JP4301263B2 - Network device and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a network device used by being connected to a communication network.

  Communication (transmission and / or reception) of electronic mail is widely performed between a plurality of network devices connected to the Internet or the like. In order to communicate electronic mail using a network device, it is necessary to store various types of communication setting data in the network device. For example, data specifying an e-mail communication server, data specifying a user, password, data specifying a user authentication method, and the like need to be stored in a network device. The network device communicates electronic mail using the stored communication setting data. The following Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a network device.

JP 2000-330890 A

When the user wants to change the communication setting data stored in the network device, the user inputs new communication setting data to the network device. The network device stores new communication setting data, and executes a communication function (e-mail communication function in the above example) using the new communication setting data.
As described above, the communication setting data includes many types of data. For this reason, an artificial input error may occur. At the stage of inputting the communication setting data, the network device cannot determine whether or not the communication setting data functions normally. Even if communication setting data that does not function normally is input to the network device, the communication setting data does not function normally until the communication function is tried using the communication setting data. I can't know. When trying a communication function using new communication setting data, the network device cannot execute the communication function using old communication setting data that has been functioning normally. For this reason, the network device cannot execute the communication function when communication setting data that does not function normally is input.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of suppressing the occurrence of an event in which a network device cannot execute a communication function.

The present invention is a network apparatus capable of executing transmission and reception of electronic mail. The network device may execute transmission and reception of an e-mail using a first storage area for storing first communication setting data for executing transmission and reception of an e-mail, and the first communication setting data. Possible communication means, and by analyzing the e-mail received by the communication means, e-mail analysis means for specifying second communication setting data for executing transmission and reception of e-mail, and the e-mail A second storage area for storing the second communication setting data specified by the analysis means and a state in which the communication means can send and receive e-mails using the first communication setting data are maintained. However, it is possible to test whether e-mail transmission and reception can be executed using the second communication setting data. And a test means. The e-mail received by the communication means includes first information indicating whether or not to execute an e-mail transmission test and second information indicating whether or not to execute an e-mail reception test. Yes. When the first information included in the electronic mail received by the communication means indicates that an electronic mail transmission test is to be executed, the communication test means includes “electronic” included in the second communication setting data. Based on “communication setting data for executing transmission of mail”, it is tested whether or not transmission of electronic mail can be executed. If the second information included in the electronic mail received by the communication means indicates that the electronic mail reception test is to be executed, the communication test means includes “electronic Based on “communication setting data for executing mail reception”, it is tested whether or not reception of electronic mail can be executed.
The contents of another aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 simply shows the configuration of a network device according to another aspect of the present invention. FIG. 1 merely illustrates the configuration of another aspect of the present invention. The technical scope of the present invention is not limitedly interpreted by the contents of FIG. 1 and the following description related thereto. The technical scope of the present invention is objectively determined by the matters described in the claims.
The network device 10 is used by being connected to a communication network, and executes a communication function using the communication network. The network device 10 includes an input unit 12, a storage unit 14, a communication unit 16, and a communication test unit 18. The input unit 12 inputs communication setting data for executing a communication function. The communication setting data may be input by a user operating an operation panel (not shown) provided in the network device 10. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the input unit 12 may input the communication setting data output from the terminal device 30.
The storage unit 14 can store communication setting data of at least two patterns. In the example of FIG. 1, communication setting data of the first pattern and communication setting data of the second pattern are stored.
The communication unit 16 executes the communication function using the communication setting data of one pattern (for example, the communication setting data of the first pattern) stored in the storage unit 14.
The communication test means 18 maintains the state in which the communication means 16 can execute the communication function using the communication setting data of one pattern described above, while the communication of the other pattern stored in the storage means 14 It is tested whether the communication function can be executed using the setting data (for example, the communication setting data of the second pattern).

  The communication unit 16 can execute the communication function by using the first pattern communication setting data stored in the storage unit 14. For example, an email can be sent and / or received. The user can input the communication setting data of the second pattern to the network device 10 while the communication setting data of the first pattern is stored in the storage unit 14. In this case, the communication test means 18 can test whether the second pattern of communication setting data functions normally. The user can test the communication setting data of the second pattern before instructing the communication unit 16 to use the communication setting data of the second pattern. For example, when a test result that the second pattern communication setting data does not function normally is obtained, the user can prohibit the communication unit 16 from using the second pattern communication setting data. . According to the present technology, it is possible to prevent an event in which communication setting data that does not function normally is used by the communication unit 16. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an event in which the network device cannot execute the communication function.

In the conventional network device, when new communication setting data does not function normally, it is necessary for the user to instruct the network device to communicate using the communication setting data that functions normally. For example, it is necessary to modify new communication setting data or re-enter old communication setting data that has been functioning normally. Even when old communication setting data that has been functioning normally is stored in the network device, it is necessary to instruct the network device to use the old communication setting data. It may take time to perform these operations. In the conventional network device, there is a possibility that a state where the communication unit cannot execute the communication function is maintained for a long time.
On the other hand, the network device 10 of the present invention is in a state where the communication means 16 can execute the communication function using the communication setting data of the first pattern even when testing the communication setting data of the second pattern. Maintained. “The state in which the communication unit 16 can execute the communication function is maintained” includes any of the following events.
(1) In one form of this invention, the communication means 16 and the communication test means 18 are combined by one control apparatus. In this case, the communication unit 16 executes the interrupt process and executes the communication function using the first pattern communication setting data even while the communication test unit 18 tests the second pattern communication setting data. Is programmed to do so.
(2) While the communication test means 18 is testing the communication setting data of the second pattern, the communication means 16 may not be able to execute the communication function. The communication means 16 is programmed to continue to use the communication setting data of the first pattern when the test result that the communication setting data of the second pattern does not function normally is obtained. That is, after the test result is obtained, the communication means 16 automatically uses the first pattern communication setting data even if the user does not instruct to use the first pattern communication setting data. To do. The communication means 16 may continue to use the first pattern communication setting data when the test result that the second pattern communication setting data functions normally is obtained. The communication setting data of the second pattern may be stopped and the communication setting data of the second pattern may be used.
(3) The communication means 16 and the communication test means 18 are configured by separate control devices. The communication means 16 and the communication test means 18 can execute processing simultaneously in parallel.
According to the network device of the present invention, even when the communication test unit 18 executes a test, a state in which the communication unit 16 can execute the communication function is maintained. For this reason, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of an event in which the communication unit 16 cannot execute the communication function for a long time.

The first code or the second code may be added to the communication setting data. The storage means 14 may have a first storage area 14a and a second storage area 14b. When the communication setting data to which the first code is added is input, the storage unit 14 stores the communication setting data in the first storage area 14a, and the communication setting data to which the second code is added is input. In this case, the communication setting data may be stored in the second storage area 14b.
In this case, the communication unit 16 executes the communication function using the communication setting data stored in the first storage area 14a. Can the communication test means 18 execute the communication function using the communication setting data stored in the second storage area 14b while maintaining the communication setting data stored in the first storage area 14a? Test for no.
According to this configuration, the network device 10 can determine whether or not test communication setting data has been input. Since the test is executed while the stored contents of the first storage area 14a are maintained, the state in which the communication unit 16 can execute the communication function using the communication setting data of the first pattern is maintained.

When the test result indicating that the communication function can be executed using the communication setting data of the second pattern stored in the second storage area 14b is obtained, the communication test means 18 stores in the first storage area 14a. The stored communication setting data may be updated to the second pattern of communication setting data.
If it does in this way, the communication setting data of the 2nd pattern which functions normally will be memorized automatically in the 1st storage area 14a. The user does not have to perform an operation of instructing to execute the communication function using the communication setting data of the second pattern.

The network device 10 may be communicably connected to at least one terminal device 30 through a communication network different from the communication network described above. For example, when the communication network is the Internet, the network device 10 and the terminal device 30 may be connected by a LAN line. In this case, the input unit 12 may input the communication setting data output from the terminal device 30 via the different communication network.
On the other hand, the network device 10 may be communicably connected to at least one terminal device 30 through the communication network. In this case, the input unit 12 uses the first pattern communication setting data to execute the communication function of the communication unit 16, and thus the second pattern communication setting data output from the terminal device 30 is input to the input unit 12. You may input via a communication network.
The network device 10 may be connected to the terminal device 30 through the communication network described above, and may be connected to the terminal device 30 through a different communication network. In this case, the network device 10 can communicate with the terminal device 30 via the communication network, and can communicate with the terminal device 30 via the different communication network.

The network device 10 may further include electronic mail analysis means 20. The communication network may be the Internet. The communication setting data may include setting data for executing at least one of transmission and reception of electronic mail. In this case, the input unit 12 may input the e-mail output from the terminal device 30 when the communication unit 16 executes the communication function using the communication setting data of the first pattern. The e-mail analysis unit 20 identifies communication setting data included in the e-mail by analyzing the input e-mail. The storage unit 14 stores the communication setting data specified by the electronic mail analysis unit 20.
According to this configuration, the user of the terminal device 30 can store communication setting data in the network device 10 by transmitting an e-mail.

