JP2019093603A - Setting value duplication method, image formation system and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve functionality. A printer (2a) is connected to a wireless communication unit (30) based on information indicating a connection destination stored in a wireless setting storage unit (12) storing communication-related settings, and is connected to a wireless communication unit (30). A wireless communication unit 10 for transmitting a cloning setting value file based on the setting value set in the printer 2a to the address; the printer 2b includes a wireless setting storage unit 32 in which communication-related settings are stored; and a wireless setting storage unit. The wireless communication unit 30 that connects to the wireless communication unit 10 based on the information indicating the connection destination of the printer 2a stored in the wireless communication unit 32 and receives the cloning setting value file from the printer 2a, and is used by other devices in the wireless network WLN. A DHCP server / client 36 for setting an IP address that has not been set as the IP address of the printer 2b; Providing the setting value information storage unit 38 for storing the setting values of the printer 2b based on the signal was cloned settings file. [Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

  The present invention relates to a setting value copying method, an image forming system, and an image forming apparatus, and is suitably applied to an image forming system performing cloning in which setting values set in one image forming apparatus are set in the other image forming apparatus. It is a thing.

  Conventionally, network settings (IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, and the like) for each of a plurality of devices have been made in advance, and it is assumed that communication can be performed using the same network. There has been an information processing system that performs cloning, setting a set value set in a setting destination device (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP, 2006-293971, A

  However, in such an information processing system, when cloning from the setting source device to the setting destination device, the cloning setting value file is copied from the setting source device previously connected to the same network as the setting destination device. Although there is one to be reflected on the setting destination device, in that case, it takes time and effort to set the setting source device and the setting destination device to be once connected to the network and to be able to communicate with each other.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose an information processing method, an information processing system and an information processing apparatus capable of improving the functionality.

  In order to solve the problem, in the setting value duplication method of the present invention, a cloning setting value file is transmitted based on the setting values set in the cloning base unit from the cloning base unit belonging to the same network to the cloning unit. In the setting value replication method, a connection step of connecting a cloning slave unit to a cloning master unit based on information indicating a connection destination of a cloning master unit, an address not used by another device in the network, an address of the cloning slave unit Address setting step to set as, a setting value file transmission step of transmitting a cloning setting value file based on the setting value set to the cloning master machine to the address of the cloning slave machine from the cloning master machine, and the received cloning setting file Based on Kronin It was provided with the setting value storage step of storing the set values of the slave unit.

  Further, in the image forming processing system of the present invention, a cloning master machine and a cloning slave machine belonging to the same network are provided, and the cloning master machine is a master machine communication setting storage unit in which settings related to communication are stored; The master unit connection communication unit connected to the slave unit connection communication unit based on the information indicating the connection destination of the cloning master unit stored in the communication setting storage unit and the cloning slave unit address are set in the cloning master unit And the slave unit communication setting storage unit in which the setting related to communication is stored, and the slave unit communication setting storage unit. The slave unit connection communication unit connected to the master unit connection communication unit based on the information indicating the connection destination of the cloning master unit, and other devices in the network An address setting unit that sets an unused address as the address of the cloning slave unit, a slave unit file communication unit that receives the cloning setting value file from the cloning master unit, and a setting of the cloning slave unit based on the received cloning setting value file A setting value storage unit for storing values is provided.

  Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the cloning machine, which is an image forming apparatus operating in the cloning mode, from the cloning parent machine, which is an image forming apparatus operating in the cloning parent mode, belongs to the same network. An image forming apparatus for transmitting a cloning setting value file based on setting values set in a cloning parent machine to the machine, and in the cloning parent mode, connection of the cloning parent machine stored in the communication setting storage unit While connected to the cloning slave based on the information indicating the destination, in the cloning child mode, connection communication to be connected to the cloning parent based on the information indicating the connection destination of the cloning master stored in the communication setting storage unit Section, and in the cloning parent mode and cloning child mode, the network Address setting unit that sets an address not used by other devices in the group as the address of the cloning slave machine, and in the cloning parent mode, cloning based on the setting value set in the cloning mother machine to the address of the cloning slave machine While transmitting the setting value file, in the cloning child mode, the file communication unit that receives the cloning setting value file from the cloning parent machine, and in the cloning child mode, based on the received cloning setting value file, A set value storage unit for storing set values is provided.

  Thus, according to the present invention, the network setting between the cloning master machine and the cloning slave machine is not performed in advance, and the communication between the cloning master machine and the cloning slave machine can not be performed in a simple operation of the user. Based on this, cloning can be performed from the cloning master to the cloning slave, which saves the user time and effort.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a setting value copying method, an image forming system and an image forming apparatus capable of improving the functionality.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a printer setting processing procedure. It is a flowchart which shows the cloning parent mode processing procedure by 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the cloning child mode processing procedure by 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows a cloning parent mode starting screen. It is a figure which shows the screen in cloning parent mode operation | movement. It is a figure which shows a cloning child mode starting screen. It is a figure which shows the screen in cloning child mode operation | movement. It is a block diagram showing composition of a printer by a 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the cloning parent mode processing procedure by 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the cloning child mode processing procedure by 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described using the drawings.

