JP6504004B2 - Communication apparatus, communication system and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The technology disclosed by the present specification relates to a communication device.

  In general, set values for a plurality of setting items are set in the communication apparatus. For example, in the scanner, setting values (for example, 300 dpi, pdf format, etc.) for setting items such as reading resolution and file format are set. When replacing a communication device or introducing a plurality of similar communication devices, etc., the setting value set in a communication device (hereinafter referred to as a “setting source device”) is replaced with another communication device (hereinafter referred to as a “setting destination device” It may be used when setting it. In such a case, there is known a technique in which a terminal device such as a PC acquires the setting value set in the setting source device from the setting source device and transmits the acquired setting value to the setting destination device (for example, a patent) Reference 1). According to this technology, it is possible for the terminal device to accept editing by the user for the acquired setting value, and to transmit the edited setting value from the terminal device to the setting destination device, thus improving user convenience. Do.

JP 2000-194628 A

  In the above-described conventional technology, setting values for all setting items are acquired by the terminal device regardless of the type of setting item. For example, the setting items may include setting items of a type that requires careful handling, such as a password or a fax number. In the above-mentioned prior art, since the setting value of the setting item of the type that requires attention in such handling is also acquired by the terminal device, the setting value of the setting item requiring attention in the handling is unnecessary for the terminal There was a risk of being stored in the device.

  In the present specification, a technology is provided in which the setting destination apparatus can appropriately use the setting value of the setting source apparatus while suppressing that the setting value of the setting item requiring caution in handling is unnecessarily stored in the terminal device. Disclose.

  The technology disclosed in the present specification can be realized, for example, as the following form.

  The communication device disclosed in the present specification is a communication device capable of executing communication with both the terminal device and the target communication device, and includes a storage unit, setting items of the first type, and setting of the second type. For each of a plurality of setting items including an item, the setting value acquiring unit for acquiring setting values set in the communication device from the storage unit, and used when setting the setting values of the target communication device Setting data, wherein the setting data is associated with the setting value of the setting item of the first type and the setting value of the setting item of the second type. The data generation unit that includes identification information and does not include the setting value for the second type of setting item; a data transmission unit that transmits the setting data to the terminal device; and the terminal device Setting To request that the setting value associated with the identification information included in the setting data be transmitted from the target communication device acquired from the terminal device to the target communication device The target communication unit for acquiring the transmission request of the transmission target, and the setting value of the setting item of the second type associated with the identification information included in the transmission request, without passing through the terminal device; And a set value transmission unit for transmitting data to the device. The setting data generated by the communication apparatus includes the setting value of the first type of setting item and the identification information associated with the setting value of the second type of setting item. Does not include setting values for setting items of type. Further, when the communication device acquires a transmission request from any one of the terminal device that acquired the setting data and the target communication device, the setting item of the second type associated with the identification information included in the transmission request. Setting value is transmitted to the target communication device without passing through the terminal device. Therefore, according to this communication device, the target communication device uses the setting value of the first type of setting item set in the communication device and the setting value of the second type of setting item. Can. Further, since the setting value corresponding to the setting item of the second type is not transmitted to the terminal device, the setting value corresponding to the setting item of the second type is prevented from being unnecessarily stored in the terminal device.

  Note that the technology disclosed in the present specification can be realized in various forms, for example, a communication device, a communication system including the communication device and the target communication device, and a control method of these devices and systems, The present invention can be realized in the form of a computer program for realizing the control method, a non-temporary recording medium recording the computer program, or the like.

It is an explanatory view showing composition of communication system 10 in a 1st embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of functions implemented by the CPU 220 of the setting source multifunction device 200A, the CPU 220 of the setting destination multifunction device 200B, and the CPU 120 of the PC 100. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process in 1st Embodiment. It is an explanatory view showing an example of scan profile SP. It is an explanatory view showing an example of setting data SD in a 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process in 2nd Embodiment. It is an explanatory view showing an example of setting data SD in a 2nd embodiment.

A. First embodiment:
A-1. Configuration of Communication System 10:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of the communication system 10 in the first embodiment. The communication system 10 includes two multifunction machines 200 and a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as "PC") 100. The two multifunction peripherals 200 and the PC 100 are communicably connected to each other via, for example, a wired or wireless network NET.

  As described in detail below, in the present embodiment, setting values (for example, 300 dpi, etc.) set for each of a plurality of setting items (for example, resolution at the time of image reading, file format, etc.) The pdf format or the like is used when setting values for the same type of setting items in the other multifunction device 200. In the following description, when the two multifunction peripherals 200 are distinguished from each other, the one multifunction peripheral 200 is called the setting source multifunction peripheral 200A, and the other multifunction peripheral 200 is called the setting destination multifunction peripheral 200B. When the two multifunction peripherals 200 are not distinguished from each other, both are simply referred to as the multifunction peripheral 200. The setting-source MFP 200A is an example of a communication device, and the setting-destination MFP 200B is an example of a target communication device.

