Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and setting method that increase efficiency of settings

Provided is an image forming system that sets up setting data, efficiently. A target selecting part selects an image forming apparatus serving as a target that sets up setting data first and the other image forming apparatus serving as a target that retransmits the setting data. A setting transmitting part transmits the setting data to the image forming apparatus selected as the target to set up first. A setting checking part checks that setting data have been set to the image forming apparatus. A setting receiving part receives the setting data. A setting part sets up the received setting data. A setting retransmitting part retransmits the setting data to other image forming apparatus selected as a retransmitting target. An informing part notifies a server that setting data having been set to the image forming apparatus and/or the other image forming apparatus to a server.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is related with the image forming system, image forming apparatus, and setting method, and, especially, an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and a setting method, that manage settings of the image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus, such as an MFP (Multifunctional Peripheral) which can print a document and an image, is present.

As typical technology, a printing system including a plurality of printers (image forming apparatus) is disclosed. A printer setting changing part of this printing system changes settings of the printing machine in order to satisfy a security requirement based on instructions of the changing settings by a printing machine changing-settings indication unit of a managing server.

SUMMARY

An image forming system of the present disclosure is an image forming system having an image forming apparatus and a server that manages the image forming apparatus, comprising: the server includes a target selecting part configured to select the image forming apparatus serving as a target to set up setting data first, and other image forming apparatuses serving as a retransmitting target of the setting data, a setting transmitting part configured to transmit the setting data to the image forming apparatus selected as the target to set up first by the target selecting part, and a setting checking part configured to check that the setting data is set to the image forming apparatus; and the image forming apparatus includes a setting receiving part configured to receive the setting data, a setting part configured to set up the setting data received by the setting receiving part, a setting retransmitting part configured to retransmit the setting data to the other image forming apparatus selected as the retransmitting target, and an informing part configured to notify the server that the setting data is set to the image forming apparatus and/or the other image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus of the present disclosure is an image forming apparatus comprising: a setting receiving part configured to receive setting data from a server for management; a setting part configured to set up the setting data received by the setting receiving part; a setting retransmitting part configured to check a state where other image forming apparatus is in a receivable state of the setting data, set to the other image forming apparatus as a retransmitting target when being in the receivable state, and retransmits the setting data; and an informing part configured to notify the server that the setting data is set to the image forming apparatus and/or the other image forming apparatus.

A setting method of the present disclosure is a setting method executed by an image forming system having an image forming apparatus and a server that manages the image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of: by the server, selecting the image forming apparatus serving as a target to set up setting data first; by the server, transmitting the setting data to the image forming apparatus selected as the target set up first; by the image forming apparatus, receiving the setting data; by the image forming apparatus, setting the received setting data; by the server, selecting other image forming apparatus serving as a retransmitting target the setting data; by the image forming apparatus, retransmitting the setting data to the other image forming apparatus selected as the retransmitting target; by the image forming apparatus and/or the other image forming apparatus, notifying to the server that the setting data is set up; and by the server, checking that the setting data is set to the image forming apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiment

[System Configuration of Image Forming System X]

First, with reference toFIG. 1-FIG. 3, a system configuration of image forming system X is explained. Image forming system X according to the embodiment of the present disclosures is configured that server1, and a plurality of image forming apparatuses2-1-image forming apparatus2-nare connected with network5. In addition, when indicating any one of these plural items, it is simply described as image forming apparatus2in the following. The same applies to the configuration of the numerals to which other hyphens are added.

Server1is a server for management that performs renewal of firmware, management of expendable supplies, a system management, or the like, for image forming apparatus2. In the present embodiment, server1is configured with a main frame, a PC (Personal Computer), or the like.

Image forming apparatus2is an document reading apparatus, such as an MFP, a network scanner, a document scanner, network FAX, and a printer with a scanner function, or the like. Image forming apparatus2can execute an application software (only henceforth “application”) for connecting with server1.

Network5includes, in the present embodiment, intranet configured by LAN (Local Area Network) that can transmit and receive various data at high speed, an exclusive line, or the like, and a so-called network of “cloud”, such as WAN (Wide Area Network) that includes the Internet, a mobile phone network, or the like. Further, network5may be connectable with a specific port and protocol via a router, a gateway, or the like. Also, network5may form VPN (Virtual Private Network).

Then, as refer toFIG. 2, server1includes control part10, network transmitting and receiving part15, and storage part19.

