JP6962151B2 - Setting value duplication method, image formation system and image formation device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a set value duplication method, an image forming system, and an image forming apparatus, and is suitable for application to an image forming system for cloning in which a set value set in one image forming apparatus is set in the other image forming apparatus. It is a thing.

Conventionally, network settings (IP (Internet Protocol) address, subnet mask, default gateway, etc.) for each of multiple devices have been made in advance, and it is assumed that communication can be performed on the same network, and the device to be set as the setting source. There was an information processing system for cloning that sets the set value to the setting destination device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-293971

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 connected in advance to the same network as the setting destination device. In that case, it takes time and effort to connect the setting source device and the setting destination device to the network once and set them so that they can 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 functionality.

In order to solve such a problem, the setting value duplication method of the present invention is a setting value duplication method for transmitting a cloning setting value file based on the setting value set in the cloning master unit from the cloning master unit to the cloning slave unit. Then, a setting value file generation step that generates a cloning setting value file based on the setting value set in the cloning master unit, a startup step that the cloning master unit starts as an access point based on the SSID of the cloning master unit, and access. A connection step to connect the cloning slave unit to the cloning master unit based on the SSID of the cloning master unit to be started as a point, and an address setting step to set an address not used by other devices in the network as the cloning slave unit address. A setting value file transmission step for transmitting the cloning setting value file from the cloning master unit to the address of the cloning slave unit and a setting value storage step for storing the setting value of the cloning slave unit based on the received cloning setting value file should be provided. bottom.

Further, in the image formation processing system of the present invention , a cloning master unit and a cloning slave unit are provided, and the cloning master unit is a master unit setting that generates a cloning setting value file based on the setting values set in the cloning master unit. It operates as an access point based on the value file generation unit, the master unit communication setting storage unit that stores the SSID of the cloning master unit, and the SSID stored in the master unit communication setting storage unit, and is connected to the slave unit connection communication unit. It has a master unit connection communication unit and a master unit file communication unit that sends a cloning setting value file to the address of the cloning slave unit, and the cloning slave unit has a slave unit communication setting storage unit that stores the SSID of the cloning master unit. , Cloning that is stored in the slave unit communication setting storage unit Based on the SSID of the master unit, the slave unit connection communication unit that connects to the master unit connection communication unit and the address that is not used by other devices in the network are cloned. An address setting unit that sets as an address, a slave unit file communication unit that receives a cloning setting value file from the cloning master unit, and a setting value storage unit that stores the setting value of the cloning slave unit based on the received cloning setting value file. was so that that Yusuke.

Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention , the cloning master unit, which is an image forming apparatus operating in the cloning parent mode, is transferred to the cloning slave unit, which is an image forming apparatus operating in the cloning child mode. An image forming device that sends a cloning setting value file based on the set setting value, and in the cloning parent mode, a setting value file generator that generates a cloning setting value file based on the set setting value. , In the cloning parent mode, it operates as an access point based on the SSID stored in the communication setting storage unit and is connected to the cloning slave unit, while in the cloning child mode, it is stored in the communication setting storage unit. A connection communication unit that connects to the cloning master unit based on the SSID that exists, and an address setting unit that sets an address that is not used by other devices in the network as the cloning slave unit address in the cloning parent mode and cloning child mode. In the cloning parent mode, the cloning setting value file is sent to the address of the cloning slave unit, while in the cloning child mode, the file communication unit that receives the cloning setting value file from the cloning master unit and in the cloning child mode Provided a setting value storage unit for storing the setting value of the cloning slave unit based on the received cloning setting value file.

As a result, the present invention enables a simple operation by the user even when the network between the cloning master unit and the cloning slave unit is not set in advance and the cloning master unit and the cloning slave unit cannot communicate with each other. Based on this, cloning can be performed from the cloning master unit to the cloning slave unit, saving the user's trouble.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a set value duplication method, an image forming system, and an image forming apparatus that can improve functionality.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the image formation system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the printer by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the 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 the cloning parent mode start screen. It is a figure which shows the cloning parent mode operating screen. It is a figure which shows the cloning child mode start screen. It is a figure which shows the screen during the cloning child mode operation. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the printer by 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, embodiments for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.

