JP5201221B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing system, and control program for image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and a control program for the image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and a control program for the image processing apparatus that can facilitate setting of the apparatus.

  In an image processing apparatus (scanner function, facsimile function, copying function, printer function, data communication function, MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) having a server function, facsimile apparatus, copying machine, printer, scanner, etc.) Some have a user (user) authentication function. The user authentication function is a function in which the image processing apparatus determines the legitimacy (use authority) of the user based on whether or not the user who uses the image processing apparatus is a registered user. As a user authentication method, (1) a general login method by inputting an ID and a password, (2) a method of reading a magnetic card or the like given to the user, and (3) biometric authentication such as fingerprint authentication. There is a way to do. User authentication is first performed every time the user uses the image processing apparatus.

  By user authentication, individual users who use the image processing apparatus can be specified. Some image processing apparatuses customize an operation screen (operation panel) for each identified user and display a customized screen dedicated to the user. In the customization screen, user's favorite color settings and user's favorite display items can be registered. Also, from the viewpoint of accessibility, it is possible to register color settings that are easy to identify for people with color blindness and character sizes that are easy to read for people with low vision.

  However, there is a problem that a user who performs settings related to accessibility needs to perform settings from an operation screen in an initial state that is difficult to operate, which is inconvenient. That is, the initial operation screen is difficult to see for a color blind person or a low vision person, but a color blind person or a low vision person must make settings while viewing such a screen.

  In order to solve such problems, as described in Patent Document 1 below, personal information such as visual and auditory senses of each user is registered in the image processing apparatus in advance, and the display contents are changed based on the personal information. Can be considered.

  In addition to the customization screen, it is conceivable to store the user's individual settings in the image processing apparatus. For example, security-related settings such as encryption and use of electronic signatures when sending e-mails, and default settings for job operations are saved.

  Patent Document 2 below discloses that various setting values of a printing apparatus are stored for each user, thereby eliminating the troublesomeness of resetting while maintaining security. When the registered authenticated user logs in to the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus stores settings for determining use conditions in the storage unit. At the next login, the printing apparatus reads the setting from the storage unit and operates according to the read setting.

  The setting is, for example, color designation of an operation screen provided in the printing apparatus. By setting, the background color, characters, keys, etc. of the operation screen are individually set.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-344681 JP 2006-231760 A

  When registering the above-mentioned customization screen, there are many items that can be set, and there is a problem that it is troublesome to make the user's favorite color or display item. That is, as in Patent Document 2, there is a problem that it takes time to save operation panel settings and print settings for each user.

  Also, as in Patent Document 1, when registering personal information such as accessibility for persons with disabilities, items related to personal privacy such as vision and hearing are registered, and the risk of leakage of personal information is considered. It is not preferable.

  Furthermore, when the security level set in the image processing apparatus is lower than the security level of a personal computer (personal computer) that is normally used by the user, the user may not notice that. . In this case, a security vulnerability unintended by the user exists in the system, which is not preferable.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and a control program for the image processing apparatus that can easily set the apparatus. It is said.

According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, an image processing apparatus, an identification unit for identifying a user who uses the image processing apparatus, communication with an external device Ru Tei associated with the user identified by the identification unit a communication unit that performs, when a user logs into the image processing apparatus, or by a user instruction, via the communication unit, by requiring the setting information to the control program of the external device, is installed in the external device as the setting information An acquisition unit that acquires the installation status of the software of the predetermined function, and a setting unit that reflects information related to the predetermined function on the display of an operation screen included in the image processing apparatus based on the acquired information.

  Preferably, the acquisition unit acquires setting information for a left-handed user as information related to setting of a device driver installed in an external device.

  Preferably, the acquisition unit acquires at least one of information regarding installation of voice recognition software of the external device and information regarding whether or not the reading function is valid.

  Preferably, the acquisition unit acquires at least one of a character size of the e-mail transmission / reception software of the external device and a security setting of the e-mail transmission / reception software, and the setting unit receives the mail of the image processing device based on the acquired information. Set the transmission function.

