JP7520596B2 - System and preset setting method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system and a preset setting method.

As image processing devices become more multifunctional, the number of items that users must set when printing and scanning is increasing. This can result in complicated settings for users, which can reduce convenience. Patent Document 1 discloses a multifunction device that stores previously set print and scan settings and highlights the settings to make it easier to reuse and reset previously set multifunction device settings.

JP 2007-300289 A

However, with the method of Patent Document 1, the first settings must be done by the user themselves. It is difficult for the user to select settings that meet the requirements from among the complex settings by themselves, which may lead to mistakes. In addition, once settings are made, they are stored only on the device on which they were made, so the same settings cannot be applied to other devices, and if the user wants to print or scan with the same settings on another device, they must manually reconfigure the settings.

The present invention aims to easily configure the settings for functions executed by an image processing device.

In order to solve the above problems, the system of the present invention is a system that includes an image processing device equipped with a scanner, a browser function, and a server that provides a service for managing presets , and has a management means in the server that manages presets prepared by a vendor, a download means that uses the browser function to access the URL of the service and download a preset including settings for using the scanner, an application means that applies the downloaded preset to the image processing device, and an execution means that selects the applied preset in the image processing device and executes a job for a specific task using setting values for the scanner included in the preset.

The present invention makes it easy to configure the functions executed by an image processing device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an MFP. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a management server. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a PC. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the system. 10 is a flowchart showing a process for importing preset settings by operating the MFP. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a preset setting selection screen. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a preset setting. 10 is a flowchart showing a process for importing preset settings by operating a PC. FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a UI of a management application. 10 is a flowchart showing a job execution process using preset settings. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scan screen. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a preset setting screen in the first embodiment. 13 is a flowchart for editing a preset setting. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a preset setting screen in the second embodiment.

First Embodiment
<Overall system configuration>
1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system according to this embodiment. This system is a system for managing settings of an image processing device equipped with a scanner, and is capable of managing settings of a plurality of image processing devices. The system includes an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 110 and a management server 120. The system may also include a PC 130. The MFP 110, the management server 120, and the PC 130 are connected to each other via a network 140 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

In this embodiment, an example is described in which a combination of setting values for the functions of an image processing device prepared by a vendor (hereinafter referred to as a preset setting), particularly a preset setting including a setting for using a scanner, is applied to an image processing device from a vendor's service. An example is also described in which a job is executed using a preset setting. By using a preset setting, a user can set multiple setting values in one go according to purpose, without having to set them one by one. In particular, when a scanned image is to be used for a specific business, the generation of a scanned image that cannot be used for the specific business can be suppressed by setting the settings for obtaining a scanned image that can be used for the specific business as a preset setting.

The MFP 110 is a multifunction device having multiple functions such as a scanner and a printer, and is an example of an image processing device. The management server 120 is an information processing device that provides a preset setting management service. The preset setting management service is a service that manages preset settings of functions such as printing and scanning that can be used in the MFP 110. Note that, in this embodiment, an example in which the preset setting management service is realized by the management server 120 will be described, but this is not limited to this. The preset setting management service may be realized by a virtual machine (cloud service) that uses resources provided by a data center including a server device, or may be realized by an application. In addition, the preset setting management service provides a UI related to the preset settings to the MFP 110 and the PC 130 using the browser function of the system.

The PC 130 is an information processing device having a device management application that manages multiple image processing devices including the MFP 110. The PC 130 is a general personal computer, and is connected to the MFP 110 via a network 140. The network 140 connects the MFP 110, the management server 120, and the PC 130 so that they can communicate with each other. The network 140 is a so-called communications network that is realized by, for example, a LAN such as the Internet, a WAN, a telephone line, a dedicated digital line, a cable television line, a wireless line for data broadcasting, or the like, or a combination of these.

<MFP Hardware Configuration>
2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the MFP 110. The MFP 110 includes a control unit 210, an operation unit 219, a printer 220, and a scanner 221. The control unit 210 controls the overall operation of the MFP 110. The control unit 210 includes a CPU 211, a ROM 212, a RAM 213, a HDD 214, an operation unit I/F 215, a printer I/F 216, a scanner I/F 217, and a network I/F 218.

