JP2014059790A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible for a user to easily input user information without being perplexed at the operation, even when an authentication server device cannot execute user authentication.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 10 includes a storage unit 15 that stores data of a background image of an authentication screen displayed by acquisition of data from an authentication server device 20, and a screen changing unit 16g changes, when the authentication server device 20 cannot execute user authentication, a background image of an internal authentication screen on the basis the data of the background image stored in the storage unit 15.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more specifically, authentication screen data including an object that accepts input of user information used for user authentication from a user and a background image including explanatory information of user information to be input in the object. When the authentication screen is received from the authentication server device and the user is authenticated as a valid user by user authentication performed by the authentication server device based on the user information input on the authentication screen. When the use of a predetermined function is permitted and the authentication server device cannot perform the user authentication, an internal authentication screen for accepting input of the user information from the user is displayed and input on the internal authentication screen. The user is authenticated based on the user information, and the user is a valid user by the user authentication. And if it is authenticated, an image forming apparatus that permits the use of a predetermined function.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that permits use only by a user who is recognized as a valid user by user authentication has been developed. This user authentication is performed in an authentication server device connected to the image forming apparatus via a network.

  However, when communication between the image forming apparatus and the authentication server apparatus cannot be performed because the authentication server apparatus goes down or a failure occurs in the network, user authentication is not performed and the user uses the image forming apparatus. Will not be able to.

  In order to solve such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 discloses that the image processing apparatus performs temporary user authentication when the connection between the image processing apparatus and the authentication server apparatus is not established and user authentication cannot be performed by the authentication server apparatus. A device management system is disclosed.

  Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a multifunction device control system in which a multifunction device performs user authentication instead of the authentication server device when the multifunction device cannot connect to the authentication server device. In this MFP control system, the login screen displayed when connected to the authentication server device and the login screen displayed when unable to connect to the authentication server device are made the same screen. Screen data is acquired from the authentication server device, and when the MFP cannot connect to the authentication server device, a login screen is displayed using the data.

JP 2005-63146 A JP 2011-86112 A

  However, the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above are general-purpose internals different from the login screen displayed by the authentication server device when the authentication server device cannot perform user authentication due to a communication failure or the like. The present invention is not applied to an image forming apparatus designed to display an authentication screen.

  Here, the general-purpose internal authentication screen is a screen that accepts input of user information used for user authentication from the user, and is a screen that is set in the image forming apparatus by default at the time of factory shipment.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the problems of the conventional user authentication process in such an image forming apparatus. FIG. 10A shows an example of a login screen 1 that is displayed by acquiring data from the authentication server device, and FIG. 10B shows an example of the internal authentication screen 2.

  The login screen 1 shown in FIG. 10A displays an object 1a that accepts an input of “department code” from the user and an object 1b that accepts an input of “ID” from the user. Further, on the login screen 1, a background image 1c including explanatory information of user information to be input in the objects 1a and 1b is displayed. Information input to the objects 1a and 1b is transmitted to the authentication server device, and user authentication is performed by the authentication server device using the information.

  When the authentication server apparatus cannot execute the user authentication process, the conventional image forming apparatus displays a general-purpose internal authentication screen 2 as shown in FIG. 10B and receives an input from the user in the objects 2a and 2b. User authentication is performed using the information.

  Here, if the image forming apparatus performs user authentication using the same user information as the authentication server apparatus, the “department code” and “ID” must be input to the objects 2a and 2b, respectively. In the example of FIG. 10B, “ID” is displayed as the description of the information to be input to the object 2a in the background image 2c including the description information of the objects 2a and 2b, and the information to be input to the object 2b. "Password" is displayed as the description of

