JP2000115437A - System and method for document processing, document processor and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To confirm using state without going to an installation place and to prevent other person from reading an important document by checking if an image reader shared on a network is available, deciding whether it is being used, and when it is available, prohibiting an access from other equipment. SOLUTION: Whether or not a scanner shared on a network is available (S201) is checked. When access is permitted, it is decided whether or not the scanner is in use (S202), and when it is being used, data such as the name of present user are displayed. When it is available, lock processing is performed so that an access from other equipment is disabled (S203), an original is actually set to the scanner and reading processing is executed (S204). When the processing is completed, a completion instruction is given from an access side, user information is cleared on a scanner side by this completion instruction, to release the lock (S205).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a document processing system,
The present invention relates to a document processing method, a document processing device, and a storage medium, and more particularly, to an image reading device shared on a network and a management method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of PCs, scanners, digital cameras, and the like, needs for reading image data and digitizing printed documents have increased. Moreover,
Networks such as LANs have become widespread, and the need to share an image reading device on the network has increased. By sharing an image reading device such as a scanner on a network, the cost can be reduced and the installation place can be minimized.

[0003]

However, when the image reading apparatus is shared on a network, the image reading apparatus is often installed at a location away from the place where the user actually works.

Further, since the original reading process cannot be performed until the original to be read is set in the image reading device, the user must go to the place where the image reading device is installed. When the user went to the installation location, another person might be using the device, resulting in waste of time.

[0005] Further, even if an original can be set on the image reading apparatus, there is a disadvantage that when an important document which the user does not want to be seen by another person is read by the image reading apparatus, the document can be seen by another person. Had a bad problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention enables the use status of an image reading device shared on a network to be confirmed without actually going to the place where the image reading device is installed. An object is to prevent an important document from being read by another person.

[0007]

A document processing system according to the present invention checks whether or not an image reading apparatus shared on a network is accessible, and if the access is not possible, the access is disabled. A message that the image reading device is not permitted is displayed, and if the above access is possible, it is determined whether or not the image reading device is in use. Displaying information, if the image reading device is usable, prohibits other devices from accessing the image reading device, reads a document set in the image reading device, and reads the document. When the process is completed, the user information of the image reading device is cleared and the access prohibition is released. Another feature of the document processing system of the present invention is that it is checked whether or not the image reading device shared on the network can be accessed. If a message stating that access is not permitted is displayed and the above access is possible,
Determine whether the image reading device is in use,
If the image reading device is in use, information about the use status including the current user name is displayed.If the image reading device is usable, access to the image reading device from other devices is prohibited. Along with setting the use start time of the image reading device, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time since the start of use of the image reading device has exceeded a predetermined time, and the time since the start of use of the image reading device is determined. When the elapsed time exceeds a certain time, a warning message is displayed on the display unit on the user side, the set use start time is cleared, and the original set in the image reading device is read, and the original is read. When the reading is completed, the user information of the image reading apparatus is cleared and the prohibition of the access is released. Another feature of the document processing system according to the present invention is that the access permission / non-permission judgment unit checks whether or not the image reading apparatus shared on the network can be accessed, As a result, if the access is not possible, the access disapproval display means for displaying a message indicating that the access is not permitted, and the result of the determination by the access permission determination means,
When the access is possible, a use status determining unit that determines whether the image reading device is in use and a result of the determination by the use status determining unit indicate that the image reading device is in use. A use status display unit for displaying information on the use status including the current user name, and as a result of the determination by the use status determination unit, if the image reading device is usable, the image reading device is used by another device. Access lock means for prohibiting access to the document, document reading means for reading a document set in the image reading apparatus, and document reading end determining means for determining whether or not document reading processing by the image reading apparatus has been completed If the reading of the document is completed as a result of the determination by the document reading completion determining means, the user information of the image reading apparatus is determined. The clear is characterized by comprising an access lock canceling means for canceling the prohibition of the access. Another feature of the document processing system according to the present invention is that the access permission / non-permission judgment unit checks whether or not the image reading apparatus shared on the network can be accessed, As a result, if the access is not possible, the access disapproval display means for displaying a message indicating that access is not permitted, and if the access is possible as a result of the judgment by the access permission judgment means, A use state determination unit that determines whether the reading device is in use, and a result of the determination by the use state determination unit,
When the image reading device is in use, a use status display unit that displays information about the use status including the current user name, and a result of the determination by the use status determination unit indicates that the image reading device is usable. Access lock means for prohibiting other devices from accessing the image reading device, use start time setting means for setting the use start time of the image reading device, and starting use of the image reading device. A use time determining means for determining whether or not an elapsed time from a predetermined time has elapsed; and, as a result of the determination by the use time determining means, an elapsed time since the start of use of the image reading apparatus exceeds a certain time. Warning message display means for displaying a warning message on the display means on the user side, and a set time solution for clearing the set use start time. Means, document reading means for reading a document set on the image reading device, document reading end determining means for determining whether or not to finish the document reading process by the image reading device, and determination by the document reading end determining means As a result, when the processing is terminated, the apparatus further comprises access lock release means for clearing the user information of the image reading apparatus and releasing the prohibition of the access. Other features of the document processing system of the present invention include an image reading device connected to a network, control means for controlling a plurality of devices connected to the network, and the image reading device. Storage means for storing the document data read by the storage means, storage means for storing the operation program of the control means and the document data, a display device for displaying the document data stored in the storage means, and via the network A network interface for exchanging data with another device; an image reading device control unit for controlling the image reading device; and an instruction signal inputting unit for inputting an instruction signal for editing and operating the document data read by the image reading device. In the document processing system provided with Communication means for exchanging data with the image reading device provided, determining means for determining whether or not the image reading device can be used based on predetermined information, and use for storing the use status of the image reading device Status storage means, use status confirmation means for confirming the use status of the image reading device, access control means for controlling whether or not other devices can access the image reading device, and use of the image reading device. Display means for displaying a warning message.

