JP2017074724A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device enabling the detection of conflict of an inputted IP address and notification to a user.SOLUTION: A printer 1 of the invention is equipped with: a communicating portion 32; an address registration portion 43; an operation display portion 33; an address propriety determining portion 44; and an address propriety notifying portion 45. The operation display portion 33 accepts an input of a temporal IP address. The address propriety determining portion 44 performs address detection of whether external terminals 36, 37, and 38 connected to a network 35 use the same IP address as the temporal IP address or not, and determines a propriety of use of the temporary IP address. The address registration portion 43 registers the temporal IP address as a HON IP address which can be identified from the network 35 when it is determined that the temporal IP address can be used. The address propriety notifying portion 45 displays a use impossible screen indicating the unusable situation of the temporal IP address to notify a user, when it is determined that the temporal IP address is unusable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can be connected to an external terminal via a network.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus is configured to be connected to a user terminal such as a personal computer using the image forming apparatus or an external terminal such as a server via a network such as a LAN. In the network, a unique IP address is assigned to the external terminal and the image forming apparatus so that the external terminal and the image forming apparatus can be identified. The image forming apparatus can be automatically assigned an IP address by a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server. However, in consideration of the case where an IP address that is not registered in the DHCP server is used by an external terminal on the network, the image forming apparatus manually assigns an IP address in order to avoid conflict (conflict) of this IP address. It is configured to be able to input with.

  For example, in the network device control apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a network device operating on the network is detected, an IP address of the detected network device is acquired, and the network device operating on the network is selected. Specify one network device, input an IP address to be set in the specified network device, compare the input IP address with one or more acquired IP addresses, and match the IP addresses by comparing the IP addresses When the address is detected, the setting of the IP address is stopped, and when the address is not detected, the setting of the IP address is performed.

JP-A-11-282644

  However, in the image forming apparatus, the user can manually input the IP address, but it can detect whether the input IP address is being used by an external terminal on the network or notify the user. I can't.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to enable an image forming apparatus to detect and notify a user of an input IP address conflict.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a communication unit connected to an external terminal via a network, an address registration unit that registers the IP address as an IP address that can be identified from the network, An input unit that receives an input of a temporary IP address as an IP address, and an address detection that inquires through the network whether or not the external terminal connected to the network uses the same IP address as the temporary IP address. And determining whether the temporary IP address can be used based on a response result to the address detection, and determining whether the temporary IP address can be used by the address availability determining unit An address availability notification unit for notifying to, the address registration unit, When the temporary IP address is determined to be usable by the addressability determination unit, the temporary IP address is registered as the main IP address, and the address availability notification unit uses the temporary IP address by the address availability determination unit. When it is determined that the temporary IP address is unusable, an unusable screen indicating that the temporary IP address is unusable is displayed.

  By adopting such a configuration, when the user manually inputs the IP address of the image forming apparatus by operating the input unit of the image forming apparatus, the IP address (temporary IP address) is set on the network. When used on an external device, by confirming the displayed unusable screen, it is possible to confirm the conflict (conflict) of the temporary IP address without depending on other terminals.

  The address availability determination unit, when the predetermined IP address being used by the predetermined external terminal is the same as the temporary IP address, displays information regarding the predetermined external terminal and the predetermined IP address as address usage information The address availability notification unit may display the address usage information on the unavailable screen.

  The address availability determination unit acquires, as the address use information, a device name, a model name, an IP address value, location information, and update information set in the predetermined external terminal for the predetermined IP address, and the address The availability notification unit may display the device name, the model name, the IP address value, the location information, and the update information as the address usage information on the unavailable screen.

  By adopting such a configuration, the user can check the address usage information related to the external terminal using the IP address that conflicts with the temporary IP address without depending on other terminals. For this reason, when priority is given to setting the temporary IP address in the image forming apparatus, the user can immediately determine the external terminal using the conflicting IP address, and can quickly reset the IP address. .

