrated circuit can be constituted by, for example, at least one CPU, MPU (Micro Processing Unit), other processors, at least one ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

[0037] <C. Module Configuration> Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the module configuration of the printer driver 204 of the smartphone 400 according to this embodiment. In Figure 6, the printer driver 204 includes a GUI (Graphical User Interface) 62 that displays various screens, including screen 66, on the display, an MFP registration unit 63 for performing MFP registration processing, and a job communication unit 64 for communicating job information 205. The modules in Figure 6 may be realized by the execution of the driver program 206, or by a combination of the driver program 206 and circuits. The memory 48 of the smartphone 400 includes, as data accessed by these modules, setting information 80 and screen 66 data corresponding to SNMP versions v1, v2c, and v3, respectively, one or more print jobs 67 that constitute the job information 205, and registration information 68 indicating information of the MFP 100 registered in the smartphone 400.

[0038] In this embodiment, the "MFP registration process" includes a process in which the smartphone 400 registers (stores) configuration information on its own device for communicating via SNMP with the MFP 100, which executes a job (such as a print job) according to the job information 205. The configuration information registered in the MFP registration process includes information exchanged to establish communication according to the SNMP communication protocol.

[0039] In this embodiment, the "settings screen" includes a screen 66 that contains objects for prompting the user to set values ​​(setting values) for setting items corresponding to the SNMP version used by the MFP100. Items for which the user is prompted to set a value in such a settings screen, that is, items for which the value is undetermined, are also called "missing setting items."

[0040] The configuration information 80 corresponding to versions v1, v2c, and v3 respectively contains information exchanged between the smartphone 400 and the MFP 100 to establish secure communication according to the version corresponding to the configuration information 80. Such configuration information includes, for example, authentication information, encryption information, and access restriction information. The configuration information 80 includes one or more sets consisting of a configuration item 69 and a configuration value 70.

[0041] Screen 66 is generated by GUI 66 by arranging multiple objects and is displayed on the touch panel 44's display. GUI 62 obtains the SNMP version used by MFP 100 for secure communication, searches memory 48 for configuration information 80 corresponding to the obtained version, and places objects representing each configuration item of the retrieved configuration information 80. GUI 62 configures screen 66 to prompt the user to set or input values ​​for each configuration item.

[0042] Job information 205 describes, for example, the information of print job 67. The printer driver 204 generates job information 205 based on print job 67. Job information 205 includes print job 67, which causes the printer (MFP100) to print an image, and a user ID that identifies the user of the job. The job communication unit 64 controls the communication circuit to transfer job information 205 to the MFP100 via established SNMP secure communication.

[0043] The MFP100 processes the job information 205 transferred via secure communication. Specifically, the image output unit 154 of the MFP100 expands the job data indicated by the print job 67 in the job information 205 into bitmap data, and prints the expanded bitmap data onto paper according to the commands of the print job 67.

[0044] In this explanation, print job 67 was described as job information 205. However, other types of jobs (for example, facsimile jobs) can also be transferred to the MFP100 via secure communication as job information 205, similar to print jobs, allowing the MFP100 to process the job information.

[0045] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the module configuration of the MFP100 according to this embodiment. Referring to Figure 7, the MFP100 includes a communication processing unit 71. The communication processing unit 71 includes a verification unit 72 for verifying information and a notification unit 73 for outputting a notification of the verification result. The module in Figure 7 may be realized by executing a communication program 43, or by a combination of the communication program 43 and circuits.

[0046] The memory unit 153 of the MFP100 stores configuration information 87 corresponding to the SNMP version used by the MFP100 for secure communication as data accessed by these modules. The configuration information includes one or more pairs consisting of a configuration item 75 and a setting value 76 for that configuration item. The configuration item 75 represents a value that needs to be exchanged with an information processing device such as a smartphone 400 in order to establish secure communication for that version, and the setting value 76 represents the value set for that item. In the case of SNMP, the types and number of configuration items 75 differ from each other between versions v1, v2c, and v3.

[0047] The matching unit 72 performs a matching process. The matching process includes the MFP 100 matching information transferred from an information processing device such as a smartphone 400 (for example, setting information 80) with information in the storage unit 153 (for example, setting information 87). Such a matching process includes, for example, comparing the setting values ​​of setting items of the same type between setting information 80 and setting information 87, and determining whether the result of the comparison indicates a match in values. A mismatch in the result of the comparison includes the fact that the value of setting value 76 or setting value 70 is not set or undetermined.