The document processing apparatus of the present invention checks whether or not access to the image reading apparatus is possible, and if the access is not possible, displays a message indicating that access is not permitted; If it is possible, it is determined whether or not the image reading device is in use, and if so, means for displaying information about the use status including the current user name, and the image reading device Means for prohibiting access to the image reading device from another device when the device is usable, and means for reading a document set in the image reading device, and when the document reading is completed, the image reading device Means for clearing the user information and canceling the above-mentioned access prohibition. Another feature of the document processing apparatus of the present invention is to check whether or not the image reading apparatus can be accessed, and to display a message that the access is not permitted if the access is not possible. Means for determining whether or not the image reading device is in use if the access is possible, and displaying information about the use status including the current user name if in use. Means for prohibiting other devices from accessing the image reading device when the image reading device is usable, and setting a use start time of the image reading device; and It is determined whether or not the time elapsed since the start of use has exceeded a predetermined time. If the time elapsed since the start of use of the image reading device has exceeded a predetermined time, a warning is issued. Means for reading the original set on the image reading device by clearing the set use start time while displaying the message on the display means on the user side; and Means for clearing the user information and canceling the access prohibition.

According to the document processing method of the present invention, an access permission / non-permission judgment process for checking whether or not an image reading apparatus shared on a network can be accessed, and as a result of the access permission / non-permission judgment processing, the access is impossible. If the access is not permitted, as a result of the access disapproval display processing for displaying a message indicating that access is not permitted and the access permission / prohibition determination processing, if the image reading apparatus is in use, A usage status determination process of determining whether or not the usage status determination process, as a result of the usage status determination process, when the image reading device is in use, a usage status display process of displaying information on usage status including the current user name,
As a result of the use status determination process, when the image reading device is usable, an access lock process that prohibits another device from accessing the image reading device, and a document is set in the image reading device. A document reading process to be read, a document reading end determination process for determining whether to finish the document reading process by the image reading device, and a result of the document reading completion determination process.
When the process is to be terminated, an access lock release process for clearing the user information of the image reading apparatus and releasing the prohibition of the access is performed. Another feature of the document processing method of the present invention is that an access permission / non-permission judgment process for checking whether or not an image reading device shared on a network can be accessed, and a result of the access permission / non-permission judgment processing. If the access is not possible, an access denial display process for displaying a message indicating that access is not permitted, and the access permission / prohibition determination process indicates that the image reading device When the image reading device is usable as a result of the use condition determining process of determining whether or not the image reading device is being used, and when the image reading device is usable, it is necessary to access the image reading device from another device. Access lock processing to be prohibited, use start time setting processing to set the use start time of the image reading device, and image reading A use time determination process for determining whether or not an elapsed time since the start of use of the apparatus has exceeded a predetermined time; and, as a result of the use time determination process, an elapsed time since the start of use of the image reading device. A warning message display process for displaying a warning message on the display unit on the user side when a predetermined time has elapsed, a set time release process for clearing the use time set and managed, and the image reading device A document reading process for setting and reading a document in a document, a document reading end determination process for determining whether to end the document reading process by the image reading device, and a result of the document reading end determination process. Performs an access lock release process for clearing the user information of the image reading device and releasing the above-mentioned prohibition of access.

