JP2013045368A - Information processing system, information processing method, and management server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow link utility of a plurality of items of information equipment in cooperation by considering a user's right to use the respective items of equipment.SOLUTION: The user requests a list of content data of a content server from the equipment, selects desired data from the obtained list, and executes a function of the equipment. When the user hopes to print data whose function is executed, he or she makes a printing request of the equipment in use. In response to the printing request, the equipment requests the search for equipment capable of printing to the management server. In response to the search request, the management server generates display control information for displaying a picture to select a function and equipment to use with reference to an available function table and an available equipment management table on the basis of a user's ID and transmits it to the equipment. The user selects a printing function in response to the selection picture displaying the equipment according to the transmitted display control information, and selects equipment to perform printing. The printing request is transmitted to the selected equipment and printing is executed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a management server that manage devices connected to each other via a network.

  Conventionally, in offices and the like, single-function devices such as printers, fax machines, and copiers, MFPs (Multi Function Printers) that realize multiple functions such as printer functions, fax functions, and copy functions in a single housing, Various information devices such as projector devices and conference systems are used. In recent years, a system in which these various information devices are connected to each other via a network has been proposed. By linking a plurality of information devices, it is possible to improve convenience and reduce costs.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-318867 discloses a system that enables processing in cooperation with a plurality of image forming apparatuses, even when there is a processing request from a user who is not authorized to execute a part of a series of processes. A technique that enables services to be processed in a coordinated manner based on a trust relationship between services is disclosed.

  By the way, in recent years, in an information device used in an office or the like, user authentication is performed and a function that can be used for each user is set. However, in the above-described system in which various information devices are connected to each other through a network, there is a problem that the user use authority for each device is not considered.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 described above, only a trust relationship between devices and services is verified for a processing request from a user who does not have authority to execute at a position of a series of processing. Therefore, while the device itself is determined, the user's usage authority is not determined.

  When consideration is not given to the user usage authority, for example, when the user tries to perform processing by linking each information device, the user takes a complicated procedure to grasp the information device that can be used by the user. You may have to step on it.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to enable cooperative use of a plurality of information devices in consideration of the user's authority to use each device.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the first invention includes user identification information for identifying a user and information indicating a function permitted for the user corresponding to the user identification information. A first storage means for storing in association, a second storage means for storing the user identification information, and information indicating a device permitted to be used by the user corresponding to the user identification information, and a network; Control for transmitting information indicating a function associated with user identification information and information indicating a device via a network with reference to the first storage means and the second storage means based on the user identification information received via the network A server having a means, identification information transmitting means for transmitting user identification information to the server, and received from the server according to the user identification information transmitted by the identification information transmitting means Characterized in that the user input based on the information indicating information and the device showing the ability and a function terminal and a selecting means for selecting one of the devices.

  The second invention is based on the identification information transmitting step in which the identification information transmitting means transmits user identification information for identifying the user via the network, and the control means is based on the user identification information received via the network. A first storage means for associating and storing user identification information and information indicating a function permitted for the user corresponding to the user identification information, the user identification information, and the user corresponding to the user identification information; The second storage means that stores the information indicating the device permitted to be used in association with the information, and transmits the information indicating the function associated with the user identification information and the information indicating the device via the network. A control step, and information indicating a function transmitted by the control unit in the control step according to the user identification information transmitted by the identification information transmission step. Characterized in that it comprises a selection step of selecting one of the devices by the user input based on the information indicating the vessel.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first storage unit that stores user identification information for identifying a user and information indicating a function permitted for the user corresponding to the user identification information in association with the user; A second storage unit that stores the identification information and information indicating a device permitted to be used by the user corresponding to the user identification information in association with each other, and stores the information indicating the function and the information indicating the device in association with each other. Based on user identification information received via the network and the third storage means, extracting information indicating the function associated with the user identification information with reference to the first storage means and transmitting it via the network Based on the user identification information and the information indicating one function received via the network in response to the transmission of the information indicating the function, reference is made to the second storage means and the third storage means. It extracts information indicating the device corresponding to the corresponding and user identification information to the information indicating the function and having a control means for transmitting over the network.

  Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, there is an effect that a plurality of information devices can be linked and used in consideration of a user's authority to use each device.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the function of the device. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the management server. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a user available function management table. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a user available device management table. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a user information table. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a device management table. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the flow of processing in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in more detail the flow of processing in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the device. FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a device selection screen on which information indicating a device state is displayed. FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a device selection screen on which information indicating the position of the device is displayed. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the position information table.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information processing system and a server device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The management server 10 and the content server 11 are connected to the wired or wireless network 1, and the devices 12, 13, and 14 are connected.

  The management server 10 manages the entire information processing system, and performs, for example, authentication processing for the user, user access control to each device belonging to the information processing system, and the like. That is, the user can use the functions of this information processing system by logging in to the management server 10 and performing authentication processing. In addition, the management server 10 manages available functions and available devices for each user based on information stored in the management information unit 20.

  The content server 11 stores content data such as image data and document data in an accumulative manner. Further, the content server 11 can convert image data and document data into print control information such as PDL (Page Description Language) in response to a request.

  The devices 12, 13, and 14 are functional terminals configured to execute specific functions. In the example of FIG. 1, the device 12 is a projector device, and the devices 13 and 14 are MFPs (Multi Function Printers), respectively. is there. The device 12 as a projector device has a function of acquiring content data such as image data and document data from the content server 11 via a network and projecting the content data on a screen (not shown). Further, the devices 13 and 14 which are MFPs can realize a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, and a FAX function in a single casing. In the example of FIG. 1, the device 13 is MFP # 1, and the device 14 is MFP # 2.

  In the example of FIG. 1, three devices 12, 13, and 14 are connected to the information processing system and can be used. However, this is not limited to this example, and a larger number of devices are connected to the information processing system. can do. In addition, devices connected to the information processing system are not limited to projector devices and MFPs, and may be devices having other functions. For example, a single printer device, scanner device, or FAX device can be connected. A personal computer may be connected as a device.

  Processing in the information processing system having such a configuration will be schematically described. As an example, a case where the user A projects an image using the device 12 that is a projector device will be described. When the user A uses the device 12, the user A logs in the system by transmitting user identification information for identifying the user A from the device 12 to the management server 10 via the network 1. Then, the user A accesses the content server 11 from the device 12, acquires desired image data, and projects an image based on the image data.

  Here, it is assumed that the user A wants to print the image data of the image being projected by the device 12. In this case, according to the operation of the device 12 by the user A, communication is performed between the device 12 and the management server 10, and a device that can be used by the user A is searched. At this time, the management server 10 presents a list of functions available to the user A to the user A. When the user A selects a desired function in accordance with the list of presented functions, next, a device that can execute the selected function and can be used by the user A (for example, the devices 13 and 14). Is presented to the user A. When the user A selects a desired device (referred to as device 14) according to the presented device list, a print request is transmitted to the selected device 14. The device 14 performs printing in response to this print request.

  First, let the user select a function that the user is permitted to use, and then let the user select a device that has a function that the user is permitted to use among the devices that have the selected function. Yes. Therefore, when a plurality of devices are connected to the network and the function of another device is used from one device among them, the user can easily select a device that executes a desired function.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the functions of the devices 12, 13 and 14. The devices 12, 13, and 14 include a user ID input unit 30, an operation unit 31, a communication unit 32, a function unit 33, a selection unit 34, and a control unit 35. In the following description, the devices 12, 13, and 14 are represented by the device 12 unless otherwise specified.

  The control unit 35 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU uses the RAM as a work memory in accordance with a program stored in advance in the ROM. The overall operation of the device 12 is controlled. The communication unit 32 controls communication via the network 1 according to the control of the control unit 35.