[1. First embodiment]
[1-1. Configuration of image forming system]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 is composed of a printer 2a and a printer 2b which have the same configuration. Hereinafter, the printers 2a and 2b will be collectively referred to as the printer 2. In the following, the setting value set in the printer 2a is also set in the printer 2b, that is, the case of cloning. In addition, the printer 2 (in the present embodiment, the printer 2a), which is the setting source for cloning setting values, is also referred to as a cloning parent machine, and the printer 2 (in the present embodiment, the printer 2b) that is the setting destination for cloning setting values. ) Is also called a cloning machine. Further, the operation mode of the printer 2a serving as the cloning source is set as the cloning parent mode, and the operation mode of the printer 2b serving as the cloning destination is set as the cloning mode.

  The printers 2a and 2b perform wireless communication with each other via a wireless network WLN of a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). When the printer 2a operates in the cloning parent mode, it becomes a simple wireless access point that is a simple wireless access point, and when the printer 2b operates in the cloning mode, the simple wireless access point of the printer 2a as a wireless LAN station Connect wirelessly to

[1-2. Printer Configuration]
Since the printer 2a and the printer 2b have the same configuration, the printer 2a will be mainly described below. As shown in FIG. 2, in the printer 2a, the control unit 14 supervises and controls the whole. The control unit 14 is mainly configured of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is a microprocessor, and is a storage unit (shown in the figure, such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive or a flash memory). By reading out and executing a predetermined program from (a) to control each unit, receive print data and control commands from a higher-level device, control the entire printer 2a, and make settings stored in the setting value information storage unit 18 A print operation (not shown) is performed based on the value. Further, the control unit 14 controls the wireless communication unit 10 based on the setting value for wireless communication acquired from the wireless setting storage unit 12 and transmits and receives data via the wireless communication unit 10.

  The wireless communication unit 10 as a parent device communication unit is, for example, a wireless LAN board, and operates as a simple wireless access point or as a wireless LAN station connected to the simple wireless access point as a client. The wireless setting storage unit 12 is a wireless communication unit, such as a cloning SSID, which is an SSID (Service Set Identifier) of a cloning parent machine used when the cloning slave machine connects to the cloning parent machine via a wireless LAN when cloning is performed. 10 stores the setting values for wireless communication necessary to control 10;

  When the wireless communication unit 10 operates as a simple wireless access point, a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server / client 16 issues an IP address to a cloning slave unit that has connected to the simple wireless access point While functioning as a DHCP server, when the wireless communication unit 10 is operating as a wireless LAN station, it functions as a DHCP client that requests an IP address.

  The set value information storage unit 18 stores set values such as print information and system information set in the printer 2a. When the wireless communication unit 10 is operating as a simple wireless access point, the setting value file processing unit 20 uses the setting values stored in the setting value information storage unit 18 to create a cloning setting that is a setting value file for cloning. The value file is generated according to an instruction from the control unit 14 and stored in the setting value file storage unit 22. When the wireless communication unit 10 is operating as a wireless LAN station, the value file is stored in the setting value file storage unit 22 The specified cloning setting value file is reflected on the setting value information storage unit 18. When the wireless communication unit 10 is operating as a simple wireless access point, the setting value file storage unit 22 stores the cloning setting value file generated by the setting value file processing unit 20 while the wireless communication unit 10 stores the cloning setting value file. When operating as a wireless LAN station, the cloning setting value file received by the wireless communication unit 10 is stored.

  The display unit 24 is an operation panel or the like, and displays various information of the printer 2a, accepts an input operation from the user, and confirms information, performs setting, execution, and the like.

  The printer 2b has the same configuration as the printer 2a, so the description thereof is omitted. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 30, the wireless setting storage unit 32, the control unit 34, the DHCP server / client 36, the setting value information storage unit 38, the setting value file processing unit 40, and the setting value file as a slave communication unit in the printer 2b The storage unit 42 and the display unit 44 are the wireless communication unit 10, the wireless setting storage unit 12, the control unit 14, the DHCP server / client 16, the set value information storage unit 18, the set value file processing unit 20, and the set value file in the printer 2a. The storage unit 22 and the display unit 24 are configured in the same manner.

[1-3. Printer setting procedure]
Next, a specific processing procedure of the printer setting process by the printer 2a which is the cloning master machine will be described using the flowchart of FIG. When the mode for setting the setting values of the printer 2a based on the user's operation on the display unit 24 is activated, the control unit 14 reads the printer setting processing program from the ROM and executes it to start the printer setting processing procedure RT1. , And move on to step SP1. In step SP1, the control unit 14 sets the printer 2a based on the user operation on the display unit 24, stores the set value in the set value information storage unit 18, moves to step SP2 and ends the printer setting processing procedure RT1. .