[1. First Embodiment]
[1-1. Image formation system configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 is composed of a printer 2a and a printer 2b having the same configuration as each other. Hereinafter, the printers 2a and 2b are also collectively referred to as the printer 2. Further, a case where the setting value set in the printer 2a is also set in the printer 2b, that is, cloning is described below. Further, the printer 2 (printer 2a in the present embodiment) that is the setting source for cloning the set value is also called a cloning master unit, and the printer 2 (printer 2b in the present embodiment) that is the setting destination for cloning the set value is also called. ) Is also called a cloning slave unit. Further, the operation mode of the printer 2a as the cloning source is set as the cloning parent mode, and the operation mode of the printer 2b as the cloning destination is set as the cloning child mode.

The printers 2a and 2b wirelessly communicate with each other via a wireless network WLN of a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The printer 2a becomes a simple wireless access point which is a simple wireless access point when operating in the cloning parent mode, and the printer 2b becomes a simple wireless access point of the printer 2a as a wireless LAN station when operating in the cloner mode. Wirelessly connect 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, the control unit 14 controls and controls the entire printer 2a. The control unit 14 is mainly composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) which is a microprocessor, and is a storage unit (shown) including a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, a flash memory, and the like. By reading a predetermined program from (1) and executing it, each part is controlled, print data and control commands are received from a higher-level device to control the entire printer 2a, and the setting stored in the setting value information storage unit 18. A printing operation is performed by a printing unit (not shown) based on the value. Further, the control unit 14 controls the wireless communication unit 10 based on the wireless communication setting value acquired from the wireless setting storage unit 12, and transmits / receives data via the wireless communication unit 10.

The wireless communication unit 10 as the master unit 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 the cloning master unit used when the cloning slave unit connects to the cloning master unit by wireless LAN when cloning is performed. Stores the wireless communication setting values required to control 10.

When the wireless communication unit 10 is operating as a simple wireless access point, the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server / client 16 issues an IP address to the cloning slave unit that came to connect 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 setting value information storage unit 18 stores setting 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 is a cloning setting which is a setting value file for cloning from the setting value stored in the setting value information storage unit 18. The value file is generated by the instruction from the control unit 14 and stored in the setting value file storage unit 22, while when the wireless communication unit 10 is operating as a wireless LAN station, it is stored in the setting value file storage unit 22. The existing cloning setting value file is reflected in 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, receives an input operation from the user, and causes confirmation, setting, execution, and the like of the information.

Since the printer 2b has the same configuration as the printer 2a, the description thereof will be 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 the slave unit communication unit in the printer 2b. The storage unit 42 and the display unit 44 are a wireless communication unit 10, a wireless setting storage unit 12, a control unit 14, a DHCP server / client 16, a setting value information storage unit 18, a setting value file processing unit 20, and a setting value file in the printer 2a. It is configured in the same manner as the storage unit 22 and the display unit 24.

[1-3. Printer setting processing procedure]
Next, a specific processing procedure of the printer setting process by the printer 2a, which is the cloning master unit, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the mode for setting the setting value of the printer 2a is activated based on the user's operation on the display unit 24, the control unit 14 starts the printer setting processing procedure RT1 by reading the printer setting processing program from the ROM and executing it. , Move to step SP1. In step SP1, the control unit 14 sets the printer 2a based on the user's 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 processing procedure]
Next, a specific processing procedure of cloning parent mode processing by the printer 2a, which is the source of cloning the set value, will be described with reference to 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 starts the cloning parent mode processing procedure RT2 by reading and executing the cloning parent mode processing program from the ROM.