  The user ID input unit 30 inputs user identification information (user ID) for identifying the user when the device 12 is used by the user. The user ID is input using, for example, a so-called IC card in which an IC chip having a communication unit and a memory chip storing a user ID are embedded in a plastic card. In this case, the user ID input unit 30 is an IC card reader that can read the IC card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the user may input the user ID directly by input means such as key input. In this case, an operation unit 31 described later can be used as the user ID input unit 30.

  The operation unit 31 includes an input unit 36 provided with an operator for accepting a user operation, and a display unit 37 that prompts the user to perform an operation or displays information. The operation unit 31 may have a so-called touch panel configuration in which the input unit 36 and the display unit 37 are integrally formed, or the input unit 36 is configured by keys or dials as hardware, and the display unit 37 is provided separately. May be.

  The functional unit 33 has a configuration for realizing the function of the device 12. For example, in the device 12 that is a projector device, the function unit 33 includes an image processing unit, a projection optical system for generating a projection image from image data, and irradiating the projection object such as a screen. In the devices 13 and 14 which are MFPs, the function unit 33 includes an image processing unit, an engine unit including a scanner unit and a printer unit, a FAX unit including a communication unit for a public telephone line, and the like.

  The selection unit 34 selects a function and a device (in this example, the device 13 or 14) desired to be used from the device 12 when the other device 13 or 14 is used from the device 12. Although details will be described later, the selection unit 34 displays a screen prompting the user to select a function or a device on the display unit 37 according to the control of the control unit 35, and the input unit 36 follows the display on this screen. Select a function or device according to the user input.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the functions of the management server 10. In FIG. 3, the management information unit 20 is included in the management server 10. The management server 10 includes a management information unit 20, a control unit 21, and a communication unit 22.

  The control unit 21 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU uses the RAM as a work memory according to a program stored in advance in the ROM. The overall operation of the management server 10 is controlled. The control unit 21 also performs authentication processing for a user who logs in to the information processing system. The communication unit 22 controls communication via the network 1 according to the control of the control unit 21.

  The management information unit 20 includes a user usable function management unit 23, a user usable device management unit 24, and a device management unit 25. The user available function management unit 23 manages available functions for each user. FIG. 4 shows an example of a user available function management table 50 stored and managed by the user available function management unit 23. In the user-usable function management table 50, a function permitted to be used by a user indicated by the user ID is stored in association with a user ID that is identification information for identifying the user.

  Here, for example, the functions of the devices 12, 13, and 14 that can be used in this information processing system are applied. In the example of FIG. 4, “projection” that is a function of the projector device, “storage” that is the function of the content server 11, and “print” and “FAX” that are the functions of MFP # 1 and MFP # 2 are defined as functions. Has been. Thus, in addition to the devices 12, 13, and 14, the function of the content server 11 can be included in the function item of the user available function management table 50.

  In FIG. 4, “◯ (circle)” indicates a function that is permitted for the user, and “× (cross)” indicates a function that is not permitted for the user. That is, in the example of FIG. 4, the user with the user ID “001” is permitted to use “projection”, “store”, and “print” among these functions, and the “FAX” function is permitted. Not available. For the user with the user ID “002”, only the “projection” function can be used, and the other functions “accumulation”, “print”, and “FAX” cannot be used. Further, the user with the user ID “003” can use the functions “accumulate”, “print”, and “FAX”, and cannot use “projection”.

  The user-usable device management unit 24 manages devices that can be used for each user, that is, devices. FIG. 5 shows an example of the user available device management table 51 stored and managed by the user available device management unit 24. In the user-usable device management table 51, devices that are permitted to be used by the user indicated by the user ID are stored in association with the user ID.

  Here, for example, devices 12, 13, and 14 that can be used in this information processing system are applied. In the example of FIG. 5, “projector device” (device 12), “MFP # 1” (device 13), and “MFP # 2” (device 14) are defined as devices.

