JP6314907B2 - Server apparatus and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present technology relates to a server device capable of changing setting contents of a plurality of image forming apparatuses. The present technology further relates to an information processing system including the server device and the plurality of image forming apparatuses.

  In recent years, printers and multifunction peripherals are widely used in offices. These image forming apparatuses have rich functions to support and are highly functional. Therefore, various contents can be set for the image forming apparatus. However, the setting items may be different for each model, and the user needs to understand the setting items for each model.

  A method for improving the efficiency of storing device setting values for an administrator and other users is known (see Patent Document 1). The image forming apparatus stores administrator data and user data. The user data is the difference data of the administrator data (the same claim 1). Administrator setting values can be applied to setting values of other users.

JP 2009-226623 A

  According to Patent Literature 1, when the setting value of the user setting data is different from the setting value of the administrator setting data, the setting value of the different user setting data is determined in advance among the plurality of user setting data. When the number exceeds the specified number, the administrator setting data and the user setting data are changed (the same claim 7). As a result, the setting value intended by the user may not be changed.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, an object of the present technology is to more efficiently change setting contents of an image forming apparatus to desired setting contents.

  In order to achieve the above object, a server apparatus according to an aspect of the present technology includes a setting content acquisition unit configured to acquire setting contents of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and one or more having a common first setting content A second setting content different from the first setting content is set for a group generation unit configured to generate a group including the image forming device and all the image forming apparatuses belonging to the group. A setting content change request unit configured to request.

  Accordingly, the setting content change request unit can request all the image forming apparatuses included in one group at a time to set the second setting content. Accordingly, it is not necessary to check and change the setting contents of each image forming apparatus, so that time and effort are not required.

  The group generation unit is configured to generate a plurality of groups, and setting contents of one or more image forming apparatuses belonging to the plurality of groups are different for each group, and selects any one of the plurality of groups. A group selection unit configured as described above, wherein the setting content change request unit requests all the image forming apparatuses belonging to the selected group to set the second setting content. Also good.

  Accordingly, the group selection unit can collectively select all the image forming apparatuses as targets for setting the second setting content as one group. As a result, all target image forming apparatuses can be selected as targets for setting the second setting contents, and there is no omission and certainty.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a server apparatus. Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses includes a storage unit configured to store setting contents. The server apparatus is configured to generate a group including a setting content acquisition unit configured to acquire setting contents of the plurality of image forming apparatuses and one or more image forming apparatuses having a common first setting content. A set content change request unit configured to request all the image forming apparatuses belonging to the group to set a second setting content different from the first setting content; Have

According to the present technology, the setting content of the image forming apparatus can be changed to desired setting content more efficiently.
Note that the effects described here are not necessarily limited, and may be any of the effects described in the present disclosure.

It is a figure showing an information processing system concerning one embodiment of this art. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a server apparatus. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functional configurations of a server apparatus and an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of an information processing system. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a server apparatus. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus. It is an example of UI (User Interface) displayed on a display part. It is an example of UI displayed on a display part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1. Information processing system)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present technology.
The information processing system 1 includes a server device 10 and a plurality of image forming devices 20.

  The server apparatus 10 exchanges information with the image forming apparatus 20 via a network N such as an in-house LAN (Local Area Network). The server apparatus 10 is used by an administrator of the image forming apparatus 20. The “manager” is typically an in-house person who performs maintenance management work for the image forming apparatus 20.

  The image forming apparatus 20 is typically an MFP (multifunction peripheral). The image forming apparatus 20 is used by an employee who is an end user (hereinafter may be simply referred to as “user”).

