JP2011159095A - Device, method and program for guiding setting - Google Patents

Abstract

To make it easier to correct a setting value of a printing apparatus.
A setting guide device connected to a printing apparatus having a diagnosis function for diagnosing its own setting, and for setting the printing apparatus, sends a setting value to the printing apparatus to perform setting, and When a diagnostic unit that causes a printing apparatus to execute a diagnostic function and receives a diagnostic result and information indicating an abnormality of a specific setting value are included in the diagnostic result, the information indicating the abnormality and the abnormal setting value are corrected And an abnormality notification means for displaying a setting screen for displaying on the display device. Here, the setting means receives the setting value via the setting screen after displaying the information indicating the abnormality.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for setting a printing apparatus.

Some printing apparatuses such as printers have a diagnosis function for performing diagnosis related to connection to a network (for example, a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, or the like). The printing apparatus can print a diagnosis result obtained by executing the diagnosis function. By viewing the printed diagnosis result, the user can set various setting values (for example, SSID (Service Se
t Identifier), security key (WEP, WPA, etc.), IP address, MAC address, etc.) and status (for example, whether or not a network connection has been established) can be confirmed. When the network connection is not established, various setting values related to the network connection can be corrected with reference to the diagnosis result.

Some information processing apparatuses such as PCs (Personal Computers) have a diagnosis function for making a diagnosis related to connection to a network. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an apparatus that notifies a communication parameter setting error.

JP 2009-38665 A

However, the diagnostic result of the printing apparatus as described above is only printed. The diagnosis result is simple information that lists various setting values and statuses related to the network connection, for example. For this reason, when the network connection is not established due to an error (abnormality) in some setting value, it is difficult for the user to know how to deal with it.

Here, in order to know how to deal with the error, the user can refer to an electronic manual of the printing apparatus, for example. However, it is difficult to determine where to look in the manual and which coping method to select.

Even if the user can know how to correct the setting value that caused the error by referring to the electronic manual, etc., the setting screen for correcting the setting value cannot be found or the setting screen is not displayed. It may be troublesome to display. Also, the setting value that is not the cause of the error may be changed over time.

As described above, it is difficult for the user to correct the malfunction of the printing apparatus simply by printing the diagnosis result by the printing apparatus.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to make it easier to correct a setting value of a printing apparatus.

One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problem is a setting guide device that is connected to a printing apparatus having a diagnosis function for diagnosing its own settings and performs settings for the printing apparatus. A setting unit that accepts a setting value to be set and transmits the setting value to the printing apparatus to perform setting;
A diagnostic unit configured to cause the printing apparatus to execute the diagnostic function and receive a diagnostic result; and when the diagnostic result includes information indicating an abnormality of a specific setting value, the information indicating the abnormality and the abnormal setting value An abnormality notification means for displaying a setting screen for correcting the error on a display device, and the setting means receives a setting value via the setting screen after displaying information indicating the abnormality. It is characterized by.

Here, in the above setting guide device, the abnormality notifying unit is configured to correct the abnormal setting value when a user's predetermined operation is received after displaying the information indicating the abnormality. May be displayed.

Further, in the above setting guide device, when a predetermined operation of the user is received after the information indicating the abnormality is displayed, information indicating a predetermined coping method for the abnormality is displayed on the display device And displaying the setting screen for correcting the abnormal setting value when the user's predetermined operation is received after displaying the information indicating the coping method. It may be characterized by that.

Further, in any one of the setting guide devices described above, when the diagnosis result does not include information indicating abnormality of a specific setting value, the information indicating that the setting is normal is displayed on the display device. A notification means.

Further, in any one of the setting guide devices described above, the setting unit displays a setting screen corresponding to each of a plurality of setting values by transitioning in a predetermined order to receive the setting value, and the abnormality notification unit When a setting screen for correcting the abnormal setting value is displayed on the display device, the setting means receives the setting value via the setting screen, and then sets each setting value in the predetermined order. It may be characterized in that after receiving, the diagnostic means executes a diagnosis.

Further, in any one of the setting guide devices described above, the setting unit displays a setting screen corresponding to each of a plurality of setting values by transitioning in a predetermined order to receive the setting value, and the abnormality notification unit When a setting screen for correcting the abnormal setting value is displayed on the display device, the setting means accepts the setting value via the setting screen, and then causes the diagnosis means to execute diagnosis. It may be a feature.

