JP4760762B2 - Digital multifunction device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital multi-function peripheral, and more particularly to a digital multi-function peripheral having a shortcut function.

  A multi-function digital multi-function peripheral (MFP) having a printer function, a facsimile function, a copy function, a scan function, etc. is well known. For example, when a digital multi-function peripheral is installed in an office, it is common that one of the digital multi-function peripherals is connected to a LAN together with individual employee terminals and is shared by a plurality of employees.

  Some digital multifunction peripherals have a shortcut function that enables one-touch processing (Patent Documents 1 and 2). For example, if the shortcut function is used, a series of processes for transferring files to a shared folder on the network or a predetermined directory on the FTP server can be performed in a single operation with a single button operation. It eliminates the hassle of typing and is excellent in operability. If authentication is required when accessing a shared folder or directory, and access is permitted only when authentication is successful, register user information required for authentication such as a password along with shortcut information, Batch processing is possible by using the user information.

JP 2005-64817 A JP 2006-140763 A

  However, the shortcut function implemented in the digital multi-function peripheral is easy to use, but is not preferable in terms of security. In other words, when a digital multifunction device is shared by multiple people, this shortcut function allows anyone using the digital multifunction device to access the shared folder or directory registered in the shortcut. Become. The shortcut settings can also be changed by anyone. For example, if the shortcut information is rewritten without permission by a malicious third party, the user who registered the shortcut cannot use the shortcut function. .

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a digital multi-function peripheral that can improve security without impairing the convenience of a conventional shortcut function.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 is a digital multi-function peripheral, which registers transfer destination information for specifying a transfer destination and shortcut information including authentication information required for accessing the transfer destination. Registration means; and information transfer means for transferring image information via a network based on the shortcut information, wherein the authentication information comprises a plurality of element information, and the information transfer means includes: the specification of the shortcut information, a first transferring unit for executing pre SL automatically performed by the transfer processing authentication based on the authentication information, if the authentication information includes unregistered element information, the shortcut information specified Requesting input of the unregistered element information when the authentication information does not include the unregistered element information, the shortcut information is designated Requesting input of at least a part of the information that was not presented without presenting at least a part of the authentication information, and authentication based on the authentication information and the entered information succeeded. Second transfer processing means for executing transfer processing later, and the first transfer processing means and the second transfer processing means can be selected as either one when registering the shortcut information. It is characterized by that.

A second aspect of the present invention is the digital multi-function peripheral according to the first aspect, wherein when the second transfer processing unit does not include unregistered element information, the second transfer processing unit includes the plurality of element information. And means for requesting re-input of at least one element information .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the digital multi-function peripheral according to the first or second aspect, when the second transfer processing unit does not include the unregistered element information in the authentication information, Means for requesting re-input of a part of at least one element information among the element information .

  According to the digital multi-function peripheral of the present invention, when registering a shortcut function, the first transfer process that can automatically transfer image information with one touch and authentication in the course of operation can improve security. Since the second transfer process can be selected and registered, a shortcut can be selected according to needs and convenience can be improved.

  In the second transfer process, the user is asked to input a part of the authentication information instead of the entire authentication information, and the shortcut function can be used only when the correct authentication information is input. It is safe because it saves you the trouble of using only a part of the input without entering all, and it also prevents the use of shortcuts by third parties.

  And, for example, by re-entering only one character of the character information constituting the password, if authentication is performed based on part of the information included in the element information constituting the authentication information, security can be further saved. Can be improved.

{First embodiment}
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a network system composed of a digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital multifunction device 1 includes an interface 2, a processing unit 3, a display unit 4, an operation unit 5, a communication unit 6, an image reading unit 7, and a printing unit 8. A plurality of functions such as a function, a copy function, and a scan function can be exhibited. In addition, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is equipped with a shortcut function that enables one-touch processing.