Control part10is an information processing unit, such as GPP (General Purpose Processor), CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, processor for particular applications), or the like. Control part10reads the control program stored in ROM, SSD, or HDD, of storage part19, expands this control program to RAM, executes it, and is operated as each unit of the functional block as described later.

Network transmitting and receiving part15is a network connection unit including a LAN board, a wireless transmitter receiver, or the like, for connecting with network5.

Storage part19is a memory unit by using a non-transitory recording medium. Storage part19may include RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like, as a main memory part. Also, storage part19may be include ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memories, such as eMMC (embedded Multi-Media Card), SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like, as an auxiliary memory part. In this case, a control program for operation-controlling image forming apparatus2is stored in the auxiliary memory part of storage part19. Also, the area of the document box (a storage folder, a shared folder) for each user may be included in storage part19. Also, storage part19may store information about the performance and the function of server1. In addition, storage part19may include external storages, such as various flash memories and an optical recording medium.

In addition, control part10may include build-in RAM, ROM, a flash memory, or the like.

Then, as refer toFIG. 3, image forming apparatus2includes image processing part21, manuscript reading part22, manuscript feeding part23, feeding part24, network transmitting and receiving part25, operation panel part26, image formation part27(image forming unit), FAX transmission and reception part28, and the storage part29, or the like. Each part is connected to control part20and is operation-controlled by control part20.

Control parts20are information processing unit, such as GPP, CPU, MPU, DSP, GPU, ASIC, or the like. Control part20reads the control program stored in an auxiliary memory part of storage part29, expands this control program to a main memory part, executes it, and is operated as each unit of the functional block as described later. Also, control part20controls a whole device corresponding to the specified instructions information inputted from an external terminal or operation panel part26.

Image processing part21is a control arithmetic unit, such as DSP (Digital Signal Processor), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or the like. Image processing part21is a means to perform specified image processing for image data. Image processing part21performs various image processing, for example, such as blank page detection, scaling rotation, concentration tuning, gradation adjustment, noise rejection, sharpness, other image quality improvement, or the like. Image processing part21stores the image read by manuscript reading part22to storage part29as print data. In this case, image processing part21can also convert print data into a file unit of a format of PDF, TIFF, or the like. Also, image processing part21may be provided with an OCR function, accelerating function of OCR, or the like. Also, image processing part21may be provided with a function to read a bar code, a dotted image, or the like. In this case, image processing part21can also output a character, a figure, a table, a bar code, a dotted image, or the like, which is read, with a file unit.

Manuscript reading part22is a unit to read (scan) the set manuscript. Also, manuscript reading part22is arranged on the upper part of the body part of image forming apparatus2. Manuscript reading part22is provided with a scanner, platen glass, and a manuscript reading slit. When reading the manuscript placed on the platen glass, manuscript reading part22moves a scanner to the position that faces to the platen glass and read with scanning the manuscript placed on platen glass to acquire image data, and outputs the acquired image data to control part20.

Also, when reading the manuscript fed from manuscript feeding part23, manuscript reading part22moves the scanner to the position that faces the manuscript reading slit. Then, manuscript reading part22reads the manuscript through the manuscript reading slit with synchronizing the conveying operation of the manuscript by manuscript feeding part23and acquires image data. Manuscript reading part22outputs the acquired image data to control part20.

Manuscript feeding part23is a unit to convey the manuscript read by manuscript reading part22. Manuscript feeding part23is arranged on the upper part of manuscript reading part22. Manuscript feeding part23is provided with the manuscript mounting part and the manuscript transport mechanism. Manuscript feeding part23feeds out the manuscript placed on the manuscript mounting part one by one by the manuscript transport mechanism and feeds the manuscript to manuscript reading part22.

Feeding part24is a unit that feeds out one sheet of recording paper at a time to image formation part27. Feeding part24is provided with the body part.

Network transmitting and receiving part25is a network connection unit including a LAN board, a wireless transmitter receiver, or the like, for connecting with network5. Network transmitting and receiving part25transmits and receives data by the line for data communications and transmits and receives an audio signal by a voice call line.

