JP2006167928A - Combined machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a combined machine which can reduce an operation burden on a user by simplifying or saving the input operation of authentication information in the combined machine. <P>SOLUTION: The combined machine 1 is equipped with a user ID registering means for registering a user ID, an operation-permission registering means for registering an operation permitted for each of the individual users ID and a control means. The controller makes a judgment on whether a login using a user ID having permission of an operation registered by the operation-permission registering means is already made at the time of executing the operation, and permits a user to make the operation without requiring the user to newly log in the machine if an login using the user ID is already made and requires an login using the user ID if the login using the user ID is not yet made. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-function peripheral having a plurality of functions such as a facsimile communication function, a network printer function, and a copying function, and in particular, when using a specific function or accessing a user-specific storage area set in the own apparatus. The present invention relates to a multifunction device that requests input of authentication information.

In recent years, multi-function machines in which a plurality of information processing functions such as a facsimile communication function, a network printer function, and a copying function are integrated have become widespread. Such a multi-function device is often installed in a company or the like and shared by many users. However, in consideration of the convenience of each individual, a storage area unique to each user can be allocated to the internal storage device. There is something. For example, the MFP of Patent Document 1 can allocate a storage area unique to each user to the internal storage device. When accessing the storage area, the user ID and password assigned to the storage area are input. When the correct password is entered, access to the storage area is permitted.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-101776

  However, when storing data in a storage area unique to each user, the conventional multifunction peripheral needs to perform an input operation of the user ID and password assigned to the storage area each time, which is troublesome for the user. It was.

  Also, in a multi-function device having a plurality of functions, it may be desired to restrict users for each function, but when it is requested to input authentication information such as a user ID and a password for each function, When a single user uses a plurality of functions, a user ID, a password, etc. must be input each time, which is troublesome for the user.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a multifunction device that can reduce the operation burden on the user by simplifying or omitting the authentication information input operation in the multifunction device. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, the multifunction device according to claim 1 is operated by a user ID registration unit for registering a user ID, an available operation registration unit for registering a usable operation for each user ID, and an operation. When the user ID registered as usable by the usable operation registration means is logged in, it is newly logged in when the user ID is logged in. And a control means for requesting to log in when the user ID is not logged in, while permitting the operation without requesting the user.

  The multifunction device according to claim 2 stores user ID registration means for registering a user ID, destination information registration means for registering destination information of a storage area in the own apparatus for each user ID, and storing data in the storage area. When a data storage operation is performed, it is determined whether or not the user ID registered by the destination information registration unit is logged in. If the user ID is logged in, a new login is performed. Without storing the request, the data is stored in the storage area specified by the destination information corresponding to the user ID, and if the user ID is not logged in, the control means for requesting the login, It is characterized by providing.

  The multifunction device according to claim 3 further comprises display means in the multifunction device according to claim 2, wherein the control means displays the destination information registered by the destination information registration means when a data storage operation is performed. An instruction to change the destination information displayed by the display unit to a selected state or a non-selected state and to confirm the selected state are displayed by the display unit, the destination information corresponding to the logged-in user ID is selected. It is characterized in that an instruction is received and data is stored in a storage area designated by destination information whose selection state is determined.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the multifunction peripheral according to the second aspect, further comprising display means, wherein the control means adds the destination information registered by the destination information registration means when a data storage operation is performed. The corresponding user ID is displayed on the display means, the logged-in user ID is set in a selected state, the instruction for changing the user ID displayed on the display means to a selected state or a non-selected state, and confirmation of the selected state It is characterized in that an instruction is received and data is accumulated in a storage area designated by destination information corresponding to a user ID whose selection state is confirmed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, if the user logs in once, the user can perform all usable operations within the range of authority given to the user without logging in each time.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when an operation for accumulating data such as image data in a storage area unique to a user in the apparatus is performed, when the user ID of the user is previously logged in Further, it is not necessary to log in again, and the operation of inputting the destination information for designating the storage area is omitted, so that the operation performed by the user can be simplified.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when an operation for accumulating data such as image data in a storage area unique to a user in the apparatus is performed, when the user ID of the user is previously logged in Since the destination information corresponding to the logged-in user ID is automatically selected, the user need only perform the selection state confirmation instruction operation without performing the destination information input operation. Therefore, the user's operation can be simplified.

  According to the MFP of the fourth aspect, when performing an operation for storing data such as image data in a storage area unique to the user in the own apparatus, when the user ID of the user is logged in in advance Since the logged-in user ID is automatically selected, the user only needs to perform the selection state confirmation instruction operation without performing the destination information input operation. Therefore, the user's operation can be simplified.