  This makes it unclear what information should be input to the objects 2a and 2b, and the user is confused by the operation. When the internal authentication screen 2 shown in FIG. 10B includes an illustration or coloring, the illustration or coloring is different from that in the login screen 1 shown in FIG. In this case, the user is confused by the operation.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that allows a user to easily input user information without being confused by an operation even when the authentication server apparatus cannot execute user authentication. To do.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the first technical means of the present invention is based on an object that accepts input of user information used for user authentication from a user and a background image that includes description information of user information to be input in the object. The authentication screen data is received from the authentication server device, the authentication screen is displayed, and the user is a valid user by the user authentication performed by the authentication server device based on the user information input on the authentication screen. If the authentication server device cannot perform the user authentication, an internal authentication screen that accepts input of the user information from the user is displayed, and User authentication is performed based on the user information entered on the internal authentication screen, and the user is authorized by the user authentication. An image forming apparatus that permits the use of a predetermined function when authenticated as a user, a storage unit that stores data of a background image of the authentication screen, and the authentication server apparatus performs the user authentication. A screen changing unit that changes the background image of the internal authentication screen based on the background image data stored in the storage unit when it cannot be performed.

  According to a second technical means of the present invention, in the first technical means, the background image data stored in the storage unit is transmitted by the authentication server device.

  According to a third technical means of the present invention, in the first or second technical means, the screen changing unit changes a display mode of the object on the internal authentication screen.

  According to the present invention, when the image forming apparatus stores data of the background image of the authentication screen that is acquired and displayed from the authentication server apparatus and the authentication server apparatus cannot perform user authentication, Since the background image of the internal authentication screen is changed based on the stored background image data, even if the authentication server device cannot execute the user authentication, the user can easily perform the operation without being confused by the operation. User information can be input.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the change process of a background image. It is a figure explaining the display position of an object. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the authentication server apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of image forming processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of image forming processing according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart following FIG. 6. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure between “2” and “3” in the flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure between “4” and “5” in the flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. It is a figure explaining the problem of the conventional user authentication process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This image forming system includes an image forming apparatus 10 and an authentication server apparatus 20, and the image forming apparatus 10 and the authentication server apparatus 20 are connected via a network 30.

  In the example of the image forming system in FIG. 1, one image forming apparatus 10 and one authentication server apparatus 20 are shown, but a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 and authentication server apparatuses 20 may be provided. The image forming apparatus 10 and the authentication server apparatus 20 communicate using, for example, an HTTP protocol (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol).

  The image forming apparatus 10 is an apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction machine that forms an image. A multifunction device is a device having at least two functions among a scan function, a print function, a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a communication function. Hereinafter, a case where the image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction peripheral will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an operation unit 11, an image reading unit 12, an image forming unit 13, a communication processing unit 14, a storage unit 15, and a control unit 16.

  The operation unit 11 is a user interface such as a touch panel. The operation unit 11 includes an input unit 11a and a display unit 11b. The input unit 11a is an input device such as an input key or a touch pad that receives input of various types of information from the user. The input unit 11a may be a mouse, a pen input device, a pointing device such as a handwriting pad or a gesture pad, an operation button, a voice input device, or the like. The display unit 11b is a display device such as a liquid crystal display that displays various types of information.

  The image reading unit 12 is a scanning device that reads characters and images printed on a document with a predetermined resolution. The image reading unit 12 includes a scanner and a document transport unit that transports a document to the position of the scanner.

  The image forming unit 13 is a processing unit that prints an image including characters, photographs, graphics, and the like on a recording sheet such as paper. The image forming unit 13 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and a paper tray.

  For example, the image forming unit 13 performs a copy process of printing the image on a recording sheet using the image data read by the image reading unit 12, or performs a print process using the image data acquired from the external device. To do.

  The communication processing unit 14 is a communication interface that performs communication with an external device such as the authentication server device 20 via the network 30. For example, the communication processing unit 14 communicates with the authentication server device 20 using the HTTP protocol.

  Further, when the IP address of the image forming apparatus 10 is designated as the access destination, the communication processing unit 14 can also access a web server unit 16b of the image forming apparatus 10 described later.

  The storage unit 15 is a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk device. The storage unit 15 stores internal authentication screen data 15a, background image data 15b, object attribute data 15c, user information 15d, and the like.

  The internal authentication screen data 15a is data of an internal authentication screen that is displayed when the authentication server device 20 cannot perform user authentication because the authentication server device 20 goes down or a failure occurs in the network. The internal authentication screen is, for example, as shown in FIG. 10B, and is, for example, a screen set by default at the time of factory shipment.

