JP2014029652A - Setting value rewriting program, and information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To limitedly allow specific persons to rewrite a setting value stored in an image forming apparatus to determine a level of an operation by an operation mechanism thereof so that the image forming apparatus can be adjusted, and thereby to prevent the setting value from being rewritten by an unauthorized person.SOLUTION: A computer 2 includes a rewriting instruction reception part 201 for receiving an instruction to rewrite a setting value of each item in an image forming apparatus 3 by a command input predetermined in association with the rewriting instruction, a setting value holding part 202 for holding the setting value about the item, and a rewriting information output part 203 for acquiring the setting value about the item shown by the rewriting instruction received to the rewriting instruction reception part 201 by the command input from the setting value holding part 202, and outputting the setting value and setting value rewriting information obtained by having the item to which the setting value is applied to the image forming apparatus 3.

Description

  The present invention relates to a setting value rewriting program and an information processing apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for rewriting a setting value stored in an electronic device to determine the level of operation by the operation mechanism.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, firmware, which is a program for controlling the operation of an image forming apparatus, is stored in an electronic apparatus such as an image forming apparatus (see Patent Document 1 below). The firmware stores an operation range indicating an operation level range by an operation mechanism provided in the image forming apparatus. This firmware determines the operation level of the operation mechanism according to the set value set by the operator within the operation range, and controls the operation of the operation mechanism. The set value can be set for each of a plurality of items that can be adjusted in the image forming apparatus, and the set value is stored in a storage area such as a memory provided in the image forming apparatus. Is done.

JP 2011-145947 A

  Here, when it is desired to adjust the operation level of the operation mechanism of the image forming apparatus, for example, to adjust the reference position of the image forming area with respect to the recording paper, the original reading reference area during the scanning operation, the print reference density, etc. It becomes necessary to reset the setting value for each item to a new setting value. However, since the appropriate operation level of the operation mechanism is determined by cooperation with other related operation mechanisms, specialized technical knowledge is required to change the value to a value that ensures proper operation. It is done. If any person can freely rewrite the set value, depending on the operator's technical knowledge, there is a risk that the image forming apparatus will not operate normally, and the management of the image forming apparatus will be hindered. obtain.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and the setting value stored in the electronic device for determining the operation level by the operation mechanism is limited to a specific person and can be rewritten. It is an object of the present invention to prevent a situation in which a setting value can be rewritten by an unauthorized person while enabling adjustment of an electronic device.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, for an item whose operation level can be adjusted in an electronic device, a rewrite instruction for a set value indicating the operation level of the operation indicated by the item is associated with the rewrite instruction. A rewrite instruction receiving unit that receives a command input in advance,
A set value holding section for holding set values for the items;
A setting value for an item indicated by the rewriting instruction received by the command input to the rewriting instruction receiving unit is acquired from the setting value holding unit, and the setting value and the item to which the setting value is applied are included. A setting value rewriting program for causing an information processing apparatus to function as a rewriting information output unit that creates setting value rewriting information and outputs the setting value rewriting information to the electronic device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, for an item whose operation level can be adjusted in an electronic device, a rewrite instruction for a set value indicating the operation level of the operation indicated by the item is associated with the rewrite instruction. A rewrite instruction receiving unit that receives a predetermined command input;
A set value holding section for holding set values for the items;
A setting value for an item indicated by the rewriting instruction received by the command input to the rewriting instruction receiving unit is acquired from the setting value holding unit, and the setting value and the item to which the setting value is applied are included. The information processing apparatus includes a rewrite information output unit that creates set value rewrite information and outputs the set value rewrite information to the electronic device.

  In these inventions, the rewrite information output unit acquires the set value for the item indicated by the rewrite instruction received by the input of the command to the rewrite instruction accepting unit from the set value holding unit, and the set value and the numerical value are obtained. Since the setting value rewriting information including the applied item is created and output to the electronic device, in order to rewrite the setting value of the item stored in the electronic device, the command is acquired, An operation for inputting a command to the rewrite instruction receiving unit is required. For this reason, the contents of the command are kept secret, and the operation and use of the information processing apparatus in which the setting value rewriting program according to claim 1 is installed or the information processing apparatus according to claim 3 are limited. Management, etc., ensure the security of rewriting the setting values of each item stored in the electronic device, prevent the unauthorized person from rewriting the setting values, and let the user know the contents of the command In addition, it is possible to allow the specific person to rewrite the set value and to adjust the electronic device.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the set value rewriting program according to claim 1, wherein the set value holding unit acquires a set value for each item from an operator, and the acquired setting The information processing apparatus is caused to further function so as to hold a value in association with an item to which the set value is applied.