[0048] When the verification result of the verification unit 72 indicates the above-mentioned mismatch, the notification unit 73 transmits an Error notification to the smartphone 400 via the wireless communication circuit 178, and when it indicates a match, it transmits an OK notification.

[0049] <An example of a communication sequence> FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, a scene where the MFP 100 is registered as a printer used by the printer driver 204 in the smartphone 400 will be described. In the communication sequences of FIGS. 8 and FIGS. 14 and 15 described later, the entity that performs the processing of the smartphone 400 is shown as the printer driver 204, but it is not limited thereto and may be a module realized by executing the application program 30. Also, the entity that performs the processing of the MFP 100 is shown as the communication processing unit 71, but it is not limited thereto and may be a module realized by executing the application program 41.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. 2, the user 500 touches the carried smartphone 400 to the MFP 100 to cause the smartphone 400 to perform communication conforming to NFC with the MFP 100.

[0051] First, when the smartphone 400 starts NFC communication, it transmits a request for setting information to the MFP 100 (step S1). The MFP 100 transmits the setting information in response to the request. This setting information includes a setting value (a value indicating any one of v1, v2c, and v3) for the version setting item. The smartphone 400 searches the memory 48 for the setting information 80 corresponding to the version based on the version value received from the MFP 100 (step S4), and transfers the searched setting information 80 to the MFP 100 together with the MFP registration request (step S5).

[0052] When the MFP100 receives a request for MFP registration, it performs a verification process to compare the configuration information 80 received with the request with the configuration information 87 in the storage unit 153 (step S6). If the verification result is determined to be a mismatch, the MFP100 forwards an Error notification to the smartphone 400 (step S7). The MFP100 forwards this Error notification, including information indicating the detected missing configuration items.

[0053] When the smartphone 400 receives an Error notification, it generates a screen containing an object representing the missing setting item indicated in the Error notification, and displays the screen on its display (step S9). More specifically, the smartphone 400 searches the memory 48 for a setting screen 66 corresponding to the version of the MFP 100 based on the version value, and generates the screen by placing the above object on the found setting screen. Such an object is configured to prompt the user to set a value for the missing setting item. The object is a component of the setting screen and includes, for example, a text box that prompts the user to input a setting value.

[0054] The smartphone 400 receives user input (step S11) and transfers the settings based on the received user input to the MFP 100 along with a request for MFP registration (step S13).

[0055] The MFP100 performs a verification process using the setting values ​​transferred from the smartphone 400 along with the request (step S14). More specifically, in steps S5 and S13, the MFP100 performs a verification process in which it compares the setting values ​​70 corresponding to each setting item 69 of the setting information 80 received from the smartphone 400 with the setting values ​​76 of each setting item 75 of the setting information 87 in the storage unit 153. If it is determined that there are missing setting items based on the results of this verification process, the MFP100 returns to step S7, and the processing from step S7 onwards is performed in the same manner as described above. If it is determined that there are no missing setting items in the verification process of step S14, the MFP100 sends an OK notification indicating a match to the smartphone 400 (step S15).

[0056] When the smartphone 400 receives an OK notification from the MFP100, it performs the registration process for the MFP100 (step S16). More specifically, it stores registration information 68, which includes setting information 80 with setting values ​​70 based on the user operation received in step S11 for the determined missing setting items. This registration information 68 also includes the IP address and other information for identifying the MFP100 on the network.

[0057] By performing the process in step S16, the registration information 68 of the MFP100 held by the smartphone 400 (the configuration information indicated by the registration information 68) can be made to match the configuration information 87 of the SNMP version used by the MFP100.

[0058] The smartphone 400 initiates SNMP communication with the MFP 100 according to the configuration information indicated in the registration information 68 of the MFP 100 and establishes communication (steps S17, S18). After the secure SNMP communication is established, the smartphone 400 communicates job information 205 with the MFP 100 (step S19).