The network device 10 preferably further includes an output unit 22 that outputs a test result of the communication test unit 18.
According to this configuration, the user can know the test result. Here, “output” includes displaying the test result and outputting the test result to another apparatus. When the communication setting data is stored in the storage unit 14 by analyzing the e-mail, the test result of the communication setting data may be returned to the source address of the e-mail.

As described above, the input unit 12 may input the communication setting data output from the terminal device 30. The communication test means 18 may test whether the communication function can be executed using the communication setting data output from the terminal device 30. In this case, the output unit 22 preferably outputs the test result of the communication test unit 18 to the terminal device 30 described above.
If it does in this way, terminal unit 30 can display a test result. The user can know whether or not the communication setting data functions normally by looking at the test result displayed on the terminal device 30.

When the communication network is the Internet, the communication setting data may include data (for example, an address of the server 32) specifying the server 32 for executing at least one of transmission and reception of electronic mail.
In this case, the communication test means 18 may test whether the communication setting data functions normally by executing any one of the following processes (1) to (5). The communication test means 18 may test by combining the following processes (1) to (5).

(1) Can the communication test means 18 communicate the e-mail using the server 32 by outputting a signal to the server 32 included in the communication setting data of the second pattern and monitoring the response? May be tested.

(2) The communication setting data may further include user identification information and a password. In this case, the communication test unit 18 determines whether or not the user specifying information and the password included in the second pattern communication setting data are registered in the server 32 included in the second pattern communication setting data. The server 32 may be used to test whether e-mail can be communicated.

(3) The communication setting data may further include data for specifying the user authentication method. In this case, the communication test unit 18 determines whether or not the user authentication method included in the communication setting data of the second pattern matches the user authentication method executable by the server 32 included in the communication setting data of the second pattern. By determining, it may be tested whether the electronic mail can be communicated using the server 32.

(4) The communication setting data may further include data for specifying the user authentication method. In this case, the communication test means 18 can execute the e-mail transmission server 32 included in the communication setting data of the second pattern when the user authentication method included in the communication setting data of the second pattern is SMTP-AUTH. By obtaining a list of SMTP-AUTH authentication mechanisms and causing the e-mail transmission server 32 to perform user authentication preferentially from the authentication mechanism group included in the list with the highest security level, e-mail It may be tested whether the sending server 32 can send an e-mail using any authentication mechanism.

(5) The communication setting data of the second pattern may further include a mail address of an electronic mail transmission destination. In this case, the communication test means 18 attempts to send an e-mail to the e-mail address included in the second pattern communication setting data using the e-mail transmission server 32 included in the second pattern communication setting data. Accordingly, it may be tested whether or not an electronic mail can be transmitted using the electronic mail transmission server 32.

The following computer program is also a useful technique created by the present inventors. Provided is a computer program for a network device that is used by being connected to a communication network. This computer program causes a computer mounted on the network device to execute the following steps.
(1) A storage step of storing at least two patterns of communication setting data in the storage means.
(2) A communication step of executing a communication function using a communication network using the communication setting data of one pattern stored in the storage means.
(3) A communication function using the communication setting data of the other pattern stored in the storage means while maintaining a state in which the communication process can be executed using the communication setting data of the one pattern. A communication test process for testing whether or not it can be executed.
By using this computer program, it is possible to realize a network device in which an event that makes it impossible to execute a communication function is unlikely to occur.

The following system is also useful. This system includes at least one terminal device 30 and a network device 10. The network device 10 is communicably connected to the terminal device 30 and is connected to the communication network, and executes a communication function using the communication network. The terminal device 30 executes the above communication function. Means for outputting communication setting data. The network device 10 stores the communication setting data output from the terminal device 30, the storage unit 14 capable of storing communication setting data of at least two patterns, and the storage unit 14. The communication means 16 that executes the communication function using the communication setting data of one pattern, and the communication means 16 that can execute the communication function using the communication setting data of the one pattern. The communication test means 18 for testing whether the communication function can be executed using the communication setting data of the other pattern stored in the storage means 14 while maintaining.
By using this system, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an event in which the network device 10 cannot execute the communication function.

In the above system, the terminal device 30 may output a communication command to the network device 10. For example, the terminal device 30 may output an e-mail transmission command or reception command to the network device 10. The network device 10 executes a communication function when a communication command is input.
Further, in this system, a plurality of terminal devices may be connected to the network device 10. In this system, even when one terminal device causes the network device 10 to execute a communication setting data test, it is not prevented that another terminal device causes the network device 10 to execute a communication function.

When the technical idea of the present invention is generalized, it can be expressed as follows. That is, the present invention provides a function execution device that executes a predetermined function. The function execution device includes an input unit that inputs setting data for executing the predetermined function, a storage unit that can store setting data of at least two patterns, and a storage unit that stores the setting data. The first means for executing the predetermined function using the setting data of one of the patterns, and the second means. The second means uses the setting data of the one pattern to maintain the state in which the first means can execute the predetermined function, while setting the other pattern stored in the storage means. It is tested whether the predetermined function can be executed using the data.
If this technique is used, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an event in which the function execution apparatus cannot execute the predetermined function.

Here, the main features of the techniques described in the following examples are summarized.
(Mode 1) A network device is a multifunction device that is connected to the Internet and used. This multifunction device has at least a scanner device and a printing device. This multifunction device functions as an Internet facsimile machine.
(Mode 2) The multi-function peripheral is communicably connected to a plurality of terminal devices. The multi-function device inputs an e-mail communication command (transmission command and / or reception command) output from each terminal device, and executes an e-mail communication process (transmission processing and / or reception processing) according to the input communication command. .
(Mode 3) The terminal device stores software for inputting communication setting data for the multifunction peripheral. The user can easily input the communication setting data by starting the software.
(Mode 4) The MFP has a storage area for storing the cause when a test result indicating that it cannot be executed is obtained. The multi-function peripheral outputs the above cause.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 simply shows the configuration of the network system 40 of the present embodiment. The network system 40 includes a multi-function device 50, a terminal device 70, a POP3 server 80, an SMTP server 82, an LDAP server 86, and the like.

(Configuration of MFP)
The multi-function device 50 includes a scanner device 52, a control device 54, a storage device 56, a display device 58, an operation device 60, a printing device 62, an input / output port 64, and the like.
The scanner device 52 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CIS (Contact Image Sensor). The scanner device 52 scans a document and generates image data.
The control device 54 is configured by a CPU or the like. The control device 54 comprehensively controls each process executed by the multi-function device 50.
The storage device 56 includes a ROM, a RAM, an EEPROM, and the like. The storage device 56 stores a program executed by the control device 54 and temporarily stores data used in the process of executing the program. The storage device 56 of this embodiment includes a main setting data storage area 56a, a sub setting data storage area 56b, a temporary storage area 56c, and the like. The main setting data storage area 56a stores communication setting data actually used for e-mail communication. The sub setting data storage area 56b stores test communication setting data. Specific contents of the communication setting data will be described later in detail. In the following, communication setting data actually used for email communication is referred to as “main setting communication setting data”, and test communication setting data is referred to as “sub setting communication setting data”. " The temporary storage area 56c can temporarily store various data. For example, image data scanned by the scanner device 52 can be stored.
The display device 58 is configured by a liquid crystal display or the like. The display device 58 can display various data.
The operating device 60 includes a plurality of keys. The user can input various information to the multi-function device 50 by operating the operation device 60.
The printing device 62 prints the image data created by the scanner device 52 on a printing medium.
As will be described in detail later, the multi-function device 50 can communicate electronic mail. The printing device 62 can print the content of the received e-mail on a print medium.

An Internet line 96 a is connected to the input / output port 64. The multi-function device 50 is connected to the Internet 90 via the Internet line 96a. A LAN line 92 a is connected to the input / output port 64. The LAN line 92 a is connected to the terminal device 70. The multi-function device 50 and the terminal device 70 are communicably connected via a LAN line 92a.
In FIG. 2, only one terminal device 70 is shown. However, there are actually a plurality of terminal devices 70. The multi-function device 50 is communicably connected to each of the plurality of terminal devices 70 via a LAN line 92a. Each terminal device 70 is also connected to the Internet 90. Therefore, the multi-function device 50 and the terminal device 70 are communicably connected via the Internet 90.
The input / output port 64 can input / output various data via the Internet or via a LAN. The input / output port 64 can transmit or receive e-mail, for example. The input / output port 64 can input commands and data (for example, communication setting data) output from the terminal device 70 via the LAN.