  The background image data 15 b is background image data of a login screen transmitted in advance from the authentication server device 20, and the data is stored in association with the identification information of the authentication server device 20. The login screen is an authentication screen that accepts input of user information used for user authentication. As described with reference to FIG. 10, the background image includes description information of user information to be input in the object.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating background image change processing. FIG. 3 shows an internal authentication screen 40 composed of objects 40a and 40b that accept input of user information used for user authentication from the user, and a background image 40c including explanation information of the objects 40a and 40b, and a background image 41 of a login screen. An internal authentication screen 42 after the background image is changed is shown.

  As described with reference to FIG. 10, if the background image is different between the internal authentication screen 40 and the login screen displayed after receiving data from the authentication server device 20, what information is stored in the objects 40 a and 40 b. It becomes unclear whether it should be input, and the user is confused by the operation. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 changes the background image 40c of the internal authentication screen 40 to the background image 41 of the login screen, and displays the internal authentication screen 42 obtained as a result. This change is performed by setting the background image 41 to be displayed instead of the background image 40c in a layer below the layer where the objects 40a and 40b are displayed.

  Here, the background image data is transmitted in advance by the authentication server device 20 and the data is stored in association with the identification information of the authentication server device 20, but the authentication server device 20 has a plurality of authentication applications. When performing user authentication using any of the above, the background image corresponding to the authentication application is stored in association with the identification information of the authentication application.

  Then, when the image forming apparatus 10 receives the identification information of the authentication application used by the authentication server apparatus 20 from the authentication server apparatus 20, the image forming apparatus 10 can select an appropriate background image according to the authentication application used by the authentication server apparatus 20. Can be selected.

  Here, the image forming apparatus 10 receives the background image data from the authentication server apparatus 20 and stores it as the background image data 15b. However, the administrator of the image forming apparatus 10 stores the background image data. It is good also as making it memorize | store in the memory | storage part 15 manually.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the object attribute data 15 c is display mode data including information such as the display positions of the objects 40 a and 40 b on the internal authentication screen 40.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the display positions of the objects 40a and 40b. In the example of the login screen 1 shown in FIG. 10A, the display mode of the objects 1a and 1b is right-aligned. However, the display mode is not necessarily limited to this, and the display mode is set depending on the setting in the authentication server device 20. Can change. For example, FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show display modes in which the objects 1a and 1b are displayed with right alignment, center alignment, and left alignment, respectively.

  For this reason, in order to match the display mode between the login screen 1 as shown in FIG. 10A and the internal authentication screen 42 as shown in FIG. 3, it is registered as the object attribute data 15c. Information on the display position of the object is referred to, and the display position of the objects 40a and 40b is changed.

  For example, when the background image data 15b is registered, the object attribute data 15c is selected and registered by the user from the display modes shown in FIGS. 4 (A) to 4 (C). . At that time, the user selects a display mode with reference to the login screen 1 as shown in FIG.

  Although the display position of the objects 40a and 40b has been described as an example of the display mode here, the size, color, shape, and the like of the objects 40a and 40b are the sizes of the objects 1a and 1b included in the login screen 1. It may be changed according to the color and shape.

  Further, here, the display positions of the objects 40a and 40b are changed in order to match the display mode between the login screen 1 as shown in FIG. 10A and the internal authentication screen 42 as shown in FIG. However, the display position of the description information such as “department code” and “ID” in the background image 41 as shown in FIG. 3 may be changed in accordance with the display positions of the objects 40a and 40b. .

  The user information 15d is data in which user information used for user authentication is registered when the authentication server apparatus 20 cannot perform user authentication and the image forming apparatus 10 performs user authentication instead of the authentication server apparatus 20. .

  For example, when the image forming apparatus 10 performs user authentication instead of the authentication server apparatus 20 that performs user authentication using “department code” and “ID”, the user information 15 d includes “department code” and “ID”. Information is registered in advance.

  The control unit 16 is a control device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a dedicated processor that controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 16 includes a web browser unit 16a, a web server unit 16b, a control application unit 16c, a device control unit 16d, an Open I / F unit 16e, an authentication processing unit 16f, and a screen change unit 16g.