In step SP11, the control unit 14 displays the cloning parent mode startup screen SCSS shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit 24, prompting the user to select whether or not to start the printer 2a as the master unit in the cloning mode. .. The YES button BTY1 and the NO button BTN1 are displayed on the cloning parent mode startup screen SCSS. When starting the printer 2a as the parent of 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 displays the cloning parent mode operating screen SCSO shown in FIG. 7 on the display unit 24 to make the user recognize that the printer 2a is being started as the master unit of the cloning mode. The end button BTE is displayed on the cloning parent mode operating screen SCSO. When ending the operation of the printer 2a as the master unit in the cloning mode, the user presses the end button BTE on the screen SCSO during the cloning parent mode operation. 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, stores it in the setting value file storage unit 22, and proceeds to step SP14. Move. In step SP14, the control unit 14 starts the DHCP server of the DHCP server / client 16 and moves 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 security settings 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 a printer 2 wirelessly connected to the printer 2a in order to clone the set value. The other printer 2 is in the cloner mode. If an affirmative result is obtained here, this means that the cloning slave unit for which the cloning setting value file is currently transmitted from the printer 2a exists around the printer 2a, and at this time, the control unit 14 controls the step SP17. Move to.

When the control unit 14 receives the IP address acquisition request from the cloning slave unit in step SP17, the control unit 14 issues out the IP address to the printer 2 (that is, the printer 2b) in the cloning slave mode by the DHCP server / client 16 and proceeds to step SP18. In step SP18, the control unit 14 waits until the printer 2 in the cloning child mode receives the setting value file acquisition request, and when the setting value file acquisition request is received, the process 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 (that is, the cloning slave unit) in the cloning child mode which is the request source by the wireless communication unit 10, and the step. Return to SP16.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP16, this means that the cloning slave unit for which the cloning setting value file is currently transmitted from the printer 2a does not exist around the printer 2a, and at this time, the control unit 14 Moves to step SP20.

In step SP20, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the end button BTE has been pressed by the user on the cloning parent mode operating screen SCSO. If an affirmative result is obtained here, this means that the user wants to end the cloning parent mode. 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 wants 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. Check again whether the printer 2 exists.

In step SP21, the control unit 14 terminates 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 moves 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 moves to step SP24. In step SP24, the control unit 14 ends the cloning parent mode, moves to step SP25, and ends the cloning parent mode processing procedure RT2.

In this way, the printer 2a, which is the cloning master unit, activates the simple wireless access point with the cloning SSID, assigns an IP address to the cloning slave unit wirelessly connected to the cloning SSID, and sets cloning to the IP address. Changed to send the value file.

[1-5. Cloning child mode processing procedure]
Next, a specific processing procedure of the cloner mode processing by the printer 2b, which is the destination for cloning the set value, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the power of the printer 2b is turned on, the control unit 34 starts the cloning child mode processing procedure RT3 by reading the cloning child mode processing program from the ROM and executing the program.

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. Determine whether or not to do so. If an affirmative result is obtained here, this means that there is currently a cloning master unit to which the cloning setting value file is transmitted around the printer 2b, and at this time, the control unit 34 moves to step SP32.

In step SP32, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the set value is already stored in the set value information storage unit 38. If an affirmative result is obtained here, this means that since the setting value is not yet stored in the setting value information storage unit 38, the cloning setting value file may be acquired. At this time, the control unit 34 steps. 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 activation screen SCDS shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit 44. The YES button BTY2, the NO button BTN2, and the NO button BTN3 are displayed on the cloning child mode startup screen SCDS. When executing cloning, the user presses the YES button BTY2 on the cloning child mode startup screen SCDS. On the other hand, when the user does not execute cloning, the user presses the NO button BTN2 on the cloning child mode startup screen SCDS. On the other hand, if the user does not execute cloning and does not want to display the cloning child mode startup screen SCDS in the future, he / she presses the NO button BTN3. When the YES button BTY2 is pressed on the cloning child mode startup screen SCDS, the control unit 34 starts the cloning child mode and proceeds to step SP34.

In step SP34, the control unit 34 displays the screen SCDO during the cloning mode operation shown in FIG. 9 on the display unit 44, so that the user recognizes that the printer 2b is being started as a slave unit in the cloning mode. The suspend button BTI is displayed on the screen SCDO during the operation of the cloner mode. When suspending the operation of the printer 2b as a slave unit in the cloning mode, that is, when suspending cloning, the user presses the suspend button BTI on the screen SCDO during the clone mode operation. When the interrupt button BTI is pressed on 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 uses the wireless communication unit 30 to wirelessly LAN the printer 2a (that is, the cloning master unit) operating in the cloning parent mode with the cloning SSID and security settings stored in the wireless setting storage unit 32. To connect with, and move 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, and in step SP37. 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 sets the setting value. The file is stored in the file storage unit 42, and the process proceeds to step SP38. In step SP38, the control unit 34 reflects the cloning setting value file stored in the setting value file storage unit 42 in the setting value information storage unit 38 by the setting value file processing unit 20, and moves to step SP39.