  Preferably, the acquisition unit acquires at least one of the character size of the Web browser of the external device and the security setting of the Web browser, and the setting unit sets the setting of the Web browser of the image processing device based on the acquired information. Do.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in an image processing system including an image processing device and an external device connected by a network, the image processing device includes an identification unit that identifies a user who uses the image processing device, and an identification unit in a communication unit that communicates with an external device Ru associated Tei to identified user, when the user logs in to the image processing apparatus, or by a user instruction, via the communication unit, set in the control program of the external device An acquisition unit that acquires the installation status of software of a predetermined function installed in an external device as setting information by requesting information, and an operation in which the image processing apparatus includes information on the predetermined function based on the acquired information and a setting unit to be reflected in the display screen, the external device, software installation of certain features that are installed in the multifunction peripheral Collection and collection unit for collecting Le status information about the configuration of the external device, information on setting of the installed device driver to an external device, and of the information about setting the application installed in the external device, at least one And a transmission unit that transmits the collected information to the image processing apparatus. The acquisition unit of the image processing apparatus acquires the information transmitted by the transmission unit of the external device.

The control program further image processing device According to another aspect of the present invention, a communication carried out an identification step of identifying a user who uses the image processing apparatus, a communication external device with Ru Tei associated with the user identified by the identification step When the user logs in to the image processing apparatus or by the user's instruction, requesting the setting information from the control program of the external apparatus in the communication step, the predetermined function installed in the external apparatus as the setting information The computer is caused to execute an acquisition step of acquiring a software installation status and a setting step of reflecting information related to a predetermined function on the display of an operation screen provided in the image processing apparatus based on the acquired information.

  According to these inventions, the image processing apparatus that has identified the user who uses the image processing apparatus is set to the external apparatus by communicating with the external apparatus associated with the user identified by the identification unit. Get information. Based on the acquired information, the setting unit sets the image processing apparatus. Thus, since the image processing apparatus is automatically set according to the user identification, an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and a control program for the image processing apparatus that can easily set the apparatus are provided. It becomes possible.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of MFP 100 and one PC 200 that communicates with MFP 100. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating user registration processing executed by the MFP. It is a flowchart which shows the registration process to the network of personal PC. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by a personal PC and an MFP. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a printer driver setting screen. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an operation panel of an MFP before change (default). FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a change of an operation panel display. It is a figure which shows the example of a change of an operation panel display. It is a figure which shows the example of a change of an operation panel display. It is a figure which shows the example of a change of an operation panel display. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an e-mail text before change (default) in the MFP. It is a figure which shows the example of a change of an email setting. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a Web browser before changing (default) in the MFP. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a change of a web browser setting.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the image processing system includes an MFP 100 as an example of an image processing apparatus connected to a network, and a plurality of personal computers (hereinafter “PC”) 200A and 200B as examples of a plurality of external apparatuses. Is done. Instead of the PC, a mobile phone or a mobile terminal used by each individual may be used in the system.

  MFP 100 has a user authentication function. As described above, the user authentication function is a function in which the image processing apparatus determines the legitimacy (use authority) of the user. As a user authentication method, (1) a general login method by inputting an ID and a password, (2) a method of reading a magnetic card or the like given to the user, and (3) biometric authentication such as fingerprint authentication. However, any of these may be adopted in the present embodiment. In the following description, a general login method by inputting an ID and a password will be described. User authentication is performed each time the user uses the image forming apparatus. By user authentication, individual users who use the image forming apparatus can be specified.

  MFP 100 includes an operation / display unit (operation panel) including a liquid crystal display device and a transparent touch panel stacked thereon. A user registered in MFP 100 is associated with a PC used by the user. That is, the ID of each MFP user is associated with the IP address of the PC (the user's dedicated PC, also referred to as “personal PC”) connected to the network and normally used by the user. And stored in the MFP.

  A control program (printer driver or the like) installed on the PC has a function of collecting information by referring to PC environment setting information, device driver setting information installed on the PC, and application setting information installed on the PC. . A device driver is software for controlling hardware such as a graphic display or mouse (whether it is a peripheral device of a PC or a device built in a PC) and providing an interface to application software. It is.

  When an authenticated user logs in to the MFP or in response to an instruction from the authenticated user, the MFP accesses a control program of the PC associated with the user. As a result, the MFP collects the setting information described above and, based on the information, sets the environment of the operation screen of the MFP or the application within the MFP.

  That is, MFP 100 accesses an external device (personal PC) on the network and acquires information set in the external device. MFP 100 creates display contents and the like on the operation / display unit based on the acquired setting information.

  The setting information to be acquired includes PC desktop environment settings, PC accessibility settings, PC e-mail transmission / reception software environment settings (text size, etc.), and PC e-mail transmission / reception software security settings (encryption / electronic It can be considered whether or not a signature is used, environment setting (character size, etc.) of the PC web browser, security setting of the PC web browser (cookie permission level, active script execution permission), and the like.