[0010] The storage medium of the present invention is characterized in that a program for causing a computer to function as each means constituting the document processing system is stored so as to be readable from the computer. Another feature of the storage medium of the present invention is that a program for causing a computer to execute the procedure of the document processing method is stored so as to be readable from the computer.

[0011]

Since the present invention comprises the above technical means, the usage status of the image reading apparatus shared on the network can be
It is possible to check without going to the place where the image reading device is actually installed, and to prevent others from reading the image when reading important documents using the image reading device. It is possible to do.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS <Description of Apparatus> FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a document processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a CRT display device, which displays a document being edited, various message menus, and the like.

A video RAM (VRAM) 2 is a CRT.
It expands and stores characters and image data displayed on the screen of the display device 1. Bit move units (BMU) 3 and 13 control data transfer between memories or between a memory and each device. Reference numeral 4 denotes a keyboard provided with various keys for performing document editing and the like.
Reference numeral 5 denotes a pointing device (PD) used to indicate an icon or the like on the screen.

Reference numerals 6 and 14 denote CPUs, and ROMs 7 and 16
(Programs for realizing the processing of the present invention described later, including programs related to document editing and error processing programs)
This is for controlling each part of the present apparatus based on.

Reference numerals 8 and 17 denote various programs described above as C.
This is a RAM used as a work area when the PUs 6 and 14 execute, and a temporary save area during error processing.
Reference numerals 9 and 18 denote hard disk drives (HDD), and reference numeral 10 denotes a floppy disk drive (FDD). Each disk is used for storing application programs, data, libraries, and the like, which will be described later.

Reference numerals 11 and 15 denote a network interface (Net-I / F), which performs data control and diagnosis on the network in order to transfer data with another document processing apparatus via the network. Reference numerals 12 and 20 denote I / O buses (including an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus) for connecting the above-described units. 19
Is an image reading device such as a scanner shared by other devices connected by a network.

The program stored in the ROM in the present embodiment may be stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy disk (FD) directly connected to the apparatus. Further, it may be stored on another device connected by a network.
The program of the present invention can be supplied to a system or an apparatus via a storage medium such as an FD or an HD or a network.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, in the first step S201, it is checked whether an image reading apparatus such as the scanner 19 shared on the network can be accessed. Here, for example, when the scanner 19 is shared by the TCP / IP protocol,
First, the determination is made based on the IP address of the CPU of the accessed document processing apparatus (hereinafter, a personal computer).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of accessible IP address information 31. As shown in FIG. 3, the IP address of the accessed personal computer is
The judgment is made based on whether the number is 39 or not. Further, the user information to be accessed is confirmed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of user information 41 that can be accessed. The determination is made based on the user name and the password (42 to 49) as in the case of the IP address. As a result of these determinations, if access is not permitted, a message indicating that access is not permitted is displayed, and the process ends. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the displayed message. To end the display, the user clicks the end button 51.