(Configuration of terminal device)
The terminal device 70 includes a control device 72, a display device 74, an operation device 76, an input / output port 78, and the like.
The control device 72 comprehensively controls each process executed by the terminal device 70. The display device 74 can display various information. The user can input various information to the terminal device 70 by operating the operation device 76.
A LAN line 92a, a LAN line 92b, and an Internet line 96b are connected to the input / output port 78. The LAN line 92a is connected to the multi-function device 50. The LAN line 92 b is connected to the LDAP server 86. The terminal device 70 and the LDAP server 86 are communicably connected via a LAN line 92b. The terminal device 70 is connected to the Internet 90 via the Internet line 96b.
The input / output port 78 can input / output various data via the Internet or via a LAN. The input / output port 78 can transmit or receive e-mail, for example. The input / output port 78 can output commands and data (for example, communication setting data) to the multi-function device 50 via the LAN.

(Server configuration)
The POP3 server 80 is connected to the Internet 90. The POP3 server 80 is a server for receiving electronic mail. The electronic mail transmitted to the multi-function device 50 and the terminal device 70 is temporarily stored in the POP3 server 80. The multi-function device 50 and the terminal device 70 can receive the e-mail stored in the POP3 server 80 by accessing the POP3 server 80.
The SMTP server 82 is connected to the Internet 90. The SMTP server 82 is a server for transmitting electronic mail. The multi-function device 50 and the terminal device 70 can send e-mails using the SMTP server 82.
The LDAP server 86 is connected to the LAN line 92b. The LDAP server 86 can store various data. Data stored in the LDAP server 86 is used by the terminal device 70.

(Type of data output from each device)
Next, the types of signals and data communicated among the terminal device 70, the multi-function device 50, the SMTP server 82, and the POP3 server 80 will be described. FIG. 3 shows signals and data communicated between the devices 50, 70, 80 and 82.
The terminal device 70 can output an e-mail transmission command to the multi-function device 50 (A1). When receiving the transmission command, the multi-function device 50 executes an e-mail transmission process (A2). The multi-function device 50 executes a TCP connection to the SMTP server 82. Next, the multi-function device 50 outputs the user ID, password, and the like to the SMTP server 82. When the SMTP server 82 requests user authentication by SMTP-AUTH, the SMTP server 82 performs user authentication using the user ID and password. When the user authentication of the SMTP server 82 is successful, the multi-function device 50 outputs the text of the e-mail to the SMTP server 82. The multi-function device 50 stores, for example, image data scanned by the scanner device 52 (see FIG. 2). This image data is transmitted by electronic mail. The multi-function device 50 can send an e-mail via the SMTP server 82 through these processes. If the SMTP server 82 does not request user authentication by SMTP-AUTH, the user authentication process by the SMTP server 82 is skipped. If the SMTP server 82 does not have the SMTP-AUTH function but has the POP before SMTP function, the POP3 server 80 performs user authentication. These user authentications will be described in detail later.
In this embodiment, the e-mail transmission command is sent from the terminal device 70 to the multi-function device 50 via the LAN line 92a (see FIG. 2). The multi-function device 50 and the SMTP server 82 communicate signals and data using the Internet line 96a.

The terminal device 70 can output an email reception command to the multi-function device 50 (B1). When receiving the reception command, the multi-function device 50 executes an e-mail reception process (B2). The multi-function device 50 performs a TCP connection to the POP3 server 80 and outputs a user ID, a password, and the like to the POP3 server 80. This is the same as the above-described e-mail transmission process. The POP3 server 80 temporarily stores an e-mail transmitted to the multi-function device 50. When the user authentication is successful, the POP3 server 80 transmits the stored electronic mail to the multi-function device 50. When the multi-function device 50 receives the e-mail, the multi-function device 50 prints the content of the e-mail by the printing device 62.
In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned e-mail reception command is sent from the terminal device 70 to the multi-function device 50 via the LAN line 92a (see FIG. 2). The multi-function device 50 and the POP3 server 80 communicate signals and data using the Internet line 96a.

The terminal device 70 can output communication setting data (transmission setting data and reception setting data) for main setting to the multi-function device 50 (C1).
The contents of the communication setting data will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The terminal device 70 stores setting data input software. When this software is activated, the window 100 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display device 74 (see FIG. 2). The user can input communication setting data for the multi-function device 50 into the window 100 using the operation device 76 (see FIG. 2). In the following description, it is assumed that communication setting data is input using a mouse and a keyboard.
The communication setting data includes transmission setting data used when sending an e-mail and reception setting data for receiving the e-mail. The window 100 has an area 102 for inputting transmission setting data and an area 104 for inputting reception setting data.

The transmission setting data includes a plurality of setting items 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120.
The setting item 110 is an address for specifying the SMTP server 82.
The setting item 112 is data for specifying the user authentication method of the SMTP server 82. The user authentication method of the SMTP server 82 is selected from “no authentication”, “SMTP-AUTH”, and “POP before SMTP”.
The setting items 114 and 116 are data input when SMTP-AUTH is selected. The setting item 114 is data for specifying a user name. The setting item 116 is a password. The user name and password are used when the SMTP server 82 performs user authentication.
The setting item 118 is an e-mail address of the terminal device 70. As described above, the system 40 includes a plurality of terminal devices 70. Each terminal device 70 has a unique electronic mail address. In the setting item 118, an e-mail address of the terminal device 70 that outputs transmission setting data to the multi-function device 50 is input.
The setting item 120 is an e-mail address of a test mail transmission destination. This setting item 120 is required only for transmission setting data for sub-setting. That is, when the main setting transmission setting data is input, the setting item 120 is blanked.

The reception setting data includes a plurality of setting items 130, 132, 134, 136.
The setting item 130 is an address that identifies the POP3 server 80.
The setting item 132 is data for specifying a user name. The setting item 134 is a password. The user name and password are used when the POP3 server 80 executes user authentication.
The setting item 136 is data for specifying the user authentication method of the POP3 server 80. The user authentication method of the POP3 server 80 is selected from “POP3 authentication” and “APOP authentication”. When the setting item 136 is clicked and checked (the state shown in FIG. 4), it means that APOP authentication is selected. When the setting item 136 is blank, it means that POP3 authentication is selected.

The window 100 has a plurality of buttons 106, 108, 122, and 138.
When the update button 106 is clicked, the communication setting data (transmission setting data and reception setting data) input in the window 100 is output to the multi-function device 50 (see C1 in FIG. 3). A code for specifying the main setting is added to the communication setting data. When receiving the communication setting data to which the main setting code is added, the multi-function device 50 stores the communication setting data in the main setting data storage area 56a.
When the cancel button 108 is clicked, the communication setting data input in the window 100 is deleted. In this case, communication setting data is not output.

When the transmission test button 122 is clicked, the transmission setting data input in the window 100 is output to the multi-function device 50 (D1 in FIG. 3). A code for specifying the sub-setting is added to the transmission setting data. When receiving the transmission setting data to which the sub-setting code is added, the multi-function device 50 stores the transmission setting data in the sub-setting data storage area 56b. Note that when POP before SMTP is selected in the setting item 112 of FIG. 4, not only transmission setting data but also reception setting data (setting items 130 to 136) are output to the multi-function device 50. This point will be described in detail later.
The multi-function device 50 executes the transmission test process using the transmission setting data stored in the sub-setting data storage area 56b (D2). The multi-function device 50 obtains a transmission test result by communicating with the SMTP server 82 (D3). The transmission test result is output to the terminal device 70 (D4).

  When the reception test button 138 is clicked, the reception setting data input in the window 100 is output to the multi-function device 50 (E1 in FIG. 3). The reception setting data is added with a code specifying that it is for sub-setting. When receiving the reception setting data to which the sub-setting code is added, the multi-function device 50 stores the reception setting data in the sub-setting data storage area 56b. The multi-function device 50 executes the reception test process using the reception setting data stored in the sub setting data storage area 56b (E2). The multi-function device 50 obtains a reception test result by communicating with the POP3 server 80 (E3). The reception test result is output to the terminal device 70 (E4).

(Main processing of terminal device)
Next, details of processing executed by the terminal device 70 will be described in detail. The following processing is executed by the control device 72 (see FIG. 2) of the terminal device 70.
FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of main processing executed by the terminal device 70. The user can input various information using the operation device 76 (see FIG. 2). The terminal device 70 monitors whether information is input by the user (S2). When information is input (YES in S2), processing according to the type of information is executed.
The terminal device 70 determines whether or not the information input in S2 is an instruction to send an e-mail from the multi-function device 50 (S4). If YES in S4, the terminal device 70 outputs an e-mail transmission command to the multi-function device 50 (S6). This step corresponds to A1 in FIG. The terminal device 70 returns to S2 after finishing S6.
In the case of NO in S4, the terminal device 70 determines whether or not the information input in S2 is an instruction to receive an email by the multi-function device 50 (S8). In the case of YES in S8, the terminal device 70 outputs an e-mail reception command to the multi-function device 50 (S10). This step corresponds to B1 in FIG. The terminal device 70 returns to S2 after finishing S10.