  Hereinafter, a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 includes a control unit (MPU: Microprocessing Unit) 2, a document reading unit 3, a codec (CODEC: Coder and Decoder) 4, an image memory 5, a recording unit 6, an operation unit 7, A display unit 8, a communication unit 9, a LAN I / F (Local Area Network Interface) 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12 are provided. They are connected by a bus 13.

  The control unit 2 controls each unit constituting the multifunction machine 1. The document reading unit 3 reads image data of a document. Although not shown, the document reading unit 3 includes an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and an optical system such as a light source (FBS: Flat Bed Scanner). Etc. are configured.

  The codec 4 encodes and decodes image data for copying and facsimile transmission / reception. That is, image data read from the document by the document reading unit 3 is converted into JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), MH (Modified Huffman), MR (Modified Read), MMR (Modified Modified Read), JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image Group). ) Decode image data received by facsimile, etc. In addition, image data is encoded or decoded in correspondence with a TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) format and a PDF (Portable Document Format) format, which are image formats generally used in computers.

  The image memory 5 stores image data read from the original by the original reading unit 3, image data encoded by the codec 4 after being read from the original by the original reading unit 3, image data received by facsimile, and the like. The recording unit 6 records an image of the image data read from the image memory 5 on a sheet. As a recording method in the recording unit 6, for example, an electrophotographic method is used.

  Although not shown, the operation unit 7 designates a start key for instructing the document reading unit 3 to start a document reading operation, a numeric keypad for inputting a facsimile number, the number of copies, etc., a pre-registered facsimile number, etc. Various operation keys linked with the display unit 8 are provided, such as a one-touch key for performing a setting, a shortening key for designating a shortened number together with a numeric keypad, and a cursor key for performing various settings. The operation unit 7 also includes a logout key 7a for logging out the logged-in user ID. The user can log out all user IDs in the login state at that time simply by pressing the logout key 7a. A plurality of logout keys 7a may be provided for each user ID, and only the user ID corresponding to the pressed logout key may be logged out.

  The display unit 8 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) 15 that displays various setting states and operation states of the device 1 with characters, graphics, and the like, an LED lamp 16 that is turned on or off, and the like. ing. The liquid crystal display device 15 may be of a touch panel type, and the liquid crystal display device 15 may also have the function of the operation unit 7.

  Although not shown, the communication unit 9 includes a modem and an NCU (Network Control Unit). The modem is, for example, a recommendation V.16 of ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector). Modulation and demodulation of transmission / reception data according to the 34 standard or the like. The NCU is a line network control device that controls a telephone line to make or cut a telephone call, and is connected to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) 17.

  The LAN I / F 10 is an interface that connects a LAN (Local Area Network) 18 and the multifunction device 1 so that they can communicate with each other. A client PC 20 is connected to the LAN 18, and various functions of the multifunction device 1 can be used from the client PC 20. The ROM 11 stores a control program for controlling each unit of the multifunction machine 1 by the control unit 2. The RAM 12 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the control unit 2 and stores various setting information.

  The auxiliary storage device HDD has a plurality of storage areas respectively assigned to a plurality of user IDs. As the auxiliary storage device HDD, for example, a hard disk device or the like is employed.

  In the MFP 1 having the above-described configuration, information specifying whether or not the administrator authority of the MFP 1 is required for performing the operation and the protect code of the administrator are registered in the RAM 12 for each operation type. ing. For example, as in the administrator authority necessity table T1 shown in FIG. 2, the operation types are “scan operation”, “phone book editing operation”, “apparatus setting information editing operation”, “operation A”, “operation B”. In addition, information for specifying whether or not the authority of the administrator is necessary and the protect code of the administrator are registered in association with each of them. Here, whether or not to register the administrator's protect code is arbitrary. The “scan operation” is an operation for scanning image data of a document using the document reading unit 3. The “phone book editing operation” is an operation for editing the phone book that stores the destination telephone number, the destination mail address, and the like in the multifunction device 1. The “device setting information editing operation” is an operation for editing the device setting information of the multifunction device 1. “Operation A” and “Operation B” indicate predetermined operations. As information indicating whether or not the authority of the administrator is necessary, information “required” indicating that the authority of the administrator is necessary or information “unnecessary” indicating that the authority of the administrator is unnecessary is registered.