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 211 reads out control programs stored in the ROM 212 and executes and controls various functions of the MFP 110, such as scanning, printing, and communication. The ROM (Read Only Memory) 212 is a memory dedicated to reading data, and stores, for example, the basic control program of the MFP 110. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 213 is a memory from which data can be read and written. The RAM 213 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of the CPU 211.

The HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 214 is a large-capacity storage unit that stores image data and various programs. In this embodiment, the HDD 214 has been described as an example of a storage unit, but this is not limited thereto, and it may be a solid state drive (SSD) or a device that can read and write data by loading an external medium such as a memory card. In this embodiment, one CPU 211 uses one memory (RAM 213 or HDD 214) to execute each process shown in the flowchart described below, but this is not limited thereto. For example, each process may be executed by multiple CPUs and multiple RAMs or HDDs working together.

The operation unit I/F 215 is an interface that connects the operation unit 219 and the control unit 210. The operation unit 219 is equipped with a display device and an input device, and displays various information to the user and accepts operations/inputs/instructions from the user. The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display or a touch panel. The input device is, for example, a pointing device (for example, a touch pad, a touch panel, etc.), a keyboard, etc. The user issues instructions to the MFP 110, such as instructions to execute a job, on a user interface screen displayed on the touch panel, for example.

The printer I/F 216 is an interface that connects the printer 220 and the control unit 210. The printer 220 is an image output device that forms an image according to a received print job and outputs it on paper, or optically reads an original image set in the scanner 221 and outputs it on paper. Image data for printing is transferred from the control unit 210 to the printer 220 via the printer I/F 216 and is printed on paper.

The scanner I/F 217 is an interface that connects the scanner 221 to the control unit 210. The scanner 221 is an image input device that optically reads an original placed on a platen or ADF (Auto Document Feeder) (not shown) and generates image data. The image data generated by the scanner 221 is input to the control unit 210 via the scanner I/F 217.

The network I/F 218 is an interface that connects the control unit 210 (MFP 110) to the network 140. The MFP 110 uses the network I/F 218 to send image data and information to various services on the Internet and to receive various information. For example, the MFP 110 can print (copy) image data generated by the scanner 221 from the printer 220, and can also send files or emails to external parties via the network 140.

<Hardware configuration of management server>
3 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the management server 120. The management server 120 includes a management server control unit 310 that controls the overall operation of the management server 120. The management server control unit 310 includes a CPU 311, a ROM 312, a RAM 313, a HDD 314, and a network I/F 315.

The CPU 311 reads out the control programs stored in the ROM 312 and executes various processes to control the overall operation of the management server 120, including the provision of the preset setting management service. The RAM 313 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of the CPU 311. The HDD 314 is a large-capacity storage unit that stores various data and programs. The network I/F 315 is an interface that connects the management server 120 to the network 140. The management server 120 receives processing requests from other devices, such as the PC 130, via the network I/F 315, and transmits and receives various information.

<PC hardware configuration>
4 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the PC 130. The PC 130 includes a PC control unit 410 that controls the overall operation of the PC 130. The PC control unit 410 includes a CPU 411, a ROM 412, a RAM 413, a HDD 414, an operation unit I/F 415, an operation unit 417, and a network I/F 416.

The CPU 411 reads out the control programs stored in the ROM 412 and executes various processes to control the overall operation of the PC 130, including providing the device management application. The RAM 413 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of the CPU 411. The HDD 414 is a large-capacity storage unit that stores various data and programs.

The operation unit I/F 415 is an interface that connects the operation unit 417 and the control unit 410. The operation unit 417 is equipped with a display device and an input device, and displays various information to the user and accepts operations/inputs/instructions from the user. The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display or a touch panel. The input device is, for example, a pointing device (for example, a mouse, a touch pad, a touch panel, a trackball, etc.), a keyboard, etc. The network I/F 416 is an interface that connects the PC 130 to the network 140.

<System software configuration>
5 is a diagram showing the software configuration of a system for managing preset settings of an image processing apparatus. In order to realize management of preset settings of a plurality of MFPs including the MFP 110, the PC 130 has a management application 530, and the management server 120 has a preset setting management service 520.