A second aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problem is a setting guidance method in a setting guidance device that is connected to a printing apparatus having a diagnostic function for diagnosing its own settings and performs settings for the printing apparatus. A setting step for accepting a setting value set in the printing apparatus, transmitting the setting value to the printing apparatus to perform setting, a diagnosis step for causing the printing apparatus to execute the diagnosis function and receiving a diagnosis result; If the diagnosis result includes information indicating an abnormality in a specific setting value,
An abnormality notification step for displaying information indicating the abnormality and a setting screen for correcting the abnormal setting value on a display device, the setting step after the display of the information indicating the abnormality A setting value is received via a setting screen.

A third aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problem is a program that is connected to a printing apparatus having a diagnostic function for diagnosing its own settings, and that causes the computer to function as a setting guide apparatus for performing settings of the printing apparatus. A setting unit that accepts a setting value set in the printing apparatus and transmits the setting value to the printing apparatus to perform setting; and a diagnostic unit that causes the printing apparatus to execute the diagnosis function and receive a diagnosis result; When the diagnosis result includes information indicating an abnormality of a specific setting value, as an abnormality notification means for displaying the information indicating the abnormality and a setting screen for correcting the abnormal setting value on a display device, The computer is made to function, and the setting means receives a setting value via the setting screen after displaying the information indicating the abnormality.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of hardware of a printing system 10 that is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a printing system. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the error handling method list 1021. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of setting guidance processing for a printing apparatus in the information processing apparatus 100. FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of setting guidance processing for a printing apparatus in the information processing apparatus 100. The figure which shows an example of the setting screen 600 which inputs various setting values. The figure which shows an example of the setting screen 600 which displays the setting result of various setting values. The figure which shows an example of the notification screen 700 which displays an error coping method.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of hardware of a printing system 10 which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

The printing system 10 includes an information processing apparatus 100, a printing apparatus 200, an access point (
AP) 300. The information processing apparatus 100 is, for example, a general PC. The printing apparatus 200 is a general network printer, for example, and has a diagnosis function related to network connection. In the printing system 10, the wireless LA is transmitted via the access point 300.
A computer network such as N (for example, IEEE 802.11) can be constructed.

In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 100 is set in advance so as to be able to perform wireless communication with the access point 300. On the other hand, the printing apparatus 200 is not in a state in which wireless communication with the access point 300 is possible. In other words, this is a stage where settings for connecting (adding) the printing apparatus 200 to a wireless network constructed between the information processing apparatus 100 and the access point 300 are performed.

Here, a procedure for adding the printing apparatus 200 to the wireless network will be described.
In this embodiment, since the setting of the printing apparatus 200 is performed from the information processing apparatus 100, the information processing apparatus 100 and the printing apparatus 200 are connected by a wired cable (for example, a USB cable) and can communicate with each other by wire.

First, the information processing apparatus 100 receives various setting values (for example, an IP address, an SSID, a security key, and the like) necessary for the printing apparatus 200 to perform wireless communication by user input. In addition, a network setting request including the received various setting values is transmitted to the printing apparatus 200 via wired communication. When the printing apparatus 200 receives a network setting request via wired communication, the printing apparatus 200 stores various setting values included in the setting request and attempts wireless communication based on the setting values.

Then, the information processing apparatus 100 transmits a network diagnosis request for executing a diagnosis function related to the network connection of the printing apparatus 200 to the printing apparatus 200 via wired communication.
When the printing apparatus 200 receives a network diagnosis request via wired communication, the printing apparatus 200 executes diagnosis related to wireless network connection and transmits a diagnosis result to the information processing apparatus 100. The information processing apparatus 100 displays the diagnosis result. When the setting value needs to be corrected after the diagnosis result is displayed, the information processing apparatus 100 accepts the setting value again.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the user repeats the setting stage for setting various setting values and the diagnosis stage for performing diagnosis in a state in which the various setting values are set, so that the wireless network of the printing apparatus 200 can be obtained. Can be added.

The information processing apparatus 100 functions as a setting guidance apparatus that performs settings for the printing apparatus 200. The printer driver may function as a print control apparatus that causes the printing apparatus 200 to perform printing. The information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU 110, a RAM 120, and a ROM 13
0, an output device 140, an input device 150, an auxiliary storage device 160, a USB interface (I / F) 170, and a network interface (I / F) 180.

The CPU 110 is an arithmetic device that controls other units to realize various functions of the information processing apparatus 100. The CPU 110 implements various functions by loading a predetermined program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 130 or the auxiliary storage device 160 into the RAM 120 and executing it.

The RAM 120 is, for example, a DRAM, temporarily stores various programs, data, and the like, and is used as a work memory when the CPU 110 performs calculations. The ROM 130 stores various programs, data, and the like in advance. The auxiliary storage device 160 is an HDD, for example, and stores various programs, data, and the like in advance.