  According to the present invention, for example, the setting value holding unit acquires the rewritten setting value when the setting value of the item stored in the electronic device has been rewritten in the past from the operator, and rewrites the instruction. In accordance with the command input to the accepting unit, it is possible to create setting value rewriting information including the rewritten setting value and output the rewriting information output unit to the electronic device. For this reason, it is possible to output a set value with a high probability of appropriately adjusting the electronic device to the electronic device, and to rewrite the previous set value stored in the electronic device with the effective set value.

  According to the present invention, the setting value stored for determining the level of operation by the operation mechanism of the electronic device can be rewritten only for a specific person to allow the electronic device to be adjusted, It becomes possible to prevent a situation in which a setting value can be rewritten by an authorized person.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a computer and an image forming apparatus that constitute a setting value rewriting system. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing for rewriting setting values for each function of the image forming apparatus from a computer.

  A set value rewriting program and an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer and an image forming apparatus constituting a set value rewriting system.

  The set value rewriting system 1 includes a computer 2 and an image forming apparatus 3.

  The computer 2 as an example of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention performs data communication with the image forming apparatus 3. A setting value rewriting program 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in the computer 2. The setting value rewriting program 6 is installed through a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a USB memory, or by downloading via the Internet or a network such as a LAN (local area network).

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus (an example of an electronic device) 3 is a multi-function machine including an operation mechanism such as a copy, a printer, a fax, and a scanner. The image forming apparatus 3 can perform data communication with the computer 2. In the image forming apparatus 3, firmware, which is a program for controlling each operation mechanism of the image forming apparatus 3, is installed in a mask ROM on the control board or a flash memory interfaced to the image forming apparatus 3. Yes. The control unit of the image forming apparatus 3 controls the operation of each operation mechanism by operating according to the firmware.

  The set value rewriting program 5 sends from the computer 2 to the image forming apparatus 3 setting values to be rewritten in order to rewrite the setting values for each item realized by the operation of the operation mechanism of the image forming apparatus 3. It is what is output.

  This item is an item realized by an operation by the operation mechanism of the image forming apparatus 3. For example, the destination setting of the image forming apparatus, the toner area code, the high altitude mode setting, the drum refresh setting, and the recording paper by the image forming unit The reference position of the print area with respect to the image, the reference area of the document reading in the scanning operation by the image reading section, or the print reference density of the image forming section. The set value is a value used to determine the operation level of the operation mechanism that operates to realize the content indicated by the item.

  Next, the outline of the configuration of the computer 2 and the image forming apparatus 3 will be described. It should be noted that the illustration and description will be focused on the configuration related to the present invention.

  First, the configuration of the computer 2 will be described. The computer 2 includes a control unit 20 that controls the overall operation of the computer 2, a ROM 21, a RAM 22, an HDD (Hard disk drive) 23, a display unit 24, a communication interface 25, and an input unit 26. . These units can transmit / receive data or signals to / from each other via a CPU bus.

  The ROM 21 stores an operation program for basic operations of the computer 2. The RAM 22 is used as an operation area of the control unit 20.

  The HDD 23 stores various programs to be operated by the computer 2, various data to be saved, and the like in the storage area. Further, the setting value rewriting program 5 according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed (stored) in the HDD 23.

  The display unit 24 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays operation guidance for an operator who operates the computer 2.

  The communication interface 25 is an interface for performing data communication with the image forming apparatus 3. In the present embodiment, the communication method between the communication interface 25 and the image forming apparatus 3 is described as being based on a USB cable connection. However, the communication method between the communication interface 25 and the image forming apparatus 3 is not limited to this.

  The input unit 26 includes a keyboard, a mouse pointer, and the like, and accepts input of setting values and the like of the above items that can be operated by the operation mechanism in the image forming apparatus 3 from the operator.

  The control unit 20 includes a CPU and the like, and includes a control unit 200, a rewrite instruction receiving unit 201, a set value holding unit 202, and a rewrite information output unit 203. The control unit 20 operates as the rewrite instruction receiving unit 201, the set value holding unit 202, and the rewrite information output unit 203 by operating in accordance with the set value rewriting program 5. The rewrite instruction accepting unit 201, the set value holding unit 202, and the rewrite information output unit 203 can be configured by hardware circuits without depending on the operation based on the set value rewriting program 5. In the present embodiment, the rewrite instruction receiving unit 201, the set value holding unit 202, and the rewrite information output unit 203 will be described as being realized by the operation of the control unit 20 based on the set value rewriting program 5.