[1-4. Cloning Parent Mode Procedure]
Next, a specific processing procedure of the cloning parent mode processing by the printer 2a from which the setting value is cloned will be described using the flowchart of FIG. When the cloning parent mode is activated based on the user's operation on the display unit 24, the control unit 14 reads the cloning parent mode processing program from the ROM and executes it to start the cloning parent mode processing procedure RT2.

  In step SP11, the control unit 14 prompts the user to select whether to start the printer 2a as a parent device in the cloning mode by displaying the cloning parent mode start screen SCSS shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit 24. . The cloning parent mode starting screen SCSS displays a YES button BTY1 and a NO button BTN1. When the user activates the printer 2a as a parent in the cloning mode, the user presses the YES button BTY1 on the cloning parent mode start screen SCSS. When the YES button BTY1 is pressed on the cloning parent mode start screen SCSS, the control unit 14 starts the cloning parent mode, and proceeds to step SP12. On the other hand, when the NO button BTN1 is pressed on the cloning parent mode start screen SCSS, the control unit 14 ends the cloning parent mode processing procedure RT2.

  In step SP12, the control unit 14 causes the display unit 24 to display the cloning parent mode in-progress screen SCSO shown in FIG. 7 to make the user recognize that the printer 2a is being activated as a parent device in the cloning mode. An end button BTE is displayed on the cloning parent mode operating screen SCSO. When ending the operation of the printer 2a as a parent machine in the cloning mode, the user presses the end button BTE on the cloning parent mode operating screen SCSO. When the end button BTE is pressed on the cloning parent mode operating screen SCSO, the control unit 14 ends the cloning parent mode processing procedure RT2.

  In step SP13, the control unit 14 generates a cloning setting value file by the setting value file processing unit 20 based on the setting value stored in the setting value information storage unit 18 and stores it in the setting value file storage unit 22. Move. In step SP14, the control unit 14 activates the DHCP server of the DHCP server / client 16 and proceeds to step SP15. In step SP15, the control unit 14 activates the simple wireless access point of the wireless LAN by the wireless communication unit 10 with the cloning SSID and the security setting stored in the wireless setting storage unit 12, and proceeds to step SP16.

  In step SP16, the control unit 14 determines by the wireless communication unit 10 whether or not there is the printer 2 wirelessly connected to the printer 2a in order to clone the setting value. The other printer 2 is in the cloning mode. Here, if a positive result is obtained, this indicates that there is a cloning slave to which a cloning setting value file is to be sent from the printer 2a at present, around the printer 2a, and at this time, the control unit 14 performs step SP17. Move to

  In step SP17, when the control unit 14 receives an IP address acquisition request from the cloning slave machine, the DHCP server / client 16 issues an IP address to the printer 2 in cloning child mode (that is, the printer 2b), and proceeds to step SP18. In step SP18, the control unit 14 waits until receiving the setting value file acquisition request from the printer 2 in the cloning mode, and when receiving the setting value file acquisition request, proceeds to step SP19. In step SP19, the control unit 14 transmits the cloning setting value file stored in the setting value file storage unit 22 to the printer 2b in cloning child mode (that is, the cloning child device) that is the request source by the wireless communication unit 10 Return to SP16.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP16, this indicates that there is no cloning slave that is currently the target of transmitting the cloning setting value file from the printer 2a around the printer 2a, at this time the control unit 14 The process proceeds to step SP20.

  In step SP20, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the user has pressed the end button BTE on the cloning parent mode operating screen SCSO. If an affirmative result is obtained here, this indicates that the user desires to end the cloning parent mode, and at this time, the control unit 14 ends the display of the cloning parent mode operating screen SCSO, and step SP21 Move to

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP20, this indicates that the user desires to continue the cloning parent mode, and at this time, the control unit 14 returns to step SP16 and wirelessly connects to the printer 2a. It is confirmed again whether the printer 2 exists.

  In step SP21, the control unit 14 ends the simple wireless access point of the wireless LAN by the wireless communication unit 10, and proceeds to step SP22. In step SP22, the control unit 14 stops the DHCP server of the DHCP server / client 16, and proceeds to step SP23. In step SP23, the control unit 14 deletes the cloning setting value file stored in the setting value file storage unit 22, and proceeds to step SP24. In step SP24, the control unit 14 ends the cloning parent mode, proceeds to step SP25, and ends the cloning parent mode processing procedure RT2.

  Thus, the printer 2a, which is the cloning parent machine, activates the simple wireless access point with the cloning SSID, assigns an IP address to the cloning slave machine wirelessly connected to the cloning SSID, and sets the cloning to the IP address. Added to send value file.

[1-5. Cloning mode processing procedure]
Next, a specific processing procedure of cloning child mode processing by the printer 2b to which setting values are to be cloned will be described using the flowchart of FIG. When the printer 2b is powered on, the control unit 34 reads a cloning child mode processing program from the ROM and executes it to start a cloning child mode processing procedure RT3.