  The address availability determination unit detects a plurality of unused IP addresses not used by the external terminal connected to the network based on a response result to the address detection, and the address availability notification unit The unusable screen is configured so that one unused IP address can be selected from the plurality of unused IP addresses while the plurality of unused IP addresses are displayed in a list, and the address registration unit An unused IP address selected via the unusable screen may be registered as the IP address.

  By adopting such a configuration, when a temporary IP address conflicts with an external terminal, the user can quickly confirm an unused IP address that can be used immediately without depending on other terminals. Further, the user can quickly set an IP address by selecting an unused IP address, and can immediately use the image forming apparatus with respect to the external terminal.

  The address availability determination unit can detect all in-use IP addresses used by the external terminal connected to the network, and the address availability notification unit can display a list of all in-use IP addresses. The unusable screen may be configured as described above.

  By adopting such a configuration, when a temporary IP address conflicts with an external terminal, the user can quickly check all the IP addresses in use used by the external terminal without depending on other terminals. can do. For this reason, the user can know the tendency of the IP address used in the external terminal from the list of IP addresses in use, and the IP address far from the range of the IP address used in the external terminal can be set in the image forming apparatus. You can also choose for.

  In the image forming apparatus described above, when the address availability determination unit determines that the predetermined IP address being used by the predetermined external terminal is the same as the temporary IP address, On the other hand, a duplicate address notification unit for notifying that the same IP address as the predetermined IP address has been input is further provided.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to notify the user of the external terminal that uses the conflicting IP address that there is a user who wants to use the IP address or the presence of the image forming apparatus, and the IP address can be re-established. You can also prompt for settings.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect the conflict of the input IP address in the image forming apparatus and notify the user.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a printer control system and an external terminal connected to the printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating an example of a network setting screen displayed on the operation display unit in the printer according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating an example of an IP address unusable screen displayed on an operation display unit in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the example of the duplication address notification screen displayed on the external terminal connected to the printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an IP address setting operation in the printer according to the embodiment of the invention. It is a top view which shows the example of the unusable screen of the IP address displayed on the operation display part in the printer which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the example of the unusable screen of the IP address displayed on the operation display part in the printer which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

  First, the overall configuration of a printer 1 (image forming apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Arrows Fr, Rr, L, R, U, and Lo appropriately attached to the drawings indicate the front side, rear side, left side, right side, upper side, and lower side of the printer 1, respectively.

  The printer 1 includes a box-shaped printer main body 2, and a paper feed cassette 3 that stores paper (recording medium) is accommodated in a lower portion of the printer main body 2. A paper discharge tray is disposed on the upper surface of the printer main body 2. 4 is provided. An upper cover 5 is attached to the upper surface of the printer main body 2 so as to be openable and closable on the side of the paper discharge tray 4, and a toner container 6 is accommodated below the upper cover 5.

  An exposure unit 7 composed of a laser scanning unit (LSU) is disposed below the paper discharge tray 4 above the printer body 2, and an image forming unit 8 is provided below the exposure unit 7. Yes. The image forming unit 8 is rotatably provided with a photosensitive drum 10 as an image carrier. Around the photosensitive drum 10, a charger 11, a developing device 12, a transfer roller 13, and a cleaning device are provided. The apparatus 14 is disposed along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 10 (see arrow X in FIG. 1).

  A paper transport path 15 is provided inside the printer main body 2. A paper feed unit 16 is provided at the upstream end of the conveyance path 15, and a transfer unit 17 configured by the photosensitive drum 10 and the transfer roller 13 is provided at a middle portion of the conveyance path 15. Is provided with a fixing device 18, and a paper discharge unit 20 is provided at the downstream end of the conveyance path 15. A reverse path 21 for double-sided printing is formed below the transport path 15.

  Next, an image forming operation of the printer 1 having such a configuration will be described.