  The interface 2 is an interface that enables access to the terminals 10a and 10b connected to the network 9 such as a LAN and the server 11 such as an FTP server. For example, when a folder registered in the digital multifunction device 1 is formed on the terminal 10a, the digital multifunction device 1 logs the image information acquired via the interface 2 by logging into the folder of the terminal 10a. It can be transferred to a registered folder of the terminal 10a. In addition, it is possible to log in to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 from the terminal 10 a registered in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 and execute various functions of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 through the interface 2. Note that the terminals 10a and 10b and the server 11 connected to the network 9 are examples, and the number and types of the terminals 10 and the servers 11 are not limited thereto.

  The processing unit 3 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and controls and executes processing of each function exhibited by the digital multifunction device 1 in cooperation with each unit included in the digital multifunction device 1. To do. For example, image processing such as encoding and decoding of acquired image information, processing for storing image information, and the like are executed. A series of processes related to shortcuts, which will be described later, such as a process for storing the shortcut information 40, an authentication process, a process for transferring image information to the designated terminal 10a via the network 9 based on the shortcut information 40, and the like 3 is executed by cooperating with each part.

  The display unit 4 includes a liquid crystal panel, an LED lamp, and the like. On the liquid crystal panel, various setting states and operation states of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 are displayed using characters and figures. In addition, a touch panel that can be operated simply by touching the displayed icon is displayed on the liquid crystal panel in a switchable manner. That is, the user can instruct the digital multi-function peripheral 1 via the display unit 4, and the display unit 4 also functions as an operation unit.

  The operation unit 5 includes operation buttons such as a start key and a numeric keypad. The user can operate the operation unit 5 while viewing the display on the display unit 4 to input various information and give instructions to the digital multi-function peripheral 1.

  The communication unit 6 includes a modem connected to a public telephone line network (PSTN) 12, and exhibits a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving image information by cooperating with the processing unit 3 and the like, for example.

  The image reading unit 7 performs a process of optically reading a document or the like and converting it into image information composed of digital data (scan function). The read image information is, for example, transferred to the folder of each terminal 10a, 10b or the directory of the FTP server through the interface 2 in cooperation with the processing unit 3, or the processing unit 3 or the communication unit 6 As a result of this cooperation, a process for transmitting to another digital multi-function peripheral 1 (facsimile transmission function), a process for copying and printing in cooperation with the processing unit 3 and the printing unit 8 (copy function), and the like are executed.

  The printing unit 8 executes processing for printing and outputting image information on a paper medium or the like, and also executes processing for printing and outputting image information received by the communication unit 6 in addition to a copy function (facsimile reception function). ).

  For example, when transferring the read image information to a registered folder or directory on the network 9, the digital multi-functional peripheral 1 having the above-described configuration simply touches the shortcut name displayed on the touch panel of the display unit 4 with a fingertip. It has a shortcut function that can be batch processed.

  FIG. 2 illustrates an input screen for shortcut information 40 displayed on the display unit 4 necessary for registration of the shortcut. As shown in FIG. 2, the shortcut information 40 includes, in addition to the shortcut name 41 that identifies the shortcut information 40, transfer information 42 and authentication information 43 including a plurality of element information, which are registered in association with each other. Is done. The transfer destination information 42 is information for specifying the transfer destination, and includes location information necessary for access such as a terminal name and a folder name. The authentication information 43 is information required when accessing (logging in) the transfer destination, and includes a user ID 43a and a password 43b (each information included in the authentication information is referred to as element information). FIG. 2 shows a state in which each piece of information is input.

  Even when all or part of the element information included in the authentication information 43 is not input, the shortcut information 40 can be registered. That is, if at least the shortcut name 41 and the transfer destination information 42 are input, registration can be performed without inputting both the user ID 43a and the password 43b or without inputting either the user ID 43a or the password 43b. This is because the versatility of the shortcut function is improved by making the shortcut registration requirements flexible.

  In addition, when a shortcut name 41 is specified in the shortcut information 40, a process of automatically logging in and transferring image information based on the shortcut information 40 (first transfer process), and a shortcut name 41 are specified. In such a case, the user is prompted to input authentication information each time, and only when the authentication is successful, the user can select and register one of the processes for logging in and transferring the image information (second transfer process). . In FIG. 2, “ON” indicating selection of the first transfer process is displayed as an initial state in the item column 44 for registering the selection. When selecting the second transfer process, the item field 44 is touched to switch to the selection screen shown in FIG. Then, if “OFF” for selecting the second transfer process is pressed and the Enter key is pressed, the transfer process item field is switched to “OFF”, and the second transfer process can be easily selected and registered.