The MFP 110, which is a managed object, has a setting reception unit 511, a setting retention unit 512, a display control unit 513, and a job execution unit 514. The setting reception unit 511 acquires preset settings from a preset setting management service 520 or a management application 530, and retains the acquired settings in the setting retention unit 512. The setting retention unit 512 retains the acquired preset settings. When a user performs a function of the MFP 110, such as printing or scanning, the preset settings retained in the setting retention unit 512 are used.

The display control unit 513 controls the display of the display device of the operation unit 129 of the MFP 110. For example, the display control unit 513 controls the UI (user interface) for calling up preset settings when printing and scanning, which will be described later. The job execution unit 514 executes functions such as printing and scanning according to the job.

The management server 120 has a preset setting management service 520. The preset setting management service 520 has a display control unit 521, a setting storage unit 522, and an export unit 523. The display control unit 521 uses a browser function to control the display of a browser screen provided by the preset setting management service 520. The display control unit 521, for example, displays a list of preset settings on the MFP 110 or PC 130 that has accessed the MFP 110 or PC 130 to download presets.

The setting storage unit 522 stores the preset settings managed by the management server 120. For example, when a preset setting to be downloaded to the MFP 110 is selected, the preset setting stored in the setting storage unit 522 is exported. The export unit 523 exports the preset setting. For example, when a preset setting is downloaded from the preset setting management service 520 to the MFP 110, the export unit 523 converts the preset setting into a downloadable format and distributes it to the MFP 110.

The management application 530 is an application executed on the PC 130. In this embodiment, the management application 530 is a device management application that manages multiple MFPs including the MFP 110. In this embodiment, the management application 530 is used when downloading preset settings, which will be described later, from the preset setting management service 520 and distributing them to each MFP. The management application 530 has a download unit 531, a distribution unit 532, and a display control unit 533.

The download unit 531 accesses the preset setting management service 520 and downloads the preset settings from the preset setting management service 520 to the PC 130. The distribution unit 532 distributes the preset settings from the PC 130 to the MFP 110. The display control unit 533 controls the screen displayed by the management application 530. For example, the display control unit 533 controls the display of the UI provided by the management application 530 when selecting a preset setting to download from the preset setting management service 520. The UI provided by the preset setting management service is displayed on the operation unit 417 using a browser function incorporated in the management application 530. Also, for example, the display control unit 533 controls the display of the UI when distributing the preset settings to the MFP 110.

The system has a browser function. When the setting reception unit 511 of the MFP 110 and the download unit 531 of the PC 130 receive an operation from the user instructing the acquisition of preset settings, they use the browser function to access the URL of the preset setting management service 520. The user operation is, for example, an operation such as inputting an address or selecting an option linked to the preset setting management service 520. In addition, the display control unit 513 of the MFP 110 and the display control unit 533 of the PC 130 each use the browser function to acquire and execute HTML, JAVASCRIPT (registered trademark), etc. from the display control unit 521 of the management server 120, and display the UI provided by the management application 530.

<Preset setting acquisition process>
Next, a process of applying the preset settings provided by the preset setting management service 520 to the MFP 110 will be described. There are two methods of importing the preset settings to the MFP 110: a method in which the user operates the MFP 110 to import the preset settings, and a method in which the user or the administrator operates the PC 130 to import the preset settings. When the user operates the MFP 110 to import the preset settings, the device to which the preset settings are imported is limited to the MFP 110 operated by the user. On the other hand, when the user operates the PC 130 to import the preset settings, it is possible to import the preset settings to multiple devices managed by the management application 530 all at once.

First, a method for importing preset settings by a user operating the MFP 110 will be described. When a user operates the MFP 110 to import preset settings, the MFP 110 downloads the preset settings from the management server 120 without going through the PC 130. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of importing preset settings by operating the MFP 110. The process of the MFP 110 in FIG. 6 is realized by the CPU 211 controlling a program stored in the ROM 212, and the process of the management server 120 is realized by the CPU 311 controlling a program stored in the ROM 312.