The following is assumed as a typical usage situation of the information processing system 1.
The plurality of image forming apparatuses 20 are installed in one office. In the office, various users (employees) change the setting contents for the setting items of the image forming apparatus 20 for various purposes. For example, “setting content” = “black and white” is set as an initial value for “setting item” = “color”. However, a certain user changes the setting for “setting item” = “color” of an image forming apparatus 20 to “setting contents” = “multicolor”, and another user sets “setting item” of another image forming apparatus 20. = The setting for “color” may be changed to “setting content” = “monochromatic color”. As a result, among the plurality of image forming apparatuses 20 in the office, “setting item” = “color” and “setting content” = “monochrome”, “multicolor”, and “color single color” are mixed. Become. However, “setting content” = “monochromatic color” is relatively infrequently used. For this reason, it is desirable that the “setting contents” of all the image forming apparatuses 20 in which “setting contents” = “monochrome” is set to “monochrome” or the like that is frequently used.

  However, for the user, whether or not “setting item” = “color” and “setting content” = “monochrome” is set in which image forming apparatus 20 is manually operated on the touch panel of the image forming apparatus 20 itself. If you don't refer to it, you usually don't know. Checking the setting contents for “setting item” = “color” for each image forming apparatus 20 and changing the setting contents when necessary is time-consuming and labor-intensive and depends on user behavior. Not all target image forming apparatuses 20 can be covered.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, according to the information processing system 1 of the present embodiment, the server apparatus 10 compares the setting contents of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 20 with respect to predetermined setting items, and the same setting contents are set. For some of the image forming apparatuses 20, a process for collectively setting new setting contents (setting contents different from the current setting contents) is performed.

(2. Hardware configuration of server device)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the server apparatus.
The server device 10 includes a control unit 11, a display unit 12 connected to the control unit 11 through a bus 17, a communication control unit 13 (first communication control unit), an operation unit 15, and a storage unit 16.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The control unit 11 executes a program loaded in a RAM (Random Access Memory).

  The storage unit 16 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM, and a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The ROM stores programs and data executed by the control unit 11 in a fixed manner. A program stored in the ROM is loaded into the RAM. A large-capacity storage device stores a database.

  The display unit 12 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display, and the like. The display unit 12 performs arithmetic processing based on the information received from the control unit 11 and displays the generated image signal on the screen. Typically, the display unit 12 is an external display device.

  The operation unit 15 includes a keyboard, a mouse, various switches, and the like. The operation unit 15 detects an operation from the user and outputs the operation to the control unit 11.

  The communication control unit 13 is an interface for connecting to the network N.

(3. Hardware configuration of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus 20 includes a control unit 21. The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a dedicated hardware circuit, and the like, and governs overall operation control of the image forming apparatus 20.

  The control unit 21 is connected to the image reading unit 22, the image forming unit 24, the image memory 25, the image forming unit 26, the operation unit 27, the communication control unit 29, the storage unit 28, and the like. The control unit 21 performs operation control of each of the above connected units, and transmission / reception of signals or data to / from each unit.

  The control unit 21 performs operation control on each function such as a scanner function, a print function, a copy function, and a facsimile transmission / reception function in accordance with a job execution instruction input from the user through the operation unit 27 or a network-connected PC. Controls the drive and processing of the mechanisms necessary to execute.

  The image reading unit 22 reads an image from a document.

  The image forming unit 24 forms an image of the image data read by the image reading unit 22 as necessary. For example, the image forming unit 24 performs image formation such as shading correction in order to improve the quality after the image read by the image reading unit 22 is formed.

  The image memory 25 is an area for temporarily storing document image data obtained by reading by the image reading unit 22 and temporarily storing data to be printed by the image forming unit 26.

  The image forming unit 26 forms an image such as the image data read by the image reading unit 22.

  The operation unit 27 includes a touch panel unit and operation key units that receive instructions from the user regarding various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 20. The touch panel unit includes a display unit 27a such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) provided with a touch panel.

  The communication control unit 29 is an interface for connecting to the network N.

  The storage unit 28 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD that stores a document image read by the image reading unit 22.

(4. Functional configuration of server device)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating functional configurations of the server apparatus and the image forming apparatus.
The server apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus selection unit 101, a setting content acquisition unit 102, a group generation unit 103, a group selection unit 104, and a setting content change request unit 105.