The output device 140 includes a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like. The input device 150 includes a keyboard and a mouse.

The USB interface 170 is a unit that performs USB communication with an external device connected via a USB cable. The network interface 180 is a wireless LAN
This is a unit that performs wireless communication with an external device (for example, IEEE 802.11).

The configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 described above is the main configuration in describing the features of the present invention, and is not limited to the above. In addition, other configurations included in a general information processing apparatus are not excluded. For example, the information processing apparatus 100 may be a device such as a mobile phone, a PDA, or a game machine. Further, for example, the information processing apparatus 100 may include a network interface that communicates with an external device by a wired LAN (for example, IEEE 802.3).

The printing apparatus 200 functions as a printer that executes general printing processing. The printing apparatus 200 includes a CPU 210, a RAM 220, a ROM 230, an operation panel 240, a U
SB interface (I / F) 250 and network interface (I / F) 2
60 and a print engine 270. Of course, the configuration of the printing apparatus 200 is not limited to the above, and may include an image processing circuit for performing various types of image processing, a print control circuit for controlling the print engine 270, and the like.

The CPU 210 is an arithmetic device that controls other units to realize various functions of the printing apparatus 200. The CPU 210 implements various functions by loading a predetermined program stored in a memory such as the ROM 230 into the RAM 220 and executing it.

The RAM 220 is, for example, a DRAM, temporarily stores various programs and data, and is used as a work memory when the CPU 210 performs calculations. ROM230 is
For example, it is a rewritable storage medium such as FlashROM, and stores various programs and data in advance.

The operation panel 240 includes a liquid crystal display, a touch panel, and the like, displays a message and receives an instruction from the user.

The USB interface 250 is a unit that performs USB communication with an external device connected via a USB cable. The network interface 260 is a wireless LAN
This is a unit that performs wireless communication with an external device (for example, IEEE 802.11).

The print engine 270 prints data to be printed (print data) output from the CPU 210 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 210. The print engine 270 is, for example, an inkjet method or a laser method.

The configuration of the printing apparatus 200 described above is the main configuration in describing the features of the present invention, and is not limited to the above. In addition, other configurations included in a general printing apparatus are not excluded. For example, the printing apparatus 200 may include a network interface that communicates with an external apparatus via a wired LAN (for example, IEEE 802.3).

The access point 300 is a general wireless LAN access point, and is a radio wave relay that connects the printing apparatus 200 and the information processing apparatus 100. The access point 300 may have a router function.

The configuration of the printing system 10 is not limited to the above because the main configuration has been described in describing the features of the present invention. In addition, other configurations included in a general printing system are not excluded. For example, the wired communication method between the information processing apparatus 100 and the printing apparatus 200 is not limited to USB, and may be another wired communication method. In addition, the information processing apparatus 10
The wireless communication method between 0 and the access point 300 and between the printing apparatus 200 and the access point 300 is not limited to the wireless LAN, and may be a short-range wireless communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the printing system 10.

The information processing apparatus 100 includes a setting reception unit 101, a storage unit 102, a diagnosis request unit 103,
A USB communication unit 104 and a wireless communication unit 105 are included. The storage unit 102 includes an electronic manual 1020.

Setting accepting unit 101, diagnosis request unit 103, USB communication unit 104, and wireless communication unit 105
Is realized by the CPU 110 executing a predetermined program loaded from the auxiliary storage device 160 to the RAM 120, for example. The storage unit 102 is, for example, the auxiliary storage device 1
60, RAM 120, etc.

The setting reception unit 101 and the diagnosis request unit 103 are realized by a predetermined setting tool program for performing network settings of the printing apparatus 200, for example. The setting tool program is, for example, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or the information processing apparatus 100 from the Internet.
To be installed. The USB communication unit 104 and the wireless communication unit 105 are realized by a driver program for controlling the USB interface 170 and the network interface 180, for example. The electronic manual is installed in the information processing apparatus 100 from, for example, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM attached to the printing apparatus 200 or the Internet.

The setting reception unit 101 performs setting processing for adding the printing apparatus 200 to the wireless network. For example, the setting reception unit 101 displays a setting screen for receiving various setting values related to network connection on the output device 140 and prompts the user to input. When accepting input of various setting values via the input device 150, the setting accepting unit 101 transmits a network setting request including various setting values to the printing device 200 via the USB communication unit 104.