Operation panel part26is provided with an input part, such as a button, a touch panel, or the like, and a display part, such as LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic electroluminescence display, or the like. Also, operation panel part26is arranged in the front-side of image forming apparatus2. The buttons of the input part of operation panel part26are a numeric keypad, a start button, a cancel button, a button for switching of operational mode, and a button to instruct for executing a job, or the like. The operational mode may be provided with a type of mode, such as a copy, a FAX transmission, a scanner, a network scanner, or the like. Also, a job may be a type, such as printing, transmitting, storing, and recording for the selected document. The input part of operation panel part26acquires an instruction of the various jobs of image forming apparatus2by a user. Also, by a user instruction acquired from operation panel part26, inputting or changing each user information is possible.

Image formation part27is, by output instruction of the user, a unit to perform image formation from the data stored in storage part29, read by manuscript reading part22, or acquired from the external terminal to a recording paper. Image formation part27is provided with a photo conductor drum, an exposure part, a developing part, a transfer part, a fixing part, or the like. Image formation part27records a toner image on a recording paper by performing an image formation process that includes electrification, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing.

FAX transmission and reception part28is a unit that transmits and receives a facsimile. FAX transmission and reception part28can perform facsimile reception from other FAX equipment by a sound line, can preserve at storage part29, and can perform image formation by image formation part27. Also, FAX transmission and reception part28can convert the manuscript read by manuscript reading part22or data of network FAX transmitted from the external terminal to the image data and can perform facsimile transmission by the sound line to the other FAX equipment.

Storage part29is the memory unit by using non-transitory recording medium, such as semiconductor memory, which is ROM, RAM, or the like, HDD, or the like. RAM of storage part29may keep a memory content even in a power saving state by a function, such as self refreshing, or the like. The control program for operation-controlling image forming apparatus2is stored in ROM and HDD of storage part29. In addition, storage part29may also store user account settings. Also, an area of the document box (a storage folder, a shared folder) for each user may be included in storage part29. Furthermore, in storage part29, key data, such as a secret key for decrypting onetime passcode330(FIG. 4) as described later, or the like, is included.

In addition, in image forming apparatus2, control part20and image processing part21may be integrally formed as like CPU with built-in GPU, a chip-on module package, or the like. Also, control part20and image processing part21may include build-in RAM, ROM, a flash memory, or the like.

[Functional Configuration of Image Forming System X]

Here, with reference toFIG. 4, a functional configuration of image forming system X according to the embodiment of the present disclosures is explained. WithFIG. 4, as described later, an example that image forming apparatus2-1is image forming apparatus2serving as a target to set setting data300by server1is shown. Further, an example that image forming apparatus2-2is other image forming apparatus2serving as a retransmitting target of setting data300from image forming apparatus2-1is explained. The same applies to the following figures.

Control part10of server1is provided with target selecting part100, setting transmitting part110, setting checking part120, passcode generating part130, and passcode transmitting part140. Storage part19stores setting data300, device-dependent information310-1, device-dependent information310-2, setting ID information320-1, setting ID information320-2, and onetime passcode330. Control part20of image forming apparatus2-1,2-2are provided with setting receiving part200, setting part210, setting retransmitting part220, and informing part230. Storage part29-1of image forming apparatus2-1stores setting data300, device-dependent information310-1, setting ID information320-1, and onetime passcode330. Storage part29-2of image forming apparatus2-2stores setting data300, device-dependent information310-2, setting ID information320-2, and onetime passcode330. In addition, the data stored in storage part19,29-1, and29-2is changed according to advance of a process.

Target selecting part100selects image forming apparatus2that sets up setting data300first, and other image forming apparatus2that retransmits setting data300. In addition, target selecting part100notifies image forming apparatus2about other image forming apparatus2that is allowed to be served as a retransmitting target. In the present embodiment, target selecting part100selects image forming apparatus2-1as a target that sets up setting data300first. Furthermore, target selecting part100, checks other image forming apparatus2is in the state where it can receive setting data300(receivable state), when other image forming apparatus2is in the receivable state, target selecting part100selects the other image forming apparatus2as a retransmitting target of setting data300. In the present embodiment, target selecting part100selects image forming apparatus2-2as a retransmitting target of setting data300.

Setting transmitting part110transmits setting data300to image forming apparatus2selected as the target to set up first by target selecting part100. In the present embodiment, setting transmitting part110transmits setting data300to image forming apparatus2-1.

Setting checking part120checks that setting data300have been set to image forming apparatus2. In the present embodiment, setting checking part120checks by acquiring the notice from each informing part230of image forming apparatus2-1-2-n.