  The image forming apparatus selection unit 101 detects a predetermined operation from the administrator for the operation unit 15 as an image forming apparatus selection request. The image forming apparatus selection unit 101 reads the image forming apparatus list 161 stored in the storage unit 16. In the image forming apparatus list 161, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 20 connected to the server apparatus 10 through the network N are registered. The image forming apparatus selection unit 101 selects one or more image forming apparatuses 20 included in the image apparatus forming apparatus selection request. The image forming apparatus selection unit 101 displays the selected one or more image forming apparatuses 20 on the display unit 12.

  The setting content acquisition unit 102 detects a predetermined operation from the administrator for the operation unit 15 as a setting content acquisition request. The setting content acquisition unit 102 transmits a setting content supply request to all the selected image forming apparatuses 20. The setting content acquisition unit 102 receives the setting content from the image forming apparatus 20. The setting content acquisition unit 102 stores the received setting content, the setting item in which the setting content is set, and the image forming apparatus 20 that is the transmission source in association with each other in the setting content database 162 of the storage unit 16. When the setting content acquisition unit 102 stores the setting content of all the image forming apparatuses 20 in the setting content database 162, the setting content acquisition unit 102 notifies the group generation unit 103 of the setting item in which the setting content is set.

  When receiving the notification of the setting item from the setting content acquisition unit 102, the group generation unit 103 searches the setting content database 162 in the storage unit 16. The group generation unit 103 reads the setting content associated with the setting item notified from the setting content acquisition unit 102 for all the selected image forming apparatuses 20 from the setting content database 162. The group generation unit 103 compares setting contents associated with the image forming apparatuses 20 and extracts one or more image forming apparatuses 20 having common setting contents for the setting items. The group generation unit 103 generates a group including one or more image forming apparatuses 20 having common setting contents for the setting items. The group generation unit 103 displays the generated one or more groups on the display unit 12.

  The group selection unit 104 detects a predetermined operation from the administrator for the operation unit 15 as a group selection request. The group selection unit 104 selects a group included in the group selection request. The group selection unit 104 displays on the display unit 12 setting contents that are commonly set for one or more image forming apparatuses 20 included in the selected group. Furthermore, the group selection unit 104 also displays other options (one or more setting contents other than the commonly set setting contents) on the display unit 12.

  The setting content change request unit 105 detects a predetermined operation from the administrator for the operation unit 15 as a setting content selection request. The setting content change request unit 105 sets new setting content (setting content different from the current setting content) included in the setting content selection request for all the image forming apparatuses 20 included in the selected group. Send a setting change request. When the setting content change request unit 105 receives the setting content change result from each image forming apparatus 20, the setting content change request unit 105 displays the setting content change result (success or failure) on the display unit 12.

(5. Functional configuration of image forming apparatus)
The image forming apparatus 20 includes a setting content supply unit 201 and a setting content change unit 202.

  When the setting content supply unit 201 receives the setting content supply request from the server device 10, the setting content supply unit 201 reads the setting content currently set for the setting item specified by the setting content supply request from the storage unit 28. The setting content supply unit 201 transmits the read setting content to the server device 10.

  The setting content changing unit 202 receives a setting content change request from the server device 10. The setting content change unit 202 changes the setting content stored in the storage unit 28 by setting a new setting content included in the setting content change request for the setting item included in the setting content change request. The setting content changing unit 202 transmits the setting content change result (success or failure) to the server device 10.

(6. Operation of information processing system)
FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the information processing system. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server apparatus. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus selection unit 101 of the server apparatus 10 detects a predetermined operation from the administrator with respect to the operation unit 15 as an image forming apparatus selection request (step S101). The “image device forming apparatus selection request” is a request for selecting one or more image forming apparatuses 20 to be subjected to setting change from a plurality of image forming apparatuses 20 connected to the server apparatus 10 through the network N. It is. When the image forming apparatus selection unit 101 detects an image forming apparatus selection request, the image forming apparatus selection unit 101 reads the image forming apparatus list 161 stored in the storage unit 16. In the image forming apparatus list 161, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 20 connected to the server apparatus 10 through the network N are registered. The image forming apparatus selection unit 101 selects one or more image forming apparatuses 20 included in the image apparatus forming apparatus selection request from the image forming apparatus list 161 (step S102). The image forming apparatus selection unit 101 displays the selected one or more image forming apparatuses 20 on the display unit 12 (step S103).