  In FIG. 5, “◯ (circle)” indicates a function that is permitted for the user, and “× (cross)” indicates a function that is not permitted for the user. That is, in the example of FIG. 5, the user with the user ID “001” is permitted to use the projector device and MFP # 1, but is not permitted to use MFP # 2. For the user with the user ID “002”, only the projector device can be used, and MFP # 1 and MFP # 2 cannot be used. Further, the user with the user ID “003” can use the MFP # 1 and the MFP # 2, and cannot use the projector device.

  The user-usable function management table 50 shown in FIG. 4 and the user-usable device management table 51 shown in FIG. 5 are created, for example, manually input. For example, when a new user ID is registered, whether or not to allow the use of each function is set for the user ID, and the setting contents are associated with the user ID and the user available function management Registered in the table 50. The same applies to the user available device management table 51 of FIG.

  For example, when a new user is registered, information on the user to be registered is input to the user information table 60 illustrated in FIG. In this example, the user information table 60 includes a user ID, a user name, each device, and each function as items. Information indicating whether or not use of each device is permitted and whether or not use of each function is permitted for the user ID may be manually input one by one. It can be automatically set based on information such as the user's title and department. In FIG. 6, the projector device is abbreviated as “PJ”.

  Each information stored in the user available function management table 50 shown in FIG. 4 and each information stored in the user available device management table 51 shown in FIG. It can be automatically acquired and entered.

  Further, the user usable function management table 50 and the user usable device management table 51 are also updated when the available functions in this information processing system increase and decrease, and when the available devices increase and decrease.

  The device management unit 25 manages devices and functions that can be used in this information processing system in association with each other. FIG. 7 shows an example of a device management table 52 that is stored and managed by the device management unit 25. The device management table 52 stores functions associated with devices that can be used by the device.

  In FIG. 7, “◯ (circle)” indicates a function that can be used by the device, and “× (cross)” indicates a function that cannot be used by the device. That is, in the example of FIG. 7, the projector apparatus can use only the “projection” function, and both the MFP # 1 and MFP # 2 can use the “print” and “FAX” functions. Has been.

  Next, an example of performing processing across devices according to the present embodiment will be schematically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 schematically shows the flow of processing in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. In the example of FIG. 8, for example, the device 12 that is a projector device acquires image data stored in the content server 11 and projects it onto a screen (not shown), and the projected image data is printed by the device 14 (MFP # 2). Shows when to do.

  When the user A uses this information processing system from the device 12, first (1) login to the information processing system. For example, the user ID of the user A is input from the user ID input unit 30 of the device 12 and transmitted to the management server 10. In this example, the user A inputs a user ID using, for example, the IC card 40 in which the user ID is stored in a built-in memory chip. When the login to the information processing system is completed, the user A requests (2) a list of content data from the content server 11. The content data list acquired by this request is displayed on the display unit 37 of the operation unit 31, for example.

  The user A operates the operation unit 31 of the device 12, selects, for example, image data to be projected from the acquired content data list, and performs projection onto a screen or the like. Here, it is assumed that the user A wants to print the image data being projected. In this case, the user A issues (3) a print request to the device 12, for example. The device 12 is a projector device and does not have a printing function. Therefore, the device 12 requests (4) a search for a printable device from the management server 10 in response to the (3) print request.

  In response to a search request from the device 12, the management server 10 logs in the user available function management table 50 and the user available device management table 51 managed by the management information unit 20 from the device 12. Reference is made based on the user ID of user A. Based on the reference result, the management server 10 generates (5) display control information for displaying a screen for prompting the user A to select a function to be used or a device, and transmits the display control information to the device 12.

  In the device 12, the selection unit 34 causes the display unit 37 to display a predetermined selection screen in accordance with (5) display control information transmitted from the management server 10. User A selects a printing function in accordance with this selection screen, and selects a device (device 14 in this example) to execute printing. Thereby, (6) a print request is transmitted from the device 12 to the device 14, and the device 14 executes printing of the image data used for projection by the device 12.