Passcode transmitting part140transmits onetime passcode330generated by passcode generating part130to image forming apparatus2and other image forming apparatus2.

Setting receiving part200receives setting data300. Setting receiving part200can receive setting data300from image forming apparatus2and other image forming apparatus2.

Setting part210sets up setting data300received by setting receiving part200. Setting part210sets received setting data300to storage part19.

Setting retransmitting part220retransmits setting data300to other image forming apparatus2selected as a retransmitting target. In the present embodiment, setting transmitting part110of anyone of image forming apparatus2-1-2-ntransmits setting data300stored in storage part19to any one of other image forming apparatus2-2-2-n. Setting retransmitting part220receives onetime passcode330and retransmits setting data300only when verifying with other image forming apparatus2.

Setting data300is data of various settings of image forming apparatus2. By setting up setting data300, various settings of image forming apparatus2can be changed. Setting data300includes, for example, firmware, various configuration data, or the like.

Device-dependent information310is data that is unique for each image forming apparatus2. Device-dependent information310includes, for example, equipment information, a serial number, a MAC Address, firmware information, unique ID (Identification), or the like, for image forming apparatus2. In the present embodiment, device-dependent information310-1is information of image forming apparatus2-1, and device-dependent information310-2is information of image forming apparatus2-2, respectively.

Setting ID information320is unique ID of the dedicated application for managing by server1in image forming system X, or the like. In setting ID information320, different data is set up in each image forming apparatus2. In the present embodiment, setting ID information320-1is information of image forming apparatus2-1, and setting ID information320-2is information of image forming apparatus2-2, respectively.

Onetime passcode330is data that is verifiable only in a short period between image forming apparatus2that retransmits setting data300and other image forming apparatus2that is retransmitted. Onetime passcode330is set up, for example, as a character string of a unique alphanumeric character, or the like.

Here, control part10of image forming apparatus2executes the control program stored in storage part19and is functioned as target selecting part100, setting transmitting part110, setting checking part120, passcode generating part130, and passcode transmitting part140. Here, control part20of image forming apparatus2executes the control program stored in storage part29and is functioned as setting receiving part200, setting part210, setting retransmitting part220, and informing part230. Also, each part of above-mentioned image forming apparatus2serves as hardware resources to perform the image forming method of the present disclosure. In addition, the above-mentioned part or arbitrary combination of a functional configuration may be configured hardware-like or circuit-like by using an IC, a programmable logic, FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or the like.

[Setting Process by Image Forming System X]

Then, with reference toFIG. 5-FIG. 7, a setting process by image forming apparatus2according to the embodiment of the present disclosures is explained. In the setting process of the present embodiment, image forming apparatus2that sets up setting data300first is selected by server1. Then, setting data300is transmitted to selected image forming apparatus2. Image forming apparatus2receives setting data300. Then, received setting data300is set up. Next, server1checks that other image forming apparatus2is in the state where it can receive setting data300. When it is in a receivable state, other image forming apparatus2is set to the retransmitting target. Setting data300is retransmitted from image forming apparatus2, which the data is received. Then, image forming apparatus2notifies server1that setting data300has been set up and about other image forming apparatus2being selected as a target for retransmitting setting data300. Server1checks that setting data300have been set to each image forming apparatus2. In the setting process of the present embodiment, mainly, control part10of server1and control part20of image forming apparatus2, respectively, executes the program stored in storage part19and storage part29with collaborating each part by using hardware resources. In the following, with reference to the flow chart ofFIG. 5, the details of the setting process of the present embodiment are explained for each step.

First, target selecting part100of server1performs a target selection process. Target selecting part100selects image forming apparatus2serving as a target to set up setting data300first. According to the present embodiment, target selecting part100selects image forming apparatus2-1as the target.

Then, setting transmitting part110performs a setting transmitting process. According to the example ofFIG. 6A, setting transmitting part110transmits setting data300to image forming apparatus2-1selected as the target to set up first. That is, server1itself is the source that transmits setting data300first. Here, inFIG. 6A-C, each round mark shows image forming apparatus2that needs to set up setting data300, each round mark of a dashed line shows a distance in network5from image forming apparatus2-1, each arrow of a dashed dotted line shows data flow, respectively. In each round mark, the dark color shows image forming apparatus2that setting data300has been set up.