In addition, the setting reception unit 101 requests the diagnosis request unit 103 to cause the printing apparatus 200 to perform network diagnosis processing based on these various setting values after the setting of the various setting values to the printing apparatus 200 is completed. When a diagnosis result is output from the diagnosis request unit 103, the setting reception unit 1
01 displays the presence or absence of a network connection error based on the diagnosis result. As will be described later, the diagnosis result includes information for specifying an error. If there is an error, the setting item causing the error is displayed using the diagnosis result and the electronic manual stored in the storage unit 102.

When a user operation for displaying an error handling method is received via the input device 150, the setting receiving unit 101 refers to the electronic manual of the storage unit 102 and displays a handling method corresponding to the error.

Further, when an operation of a user who performs error handling is received via the input device 150, the setting receiving unit 101 displays a setting screen for receiving a setting value to be corrected by the error handling method. . When receiving the input of the modified setting value via the input device 150, the setting reception unit 101 transmits a network setting request including the setting value to the printing device 200 via the USB communication unit 104.

The storage unit 102 stores an electronic manual 1020. The electronic manual 1020 is a so-called instruction manual for the printing apparatus 200. The electronic manual 1020 is, for example, HTM
Electronic data created in L. In the present embodiment, the electronic manual 1020 includes information (error handling method list 10) describing how to deal with a setting error (abnormality) of the printing apparatus 200.
21) is included.

Note that the electronic manual 1020 may not be stored in the information processing apparatus 100.
For example, the electronic manual 1020 may be stored in a server on the Internet so that the information processing apparatus 100 can refer to it.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the error handling method list 1021. The error handling method list 1021 includes a display message 1023 and a handling method 1024 for each error ID 1022.
Are associated with each other.

The error ID 1022 is information for identifying an error. Error ID 1022 is
Corresponding to the error ID included in the diagnosis result output from the printing apparatus 200.

The display message 1023 is information indicating the setting item that is the cause of the error. For example,
If the setting item that is the cause of the error is a security key, a character string such as “Check the security key. If you are unsure, check with the network administrator.” Is set.

The coping method 1024 is information indicating a method for coping with an error. For example, if the setting item that is the cause of the error is a security key, “Access point (AP
) And the security key you entered do not match. Please reset it with the correct security key including the capital letter and the small letter. "Is set.

Returning to FIG. 2, the diagnosis request unit 103 requests the printing apparatus 200 to perform network diagnosis processing. For example, when the diagnosis request unit 103 receives a request from the setting reception unit 101, the diagnosis request unit 103 transmits a network diagnosis request to the printing apparatus 200 via the USB communication unit 104. Also, the diagnosis result is received from the printing apparatus 200 and output to the setting reception unit 101.

The USB communication unit 104 performs communication control with an external device via a USB cable. For example, the USB communication unit 104 controls communication performed by another functional unit with the printing apparatus 200.

The wireless communication unit 105 performs communication control with an external device using a wireless LAN. For example, the wireless communication unit 105 controls communication performed by another functional unit via the access point 300.

The printing apparatus 200 includes a setting unit 201, a diagnosis unit 202, a USB communication unit 203, a wireless communication unit 204, and a print execution unit 205. These functional units include, for example, the CPU 210.
Is realized by executing a predetermined program loaded from the ROM 230 to the RAM 220.

The setting unit 201 performs settings for connecting the printing apparatus 200 to a wireless network (a network established between the information processing apparatus 100 and the access point 300). The setting unit 201 includes, for example, various setting values (SSID, security key, IP address,
A network setting request including a default gateway is sent from the information processing apparatus 100 to the U
Received via the SB communication unit 203. The received various setting values are stored, and various setting values are set in the wireless communication unit 204 to cause the wireless communication unit 204 to attempt wireless communication.

The diagnosis unit 202 executes a network diagnosis function of the printing apparatus 200. For example, upon receiving a network diagnosis request from the information processing apparatus 100 via the USB communication unit 203, the diagnosis unit 202 starts network diagnosis.

In the diagnosis process, the diagnosis unit 202 determines whether or not the wireless communication unit 204 can normally communicate with the access point 300 based on various setting values set by the setting unit 201. When communication is not normally performed, a setting value that is highly likely to be a cause is specified by a predetermined procedure. A plurality of setting values may be specified. When the setting value that is the cause of the error is specified, an error ID indicating an error due to the setting value is included in the diagnosis result, and the USB communication unit 2
The information processing apparatus 100 is notified via 03.

Note that the diagnostic processing in the printing apparatus 200 is not a feature of the present embodiment, and thus will not be described in detail.

The USB communication unit 203 performs communication control with an external device via a USB cable. For example, the USB communication unit 203 controls communication performed by another functional unit with the information processing apparatus 100.