If the result of determination in step S201 is that access is permitted, control proceeds to step S202. In step S202, it is determined whether or not the scanner 19 is being used. If the result of this determination is that the apparatus is in use, data such as the current user name managed by the scanner 19 is displayed and the process ends. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a displayed message. To end the display, the end button 61 is clicked.

If the result of determination in step S202 is that it can be used, the flow advances to step S203. Step S2
At 03, a lock process is performed so that the scanner 19 cannot be accessed from other devices.

Here, the scanner 19 stores information such as the user name and the IP address of the accessed personal computer. Next, the process proceeds to step S204, where a document is actually set on the scanner 19 and a reading process is performed. Step S
At 205, it is determined whether the reading process is to be terminated. When ending, the access side issues an end instruction.

In response to this end instruction, the scanner 19 clears the user information and releases the lock. This allows
Other people become accessible. On the other hand, if the reading process is to be continued, the process returns to step S204, and the same process is repeated until the process is completed.

(Other Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure according to another embodiment of the present invention. First, in the first step S701, it is checked whether or not an image reading device such as the scanner 19 shared on the network can be accessed.

Here, for example, when the scanner 19 is shared by the TCP / IP protocol, the scanner 19 first determines based on the IP address of the accessed personal computer. The determination is made based on whether the management data exists. Further, the user information to be accessed is confirmed. As in the case of the IP address, the determination is made based on the user name and the password. As a result of these judgments,
If the access is not permitted, a message indicating that the access is not permitted is displayed, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the access is permitted, the flow advances to step S702. In step S702, it is determined whether or not the scanner 19 is in use. If the scanner 19 is in use, data such as the current user name managed by the scanner 19 is displayed, and the process ends.

If the result of the determination is that it can be used, the flow advances to step S703. In step S703, a lock process is performed so that the scanner 19 cannot be accessed from another device.

Here, the scanner 19 stores information such as the user name and the IP address of the accessed personal computer. Next, the process proceeds to step S704, and the use start time is also stored.

Next, in step S705, it is determined whether or not the usage time has exceeded a predetermined time. Here, for example, if the maximum use time of one user is set to 20 minutes, it is determined whether the apparatus is occupied for more time. The maximum use time is managed by the scanner 19 and can be changed.

If the result of determination in step S705 is that the use time has exceeded a certain time, the flow advances to step S706, and
Display a warning message on the accessing PC.
FIG. 8 is a display example of a warning message. To end the display, the end button 81 is clicked.

Next, in step S707, the scanner 1
Clear the usage time managed on the 9 side. Therefore, after confirming the warning message, the device can be occupied again for the same time.

Next, in step S708, an original is actually set and a reading process is performed. Next, step S7
In step 09, it is determined whether the reading process is to be terminated. As a result of this determination, when the reading process is to be terminated, a termination instruction is issued from the accessing personal computer.

According to this instruction, the user information is cleared on the scanner 19 side, and the scanner 19 becomes accessible. If the reading process is to be continued, the process returns to step S705, and the same process is repeated until the process is completed.

(Other Embodiments of the Present Invention) The present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but is also applicable to an apparatus composed of one device. You may.

Further, in order to realize the functions of the above-described embodiment, various devices are operated so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, and a device connected to the above-mentioned various devices or a computer in a system is provided. The present invention also includes programs implemented by supplying the program code of the software described above and operating the various devices according to programs stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus.

Also, in this case, the program code of the software implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer,
For example, a storage medium storing such a program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
D-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, R
OM or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other operating system running on the computer. Needless to say, even when the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized in cooperation with application software or the like, such program codes are included in the embodiments of the present invention.

Further, after the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided in a function expansion board of a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or the function expansion unit is specified based on an instruction of the program code. It is needless to say that the present invention also includes a case where the CPU or the like provided in the first embodiment performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In a document processing system in which an image reading device is shared on a network, it is possible to check the usage of the image reading device without going to the place where the image reading device is installed, and to restrict the use right. In addition, it is possible to save unnecessary labor that occurs when the image reading device is in use. In addition, when an important document is to be read by the image reading device, it is possible to restrict an image from being read by another person.