[0059] As shown above, Figure 8 illustrates a communication method executed by one or more processors, such as the CPUs of the MFP100 and the smartphone 400. The communication method includes a step (step S18) in which configuration information is exchanged between the MFP100 and the smartphone 400 to establish SNMP (first communication protocol) communication, and a step in which NFC (second communication protocol), a different type of communication than SNMP, is performed between the MFP100 and the smartphone 400. This configuration information differs for each version corresponding to the type of SNMP. The steps for performing NFC communication include: (step S3) the smartphone 400 receiving identification information (one of v1, v2c, or v3) from the MFP 100 that identifies the SNMP version set on the MFP 100; (step S9) the smartphone 400 displaying a screen on its display that prompts the user to perform a setting operation for setting information to establish SNMP communication, and which is a unique screen corresponding to the SNMP version received from the MFP 100; and (step S11) the smartphone 400 acquiring information based on the user's setting operation and transferring the acquired setting information to the MFP 100.

[0060] In step S9 of this communication method, a screen corresponding to the SNMP version used by the MFP100 is displayed, that is, a screen containing objects prompting the user to set the values ​​of configuration items according to that version. Since objects for items that do not need to be set in that version are not presented on this screen, the user can smoothly perform the operation to set the values ​​necessary to establish SNMP communication.

[0061] In this embodiment, the type of the first communication protocol is not limited to a version, but may be any type of communication protocol (such as SNMP, SSL, TLS, HTTPS, etc.).

[0062] To establish communication compliant with SNMP according to this embodiment, the configuration information communicated between the MFP100 and the smartphone 400 includes the communication protocol version, access restrictions, and privacy settings. The configuration items constituting the version information include the SNMP protocol version, and the setting values ​​include v1, v2c, v3, etc. The configuration items constituting the access restriction information include "Read Community Name," "Context Name," and "Read User Name," etc. "Read User Name" indicates the identifier (user ID, username, etc.) of each of the limited number of users who can read information in the community indicated by "Read Community Name." The configuration items constituting the privacy information include "Authentication Method" (authentication algorithm) and "Encryption Algorithm," and their setting values ​​include, for example, "MD5" and "DES." The configuration items constituting the privacy information include "security Level," the authentication password "auth-password," and the encryption password "priv-password," etc.

[0063] Figures 9 to 13 show examples of notifications for missing setting items according to this embodiment. Figures 17 to 20 show examples of screens according to this embodiment. Figure 9 shows an example of a missing setting item that is notified when the version of MFP100 is v1 or v2c. Notification 88 in Figure 9 indicates that the value for the “Read Community Name” item 75 of MFP100 is not set on the smartphone 400. As shown in the supplement to Figure 9, for example, if a value other than the initial value is set for “Read Community Name” in MFP100, the above matching process will determine a mismatch, and in step S7, MFP100 will forward the notification 88 of the missing setting item in Figure 9 to the smartphone 400. When the missing setting item in Figure 9 is notified, the smartphone 400 displays the screen of Figure 17 on its display in step S9. Object 181 on the screen of Figure 17 indicates a text box configured to accept input of a setting value from the user for the missing setting item ("Read Community Name").

[0064] Figure 10 shows an example of missing configuration items that are notified when the MFP100 version is v3. Notification 88 in Figure 10 indicates that the values ​​for the following items 75 on the MFP100 are not set on the smartphone 400: “Context Name”, “Security Level”, “auth-password”, and “priv-password”. As shown in the supplement to Figure 10, for example, if the MFP100 has values ​​other than the default values ​​set for “Context Name” and “Security Level”, if “auth-password” has a value other than “Do not authenticate”, and if “priv-password” is set to “auth-password / priv-password”, then the above matching process will determine a mismatch, and in step S7, the MFP100 will forward the notification 88 of the missing configuration items in Figure 10 to the smartphone 400. When the missing configuration items in Figure 10 are notified, the smartphone 400 will display the screen shown in Figure 18 on its display in step S9. The screen in Figure 18 includes an object 181 for each of the missing configuration items ("Context Name", "Security Level", "auth-password", and "priv-password"). Each object 181 in Figure 19 represents a text box configured to accept input from the user for the configuration item corresponding to that object.