  When the printer 1 is turned on, various parameters are initialized, and initial setting such as temperature setting of the fixing device 18 is executed. Then, when image data is input from a computer or the like connected to the printer 1 and an instruction to start printing is given, an image forming operation is executed as follows.

  First, after the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is charged by the charger 11, exposure corresponding to the image data is performed on the photosensitive drum 10 by laser light from the exposure device 7 (see the two-dot chain line P in FIG. 1). The electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10. Next, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 12 into a toner image with toner.

  On the other hand, the sheet taken out from the sheet cassette 3 by the sheet feeding unit 16 is conveyed to the transfer unit 17 in synchronization with the above-described image forming operation, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred to the sheet by the transfer unit 17. Is transcribed. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed downstream in the conveyance path 15 and enters the fixing device 18 where the toner image is fixed on the sheet. The paper on which the toner image is fixed is discharged from the paper discharge unit 20 to the paper discharge tray 4. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 10 is collected by the cleaning device 14.

  Next, the control system of the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The printer 1 is provided with a control unit 30 configured by a CPU or the like, and the control unit 30 is connected to a storage unit 31 configured by a storage device such as a ROM or a RAM. The control unit 30 is also connected to each unit of the printer 1 such as the exposure unit 7 and the image forming unit 8 described above, and the storage unit 31 stores a control program and control data for controlling each unit of the printer 1. doing. The control unit 30 is configured to control each unit of the printer 1 based on a control program and control data stored in the storage unit 31.

  The control unit 30 is connected to a communication unit 32, an operation display unit 33 (input unit), and an IP address setting unit 34. The IP address setting unit 34 is configured to be stored in the storage unit 31 and executed by the control unit 30, that is, incorporated in the firmware of the printer 1.

  The communication unit 32 is configured to be connectable to a predetermined network 35 such as the Internet or a LAN by wire or wireless, and is a communication interface that executes data communication with an external terminal connected to the network 35 via the network 35. . For example, external terminals connected to the network 35 include user terminals 36 and 37 such as a personal computer using the printer 1 and a server 38. 2 shows an example in which two user terminals 36 and 37 and one server 38 are connected to the network 35. However, the network 35 has three or more user terminals 36 and 37 and two or more servers 38. May be connected.

  The operation display unit 33 includes, for example, operation keys 40 such as a start key, a stop / clear key, a power key, and a numeric keypad, and a display 41 such as a touch panel. Note that the touch panel of the display 41 may also be used as the operation key 40. The operation display unit 33 is configured to output an operation instruction to the control unit 30 when the user operates each operation key 40 or the touch panel.

  The operation display unit 33 also has various screens corresponding to display instructions from the control unit 30, such as a top-level home screen (not shown), a print setting screen (not shown) below the home screen, and a network. An unusable screen 55 (see FIG. 4) lower than the setting screen 50 and the network setting screen 50 (see FIG. 3) is displayed on the display 41. The network setting screen 50 is a screen that accepts settings for various information related to the connection between the printer 1 (communication unit 32) and the network. For example, the network settings screen 50 accepts settings for information related to the IP address assignment of the printer 1.

  For example, the network setting screen 50 includes a DHCP switching button 51 for switching whether or not to use DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) applied by the server 38 or the like. Switch between “Use” and “Not use”. When the DHCP switching button 51 is set to “use”, the following address assignment mode is set to the automatic assignment mode. On the other hand, when the DHCP switching button 51 is set to “not use”, the address assignment mode is set to the manual assignment mode. Further, the network setting screen 50 has an IP address input box 52 for accepting input of an IP address when the DHCP switching button 51 is set to “not use”. The network setting screen 50 includes an OK button 53 and a cancel button 54. When the OK button 53 is pressed, the switching of the DHCP switch button 51 and the input of the IP address input box 52 are updated, and the cancel is performed. When the button 54 is pressed, the switching of the DHCP switching button 51 and the input of the IP address input box 52 are cancelled. When the input in the IP address input box 52 is updated on the network setting screen 50, the IP address input in the IP address input box 52 becomes the following temporary IP address.

