JP7331528B2 - Image forming apparatus, information processing method, program and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and an information processing system.

Known as the security print function, when a user prints data with high security using a printing device such as a printer, the user must go to the location where the printing device is installed and perform an authentication operation on the printing device before starting printing. (See Patent Document 1, for example).

For example, in order to ensure security, a multi-function device used by staff in a local government office may require an authentication operation to use the copy function. Staff can use various functions of the multifunction device after the authentication operation.

By the way, local governments may want to provide a copy service as part of their services for residents. However, in some cases, it is difficult from the viewpoint of cost to prepare a multi-function machine dedicated to resident services that does not require authentication operations. On the other hand, if a staff uses a multifunction device for business as a multifunction device for resident services, prepare an IC card, etc., necessary for the authentication operation by the residents who use the copy service, and use the IC card. etc. had to be lent out.

An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of canceling authentication and allowing use of functions.

In order to achieve the above-described problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus, which includes a canceling function for canceling authentication imposed on the function each time the user uses the function of the image forming apparatus. a first receiving means for receiving an input of destination information indicating a destination to which information is to be sent; and generating the cancellation information for canceling the authentication when the first receiving means receives the input of the destination information . generation means; cancellation information transmission means for transmitting the cancellation information generated by the generation means to a destination indicated by the destination information; and second reception means for receiving input of cancellation information for canceling the authentication . and, if the release information received by the second reception means is the release information transmitted by the release information transmission means, managing to release the authentication and allow the user to use the function , and a management unit that does not cancel the authentication and does not allow the user to use the function if the information is not the cancellation information transmitted by the cancellation information transmission unit.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of canceling authentication and allowing use of functions.

1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a smartphone according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a multi-function peripheral according to the present embodiment; FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an example of authentication management information; FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an example of release code information; FIG. It is a sequence diagram of an example of processing of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. It is a screen transition diagram of an example of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a screen image diagram showing an example of an error message displayed; FIG. 10 is an image diagram of an example of processing for canceling authentication of a copy function;

Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which residents are allowed to use a multifunction machine that is used by employees of local governments for their work. However, the present invention is not limited to local governments, employees, and residents. For example, an embodiment in which a customer is allowed to use a multi-function peripheral used by a store clerk for business may be used.

[First embodiment]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to this embodiment. The information processing system 1 of FIG. 1 includes a mobile terminal 10, a multifunction machine 12, and a network 14. The network 14 is a mobile phone network capable of data communication, a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, or the like.

The MFP 12 is also called an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) and is an example of an image forming apparatus. Also, the image forming apparatus is an example of an information processing apparatus that provides functions to users. As such, the multi-function device 12 is an example of an information processing device that provides functions to the user. Information processing devices that provide functions to users include, for example, PJ (Projector: projector), IWB (Interactive White Board: whiteboard having electronic blackboard function capable of mutual communication), output devices such as digital signage, HUD ( Head Up Display) equipment, industrial machinery, imaging equipment, sound collecting equipment, medical equipment, network appliances, automobiles (connected cars), notebook PCs (personal computers), mobile phones, smartphones, tablet terminals, game machines, PDA (Personal Digital) Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, a desktop PC, or the like.

The multifunction device 12 is used by employees for business, and in order to ensure security, authentication operations such as authentication using an IC card and authentication by entering an ID and password on the operation panel are required when using functions such as copying. is required. The multi-function device 12 provides the staff with various functions such as a copy function after the authentication operation is normally completed.

The mobile terminal 10 is a terminal operated by a resident who visits a local government office, for example, and receives and displays a release code, which will be described later, from the multifunction device 12 based on destination information corresponding to the resident, such as a mobile phone number and an e-mail address. , a PC, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone capable of outputting. Residents can use the copy function of the multi-function device 12 by using the release code received by the portable terminal 10 as described later. At this time, the multi-function device 12 provides the resident with the copy function without imposing an authentication operation for the employee to use the function such as the copy function.