In the case of NO in S8, the terminal device 70 determines whether or not the information input in S2 is an instruction to execute an e-mail transmission test in the multi-function device 50 (S12). This step is determined as YES when the transmission test button 122 is clicked after the transmission setting data is input to the window 100 (see FIG. 4).
If YES in S12, the terminal device 70 outputs a transmission test command to the multi-function device 50 (S14). Next, the terminal device 70 outputs the transmission setting data to the multi-function device 50 (S16). A sub-setting code is added to the transmission setting data. This step of S16 corresponds to D1 in FIG. If POP before SMTP is selected in the setting item 112 of FIG. 4, not only transmission setting data but also reception setting data is output to the multi-function device 50 in S16. Therefore, when the user selects POP before SMTP, the user must also input data in the setting items 130 to 136 of the reception setting data.
When the processes in S14 and S16 are executed, the transmission test process is executed by the multi-function device 50. When S16 ends, the terminal device 70 inputs the transmission test result output from the multi-function device 50 (S18). The terminal device 70 displays the transmission test result on the display device 74 (see FIG. 2) (S20). The user can know the transmission test result. The terminal device 70 returns to S2 after finishing S20.

In the case of NO in S12, the terminal device 70 determines whether the information input in S2 is an instruction to execute an e-mail reception test in the multi-function device 50 (S22). This step is determined to be YES when the reception test button 138 is clicked after the reception setting data is input to the window 100 (see FIG. 4).
If YES in S22, the terminal device 70 outputs a reception test command to the multi-function device 50 (S24). Next, the terminal device 70 outputs the reception setting data to the multi-function device 50 (S26). A sub-setting code is added to the reception setting data. This step of S26 corresponds to E1 in FIG. When the processes of S24 and S26 are executed, the reception test process is executed by the multi-function device 50. When S26 ends, the terminal device 70 inputs the reception test result output from the multi-function device 50 (S28). The terminal device 70 displays the reception test result on the display device 74 (see FIG. 2) (S30). The user can know the reception test result. The terminal device 70 returns to S2 after finishing S30.

In the case of NO in S22, the terminal device 70 determines whether or not the information input in S2 is an instruction to update the communication setting data for main setting in the multi-function device 50 (S32). This step is determined to be YES when the update button 106 is clicked after the transmission setting data and the reception setting data are input to the window 100 (see FIG. 4).
If YES in S32, the terminal device 70 outputs a setting update command to the multi-function device 50 (S34). Next, the terminal device 70 outputs the transmission setting data and the reception setting data to the multi-function device 50 (S36). A code for main setting is added to these communication setting data. This step of S36 corresponds to C1 in FIG. When the process of S36 is executed, the multi-function device 50 updates the communication setting data for main setting. The terminal device 70 returns to S2 after finishing S36.
In the case of NO in S32, the terminal device 70 determines whether or not the information input in S2 is an instruction to cancel the communication setting data (S38). This step is determined to be YES when the cancel button 108 is clicked in the window 100 (see FIG. 4). If YES in S38, the process returns to S2. On the other hand, in the case of NO in S38, the terminal device 70 executes another process according to the information input in S2. Since the other processing executed here is a known processing executed by a PC or the like, detailed description thereof is omitted.

(Main processing of MFP)
Next, details of processing executed by the multi-function device 50 will be described in detail. The following processing is executed by the control device 54 (see FIG. 2) of the multi-function device 50.
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of main processing executed by the multi-function device 50. The multi-function device 50 monitors whether or not the e-mail transmission command output from the terminal device 70 has been input (S50). If YES in S50, the multi-function device 50 executes an e-mail transmission process (S52). The multi-function device 50 executes the e-mail transmission process using the transmission setting data stored in the main setting data storage area 56a. For example, the multi-function device 50 stores image data scanned by the scanner device 52 (see FIG. 2). This image data is transmitted by electronic mail. The transmission destination of the electronic mail may be set in advance in the multi-function device 50 or may be included in an electronic mail transmission command output from the terminal device 70. The electronic mail is transmitted to the transmission destination via the SMTP server 82. The step of S52 corresponds to A2 in FIG.
The multi-function device 50 monitors whether or not the e-mail reception command output from the terminal device 70 has been input (S54). If YES in S54, the multi-function device 50 executes an e-mail receiving process (S56). The multi-function device 50 executes the e-mail reception process using the reception setting data stored in the main setting data storage area 56a. The multi-function device 50 can receive an e-mail stored in the POP3 server 80 by accessing the POP3 server 80. Step S56 corresponds to B2 in FIG. The multi-function device 50 prints the contents of the received e-mail using the printing device 62 (see FIG. 2).

The multi-function device 50 monitors whether or not the transmission test command output from the terminal device 70 has been input (S58). If YES in S58, the multi-function device 50 inputs the transmission setting data output from the terminal device 70 (S60). A sub-setting code is added to the transmission setting data. The multi-function device 50 can recognize that it is transmission setting data for sub-setting. The step of S60 corresponds to D1 in FIG. Note that, as described above, in S16 of FIG. 5, when POP before SMTP is selected in the setting item 112 of FIG. 4, both transmission setting data and reception setting data are output. In this case, in S60, both transmission setting data and reception setting data are input.
The multi-function device 50 stores the input transmission setting data in the sub-setting data storage area 56b (S62). When both the transmission setting data and the reception setting data are input in S60, the multi-function device 50 stores both the transmission setting data and the reception setting data in the sub setting data storage area 56b. Next, the multi-function device 50 executes a transmission test process (S64). The contents of the transmission test process will be described in detail later. When the transmission test process is executed, a transmission test result is obtained. The multi-function device 50 outputs the transmission test result to the terminal device 70 (S66). The transmission test result is input by the terminal device 70 (S18 in FIG. 5). The process of S66 corresponds to D4 in FIG.
The multi-function device 50 monitors whether or not the reception test command output from the terminal device 70 has been input (S68). If YES in S68, the multi-function device 50 inputs the reception setting data output from the terminal device 70 (S70). A sub-setting code is added to the reception setting data. The multi-function device 50 can recognize that it is reception setting data for sub-setting. The step of S70 corresponds to E1 in FIG. The multi-function device 50 stores the input reception setting data in the sub-setting data storage area 56b (S72). Next, the multi-function device 50 executes a reception test process (S74). The contents of the reception test process will be described in detail later. When the reception test process is executed, a reception test result is obtained. The multi-function device 50 outputs the reception test result to the terminal device 70 (S76). The reception test result is input by the terminal device 70 (S28 in FIG. 5). The process of S76 corresponds to E4 in FIG.

The multi-function device 50 monitors whether or not the setting update command output from the terminal device 70 has been input (S78). If YES in S78, the multi-function device 50 inputs the communication setting data output from the terminal device 70 (S80). A code for main setting is added to the communication setting data. The multi-function device 50 can recognize that it is communication setting data for main setting. This communication setting data includes both transmission setting data and reception setting data. The step of S80 corresponds to C1 in FIG. The multi-function device 50 stores the input communication setting data in the main setting data storage area 56a (S82). As a result, the communication setting data used in the e-mail transmission process of S52 and the e-mail reception process of S56 is updated. The multi-function device 50 can communicate e-mails using the updated communication setting data.
The multi-function device 50 can input various information (commands) in addition to the above-described commands. For example, the multi-function device 50 can input a command for instructing to scan a document using the scanner device 52, a command for instructing to print image data using the printing device 62, and the like. The multi-function device 50 can execute various processes (scan process, print process, etc.) in addition to the processes shown in FIG.

(MFP transmission test process)
The contents of the transmission test process (S64 in FIG. 6) executed by the multi-function device 50 will be described in detail. FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the transmission test process.
The multi-function device 50 analyzes the transmission setting data stored in the sub setting data storage area 56b in S62 of FIG. 6 (S100). It is determined whether or not an invalid input value exists in the transmission setting data (S102). For example, if no data is input to the setting items 110, 112, etc. in the window 100 of FIG. 4, NO is determined in S102. In the case of NO in S102, the multi-function device 50 stores the information “input value invalid” as a transmission test result (S104). This information is stored in the temporary storage area 56c.
If YES in S102, the multi-function device 50 determines whether or not the authentication method included in the transmission setting data is “POP before SMTP” (S106). This step is determined to be YES when “POP before SMTP” is selected in the setting item 112 of FIG. In the case where S106 is YES, the multi-function device 50 executes the POP before SMTP process (S108). Hereinafter, POP before SMTP is simply referred to as “PbS”. If NO in S106, the process proceeds to S114.