  The PC desktop environment settings include, for example, icon character size (and monitor size and resolution), desktop color settings (character color, background color, and the like). The character size of the icon set in the personal PC is acquired and reflected in the character size (and monitor size and resolution) of the operation panel of the MFP. Also, the desktop color setting is acquired and reflected in the color settings (text color, background color, etc.) on the operation panel of the MFP.

  In other words, it is assumed that a user who normally uses a personal PC authenticates with the MFP and is permitted to use the MFP. At this time, if the character size of the icon set in the user's personal PC is larger than usual, the character size of the operation panel of the MFP is made larger than usual. In addition, a color of the same system is used for display on the operation panel of the MFP in accordance with the desktop color setting of the user's personal PC (at least one of the background color and the character color).

  PC accessibility settings include, for example, whether the mouse is set for left-handed use (such as switching the functions of the left and right mouse buttons), whether voice recognition software is installed, and the use of the reading function. (The settings relating to accessibility of the PC are acquired from the setting information of each device driver installed in the personal PC). If the personal computer mouse is set for left-handed use, the MFP's operation panel is used for left-handed use (the button layout on the operation screen is reversed horizontally). If voice recognition software is installed in the PC, the voice recognition mode of the MFP is validated. In addition, if the PC has a record of using the reading function, the character reading mode of the MFP is validated.

  When the environment setting (such as the text size of the body) of the PC e-mail transmission / reception software is acquired, it is applied to the environment setting of the MFP e-mail transmission / reception function.

  When the security setting of the PC e-mail transmission / reception software (such as whether or not encryption / electronic signature is used) is acquired, it is applied to the security setting of the e-mail transmission / reception function of the MFP.

  When the PC web browser environment setting (such as character size) is acquired, it is applied to the MFP web browser environment setting.

  When the PC web browser security settings (cookie permission level, active script execution permission, etc.) are acquired, they are applied to the MFP web browser security settings.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of MFP 100 and one PC 200 that communicates with MFP 100.

  Referring to FIG. 1, MFP 100 includes a system controller 103 that controls the entire apparatus, an image reading unit 101 that includes a CCD and an optical system, reads an image from a document, an image processing unit 107 that performs various types of image processing, and a known device. An image forming unit 109 including a print engine for forming an image on a sheet by an electrophotographic method or an ink jet method, and a touch panel provided with a liquid crystal display device, an operation / display for displaying information to the user and receiving an operation input from the user Display unit (operation panel) 105, microphone 111 for inputting sound, speaker 113 for outputting sound, memory 115 for storing image data and various programs, communication unit 117 for performing communication via a network, and image A storage unit 119 (hard disk device) that stores data, user information, various programs, and the like. Composed from disk, etc.).

  The program 115a stored in the memory 115 functions as a control program for the MFP, and operates the MFP so as to execute processing described below.

  The storage unit 119 is provided with a plurality of user areas 119A, 119B, 119C,..., And in each area, the IP address of the personal PC, the operation panel setting of the MFP for the individual, and the application in the MFP for the individual Stores settings.

  Each of the plurality of user areas 119A, 119B, 119C,... Is associated with a user ID. As a result, the IP address of the personal PC corresponding to the logged-in user, the MFP operation panel settings for the user, and the application settings in the MFP for the user can be read.

  Note that the setting of the operation panel of the MFP and the setting of the application in the MFP may not be stored in the storage unit 119. In this case, when the user logs in, the MFP accesses the personal PC by obtaining the IP address of the personal PC corresponding to the user ID. Based on the access, the MFP acquires the setting of the personal PC, and based on the setting, sets the operation panel of the MFP and sets the application in the MFP.

  The PC 200 includes a CPU 207 that controls the entire apparatus, an operation / display unit 201 including a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, a memory 203 that stores image data and various programs, and a communication unit that performs communication via a network. 205, an external I / F 209 for communicating with an external image storage device such as a USB memory card, a digital camera, and an external HDD, and a storage unit 211 (such as a hard disk).

  The storage unit 211 stores a printer driver 215, desktop settings 217 of the PC 200, application settings 219 installed on the PC 200, and device driver settings 221 installed on the PC 200.

  The printer driver 215 is software for controlling the MFP 100 to control the MFP 100 based on a print instruction of application software installed in the PC and perform printout. A printer driver for operating a printer other than the MFP 100 may be used. In addition to the function of controlling MFP 100, printer driver 215 has a function of collecting various PC settings from within PC and transmitting them to MFP 100 (details will be described later).