  The control unit 200 controls the operation of the entire computer 2.

  The rewrite instruction accepting unit 201 accepts a rewrite instruction for rewriting the set value for each item in the image forming apparatus 3 by a command input that is determined in advance corresponding to the rewrite instruction.

  The command is a character string or the like determined differently for each item. The command is kept confidential by the administrator of the computer 2 or the image forming apparatus 3. If necessary, the administrator causes the manufacturer or worker of the image forming apparatus 3 to know the command under management.

  The set value holding unit 202 holds set values for the above items. The set value includes a control value for the operation of one or more operation mechanisms. For example, when the above item is the printing reference density, the set value is, for example, the surface potential of the photosensitive drum (charging potential by the charging device), the developing device, for an operation mechanism that requires an operation for changing the printing density. Control values indicating operation levels such as a developing bias, a transfer bias of the transfer device, and an exposure amount of the exposure device. That is, in this example, the control value is the charging voltage value by the charging device, the developing bias value of the developing device, the transfer bias value of the transfer device, the exposure amount value of the exposure device, etc. A set of values. When the item is a count of the number of printed sheets, the set value is a counter value for performing the count. In this case, if the set value is “0”, for example, the counter is reset. The set value holding unit 202 holds a value determined based on an experiment or the like by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 3 according to the operation corresponding to each item in the image forming apparatus 3.

  Note that the setting value holding unit 202 includes the manufacturer and the line such as the setting value after rewriting when the setting value of the item in the image forming apparatus 3 is rewritten in the past by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 3, the line operator, or the like. It is possible to hold a set value input by an operator or the like operating the input unit 26. Accordingly, when the command input from the operator is received by the rewrite instruction receiving unit 201, setting value rewriting information (described later) including a highly probable setting value capable of appropriately adjusting the image forming apparatus 3 is displayed as a rewriting information output unit. It is possible to rewrite the previous set value output from the image forming apparatus 203 to the image forming apparatus 3 and stored in the image forming apparatus 3 with the effective set value.

  The rewrite information output unit 203 acquires the set value for the item indicated by the rewrite instruction received by the rewrite instruction accepting unit 201 by the command input from the set value holding unit 202, and the set value and the set value are applied. The setting value rewriting information including the items to be created is created, and the created setting value rewriting information is output to the image forming apparatus 3. The rewrite information output unit 203 performs the communication with the image forming apparatus 3 via the communication interface 25. For example, when the set value rewriting information is output to the image forming apparatus 3, the rewrite information output unit 203 preferably outputs the set value rewrite information in XML format after being encrypted in the SSL format or the like. . In the present embodiment, a case where the rewrite information output unit 203 encrypts the set value rewrite information and outputs it to the image forming apparatus 3 will be described as an example. The data format of the setting value rewriting information by the rewriting information output unit 203 is not intended to be limited to the XML format.

  For example, the setting value rewriting program 5 is used as a DLL (Dynamic Link Library) when the computer 2 performs an operation of outputting setting value rewriting information to the image forming apparatus 3 based on the input of the predetermined command. It is done.

  Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 3 will be described.

  The image forming apparatus 3 includes a control unit 30, a display unit 35, an image forming unit 36, an image reading unit 37, a communication interface 38, and an operation unit 47.

  The communication interface 38 is an interface for performing data communication with the computer 2.

  The control unit 30 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls operation of the image forming apparatus 3. The control unit 30 includes a mask ROM (or flash memory). Firmware that is a program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 3 is installed in the mask ROM. The control unit 30 functions as the set value information acquisition unit 31 and the control unit 32 by operating according to the firmware.

  The setting value information acquisition unit 31 acquires the above-described setting value rewriting information output from the computer 2 via the communication interface 38.

  The set value information acquisition unit 31 includes a security unit 311 and an XML parser unit 312. The mask ROM stores programs for operating the control unit 30 as these units. The control unit 30 functions as the security unit 311 and the XML parser unit 312 by operating according to the programs.

  The security unit 311 performs an encryption process and a decryption process such as an SSL format used for data communication with the computer 2. The security unit 311 decrypts the encrypted data such as the SSL format acquired from the computer 2, and performs encryption processing on the data to be output to the computer 2 using the SSL or the like.

  The XML parser unit 312 interprets the XML format data decrypted by the security unit 311 and converts it into a data format that can be handled by the control unit 32.

  The control unit 32 is in charge of controlling each operation mechanism of the image forming apparatus 3. The control unit 32 includes, for example, an OS and an Entity, and performs process input / output management and the like according to the contents indicated by the data after interpretation by the XML parser unit 312. The control unit 32 functions as a set value storage unit 321, an operation control unit 322, and a set value change unit 323.