When importing preset settings to the MFP 110 by operating the MFP 110, first, in step S601, the user operates the operation unit 219 of the MFP 110 to access a service that manages the preset settings. In response to the user's operation, the setting reception unit 511 of the MFP 110 uses a browser function to access the URL of the preset setting management service 520 via the network I/F 218 and the network 140.

In step S602, the preset setting management service 520 of the management server 120 that has received access from the MFP 110 uses a browser function to provide the MFP 110 with a UI of the preset setting management service. The UI of the preset setting management service is displayed on the operation unit 219 of the MFP 110, for example, in a web browser.

In step S603, the user operates the UI of the preset setting management service displayed on the operation unit 219 of the MFP 110 to select the preset setting to be downloaded. FIG. 7 shows an example of a preset setting selection screen operated by the user when selecting a preset setting. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the preset setting selection screen. A plurality of preset settings 710 are displayed on the preset setting selection screen 700. In this embodiment, a plurality of preset settings including a setting that uses the scanner 221 are displayed on the preset setting selection screen 700. Each preset setting 710 displays the name of the preset setting, a download button 711, and a details button 712. To check the setting contents, the user presses the details button 712 to display the details of the preset setting. To download a preset setting to the MFP 110, the user selects the preset setting 710 to be downloaded and presses download 611 to download the preset setting.

Specific examples of preset settings will now be described. In this embodiment, preset settings related to the scan function will be described as an example. When an image scanned by MFP 110 is used in a service corresponding to a specific business of a partner of MFP 110, the quality of scan required for each service (resolution, color/black and white, paper size, output format, etc.) differs. Therefore, by preparing preset scan settings corresponding to each service in advance, it is possible to easily perform scans that meet the requirements of each service.

8(A) and 8(B) are diagrams for explaining preset settings. FIG. 8(A) is an example of preset settings for expense settlement scan. The preset settings for expense settlement scan are settings for performing a scan suited to use in an expense settlement service, and require resolution and color settings that meet the requirements of the Electronic Bookkeeping Act. For this reason, in the preset settings for expense settlement scan, the resolution is set to 300 dpi, and the color is set to full color (24-bit full color). In addition, the output format is set to PDF in order to output in PDF format, which is commonly used in expense settlement services at the scan destination. In this way, by having the vendor prepare the preset settings for expense settlement scan, the user can perform a scan that meets the requirements of the Electronic Bookkeeping Act without being aware of the Electronic Bookkeeping Act, etc.

Figure 8 (B) is an example of the preset settings for health insurance card OCR. The preset settings for health insurance card OCR (Optical Character Recognition) are settings for performing scanning in accordance with health insurance card OCR solutions in hospitals and the like, and require sufficient resolution to read characters from scanned images. For this reason, the preset settings for health insurance card OCR set a high resolution (e.g., 600 dpi). Also, the paper size is set to A6, color is set to full color, and double-sided/single-sided is set to double-sided. In this way, by having the vendor prepare the preset settings for health insurance card OCR, the user can perform scanning that is compatible with high-precision OCR.

In step S604, the preset setting management service 520 of the management server 120 exports the preset settings selected in step S603 to the MFP 110. Specifically, the export unit 523 first converts the preset settings stored in the setting storage unit 522 into an exportable format. The format may be, for example, XML or JSON, but is not limited to these. The export unit 523 then exports the converted preset settings to the MFP 110 via the network I/F 315 and the network 140.

In step S605, the setting reception unit 511 of the MFP 110 downloads the preset settings exported from the preset setting management service 520 in step S604. The preset settings downloaded to the MFP 110 are stored in the setting storage unit 512 and applied to the MFP 110. Through the above processing, the MFP 110 can obtain the preset settings from the preset setting management service 520.

Next, a method for the user to import preset settings by operating the PC 130 will be described. When the user operates the PC 130 to import preset settings to the MFP 110, the preset settings are first downloaded from the preset setting management service 520 to the PC 130, and the downloaded presets are then distributed from the PC 130 to the MFP 110.

Figure 9 is a flow chart showing the process of importing preset settings by operating PC 130. The process of MFP 110 in Figure 9 is realized by CPU 211 controlling a program stored in ROM 212, and the process of management server 120 is realized by CPU 311 controlling a program stored in ROM 312. The process of PC 130 in Figure 9 is realized by CPU 411 controlling a program stored in ROM 412.