  The multifunction peripheral 200 is a device having a plurality of functions such as a scan function, a print function, and a copy function. The multifunction device 200 includes a CPU 220, a storage unit 230, a display unit 240, an operation unit 250, a communication unit 260, an image forming unit 202, an image reading unit 204, and a FAX transmitting / receiving unit 206.

  The image forming unit 202 of the multifunction peripheral 200 is hardware that forms an image on a sheet such as paper by an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method, for example. The image reading unit 204 is hardware that includes an image sensor and reads an original to generate image data representing an image of the original. The FAX transmission / reception unit 206 is hardware that has a modem and performs processing for facsimile transmission / reception. The display unit 240 has, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various setting screens, an operation state of the apparatus, and the like. The operation unit 250 has, for example, various buttons and switches, and receives various input instructions from the user. For example, the operation unit 250 receives an input instruction of setting values for each setting item of the multifunction device 200. The operation unit 250 may include a touch panel provided in the display unit 240. The communication unit 260 is an interface that communicates with another device, and includes, for example, a wired LAN interface, a wireless LAN interface, a USB interface, and the like.

  The storage unit 230 of the multi-function device 200 is configured by a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and stores various data and programs, and is used as a work area for executing various programs and a temporary storage area of data. . The CPU 220 implements each function for controlling the multifunction device 200 by executing the program read from the storage unit 230. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the CPU 220 of the setting source multifunction device 200A includes a setting value acquisition unit 271, a correspondence information storage unit 272, a data generation unit 273, a data transmission unit 274, and a request acquisition unit. 275 functions as a setting value transmission unit 276. Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the CPU 220 of the setting destination MFP 200B functions as an identifying unit 281, a notifying unit 282, a setting value receiving unit 283, and a setting unit 284. The respective functions of the setting-source MFP 200A and the setting-destination MFP 200B will be described in "A-2. Setting processing" described later.

  The PC 100 (FIG. 1) is a terminal device used for managing the multifunction device 200 and the like. The PC 100 includes a CPU 120, a storage unit 130, a display unit 140, an operation unit 150, and a communication unit 160.

  The display unit 140 of the PC 100 has, for example, a liquid crystal display. The operation unit 150 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel. The communication unit 160 is an interface that communicates with another device, and includes, for example, a wired LAN interface, a wireless LAN interface, a USB interface, and the like.

  The storage unit 130 of the PC 100 is configured by a ROM, a RAM, an HDD (hard disk drive), etc., and stores various data and programs, and as a working area and a temporary storage area of data when executing various programs. It is used. For example, the storage unit 130 stores an application program for managing the MFP 200. The CPU 120 executes each program read from the storage unit 130 to realize each function for controlling each unit of the PC 100 or executing management of the multifunction peripheral 200. For example, as shown in FIG. 2C, the CPU 120 of the PC 100 functions as a management unit 171. The function of the management unit 171 will be described in “A-2. Setting process” described later.

A-2. Setting process:
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are flowcharts showing setting processing in the first embodiment. The setting process is a process of setting setting values for the same type of setting items in the setting destination multifunction device 200B using setting values set for each of a plurality of setting items in the setting source multifunction device 200A. In the setting process, for example, when updating the MFP 200, that is, when replacing the setting source MFP 200A with the setting destination MFP 200B, the same setting values as the setting values set in the setting source MFP 200A are used. It is executed at the time of setting in the setting destination MFP 200B. Alternatively, in the setting process, for example, when introducing a plurality of multifunction peripherals 200, setting values are set by operating the operation unit 250 with respect to one multifunction peripheral 200 (setting source multifunction peripheral 200A). It is executed at the same time that setting values similar to the setting values set in the original multifunction peripheral 200A are also set in the other multifunction peripheral 200 (setting destination multifunction peripheral 200B).

  The contents of the setting process will be described below by taking setting items regarding the image reading setting (scan profile SP) by the image reading unit 204 of the multifunction device 200 as an example. As shown in FIG. 5, the scan profile SP includes, as setting items, a profile number, a reading resolution, a file format, an FTP server address (specifically, an IP address of the FTP server), and an FTP server password. Including. One or more scan profiles SP are set in each multi-function device 200, and setting values of setting items included in the scan profile SP are stored in the storage unit 230. Generally, the unit of setting (for example, scan profile SP) is also called record RE, and each setting item (for example, reading resolution and file format) included in the record RE is also called field FI. Specifically, a plurality of records RE are prepared for the scan profile SP, and when the user executes, for example, a function of transmitting scan data to an FTP server, a desired record RE is selected from among the plurality of records RE. Select (for example, profile number: 1). The multifunction device 200 generates scan data according to the reading resolution and file format (for example, reading resolution: 300 dpi, file format: PDF) corresponding to the selected record RE, and the address of the FTP server (for example, IP address: aaa. The scan data is transmitted with the aaa.aaa.aaa) as the transmission destination.