Here, setting receiving part200of image forming apparatus2-1performs a setting receiving process. Setting receiving part200of image forming apparatus2-1, which is selected as the target, receives setting data300from server1and stores it in storage part19as temporary data.

Then, setting part210performs a setting process. Setting part210sets up setting data300stored in storage part19. In this case, setting part210may set it up by executing the dedicated application.

Then, informing part230performs a completion notifying process. Informing part230notifies server1of having performed the completion of a setting of the setting data300.

Here, setting checking part120of server1performs a target completion checking process. Setting checking part120checks that setting data300have been set to image forming apparatus2-1.

Then, target selecting part100of server1performs a resetting target process. Target selecting part100checks that other image forming apparatus2is in the state where it can receive setting data300(receivable state), and when it is in the receivable state, selects the other image forming apparatus2as a retransmitting target. In this case, target selecting part100selects the other image forming apparatus2, which exists at a short distance on network5from image forming apparatus2having already set up setting data300, as the retransmitting target. Further, target selecting part100transmits the information of the other image forming apparatus2selected as the retransmitting target to the image forming apparatus2. Setting retransmitting part220of image forming apparatus2receives the information of the other image forming apparatus2selected as the retransmitting target. According toFIG. 6A, target selecting part100selects image forming apparatus2-2that has short distance from image forming apparatus2-1as the retransmitting target. Target selecting part100notifies that effect to image forming apparatus2-1serving as the source of retransmitting.

On the other hand, informing part230of image forming apparatus2-2also performs a information notifying process. Informing part230of image forming apparatus2-2transmits device-dependent information310-2and setting ID information320-2to server1.

Here, passcode generating part130of server1performs information reception pass generating process. Passcode generating part130generates onetime passcode330based on device-dependent information310-1, device-dependent information310-2, setting ID information320-1, and setting ID information320-2. Passcode generating part130generates onetime passcode330, for example, by using a HOTP or a TOTP algorithm, or the like. This onetime passcode330is generated to be effective only for a short time between the source and the target.

Here, setting retransmitting part220of image forming apparatus2-1and image forming apparatus2-2performs verification process. According toFIG. 7, setting retransmitting part220of image forming apparatus2-1verifies by decrypting onetime passcode330with the secret key stored in storage part19. In addition, setting retransmitting part220of image forming apparatus2-2also verifies by decrypting onetime passcode330with the secret key stored in storage part19. When the verification is completed, image forming apparatus2-1and image forming apparatus2-2notify the completion of authentication, mutually. In addition, if authentication is failed here, image forming apparatus2-1and image forming apparatus2-2notify server1that effect and end the setting process.

Here, setting retransmitting part220of image forming apparatus2-1performs setting retransmission process. Here, setting retransmitting part220retransmits setting data300only when onetime passcode330is received and is verified with other image forming apparatuses2. According toFIG. 6B, setting retransmitting part220retransmits setting data300stored in storage part19to image forming apparatus2-2.

Here, setting receiving part200of image forming apparatus2-2performs a setting receiving process. Setting receiving part200receives setting data300that is retransmitted from image forming apparatus2-1.

Then, setting part210performs a setting process. This process is performed as like Step S212.

Then, informing part230performs a completion notifying process. This process is also performed as well as Step S213.

Here, setting checking part120of server1performs a target completion checking process. Setting checking part120checks that setting data300is retransmitted from image forming apparatus2-1, which is the source, to image forming apparatus2-2, which is selected as the retransmitting target and it has been set up.

Hereinafter, the process of these retransmitting is repeated between other image forming apparatus2, which is a source, and other image forming apparatus2, which is a target. According toFIG. 6C, image forming apparatus2-2transmits setting data300to the nearest image forming apparatus2-3on network5as a retransmitting target. Furthermore, image forming apparatus2-1transmits setting data300to the next nearest image forming apparatus2-4as a retransmitting target. As shown in the dashed dotted line of the polygonal line, these processes are repeated, and the process about all the image forming apparatuses2that is necessary to set up setting data300is completed. As the above-mentioned, the setting process according to the embodiment of the present disclosures is ended.