[0065] While the notifications 88 in Figures 9 and 10 are configured to notify only of missing setting items, the items 75 shown in notifications 89 in Figures 11, 12, and 13 include items 75 for which a value 76 determined to match by the matching process is set, and items 75 for which a mismatch is determined by the matching process (missing setting items). In notifications 89 in Figures 12 and 13, the set value 76 is shown for items 75 that are determined to match, and "empty" is shown for the setting value 76 for missing setting items.

[0066] FIG. 11 shows a notification 89 when the MFP 100 with the version of v1 or v2c determines a match by the collation process. FIG. 19 shows an example of a screen displayed on the smartphone 400 based on the notification 89 in FIG. 11. When the notification 89 has no missing setting items in this way, the smartphone 400 may omit the display of the screen in FIG. 19. FIGS. 12 and 13 show the notification 89 when the MFP 100 with the version of v3 determines a mismatch by the collation process. FIG. 20 shows an example of a screen displayed on the smartphone 400 based on the notification 89 in FIG. 13. Note that the object for receiving a setting operation for the missing setting item is not limited to a text box, and may be an object that receives an operation of selecting a value from a pull-down menu.

[0067] <E. Other Examples of Communication Sequences> FIGS. 14 and 15 are diagrams showing other examples of the communication sequence according to the present embodiment. FIG. 14 shows a communication sequence when the MFP 100 with the version of v3 is equipped with a user authentication mechanism of the smartphone 400. In addition, in the SNMP setting information 87 of the MFP 100, values are set in the password setting items “auth-password” and “priv-password” regarding the Security Level, respectively.

[0068] In the communication sequence of FIG. 14, the smartphone 400 receives a user ID and a password (shown as Password in FIG. 14) based on a user operation on the smartphone 400 (step S20). The user touches the smartphone 400 carried with the MFP 100 to start NFC communication between the smartphone 400 and the MFP 100. When the NFC communication is started, the MFP 100 transfers a request for setting information, the user ID, and the password to the MFP 100 (step S23).

[0069] When the MFP100 receives a request from the smartphone 400, it performs user authentication based on the user ID and password (step S25). If authentication is successful (check OK), the MFP100 sends configuration information 87 corresponding to the request to the smartphone 400 (step S27). This configuration information 87 includes the setting values ​​for the "auth-password" and "priv-password" settings in version v3. When the smartphone 400 receives the configuration information 87 transferred from the MFP100, it performs MFP registration processing using the received configuration information 87 and transfers the registered configuration information to the MFP100 (step S29).

[0070] The MFP100 compares the configuration information received from the smartphone 400 (including the setting values ​​for the "auth-password" and "priv-password" settings in version v3) with the configuration information transferred in step S27. If the comparison results in a match, the MFP100 sends an OK notification to the smartphone 400 indicating that the comparison matches (step S31). Subsequently, the MFP100 and smartphone 400 may execute the processes in steps S16 to S19, including establishing SNMP communication, based on the matched configuration information. In the processing of the MFP100 shown in Figure 14, the display of the screen corresponding to the SNMP version is omitted.

[0071] In the communication sequence shown in Figure 15, registration of the MFP100 by the smartphone 400 is performed not by user authentication based on the user ID in the MFP100 as shown in Figure 14, but by password verification for the SNMP version of the MFP100 in the smartphone 400. In Figure 15, the configuration information 87 of the MFP100 has values ​​set for the password settings "auth-password" and "priv-password" in the Security Level corresponding to version v3.

[0072] The user touches their smartphone 400 to the MFP 100 to initiate NFC-compliant communication between the smartphone 400 and the MFP 100. Once NFC communication is initiated, the MFP 100 forwards a request for configuration information (step S41). Upon receiving the request from the smartphone 400, the MFP 100 forwards configuration information 87, including the values ​​of the configuration items (auth-password or priv-password) retrieved from the storage unit 153, to the smartphone 400 (step S43).

[0073] The smartphone 400 displays a screen on its display that accepts the setting operation for missing setting items (step S45). More specifically, the smartphone 400 displays a screen on its display that includes an object that accepts the setting value of the item "auth-password" or "priv-password" which constitutes the authentication password for version v3 (for example, the screen in Figure 20). The smartphone 400 accepts user operations to the smartphone 400 and obtains the setting values ​​of these setting items ("auth-password" or "priv-password") based on the accepted user operations (step S47). The smartphone 400 compares (verifies) the obtained setting values ​​of the setting items ("auth-password" or "priv-password") with the setting values ​​of the setting items ("auth-password" or "priv-password") included in the setting information transferred from the MFP 100 in step S43 (step S49). If the matching result indicates a match, the smartphone 400 registers the settings based on the received user operation with the MFP and transfers the matching information and these settings to the MFP 100 (step S51).