In step SP39, the control unit 34 disconnects the wireless LAN from the printer 2a by the wireless communication unit 30, and proceeds to step SP40. In step SP40, the control unit 34 restarts the printer 2b, moves 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 on the cloning SSID, so the cloning master unit that currently receives the cloning setting value file is around the printer 2b. Indicates that it does not exist. Further, when a negative result is obtained in step SP32, this means that it is not necessary to acquire the 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 perform cloning. Therefore, if a negative result is obtained in step SP31, step SP32, or step SP33, the control unit 34 moves to step SP41.

In step SP41, the control unit 34 completes the startup 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 the cloning slave unit, wirelessly connects to the cloning master unit operating as the wireless access point of the cloning SSID, acquires the IP address from the cloning master unit, and acquires the cloning setting value file. , It is reflected 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. The setting value of the printer 2b is set as the IP address of the printer 2b, the cloning setting value file is transmitted from the printer 2a to the IP address of the printer 2b, and the setting value of the printer 2b is set based on the cloning setting value file received from the printer 2a. By storing in the information storage unit 38, the set value of the printer 2a is reflected in the printer 2b.

Therefore, the image forming system 1 can automatically make a one-to-one wireless connection between the printer 2a and the printer 2b, transmit the cloning setting value file from the printer 2a to the printer 2b, and reflect the cloning setting value file on the printer 2b. can. As a result, the image forming system 1 can save the trouble of setting the network in advance by cloning the set value only by the printer 2 without using another information processing device or the like, and the cloning can be easily performed. Can be done.

In addition, conventionally, there is a device that copies a cloning setting value file from a setting source device via a portable storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory and reflects it on the setting destination device. In that case, the setting source device Insert the portable storage medium into the device, copy the cloning setting value file to the portable storage medium, insert the portable storage medium into the setting destination device, and move from the portable storage medium to the setting destination device. It reflects the cloning setting value file, and it takes time and effort to operate and carry the portable storage medium.

On the other hand, in the image forming system 1, the user executes the cloning parent mode in the printer 2a, and the user simply executes the cloner mode in the printer 2b, and the cloning setting value file is transmitted from the printer 2a to the printer 2b. It was made to be reflected in 2b.

As a result, 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, the printer 2a and the printer 2b perform wireless communication via the wireless network WLN. As a result, the image forming system 1 has the trouble of connecting the printer 2a and the printer 2b to each other with a cable as compared with the case where the printer 2a and the printer 2b are connected by a wired network and the printer 2a and the printer 2b perform wired communication. Can be eliminated. This is particularly effective when the printer 2a is used as the cloning master unit and a plurality of printers are cloned one after another as the cloning slave unit.

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

As a result, the image forming system 1 can perform the printer based on the simple operation of the user even when the network setting between the printer 2a and the printer 2b is not performed in advance and the printer 2a and the printer 2b cannot communicate with each other. Cloning can be performed from 2a to the printer 2b, which saves the user's trouble.

[2. Second Embodiment]
[2-1. Image formation system configuration]
The image forming system 101 (FIG. 1) according to the second embodiment has printers 102a and 102b (FIG. 10) that replace the printers 2a and 2b (FIG. 2) as compared with the image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment. ), But other points are configured in the same way.

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

The wireless setting value saving unit 26 temporarily saves and stores the wireless communication setting value before cloning from the wireless setting storage unit 12 during cloning. The IP address setting unit 28 stores the IP address of the printer 102a itself and also stores the IP address of the printer 2b received from the printer 102b.