  The control unit 16 executes an information processing program and a control program (not shown) stored in the storage unit 15, thereby causing the web browser unit 16a, the web server unit 16b, the control application unit 16c, the device control unit 16d, and Open. The functions of the I / F unit 16e, the authentication processing unit 16f, and the screen changing unit 16g are realized.

  The web browser unit 16a is a processing unit that operates as a web browser. The web browser unit 16a communicates with the web server unit 25a of the authentication server device 20 described later via the communication processing unit 14. The web browser unit 16a also communicates with the web server unit 16b included in the image forming apparatus 10.

  For example, when the web browser unit 16a requests the authentication server device 20 to transmit login screen data, the web browser unit 16a communicates with the web server unit 25a of the authentication server device 20 described later to acquire the data. .

  Further, the web browser unit 16a communicates with the web server unit 16b of the image forming apparatus 10 when various functions of the image forming apparatus 10 are used. For example, when the user authentication by the authentication server device 10 cannot be executed, the web browser unit 16a uses the internal authentication screen data in which the background image is changed by the screen changing unit 16g and the display position of the object is changed as necessary. Obtained from the web server unit 16b. Then, under the control of the device control unit 16d, the internal authentication screen is displayed on the display unit 11b.

  The web server unit 16b is a processing unit that operates as a web server. A web server is a server device constituting a WWW (World Wide Web) which is an information system on the Internet. The web server unit 16b receives the HTTP request from the web browser unit 16a, and causes the control application unit 16c described below to execute processing according to the HTTP request, and based on the result, sends an HTTP response to the web browser unit 16a. Return it.

  The control application unit 16c is a processing unit that functions as a web application that operates on a web server. The function of the control application unit 16c is exhibited by executing a web application program (not shown) stored in the storage unit 15.

  When it is necessary to control various functions (for example, a scan function, a copy function, and a print function) of the image forming apparatus 10, the control application unit 16c transmits a control command for controlling the function to the device control unit 16d. To do.

  However, the control application unit 16c transmits this control command only when the user is authenticated as a valid user by the user authentication performed by the authentication processing unit 16f. Thereby, users who can use various functions of the image forming apparatus 10 can be restricted.

  In addition, the control application unit 16c controls the web browser unit 16a to transmit an HTTP request including information unique to the image forming apparatus 10 to the web server unit 25a of the authentication server device 20 described later. Information necessary for controlling the image forming apparatus 10 is acquired from the unit 25a. Thereby, the function of the image forming apparatus 10 can be controlled.

  The device control unit 16d is a processing unit that controls the operation of each unit such as the operation unit 11, the image reading unit 12, the image forming unit 13, and the communication processing unit 14. For example, the device control unit 16d controls the image reading unit 12 to acquire scan image data. The device control unit 16d controls the image forming unit 13 to form an image corresponding to the image data on the recording sheet.

  The device control unit 16d operates in a unique operation mode and a cooperative operation mode. The unique operation mode is an operation mode unique to the image forming apparatus 10. Specifically, in the unique operation mode, the device control unit 16d causes the display unit 11b to display an information display screen stored in advance in the image forming apparatus 10. The device control unit 16d acquires information input by the user on the information display screen from the input unit 11a, and controls various functions of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the information.

  For example, when the authentication server device 10 cannot perform user authentication, the device control unit 16d changes the background image as described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 and displays the object display position as necessary. Is displayed on the display unit 11b. Then, the device control unit 16d acquires user information input by the user on the internal authentication screen from the input unit 11a, and causes the authentication processing unit 16e described later to execute user authentication using the user information.

  The device control unit 16d also performs control such as appropriately combining images stored in advance in the storage unit 15 and displaying them on the display unit 11b in accordance with the current configuration and state of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, such an image includes an image of an optional device attached to the image forming apparatus 10. Note that the unique operation mode is a general mode used in a conventional multi-function peripheral, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In the cooperative operation mode, the device control unit 16d causes the display unit 11b to display an information display screen that has received data from the authentication server device 20. The device control unit 16d acquires information input by the user on the information display screen from the input unit 11a, and controls various functions of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the information.