  The setting process is started, for example, in response to the management unit 171 of the PC 100 acquiring a start instruction of the setting process via the operation unit 150. When the setting process is started, as shown in FIG. 3, the management unit 171 of the PC 100 sends an export request to the setting source multifunction device 200A (S110). The export request is an instruction to generate setting data SD used when setting the setting value of the setting destination multifunction device 200B and to transmit the generated setting data SD to the PC 100. The export request is sent, for example, in the form of an HTTP request. In the following description, requests and the like transmitted and received between devices are also transmitted in the same format. Further, in the present embodiment, the setting data SD is generated in an XML format.

  When the setting-source MFP 200A receives the export request (S210), the setting value acquiring unit 271 of the setting-source MFP 200A stores one record RE (setting unit) set in the setting-source MFP 200A as the storage unit 230. Are read out and acquired (S220). For example, the setting value acquisition unit 271 reads and acquires the scan profile SP of profile number 1 illustrated in FIG. 5.

  Next, the data generation unit 273 of the setting-source MFP 200A selects one field FI (setting item) included in the acquired record RE (S230), and the selected field FI needs to be handled with care. It is determined whether the information is classified as confidential or not (S240). In the present embodiment, the information that specifies the field FI corresponding to the confidential information is stored in the storage unit 230, and the data generation unit 273 performs the determination of S240 with reference to the information. In the example of the scan profile SP shown in FIG. 5, the field FI of “FTP server password” is considered to be confidential information, and the remaining field FI is considered not to be confidential information. The field FI that does not correspond to the confidential information is an example of the first type of setting item, and the field FI that corresponds to the confidential information is an example of the second type of setting item.

  If it is determined in S240 that the selected field FI is not confidential information (S240: NO), the data generation unit 273 of the setting source multifunction device 200A sets the setting value set in the selected field FI. Are recorded as setting data SD (S280).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S240 that the selected field FI is confidential information (S240: YES), the correspondence information storage unit 272 issues a confidential information ID (S250), and the selected field Correspondence information that associates the setting value set in FI with the confidential information ID is stored in the storage unit 230 (S260). The confidential information ID is an identifier for identifying each field FI determined to be confidential information. The data generation unit 273 uses the confidential information ID and information indicating the acquisition destination of the setting value associated with the confidential information ID (specifically, the IP address of the setting source MFP 200A itself) as the setting data SD. Record (S270). The correspondence information storage unit 272 sets an expiration date in the correspondence information at the time of storing the correspondence information (S260). The correspondence information storage unit 272 deletes the correspondence information from the storage unit 230 when a predetermined period elapses after the correspondence information is stored in the storage unit 230.

  After the process of S280 or S270, the data generation unit 273 of the setting source multifunction device 200A determines whether all the fields FI included in the read record RE are selected (S290). If it is determined in S290 that there is a field FI which has not been selected yet (S290: NO), the processing after the selection processing of the field FI in S230 is similarly executed. On the other hand, if it is determined in S290 that all the fields FI have been selected (S290: YES), the data generation unit 273 has read all the records RE set in the setting source multi-function peripheral 200A? It is determined whether or not it is (S300). If it is determined in S300 that there is a record RE that has not been read yet (S300: NO), the processing after the read processing of the record RE in S220 is similarly executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S300 that all the records RE have been read (S300: YES), generation of the setting data SD indicating the setting of the setting source multifunction device 200A is completed. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an example of the generated setting data SD. As shown in FIG. 6, in the setting data SD, setting values (for example, 1, 300 dpi, PDF, aaa. Aaa. Aaa. Aaa. Aaa. The setting value (password itself) is not included for the field FI (FTP server password) that contains aaa.aaa) and is confidential information, and the confidential information ID (for example, 123) and the acquisition destination of the setting value (ie, , And the information (for example, bbb.bbb.bbb.bbb) indicating the multifunction device 200A). In the present embodiment, the setting data SD includes information indicating the names (setting item names) of the fields FI regardless of whether the information is confidential information. For example, the setting item name is included in the setting data SD also for the FTP server password which is confidential information.

  When the generation of the setting data SD is completed in the setting-source MFP 200A, the data transmission unit 274 of the setting-source MFP 200A transmits the generated setting data SD to the PC 100 (S310). The setting data SD is transmitted, for example, in the form of an HTTP response. In the following description, responses transmitted between devices are also transmitted in the same format.

  When the management unit 171 of the PC 100 receives the setting data SD transmitted from the setting-source MFP 200A (S120), the management unit 171 generates an XML file including the setting data SD and stores the XML file in the storage unit 130 (S130). At this stage, the user can edit the setting value (except for the setting value of the FTP server password which is considered to be classified as confidential information) by giving an editing instruction via the operation unit 150 of the PC 100. it can. Generally, since the operation unit 150 of the PC 100 has higher operability than the operation unit 250 of the multifunction device 200, the convenience is improved by making the setting values editable on the PC 100.

  Thereafter, in response to acquiring the transmission instruction via the operation unit 150, the management unit 171 of the PC 100 transmits an import request including the setting data SD (XML file) to the setting destination multifunction device 200B (S140). . The import request is an instruction to request setting of the setting value of the setting destination multifunction device 200B with reference to the setting data SD.