  The shortcut information 40 can be registered not only directly from the digital multifunction peripheral 1 as described above, but also from the terminals 10a and 10b on the network 9 registered in the digital multifunction peripheral 1. FIG. 4 illustrates an input screen for the shortcut information 40 displayed on the monitors of the terminals 10a and 10b. As shown in FIG. 4, each process can be switched with a radio button, and the operation can be further simplified.

  Next, referring to FIG. 5, for each processing flow of the first transfer process and the second transfer process, for example, image information is read from a document placed on the image reading unit 7 and is created in the log-in terminal 10a. An example of transferring the image information to the registered folder will be described.

  When the document is placed on the image reading unit 7 and preparation for image transfer is completed, the processing unit 3 displays a transfer destination instruction screen for displaying each registered shortcut name 41 on the display unit 4. Is requested to input a shortcut name 41 for designating a transfer destination (step S1).

  When the transfer destination is designated (YES in step S2), the processing unit 3 refers to the shortcut information 40 related to the designated destination and checks whether or not the setting for automatic authentication is set (step S3). Then, if the processing unit 3 is set to automatically authenticate (YES in step S3), the processing unit 3 sets the image information to the designated registration folder in a state where it can be transferred.

  On the other hand, if it is not set to automatically authenticate (NO in step S3), the process proceeds to an authentication information input process. The processing unit 3 displays an authentication information input screen 50 as shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit 4 and requests the user to input the authentication information 43 (step S4). When the authentication information 43 is input by the user, the processing unit 3 tries to log in to the folder of the designated terminal 10a, and performs authentication to check whether all the element information included in the authentication information 43 is correctly input. If it is correctly input, it is determined that the destination (transfer destination) is correct, and the image information can be transferred to the designated registered folder (YES in step S5). On the other hand, if the authentication fails, the authentication information input screen 50 is repeatedly displayed again (NO in step S5). If the input of a part of the element information of the authentication information 43 is requested in step S4, authentication is performed in step S5 as to whether or not the authentication information 43 supplemented by the input is correct.

  When the image information can be transferred, the processing unit 3 cooperates with the image reading unit 7 to check whether the preparation for the reading process is completed (step S6). When it is determined that the preparation for the reading process is completed, the reading process is executed (step S7). When the reading process of the image information is completed (YES in step S8), the processing unit 3 uses the registered authentication information 43, or the authentication information 43 that is completely or partially input in step S4 and supplemented. Is used to execute a login process (step S9), and the read image information is transferred to the designated folder of the terminal 10a (step S10). When there are a plurality of documents, the processing from step S6 to step S10 can be repeatedly executed (step S11). In addition to repeated execution, a plurality of originals may be read to generate one image information group and transferred at a time.

  As described above, in the first transfer process, simply by specifying the shortcut name 41, a series of transfer processes including authentication are automatically executed. In the second transfer process, when image transfer is performed, authentication information is required to be input, thereby improving security. These can be freely set by the user as described above.

  As described above, in the second transfer process, the user is requested to input authentication information. Specifically, the shortcut information 40 can be registered even when all or part of the element information included in the authentication information 43 is not input, and the user who requests security can register the authentication information 43 at the time of registration. For example, the password 43b is not entered intentionally and is registered without being entered.

  In that case, the processing unit 3 displays the registered element information (here, the user ID 43a) among the authentication information 43 on the authentication information input screen 50 in FIG. The password 43b) displays a blank and requests the user to input missing element information. When the user inputs an unregistered password 43b and presses the Enter key, authentication is performed based on this. Then, all correct element information included in the authentication information 43 is supplemented, so that the image information can be transferred.

  Alternatively, even when all the element information included in the authentication information 43 is registered, the processing unit 3 deletes a part of the authentication information 43, for example, the password 43b and displays the authentication information input screen 50. You may make it do. Then, authentication is performed based on the input password 43b, and all correct element information included in the authentication information 43 is supplemented so that the image information can be transferred.