PbS authentication will be briefly described. The PbS authentication is for performing user authentication using the POP3 server 80 when the SMTP server 82 does not have a user authentication function. In order to perform PbS authentication, a database (hereinafter referred to as a shared database) that can be accessed by both the SMTP server 82 and the POP3 server 80 is incorporated into the system 40.
First, the multi-function device 50 accesses the POP3 server 80. The multi-function device 50 outputs the reception setting data (setting items 130, 132, 134, 136 in FIG. 4) stored in the communication setting data storage area 56a to the POP3 server 80. The POP3 server performs user authentication based on the received reception setting data. When the user authentication is successful, the POP3 server 80 stores information indicating that the user authentication is successful for the multi-function device 50 in the shared database.
The multifunction device 50 accesses the SMTP server 82 after outputting the reception setting data to the POP3 server 80. In other words, the multi-function device 50 outputs to the SMTP server 82 information instructing to send an e-mail. In this case, the SMTP server 82 accesses the shared database and acquires information indicating whether or not the user authentication for the multi-function device 50 is successful. If the user authentication is successful for the multi-function device 50, the SMTP server 82 permits transmission of an e-mail.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the PbS process. In the PbS process, an e-mail reception test is executed (S150). In the reception test process, user authentication is executed by the POP3 server using the reception setting data. In S150, a reception test process is executed using the reception setting data stored in the sub setting data storage area 56b. When PbS is selected in the setting item 112 in FIG. 4, both transmission setting data and reception setting data are input in S60 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, in S62, both transmission setting data and reception setting data are stored in the sub setting data storage area 56b. In the reception test process in S150, the reception setting data input in S60 is used. The contents of the reception test process will be described in detail later.
When the reception test process is executed, a reception test result is obtained. The reception test result is stored in the temporary storage area 56c. The multi-function device 50 determines whether or not the reception test result is “success” (S152). If YES here, the information “success” is stored as the PbS processing result. This information is stored in the temporary storage area 56c. On the other hand, if NO in S152, it means that the reception test process was unsuccessful. As will be described in detail later, the cause of unsuccessfulness is stored in the reception test process. If NO in S152, the reception test result (cause of unsuccess) is stored as the PbS processing result (S156). The reception test result is stored in the temporary storage area 56c.

When the PbS process (S108) in FIG. 7 ends, it is determined whether or not the PbS process result is “success” (S110). In the case of NO here, the multi-function device 50 stores the PbS processing result (cause of unsuccess) as a transmission test result (S112). The PbS processing result is stored in the temporary storage area 56c. If YES in S110, the process proceeds to S114.
In S <b> 114, the multi-function device 50 accesses the SMTP server 82. The multi-function device 50 attempts a TCP connection to the SMTP server 82. If this is successful, YES is determined in S116. If YES in S116, the process proceeds to S120. On the other hand, when the SMTP server 82 is not functioning normally (for example, when the SMTP server 82 does not return a SYN / ACK signal), the multi-function device 50 cannot execute a TCP connection to the SMTP server 82. In this case, NO is determined in S116. In the case of NO in S116, the multi-function device 50 stores the information “SMTP server connection failure” as the transmission test result (S118). This information is stored in the temporary storage area 56c.
If YES in S116, the multi-function device 50 determines whether or not the authentication method included in the transmission setting data is “SMTP-AUTH” (S120). This step is determined to be YES when “SMTP-AUTH” is selected in the setting item 112 of FIG. In the case of YES in S120, the multi-function device 50 executes the SMTP-AUTH process (S122).

The SMTP-AUTH will be briefly described. As described above, some SMTP servers do not have a user authentication function. On the other hand, there is also an SMTP server having a user authentication function. User authentication performed by the SMTP server is called SMTP-AUTH. The SMTP server allows sending an email if user authentication is successful.
In SMTP-AUTH, user authentication is performed using a user name and password (setting items 114 and 116 in FIG. 4) included in transmission setting data. The multi-function device 50 outputs the user name and password to the SMTP server 82. In the SMTP server 82, a user name and a password that are permitted to send an e-mail are registered. When the user name and password output from the multi-function device 50 are registered in the SMTP server 82, the SMTP server 82 permits the e-mail transmission from the multi-function device 50 via the SMTP server 82.

It is known that there are a plurality of types of user authentication methods. For example, “PLAIN”, “LOGIN”, “CRAM-MD5”, and the like exist. These are called authentication mechanisms. Some SMTP servers can execute multiple authentication mechanisms, while others can execute only one authentication mechanism.
In CRAM-MD5, the password output from the multi-function device 50 to the SMTP server 82 is encrypted. In PLAIN and LOGIN, the password is not encrypted. In PLAIN, the user name and password are sent to the SMTP server 82 at the same time. In LOGIN, only the user name is sent to the SMTP server 82 first, and when the user name is registered in the SMTP server 82, the password is sent to the SMTP server 82.
CRAM-MD5 has the highest security level among the above three authentication mechanisms because the password is encrypted. The next highest security level is LOGIN. The one with the lowest security level is PLAIN.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the SMTP-AUTH process. The multi-function device 50 acquires an ESMTP extended option list by sending an EHLO command to the SMTP server 82 (S170). In S170, various information is exchanged between the multi-function device 50 and the SMTP server 82. For example, when the SMTP server 82 has a function of executing SMTP-AUTH, the SMTP server 82 outputs a list of authentication mechanisms that can be executed by itself to the multi-function device 50.
The multi-function device 50 checks whether or not the SMTP server 82 supports SMTP-AUTH (S172). In the case of NO here, the multi-function device 50 stores the information “SMTP server authentication method difference” as the SMTP-AUTH processing result (S174). This information is stored in the temporary storage area 56c. If YES in S172, the multi-function device 50 acquires a list of authentication mechanisms that can be executed by the SMTP server 82 (S176). Next, the multi-function device 50 initializes the authentication mechanism execution list (S178). This list is stored in the temporary storage area 56c. In S178, the previously acquired list is deleted.
The multi-function device 50 identifies an authentication mechanism (group) that can be executed by itself from the authentication mechanism (group) acquired in S176. The multi-function device 50 stores the specified authentication mechanism (s) in the authentication mechanism execution list (S180). That is, the specified authentication mechanism (group) is stored in the temporary storage area 56c. Next, the multi-function device 50 rearranges the authentication mechanisms (group) stored in the authentication mechanism execution list in descending order of security level (S182). For example, when PLAIN, LOGIN, and CRAM-MD5 are included in the authentication mechanism execution list, they are arranged in the order of CRAM-MD5, LOGIN, and PLAIN.

The multi-function device 50 determines whether there is an authentication mechanism that is not used for user authentication in the authentication mechanism execution list (S184). That is, it is determined whether there is an authentication mechanism that is not used in the process of S188 described later. In the case of YES here, the multi-function device 50 selects the one with the highest security level from the authentication mechanism (group) that is not executing the user authentication (S186). In the above example, CRAM-MD5 is selected. The multi-function device 50 outputs the user name and password (setting items 114 and 116 in FIG. 4) included in the transmission setting data to the SMTP server 82 using the authentication mechanism selected in S186. As a result, the SMTP server 82 executes SMTP-AUTH (S188). The SMTP server 82 outputs the SMTP-AUTH result to the multi-function device 50.
The multi-function device 50 monitors whether or not a code indicating that the SMTP-AUTH is successful has been input (S190). In the case of YES here, the multi-function device 50 stores the information “success” as the SMTP-AUTH processing result (S192). This information is stored in the temporary storage area 56c. After finishing the processing of S192, the multi-function device 50 ends the SMTP-AUTH processing.
On the other hand, in the case of NO in S190, the multi-function device 50 stores the information “SMTP server authentication failure” as the SMTP-AUTH processing result (S194). This information is stored in the temporary storage area 56c. After finishing S194, the multi-function device 50 returns to S184, and determines whether there is another authentication mechanism that has not been used yet. If the SMTP-AUTH executed using another authentication mechanism is successful (YES in S190), the SMTP-AUTH processing result stored as “SMTP server authentication failure” for an authentication mechanism with a higher security level. Is updated to “success” (S192).

When the SMTP-AUTH process (S122) in FIG. 7 ends, it is determined whether or not the SMTP-AUTH process result is “success” (S124). In the case of NO here, the multi-function device 50 stores the SMTP-AUTH processing result (“SMTP server authentication method difference” or “SMTP server authentication failure”) as a transmission test result (S126). That is, the cause of unsuccessfulness is stored as a transmission test result. The transmission test process result is stored in the temporary storage area 56c.
If NO in S120 or YES in S124, the multi-function device 50 executes the process of S128. If NO in S120, it means that “no authentication” is selected in the setting item 112 of FIG. In this case, user authentication is not performed for transmission of the e-mail.
In S128, an attempt is made to send a test mail. As shown in FIG. 4, the transmission setting data includes the mail address of the setting item 118 and the mail address of the setting item 120. An attempt is made to send a test email to both of these email addresses. The test mail is transmitted via the SMTP server 82. The SMTP server 82 outputs to the multi-function device 50 a code indicating that the transmission of the test mail has been successful or a code indicating that the transmission of the test mail has failed.
The multi-function device 50 monitors whether the test mail has been successfully transmitted (S130). The multi-function device 50 determines YES when a code indicating successful transmission is input, and determines NO when a code indicating that transmission has failed is input. In the case of YES in S130, the multi-function device 50 stores the information “transmission success” as the transmission test result (S132). On the other hand, if NO in S130, the multi-function device 50 stores information “transmission failure” as a transmission test result (S134). These transmission test results are stored in the temporary storage area 56c. When the MFP 50 executes the process of S132 or S134, it disconnects the connection with the SMTP server 82 (S136).