  In step SP31, the control unit 34 scans the surrounding radio waves with the wireless communication unit 30, so that a wireless access point operating with the cloning SSID stored in the wireless setting storage unit 32 exists around the printer 2b. It is determined whether to do. Here, if a positive result is obtained, this indicates that the cloning base machine which is currently sent the cloning setting value file exists around the printer 2b, and at this time, the control unit 34 proceeds to step SP32.

  In step SP32, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the setting value is already stored in the setting value information storage unit 38. Here, if a positive result is obtained, this means that the setting value is not stored in the setting value information storage unit 38, so that the cloning setting value file may be obtained. Move to SP33.

  In step SP33, the control unit 34 prompts the user to select whether or not to execute cloning by displaying the cloning child mode startup screen SCDS shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit 44. The cloning child mode start screen SCDS displays a YES button BTY2, a NO button BTN2 and a NO button BTN3. When the user executes cloning, the user presses the YES button BTY2 on the cloning child mode start screen SCDS. On the other hand, when the user does not execute cloning, the user presses the NO button BTN2 on the cloning mode start screen SCDS. On the other hand, if the user does not execute cloning and does not want to display the cloning mode start screen SCDS from now on, the user presses the NO button BTN3. When the YES button BTY2 is pressed on the cloning child mode start screen SCDS, the control unit 34 starts the cloning child mode, and proceeds to step SP34.

  In step SP34, the control unit 34 causes the display unit 44 to display a cloning child mode in-operation screen SCDO shown in FIG. 9 to make the user recognize that the printer 2b is being activated as a slave unit of the cloning mode. An interrupt button BTI is displayed on the cloning image mode operating screen SCDO. When interrupting the operation of the printer 2b as a slave unit of the cloning mode, that is, when suspending cloning, the user presses the suspend button BTI on the cloning mode active screen SCDO. When the suspend button BTI is pressed in the cloning child mode operating screen SCDO, the control unit 34 ends the display of the cloning child mode operating screen SCDO and ends the cloning child mode processing procedure RT3.

  In step SP35, the control unit 34 causes the wireless communication unit 30 to use the wireless communication unit 30 for the printer 2a (that is, the cloning master machine) operating in the cloning parent mode with the cloning SSID and security settings stored in the wireless setting storage unit 32. Connection is performed, and the process moves to step SP36.

  In step SP36, the control unit 34 transmits an IP address acquisition request, which is a request for acquiring an IP address, to the printer 2a via the wireless communication unit 30 by the DHCP server / client 36 to determine the IP address of the printer 2b. Move to In step SP37, the control unit 34 receives the cloning setting value file from the printer 2a by transmitting the setting value file acquisition request, which is a request for acquiring the cloning setting value file, to the printer 2a via the wireless communication unit 30 and setting values. The file is stored in the file storage unit 42, and the process proceeds to step SP38. In step SP38, the control unit 34 causes the setting value file processing unit 20 to reflect the cloning setting value file stored in the setting value file storage unit 42 into the setting value information storage unit 38, and proceeds to step SP39.

  In step SP39, the control unit 34 causes the wireless communication unit 30 to disconnect the wireless LAN with the printer 2a, and proceeds to step SP40. In step SP40, the control unit 34 restarts the printer 2b, proceeds to step SP42, and ends the cloning child mode processing procedure RT3.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP31, this means that there is no wireless access point operating with the cloning SSID, so the cloning base machine which is currently sent the cloning setting value file is around the printer 2b. Indicates that it does not exist. If a negative result is obtained in step SP32, this means that there is no need to acquire a cloning setting value file because the setting value is already stored in the setting value information storage unit 38. Also, if a negative result is obtained in step SP33, this indicates that the user does not intend to execute cloning. Therefore, if a negative result is obtained in step SP31, step SP32 or step SP33, the control unit 34 proceeds to step SP41.

  In step SP41, the control unit 34 completes the activation of the printer 2b, shifts the display unit 44 to the online screen in the normal state, moves to step SP42, and ends the cloning child mode processing procedure RT3.

  In this way, the printer 2b, which is a cloning slave machine, wirelessly connects to the cloning master machine operating as a wireless access point of the cloning SSID, acquires an IP address from the cloning master machine, and acquires a cloning setting value file. , As the setting value of the printer 2b.

[1-6. Effect etc]
In the above configuration, in the image forming system 1, the printer 2a operates as a wireless access point with the information indicating the connection destination of the printer 2a stored in the wireless setting storage unit 12, and is stored in the wireless setting storage unit 32 of the printer 2b. The printer 2b connects to the wireless communication unit 10 of the printer 2a based on the information indicating the connection destination of the printer 2a, and the IP address not used by other devices in the wireless network WLN is transmitted from the DHCP server / client 16 of the printer 2a to the printer 2b. By setting out the setting values of the printer 2b based on the cloning setting value file received from the printer 2a, the cloning setting value file is set from the printer 2a to the IP address of the printer 2b. Store in the information storage unit 38 Was thus the set value of the printer 2a so as to reflect the printer 2b.