Note that the configuration of the information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example. For example, at least part of the functions of the multi-function device 12 may be implemented by another information processing device. Furthermore, at least part of the functions of the multifunction machine 12 may be provided in the mobile terminal 10 .

<Hardware configuration>
"smartphone"
The mobile terminal 10 in FIG. 1 is implemented by, for example, a smart phone 400 having the hardware configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an example hardware configuration diagram of the smartphone 400 . As shown in FIG. 2, the smartphone 400 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, an EEPROM 404, a CMOS sensor 405, an image sensor I/F 406, an acceleration/direction sensor 407, a media I/F 409, and a GPS receiver 411. there is

Among these, the CPU 401 controls the operation of the smartphone 400 as a whole. The ROM 402 stores programs used to drive the CPU 401 such as the CPU 401 and IPL. A RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401 . The EEPROM 404 reads or writes various data such as smartphone programs under the control of the CPU 401 .

A CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor 405 is a type of built-in imaging means for capturing an object (mainly a self-portrait) and obtaining image data under the control of the CPU 401 . Note that imaging means such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor may be used instead of the CMOS sensor. An imaging device I/F 406 is a circuit that controls driving of the CMOS sensor 405 .

The acceleration/direction sensor 407 is various sensors such as an electronic magnetic compass, a gyro compass, and an acceleration sensor for detecting geomagnetism. A media I/F 409 controls reading or writing (storage) of data to a recording medium 408 such as a flash memory. The GPS receiver 411 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites.

The smartphone 400 also includes a long-distance communication circuit 412, a CMOS sensor 413, an image sensor I/F 414, a microphone 415, a speaker 416, a sound input/output I/F 417, a display 418, an external device connection I/F (Interface) 419, a near A distance communication circuit 420, an antenna 420a of the short distance communication circuit 420, and a touch panel 421 are provided.

Of these, telecommunications circuitry 412 is circuitry that communicates with other devices over network 14 . The CMOS sensor 413 is a type of built-in image pickup means that picks up an image of a subject under the control of the CPU 401 and obtains image data. An imaging device I/F 414 is a circuit that controls driving of the CMOS sensor 413 . Microphone 415 is a built-in circuit that converts sound into an electrical signal. The speaker 416 is a built-in circuit that converts electrical signals into physical vibrations to produce sounds such as music and voice. A sound input/output I/F 417 is a circuit for processing input/output of sound signals between the microphone 415 and the speaker 416 under the control of the CPU 401 . A display 418 is a kind of display means such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) that displays an image of a subject, various icons, and the like.

The external device connection I/F 419 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The short-range communication circuit 420 is a communication circuit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The touch panel 421 is a type of input means for operating the smart phone 400 when a user such as a resident presses the display 418 . Smartphone 400 also includes bus line 410 . A bus line 410 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 401 shown in FIG.

《MFP》
The hardware configuration of the MFP 12 included in the information processing system 1 is as shown in FIG. 3, for example. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the MFP 12 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the multi-function device 12 includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control section 930, an operation panel 940, and a network I/F 950.

Among these, the controller 910 includes a CPU 901, a system memory (MEM-P) 902, a north bridge (NB) 903, a south bridge (SB) 904, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, a storage unit, which is the main part of the computer. A local memory (MEM-C) 907 , an HDD controller 908 , and an HD 909 as a storage unit, and the NB 903 and ASIC 906 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921 .

Among these, the CPU 901 is a control unit that performs overall control of the MFP 12 . The NB 903 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 901, the MEM-P 902, the SB 904, and the AGP bus 921, and is a memory controller that controls reading and writing with respect to the MEM-P 902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target. have

The MEM-P 902 is composed of a ROM 902a, which is a memory for storing programs and data for realizing each function of the controller 910, and a RAM 902b, which is used as a drawing memory for expanding the programs and data and for memory printing. The program stored in the RAM 902b is configured to be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, etc. as a file in an installable format or an executable format. You may

SB 904 is a bridge for connecting NB 903 with PCI devices and peripheral devices. The ASIC 906 is an image processing IC (Integrated Circuit) having hardware elements for image processing, and serves as a bridge that connects the AGP bus 921, PCI bus 922, HDD 908 and MEM-C 907, respectively.