  The set value storage unit 321 stores a set value indicating the operation level of each operation mechanism of the image forming apparatus 3. For example, when the operation mechanism is the image forming unit 36, the setting value storage unit 321 includes each operation mechanism such as a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and a paper transport mechanism that form the image forming unit 36. Are stored as set values such as charging voltage value, exposure light quantity, developing bias, transfer bias, fixing temperature, and paper transport roller rotation speed necessary for the operation.

  The operation control unit 322 controls the operation of each operation mechanism provided in the image forming apparatus 3, for example, the image forming unit 36, the image reading unit 37, and the like. The operation control unit 322 controls the operation of each operation mechanism of the image forming apparatus 3 using each setting value stored in the setting value storage unit 321. Note that the mechanism of the image forming apparatus 3 whose operation is controlled by the operation control unit 322 is not limited to the image forming unit 36 and the image reading unit 37.

  The setting value changing unit 323 receives the setting value rewriting information acquired from the image forming apparatus 3 by the setting value information acquiring unit 31, and among the setting values for each operation mechanism stored in the setting value storage unit 321, The setting value corresponding to the item indicated by the acquired setting value rewriting information is changed to the setting value indicated by the setting value rewriting information.

  For example, when the item indicated by the set value rewriting information is the print reference position, the set value changing unit 323 includes a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, and the image forming unit 36 that performs an operation for determining the print reference position. Controls stored in the setting value storage unit 321 such as a charging voltage value, exposure light amount, developing bias, transfer bias, fixing temperature, and paper conveyance roller rotation speed necessary for the operation of the fixing device and the paper conveyance mechanism. The value is rewritten to each control value forming the set value indicated by the set value rewriting information.

  Further, for example, when the item indicated by the setting value information is a count of the number of printed sheets, the setting value changing unit 323 displays the value of the counter that performs the counting (stored in the setting value storage unit 321). The setting value indicated by the setting value information is rewritten. When the setting value indicated by the setting value information is “0”, for example, the setting value changing unit 323 includes a counter for counting the number of printed sheets among the setting values for the respective functions stored in the setting value storage unit 321. Change the count value to '0' to reset the count value.

  The image forming unit 36 is a mechanism for forming an image on a recording medium. As described above, the image forming unit 36 includes, for example, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and a paper transport mechanism.

  The image reading unit 37 includes a scanner that reads an original image.

  The operation unit 47 includes a numeric keypad and a start key to which an image formation execution instruction is input, and receives various operation instructions for the image forming apparatus 3 from the operator.

  Next, a process of rewriting setting values for each function of the image forming apparatus 3 from the computer 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing processing for rewriting the setting values for the respective functions of the image forming apparatus 3 from the computer 2.

  As a premise, the setting value rewriting program 5 is installed in the computer 2. The operator connects one end of the USB cable to the communication interface 25 of the computer 2 (S1) and connects the other end of the USB cable to the communication interface 38 of the image forming apparatus 3.

  Further, in the computer 2, when the operator inputs an activation instruction for the set value rewriting program 5 from the input unit 26 (S2), the control unit 20 activates the set value rewriting program 5 (S3). As a result, the control unit 20 functions as the rewrite instruction receiving unit 201, the set value holding unit 202, and the rewrite information output unit 203.

  Thereafter, when the operator inputs a command corresponding to an item whose setting value is to be rewritten among the above items in the image forming apparatus 3 by operating the input unit 26 (S4), the rewrite instruction receiving unit 201 displays the command. Is received (S4).

  Subsequently, the rewrite information output unit 203 reads the set value of the item corresponding to the command from the set value holding unit 202, and sets the read set value and the set value rewrite information indicating the item to which the set value is applied. The set value rewriting information is generated and output to the image forming apparatus 3 in the encrypted XML data format via the communication interface 25 (S5).

  In the image forming apparatus 3, the security unit 311 acquires the encrypted setting value rewriting information via the communication interface 38 and decrypts the setting value rewriting information. The item indicated by the decoded set value rewriting information and the set value for the item are interpreted by the XML parser unit 312.

  The setting value changing unit 323 uses the item indicated by the setting value rewriting information and the setting value for the item, among the setting values stored in the setting value storage unit 321, the acquired setting value rewriting. The setting value of the item indicated by the information is rewritten to the setting value indicated by the setting value rewriting information (S6).