  Therefore, the image forming system 1 can automatically perform a wireless connection between the printer 2a and the printer 2b on a one-to-one basis until the cloning setting value file is transmitted from the printer 2a to the printer 2b and reflected on the printer 2b. it can. Thus, the image forming system 1 can save the trouble of network setting in advance by cloning setting values only with the printer 2 without using other information processing apparatus etc., and can easily perform cloning. Can.

  Also, conventionally, there is a method of copying a cloning setting value file from a setting source device via a portable storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory and reflecting it on the setting destination device. Insert a portable storage medium into the device, copy the cloning setting file to the portable storage medium, insert the portable storage medium into the device of the setting destination, and transfer the portable storage medium to the device of the setting destination The cloning setting value file was reflected, and it took time and effort to operate and carry the portable storage medium.

  On the other hand, the image forming system 1 transmits the cloning setting value file from the printer 2a to the printer 2b only by the user executing the cloning parent mode in the printer 2a and the user executing the cloning mode in the printer 2b. It was made to reflect to 2b.

  Thereby, the image forming system 1 inserts the portable storage medium into the setting source device, copies the cloning setting value file to the portable storage medium, and inserts the portable storage medium into the setting destination device. It is possible to save the trouble of reflecting the cloning setting value file from the portable storage medium to the setting destination device.

  Further, in the image forming system 1, wireless communication is performed by the printer 2a and the printer 2b via the wireless network WLN. As a result, the image forming system 1 connects the printer 2a and the printer 2b by a wired network, and as compared with the case where wired communication is performed between the printer 2a and the printer 2b, it takes time and effort to connect the printer 2a and the printer 2b by cable. Can be eliminated. This is particularly effective when the printer 2a is used as a cloning master and a plurality of printers are successively cloned as slaves.

  According to the above configuration, the image forming system 1 is provided with the printer 2a as the cloning parent machine and the printer 2b as the cloning slave machine belonging to the wireless network WLN which is the same network, and the printer 2a is used as a setting regarding communication. The wireless setting storage unit 12 in which the setting values for wireless communication are stored, and the wireless communication unit 30 stored in the wireless setting storage unit 12 based on the cloning SSID and the security setting that are information indicating the connection destination of the printer 2a. And the wireless communication unit 10 for transmitting a cloning setting value file based on setting values such as print information and system information set in the printer 2a to an IP address which is the address of the printer 2b. , Wireless setting storage unit 32 in which settings related to communication are stored; The wireless communication unit 30, which is connected to the wireless communication unit 10 based on the information indicating the connection destination of the printer 2a stored in the unit 32, and receives the cloning setting value file from the printer 2a, and other devices in the wireless network WLN A DHCP server / client 36 for setting an IP address not in use as an IP address of the printer 2b and a setting value information storage unit 38 for storing setting values of the printer 2b based on the received cloning setting value file are provided. .

  As a result, the image forming system 1 can set the network between the printer 2a and the printer 2b in advance and can not communicate with the printer 2a and the printer 2b based on the simple operation of the user. The cloning from 2a to the printer 2b can be performed, and the user's labor can be saved.

[2. Second embodiment]
[2-1. Configuration of image forming system]
As compared with the image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment, the image forming system 101 according to the second embodiment (FIG. 1) substitutes the printers 102a and 102b (FIG. 10) for the printers 2a and 2b (FIG. 2). Although it differs in that it has a), the other points are configured similarly.

[2-2. Printer Configuration]
As shown in FIG. 10 in which functions corresponding to the printers 2a and 2b are denoted by the same reference numerals, the printers 102a and 102b according to the second embodiment are the same as the printers 102a and 102b (FIG. 2) according to the first embodiment. In comparison, control units 114 and 134 replace control units 14 and 34, and IP address setting units 28 and 48 replace DHCP servers / clients 16 and 36, and wireless setting value save units 26 and 46 are added. Although different in that they are the same, the other points are configured similarly. Hereinafter, the printers 102a and 102b will be collectively referred to as the printer 102. The printer 102b has the same configuration as the printer 102a, so the description thereof is omitted. Specifically, the wireless setting value saving unit 46 and the IP address setting unit 48 in the printer 102 b are configured in the same manner as the wireless setting value saving unit 26 and the IP address setting unit 28 in the printer 102 a.

  The wireless setting value saving unit 26 temporarily saves the setting values for wireless communication before cloning from the wireless setting storage unit 12 while cloning is being performed, and stores the same. The IP address setting unit 28 stores the IP address of the printer 102 a itself and stores the IP address of the printer 2 b received from the printer 102 b.

[2-3. Printer setting procedure]
The control unit 114 of the printer 102a reads the printer setting processing program from the ROM and executes it to start the printer setting processing procedure RT1 (FIG. 3), and performs the processing described in the first embodiment.