  When the setting destination MFP 200B receives the import request (S410), the specifying unit 281 of the setting destination MFP 200B analyzes the XML file including the setting data SD by the SAX method. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the specifying unit 281 reads out and acquires one record RE (setting unit) from the XML file (S420), and one field FI (one of the acquired fields) RE A setting item is selected (S430), and it is determined whether the selected field FI is confidential information (S440). If it is determined in S440 that the selected field FI is not confidential information (S440: NO), the setting unit 284 of the setting destination multifunction device 200B is set in the selected field FI of the setting data SD. The set value is stored in the temporary storage area of the storage unit 230 (S470).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S440 that the selected field FI is confidential information (S440: YES), the identifying unit 281 of the setting destination multifunction device 200B determines the confidential information ID included in the setting data SD, The acquisition destination of the setting value associated with the confidential information ID is specified (S 442). As described above, in the present embodiment, the acquisition source of the setting value associated with the confidential information ID is the setting source MFP 200A. The notification unit 282 of the setting destination multi-functional peripheral 200B sets the setting source multi-function which is the specified acquisition destination to request a transmission request for transmitting the setting value associated with the confidential information ID to the setting destination multi-functional peripheral 200B. It transmits toward the aircraft 200A (S450).

  When the request acquisition unit 275 of the setting source MFP 200A receives the transmission request transmitted from the setting destination MFP 200B (S320), whether the correspondence information on the confidential information ID included in the transmission request is within the expiration date It is determined whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed since the correspondence information is stored in the storage unit 230 (S330). As described above, in the present embodiment, the correspondence information storage unit 272 deletes the correspondence information from the storage unit 230 when a predetermined period elapses after the correspondence information is stored in the storage unit 230. Therefore, the request acquisition unit 275 can perform the determination of S330 by determining whether correspondence information on the confidential information ID included in the transmission request exists in the storage unit 230. If it is determined in S330 that the correspondence information is within the expiration date (S330: YES), the setting value transmission unit 276 of the setting source multifunction device 200A corresponds to the setting information associated with the confidential information ID. , And transmits the specified setting value to the setting destination multifunction device 200B without passing through the PC 100 (S340). On the other hand, if it is determined in S330 that the correspondence information is not within the expiration date (S330: NO), the setting value transmission unit 276 of the setting source multi-function device 200A executes the process of transmitting the setting value (S340). Instead, an error is notified to the setting destination multifunction device 200B (S350).

  The setting value reception unit 283 of the setting destination MFP 200B receives the setting value transmitted from the setting source MFP 200A (S460), and the setting unit 284 sets the received setting value in the temporary storage area of the storage unit 230. Save (S470). As described above, in the present embodiment, the setting destination MFP 200B requests the setting source MFP 200A to transmit the setting value, and the setting source MFP 200A transmits the setting value to the setting destination MFP 200B in response to the request. Communication format (so-called pull format) is adopted.

  After the process of S470, the setting unit 284 of the setting destination multifunction device 200B determines whether all the fields FI included in the read record RE have been selected (S480). If it is determined in S480 that there is a field FI which has not been selected yet (S480: NO), the processing after the selection processing of the field FI in S430 is similarly executed. On the other hand, if it is determined in S480 that all the fields FI have been selected (S480: YES), the setting unit 284 of the setting destination MFP 200B stores the setting values temporarily stored in S470 in the non-memory unit 230. By storing in the area, the setting value is set to the setting destination multifunction device 200B (S490). Thereby, for the field FI which is not confidential information, the setting value included in the setting data SD transmitted from the PC 100 is set in the setting destination multi-function peripheral 200B, and for the field FI which is confidential information, the setting-source multi-function peripheral 200A The transmitted set value is set in the setting destination multifunction device 200B.