  That is, in the second transfer process, the user is always prompted to input at least a part of the authentication information 43, and all the element information included in the authentication information 43 is supplemented so that the shortcut function can be used. . Thereby, security with respect to the use of the shortcut can be ensured.

  Alternatively, when all the element information included in the authentication information 43 is registered, all the registered element information may be displayed and the user may perform a confirmation operation.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when the automatic login is set, the automatic login is performed as it is and the image transfer is performed. However, in the authentication information 43, In a case where some element information is not registered, input of missing element information may be requested.

{Second Embodiment}
In this embodiment, the configuration of partial authentication is different from that of the first embodiment. Except for this point, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and different points will be described next.

  In the present embodiment, the processing unit 3 performs authentication based on partial information 43 c of element information included in the authentication information 43. That is, in step S4 of FIG. 5, in the first embodiment, the input of missing element information in the authentication information 43 is obtained. Alternatively, when all the element information included in the authentication information 43 is registered, re-input of a part of the element information is requested. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the input of a part of the element information is requested.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, among individual character information 43d such as numbers constituting the password 43b, only the last character 43c is displayed in a blank state, and an authentication information input screen 50 for requesting input of one character is displayed. Is displayed. For example, the user can input all correct passwords by simply pressing the numeric keypad of the operation unit 5 once and inputting the corresponding numbers.

  In other words, since the shortcut function can be used with two touches and the use of a third party can be eliminated, the security can be improved without impairing the convenience of the shortcut function.

  In the above embodiment, the user ID 43a and the password 43b are shown as the element information constituting the authentication information 43. However, the present invention is not limited to these. Authentication can also be performed based on element information other than these.

  When all the element information included in the authentication information 43 has been registered in advance, the selection of element information that is an input request target or a part of the element information that is an input request target is selected by the digital multifunction peripheral 1. In addition to the case where it is performed based on the setting, the user may be able to select the shortcut information 40 when registering it. For example, if the user can freely set two characters before and after the password 43b or one character in the middle, the convenience is further improved.

  Further, when the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is set, the authentication target may be set to be selected at random for each authentication. According to this, safety can be further improved.

It is a figure which shows the network system comprised with the digital multifunctional device of this invention in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the input screen of shortcut information in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the selection screen of the transfer process in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the input screen of the shortcut information displayed on the monitor of the terminal in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process in the transfer process in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the authentication information input screen in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the authentication information input screen in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital multifunction device 2 Interface 3 Processing part 4 Display part 5 Operation part 6 Communication part 7 Image reading part 8 Printing part 9 Network 10a, 10b Terminal 11 Server 40 Shortcut information 43 Authentication information 50 Authentication information input screen

Claims (3)

Registration means for registering shortcut information including transfer destination information for specifying a transfer destination and authentication information required for accessing the transfer destination;
Information transfer means for transferring image information via a network based on the shortcut information;
With
The authentication information is composed of a plurality of element information,
The information transfer means is
The specification of the shortcut information, a first transferring unit for performing a transfer process by performing authentication based on prior Symbol authentication information automatically,
When the authentication information includes unregistered element information, the shortcut information is requested to input the unregistered element information when specified, and when the authentication information does not include the unregistered element information, Based on the authentication information and the input information, requesting input of the at least some information that was not presented without presenting at least some information of the authentication information when shortcut information is specified Second transfer processing means for executing transfer processing after successful authentication ;
Have
The digital multi-function peripheral, wherein the first transfer processing means and the second transfer processing means can be selected as any one when registering the shortcut information. The digital multifunction device according to claim 1,
The second transfer processing means is
Means for requesting re-input for at least one of the plurality of pieces of element information when the authentication information does not include unregistered element information;
A digital multi-function machine characterized by including: The digital multi-function peripheral according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The second transfer processing means is
If the authentication information does not include unregistered element information, means for requesting re-input for a part of at least one of the plurality of element information ;
A digital multi-function machine characterized by including:

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