[2-4. Cloning Parent Mode Procedure]
When the cloning parent mode is activated based on the user's operation on the display unit 24, the control part 114 of the printer 102a reads out and executes the cloning parent mode processing program from the ROM, thereby executing the cloning parent mode processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 4). 11. A cloning parent mode processing procedure RT102 shown in FIG. 11 in which the same steps as in FIG. The cloning parent mode processing procedure RT102 is different from the cloning parent mode processing procedure RT2 in that steps SP101 and SP104 are added, and steps SP102 and SP103 are provided instead of step SP17.

  In steps SP11 to SP15, the control unit 114 performs the same processing as the cloning parent mode processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 4), and proceeds to step SP101. In step SP101, the control unit 114 reads the current setting value for wireless communication from the wireless setting storage unit 12 and saves the setting value in the wireless setting value saving unit 26, and proceeds to step SP15.

  In steps SP15 to SP16, the control unit 114 performs the same processing as the cloning parent mode processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 4), and proceeds to step SP102. In step SP102, when the control unit 114 receives the IP address confirmation request from the cloning unit, the cloning unit IP address candidate serving as a candidate for the IP address of the printer 102b indicated by the IP address confirmation request is an IP address setting unit. Check whether it is the same as the cloning parent machine IP address which is the IP address of the printer 102a set to 28 and indicate that the cloning slave machine IP address candidate is identical to the cloning parent machine IP address candidate The duplicate communication or the IP address non-overlapping response indicating that the cloning slave IP address candidate is not identical to the cloning parent IP address candidate is wirelessly communicated to the cloning child mode printer 102 b (that is, the cloning slave) By part 10 To trust. The control unit 114 repeatedly receives an IP address confirmation response from the printer 102b until the cloning slave IP address candidate is no longer identical to the cloning master IP address, and the cloning slave IP address candidate is identical to the cloning master IP address candidate. If it is not confirmed, that is, it is confirmed that the IP addresses do not overlap in the plurality of printers 102 in the image forming system 101, the process proceeds to step SP103.

  In step SP103, the control unit 114 stores the cloning slave device IP address candidate in the IP address setting unit 28 as a cloning slave device IP address that is the IP address of the printer 102b, and proceeds to step SP18. In steps SP18 to SP21, the control unit 114 performs the same processing as the cloning parent mode processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 4), and proceeds to step SP104.

  In step SP104, the control unit 114 reads out the wireless communication setting value saved in the wireless setting value saving unit 26, stores the read value in the wireless setting storage unit 12, and proceeds to step SP22. In steps SP22 to SP25, the control unit 114 performs the same processing as the cloning parent mode processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 4).

  As described above, the printer 102 a saves the current setting value for wireless communication to the wireless setting value saving unit 26 before activating the simple wireless access point with the cloning SSID when performing cloning, and the simple wireless access point After completion, the setting values for wireless communication saved in the wireless setting value saving unit 26 are read out and stored in the wireless setting storage unit 12. As a result, if the printer 102a is in a wireless connection state with a PC (Personal Computer) or the like, for example, with an SSID other than the cloning SSID before performing cloning, wireless connection with the PC is promptly performed after performing cloning. You can return to the state.

[2-5. Cloning mode processing procedure]
When the power source of the printer 102b is turned on, the control unit 134 of the printer 102b reads out the cloning child mode processing program from the ROM and executes it to execute the steps corresponding to the cloning child mode processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 5). The clone child mode processing procedure RT103 shown in FIG. 12 attached is started. Compared with the cloning child mode processing procedure RT3, the cloning child mode processing procedure RT103 is provided with steps SP111, SP112, SP113 and SP114 instead of the step SP36.

  In steps SP11 to SP35, the control unit 134 performs the same processing as the cloning child mode processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 5), and proceeds to step SP111. In step SP111, the control unit 134 wirelessly communicates an IP address confirmation request indicating a predetermined cloning slave machine IP address candidate such as “192.168.0.0” to the printer 102a in the cloning parent mode (that is, the cloning master machine). It transmits by the part 30, and it moves to step SP112.

  In step SP112, the control unit 134 determines whether an IP address non-overlapping response has been received from the printer 102a. Here, if a negative result is obtained by receiving an IP address duplication response, this means that the cloning slave IP address candidate is identical to the cloning master IP address, ie, a plurality of printers 102 in the image forming system 101. Indicates that the current IP address candidate is not applicable to the printer 102b, and at this time, the control unit 134 proceeds to step SP113.

  In step SP113, the control unit 134 adds, for example, 1 to the current numerical value of the cloning slave IP address candidate to set it as a new cloning slave IP address candidate, and returns to step SP111. The control unit 134 repeatedly executes steps SP111 to SP113 until an IP address non-overlapping response is received from the printer 102a.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP112, this means that the cloning slave IP address candidate is not the same as the cloning master IP address, that is, the IP addresses do not overlap in the plurality of printers 102 in the image forming system 101. At this time, the control unit 134 proceeds to step SP114.

  In step SP114, the control unit 114 stores the cloning child machine IP address candidate in the IP address setting unit 48 as a cloning child machine IP address which is an IP address of the printer 102b, and proceeds to step SP37. In steps SP37 to SP42, the control unit 134 performs the same processing as the cloning child mode processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 5).