This ASIC 906 includes a PCI target and AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 906, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 907, and multiple DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that rotate image data using hardware logic. , and a PCI unit that transfers data between the scanner unit 931 and the printer unit 932 via the PCI bus 922 . Note that the ASIC 906 may be connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE 1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface.

MEM-C 907 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and an encoding buffer. The HD 909 is a storage for accumulating image data, accumulating font data used for printing, and accumulating forms. The HD 909 controls reading or writing of data to or from the HD 909 under the control of the CPU 901 . The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for graphics accelerator cards proposed to speed up graphics processing, and can speed up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 902 with high throughput. . The near field communication circuit 920 also includes a near field communication circuit 920a. The short-range communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit for NFC, Bluetooth, or the like.

Furthermore, the engine control section 930 is configured by a scanner section 931 and a printer section 932 . The operation panel 940 displays a setting screen, a selection screen, a start key for receiving an instruction to start copying, and the like. An operation panel 940b including a numeric keypad or the like is provided for receiving setting values of conditions related to formation. The controller 910 controls the entire MFP 12 , such as drawing, communication, and input from the operation panel 940 . The scanner unit 931 or printer unit 932 includes an image processing part such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

It should be noted that the MFP 12 can switch and select the document box function, the copy function, the printer function, and the facsimile function in sequence using the application switching key on the operation panel 940 . The document box mode is set when the document box function is selected, the copy mode is set when the copy function is selected, the printer mode is set when the printer function is selected, and the facsimile mode is set when the facsimile mode is selected.

A network I/F 950 is an interface for data communication using the network 14 . A short-range communication circuit 920 and a network I/F 950 are electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via a PCI bus 922 .

Note that the multi-function device 12 has an IC card reader built-in or externally attached when authentication by an IC card is used. The multi-function device 12 reads the identification information unique to the IC card from the RF tag embedded in the IC card by wireless communication. Note that the IC card may be built in a smart device such as the smart phone 400 . Also, the multi-function device 12 may use a device other than an IC card reader, and may use a biometric authentication device (fingerprint, palm print, iris, face, etc.), barcode reader, or the like.

<Functional configuration>
The information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment is implemented by, for example, the functional configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to this embodiment. In the functional configuration of FIG. 4, configurations unnecessary for the explanation of this embodiment are omitted as appropriate.

The mobile terminal 10 has a release code receiving section 20 and a release code display section 22 . The release code receiving section 20 of the mobile terminal 10 receives the release code from the multi-function device 12 . The release code display unit 22 displays the release code received from the multifunction device 12 on the display 418 .

The MFP 12 has a basic function section 30 and an extended function section 50 . The basic function unit 30 provides the basic functions of the MFP 12 . Further, the extended function unit 50 provides extended functions realized by executing a resident service application (resident service application), which is an example of an extended application.

The basic function unit 30 includes an authentication processing unit 32, an authentication management unit 34, a copy function unit 36, a copy function authentication SW unit 38, a facsimile function unit 40, a facsimile function authentication SW unit 42, a scanner function unit 44, and a scanner function authentication SW unit. 46 and an extended function activation control unit 48 .

The authentication processing unit 32 performs processing related to authentication operations such as authentication using an IC card and authentication by inputting an ID and password to the operation panel 940 . The authentication management unit 34 manages authentication operations imposed for using functions such as the copy function.

The copy function unit 36 performs processing related to the copy function. The copy function authentication SW unit 38 switches between ON (setting) and OFF (cancellation) of the authentication operation imposed for using the copy function unit 36 according to a request from the authentication management unit 34 . If the copy function authentication SW section 38 is ON (set), the copy function section 36 imposes an authentication operation for using the copy function. Also, if the copy function authentication SW section 38 is OFF (released), the copy function section 36 does not impose an authentication operation for using the copy function.