  The setting value rewriting program 5 further has a function of operating the computer 2 as a setting value confirmation unit (not shown) that acquires the setting values from the image forming apparatus. Based on this function, the control unit 20 of the computer 2 operates. Further, it is assumed that the device further operates as a set value confirmation unit, and after S6, an instruction to confirm the set values of the items rewritten by the image forming apparatus 3 is input by an operation of the input unit 26 of the computer 2 by the operator. (S7), the set value confirmation unit receives the confirmation instruction and requests the image forming apparatus 3 to transmit the set values of the items after being rewritten in S6 via the communication interface 25 (S8). In the image forming apparatus 3, for example, the operation control unit 322 receives the set value stored from the set value storage unit 321 at this point in time from the set value storage unit 321. Reads the setting values determined are shown, the read setting values, may be as via the communication interface 38 to the computer 2 (S9). In this case, in the computer 2, the set value confirmation unit displays the set values of the above items sent from the image forming apparatus 3 on the display unit 24 (S10). In this case, the computer 2 not only outputs the set values of the above items to the image forming apparatus 3, but also confirms that the set values are rewritten as scheduled in the image forming apparatus 3. can do.

  In the processes of S7 to S10, it is preferable to transmit and receive after encrypting information to be communicated by the SSL method or the like during data communication between the computer 2 and the image forming apparatus 3.

  According to the setting value rewriting process described above, when the operator performs an operation of rewriting the setting value of the item stored in the image forming apparatus 3, the operator learns the command and receives the command to rewrite the command. An operation to be input to the unit 201 is required.

  For example, the administrator keeps the command secret, and discloses the command only to a specific person engaged in manufacturing or adjustment work of the image forming apparatus 3 such as a manufacturer or a line operator, thereby rewriting the set value. 1st security can be ensured.

  Even if the contents of the command are leaked to a third party and the third party can input the command to the computer 2, the setting value rewriting program 5 or the computer 2 Unless this is done, the setting value rewriting information is not created (that is, the input command does not function effectively), and this third party cannot rewrite the setting values of the items in the image forming apparatus 3.

  Thereby, the administrator of the computer 2 or the image forming apparatus 3 manages each item in the image forming apparatus 3 by managing the confidentiality of the contents of the command or limiting the operation and use of the computer 2. It is possible to secure strong security with respect to rewriting the set value, and to prevent a setting value from being rewritten without permission by an unauthorized person. On the other hand, it is possible to permit adjustment of the image forming apparatus 3 by permitting a specific person who knows the contents of the command to rewrite the set value.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus that is the target of setting value rewriting by the computer 2 has been described using a multifunction peripheral. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other printers, copiers, facsimile apparatuses, and the like are used. An image forming apparatus is also possible. Furthermore, the electronic device that is the target of setting value rewriting by the computer 2 may be a mobile terminal device other than the image forming apparatus, a medical device, an information processing device, or the like.

  The configuration and processing shown in each of the above embodiments using FIGS. 1 and 2 are only one embodiment of the present invention, and the configuration and processing of the present invention are not limited to this.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Setting rewriting system 2 Computer 20 Control unit 200 Control part 201 Rewriting instruction reception part 202 Setting value holding part 203 Rewriting information output part 3 Image forming apparatus 31 Setting value information acquisition part 32 Control part 5 Setting value rewriting program

Claims (3)

Rewrite instruction reception for an item whose operation level can be adjusted in an electronic device, in which a rewrite instruction for a set value indicating the operation level of the operation indicated by the item is received by a predetermined command input in association with the rewrite instruction And
A set value holding section for holding set values for the items;
A setting value for an item indicated by the rewriting instruction received by the command input to the rewriting instruction receiving unit is acquired from the setting value holding unit, and the setting value and the item to which the setting value is applied are included. A setting value rewriting program for causing an information processing apparatus to function as a rewriting information output unit that creates setting value rewriting information and outputs the setting value rewriting information to the electronic device.   The set value holding unit further acquires the set value for each item from the operator, and further stores the acquired set value in association with the item to which the set value is applied. The set value rewriting program according to claim 1, wherein the set value rewriting program is made to function. Rewrite instruction reception for an item whose operation level can be adjusted in an electronic device, in which a rewrite instruction for a set value indicating the operation level of the operation indicated by the item is received by a predetermined command input in association with the rewrite instruction And
A set value holding section for holding set values for the items;
A setting value for an item indicated by the rewriting instruction received by the command input to the rewriting instruction receiving unit is acquired from the setting value holding unit, and the setting value and the item to which the setting value is applied are included. An information processing apparatus comprising: a rewrite information output unit that creates set value rewrite information and outputs the set value rewrite information to the electronic device.