  The setting content acquisition unit 102 detects a predetermined operation from the administrator with respect to the operation unit 15 as a setting content acquisition request (step S104). The “setting content acquisition request” is a request for acquiring the “setting content” currently set for one “setting item” that the user intends to change the setting.

Here, “setting items” and “setting contents” will be described with specific examples.
The “setting item” is typically expressed in a hierarchical structure that narrows in the order of “setting item group”> “setting item list”> “setting item”.
The “setting item group” is the widest hierarchy representing setting items, and is selected from “print settings”, “network settings”, and the like. In this example, “setting item group” = “print settings” is set.
The “setting item list” is the next broader hierarchy representing setting items. For example, the “setting item list” is selected from “scan basic”, “output”, “print quality”, and the like for “setting item group” = “print settings”. In this example, “setting item list” = “scan basic” is set.
“Setting item” is the narrowest hierarchy. For example, “setting item” is “setting item list” = “scan basic”, “zoom”, “scanner resolution”, “color selection”, “original image (copy)”, “auto image rotation (OCR ) ”And“ file format ”. In this example, “setting item” = “zoom” is set.
“Setting content” is specific content set for “setting item”, and is selected from “auto”, “100%”, and the like for “setting item” = “zoom”. In this example, “setting content” = “auto” is set for one or more image forming apparatuses 20, and “setting content” = “100%” is set for another one or more image forming apparatuses 20. .

  In this example, the “setting content acquisition request” is a request for acquiring the “setting content” currently set for one “setting item” = “zoom” that the user intends to change the setting. .

  The setting content acquisition unit 102 transmits a setting content supply request to all the selected (step S108) image forming apparatuses 20 (step S102) (step S105). In this example, the setting content acquisition unit 102 sets the currently set one “setting item” = “zoom” that the user intends to change the setting for all the selected image forming apparatuses 20. Send a request to supply content.

  When the setting content supply unit 201 of the image forming apparatus 20 receives the setting content supply request from the server device 10 (step S201), “setting item” = “zoom” specified by the setting content supply request is set at the present time. The set contents are read from the storage unit 28 (step S202). The setting content supply unit 201 transmits the read setting content to the server device 10 (step S203).

  For example, the setting content supply unit 201 of an image forming apparatus 20 reads “setting content” = “auto” set to “setting item” = “zoom” from the storage unit 28 (step S202). The setting content supply unit 201 transmits the read “setting content” = “auto” to the server device 10 (step S203). The setting content supply unit 201 of another image forming apparatus 20 reads “setting content” = “100%” set to “setting item” = “zoom” from the storage unit 28 (step S202). The setting content supply unit 201 transmits the read “setting content” = “100%” to the server device 10 (step S203).

  The setting content acquisition unit 102 of the server device 10 receives the setting content from the image forming apparatus 20 (step S106). The setting content acquisition unit 102 associates the received setting content, the setting item in which the setting content is set, and the image forming apparatus 20 of the transmission source with each other and stores them in the setting content database 162 of the storage unit 16 (step S107). When the setting content acquisition unit 102 stores the setting content of all the image forming apparatuses 20 that transmitted the setting content supply request (step S105) in the setting content database 162, the setting item (in this example, the setting content is set). “Setting item” = “zoom”) is notified to the group generation unit 103.