  In this example, the printer driver has a function of collecting various settings of the PC and transmitting the settings to the MFP 100. However, dedicated software (control program) having such functions is stored in the storage unit 211. You may make it operate | move and may implement | achieve such a function in other software.

  In other words, the printer driver 215 in the present embodiment installed in the PC 200 includes (1) a function as a normal printer driver, (2) a function to make the PC a server, and (3) a desktop theme of the PC 200 ( Monitor color setting / character size), application settings such as e-mail transmission / reception software and Web browser, and device driver settings of devices such as a mouse.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing user registration processing executed by the MFP.

  Referring to the figure, user registration is started in step S101. This accepts input of the user name and password of the user who uses the image processing system. At the same time as user registration, in step S 103, the input of the IP address of the user's personal PC is accepted and registered in the storage unit 119.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the registration process of the personal PC to the network.

  Referring to the figure, processing for installing the printer driver in the PC is performed in step S201. In step S203, the IP address of MFP 100 on the network is registered in the PC.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the personal PC and the MFP.

  In step S301, an input for enabling the “dynamic screen customization function” of the MFP is received from the user on the printer driver setting screen of the personal PC. The “dynamic screen customization function” indicates a function for reflecting the setting of the personal PC in the setting of the MFP. Accordingly, the printer driver uses the personal PC as a server, and the personal PC starts operating as a server. That is, the personal PC functions as a server that transmits predetermined information to the MFP in response to an access from the MFP as a client.

  In step S303, the user of the personal PC goes to the MFP and logs in to the MFP by entering an ID and password (alternatively, the other authentication described above may be performed). The MFP identifies the user to be used by accepting such a login input. In step S305, the MFP reads the IP address of the personal PC registered in association with the login user. The MFP accesses the personal PC based on the IP address. The MFP requests the personal PC to acquire environmental information. In step S307, the personal PC detects the request.

  In step S309, the printer driver of the personal PC collects each setting (desktop theme, application setting, device driver setting, etc.) from within the personal PC. In step S311, those settings are transmitted to the MFP.

  In step S313, the MFP acquires the transmitted setting. In step S315, the MFP changes settings of the operation panel of the MFP, application settings of the MFP, and the like based on the acquired setting information.

  By such processing, every time the user logs in (every time the MFP is used), the MFP can read the setting information from the personal PC and dynamically change the operation panel. By reading each time the user logs in, there is an effect that even if the setting information is changed, it can be immediately handled.

  In order to cope with the case where the personal PC is not connected to the network, the setting information received from the personal PC at the previous login may be held in the MFP (or in the network storage). If the personal PC is not found, the stored setting is applied. Of course, the MFP panel setting information and application setting information corresponding to the user of the personal PC may be stored in association with the personal PC as in the storage unit 119 of FIG. When the personal PC is not connected to the network, settings are made based on the setting information.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a printer driver setting screen.

  As shown in the figure, when the item “Enable dynamic screen customization function” is checked, “Dynamic screen customization function” is enabled.

  In addition, when the “dynamic screen customization function” is enabled, the character size in the desktop theme of the PC (PC customization information set), the color setting in the desktop theme, the character size of the e-mail transmission / reception software, e-mail transmission / reception Whether or not to obtain software security settings (encryption, digital signature), Web browser character size, and Web browser security settings (Cookie, active script) can be individually set.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the operation panel of the MFP before change (default).

  The operation panel is configured so that the user can select a function to be used from each tab of “basic”, “original”, “image quality”, and “application”.

  When the “Basic” tab is selected, color, paper, magnification, and finishing can be set.

  [Example of operation panel display change 1]

  In response to an environment information acquisition request from the MFP, the printer driver searches and acquires the desktop theme (icon character size, background color, character color), monitor size, and resolution from the PC, and sends it to the MFP. Send. The MFP changes the character size, background color, and character color of the operation panel of the MFP based on the acquired information.

  For example, a user who has set the character size of the PC to be easily viewable due to visual impairment can set the character size of the operation panel of the MFP to the same size as the character size of his / her PC. Further, in order to perform such display, the user does not have to make a special setting.

  In addition, a user who has set the color setting of the PC to an easy-to-see color due to color blindness can reflect the same color setting on the operation panel of the MFP. In addition, it is possible to display colors that are easy to see without special settings.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the operation panel display.

  Here, instead of the display of FIG. 7, an example is shown in which the character size is increased and the display color is changed in accordance with the setting of the personal PC. For example, on the operation panel before the change (default), it is assumed that characters are displayed in black on a white background (background is white and characters are black). If the character is set to be displayed in white on a black background on the personal PC screen, the character is displayed in white on a black background on the MFP screen as shown in FIG.