The facsimile function unit 40 performs processing related to the facsimile function. The facsimile function authentication SW unit 42 switches between ON (setting) and OFF (cancellation) of the authentication operation imposed for using the facsimile function unit 40 according to a request from the authentication management unit 34 . If the facsimile function authentication SW section 42 is ON (set), the facsimile function section 40 imposes an authentication operation for using the facsimile function. Also, if the facsimile function authentication SW section 42 is OFF (released), the facsimile function section 40 does not impose an authentication operation for using the facsimile function.

The scanner function unit 44 performs processing related to the scanner function. The scanner function authentication SW unit 46 switches between ON (setting) and OFF (cancellation) of the authentication operation imposed for using the scanner function unit 44 according to a request from the authentication management unit 34 . If the scanner function authentication SW section 46 is ON (set), the scanner function section 44 imposes an authentication operation for using the scanner function. If the scanner function authentication SW section 46 is OFF (released), the scanner function section 44 does not impose an authentication operation for using the scanner function.

The extended function activation control unit 48 receives a resident service application activation operation on the operation panel 940, such as pressing a resident service button described later, and executes the resident service application, thereby controlling activation of the extended function unit 50.

The extended function unit 50 includes an extended function UI control unit 52, a mobile number input reception unit 54, a release code generation unit 56, a release code storage unit 58, a release code transmission unit 60, an authentication release determination unit 62, an authentication release request unit 64, It has a copy function activation requesting section 66 and an authentication setting requesting section 68 .

The extended function UI control unit 52 performs control to display the screen UI of the resident service application on the operation panel 940 . The mobile number input reception unit 54 accepts the input of the mobile number to the screen UI of the resident service application. A mobile phone number is an example of a resident's destination information. The release code generation unit 56 generates a release code for using the copy function without imposing an authentication operation.

The release code storage unit 58 associates and stores the mobile phone number input by the resident and the release code sent to the mobile phone number during a predetermined period (for example, one day). The release code transmission unit 60 uses SMS (Short Message Service) communication to transmit the release code to the mobile phone number input by the resident.

The authorization cancellation determination unit 62 judges that the authorization for the copy function is canceled when the cancellation code transmitted by the cancellation code transmission unit 60 is input to the screen UI of the resident service application. Further, the authentication cancellation determination unit 62 determines to set authentication for the copy function when it detects that the resident has finished using the copy function.

The deauthentication requesting section 64 requests the deauthentication management section 34 of the basic function section 30 to deauthenticate the copy function based on the determination by the deauthentication determination section 62 to decertify the copy function. The copy function activation request unit 66 requests the copy function unit 36 of the basic function unit 30 to activate the copy application. The authentication setting request unit 68 sets the authentication setting of the copy function to the authentication of the basic function unit 30 when it detects that the resident has finished using the copy function, such as the end of the copy job or the press of the end button by the resident. A request is made to the management unit 34 .

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an example of authentication management information. The authentication management information in FIG. 5 is managed by the authentication management section 34 of the basic function section 30, for example. The authentication management information associates function names with authentication states. The authentication status of the authentication management information indicates whether the function indicated by the function name is in the deauthentication state in which no authentication operation is imposed to use the function, or in the authentication setting state in which authentication operation is imposed to use the function. there is Therefore, in the case of the authentication management information of FIG. 5, the copy function is not subject to any authentication operation for use.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an example of release code information. The release code information shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the release code storage unit 58 of the extended function unit 50, and the mobile phone number input by the resident is associated with the release code sent to the mobile phone number during a predetermined period. memorize. The release code information in FIG. 6 is an example, and may include, for example, information on the date and time when the release code was sent, information on whether or not the copy function is used by the release code, and the like.