Further, according to another feature of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a specific person from occupying the reading device for more than a required time, and to use the reading device effectively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention and illustrating a schematic configuration of a document processing system.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the document processing system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of access management data according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of access-permitted user data according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message when access to the apparatus according to the embodiment is not permitted.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message when the apparatus according to the embodiment is being used;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning message issued when the apparatus according to the embodiment is being used for a predetermined time or more.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 CRT 2 Video RAM 3, 13 BMU 4 Keyboard 5 Pointing device 6, 14 CPU 7, 16 ROM 8, 17 Working RAM 9, 18 Hard disk 10 Floppy disk 11, 15 Network interface 12, 20 I / O bus 19 Scanner

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image reading apparatus shared on a network is checked whether it is accessible or not. If the access is not possible, a message that the access is not permitted is displayed. If it is possible, it is determined whether or not the image reading device is in use, and if so, information on the use status including the current user name is displayed, and the image reading device is usable. In the case of, access to the image reading device from other devices is prohibited, the original set in the image reading device is read, and when the reading of the original is completed, the user information of the image reading device is deleted. A document processing system which clears the access prohibition and clears the access prohibition. 2. Checking whether or not the image reading apparatus shared on the network is accessible, and if the access is not possible, displaying a message indicating that access is not permitted, If it is possible, it is determined whether or not the image reading device is in use, and if so, information on the use status including the current user name is displayed, and the image reading device is usable. In the case of, access to the image reading device from other devices is prohibited, and the use start time of the image reading device is set, and the elapsed time since the use of the image reading device is started. It is determined whether or not a certain period of time has elapsed, and if the time elapsed since the start of use of the image reading device has exceeded a certain period of time, a warning message is displayed on the user side. In addition to displaying on the display means, clearing the set use start time, reading the document set in the image reading device, and when reading the document is completed, clearing the user information of the image reading device, A document processing system for canceling access prohibition. 3. An access permission / non-permission judgment unit for checking whether or not an image reading apparatus shared on a network can be accessed. As a result of the judgment by the access permission / inhibition judgment unit, if the access is not possible, Access denied display means for displaying a message indicating that access is not permitted; and, as a result of the judgment by the access permission / non-permission judgment means, if the access is possible, it is determined whether or not the image reading device is in use. Usage status determination means for performing, usage status display means for displaying information on usage status including a current user name when the image reading device is in use as a result of the determination by the usage status determination means, If the result of the determination by the determining means is that the image reading device is usable, another device accesses the image reading device. Access reading means for reading a document set in the image reading device; document reading end determining means for determining whether or not document reading processing by the image reading device has been completed; An access lock release unit for clearing the user information of the image reading device and releasing the access prohibition when the reading of the document is completed as a result of the determination by the document reading end determination unit. Document processing system. 4. An access permission / inhibition judging means for checking whether or not an access to the image reading apparatus shared on the network is possible, and as a result of the judgment by the access permission / inhibition means, if the access is not possible, Access denied display means for displaying a message indicating that access is not permitted; and, as a result of the judgment by the access permission / non-permission judgment means, if the access is possible, it is determined whether or not the image reading device is in use. Usage status determination means for performing, usage status display means for displaying information on usage status including a current user name when the image reading device is in use as a result of the determination by the usage status determination means, If the result of the determination by the determining means is that the image reading device is usable, another device accesses the image reading device. Access lock means for inhibiting the use of the image reading device, use start time setting means for setting the use start time of the image reading device, and whether or not the elapsed time from the start of use of the image reading device exceeds a predetermined time. When the elapsed time from the start of use of the image reading device exceeds a certain time, a warning is issued to the user side display means. Warning message display means for displaying a message, set time releasing means for clearing the set use start time, document reading means for reading a document set in the image reading device, and document reading processing by the image reading device. Document reading end determination means for determining whether or not to end the processing; Document processing system characterized by comprising an access lock canceling means for canceling the prohibition of the clear to the access user information of the image reading apparatus in. 5. An image reading device connected to a network, control means for controlling a plurality of devices connected to the network, and storage means for storing document data read by the image reading device. ,