[0074] When the MFP 100 receives the matching information and the set values from the smartphone 400, it transfers an OK notification to the smartphone 400 (step S53). Thereafter, in the MFP 100 and the smartphone 400, the processes of steps S16 to S19 including the establishment of SNMP communication can be executed based on the collated and matching set information. Note that in step S49, the processes of steps S45 and S47 may be repeated until a match is determined.

[0075] The communication method shown in FIG. 15 includes steps in which, for the NFC (second communication protocol) communication between the MFP 100 and the smartphone 400, the smartphone 400 receives the type (version) of SNMP (first communication protocol) from the MFP 100 and the set information for establishing communication conforming to the type of SNMP (step S43); displays, on a display, a screen prompting the user to perform a setting operation for the set information, the screen corresponding to the type of SNMP (step S45); collates the information based on the user's setting operation on the smartphone 400 with the set information received from the MFP 100 (step S49); and transmits, to the MFP 100, information indicating the result of the collation, the information regarding the conformity between the information based on the user's setting operation and the set information received from the MFP 100 (OK or Error) (step S51).

[0076] <F. Flowchart of the processing of the smartphone 400> FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of the processing of the smartphone 400 according to the present embodiment. The flowchart of FIG. 16 shows the processing performed when the application program 50 is executed on the smartphone 400 side in the communication sequence of FIG. 8. More specifically, this processing may include the processing performed by the printer driver 204.

[0077] Referring to Figure 16, the smartphone 400 carried by user 500 as shown in Figure 2 determines whether or not it has been touched by the MFP 100 based on the output from the wireless communication circuit 45 (step S61). If it is not determined that it has been touched (NO in step S61), step S61 is repeated.

[0078] When the smartphone 400 detects that it has been touched, it uses the IP address of the MFP 100 to perform NFC-compliant communication. First, the smartphone 400 sends a request for configuration information to the MFP 100 (step S63). In response to this request, the MFP 100 sends configuration information to the smartphone 400. This configuration information includes a value 76 that identifies the version, which is an SNMP configuration item. The smartphone 400 receives the configuration information including the value 76 from the MFP 100 (step S64) and searches for configuration information 80 corresponding to the version of value 76 in memory 48. The smartphone 400 sends this configuration information 80 to the MFP 100 for MFP registration (step S65).

[0079] The MFP100 performs a comparison process to verify the setting information 80 received from the smartphone 400 against the setting information 87 in the storage unit 153, and then transmits the result of the comparison to the smartphone 400.

[0080] The smartphone 400 receives the verification result from the MFP 100 (step S65) and determines whether the received verification result is an OK notification (step S69). If it is determined that the notification is OK (YES in step S69), the smartphone 400 performs the MFP registration described in step S16 above.

[0081] If the notification is determined not to indicate OK (NO in step S69), that is, if an Error notification is received (step S71), the smartphone 400 extracts the missing setting items from the Error notification (step S73). The smartphone 400 displays a screen on its display corresponding to the extracted missing setting items, that is, a screen corresponding to the version value 76 received in step S64, which includes an object prompting the user to input the value of the missing setting item (step S75). The smartphone 400 determines whether to accept user input (step S77). If it is determined not to accept user input (NO in step S77), step S77 is repeated.

[0082] When the smartphone 400 determines that it has received a user operation (YES in step S77), it transfers the setting value based on the received user operation to the MFP 100 (step S65). Subsequently, the loop process consisting of steps S65 to S77 described above is repeated until the smartphone 400 determines that the verification result received from the MFP 100 is an OK notification (YES in step S69).

[0083] In this embodiment, the smartphone 400 obtains an IP address for communication with the MFP 100 via NFC communication, but the method of obtaining the IP address is not limited to this, and it may also be obtained by Wi-Fi communication or by reading a QR code (registered trademark).