  The IP address setting unit 34 assigns a unique IP address to the printer 1 at least in the network 35 as identification information for identifying the printer 1 (communication unit 32) from the network 35. Operates in any address assignment mode. The IP address setting unit 34 assigns an IP address automatically determined using DHCP to the printer 1 when the automatic assignment mode is set. Further, when the manual assignment mode is set, the IP address setting unit 34 assigns an IP address manually input by the user using the operation key 40 or the like of the operation display unit 33 to the printer 1.

  The IP address setting unit 34 includes an address registration unit 43, an address availability determination unit 44, an address availability notification unit 45, and a duplicate address notification unit 46.

  The address registration unit 43 stores the IP address determined by DHCP in the automatic allocation mode or the IP address (temporary IP address) set by the user via the operation display unit 33 in the manual allocation mode in the storage unit 31 as this IP address. That is, it is registered in the printer 1. For example, in the manual assignment mode, when the temporary IP address is determined to be usable by the address availability determination unit 44 as described later, the address registration unit 43 registers this temporary IP address as the primary IP address.

  The address availability determination unit 44 performs address detection for inquiring via the network 35 whether or not an external terminal such as the user terminals 36 and 37 and the server 38 connected to the network 35 is using the same IP address as the temporary IP address. Do. This address detection is performed, for example, by transmitting an ARP packet inquiring about a temporary IP address to the network 35 via the communication unit 32 and analyzing a response packet to the ARP packet. Further, the address availability determination unit 44 determines whether or not the temporary IP address can be used based on the response result to the address detection, and if there is no external terminal 36, 37, or 38 using the same IP address. It is determined that the IP address can be used, and if there are external terminals 36, 37, and 38 using the same IP address, it is determined that the temporary IP address cannot be used.

  Furthermore, if the address availability determination unit 44 determines that the predetermined IP address being used by the predetermined external terminal 36, 37, or 38 is the same as the temporary IP address, the address permission determination unit 44 determines whether the predetermined IP address is based on the response packet to the ARP packet. The information about the predetermined external terminal 36, 37 or 38 and the predetermined IP address is acquired as address use information. At this time, the address availability determination unit 44, for example, as the address use information, a device name (computer name) and model name (work group name) set in a predetermined external terminal 36, 37 or 38 for a predetermined IP address IP address value, location information (network name) and update information (update date and time) are acquired.

  The address availability notification unit 45 notifies the user of the determination result of the availability of the temporary IP address by the address availability determination unit 44. When the address availability determination unit 44 determines that the temporary IP address is unusable, the address availability notification unit 45 displays an error message 56 indicating that the temporary IP address is unusable as shown in FIG. The unusable screen 55 is displayed on the display 41 of the operation display unit 33 (pop-up display). Further, in addition to the error message 56, the address availability notification unit 45 is set in the address usage information 57 acquired by the address availability determination unit 44 as described above (for a predetermined IP address in a predetermined external terminal 36, 37, or 38). Device name, model name, IP address value, location information and update information) are displayed on the unusable screen 55.

  The duplicate address notification unit 46 determines that the predetermined IP address being used by the predetermined external terminal 36, 37, or 38 is the same as the temporary IP address by the address availability determination unit 44. A duplicate address message (for example, a pop-up message such as an MSG command) indicating that the same IP address as the predetermined IP address has been input to the external terminal 36, 37 or 38 via the communication unit 32 and the network 35. To notify. The external terminal 36, 37, or 38 that has received this duplicate address message displays a duplicate address notification screen 58 indicating that the same IP address setting has been requested by the printer 1, for example, as shown in FIG. It is displayed on a display 37 (not shown) or the like.

  Next, an IP address setting operation in the printer 1 having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an IP address setting operation.