  As described above, when the transmission test process ends, the multi-function device 50 outputs the transmission test result to the terminal device 70 (S66 in FIG. 6). The information stored as the transmission test result includes “invalid input value” (S104), “PbS processing result (cause of unsuccess)” (S112), “SMTP server connection failure” (S118), “SMTP server authentication method difference” ”(S174),“ SMTP server authentication failure ”(S194),“ Transmission success ”(S132), and“ Transmission failure ”(S134). Information corresponding to the transmission test result is displayed on the display device 74 of the terminal device 70 (see FIG. 2). The user can know the transmission test result. In particular, if the transmission test is unsuccessful, the cause is displayed. The user can improve the transmission setting data based on the cause of the failure.

(Reception test processing for multifunction devices)
Next, the contents of the reception test process (S74 in FIG. 6 or S150 in FIG. 8) executed by the multi-function device 50 will be described in detail. In the reception test process in S74 of FIG. 6, the reception setting data stored in the sub setting data storage area 56b in S72 is used. In the reception test process of S150 in FIG. 8, the reception setting data stored in the sub-setting data storage area 56b in S62 of FIG. 6 is used (PbS (see setting item 112 in FIG. 4) in the transmission setting data). If selected).

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the reception test process. The multi-function device 50 analyzes the reception setting data stored in the sub setting data storage area 56b in S72 of FIG. 6 (S200). It is determined whether or not an invalid input value exists in the reception setting data (S202). In the case of NO in S202, the multi-function device 50 stores the information “invalid input value” as the reception test result (S204). This information is stored in the temporary storage area 56c. If YES in S202, the process proceeds to S206.
In S206, the multi-function device 50 accesses the POP3 server 80. The multi-function device 50 tries TCP connection to the POP3 server 80. If it is successful, YES is determined in S208. If YES in S208, the process proceeds to S212. On the other hand, when the POP3 server 80 is not functioning normally (for example, when the POP3 server 80 does not return a SYN / ACK signal), the multi-function device 50 cannot execute a TCP connection to the POP3 server 80. In this case, NO is determined in S208. In the case of NO in S208, the multi-function device 50 stores the information “POP3 server connection failure” as a reception test result (S210). This information is stored in the temporary storage area 56c.
If YES in S208, the multi-function device 50 determines whether or not the authentication method included in the reception setting data is “APOP” (S212). This step is determined as YES when “APOP” is selected in the setting item 136 of FIG. 4, and is determined as NO when “APOP” is not selected. In the case of NO in S212, the multi-function device 50 executes normal POP3 authentication processing (S214). On the other hand, if YES in S212, the multi-function device 50 executes APOP authentication processing (S216).

The user authentication of the POP3 server will be briefly described. The POP3 server 80 executes user authentication using the user name and password (setting items 132 and 134 in FIG. 4) included in the reception setting data. The multi-function device 50 outputs the user name and password to the POP3 server 80. In the POP3 server 80, a user name and a password that are permitted to receive an e-mail are registered. When the user name and password output from the multi-function device 50 are registered in the POP3 server 80, the POP3 server 80 permits the multi-function device 50 to receive an e-mail.
Some POP3 servers can execute both normal POP3 authentication and APOP authentication, and some servers can execute only normal POP3 authentication. In the APOP authentication, a password output from the multi-function device 50 to the POP3 server 80 is encrypted. For this reason, it can be said that this is an authentication method with a high security level. In normal POP3 authentication, the password is not encrypted.

In S <b> 214, the multi-function device 50 outputs the user name and password included in the reception setting data to the POP3 server 80. This password is not encrypted. When the user name and password are registered in the POP3 server 80, the POP3 server 80 outputs a code indicating that the user authentication is successful to the multi-function device 50. If at least one of the user name and password is not registered in the POP3 server 80, the POP3 server 80 outputs a code indicating that the user authentication has failed to the multi-function device 50. When the code indicating that the user authentication is successful is input, the multi-function device 50 determines YES in S218. When the code indicating that the user authentication has failed is input, the multi-function device 50 determines NO in S218.
In S <b> 216, the multi-function device 50 outputs the user name and password included in the reception setting data to the POP3 server 80. This password is encrypted. The POP3 server 80 outputs an error code to the multi-function device 50 when APOP authentication cannot be executed (when only POP3 authentication can be executed). When the error code is input, the multi-function device 50 determines NO in S218. When the user name and password are registered in the POP3 server 80, the POP3 server 80 outputs a code indicating that the user authentication is successful to the multi-function device 50. If at least one of the user name and password is not registered in the POP3 server, the POP3 server 80 outputs a code indicating that user authentication has failed to the multi-function device 50. When the code indicating that the user authentication is successful is input, the multi-function device 50 determines YES in S218. When the code indicating that the user authentication has failed is input, the multi-function device 50 determines NO in S218.
In the case of NO in S218, the multi-function device 50 stores the information “user authentication failure” as the reception test result (S220). On the other hand, if YES in S218, the multi-function device 50 stores the information “success” as the reception test result (S222). The reception test result is stored in the temporary storage area 56c. When executing the process of S220 or S222, the multi-function device 50 disconnects from the POP3 server 80 (S224).

  As described above, when the reception test process ends, the multi-function device 50 outputs the reception test result to the terminal device 70 (S76 in FIG. 6). The information stored as the reception test result is any of “input value invalid” (S204), “POP3 server connection failure” (S210), “user authentication failure” (S220), and “success” (S222). is there. Information corresponding to the reception test result is displayed on the display device 74 (see FIG. 2) of the terminal device. The user can know the reception test result. In particular, if the reception test is unsuccessful, the cause is displayed. The user can improve the reception setting data based on the cause of the failure.

  In the multi-function device 50 according to the present embodiment, an e-mail can be communicated using communication setting data for main setting. The user can store communication setting data for sub-setting in the multi-function device 50. The multi-function device 50 can test (transmission test and / or reception test) whether or not the communication setting data for the sub-setting functions normally. The user can test the communication setting data before storing the new communication setting data in the main setting data storage area 56a. For example, when a test result indicating that the new communication setting data does not function normally is obtained, the user can prohibit the communication setting data from being stored in the main setting data storage area 56a. According to the multi-function device 50 of this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an event in which communication setting data that does not function normally is stored in the main setting data storage area 56a. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an event in which the multi-function device 50 cannot execute the e-mail communication function.

In the multi-function device 50 of the present embodiment, an e-mail transmission process (S52 in FIG. 6), a reception process (S56), a transmission test process (S64), and a reception test process (S74) are executed by one control device 54. As far as the flow chart of FIG. 6 is viewed, it appears that the control device 54 executes the above-described processes in series. However, when the control unit 54 of the present embodiment inputs an e-mail transmission instruction or reception instruction while the transmission test process (S64) or the reception test process (S74) is being executed, the control apparatus 54 interrupts the test process. It is programmed to execute the e-mail transmission process (S52) or the reception process (S56). That is, the multi-function device 50 can communicate e-mails from the start to the end of the test process.
The multi-function device 50 is shared by a plurality of terminal devices. For example, test processing may be instructed by a first terminal device (for example, 70), and e-mail communication may be instructed by the second terminal device while the test processing is being executed. Even in this case, the multi-function device 50 can communicate an e-mail based on an instruction from the second terminal device.
The multi-function device 50 stores the main setting data after the communication test (transmission test or reception test) is performed on the communication setting data (transmission setting data or reception setting data) stored in the sub setting data storage area 56b. The communication setting data stored in the area 56a is continuously used. After the test result is obtained, the multi-function device 50 automatically transmits the communication setting data even if the user does not instruct to use the communication setting data stored in the main setting data storage area 56a. Can be used.