  Upon receiving notification of the setting item (in this example, “setting item” = “zoom”) from the setting content acquisition unit 102, the group generation unit 103 searches the setting content database 162 of the storage unit 16 (step S109). The group generation unit 103 reads out the setting contents associated with “setting item” = “zoom” for all the selected image forming apparatuses 20 from the setting contents database 162 (step S110). The group generation unit 103 compares the setting contents associated with each image forming apparatus 20 and extracts one or more image forming apparatuses 20 having common setting contents for “setting item” = “zoom”. The group generation unit 103 generates a group including one or more image forming apparatuses 20 having common setting contents for “setting item” = “zoom” (step S111). The group generation unit 103 displays the generated one or more groups on the display unit 12 (step S112).

  For example, for the “setting item” = “zoom”, the group generation unit 103 includes a group including one or more image forming apparatuses 20 in which “setting content” = “auto” is set, and “setting content” = “ A group including one or more image forming apparatuses 20 set to “100%” is generated (step S111). The group generation unit 103 includes a group including one or more image forming apparatuses 20 in which “setting content” = “100%” is set, and one or more image forming apparatuses in which “setting content” = “100%” is set. The group including 20 is displayed on the display unit 12 (step S112).

  The group selection unit 104 detects a predetermined operation from the administrator for the operation unit 15 as a group selection request (step S113). The “group selection request” is for selecting one of the one or more groups displayed on the display unit 12 (a group including all of the image forming apparatuses 20 whose settings are to be changed). It is a request. The group selection unit 104 selects a group included in the group selection request (step S114). The group selection unit 104 displays the setting content set in common for one or more image forming apparatuses 20 included in the selected group on the display unit 12 (step S115). Further, the group selection unit 104 also displays other options (one or more setting contents other than the setting contents commonly set for a specific setting item) on the display unit 12.

  For example, for “setting item” = “zoom”, the group selection unit 104 selects a group including one or more image forming apparatuses 20 in which “setting content” = “auto” is commonly set (step S114). The group selection unit 104 displays “setting content” = “auto” on the display unit 12 (step S115). Furthermore, the group selection unit 104 also displays other options (setting content other than “auto”) on the display unit 12.

8 and 9 are examples of a UI (User Interface) displayed on the display unit.
Specifically, the setting screen 30 </ b> A in FIG. 8 identifies “setting item”. In the setting screen 30B of FIG. 9, “setting contents” for the “setting item” specified on the setting screen 30A are displayed.

For example, in the setting screen 30A of FIG. 8, “print settings” 31A is selected by pull-down as the “setting item group” 31 of the widest hierarchy.
Next, “scan basic” 32A is selected by highlighting as the “setting item list” 32 of the next broader hierarchy.
As the “setting item” 33 in the narrowest hierarchy, “zoom” 33A is selected by checking.

  On the setting screen 30B of FIG. 9, “auto” 34A that is currently set is selected by checking as “setting contents” 34 for “setting item” 33 = “zoom” 33A.

  5 to 7 again, the setting content change request unit 105 detects a predetermined operation from the administrator for the operation unit 15 as a setting content selection request (step S116). “Setting content selection request” selects a new setting content different from the setting content currently set for one “setting item” = “zoom” that the user intends to change the setting. Is a request for.

  For example, “setting content selection request” means that “setting content” = “auto” 34A is currently set for “setting item” = “zoom” 33A on the setting screen 30B (FIG. 9). This is a request for selecting a new “setting content” = “100%” 34B.

  The setting content change request unit 105 transmits a setting content change request for setting a new setting content included in the setting content selection request to all the image forming apparatuses 20 included in the selected group (step S114). (Step S117).

  The setting content changing unit 202 of each image forming apparatus 20 receives the setting content change request from the server device 10 (step S204). The setting content change unit 202 changes (rewrites) the setting content stored in the storage unit 28 by setting a new setting content included in the setting content change request for the setting item included in the setting content change request. (Step S205). The setting content changing unit 202 transmits a setting content change result (success or failure) to the server device 10 (step S206).

  The setting content change request unit 105 of the server device 10 receives the setting content change result from each image forming apparatus 20 (step S118). The setting content change request unit 105 displays the setting content change results (success or failure) of all the image forming apparatuses 20 that have transmitted the setting content change request (step S117) on the display unit 12 (step S119).