  For example, when the device control unit 16d can receive the data of the login screen 1 from the authentication server device 20, the device control unit 16d receives the data of the login screen 1 from the authentication server device 20, and logs in using the data. The display screen 1 is displayed on the display unit 11b.

  Then, the device control unit 16d controls the communication processing unit 14 to transmit the user information input by the user on the login screen 1 to the authentication server device 20, and cause the authentication server device 20 to perform user authentication.

  In the cooperative operation mode, the device control unit 16d activates the web browser unit 16a and causes the authentication server device 20 corresponding to the URL set in advance to make a transmission request for data on the login screen 1.

  The Open I / F unit 16e receives a control command independent of the model of the image forming apparatus 10 from the control application unit 16c, converts the received control command into a control command that can be recognized by the device control unit 16d, and the device control unit 16d. It is a processing part which outputs to. Control commands that do not depend on the model of the image forming apparatus 10 are generally disclosed.

  Then, the Open I / F unit 16e stores in the storage unit 15 a conversion table (not shown) in which control commands that do not depend on the model of the image forming apparatus 10 are associated with control commands that can be recognized by the device control unit 16d. The control command is converted using this conversion table.

  As described above, the Open I / F unit 16e can receive a control command that does not depend on the model of the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, when there are a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10, the function of the control application unit 16c is exhibited. A common web application program can be used in each image forming apparatus 10 regardless of the model of the image forming apparatus 10.

  Further, when the control application unit 16c is caused to function using a new web application program, it is only necessary to install the same web application program for each image forming apparatus 10, and the web application program is changed for each image forming apparatus 10. There is no need. This facilitates the development of a web application program.

  The authentication processing unit 16f is a processing unit that performs user authentication using user information input by the user on the internal authentication screen displayed on the display unit 11b under the control of the device control unit 16d.

  For example, the authentication processing unit 16f determines whether the “department code” and “ID” input by the user match the “department code” and “ID” stored as the user information 15d in the storage unit 15, respectively. Determine. Then, the authentication processing unit 16f determines that the user is a valid user when they match, and determines that the user is not a valid user when they do not match.

  The screen changing unit 16g is a processing unit that changes the background image of the internal authentication screen to a background image obtained in advance from the authentication server device 20 when user authentication by the authentication server device 10 is not possible. As described with reference to FIG. 10, the background image is an image including description information of user information to be input in the object.

  Further, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the screen changing unit 16 g changes the object display mode on the internal authentication screen to the object display mode on the login screen displayed based on the data acquired by the authentication server device 20. Process to change according to.

  Specifically, the screen changing unit 16g refers to the information on the display position of the object stored as the object attribute data 15c in the storage unit 15, and logs in the display position of the object on the internal authentication screen in which the background image has been changed. To match the display position of the object on the work screen 1.

  The internal authentication screen in which the background image is changed by the screen changing unit 16g and the display position of the object is changed is displayed on the display unit 11b by the control of the device control unit 16d when the user authentication by the authentication server device 10 cannot be performed. .

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the authentication server device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The authentication server device 20 includes an input unit 21, a display unit 22, a communication processing unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a control unit 25.

  The input unit 21 is an input device such as a keyboard that receives input of various types of information from the user. The display unit 22 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The communication processing unit 23 is a communication interface that performs communication with an external apparatus such as the image forming apparatus 10 via the network 30. For example, the communication processing unit 23 communicates with the image forming apparatus 10 using the HTTP protocol.

  The storage unit 24 is a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk device. The storage unit 24 stores login screen data 24a, background image data 24b, user information 24c, and the like.

  The login screen data 24a is data for a login screen that accepts input of user information in the image forming apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. The background image data 24b is data of the background image 41 as shown in FIG. The background image data 24b is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 and used for changing the background image on the internal authentication screen.

  The user information 24c is data in which user information used for user authentication is registered when the authentication server device 20 performs user authentication.

  The control unit 25 is a control device such as a CPU or a dedicated processor that controls each unit of the authentication server device 20. The control unit 25 includes a web server unit 25a, an external application unit 25b, and an authentication processing unit 25c.

  The control unit 25 implements the functions of the web server unit 25a, the external application unit 25b, and the authentication processing unit 25c by executing an information processing program and a control program (not shown) stored in the storage unit 24.