(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment, communication setting data is sent from the terminal device 70 to the multi-function device 50 using the LAN line 92a (see FIG. 2). In this embodiment, communication setting data is sent from the terminal device 70 to the multi-function device 50 via the Internet 90. That is, the terminal device 70 can transmit the communication setting data by electronic mail.
The user of the terminal device 70 can create communication setting data using software for sending and receiving electronic mail. FIG. 11 shows an example of communication setting data input in an e-mail. The e-mail 200 has a header area 202, a body area 204, and a test setting area 206.
The header area 202 includes a mail address 202a of the terminal device 70, a mail address 202b of the multi-function device 50, and a subject 202c.
The body area 204 includes communication setting data (transmission setting data and reception setting data). The transmission setting data includes data specifying the SMTP server 82 (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx), data specifying the authentication method of the SMTP server 82 (SMTP-AUTH), a user name (user_A), and a password (* *****) is included. The user name and password are input when the SMTP-AUTH authentication method is selected. The reception setting data specifies data (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx) for specifying the POP3 server 80, a user name (user_A), a password (******), and an authentication method for the POP3 server 80. Contains data (yes). “ADDRESS-device” in the text area 204 is a mail address of the multi-function device 50. “ADDRESS-destination” in the body area 204 is a mail address of a test mail transmission destination. These mail addresses are also included in the transmission setting data.
The test area 206 includes data (YES) indicating whether a reception test is executed and data (YES) indicating whether a transmission test is executed.

(Mail reception processing of multifunction devices)
The contents of the mail reception process executed by the multi-function device 50 of the second embodiment will be described. The mail reception process of the first embodiment is shown in S56 of FIG. FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of the mail reception process of this embodiment.
The multi-function device 50 receives the e-mail (S240). S240 is executed using the reception setting data stored in the main setting data storage area 56a (see FIG. 2). The multi-function device 50 determines whether a sub-setting code is added to the received e-mail (S242). This step is determined as YES when the subject 202c in the header area 202 of FIG. 11 includes “Config E-mail”. In the case of YES here, the multi-function device 50 executes the processing after S244. In the case of NO here, the multi-function device 50 executes normal e-mail reception processing (S266). That is, the multi-function device 50 prints the content of the e-mail using the printing device 62 (see FIG. 2).

If YES is obtained in S242, the multi-function device 50 analyzes the contents of the e-mail (S244). Thereby, transmission setting data and reception setting data are specified. Next, the multi-function device 50 stores the transmission setting data and the reception setting data in the sub setting data storage area 56b (see FIG. 2) (S246). The multi-function device 50 stores the e-mail destination mail address (the mail address of the terminal device 70) (S248). This mail address is stored in the temporary storage area 56c.
The multi-function device 50 determines whether or not the execution value of the transmission test is “YES” (S250). This step is determined to be YES when “YES” is input to “TEST-send” in the test area 206 of FIG. On the other hand, if “NO” is input to “TEST-send” in the test area 206, NO is determined in S250.
If YES in S250, the multi-function device 50 executes an e-mail transmission test process (S252). This transmission test process is the same as the process of S64 of FIG. The multi-function device 50 creates a reply mail in which the transmission test result is described in the text (S254). FIG. 13 shows an example of the reply mail 210 created in S254.
Subsequently, the multi-function device 50 transmits the reply mail created in S254 to the mail address of the transmission source. That is, the multi-function device 50 transmits a reply mail to the terminal device 70 (S256). The sender's mail address is stored in the temporary storage area 56c in S248. The process of S256 is executed using the transmission setting data stored in the main setting data storage area 56a.

If NO in S250 or if S256 is completed, the multi-function device 50 determines whether or not the execution value of the reception test is “YES” (S258). This step is determined to be YES when “YES” is input to “TEST-recv” in the test area 206 of FIG. On the other hand, if “NO” is input to “TEST-recv” in the test area 206, NO is determined in S258.
If YES in S258, the multi-function device 50 executes an e-mail reception test process (S260). This reception test process is the same as the process of S74 in FIG. The multi-function device 50 creates a reply mail in which the reception test result is described in the text (S262). FIG. 14 shows an example of the reply mail 212 created in S262.
Subsequently, the multi-function device 50 transmits the reply mail created in S262 to the mail address of the transmission source (mail address of the terminal device 70) (S264). The process of S264 is executed using the transmission setting data stored in the main setting data storage area 56a.

  According to the present embodiment, the user of the terminal device 70 can send communication setting data to the multi-function device 50 using electronic mail. Communication setting data can be sent from the terminal device 70 without connecting the multi-function device 50 and the terminal device 70 via the LAN line 92a.

(Third embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the content of the main process executed by the multi-function device 50 is different from that in the first embodiment. 15 and 16 are flowcharts of the main process of the multifunction machine according to this embodiment. The processes in S300 to S314 in FIG. 15 are the same as the processes in S50 to S64 in FIG. For this reason, explanation about S300-S314 is omitted.
After finishing the transmission test process (S314), the multi-function device 50 determines whether or not the transmission test result is “successful transmission” (S316). In the case of YES here, the multi-function device 50 shifts the transmission setting data stored in the sub setting data storage area 56b (see FIG. 2) to the main setting data storage area 56a (S318). As a result, the stored contents of the main setting data storage area 56a are updated to the transmission setting data for which the transmission test was successful. If NO in S316, the process proceeds to S320. Also after S318, the process proceeds to S320. S320 is the same as the process of S66 of FIG.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart subsequent to FIG. The processing in S322 to S328 in FIG. 16 is the same as the processing in S68 to S74 in FIG. For this reason, description about S322-S328 is abbreviate | omitted.
Upon completion of the reception test process 328, the multi-function device 50 determines whether or not the reception test result is “success” (S330). In the case of YES here, the multi-function device 50 shifts the reception setting data stored in the sub setting data storage area 56b (see FIG. 2) to the main setting data storage area 56a (S332). As a result, the stored contents of the main setting data storage area 56a are updated to the reception setting data for which the reception test was successful. If NO in S330, the process proceeds to S334. Also after S332, the process proceeds to S334. S334 is the same as the process of S76 of FIG.
The processes in S336 to S340 in FIG. 16 are the same as the processes in S78 to S82 in FIG. For this reason, description about S336-S340 is abbreviate | omitted.

  According to the present embodiment, the stored contents of the main setting data storage area 56a are automatically updated to the communication setting data that has been successfully transmitted or received (S318 in FIG. 15, S332 in FIG. 16). The user does not need to perform the operation of storing the communication setting data that has been successfully tested in the main setting data storage area 56a.

(Fourth embodiment)
In this embodiment, the mail address of the administrator of the multi-function device 50 is stored in the temporary storage area 56c (see FIG. 2) of the multi-function device 50.
In the present embodiment, the contents of the main process executed by the terminal device 70 are different from those in the first embodiment. 17 and 18 are flowcharts of the main process of the terminal device according to this embodiment. The processes of S400 to S408 in FIG. 17 are the same as the processes of S2 to S10 in FIG. For this reason, description about S400-S408 is abbreviate | omitted.
The terminal device 70 proceeds to S410 if NO in S406. In S410, it is determined whether or not the information input in S400 is an instruction to start software for inputting communication setting data. In the case of NO in S410, the terminal device 70 executes another process (S412).
If YES in S410, the window 100 shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the display device 74 (see FIG. 2). Next, the terminal device 70 executes a destination address setting process (S414).

  FIG. 20 shows a flowchart of the destination address setting process. The terminal device 70 outputs an instruction to output the administrator's mail address to the multi-function device 50 (S500). When this command is input, the multi-function device 500 outputs the administrator's mail address stored in the temporary storage area 56c. The terminal device 70 acquires the administrator's email address (S502). Next, the terminal device 70 inputs the administrator's mail address in the setting item 120 of FIG. 19 (S504).

When the terminal device 70 finishes the destination address setting process of S414 in FIG. 17, it executes S416. In S416, it is determined whether or not the address search button 240 in FIG. 19 has been clicked. In the case of YES here, the terminal device 70 executes an address search process (S418).
FIG. 21 shows a flowchart of the address search process. The terminal device 70 displays an address search dialog (S520). FIG. 22 shows an example of this dialog (window) 250. The dialog 250 includes an area 252 for inputting a prosecution character string, an address search button 254, an enter button 256, a cancel button 258, and a cursor 260.
In S522 of FIG. 21, the terminal device 70 stands by until information is input by the user in the dialog 250. The terminal device 70 determines whether the address search button 254 has been clicked (S524). In the case of YES here, the terminal device 70 accesses the LDAP server 86 (see FIG. 2) (S526). The terminal device 70 outputs the character string input in the area 252 of the dialog 250 to the LDAP server 86. In the example of FIG. 22, “target” is output to the LDAP server 86. The LDAP server 86 stores many combinations of user IDs and mail addresses. The LDAP server 86 specifies a stored user ID group that includes a character string that matches the character string output from the terminal device 70. For example, in the example of FIG. 22, the user ID including “target” is specified. The LDAP server 86 outputs the identified user ID and the mail address paired with the user ID to the terminal device 70.
The terminal device 70 displays the user ID and mail address output from the LDAP server 86 (S528). In the example of FIG. 22, three sets of search results are displayed.