The wireless communication unit 204 performs communication control with an external device using a wireless LAN. For example, the wireless communication unit 204 controls communication performed by another functional unit via the access point 300. Also,
For example, the wireless communication unit 204 performs wireless communication with various setting values set by the setting unit 201.

The print execution unit 205 controls printing by the print engine 270. For example, the print execution unit 205 controls the print head and the paper feed mechanism of the print engine 270 according to the print data and the print command transmitted from the information processing apparatus 100 to execute printing on the print medium.

Each component described above is classified according to main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 and the printing apparatus 200. The present invention is not limited by the way of classification and names of the constituent elements. The configurations of the information processing apparatus 100 and the printing apparatus 200 can be classified into more components according to the processing content. Moreover, it can also classify | categorize so that one component may perform more processes. Further, the processing of each component may be executed by one hardware or may be executed by a plurality of hardware.

Next, characteristic setting guidance processing of the present embodiment realized by the information processing apparatus 100 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of setting guidance processing of the printing apparatus 200 in the information processing apparatus 100. This flow is started, for example, when a predetermined setting tool program is activated. This flow shows the main points of the setting guidance process in order to clarify the features of this embodiment, and the setting order of each setting value, the number of setting values, etc. are not limited to this.

When this flow is started, the setting receiving unit 101 displays a setting screen for receiving settings of various setting values on the output device 140. The setting screen can be a setting screen 600 as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

The setting screen 600 includes a setting item area 610 indicating a setting item (setting value) to be set, and a setting input area 620 for receiving an input of setting of the setting item to be set.

A setting item list 611 is displayed in the setting item area 610. For example, in this figure, “
4). "Select SSID", "5. Enter security key", "6. Automatic IP address /
"Manual setting", "7. IP address setting", "8. Default gateway setting", "
9. “Confirmation of setting result” is displayed. In addition, for the setting item to be set, information indicating that it is a setting target is displayed. For example, in this figure, “5. Input of security key” to be set is highlighted.

In the setting input area 620, a cancel button 621 for canceling the setting of various setting values input on the setting screen 600, and a return button 622 for returning to the setting item immediately before the setting item to be set. Next button 62 for proceeding to the setting of the next setting item
3 is displayed. The setting input area 620 displays an input field 625 for inputting the setting item to be set. For example, in this figure, an input field 625 for inputting a security key is displayed.

The setting reception unit 101 displays the setting screen 600 as described above on the output device 140 and receives a user operation on the setting screen 600 via the input device 150. Of course, the configuration of the setting screen 600 is not limited to the above.

Returning to FIG. 4, in S <b> 1, the setting reception unit 101 receives the SSID setting. Specifically, the setting reception unit 101 displays an input field 625 for inputting an SSID in the setting input area 620 of the setting screen 600. After the SSID is input to the input field 625, the next button 6
If the selection of 23 is received, the setting reception part 101 will acquire SSID of the input column 625, and will advance a process to S2.

In S2, the information processing apparatus 100 accepts a security key setting. Specifically, the setting reception unit 101 displays an input field 625 for inputting a security key in the setting input area 620 of the setting screen 600. When the selection of the next button 623 is received after the security key is input to the input field 625, the setting reception unit 101 acquires the security key of the input field 625, and the process proceeds to S3.

In S3, the information processing apparatus 100 accepts a setting for selecting automatic setting or manual setting of the IP address. Specifically, the setting reception unit 101 sets the setting input area 62 of the setting screen 600.
In 0, for example, selection of an IP address automatic setting or a manual setting is accepted by a radio button or the like. When the selection of the next button 623 is accepted after the automatic setting or the manual setting is selected, the setting receiving unit 101 acquires the selected setting, and advances the process to S4.

In S4, the information processing apparatus 100 determines whether or not the IP address automatic setting is selected in S3. If automatic setting is selected (S4: YES), the process proceeds to S7. If manual setting is selected (S4: NO), the process proceeds to S5.

In S5, the information processing apparatus 100 accepts an IP address and subnet mask setting. Specifically, the setting reception unit 101 displays an input field 625 for inputting an IP address and a subnet mask in the setting input area 620 of the setting screen 600. When the selection of the next button 623 is received after the IP address and subnet mask are input to the input field 625, the setting reception unit 101 acquires the IP address and subnet mask of the input field 625, and advances the process to S6.

In S6, the information processing apparatus 100 accepts a default gateway setting. Specifically, the setting reception unit 101 displays an input field 625 for inputting the IP address of the default gateway in the setting input area 620 of the setting screen 600. When the selection of the next button 623 is accepted after the IP address of the default gateway is input to the input field 625,
The setting reception unit 101 acquires the IP address of the default gateway in the input field 625, and advances the processing to S7.