  The setting unit 284 of the setting destination MFP 200B records the success or failure of the setting for the read record RE (S500). After that, the setting unit 284 of the setting destination MFP 200B determines whether all the records RE included in the setting data SD transmitted from the PC 100 have been read (S510). If it is determined in S510 that there is a record RE that has not been read yet (S510: NO), the processing after the read processing of the record RE in S420 is similarly executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S510 that all the records RE have been read (S510: YES), the setting unit 284 of the setting destination multifunction device 200B refers to the recording result in S500 to confirm the import success or failure. It notifies the PC 100 (S520). The management unit 171 of the PC 100 receives the notification of success or failure of import sent from the setting destination multifunction device 200B (S150). For example, when an error is notified from the setting-source MFP 200A to the setting-destination MFP 200B (S350), the setting unit 284 of the setting-destination MFP 200B does not successfully import the PC 100. Notify that. In this case, for example, the setting process is performed again from the first step. On the other hand, when such an error is not notified, the setting unit 284 of the setting destination multifunction device 200B notifies the PC 100 that the import is successful. This is the end of the setting process.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the setting source MFP 200A acquires the setting value set in the setting source MFP 200A for each of the plurality of setting items from the storage unit 230, and And a data generation unit 273 configured to generate setting data SD to be used when setting the setting value of the setting destination MFP 200B. The setting data SD includes setting values for setting items that do not correspond to confidential information, does not include setting values for setting items that correspond to confidential information, and includes a confidential information ID associated with the setting values. The setting source multifunction device 200A associates the setting information SD with the confidential information ID included in the setting data SD from the data transmitting unit 274 that transmits the setting data SD to the PC 100 and the setting destination multifunction device 200B that acquires the setting data SD from the PC 100. The request acquiring unit 275 for acquiring a transmission request for requesting transmission of the set value to the setting destination multifunction device 200B, and the setting value associated with the confidential information ID included in the transmission request are transmitted via the PC 100. Instead, the setting value transmitting unit 276 transmits the setting value to the setting destination multifunction device 200B. Therefore, according to the setting-source MFP 200A of this embodiment, the setting values set in the setting-source MFP 200A are used for both the setting items not corresponding to the confidential information and the setting items corresponding to the confidential information. Thus, the setting values of the setting destination multifunction device 200B can be set. At this time, since the setting value for the setting item not corresponding to the confidential information is transmitted to the PC 100, the setting value can be edited on the PC 100, and the convenience is improved. Further, since the setting value for the setting item corresponding to the confidential information is not transmitted to the PC 100, it can be suppressed that the setting value for the setting item corresponding to the confidential information is unnecessarily stored in the PC 100.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the request acquisition unit 275 of the setting source MFP 200A acquires the transmission request from the setting destination MFP 200B, so that the setting destination MFP 200B can appropriately acquire the setting value.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the setting item corresponding to the confidential information includes the information on the password, unnecessary storage of the information on the password on the PC 100 can be suppressed, which causes a security problem. Can be suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the setting data SD includes information indicating the item name of the setting item corresponding to the confidential information, the user can confirm the item name in the setting data SD, and a plurality of setting items are provided. The user can easily grasp which item has been replaced with the confidential information ID.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the setting-source MFP 200A includes the correspondence information storage unit 272 that stores, in the storage unit 230, correspondence information that associates the setting value with the confidential information ID for the setting item corresponding to the confidential information. Further, if the predetermined time has not elapsed since the correspondence information on the confidential information ID included in the transmission request is stored in the storage unit 230, the setting value transmission unit 276 of the setting source MFP 200A determines the confidentiality based on the correspondence information. The setting value associated with the information ID is transmitted to the setting destination multifunction device 200B. On the other hand, setting value transmitting unit 276 does not transmit the setting value to setting destination multi-function device 200 B when the predetermined period elapses after the correspondence information on the confidential information ID included in the transmission request is stored in storage unit 230. . Therefore, the setting value associated with the confidential information ID is not transmitted to the setting destination MFP 200B after the predetermined period has elapsed, and transmission of the setting value can be appropriately controlled.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the setting destination MFP 200B included in the communication system 10 analyzes the setting data SD acquired from the PC 100, and sets the specified confidential information ID and the identifying unit 281 that identifies the confidential information ID. The notification unit 282 for notifying the original MFP 200A, the setting value reception unit 283 for receiving the setting value associated with the confidential information ID from the setting source MFP 200A, and the setting data SD for the setting items not corresponding to the confidential information And a setting unit 284 for setting the setting value received from the setting-source MFP 200A for the setting item corresponding to the confidential information in the setting-destination MFP 200B. Therefore, according to the communication system 10 of the present embodiment, setting is performed using setting values set in the setting source multi-function peripheral 200A for both setting items not corresponding to the confidential information and setting items corresponding to the confidential information. The setting value of the destination multifunction device 200B can be set. At this time, since the setting value for the setting item not corresponding to the confidential information is transmitted to the PC 100, the setting value can be edited on the PC 100, and the convenience is improved. Further, since the setting value for the setting item corresponding to the confidential information is not transmitted to the PC 100, it can be suppressed that the setting value for the setting item corresponding to the confidential information is unnecessarily stored in the PC 100.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the specifying unit 281 of the setting destination multifunction device 200B specifies the setting source multifunction device 200A by analyzing the setting data SD acquired from the communication system 10, and the notifying unit 282 of the setting destination multifunction device 200B. Sends a confidential information ID to the identified setting source multifunction device 200A. Therefore, the confidential information ID can be reliably notified from the setting destination multifunction device 200B to the setting source multifunction device 200A, and as a result, the setting values can be reliably set from the setting source multifunction device 200A to the setting destination multifunction device 200B. Can be sent.

B. Second embodiment:
7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the setting process in the second embodiment. In the setting process in the second embodiment, the setting source MFP 200A transmits the setting value to the setting destination MFP 200B according to the instruction from the PC 100 without the setting destination MFP 200B requesting transmission of the setting value. Is different from the setting process in the first embodiment in that the communication format (so-called push format) is adopted. Specifically, in the setting process of the second embodiment, the process of FIG. 7 is executed instead of the process of FIG. 4 in the setting process of the first embodiment. That is, in the setting process of the second embodiment, after the steps shown in FIG. 3 are performed, the steps after the portion to which the symbol “A” in FIG. 7 is attached are performed. However, in the first embodiment, in S270 of FIG. 3, information indicating the acquisition destination is recorded as setting data SD in addition to the confidential information ID, but in S270 in the second embodiment, only the confidential information ID is It is recorded as setting data SD, and information indicating an acquisition destination is not recorded. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the setting data SD generated in the second embodiment corresponds to the confidential information ID (confidential information ID = 123 in FIG. 6) for the field FI (FTP server password) which is confidential information. Is included, but information indicating an acquisition destination (acquisition destination in FIG. 6: corresponding to bbb.bbb.bbb.bbb) is not included. In the following description, in the setting process of the second embodiment, the steps having the same contents as the steps in the setting process of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be appropriately omitted.