  The print request may include image data to be printed, or may include address information on the content server 11 of the image data without directly including the image data. The print request may be transmitted from the device 12 to the management server 10, and the management server 10 may read out the image data from the content server 11 and transmit it to the device 14.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in more detail the flow of processing in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. In step S100, the device 12 transmits the user ID input by the user A to the management server 10 via the network 1, and performs a login process for the information processing system. In the management server 10, an authentication process using a user ID is performed. When the user ID is authenticated, the management server 10 notifies the device 12 to that effect and permits the use of the information processing system from the device 12.

  In the next step S101, content data is requested from the device 12 to the content server 11. For example, the content server 11 is accessed from the device 12 and a list of content data that can be used by the user A is acquired based on the user ID. The device 12 displays the list of content data on the display unit 37 of the operation unit 31, for example. Based on this display, the user A uses the input unit 36 to select desired content data. The device 12 accesses the content server 11 and acquires the selected content data. When the device 12 is a projector device, the content data is, for example, image data, document data, presentation data, or the like.

  When the content data is acquired, in the next step 102, the device 12 executes a function for the acquired content data by the function unit 33. When the device 12 is a projector device, the device 12 projects content data on a screen or the like.

  In the next step S103, the device 12 determines whether execution of another function is requested during execution of the function. For example, the device 12 determines that the execution of another function is requested when a user operation for instructing the operation unit 31 to execute the other function is performed. If the execution of the current function is terminated without requesting the execution of another function, the series of processes in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is terminated (not shown).

  If it is determined in step S103 that execution of another function is requested, the device 12 next displays a list of functions permitted to be used by user A on the operation unit 31 based on the user ID in step S104. Displayed on the unit 37.

  The process of step S104 will be described in more detail. For example, in response to a user operation that instructs the operation unit 31 to execute another function, the device 12 has a function that the user A of the user ID is permitted to use based on the user ID. A search is made via the network 1 to search. In response to this request, the management server 10 refers to the user available function management table 50 managed by the user available function management unit 23 of the management information unit 20 based on the user ID, and is associated with the user ID. Extract features. Then, the management server 10 generates display control information for displaying the extracted function on the display unit 37 and transmits the display control information to the device 12.

  In the selection unit 34, the device 12 generates a function selection screen for selecting another function to be executed based on the display control information transmitted from the management server 10, and causes the display unit 37 to display the function selection screen. In addition, the display part 37 shall consist of a touchscreen comprised integrally with the input part 36. FIG. In this case, the input unit 36 outputs a control signal corresponding to the pressed position, and can be combined with the display of the display unit 37 to configure a GUI (Graphical User Interface).

  FIG. 10A shows an example of this function selection screen 100. In the example of FIG. 10A, the user name 200 corresponding to the user ID is displayed at the top of the function selection screen 100. Further, buttons 201 a, 201 b and 201 c for selecting a function associated with the user ID, that is, a function permitted to be used by the user A, are arranged below the user name 200. In this example, the “print” function, the “store” function, and the “FAX” function are permitted for the user A, and the buttons 201a, 201b, and 201c exclusively select the corresponding functions.

  Here, only the functions permitted to the user A who is using the information processing system are displayed on the function selection screen 100, but this is not limited to this example. For example, all the functions that can be selected in each device 12, 13 and 14 connected to the information processing system may be displayed on the function selection screen 100. In this case, for example, when a function that is not permitted by the user A is selected, a warning message may be displayed to notify the user A that the function cannot be selected.

  The display control information may be information that can be directly displayed on the function selection screen 100, or information that lists contents to be displayed on the function selection screen 100 (for example, a user name and each function). .

  In the next step S <b> 105, the device 12 waits for a function selection operation on the input unit 36 of the operation unit 31. If a function is selected, the process proceeds to step S106. Here, it is assumed that the operation of selecting the button 201a is performed by the input unit 36 and the “print” function is selected. In step S106, the device 12 has a function selected based on the user ID and the selected function, and displays a list of devices permitted to be used by the user A corresponding to the user ID. Are displayed on the display unit 37.