(7. Summary)
According to the present embodiment, the group generation unit 103 of the server device 10 compares the setting contents associated with the image forming apparatuses 20 and sets common setting contents (first setting contents) for predetermined setting items. A group including one or more image forming apparatuses 20 is generated (step S111). The group selection unit 104 selects a group that includes all of the image forming apparatuses 20 whose settings are to be changed (step S114). The setting content change request unit 105 issues a setting content change request for setting a new setting content (second setting content) included in the setting content selection request to all the image forming apparatuses 20 included in the group. Transmit (step S117).

As a result, firstly, the setting contents of each image forming apparatus are checked manually and changing the setting contents when necessary is time-consuming and labor-intensive and depends on the user's action. It is not always possible to cover all target image forming apparatuses.
On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the administrator can select all of the image forming apparatuses 20 whose setting contents are to be changed as one group without omission (step S113). ). This eliminates the need for the administrator to check and change the setting contents of each image forming apparatus, so that the setting contents of all the target image forming apparatuses 20 are changed, and there is no omission and is reliable. It takes less time and effort.

Second, when the setting items of the image forming apparatus are different for each model, conventionally, the user has to understand the setting items for each model.
In contrast, according to the present embodiment, the administrator can select new setting contents for all the image forming apparatuses 20 included in one group at a time (step S116). This eliminates the need for the administrator to understand the setting items for each model. Further, when the administrator selects new setting contents, it is not necessary to prepare a setting screen specific to each model. As a result, it is possible for the administrator to set new setting contents at once for all necessary image forming apparatuses 20 with a simple and uniform process.

Thirdly, according to Patent Document 1, when the setting value of the user setting data is different from the setting value of the administrator setting data, the same value is set among a plurality of user setting data among the setting values of the different user setting data. When the number exceeds the predetermined number, the administrator setting data and the user setting data are changed (the same claim 7). As a result, the setting value intended by the user may not be changed.
On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the administrator selects an image forming apparatus (step S101), and selects new setting contents for the image forming apparatuses included in the selected group (step S113) (step S101). S116). In other words, since the administrator always selects both the new setting content and the group including the image forming apparatus to which the new setting content is set, there is a possibility that the setting value is changed to the setting value intended by the user. Absent.

(8. Modifications)
In step S110, the group generation unit 103 reads setting contents associated with all the selected image forming apparatuses 20 from the setting contents database 162 (step S102). Instead of this, the group generation unit 103 is not limited to all the selected image forming apparatuses 20 (step S102), and the setting contents associated with all the image forming apparatuses 20 stored in the setting contents database 162 are displayed. You may read.

  A personal computer (not shown) may be connected to the server device 10 and the personal computer may be operated by an administrator to control the server device 10.

  The setting content database 162 may be stored in an external large-capacity storage device (not shown) connected to the server device 10.

  It has been described that the network N is an in-house LAN, and an administrator who uses the server device 10 is an in-house person in charge. Alternatively, the network N may be a wide area network such as the Internet. The administrator who uses the server apparatus 10 may be a service person who performs maintenance management work for a large number of image forming apparatuses 20 connected to the network N.

(9. Other)
The present technology can be configured as follows.
(1) Acquire setting contents of a plurality of image forming apparatuses,
Generating a group including one or more image forming apparatuses having a common first setting content;
An information processing method that requests all the image forming apparatuses belonging to the group to set a second setting content different from the first setting content.
(2) a setting content acquisition unit configured to acquire setting contents of a plurality of image forming apparatuses;
A group generation unit configured to generate a group including one or more image forming apparatuses having a common first setting content;
A program for causing a server device to function as a setting content change request unit configured to request all the image forming apparatuses belonging to the group to set a second setting content different from the first setting content.
(3) a setting content acquisition unit configured to acquire setting contents of a plurality of image forming apparatuses;
A group generation unit configured to generate a group including one or more image forming apparatuses having a common first setting content;
A program that causes a server device to function as a setting content change request unit configured to request all the image forming apparatuses belonging to the group to set a second setting content different from the first setting content. Stored non-transitory computer readable medium.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Server apparatus 11, 21 ... Control part 16, 28 ... Memory | storage part 20 ... Image forming apparatus 101 ... Image forming apparatus selection part 102 ... Setting content acquisition part 103 ... Group generation part 104 ... Group selection part 105 ... Setting content change request 161: Image forming apparatus list 162 ... Setting content database 201 ... Setting content supply unit 202 ... Setting content changing unit