  The web server unit 25a is a processing unit that operates as a web server. The web server unit 25 a receives an HTTP request from the image forming apparatus 10 via the communication processing unit 23, and sends an HTTP response including image data, print data, control information, and the like corresponding to the HTTP request via the communication processing unit 23. The image is returned to the image forming apparatus 10.

  The external application unit 25b is a processing unit that functions as a web application that runs on a web server. When the external application unit 25b receives a login screen or background image data transmission request from the image forming apparatus 10, the external application unit 25b reads the corresponding data from the storage unit 24 and outputs the data to the web server unit 25a. Thereafter, the web server unit 25 a returns an HTTP response including the data to the image forming apparatus 10.

  The authentication processing unit 25 c is a processing unit that performs user authentication using user information input by the user in the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the authentication processing unit 25c determines whether the “department code” and “ID” input by the user match the “department code” and “ID” stored as the user information 24c in the storage unit 24, respectively. Determine. Then, the authentication processing unit 25c determines that the user is a valid user when they match, and determines that the user is not a valid user when they do not match.

  Thereafter, the authentication processing unit 25c transmits information on the result of user authentication to the image forming apparatus 10 via the web server unit 25a. Based on the information, the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether to allow the user to use the functions of the image forming apparatus 10.

  Next, a processing procedure of the image forming process according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. 6 to 9 are flowcharts showing an example of the processing procedure of the image forming process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the communication processing unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 10 starts processing for establishing a connection with the authentication server device 10 as shown in FIG. 6 (step S101). Then, the web browser unit 16a determines whether or not a connection has been established (step S102).

  When the connection cannot be established (NO in step S102), the screen changing unit 16g changes the background image of the internal authentication screen to the background image of the login screen as shown in FIG. 8 (step S116).

  Then, the screen changing unit 16g determines whether it is necessary to change the display position of the object (step S117). Here, when the display position of the object on the internal authentication screen matches the display position of the object stored as the object attribute data 15c in the storage unit 15, the screen change unit 16g does not need to change the display position of the object. If they do not match, it is determined that the display position of the object needs to be changed.

  When it is necessary to change the display position of the object (YES in step S117), the screen changing unit 16g changes the display position of the object to the display position stored as the object attribute data 15c (step S118).

  After the process of step S118, the device control unit 16d causes the display unit 11b to display the internal authentication screen in which the background image is changed and the display position of the object is changed (step S119).

  If it is determined in step S117 that it is not necessary to change the display position of the object (NO in step S117), the device control unit 16d does not change the display position of the object and changes the background image. The authentication screen is displayed on the display unit 11b (step S119).

  Thereafter, the input unit 11a accepts input of user information on the internal authentication screen (step S120). And the authentication process part 16f performs a user authentication process using the input user information (step S121).

  For example, the authentication processing unit 16f determines whether the “department code” and “ID” input by the user match the “department code” and “ID” stored as the user information 15d in the storage unit 15, respectively. Determine. Then, the authentication processing unit 16f determines that the user is a valid user when they match, and determines that the user is not a valid user when they do not match.

  Thereafter, as shown in step S112 of FIG. 7, the control application unit 16c determines whether or not the user authentication is successful (step S112). If the user authentication is not successful (NO in step S112), the device control unit 16d receives a control command from the control application unit 16c and causes the display unit 11b to display an error message (step S113). Then, the device control unit 16d determines whether or not an instruction to end the image forming process has been received from the user via the input unit 11a (step S114).

  When an instruction to end the image forming process is received from the user (YES in step S114), the image forming process ends as it is. When an instruction to end the image forming process has not been received from the user (NO in step S114), the processes after step S103 in FIG. 6 are executed again.

  When it is determined in step S112 in FIG. 7 that the user authentication is successful (YES in step S112), the device control unit 16d displays a reception screen for accepting the setting of the copy condition as shown in FIG. 11b is displayed (step S122). Then, the input unit 11a receives an input for setting copy conditions from the user (step S123).