  Thus, when cloning, the printer 102b voluntarily inquires the printer 102a whether or not the IP address of the printer 102a overlaps with the IP address of the printer 102a without having the printer 102a assign the IP address of the printer 102b. The printer 102b is searched for an available IP address, and when a non-overlapping IP address is found, the IP address is set as the IP address of the printer 102b. As a result, while omitting the DHCP server / clients 16 and 36 from the printer 102, the printer 102b belongs to the wireless network WLN, which is the same network as the cloning parent machine, with other printers belonging to the wireless network WLN. A cloning setting value file can be acquired from the printer 102a by setting an IP address that is not used by a certain printer 102a.

[3. Other embodiments]
In the first embodiment described above, the case where wireless communication is performed between the printer 2a and the printer 2b via the wireless network WLN has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and the printer 2a and the printer 2b may be connected by a wired network, and wired communication may be performed between the printer 2a and the printer 2b. In that case, the printer 2a and the printer 2b may be directly connected to each other by a LAN cable. The point is that the present invention is not limited to wired connection or wireless connection, as long as the cloning master unit and the cloning slave unit are connected by LAN and belong to the same network.

  In the embodiment described above, the user may select the setting item to be reflected on the cloning setting value file from the setting values stored in the setting value information storage unit 18 in the printer setting processing procedure RT1 (FIG. 3). .

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, in the cloning parent mode processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 4), when the setting value file acquisition request is received from the printer 2b, the case of transmitting the cloning setting value file to the printer 2b is described. . The present invention is not limited to this, and the cloning setting value file may be transmitted to the printer 2b before receiving the setting value file acquisition request from the printer 2b. The same applies to the second embodiment.

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, in the case of ending the cloning mode in the cloning parent mode processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 4), the cloning setting value file stored in the setting value file storage unit 22 is deleted. Said about. The present invention is not limited to this, and the cloning setting value file stored in the setting value file storage unit 22 may not be deleted. The same applies to the second embodiment.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, in the cloning child mode processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 5), the case where the cloning child mode processing is automatically started when the power of the printer 2b is turned on has been described. The present invention is not limited to this. When the printer 2b is powered on and the cloning mode is activated based on the user's operation on the display unit 44, the cloning mode processing may be started. The same applies to the second embodiment.

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, when the setting value is already stored in the setting value information storage unit 38 in the cloning child mode processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 5), the case where the cloning child mode processing is ended is described. Stated. The present invention is not limited to this, and even if setting values are already stored in the setting value information storage unit 38, cloning may be performed to overwrite the setting values. In that case, the user may be inquired as to whether or not the setting value has already been stored but may be overwritten. The same applies to the second embodiment.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the case where the present invention is applied to the printer 2 which is an electrophotographic color printer has been described. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to various devices that perform wireless communication, such as MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals), copy machines, facsimile machines, home appliances, which are so-called multifunction machines.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and other embodiments. That is, the present invention can be applied to an embodiment in which any or all of the above-described embodiments and any of the other embodiments described above are arbitrarily combined or an embodiment in which a part is extracted. It is.

  Further, in the embodiment described above, the image forming system 1 or 101 as an image forming system is configured by the printer 2a or 102a as a cloning parent machine and the printer 2b or 102b as a cloning slave machine, and the cloning parent machine And a wireless setting storage unit 12 as a parent device communication setting storage unit, a wireless communication unit 10 as a parent device connection communication unit, and a wireless communication unit 10 as a parent device file communication unit. Wireless setting storage unit 32 as a slave unit communication setting storage unit, wireless communication unit 30 as a slave unit connection communication unit, DHCP server / client 36 or IP address setting unit 48 as an address setting unit, slave unit file communication The case where the wireless communication unit 30 as a unit and the set value information storage unit 38 as a set value storage unit are described . However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a cloning master machine having a master machine communication setting storage unit, a master machine connection communication unit, and a master machine file communication unit having various other configurations, and a slave machine communication setting storage unit The image forming system may be configured by a cloning slave unit having a slave unit connection communication unit, an address setting unit, a slave unit file communication unit, and a setting value storage unit.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the wireless communication units 10 and 30 as the connection communication unit, the DHCP server / client 16 or 36 as the address setting unit, the IP address setting unit 28 or 48, and the wireless as the file communication unit The case where the printer 2 as the image forming apparatus is configured by the communication units 10 and 30 and the set value information storage unit 38 as the set value storage unit has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming apparatus may be configured by a connection communication unit having various other configurations, an address setting unit, a file communication unit, and a setting value storage unit.

  The present invention can be used in various electronic devices that perform various processes related to images, such as image scanners, facsimile machines, copiers, and the like, as well as computers that cause an image to be printed on a printer.