When operating the PC 130 to import preset settings to the MFP 110, first, in step S901, the user operates the operation unit 417 of the PC 130 to access a service that manages preset settings. In response to the user's operation, the download unit 531 of the PC 130 uses the browser function of the management application 530 to access the URL of the preset setting management service 520 via the network I/F 416 and the network 140.

In step S902, the preset setting management service 520 of the management server 120 that has received access from the PC 130 uses a browser function to provide the PC 130 with a UI of the preset setting management service. The UI of the preset setting management service is displayed on the operation unit 419 of the PC 130, for example, in a web browser.

In step S903, the user operates the UI of the preset setting management service displayed on the operation unit 419 of the PC 130 to select the preset setting to be downloaded. The UI of the preset setting management service is displayed on the operation unit 419 by the display control unit 533 using a browser function incorporated in the management application 530. As a preset setting selection screen operated by the user when selecting a preset setting, for example, a preset setting selection screen 700 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.

In step S904, the preset setting management service 520 of the management server 120 exports the preset settings selected in step S903 to the PC 130. Specifically, the export unit 523 first converts the preset settings stored in the setting storage unit 522 into an exportable format. The format may be, for example, XML or JSON, but is not limited to these. The export unit 523 then exports the converted preset settings to the PC 130 via the network I/F 315 and the network 140.

In step S905, the download unit 531 of the PC 130 downloads the preset settings exported from the preset setting management service 520 in step S904. The downloaded preset settings are temporarily stored in the RAM 413 or the HDD 414.

In step S906, the distribution unit 532 of the PC 130 distributes the preset settings downloaded in step S905 to the selected MFP and applies the preset settings to the MFP. Specifically, the user selects the MFP to which the preset settings are to be distributed on the UI of the management application 530, and the distribution unit 532 distributes the preset settings to the selected MFP in accordance with the user's instructions. Note that the management application 530 can distribute preset settings to multiple MFPs, and the user may select multiple MFPs managed by the management application 530 as devices to which the preset settings are to be distributed and distribute the preset settings all at once.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the UI of the management application 530. A management screen 1000 is an example of the UI of the management application 530. The management screen 1000 displays a device list 1010, an import selection 1011, a file name 1012, a browse button 1013, a download selection 1014, an apply button 1015, and a cancel button 1016.

The device list 1010 displays a list of MFPs that are managed by the management application 530. For example, the device list 1010 displays the model name, IP address, serial number, and MAC address of each MFP. From among the multiple MFPs displayed in the device list 1010, the user selects the MFP to which he or she wishes to apply the preset settings downloaded in step 905.

When distributing preset settings to an MFP, the user selects import selection 1011 and presses browse button 1013 to select and upload the file of the preset settings to be distributed. The file name of the selected preset settings is displayed in file name 1012. Note that in this embodiment, an example of selecting the file of the preset settings to be distributed has been described, but this is not limited to this. For example, the preset settings downloaded in step S905 may be displayed on the management screen 1000 so that they can be selected.

After selecting the preset settings to be distributed, pressing the Apply button 1015 distributes the selected preset settings to the MFP. If the Cancel button 1016 is pressed, the preset setting distribution process is stopped. The Download selection 1014 is a link to the preset setting management service 520 of the management server 120. When accessing the preset setting management service 520 to download a preset setting, the user presses the Download selection 1014. When the Download selection 1014 is pressed, the browser function is activated and the preset setting selection screen 700 is displayed.

Returning to the explanation of the flowchart, in step S907, the setting reception unit 511 of the MFP 110 imports the preset settings distributed from the PC 130. The preset settings imported to the MFP 110 are stored in the setting storage unit 512 and applied to the MFP 110. Through the above processing, the MFP 110 can obtain the preset settings from the preset setting management service 520 via the PC 130.

<Processing flow when using preset settings>
Next, a flow of executing a job using the preset settings on the MFP 110 will be described. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the execution process of a job using the preset settings. The execution process of a job using the preset settings is realized by the CPU 211 controlling a program stored in the ROM 212 of the MFP 110.