In S <b> 7, the information processing apparatus 100 transmits a network setting request to the printing apparatus 200. Specifically, the setting reception unit 101 transmits a network setting request including various setting values acquired in S1 to S3 or S1 to S3 and S5 to S6 to the printing apparatus 200 via the USB communication unit 104. Then, the process proceeds to S11.

The various setting values transmitted in S7 are accepted and set by the setting unit 201 of the printing apparatus 200. In S7, various setting values are collectively transmitted to the printing apparatus 200, but may be transmitted collectively for each step of S1 to S3 and S5 to S6 or for each of a plurality of steps.

In S <b> 11, the information processing apparatus 100 transmits a network diagnosis request to the printing apparatus 200. Specifically, the diagnosis request unit 103 transmits a network diagnosis request to the printing apparatus 200 via the USB communication unit 104. Then, the process proceeds to S12.

When the diagnosis unit 202 of the printing apparatus 200 receives the network diagnosis request, the diagnosis unit 202 executes the network diagnosis, and when an abnormality is found, the diagnosis result including the error ID is transmitted via the USB communication unit 203 to the information processing apparatus. To 100.

In S12, the information processing apparatus 100 determines whether there is an abnormality in the network diagnosis result. Specifically, the diagnosis request unit 103 receives a diagnosis result from the printing apparatus 200 via the USB communication unit 104. If the diagnosis result does not include an error ID, that is, indicates normal (S12: YES), the process proceeds to S31. The diagnosis result is error ID
Is included, that is, if an abnormality is indicated (S12: NO), the process proceeds to S21.

In S21, the information processing apparatus 100 displays the network diagnosis result (abnormality). Specifically, the setting reception unit 101 displays the network diagnosis result received in S12 as the diagnosis request unit 1
03, and an error ID is specified. Then, the setting reception unit 101 refers to the error handling method list 1021 in the storage unit 102 and refers to the error ID 102 corresponding to the identified error ID.
2 display message 1023 is acquired. Then, the setting reception unit 101 displays the display message 1023 on the setting screen 600. The setting screen 600 is displayed as shown in FIG. 7, for example.

The setting input area 620 of the setting screen 600 includes an error occurrence notification area 626 for notifying whether or not an error has occurred, and an error item confirmation area 627 for notifying a setting item causing the error that has occurred. included. In the setting input area 620, an end button 624 for reflecting the setting for the printing apparatus 200 on the setting screen 600 is displayed instead of the next button 623.

The setting reception unit 101 displays, in the error occurrence notification area 626, for example, information indicating the occurrence of an error such as “Setting has not been completed because an error has occurred”. In addition, the setting reception unit 101 stores the error handling method list 10 in the storage unit 102 in the error item confirmation area 627.
The display message 1023 acquired from the message 21 is displayed as the display message 628. For example, in this figure, the setting item that is the cause of the error is the security key, so check the security key. If you are unsure, check with the network administrator.
A character string such as is displayed. Note that the contents of various setting values that are currently set may be displayed.

Here, the display message 628 is selected by the user by selecting the message.
Linked to display error handling.

The setting reception unit 101 displays the network diagnosis result (abnormality) as described above, and advances the process to S22.

In S22, the information processing apparatus 100 accepts selection of a link to the electronic manual 1020. Specifically, the setting reception unit 101 receives selection of the display message 628 in the error item confirmation area 627. Then, the process proceeds to S23.

In S23, the information processing apparatus 100 displays the electronic manual 1020. Specifically, the setting reception unit 101 refers to the error handling method list 1021 in the storage unit 102 and performs S22.
The coping method 1024 of the error ID 1022 corresponding to the display message 628 selected in is displayed. The setting reception unit 101 displays a notification screen 700 as shown in FIG. 8, for example.

The notification screen 700 is displayed as a separate window from the setting screen 600. Setting reception part 1
01 displays the error ID 1022, the display message 1023, and the handling method 1024 corresponding to the display message 628 selected in S22 on the notification screen 700 as the error ID 721, the display message 722, and the handling method 723. The error ID 721 and the display message 722 need not be displayed. In addition, on the notification screen 700, a close button 711 for closing the notification screen 700 is displayed.

Here, the coping method 723 is linked so that when the user selects the message, a setting screen 600 for setting a setting value to be corrected by the error coping method is displayed. It should be noted that the error ID of each coping method 723 and the information specifying the setting screen 600 to be displayed may be associated with each other using, for example, a table.