  First, in the printer 1, the display 41 of the operation display unit 33 is switched to the network setting screen 50 shown in FIG. 3 (step S1). The user operates the DHCP switching button 51 on the network setting screen 50 to set whether or not to use DHCP in the IP address setting (step S2).

  Here, when the DHCP switch button 51 is set to “use” (step S2: Yes), the IP address setting unit 34 automatically acquires an IP address using DHCP (step S3), for example, The server 38 as a DHCP server is inquired about an available IP address. Then, the IP address setting unit 34 stores the IP address returned from the server 38 in the storage unit 31 as this IP address, that is, registers it in the printer 1.

  On the other hand, when the DHCP switching button 51 is set to “not use” (step S2: No), the IP address input box 52 can accept the input of the IP address on the network setting screen 50. For example, in the network 35, an IP address range recommended for use by the administrator is determined, and the user selects a desired IP address from the range in advance. When the user inputs a desired IP address (temporary IP address) in the IP address input box 52 and presses the OK button 53 (step S4), the address availability determination unit 44 of the IP address setting unit 34 reads the above address. Detection is performed (step S5).

  Here, if the address availability determination unit 44 determines that the temporary IP address can be used because the same IP address as the temporary IP address is not used in the external terminals 36, 37, and 38 (step S5: No), the address registration is performed. The unit 43 stores the temporary IP address as the real IP address in the storage unit 31, that is, registers it in the printer 1 (step S6).

  On the other hand, when the address availability determination unit 44 determines that the temporary IP address cannot be used because the same IP address as the temporary IP address is used in the external terminal 36, 37, or 38 (step S5: Yes), the IP address setting is performed. The address availability notification unit 45 of the unit 34 causes the above-described unusable screen 55 (see FIG. 4) to pop up on the display 41 of the operation display unit 33 (step S7).

  According to the present embodiment, as described above, the printer 1 (image forming apparatus) includes the communication unit 32, the address registration unit 43, the operation display unit 33 (input unit), the address availability determination unit 44, and the address. An availability notification unit 45. The communication unit 32 connects the printer 1 to the external terminals 36, 37, and 38 via the network 35. The address registration unit 43 registers the IP address as an IP address that can be identified from the network 35. The operation display unit 33 accepts an input of a temporary IP address as an IP address in accordance with a user operation. The address availability determination unit 44 performs address detection for inquiring via the network 35 whether or not the external terminals 36, 37, and 38 connected to the network 35 are using the same IP address as the temporary IP address. Whether or not the temporary IP address can be used is determined based on the response result to the detection. The address availability notification unit 45 notifies the user of the determination result of the availability of the temporary IP address by the address availability determination unit 44. Further, the address registration unit 43 registers the temporary IP address as the real IP address when the address availability determination unit 44 determines that the temporary IP address is usable. The address availability notification unit 45 displays an unusable screen 55 indicating that the temporary IP address is unavailable when the address availability judgment unit 44 determines that the temporary IP address is unusable.

  Thereby, when the user manually operates the operation display unit 33 of the printer 1 and manually inputs the IP address of the printer 1, this IP address (temporary IP address) is the external device 36, 37 or 38 on the network. By confirming the unusable screen 55 displayed on the operation display unit 33, the temporary IP address conflict can be confirmed without depending on other terminals.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the address availability determination unit 44 determines that the predetermined external terminal 36, 37, or 38 has a predetermined IP address that is in use and is the same as the temporary IP address. 37 or 38 and information on a predetermined IP address are acquired as address usage information, and the address availability notification unit 45 displays the address usage information on the unavailable screen 55.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the address availability determination unit 44 uses the device name, model name, IP address value set in the predetermined external terminal 36, 37, or 38 for the predetermined IP address as the address usage information. The location information and update information are acquired, and the address availability notification unit 45 displays the device name, model name, IP address value, location information, and update information as address usage information on the unavailable screen 55.