  The process of step S106 will be described in more detail. When the device 12 is a projector device, the device 12 does not have a “print” function. Therefore, the device 12 transmits information indicating the function selected in step S <b> 105 to the management server 10 via the network 10. The management server 10 refers to the user available device management table 51 and the device management table 52 managed by the management information unit 20 based on the received function information and the user ID, and the function selected by the user A And a device that the user A is permitted to use is extracted. Then, the management server 10 generates a display control signal for displaying the extracted device on the display unit 37, and transmits the display control signal to the device 12.

  In the selection unit 34, the selection unit 34 generates a device selection screen for selecting a device for executing the function selected in step S <b> 105 based on the display control information transmitted from the management server 10, and causes the display unit 37 to display the selection screen. FIG. 10B shows an example of the device selection screen 101. In the example of FIG. 10B, buttons 202 a and 202 b for selecting a device that has the function selected by the user A and is permitted to be used by the user A are arranged at the bottom of the display of the user name 200. . In this example, MFP # 1 (device 13) and MFP # 2 (device 14) are extracted as devices having the function selected by user A and permitted to be used by user A, and each button 202a. And 202b exclusively select corresponding devices.

  Here, only the devices permitted to the user A who is using the information processing system are displayed on the device selection screen 101, but this is not limited to this example. For example, all the devices 12, 13 and 14 connected to the information processing system may be displayed on the device selection screen 101. In this case, for example, when a device that is not permitted by the user A is selected, a warning message may be displayed to notify the user A that the device cannot be selected.

  In the next step S <b> 107, the device 12 waits for a device selection operation on the input unit 36 of the operation unit 31. If a device is selected, the process proceeds to step S108. Here, it is assumed that an operation for selecting the button 202a is performed by the input unit 36, and MFP # 1 (device 13) is selected.

  In step S108, a print request is transmitted from the device 12 to the device 13 selected in step S107. For example, the device 12 causes the display unit 37 of the operation unit 31 to display a print execution instruction screen 104 as illustrated in FIG. The device 12 transmits a print request to the device 13 when the button 204 for instructing “print execution” is operated by the input unit 36.

  More specifically, the device 12 transmits a print request including address information in the content server 11 of the content data to be printed to the device 13 in response to the operation of the button 204 by the input unit 36. In step S109, the device 13 accesses the content server 11 according to the address information included in the received print request, and acquires content data. Note that the content data is converted into print control information such as PDL data in the content server 11. When the device 13 acquires the content data, the device 13 prints the content data in accordance with the print request. The content data can also be transmitted directly from the device 12 to the device 13.

  In step S108, the print request is not limited to the example transmitted from the device 12 to the device 13. For example, a print request can be transmitted via the management server 10. In this case, the device 12 transmits a print request including address information in the content server 11 of the content data to be printed to the management server 10. The management server 10 accesses the content server 11 according to the address information included in the received print request and acquires content data. Even in this case, it is assumed that the content data is converted into print control information such as PDL data in the content server 11. The management server 10 transmits the content data acquired from the content server 11 to the device 13 together with the print request received from the device 12. The device 13 prints the received content data in accordance with the print request.

  Note that the device 12 can display an option setting screen for setting printing options, for example, when sending a print request in step S108. FIG. 10D shows an example of this option setting screen 103. In this example, “aggregation”, “double-sided”, and “color” can be set as print options, and the associated options can be designated by operating the buttons 203a, 203b, and 203c. Note that the “consolidation” option designates aggregate printing in which a plurality of pages are aggregated and printed on one page. The “duplex” option specifies duplex printing for printing on both sides of the paper. The “color” option specifies color printing.