  [Example 2 of changing operation panel display]

  In response to an environment information acquisition request from the MFP, the printer driver searches and acquires the pointing device setting (whether the mouse button is reversed left or right) as the device driver setting from within the PC. Is sent to the MFP. The MFP changes the arrangement of the operation panel of the MFP based on the acquired information.

  More specifically, in the personal PC, when the left and right mouse buttons are set to be reversed, the arrangement of the components of the operation panel is reversed and displayed.

  A user who has reversed the left and right mouse buttons is left-handed. By default (FIG. 7), the operation panel is arranged for right-handed use. Therefore, by flipping the left and right, there is an effect that it becomes easy for left-handed users to use.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the operation panel display.

  Here, instead of the display of FIG. 7, an example is shown in which the configuration of the operation panel is reversed left and right in accordance with the setting of the personal PC.

  [Example of environment change 1]

  In response to an environment information acquisition request from the MFP, the printer driver searches and acquires the installation status of voice recognition software as PC application setting information from within the PC, and transmits it to the MFP. If the MFP has a voice recognition function, the voice recognition mode is set to a default setting (or turned on) based on the acquired information.

  Accordingly, there is an effect that a user who performs voice PC operation with voice recognition software on his / her PC can perform voice operation on the MFP without any particular setting. In addition, settings such as voice recognition directed to persons with physical disabilities can be reflected from the PC to the MFP.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the operation panel display.

  Here, instead of the display of FIG. 7, the voice recognition function is turned on by default in accordance with the setting of the personal PC.

  [Example 2 of environmental changes]

  In response to an environment information acquisition request from the MFP, the printer driver searches and acquires the reading mode setting of each application from within the PC, and transmits it to the MFP. If the MFP has a reading function, the MFP sets the reading mode to a default setting (or turns on) based on the acquired information.

  For example, a user who has set a reading mode on his / her PC due to a visual impairment or the like can use the function by default in the MFP.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the operation panel display.

  Here, instead of the display of FIG. 7, the reading mode is on by default in accordance with the setting of the personal PC. The character at the selected location surrounded by the thick frame “A” is read out.

  [Example of changing email settings]

  In response to an environment information acquisition request from the MFP, the printer driver searches and acquires the settings of the e-mail transmission / reception software (character size, encryption, validity / invalidity of the electronic signature) from the PC, and acquires them in the MFP. Send. Based on the acquired information, the MFP sets the character size, encryption, and validity / invalidity of the electronic signature in the electronic mail transmission function of the MFP.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of the email text before change (default) in the MFP.

  Here, it is assumed that the character size is standard and encryption is not set.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing e-mail settings.

  Here, instead of the display of FIG. 12, the character size is increased in accordance with the setting of the personal PC. Also, encryption and digital signatures are enabled, as shown in the message "This message is sent encrypted" and "This message is sent digitally signed." .

  In this way, the e-mail character size in the e-mail transmission function of the MFP can be matched to the PC. In addition, security settings such as encryption and use of electronic signatures in the PC e-mail transmission / reception software can be reflected in the MFP.

  [Example of changing Web browser settings]

  In response to an environment information acquisition request from the MFP, the printer driver searches and acquires the setting of the Web browser (character size, cookie or active script validity / invalidity) from the PC, and transmits it to the MFP. When the MFP has a Web browsing function, the MFP sets the character size of the Web browser of the MFP, and the validity / invalidity of the cookie and active script based on the acquired information.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example of the Web browser before change (default) in the MFP.

  Here, it is assumed that the character size is standard and Cookie and Java scripts are permitted.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the Web browser setting.

  Here, instead of the display of FIG. 14, the character size is increased in accordance with the setting of the personal PC. In addition, as shown in the message “B” in the figure, “! Cookie is prohibited for the current setting” and “! Execution of Java script is prohibited for the current setting.” Cookies and active scripts are disabled.

  In this way, the character size of the Web browser of the PC can be reflected in the character size of the Web browser of the MFP. In addition, security settings such as the cookie permission level and active script execution permission in the PC web browser can be reflected in the security settings such as the cookie permission level and active script execution permission in the MFP web browser.

  [Effects of the embodiment]

  The environment setting of the personal PC is usually completed before the individual registers as a user in the MFP. As in the above-described embodiment, there is an effect that it is possible to save the trouble of setting the operation panel of the MFP by acquiring the environment setting from the personal PC.