In step S1110, the job execution unit 514 activates a function of the MFP 110, such as printing or scanning. A function of the MFP 110 is activated, for example, when the user selects a function on a home screen displayed on the operation unit 219. When the function to be activated is selected, the job execution unit 514 activates the selected function, and the display control unit 513 displays an application screen corresponding to the function to be activated on the operation unit 219. The following describes an example in which the scan function is activated. When the scan function is selected by the user, in step S1110, the job execution unit 514 activates the scan function, and the display control unit 513 displays a scan screen. An example of the scan screen is shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a scan screen. The scan screen 1200 displays a setting value area 1210, a change setting button 1211, a change scan destination button 1212, and a start button 1213. The setting value area 1210 is a UI component that displays the current scan settings. The change setting button 1211 is a button that is selected when changing settings. The change scan destination button 1212 is a button that is selected when changing the destination to which the scanned image is sent. Scan destinations include, for example, cloud services such as expense settlement services, servers in a local network, cloud storage, etc. The start button 1213 is a button that is selected when executing a scan.

To reflect the preset settings in the setting values, first, in step S1111, the user presses the setting change button 1211. When the setting change button 1211 is pressed, the display control unit 513 displays a preset setting screen on the operation unit 219. Next, in step S1112, the user selects a preset setting to be reflected in the settings on the preset setting screen. Then, in step S1113, the job execution unit 514 reflects the selected preset setting in the job settings. An example of the preset setting screen is shown in FIG. 13.

13 is a diagram showing an example of a preset setting screen. The preset setting screen 1300 displays a setting value display area 1310, a preset setting list 1314, and an apply button 1313. The setting value display area 1310 is a UI component that displays the current setting contents. The preset setting list 1314 is a list of preset settings. The preset setting list 1314 displays a list of preset settings related to the function being set among the preset settings stored in the setting storage unit 512. In this embodiment, the preset setting list 1314 displays the expense settlement scan setting 1311 and the insurance card OCR setting 1312, which are preset settings related to the scan function. The expense settlement scan setting 1311 corresponds to the setting shown in FIG. 8 (A), and the insurance card OCR setting 1312 corresponds to the setting shown in FIG. 8 (B). The user selects a preset setting to be reflected in the scan setting from the preset setting list 1314. At this time, the setting value of the selected preset setting is displayed in the setting value display area 1310. Then, by pressing the Apply button 1313, the selected preset setting is reflected in the scan settings. Note that in this embodiment, the contents of the preset setting corresponding to the use in a specific service cannot be edited, and the preset setting obtained from the preset setting management service 520 is used as is.

In step S1114, the job execution unit 514 executes the job with the settings of the preset settings reflected in step S1113. For example, if the preset settings of expense settlement scan settings 1311 are selected and reflected in a scan job, in step S1114 the scan is executed with a resolution of 300 dpi, full color, and PDF output format. In this way, by executing a job using the preset settings for expense settlement scan, it is possible to execute a scan that is suited to use in the expense settlement service.

In this embodiment, an example has been described in which a user operates the MFP 110 to execute a job, but this is not limited to this, and the job may be set and executed by operating the PC 130.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the settings of the functions executed by the image processing device can be easily set to setting values corresponding to a specific task by using the downloaded preset settings. Furthermore, when the preset settings are distributed via an application that manages the image processing device, the preset settings can be distributed and applied to multiple image processing devices at the same time.

Second Embodiment
The first embodiment is an embodiment in which the preset settings downloaded from the preset setting management service 520 are used as is. However, there are cases in which it is desired to perform arbitrary editing based on the preset settings and execute a job with the edited preset settings. Therefore, in this embodiment, an embodiment in which some setting values of the preset settings downloaded from the preset setting management service 520 are edited will be described. Note that the hardware configuration, software configuration, and downloading of the preset settings from the preset setting management service 520 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

The basic flow of job execution processing using preset settings in this embodiment is also similar to that in the first embodiment (FIG. 11). However, unlike the first embodiment, in this embodiment, when a preset setting is selected in step S1112, the preset setting is edited. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing for editing downloaded preset settings in this embodiment. Processing for editing downloaded preset settings is realized by the CPU 211 controlling a program stored in the ROM 212 of the MFP 110.