The setting reception unit 101 displays the error handling method as described above, and advances the processing to S24. Of course, the configuration of the notification screen 700 is not limited to the above.

In S24, the information processing apparatus 100 accepts selection of an error handling method. Specifically, the setting reception unit 101 receives the selection of the handling method 723 displayed on the notification screen 700. Then, the process proceeds to S25.

In S25, the information processing apparatus 100 returns the process to the process for accepting the setting of the setting value to be corrected. Specifically, the setting reception unit 101 determines the coping method 723 selected in S24.
(S1, S2, S3) for accepting setting values to be corrected, which are associated with
, S5, or S6). For example, when the handling method 723 designates a security key as a setting item to be corrected, the setting reception unit 101 returns the process to S2. The setting item area 610 displays the setting item “5. Input of security key”, and the setting input area 620 displays an input field 625 for inputting a security key (see FIG. 6).

In S31, the information processing apparatus 100 displays the network diagnosis result (normal). Specifically, the setting reception unit 101 displays, for example, a message indicating that the setting of the printing apparatus 200 has been successful in the setting input area 620 of the setting screen 600. In the setting input area 620, an end button 624 for exiting while reflecting the setting for the printing apparatus 200 in the setting screen 600 is displayed instead of the next button 623.

The setting reception unit 101 displays the network diagnosis result (normal) as described above, and ends this flow.

In the setting guidance process described above, the process for receiving various setting values (S1, S2, S3) from S26.
, S5, or S6). Therefore, for example, when the process returns to S2, at least one of the subsequent processes (S3 to S6) is executed. Therefore, the flow may be such that subsequent processing is not executed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating another example of setting guidance processing for the printing apparatus in the information processing apparatus 100. In this flow, S25 of the flow of FIG. 4 is deleted, and S26 is added instead. Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the flow of FIG.

In S <b> 26, the information processing apparatus 100 receives a setting value to be corrected. Specifically, the setting receiving unit 101 displays a setting screen 600 for receiving the setting value setting to be corrected, which is associated with the coping method 723 selected in S24 (S1, S2, S3, S).
5 or S6). For example, when the countermeasure method 723 designates a security key as an item to be corrected, the setting reception unit 101 highlights the setting item “5. Input security key” in the setting item area 610, and the setting input area In 620, an input field 625 for inputting a security key is displayed (see FIG. 6). After the setting value to be corrected is input to the input field 625 and the selection of the next button 623 is received, the setting receiving unit 10
1 acquires the set value of the input field 625, and returns the process to S7.

In S7, the setting reception unit 101 corrects the setting values acquired in S1 to S3, or S1 to S3 and S5 to S6 with the setting values acquired in S26, and issues a network setting request including these setting values. It transmits to the printing apparatus 200. Of course, a network setting request including only the setting value acquired in S26 may be transmitted to the printing apparatus 200.

In the flow of FIGS. 4 and 5 described above, an error handling method is displayed when a user operation is accepted in S22. Further, when a user operation is accepted in S24, S2
After 5 or in S26, a setting screen for setting values to be corrected is displayed. Here, S22
S23 may be omitted, and the error handling method may be displayed on the same screen together with the diagnosis result in S21. When a user operation is accepted (S24), the process may transition to S25 or S26. Further, S22 to S24 may be omitted, and the error handling method may be displayed together with the diagnosis result in S21, and the process may transit to S25 or S26 without any user operation. In this way, the user's operation can be simplified.

Each of the processing units in FIGS. 4 and 5 is divided according to the main processing contents in order to make the processing of the information processing apparatus 100 easy to understand. Depending on how the processing unit is divided and the name,
The present invention is not limited. The processing of the information processing apparatus 100 can be divided into more processing units according to the processing content. Moreover, it can also divide | segment so that one process unit may contain many processes.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to more easily correct the setting value of the printing apparatus.

That is, in the present embodiment, the diagnosis result of the diagnostic process executed by the printing apparatus is displayed on the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus displays an error handling method based on the diagnosis result. With such a configuration, the user can easily know the cause of the abnormality in the setting of the printing apparatus, and can easily know what action should be taken.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus directly displays a setting screen for correcting a setting value that causes an error in the printing apparatus. With such a configuration, the user can easily reach the setting screen for correcting the setting value, and can efficiently correct the setting value.

The above embodiments of the present invention are intended to illustrate the gist and scope of the present invention, and are not intended to be limiting. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

For example, the present invention can be applied not only to a printing apparatus such as a printer, a copier, and a multifunction machine, but also to a device that needs to be set from an information processing apparatus.