<Processing>
The information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, for example, according to the procedure shown in FIG. Make features available to Residents. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of an example of processing of the information processing system according to this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a screen transition diagram of an example of the information processing system according to this embodiment. FIG. 9 is a screen image diagram showing an example of an error message displayed.

The activated MFP 12 displays the menu screen 1000 of FIG. 8 on the operation panel 940, for example. The menu screen 1000 of FIG. 8 has a display field for authentication by the staff member by entering an ID and a password, and a resident service button for the resident who is the user to activate the resident service application.

At step S10, the resident presses a resident service button. Upon receiving the pressing of the resident service button, the extended function activation control unit 48 of the multi-function device 12 proceeds to step S12 and activates the extended function unit 50 by executing the resident service application.

Proceeding to step S14, the extended function UI control unit 52 of the extended function unit 50 performs control to display, for example, the resident service application screen 1100a in FIG. The resident service application screen 1100a includes a cell phone number input field, an SMS transmission button, a release code input field, and an OK button.

In step S16, the resident enters the mobile number of his/her own mobile terminal 10 in the mobile number input field as in the resident service application screen 1100b of FIG. 8, and presses the SMS transmission button. The cell phone number input reception unit 54 of the extended function unit 50 receives the input of the cell phone number and the pressing of the SMS transmission button on the resident service application screen 1100b.

Proceeding to step S18, the release code generation unit 56 of the extended function unit 50 generates a release code, associates the release code with the mobile phone number input on the resident service application screen 1100b, and stores the release code storage unit 58. Memorize. Proceeding to step S20, the release code transmission unit 60 uses SMS communication to transmit the release code to the mobile number entered on the resident service application screen 1100b.

The mobile terminal 10 that has received the release code through SMS communication displays a screen 1200 on which the release code is displayed on the display 418 . After transmitting the release code to the portable terminal 10 via SMS communication, the multi-function device 12 proceeds to step S22 and controls the operation panel 940 to display, for example, the resident service application screen 1100c waiting for the release code input in FIG.

At step S24, the resident can confirm the release code on the screen 1200 displayed on his mobile terminal 10. FIG. In step S26, the resident inputs the release code displayed on his/her portable terminal 10, for example, as shown in the resident service application screen 1100d of FIG. 8, and presses the OK button.

In step S28, the authentication cancellation determination unit 62 of the extended function unit 50 confirms whether the cancellation code input as shown in the resident service application screen 1100d of FIG. 8 is the cancellation code sent to the resident's mobile number in step S20. do. Also, the authentication cancellation determination unit 62 refers to the cancellation code information shown in FIG. 6 to confirm whether or not the number of times the copy function has been used by the resident service application reaches the upper limit.

For example, the deauthentication determination unit 62 can provide the residents with the copy function while limiting the use by limiting the number of times the copy function can be used by the resident service application to, for example, three times. Also, by storing the number of copies used in association with the release code information shown in FIG. You can also

If the input release code is the release code sent to the resident's mobile phone number in step S20 and the number of times the copy function is used by the resident service application has not reached the upper limit, the authentication release determination unit 62 cancels the copy function. decision to cancel the certification for Based on the determination made by the deauthentication determination unit 62 to deauthenticate the copy function, the deauthentication request unit 64 requests the deauthentication management unit 34 of the basic function unit 30 to deauthenticate the copy function in step S32.

In step S34, the authentication management section 34 requests the copy function authentication SW section 38 to cancel the authentication of the copy function. Therefore, it is switched to OFF (release) that does not impose the authentication operation.

In step S36, the copy function activation request unit 66 of the extended function unit 50 requests the copy function unit 36 of the basic function unit 30 to activate the copy application. Proceeding to step S38, the basic function unit 30 of the multi-function device 12 provides the residents with a copy function. In step S40, the resident makes a copy using the copy function of the multi-function device 12. FIG.