  2a, 102a: printer, 2b, 102b: printer, WLN: wireless network, 10: wireless communication unit, 12: wireless setting storage unit, 14, 114: control unit, 16: DHCP server / client , 18 ... setting value information storage unit, 20 ... setting value file processing unit, 22 ... setting value file storage unit, 24 ... display unit, 26 ... wireless setting value saving unit, 28 ... IP address setting unit , 30: wireless communication unit, 32: wireless setting storage unit, 34, 134: control unit, 36: DHCP server / client, 38: setting value information storage unit, 40: setting value file processing unit, 42 ... setting value file storage unit 44 ... display unit 46 ... wireless setting value saving unit 48 ... IP address setting unit SCSS ... cloning parent mode start screen, SCSO ... black Ning parent mode operation screen, SCDS ... cloning child mode start screen, SCDO ... cloning child mode operation screen, BTY 1 ... YES button, BTY 2 ... YES button, BTN 1 ... NO button, BTN 2 ... NO button, BTN3 ... NO button, BTI ... Interruption button, BTE ... Exit button.

Claims (9)

A setting value replication method for transmitting a cloning setting value file based on setting values set in a cloning parent machine from a cloning parent machine belonging to the same network to a cloning child machine,
A connection step of connecting from the cloning slave unit to the cloning master unit based on information indicating a connection destination of the cloning master unit;
An address setting step of setting an address not used by another device in the network as an address of the cloning slave machine;
A setting value file transmitting step of transmitting a cloning setting value file based on the setting value set in the cloning master unit to the address of the cloning unit from the cloning unit;
And a setting value storing step of storing setting values of the cloning device based on the received cloning setting value file. Has a cloning parent machine and a cloning child machine that belong to the same network,
The cloning parent machine is
A parent device communication setting storage unit in which settings related to communication are stored;
A master unit connection communication unit connected to a slave unit connection communication unit based on the information indicating the connection destination of the cloning master unit stored in the master unit communication setting storage unit;
A parent unit file communication unit for transmitting a cloning setting value file based on the setting value set in the cloning base unit to the address of the cloning unit;
The cloning slave machine is
A handset communication setting storage unit in which the settings relating to communication are stored;
A slave unit connection communication unit connected to the master unit connection communication unit based on the information indicating the connection destination of the cloning master unit stored in the slave unit communication setting storage unit;
An address setting unit configured to set an address not used by another device in the network as an address of the cloning slave machine;
A slave unit file communication unit that receives the cloning setting value file from the cloning master unit;
And a setting value storage unit for storing setting values of the cloning slave based on the received cloning setting value file. The network is a wireless network,
The base unit communication setting storage unit stores the SSID of the cloning base unit,
The base unit connection communication unit operates as a wireless access point based on the SSID stored in the base unit communication setting storage unit,
The slave unit communication setting storage unit stores the SSID of the cloning master unit,
The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the slave unit connection communication unit connects to the master unit connection communication unit based on the SSID stored in the slave unit communication setting storage unit. The child machine file communication unit transmits a request for acquiring the cloning setting value file to the cloning base machine.
The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the parent machine file communication unit transmits the cloning setting value file to the cloning child machine upon receiving a request for acquiring the cloning setting value file from the cloning child machine. The cloning parent machine is
The master server further comprises: a master DHCP server / client that manages the IP address of the cloning master, and assigns the IP address to the cloning slave upon receiving a request for acquiring the IP address from the cloning slave;
The cloning slave machine is
The image forming system according to claim 2, further comprising: a slave DHCP server / client that transmits a request for acquiring the IP address to the cloning master and determines an IP address of the cloning slave. The cloning slave machine is
The image forming system according to claim 2, further comprising an IP address setting unit configured to search for an IP address of the cloning slave that is unique in the network and set the IP address as the IP address of the cloning slave. The IP address setting unit inquires the predetermined cloning IP address candidate to the cloning parent machine, and when it is answered that it is not identical to the cloning parent machine IP address, the IP address candidate is selected as the IP of the cloning slave machine The image forming system according to claim 6, which is set as an address. The cloning slave machine is
The image forming system according to claim 2, further comprising a printing unit that performs printing based on the setting of the cloning setting value file. From the cloning parent machine, which is an image forming apparatus operating in the cloning parent mode, belonging to the same network, to the cloning machine which is an image forming apparatus operating in the cloning mode, An image forming apparatus for transmitting a cloning setting value file based on the setting value being
In the cloning parent mode, connection is made to the cloning child machine based on the information indicating the connection destination of the cloning parent machine stored in the communication setting storage unit, while in the cloning child mode, the communication setting is made. A connection communication unit connected to the cloning base device based on the information indicating the connection destination of the cloning base device stored in the storage unit;
An address setting unit configured to set an address not used by another device in the network as the address of the cloning slave device in the cloning parent mode and the cloning child mode;
While in the cloning parent mode, a cloning setting value file based on the setting values set in the cloning parent machine is transmitted to the address of the cloning slave machine, while in the cloning child mode, from the cloning parent machine A file communication unit that receives the cloning setting value file;
An image forming apparatus having a setting value storage unit for storing setting values of the cloning slave based on the received cloning setting value file in the cloning mode;

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