10: printing system, 100: information processing apparatus, 101: setting reception unit, 102: storage unit, 1
03: diagnosis request unit, 104: USB communication unit, 105: wireless communication unit, 110: CPU, 12
0: RAM, 130: ROM, 140: output device, 150: input device, 160: auxiliary storage device, 170: USB interface, 180: network interface, 20
0: Printing device 201: Setting unit 202: Diagnosis unit 203: USB communication unit 204: Wireless communication unit 205: Print execution unit 210: CPU 220: RAM 230: ROM 24
0: Operation panel, 250: USB interface, 260: Network interface, 270: Print engine, 300: Access point,
600: Setting screen, 610: Setting item area, 611: List of setting items, 620: Setting input area, 621: Cancel button, 622: Back button, 623: Next button, 624:
End button, 625: input field, 626: error occurrence notification area, 627: error item confirmation area, 628: display message, 700: notification screen, 711: close button, 722: display message, 723: coping method,
1020: Electronic manual, 1021: Error handling method list, 1023: Display message, 1024: Handling method

Claims (8)

A setting guide device that is connected to a printing apparatus having a diagnostic function for diagnosing its own setting and performs setting of the printing apparatus,
A setting means for receiving a setting value set in the printing apparatus and transmitting the setting value to the printing apparatus to perform setting;
Diagnostic means for causing the printing apparatus to execute the diagnostic function and receiving a diagnostic result;
An abnormality notification means for displaying information indicating the abnormality and a setting screen for correcting the abnormal setting value on a display device when the diagnosis result includes information indicating an abnormality of the specific setting value;
Have
The setting means receives a setting value via the setting screen after displaying the information indicating the abnormality.
A setting guide device characterized by that. The setting guidance device according to claim 1,
The abnormality notification means displays a setting screen for correcting the abnormal setting value when a user's predetermined operation is received after displaying the information indicating the abnormality.
A setting guide device characterized by that. The setting guidance device according to claim 2,
A notification means for displaying on the display device information indicating a predetermined countermeasure for the abnormality when a user's predetermined operation is received after displaying the information indicating the abnormality;
The abnormality notification means displays a setting screen for correcting the abnormal setting value when a user's predetermined operation is received after displaying the information indicating the coping method,
A setting guide device characterized by that. The setting guidance device according to claim 2 or 3,
A normal notification means for displaying, on the display device, information indicating that the setting is normal when the diagnosis result does not include information indicating abnormality of the specific setting value;
A setting guide device characterized by that. The setting guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The setting means includes
Accept the setting values by displaying the setting screens corresponding to each of the plurality of setting values in a predetermined order.
When the abnormality notification means displays a setting screen for correcting the abnormal setting value on the display device, the setting means accepts the setting value via the setting screen, and thereafter, each of them in the predetermined order. Accepting a setting value, and then causing the diagnostic means to perform a diagnosis;
A setting guide device characterized by that. The setting guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The setting means includes
Accept the setting values by displaying the setting screens corresponding to each of the plurality of setting values in a predetermined order.
When the abnormality notification unit displays a setting screen for correcting the abnormal setting value on the display device, the setting unit accepts the setting value via the setting screen, and then diagnoses the diagnosis unit. To execute,
A setting guide device characterized by that. A setting guidance method in a setting guidance apparatus connected to a printing apparatus having a diagnostic function for diagnosing its own settings and performing settings for the printing apparatus,
A setting step for accepting a setting value set in the printing apparatus and transmitting the setting value to the printing apparatus to perform setting;
A diagnostic step of causing the printing device to execute the diagnostic function and receiving a diagnostic result;
An abnormality notification step for displaying information indicating the abnormality and a setting screen for correcting the abnormal setting value on a display device when the diagnosis result includes information indicating an abnormality of the specific setting value; Have
The setting step accepts a setting value via the setting screen after displaying the information indicating the abnormality.
A setting guidance method characterized by that. A program that is connected to a printing apparatus having a diagnostic function for diagnosing its own setting, and that causes the computer to function as a setting guide apparatus for setting the printing apparatus,
A setting means for receiving a setting value set in the printing apparatus and transmitting the setting value to the printing apparatus to perform setting;
Diagnostic means for causing the printing apparatus to execute the diagnostic function and receiving a diagnostic result;
When the diagnosis result includes information indicating an abnormality of a specific setting value, the abnormality notification means for displaying the information indicating the abnormality and a setting screen for correcting the abnormal setting value on a display device, Make the computer work,
The setting means receives a setting value via the setting screen after displaying the information indicating the abnormality.
A program characterized by that.

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