  Further, the input unit 11a determines whether or not a copy processing start request has been received from the user (step S124). When a copy process start request is received from the user (YES in step S124), the device control unit 16d causes the image reading unit 12 and the image forming unit 13 to execute the copy process (step S125).

  After the process of step S125, or when it is determined in step S124 that a copy process start request has not been received from the user (NO in step S124), the device control unit 16d passes the input unit 11a. Then, it is determined whether or not an instruction to end the copy process has been received from the user (step S126).

  If an instruction to end the copy process has not been received from the user (NO in step S126), the processes after step S122 are executed again. When an instruction to end the copy process is received from the user (YES in step S126), the processes after step S103 in FIG. 6 are executed again.

  If the connection can be established in step S102 of FIG. 6 (YES in step S102), the web browser unit 16a requests the authentication server device 20 to transmit data for the login screen (step S103). The web browser unit 16a waits for the login screen data to be transmitted from the authentication server device 20 (step S104).

  Thereafter, the web browser unit 16a determines whether or not the login screen data transmitted by the authentication server device 20 has been received (step S105). If the login screen data has not been received (NO in step S105), the web browser unit 16a determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step S107).

  If the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step S107), the processing after step S104 is executed again. If the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S107), the processing after step S116 in FIG. 8 is executed.

  When the login screen data is received in step S105 in FIG. 6 (YES in step S105), the device control unit 16d displays the login screen on the display unit 11b using the data (step S106). ).

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, the input unit 11a accepts input of user information on the login screen (step S108). Then, the web browser unit 16a transmits the input user information to the authentication server device 20 (step S109). And the web browser part 16a waits for the information of the result of user authentication to be transmitted from the authentication server apparatus 20 (step S110).

  Thereafter, the web browser unit 16a determines whether or not the user authentication result information transmitted by the authentication server device 20 has been received (step S111). If the user authentication result information has not been received (NO in step S111), the web browser unit 16a determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S115).

  If the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step S115), the processes after step S110 are executed again. If the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S115), the processing after step S116 in FIG. 8 is executed.

  If it is determined in step S111 in FIG. 7 that the information on the result of user authentication has been received (YES in step S111), the device control unit 16d refers to the information to determine whether the user authentication has succeeded. Is determined (step S112), and the subsequent processing as described above is executed.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and corrections can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Login screen, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 40a, 40b ... Object, 2, 40, 42 ... Internal authentication screen, 1c, 2c, 40c, 41 ... Background image, 10 ... Image forming apparatus, 11 ... Operation 11a ... input unit 11b ... display unit 12 ... image reading unit 13 ... image forming unit 14 ... communication processing unit 15 ... storage unit 15a ... internal authentication screen data 15b ... background image data 15c ... Object attribute data, 15d ... user information, 16 ... control unit, 16a ... web browser unit, 16b ... web server unit, 16c ... control application unit, 16d ... device control unit, 16e ... Open I / F unit, 16f ... authentication process , 16g ... screen changing unit, 20 ... authentication server device, 21 ... input unit, 22 ... display unit, 23 ... communication processing unit, 24 ... storage unit, 24a ... login screen Over data, 24b ... background image data, 24c ... user information, 25 ... control unit, 25a ... web server unit, 25b ... external application unit, 25c ... authentication unit, 30 ... network.

Claims (3)

Displaying the authentication screen by receiving from the authentication server device data of an authentication screen consisting of an object that accepts input of user information used for user authentication from the user, and a background image including explanatory information of the user information to be input in the object When the user is authenticated as a valid user by user authentication performed by the authentication server device based on the user information input on the authentication screen, the use of a predetermined function is permitted, and the authentication is performed. When the server device cannot perform the user authentication, an internal authentication screen for accepting input of the user information from the user is displayed, and the user authentication is performed based on the user information input on the internal authentication screen, When the user is authenticated as a valid user by user authentication, An image forming apparatus for variable,
A storage unit for storing data of a background image of the authentication screen;
A screen changing unit that changes a background image of the internal authentication screen based on data of a background image stored in the storage unit when the authentication server device cannot perform the user authentication;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the background image data stored in the storage unit is transmitted by the authentication server apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the screen changing unit changes a display mode of the object on the internal authentication screen.

Images