A storage unit for storing an operation program and document data of the control unit, a display device for displaying the document data stored in the storage unit, a network interface for exchanging data with other devices via the network, A document processing system comprising: an image reading device control unit configured to control the image reading device; and an instruction signal input unit configured to input an instruction signal for editing and operating the document data read by the image reading device. Communication means for exchanging data with the shared image reading device; determining means for determining whether or not the image reading device can be used based on predetermined information; and use for storing a use state of the image reading device. Status storage means, and a usage status for checking the usage status of the image reading device Condition checking means, access control means for controlling whether or not another apparatus can access the image reading apparatus, and display means for displaying a warning message regarding use of the image reading apparatus. Document processing system. 6. A means for checking whether or not access to the image reading device is possible, and displaying a message to the effect that access is not permitted if the access is not possible; Means for judging whether or not the image reading device is in use, and displaying information on the use status including the current user name if the image reading device is in use; and Means for prohibiting access to the image reading device from other devices and reading a document set in the image reading device, and clearing user information of the image reading device when reading of the document is completed. Means for canceling the above-mentioned access prohibition. 7. A means for checking whether or not access to the image reading device is possible, and displaying a message indicating that access is not permitted if the access is not possible; Means for judging whether or not the image reading device is in use, and displaying information on the use status including the current user name if the image reading device is in use; and Means for prohibiting access to the image reading device from other devices and setting a use start time of the image reading device; and a time elapsed since the use of the image reading device is started for a predetermined time. Is determined, and if the elapsed time from the start of using the image reading device exceeds a certain time, a warning message is displayed on the display unit on the user side. Means for reading the original set in the image reading device by clearing the set use start time, and, when reading the original is completed, clearing the user information of the image reading device and accessing the document. A document processing apparatus comprising: means for releasing prohibition. 8. Access permission / non-permission judgment processing for checking whether or not an image reading apparatus shared on a network can be accessed, and as a result of the access permission / inhibition judgment processing, if the access is not possible, the access is permitted. An access disapproval display process for displaying a message indicating that access is not permitted, and a use for judging whether or not the image reading device is in use when the access is possible as a result of the access permission / inhibition determination process. A situation determination process, a use status display process for displaying information on a use status including a current user name when the image reading device is in use as a result of the use status determination process, and a result of the use status determination process If the image reading device is usable, access to prohibit access to the image reading device from other devices is prohibited. A lock process, a document reading process for setting and reading a document in the image reading device, a document reading end determining process for determining whether to finish the document reading process by the image reading device, and a document reading end determining process. As a result, when the processing is terminated, an access lock release process for clearing the user information of the image reading apparatus and releasing the above-mentioned prohibition of access is performed. 9. An access permission / inhibition determination process for checking whether access to an image reading device shared on a network is possible, and if the access is not possible as a result of the access permission / inhibition determination process, the access is permitted. An access disapproval display process for displaying a message indicating that access is not permitted, and a use for judging whether or not the image reading device is in use when the access is possible as a result of the access permission / inhibition determination process. A situation determination process, and as a result of the use situation determination process, when the image reading device is usable, an access lock process for inhibiting access to the image reading device from another device; and A use start time setting process for setting a use start time, and an elapsed time since the start of use of the image reading apparatus. A use time determination process for determining whether or not a predetermined time has been exceeded, and a warning message is generated when the elapsed time from the start of using the image reading device exceeds a certain time as a result of the use time determination process. Warning message display processing to be displayed on the display unit on the user side, set time release processing to clear the set use time that has been set and managed, and original reading processing to set and read an original in the image reading device And a document reading completion determination process for determining whether or not to finish the document reading process by the image reading device. As a result of the document reading completion determination process, the user information of the image reading device is cleared when it is completed. A document processing method for performing an access lock release process for releasing the access prohibition. 10. A storage medium characterized by storing a program for causing a computer to function as each means constituting the document processing system according to claim 1 so as to be readable from the computer. 11. A storage medium wherein a program for causing a computer to execute the procedure of the document processing method according to claim 8 or 9 is stored so as to be readable from the computer.