  As an example, the management server 10 collects in advance information regarding available function options for each of the devices 12, 13, and 14 connected to the information processing system. On the other hand, when a device is selected in step S107 described above, the device 12 transmits information indicating the selected device (for example, the device 13) to the management server 10. When the management server 10 receives the information indicating the selected device, the management server 10 extracts, from the previously collected option information, the “function” already acquired in step S105 and the option information corresponding to both the device, Display control information for displaying the option setting screen 103 is generated based on the extracted option information. This display control information is transmitted to the device 12. In addition, the device 12 transmits information indicating the option specified on the option setting screen 103 in the print request.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when using the function of another device from a certain device connected to the information processing system, the other device is selected in consideration of the use authority for the user device in the system. doing. Therefore, another device can be easily selected.

  In addition, when selecting another device, a function is selected first, and then a device corresponding to the function is selected. Therefore, it is possible to select another device more efficiently.

  Further, a selection screen used for selecting another device from the devices is generated on the management server side. Thereby, it is possible to flexibly cope with addition or change of devices, addition of functions of the devices themselves, and the like.

(First modification)
Next, a first modification of the present embodiment will be described. In the first modification, when the display control information for displaying the device selection screen 101 on the display unit 37 of the device 12 is generated in step S106 described above, the state of each device displayed on the device selection screen 101 is displayed. And the status of each acquired device is further displayed on the device selection screen 101.

  FIG. 11A illustrates an example of a device selection screen 101 ′ on which information indicating the state of each device is displayed. In this case, the management server 10 acquires the power ON / OFF of each device as the state of each device. Then, the acquired power ON / OFF state of each device is displayed in association with a button for selecting the corresponding device. In the example of FIG. 11A, a status display 210a indicating “Power OFF” is displayed beside the button 202a for selecting MFP # 1 (device 13), indicating that MFP # 1 is in a power OFF state. Further, a status display 210b indicating “printing” is displayed beside the button 202b for selecting MFP # 2 (device 14), indicating that MFP # 2 is in a printing state. In this way, by displaying information indicating the state of each device in association with each device, the user can be prevented from selecting a device in a power-off state, and the function can be executed efficiently.

(Second modification)
Next, a second modification of the present embodiment will be described. In the second modification, when generating display control information for displaying the device selection screen 101 on the display unit 37 of the device 12 in step S106 described above, the position of each device displayed on the device selection screen 101 is displayed. Information is acquired, and the status of each acquired device is further displayed on the device selection screen 101.

  FIG. 11-2 illustrates an example of the device selection screen 101 ″ on which information indicating the position of each device is displayed. In this case, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, each device and the installation location of the device. A position information table 53 for associating (position) is created in advance and stored in the management information section 20 of the management server 10. The management server 10 displays display control information for displaying the device selection screen 101 ". When generating, the position information table 53 is referred to and the position information of each device is displayed in association with a button for selecting the corresponding device. In the example of FIG. 11B, a position information display 211a indicating the position “room 101” is displayed next to the button 202a for selecting MFP # 1 (device 13), and a button 202b for selecting MFP # 2 (device 14). Next to, a position information display 211b indicating the position “lobby” is displayed. In this way, by displaying information indicating the position of each device in association with each device, the user can select a device arranged at a position close to him / her, and work efficiency can be improved. .

  Note that the position information is not limited to being stored in the position information table 53 in advance. For example, it may be possible to provide each device with means for acquiring position information in real time, such as GPS (Global Positioning System).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network 10 Management server 11 Content server 12, 13, 14 Equipment 20 Management information part 21, 35 Control part 22, 32 Communication part 23 User-usable function management part 24 User-usable equipment management part 25 Equipment management part 30 User ID input Unit 31 operation unit 33 function unit 34 selection unit 36 input unit 37 display unit 50 user-usable function management table 51 user-usable device management table 52 device management table 53 position information table 100 function selection screen 101, 101 ', 101 "device Selection screen

Japanese Patent No. 4464309

Claims (10)