  As a result, the user can check the address usage information related to the external terminal 36, 37, or 38 that uses the IP address that conflicts with the temporary IP address without depending on other terminals. For this reason, when giving priority to the setting of the temporary IP address in the printer 1, the user can immediately determine the external terminal 36, 37 or 38 using the conflicting IP address, so that the IP address can be quickly reset. can do.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the address availability determination unit 44 determines that the predetermined IP address being used by the predetermined external terminal 36, 37, or 38 is the same as the temporary IP address, A duplicate address notification unit 46 is further provided to notify the external terminal 36, 37 or 38 that the same IP address as the predetermined IP address has been input.

  As a result, the user of the external terminal 36, 37 or 38 using the conflicting IP address can be notified of the presence of the user who desires to use the IP address or the printer 1, and prompts the user to reset the IP address. You can also.

  In this embodiment, in addition to the error message 56, the address availability notification unit 45 displays the address usage information 57 set in the predetermined external terminal 36, 37, or 38 for the predetermined IP address on the unusable screen 55. Although the configuration to be displayed has been described, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, in another embodiment, the address availability notification unit 45 displays the error message 56 on the unavailable screen 60 instead of the address usage information 57 or in addition to the address usage information 57 in the network 35. , 37, and 38 may be configured to display selectable (unused) IP addresses (see FIG. 7).

  For example, in the network 35, an IP address range recommended for use by the administrator is determined, and the address availability determination unit 44 sends an ARP packet that inquires an IP address in ascending order of an IP address within the range to the communication unit 32. To the network 35 and analyze response packets to these ARP packets. The address availability determination unit 44 detects a predetermined number of unused IP addresses by performing transmission of ARP packets and analysis of response packets until the number of unused IP addresses reaches a predetermined number (for example, five). . The detection of unused IP addresses is not limited to the above method, and may be performed by another method.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the address availability notification unit 45 can select one unused IP address among the predetermined number of unused IP addresses while displaying a list of the predetermined number of unused IP addresses. The unused IP address list 61 is displayed on the unusable screen 60. When the user selects one unused IP address from the unused IP address list 61 on the unusable screen 60 and presses the OK button 62, the selected unused IP address is selected by the address registration unit 43 as the main IP address. Registered as Note that the selected unused IP address may be automatically input to the IP address input box 52 of the network setting screen 50.

  As described above, according to another embodiment, the address availability determination unit 44 determines whether the external terminals 36, 37, and 38 connected to the network 35 are not using a plurality of unused addresses based on the response to address detection. The used IP address is detected, and the address availability notification unit 35 displays a list of a plurality of unused IP addresses, and the unavailable screen so that one unused IP address can be selected from the plurality of unused IP addresses. 60, the address registration unit 43 registers the unused IP address selected via the unusable screen 60 as the present IP address.

  Accordingly, when the temporary IP address conflicts with the external terminal 36, 37, or 38, the user can quickly check the unused IP address that can be used immediately without depending on other terminals. Further, the user can quickly set the IP address by selecting an unused IP address, and can immediately use the printer 1 for the external terminals 36, 37, and 38.

  Alternatively, in another embodiment, the address availability notification unit 45 displays the error message 56 on the unusable screen 65 instead of the address usage information 57 or in addition to the address usage information 57 in the network 35. , 37, and 38, the IP address used (in use) may be displayed (see FIG. 8).

  For example, in the network 35, a range of IP addresses that can be used by an administrator is determined, and the address availability determination unit 44 sequentially sends ARP packets for inquiring about all IP addresses in the range via the communication unit 32. And the response packets to these ARP packets are analyzed. The address availability determination unit 44 transmits all ARP packets and analyzes response packets for all IP addresses used in the network 35 for all IP addresses within the above range, so that all in-use in the network 35 are used. Is detected. The detection of the IP address in use is not limited to the above method, and may be performed by another method. For example, the IP address in use may be inquired of the server 38 as a DHCP server.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the address availability notification unit 45 displays an in-use IP address list 66 that lists all in-use IP addresses on the unusable screen 65.