  In the MFP 1 having such an administrator authority necessity table T1, when registering authentication information such as a user ID and a password, it is possible to register an operation that can be used for each user ID. It has become. Then, when registering a usable operation, if an administrator's authority is required to perform the operation, the administrator is requested to input a protect code. The processing operation of the multifunction device 1 executed when user authentication information is registered will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the processing operation of the multifunction device 1 described based on the flowcharts of FIG. 3 and the subsequent drawings is performed according to instructions issued by the control unit 2 based on a control program stored in the ROM 11.

  When a predetermined operation of the operation unit 7 is performed, a screen for prompting the user to input a user ID and password and to specify an operation desired to be registered is displayed on the display unit 15, and when such information is input and specified by a user operation ( S1) The control unit 2 refers to the administrator authority necessity table T1 and determines whether or not the administrator authority is necessary to perform the designated operation (S2). When it is determined in the administrator authority necessity table T1 that the administrator authority is necessary because the information “required” specifying that the administrator authority is required in association with the designated operation is registered. (S2: YES), it is further determined whether or not the administrator's protect code is set (S3). If the administrator's protect code is set, the control unit 2 executes a processing operation that prompts the administrator to input the protect code (S4). For example, a message indicating that a protect code should be input is displayed on the display unit 15, and an input field for inputting the protect code is displayed on the display unit 8 by operating the key of the operation unit 7. When the protect code is input, the control unit 2 compares the input protect code with the administrator's protect code registered in advance in the administrator authority necessity table T1, and if they match, the control code is input. The registered user ID and password are registered, and the use authority of the designated operation, that is, information indicating that the designated operation is usable is registered in association with the user ID (S6). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, in the authentication information management table T2 stored in the RAM 12, the input user ID and password are registered, and the operation specified in S1 in association with the user ID. Register the information “Usable” that specifies that the operation can be used. For the operation not designated in S1, information “unusable” for automatically designating that the operation cannot be used is automatically registered.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in S2 or S3, the input user ID and password are registered in the authentication information management table T2 without requesting the input of a protect code, and the user ID is associated with the user ID in S1. Registers the information “usable” that specifies that the specified operation is usable. When a negative determination is made in S5 (S5: NO), the user ID and password input in S1 are registered, and information “unusable” is registered for designating that the designated operation cannot be used. To do.

  Next, processing operations executed by the multifunction device 1 when registering a user-specific data storage area in the multifunction device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  A screen prompting the user to input destination information in the data storage area of the user and input a user ID and password is displayed by a predetermined operation of the operation unit 7. When such information is input by a user input operation or the like (S51), the control unit 2 determines whether or not the input user ID and password are correct ones registered in the authentication information management table T2. (S52). When it is determined that the input user ID and password are correct (S52: YES), for example, as in the destination information management table T3 illustrated in FIG. For example, a path name is associated and registered (S53). Further, the user ID and the destination information of the data storage area are registered in association with the one-touch key (may be an abbreviated number) of the operation unit 7. Accordingly, the user ID and destination information corresponding to the one-touch key can be designated by pressing the one-touch key (or by designating a shortened number).

  If it is determined in S52 that the input user ID and password are incorrect (S52: NO), the process ends without registering the input information.

  Next, in the multi-function device 1, for executing some function except for an operation (hereinafter referred to as “scan accumulation operation”) for reading the image data of the document in the document reading unit 3 and storing it in a storage area unique to each user. FIG. 7 shows processing operations executed by the multi-function device 1 when operations such as a phone book editing operation, user registration information editing operation, facsimile transmission operation, IP address setting operation, etc. are performed. This will be described based on a flowchart.

  When an operation other than the scan accumulation operation is started by the user in the multifunction device 1, the control unit 2 determines whether there is a user logged in to the multifunction device 1 (S101). If any one of the user IDs is logged in (S101: login state), the user ID in the login state is acquired (S102), and the logged-in user ID is referred to the authentication information management table T2. It is determined whether or not has the authority to perform this operation (S103). When “usable” is registered in the table T2 for the operation of the logged-in user ID, when it is determined that the user ID has the authority to perform the operation (S103: YES), a new login is performed. This operation is permitted without requesting (S104). If “unusable” is registered for the operation of the logged-in user ID and it is determined that the user ID does not have authority to perform the operation (S103: NO), the operation is rejected (S103: NO) S105). For example, a processing operation is performed to notify that the user is not authorized to perform the operation. More specifically, a character string indicating that the user is not authorized to perform the operation is displayed on the display unit 15.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 2 determines in S101 that there is no user ID in the login state in the multifunction machine 1 (S101: logout state), a processing operation for requesting login is executed (S106). For example, screen information for inputting authentication information such as a user ID and password is displayed on the display unit 15. When the authentication information is input by the user, the authentication information and the authentication information stored in the authentication information management table T2 are displayed. If they match, and if they match, it is determined that the login is successful (S107: YES), and the process proceeds to S103. On the other hand, if the authentication information does not match and it is determined that the login has failed (S107: NO), the process proceeds to S105 and the operation is rejected.