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

[2-4. Cloning parent mode processing procedure]
When the cloning parent mode is activated based on the user's operation on the display unit 24, the control unit 114 of the printer 102a reads the cloning parent mode processing program from the ROM and executes the cloning parent mode processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 4). The cloning parent mode processing procedure RT102 shown in FIG. 11, in which the steps corresponding to) have the same reference numerals, are started. In the cloning parent mode processing procedure RT102, steps SP101 and SP104 are added as compared with the cloning parent mode processing procedure RT2, and steps SP102 and SP103 are provided in place 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 wireless communication setting value from the wireless setting storage unit 12, saves it 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. When the control unit 114 receives the IP address confirmation request from the cloning slave unit in step SP102, the cloning slave unit IP address candidate that is the IP address candidate of the printer 102b indicated by the IP address confirmation request is the IP address setting unit. It is confirmed whether or not it is the same as the cloning master unit IP address which is the IP address of the printer 102a set in 28, and the IP address indicating that the cloning slave unit IP address candidate is the same as the cloning master unit IP address candidate. Wireless communication of either a duplicate response or an IP address non-duplicate response indicating that the cloning slave unit IP address candidate is not the same as the cloning master unit IP address candidate to the clone slave mode printer 102b (that is, the cloning slave unit). It is transmitted by unit 10. The control unit 114 repeatedly receives an IP address confirmation response from the printer 102b until the cloning slave unit IP address candidate is no longer the same as the cloning master unit IP address, and the cloning slave unit IP address candidate is the same as the cloning master unit IP address candidate. If it is confirmed that the IP addresses are not duplicated 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 unit IP address candidate as the cloning slave unit IP address which is the IP address of the printer 102b in the IP address setting unit 28, and moves 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 SP 104, the control unit 114 reads out the wireless communication setting value saved in the wireless setting value saving unit 26, stores it 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).

In this way, the printer 102a saves the current wireless communication setting value to the wireless setting value saving unit 26 and saves the simple wireless access point to the wireless setting value saving unit 26 before starting the simple wireless access point with the cloning SSID at the time of cloning. After the completion, the wireless communication setting value saved in the wireless setting value saving unit 26 is 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, for example, a PC (Personal Computer) or the like with an SSID other than the cloning SSID before cloning, the printer 102a is immediately wirelessly connected to the PC after cloning. You can return to the state.

[2-5. Cloning child mode processing procedure]
When the power of the printer 102b is turned on, the control unit 134 of the printer 102b reads the cloning child mode processing program from the ROM and executes it, thereby assigning the same code to the step corresponding to the cloning child mode processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 5). The cloner mode processing procedure RT103 shown in FIG. 12 is started. The cloning child mode processing procedure RT103 is provided with steps SP111, SP112, SP113 and SP114 in place of step SP36 as compared with the cloning child mode processing procedure RT3.

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 unit IP address candidate such as "192.168.0.0" to the cloning parent mode printer 102a (that is, the cloning master unit). Transmission is performed by unit 30, and the process proceeds to step SP112.

In step SP112, the control unit 134 determines whether or not the IP address non-duplicate response has been received from the printer 102a. If a negative result is obtained by receiving the IP address duplication response here, this means that the cloning slave unit IP address candidate is the same as the cloning master unit IP address, that is, the plurality of printers 102 in the image forming system 101. Since the IP addresses are duplicated in the above, the current cloning slave unit IP address candidate cannot be applied to the printer 102b, and at this time, the control unit 134 moves to step SP113.

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

On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP112, this means that the cloning slave unit IP address candidate is not the same as the cloning master unit IP address, that is, the IP addresses are not duplicated in the plurality of printers 102 in the image formation system 101. At this time, the control unit 134 moves to step SP114.

In step SP 114, the control unit 114 stores the cloning slave unit IP address candidate as the cloning slave unit IP address which is the IP address of the printer 102b in the IP address setting unit 48, and moves 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).