[0084] In this embodiment, the program constituting the module of the smartphone 400 is stored in a non-volatile memory 48, but it may be stored in a different storage medium instead. Such a different storage medium may be a non-volatile storage medium that can be detachably attached to the smartphone 400, such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a memory card, or an IC (Integrated Circuit) card (excluding memory cards). The smartphone 400 may also acquire the program, for example, by downloading it over a network.

[0085] Furthermore, the programs constituting the modules of the MFP100 are stored in a non-volatile storage unit 153, but they may be stored in a different storage medium instead. Such a different storage medium includes a storage medium 176 that is detachably attached to the MFP100. The storage medium 176 may be implemented using non-volatile storage media such as optical discs, CD-ROMs (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD-ROMs (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory), USB memory, memory cards, FDs (Flexible Disks), magnetic tapes, MOs (Magnetic Optical Discs), MDs (Mini Discs), IC (Integrated Circuit) cards (excluding memory cards), optical cards, mask ROMs, EPROMs, and EEPROMs (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). In addition, the MFP100 may acquire programs, for example, by downloading them via a network 401.

[0086] Furthermore, the program may be implemented using a non-volatile storage medium that can be detachably attached to the standalone MFP100, such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, memory card, or IC (Integrated Circuit) card (excluding memory cards). The MFP100 may also acquire the program, for example, by downloading it over a network.

[0087] Furthermore, the programs described above for the smartphone 400 or MFP100 may be provided not as standalone programs, but incorporated as part of any other program. In this case, the processing according to the embodiment is realized in cooperation with the other program. Even a program that does not include such a partial module does not deviate from the intent of the program according to the embodiment.

[0088] As mentioned above, the number and types of setting items that make up the configuration information differ for each version. The smartphone 400 can determine which version is set to active on the MFP100 it is trying to register, based on the information transferred from the MFP100 via NFC communication. Based on this determination, the smartphone 400 displays a screen on its display consisting of objects for the setting items whose values ​​need to be set for the active version of the MFP100. This allows the user to input the necessary setting information corresponding to the MFP100 version from the screen without having to check the version of the MFP100 when registering the MFP100 using the smartphone 400's application (e.g., printer driver 204).

[0089] <Note> This embodiment provides the following configuration. [Configuration 1] The steps include: exchanging configuration information between the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus to establish communication using the first communication protocol; The process includes a step of performing communication between the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus using a second communication protocol of a different type than the first communication protocol, The aforementioned configuration information differs for each type of the first communication protocol. The step of performing communication of the second communication protocol is: The information processing device receives from the image forming apparatus the type of the first communication protocol set in the image forming apparatus, The information processing device includes the step of displaying a screen on a display that prompts the user to perform a setting operation for the setting information, the screen corresponding to the type of the first communication protocol, A communication method comprising the steps of: the information processing device acquiring information based on the user's setting operation and transmitting it to the image forming apparatus. [Configuration 2] The steps include establishing communication of a first communication protocol between the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus, The process includes a step of performing communication between the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus using a second communication protocol of a different type than the first communication protocol, The step of performing communication of the second communication protocol is: The information processing device receives from the image forming apparatus the type of the first communication protocol and configuration information for establishing communication in accordance with the first communication protocol of that type. The information processing device provides a screen that prompts the user to perform an operation to set information in setting items for establishing communication in accordance with the first communication protocol, and includes the step of displaying a screen on the display that corresponds to the type of the first communication protocol. The information processing device acquires information based on the user's setting operation for the information processing device and compares it with the setting information received from the image forming apparatus. A communication method comprising the steps of: transmitting to the image forming apparatus information that the result of the comparison indicates, which is information relating to the consistency between the information based on the setting operation and the setting information received from the image forming apparatus. [Configuration 3] The aforementioned configuration information includes authentication information and communication methods as described in Configuration 2. [Structure 4] The aforementioned authentication information includes a password, and is communicated using the method described in Configuration 3. [Composition 5] The communication method described in any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the screen corresponding to the type of first communication protocol includes an object representing a setting item for establishing communication in accordance with the first communication protocol of that type. [Composition 6] The setting operation includes setting a value for an object on the screen, Obtaining information based on the aforementioned setting operation is, A communication method according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, which includes obtaining a value set by an operation on an object on the aforementioned screen. [Composition 7] The type of the first communication protocol is the communication method described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, including the version of the first communication protocol. [Structure 8] The first communication protocol is a communication method described in any one of configurations 1 to 7, which includes a secure communication protocol. [Composition 9] The secure communication protocol is the communication method described in Configuration 8, which includes SNMP. [Configuration 10] A program that causes the processor to execute one of the communication methods described in configurations 1 to 9. [Composition 11] Memory containing the program described in configuration 10, An information processing device comprising a processor that executes the aforementioned program. [Composition 12] An image forming apparatus comprising a communication circuit that communicates with the information processing device described in configuration 11.