First storage means for storing user identification information for identifying a user and information indicating a function permitted to be used for the user corresponding to the user identification information;
Second storage means for associating and storing the user identification information and information indicating a device permitted to be used by a user corresponding to the user identification information;
Based on the user identification information received via the network, referring to the first storage means and the second storage means, information indicating the function associated with the user identification information and information indicating the device A server having control means for transmitting via the network;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting user identification information to the server;
A function having selection means for selecting one device by user input based on the information indicating the function received from the server in accordance with the user identification information transmitted by the identification information transmitting means and the information indicating the device; An information processing system comprising a terminal. The selection means includes
Transmitting information indicating one function selected by user input from information indicating the function transmitted from the server to the server;
The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein one device is selected by user input from information indicating the device received from the server according to the transmitted information indicating the one function. The control means includes
First display control information for displaying a function selection screen for selecting information indicating one function based on information indicating the function stored in the first storage means, and storage in the second storage means The second display control information for displaying a device selection screen for selecting one device based on the information indicating the device to be generated is generated and transmitted to the functional terminal. The information processing system according to claim 2. The second storage means is
In addition to information indicating the device, information indicating the state of the device is further associated and stored,
The control means includes
Further transmitting information indicating the state of the device in response to transmission of the user identification information;
The selection means includes
The one device selected by user input based on the information indicating the function, the information indicating the device, and the information indicating the state of the device is transmitted to the server. 4. The information processing system according to any one of items 3. The second storage means is
In addition to information indicating the device, information indicating the position of the device is further associated and stored,
The control means includes
Further transmitting information indicating the position of the device in response to the transmission of the user identification information;
The selection means includes
The information indicating one device selected by user input based on the information indicating the function, the information indicating the device, and the information indicating the position of the device is transmitted to the server. The information processing system according to claim 1. The server
Third storage means for storing the information indicating the function and the information indicating the device in association with each other,
The control means includes
Based on the user identification information received from the functional terminal, the information indicating the function associated with the user identification information is extracted with reference to the first storage means, and transmitted to the functional terminal,
Based on the user identification information and the information indicating the first function received from the function terminal in response to transmission of the information indicating the function, refer to the second storage means and the third storage means. The information according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein information indicating the device corresponding to the information indicating the one function and corresponding to the user identification information is extracted and transmitted. Processing system. An identification information transmitting step in which the identification information transmitting means transmits user identification information for identifying the user via the network;
A control unit associates and stores the user identification information and information indicating a function permitted to the user corresponding to the user identification information based on the user identification information received via the network. And the second storage means for storing the user identification information in association with information indicating a device permitted to be used by the user corresponding to the user identification information. A control step of transmitting information indicating the function associated with the identification information and information indicating the device via the network;
The selection means selects one device by a user input based on the information indicating the function and the information indicating the device transmitted in the control step according to the user identification information transmitted in the identification information transmission step. An information processing method comprising a selection step. First storage means for storing user identification information for identifying a user and information indicating a function permitted to be used for the user corresponding to the user identification information;
Second storage means for associating and storing the user identification information and information indicating a device permitted to be used by a user corresponding to the user identification information;
Third storage means for storing information indicating the function and information indicating the device in association with each other;
Based on the user identification information received via the network, the information indicating the function associated with the user identification information is extracted with reference to the first storage means and transmitted via the network, and the user Based on the identification information and the information indicating the first function received via the network in response to the transmission of the information indicating the function, the second storage means and the third storage means are referred to And a control unit that extracts information indicating the device corresponding to the information indicating one function and corresponding to the user identification information and transmitting the information via the network. The control means includes
First display control information for displaying a function selection screen for selecting information indicating one function based on information indicating the function stored in the first storage means, and storage in the second storage means The second display control information for displaying a device selection screen for selecting one device based on the information indicating the device to be generated is generated and transmitted via the network. The management server described in. The second storage means is
The management server according to claim 8 or 9, wherein information indicating at least one of a state and a position of the device is stored in association with information indicating the device.

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