Apparatus, method, system, and computer program product for creating operation definition file, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

An operation-definition-file creating apparatus includes a setting data file in which setting data of a setting item that is to be set in an MFP is defined. A creating unit creates, on the basis of the setting data, an operation definition file in which an operation for reflecting the setting data in the MFP is described and a saving unit saves the created operation definition file in an external storage medium.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 a control unit configured to execute a process of image forming by the image forming apparatus;   a reading unit configured to read operation definition information including setting data corresponding to setting items for the image forming apparatus;   a setting unit configured to set at least one item in the image forming apparatus based on the operation definition information;   wherein if interface information for executing the process is included in the setting information, based on a request from an application program, the operation definition information includes information that sets an interface in the control unit for executing the process based on the request from the application program.   
     
     
         11 . The image forming apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein,
 the reading unit is further configured to read an API command included in the operation definition information, the API command being provided by an application program interface,   the setting unit is further configured to set the at least one item based on the API command.   
     
     
         12 . The image forming apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein,
 the reading unit is further configured to read a PJL command in a printer job language that is included in the operation definition information,   the setting unit is further configured to set the at least one item based on the PJL command.   
     
     
         13 . The image forming apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein,
 if the operation definition information is encrypted, the reading unit is further configured to decrypt the encrypted operation definition information before reading the decrypted operation definition information.   
     
     
         14 . A system, comprising:
 an information processing apparatus; and   an image forming apparatus including a control unit for executing a process of image forming,   wherein the information processing apparatus includes,
 a storing unit configured to store therein setting information defining setting data corresponding to setting items set in the image forming apparatus, 
 a creating unit configured to create operation definition information including operations reflecting the setting data in the image forming apparatus based on the setting information, 
 a saving unit configured to save the created operation definition information in an external storage unit, 
   wherein the image forming apparatus includes,
 a reading unit configured to read the operation definition information saved in the external storing unit, and 
 a setting unit configured to reflect the setting data in the image forming apparatus based on the operation definition information, 
 wherein if interface information for executing the process is included in the setting information, based on a request from an application program, the operation definition information includes information that sets an interface in the control unit for executing the process based on the request from the application program. 
   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein,
 the reading unit is further configured to read an API command included in the operation definition information, the API command being provided by an application program interface,   the setting unit is further configured to reflect the setting data based on the API command.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein,
 the reading unit is further configured to read a PJL command in a printer job language that is included in the operation definition information,   the setting unit is further configured to reflect the setting data based on the PJL command.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein,
 if the operation definition information is encrypted, the reading unit is further configured to decrypt the encrypted operation definition information before reading the decrypted operation definition information.   
     
     
         18 . A setting method executed by an image forming apparatus that includes a control unit for executing a process of image forming, the method comprising:
 reading operation definition information including setting data corresponding to setting items for the image forming apparatus; and   reflecting the setting data in the image forming apparatus based on the operation definition information,   wherein if interface information for executing the process is included in the setting information, based on a request from an application program, the operation definition information includes information that sets an interface in the control unit for executing the process based on the request from the application program   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein,
 the reading operation definition information further includes reading an API command included in the operation definition information, the API command being provided by an application program interface,   the reflecting of the setting data further includes reflecting the setting data based on the API command.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein,
 the reading operation definition information further includes reading a PJL command in a printer job language that is included in the operation definition information,   the reflecting of the setting data further includes reflecting the setting data based on the PJL command.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 decrypting the encrypted operation definition information before reading the decrypted operation definition information, if the operation definition information is encrypted.   
     
     
         22 . A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium containing a computer program causing a computer to execute the setting method of  claim 18 .