Claims (3)

A display unit;
A storage unit in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected through a network are registered;
A setting content supply request is transmitted as a request for supplying setting content for a specific setting item to all of one or more image forming apparatuses selected as setting content change targets among the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The setting contents for the specific setting item are received from all the one or more image forming apparatuses, and the received setting contents, the specific setting item, and the one or more image forming apparatuses as transmission sources are mutually connected. In association with the setting content acquisition unit stored in the setting content database of the storage unit,
When the notification of the specific setting item is received from the setting content acquisition unit, the setting content associated with the notified specific setting item for all the one or more image forming apparatuses from the setting content database. A group that reads and compares the setting contents associated with each of the image forming apparatuses, and generates a plurality of groups each including one or more image forming apparatuses having the common setting contents for the specific setting item A generator,
A first setting for the specific setting item that is set in common to one or more image forming apparatuses included in the selected group is selected from the plurality of groups generated by the group generation unit. A group selection unit for displaying content on the display unit and further displaying at least one setting content different from the first setting content for the specific setting item on the display unit;
The second setting contents different from the first setting contents are selected from the displayed one or more setting contents, and the specific setting item is set for all the one or more image forming apparatuses belonging to the selected group. respect, the first server apparatus characterized by comprising a setting change request unit for transmitting a setting change request to request for setting the setting content to the second configuration. An information processing system comprising a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a server apparatus connected to the plurality of image forming apparatuses through a network ,
The server device
A display unit;
A storage unit in which the plurality of image forming apparatuses connected through the network are registered;
A setting content supply request is transmitted as a request for supplying setting contents for a specific setting item to all of the one or more image forming apparatuses selected as setting contents to be changed among the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Then, setting contents for the specific setting item are received from all the one or more image forming apparatuses, and the received setting contents, the specific setting item, and the one or more image forming apparatuses that are the transmission source are received. A setting content acquisition unit that is associated with each other and stored in the setting content database of the storage unit;
When the notification of the specific setting item is received from the setting content acquisition unit, the setting content associated with the notified specific setting item for all the one or more image forming apparatuses from the setting content database. A group that reads and compares the setting contents associated with each of the image forming apparatuses, and generates a plurality of groups each including one or more image forming apparatuses having the common setting contents for the specific setting item A generator,
A first setting for the specific setting item that is set in common to one or more image forming apparatuses included in the selected group is selected from the plurality of groups generated by the group generation unit. A group selection unit for displaying content on the display unit and further displaying at least one setting content different from the first setting content for the specific setting item on the display unit;
The second setting contents different from the first setting contents are selected from the displayed one or more setting contents, and the specific setting item is set for all the one or more image forming apparatuses belonging to the selected group. respect, it possesses a setting change request unit for transmitting a setting change request to request for setting from the first setting to the second setting,
Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses includes:
Setting content supply for transmitting to the server device the first setting content that is the setting content currently set for the specific setting item specified by the setting content supply request received from the server device And
A setting content changing unit for setting from the first setting content to the second setting content based on the setting content change request received from the server device.
And having
An information processing system characterized by this . The setting content changing unit of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses further transmits a change result from the first setting content to the second setting content to the server device;
The setting content change request unit of the server device further receives the change result from the first setting content to the second setting content from all the one or more image forming apparatuses. On the display
The information processing system according to claim 2 .