The following effects can be obtained as configured as mentioned above. In typical technology, in order to transmit setting changes to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a service person is required to set and transmit one by one. That is, the changing settings of all the image forming apparatuses are performed by using a server. Therefore, the load on the server made it impossible to set up, efficiently, in a large-scale image forming system. As compared with this, image forming system X which according to the embodiment of the present disclosures is provided with image forming apparatus2and server1that manages respective image forming apparatus2. Server1includes target selecting part100that selects image forming apparatus2serving as a target to set up setting data300first, and other image forming apparatus2serving as a retransmitting target of setting data300, a setting transmitting part110that transmits of setting data300to image forming apparatus2selected as the target to set up first by target selecting part100, and a setting checking part120that checks that setting data300is set to the image forming apparatus2. Image forming apparatus2includes a setting receiving part200that receives the setting data300, a setting part210that sets up setting data300received by setting receiving part200, a setting retransmitting part220that retransmits setting data300to the other image forming apparatus2selected as the retransmitting target, an informing part230that notifies server1that setting data300is set to image forming apparatus2and/or the other image forming apparatus2determined to retransmit setting data300. As configured in this way, image forming apparatus2that setting data300has already been set up is transmission-source of a setting data300, and setting data300can be retransmitted to other image forming apparatus2. Therefore, the efficiency of setting for setting data300in the whole system can be increased, and the load of server1can be decreased.

Also, server1of image forming system X according to the embodiment of the present disclosures further includes: a passcode generating part130that generates onetime passcode330, and a passcode transmitting part140that transmits onetime passcode330generated by passcode generating part130to image forming apparatus2and other image forming apparatus2. Then, setting retransmitting part220retransmits setting data300only when onetime passcode330is received and verified between other image forming apparatuses2. As configured in this way, the retransmitting can be performed, simply, by onetime passcode330.

Also, in image forming system X according to the embodiment of the present disclosures, informing part230notifies device-dependent information310and setting ID information320of image forming apparatus2and other image forming apparatus2. Passcode generating part130generates onetime passcode330based on device-dependent information310and setting ID information320. As configured in this way, by device-dependent information310and setting ID information320, a safe passcode is generable. Thereby, even if setting data300is retransmitted between image forming apparatuses2, the possibility of hacking, or the like, can be reduced.

Also, in image forming system X according to the embodiment of the present disclosures, target selecting part100notifies image forming apparatus2about other image forming apparatus2allowing to serve as the retransmitting target. As configured in this way, even if the retransmitting target between image forming apparatuses2is not selected, retransmitting by the instruction from server1becomes possible.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an example that notifies other image forming apparatus2serving as the retransmitting target by target selecting part100is explained. However, transmission destination information of other image forming apparatus2selected as the retransmitting target may be included in onetime passcode330by passcode generating part130. This transmission destination information may include, for example, network address information such as the IP address and MAC address, or the like, of other image forming apparatus2, and other data necessary for retransmission. As configured in this way, even if target selecting part100does not notify, separately, image forming apparatus2serving as the source can obtain the transmission destination information of other image forming apparatus2serving as the retransmitting target and can retransmit.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an example of authenticating with onetime passcode330between image forming apparatus2serving as the source of setting data300and other image forming apparatuses2serving as the target to retransmit has been described. However, instead of onetime passcode330, authentication information such as account ID and a password of other image forming apparatus2may be transmitted to image forming apparatus2serving as the source. As configured in this way, even if authentication by onetime passcode330is not performed, retransmission can be performed from the source to the target. In this case, if authentication information includes the above-mentioned transmission destination information, server1can retransmit setting data300to the target only by transmitting this information.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an example that selects other image forming apparatus2serving as a target to retransmit by server1has been described. However, other image forming apparatus2for retransmitting may be selected by image forming apparatus2itself as the source. In this case, setting retransmitting part220of image forming apparatus2serving as the source checks whether other image forming apparatus2is in the state of being receivable setting data300. Further, if other image forming apparatus2is in the state of being receivable, setting retransmitting part220selects the other image forming apparatus2as the retransmitting target and retransmits setting data300. As configured in this way, the burden on server1can be further reduced, and setting data300can be retransmitted. In addition, in this case, informing part230may notify server1about other image forming apparatus2selected to be retransmitted setting data300, and setting checking part120of server1may be grasped it.

Also, the present disclosure is applicable also to information processing apparatus other than an image forming apparatus. That is, a configuration by using a network scanner, a server, or the like, which is connected with the scanner, separately, by USB or the like, may be applicable.

Also, the configuration and operation of the above-mentioned embodiment are an example, and it cannot be overemphasized that it can change suitably and can execute in the range that does not deviate from the aim of the present disclosure.