In step S1410, the user selects a preset setting from the list of preset settings on the preset setting screen. When a preset setting is selected, in step S1411, the setting storage unit 512 determines whether the selected preset setting has any items whose setting values can be edited. If all items are editable when editing a preset setting, there is a possibility that even important settings will be edited. For example, in the case of a preset setting for expense reimbursement scanning, there are legal regulations regarding resolution and color, so if the preset setting is edited to a value that does not satisfy the requirements, it will no longer be meaningful as a setting for expense reimbursement scanning. Therefore, editable and non-editable items are specified for each preset setting.

If the selected preset setting includes an item whose setting value can be edited, proceed to step S1412. On the other hand, if the selected preset setting does not include an item whose setting value can be edited, this process ends, and the setting contents of the selected preset setting are displayed as is in the setting value display area 1310 of the preset setting screen, as in the first embodiment.

In step S1412, the display control unit 513 displays the setting contents of the selected preset setting on the preset setting screen in an editable state. FIG. 15 shows an example of the preset setting screen that is displayed when a preset setting in which some items are editable is selected. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a preset setting screen in the second embodiment. The preset setting screen 1500 displays a setting value editing area 1510, a preset setting list 1314, and an apply button 1313. The preset setting list 1314 and the apply button 1313 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment and will be described in detail.

The setting value editing area 1510 is an editing screen that displays and edits the current setting contents. When a preset setting with an editable item is selected in the preset setting list 1314, the default setting value of the preset setting is displayed in the setting value editing area 1510. If there is a setting item that can be edited from the default setting value, the editable setting item is displayed in a identifiable manner. The editable setting items are displayed, for example, by highlighting, displaying in bold, displaying in color, etc., so that they can be distinguished from non-editable setting items. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the setting value editing area 1510 displays the preset setting of expense settlement scan, and since the resolution and color cannot be edited and only the output format can be edited, only the output format part is highlighted. In addition, the setting value editing area 1510 displays a revert icon 1511 for returning the edited setting value to the default value of the preset setting. The default value is the setting value when the preset setting is downloaded from the preset setting management service 520.

In step S1413, the user edits the setting values for the editable items. When editing is complete, the user presses the Apply button 1313. When the Apply button 1313 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S1113, and the job execution unit 514 reflects the edited setting values of the preset settings.

As described above, according to this embodiment, downloaded preset settings can be edited and customized. Furthermore, even if you make a mistake in editing, you can return the preset settings to their default values without having to re-download them.

Other Embodiments
The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

The above describes preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention.

Claims (8)

A system including an image processing device having a scanner , and a server that provides a browser function and a service for managing presets,
a management means for managing presets prepared by a vendor in the server;
a download means for accessing a URL of the service using the browser function and downloading a preset including settings for using the scanner;
applying means for applying the downloaded presets to the image processing device;
and an execution means for executing a job for a specific task using setting values for the scanner included in the preset by selecting the applied preset in the image processing device. The system of claim 1 , wherein the browser functionality is a web browser executed on the imaging device. the browser function is incorporated into a device management application executed on an information processing device different from the image processing device,
The system according to claim 1 , wherein in the information processing apparatus , the application unit applies the preset to the image processing apparatus by distributing the downloaded preset from the device management application. 4. The system according to claim 3 , wherein in the information processing apparatus , the application unit is capable of simultaneously distributing the preset to a plurality of image processing apparatuses managed by the device management application. 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the preset allows setting values for some items to be edited. The apparatus further includes a display means for displaying an editing screen for editing the preset setting values,
6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said display means displays editable setting value items in an identifiable manner. 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the display means displays an icon for restoring the edited setting value to the preset setting value on the editing screen. A preset setting method in a system including an image processing device having a scanner , and a server providing a browser function and a service for managing presets, comprising:
managing presets prepared by a vendor on the server;
using the browser function to access a URL of the service and download a preset including settings for using the scanner;
applying the downloaded presets to the imaging device;
and selecting the applied preset on the image processing device, thereby executing a job for a specific task using setting values for the scanner contained in the preset.

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