  An MFP display panel is often smaller than a PC monitor (and image processing apparatuses such as MFPs often do not have a keyboard). There is a problem that it takes time. In the present embodiment, since the setting on the PC is reflected on the MFP as it is, such a problem can be solved.

  Further, it is possible to prevent registration of personal information and other information related to privacy in the MFP.

  Furthermore, the vulnerability of the system can be prevented by matching the security level of the MFP to that of the PC.

  [Others]

  In FIG. 2, the correspondence between the user ID and the IP address of the personal PC is stored in the storage unit 119 in the MFP 100. However, this correspondence is stored in an external server and acquired from the MFP. Also good.

  In the above embodiment, when the user logs in to the MFP, the MFP acquires information from the personal PC. However, the acquisition timing may be arbitrary. For example, the MFP may acquire in response to an instruction from the user, or the MFP may acquire periodically by communicating with each personal PC.

  Moreover, it can also implement combining the matter described as each above-mentioned example. For example, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that performs all the setting changes described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 15 or an image processing apparatus that performs at least one of the settings.

  The present invention can be implemented for an image processing apparatus such as an MFP, a facsimile machine, a copying machine, a scanner, or a printer.

  Further, the processing in the above-described embodiment may be performed by software or by using a hardware circuit.

  In addition, a program for executing the processing in the above-described embodiment can be provided, and the program is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, and a memory card and provided to the user. You may decide to do it. The processes described in the flowcharts and texts are executed by the CPU according to the program. The program may be downloaded to the apparatus via a communication line such as the Internet.

  In addition, it should be thought that the said embodiment is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

100 MFP
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Image reading part 103 System controller 105 Operation / display part 107 Image processing part 109 Image formation part 115 Memory 115a Program 117 Communication part 119 Storage part 200 Personal PC
201 Operation / Display Unit 203 Memory 205 Communication Unit 207 CPU
209 External I / F
211 Storage unit 215 Printer driver

Claims (7)

An identification unit for identifying a user who uses the image processing apparatus;
A communication unit that communicates with the Ru Tei associated with the user identified by the identification unit external device,
When the user logs in to the image processing apparatus or by an instruction from the user, the setting information is installed in the external apparatus as the setting information by requesting the setting information from the control program of the external apparatus via the communication unit. An acquisition unit for acquiring the installation status of software for a predetermined function;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a setting unit configured to reflect information on the predetermined function on a display of an operation screen included in the image processing apparatus based on the acquired information.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires setting information for a left-handed user as information relating to a setting of a device driver installed in the external apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires at least one of information regarding installation of voice recognition software of the external apparatus and information regarding whether or not a reading function is valid. The acquisition unit acquires at least one of a character size of the e-mail transmission / reception software of the external device and a security setting of the e-mail transmission / reception software;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets a mail transmission function of the image processing apparatus based on the acquired information. The acquisition unit acquires at least one of a character size of a Web browser of the external device and a security setting of the Web browser;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit performs setting of a Web browser of the image processing apparatus based on the acquired information. An image processing system comprising an image processing device and an external device connected by a network,
The image processing apparatus includes:
An identification unit for identifying a user who uses the image processing apparatus;
A communication unit that communicates with the Ru Tei associated with the user identified by the identification unit external device,
When the user logs in to the image processing apparatus or by an instruction from the user, the setting information is installed in the external apparatus as the setting information by requesting the setting information from the control program of the external apparatus via the communication unit. An acquisition unit for acquiring the installation status of software for a predetermined function;
A setting unit that reflects information related to the predetermined function on the display of an operation screen included in the image processing device based on the acquired information;
The external device is
A collection unit that collects the installation status of software of a predetermined function installed in the machine;
A collection unit that collects at least one of information related to environment settings of the external device, information related to settings of device drivers installed in the external device, and information related to settings of applications installed in the external device;
A transmission unit that transmits the collected information to the image processing apparatus;
The acquisition unit of the image processing device is an image processing system that acquires information transmitted by the transmission unit of the external device. An identification step for identifying a user using the image processing apparatus;
A communication step for communicating with an external device Ru associated Tei user identified in the identification step,
When the user logs in to the image processing apparatus or in response to an instruction from the user, by requesting setting information from the control program of the external apparatus in the communication step, the predetermined information installed in the external apparatus as the setting information An acquisition step for acquiring the installation status of the function software;
A control program for an image processing apparatus, which causes a computer to execute a setting step of reflecting information related to the predetermined function on a display of an operation screen included in the image processing apparatus based on the acquired information.

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