  As described above, according to another embodiment, the address availability determination unit 44 detects all in-use IP addresses used by the external terminals 36, 37, and 38 connected to the network 35, and determines whether the address is acceptable. The notification unit 45 configures the unusable screen 65 so that all in-use IP addresses can be displayed as a list.

  As a result, when the temporary IP address conflicts with the external terminal 36, 37, or 38, the user can use all the used IP addresses used by the external terminals 36, 37, and 38 without depending on other terminals. It can be confirmed quickly. For this reason, the user can know the tendency of the IP addresses used in the external terminals 36, 37, 38 from the in-use IP address list 66, and the range of IP addresses used in the external terminals 36, 37, 38. A remote IP address can be selected for the printer 1.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the configuration of the present invention is applied to the printer 1 has been described. However, in another different embodiment, the configuration of the present invention is applied to various image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine, a facsimile, and a multifunction peripheral. May be.

1 Printer (image forming device)
7 Exposure Unit 8 Image Forming Unit 30 Control Unit 31 Storage Unit 32 Communication Unit 33 Operation Display Unit (Input Unit)
34 IP address setting unit 35 Network 36, 37 User terminal (external terminal)
38 server (external terminal)
40 Operation Keys 41 Display 43 Address Registration Unit 44 Address Availability Determination Unit 45 Address Availability Notification Unit 46 Duplicate Address Notification Unit 50 Network Setting Screen 51 DHCP Switch Button 52 IP Address Input Box 55, 60, 65 Unusable Screen 56 Error Message 57 Address Usage information 58 Duplicate address notification screen 61 Unused IP address list 66 In-use IP address list

Claims (6)

A communication unit connected to an external terminal via a network;
An address registration unit for registering the IP address as an IP address identifiable from the network;
An input unit that receives an input of a temporary IP address as the IP address in response to an operation by a user;
The external terminal connected to the network performs address detection for inquiring through the network whether or not the same IP address as the temporary IP address is used, and based on a response result to the address detection, An address availability determination unit that determines whether an IP address can be used;
An address availability notification unit for notifying the user of the result of determination of availability of the temporary IP address by the address availability determination unit;
With
The address registration unit registers the temporary IP address as the main IP address when the temporary IP address is determined to be usable by the address availability determination unit;
The address availability notification unit displays an unusable screen indicating that the temporary IP address cannot be used when the temporary IP address is determined to be unusable by the address availability determination unit. Forming equipment. The address availability determination unit, when the predetermined IP address being used by the predetermined external terminal is the same as the temporary IP address, displays information regarding the predetermined external terminal and the predetermined IP address as address usage information Get as
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the address availability notification unit displays the address usage information on the unusable screen. The address availability determination unit acquires, as the address use information, a device name, a model name, an IP address value, location information, and update information set in the predetermined external terminal for the predetermined IP address,
3. The address availability notification unit displays the device name, the model name, the IP address value, the location information, and the update information as the address usage information on the unavailable screen. Image forming apparatus. The address availability determination unit detects a plurality of unused IP addresses not used by the external terminal connected to the network based on a response result to the address detection,
The address availability notification unit configures the unusable screen so that one unused IP address can be selected from the plurality of unused IP addresses while displaying the plurality of unused IP addresses as a list. ,
4. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the address registration unit registers an unused IP address selected via the unusable screen as the main IP address. 5. apparatus. The address availability determination unit detects all in-use IP addresses used by the external terminal connected to the network,
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the address availability notification unit configures the unusable screen so as to display a list of all the in-use IP addresses. 5. .   When it is determined by the address availability determination unit that the predetermined IP address being used by the predetermined external terminal is the same as the temporary IP address, the predetermined IP address is determined with respect to the predetermined external terminal. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a duplicate address notification unit that notifies that an input of the same IP address as the address is performed.

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