  When the PC 100 transmits an import request (S140 in FIG. 3) and the setting destination MFP 200B receives an import request (S410), as shown in FIG. 7, the identifying unit 281 of the setting destination MFP 200B has an import acceptance ID Is issued (S411). In the present embodiment, as described later, a second import request is transmitted from the PC 100 to the setting destination multifunction device 200B (S146 in FIG. 8). The import reception ID is an identifier used to associate two import requests.

  Next, the specifying unit 281 of the setting destination multifunction device 200B reads and acquires one record RE from the setting data SD (XML file) included in the import request (S420), and one of the acquired records RE is included. The field FI is selected (S430), and it is determined whether the selected field FI is confidential information (S440). If it is determined in S440 that the selected field FI is not confidential information (S440: NO), the setting unit 284 of the setting destination multifunction device 200B is selecting the setting value included in the setting data SD. The value is recorded as the value of the field FI (S448).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S440 that the selected field FI is confidential information (S440: YES), the identifying unit 281 of the setting destination multifunction device 200B identifies the confidential information ID included in the setting data SD. (S444), the field FI being selected and the confidential information ID are correlated and recorded (S446).

  After the processing of S448 or S446, the setting unit 284 of the setting destination multifunction device 200B determines whether all the fields FI included in the read record RE have been selected (S480). If it is determined in S480 that there is a field FI which has not been selected yet (S480: NO), the processing after the selection processing of the field FI in S430 is similarly executed. On the other hand, when it is determined in S480 that all the fields FI have been selected (S480: YES), the setting unit 284 temporarily stores the record RE currently being read (S481), and is included in the setting data SD. It is determined whether all the records RE have been read (S510). If it is determined in S510 that there is a record RE that has not been read yet (S510: NO), the processing after the read processing of the record RE in S420 is similarly executed. On the other hand, when it is determined in S510 that all the records RE have been read (S510: YES), the setting unit 284 sets the import acceptance ID issued in S411 and the record RE temporarily stored in S481. Are stored in association with the list (S511). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, the notification unit 282 of the setting destination multifunction device 200B transmits the import acceptance ID and the confidential information ID list to the PC 100 (S512).

  When the management unit 171 of the PC 100 receives the import acceptance ID and the confidential information ID list sent from the setting destination MFP 200B (S141), the management unit 171 selects one confidential information ID from the list (S142), and selects it. A transmission request for requesting transmission of the setting value associated with the confidential information ID to the setting destination multifunction device 200B is sent to the setting source multifunction device 200A (S143). At this time, the management unit 171 of the PC 100 acquires an instruction from the user specifying the setting source multifunction device 200A via the operation unit 150, and specifies the setting source multifunction device 200A of the transmission request destination according to the instruction. Do. Alternatively, the management unit 171 of the PC 100 associates and stores the setting destination MFP 200B and the setting source MFP 200A in the processing of S120 and S140 of FIG. 3, and in S141, the import receiving ID etc. from the setting destination MFP 200B. When received, the setting source MFP 200A associated with the setting destination MFP 200B of the transmission source such as the import acceptance ID may be specified as the setting source MFP 200A of the destination to which the transmission request is transmitted.

  When receiving the transmission request transmitted from the PC 100 (S 321), the request acquiring unit 275 of the setting source MFP 200 A determines whether the correspondence information on the confidential information ID included in the transmission request is within the expiration date. (S330). If it is determined in S330 that the correspondence information is within the expiration date (S330: YES), the setting value transmission unit 276 of the setting source multifunction device 200A corresponds to the setting information associated with the confidential information ID. , And transmits the setting value and the confidential information ID to the setting destination multifunction device 200B without passing through the PC 100 (S341). If it is determined in S330 that the correspondence information is not within the expiration date (S330: NO), the setting value transmission unit 276 does not execute the process of transmitting the setting value and the confidential information ID (S341). Instead, an error is notified to the setting destination multifunction device 200B (S350).

  The setting value receiving unit 283 of the setting destination MFP 200B receives the setting value and the confidential information ID transmitted from the setting source MFP 200A (S513), and the setting unit 284 associates the received information with the received confidential information ID. The received setting value is stored in the stored field FI (S514). After that, the notification unit 282 of the setting destination MFP 200B transmits a result notification indicating that acquisition of the setting value is successful, to the setting source MFP 200A (S515). The setting value transmission unit 276 of the setting source multifunction device 200A receives the result notification, and transfers the received result notification to the PC 100 (S342).