In this way, when cloning, the printer 102b voluntarily inquires of the printer 102a whether or not it overlaps with the IP address of the printer 102a without having the IP address of the printer 102b assigned by the printer 102a. , The IP address that can be used by the printer 102b is searched, and when a unique IP address is found, the IP address is set as the IP address of the printer 102b. As a result, the printer 102b is a state in which the DHCP server / client 16 and 36 are omitted from the printer 102 and belongs to the wireless network WLN which is the same network as the cloning master unit, and the printer 102b is another printer belonging to the wireless network WLN. A cloning setting value file can be obtained 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, a case where the printer 2a and the printer 2b perform wireless communication 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 the printer 2a and the printer 2b may perform wired communication. In that case, the printer 2a and the printer 2b may be directly connected to each other with a LAN cable. In short, the present invention is not limited to a wired connection or a wireless connection, as long as the cloning master unit and the cloning slave unit are connected by a LAN and belong to the same network.

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

Further, in the first embodiment described above, in the cloning parent mode processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 4), when a setting value file acquisition request is received from the printer 2b, the cloning setting value file is transmitted to the printer 2b. .. 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 cloning parent mode processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 4), when the cloning mode is terminated, the cloning setting value file stored in the setting value file storage unit 22 is deleted. Said. The present invention is not limited to this, and the cloning setting value file stored in the setting value file storage unit 22 does not have to be deleted. The same applies to the second embodiment.

Further, in the first embodiment described above, in the cloning child mode processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 5), a 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, and the cloning child mode processing may be started when the power of the printer 2b is turned on and the cloning child mode is activated based on the user's operation on the display unit 44. The same applies to the second embodiment.

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

Further, in the above-described embodiment, 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, and the present invention may be applied to various devices that perform wireless communication, such as MFPs (Multi Function Peripheral), copiers, facsimile machines, and home appliances, which are so-called multifunction devices.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and other embodiments. That is, the scope of the present invention extends to an embodiment in which each of the above-described embodiments and a part or all of the above-mentioned other embodiments are arbitrarily combined, and an embodiment in which a part is extracted. Is.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the printer 2a or 102a as the cloning master unit and the printer 2b or 102b as the cloning slave unit constitute the image forming system 1 or 101 as the image forming system, and the cloning master unit is The cloning slave unit has a wireless setting storage unit 12 as a master unit communication setting storage unit, a wireless communication unit 10 as a master unit connection communication unit, and a wireless communication unit 10 as a master unit file communication unit. The wireless setting storage unit 32 as the slave unit communication setting storage unit, the wireless communication unit 30 as the slave unit connection communication unit, the DHCP server / client 36 or the IP address setting unit 48 as the address setting unit, and the 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 is provided has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes a master unit communication setting storage unit having various other configurations, a master unit connection communication unit, a cloning master unit having a master unit file communication unit, and a slave unit communication setting storage unit. An image forming system may be configured by a slave unit having a slave unit connection communication unit, an address setting unit, a slave unit file communication unit, and a cloning slave unit having a set value storage unit.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, 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 set value storage unit.

The present invention can be used not only in a computer for printing an image on a printer, but also in various electronic devices such as an image scanner, a facsimile machine, and a copier that perform various processes related to images.

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 …… Clone parent mode startup screen, SCSO …… Clone parent mode operating screen , SCDS …… cloner mode startup screen, SCDO …… cloner mode operation screen, BTY1 …… YES button, BTY2 …… YES button, BTN1 …… NO button, BTN2 …… NO button, BTN3 …… NO button, BTI …… Suspend button, BTE …… End button.

Claims (14)