The user can select one user ID from among the plurality of displayed user IDs (mail addresses). This is executed by moving the cursor 260 in FIG.
The terminal device 70 determines whether or not the decision button 256 has been clicked (S530). In the case of YES here, the mail address selected by the cursor 260 is input to the setting item 120 in FIG. 19 (S532). When S532 ends, the process proceeds to S536. On the other hand, in the case of NO in S530, the terminal device 70 determines whether or not the cancel button 258 is clicked (S534). If YES here, the process proceeds to S536. If NO in S534, the process returns to S522. In S536, the dialog 250 is closed. Thereby, the address search process ends.

When the address search process ends, the terminal device 70 proceeds to S420 in FIG. If NO in S416, the process proceeds to S420. The processes in S420 to S428 in FIG. 17 are the same as the processes in S12 to S20 in FIG. For this reason, description about S420-S428 is abbreviate | omitted.
FIG. 18 shows a flowchart subsequent to FIG. The processes in S430 to S444 in FIG. 18 are the same as the processes in S22 to S36 in FIG. For this reason, the description about S430-S444 is abbreviate | omitted.
When the cancel button 108 in FIG. 19 is clicked (YES in S446), the terminal device 70 closes the window 100 in FIG. 19 (S448).

According to the present embodiment, the terminal device 70 executes destination address set processing (S414 in FIG. 17). As a result, the mail address (setting item 120 in FIG. 19) of the test mail destination is automatically input. The user of the terminal device 70 does not need to input the mail address of the test mail transmission destination.
Further, the terminal device 70 executes an address search process (S418 in FIG. 17). The user can know the mail address candidates of the test mail transmission destination by inputting the search character string in the area 252 of FIG. When one mail address is selected from these candidates, the mail address is automatically input to the setting item 120 in FIG. The user can easily set the mail address of the test mail destination.

Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.
(1) When the multi-function device 50 of the first embodiment inputs an e-mail communication command (sending command or receiving command) between the start and end of the communication test (sending test or receiving test), Execute interrupt processing to communicate email. However, the multi-function device 50 may not execute interrupt processing. The multi-function device 50 can automatically execute e-mail transmission processing and reception processing after the communication test is completed. In other words, the multi-function device 50 uses the communication setting data for main setting even if the user does not instruct to perform transmission processing or communication processing using the communication setting data that functions normally. The transmission process and the communication process can be continuously executed.
(2) Even if the control device for executing the e-mail communication process (S52, S56 in FIG. 6) and the control device for executing the communication test process (S64, S74) are configured separately. Good. In this case, the two control devices can execute the communication process and the communication test process in parallel.
(3) The multi-function device 50 and the servers 80 and 82 may be connected by a LAN line.
(4) The technical features of the multi-function device 50 can be applied to other network devices. For example, a personal computer, a server, a telephone (including a mobile phone) and the like can be used.
The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.

The block diagram of the network apparatus of this invention is shown. The network system of an Example is shown. The figure for demonstrating the signal and data which are exchanged between each apparatus is shown. The window for inputting communication setting data is shown. The flowchart of the main process of a terminal device is shown. 2 shows a flowchart of a main process of the multifunction machine. The flowchart of a transmission test process is shown. The flowchart of a POP before SMTP process is shown. The flowchart of an SMTP-AUTH process is shown. The flowchart of a reception test process is shown. The communication setting data input into an email is shown (2nd Example). The flowchart of a mail reception process is shown. An example of reply mail is shown. An example of reply mail is shown. 9 shows a flowchart of a main process of the multifunction machine (third embodiment). The flowchart of the main process of a multifunctional machine is shown (continuation of FIG. 15). The flowchart of the main process of a terminal device is shown (4th Example). The flowchart of the main process of a terminal device is shown (continuation of FIG. 17). The window for inputting communication setting data is shown. The flowchart of a destination address set process is shown. The flowchart of an address search process is shown. An example of an address search dialog is shown.

Explanation of symbols

10: Network device 12: Input device 14: Storage device 16: Communication device 18: Communication test device 20: E-mail analysis device 22: Output device 30: Terminal device 32: Server 40: Network system 50: Multifunction device 52: Scanner device 54: Control device 56: Storage device 56a: Main setting data storage region 56b: Sub setting data storage region 56c: Temporary data storage region 58: Display device 60: Operating device 62: Printing device 70: Terminal device 80: POP3 server 82 : SMTP server

Claims (11)

A network device capable of sending and receiving e-mails ;
A first storage area for storing first communication setting data for executing transmission and reception of e-mail;
Communication means capable of executing transmission and reception of an e-mail using the first communication setting data;
E-mail analyzing means for specifying second communication setting data for executing transmission and reception of e-mail by analyzing e-mail received by the communication means;
A second storage area for storing the second communication setting data specified by the e-mail analysis means;
Sending and receiving e-mails using the second communication setting data while maintaining a state where the communication means can send and receive e-mails using the first communication setting data and a communication test means it is possible to test whether it is possible to,
The e-mail received by the communication means includes first information indicating whether or not to execute an e-mail transmission test and second information indicating whether or not to execute an e-mail reception test. And
When the first information included in the electronic mail received by the communication means indicates that an electronic mail transmission test is to be executed, the communication test means includes “electronic” included in the second communication setting data. Based on the "communication setting data for sending email", test whether it can send email,
If the second information included in the electronic mail received by the communication means indicates that the electronic mail reception test is to be executed, the communication test means includes “electronic Test whether it is possible to receive e-mail based on "Communication setting data for receiving e-mail"
A network device. The communication test means is stored in the first storage area when a positive test result is obtained for “communication setting data for executing transmission of an e-mail” included in the second communication setting data. "Communication setting data for executing transmission of e-mail" included in the first communication setting data, and "communication setting data for executing transmission of e-mail" included in the second communication setting data. Updated to
The communication test means is stored in the first storage area when a positive test result is obtained with respect to “communication setting data for executing reception of e-mail” included in the second communication setting data. “Communication setting data for executing reception of electronic mail” included in the first communication setting data, and “communication setting data for executing reception of electronic mail” included in the second communication setting data. The network device according to claim 1, wherein the network device is updated . Network device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by further comprising output means for outputting a test result of the communication test device. The network device according to claim 3, wherein the network device is communicably connected to a terminal device .
When the electronic mail received by the communication unit is transmitted from the terminal device, the output unit outputs a test result of the communication test unit to the terminal device. . 5. The network device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second communication setting data include data for specifying a server for executing transmission and reception of an e-mail . The communication test means outputs a signal to a server included in the second communication setting data and monitors the response to test whether the server can communicate an e-mail. 6. The network device according to claim 5, wherein: The second communication setting data includes user identification information and a password,
The communication test means uses the server by determining whether or not the user specifying information and password included in the second communication setting data are registered in the server included in the second communication setting data. 7. The network apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein a test is performed to check whether the electronic mail can be communicated . The second communication setting data includes data for specifying a user authentication method,
The communication test means determines whether the user authentication method included in the second communication setting data matches a user authentication method executable by the server included in the second communication setting data. 8. The network device according to claim 5 , wherein a test is performed to determine whether an electronic mail can be communicated using a server . The second communication setting data includes data for specifying a user authentication method,
When the user authentication method included in the second communication setting data is SMTP-AUTH, the communication test means includes an SMTP-AUTH authentication mechanism executable by the e-mail transmission server included in the second communication setting data. The list of authentication mechanisms included in the list is preferentially executed, and the email transmission server executes one of the email transmission servers by preferentially executing the user authentication from the highest security level. The network apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein a test is performed to determine whether an electronic mail can be transmitted using the authentication mechanism . The second communication setting data includes a mail address of an e-mail transmission destination,
The communication test means attempts to send an e-mail to an e-mail address included in the second communication setting data by using an e-mail transmission server included in the second communication setting data. 10. The network device according to claim 5 , wherein a test is performed to determine whether an electronic mail can be transmitted using a transmission server . In the computer mounted on the network device, the following processes, that is,
A first storage process for storing first communication setting data for executing transmission and reception of e-mail;
A communication process for performing transmission and reception of an e-mail using the first communication setting data;
An e-mail analyzing process for identifying second communication setting data for performing sending and receiving of e-mail by analyzing the e-mail received in the communication process;
A second storage process for storing the second communication setting data specified in the electronic mail analysis process;
Sending and receiving e-mails using the second communication setting data while maintaining a state in which sending and receiving e-mails can be executed in the communication process using the first communication setting data Communication test process to test whether or not
And execute
The e-mail received in the communication process includes first information indicating whether or not to execute an e-mail transmission test and second information indicating whether or not to execute an e-mail reception test. And
When the first information included in the e-mail received in the communication process indicates that an e-mail transmission test is to be executed, the communication test process includes “electronic Based on the "communication setting data for sending email", test whether it can send email,
When the second information included in the e-mail received in the communication process indicates that the e-mail reception test is to be executed, the communication test process includes “electronic Test whether it is possible to receive e-mail based on "Communication setting data for receiving e-mail"
A computer program characterized by the above.

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