  The control unit 2 counts the time during which no operation is performed by the operation unit 7 after login, and automatically logs out when the operation is not performed for a certain period of time. Thereby, when the user forgets to log out, the logged-in user ID can be prevented from being illegally used by a third party. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing operations performed by the multifunction machine 1.

  That is, when a user ID and password are input and designated by a predetermined operation of the operation unit 7 and matched with a user ID and password registered in advance in the authentication information management table T2 (S201: YES), the user ID A login state is established (S202). On the other hand, if the user ID and password registered in the authentication information management table T2 in advance are not matched and matched (S201: NO), the login failure is notified and the login is rejected (S203).

  After the login state of S202 is established, the control unit 2 logs out the user ID when no operation is performed in the operation unit 7 for a predetermined time (S204: NO) (S205).

  Next, the processing operation executed by the multifunction device 1 when the data accumulation operation for accumulating data in the registered user-specific storage area is performed in the multifunction device 1 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. To do. Here, as a specific example, a processing operation of the multifunction device 1 executed when image data of a document read by the document reading unit 3 is stored in a storage area unique to the user will be described.

  When a scan accumulation operation is performed by the user in the multifunction device 1, the control unit 2 determines whether there is a user logged in to the multifunction device 1 (S251). If any one of the user IDs is logged in (S251: login state), the user ID in the login state is acquired (S252), and the authority to perform this operation with reference to the authentication information management table T2 is logged in It is determined whether or not the user ID being held has (S253). When it is determined that the user ID has the authority to perform the operation because “usable” is registered in the table T2 for the operation of the logged-in user ID (S253: YES), for example, as illustrated in FIG. As described above, all the destination information in the registered data storage area is displayed, and the operation screen 22 for accepting selection of the displayed destination information and the user ID corresponding to the destination information is displayed on the display unit 15 (S254). In this operation screen 22, the user ID in the logged-in state and the destination information corresponding thereto are selected in advance, and are displayed so as to be identifiable as not logged in. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the user ID in the selected state and the destination information corresponding thereto are displayed in the inverted state 23. Both the user ID and the destination information displayed on the operation screen 22 can be instructed to change from a non-selected state to a selected state or from a selected state to a non-selected state by a predetermined operation of the operation unit 7. The unit 2 receives the change instruction and changes the selection state and the reverse display state. The operation screen 22 is provided with a selection confirmation button 24 for confirming the selection state. The user can instruct the confirmation of the selection state by operating this, and the control unit 2 The confirmation instruction is accepted, and the selection state of the user ID and the destination information is confirmed.

  When the user operates the selection confirmation button 24 or the like and the control unit 2 determines the selection state of the user ID and the corresponding destination information (S255: YES), the user ID (the selection state is changed) is determined. It is determined whether or not the user ID corresponding to the confirmed destination information is being logged in (S256). If the selected user ID is not logged in (S256: NO), a processing operation for requesting login for the user ID is executed (S257). For example, the user ID is displayed on the display unit 15 and a display screen for displaying a message prompting the user to input a password for the user ID is displayed on the display unit 15.

  When the password is entered and the login is successful (S258: YES), the control unit 2 starts the scanning operation in the document reading unit 3 (S259), and the selection state of the image data of the document read by the document reading unit 3 is confirmed. The destination information (destination information corresponding to the user ID whose selection state is confirmed) is stored in the storage area designated (S260).

  On the other hand, if the input password and the password registered in the authentication information management table T2 do not match, it is determined that the login has failed (S258: NO), and the fact that the login has failed is notified (S261). For example, a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit 15. When a predetermined operation for canceling the scanning operation is performed (S262: YES), a series of processing operations are terminated without performing the scanning operation. On the other hand, if the predetermined operation for canceling the scan operation is not performed (S262: NO), the process returns to S256.

  If it is determined in S256 that any user ID whose selection state has been confirmed (user ID corresponding to the destination information whose selection state has been confirmed) has been logged in (S256: YES), the process proceeds to S259.