  When the management section 171 of the PC 100 receives the result notification transferred from the setting-source MFP 200A (S144), the management section 171 determines whether all the confidential information IDs in the list received in S141 have been selected (S145). When it is determined in S145 that there is a confidential information ID which has not been selected yet (S145: NO), the processing after the process of selecting the confidential information ID in S142 is similarly executed. On the other hand, when it is determined in S145 that all the confidential information IDs have been selected (S145: YES), the management unit 171 transmits an import request including the import acceptance ID to the setting destination multifunction device 200B ( S146).

  When the setting destination MFP 200B receives the import request (S516), the setting unit 284 of the setting destination MFP 200B selects a record associated with the import acceptance ID included in the import request from the list stored in S511. A list of REs is specified, and setting values are set in the setting destination MFP 200B according to the list (S517). Thereby, for the field FI which is not confidential information, the setting value included in the setting data SD transmitted from the PC 100 is set in the setting destination multi-function peripheral 200B, and for the field FI which is confidential information, the setting-source multi-function peripheral 200A The transmitted set value is set in the setting destination multifunction device 200B.

  The setting unit 284 of the setting destination multifunction device 200B notifies the PC 100 of the success or failure of the import (S518). The management unit 171 of the PC 100 receives the notification of success or failure of import sent from the setting destination multifunction device 200B (S150). Thus, the setting process is ended.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, both the setting item not corresponding to the confidential information and the setting item corresponding to the confidential information are set in the setting source MFP 200A. It is possible to set the setting value of the setting destination multifunction device 200B by using the existing setting value. Further, since the setting value for the setting item corresponding to the confidential information is not transmitted to the PC 100, it can be suppressed that the setting value for the setting item corresponding to the confidential information is unnecessarily stored in the PC 100.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the request acquisition unit 275 of the setting source multifunction device 200A obtains the transmission request from the PC 100, the setting destination multifunction device 200B can appropriately obtain the setting value.

C. Modification:
The technology disclosed in the present specification is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified into various forms without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the following modifications are also possible.

  The configuration of the communication system 10 in the above embodiment is merely an example, and various modifications are possible. For example, the communication system 10 may include one setting source multifunction device 200A and a plurality of setting destination multifunction devices 200B. In such a configuration, the setting values of the plurality of setting destination multifunction devices 200B can be set using the setting values set in the setting source multifunction device 200A by the same process as the setting process described above. The communication between the devices constituting the communication system 10 is not limited to a wired LAN or a wireless LAN, and may be performed via other communication means such as USB or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the hardware included in the multifunction peripheral 200 is merely an example, and the multifunction peripheral 200 may be equipped with the hardware necessary to realize the functions included in the multifunction peripheral 200. Further, the technology disclosed in the present specification is not limited to the multifunction peripheral 200, and is generally applicable to a communication system including a communication device capable of communicating with each other and a target communication device.

  In the above embodiment, part or all of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware. For example, some steps in the setting process may be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit.

  Further, in the setting process of the above-described embodiment, some steps may be omitted, the contents may be changed, or the order may be interchanged with other steps. For example, in the above embodiment, the information specifying the field FI corresponding to the confidential information is stored in the storage unit 230, and it is determined whether or not the selected field FI is confidential information with reference to the information. Although (S240) is performed, the determination may be performed by hard coding without using the information.

  In the first embodiment, information indicating the acquisition destination of the setting value is recorded in the setting data SD (S270 in FIG. 3), and an import request including the setting data SD is transmitted to the setting destination multifunction device 200B. (S 140 and S 410), although the setting destination multifunction device 200 B is made to specify the acquisition destination of the setting value, the information indicating the acquisition destination does not have to be included in the setting data SD. For example, the information indicating the acquisition destination is transmitted to the setting destination multifunction device 200B as data different from the setting data SD, or is passed to the setting destination multifunction device 200B as an argument of the import request. You may make it specify the acquisition place of setting value.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the specification unit 281 of the setting destination multifunction device 200B analyzes the XML file by the SAX method, but may analyze by the DOM method instead of the SAX method. In the above embodiment, the setting data SD is generated in the XML format, but the setting data SD may be generated in another format.

  In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the setting value is transmitted from the setting source multifunction device 200A to the setting destination multifunction device 200B (S340 in FIG. 4 and S341 in FIG. 8) by encrypted communication using a secret key or the like. It is also good. In this way, the occurrence of security problems can be suppressed more effectively.

  Further, in the second embodiment, although a list of confidential information IDs is transmitted from the setting destination MFP 200B to the PC 100 along with the import acceptance ID (S512, S141 in FIG. 8), the confidential information IDs are transmitted. It does not have to be done. Even in this case, the PC 100 can specify the confidential information ID by analyzing the setting data SD transmitted from the setting source multifunction device 200A.