It is a setting value duplication method for transmitting a cloning setting value file based on the setting value set in the cloning master unit from the cloning master unit to the cloning slave unit.
A setting value file generation step for generating the cloning setting value file based on the setting value set in the cloning master unit, and
A startup step in which the cloning master unit is activated as an access point based on the SSID of the cloning master unit, and
A connection step of connecting from the cloning slave unit to the cloning master unit based on the SSID of the cloning master unit activated as the access point, and
An address setting step that sets an address that is not used by other devices in the network as the address of the cloning slave unit, and
A setting value file transmitting step of transmitting the cloning settings file to the address of the cloning handset from the cloning base unit,
A setting value duplication method including a setting value storage step for storing the setting value of the cloning slave unit based on the received cloning setting value file. A wireless setting value saving step of saving a wireless communication setting value other than the SSID when the cloning master unit is started as the access point.
The set value duplication method according to claim 1. After the setting value file transmission step, a wireless connection operation step that operates in a wireless connection state based on the saved wireless communication setting value.
The set value duplication method according to claim 2, further comprising. It has a cloning master unit and a cloning slave unit,
The cloning master unit is
A master unit setting value file generator that generates a cloning setting value file based on the setting values set in the cloning master unit, and
A master unit communication setting storage unit that stores the SSID of the cloning master unit, and
A master unit connection communication unit that operates as an access point based on the SSID stored in the master unit communication setting storage unit and is connected to the slave unit connection communication unit.
Comprising a base unit file communication unit that transmits the cloning settings file to the address of the cloning handset,
The cloning slave unit
A slave unit communication setting storage unit that stores the SSID of the cloning master unit, and
A slave unit connection communication unit that connects to the master unit connection communication unit based on the SSID of the cloning master unit stored in the slave unit communication setting storage unit.
An address setting unit that sets an address that is not used by other devices in the network 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
An image forming system including a setting value storage unit that stores the setting value of the cloning slave unit based on the received cloning setting value file. The slave unit file communication unit sends a request for acquiring the cloning setting value file to the cloning master unit, and then sends the request to acquire the cloning setting value file.
The image forming system according to claim 4 , wherein when the master unit file communication unit receives a request for acquiring the cloning setting value file from the cloning slave unit, the master unit file communication unit transmits the cloning setting value file to the cloning slave unit. The cloning master unit is
A master unit DHCP server / client that manages the IP address of the cloning master unit and assigns the IP address to the cloning slave unit when a request for acquiring the IP address is received from the cloning slave unit is further provided.
The cloning slave unit
The image forming system according to claim 4 , further comprising a child device DHCP server / client that transmits a request for acquiring the IP address to the cloning master unit and determines the IP address of the cloning slave unit. The cloning slave unit
The image forming system according to claim 4 , further comprising an IP address setting unit that searches for an IP address of the cloning slave unit that is unique in the network and sets it as an IP address of the cloning slave unit. When the IP address setting unit inquires of the cloning master unit for a predetermined IP address candidate and responds that it is not the same as the IP address of the cloning master unit, the IP address candidate is selected as the IP of the cloning slave unit. The image forming system according to claim 7, which is set as an address. The cloning slave unit
The image forming system according to claim 4 , further comprising a printing unit that prints based on the settings of the cloning setting value file. The cloning master unit is
A wireless setting value saving unit that saves wireless communication setting values other than the SSID when operating as the access point.
The image forming system according to claim 4, further comprising. The master unit connection communication unit
After the master unit file communication unit sends the cloning setting value file to the address of the cloning slave unit, it operates in a wireless connection state based on the wireless communication setting value saved in the wireless setting value saving unit.
The image forming system according to claim 10. Cloning based on the set value set in the cloning master unit from the cloning master unit, which is an image forming apparatus operating in the cloning parent mode, to the cloning slave unit, which is an image forming apparatus operating in the cloning child mode. An image forming device that transmits a setting value file.
In the cloning parent mode, a setting value file generator that generates the cloning setting value file based on the set setting value, and a setting value file generation unit.
In the cloning parent mode, it operates as an access point based on the SSID stored in the communication setting storage unit and is connected to the cloning slave unit, while in the cloning child mode, it is stored in the communication setting storage unit. A connection communication unit that connects to the cloning master unit based on the stored SSID,
An address setting unit that sets an address not used by other devices in the network as the address of the cloning slave unit in the cloning parent mode and the cloning child mode.
When the cloning parent mode, while transmitting the cloning settings file to the address of the cloning handset, when the Kuroninguko mode, and file communication unit that receives the cloning settings file from the cloning base unit ,
In the cloning child mode, an image forming apparatus having a setting value storage unit for storing the setting value of the cloning slave unit based on the received cloning setting value file. In the cloning parent mode, a wireless setting value saving unit that saves wireless communication setting values other than the SSID when operating as the access point.
12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12. In the cloning parent mode, the connection communication unit
After the file communication unit transmits the cloning setting value file to the address of the cloning slave unit, the file communication unit operates in a wireless connection state based on the wireless communication setting value saved in the wireless setting value saving unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

Images