[0090] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the description of the embodiments above, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1 System, 21,39 ROM, 22,42 RAM, 23 Display, 25 Operation Panel, 26,46,153,160 Storage Unit, 27,47 Communication Controller, 28,48 Memory, 30,41,50 Application Program, 43 Communication Program, 44 Touch Panel, 45,178 Wireless Communication Circuit, 63 MFP Registration Unit, 64 Job Communication Unit, 80,87 Setting Information, 66 Screen, 67 Print Job, 68 Registration Information, 69,75 Setting Items, 70,76 Setting Values, 71 Communication Processing Unit, 72 Verification Unit, 73 Notification Unit, 88,89 Notification, 100 MFP, 151 Image Processing Unit, 152 Image Forming Unit, 154 Image Output Unit, 155 Facsimile Control Unit, 158 Transmission Unit, 159 Receiving Unit, 162 Sensor Group, 170 Input / Output section, 171 Display section, 172 Operation section, 173 Image reading section, 174 Data reader / writer, 175 Communication circuit, 176 Storage medium, 181 Object, 200 Personal computer, 204 Printer driver, 205 Job information, 206 Driver program, 400 Smartphone, 401, 402 Network, 403 Wireless communication, 500 User, v1, v2c, v3 Version.

Claims

1. The steps include establishing communication of a first communication protocol between the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus, The process includes a step of performing communication between the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus using a second communication protocol of a different type than the first communication protocol, The step of performing communication of the second communication protocol is: The information processing device receives from the image forming apparatus the type of the first communication protocol and setting information for establishing communication in accordance with the first communication protocol of that type. The information processing device provides a screen that prompts the user to perform an operation to set information in setting items for establishing communication in accordance with the first communication protocol, and includes the step of displaying a screen on the display corresponding to the type of the first communication protocol. The information processing device acquires information based on the user's setting operation for the information processing device and compares it with the setting information received from the image forming apparatus. A communication method comprising the steps of: transmitting to the image forming apparatus information that the result of the comparison indicates, which is information relating to the consistency between the information based on the setting operation and the setting information received from the image forming apparatus.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the aforementioned configuration information includes authentication information.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, wherein the authentication information includes a password.

4. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the screen corresponding to the type of first communication protocol includes an object representing a setting item for establishing communication in accordance with the first communication protocol of that type.

5. The setting operation includes setting a value for an object on the screen, Obtaining information based on the aforementioned setting operation is, The communication method according to claim 1, further comprising obtaining a value set by an operation on an object on the aforementioned screen.

6. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the type of the first communication protocol includes a version of the first communication protocol.

7. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the first communication protocol includes a secure communication protocol.

8. The communication method according to claim 7, wherein the secure communication protocol includes SNMP.

9. A program for causing a processor to execute the communication method described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A memory containing the program described in claim 9, An information processing device comprising a processor that executes the aforementioned program.

11. A system, Means for establishing communication of a first communication protocol between an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus, The image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus are provided with means for performing communication using a second communication protocol of a different type from the first communication protocol. The means for implementing the communication of the second communication protocol is: The information processing device includes means for receiving from the image forming apparatus the type of the first communication protocol and setting information for establishing communication in accordance with the first communication protocol of that type, The information processing device includes a screen that prompts the user to perform an operation to set information in setting items for establishing communication in accordance with the first communication protocol, and means for displaying a screen on a display corresponding to the type of the first communication protocol, The information processing device includes means for acquiring information based on the user's setting operations for the information processing device and comparing it with the setting information received from the image forming apparatus, A system comprising: an information processing device and means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus information relating to the consistency between the information based on the setting operation and the setting information received from the image forming apparatus, which is the information indicated by the result of the comparison.

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