In step S42, the authentication setting requesting unit 68 of the extended function unit 50 confirms, for example, the print completion state with the basic function unit 30 by polling, assuming that the residents have finished using the copy function. In step S44, when the print completion state is detected, the authentication management section 34 of the basic function section 30 is requested to set the authentication for the copy function. In step S48, the authentication management section 34 requests the copy function authentication SW section 38 to set the authentication of the copy function. Switch to ON (setting) that imposes an authentication operation in order to do so. In step S50, the MFP 12 displays, for example, the menu screen 1000 of FIG.

In step S30, if the number of times the copy function of the resident service application has been used has reached the upper limit, the authentication cancellation determination unit 62 displays the resident service application screen 1100e of FIG. Make residents aware that they have exceeded the upper limit of the number of times of use. Also, if the entered unlock code is not the unlock code sent to the resident's mobile phone number in step S20, the authentication cancellation determination unit 62 displays the resident service application screen 1100f of FIG. Make people aware that they are wrong.

FIG. 10 is an image diagram of an example of processing for canceling authentication of the copy function. As shown in FIG. 10, by turning off the copy function authentication SW section 38, the copy function section 36 enters an authentication canceled (authentication OFF) state in which no authentication operation is required for use. Also, when the copy function authentication SW section 38 is turned on, the copy function section 36 enters an authentication setting (authentication ON) state in which an authentication operation is imposed in order to use the copy function section 36 .

The ON/OFF switching of the copy function authentication SW section 38 is performed by the authentication management section 34 . By requesting the authentication management unit 34 to cancel the authentication of the copy function, the extended function unit 50 can put the copy function unit 36 into an authentication cancellation (authentication OFF) state in which no authentication operation is required to use the copy function unit 36 . Further, the extended function section 50 requests the authentication management section 34 to set authentication for the copy function, thereby setting the copy function section 36 to an authentication setting (authentication ON) state in which an authentication operation is imposed in order to use the copy function section 36. can be done.

The extended function unit 50 can realize the release code transmission unit 60 by the SMS communication module 104 . The extended function unit 50 can realize the release code generation unit 56 by the authentication code generation module 106 . Further, the extended function unit 50 can detect the print completion status from the print engine 102 . The MFP platform 100 is an environment in which software such as applications of the MFP 12 operates, and performs, for example, management of hardware resources commonly required by applications, execution control, image forming processing, and the like.

<Other embodiments>
In this embodiment, an example in which the destination information is a mobile phone number has been described, but the destination information can be realized in the same way even if it is an e-mail address. If the destination information is an e-mail address, the release code will be sent by e-mail. The resident can check the unlock code sent by e-mail, enter it as shown in the resident service application screen 1100d of FIG. 8, and press the OK button.

Also, in the present embodiment, the release code is generated after the resident service button on the menu screen 1000 displayed on the operation panel 940 of the multifunction device 12 is pressed, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, if a resident who visits a government office uses a card associated with the resident to accept the application, and there is a procedure for issuing a paper with the reception number printed on it, a release code is generated at this stage and the release is printed on paper. You can also print the code together.

Each function of the embodiments described above may be implemented by one or more processing circuits. Here, the "processing circuit" in this specification means a processor programmed by software to perform each function, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, or a processor designed to perform each function described above. devices such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), DSPs (digital signal processors), FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays) and conventional circuit modules.

The devices described in the examples are merely representative of one of several computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein.

The release code generation unit 56 is an example of generation means described in the claims. The release code transmission unit 60 is an example of release information transmission means. The authentication management unit 34 is an example of management means. A resident is an example of a user.