  If the control unit 2 determines in S251 that there is no user ID logged in to the multifunction device 1 (S251: logout state), a processing operation for requesting login is executed (S263). For example, screen information for inputting authentication information such as a user ID and a password is displayed on the display unit 15. When the authentication information is input by the user, the input authentication information is compared with the authentication information stored in the authentication information management table T2, and if they match, it is determined that the login is successful (S264: YES), and the process proceeds to S253. Transition. On the other hand, if the authentication information does not match, it is determined that the login has failed (S264: NO), the login failure is notified (S265), and the series of processing operations are terminated without performing the scanning operation in the document reading unit 3. . If a negative determination is made in S253, the process proceeds to S265.

  In the MFP 1 described above, both the user ID and the destination information are displayed on the operation screen 22 and both are selected. However, either one of the user ID and the destination information is displayed. And the selection may be omitted.

  According to the multifunction device 1 described above, the user only logs in once when performing an operation, and when performing another operation, the user does not need to perform the login operation again, and is within the authority set for the user. All operations that can be used with can be performed. In addition, when performing an operation for storing image data scanned by the document reading unit 3 in a storage area unique to the user in the apparatus 1, even when the user ID of the user is previously logged in, the login is performed again. In addition, since it is not necessary to input destination information for designating a storage area, the operation performed by the user can be simplified. When the user ID of the user is logged in in advance, the destination information corresponding to the logged-in user ID is automatically selected and displayed on the operation screen 22 so as to be identifiable. Since only the instruction operation for confirming the selection state needs to be performed without performing the input operation of the destination information or the instruction to change the selection state, the operation can be further simplified.

  According to the multi-function device 1, once a login operation is performed, a plurality of operations can be performed without performing the login operation each time. Therefore, if the user is bothered by the logout operation and neglects the logout operation, There is a possibility that a number of functions may be illegally used by the three parties. However, since the multifunction device 1 includes the logout key 7a, the user can log out quickly and easily by one pressing operation. Even if the user forgets to log out, the multifunction device 1 has an automatic logout function, so if there is no operation for a certain period of time, the logout process will be executed automatically and a third party without usage authority will Unauthorized use of the multifunction device 1 is prevented.

  The present invention can be applied to a multifunction machine in which a plurality of information processing functions such as a facsimile communication function, a network printer function, and a copying function are integrated.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention and a network connection example of the multifunction peripheral. It is the figure which showed an example of the administrator authority necessity table. 6 is a flowchart showing processing operations of the multifunction machine executed when user authentication information is registered. It is the figure which showed an example of the authentication information management table. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing operations executed by the multifunction peripheral when registering a user-specific data storage area. It is the figure which showed an example of the destination information management table table. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing operations executed by the multifunction peripheral when an operation other than a scan operation is performed. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing operations executed by the multifunction peripheral when automatically logging out. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing operations executed by the multifunction peripheral when an operation for accumulating data in a registered user-specific storage area is performed. It is the figure which showed an example of the operation screen for selecting the storage destination of data.

Explanation of symbols

T1 Administrator authority necessity table T2 Authentication information management table T3 Destination information management table 1 Multifunction device 2 Control unit 3 Document reading unit 8, 15 Display unit 22 Operation screen

Claims (4)

  User ID registration means for registering a user ID, usable operation registration means for registering an operation that can be used for each user ID, and operation that can be used by the usable operation registration means when the operation is performed It is determined whether or not the user ID registered as is logged in. When the user ID is logged in, the user ID is permitted without requesting a new login, while the user ID is And a control means for requesting to log in when the user is not logged in.   User ID registration means for registering a user ID, destination information registration means for registering destination information of a storage area in the own apparatus for each user ID, and data storage operation for storing data in the storage area are performed. At this time, it is determined whether or not the user ID registered by the destination information registration means is logged in. If the user ID is logged in, the user ID is not required to be newly logged in. A multifunction device comprising: a control unit that accumulates data in a storage area specified by destination information corresponding to an ID and requests to log in when the user ID is not logged in.   Display means, and when the data storage operation is performed, the control means displays the destination information registered by the destination information registration means by the display means, and the destination corresponding to the logged-in user ID. The information is set in a selected state, an instruction to change the destination information displayed by the display means to a selected state or a non-selected state, and a confirmation instruction for the selected state are received, and the storage area designated by the destination information whose selected state is confirmed 3. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 2, wherein data is accumulated.   A display unit, and the control unit displays a user ID corresponding to the destination information registered by the destination information registration unit when the data storage operation is performed, and displays the user ID corresponding to the logged-in user. The destination information corresponding to the user ID in which the selection state is confirmed by receiving an instruction to change the user ID displayed by the display unit to the selection state or the non-selection state and an instruction to confirm the selection state. 3. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 2, wherein data is stored in a designated storage area.

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