  Further, in the above embodiment, although the expiration date is set to the correspondence information and the correspondence information is stored in the storage unit 230, the correspondence information is deleted from the storage unit 230 when a predetermined period elapses. When the transmission request is received by the setting-source MFP 200A and the setting value is transmitted from the setting-source MFP 200A to the setting-destination MFP 200B, the related correspondence information may be deleted.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the setting item is recorded in the setting data SD according to the determination criterion whether or not each setting item corresponds to confidential information, and identification information (confidential information ID instead of setting value). Is divided into setting items to be recorded in the setting data SD, but the determination criterion is not limited to this. For example, a determination criterion as to whether or not the editing on the PC 100 is a setting item to be executed may be used.

10: Communication system 100: Personal computer 200: MFP 230: Storage unit 271: Setting value acquisition unit 272: Correspondence information storage unit 273: Data generation unit 274: Data transmission unit 275: Request acquisition unit 276: Setting value transmission unit 281 : Identification unit 282: Notification unit 283: Setting value reception unit 284: Setting unit

Claims (9)

A communication device capable of executing communication with both a terminal device and a target communication device,
A storage unit,
A setting value acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the storage unit, setting values set in the communication device for each of a plurality of setting items including the first type of setting items and the second type of setting items;
A data generation unit that generates setting data to be used when setting a setting value of the target communication device, wherein the setting data includes the setting value for the setting item of the first type, and the first setting value. The data generation unit including identification information associated with the setting value of the setting item of 2 types, and not including the setting value of the setting item of the second type;
A data transmission unit that transmits the setting data to the terminal device;
The setting value associated with the identification information included in the setting data is selected from the target communication device from any one of the terminal device and the target communication device that has acquired the setting data from the terminal device. A request acquisition unit for acquiring a transmission request for requesting transmission;
A setting value transmission unit that transmits the setting value of the second type of setting item associated with the identification information included in the transmission request to the target communication device without passing through the terminal device;
A communication device comprising: The communication device according to claim 1,
The communication device, wherein the request acquisition unit acquires the transmission request from the target communication device. The communication device according to claim 1,
The communication device, wherein the request acquisition unit acquires the transmission request from the terminal device. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The communication apparatus, wherein the setting item of the second type includes information on a password. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
The communication apparatus, wherein the setting data includes information indicating an item name for the setting item of the second type. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:
And a correspondence information storage unit that stores, in the storage unit, correspondence information that associates the setting value with the identification information for the setting item of the second type.
The set value transmission unit
When a predetermined time has not elapsed since the correspondence information on the identification information included in the transmission request is stored in the storage unit, the setting value associated with the identification information is determined based on the correspondence information. Send to the target communication device,
The communication apparatus which does not transmit the setting value to the target communication apparatus when a predetermined period of time elapses after the correspondence information on the identification information included in the transmission request is stored in the storage unit. A communication system comprising: a communication device capable of executing communication with both a terminal device and a target communication device; and the target communication device,
The communication device is
A storage unit,
A setting value acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the storage unit, setting values set in the communication device for each of a plurality of setting items including the first type of setting items and the second type of setting items;
A data generation unit that generates setting data to be used when setting a setting value of the target communication device, wherein the setting data includes the setting value for the setting item of the first type, and the first setting value. The data generation unit including identification information associated with the setting value of the setting item of 2 types, and not including the setting value of the setting item of the second type;
A data transmission unit that transmits the setting data to the terminal device;
The setting value associated with the identification information included in the setting data is selected from the target communication device from any one of the terminal device and the target communication device that has acquired the setting data from the terminal device. A request acquisition unit for acquiring a transmission request for requesting transmission;
A setting value transmission unit that transmits the setting value of the second type of setting item associated with the identification information included in the transmission request to the target communication device without passing through the terminal device;
Equipped with
The target communication device is
An identifying unit that identifies the identification information by analyzing the setting data acquired from the terminal device;
A notification unit configured to notify the terminal apparatus or the communication apparatus of the identified identification information;
A setting value receiving unit configured to receive the setting value associated with the identification information from the communication device;
For the first type of setting item, the setting value included in the setting data is set to the target communication device, and for the second type of setting item, the setting value received from the communication device is the target A setting unit set in the communication device;
A communication system comprising: The communication system according to claim 7, wherein
The identification unit of the target communication device identifies the communication device by analyzing the setting data acquired from the terminal device;
The communication system, wherein the notification unit notifies the identified communication device of the identification information. A communication device capable of executing communication with both the terminal device and the target communication device
A setting value acquisition function of acquiring setting values set in the communication device from the storage unit of the communication device for each of a plurality of setting items including the first type of setting items and the second type of setting items When,
It is a data generation function which generates setting data to be used when setting a setting value of the target communication device, wherein the setting data is the setting value for the setting item of the first type, and the first setting value. The data generation function including identification information associated with the setting value of setting items of two types, and not including the setting value of the setting item of the second type;
A data transmission function of transmitting the setting data to the terminal device;
The setting value associated with the identification information included in the setting data is transmitted to the target communication device from at least one of the terminal device and the target communication device that has acquired the setting data from the terminal device. Request acquisition function for acquiring a transmission request for requesting to
A setting value transmission function of transmitting the setting value of the setting item of the second type associated with the identification information included in the transmission request to the target communication device without passing through the terminal device;
A computer program that makes you realize.

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