1 Information Processing System 10 Portable Terminal 12 MFP 14 Network 20 Release Code Receiving Section 22 Release Code Display Section 30 Basic Function Section 32 Authentication Processing Section 34 Authentication Management Section 36 Copy Function Section 38 Copy Function Authentication SW Section 40 Fax Function Section 42 Fax Function authentication SW unit 44 Scanner function unit 46 Scanner function authentication SW unit 48 Extension function activation control unit 50 Extension function unit 52 Extension function UI control unit 54 Mobile number input reception unit 56 Release code generation unit 58 Release code storage unit 60 Release code transmission Section 62 Authentication cancellation determination section 64 Authentication cancellation request section 66 Copy function activation request section 68 Authentication setting request section 1000 Menu screen 1100a to 1100f Resident service application screen

JP 2013-95118 A

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus,
a first receiving means for receiving an input of destination information indicating a destination to which release information for canceling authentication imposed on the function is transmitted each time the user uses the function of the image forming apparatus;
generating means for generating the cancellation information for canceling the authentication when the input of destination information is received by the first reception means;
release information transmission means for transmitting the release information generated by the generation means to a destination indicated by the destination information;
a second receiving means for receiving input of cancellation information for canceling the authentication;
When the release information received by the second reception means is the release information transmitted by the release information transmission means, the authentication is canceled to allow the user to use the function, and the release information a management means for managing so as not to cancel the authentication and prevent the user from using the function if the information is not the cancellation information transmitted by the transmission means;
An image forming apparatus having further comprising display control means for displaying a screen including an input field for the destination information and an input field for the cancellation information transmitted by the cancellation information transmission means;
The first receiving means receives the destination information via the screen,
the second reception means receives the release information via the screen;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The management unit according to claim 1, wherein, when detecting that the use of the function by the user has ended, the management unit sets the authentication and manages so that the user is not allowed to use the function. image forming device. The management means stores the destination information received during a predetermined period and the cancellation information transmitted to the destination information based on information stored in association with the cancellation information transmitted to the destination information. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the number exceeds a predetermined number, management is performed so that the user is not allowed to use the function. An information processing method executed by an image forming apparatus,
a first receiving step of receiving input of destination information indicating a destination to which release information for releasing authentication imposed on the function is to be sent each time the user uses the function of the image forming apparatus;
a generation step of generating cancellation information for canceling the authentication when input of destination information is received in the first reception step ;
a release information transmission step of transmitting the release information generated in the generation step to a destination indicated by the destination information;
a second receiving step of receiving input of cancellation information for canceling the authentication;
When the release information received in the second receiving step is the release information transmitted in the release information transmission step, the authentication is canceled to allow the user to use the function, and the release information a management step of not canceling the authentication and preventing the user from using the function if the information is not the cancellation information transmitted in the transmitting step;
An information processing method comprising: image forming device,
first receiving means for receiving input of destination information indicating a destination to which cancellation information for canceling authentication imposed on the function is to be sent each time the user uses the function of the image forming apparatus;
generation means for generating the cancellation information for canceling the authentication when the input of destination information is accepted by the first acceptance means;
release information transmission means for transmitting the release information generated by the generation means to a destination indicated by the destination information;
a second receiving means for receiving input of cancellation information for canceling the authentication;
when the release information received by the second reception means is the release information transmitted by the release information transmission means, the authentication is canceled and the user is allowed to use the function ; management means for managing not to cancel the authentication and prevent the user from using the function if the cancellation information is not the one transmitted by the transmission means;
A program to function as An information processing system having an image forming apparatus and a mobile terminal of a user,
The image forming apparatus is
a first receiving means for receiving an input of destination information indicating a destination to which release information for canceling authentication imposed on the function is transmitted each time the user uses the function of the image forming apparatus;
generating means for generating the cancellation information for canceling the authentication when the input of destination information is received by the first reception means;
release information transmission means for transmitting the release information generated by the generation means to a destination indicated by the destination information;
a second receiving means for receiving input of cancellation information for canceling the authentication;
when the release information received by the second reception means is the release information transmitted by the release information transmission means, the authentication is canceled and the user is allowed to use the function ; a management means for managing so as not to cancel the authentication and to prevent the user from using the function if the information is not the cancellation information transmitted by the transmission means;
has
The mobile terminal is
An information processing system having release information display means for displaying the release information transmitted to the destination indicated by the destination information.

Images